h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A couple of computer freeware sources that may be helpful.

http://www.easeus.com/

http://www.paragon-software.com/products/home/

They're members of the Linux community and their software is excellent.

You're assuming I know something about compooters.
I just hit the on button most times and if it doesn't work, I cry.

Partitioning tools in the event You want to go with something like Ubuntu Linux as an alternative to Windows. Available as a free, open source program at this link,


http://www.ubuntu.com/


You won't need the two programs above unless you want install a second operating system besides Windows.

Ubuntu Linux was deliberately developed as a free, open source, alternative to Windows and can do just about anything Windows can and is more trouble free. It is still susceptible to system changes originating with Java Sun.

Number one problem with Ubuntu Linux, being sure you have an internet service provider which can handle Linux. Not all of them can.

Mentioned a few months back because you'd said something about dis-satisfactions with Windows which I can only sympathize with.

You can get Ubuntu Linux either as free download over the internet & record on DVD disc, or by writing, in which case they'll want to paid for the disc and copying costs, but not for the program itself, which is permanently free and open source. Definitely a much stronger program than Windows 98.




I've been following "Platypus Dancing" in the Post.

How is your music coming?

I was out of touch over a year coping with problems on the home front and came back at just the time of the change over to BBC sign in.

Now, If i can just remember who I thought you weren't...

I meant, I am not computer literate. I don't swap programs or play with platforms or operating systems.

The computer to me is just another form of sketch pad or typewriter.

I spend most of the time I used to waste online using my Tascam Portastudio to waste time recording CDs of instrumental guitar music.
I cannot understand why anyone would want to play computer game that almost but not quite doesn't simulate playing the guitar when you can spend the same amount of money for a home studio thingie and actually learn to play the instrument, at least for your own edification.

I still pump out an album every six months or so, as I erase more than I save.

Its been a while. I saw you coming up immediately after my return and so posted.

You have five browsers? Eeek.
I barely know what to do with one.

I spent ten years using the same clunky old computer and if I could get the floppy drive and the cd-roms fixed, I'd still bed using it.

Five browsers, IE, Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari and I'm always shopping for more. They're all free, except Windows IE, which comes with any windows installation.

If I can't find something I'm looking for on one of them, I try the others. Once, for example I was looking for an unusual software issue, Firefox had nothing on it in their URL bar registry, Opera had only an out of date listing, but windows IE was up to date.

I use primarily Firefox and Chrome, special problem with Chrome, one can't drag and drop URL bar addresses directly from Chrome to Firefox, instead, have to call up the search engine you want on a second Firefox window, then drag and drop.

If you want to give Ubuntu Linux a try,

1st, download a copy onto a CD or DVD disk,

2nd, use one of the partitioning tools to reduce the size of your Windows partition, which will probably be the whole disk, leaving at least 15 - 20 percent free space in the Windows partition. (Easeus is the easier of the two to work with.)

3rd, Ubuntu Linux will automatically install in the largest unallocated space on your hard disk, just follow the prompts when you run the CD or DVD.

4th, after you've installed Ubuntu Linux, and restart your computer, you'll have screen coming up that gives you a choice between Windows and Ubuntu, select whichever you want and hit the 'ENTER' key on your keyboard and you're good to go.

My own number one problem with Linux is that many Internet Service Providers handle only Windows, but once past that hurdle it can take just about anywhere in the internet Windows can.