Libreoffice

.

Click on to enlarge

Libreoffice is a full Office suite of applications that is free that caters for all word processing, spreadsheets, drawing, presentation and database requirements. Installation is fully automatic but use the 'STILL' version as this is the stable option. Also install the 'HELP' file. As this is free the need for continual change of format and menu layout is not needed in order to sell the next model, so ease of use is the main advantage to using this application. Compatibility with other office software is now very good. Current stable version is 4.2.6.

Desktop computers

.

The modern Desktop PC has become small enough to fit in a hand by removing the need for cd drives, fan cooling and using solid state disk drives. The power supply is usually an external unit similar to the Laptop. Normally bought over the Internet the memory and hard drive are purchased as separate units. The operating system of your choice is then added. A full usable system will cost around $500 NZ so they are not cheap but will be reliable as the intended market is for businesses.

Chromebooks coming to retail stores

.

Chromebooks have never really been sold in the retail shops as Google had no New Zealand support apart from the Education Area. This has just changed and all major retail stores are about to stock them. Chromebooks are manufactured by Samsung, Toshiba, Acer, HP, Lenovo and Dell. These Laptops are designed for the Internet user who wants complete security without using additional protection. Features are being added every six weeks with more emphasis on off-line applications. They are cheap as the Linux Operating system is very efficient by not requiring layers of virus protection. These devices are more like a Tablet with a keyboard than a traditional Laptop. They have been popular in the USA business and education sector taking 40 percent of Commercial Laptop sales last month. A Chromebox is the equivalent Desktop version.

Windows 9

.

Windows 9 is expected to be released early in 2015. The new Microsoft CEO will make changes to the Windows interface as he voted against the original Windows 8 Tile plan. The new interface is probably going to look similar to the shown photo. There are rumors that more parts of it will be subscription based. Microsoft is going through a new phase of concentrating on mobile devices and streamlining the company. The feature phones made by Nokia Mobile (now Microsoft) will be discontinued removing the need of 12000 workers. Also the popular Nokia Music store will be moved to the XBox Music. This will no doubt cause some customers moving to other Music vendors. Office 365 will be Microsofts main push as it can be used on all Operating Systems that have any type of Internet Browser.

Who and what is Keepod

.

Keepod is a method of using one old redundant laptop to help many children learn computing skills by having an operating system on a Thumb drive. Each child is given there own Thumb drive complete with an Android operating system which also holds there own required applications. Their settings and files are held "in the cloud". As soon as one child is finished with the computer another child can insert their Thumb drive and Log in which will automatically adjust to their settings and applications. The Computer has had the Hard drive removed so nothing is left on the computer as one child finishes, and another starts. Therefore one old computer has many users with unique applications. There is nothing new in this method but the Media has been running stories on it as Kenya is initiating a large scale push for the idea. Keepod is made by an firm in Israel, and can be purchased for $US 7. This could be a useful idea for Seniornet people that have slow laptops that could be revitalised as a fast modern machine.

Android as a home computer

.

I have been testing the recently released 'Android for a PC' operating system for the last month. The test machine is a four year old Toshiba 10" Laptop with 1Gb RAM. Installation took aroud five minutes on a 4Gb SD card. Once booted a Google Account needed to be signed in and everything was automatically set up. Using Google Play I put the following extra Apps on: Astro (File Manager), Open Office (Documents and Spreadsheets), Skype (Video calling), iPrint&Scan (Brother wireless multifunction printer and scanner), Adobe reader (PDF's), Overdrive (Library books), Firefox(Internet browsing), E-mail (Pre installed) and Media player (Pre installed for Pictures, Music and Movies). Ethernet and Wireless connections both worked well along with the external mouse. The only disadvantage was that only one application at a time can be displayed on the screen, although some manufacturers can allow a split screen to give two apps side by side. This post was written on this described system. I found this system to be reliable and as fast as a normal PC. Virus checking is not required. USB flashdrives can be used for extra storage.

Asus builds cheap Chromeboxes

.

Asus are moving back to making Desktop computers again, but with a Chrome operating system. These are designed as a modern system so Legacy Windows programs will have to be run remotely from a another computer via 'Remote desktop software'. Like all Chrome Os systems these are maintenance free. At US $179 this is very cheap and probably aimed more at businesses although would make an excellent home computer if Web browsing and e-mail are the main use. A full off-line media player is standard.