I got a new notebook for Christmas!!

[Control-Z]

A totally unexpected gift from my family, and something I've really wanted (and actually needed) for the longest time - and I'm so excited!

I just wanted to share my joy with those who could appreciate it. I hope all of you had a holiday as nice as mine!

[Duer 157099]

1. Lucky you!! Congrats!

It's nice to have a brand-spanking-new system isn't it? Hopefully it's all configured nicely for you, and works well -- just stay on top of keeping it that way (and, of course... backing up! often!)

Me, I got some new hard drives to install and play with (which is almost the same as a new computer, to me anyway, lol)

[Control-Z]

2. It is nice!

I haven't even installed any programs yet - I want to savor the new perfection of it - and learn my way around a bit. The OS is Vista (which couldn't be helped). Since I've already pulled my hair out over Vista with my daughter's and son's desktops, I want to avoid the mistakes I made on theirs before I start adding to mine. I'll probably download Firefox and a few other browsers tonight - before I become infested through IE, and then add programs if all goes well. At this point I'm running down to my desktop to do real work and then coming back and playing with the laptop. So much fun!!

And yes, having new hard drives to install and play with is almost as much fun. I had to rebuild my desktop about a year ago and felt like I had a new computer when all was finally said and done.

Happy installations to you!

[ConsAreLiars]

3. Nice!

But be warned that a lot of new computers come loaded with shillware. Stuff that is free for a month or so and then demands money to continue functioning. ALL of that stuff is inferior to free alternatives, and if you really want to pay, there are honest options that are a bit better than the free ones. Anti-virus, spyware killers, online storage services, searchers and all the rest. There are some programs that will eliminate these scams - see http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/ for one example, but ask for better advice here if in doubt about using that program and about what to use that will be better than the pre-installed shillware.

[Control-Z]

4. Shillware?!?

I've never heard that. It may be the best name ever!! Did you come up with it? If you don't mind, I intend to start using it immediately!

And you are so right. I've spent hours walking through the (easy) 5 step, registration and start up, that they've forced on me, 2 of which were recommended installations of software shillware.

I'll more than likely be back in the next day or two to ask questions, and really appreciate that you all will be here to help. This may turn out to be very different from my desktop. I have 4 Gs of RAM - It shocked me that the family knew I needed it. I'm expecting to run my programs with ease once they are installed. (Fingers crossed)

Thanks for your advise.

[ConsAreLiars]

6. re: "shillware."

I don't recall having heard the term used before, but it struck me as more accurate than the alternatives of "conware" and "scamware" that I had considered to describe that type of stuff. The manufacturers get paid a fee to, by their action in bundling, suggest to the less savvy members of the crowd that the stuff is needed and worthwhile. So they are paid shills, and the term seemed appropriate.

Googling (Scroogling, actually) brings up 17 hits, including a couple for a nick of Shillwar, so I guess it is not in common use -- not yet, anyway.

[RoyGBiv]

7. You should copyright it ...

... before Microsoft does. :)

[canetoad]

5. Nice one, Dancing Along

The best gifts are the unexpected ones.

[Control-Z]

8. Yes, yes - so true!

I've bellyached during past Christmases where, as the mom, I was doing all the giving and, I suppose, feeling that I was not getting enough appreciation for all the work it took.

I'm amazed, and feeling good, in more ways than I can explain. I guess I'd become pretty much resigned to thinking they (my family) didn't care, or they were all so self absorbed they didn't think about me. It's hard being the mom, sometimes. This year's gesture has made me think twice about how lucky I really am. That my kids' father, a man I've been separated from for 8 years, financed the gift, makes it even more amazing.