George,

 GP> IKR? I get the same way, even with microwaves -- oh, c'MON, why is 45
 GP> seconds so fleeping LONG???

  You got that right.

 GP> Didn't use a microwave until I was in my early 20s, was spoiled by them
 GP> before  I hit 30!

  That's my extent of microwave communications. I can write a batchfile for
the BBS, but my programming ENDS at setting the clock on the microwave oven.
If I forget how to do that, I'll starve to death. 

 GP> Which Windows was your intro?

  I used 3.1, then went to 95, 98, XP, 7, 10, and now 11.

 GP> Was that the one you began with? I use OpenOffice, & save in Word 97
 GP> format for max compatibility with workmates & customers.  Actually,
 GP> fior them, I convert  to PDF using a free online utility, that also
 GP> lets me pull up any image or Pdf & edit it (have to remove doctor's
 GP> names & contact info)

  I started with OpenOffice, but went to LibreOffice. Yet, at times when
the deal goes to upgrade, it uninstalls the previous version, and doesn't
put the new version on (both LibreOffice and OpenOffice did that). So, I
just uninstall it myself, and download a fresh version.

  With editing a publication for the Arkansas State Square Dance
Federation (ASSDF), I have to use Microsoft Office/365 with Word. But,
when I went to buy it, there was no CD/DVD or box with the software.
Instead, a card with a registration key, and URL to download the software.
Then, you have to pay a yearly usage fee (I currently pay $70). These
folks figured out that by having electronic downloads only, they save the
cost of packaging and shipping, and they can charge renewal fees...hence,
they make more money.

 GP> My first foray into internet email & newsgroups was via a local BBS who
 GP> pulled  them in & gave us access, later I got a frteecycle accoun to
 GP> access them after  his BBS disappeared. (he retired, I think, & had
 GP> been using the university  equipment for the board)

  I did that with my Radio Shack MC-10 Micro Color Computer, a 300 baud
modem, and a program loaded via cassette tape. On the modem, a switch 
determined answer or originate mode, but you dialed the access number. 
When the phone answered, you put the modem into answer mode, and hung
up the phone...then you were online. That's how I did it with CompuServe.

 GP> Backup, backup, & back up, the 3 most important rules.

  The way my back is hurting from sitting in this chair (with degenerative
disk disease), it's hard to sit at the computer for very long anymore.

 GP> Which 10? (how many updats has it done to you?)

  I had Pro...and one time, I had to reinstall it to rebuild the registry
(it had gotten royally corrupted), and had to reinstall all my Windows
programs as a result. But, when I upgraded to Windows 11, no reinstalls
were needed.

Daryl

... I watch what I eat...from the plate to the mouth.
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