Tried to do some updates and failed miserably. Not only that but Godaddy no longer provides support for the forum software. I won't even get into all the details of what I was trying to do to fix it, but luckily after the 2nd call to them I got someone who was able to reset a few things. Not fun!
Success!
Been a long day without my RM fix!
There was a moment I thought I lost years worth of data. I did a backup recently but it had apparently failed and it overwrote the last backup. Didn't realize it had been doing that so last file I had was from 5 years ago.
Thanks for doing the work behind the scenes keeping RM going!
I've been at it for 8.5 hours :( And didn't even get the updates to work.
Still, three cheers for getting it back up.
I'll probably try to find a real web guy to do the things I'd like to do. Must mean I'm getting old.
Quote from: MPlayle on June 29, 2020, 06:17:28 PM
Still, three cheers for getting it back up.
Seconded!
I couldn't find a way in via the home page, so I did an Internet search for a known thread and finally I found a way in through a lounge thread. Still no maintenance and modifications section, but it's nice to be here.
Quote from: 94touring on June 29, 2020, 06:34:32 PM
I'll probably try to find a real web guy to do the things I'd like to do. Must mean I'm getting old.
No, it means you are not a web guy. Can a web guy fly a 777 wide? No, because he is a web guy.
That is why I use a CPA for my payroll and taxes, because I am not a CPA.
Quote from: John Gervais on June 29, 2020, 07:08:47 PM
I couldn't find a way in via the home page, so I did an Internet search for a known thread and finally I found a way in through a lounge thread. Still no maintenance and modifications section, but it's nice to be here.
Everything is up and running, so if you're missing content then try clearing cookies or caches.
I am just glad to be able to motivate you to get er done.
Here's some good news......used to be every time I went to the site I had to type my password in, now it remembers me again! 4.gif
Quote from: Jims5543 on June 29, 2020, 07:24:32 PM
I am just glad to be able to motivate you to get er done.
I was in full blown panic mode when I got that lol.
Quote from: MiniDave on June 29, 2020, 07:25:20 PM
Here's some good news......used to be every time I went to the site I had to type my password in, now it remembers me again! 4.gif
Something good came out of it!
I may try to switch host to a provider that has the software available for easy installation. I messed with a test domain with a new host but sorting out glitches before I feel comfortable swapping everything over. If I can install the updated forum software and upload our backup file successfully then I'll be happy.
Quote from: 94touring on June 29, 2020, 07:37:14 PM
Quote from: Jims5543 on June 29, 2020, 07:24:32 PM
I am just glad to be able to motivate you to get er done.
I was in full blown panic mode when I got that lol.
I am always here for you. I know you work well under stress. ;D
Quote from: Jims5543 on June 29, 2020, 07:48:22 PM
Quote from: 94touring on June 29, 2020, 07:37:14 PM
Quote from: Jims5543 on June 29, 2020, 07:24:32 PM
I am just glad to be able to motivate you to get er done.
I was in full blown panic mode when I got that lol.
I am always here for you. I know you work well under stress. ;D
Yes luckily for me I got no sleep and now about to fly a 777 to Germany and back to Ireland. This coffee should do the trick...
I still can't get in using SSL, tells me the site can't handle my SSL request.
I'm personally running mine on AWS, using a Bitnami AMI image. I have cronjobs setup for automatic backup, and upload to S3, keeping the last 7 days. Maybe an option over a traditional host?
/\ I think he's speaking in Canadian or something..... ;D ;D ;D ;D
More like "IT Geek". ;D
I can still recognize it, but have not understood "IT Geek" for many years. I can converse in low level "Firmware Geek"!
Yeah I never kept up with the times and have an SSL. Something I noticed when I used a computer vs my phone with Chrome and get the not secure note by the address bar. I'm currently in the process of building an alter ego forum on a different host that makes it easier for idiots like myself to setup this type of stuff. If things all work out then we'll slip on over there. Forum software was a breeze to install as well as an SSL. Had some issues backing up and restoring the forum on the new host but think I figured out why within phpmyadmin. It took the backup file from here, except that I believe I need to transfer all the files from this host over to the new host for the backup file to actually take. As of now it will restore successfully but nothing actually transfers over.
Quote from: MiniDave on June 30, 2020, 12:09:37 PM
/\ I think he's speaking in Canadian or something..... ;D ;D ;D ;D
Translation: He scores!
Nope - still can't get on the Homepage or the Maintenance and Modifications pages.
I use Internet Explorer because I can't always remember my passwords. I tried using the Windows 10 Disk Clean-up, so I don't know...
EDIT - Voila! I ran the clean-up again and 'poof' - the website works again!
Probably just needed to clear some cookies ect...
I see this
(https://i.imgur.com/3qOvolQ.png)
Make sure you are going to "http:" and not "https:".
Quote from: MPlayle on July 01, 2020, 09:52:02 AM
Make sure you are going to "http:" and not "https:".
I mean sure, that's how I'm posting, but I used to use https. Also, even if I change my bookmark, it auto-redirects me to https.
Additionally, anytime I click on "Show unread posts since last visit", which is how I typically navigate the site, it gives me that page, so the URL within the site itself is redirecting to https.
@94touring how are migrating files? I've been using mysql exports on the command line of the host to create backups, which saves all the posts/members, but none of the site-specific settings.
Quote from: LilDrunkenSmurf on July 02, 2020, 08:07:57 AM
I mean sure, that's how I'm posting, but I used to use https. Also, even if I change my bookmark, it auto-redirects me to https.
Additionally, anytime I click on "Show unread posts since last visit", which is how I typically navigate the site, it gives me that page, so the URL within the site itself is redirecting to https.
Could it be a browser setting overriding to using "https" for everything? I use FireFox and if I go to a non-https site (such as the forum), it remains in that mode with the "unsecure" symbol in the browser address bar. I can navigate most of the forum without issues. (I have not tried to go to every feature through every possible path.)
If I go to a proper https site, I get the "secure" symbol for the duration of the visit to that site.
Mysql for backups and restores but it keeps all of the forum settings the few times I've had to do a backup. SSL will be something that gets added soon. Aside from getting the not secure with chrome icon I haven't had any issues. Downloaded all of the website files to my laptop through an ftp program and 10 years worth was about 8 gigs. It should be uploaded to the test host tomorrow and I can see how well it integrates with the new forum software. As of now my backup files from mysql don't do anything on the new host. My assumption is I need the files from the current host in place for it to sync up to. If that doesn't work then I'll have to pay someone to figure it out. Otherwise I've been pleased with the ease of the new test host platform for a website dummy like myself.
Quote from: 94touring on July 02, 2020, 10:40:09 AM
Mysql for backups and restores but it keeps all of the forum settings the few times I've had to do a backup. SSL will be something that gets added soon. Aside from getting the not secure with chrome icon I haven't had any issues. Downloaded all of the website files to my laptop through an ftp program and 10 years worth was about 8 gigs. It should be uploaded to the test host tomorrow and I can see how well it integrates with the new forum software. As of now my backup files from mysql don't do anything on the new host. My assumption is I need the files from the current host in place for it to sync up to. If that doesn't work then I'll have to pay someone to figure it out. Otherwise I've been pleased with the ease of the new test host platform for a website dummy like myself.
Which platform are you looking at? It sounds like you're moving away from SMF to something else. vBulletin maybe?
I haven't looked into integrating smf to bulletin. I don't know if that's easy or if we'd lose data.
Quote from: 94touring on July 03, 2020, 08:18:36 AM
I haven't looked into integrating smf to bulletin. I don't know if that's easy or if we'd lose data.
If you are interested I know a guy that knows a guy who offered to convert my board into vBulletin.
He works for tips. No joke its a hobby, he will do the job converting them you pay him what you think is fair.
I can get his contact info if you are interested.
Quote from: Jims5543 on July 03, 2020, 09:49:07 AM
Quote from: 94touring on July 03, 2020, 08:18:36 AM
I haven't looked into integrating smf to bulletin. I don't know if that's easy or if we'd lose data.
If you are interested I know a guy that knows a guy who offered to convert my board into vBulletin.
He works for tips. No joke its a hobby, he will do the job converting them you pay him what you think is fair.
I can get his contact info if you are interested.
Send it.
On it....
Some things I've discovered. We are on version 2.0.13, the latest and greatest is 2.017. Our current host will not support the latest version to even install manually. Test host will support it, but backup files from our version will not convert over. This means I am basically stuck. I'm looking into converting into Vbulletin which may or may not go smoothly and also cost some $$$ but I think I may just go ahead and bite the V-bullet. Current host doesn't support vbulletin either, new host does.
Time to tell Daddy to Go?
We'll be happy to kick in some $$$ to defray expenses, either with a check, a gofundme or paypal, your choice.
Is Vbulletin the BEST way to go? cause if there's a better format even if it costs a little we'll kick in for it.
Sitting here contemplating how I want to go about this. I was finally able to figure out how to manually install our current version on our current host, which means now I can screw up as much stuff as possible and be able to restore things. I'm still researching vbulletin and what issues may arise. However, I can still have this forum here as an archive basically if we lose some photos or various things. Decisions decisions 8.gif
We'll be happy to kick in some $$$ to defray expenses, either with a check, a gofundme or paypal, your choice.
[/quote]
There is still the "Donation" up at the top.
Ha, I never paid a lick of attention to that before!
Well the converter software quote was out of this world pricey, plus Vbulletin isn't cheap, so scratch that idea. And if everyone clears their browser cache, the header is cleaned up.
I am of the opinion of, if it aint broke dont fix it.
We were using Vbulliten ( Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group ) best I can tell 2005 version up until about 2 months ago on a Tail of the Dragon forum we run.
We are now on SMF 2.0.17 | SMF © 2019, Simple Machines on Go Daddy and it works fine. I would love to activate a mobile friendly add on except I am afraid I will screw up a good thing.
At my office:
We all run Win 7 - that Microsoft claims it is not supporting, we all had an upgrade on Thurs last week, 3 machines. We run Softdesk 2004 Surveying software. Why? it is fantastic software that holds up to todays standards. No reason to upgrade. I was going to upgrade to Win10 and a new cadd software early this year as Microsoft was dropping support on Win7. I could not find a compelling reason to do it. I decided to install paid premium virus protection on all 3 machines and stick with 7... and stay with my 2004 cadd program.
Life is good...
The latest is not always the greatest.
I think I may have finally cracked the code. After much fumbling around I did figure out how to manually install the forum software, that was a big step forward. The next thing holding me back from upgrading to the current version was an error that my PHP was out of date. Looked high and low and didn't see where the option was to upgrade that. Well after much google searching found the spot where it was hiding, activated the upgrade, renamed an .ini file, and now awaiting the 20 minutes it says it takes for it to take effect.
Appears to be very buggy while it takes effect. You'll be getting a parse error. Hopefully that's all this is. ::)
Got the "parse error" a bunch here in the last 10 minutes. It does seem to be getting better though. I just "brute forced" my way through a bunch of refreshes until a page loaded. Then a few more pages started loading more normally.
I have my browser set to always clear cache and cookies on closing and run in "private" mode.
Seems to have stopped. It did say the php update would take up to 45 minutes. I was able to get a couple updates done but 16 of 17 is hung up at the moment.
Just did a full reboot and reinstall to the latest version. Got hung up on update 16 of 17 and crashed. Luckily I figured out what I was doing lol. Seems to have retained all our info, just need to reinstall a series of mods. But, at least we're caught up to date.
Seems to be working ok now....
I am noticing a slight lag loading screens. Nothing major, like a 1 second lag then the screen loads fast.
Edit - just counted, 2-5 second lag.
It was a little laggy from my phone but has sped back up after clearing cookies and cache. Also ran some forum optimizers.
Attachments aren't working at the moment. I'll have to sort that out.
Started a fresh session (computer was shut down overnight) and it overall seems to be working. I am experiencing the lag others have described.
Well I screwed around enough and apparently attachments work again. Got buggy for a bit while I was updating files, so you may experience login issues. Cleared up for me after a few attempts. Things seems to be running quickly on my laptop and phone.
Attachment test 2:
Quote from: Willie_B on July 05, 2020, 03:05:36 PM
We'll be happy to kick in some $$$ to defray expenses, either with a check, a gofundme or paypal, your choice.
There is still the "Donation" up at the top.
[/quote]
Ah. Thanks for pointing that out. Seems I follow the same paths and look at the same things and miss what is right in front of me sometimes.
Thanks Bruce, just sent you an email saying that the donation link must still be working! 77.gif
Still some weird posting glitches where my post will just vanish when I click reply. I think this is INI file permissions updating...I hope. May just be on my end making so many changes too. I've had to clear my browsing history/cookies/cache/close my browser a number of times while going through all this
I also noticed the logo banner is missing from the very top of each page.
The attachment in "Test 2" just above in this thread showed up fine for me.
Quote from: MPlayle on July 06, 2020, 10:36:18 AM
I also noticed the logo banner is missing from the very top of each page.
The attachment in "Test 2" just above in this thread showed up fine for me.
I removed the logo banner on purpose.
I was having login issues but after numerous logouts and logins, seems to be fine now.
Dave thank you for the donation as well 4.gif
New member registration still works without issues.
Quote from: test1234 on July 06, 2020, 10:56:52 AM
New member registration still works without issues.
May I make a small suggestion? The Lounge is one of the great features of RM and I know even viewing it is reserved for actual users, not non-user lurkers. But perhaps It would be helpful to have some sort of a teaser or mention somewhere so that non-users can learn that the Lounge forum exists for members only and its well worth becoming a member in order to use it.
In other words, stating the fact more of the site becomes available once a person becomes a member.
Quote from: BruceK on July 06, 2020, 01:02:42 PM
Quote from: test1234 on July 06, 2020, 10:56:52 AM
New member registration still works without issues.
May I make a small suggestion? The Lounge is one of the great features of RM and I know even viewing it is reserved for actual users, not non-user lurkers. But perhaps It would be helpful to have some sort of a teaser or mention somewhere so that non-users can learn that the Lounge forum exists for members only and its well worth becoming a member in order to use it.
In other words, stating the fact more of the site becomes available once a person becomes a member.
I can put a blurb on the main page where it talks about registration. If people even read that!
I think part of the Lounge may have become "public" again in the migration. The "Recent Posts" column on the main page has been showing posts to this thread at least.
Edit:
At least I have seen some there before logging in recently.
Quote from: LilDrunkenSmurf on July 02, 2020, 08:07:57 AM
Quote from: MPlayle on July 01, 2020, 09:52:02 AM
Make sure you are going to "http:" and not "https:".
I mean sure, that's how I'm posting, but I used to use https. Also, even if I change my bookmark, it auto-redirects me to https.
Additionally, anytime I click on "Show unread posts since last visit", which is how I typically navigate the site, it gives me that page, so the URL within the site itself is redirecting to https.
@94touring how are migrating files? I've been using mysql exports on the command line of the host to create backups, which saves all the posts/members, but none of the site-specific settings.
I haven't been able to replicate getting auto directed to https. Even when I install the software and set up the databases https is never included on any of the directories.
Quote from: MPlayle on July 06, 2020, 01:40:38 PM
I think part of the Lounge may have become "public" again in the migration. The "Recent Posts" column on the main page has been showing posts to this thread at least.
Edit:
At least I have seen some there before logging in recently.
I fixed it about 2 minutes ago.
Quote from: Jims5543 on July 05, 2020, 06:23:17 PM
We all run Win 7 - that Microsoft claims it is not supporting, we all had an upgrade on Thurs last week, 3 machines. We run Softdesk 2004 Surveying software.
As someone who works in DevOps/SRE, this made me cry a little bit. Or a lot, actually.
Quote from: LilDrunkenSmurf on July 15, 2020, 10:47:00 AM
Quote from: Jims5543 on July 05, 2020, 06:23:17 PM
We all run Win 7 - that Microsoft claims it is not supporting, we all had an upgrade on Thurs last week, 3 machines. We run Softdesk 2004 Surveying software.
As someone who works in DevOps/SRE, this made me cry a little bit. Or a lot, actually.
Because Win 8/10 sucks so bad? Or because I refuse to switch over.
My biggest problem is compatibility. If I switch to 10, then my Cadd software will no longer work. Right now I have 2 paid for seats. They cost me a bundle back in the day, IIRC about 6K a seat. the cool thing is I am using it on 4-5 machines right now. For my seat I have it on my work laptop and my home laptop. The other seat is being used by my field guy, he drafts a little every afternoon to help and my subcontract drafter who works from home on a piece by piece basis. In that instance right there I would need to have 4 seats even though we are really only using 2 seats. I cannot work on two machines at the same time.
Softdesk no longer makes this specific module for my trade therefore if I want to go with a Win10 compatible Cadd software I have to change brands. Then all my 20 years of cadd files are no longer compatible and need to be converted to be used. Then there is the new software, we need to learn it, then there are no more, buy a seat and be done with it. You have to pay a monthly subscription, which is great in good times, sucks if the economy tanks and you need to work on a tight budget. I think back to 2010 and cannot believe I kept my business open, I was weeks from closing it.
So yeah, part of it is I hate Win10 the bigger part is the options to upgrade just are not worth the trouble, new machines new software, then training on new software.
Quote from: LilDrunkenSmurf on July 15, 2020, 10:47:00 AM
Quote from: Jims5543 on July 05, 2020, 06:23:17 PM
We all run Win 7 - that Microsoft claims it is not supporting, we all had an upgrade on Thurs last week, 3 machines. We run Softdesk 2004 Surveying software.
As someone who works in DevOps/SRE, this made me cry a little bit. Or a lot, actually.
In my opinion, Windows 98 was the best - I HATE the Windows 10 hybridization. What used to be complete 'surfaces' and 'menus' have become dumbed-down 'apps' and they're constantly trying to get me to 'share' or use a so-called 'cloud'.
I've somehow managed to get my desktop to be the same as the old-fashioned desktop and managed to fix my Office package to the bottom bar. Did I mention that I HATE Windows 10?
Because Win 7 is full of security flaws. Ones that anti-virus won't cover. I run Win 10, with Windows Defender (built in antivirus), and I can guarantee it's more secure than Win 7 with the most expensive A/V you can find out there.
Running old O/S because "It's too much cost/effort to upgrade the software" is the reason large corporations have to throw millions of dollars at last-second/hasty upgrade projects. It's never worth staying behind on the long term, and barely even in the short term.
If you really hate Win 10 that much, buy a mac.
Also, that many shortcuts on the desktop is a nightmare. Same with all the icons.
I like my environment to be clean. Anything I need, Windows Key -> Start typing the name of the app.
I want word?
Windows Key -> Word -> Enter
Excel?
Windows Key -> Excel -> Enter.
It's all about ease of access, and a clean desktop, so that my brain doesn't feel cluttered.
I'd also like to add, I don't miss the 2hr install times of Win98/98SE/XP. There's nothing more satisfying that sticking a USB into a computer, and booting into Win 10 within 20 minutes. Same with the <60sec boot up times.
I still have nightmares of installing Win95 from floppy disks. Approx 30 of them.
My computer at work is a 2011 Asus ROG - I upgraded to a SSD and that is my only change on a 9 year old machine.
It boots up in 15 seconds in the morning.
At home I have a 2015 Asus ROG that came with a SSD it runs Win8, I tried to upgrade to Win10 and it crashed my machine so I had to roll back to Win8 and I fuckign hate Win 8 with a passion so every time I get on this machine with its "phone tiles" I curse at it. I have changed enough settings on it to make it behave somewhat like Win7. Every now and then it throws a tile at me and makes me want to punch the monitor.
So you may ask, how is he using a Win8 machine when he said his Softdesk is not compatible? Well, I run it in compatibility mode, which sort of works. Every once in 100 hours of use Win8 crashes my Cadd and when is does, man, it is spectacular, so bad the cadd file is corrupted to the point of no recovery. At home I am working locally, as I said the crashes happen very infrequently.
At work, when working across the network, crashes happen on a daily basis rending files so corrupt you have to delete them. My one desk top was on Win10, he let force fuck upgrade go through. The next day a crash, the day after the same and more and more... to the point we rolled the machine back to Win7 and no more crashes. I think that Win10 install destroyed about 10 cadd files and cost us about 100 hours of work.
Then my reception PC force fucked Win10 into it. That crashed our job tracking software and shut my company down for an entire day costing me mucho denero, I spent the weekend in the office on the phone with customer support for the job tracking software... I got so frustrated with them, I rolled back her machine too. I found some software that locked our machines down to Win7. Installed on all of them.
We are firewalled and all the machines run paid VP.
I just looked on my desktop, I have 17 icons 6 are games, 5 are my work programs, 4 are VP and maintenance programs, a junk folder and trash bin. I keep my desktop tidy too.
I'm giving Microsoft 'Edge' a try, since there are more and more websites that won't recognize good o'l 'Internet Explorer'.
My login isn't remembered/saved on either browser, which isn't much more than the minor inconvenience of needing to login each time I visit.
The new 'Edge' browser won't allow me to get on the home page -
Take out the https and use http
Ah - I didn't see it.
I merely clicked on the link that google provided.
Nope - when I type my username/password, the 'S' gets inserted automatically and I get the error. Oh well...
Edit - I just reverted back to 'Internet Explorer' without any issues. I guess that, just like our cars, newer technology isn't always better.
I need to setup an SSL to get that to work.
I've never used edge. I use chrome.
Edge works fine for me, but I do get a little banner on top that says "Not Secure"
All the windows bullshit I think is starting to push them out of the market for industry type of use.
I have several machines locked on 7 because they have to be 10 can not run the software and the developers refuse to make it. They have all switched to linx for the new versions as they are sick of stability issues with windows.
Like Jim I got forced fucked the 10 upgrade and it crashed/courupted things so bad it killed some hardware two stepper drive boards were done and a day and a half of my life.
The machine computers have been taken offline to prevent any updates.
For me to upgrade is like Jim I need to buy 4 different software licences and add users to those licenceses some are subscription based now, Id rather own it.
It would also require buying some computers and controllers.
RE the comment it's never worth staying behind in the long run I would have to respectfully disagree I need to get a certain R.O.I. out of a machine to make it worth while. Will I eventually upgrade of course but If can wear the machine out running as is and maximize the return and then just buy a whole package deal why not. The machine comes with over half the software and licences and controller and computer.
So if I upgrade all that now because current machine is still good then it's a $20K waste when the machine wears out in another year or so. Or throw away a machine with life left in it and prematurely buy a new package. Nither one makes sense keeping the old software going is the only viable option if I want to maintain profitability.
Mac is not an option in my world software dose not exist and will not in the foreseeable future.
I have had a couple software guys explaine to me the Macs crunch numbers differently than a PC and that while they can do some things well.
Running cam software, g code, motion control, is best left to the PC.
The other end of our business is also not Mac friendly software dose not exist for most RV systems programming or engine scanning or can bus learning programming of replacement components.
Although there seems to be some android and Chromebook options appearing for factory scan tools.
I am a fairly small business when the time comes to upgrade it needs to last at least 5 years for me. Once I upgrade one piece of the puzzle it snowballs into this won't talk to that, can no longer export the right file type, so on and ends up being a complete upgrade of the whole shop even other software for programming a tv dish on a motorhome will no longer run on 10 so shit. Ends up being a 50k adventure. I need that spread out over 5 years to be worth it. And that dose not include the 1,500 a month in subscription software for diagnostics we already have.
So in 5 years that puts us at about 140,000 in computer expenses.
Whats f'd up is if not for forced updates I could have easily ran the last 12 years 100% just fine not spending one cent on this stuff. Maybe a computer here or there when one dies.
And that's how it used to be you bought it you owned it used it until it broke.
instead during that time I have spent over a quarter million dollars and lost countless hours dealing with failed updates and shit. Imagine that a quarter million dollars in my bank instead sounds nice if I only could of stayed behind 12 years.
I guess its just part of modern business and I need to embrace it and make it work for me but I'm just old school when it comes to this stuff. I like new tech but when you have something and it's working why force a change GREED i guess.
Mac's are for photoshop near as I can tell they are worthless to the industrial working Man.
When I was 'forced' to 'upgrade' to Windows 10, I needed to install a new processor chip (I can't remember why) - which necessitated an new motherboard and some time with the local IT specialist to get the new Windows to function. While I had the machine apart, I popped in as much RAM as it would take (I think it's 32GB), a new graphics card and an 850W power supply. I'm hoping to use it 'as is' for a long time.
I bought my wife a laptop in 2003 when she was hospitalized, we still have it and it still works just fine - running I think Win 98? might be Millenium....can't remember. Probably the only reason it still works is because it required a plug in modem to connect wirelessly to the net and that hasn't worked in 15 years!
I haven't tried to connect it to the modem with a cable
I can't connect to here on my phone or work desktop using chrome but my tablet works fine, I have not checked anything yet but will try removing the S from https.
I can connect from my phone, laptop, and desktop.
My work laptop is a macbook. I work at a bank. It runs most of my software better than windows.
I run a mix of windows, mac and linux at home.
My wife volunteers for AARP to do free taxes for elderly, and anyone who wants to wait their turn. I kinda help out by being the technical coordinator for the group.
They were handed new Chromebooks this year. Chromebook change wasn't very smooth especially for the older volunteers. I had to figger out the printers which was a challenge. We made it through mostly because it was shutdown until first week in July.
I think chromebooks are only good for doing internet things. It certainly is not industrial grade.
I think the linux switchover on our equipment will be nice. Then we'lll be running a mix of windows and Linux at the shop not thrilled about running a mix but if it works better I'm up for it.
They (the equipment manufacture) make it sound like the Linux systems just work no need to do anything just use it until you want to upgrade.
They say it rarely if ever chashes no forced updates or compatibility issues with files the Linux software will pretty much accept any vectored drawing I can throw at it from any year of cad software.
I'm using a Chromebook now it's mostly what I use at home they are a lean mean internet machine. But as far as working from them that is a challenge.
I suppose if it's all cloud based they would be ok but I can't think of much work related stuff that I could even do with a Chromebook I think that is slowly changing but not there yet.