Today I'll be working out my migration away from Microsoft products completely. Heavy handed integration of "co-pilot" with no way to remove it was the last straw. Thankfully since Windows 8 I've always tried to buy tech from a mix of companies so it won't be too painful. - ThreadSky

planningtransport.co.uk • 67 days ago

Today I'll be working out my migration away from Microsoft products completely. Heavy handed integration of "co-pilot" with no way to remove it was the last straw. Thankfully since Windows 8 I've always tried to buy tech from a mix of companies so it won't be too painful.

Comments

slowbikeiain.bsky.social•67 days ago

I don't have any choice for work, but at home I'm pretty much a Microsoft-free zone, running on Linux and mostly open source.

brtrainspotting.bsky.social•67 days ago

If you need to use Windows for any programs I recommend using winaero tweaker, its a third party tool that allows you to take control of your device, by forcefully stopping forced updates, adverts, telemetry (spying), copilot, and many other useful tweaks! Windows is so much more usable with it.

havantenviro.bsky.social•67 days ago

Be aware that Chromebook doesn't support many printers although it does come with Linux which you can enable so you could use that with an appropriate driver and also install Linux software. You can also use most Android apps on a Chromebook.

havantenviro.bsky.social•67 days ago

Compatible Chromebook printers.

https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/12403345

havantenviro.bsky.social•67 days ago

You could still use your old Windows PC offline as long as you are careful if you transfer data to and from it.

I have set up RetroArch on mine to play old games via the TV.

havantenviro.bsky.social•67 days ago

I have been using Libre Office for years (and Open Office before that). Mainly the spreedsheet and wordprocessor parts.
I also gave up Adobe years ago.
Have used Gimp, Inkscape, QGIS, VLC and numerous other open source apps. Also use an old version of Paintshop Pro.

mariaabreu.bsky.social•67 days ago

I’ve been using Libre Office for a week, and very impressed so far.

planningtransport.co.uk•67 days ago

I think this will be forming part of my solution.

jonathanhopkin.bsky.social•67 days ago

Tell me more

mariaabreu.bsky.social•67 days ago

You can open Word documents and save them in Word, as well as PDF etc. It has a simple toolbar with all the main functions, and you can add more if required. It has the usual auto spell check etc. Basically all the Word functionalities but without the clutter.

paolosandro.bsky.social•67 days ago

Zotero integration?

mariaabreu.bsky.social•67 days ago

I haven't tried, but I believe there is a plug-in, and then it should work just like in Word (my PhD student used it in Libre Office).

mariaabreu.bsky.social•67 days ago

I haven’t tried the other programmes (the Excel equivalent, etc.), but I don’t use them much in Office.

blangry.bsky.social•67 days ago

It's all good in a lot of ways (Zotero integration also good for academic writing). Where it falls down (for me anyway) is shared writing: you're back to the 90s of "documentv25finalFINAL.doc" rather than sharing and writing collaboratively.

havantenviro.bsky.social•67 days ago

The spreadsheet works fine.
I have imported data I have downloaded, produced charts and use it for budgeting.

greasyboiler.bsky.social•67 days ago

what OS are you switching to? I don't much fancy windows 11 but I've been using windows PCs most of my life

planningtransport.co.uk•67 days ago

macOS. I've been running dual boot Windows/Mac for over a decade now.

mwtrips.bsky.social•67 days ago

I never installed Windows on my MacBook and have been a Micro$oft free zone for some years now. When I occasionally use Windows on someone else’s machine it does feel like a regression to a clunky past.

bobsrailrelics.co.uk•67 days ago

I use Windows for work but I have a Mac and a Chromebook, linking across Google apps. I have to use SharePoint and hate the thing.

cook558.bsky.social•67 days ago

I use OneDrive for free but just had a bit of a nightmare with it refusing to update documents after signing in. What alternatives are there?

cbed.bsky.social•67 days ago

I find Google Docs etc is just easy and universal, but I do think Proton products are worth watching

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