Computer/internet stuff

[PaulMaster]

Hi, I'm looking for some help setting up a laptop with some software. I'm a total novice and I'm looking for a good forum where I can ask questions and get feedback without being jerked around or flamed in the process. Can anyone recommend a good computer forum for this?

Thank you very much!

 

[PaulMaster]

Or, if anyone knows the hell out of computers and wants to answer some questions, PM me.

 

[Architect]

We'd love to solve your problems for you. What do we get for it, a slice of pie?

 

[PaulMaster]

Where's the standing applause smiley?

 

[Brontosaurie]

Architect has a point.

The information is out there, but it may be hard to find someone willing to walk you through the process.

Usually the products are made for novices to handle. Are you having specific problems that the manual doesn't know about? If so, why not just spill it out right away?

 

[ZenRaiden]

I dont know much about computers, but if you want people to give you advice ask specific questions you have that will give them more incentive to help you. Like what are you looking for. What do you want to do on your computer and what do need it for would be a great start.

 

[TheManBeyond]

seems to me that you are more about making a connection than solving your problems, because why just not post the question and if anyone knows and wants to reply they will do, unless it is something extremelly private top secret related to your deep web sinkin
u have multiple research tools at hand, computer forums, etc and always u can go to ur local pc restoration store and ask someone

 

[PaulMaster]

Can anyone recommend a good computer forum

I thought I was pretty clear and specific with this line.

I tried to offer as general a back story as possible because I wasnt really asking you guys for anything other than if someone could vouch for a forum. Try to google "computer forums" yourself and see how many there are.

Along with researching things myself (I found some great info, I know you care) I figured I'd toss a line or two in the water to see if anything bites.

Interestingly, I posted the question here because I believe there are a lot of smart people here. There are three members in this thread alone that I'd label quality posters - or at least intelligent posters (the other I'm simply not familiar with). However, the obviousness of what I'm explaining didnt seem to dawn on any of you...

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

If you're expecting people to be receptive and helpful towards you in the future, you need to drop your silly pretense and negativity oozing from your tone and unreasonable expectations.

I can't help you since I'm using pc/software related forums in my native language. I remember using tomshardware ask the community section after encountering some power supply issues and I can rate the reception as responsive, though not very conclusive.

I also think your question should've been more specific if you wanted to make anyone interested in solving it.

 

[PaulMaster]

you need to drop your silly pretense and negativity oozing from your tone and unreasonable expectations.

Could you be more specific?

 

[Grayman]

You won't have good luck with general computer forums in finding good answers to specific questions you face along your travels. You need to be specific on what you are looking for.
If you are working on an Ubuntu Operating System and having issues with it or want to learn about it you have to go to an Ubuntu forum. It is unlikely anyone at tomshardware will be able to help you. If you are looking at 'generic' hardeware issues then then tomshardware might be the ticket. However if you are working with an AMD graphics card and you have questions about it specifically AMD provides their own forum and you can get both people and AMD employees helping you. If you are using a Microsoft OS system and are having issues or want to know something abou tit Microsoft has a forum for that. Microsoft also has forums for developers as well.

Point is. There is no good forum for computers. There is only the right forum for the right job. (The right tool for the right job)

 

[Inquisitor]

Hi, I'm looking for some help setting up a laptop with some software. I'm a total novice and I'm looking for a good forum where I can ask questions and get feedback without being jerked around or flamed in the process. Can anyone recommend a good computer forum for this?

Thank you very much!

Did you already buy the laptop? What will you be using it for?

If you find computers easy to deal with and don't mind messing around with them, install Ubuntu. It's free. It's lightweight. It's user-friendly enough. It's high-performing. If you have any interest at all in programming or software or really any tech in general, that's the way to go. Steep learning curve, but very worth it. If not, go with Windows and/or ask the guys at the store to help you out.

Do you like gaming? If so, don't buy a laptop, build a desktop for yourself or have the guys at the store do it for you. Get a nice videocard for it. If not, I hope you didn't waste money on an expensive laptop when a $200 Dell would have sufficed.

I bought a $600 Asus Zenbook b/c all the magazine reviews were positive. So far I like it. It was a great value proposition and is ultra-portable. It has no moving parts and needs no fans to cool it. That said, I'm not sure I'd make the same buy again. I could use a little more power/ram and wouldn't mind the added weight. ThinkPads aren't bad at all, and I'm thinking of getting one next time around. That or a cheap Dell. The new ones smell kind of bad though. Or Refurbished.

I just started playing around with the Tor browser and am thinking of installing Tails (super-secret squirrel operating system that lets you dodge those big bad meanies at the NSA).

I wrote this partly for you and partly to entertain myself...so yeah. It all depends.

 

[Architect]

I just started playing around with the Tor browser and am thinking of installing Tails (super-secret squirrel operating system that lets you dodge those big bad meanies at the NSA).

Try Qubes instead.

 

[Inquisitor]

Try Qubes instead.

This looks amazing! Thanks for the tip.

 

[Terran]

Did you already buy the laptop? What will you be using it for?

If you find computers easy to deal with and don't mind messing around with them, install Ubuntu. It's free. It's lightweight. It's user-friendly enough. It's high-performing. If you have any interest at all in programming or software or really any tech in general, that's the way to go. Steep learning curve, but very worth it. If not, go with Windows and/or ask the guys at the store to help you out.

Do you like gaming? If so, don't buy a laptop, build a desktop for yourself or have the guys at the store do it for you. Get a nice videocard for it. If not, I hope you didn't waste money on an expensive laptop when a $200 Dell would have sufficed.

I bought a $600 Asus Zenbook b/c all the magazine reviews were positive. So far I like it. It was a great value proposition and is ultra-portable. It has no moving parts and needs no fans to cool it. That said, I'm not sure I'd make the same buy again. I could use a little more power/ram and wouldn't mind the added weight. ThinkPads aren't bad at all, and I'm thinking of getting one next time around. That or a cheap Dell. The new ones smell kind of bad though. Or Refurbished.

I just started playing around with the Tor browser and am thinking of installing Tails (super-secret squirrel operating system that lets you dodge those big bad meanies at the NSA).

I wrote this partly for you and partly to entertain myself...so yeah. It all depends.

I agree, linux masterrace!

 

[Grayman]

Yeah! Give random people complete access to all your information by using their OS systems and software and (HideMeOnTheInternet Software) all so you can avoid the government!

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

Yeah! Give random people complete access to all your information by using their OS systems and software and (HideMeOnTheInternet Software) all so you can avoid the government!

I often cringe when I see arguments to randomness.

They are not some random people, you can educate yourself on their work, on the safety of the os and software and you can protect yourself after you know what needs to be done.

Protection is rarely fully proof, it's mostly a personal consensus of your own "will do". Some people will spend more time to check their routers or ISP's, some won't even bother removing malware.

If I rephrase what you are saying it says: "Yeah! You are an idiot who is unable to understand the security or risks involved in using open source software and also your paranoia of the govt is ridiculous."
Now while that might hold true for a sizeable group of linux/other users, it isn't a rule or a useful stereotype to rely on, rather it shows your own ignorance and biased initial assumptions about the entirety of open source based communities.

Finally how's that more wrong from relying on say microsoft who are a bunch of 'random' guys hidden behind a corporate identity who openly force you to share your data with them and via proxy with the govt and anyone tapping into their feeds.

 

[Grayman]

I often cringe when I see arguments to randomness.

They are not some random people, you can educate yourself on their work, on the safety of the os and software and you can protect yourself after you know what needs to be done.

Protection is rarely fully proof, it's mostly a personal consensus of your own "will do". Some people will spend more time to check their routers or ISP's, some won't even bother removing malware.

If I rephrase what you are saying it says: "Yeah! You are an idiot who is unable to understand the security or risks involved in using open source software and also your paranoia of the govt is ridiculous."
Now while that might hold true for a sizeable group of linux/other users, it isn't a rule or a useful stereotype to rely on, rather it shows your own ignorance and biased initial assumptions about the entirety of open source based communities.

Finally how's that more wrong from relying on say microsoft who are a bunch of 'random' guys hidden behind a corporate identity who openly force you to share your data with them and via proxy with the govt and anyone tapping into their feeds.

How Microsoft makes its money is more up front and visible. If people in Microsoft started to sneak in malicious code it would hurt the company image to a degree that would disrupt their profits horrendously. There is much incentive for Microsoft to ensure the security of its customers.

Overall you cannot dismiss the fact that paid software rarely if ever comes with built in virus and spamware while freeware all too often comes with one if not both of these.

Educating yourself on the work of various programmers isn't something most people do. That is certainly a rarity and would be incredibly difficult to get the information needed in order to be as secure as using a creditable company with a known history and a public 'Brand' that is precious and in constant need of protection.