Why Windows 8.1 update 1 is a good move for Microsoft.

I was reading about the Windows 8.1 update 1 and I am pretty excited for the changes. I want to start by saying that my gripes with windows are gripes I always had about windows in general so the update is not a game changer for me personally, but it is a game changer for the general public. When I think about those changes I think its a major step in the right direction for Microsoft. This is why I think non techies will be excited about Windows 8.1 update 1. 

Power Button and time on Modern Start Screen 

It was so jarring to have to swipe in just to check the time. I know many of us working on our computer also use the computer for our watch. I did not notice how much I do this until I was working on my surface, and I am thinking "what time is it?" That is one of those little UI things that gets the fan boys defending the Apple Tax.

The bigger plus of this U addition of this UI improvement is an easy way to log off/shut down the computer. I was so happy with 8.1 when I was able to right click the windows button (quasi start button) that made shutting down the computer much quicker. I hated the original procedure of having to go through several swipes and clicks before shutting down the computer. That procedure made me downgrade to windows 7 a week after the initial Windows 8 beta. Now I know even my mother can feel comfortable shutting the computer down in the Modern Start screen. 

Taskbar added to Modern Apps 

Now the Modern Apps will have a close minimize button to it. It will also have the traditional menu buttons that will enable you to access,,,,menu items

, haha seriously a file menu will be extremely helpful and clear to someone who is using keyboard and mouse just like its been for 20 years. The best thing that Windows has going for it, especially in light of the rise of the macbook, is that most of us are familiar with the windows interface, specifically the file menu. That is open of the most jarring thing about Mac OS. The menu is much different. 

Modern Apps back in windows mode.

This is Awesome. I no longer have to commit to a full screen. In today's society, commitment is scary in a multitasking world! I like that I can do the cool apps in multiple windows. With a touch screen we can scroll through 4 windows randomly on once. More importantly, with a keyboard and mouse, we can use the mail app and keep it open while working other items on the desktop. Once again, non techies will be used to apps in a window and being able to do multiple things at once instead of yelling "uh oh what I do?" 

Windows store on desktop 

This is another thing that I was greatly interested in. Windows store currently seems like a metro , I mean modern interface.,,,,,ooops I tried hard not to do that ;).

Now that your woke again, like I was saying, I think the store will be used more often now that it will be part of the desktop. People shy away from that because its almost buried. Now we can see it from anywhere on the computer. The modern apps as well will be able to be pinned to the desktop so we are free to use the apps as we wish, once again not having to commit to the app.  

Summation 

If you are paying attention you will see that Microsoft has gone great efforts to create a user interface that supports the mouse and keyboard. This is well done because they did this while retaining the touch niceties that they focused on in the beginning when creating this radical Windows 8. I love that Microsoft has listened to the frustration of the non techies and UI focused fans alike. The biggest complaint from co workers, family members is the unfriendly touch interface. I'm excited to see the results! 

New chromebooks got me ol gitty!

I am so excited about the new Chromebooks, one is the $279 HP Chromebook that will have a white macbook like casing with accent colors, that brings me back to the days when i was toting the light fun laptop. The hp 11 coolest feature is the ability to charge of usb, thats one less cord to carry. Every one who has commented on the the hp 11 has said the same thing. I love the thought of a toy like laptop that is awesome for quick blogging and reading the web. Lets be honest, that is what we mostly do. I am currently doing it right now in fact. The people that actually use the computer for much more are definitely NOT considering a computer sub $500.
The second awesome Chromebook I seen was the Haswell Acer c7! for $250!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had to type the extra punctuation to punctuate my excitement. I am typing on a c7 which I purchased over the Samsung Chromebook mostly because it has a Intel chip. The Intel chip is useful when it comes to Linux because that enables me to run programs like java run time. The thing that holds the c7 back was the slow processor. It works but it was slow and still not comfortable. Geeks know what I mean when I say something works but it  is not fun. I look forward to the more powerful battery sipping chip to make Linux fun! I heard so many good things about the Chromebook pixel because it had the nice ivy bridge processor. Don't troll me, I know this haswell chip wont be an i5 level chip but I think the power should be awesome. The pixel was 1500 , I am just happy I can get a better Intel chip with a cheaper price than the arm based hp.

So for my readers who want to take care of business like regular people ie : pay bills, scroll for information, use Facebook, Google plus (wishful thinking) etc. a Chromebook is perfect. These two Chromebooks are cheaper than full size tablets and they are far more convenient when using a trackpad and keyboard to fll in forms rather using your finger and zooming in sliding your finger to fix typos haha. Watch out Apple, Microsoft , the world is chachca cha chainging!

GOD BLESS

When you notice Chromebook works

So here I am laying in a bunk bed because my son is sick. He was fussy so I stayed in the room while he was falling asleep. I was naturally trying to figure out how to multi-task so I quickly grabbed my Chromebook. It was so light. I actually exclaimed that out loud to my wife because I was just using her macbook which seemed pretty heavy. I liked that it was light enough to hold in one hand as I carried my son up the steps because of course being sick took away his 2 1/2 body's ability to walk up the stairs. He kept tossing and turning so I thought to myself, I am sure glad this thing doesn't have a loud fan while using it. Who needs a loud fan when your running an browser operating system, (mind you I am using an Intel at that). I was able to quickly type up my sermon reflection for this blog without breaking a sweat. The keyboard felt so good in my hands I didn't notice how much I wrote. I was able to reshare my blog post with all of the social networks because the large screen and track pad made this task seem relatively effortless compared to trying to re post using a tablet. I felt so good I decided to type this post tonight as well due to the fact the keys feel so good its soothing to my hands as I prepare for bed. I didn't read much in terms of keyboard for this Acer C7 Chromebook but I think this may be the greatest feature of this product. 

So summing up my ah ha moment, when I noticed Chromebook works: 

• I love its portability due to lack of weight. 
• The lightweight operating system creates a quiet low powered, no fuss working environment. 
• The keyboard is phenomenal on this machine and makes me want to type all day! 
• The laptop layout with track pad help to make multiple or complex tasks easy, tablets still haven't matched the precision of a keyboard and track pad. 
• FYI I'm explaining to my wife why I haven't left the room yet now that my son is fully asleep while I'm typing this out, aka multitasking
• oh and did I mention this thing is cheap? I mean for real like I read my C7 is 129 on Acers ebay page. 

So as I wrap up this "unbiased" haha post about why Chromebook works I will sum it up like this. If you only think internet when you think computer, can deal with cloud based word processing and excel, a blogger as a hobby and maybe professionally, and love to save money. Don't spend money on a fancy macbook, or a spam packed cheap windows computer. Get a delightfully affordable Chromebook! 

My journey with Acer C7 chromebook a teachers perspective

So I purchased the chromebook last week because it was on clearance open box at best buy and I was pretty excited. I am a fan of gadgets and a big fan of google so it was a perfect combination, (a cheap google gadget!) and quickly I decided I needed to load Linux on it. I am a teacher and many of the programs we use require java run time so I was forced to add java and that meant Linux. Luckily google makes it easy of course with the help of the open source community, namely this chrUbuntu blogger!

First impressions

• its pretty light, i mean its no macbook air, but its comfortably portable
• I LOVE the keyboard! 
• the track pad sucks! 
• this thing gets hot with Linux 
• time to use blogger to talk about it! 

I pray that I am able to keep up with logging of this experience. If anyone follows me on twitter, they know I start initiatives sometimes don't finish but we will see how this goes, I am using blogger now and it seems to be quick and easy for me to maintain and I hope I can realize my dream of doing this to scale. GOD BLESS