Didn't want to mess with our main PC for an upgrade, too much important stuff and software on it, and wasn't in the mood for a possible complete reinstall to go back to Win 7. Recently bot a refurbished PC(and DirectX 11/12 graphics card at eBay) with Windows 10 on it and find it ain't that bad at all, once Win 10 is tamed via options. Tried Linux, and settled on Linux Mint for a while on an older PC, but it still fell short of what I hoped for. Our main PC is now fully Windows 10 capable with a recent graphics card upgrade on it as well. Kinda kickin' myself in the butt for not upgrading on this PC just to at least get a Windows 10 key.
http://www.howtogeek.com/272201/all-the-ways-you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free/
If the second option in the article is probably the easiest, but if that doesn't work....
IMHO: "Assistive technology" is a pretty broad term.
Thanks. Your post then led me to this.....
You Can Still Get Windows 10 for Free With a Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 Key
http://www.howtogeek.com/266072/you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free-with-a-windows-7-8-or-8.1-key/
Yay!
Considering you can buy W10 for $99 OEM with free upgrades for the life of the computer, or full retail for $130 with free upgrades and you can transfer this version to future computers, I say just buy it. Or stick with a free Linux.
Quote from: Digerati on November 04, 2016, 09:56:53 PM
Considering you can buy W10 for $99 OEM with free upgrades for the life of the computer, or full retail for $130 with free upgrades and you can transfer this version to future computers, I say just buy it. Or stick with a free Linux.
These PCs are just basic Intel Duo Core with upgraded DirectX 11/12 graphics cards that run everything just fine and HTML5 works flawlessly, no stuttering in full screen, not really worth buying a new OS for. I typically run PCs 'til they die, and these days that takes a long time.
QuoteI typically run PCs 'til they die, and these days that takes a long time.
These days??? It has always been more common to retire old computers long before they actually died because new technologies became available and consumers wanted it. That is generally the rule for all consumer electronics - including VCRs, cassette and 8-track players, CRT and projector TVs, CRT and 4:3 LCD monitors, tiny drives, small RAM modules and who knows how many perfectly good cell phones we all have replaced.
Quote from: Digerati on November 04, 2016, 09:56:53 PM
Considering you can buy W10 for $99 OEM with free upgrades for the life of the computer, or full retail for $130 with free upgrades and you can transfer this version to future computers, I say just buy it. Or stick with a free Linux.
It's occurred to me that continuing to honor Win 7 & 8 keys is NOT an oversight, but a deliberate attempt to lure the people who were able to resist the forcible upgrade, with the lure of "forbidden fruit", and get them to finally convert to windows 10.
I'm with Zoo... NEVER pay for a legitimate freebie.
The way I shop, $99 to $130 will feed me for at least three weeks.
Quotebut a deliberate attempt to lure the people
"To lure people"? "Forbidden fruit"? Come on!
It just makes plain good business sense to reduce the number of operating systems Microsoft must maintain down to as few as possible, and preferably within the same family.
Windows 10 is, by far, the most secure operating system to date. It is also most capable at supporting today's and future hardware and software being developed by other than Microsoft, as well as Microsoft.
I say rather than perpetuate your disdain onto others with clearly biased rhetoric, switch to Linux! Then you don't have to worry about eating for the next 3 weeks, or Microsoft.
Disdain?
No, on the contrary. a clever tactic to achieve a goal.
On the other hand, "disdain" would be implying that MS is so out of touch that they don't realize this is happening, in spite of the numerous articles published about it.
"Disdain" is being so arrogant that someone's desire to save a few bucks, calls for ridicule.
QuoteDisdain?
No, on the contrary. a clever tactic to achieve a goal.
Agreed, but your use of the phrases "to lure people" and "forbidden fruit" suggests a goal to trick and trap prey (consumers) for a purpose the prey surely would not enjoy. But that could not be further from the truth.
Microsoft has the ultimate goal of providing all consumers a safe and secure, and enjoyable computing experience. Why? Because they know there are other viable alternatives out there like Linux, MacOS, ChromeOS, even Android and iOS. Plus, they know there are biased Microsoft bashers and wannabe journalists in the IT Press ready to pounce on any misstep (real or perceived) MS might make with sensationalized, exaggerated, if not totally false headlines. :(
Microsoft is fully aware of what is happening. But they have to make a profit in order to survive, grow and continue development in order to remain competitive. Again - you have a choice and that's a good thing.
There are two points that are critical to understand and remember. (1) There is a HUGE difference between "security" and "privacy" and (2) there is a huge difference in Windows development and Microsoft marketing.
Microsoft is not trying to steal your passwords or access your bank accounts or infect your computer. Microsoft does not know your real name, or your home address or your billing information nor are they trying to get it. With Ethernet connected computers, the closest Microsoft knows of your physical location is your PoP (point of presence) - the physical location where your ISP connects you to the Internet backbone. In my case, that's 10 miles away in the next town over!!!!
Your ISP, on the other hand, knows your real name, phone number, home address and your billing information AND
everywhere you go on the Internet. And your cell phone carrier knows all that too, plus where you are currently standing including the store you are in, and even the aisle in that store you are standing in and the products you are standing in front of!!!! Your cell phone carrier knows where you've been, the direction you are heading, and how fast you are traveling. And they know who you have talked to and texted.
Microsoft should be the least of your worries.