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View Full Version : Do you know how to get rid of a computer virus?



thinkgreen
9-30-14, 8:55pm
I have AVG Internet Security on my machine. It showed that I have a virus and that it had been healed. But everyday the virus check ran, it would show the virus had been detected and healed.

I contacted AVG and they tell me this virus encodes itself somehow and regenerates within your machine. They gave me a case number and said they'd get back to me in 2 days as to how to get rid of it. They have not got back to me and now say they have a high volume so they will not be able to get back to me for 2 more days.

Does anyone know much about this? Win32/Zmist

SteveinMN
9-30-14, 10:24pm
I'm a Mac guy now (used Windows for years and years) but I know that sometimes another anti-virus program can eradicate a virus another one can't. There are some free anti-virus applications out there; you might want to try one of those in a scan mode (that is, don't set it up to run automatically along with AVG or you can really bind things up).

bae
9-30-14, 10:42pm
I gave up on AVG a few years back for Windows machines, as it was becoming lamer and lamer. Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes run together seem to do the trick fine for almost everything for me now.

ToomuchStuff
9-30-14, 11:44pm
It has been a long time since I was a Window's user (still have one machine, that might get booted into, once every 18 months). Back when I did use it and the only time I had a virus, it infected the antivirus program. I found and use an online antivirus scanner and it eradicated it. I do agree that other things like Malwarebytes, and other things such as Spybot search and destroy were other useful tools.

Proud to be a Linux user, and this winter, spending some time to try to become a power Linux user.

razz
10-1-14, 7:17am
Well, my problem must not be a virus then. I have Norton 360, scanned with Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes as suggested above - nothing!!

On email and other postings including this site as well as MSWord, my cursor jumps all over the place and I have to backtrack and delete what I typed, and retype. What else could it be?

I just changed the batteries on my mouse on the off chance that it might be that simple a problem.

ToomuchStuff
10-1-14, 10:30am
Razz Test the batteries first. If it still jumps, do you have a corded mouse to try? Is the mouse optical? (most battery ones seem to be these days) If optical, are you using it on either a glass or red surface? (some don't like those) If the old fashioned ball type, have you cleaned the ball?
Then there are mouse settings that could affect it (in the control panel). Also were the keyboard and mouse bought together? (only once knew of a problem where two separate purchases were fighting for the same frequency, in that case it was two computer users in the same room, too close together)

Alan
10-1-14, 10:57am
Razz, do you happen to be using a laptop with a touchpad? If so, and the sensitivity is set too high, the cursor could be responding to your hand movements on the keyboard.

razz
10-1-14, 1:58pm
I disconnected the optical mouse and it still skips using just the touch pad. The cursor will jump back about 5-10 words. It has been getting worse over time. I could not find a link on the computer's panel to adjust the touch pad. I have Windows 7 on my Acer Aspire if that helps.

Alan
10-1-14, 2:03pm
I disconnected the optical mouse and it still skips using just the touch pad. The cursor will jump back about 5-10 words. It has been getting worse over time. I could not find a link on the computer's panel to adjust the touch pad. I have Windows 7 on my Acer Aspire if that helps.
http://acer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5839/~/how-do-i-change-the-touchpad-settings-in-windows-7%3F

thinkgreen
10-1-14, 2:08pm
Thanks for the info everyone. I will investigate Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes. In the meantime the virus scanner is reporting no virus found. But, can I trust it?

razz
10-1-14, 2:20pm
Will try again later. Thanks for the info.

Rogar
10-1-14, 6:11pm
I'm getting close to being over with Microsoft. A friend recommended I install Ubuntu. It's a freeware Linux based operating system and used instead of PC/Windows operating systems. I've looked it up and it seems to have good support and would save buying an Apple, which I do not doubt are good, but expensive. I have an older laptop and am going to try it and would use that computer for internet purchases and other financial transactions. It just seems like hackers are getting better. I think it would require a little bit of computer savvy to get going, but is widely used.

Alan
10-1-14, 6:46pm
I'm getting close to being over with Microsoft. A friend recommended I install Ubuntu. It's a freeware Linux based operating system and used instead of PC/Windows operating systems. I've looked it up and it seems to have good support and would save buying an Apple, which I do not doubt are good, but expensive. I have an older laptop and am going to try it and would use that computer for internet purchases and other financial transactions. It just seems like hackers are getting better. I think it would require a little bit of computer savvy to get going, but is widely used.
I would highly recommend everyone at least give Linux a shot. Ubuntu or one of its derivitives (Lubuntu, Xbuntu, Kubuntu, etc) are very good distributions and run well on older machines as they typically use less system resources. My current favorite is a separate distribution based on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, which Windows users will find to be very friendly and intuitive. One of the cool things if you're curious is the ability to try any of the various flavors out prior to installing them on your computer. Just download the ISO, burn it to CD or DVD then boot your computer from the disc. The operating system will load into memory and, if you like it, you can install from that session. If you don't like it, simply re-boot from your hard drive.

ToomuchStuff
10-2-14, 10:31am
Also there is a program called Unetbootin that will allow you to write those ISO's to a USB drive (since a lot of newer machines in the last few years are starting to eliminate the optical drives). You can use those on any machine that you can set to boot from USB.
I do NOT recommend just installing and replacing what your used to, because there is a learning curve. On a second machine, a small install, dual boot, or installing from and to another USB stick, after trying the bootable ISO's, is what I recommend.

Gardenarian
10-2-14, 11:06am
Malwarebytes (mentioned by Bae) is a free software that works wonderfully at getting rid of viruses. We use it at work, and I run it once a week or so on my PC at home. We mostly use Macs and haven't had any virus programs with those.

Bartleby
10-7-14, 1:43am
I would highly recommend everyone at least give Linux a shot.

This is an intriguing idea, as I have an old iMac that I understand may be a good candidate for this. The hardware seems fine but the software is just out of date and no longer supported.

Sorry to be dull, but what are the main advantages to Linux? I can use all the latest programs without having to buy a new computer, right?

Alan
10-7-14, 7:54am
....Sorry to be dull, but what are the main advantages to Linux? I can use all the latest programs without having to buy a new computer, right?
I would say the main advantages are cost (free), security and flexibility. Most Linux distributions are also less dependent upon system resources which makes them ideal for older machines.

Most major distributions also maintain their own software repositories for Linux programming ported to their particular flavor. I believe the Ubuntu repository contains somewhere around 70,000 free, open source, programs. You should be able to find an application with all the features you've become accustomed to on your Mac within one of the repositories.

bUU
10-7-14, 8:09am
I can use all the latest programs without having to buy a new computer, right?It depends on what you mean by "the latest programs". Most Macintosh users, when they talk about applications, are talking about things like Photoshop, Final Cut, Office Mac, Quicken for Mac, etc. If you do searches on "Photoshop for Linux" or "Quicken for Linux" you'll see that what is mostly being discussed are ideas for doing without "the latest programs" you're probably referring to and instead making do with what's available on Linux or settling for other compromises. Adobe flat-out refuses to port Photoshop to Linux. Intuit flat-out refuses to port Quicken to Linux. And so on. It your looking for a machine to do some home-grown software development or web hosting, Linux is the answer. If you're looking to replace your familiar, easy-to-use Macintosh, it is not.

Alan
10-7-14, 8:17am
It your looking for a machine to do some home-grown software development or web hosting, Linux is the answer. If you're looking to replace your familiar, easy-to-use Macintosh, it is not.I would disagree. Gimp is a serviceable replacement for Photoshop and GnuCash has most of the popular features of Quicken (and did I mention they're both free). Granted, not everyone is brave enough to replace the tried and true, but for those who are, Linux is a great alternative.

bUU
10-7-14, 8:31am
I would disagree. Gimp is a serviceable replacement for Photoshop and GnuCash has most of the popular features of QuickenBut Gimp isn't Photoshop and GnuCash is not Quicken.

It's okay to disagree, but let's make it very clear to people who talk about wanting to use "the latest software" that the software they are probably talking about when they say that is not going to be available on this panacea you're outlining. Hopefully the OP will clarify precisely what is meant - precisely what is being sought.

Alan
10-7-14, 8:33am
But Gimp isn't Photoshop and GnuCash is not Quicken.


Point taken, but Cheerios are not store brand Oat Rings either, and they taste the same to me.

bUU
10-7-14, 8:51am
Yet that's a really bad analogy, since there are quantum differences between Gimp and Photoshop as compared to the relatively small differences between Cheerios and Oat Rings. I realize you're a bit too invested in your personal preference to admit that though, so we'll just have to agree to disagree, and let Bartleby speak for himself about what s/he was actually asking about.

Alan
10-7-14, 9:22am
I realize you're a bit too invested in your personal preference to admit that though, so we'll just have to agree to disagree, and let Bartleby speak for himself about what s/he was actually asking about.
Thanks Bicker, more often than not personal preference influences opinions. I appreciate your willingness to hear, and disagree, with mine. If Bartleby wants to use your examples of Photoshop or Quicken only, then he will have difficulty doing so with Linux outside of running a virtual machine. But, if he just needs a reliable graphics editor and personal finance software, he can find plenty of both within a Linux environment. Of course, that's just my opinion so you should feel free to discount it vigorously as you wish.

bUU
10-7-14, 9:34am
Well at least we can say you're consistent.

SteveinMN
10-7-14, 10:56am
Linux has improved ease of use by several orders of magnitude over the past several years. But, as bUU points out, it is not plug-and-play for people who are uncomfortable running "equivalent" applications instead of "the real thing" and just want to plug in that new digital camera they bought without having to search out Linux-compatible models or appropriate driver or accessory software. Linux has some tremendous benefits but it's not without its downside.

thinkgreen
10-7-14, 11:48am
Interesting take on the thread.

AVG has now emailed me asking me to send them the sysinfo file. Which I did Sep 27 and they acknowledged receiving it. That was when they said they'd get back to me in 2 days and tell me how to fix it. I am frustrated. I am taking my computer into the shop to see if they can help.

AVG told me they can fix it instantly by connecting remotely to my computer for $79. I already paid for my subscription so I am not paying them again.

I installed Malwarebytes and it found no virus although AVG still does every couple of days - but not everyday. I tried using Windows Defender but AVG has disabled it and I can't seem to get it to be enabled again.

Alan
10-7-14, 12:35pm
..... But, as bUU points out, it is not plug-and-play for people who are uncomfortable running "equivalent" applications instead of "the real thing" and just want to plug in that new digital camera they bought without having to search out Linux-compatible models or appropriate driver or accessory software. Linux has some tremendous benefits but it's not without its downside.
Most of those downsides have been engineered out of the most popular distributions as per your example, plugging in your new digital camera is absolutely plug n play these days. The platform has come a long way in the last couple of years although I agree that it's not for everyone.

bUU
10-7-14, 12:35pm
AVG has now emailed me asking me to send them the sysinfo file. Which I did Sep 27 and they acknowledged receiving it. That was when they said they'd get back to me in 2 days and tell me how to fix it. I am frustrated. I am taking my computer into the shop to see if they can help.

AVG told me they can fix it instantly by connecting remotely to my computer for $79. I already paid for my subscription so I am not paying them again.

I installed Malwarebytes and it found no virus although AVG still does every couple of days - but not everyday. I tried using Windows Defender but AVG has disabled it and I can't seem to get it to be enabled again.
I'm not sure if AVG is similarly invasive, but McAfee has to be "removed" with a specific program that you have to download off their website, after you have "uninstalled" it. Then, Windows Defender still cannot be enabled until after the computer is rebooted.


he platform has come a long way in the last couple of years although I agree that it's not for everyone.Given that this thread is about AVG on a Windows computer, I feel it is past time to take these off-topic, personal opinions to another thread. It's becoming tiring providing balance to the imbalance your comments inject. Thanks.

Alan
10-7-14, 12:46pm
Given that this thread is about AVG on a Windows computer, I feel it is past time to take these off-topic, personal opinions to another thread. It's becoming tiring providing balance to the imbalance your comments inject. Thanks.
You're right bUU, no one is interested in an alternative solution where neither AVG nor the offending virus would be a cause for concern. Certainly not the poster who originally brought up the idea nor the other who expressed an interest. Thanks again for staying on top of this developing situation.

bUU
10-7-14, 12:56pm
Incorrect. The OP did not ask for your views on switching to a different operating system. You clearly cannot see straight past your own personal preference.

Alan
10-7-14, 1:03pm
Incorrect. The OP did not ask for your views on switching to a different operating system. Again, thanks for pointing out the obvious. I'm sure the OP has no interest in alternative operating systems, although several other posters have.

You clearly cannot see straight past your own personal preference.
Sure I can. I can see the merits to your personal preferences as well and would never dream of forbidding you the opportunity to express your opinions. But maybe that's just me, you know, enjoying variety and the opportunity to explore alternatives.

By the way, how's the weather wherever you are? It sounds kinda gloomy.

Gardenarian
10-7-14, 1:25pm
I think AVG is a pain. I accidentally installed it once on my PC and it took forever to get rid of it. It's almost a virus itself.

ApatheticNoMore
10-7-14, 1:29pm
I think AVG is a pain. I accidentally installed it once on my PC and it took forever to get rid of it. It's almost a virus itself.

+1 yes I deliberately installed it once being tired of the other anti-virus programs, but it was nearly as bad as a virus, slowing the computer more and more, worse every day, until it was almost unusable. But it's free!

ToomuchStuff
10-7-14, 3:23pm
You're right bUU, no one is interested in an alternative solution where neither AVG nor the offending virus would be a cause for concern. Certainly not the poster who originally brought up the idea nor the other who expressed an interest. Thanks again for staying on top of this developing situation.


Incorrect. The OP did not ask for your views on switching to a different operating system. You clearly cannot see straight past your own personal preference.

Why don't the two of you get a room and lets see if the original poster comes back.

Alan
10-7-14, 4:29pm
Why don't the two of you get a room and lets see if the original poster comes back.LOL, bUU doesn't like me "that way", nor any other way as far as I can tell, and the OP did check in just a few hours ago, you may have missed it.

Now, I think I'll step away from the target. Too many folks throwing wild shots down range for my comfort.

bUU
10-7-14, 4:39pm
No, Alan, you yourself crystallized the problem (http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?10880-Do-you-know-how-to-get-rid-of-a-computer-virus&p=187076&viewfull=1#post187076): You feel entitled to restate your nonsense regardless, just because you want to, and the idea of someone balancing your bias with the alternative perspective is clearly an anathema, seemingly prompting you to grasp at straws to rationalize restating your nonsense over and over again. How about in the future, when you have your say, let me have mine, and let the thread continue from there?

Alan
10-7-14, 5:50pm
No, Alan, you yourself crystallized the problem (http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?10880-Do-you-know-how-to-get-rid-of-a-computer-virus&p=187076&viewfull=1#post187076): You feel entitled to restate your nonsense regardless, just because you want to, and the idea of someone balancing your bias with the alternative perspective is clearly an anathema, seemingly prompting you to grasp at straws to rationalize restating your nonsense over and over again. How about in the future, when you have your say, let me have mine, and let the thread continue from there?
I thought you'd decided to get away from your original purpose on these forums as described by your original user name. I've contributed as much to this thread as I intend, so you'll have to come after me in another. Sorry to disappoint.

bUU
10-7-14, 6:26pm
Yup, it is always about you, Alan.

Can we get back to the topic of the thread now?

Alan
10-7-14, 6:32pm
:doh:

ApatheticNoMore
10-7-14, 6:44pm
I would take it for granted that what OS you use might differ based on different needs, I'd always want to have one that would replicate the typical office environment with the corresponding software (technically it's a mixed unix/windows environment, but unix is mostly the servers). Other than that people will argue OSes, I guess.

razz
10-7-14, 9:07pm
FWIW, I thought that Alan was responding with alternatives if the virus issue is not resolved otherwise. It was info that I valued since my cursor is still jumping all over the place. Everyone that I have discussed this problem with thinks that it is some kind of virus that has not been detected. I am not spending anymore on this laptop.

I am seriously looking at an Apple product (Ipad Air) since the discussion, that I have enjoyed and understood has indicated that some of the alternatives suggested might be too advanced for my level of understanding. I really needed to know that.

Please, please do not limit the ideas and discussion that arise in threads.

Bartleby
10-7-14, 9:27pm
Hi all. Sorry if I stirred things up.

I didn’t realize this was such a hot button issue (sort of like spanking as a form of discipline, I guess… instead of as pure recreation, which I strongly endorse!)

Looking back at all my computer purchases, the most fulfilling one was the very first, when I plunked down a ridiculous amount of money for a Mac SE (anyone remember those?).

That felt empowering, as clunky as the hardware was. Everything after that has been an exercise in frustration to some degree.

When I finally had to replace my beloved SE because I couldn’t get software for it anymore, I bought the closest thing I could find to it, which was a low end mac.

That was frustrating from the beginning, in part because the hardware was already insufficient to run the Japanese language operating system that came pre installed.

My next purchase was a Windows Millennium box. A piece of crap, but I used it for 6 years or so.

Then one day I was strolling on the Ginza and found myself in the mac store. The iMacs looked awfully sweet, and I decided to avoid my previous mistake and bought a higher end model, one of the more expensive machines in the store -- which means pretty expensive. That was 2006, and I have very much enjoyed my experience. No crashing, no nonsense.

But now everywhere I go (in cyberspace) I am being told to upgrade my browser -- but I can’t because my OS is too old. So Yahoo mail doesn’t work right anymore, and when I come across naughty video clips on flickr, I can’twatch them for some reason. (There is nothing worse than a naughty video clip that doesn’t work!)

Recently my sister bought my poor old mother a Windows 8 machine, which she is having great difficulty to use. At first I thought she was just being, well, old, but when I tried to help her on a recent visit, I felt like throwing the thing out the Window … I will never ever buy another Windows. Sure, I could learn to use it, but why should I have to? Or I could buy a new mac, but again,why should I have to?

I resent being forced to buy a new computer when my old one still works perfectly fine.

Joe Dominguez argued that inflation was no big deal if you managed your purchases, citing his three-speed English touring bicycle vs. the ten-speeds of the day. A lot of people discount that view, but I have found it to be true in some areas. I saved a huge amount of money on my last TV purchase simply by choosing the best of yesterday’s technology instead today’s. It meets my tastes perfectly well.

I would like to do the same with computers, but the software industry sofar has not allowed me to do that, even though I don’t need, and don’t even like, all the bells and whistles and memory consuming garbage that they are constantly forcing down my throat.

I thought of Linux a few years ago, but decided it was too much for me, more of a Luddite than a computer geek.

But from what I am hearing it may be time to reconsider, even if it does require a bit of work.

For if I can take greater control of this aspect of my life, which is after all a necessity these days, it seems like it might well be worth it downthe road.

Regards
B

Alan
10-7-14, 9:41pm
....I thought of Linux a few years ago, but decided it was too much for me,more of a Luddite than a computer geek.

But from what I am hearing it may be time to reconsider, even if itdoes require a bit of work.

For if I can take greater control of this aspect of my life, which isafter all a necessity these days, it seems like it might well be worth it downthe road.

Regards
B

If you're truly interested, here's an older primer on exactly how to do it on your iMac. http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/install_linux_your_mac
This primer is six years old but the only difference I think you'll find is that it's now actually easier than the instructions may lead you to believe. If you do try it, let us know how it goes.

thinkgreen
10-8-14, 12:17am
Well the virus is gone. The shop uninstalled AVG and re-initiated Windows Defender. So now I have Windows Defender, Malwarebytes and Super Anti-Spyware. Hopefully that should make me bullet proof! Plus I will not pay again for AVG. Too bad I have 14 months left on my subscription.

Thanks to all for the advice.

ToomuchStuff
10-8-14, 1:22am
Thinkgreen, good to hear your happily back up and running. There is one point of view that I didn't mention, because I am not a fan. I know some who only install antivirus when they suspect they have one.
I would think about sending your experience to the company since you paid for it. Doubt you would see a refund on the unused part (in the EULA I bet), but I would ask.

bUU
10-8-14, 5:36am
Please, please do not limit the ideas and discussion that arise in threads.Both the ideas and the disagreements with them.


I will never ever buy another Windows. Sure, I could learn to use it, but why should I have to?In a way, computing is still relatively new and there are competing and changing standards for how software should work.


Or I could buy a new mac, but again,why should I have to? You'll still have something to learn, no matter what path you take, simply because everything is still changing, still (hopefully) heading toward some convergence of interoperability.


I resent being forced to buy a new computer when my old one still works perfectly fine.I feel the same way - as long my old computer works perfectly fine, I keep it and use it. It is only after I can no longer do what I want to do on my computer anymore that I consider a new computer, either because what it used to do no longer work or because I need it to do something it never was able to do.


But from what I am hearing it may be time to reconsider, even if it does require a bit of work. That's just Alan overselling it. It won't make your life better. It'll just make it more difficult for certain things.

bUU
10-8-14, 12:10pm
For future reference, the full instructions for ridding a computer of AVG can be found here:

http://forums.avg.com/ww-en/avg-forums?sec=thread&act=show&id=215517&ECID=af:cj

Alan
10-8-14, 12:33pm
For future reference, the full instructions for ridding a computer of AVG can be found here:

http://forums.avg.com/ww-en/avg-forums?sec=thread&act=show&id=215517&ECID=af:cj
For clarification, that's for a Windows machine, Linux users never needed AVG in the first place. Just sayin...;)

SteveinMN
10-8-14, 2:02pm
Most of those downsides have been engineered out of the most popular distributions as per your example, plugging in your new digital camera is absolutely plug n play these days. The platform has come a long way in the last couple of years although I agree that it's not for everyone.
So how come when I connect my Nikon DSLR and am prompted that a new version of software is available from Nikon, it is always either just Windows or Macintosh? Not even a courtesy link to how to connect with Linux. It's pretty much the same with my Canon printer. I'd like to update the firmware on my LG TV, too, but apparently that updater is Windows only, like nothing else exists.

None of these are backwater no-name "I-saved-a-few-bucks" products. So either Linux is not as PnP as Windows/Mac or the drivers are durable but not keyed at all to the capabilities of what they connect to, in which case I saved a lot of money on my OS and wasted it on my Nikon, Canon, and LG electronics. Oh, and having to run WINE or some other emulator doesn't count in my book. :)

Mind you, I think Linux is a great choice in a number of instances. And as more of the world moves to cloud services, how you get there will be ever less important. But right now I do not want to be the person who gets the call when my family member Linux user cannot install "Hallmark's World of Cards" or some coupon-printing software because it does not come in a flavor of Linux.

ApatheticNoMore
10-8-14, 2:51pm
For clarification, that's for a Windows machine, Linux users never needed AVG in the first place. Just sayin...

does MS Visual Studio run on Linux? I've honestly never tried, it seems really weird to use MS proprietary development tools on Linux though I must say, but that's the type of stuff I mean by duplicate the average *work environment* ...

bUU
10-8-14, 2:53pm
does MS Visual Studio run on Linux?
Not without a Windows OS emulator. The same can be said of myriad other Windows-only, Macintosh-only, and Windows-and-Macintosh-only applications. But rest assured that Alan will think his personal preference is so incredibly important that he'll have to find a way to drive the thread back off-topic to try to dodge this additional reality too.

Alan
10-8-14, 3:13pm
So how come when I connect my Nikon DSLR and am prompted that a new version of software is available from Nikon, it is always either just Windows or Macintosh? Not even a courtesy link to how to connect with Linux. It's pretty much the same with my Canon printer. I'd like to update the firmware on my LG TV, too, but apparently that updater is Windows only, like nothing else exists.

It seems apparent that the problem is with your devices not supporting Linux rather than Linux not supporting your devices. For what it's worth, every flavor of Linux I've tested over the past couple of years has had no problems recognizing devices such as my Nikon DSLR or iPhone. I haven't tried a direct connect printer but have had no issues connecting to my network printer using Linux's Samba interface.

Linux market share in the home computing environment is very low. As it increases I'm sure many of your favorite device and software providers will include the appropriate interface, and if not, the open source community will port the reluctant apps for you if they haven't already.

I recognize that most computer users will gladly give up security for convenience, and that group should definitely run with the Windows or Mac crowd. For others who don't mind the inability to install "Hallmark's World of Cards", but cherish a safe, secure and free computing environment, or those who'd like a less resource intensive OS in hopes of extending the life of their older machine, there are lots of nice alternatives.

Alan
10-8-14, 3:16pm
But rest assured that Alan will think his personal preference is so incredibly important that he'll have to find a way to drive the thread back off-topic to try to dodge this additional reality too.Dude, you need to start charging me rent for all the time I spend in your head. I'll try to help you out by only responding to every second off-topic reference to me in your posts. That might help you some.

bUU
10-8-14, 3:59pm
But rest assured that Alan will think his personal preference is so incredibly important that he'll have to find a way to drive the thread back off-topic to try to dodge this additional reality too.
Case in point.

It seems apparent that the problem is with your devices not supporting Linux rather than Linux not supporting your devices.
Get over yourself Alan.

Alan
10-8-14, 4:06pm
Look bUU, if you disagree with me on this, or any, subject, say so. Make your case and we can discuss it or move on. On the other hand, if you just want to continue berating me for whatever reason, let's do it via private message or email. If you don't agree to that option, you can leave.

Be sure and make up your mind before you post in this thread again. I've tried to be light hearted with you but you've worn out my patience.

bUU
10-8-14, 4:13pm
The patience I've run out of is not so much with what you're saying but rather with the inappropriate manner with which you try to assert its relevance and significance.

ToomuchStuff
10-9-14, 10:46am
So how come when I connect my Nikon DSLR and am prompted that a new version of software is available from Nikon, it is always either just Windows or Macintosh? Not even a courtesy link to how to connect with Linux. It's pretty much the same with my Canon printer. I'd like to update the firmware on my LG TV, too, but apparently that updater is Windows only, like nothing else exists.

None of these are backwater no-name "I-saved-a-few-bucks" products. So either Linux is not as PnP as Windows/Mac or the drivers are durable but not keyed at all to the capabilities of what they connect to, in which case I saved a lot of money on my OS and wasted it on my Nikon, Canon, and LG electronics. Oh, and having to run WINE or some other emulator doesn't count in my book. :)

Mind you, I think Linux is a great choice in a number of instances. And as more of the world moves to cloud services, how you get there will be ever less important. But right now I do not want to be the person who gets the call when my family member Linux user cannot install "Hallmark's World of Cards" or some coupon-printing software because it does not come in a flavor of Linux.
What your discussing, isn't the USB standard, but the software that is activated by the devices. The drivers have a little bit of software that stays active in memory (and sometimes the toolbar), that will activate when plugged in. They are add on code to the Windows kernel.
Linux, devices get what is needed when standard such as USB and non Win based, get rolled into the kernal itself. When I put my memory card from my camera in my Linux box, it pops up with a what do you want to do with it box. Linux sees everything as a file. Even devices are files under /media (used to be and might be under /mnt) and those files may contain folders (in a camera case, where your pictures are. You will still see those folders with My Computer under Windows.
Printers can be hardware based (in which case they tend to work with Linux or someone is working on them), or Windows based (the hardware in them, isn't as they are cheaper to manufacture and sell while letting the Windows computer act as hardware, via software and the CPU of the computer). I long ago got away from Win printers and went laser on a print server so anything on my network can use it and it is cheaper to print with then the old Win Injets I used.


does MS Visual Studio run on Linux? I've honestly never tried, it seems really weird to use MS proprietary development tools on Linux though I must say, but that's the type of stuff I mean by duplicate the average *work environment* ...
For programming under Linux the primary free complier is part of the Gnu toolkit (GCC C programing) There are ports of it for Windows. But there isn't the handholding software or self promoting and report back to the mothership software that Windows has. There are some software that is truely cross platform and some of it has been mentioned (Libreoffice, Openoffice, Gnucash, etc).

It seems apparent that the problem is with your devices not supporting Linux rather than Linux not supporting your devices. For what it's worth, every flavor of Linux I've tested over the past couple of years has had no problems recognizing devices such as my Nikon DSLR or iPhone. I haven't tried a direct connect printer but have had no issues connecting to my network printer using Linux's Samba interface.

Linux market share in the home computing environment is very low. As it increases I'm sure many of your favorite device and software providers will include the appropriate interface, and if not, the open source community will port the reluctant apps for you if they haven't already.

I recognize that most computer users will gladly give up security for convenience, and that group should definitely run with the Windows or Mac crowd. For others who don't mind the inability to install "Hallmark's World of Cards", but cherish a safe, secure and free computing environment, or those who'd like a less resource intensive OS in hopes of extending the life of their older machine, there are lots of nice alternatives.
Linux marketshare is really unknowable. For one, the way Linux works, you can eliminate it talking to the outside world, without specifically blocking it while plugged in to your network. Windows would require you to use another device to do that. For another, over the years I have used browsers under Linux, where I could tell it to report as using x software on y OS. (so it could look like a Windows machine). Konquerer was the easist browser for that. That is if you want to share.
Yet another point is the computing environments have been evolving, and more people use Linux then they realize. The thing is it has been prettied up and they are given a non root account to do what they have been allowed to do. (Android device, Tivo, etc) But that is more of a discussion of ubiquitous computing verses the traditional desktop environment, where without preinstalls, Linux won't win.
Also, if the preinstalls were there, while you would not see as many viruses (from memory there are 4 Linux ones, and 3 were proof of concept), you would see other attacks increased. (the more popular something is, the more it i s attacked)
Not to mention it is also bad for business (I can still run LInux on a Pentuim from 2001 and have a useful computer).


The patience I've run out of is not so much with what you're saying but rather with the inappropriate manner with which you try to assert its relevance and significance.

Will the two of you cut it out!!!
Quit trying to have the last word (what your doing) and goading each other. I was the first one that mentioned Linux and then Rogar asked, BEFORE Alan chimed in. GET OVER IT.
Your having a personality clash, take it out of here.

SteveinMN
10-9-14, 1:37pm
It seems apparent that the problem is with your devices not supporting Linux rather than Linux not supporting your devices.
(Almost) potato-po-tah-to. Doesn’t really matter to users where the software comes from, so long as it's there. I agree that the app/driver software should come from and be maintained by the third party. Thing is -- it's not.


Linux market share in the home computing environment is very low. As it increases I'm sure many of your favorite device and software providers will include the appropriate interface, and if not, the open source community will port the reluctant apps for you if they haven't already.
Let me put that quote into my database in Microsoft Access for Mac. Oh, wait.... :D

I have great faith in the open source community. I run lots of open-source software myself (Thunderbird, Firefox, NeoOffice [a fork of OpenOffice], darktable, and more). But even if the open-source community had nothing at all better to do than wait for Canon (Epson, HP, Brother, Lenovo,...) to release their next printer and port the software over to Linux, making users hunt for it on the Internet rather than install it from Canon's Web site -- like they can for Mac or Windows (even decade-old versions of Windows) -- does not make the OS any easier to love.


I recognize that most computer users will gladly give up security for convenience, and that group should definitely run with the Windows or Mac crowd. For others who don't mind the inability to install "Hallmark's World of Cards", but cherish a safe, secure and free computing environment, or those who'd like a less resource intensive OS in hopes of extending the life of their older machine, there are lots of nice alternatives.
I'm typing this note on a seven-year-old MacBook Pro using Apple's current operating system. I'd say the life of this machine has been plenty extended and it shows no signs of going anywhere.

I'm sure someone as familiar with computers as you are simply forgot that Apple's OS X operating system and Linux have the same roots in UNIX. So I, too, enjoy a safe, secure and free computing environment. :)

But it's pointless, really, to continue this offshoot of the thread. Perhaps we can be libertarian in allowing people their own priorities and choices in computer use and not denigrate others who have values different from our own? I like my UNIX with a layer of Apple on top. Others like it shiny, like Google's Chrome, or its hobnobbing cousin Android. Run raw Linux happily if it does what you want it to do. For better or worse, though, it doesn't work for me. And its low adoption rate tells me I'm far from alone.

Alan
10-9-14, 2:12pm
I'm sure someone as familiar with computers as you are simply forgot that Apple's OS X operating system and Linux have the same roots in UNIX. So I, too, enjoy a safe, secure and free computing environment. :)


LOL, I mentioned Apple's UNIX roots here several years ago and received several responses reminiscent of many on this thread. I'll think twice before repeating such heresy again. ;)

Yossarian
10-9-14, 11:01pm
Isn't there a version of the Chrome OS that is downloadable? I thought that was a low demand linux type OS you could install on old computers too?

ToomuchStuff
10-9-14, 11:13pm
Isn't there a version of the Chrome OS that is downloadable? I thought that was a low demand linux type OS you could install on old computers too?

Not that I am aware of, as it is a version by Google, with some proprietary stuff, that they also put on specific hardware. (they treat it kind of like Apple, where they want control of the OS and the Hardware)

Yossarian
10-10-14, 5:55am
This is kind of what I was thinking: http://greenido.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/install-chromiumos-on-your-old-laptop/ or https://plus.google.com/app/basic/stream/z13xin0zpljrfdeio04cdvzxjtytchcwccg

Might be somewhat limiting but would at least fix the browser issue. Of course Chromebooks are not that expensive so maybe not worth the hassle.

SteveinMN
10-10-14, 1:54pm
LOL, I mentioned Apple's UNIX roots here several years ago and received several responses reminiscent of many on this thread. I'll think twice before repeating such heresy again. ;)
That's our Alan! :)

Packy
10-10-14, 2:22pm
I'll bet you--- nine-out-of-ten of you kidses' 'puter prollems are caused by crumbs and grease from that yummy, luscious, scrumptious sausage-and-pepperoni- and-canadian-bacon, Seattle-Style pizza, piled high with oooey-gooey mozzzzarellli cheeeese, that you eat every single day. It's because of pizzza particulates falling down in your keyboard, soaking into your mouse, and even into the "intel inside" microdealybobbers what make it 'pute. Just betcha. Get some solvent,, canned compressed air(25 psi max), and clean 'er out. Then, consume your pizzza in front of the Teee-Veee while watching manic-fanatic stadium sports, news propaganda or mindless nighttime dramas, instead of on the puter. See? Hope that helps you some.

Packy
10-10-14, 3:03pm
Thank Mee.