Trollernet Explorer

Damn you Internet Explorer!

xRock One... Make a better investment!

Don Mattrick, Microsoft Executive, President of Interactive Entertainment said this in an interview:

Mattrick: “I think people are going to love it, and then they’re going to understand what we’re trying to create, and how it links games and entertainment, the functionality of the box. Some of the advantages that you get of having a box that is designed to use an online state, so that to me is the future-proof choice, and I think people could’ve arguably gone the other way if we didn’t do it and fortunately we have a product for people who aren’t able to get some form of connectivity, it’s called Xbox 360.”

Q: “Stick with 360, that’s your message if people don’t like it?”

Mattrick: “Well, if you have zero access to the Internet, that is an offline device. I mean, seriously, when I read the blogs, and thought about who’s really the most impacted, there was a person who said ‘Hey, I’m on a nuclear sub,’ and I don’t even know what it means to be on a nuclear sub but I’ve gotta imagine it’s not easy to get an Internet connection.”

My advice. Invest in a rock. Depending of what sort of rock you get it will be cheaper, or it will hold its value much longer. It will come in more handy than an xBox One in the event of, 1) a zombie attack, 2) the need to hammer something like a nail, 3) to crush nut shells so you can eat, 4) to crush poisonous insects or reptiles that are trying to kills you, 5) depending on the rock you choose it will look prettier and be less heavy, and 6) you will at least have not wasted your time supporting a product that is completely contrary to what consumers want in so many, many ways. Thank you Microsoft for proving that you CAN drive customers away yet again! Hurrah for Windows 8 (& Office 365, Vista, and now the xBox One)!

Source for interview quotes comes from GeekWire.com.

Why Microsoft Why?!?!

It was recently announced that Windows 8 will not allow for a computer to boot up to the classic desktop we all know and love by default. Rather it will only allow for the Metro UI silly thing that we can no longer call the Metro User Interface due to poor planning in trade mark and copy right on Microsoft's part to boot up. If you want to go to the classic desktop UI from there you have to manually switch EACH AND EVERY TIME! Seriously?!?! While Microsoft thinks their interface is hip and all, I personally hate it. Okay, so some people like it. And it may be more effective on a touch screen. But why take choice away from users with classic laptop and desktop computers. I was actually considering upgrading from Windows 7 Pro too Windows 8 Pro because of the decreased boot time and increased system preformance, but at this point I'm just going to wait until either there is a work around for this issue or until Microsoft gets their head out of their collective ass. Either way, this makes me glad I dual boot Ubuntu since it has most, if not all, of what I am looking for in my desktop OS. All of that aside, what do you guys thing of the formerly Metro UI? Likes? Dislikes?

The Problem with Mobile (commentary)

       I love the mobile revolution! The software and devices coming out of Apple, Microsoft and Google & friends just makes my inner geek freak out with nerdy, geeky, techy joy! But there is a problem... Mobile is it is MOBILE! Prior to my jump into a tablet, my primary device of choice was a laptop. While not as mobile as a tablet, the laptop worked very nicely for my purposes. I had something like 6 hours of battery life and complementing programs that did what I needed. But the move to a tablet added a lot of things and I am mostly happy with it. But this article is not about what I am happy with. It's about what the mobile experience currently lacks.

True Multi-Tasking

I have played with all of the mobile operating systems that are currently available. From Blackberry to Symbian, from iOS to Android. What I haven't played with I have researched, and the one thing that is lacking in all of these devices is true multi-tasking. Sure some of them run programs in the back ground, but that isn't what I mean. What I refer to is the ability to work two tasks simultaneously without the need to switch between them. I am referring to windows people. OSX, Linux and Windows (which is named for the capability) all have it. I've worked on all three. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but they all have the mutli-tasking ability I refer to. Now, I understand the limitations of multi-tasking at this level for mobile devices. First, the average phone's screen is way too small. But why should we preclude tablets from the game because phones have small screen space? Second, multi-tasking on such a level can cause a little larger strain on the mobile cpu and os. Still, I feel the primary reason that you can't find an iPad or Android tablet that has "windows" functions on it is laziness. 

The "Window" is Open

Of all the reasons listed above, laziness is the answer in my mind. I have seen that the window function is capable on mobile devices. A perfect example of this is MBFG's products. Things like OverSkreen (a floating web browser), StickIt! (a floating video player), AirCalc (a floating calculator) and AirTerm (a floating terminal). These apps all feature the window floating capability and play nice with other apps as well. What is more, Tablified Apps has released LilyPad Floating IM which does the same thing but for IM clients. Samsung also introduced something like stick it on the Galaxy S III phone. All of these apps can be resized, moved and minimized with little to not fuss. I have even used them on my small Android phone screen. While I am convinced that such a function is somewhat useless on such a small screen, I do feel the function should be available for those who would like to use it. And that is what MBFG does for Android. But that isn't enough! Just because there is some functionality in this area doesn't mean that it is the answer. Why isn't this basic function that has been available in computers since I can remember lacking in the computing devices of the future? Why can't I have a movie playing in one corner while I web browse on the other without having to modify my tablet? Why can't iPad users do this? Why is it that this basic functionality that we all use and take for granted on standard computers lacking in mobile? I would suggest it is because we are not asking for it. Right now, the only mobile tablet that may have this functionality built in is the Microsoft Surface. A device that isn't even released yet! From what I can tell, the Windows 8 & Windows RT maintain the floating windows function without much fuss. This means that Apple and Google could be playing catch-up to Microsoft if people realize that for the same or similar price to Microsoft's competition they can get a mobile device that is more functional. Now, I understand I could be way of base here. Maybe I'm making a big deal out of something everyone else could care less about. So what do you think. Is the floating window function a big deal?

Run Android Apps on PC & Mac!

Blue Stacks is an app developed that allows users to run Android applications on a PC. That is old news. What is big news is that now Mac users can get in on the fun and games. This is a beauty of Android. Since it is open source by design Google has no problems with such things happening. In fact, by its very nature, Android is creating an ecosystem that is almost viral. If more and more users and utilize Android apps on more and more devices this makes the Android operating system more essential to more people. My hope is that Microsoft and Apple take a hint from this success by opening up such functionality in their mobile device applications. Sadly, while I can hope, I don't see such rational thinking happening on either software companies part. Still, the ability for an Android user to have their software they have spent good money on be transferable to the computer of their choice just adds further value. I can see someone using the Mircosoft Surface Tablet and running Blue Stacks and Android apps on it. Wonderful! To enjoy Blue Stacks for Mac, go here. To enjoy Blue Stacks for PC, go here.