Daily Archives: October 9, 2023

• Pumpkin-spiced fall roundup — Top 10 free downloads

  Posted on October 9, 2023 at 02:45 CDT by Deanna McElveen • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 20.41 • 2023-10-09

  FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT

  

  By Deanna McElveen

  There are many reasons for us to choose a program for a Top 10 list.

  It might be because we are an official, recognized mirror for the program. The program might be very popular among computer techs. Perhaps my columns for AskWoody brought the program extra attention. Or it might just be extremely popular with ordinary users.

  Whatever the reason, here are the past week’s top 10 downloads from OlderGeeks.com. Peruse them with a two-handed grip on that mug of pumpkin latte (ew). Or a cup of real coffee.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.41.0, 2023-10-09).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  Freeware Spotlight Deanna's Freeware Spotlight, Newsletters, Top 10 utilities

• Why aren’t you using Edge?

  Posted on October 9, 2023 at 02:44 CDT by Josh Hendrickson • Comment in the Forums

  WINDOWS

  

  By Josh Hendrickson

  You’re probably reading this newsletter from Chrome. But I’m not. I’m using Microsoft Edge.

  I know, I know. It’s pretty easy to take potshots at Microsoft as a whole, let alone a browser that comes from the company. This is the maker of such “fine” products as Windows Vista, Windows 8, and Internet Explorer. Yes, I agree — the tech behemoth has missed the mark plenty of times.

  But let’s also be fair: for every terrible version of Windows you can name, there is a great one you never wanted to leave (Windows XP and 7, anyone?). The company can put out good products, too, and even good hardware these days (hello, Surface). And the Edge browser is something different — it’s Chrome, but better.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.41.0, 2023-10-09).

  Windows Chrome, Chromium, Edge, Internet, Newsletters, Web Browsers

• Why I leave Windows 11 alone

  Posted on October 9, 2023 at 02:43 CDT by Will Fastie • Comment in the Forums

  WINDOWS 11

  

  By Will Fastie

  It’s not that I think Windows 11 is perfect. It’s just that I don’t let it bother me. Too much, that is.

  Don’t get me wrong — I am not suggesting that using third-party apps such as Start11 or StartAllBack to enhance Windows is a bad idea, or even that you shouldn’t bother. We’ve come to look at Windows as highly customizable over the decades of its existence, and it is thus quite natural to want to continue working in the same manner without having to adapt ourselves to a new paradigm we didn’t ask for.

  I don’t do that. Here’s why, along with a few things I think Microsoft got wrong.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.41.0, 2023-10-09).

  Windows 11 File Explorer, Newsletters, Start menu, Touch, UI, User Interface, Windows, Windows 11

• Taming Copilot

  Posted on October 9, 2023 at 02:42 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  PATCH WATCH

  

  By Susan Bradley

  I use devices that include artificial intelligence and cloud services, and you probably do, too.

  For example, I regularly ask Alexa about the weather: “Hey ,Alexa — what’s the seven-day weather forecast?” That helps me know whether it’s going to be cooler on the weekend so I can garden. I have apps that control thermostats, security cameras, and garage doors. Amazon can open my garage door and drop off packages so they don’t get stolen by porch pirates.

  So it’s not that I’m against using cloud services or voice-activated devices.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.41.0, 2023-10-09).

  Patch Watch AI, Bing Chat, Copilot, Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, Windows Copilot