***IF YOU HAVE WINDOWS XP***

S P A D E S: I posted this on my wall for friends to read, I'm hoping if you're in this Technology forum it should already be a given. But just in case the novice stumble upon, here's the babble.

If you've been living under a rock like most of us here; please do yourself, your privacy and the safety of yourself and your family by UPGRADING your operating system (WINDOWS). If you have Windows XP you've probably already seen the warnings from Google Chrome or other software you may have installed informing you of security issues that may (and will) occur. These are serious. If you use Windows XP to bank, shop online, pay bills, FACEBOOK or use any service that requires your personal information; it's at risk of being obtained by prying eyes and keyloggers (hackers and undetected malicious software) via WINDOWS XP NOT PROPERLY SECURING YOUR COMPUTER.Instead of paying top dollar thinking you can get away with just having Norton Internet Suite and a good firewall, just spend the money on Windows 7 or 8. (If you don't know, everyone likes 7 because A) Has a start menu. B) Isn't meant for tablets and cellphones) 8 sucks.
Be sure to go to Microsofts website and do a system compatibility check for either operating systems before you run out and buy it. This is crucial if you want to save money. If your system is not compatible.. Time to go to Best Buy . Or, if you want to save money and live better, hit up Walmart. They probably have less of a service plan/tech support.. But ay, you're saving money If you know simple computing or have a nerd friend you don't need no stinking service plan. All of these computers come with some form of windows, either Windows 7 or 8. They will NOT come with restore discs (most likely.) There will be system restore software or boot options within the computers hard drive that will assist you in repairs and restores. (If your computer came with restore discs (jesus christ) Pleeease UPDATE YOUR COMPUTER!!!!

S P A D E S: If money is tight there's are also TONS of free operating systems out on the interwebs based on whats called the Linux kernel. It's opensource, which means free to modify and share as long as its not commercial use. And if the world "Linux" has ever frightened you or disgusted you from past experiences of compatibility issues, lack of support or just simply buggy as all hell; the open source world has evolved and has become more user friendly. Operating systems such as Ubuntu make installation easier for beginner users wanting to experiment with Linux, called the Wubi installer. Novice or expert, if you haven't given it a try since any bad experience, or even want to give open source, virus free and ultimately free computing software a try; Ubuntu would be your best route to go. If you're a gamer and need Windows; you're already disgusted by all this or you've stopped reading. You know who you are.
Linux is more of a simple every day operating system. It has its own free word processing suite for when you need it as well. If you rely on Windows for certain applications needed for either your productivity or childblock programs (really you should just watch your kids on the net.....) then stick to what you know.
Linux will do most of what you need to do. Except install Windows software.
In more advanced instances there IS a way to use Windows software on Linux, but if something goes wrong its a little harder to fix and some software plain out just won't work.
Best thing about Linux though; it doesn't need antivirus . Linux really isn't targeted by viruses or hackers. Well, because, the general public doesn't use it. Windows is massed produced onto computers, so they aim for what everyone has. You could be that 1% .

Quantum Zero31: Cheapest Win 7 I saw was 100 euros