Changing from PC to Mac

Sat 15 Feb, 16:17

Linux Mint will run on just about anything i.e. old hardware > 20  years old and then you are free from Microsoft and Apple. There are many *nix applications which work just as well as those that run on both OSs. I would recommend avoiding BT, it took them two years for them to almost resolve a problem that they created for me. Proton is a good alternative to gmail and it is reasonably secure (they claim they are really secure but did cough up a users account when the French security (not the gendarmes) services, 'requested them'). I'm not offering to install/maintain Linux Mint though; you can also make a duel boot pc if you wish to retain the original OS. Other versions of Linux are available, if you want to play around without installing anything, then you can make a bootable memory stick/CD/DVD (too big for a floppy, just ;-) ) and run Puppy Linux from it.

Sat 15 Feb, 15:38

For phone I buy Nokia phones. I know we thought they were gone, but former Nokia managers bought back the name from Microsoft and have been making very high quality phones that are priced reasonably for close to 10 years now. I have a G42 which is 5G, 50 MP camera and 128GB, sim free for £ 149. You can buy it at Argos. I have an £ 8 subscription from o2 with 32GB data and free EU roaming. Hard to better this me thinks (yes you can get even cheaper mobile deals from Lebara and Giff gaff but I am not keen on MVNOs when something goes wrong because they have no customer care staff).

And, update 2. my BT email now works. 

Sat 15 Feb, 15:35 (last edited on Sat 15 Feb, 15:41)

We have used Apple devices for 25 years+ and are very happy with them. I also used to use Windows when I was working for a local authority (some time ago). That's fine too - but it really works best when there is an IT department there to help you out. 

Because Apple supply both the hardware and software everything tends to integrate well. 

For example - if you take a photo on your phone and store the image in your photo library, the same image shows up on your computer's photo library. 

We use the Apple Mac mail system too and that works well, but we also have MS Office (on a 365 subscription) for Word/Excel/Powerpoint.  We don't use MS Outlook.

It all worked pretty faultlessly. When we've had occasional problems Apple centres have been happy to help, and have replaced things (sometimes years after I'd bought them) when they had a fault.

The drawbacks are the higher purchase price (but equipment tends to last longer) and the nearest full apple service centre is probably the one in Milton Keynes. 

Sat 15 Feb, 15:17 (last edited on Sat 15 Feb, 15:21)

Thank you Colin. I do know about Linux, but don't have the confidence to use it without very frequent and personal support. Despite your reassurances, I can't see myself doing that. 

I bought my last computer from John Lewis and they set it up for me. Not sure if that's still the best option for me, and am still not sure whether to switch to Apple. I also need a new printer (perhaps need that anyway) and a scanner as well, so very expensive. But I am so hating the new Outlook for PC, it might just be worth it.

I also urgently need a new phone, but need first to decide whether Apple or PC.

As I also use my home computer for work, I have to be careful about security issues.

Other feedback welcome! 

Sat 15 Feb, 13:56 (last edited on Sat 15 Feb, 14:11)

Hi, Christine with regards to the "PC to  mac", the question should be "Microsoft windows to Apple ios  operating system" as both PC and Mac hardware can run with a Linux Operating System too.

I've been running 2009 to 2018 hardware PC's, HP Elitedesks G1 and old 2009 mac book pros with Linux ( Fedora, Debian) quite happily for a long time.  Most routers people use some form of Linux or BSD operating system. BT routers have always been cheap and run hot so now even with gigaclear I use my own Draytek router.

On the phone side ( purchased up front without contract) there is SailfishOS ( https://sailfishos.org/ ) which I use and also LineageOS ( de-googled android OS https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/ ) that can be used on many manufactures mobile phone hardware. It is only Apple phones that are pretty useless once there security updates have expired because you can't put an alternate OS on the phone ( one with security updates), just break the phone for parts.

For me not using Microsoft, Apple or Google services has always been the great data grab ( from both corporations and governments) and resisting it anyway I can.

In the past I have helped a few ( over 75s) use Linux ( Debian Mint https://www.linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php ) and it seems to work well for them ( certainly less confusing and more secure than than Windows 10 or 11).

I don't do IT any more.

Sat 15 Feb, 13:46

Thanks for that Colin. 

Sat 15 Feb, 13:29

Sadly we have "upgraded" (?) to Windoze 11 at work. The main change seems to be that you now need more clicks to do what you want! 
As a sign on the wall at where I used to work years ago said, "Change is certain ... progress is not".
And my prize for "Biggest Ripoff" goes to Adobe for their "annual subscription" software, replacing "forever" software. Fortunately I still use Adobe CS6, which does all I need. And on one of my machines running Windoze 7 (!), I have a Mac OS9 environment that runs Photoshop 3, dating from around 1990! Again, it does all I need it to! 
These cloud things just seem to be a way of relieving you of your files. I prefer the normal regime of security and backup! 

Sat 15 Feb, 13:29

hi Hans, That will be the SMTP settings need changing in Thunderbird if email is not being sent.

Outgoing Mail Server: mail.btinternet.com

Port: 465 (this may not be automatically populated on selecting SSL, so you'll need to check)

SSL Encryption: Enabled (but not STARTTLS)

Authentication: PLAIN

Username: your email address including the @btinternet or @btopenworld.com part

Password: your btinternet or btopenworld password

Sat 15 Feb, 13:02

Update - my BT internet email does not work with Thunderbird. I thought it did because there were no error messages, however I sent an email to that account and it has not arrived.

Sat 15 Feb, 12:26

I gave up on Microsoft office a year ago, and I'm using Thunderbird for email. My BT internet email works with Thunderbird, whereas my wife cannot use BT email from ms Outlook. 

Sat 15 Feb, 12:04 (last edited on Sat 15 Feb, 12:06)

As far as I've been able to establish David, it's only BT email that's down.  Other BT services are (they say) unaffected.

If you are unable to use wi fi then you are probably using up data, which can be expensive.

Sat 15 Feb, 12:04

The instructions that I -- eventually -- found on the BT website said to turn off wifi to access email until the problem is fixed. Interesting to know that this is currently also an issue on apple computers and phone.

I can access my account on the BT website, but the email link there doesn't work. Apparently there are 1000s of people across the UK with the same problem. 

Sat 15 Feb, 12:02

I can't advise on migration as I've been in the Appleverse for decades, but everyone is pushing things to the cloud anyway. Microsoft have foisted Copilot on Apple users too (along with a stealth price rise to cover it). They have now at least added a setting to turn Copilot off. 

Sat 15 Feb, 12:01

Christine, I was going to email you, but, having learned that BT email is down, I am DM'ing you instead!  (If there is such a verb!).

Sat 15 Feb, 11:58

As of today, we're not receiving BT email on the computer or phone (both Apple). I can receive them on the phone when I turn off wifi. But I can access the internet on the wifi. Very puzzling! Any ideas folks? 

Sat 15 Feb, 11:52

The recent changes to Microsoft Office on my PC are driving me mad. These have happened with this week's last security and features update for Windows 10. It doesn't help that BT email is currently inaccessible on my PC, at least in a version that updates properly. It's also only accessible on my phone when wifi is turned off. 

Microsoft is clearly now privileging large companies and wants to push me towards storing all data (including emails) in the cloud, and the privacy options and the move to co-pilot also don't suit me at all.

I am interested to know if apple users are having similar problems with the updates to their operating system. Also, how easy people have found it changing from PC to apple, and from an android phone to and iphone. 

Is there anyone locally who could advise, or at least advise me where best to explore the options. I do know about Ability Systems in Witney, but my impression is that they only help once one has committed to the apple route. But perhaps that's wrong.

Happy to receive any advice!