[Hudlug] backing up my laptop

[Ben Fowler]

On 06/07/06, MICHAEL WEAVER <michaelweaver1 at btinternet.com> wrote:
> When I get Orca working on my laptop, what would you suggest for making
> backups?

USB Stick??

> My desktop PC running Windows is getting really untidy with bits of
> removed programs stuck under Control pannel, the system doesn't always
> start first time meaning speech stops after I login etc.

Microsoft products do tend to suffer from bit-rot, RAM-worm or registry-rust


    However, it's a losing battle. The problem is that Microsoft makes more
    money if its operating systems self-destruct. What you call
"vulnerabilities"
    billionaires call "maximizing shareholder value".


    If rich people sold good operating systems, poor people would not buy the
    next upgrade.


    Correct. I don't know anyone who could really say what was happening. I've
    heard in tech shops the recommended lifespan is 18 months of a Windows
    installation. I'd say that was about right, with minimal crashes
during that time.


    Microsoft built the gradual slowdown into Windows on purpose. When the
    machine slows, it convinces the average user that they need a new computer.
    They upgrade unknowingly, and pay the Micro$oft tax once more.


    Most people running Windows don't seem to realize that a lot of
the chaos on
    their systems, if not caused by malware, is caused by so-called
"registry rot",
    "the gradual degradation of a PC as applications are installed and then
    uninstalled, leaving behind traces that reduce system speed and stability"


> When I get Linux speaking fully I would like to be able to keep it a bit
> more tidy.
> Don't know if Linux has this same problem where for example you might
> try an application, find it may not work for you and you try and
> uninstall it and it leaves bits behind.

In general: "No" linux has no problem in this direction. I would go
one or more steps further and state that all distros taje steps to
make uninstalling a package the mirror image of installing it, and in
fact Debian (on which your Ubuntu is based) is the best of breed in
this regard.

Ben.