Cloud Storage My Way
I have been using cloud storage since 2009 with Microsoft’s SkyDrive. I did spend some time between then and now trying to create a desktop sync without an official app. I was very unsuccessful with getting SkyDrive to have that functionality. I did try to use it for a photo backup location in the past, but using the web interface to upload files is not easy especially when you can’t upload folders. Last week Microsoft brought their cloud solution inline with the rest of their competitors and finally offer a desktop syncing solution. Now I can have a folder that lives on my computer that is an exact mirror of the cloud drive. If I need anything from that drive anywhere then it is just a quick log in to the web service. Read more
Moving Back To Windows 7
Since the release of Windows 8 almost a week ago I have been testing out the system and looking to find things I liek and things I don’t like. I have decide to move back to Windows 7 and my main OS because there are still some things I like to do that do not work on Windows 8. The main reason is because my Brother wireless Multi-Function Printer doesn’t work. It can print, but it can do any scanning over the network. I re-installed the drivers and tried to use drivers from the Brother website and no luck. Since I am move all my hard copies of files to the digital realm this makes that process hard to do in Windows 8. Read more
Windows 8 Consumer Preview Impressions
Tonight the Windows 8 Consumer Preview was released. Hot off the download I upgraded my main pc from Windows 7 to Windows 8. The process took less than 30 mins to do the upgrade. The overall process to upgrade Windows was very easy and is now like 75% less clicks to install. For users that want install there own version of Windows 8 these are some very welcome options. Now lets take a look at some of the new features of Windows 8.
Start Menu - The new Start Menu is a nice and sleek look. It has some nice features like live tiles for your email. This is now the focal point of Windows. If you need access to any of your installed programs you need to go through the Start Menu. The all Apps list now is organized like it belongs on a tablet. The whole Start Menu gives me mixed feelings.
TaskBar - The taskbar has remained unchanged from Windows 7. The biggest change is there is no Start button. To access the Start Menu you have press the Windows Logo Key or hover in the lower left corner and click. This takes some getting used to.
Explorer – Explorer has gotten a ribbon in the interface that makes it so much more useful. The ribbon in explorer gives you access to many tasks you would want right at your finger tips. This is one of the best upgrades of Windows 8.
Windows Reader - The built in pdf reader for Windows is horrible. Opening a complex pdf it shreds the images and choppily scrolls through the text portions. It really needs an upgrade to be a replacement for Adobe Reader.
That is just scratching the surface of Windows 8. There will be plenty more to check out in the coming days.
Like this:
Basic Customization of Windows
Windows 7 has become a bit more customization friendly for users when it was introduced. During the XP lifespan MS offered a few different themes for the OS, now they have well over 100 themes and over 100 wallpapers to choose from for Windows 7. Themes are a nice way to customize the OS with some personal flavor or just to stand out. I didn’t really explore this option until a few weeks ago. For me usually just changing my wallpaper to something from either the Astronomy Picture of the Day website, something off of flicker, or a nice image off of NASA.
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The Mac Attack
Being a windows guy I have had to deal with malware for years. It’s a skill I’ve learned to hone over the years and I know how to deal with an infected system. Running windows is something that is mocked by Linux/Mac don’t have viruses/malware. It is kinda funny to start reading that Mac users have been dealing with this problem for the past month and it has been mostly quite in the media until now. Read more
What do you do now?! -The Fake Anti-Virus Edition
I have seen a rash of fake Anti-Virus attacks over the past several months. They take the form of an official looking virus scanner window and security center alert. The main point is for them to “scan” your computer and “find” viruses. When you try to removed the found viruses they present you with a window to purchase the fake product. You should never give billing information to anyone, any application, any website, or any email you don’t know or trust. Read more
