Windows 10 update

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Microsoft want all Windows users on Win 10 as soon as possible and are now downloading it onto computers with Win 7 and above even though it has not been requested. If it is possible to do this undetected then they obviously have control of your machine and could start the upgrade at their convenience. Windows 10 is not owned by the customer but given as a service which is free until "The supported lifetime of the device" is reached. Unfortunately Microsoft have not given a definition of this but have stated it will be variable for different "Form Factors" which possibly means a Laptop does not have the same life as a Desktop. Most critics are putting the time span between 2 to 4 years, and that is when the payments begin. 

Google Docs dictation.

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Google Docs now has a method for Dictation. This only works in the Chrome browser and online. When using Google Docs goto the Tools Tab and enable "Voice Typing". A small microphone icon will appear on the left of the page. Click on it and speak into the microphone and Google will translate the speech into text, displaying the result on the page. Useful for non typists.

Cloud computing

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The idea of Cloud computing has been around since the days of 'Main frame computers' and 'Dumb terminals', where the programs resided on the 'Mainframe Server' and the user gave instructions and saw the results from the 'Dumb terminal Client'. These early systems only used text, shading and line drawing and were only on a private network. Fifty years on we are doing a similar thing but with pictures and movies using an Internet connection which is hundreds of thousands times faster, but the basic principle is the same. Still a Client, Server type of operation rather than individual programs on a Personal Computer (PC). In cloud computing the PC only has to be able to send a request to the main server eg Google, Azure etc and display the results back on the monitor. The main processing is not done on the PC and the PC is called a 'Thin Client'. The 'Chromebook' is an example of a 'Thin Client'. Windows 'RT' was similar but has been dropped by 'Microsoft' but a replacement could be Windows 'Cloudbook' low cost computer.

Libreoffice 5.0

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Libreoffice releases a major upgrade on Aug 5. The basic uncluttered layout still looks the same with better usage of the side panel. In the word processor, photos can now be cropped inside the application. This feature has long been asked for. It is still a free open source program for Windows, mac and Linux. A viewing only app is available for Android but editing is in progress.

Windows 10

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Windows 10 appears to be getting ready for a shift from a one time life license to a subscription based service. The update service cannot be turned off and as Microsoft will now own the software on your computer they have the right to do whatever they like to it and charge accordingly. When they start to charge will be determined by the undefined term "life of the device" which basically means when the computer no longer can apply the continued updates correctly. The update may be free but that is not much good if the security patches can no longer be applied. Microsoft obviously has every right to make money from Windows 10 but the terms should be made clear from the start. The paid pro version will be allowed to hold back updates as there is no guarantee that a security patch will not affect a third party installed program and this would be disastrous for businesses. Home uses will not get the choice. Beware of free gifts as they are not always what they seem to be. 

What are 2 in 1 Laptops

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Laptops that are designated as '2 in 1' can be used as a normal PC laptop or lift the screen off and use as a Tablet. Microsoft is currently pushing these to help boost their Tablet marketshare which is sitting at a low 2 percent, Android having over 80 percent and Apple at around 15 percent. If this is a Windows machine the Tablet configuration still needs the usual Antivirus, Registry cleaning and security update maintenance. Android and Apple products did not need these and they cannot run Legacy Windows programs, while the Windows version can, but Hard Drive space could be a problem. These computers usually have a 'Flash Drive' as a Hard Drive and are only generally 32 or 64 Gb in size. 

Android remix for the Desktop

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Jide, one of the originators of Android, has announced the arrival of a new Android that will be housed in a setop box that is more in line with Desktop use. This will have multiple resizable windows and a taskbar making it's usage similar to a standard Desktop computer. As these use a standard Monitor / TV, Keyboard and Mouse and is not provided with the device, the price is low, approx US $30. The price and Hardware is similar to a 'Raspberry Pi 2' which I have been using as a Desktop computer for the last few weeks which runs Firefox, HD video and the full Libreoffice quite adequately using the 'Raspbian OS'.