Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Category: Technology Page 9 of 14

Biggs On: Is the Desktop PC Really Dying?

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On July 15, 2013

In Biggs On, Technology

geek-300x300Almost daily I read CNET, ZDnet and several other news feeds regarding technology trends. I do this so I can keep up with how the technology and the industry is changing. I’ve noticed that there have been several articles claiming that the PC is dying. These claims are based on the declining number of desktop sales. I do wonder though if these statistics are only taking into account mass-manufactured computers (i.e. HP, Dell, etc). Personally, I have never bought a premade computer, I’ve always built all my computers.

I don’t know if I could not have a desktop computer. I really like my peripherals and while the touch/gesture technology is incredible, I don’t think its something I could get used to doing all the time. I spend 90% of my day behind a computer whether its at work or extra curricular programming or gaming at home. The mouse and keyboard are too big of a staple to my computing experience for me to be able to switch to something less … tethered? Plus, I really like that I can build my own computer. Honestly its way I don’t really use laptops very often and why a laptop has never been my main computer at home. In my opinion, tablets (and perhaps even laptops, to some degree) are really only an extension of the desktop computer but definitely not a replacement.

I’m not saying that I’m hemmed into the desktop PC, forever. You never know; with the way technology is changing these days something may come along that will change my mind. I am curious, however, what others think about all this talk of the desktop computer becoming obsolete?

/cheers

Soapbox: No One Deserves A Pedestal

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On June 20, 2013

In Apple, Microsoft, Soapbox, Technology

mighty_have_fallenI’ll be honest, I was going to make this another post about Microsoft (because they are still pissing me off) but I decided that I would try to be more of an equal-opportunity troll today. Unfortunately, I am going to start with Microsoft since they are the ones who have most recently been in the (tech) news.

Microsoft has backpedaled for a second time this year, on a second product (that’s not a good track record). Obviously the first time are the changes they are making in 8.1, though I still argue that what they chose to change is half-assed. We wanted a Start Menu with the Start Button, not your vomit inducing Start Screen. But I digress. When Microsoft unveiled the XBox One they were expecting fanfare, instead they got fan-flamed. Their architectural decisions for the XBox One were not popular and they paid the price with constant mockery and ridicule. Yesterday Microsoft changed their policy on used games and the always-on DRM. I’m still not thrilled about the idea that I wouldn’t be able to play my XBox 360 games on the new console so I still don’t feel the need to buy the XBox One.

I’m kind of tired of folks putting Microsoft up on this mighty pedestal when they are actually teetering on the edge of the toilet stool. Honestly, I don’t think anyone really deserves to be up on any pedestal right now. Apple isn’t really coming up with anything truly innovative anymore. In fact I’d say they are starting to play the catch-up game right now with Google’s Android. Speaking of Android, they’re not exactly inventing much lately either.

The fact of the matter is, it seems like they (Microsoft and Apple specifically) don’t seem to be listening to their users. We’re no longer living in a vendor-driven market, this is a user-driven market. Microsoft and Apple no longer have the power to dictate to us what we will use, we are telling them what we want. It’s up to them if they choose to listen and when they don’t listen the viral backlash is awkward and unpleasant. If anyone deserves a pedestal it would probably be Google as they are the ones that seem to be taking all the Apple and Microsoft complaints and providing solutions with their phones and tablets.

So the first half of 2013 has been embarrassing and tumultuous for Microsoft and uneventful and dull for Apple. Both have a lot promised for the second half of the year, hopefully their plans will bolster their already bruised and waning reputations.

/endsoapbox

Microsoft, Stop The Bleeding!

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On June 11, 2013

In Fulmination, Microsoft, Technology

bsod**Disclaimer: I am going to warn you right now. If you are a Microsoft fanboy in any capacity, you might not want to continue reading this post. I’m venting here, and I’m probably going to get pretty scathing as I’ve nearly lost all faith in Microsoft (and I had very little to begin with).**

In the late 90’s and the early part of last decade I was extremely anti-Microsoft. I did not use Windows; I used Slackware Linux with Windows running in a VM only when I absolutely needed it. As my programming skills improved I started to get more into .NET. Then, when Windows XP came out, the XBox, and Visual Studio, I turned a new leaf. I liked using Windows XP, I played XBox games quite often and I really enjoyed coding in Visual Studio; I even attended a Visual Studio launch event. Windows 7 became, hands down, the best version of Windows I had ever used and it actually gave me a ray of hope in the direction Microsoft was heading (despite the bizarre behavior of Steve Balmer).

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Biggs On: Windows Phone Surge

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On June 4, 2013

In Biggs On, Microsoft, Technology

thinkingmanI have to admit, for a product whose death warrant has been signed, Windows Phone is suddenly gaining a surprising amount of market share. In fact *recent headlines suggest that Windows Phone will have 12% of the smartphone market by 2017. Granted I find that prediction a little odd considering Microsoft plans to stop supporting both Windows Phone 7.8 and Windows Phone 8 in 2014.

Far be it for me to give props to Microsoft these days considering most of their products lately have been loathsome, but I applaud this comeback. It’s interesting to see a product gain so much market share in the face of such negative adversity. I may even go so far as to say that Windows Phone almost demonstrates a greater chance of surviving than Windows 8. Although, the improvement shouldn’t fall all on Microsoft, I’m sure Nokia played a large part considering they are the ones that have the most to lose if Windows Phone is a bust.

This does not mean I will be purchasing a Windows Phone any time in the future. I enjoy the comforts of my iPhone too much right now to change platforms, and even if I did I would be more inclined to buy an Android phone before a Windows Phone. Be that as it may, if these predictions hold true, my prediction that Windows Phone is the next Zune failure will be wrong, and I will be the first to admit that. I don’t think Apple and Google should be too concerned; in my opinion 12% isn’t a threatening amount of market share, but its a sizable chunk that warrants some acknowledgement.

/cheers!

[sources: *cnet article]

Biggs On: XBox One

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On May 22, 2013

In Biggs On, Gaming, Microsoft

gaming2Yesterday Microsoft unveiled their newest XBox console. This is suppose to be the next generation of console gaming, and in some ways it is. In fact, for the first time in quite a while I was actually not only excited about a console system, but a Microsoft product too! Which is a rare occasion. My excitement later diminished into bitter disappointment; I will get to that a bit later.

This is an initial impression. Obviously the new XBox isn’t available for purchase yet and you never know what might change between now and then. Microsoft seems to be trying to respond to consumer concerns more frequently lately, perhaps they will respond to the criticisms, depending on the reception (and the jokes and trolling has already begun).

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The Woes of Windows 8

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On May 15, 2013

In General Cogitation, Microsoft, Technology

geek-300x300It was announced yesterday that the official name for the Windows Blue update will be Windows 8.1 (which isn’t a surprising naming convention, pretty much in-line with previous naming styles). Microsoft has said that this update will be free to all current users of Windows 8 which pretty much makes it a glorified service pack. Be that as it may, this update does have some interesting (rumored) updates that responds to some of the harsh criticisms Windows 8 has endured since its launch.

Windows 8.1 will champion the return of the standard Start Menu and a Boot-to-Desktop option, which addresses probably two of the biggest Windows 8 criticisms. They were the two biggest design complaints I had (I find the tiled “Start Screen” absolutely horrid). When Microsoft announced that there will be an 8.1 containing updates that address user concerns, they did not officially comment whether the Start Menu would be returning. However, as more and more details came out, the bulk of the concerns were still centered around the fact that users still want the old Start Menu back. I would say that at this point chances are good we will see it back in 8.1.

One of the other things I read that is allegedly coming in the 8.1 patch is a more mouse-friendly Charms bar. As I’ve vehemently expressed in the past, slapping a touch interface onto a standard desktop and expecting the experience to remain the same was asinine. Using the mouse is a completely different user experience then using a touch interface (this is why its a better idea to separate the OS code bases then try to combine then, hence iOS and OS X). If you are unfamiliar with the Charms bar, its essentially what has replaced pinning programs to the app bar. Its accessed from the right side of the screen by swiping your finger. Obviously this isn’t as natural if you are using a mouse. The rumor is that in 8.1 this will be more “mouse friendly”.

Finally, the last thing I’ve heard (thus far) that will be added in 8.1 is a tutorial for learning how to use the new Windows 8 desktop/interface. Some of the criticisms Windows 8 received was that there was a bit of a learning curve. Many people I’ve talked to that use Windows 8 regularly always say “I’ve gotten use to it”, which says to me that isn’t intuitive and requires some acclimation.

So are the changes coming in 8.1 an unofficial admission of failure? I don’t know. I mean, I am one of the harshest critics for Windows 8 and I don’t know if I would even go so far as to say that 8.1 is admitting that it was a failure. I’d be more inclined to say that Microsoft is finally listening to customer criticisms and responding accordingly. Will these changes elicit a change of heart for me? I doubt it. Many people say that if you would be upgrading from Windows 7 (which would be me) that its probably not really worth is as there aren’t that many differences (except for the “Start Screen”, obviously). I am curious, however, to see how folks respond to the changes. We’ll find out later this year.

/cheers

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