4 ms·

My elderly dad is suffering from cognitive decline but likes to play computer games. I realize he can't even open Steam without getting bombarded by ads from M

My elderly dad is suffering from cognitive decline but likes to play computer games. I realize he can't even open Steam without getting bombarded by ads from MSN in the start menu. I'm angry at Microsoft for this. Instead of being good stewards of "computing", they provide an environment that's poorly designed and exploitative. Shame on the people at Microsoft responsible.

ferguess_k 9mo ago
If the games run on Linux maybe you can try that. Windows is a bit tricky to navigate nowadays.
- DANmode 9mo ago
  If you insist on staying in the abusive relationship, try Windows Server.
  - ferguess_k 9mo ago
    I heard LTSC is also good. If I ever go back to that abusive relationship I might try that out. But for the meantime I'll deal with Linux' issues.
    - DANmode 9mo ago
      If one insists ;]
    - ahartmetz 9mo ago
      "IoT Enterprise LTSC" is the low bullshit version with many years of support.
c0balt 9mo ago
To chime in, arranging things in fixed locations on the desktop has proven to be quite helpful for elderly people when doing support ime. It is easier to remember/tell "the globe icon in the top right" than "Type 'Firefox' in the search bar". Also has the nice side-effect of avoiding MSN news on Windows.
aitchnyu 9mo ago
I almost agreed to let Onedrive manage my Samsung phone. Thankfully I knew Onedrive is from MS and I'm asked to agree to a one sided deal.
Rooster61 9mo ago
I happened to take a look at your HN profile and realized you don't post much, which leads me to believe this is REALLY bothering you. I can relate. My grandfather, who had been a math teacher and actually got me into computing way back in the beige toaster Macintosh days, religiously checked his email and practiced his Spanish on Rosetta Stone for decades. I had to update from Win 7 to 10 for the desktop I built for him, and that was a big struggle for him. That would probably be many times harder now considering the sad shape of Windows. It was heartbreaking watching him struggle with one of the few simple joys he had left towards the end of his life. I'm very sorry you're having to deal with that and your anger is warranted.

ferguess_k 9mo ago

If the games run on Linux maybe you can try that. Windows is a bit tricky to navigate nowadays.

DANmode 9mo ago
If you insist on staying in the abusive relationship, try Windows Server.
- ferguess_k 9mo ago
  I heard LTSC is also good. If I ever go back to that abusive relationship I might try that out. But for the meantime I'll deal with Linux' issues.
  - DANmode 9mo ago
    If one insists ;]
  - ahartmetz 9mo ago
    "IoT Enterprise LTSC" is the low bullshit version with many years of support.

c0balt 9mo ago

To chime in, arranging things in fixed locations on the desktop has proven to be quite helpful for elderly people when doing support ime. It is easier to remember/tell "the globe icon in the top right" than "Type 'Firefox' in the search bar". Also has the nice side-effect of avoiding MSN news on Windows.

aitchnyu 9mo ago

I almost agreed to let Onedrive manage my Samsung phone. Thankfully I knew Onedrive is from MS and I'm asked to agree to a one sided deal.

Rooster61 9mo ago

I happened to take a look at your HN profile and realized you don't post much, which leads me to believe this is REALLY bothering you. I can relate. My grandfather, who had been a math teacher and actually got me into computing way back in the beige toaster Macintosh days, religiously checked his email and practiced his Spanish on Rosetta Stone for decades. I had to update from Win 7 to 10 for the desktop I built for him, and that was a big struggle for him. That would probably be many times harder now considering the sad shape of Windows. It was heartbreaking watching him struggle with one of the few simple joys he had left towards the end of his life. I'm very sorry you're having to deal with that and your anger is warranted.