Just a note to announce my homecoming . . . to Linux. Almost 2 weeks into my Windows (Vista) (re)trial, I installed Ubuntu Netbook Remix (UNR) and it’s good to be back. Windows Explorer (the desktop manager, not the browser) had begun crashing a couple times a day, and the only recovery was a reboot. Since Microsoft won’t allow free upgrade to Windows7, I’m just glad to have an alternative that works well . . . make that REALLY well.
First off, I didn’t waste the entire weekend. We did have a nice outing Saturday to Wendell August Forge (Berlin, OH) and Lehman’s Hardware (Kidron, OH).
On to the wasted time . . . Following the iPad experience, I began to wonder what I’d been missing on the PC side, since I started using Linux exclusively a couple years ago. So I restored Windows (Vista 
) to my laptop. The larger hard drive I installed a couple months ago leaves plenty of room for Windows and Linux to coexist, after all. That took the better part of a day in all, and I did experience the frustration with my computer becoming overwhelmed by the early background work that Windows does — installing voluminous updates, creating restore points, scanning for viruses and spyware, and issuing those annoying (“are you sure you want me to proceed”-like) warnings.
Anyway . . . that’s behind me and Windows is running relatively smoothly. I can do most of what I could do in Linux with only minor sacrifice of speed and flexibility. Plus I can do the few things that I couldn’t – iTunes, Google SketchUp, Netflix streaming, and Kindle reader. This is not to say that there were not close cousins to each available in Linux.
Now for what I learned:
First, the security suite offered by Time Warner (CA Security Suite) is a pain. The firewall was overly restrictive and conflicted with Windows built in firewall. It prevented me from logging into my own sites because it wouldn’t allow cookies from the scripts used on the sites. The anti-spam and anti-spyware components added two more levels of background activities (downloading updates and scanning files) on top of that needed for the anti-virus component. I uninstalled the CA firewall and turned on the Windows firewall. Since my email systems already do anti-spam, I uninstalled the CA anti-spam. I also uninstalled the CA anti-spyware, which I think I can do without by being careful about what sites I visit, what I download, and how frequently I purge cookies — plus Window is still warning my about every software install. The computer seems much happier without these items.
Next, I noticed that my satellite TV receiver showed up on my network. I’d connected it to the network as an alternative to connecting the phone line — the latter was less convenient now that we’re using Vonage. Anyway the receiver showed up as a “Directv MediaShare Renderer”, and that piqued my interest. After some investigating, I found that Windows Media Player could interface with the receiver to share photos, music and video to the TV over my home network. Photos and music worked right off. Video, on the other hand was more trouble, because it required an MPEG2 encoded file and most of my fires were AVI or MOV or WMV. Conversion was going to take forever. THEN I found a program called “TVersity Media Server” that organizes content and transcodes the videos on the fly. The program has a free and a PRO ($40) version. The free version handles all my media files and YouTube. The PRO version can handle Hulu, RSS media feeds, and more. Also, it appears the same MediaShare is available on ATT Uverse DVRs. And it sounds like with the DVRs you can also watch recordings remotely on the PC. FLASH: TVersity appears to work with the WII also.
OK, to summarize . . . I spent a day an a half to learn that (1) I can make my PC run Windows almost as well as it ran Linux and (2) I can look at media files on my TV instead of my always-handy laptop. Damn that really does does sound like a waste of time! I apologize for wasting your time telling you about it. That’s all . . . until next time.
Well, our iPad has been returned to the mother ship. We took it back to the Apple Store today. The return was precipitated by the touch screen malfunction, but the real reason is that it’s just too expensive and too large for something that is the functional equivalent of an iPod touch or iPhone. If it were a viable laptop (even netbook) equivalent, I would have been happy, but it was deficient compared to either. As a portable media player for music, video and photos, it was superb. That, however, was not my goal. It was a fun test drive and an expensive test drive — given the 10% restocking charge and the $25 I spent on software through the App Store.
Hmmm. Today the iPad developed a twitch. While typing, I’d get extra letters (like key bounce on a mechanical keyboard). Then I’d get spurious inputs while not touching the keyboard (like a poltergeist was taking control). I contacted Apple, and they had me do a hard reset (problem persisted) then a restore of the OS, firmware and factory software. The problem still persists. I turned off the network, in case it might have been a malicious intrusion. Still a problem. So, I contacted Apple again, and I have an appointment for tomorrow to exchange the unit for a new one.
Well, that brings me to a decision — exchange it, or return it (with possible restocking charge associated with the latter).
Honestly, I am quite impressed with parts of the iPad and disappointed with others. Unfortunately, I find the things I do most with a computer in the disappointment column. Entertainment applications appear to be well done; productivity applications are less impressive — though, I’ve not purchased the word processing or spreadsheet from Apple. I find having one app for downloading a file while browsing the web, another for ftp transfers and yet another to mount a shared drive on my network a bit tedious. Add to that that the transferred files can be captive to the application that they were downloaded in, and it’s even more frustrating. Printing requires a separate app and not all applications can access printing. Typing will always be a compromise unless I add a $70 optional keyboard.
I think odds are better than even for a return. Slick as the iPad may be, I do more (of what I want to do with a computer) with less hassle on my Linux laptop. Dang, Apple. You can do better.
So far on the iPad:
Safari web browsing (without flash support).
Photo storage and display — excellent for browsing and slideshows.
PDF files read well.
iBook very cool. Also available is free Kindle reader.
Skype works for voice calls (no camera).
iTunes works, of course.
Tutorial video from apple.com stalled frequently? YouTube OK.
Netflix streaming works.
No file browser nor printing interface.
Mail app configs easily for Gmail.
Games — tried only a couple. Could be good. Arcade graphics & sound.
Pandora works.
Maps cool for directions — driving and transit (no transit for Akron).
Location service detects gps location when turned on.
No multitasking, so no music while you surf or work, or play. CORRECTION: iTunes can play in background. Pandora can’t.
Touch typing possible, but not as fast yet as regular-size keyboard. Requires swaps between letter and number/symbol layouts while typing. Optional wireless keyboard is $70.
My three year old Lenovo laptop is beginning to crumble before my eyes. In the past three months I replaced the battery (after the better part of a year constantly tethered to the AC adapter), then the keyboard (several keys stopped responding), and yesterday the hard drive failed in the middle of submitting my taxes online. So, today I replaced the hard drive. I’m still less than half way to the price of the cheapest netbook out there, so it’s probably all worthwhile. I just wonder what the future holds. On the bright side, each component was replaced in less than five minutes — formatting and installing the OS (and updates to the OS) to the hard drive took a good bit more than five minutes, but I do that for fun anyway.
Fortunately, Ma’s five year old Apple Powerbook continues to hum along. Apple does some things better.
I came across a post on using masks in Photoshop and had to try it. This was done in Gimp using the same technique. While not perfect, it’s pretty good. I can see this being much fun in the future.
Knowing sons enjoy
Translating thoughts to poem
==> Haikuist dot com
This was mentioned on NPR in a story on micro blogging (Twitter etc.). Looks fun.
I went to the NPR site and relistened to the story — this time not in the car and actively listening. No mention of “Haikuist” – closest were words “. . haiku is to . . “. Please forgive the error.
We went to COSI (Center of Science and Industry in Columbus) today with Mike, Caleb and Owen. It was a lot of fun for them and us. Ohio was threatened by thunderstorms, but we were spared all but some refreshing sprinkles during lunch and walking to the car for the ride home. I can’t begin to recount the exhibits, but here are a few photos.
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