As of 1 October 2025 IMGR blocks all UK users because our parliament passed a law requiring people to provide a photo ID if they want to access adult content on the internet. This means that every image hosted on IMGR is replaced by a purple block for us, like this:



And yes, it means a lot of avatars on this site have gone permanently purple...

Note that IMGR does it for ALL images, adult or not.

Yikes! The world seems to worsen by the day.

This effect has shown some curious differences in caching between devices. My iPad shows both Acadian's and Decrepit's avatars, but my phone replaces Decrepit's with the purple, and my desktop replaces Acadian's. I'm sure at one point they both were purple, so somehow a fresh copy got through.

Checked my secondary, Win10 computer today. Sure enough, Windows Update says there will be no more updates. Strangely (or not), the computer seems to be in the midst of DL'ing a cumulative update for .NET Framework, which is frozen at 74%. Possibly forever.

The Win11 primary computer received its "major" update on schedule. I suppose I'll spend part of tomorrow double-checking to make sure it hasn't reversed any of my various settings changes.

On my backup Win7. Just finished copying savegames and pics as per usual.

In case anyone is interested in getting rid of those youtube channels that always show up in your feed but you absolutely would never watch; here is a blocker that removes them

Of course you can always unblock them later if you want.

I'm currently acquiring parts to rebuild my PC because my current cpu is not compatible with Windows 11.
I'm afraid that some of my old applications and devices will not function.

I feel you, macole. Which is why I'm still on Windows 7; I want my stuff to work! Disabled Windows Update back in 2009 when I got my current puter and I haven't regretted it.


What you could do of course, if you have the funds, is to keep your PC as is and get another one that is more up to date for online stuff

Objective comparison between Android and iOS


Really good video and I will spoil the results:



I'm on iOS as you know and while some raise eyebrows over it, including my older self, I just want something that works. Of course Android works just fine, what I mean is I have no desire to experiment or to fully customize my phone. I just want it to work as seamlessly as possible and with Apple making both the phone and the OS, that's a win for me even if I can't get all the apps as an Android user.

I always thought I'd go Android if I were to get a smartphone but I've come to realize that with endless options comes decision anxiety and that's something I don't need. I don't have time or a desire to pick and choose everything when it comes to something I regard as simply a tool. Sometimes not having to choose is better for me.

I think it's good that we have both OS because as the video points out, that keeps them in steady competition and hopefully that means better phones for everyone, regardless of what you prefer.

Can I be more on the fence here?

For some reason I can no longer update Microsoft Security Essentials. It starts but then just quits without any messages. I can still search though.



Ideas?

Backup Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit


*Savegames from Fallout 3 and Oblivion copied over plus most recent pics
*Downloaded YTBlock extension to Chrome in order to block channels on youtube
*Updated Windows Defender and made a search
*Uninstalled 10BIT Driver Boost and 10BIT Uninstall programs
*Downloaded FRAPS since I accidentally uninstalled that too

This post has been edited by mirocu: Dec 25 2025, 09:33 PM

I refuse to "upgrade" to 11, heard too many issues about it. Really wish I'd bought a standalone Windows 10 disc from Best Buy back when they were easily available.

Lena, don't listen to 'em. People told me to get rid of my PS3 and Xbox 360 back in the day. The PS3 did die in 2014 but my 360 runs to this day. It's outlasted several hard drives in both my computers, two laptops, and so on.

Decrepit, et al: I've been thru so many mice/keyboard combinations, easily I've bought somewhere between 20 and 50 sets over the years, so thank the lords they're so cheap these days. I use a separate mouse + keyboard for my laptop though, so that adds about a dozen for storywriting.

This post has been edited by Renee: Dec 25 2025, 11:32 PM

My computer(s) came with Win7 installed so I don't have a disc for that either


From what I've heard Windows 11 is the worst OS from Microsoft to this day, basically hijacking your computer, watching everything you do on it and not letting you make it your own. Truly sad. I also heard this is what've pushed many people over to Linux Mint.


Also; I still use the same mouse and keyboard from when I bought my main Win7...

Q: Can anyone more tech savvie than me figure out how to disable GFWL on Bioshock 2? I've found articles talking about it but as always the threads just stop without any conclusion. I could disable it for FO3 but is there a similar fix for Bioshock 2?

Also keep having crash/freeze issues and still don't know how to fix that either. I've read something about DirectX 10 being the issue but as always; idk

Not an issue, but a handy-dandy, easy-to-use freeware utility all Windows 10 & 11 users ought to consider using: O&O Shutup10++.

(link) Here's a YouTube video about it. (link)

I began using it immediately after updating Windows 10 to 11, enabling all "green" recommendation, with no ill-effects.

Only thing I could dredge up was how to make a local account for singleplayer, or that you can use your CD key to get a new copy for free on Steam.

Doesn't apply to me as I'm not on either, but awesome that you found a fix!


Rly? That sure sounds swanky! But don't I still need an account?

Now THIS is craziness. For me it was the storywriting. I'd go thru at least 3 or 4 mice/keyboards a yeaar because I used to be so prolific,

This post has been edited by Renee: Jan 2 2026, 05:58 PM

Well, my input devices are only 17 years old; barely broken in!

Turning on the computer this morning, I was unable to connect to the net. My modem's physical connection indicators showed all internet-related lights as GREEN. The phone-line light, however, was RED. Sure enough, my several phones were indeed dead. Checking the cable junction box located at a corner of my front yard showed no obvious damage. It being too early to ask a neighbor to let me contact AT&T on their cell phone, I did my first set of full pushups, then returned to the computer room.

Low and behold, the internet was back in service. Phones were still dead, and remained so. I eventually reset the modem. This did the trick. All function indicators GREEN. Everything's working. I've no idea what caused the SNAFU. I hope it's not a sign that my modem might be going bad. Time will tell.