Why Microsoft is pushing windows 8

Though the world would like to use windows 7 and continue running their computers the way they are used to , and continue being familiar with their desktops and computing atmosphere.

Microsoft will not let that be the option. they will pay all of the cnets and zdnets and mashables and verges to do reviews that say how fantastic some stupid function is.. like siri and it’s ability to misspell on apple products (dif company same tactics) . Bad pr is still pr.
They will make you want that one stupid tiny function so bad, you will settle for the assream the rest of the o/s has.. and it will be so idiotic, like mine sweep will have purple background… or something useless.

Why does Microsoft want to go this route? Why does Microsoft want to go the “apps’ route and touch screen and big puffy buttons?

because the apple and Microsoft court case where Microsoft had to prove they were not ripping off apple, and Microsoft was just a software company.. not a computer company. so the courts forced Microsoft to agree to never make computers.

Now Microsoft is in the telephone and tablet business.
When they bought Nokia, they confirmed it.
because they aren’t computers. They can’t make computers.. but they can make tablets.
as long as they don’t call them computers.

but this is just Microsoft rolling back to the windows 3.01 look. Minus Program manager.

How to create a custom Toolbar

Want to create a custom taskbar for a windows computer?

Right click desktop, select “create new” then select “folder” name that folder anything.

Now create shortcuts to your favorite programs. drop all of those shortcuts into that folder you just made. exit out of the folder.
Grab the folder with your pointer and drag it like you are about to throw it off your desktop. as soon as your mouse hits the edge of the screen, let go.

New task bar.

To go a step further, right click that menu bar and select “always on top” (or similar).

If you want the best use of this, put the new folder you just made, inside the C: drive prior to creating the new toolbar. Or take an existing folder and make it a toolbar. for me, It’s the downloads folder.
toolbar custom

Why Microsoft is Heading to windows 8 Direction

Because they can sell Microsoft tablets and phones.
Microsoft was taken to court by Apple/Macintosh years ago for infringement. Microsoft’s saving grace was they said they are only selling software, Windows is an operating system not a computer. So, Microsoft is a software company not a computer company. Notice they didn’t say “Not a hardware company”. A tablet technically isn’t a computer.

So if Microsoft can get you to enjoy their operating system on your pc. Then they have a chance of creating their own “Computer Tablet” and calling it a windows computer.

Now if Microsoft can get rid of the typo issue of touch screen keyboards, and somehow reinventing the scroll wheel function of a mouse on a touch screen monitor, then they have a fighting chance. The main issue is the design software most power users use would be murder on a touch screen without a scroll wheel and a the third button function of a scroll wheel on a mouse.

So if it comes down to the only way to Microsoft is through a tablet, some of us would have to step down and install linux with WINE so we can still use my programs that currently only work with Windows. Autocad, Magix Music, Etc.

Trying Different Operating Systems

I have had my share of Microsoft operating systems, and I am not about to jump into a 2002 looking os like windows 8
So I am going through  5 different Operating systems on the Linux build. Downloaded them fresh today. Of course I did the Torrent download of each (if available) to prevent any issues of dropped service anywhere.
With the testing of each of these operating systems, I will be testing my every day tasks. and this will be in live boot mode if possible. If not then I will have to snap something together to test the full installation.
Part of this test will consist of me just doing every day in commands. Such as logging into facebook and reddit to comment. Taking a screenshot. Using the calculator button (a button that requests the calculator to pop up) on my keyboard. Email button on the keyboard. Web browser button and volume buttons on my keyboard. To see what is going to work the easiest.
Mint 14 64 bit
Mageia 2 64 bit
Kubuntu 12.04 64 bit
Xubuntu 12.10 64 bit
Fedora 17 64 bit

Trying Linux mint for my first time.

This is a test of Mint live

Not too bad

Mint looks a bit bland, almost Windows vista-ish. Square, no Opaque  as far as I have seen yet. but start up was simi fast and drivers right out of the disk run me pretty well.

First linux cut that doesn’t make my mouse act weird (scroll wheel too fast or slow or pointer too fast too slow etc)
Images look right as if latest Nvidia drivers are in disk.
Taskbar menu has many of the usual items found in linux . The items you kind of need . VLC player, G.I.M.P., Libre Office (i guess no one uses open office anymore?)
All of my keyboard shortcut buttons worked.

Review scoring of mint
looks: 6/10
function 10/10
drivers: 10/10
speed: 9/10

Over all scoring of Mint: 8.75/10

fedora

This is a test of fedora live
again, right out of the Live dick, nice fast load. Clean load. a big odd on the mouse but nothing terrible. Images look great, no anti-aliasing issues. Task bar at top with the android looking shortcuts at the bottom of the screen, I don’t like that. Too much real estate wasted when you open a browser and see half an inch of screen not being used. again no Opaque, everything is boxy.

Probably not the operating system for me.
Might do wonders for you but fedora is not what I am looking for.
Libre office again on this one.
None of my keyboard shortcut buttons worked.

 

Review scoring of fedora
looks: 3/10
function 8/10
drivers: 10/10
speed: 9/10

Over all scoring of fedora: 7.5/10

Kubuntu

This is a test of Kubuntu Live
Now this feels like a complete operating system. Everything has a nice sharp look to it. Mouse movement is a bit slower. and scroll wheel is a tad more sluggish, but that’s only after using two other operating systems first. So my opinion may be swerved from the feel of the others. Menu is a bit empty Lybre is there again. yet another operating system not using open office. Why the sudden disinterest in Open Office? but the whole taskbar in it’s self is very nice. Widgets add with ease and look great.
None of my keyboard shortcut buttons worked. never found the calculator so I could tally my review score.. -1 point. So I used my phone.After a complete install of Kubuntu, it’s hard to get wifi drivers if you didn’t do the install while hard wire lan connected to the internet. If you are not connected to the internet when installing, it’s also hard to connect to the internet. Wifi set up has no useful “scan for nearest connection” option at all.

Review scoring of Kubuntu
looks: 10/10
function 8/10
drivers: 10/10
speed: 9/10

Over all scoring of Kubuntu: 9.25/10

Xubuntu
This is a test of Xubuntu live
Xubuntu has a look and feel. Much better than the first two operating systems. and some o the look and feel of Kubuntu. Menu was easy to navigate, found the calculator right away and the screenshot program right away. Browsing the web, some pages hung up for a moment. Mouse is quick, scroll wheel is quick. If I just wanted a live boot it would have to Xubuntu, the boot up was half the time of the other operating systems.

None of my keyboard shortcut buttons worked.
Which is kind of a let down for me. After a complete install of Xubuntu, it’s hard to get wifi drivers if you didn’t do the install while hard wire lan connected to the internet. If you are not connected to the internet when installing, it’s also hard to connect to the internet. Wifi set up has no useful “scan for nearest connection” option at all.

Review scoring of Xubuntu
looks: 7/10
function 8/10
drivers: 10/10
speed: 7/10

Over all scoring of Xubuntu: 8/10

Mageia
This is a test of Mageia live
Web browsing, default fonts, wow, not from the typical/traditional choice.
Never found the calculator. So I am using my phone to tally up the score this one -1 point. Libre office again.

For what it’s worth this is a decent operating system.
I mean I could let my mother use Mageia and not have to worry about showing her much, but same with the rest of the operating systems listed on this page. but it does look better than most  here. Some of it is a bit bland. pages freeze up from time to time, and editing in wordpress is a nightmare. Kept placing bold font in places I didn’t even ask for bold font.
Didn’t do that with any of the other operating systems tested.

Review scoring of Mageia
looks: 9/10
function 5/10
drivers: 8/10
speed: 7/10

Over all scoring of Mageia:7.25/10

Of the five operating systems. I find it kind of a toss up between Mint and Kubuntu. Mint seems to have all that I need, but Kubuntu has the nice sharp look I want in an operating system. Let’s see what happens when I throw a hard drive in one of the spare computers laying around and I get to test out Mageia.
*update, found the live disk for Mageia*

Mageia. Seems okay, looks nice. KDE version
bit of a load issue when switching apps . some drivers not found.

Looks like Kubuntu for the win. just a bitch locating anything in the menu.
even over mint. Mint is fast and has excellent drivers, just looks somewhere pre-windwos 95 and that bugs me

So. Mageia, not there yet. but looks great. just don’t do anything or you will see the issues.
Something I do like though.

Top Selling Mobile Devices and Tablet 2012

This day and age, we are seeing lots of companies talk about how everyone is moving to high end mobile devices. Devices they are talking are items like portable tablets, large screen phones and ebook readers.
We are seeing statistics saying that millions of people are now using either an ipad a nook or any of the hundreds of android tablets to do all of the common computing of today.

According to Huffington post The Top selling Tablets are as listed

Apple Inc., maker of the iPad, 17 million shipped worldwide, 69.6 percent share

Samsung Electronics Co., maker of Galaxy line, 2.3 million, 9.2 percent.

Amazon.com Inc., maker of Kindle Fire, 1 million, 4.2 percent

AsusTek Computer Inc., maker of Transformer line, 688,000, 2.8 percent

Barnes & Noble Inc., maker of Nook Tablet, 459,000, 1.9 percent

Meanwhile the top 12 mobile Devices are (according to Tech Spot)

Apple iPad
(3rd gen)
Asus Transformer Prime
Toshiba Excite 10 LE
Amazon Kindle Fire
Samsung Galaxy 10.1
Sony Tablet S
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9
Apple iPad 2
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
Asus Transformer
Infinity 700
Asus PadFone

This one may be more correct . I say this due to the traffic I see on my site.

I find it sad that the blackberry Playbook didn’t do so well. It’s a beautifully designed tablet. From plastic outerware, to inner hardware to operating system. The playbook had high potential. but of course Blackberry being the strong hold of quality may have held too high of a price while there are so many other options of Tablets and Hybrid Laptops.

I myself will aim for budget, then aim for processing power. Then design. In that exact order. I can’t see myself shopping for high price and assuming that means the electronic equipment will meet my needs.
Good luck in shopping.

TruXter’s Custom Computers

Considering taking some of the custom cases I have made over the past few months up to the local auto body shop and getting them powder coated and getting some bedliner sprayed inside to deaden the fan noises.
then running around the state locating the best deals on good computer parts and building up 5  gaming computers and selling them off to the public.
[poll id=”27″]

I would most likely do side by side comparison computers . AMD processor with Crossfire ATI video cards  vs Intel with Nvidia SLI Video cards of equal quality and clocks.

 

Then of course the mishmash of AMD processor and Nvidia Video card vs Intel with ATI video card.

and maybe one SLI/Crosfire  of which ever is the fastest with which ever processor AMD or intel. Nothing under six cores.

Also have a benchmark below each computer and show the process of how I bench-marked them and screen shots and a handful of pictures

The idea would be to build the ULTIMATE GAMING BUDGET COMPUTER, get the best I can get for low price and make the computers look unique and have excellent ventilation with as many additional features as possible and maintain a budget.

Of course their will be assembly fees and shipping fees. possibly a couple competitions to win one of the computers (the ultimate of the ultimates). take the money gained and make one more computer but call it “the budget beast” and see how well it takes off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Friday Deals at Office max

Its finally here!  OfficeMax has just released that their Black Friday Deals will be online, at officemax.com, starting at 6am EST on Thanksgiving (11/22).Plus, on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, you will receive Free Shipping on ALL orders over $20.  The rest of the Black Friday Deals can be found in the links section of the GAN interface.

**Online Store Pickup Disclaimer: In order to give you the best experience during this busy Thanksgiving holiday, we will not be offering Online Store Pickup during this time

 

Also, remember to follow us on Twitter – @OMX_Affiliates

Black Friday Deals – Online starting Thanksgiving at 6am EST, plus Free Shipping on $20
http://www.officemax.com
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Paid advertisement by Officemax.

Speedtest.net and Comcast


I do not use comcast. In fact, I use Clear 4g. I have been testing my bandwidth on Speedtest’s website.
http://www.speedtest.net/
and I think I found something fishy.
When I go to the speedtest website and check my Internet speed, I assume that since one of the closest servers to test with is Comcast server, I would get great results. True results of my speeds maximum capability. but instead Comcast seems to only show good results for Comcast ip addresses. I’ve tested from my clear 4g connection, my buddy’s at&t connection, My mom’s Comcast Internet connection and my work t3 connection
Houston has two test locations. Comcast and University of Houston.
Houston Comcast shows me with only 2.8 megs a second while University of Houston shows me at 4.5 megs a second.

While Dallas Frost wire shows me at 5.1 megs per second.
and Dallas Soft Layer Tech Shows me at 5.1 megs per second
Austin Grande Communications shows me at 5 megs per second
Muleshoe Texas Five Area Telephone shows me at 5 megs per second
Cedar City Utah

The issue here is that I live in Houston. I can go to any Texas test site outside of Houston, and get better results. but if I take any computer using comcast service and test with the Comcast server, you get wild high results, but test that computer on any other bandwidth test server and you will see low speeds with about 1/3 of the bandwidth results that comcast showed, not really happening.

I have done these tests at work on the T3 line and again, Speedtest’s Houston Comcast server shows my bandwidth test at 1mps per second

Take from this what you will.

Comcast chat

**Warning: Angry Typos Ahead**

Today, I will be taking my Cable box back to Comcast. They have taken it too far
I have been dealing with my neighbor’s dog (she’s a puppy) digging up my comcast connection, for several months now.
I have received insane bills from Comcast And a few other issues that I don’t feel like looking up so here it is in Bing.

Yesterday I decided to try the chat thing, because phoning in my issue of the neighbor’s dog resolved nothing.

TruXter: My Issue: Neighbor’s dog digs up my cable, I have had you guys out a few times re-bury the line. I requested conduit, was told over the phone it would be used. Technicians all say it can’t be done.. I just now came in the house after covering chewed

analyst Dani Mae has entered room

Dani Mae: Hello TruXter, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Dani Mae. Please give me one moment to review your information.

Dani Mae: Hi

Dani Mae: Welcome to comcast

TruXter: hi.

Dani Mae: Thank you for that information TruXter

Dani Mae: May I know what would you like to do?

TruXter: Is there any way I can get a manager or a foreman to come out with the technician next time to bury my cable? and can you ask them not to request to come in my house anymore? the issue is in the neighbor’s yard.

TruXter: They have replaced the splice in my attic 3 times now as if that solved the issue. I need the cable in conduit or something that a dog can not bite through.

TruXter: The cable box is in my neighbor’s yard. 6 feet of cable gets dug up with in just house of the tech’s burying it.

TruXter: hours*

Dani Mae: To answer you suggestion about a manager, I believe that is not possible since only technician process that

TruXter: Someone needs to come out and over see this. This is the very last time I will let this happen. I will change services. I am sick of this.

Dani Mae: And about your request about conduit

Dani Mae: We do not have that, but we only can drop bury your cable line

Dani Mae: For conduit, you can buy that at your local store

TruXter: I can’t watch tv while the dog chews on the line. I can barely surf the internet that I am paying crazy fees for. this is nuts.

TruXter: You mean. with all of the customers that this company has, I am the only person?

Dani Mae: I understand that, where is your cable lines now placed?

TruXter: why did it cost me $200 to get my house connected? they used wire that I already paid for to begin with.

TruXter: the cable box is in the neighbor’s yard. 6 feet from my fence.

Dani Mae: I see, please inform the owner and let them contact Comcast, so we can schedule them.

TruXter: The neighbor and I buried the cable last time while the tech watched.

TruXter: This needs to be fixed, and someone who can make these guys give me the service I am paying so much for.

TruXter: needs to make sure it’s done.

Dani Mae: Sure

Dani Mae: Have you tried calling 1-800-XFINITY (934-6489)

TruXter: can you check my records and see I have done this several times?

Dani Mae: Sure

Dani Mae: It shows here that Drop bury has been completed as requested already

TruXter: ….

TruXter: and dog dig has already happened.

Dani Mae: Would you like to request another drop bury?

Dani Mae: And have you called already for a schedule?

TruXter: yeah sure. and when he is done, can you send him back three hours later to replace the line again because the dog is just going to dig it back up. and tell to take a lunch and come right back… Or send someone with authority to look at this and see it is a slop job and someone is milking your clock at my expense.\

TruXter: Thank god I run a website and have a good camera. This is my final month. you people are leeches.
Type Here:

After this. I called Comcast to solve the issue of the lightly buried cable in the yard with a big puppy who digs a lot, and to understand why just last month I was told that on this bill, my bill would be reduced, yet it’s still at regular $88. When she told me this month my bill would show the changes I asked why she said “because you already paid this month”. Ok. Makes sense.
So I call and start asking why my bill isn’t reduced. The lady that answered, forwarded me to another person who I assume is their “quick excuses guy”. because this dude was just out to win an argument.
I asked why my bill was regular price, and the guy said that it was because I owe $160 for not paying last month’s bill. I told him he was nuts and explained that I paid $160 last month also, and 160 the month before, and keep getting told I am late on my bill. The guy said and I quote “we bill for service before you receive service”. My eyes rattled in my head. I explained to him that every month I have been going through this, and I have not have had service. Since the dog eats my cable. The man said “then you need to speak to the neighbor” and I flipped out on him. “No, you need to get your stuff straight because I am a customer and you are providing a service, you are asking me to make this an issue between the neighbor and I. You can’t tell me that will all of the customers you guys have, I am the only person with this issue. ” Considering how many houses have dogs, there is a really good chance this has been issue on many occasions.

Now understand, the last time I talked to a technician, he was watching me and the neighbor bury the cable ourselves while he just stood there telling me I should kick the neighbor’s dog and cover the spot with rat traps. The neighbor didn’t like that, and I didn’t like that. I asked the Comcast technician why they don’t just bring 8 feet of conduit and get this over with he said and I quote “Job security, we always make sure each other has work”. At my expense no doubt.

Comcast. Your service has done me no service and I will forever refuse you. I will warn everyone I know, just how you treat Customers and how your answering team and all of your help team, are the trashiest people you can have work for you. When you guys go out of business, you might want to worry about the scum you hire, and possibly the way you treat them and tell them to treat you customers. I love your bandwidth, I hate your bandwidth cap, and I hate that your basic cable is lower resolution than any other broadcast. Local resolution from antenna is 740p minimum where I live, your basic cable is less than 480i. That is pathetic and nothing justifies charging for that.

Can’t say I will miss you when you are gone.

 

**Update**

Just got off the phone with comcast. Called to cancel my service. Man asked me why I was cancelling service. I rattled on for 15 minutes . taking maybe three breaths while trying to think of everything that has gone on since I signed up.
He was like “yeah, I would leave also, Sorry this has happenned to you, you will be receiving a credit soon”.
and that was it. no telling me I am wrong, no selling me a bigger bundle.

Doin it right. for once.

 

**Update 2**

 

Logged in to see my Comcast bill information and to make sure that all of the statements were true, that I would recieve a credit to my account and got a notice to provide a valid email address.  but in back I could see my bill. Lots of junk going on back there. Of course I tried three different ways of handling that page so I could see the bill. They all signed me out instantly.

My Comcast Bill

My Comcast Bill

 

I have no idea what is going on below that point. Could be a pot of gold, could be a bag of chewed up rubberbands.  The reason I am trying to log in is to see if  I got the credit I was told I would get, since they ripped me off of last credit, and to see if I upset someone enough they decided to change my bill up and really stick it to me. You can’t doubt people anymore in either direction. Good or bad.
Needless to say. I have not been able to scroll all the way down. That stupid pop up asking me to show another email address blocks my view.

 

**update 3**

 

All devices were taken back the day I posted this. No arguments, no denying anything. In fact i think the little lady behind teh counter kind of wanted me.

here is their big technical wall of tv screens updated from earlier this year.

ghettovision

ghettovision

Now here is what comcast says I was supposed to pay last month.

comcast bill

Comcast bill

Now… If that was in fact what I was “supposed to pay”. Then why in the blue hell would I pay this ?

comcast payment

Comcast payment

It’s as if the kid I was trying to get help from but only wanted to argue with me, decided to make it look like I am a moron and don’t know how to internet. Now, understand, my bill is usually $79 before “additional charges”. So um. $200 minus 141, but this month’s bill is only $88.06 ? What? Which idiot in that establishment is going to show me how this works, and which idiot in that company is going to translate what that guy said, to non bull %^&*  and make it make sense?

But I have to thank him for showing me I needed to open my mind. I love direct tv and uncapped 4G Internet.