Seniors and Windows11

eore said:

I dualboot 10 and 11 to try it out. I have spent a lot of time trying to figure it out.

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I have to say that you are doing OK even dual booting for a senior.

I am 62 and a system engineer working with computers since 1977 (sinclair), great to see so many older as me seniors are active with computers and such related.

At 62 i still play games to keep the brain active, playing Quake and Diabolical everyday.

Hi folks
So long as UUPDUMP keeps operating then there won't be a problem on getting ISO's for W11.

For retirees who want to mess around with computers -- as well as Windows try learning a bit of Linux - using the new GUI's in some cases can make it seem "More Windows than Windows" and you'll learn a load about networking, OS and installing applications. These distros run on quite limited hardware and it's fun to get W11 to run as a Virtual machine on totally unsupported hardware such as an older 2014 computer with Celeron processor , MBR BIOS and no sec boot -- but in a VM you can arrange almost any hardware you like including a certain amount of "Poodlefaking" the CPU topology so W11 thinks it's OK !!! -- To get the thing to work though you will need to set the virtual CPU to 2 vCPU's -- not a problem with decent VM software.

Good thing about VM's --if you hose them up - just delete and start again -- you won't end up with a non operable / bootable computer.

Here's build 22458 running as a VM on this older MBR BIOS only machine as a VM !! -- including Photoshop, office 2019 and a load of old W7 "Classic games e,g Hearts, spider solitaire etc).



Have fun !!

Cheers
jimbo

So far I see Win 11 as Win 2.0 and not a major change like, for example, Win 7 to Win 8 or Win 3.1 to Win 95 or even DOS to Windows

Depends on how much improvement has been done to the kernel, it could be a major update - the biggest since to Windows 98 to Windows XP where it was a complete change of the kernel from the old 9x to the Windows NT/Windows 2K one that led directly to Windows 7 and later

barman58 said:

Depends on how much improvement has been done to the kernel, it could be a major update - the biggest since to Windows 98 to Windows XP where it was a complete change of the kernel from the old 9x to the Windows NT/Windows 2K one that led directly to Windows 7 and later

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Hi there
the 194 build does seem stable and I haven't been able to break it so far !!! and also seems quite responsive -- how much change in the kernel is always a mute point as that's still proprietary code -- all I can say on this one is the the cmd line still refers to "Windows 10" as can be seen from this shot of when I was trying out the tpmdiagnostic feature (install via install optional features) to check the emulated TPM I'm using in a VM was "alive and kicking"




At least File explorer and Networking is behaving in this build (rare for Windows !!!)

Cheers
jimbo

We've seen the retention of the version number before back at the time prior to 10 from the switch to the "new" NT kernel used for home systems in Windows XP where they were all variations of Version 6.x


There's nothing new in Microsoft numbering schemes for operating systems they make it up as the go along

I can't wait to get 11, I'm 78 and have been using computers since Windows 98, mainly because that was the OS at the time the kids were going to be using them in school and we bought our first one so they could practice at home.

I've used every version since, apart from 2000, and love it, I like the challenge and learning something new, plus I love gadgets and following the progress in technology. The only reason I'm not using 11 at the moment is that I only have 1 computer in the house now and there isn't enough room to put it on this laptop.

It probably wouldn't have the right specs anyway, I bought it in late 2017, I'll just keep this one running 10 and get a new machine just for 11.

Like others have said here it helps keep my brain, what there is of it, working as I'm physically not able to do much else these days.

@jimbo45

Hi,
Linux guys lol
I've been using linux mint cinnamon 20 now up to 20.2 more than 10 personally over the last year or since I got my z490 rig built
Tried quite a few distros way too many imho pretty much why it's taking so long to get anywhere
Only savior so far has been steam in getting more people/ gamers to use linux.

Been there, done that, bought the T-Shirt - T-Shirt didn't fit, was too small, Sent it back

I teach Windows 10 at our local Senior Activity Center. I am a member of, and manage the computer for, our Genealogy class at the Center. Our Genealogy instructor is a young 94-year-old lady who still drives herself to wherever she needs to go! I am ten years behind her at 84, and hope to grow up to be just like her. Thankfully, I'm healthy as a horse, and can do whatever I want, physically and mentally.

Yep, there’s that silly learning curve. . . Our students are in the same age range as we are; from 60 up to 82. We don’t complain about our age, we brag about it! Learning ability is pretty much the same as our age range; I have one who is doing well in searching for ancestors in Genealogy, can manage that software, but is quite deficient in his knowledge of Windows 10. Another student is always one step ahead of “teach” in the Windows department.

Q: Does Microsoft consider seniors?

A: At one point, not so much. However, through poking and prodding by people just like us, we now have an operating system which is much more adaptable to those in all walks of life. We have voice typing for those who can’t type, for whatever reason. We can adjust the screen to our visual needs, and much more. Blind folks have been able to use Windows for years.

Q: I am 74 and finally got comfortable with 10.

A: I am 84 and have been beta testing Microsoft products since around 1985.

Q: I don't think we seniors use it for anything but fun or pleasure?

A: I don’t think I’ve ever used a computer for just plain fun or pleasure, although I get great satisfaction when a new OS comes out for beta testing, or I’m invited to participate in testing other computer products.

Q: Learning curve?

A: Absolutely! However, there is a learning curve in pretty much everything in life. New household equipment? Yep, you must learn to use that new washing machine, cookstove, refrigerator, etc.

So, why is it such a shock that there’s a learning curve in an operating system? There’s also a learning curve in Adobe’s Photo Shop, Macrium Reflect, AV software, etc.

We tend to blame Microsoft for our own inadequacies. That’s not fair; we’re not all equal in our ability to learn new things yet we don’t bash those who can’t learn as fast as we do, or do we?

Seniors are highly variable. A few years ago, I looked for a camera for my 90 year old father, who wasn't adept with a modern point-and shoot digital camera. (He couldn't use a DVD player. The idea of switching inputs on a flat panel TV was beyond him. He retired from IBM in 1984, but had never used a GUI in his life.) I checked online for reviews. The reviewers waxed enthusiastic about all of the cool features of the "senior friendly" cameras they looked at. Exactly the opposite of what I was looking for. I wanted one button, no batteries to charge, no SD cards, etc.

I ended up getting him a Fuji instant camera, which was sort of a reincarnation of the old Polaroids. I know of no analogs in computing.

I see PCs advertised for seniors in places like Parade Magazine. They use highly locked-down versions of Linux. Limited usability, little chance of being affected by malware. The appliance PC taken to its limit. Yuck.

I wonder whether I'll be able to do better in 25 years?

Similar age to Bree and keeping the mind stimulated is the name of the game .
Old work habits die hard .

Makes you feel and look good , if you are the only person in the house still able to sort network issues , deleted emails , zoom problems all caused in the name of progress by Windows 11 updates !

ThrashZone said:

Hi,
Linux guys lol
I've been using linux mint cinnamon 20 now up to 20.2 more than 10 personally over the last year or since I got my z490 rig built
Tried quite a few distros way too many imho pretty much why it's taking so long to get anywhere
Only savior so far has been steam in getting more people/ gamers to use linux.

Click to expand...

One thing nice with Linux is the many 'flavors' to choose from for testing without having to spend money each time there's something new, gives us a chance to settle upon what we like and meets our needs. My next favorite is Kubuntu.

I'm also in the old kids club and I just wanted to say that I miss ''Clippy''



A lot of users change O/S not because they need a new OS but because they like to have something new and learn new stuff.
For older folks just changing the start button can be a challenge within itself. But since we don't know the needs of everyone whether they need a new version or not is relative to them.

I'm just saying... Don't take me too seriously :)

Zardoc said:

I'm also in the old kids club and I just wanted to say that I miss ''Clippy''

View attachment 8128

A lot of users change O/S not because they need a new OS but because they like to have something new and learn new stuff.
For older folks just changing the start button can be a challenge within itself. But since we don't know the needs of everyone whether they need a new version or not is relative to them.

I'm just saying... Don't take me too seriously :)

Click to expand...

I get the latest as I need to know what my clients may be getting into.

Berton said:

I get the latest as I need to know what my clients may be getting into.

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That's exactly what I also do.

I turned 69 last month. I still work full-time in the computing industry as a writer, consultant and occasional expert witness. I blog about Windows 10 and/or 11 every day at edtittel.com. Working with Windows is like riding a bicycle: you do everything you can to stay on the right side of the handlebars, and once you learn how one bike works you can do a pretty good job of riding another one.
HTH,
--Ed--