Tips on Laptops

The choice of Windows or Linux

 

Almost all computers available on the market today are offered with the operating system Microsoft Windows Vista included. The UFC has long considered this bundling as prohibited under Article L.122-1 of the Consumer Code. The government has also admitted that the Secretary of State has included two measures to improve transparency vis-à-vis the consumer in his plan for the development of digital economy. The first one aims for the prices of software and those of pre-installed operating systems to be displayed separately, while the second aims to permit the buyer to choose whether they want a computer with a pre-installed operating system. Now you can be reimbursed for the operating system if you do not want to use it (if you prefer a free operating system like Ubuntu or Mandriva). The authorities have launched an online guide of repayment on the internet. The Darty distributor displays the procedure with all the manufacturers both in stores and on their website. This is an isolated initiative that deserves to be emphasized.

Windows Vista: a real pain?

 

Of course, Windows Vista will always remain in history. No computer operating system has caused the spilling of as much ink. The system was not in tune when it was first sold by Microsoft in January 2007. The computers were not powerful enough to support such a cumbersome system. Consequently, they were idling and there were a lot of "buggies". The incompatibility of Windows Vista with several pieces of software and peripherals (printers) has reduced its popularity significantly.

Things have changed today. There are still some incompatibility problems, but the computers sold are more powerful. Requiring 2 GB of RAM, Windows Vista does not slow down the machine. Microsoft claimed to have learned their lesson and promised not to repeat the same mistakes with Windows Seven, Vista's successor. And they didn’t.

Should you be afraid of Linux?

 

Microsoft Windows (XP, Vista) largely dominated the scene of operating systems. Only the eternal rival Apple has successfully provided an alternative with its Mac. Another very credible though not very visible operating system is Linux. Linux is not an operating system per se, but rather a free core database for developers. They rely on it to develop software that they then make available to the public (or business), either for free or not. Some operating systems are beginning to make a name among these programs (they are referred to as "distribution systems"). These include Ubuntu, Mandriva, Open Suse, Gentoo or Fedora. Each of them is completely outside the lines of the Microsoft universe. First of all, these distributions are free (for consumers) unlike the Windows operating systems. Then, they are not very appealing from a visual point of view, but publishers cultivate simplicity. Finally, the software used in Windows is not compatible with it, but there are some Linux equivalents (not always easy to find). Most are free, too.

Freedom is priceless

 

Free software is not necessarily free as seen at  www.ultraslimlaptop.com. In fact, these two notions are distinct. The publisher offers internet users free software, but still controls its source code (its "recipe") and is the only one that can improve it and publish modified versions. The term "free software" refers to the freedom of the software and not to its price. Users can run, copy, modify and distribute the software without the permission of the creator. Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird, OpenOffice.org and VLC are known examples of free software. They are also free.

Keyboards: The mystery of the M button

 

Some computer keyboards, including laptop keyboards, display an M key that is smaller than the other letters. Why an M? On the standard U.S. keyboards (QWERTY), this key is reserved for the question mark. The M key is smaller than the others for easy retrieval. It is a memento of globalization or the key of the manufacturer.