exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

(Okay, this is not exactly "Atari" news but it's just so ridiculous, IMHO, that I had
to see what other people thought about it. Thanks.)

One of my friends just forwarded this to me...

"California law to require Linux, Windows to implement age verification by Jan 1st, 2027."

Why? I don't get it. Wait, introduced by a democrat in California. I get it. :(

https://tinyurl.com/3tctw86m

I hadn't heard of this, thanks for the post. I imagine it is serious and the next step in the total surveillance and control system that will only end when most people refuse to join in, just like the rest that has already been implemented, and not just in California. It is Atari news in the sense that it will eventually control whether you can read this forum or buy something, for example.

It will push users to find alternate solutions (think keygens, modified installers etc) which will open them up to malware at the O/S level.

From what I read there won't be any hard verification, just a self declaration of age, which seems really kind of pointless since it verifies nothing.

...How is this going to affect me & windows 98se ?
Seriously though I still use windows 7 as my main PC..and regularly clone the OS hard drive.
I stopped upgrading a long time ago as I hated windows 10 with a passion.

This is imo a step to far..they whoever they are want to control every aspect of your life..
Very 1984.
A superb novel and certainly not a manual.
You basically rent the operating system these days...you dont own it...and with the advent of TPM chips you dont really own the hardware either.

Vipersan wrote: 04 Mar 2026 18:02 ...How is this going to affect me & windows 98se ?
Seriously though I still use windows 7 as my main PC..and regularly clone the OS hard drive.
I stopped upgrading a long time ago as I hated windows 10 with a passion.

Do you have any problems with accessing websites on your old systems, telling you that you are not using the latest browser and what you have is not supported?

russellnash wrote: 05 Mar 2026 06:48

Vipersan wrote: 04 Mar 2026 18:02 ...How is this going to affect me & windows 98se ?
Seriously though I still use windows 7 as my main PC..and regularly clone the OS hard drive.
I stopped upgrading a long time ago as I hated windows 10 with a passion.

Do you have any problems with accessing websites on your old systems, telling you that you are not using the latest browser and what you have is not supported?

No problems so far...I use Firefox ..which still auto updates when neccessary
so Ive yet to encounter a website I can't access.
I don't doubt that one day I'll face restrictions/problems.
but so far so good.
I have a friend who keeps pestering me to come to the darkside...ie Linux
but at 68 I'm resistant to change.
maybe one day ..if I live long enough.
lol

@Vipersan

I loved Win7 and 10 was OK, but very much dislike 11.

I went Macbook Pro in the end and have been very happy with it. I have my issues with Apple but the integrated hardware and software combination makes for a very solid machine.

Whilst your browser may be up to date the additional problem of OS security is worth considering as Win 7 is quite out of date.

rubber_jonnie wrote: 05 Mar 2026 10:35 @Vipersan

I loved Win7 and 10 was OK, but very much dislike 11.

I went Macbook Pro in the end and have been very happy with it. I have my issues with Apple but the integrated hardware and software combination makes for a very solid machine.

Whilst your browser may be up to date the additional problem of OS security is worth considering as Win 7 is quite out of date.

...Which is why I 'clone' my hard drive regularly...
If there is a security breach ie..viruses etc I have a way back.
I have no illusions this will work forever but for now...let sleeping dogs lie
:D

I was likely one of the few people still using win98se 4 years after XP came out..
I did eventually transition...and found I liked it.
for me XP was cool...but win7 was when microsoft peaked.
All downhill from there sadly.
all imo of course

I briefly tried win10 when the free upgrade offer was on...
I cloned my drive before upgrading...and glad I did.
I use a docking station for this...rather than an image.
It looked 'flat' and uninspiring after win7 and Aero...and dont get be started on the privacy issue..constant uncontrolable interuptions and updates.
..and all that extra baggage and bloatware...
Never tried 11 ...and never will.
cest la vie

An easier option may be running a 'military' version of Windows XP! :)

Im afraid I havent looked into it for a while, but the US military was paying MS to keep XP updated (as I guess they still had lots of legacy equipment that ran on the OS).

So a while back (certainly in the W10 timeframe), you could get hold of updates for XP (I cant recall now, but it may have been in the form of Windows Server updates/hotfixes that you could get to work in the regular XP OS; I did try it, so I know it worked).

Anyhow, maybe look into that if its still a thing?