Hi, Ray.
I can answer your latest questions.
> I have no idea what a "signature delimiter" is, OEM or how to know if any
> program is a trial.
A signature delimiter is a specific string of characters that lets the
mail/news program know that "this is the end of the signature". Anything
after this is extraneous and can be deleted from the original message when
Replying. The typical delimiter is simply two hyphens and a single space
character, all on a single line ending immediately after that space. Here
is a sample, with quotation marks added so that my news client won't think
that it is actually a signature delimiter:
"-- "
Simple as that!
OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer. Aside from its actual meaning (a
company - like Dell or HP - that manufactures computers or cars or other
products), it also has a special meaning for Windows. Microsoft makes and
sells Windows to the public, of course. Each boxed retail copy of the
operating system includes warrantees and support promises from Microsoft.
(We actually buy only a license; the OS is never sold; we get only a license
to use it in accordance with the terms spelled out in fine print in every
package.) But Dell and other OEMs buy millions of licenses subject to
different terms; they get the licenses much cheaper than retail so that they
can resell the product at a profit, just like carmakers and other
businesses. A part of the reason for the lower price is that the OEM
assumes the obligation to support the product. So, if you buy a Dell
computer with Windows preinstalled, you look to Dell, not Microsoft, for
support.
In addition to the large OEMs, there are thousands of others, from large to
medium to the smallest "mom and pop" computer shops that assemble computers
from parts and sell them, along with an OEM version of Windows. Even the
smallest OEM assumes the obligation to support the Windows systems that he
sells. In addition to the support terms, the OEM license is restricted to
the specific computer on which it is originally installed. A retail copy of
Windows can be removed from one computer and installed on another; this is
not allowed for an OEM version of Windows.
Windows is an "operating system" which can support many "applications",
"utilities" and other kinds of programs. Quicken is one such application;
Microsoft Word is another; Adobe Flash is still another. Windows does not
include any of these, and Microsoft does not even make most of them. But
computer vendors know that it is easier to sell a computer with Windows
pre-installed, and that it is even easier if they can include Word or
Quicken or some other well-known product, so they often pre-install some of
these and sell the package as a "bundle". But adding Word to the bundle
does not make it a part of Windows, even though it also is made by
Microsoft. Many manufacturers, such as Symantec, like to bundle a "trial"
copy of their software with Windows, but that does not make it a part of
Windows. Some computers come with so many sample, trial or even full copies
of their software that we often call it "crapware" and spend a lot of time
removing it from a new computer system. To the software makers, it's just
like giving out free samples or coupons.
Trial software may be crippled, so that we are tempted to upgrade to the
"full" version. Or it may be time-limited, so that we will be tempted to
buy the product, especially if we've put our important data into the trial
product. These products are from businesses, remember, and they are all
trying hard to sell their products.
I hope I've answered some of your questions, Ray. But I have to say that
the attitude you've expressed here does not make us want to help you. Have
you heard the expression that "you can catch more flies with honey than with
vinegar"? None of us get paid to be here trying to help you. We do it
because we really do want to help. Someone helped me - and each of us -
when we were trying to understand all this stuff. Now, after over 30 years
of stumbling through the same frustrations that you are experiencing (and 30
years ago there was no Internet and nobody in town who knew much more than I
did), I'm happy to share what I've learned. But I'm much less happy when
the guy I'm trying to help starts yelling at me for not doing more for him.
Especially when he seems to be doing very little to try to help himself.
When someone gives you an answer, read it. If you don't understand, ask for
clarification of the point that you didn't get. DO NOT bawl out the helper
for not reading your mind. We cannot see your computer. All we know about
it - and about you - is what you tell us. Be sure that you are clear in
your questions and that you give us enough details that we have a chance to
help you. That is what we are trying to do.
Get a good computer reference book (Windows 7 Inside Out is one of my
favorites, but you might not be ready for that one yet.) and INVEST some
time in understanding what it tells you. That investment will pay you
dividends, not just for your current questions but for as long as you use
computers - which just might be for the rest of your life.
Good luck with your computing adventures. ;<)
RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
Microsoft Windows MVP (2002-2010)
Windows Live Mail 2011 (Build 15.4.3508.1109) in Win7 Ultimate x64 SP1
"Ray" wrote in message
news:Bl0wp.113134$...
"Nil" wrote in message news:Xns9EDAB54D23BAFnilch1@130.133.4.11...
On 03 May 2011, "Ray" <> wrote in
alt.windows7.general:
> What an understanding group. Really helpful to someone who has no
> experience. Ask a question and get slapped down for being so
> dumb. Thank you all.
>The correct answer has been given. What part of it do you not
>understand? People are willing to help you out if you let them.
I have no idea what a "signature delimiter" is, OEM or how to know if any
program is a trial.
I suppose all the so-called "helpers" were expert when they got their first
computer and didn't
have to ask any questions.
I was only trying to learn.
Ray
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