Sunday 31 March 2013

One Tab Extension for Chrome

For those who end up with many Chrome tabs open ...
I am usually pretty good at closing no longer required tabs in my Chrome browser, however, I often close them prematurely and I find that I have to go back and re-open the location. I might give this extension a try and see if it saves me time!


Convert Chrome tabs to a list to save memory - Internet Applications & Software:

Windows 8 Automatic Repair

When Windows 8 will not boot ...
This looks good if it works!

How the Windows 8 Automatic Repair feature works: Greg Shultz takes a look at the Automatic Repair from the Recovery Drive feature of Microsoft Windows 8.

Windows 8 GodMode

GodMode in Windows 8 could be very useful ...
Since the settings in Windows 8 are split across two Control Panels, the creation of this GodMode shortcut could save a lot of time and frustration.

Quick Tip: Invoke god mode to take control of settings in Windows 8 | TechRepublic:

Saturday 30 March 2013

Samsung Chromebooks

Now Samsung joins the Chromebook family in Australia ...
The Google Chromebook Pixel mentioned at the end of this article is the "Rolls Royce" of Chromebooks!

Google's Chromebooks reach Australian shores - notebooks, Google, Chromebooks - Computerworld

Google’s Chromebook

Chromebook finally in Australia for $299 ...
Everyone needs to understand where a Chromebook fits in since it is neither Microsoft Windows or nor Apple iOS. This article is a good start! 

Google’s Chromebook finally hits Australia for $299: acer-chromebook-launch-march-2013-08
The netbook may be more or less dead, but Google and Acer are partnering up to try and revive the sector, with a new notebook that won’t cost much and features an operating system that sits in the middle of everything else out there.

Now Google 'Babble'

Unification of Google's voice / chat services would be good ...
But the Google "rate of change" is getting hard to handle! It makes you wonder how many users are keeping up with constant product retirements and new services (the last 5 posts have all been Google related)!



Google looks to unify chat services under 'Babble': That's going to be the new name of a collection of Google instant-messaging services, which the company may present at Google I/O in May, according to a report.

Keep vs Evernote vs Notes

A synchronised notebook is an essential productivity tool ...
I will stick with Evernote as it is far more comprehensive than either of these alternatives!



Google Keep vs Evernote vs Apple Notes | News | TechRadar:

Google Reader alternatives

A few alternatives to Google RSS Reader ...

In Pictures: 10 top Google Reader alternatives - Slideshow - Computerworld:

Google Reader to Close

I was one of the 500K to migrate to Feedly ...
Like so many in the IT industry, I have used Google RSS Reader for long time to scour News and IT Magazine web pages to give me brief extracts to thousands of articles. I can sift through these very quickly looking for juicy bits that might be of interest to the readers of this blog. I might save 1 in 100 of these article abstracts for later reading. Out of those saved, maybe 1 in 5 finds its way into this blog!

500K users flee dead-RSS-walking Google Reader for Feedly: Feedly, a free Web-based RSS service that also offers iOS and Android apps, has added half a million new users since Google announced it would pull the plug on its Reader RSS feed this summer.

Google+ Hangouts

Useful tutorial on how to use Google+ Hangouts ...

Quick Tip: Set up a Google+ Hangout for web conferencing: Scott Matteson shows you how to quickly start a web conference via Google+ Hangout.

Google Maps moves indoors

Nice for those big shopping centres ...
Castle Towers, Westfield Parramatta and Stockland Baulkham Hills to name just a few!

Google Maps moves indoors: Google has added floor plans to its online mapping service for over 200 indoor locations across NSW and Victoria.

Smarter with your Data

Useful tutorial on the various wireless technologies ...
Nice YouTube to explain the differences between various wireless technologies.

Smarter with your Data: all your wireless options explained: Wireless is the catch-all name for a wide range of connections that, well, don't need wires. Here's the low-down on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and the rest.

Friday 29 March 2013

Android malware problem

Something Android users should be aware of ...

Android malware problem should not be ignored, researchers say: Recent reports from antivirus companies seem to suggest that the number of Android malware threats is growing. However, there are still many skeptics who think that the extent of the problem is exaggerated.

Picasa to Google+

So what happened to Picasa Web ...
This might help if you were wondering how to get into your old Picasa Web albums!

Google is once again trying hard to convince users of Picasa Web Albums to jump over to Google+ Photos.

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Maximize your Google Drive

Google Drive - the way of the future? ...
A good article on how to get the most out of Google Drive. You can extend the storage to 25 GB for $2.50 a month or 100 GB for $5.00 a month!

Ten ways to maximize your Google Drive: Google Drive has many options and features you might not be aware of. Here are ten tips to ensure you're getting the best mileage out of it.

Tuesday 19 March 2013

IE 10 comes to Windows 7

IE 10: but will it work without problems is the question ...
I wouldn't be in a rush to install IE 10 going on experience from IE 6, 7, 8, and 9. Most people leave it for a few months before allowing the upgrade!

IE 10 finally comes to Windows 7: IE 10 finally comes to Windows 7
The long-promised Internet Explorer 10 is finally available for Windows 7 users as Microsoft suddenly remembers that there are a few of you out there. You'll need Service Pack 1 installed, but if you're running Windows 7 and haven't blocked the upgrade, it should install automatically through Windows Update - those of you with the IE10 Release Preview installed will get the update today. IE 10 on Windows 7 has many, but not all of the features of IE 10 on Windows 8. You only get the desktop version of the browser, not the full-screen Windows 8 version, and Flash is still a separate plugin that you have to update yourself.

Same same but different

You do get the same much-improved support for web standards, built-in spell check and autocorrect, faster tab closing - and the stalled privacy protecting Do Not Track setting is enabled by default. Microsoft says IE 10 is up to 20 per cent faster than IE9 on the same system, which you can test for yourself in the new HTML5 version of Minesweeper on the IE Test Drive site. When we asked about the delay between shipping Windows 8 and IE 10 last year and delivering it for Windows 7 this week, a Microsoft spokesperson put the emphasis on quality (rather than how much of the IE team is busy building IE 11 for Windows 9, say).

Tapestry for Seniors

Is this a Social Network Manager? ...
Not sure about this one. I guess it is all in the setting up. I dread to think of the problems when the individual products change and adjustments should/need to be made to Tapestry! No advertising means a $10 a month price tag!

Tapestry is a new social media platform designed for seniors:
tapestry1Australian entrepreneur Andrew Dowling has launched a new app called Tapestry which is designed to keep seniors in touch with their friends and community. Tapestry can connect older users with their loved ones through a simple interface on a tablet or computer browser.
Rather than following their children and grandchildren on numerous social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google + and email, Tapestry funnels all of those feeds into one place where pictures and messages are easily viewed.

Sunday 3 March 2013

Latest Windows 8 uptake

Windows 8 still lagging Windows Vista uptake ...
Not good news for Microsoft!

Windows 8 uptake slows for third straight month: Windows 8's uptake pace slowed in February for the third straight month, Net Applications said today.

Alternatives to MS Office

Viable alternatives to MS Office 2013 ...
This is an excellent summary of the five well known free alternatives to MS Office 2013 with it's very different licencing arrangements. Personally, I am trying to use Google Docs more and more as I strive to be independent of any particular computing device!

Evernote Password Reset

For all those Evernote users, note this action ...
I think that Evernote is just being very cautious!

Evernote hit in hacking attack, users must reset their passwords: Evernote, which makes business and consumer productivity software for things like taking notes and doing research, is forcing all of its 50 million users to change their passwords after detecting a hacker intrusion on its sytems.

Google Glass demo

A "must see" first person demo of Google Glass ...
The latest technology "bling" that be may be available before the end of 2013! Google is calling for testers in the US at the moment - only downside is that you need to buy the hardware which is currently around US$1,500! Now to be called just "Glass" rather than "Google Glass".

See what it's like to wear Google Glass: Hoping to carve out a new type of personal computing, Google has shown off how to use its computerised eyewear to search, navigate, chat and take photos.

Microsoft loses another user

Yet another user finally leaves the Microsoft fold ...
Like Jack Wallen, I think Microsoft may have "done it's dash" with the new MS Office 2013 licencing arrangement. Combine that with a dubious dual interface on Windows 8 and it might be the beginning of the end for Microsoft. Get ready Linux!

Microsoft loses yet another fanboy: Another one bytes the dust as Microsoft (and its ugly licensing practices) pushes a long-time fan away. Jack Wallen looks at what's in store for Microsoft.

MS launches Outlook.com

Improvement or just more confusion ...
Well, we had Outlook Express POP email on Windows XP, Windows Mail POP email on Windows Vista, Live Mail POP email on Windows 7 and Mail IMAP (not POP) on Windows 8. We also have Outlook as the email package (POP & IMAP) in all versions of Microsoft Office. Now we have Outlook.com as Microsoft's web mail service (that used to be Hotmail). Are you confused yet? 

Microsoft officially launches Outlook.com to replace Hotmail:
outlook5Microsoft’s Outlook.com cloud email service has been officially released and will replace the popular Hotmail web mail which boasts more than 300 million users. Outlook.com has been available in preview mode since the middle of last year but the official version is now available to users and comes with a fresh new design and intuitive features. Existing Hotmail users will be automatically migrated to Outlook.com within the next six months but users can still retain their same email addresses and passwords while still enjoying the new look and feel.

MS Windows Blue update

More frequent updates to Windows 8 ...
With a bit of luck Microsoft might even re-instate the Start button - you never know!

Windows Blue update to 'build on and improve' Windows 8: Windows Blue update to 'build on and improve' Windows 8
Microsoft has revealed more details about its reported Windows Blue project, which promises to bring regular updates to its Windows 8 operating system. According to a February 15 job posting on the Microsoft Careers site, the software giant is seeking an engineer to join its Windows Core Experience Team. That part of the operation will be working on improving the centrepiece of the new Windows UI, including the start screen, application lifecycle, windowing and personalisation, according to the post. This seems to suggest that Windows Blue will bring more than a few tweaks under the bonnet and offer tangible visual enhancements to the Windows 8 software.

Centerpiece of the new Windows UI

Indeed, the post mentions Windows Blue by name and says the updates will look to 'build on and improve Windows 8' as time goes on. An excerpt reads: "We're looking for an excellent, experienced SDET to join the Core Experience team in Windows Sustained Engineering (WinSE). The Core Experience features are the centerpiece of the new Windows UI, representing most of what customers touch and see in the OS, including: the start screen; application lifecycle; windowing; and personalization. Windows Blue promises to build and improve upon these aspects of the OS, enhancing ease of use and the overall user experience on devices and PCs worldwide." It is also thought that Windows Blue updates will be extended to multiple Microsoft platforms, including Windows 8 server, the mobile OS Windows Phone 8 and applications like Sky Drive and Hotmail. Indeed another post on Microsoft's job site mentions Windows Phone Blue by name, so that is definitely on the horizon. The plan from Microsoft's point of view is reportedly to move towards a more regular update pace, rather than the three year gap that separated Windows 7 and Windows 8, with little improvements in between. Apple has enjoyed great success in this arena, gradually adding new strings to the bow of Mac OS X every year, through its feline-themed updates.

Office 2013 non-transferable

A real disadvantage of MS Office 2013 "one time" licence ...
This is another huge benefit to making "full image" backups, for example, Acronis True Image. If your hard disk packs up, then a new hard disk drive and your latest image backup will avoid the issue of non-transferable licence key for Microsoft Office 2013.

Microsoft confirms Office 2013 licenses cannot be transferred: Microsoft confirms Office 2013 licenses cannot be transferred
Microsoft has confirmed that Office 365 owners cannot transfer their license to another PC once it has been installed. In a departure from Microsoft's Office 2010 stance, those who purchase a single license for the new Windows 8 productivity suite, will not be able to reinstall elsewhere, even if their PC is stolen. In an emailed response to a query from Computerworld asking whether this was indeed the case, a Microsoft representative simply replied "correct."
Asked in a follow up email whether end users could transfer the license in the event that their PC is lost, stolen or damaged, the PR firm representing Microsoft responded with a curt "no comment"

Move to Office 365

The move is being seen as a way for Microsoft to encourage sign-ups for its cloud-based Office 365 Premium subscription suite. "We've been very clear in all of our communications that customers seeking transferability should get Office 365 and that Office 2013 is licensed to one device," the Microsoft spokesperson added. Office 365 Premium does allow the software to be installed on up to five machines, so it is indeed more "transferable," but that's not really the point. Office 365 requires a monthly £7.99 (USD$9.99, AUD$12.99) subscription or an annual £79.99 (USD$99.99, AUD$119.99) fee, so in reality it's still like buying Office once a year.

Kicking users while they're down

For loyal Office customers who are unlucky enough to have their laptop stolen or suffer hardware failure, having to buy Office again for their new PC will undoubtedly be an added boot in the nether regions. Surely, Microsoft would be wise to revise this policy and not punish those who've opted to pay for their products?

Saturday 2 March 2013

Windows 8 authors on Win8

Interesting comments on the usability of Windows 8 ...
A lot of reading here but it is interesting to see what 14 authors have to say after writing a book on Windows 8. Fortunately most of their comments are brief!

Windows 8 book authors dish on Windows 8: Writing a book about Windows 8 takes a peculiar combination of perseverance, insight, and a high tolerance for pain. Those who write books about Win8 get to dig into the heart of the beast -- they're exposed early and often to inconsistences and difficulties, and they're tasked with making the hard parts of Win8 accessible to regular people. Along the way, book authors acquire an enormous amount of experience with how the product actually works, going far beyond the stunted feature lists, glib reviews, and sound bites we've all come to expect.

Windows under threat

Some interesting facts, figures and insights ...
A longish article but worth the read if you want some insights into the threats that Microsoft Windows is facing from several directions. Interesting to see Microsoft Windows' position in two or three years!