Welcome to Street Prophets Coffee Hour! Thermal for the warmth of a good cup of coffee or your preferred beverage, as well as the warmth of a more progressive religion and community. Feel free to share what you’re drinking (or eating) in the Comments, if you’re so inclined. This is also an Open Thread for you to connect.
Today’s Topic: I am running an oldish laptop with Windows 8.1 (using the Google Chrome browser and Microsoft Windows Defender for security). As many of you probably know, as of 2023 Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows 8.1. They want me to upgrade to at least Windows 10. And all my software is falling in line with them: Even Google says they’ll no longer give me browser updates unless and until I upgrade to Windows 10. I suppose there are compatibility issues.
But I love this computer just the way it is! I have spent years with ZERO viruses or any other issues! Except an odd occasional freezing of the screen (which happens about once every 6 months or so, and a reboot takes care of it). Also, I am not sure about Windows 10, as I have heard that Windows 10 was never all that great and had problems; including compatibility issues with, for example, users’ old photos and documents, but I have not tried it myself.
But of course I’m also aware that without support, viruses and malware are likely to attack soon. And so far this year, I’ve been reluctant to browse other websites looking for, for example, issues to create this blog and write more about progressive Christianity! I become more reluctant to browse as time passes and my computer software gets older.
So what do you recommend that I do? Options that I have thought of include:
1) Upgrade this computer or an even older one that’s sitting idle (it was expensive but has Windows Vista!) to Windows 10 or newer; but I don’t know which is best, and I worry about losing personal stuff.
2) Buy a new computer, but I hate wasting resources. And of course don’t like spending money, even if I can get one for a few hundred (but those have quite small screens!).
3) Somehow continue with this computer and Windows 8.1 — is there a workaround that anyone knows about? I could back up my files regularly on an external hard drive and just use it until it fails, I suppose.
4) Hope that y’all can provide more options!!
TYVM FYH! Once I get my computer issues resolved, then I can write more and annoy TPTB more! Thanks!
Finally as always, let’s elevate our Community Cred and repost The Needs List! From Aashirs nani (with permission) on Helping Humpday (read there how sometimes the Social Security COLA hasn’t helped all that much!):
PLEASE NOTE:
When sending via PayPal, be sure to select “Send to family/friend” to avoid fees on either end. Be aware, both donor and recipient, that GFM not only charges fees, but also money received through that platform is treated as taxable income. If you are requesting help through GFM, also be aware that there can be delays in accessing the money.
COMMUNITY NEEDS LIST AS OF 1/25/23:
Fundraisers who want a diary to be or stay on the list: PLEASE kosmail requests and donations received to njm5000 by Tuesday evening to be included on the Wednesday morning updated list.
Living on the financial edge—need help? Check out the Helping Directories before your next emergency.
Housing and Living Expenses Fundraisers and Other Links
morgansmom—needs help towards major car repairs and moving to a better environment. $8000 7950 7900 7850 7750 7725 7615 7605 7565 7465 7415 7375 7275 7175 7025 6920 6820 6570 6470 6360 6350 6150 5650± Turns out the car needs a front end rebuild, so repairs are on hold, til more $ is raised. :-) • Visit the KoFi page to see some cool artwork & donate! • PayPal: wingednag at gmail dot com.
DHfromKY—is looking to raise $2450 1950 1830 1720 1685 1585 1385 1285 1180 1170 960 860 750 735 725 690 490 400 for rent and other necessities. Against the wall, again...• PayPal is dharden40219 at yahoo dot com—select “Send to a friend”, and PayPal doesn’t charge a fee.
J Graham—"Your child has mental health issues." But you're a fighter. "It's cancer." But you're a fighter... • She’s sleeping in a tent! (Cats, music, and a chance to help a deserving Daily Kos member). The goal is $14,000 9944 9534 8884 8859 8709 8684 4448 4348 4323 4223 4213 3913± to cover first and last month rent, security deposit, some medical expenses, utility bills, and moving costs. She has a Mighty Cause fundraiser, and PayPal at: jgraham4healthcare at gmail dot com
Falcon Hawke—could use some help right now and has a goal of $10,000 8300 5620±. Here’s the diary. • PayPal—celtichart1 at aol dot com • Venmo—celtichart1 at aol dot com • Zelle celtichart1 at aol dot comwww.gofundme.com/...
Wired Wolf—needs about $3000 2960 2800 2600 2200±. Helping support Mom “…on one full time retail wage…and living on credit cards through Covid have suddenly caught up with us bigtime--I'm in way over my head right now…we're still waiting for our utility-assistance appeal and my student loan servicer never paused IBR payments. Paypal is paypal dot me/WiredWolf
anotherdemocrat—has a diary up: Anyone know where I can find a 2nd job? She’s in Austin and is suddenly $24000 in debt, mainly due to an HOA assessment! From the diary: “So, $24,000 is more money than I can ask even a big community like Daily Kos to donate. I have a venmo: at Becky-Helton, Cashapp: $B3ckyHelt0n, and GoFundMe, if anyone wants to help with next month’s payments but for a big total like that, I need a 2nd job. My day job is M-F from 8-5, so it would have to be evenings & weekends.” and “Skills: writing, 20+ years of customer service work, super reliable…” anotherdemocrat has payments covered for a couple of months (thanks, donors <3) and wants to pause donations. She does ask for help updating her resume. “There are part-time remote jobs that look good. Just need an updated resume to upload.” Kosmail, if you can help.
gtghawaii—Needs $450 400± to get the car towed home to avoid storage fees. Diary venmo.com/… • Paypal @Scarpio
Kos Katalogue 2022 is here—please Kosmail CathyM or BeadLady if you have corrections or additions.
Note also that Chef Bobby Neary, “@nuevopioneer,” has passed away. We will continue to post his favourite charity to honour him — please consider a donation to the Satos, the street pets of Puerto Rico! Bobby adopted his own Sato, Missilu, as well as raised funds for PR’s Satos.
I’m in for a mickle each week toward a variety of DKos members on the Needs List. I hope you’ll join me. Always glad to see the needed amounts gradually decreasing!
If helping financially isn’t the right choice for you at this time, you can still help. Tip and rec the diary so it stays visible. Share on social media: Twitter, Facebook, whatever platform you use, to bring the attention of others outside our daily readers. And offer words of encouragement to people who are struggling. It can be scary to be struggling, and it can feel lonely. Let them know we understand and are here to help.
If you have time, please visit the diaries above and leave comments for their authors. Those words of encouragement are vital!
If you don’t like fundraisers, please just move along. They are a longstanding tradition at DKos — Until we vote in enough progressives to create a much stronger social safety net! (Maybe in 2 years.)
Please note: I am sole caregiver for my Mom, so could get interrupted to take care of her. Otherwise, I will be here when I can, to engage in Comments. Meanwhilst, please chat amongst yourselves, take a coffee break, post aminal photos, food/drink and tunes, spread the word and invite your friends, etc.! And of course let me know of your computer experiences and expertise. Thanks to all!