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For what it’s worth a few observations about my HP Stream 7 tablet update to Windows 10 via Microsoft auto-update. I wanted to see how a non-tech install would work out.
FYI: tablet is not my main computer – used to check email, lite internet cruising, play some very basic games (cards, chess, etc), run the occasional video or audio file, and as an e-reader.
1) Be warned, on a tablet, Windows 10 “update” runs long and is a huge power drain. Make sure you are charging during the process.
2) Yes, auto-update sucks big time, especially on a tablet. Notification screens get buried easily, updates can occur at the most inopportune time and
are a huge drain on the battery. 3 updates in 4 days since the install seem a bit extreme.
3) Windows game aps all now all connected to X-Box. Not a gamer so the auto-installed X-Box is a hassle, not an improvement and cannot be un-installed.
Noticeable issue when running Windows game aps like Solitaire, and a huge pain when playing without an internet connection. Microsoft games have been removed.
4) Didn’t need or use Skype, resent the auto-install during the ‘update’
5) Windows 10 a bigger drain on the battery than 8.1 Not good news as the HP Stream battery life not the best.
6) Windows 10 feels slower than Windows 8.1

Overall, for tablet use, Windows 10 may be a bit better than 8.1 – finally get a working battery status icon, start menu is back, better display on book aps.
Outside of Microsoft produced games, no issues found with any of my installed aps.

However, I will not be installing 10 on my Windows 7 desktop any time soon.

I believe the ribbon debate is less about functionality (although a legitimate concern for any regular user of an application) than it is about the lack of standardization in the software industry. At home, or at work, no two programs use the identical set of commands to generate the same result. Small example: at work, to go to the next page of the document displayed, depending on the application, the correct keystroke for the application is only one of any of the following possibilities – pa1 (aka alt 1), f1, enter, pa2 (aka alt 2), f7, tab, down arrow, page down, etc. The user is required to remember which is valid for the current application. And then the industry wonders why casual users still dislike the computing experience!
Form is supposed to follow functionality, and the normal human expectation is the same functionality will have the same (or very similar) form.
The Ribbon is the latest example in a long string of software engineering decisions based less on function, and more on keeping the brand unique from all the others by keeping the command structure unique.

My personal experience: no issues on older XP single core machine – AMD Sempron 3400+ @ 1.8 GHz, 4 GB ram (only hardware upgrade since purchase), 80 gb HD, XP SP3. Installed MSSE over two years ago to replace commercial software that was giving me headaches. Quicker cold-start boot time (it’s an old machine, nothing is truly quick anymore), fewer system hangs, more resources available. If MSSE is affecting start time, it is not in addition to the other known software drags. No problems during virus definition updates, and system scans are relatively quick without hangs or stoppages.
Same on laptop. AMD dual core, 4gb ram, 500 gb hd. MSE installed two weeks after purchase, to replace the Macafee Trial edition it came with. A small improvement on boot time, no system hangs or resource issues. Nearly two years with no issues attributal to MSSE.
I was very reluctant to try MSSE, as my experiences over the years make me a careful (= paranoid) and conservative Microsoft user, very slow to adopt anything new out of Redmond. For me, it has been a very pleasant surprise, especially on the single core machine.

I suspect for a lot of people, “hard to leave” is probably not the right phrase – try: ” if it ain’t broken, why fix it?”
At this point, there is no burning need to stop using my XP machine, and good financial reasons for keeping XP alive. Still works when I want to: web-surf, email, word process, create the occassional basic poster or newsletter, score and transpose music, do some basic photo editing, etc. When I have to replace the machine, I’ll be replacing several older programs at the same time, which will come close to doubling the cost of the new computer. In our house, this is not an insignificant extra expense.
I’m willing to bet a lot of people (including Loungers) are in the same boat: very hard to justify spending the extra coin when money is tight, and something still works “good enough”.
FYI: Two kids in college, and five computers in the house – a desktop and two laptops running Windows 7 64 bit, an older Acer single core running XP (Dad’s machine), and an ancient HP running various flavours of Linux (Dad’s toy). I manage security, software, networking and hardware support for everything under our roof. Occassionally, if I talk extra nice to the wife, I may be allowed to use our new laptop, and play in Windows 7.

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada – we usually have serious snowfall every winter
I’ve tried the Wovel for two Winnipeg winters, and am disappointed

Downsides: – learning curve is steep
– length makes it awkward for use in tight spaces (eg: around vehicles)
– construction is solid, but the fasterners work loose easily
– shovel blade not very sturdy
– slower than using a Sleigh Shovel (big scoop)

Pluses: – throws snow a good distance
– very easy on the back
– less effort required than using a standard snow shovel

If you have serious amounts on snow to move,
hire someone is your best option
A snow blower is the next best (especially if you enjoy playing with power tools!)
Manual removal: buy a good-quality ergonomic snow shovel and a Sleigh Shovel
– cheaper than the Wovel and more effective