Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Category: Tech Talk

Tech Talk: Upgraded to Windows 10

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On August 3, 2015

In Tech Talk, Technology

Windows_logo_-_2012.svg_-755x755Well I decided to upgrade my home PC to Windows 10. I have a desktop (not a fan of laptops) so I should never have to see the hideous start screen again. It’s a pretty bold move for me to upgrade to a new version of Windows so soon after its official release. Normally wouldn’t have done it had I not played around with it in the tech preview. Usually I wait until all the install and upgrade bugs have been worked out but there were so many articles (from trusted sources) that said the upgrade is pretty painless I went for it. I had some trepidation because I was worried about which of my previously installed programs and “apps” would and would not work once the upgrade was complete. I really only ran into one issue.

So here is my big tip for upgrading to Windows 10, especially if you are running Windows 7 and you skipped 8 (which is why everyone should have done). If you have any kind of VPN software installed (ex: Cisco AnyConnect) make sure either A) its up to date and compatible with Windows 10 or B) you uninstall it completely. I had done neither of these things and spent the better part of my weekend trying to figure out why my internet wouldn’t work properly – I could only browse secure (https) websites. It was frakkin’ annoying! Apparently even Windows Update doesn’t use a secure connection. Once I completely uninstalled AnyConnect all my internet problems went away.

The other thing I would recommend is the obvious suggestion – Back-Up Important Files! If something were to go terribly wrong with the upgrade you may have to format and reinstall which means all your data would be lost. Use Dropbox, One Drive, Google Drive, USB thumb drives, whatever you need to make sure you have copies of files you don’t want to lose. This should always be the first thing you do anyway.

I would also heed all the articles out there (here’s one) about what to shut off in Windows 10 to maintain your privacy, especially if you are upgrading a desktop computer. You don’t need to send your personal and location information to Microsoft to “enhance your computer and/or browsing experience”. Also, despite all the brouhaha that Mozilla was causing, there is a way to maintain your default browser while upgrading (not that resetting your default browser is terribly difficult to begin with). Do not select Express when you are setting up Windows 10 (after the upgrade completes). This is what all those articles will tell you to do anyway to toggle the various privacy settings. One of the custom options is to choose default programs and you can uncheck Edge.

Unless you want to use Edge, which is entirely up to you. Personally I think its horrid and plain. It doesn’t feel like a modern browser although it does perform better than Internet Explorer (Encyclopedia Britannica performed better than IE), but I still prefer Chrome or FireFox.

I hope your upgrade/install experience goes well and feel free to ask me questions and I can try to answer and/or help.

/cheers

minion_keboard_smI could get so much more accomplished if I only had minions!

Tech Talk: Tech Pipe Bombs

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On July 15, 2015

In Microsoft, Mobile, Tech Talk, Technology

cm-punk-pipebomb

CM Punk is an amazing athlete and was known for his pipe bombs on WWE

Last week Microsoft and Logitech dropped a couple of pipe bombs on the tech industry. One was unexpected, the other … well, let’s just say I wasn’t terribly surprised. It’s going to be interesting for me to talk about both of these companies because I love everything Logitech creates but my relationship with Microsoft has been a little tumultuous lately. Either way, it was a pretty big shake-up for the mobile and computer industry.

Logitech Re-branding Itself

logi-logo

The new Logitech logo

The biggest surprise was Logitech re-branding itself as “Logi”. I have read all of the various reasons the company decided to do this but I still don’t know if I like the new branding. I have enjoyed Logitech’s products for so long that its going to be difficult for my brain to associate “Logi” and “Logitech” as the same entity, especially when all the logos change. I get why they did it. Our world has become so integrated with technology that it almost seems barbaric to do anything without it (even simply taking a walk now has some technology association).

I imagine its going to be a while before we stop calling it “Logitech”; I know that’s the name I’m going to use for a while (ex: I still call it “Sears Tower“). Also, how does one even pronounce “Logi”? Is it like “logic” without the “c” (i.e. “lodgie”)? Or “loggy”? It can’t be “loogie”, that’s just gross! My guess is “lodgie” but that sounds so childish to me. There wasn’t a corporate buy-out that prompted this change so they are still going to manufacturer the same outstanding products. Hopefully this new branding won’t damage their sales because there’s nothing comparable out there.

Microsoft Killed Nokia

borg

Microsoft of Borg

Now the not-so-surprising news. Windows Phone is officially dead (*cough*about time*cough*)! Microsoft performed a huge layoff, 7800 folks are now looking for new jobs, and most of them were part of the Nokia buyout/phone business. I feel kind of bad for Nokia because they made decent phones … then they started running Windows 8 mobile exclusively. It’s interesting because when I heard Microsoft make the deal to “help” Nokia by providing the OS, I predicted that they would end up buying Nokia (I’m kicking myself for not buying Nokia stock, which would now be Microsoft stock). I also predicted that the Windows Phone wouldn’t survive and is another failed venture, just like the Zune. Sometimes, I hate being right.

It’s also interesting because this seemed like such a surprise to so many people. It was talked about on most news feeds for a couple of days as if it were the most earth-shattering pimp bomb to come out of Redmond since Bill Gates announced his retirement. Obviously I’m not a fan of the Windows Phone but that’s isn’t why I think this was the right decision for Satya Nadella to make for Microsoft. When you have a failing product or a product that just can’t compete, the smarter thing to do is cut it loose, especially when your direct competitor is taking 92% of the profits in the industry. Every company goes through peaks and valleys and Microsoft’s recent moves suggest, to me, that they are trying to climb out of their current valley (perpetrated by said failed smartphone and Windows 8).

The futures of both of these companies is going to be an interesting thing to watch because they made some pretty difficult and paradigm-shifting changes. Don’t get me wrong, I hope the best for both of these companies; one keeps me happy and productive, the other keeps me employed.

/cheers

Tech Talk: Ready For Swift? [UPDATED]

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On June 8, 2015

In Apple, Programming, Tech Talk, Technology

swift-ogA couple of months ago I decided to start diving into Swift. I know Swift is still in its infancy and Apple seems to be breaking it with every XCode/OS/language update. I had watched all of the videos Pluralsight had to offer (though I noticed they recently published new ones). I have dabbled in Objective-C prior to Swift’s announcement and it is as convoluted and cryptic that everyone says it is; but it’s not impossible to learn. Swift, however, would make iOS app development a heck of a lot easier.

It might help that I have a sufficient background in object-oriented development in .NET as well as fluency in JavaScript and HTML5. I’m not sure if the latter would provide any value comprehending Swift, but I’m sure it doesn’t hurt it. I think the concept that provides the most value is understanding the MVC design pattern. I completed a very basic “Hello World” style app back when I first tried out Swift; it appears there have been a couple more updates so I hope to explore those [potential] changes in a few weeks.

Apple has been pretty quiet about Swift since it was introduced. I’m not sure if that’s because they were expecting the Internet to pick up that mantle or if they are planning additional announcements (WWDC perhaps – which, ironically, is occurring on the day that I published this post). If you have been using Swift recently and have something to share (good or bad), I would enjoy your comments below. Perhaps, in a few weeks, after I have dived back into iOS development, I will post an update.

UPDATE: After watching WWDC it looks like Apple is ready to take Swift to the next level with Swift 2 and by making it open source (which was received with raucous applause). This announcement was probably the most exciting thing (for me, at least) to come out of WWDC this year; unfortunately Swift 2 (and the open source library) won’t be available until the end of the year.

/cheers

Tech Talk: Windows 10’s Imminent Release

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On June 2, 2015

In Microsoft, Tech Talk, Technology

borgJune started with Microsoft announcing that Windows 10 will launch on July 29th (so by imminent I meant two months). Be that as it may, many may wonder if Windows 10 is worth the upgrade and I would say it is. I know many may be shocked to hear me say that as I have been a long time advocate for Windows 7 and a long time opponent of *the dismal* Windows 8; but I have my reasons. Windows 10 does appear to have some of the Windows 8 look-and-feel, but Microsoft was (finally) smarter about how it was implemented for those of us that don’t always use touch-enabled devices.

I would recommend you upgrade, for starters, because Windows 10 will be free (probably Microsoft’s way of saying “Sorry we made you waste your money on Windows 8”). I haven’t looked again, yet, but the last thing I heard was that Microsoft will be offering Windows 10 for free for one year if you are currently using Windows 7 and it will be free indefinitely if you are using Windows 8. A few folks have told me that might have changed, but I haven’t seen that printed anywhere yet (if you know this has changed, please leave a comment).

If you are running Windows 7, it might behoove you to upgrade because mainstream support for Windows 7 ended January 13th of this year. This basically means Microsoft will stop providing security updates and you are on your own to protect yourself from viruses and malware. Windows 7 does have extended support for another 5 years but I don’t really know what all that entails (my theory is bug fixes and minor tweaks).

I have had the Tech Preview of Windows 10 installed in a VM on a work laptop for a few months, so I’ve gotten to play around with it off-and-on. If you have been using Windows 7 then, from a usability perspective, Windows 10 won’t be a huge shift for you. It’s basically Windows 7 with some tiles in the start menu. There are some other features that may improve your experience, but all the primary functionality should still be pretty familiar (there is just more color, ostentatious design does make things feel new and shiny). Perhaps after Windows 10 officially launches I can do a write up of some of the other features you didn’t know about that you might find useful (ex: multiple desktops – of course if you have used a Mac, this is a feature that has been around for several years).

NOTE: If you do plan to upgrade to Windows 10, you can reserve your upgrade now. If your Windows 7/8.1 environments are up-to-date with all service packs and updates, you should see a Windows icon in the lower right section of your taskbar.

/cheers

(P.S. In not-so-related news, Microsoft is re-branding Windows 8.1 and will reveal the “new look” in a special Vanity Wired issue subtitled “Call Me C8L1N”)

Tech Talk: JavaScript Frameworks

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On October 29, 2014

In Programming, Tech Talk, Technology

Web_programmerOver the past year I have had several projects at work (I feel like a real live consultant now) and I have used a few new technologies and tools on those projects. The skills that have really come a long way are my JavaScript skills.

I know what some of you might be thinking, “WTF, JavaScript?!?”

Yes. JavaScript. It’s not as cumbersome and taboo as it was back in the 90s. There are new tools and frameworks out there that have actually made JavaScript not only easier but … dare I say it … fun?! The library that has made JavaScript easier, for me, is jQuery, which I have been using for a couple years now and I won’t write any JavaScript without it. There are two frameworks that I have played around with recently that have really made JavaScript kind of fun: Knockout and AngularJS (I know these are not the only two but they are the only two I have spent any time using).

I think I have gone on before about how much I enjoy the magic behind jQuery. I even saved a few on snipplr which have had a few strangers favorite, although I could probably improve on most of them with the newer versions of jQuery. Using jQuery will definitely make your web page feel very dynamic and that seems to be the paradigm we are going for these days. A “web site” is quickly becoming a legacy term and we are evolving into developing “web apps” – which is essentially a website that functions as if it were something running on your desktop (instead of in your browser). I’m sure the evolution and massive adoptions of tablets and mobile devices has been a major catalyst.

The jQuery syntax and plethora of plugins really makes developing web apps much easier and adds a level of enjoyment to it. In fact writing your own jQuery plugin doesn’t require any additional software or new syntax, they are still js files that just use existing jQuery syntax. I have yet to write one myself, but I really want to, someday … if I can think of a worthwhile plugin to write. I have noticed a drawback about jQuery lately; the more complex you make your page the more JavaScript you have to write. I have a couple of sites where there is more JavaScript code then actual markup and trying to find a specific function to modify can be an exercise in perseverance. When JavaScript code becomes increasingly verbose, that’s when frameworks like Knockout and AngularJS come in handy.

I’d like to go on about Knockout and compare it to AngularJS but I haven’t spent a lot of time recently enough with Knockout and I have spent quite a bit of time the past couple of weeks with Angular. I mostly started looking into Angular because its one of those terms that has been mentioned quite a bit around the office. Many folks have talked a lot about using it and it has been implemented at my next assignment. I wanted to go beyond just watching the Pluralsight videos and reading the tutorial on the website. I wanted to see if I can get it working on a website. Therefore I made one of my websites the guinea pig 🙂

Angular uses “directives”, which are essentially special attributes added to HTML tags that only mean something to Angular which tell Angular where it will be applying changes or reacting to events. While you can still use jQuery to handle some of your pages events, in Angular the controller will contain the majority of the code that needs to be executed. It does add a bit of brevity to your html pages.

If you have done any development using the MVC pattern your attention may have latched onto the word “controller”. In Angular you are essentially using an MVC pattern (although you will often see it referred to as MV* when folks speak of Angular). Your controllers are still written in JavaScript but I often create a controllers.js file and keep all my controller code there. Therefore, if you need to make a change to some logic and you know its going to be in a controller, it will be easier to find the bit of code you are looking for to make your change. No more scrolling through lines of JavaScript code, or hitting Ctrl-F to find a specific function (unless you are using several controllers, in which case I would encourage you to create multiple controller files).

I’ve only really just begun to dive into Angular and I’m already enjoying its power and brevity. As I continue to witness and invoke its prowess I’m sure to be inspired to write some more, however I’ve run on enough for now but I encourage you to check out all of the things I talked about (if you haven’t already).

minion_keboard_smI could get so much more accomplished if I only had minions!

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