Computer Thread

cannabineer

Ursus marijanus
Bought a refurbished computer recently. Fastest and cheapest computer I've ever bought. Blazing fast with an i7 quad core, 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD drive. Only $400. Used exclusively as a 24bit/96kHz digital audio workstation.

My first computer cost $2500 and could barely run Pong. At least some things get cheaper with time.
What do you use for playback?
 

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
Anyone know of a free PPTX reader? I've tried a couple and they sucked.
MS has a free viewer
 

BarnBuster

Virtually Unknown Member
I used to use the TurboTax program that was free thru the IRS Free-File but Intuit has withdrawn TT from the program. Could have got the CD (TT Deluxe) from Amazon ($39.99) but read there are/were a few problems with the downloading. The disc was "made for Amazon" whatever that means.. Ended up getting a factory one from Meijer's ($49.99) with a $5.00 instore discount. Installed without a hitch and the license code let's you also download the .exe file from Intuit. I really hate doing taxes and TT is the most BB idiot proof program I have found ;)
 

raratt

Well-Known Member
I used to use the TurboTax program that was free thru the IRS Free-File but Intuit has withdrawn TT from the program. Could have got the CD (TT Deluxe) from Amazon ($39.99) but read there are/were a few problems with the downloading. The disc was "made for Amazon" whatever that means.. Ended up getting a factory one from Meijer's ($49.99) with a $5.00 instore discount. Installed without a hitch and the license code let's you also download the .exe file from Intuit. I really hate doing taxes and TT is the most BB idiot proof program I have found ;)
I can get away with using the free online version.
 

neosapien

Well-Known Member
I used to use the TurboTax program that was free thru the IRS Free-File but Intuit has withdrawn TT from the program. Could have got the CD (TT Deluxe) from Amazon ($39.99) but read there are/were a few problems with the downloading. The disc was "made for Amazon" whatever that means.. Ended up getting a factory one from Meijer's ($49.99) with a $5.00 instore discount. Installed without a hitch and the license code let's you also download the .exe file from Intuit. I really hate doing taxes and TT is the most BB idiot proof program I have found ;)
I've used TT online for the past 12? years. It always starts out as free and by the time I'm done it's like almost $200 for Fed and State with all the forms I use. I don't mind TOO much knowing it's done right and not left any money on the table. But I was just looking at other "free" options because when ya boil right down to it… the gov't knows everything anyways and should do it for us really lol. So… I don't mind paying some taxes to drive on nice roads, give a kid and mom a meal or two etc… but they should make it all easier. Never the govt's strong suit though.
 

BarnBuster

Virtually Unknown Member
I've used TT online for the past 12? years. It always starts out as free and by the time I'm done it's like almost $200 for Fed and State with all the forms I use. I don't mind TOO much knowing it's done right and not left any money on the table. But I was just looking at other "free" options because when ya boil right down to it… the gov't knows everything anyways and should do it for us really lol. So… I don't mind paying some taxes to drive on nice roads, give a kid and mom a meal or two etc… but they should make it all easier. Never the govt's strong suit though.
TT has been critisized for telling folks they need to upgrade to a higher version when in fact they don't really have to. "They" recommend that I use Premier when in fact the I can use Deluxe but, I only get 1099 form variations and don't have to file a Schedule D. Also I mail State in and don't worry about e-filing it. That's an extra charge. Course any way you look at it, it's cheaper than a good tax accountant and you have the peace of mind that you didn't miss anything. I don't think you'll find anything cheaper in the do it yourself category. I've tried the others and TT has the best user experience IMO. Some forums out there discuss TT.

What version do you usually end up using? Do you shop around for deals? They're usually time sensitive like by the end of January or so.

 

neosapien

Well-Known Member
TT has been critisized for telling folks they need to upgrade to a higher version when in fact they don't really have to. "They" recommend that I use Premier when in fact the I can use Deluxe but, I only get 1099 form variations and don't have to file a Schedule D. Also I mail State in and don't worry about e-filing it. That's an extra charge. Course any way you look at it, it's cheaper than a good tax accountant and you have the peace of mind that you didn't miss anything. I don't think you'll find anything cheaper in the do it yourself category. I've tried the others and TT has the best user experience IMO. Some forums out there discuss TT.

What version do you usually end up using? Do you shop around for deals? They're usually time sensitive like by the end of January or so.

I can't remember if it's deluxe or premier exactly but I know as I'm going through it they're like "Oh I see you have a 1099G form that will be more money, oh I see you have a child tax credit form that will be more money, oh I see you have an IRA form that will be more money." It is easy and I'm familiar with it so… I haven't shopped around much yet. Was looking at some of the others but I'm scared lol.
 

neosapien

Well-Known Member
you were keeping more of your earnings in 2019
I will have to look back at my effective tax rates once I file this year and see if that's true. Is that when the overhaul was? I truly don't remember. Either way, my point was the guy with billions needs to pay his fair share and the only logical reason for him to buck a 50 year tradition started by his own republicans is because he didn't.
 

lokie

Well-Known Member
I will have to look back at my effective tax rates once I file this year and see if that's true. Is that when the overhaul was? I truly don't remember. Either way, my point was the guy with billions needs to pay his fair share and the only logical reason for him to buck a 50 year tradition started by his own republicans is because he didn't.
A simple flat tax at around 16% no matter who is making bank would be an improvement to todays standards.

If there is no requirement to provide personal information there should be no need to expect to see what anyone else's business is.

Just the cost of todays inflation shows you are keeping less and spending more.
 

neosapien

Well-Known Member
A simple flat tax at around 16% no matter who is making bank would be an improvement to todays standards.

If there is no requirement to provide personal information there should be no need to expect to see what anyone else's business is.

Just the cost of todays inflation shows you are keeping less and spending more.
I agree improvements need made with taxes in general. And that inflation right now is rough. We'll just have to agree to disagree on whether Trump is a terrible human being lol.
 

lokie

Well-Known Member
I agree improvements need made with taxes in general. And that inflation right now is rough. We'll just have to agree to disagree on whether Trump is a terrible human being lol.
Character notwithstanding any year in the past was better than what you have now.
 

raratt

Well-Known Member
iD me wanted to use my webcam to verify I am who I am, never got it to work. Uploaded a few different forms of ID for a referee to judge whether I am me, wait time was over 4 hours for the video meeting. Guess I'll have to figure out how to use our smartphone to get it accomplished. I was trying to find the stimulus payment I got, I said I didn't get one to TT just to finish the entry. The IRS will find it, screw it.
 

BarnBuster

Virtually Unknown Member
iD me wanted to use my webcam to verify I am who I am, never got it to work. Uploaded a few different forms of ID for a referee to judge whether I am me, wait time was over 4 hours for the video meeting. Guess I'll have to figure out how to use our smartphone to get it accomplished.
It's a real shit show if you read some of the comments. I'm not going to attempt this until I really REALLY have to.
 
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