I Cannot Function With Microsoft: Someone Get Me A Typewriter

11.10.09

I have a stunning new computer that is fast, quiet and hard working. The only thing my computer needs is an operating system.

Oh, and some software.

You see, every time I copy and paste into Microsoft Word (my OS is Vista) it crashes and gives me a DEP message. DEP is Data Execution Protection, execution is right, it kills my work.

I follow the advice (given by Microsoft while using their operating system and their software) and manually whitelist Word so DEP won’t make it crash.

It crashes.

I cry.

I call HP, it’s got to be a computer problem. HP checks the Microsoft fourms, it is a known problem with no workaround.

In order to use Word, I must first copy onto notepad?

Here’s the link to Open Office. It’s free, and it hasn’t crashed yet.

In the interim a typewriter would be handier than a computer loaded up with Microsoft.

  • http://iamdez.com Dez

    Open Office is a great suite of programs. One thing to be wary of is sending .docs made in Open Office to people that are going to be opening that file in Word. Sometimes the formatting can look off. Best bet is to use the File–> Export to PDF function. That way what you see on the screen will be conveyed correctly when viewed outside of Open Office.

  • http://www.dancing-geek.co.uk James | Dancing Geek

    Go the whole hog and convert to Ubuntu – drop Microsoft all together! Ok, it’s not perfect yet, but I’m a geek and can’t help but push everyone to open source software.

    • http://iamdez.com Dez

      I Ubuntu. I’ve been Microsoft free since August 2008 :-) (not including my Xbox)

  • http://www.ericgreenspan.com Eric Greenspan

    Jessica,
    I can’t watch this happen any longer! Trade ya an appointment for a blog posting on what you think of the service. 877.MAKEITWORK or email support@makeitwork.com

  • http://looksgoodinpolkadots.com Jamie Ervin

    You strike me as more of a Mac girl… :) I’ll never go back to windows… bleh!

  • http://www.thezeroboss.com/ Jay Andrew Allen

    One of my friends was raving about Windows 7 last week. He kept saying over and over, “It’s STABLE!” Yes, that’s what it has come to – a WIndows that doesn’t crash every hour is viewed as a smashing success.

  • http://icouldcrybutidonthavetime.wordpress.com amyz5

    macs never crash.
    just saying.

  • http://www.ericgreenspan.com Eric Greenspan

    Macs do crash, from time to time. They are also fantastic! That said, Windows 7 is fantastic too. I honestly prefer it to the Mac OS now. I’ve never had a crash and I’ve been using since the RC launched. Just sayin. 80% of users use Windows, now they can breathe a sigh of relief. At least we got that goin for us!

  • http://forloveorfunny.blogspot.com Lynn from For Love or Funny

    I used to be PC. Now I’m a Mac, and I’m so much happier! :)

  • http://jamespoling.com James

    Upgrade to Windows 7. And while you’re at it, let me at your blog so I can at least get some Disqus comments going on in here.

  • http://wwwjackbenimble.blogspot.com/ Jack

    I hate Vista, but I still prefer my PC to the Mac. The software is wonky. P.S. I still own a Smith Corona typewriter. It works well, aside from an occasional problem with the ‘e’ sticking. But it is not like you need to use that letter all that often.

  • http://jenhinton.com Jen Hinton

    If you like that Open Office doesn’t crash, maybe consider switching to Ubuntu? I’m have both Ubuntu and Windows…trying to do the complete transition to opensource.

  • http://www.notjustaworkingmom.com Nicole

    Or puppy linux, since it has such a cute name :) Only thing it no iTunes on Ubuntu, the price you pay for free/no crashes/no viruses.

  • http://goodgoog.com Zoey @ Good Goog

    95% of all modern literature authors use a manual typewriter. Coincidence? I think not!