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2012-11-14, 12:22 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2008
How your computer operating system kills your computer
You have a computer. Every so often you get directed to make a "must have" download for security reasons, from the people who made the software that keeps your computer running. Each time that you do this, your operating system becomes a little bit larger and consumes a little bit more of your RAM just to operate.
This is an attack upon good sense. It is a way of dealing with customers as if they were a captive audience. This is tried and true b^&54it.
How do you deal with it?
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2012-11-14, 12:24 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2010
- Location
- Argonth
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2012-11-14, 01:09 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2005
- Location
- Australia
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
"My Hobby: Replacing your soap with gravy" by rtg0922, Doll and Clint "Rawhide" Eastwood by Sneak
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2012-11-14, 02:28 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
- Location
- Manchester, UK
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
You're also working from a false premise. The security downloads provided for Windows, Linux etc. more often than not *replace* an existing component, they don't add on top of it! If you're looking for the thing that tends to make your OS bloat over time, then I'm afraid it's almost certainly in the chair, not in the computer--it's the user who installs all the cool gizmos and software that come along, and then wonder why it takes 23 minutes for their system to boot.
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2012-11-14, 02:48 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2008
- Location
- NYC
- Gender
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2012-11-14, 02:49 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Location
- Northern California
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
Exactly. And it's not the OS that keeps adding to the overhead, it's all the OTHER programs that you install that want to automatically start their own update routines during bootup. For Windows users, msconfig is your friend, although you still want a handful of packages to keep looking for updates for the same security reasons: Main Browser, Office, Flash, Java, Anti-Virus, any other high-use or automatically launched add-on/plugin. Most everything else I set to only check when I actually launch the program, so I still get timely updates, they just don't add to the boot wait.
I have my own TV show featuring local musicians performing live. YouTube page with full episodes and outtake clips here.
I also have another YouTube page with local live music clips I've filmed on my own.
Then there is my gaming YouTube page with Kerbal Space Program, Minecraft, and others.
Finally, I stream on Twitch, mostly Kerbal Space Program and Minecraft.
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2012-11-14, 02:58 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
- Location
- Cippa's River Meadow
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
A word of advice - don't go turning programs off in msconfig if you're not sure what you're doing.
Programs like CCleaner are also excellent for keeping your registry streamlined and your startup programs to minimum.
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2012-11-14, 03:08 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2011
- Location
- Washington
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
Last edited by Togath; 2012-11-14 at 03:15 AM.
Meow(Steam page)
[I]"If you are far from this regions, there is a case what the game playing can not be comfortable.["/I]
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2012-11-14, 03:18 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
- Location
- Cippa's River Meadow
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
Depends on what the update is. I've got my Windows Update set to notify, so I can see what I'm installing.
Security updates are pretty much mandatory. Functionality or bug fixing patches are dependent on whether I have that software/hardware installed and whether I need whatever it is they're patching for.
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2012-11-14, 03:39 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2007
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
Adrie, half elven bard. Drawing by Vulion, avatar by CheesePirate. Colored version by Callos_DeTerran. Thanks a lot, you guys.This place is not a place of honor…no highly esteemed deed is commemorated here… nothing valued is here."There will come a day so dark you will pray for death. On that day your prayers will be answered."Book of shadows, book of night, wake the beast and banish light.
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2012-11-14, 06:40 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
- Location
- Some say he's in Scotland
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2012-11-14, 07:22 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Oct 2012
- Location
- Harrisburg PA,
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
There is rules here about offering professional advice, But here is something I express to people
If the Idiots on you tube can figure it out.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlvbV...eature=related
Those updates help keep the scriptkiddies out of your machine. I advise you to install them. Yes they will take up more room on your machine. Yes some of them will upset system stability when there is installed software that exploits system files.
If your window updates are making your system unstable. I would advise a format and re install, You may very well have a rootkit in there that has hijacked several system files and dll's. Windows updates sometimes make rootkited systems unstable due to file conflicts.
Regardless keep your credit info off of that machine.If you wish to have a voice chat, Send me a PM and we can arrange it. Provided you use skype.
I do not give permission for posts may be used for research purposes unless written permission is given.
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2012-11-14, 05:56 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Location
- Canuckistan
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
I was told the most common computer error is usually in the end user's DNA..
The thing about updates isn't that they're unneeded, it's that they're completely annoying and pop up way too often (case in point: Firefox, which had almost daily version updates for the better part of a year before I gave up and turned them off completely). They also more often than not break something with an "improvement" that isn't an improvement at all (i.e. especially interface overhauls that make something more shiny but less usable because controls are missing from their usual places).
Finally, some programs like Java or anything Adobe ever that isn't $1k software will want an almost daily update that disrupts your routine by doing stuff like making you restart computer/browser, and making you wait all the time.
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2012-11-14, 08:58 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2012
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2012-11-14, 11:31 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- May 2005
- Location
- Somerville, MA
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
Assuming each update did indeed consume more memory, I'd rather lose RAM to the update than to the malware that slipped in while the system was unpatched.
If you like what I have to say, please check out my GMing Blog where I discuss writing and roleplaying in greater depth.
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2012-11-14, 11:55 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2005
- Location
- Australia
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
If you don't want to be subject to Firefox's absolutely ludicrous update schedule, then use the Extended Support Release. It's a feature locked release that only receives security and stability updates to this schedule.
Though, I no longer recommend Firefox at all.
"My Hobby: Replacing your soap with gravy" by rtg0922, Doll and Clint "Rawhide" Eastwood by Sneak
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2012-11-15, 02:47 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
- Location
- Manchester, UK
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
I think saying that things like Java or Adobe Reader require daily updates is a massive exaggeration anyway. According to the Java control panel on the machine I'm typing this on my Java only checks for updates once a month anyway. I can only think of one Adobe Reader update my machine has needed in the last month or two, as well.
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2012-11-15, 03:10 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
- Location
- Cippa's River Meadow
- Gender
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2012-11-15, 07:51 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
- Location
- Manchester, UK
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
Well, yes, how would it check for updates otherwise? I'm pretty sure it gives you the option, though--you can tell it to never check for updates and just do it manually if you want to.
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2012-11-15, 07:56 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2008
- Location
- UK
- Gender
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2012-11-15, 08:08 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2007
- Location
- Cippa's River Meadow
- Gender
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2012-11-15, 10:10 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- The Great White North
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
How do you keep a fool busy? Turn upside down for answer.
˙ɹǝʍsuɐ ɹoɟ uʍop ǝpısdn uɹnʇ ¿ʎsnq ןooɟ ɐ dǝǝʞ noʎ op ʍoɥ
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2012-11-15, 10:20 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2005
- Location
- Australia
- Gender
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2012-11-15, 12:04 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- May 2006
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
- Sometimes, the knights are the monsters
- The main problem with the world? So many grownups, not enough adults.
- Talk less; say more.
- George R.R. Martin, Kirkman, and Joss Whedon walked into a bar. There were no survivors.
- Current Project: Fallout 4 "nerd" build (3/7/2/2/9/3/2, PER 9 after boosts)
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2012-11-22, 08:07 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Location
- TGaPT
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
*facepalm*
Why?
It might not be as superior as it once was, but still, Chrome and Opera lag far behind, at least for the power user. Did anything changed while I wasn't looking?
Linux: the only completely legal OS where 99.9% content does not exist or is illegal
So, yeah, if you don't need games, multimedia, office, music editing, graphics/3D programs*, want to install everything by writing "AptGreptGzipt PrgrmNme_1.0974alfa -12347it -nosound -t -x -y -x -param:ctrl -abcd" into command line and by chance the only thing you want to do is to run web server, Linux is just for you!
*There are some minor exceptions to above, but it's like arguing tricycle is good replacement for a car.Come one, come all! GitP MLP Steam Group is open!
Current location of the last MLP Thread OP, too.
Want to ask me something? Use MAIL or message me on Steam!
"Well, the Great and Powerful Trixie can't actually transport you to Equestria... But!
The Great and Powerful Trixie can beat you over the head until you think that's what happened!"
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2012-11-22, 08:13 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2008
- Location
- UK
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
I'm going to have Linux as a secondary OS on my new computer. I can't wait to see how Team Fortress, Left 4 Dead, Dungeons of Dredmor and possily Dota 2 run through the brand new Steam client for Linux.
ANy penguinistas out there care to suggest a flavour? I've heard bad things about Ubuntu and I'm currently looking at Linux Mint.
Also, Open Office is a more than capable replacement for Microsoft Office. Or there's Libre Office.
Inkscape, the program a large percentage of our Arts and Crafts community uses for avatars is originally a Linux program and comes pre installed with many distros.
Don't underestimate the penguin, young pony!
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2012-11-22, 08:25 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2005
- Location
- Australia
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
How do I hate thee, let me count the reasons.
Their upgrade cycle is pathetic. They change things and break things such as compatibility far too readily and quickly. And don't get me started on the version numbering scheme, I know this is purely aesthetic, but... *shakes head*
It's not actually all that fast, despite claims (not a negative, but a lack of a positive).
It's an absolute memory hog. Leave it running any decent amount of time with any reasonable amount of tabs open and it starts to slow things right down. Heck, it happens even on one tab. Not just the browser window, the entire computer. This is by design, not a memory leak or other bug.
The interface, while still quite usable, has not improved, but unimproved (yes, I did check that word in the dictionary, because it didn't feel right).
Mac users should absolutely, positively, stay clear of Firefox. It is lacking integration with the Keychain (!), dictionary/encylopedia look up function (very frustrating), other system functions, and retina display support.
I'll say this one again, lack of retina display support for Mac users. Something that has existed in Safari, Chrome, and Opera for quite a while.
Generally poor support for Mac users.
Back on Windows for now on, the automatic updater sometimes fails, then decides to use the full upgrade, which also fails.
The automatic updater sometimes decides to do an upgrade, whether you like it or not, even if you instruct it that you do not want to perform that upgrade. Yes, I was delaying an upgrade on a particular PC for development reasons, yes, this did happen to me.
Various other reasons I'm too slack to bother remembering now, but might add later as I remember them.
I would no longer recommend Firefox, not even for power users.
"My Hobby: Replacing your soap with gravy" by rtg0922, Doll and Clint "Rawhide" Eastwood by Sneak
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2012-11-22, 08:32 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2006
- Location
- London, UK
- Gender
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
I noticed this one as well, which prompted me to switch to Chrome.
Thunderbird, which I'm still using, also has this problem, at least on Win7 - do you know any way to stop it, or is there an alternate program you'd recommend that I could replace it with?This space intentionally left blank
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2012-11-22, 08:34 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Sep 2008
- Location
- UK
- Gender
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2012-11-22, 08:40 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Location
- TGaPT
Re: How your computer operating system kills your computer
One issue - drivers. Demanding 3D games need all the power they can get, they don't like to have only 50% of the power because of third rate attention given to platform they run on.
ANy penguinistas out there care to suggest a flavour? I've heard bad things about Ubuntu and I'm currently looking at Linux Mint.
Also, Open Office is a more than capable replacement for Microsoft Office. Or there's Libre Office.
I mostly use office to make legal papers I am giving to various officials at public institutions, getting even one of these wrong would cost me more than MS Office costs.
Inkscape, the program a large percentage of our Arts and Crafts community uses for avatars is originally a Linux program and comes pre installed with many distros.
Don't underestimate the penguin, young pony!Come one, come all! GitP MLP Steam Group is open!
Current location of the last MLP Thread OP, too.
Want to ask me something? Use MAIL or message me on Steam!
"Well, the Great and Powerful Trixie can't actually transport you to Equestria... But!
The Great and Powerful Trixie can beat you over the head until you think that's what happened!"