Windows 8 Review

So I upgraded to Windows 8 Professional yesterday and I must say that I am surprised at how much different it is to Windows 7.  Even when Windows 95 first launched, there has not been such a drastic change to Microsoft's operating system with the additions of Windows XP and Windows Vista.  It has been very intuitive to use and it seemed like everything was where it should be.

Moving along, Windows released the newest version of their OS that was meant to revolutionize the tablet, phone, and PC industry all at once.  It is difficult to say if they have done this successfully because everyone user has a different experience.  This is ironic due to the face Microsoft wanted all of their platforms to maintain a similar layout, but the first step, the upgrade, has consumers worried about they will potentially be using for another few years.

(Windows 8 Start Page.  Its customization options are welcoming, but sometimes the page feels too cluttered.  This is how I set up my start page and I'm enjoying it.  The Social app brings all social media into one tile and displays recent events from Facebook and Twitter.  I censored some profile picture to ensure privacy.)

When I first booted up Windows 8, it felt slick and professional.  Then you get to the start up page and it looks amazing.  It is something you have probably never seen before.  Everything is right in front of me, but this is where it stops.  When you want to go to your Desktop page, navigation is much more different and less designed for Mouse and Keyboard options.  Any consumer can clearly tell the OS was optimized for touch screen devices.  If I had something like the Microsoft Surface, I could see why it works, but not everything works perfectly on a Desktop.

Everything is based on the corners.  Literally.  The top left corner brings up the previous program you launched.  Move the mouse down the edge of the left and it shows the list of programs open.  The bottom corner brings you back to the Start Page when in the Desktop.  It's hidden so there is no "button" you can click.  Just the corner.

(Work in Progress) 

Friday Night Basketball in the NBA

It's Friday and you know what the means.

Games scheduled for today:

Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics (100-99)
Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers (101-108)
Charlotte Bobcats vs Orlando Magic (106-100)
Houston Rockets vs Indiana Pacers (95-105)
Atlanta Hawks vs Brooklyn Nets (89-94)
Sacramento Kings vs Memphis Grizzlies (69-85)
Golden State Warriors vs San Antonio Spurs (In Progress)
Washington Wizards vs Denver Nuggets (In Progress)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Dallas Mavericks (In Progress)

Credit: 2K Sports (NBA 2K13 Association)

Generated rookie hits the game winner over Kevin Durant's tremendous defense.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

A universal saying that has been popularized by consumers of a variety of products.  From a technological standpoint, many preach this phrase to major companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google.  It makes sense right?  Why would one need to change something if it works perfectly fine?  While many people in society believe this to be the case, there are many contradictions to this.  

For example, the famous Apple software iOS has been around for a few years now and has rarely changed. The minor updates every couple of months add some useful features that made using an Apple device easier to use.  When iOS 4 was released, it incorporated multitasking which allowed applications to run in the background and enabled a much more satisfying experience.  While this was groundbreaking in terms of Apple product development, the concept of multitasking had long been introduced in competing products.  

Now with today's new iOS 6, the new Maps application has taken harsh criticism.  If you have not heard, it is believed that the maps direct users to obscure locations miles off their intended destination.  This is definitely a problem that Apple has been working to resolve.  Google Maps has made a comeback on iOS devices and proves to be much more reliable for the time being.

(Apple iPod Touch 2nd Generation running iOS 3.1.2)

Apple's operating system has come a long way without mixing up the formula drastically.

Looking forward, iOS 7 is under heavy speculation that it will revolutionize the Apple user experience.  Consumers are complaining that the mobile operating system has gone stale and is due for an overhaul.  This is where the question comes in to play.  If iOS is so simple and intuitive to use, why does it need a complete redesign?  Analysts are expecting a major update, but is Apple willing to take a risk if something goes wrong like their Maps application?   I highly doubt it.  The operating system works well and many understand why it is one of the top products in the market today.  

What do you think?  Does Apple need to wipe the slate and start fresh a new innovative design?  Is that what it takes to bring sales back to Apple after losing a majority of its customers to competitors Samsung?

Insurance

What is insurance and why is it so important to have in society?  Why does an insurance plan make sense?  According to trusty Wikipedia, insurance "is the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another in exchange for payment. It is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss" (Insurance).  What does all of this mean?

What's the difference between companies and their policies?

Obviously, not all companies are the same.  Excluding rates and service, much of the company's credentials lies upon customer satisfaction.  True, most jobs include insurance for its employees, so health insurance may not be up to what you would like.

(Work in progress)

Stay healthy! (Photo courtesy of Dreamstime.com)

NBA All-Star Break Approaching

Who's ready for NBA All-Star Weekend coming up within a few weeks?  Have you vote for your favorite superstars?  I already cast my vote for shoe-ins like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, but I also want to see Stephen Curry and/or David Lee make the team.  The Golden State Warriors are doing far better than anyone has expected and the organization is finally proving that it is a legitimate contender for the NBA Championship.

NBA 2K13 All-Star Weekend Screenshot

Whoever makes the team, the chosen superstars deserve their spot.  With all the rising talent in the league, it's impossible to celebrate every single player.  The All-Star title won't mean much to a team like the Los Angeles Lakers who have Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard already locked in.  Maybe the Lakers will change their fate after the break when teams begin to ramp up to become a top seed.  All in due time, my friend.  All in due time.

Oracle Corporation Fixing Java Exploit

Within the past 24 hours, Oracle Corporation (ORCL) has announced their acknowledgement to a popular security flaw among computer hackers.  The bug allowed hackers to easily PCs and forcefully install malicious content.  The company is working to address this issue and advises users to disable Java in their browsers for the meantime.

Whether you realize it or not, Java is used in almost all electronic devices.  Starting with smartphones, small gadgets, and especially your computer, Java has been one of the most popular computer languages to date.  Along with its myriad number of users, it's no wonder that the tiniest exploits can be found.  Technology in this day and age is growing rapidly and hackers are getting smarter everyday.  So protect yourself.  Avoid websites that lack a strong reputation.  Try browser add-ons like "McAfee Site Advisor" or if you are using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome, try "WOT (Web of Trust)."  These services show ratings next to links to help validate the safety of the link.

Link to original article: http://yhoo.it/ZVgdIv
Copyright © 2013 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.

Apple iPhone 5 Review (Work in Progress)

The iPhone 5 has been out for almost a four months now and still reigns as one of the premier smartphones on the market.  It's sleek design and faster A6 processer makes it an ideal choice.  The phone is extremely light and proves to be a quality product that is built to satisfy your everday needs.  Although it not be the highest selling phone (competing along with the Samsung Galaxy S3, Nexus 4, etc.), it claims its place at the top of the chain in a long line for iOS devices.

 

Design
The design of the iPhone 5 is simply amazing.  It's sleek and lightweight.  You literally have to hold the device yourself to truly understand how light the phone actually is.  The new 4 inch form factor (upgraded from the 3.5" design used for years) is a welcome addition to the list of features that will be discussed later.  If you are moving up from a previous iOS device like a previous generation iPhone or iPod Touch, there should be no problem adjusting the larger screen.  It was a great choice for Apple although I would have also liked to see the phone get wider.  The new lightning port adapter at the bottom is also a great change although it means that previous 30 pin connectors are now obsolete with the new line of devices being created by Apple.

(Work in Progress)

Fantasy Basketball

Anyone play fantasy basketball?  I believe I have assembled a strong team although it lacks consistent durability.  It seems every week that at least one player is injured which hurts my chances especially in an H2H league (head to head stats).

My current team:

I picked up D. Rose a few days ago and am hoping that his return will payoff.  Waiting a few more weeks for a superstar should definitely be worth it.  My record is 60-39-1.  I've dropped players like Chris Kaman, Brandon Roy, and Ersan Ilyasova early in the league (which I now regret with the Milwaukee Bucks' new coach).  I missed out on pulling Andrei Kirilenko and Grevis Vasquez from the free agency pool.  I took Jose Calderon over Vasquez and when Kyle Lowry is out, he gets to show off his passing ability, but Vasquez is more consistent and is a dependable stat-sheet stuffer.

Jared Dudley has been a viable option (although he lacks consistency), but when he is on a role, his stats surpass his expectations.  With Michael Beasley declining role, hopefully Dudley proves to be worth a roster spot before I hop on the John Henson bandwagon.

*I was supposed to draft Joakim Noah, but while I was checking Ilyasova's stats, I panicked with the clock winding down and forgot to click on Noah again before hitting draft.*

How is your new year going?

Simple.  How has 2013 been treating you?  Have you been following through those "new year resolutions?"

The Holidays

Now that the holidays are officially over, it is time to continue on with 2013.  Classes are beginning soon and those leftovers are finally gone.  It finally feels like this new year will bring change in everyone's life (hopefully for the best). 

The holidays brings families together, but it should not be the only we feel obligated to spend time with them.  How has your vacation been and what are your plans for the new year?

The Violence in Video Games

Ever since video games have been around, there has always been a controversy about the violence found in mature video games.  From titles like Carmageddon to today's popular Call of Duty franchise, parents have been concerned on whether or not these horrifying visuals affect their child's development.

Studies show that video games, specifically violent ones, are not played for its violent content, but rather played for the sense of accomplishment.  When you think about it, playing these games do encourage problem solving and strategy and violence just happens to be at the center of it.

When the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) was established in 1994 in order to categorize the infamous Mortal Kombat series and several more titles, its main focus was to limit the content that children could access.  It works similar to the movie ratings which help parents decide whether a film is appropriate for their child.  But is all of this censorship necessary?  Should these boundaries be decided by companies?  In all fairness, it is true that I would be mentally scarred from watching horror films back when I was four, but would my parents even allow me to experience these measures that companies tried to shield me from?


All I know is that these rating systems are far from being eradicated.  Also, they seem to do more good than harm, although limiting the "freedom of teenager" from refusing him/her from purchasing an "M-Rated" game from the local GameStop.

What do you think? 

Happy New Year!

 2013 is going to be a great year.  After sorting out all of these problems with Google AdSense, I was finally approved to place ads in my blog as well as on my YouTube videos.  It still amazes me that people can actually make a living on ads.  I doubt blogging will ever be a full time job, but rather a hobby to share stories and get a little change.  Hopefully this year will bring good luck!

Stay safe,
Gerome