RANDOM THOUGHTS from the retirement lane. Windows 8.1 is without a doubt absolutely the worst PC operating system Microsoft has ever produced. I thought Windows 8 couldn't possibly get worse until I 'upgraded' to Windows 8.1, but I was wrong. With Windows 8, I could (with difficulty) upload pictures to my weblog; now I have to use my wife's computer to upload them.

PC Matic could make a fortune by offering a 'downgrade' to Windows XP as well as product support.

If Windows 8 were ever offered unbundled instead of being forced on unwary consumers, I don't doubt that even the ShamWow! Guy would refuse to hawk it.