Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Not A FanBoy, Just Pragmatic

By

On May 7, 2013

In Apple, General Cogitation, Linux, Microsoft, Technology

quillI’ve been trashing Microsoft quite a bit lately (some of it might be behavioral regression from my anti-Microsoft days). I think a lot of it has to do with how much I dislike Windows 8 and how easily people are blindly being lead to its use like sheep to the slaughter. I think Windows 8 is Microsoft’s worst design idea since adding that damn ribbon to the top of all their Office products.

There I go digressing again.

The truth is, I don’t hate everything Microsoft. In fact I love Windows 7. In my opinion its the best version of Windows. I often joke that it took Microsoft 7 versions to finally get it right. I also spend most of my career working in Microsoft technologies and I enjoy it. I’m pretty good with .NET, so clearly I’m not a hater, I just think that not everything Microsoft makes is gold. I like to remain pragmatic.

At home I not only run a machine with Windows 7 but I also have a Mac Mini and I’m currently building a Slackware (Linux) file server. So when it comes to operating systems, I’m not loyal to anyone. (Ask me about peripherals, however and Logitech will be the only one I recommend.) When I’m asked about phones or tablets, it isn’t a matter of which company is better because they all have their skeletons; I often tell people to try out the devices at the store and pick for yourself. If its an iPad, a Galaxy tablet or a Kindle Fire, it doesn’t matter to me, as long as it meets your needs.

The application of technology to your life shouldn’t be about what the latest gizmo or widget that Company X has created (and marketed with unnecessary gusto and fanfare). The decision to apply technology should be based on if it properly meets your need and if it has the potential for some longevity. The last thing you want to do is buy a device (like a Windows phone that will be obsolete in April 2014, per Microsoft), or implement a technological solution that you will have to replace in a year.

When I’m making a recommendation, to me, its more important to find the right solution that best meets the needs of the consumer or client. I won’t recommend something just because its the latest buzz by Microsoft or Google. It has to be the best option, above all other potential solutions because that’s what the customer ultimately wants.

/cheers

MMO Times: Back In The Saddle

By

On May 5, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

mmotimesheaderIssue 72: After an extremely stressful week from all fronts of life on top of being sick with food poisoning, the MMO Times is back to bring you all some gaming news. Well, the headlines of gaming news that is. Life lesson, even if coffee has been in the freezer, don’t drink it if its over a year old, it can make you sick. It’s especially upsetting if you are a coffee lover. But I digress.

There are a few titles hitting their beta periods that you might want to check out. There is already a SWTOR patch coming out after the launch of its first expansion (which I guess was pretty successful). A new issue for The Secret World and other gaming goodies. Check it out, gamers!

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Biggs On: Being M.I.A.

By

On May 2, 2013

In Biggs On

Penguin Computing Frag PenguinIt’s been over a week since I have posted anything. Life, every now and then, throws a few extra curve balls and dealing with them has a tendency to let the normal stuff take a back seat. I wish I could say that it was just extra stressful at work, which it has been. There were several days last week when I would have rather been hospitalized with pneumonia then go into work. Yes, it was that stressful.

Then there are the non-work related stresses that I’m still dealing with; close friends and family are dealing with some issues related to various forms of lymphoma. That is scary shit! I feel like I’m not praying enough for these folks and it has been the only thing that is constantly on my mind. I also have a relative in the hospital for stent surgery and add food poisoning on top of that and yea, been a pretty crappy 10 days.

I hope to be back to posting more MMO Times and other nerd rants this week.

/cheers

Movie Review: The Hobbit (Part I)

By

On April 22, 2013

In Movies, Reviews

film_reelMy [rating: 3]

Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen

Synopsis: Based on the actual first book of the Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit tells the story of Bilbo Baggins’ fateful journey that took him across Middle Earth with a band of misplaced dwarves to retake The Lonely Mountain. This is the journey that explains how the One Ring came into Bilbo’s possession. The One Ring, that changed the face of Middle Earth 60 years later.

Biggs’ Review: I didn’t venture out into the theaters to see this movie mainly because I couldn’t fathom how Peter Jackson managed to turn one book into three movies. I suspected (and still do) that he is just trying to squeeze out every last dime he can from The Lord of the Rings franchise. Be that as it may, I am glad that I got around to seeing The Hobbit. Overall, it was still a pretty good movie. I did feel like it didn’t quite have the same “epic” quality the other movies had. Granted it could be that its been close to 20 years since I have read the book.

The music, as always, was fantastic, which is what I have always enjoyed about the movie versions of this franchise. Obviously, the books are always better so I would recommend reading the book if you haven’t already. I’m not sure if I will actually buy this movie (or movies when the final two are available) but I’d say its worth checking out if you want something LOTR-esque.

The MMO Times: Launch Day!

By

On April 16, 2013

In Gaming, MMO Times, MMORPG

mmotimesheaderIssue 71: Last week was launch week for a couple of titles (or expansions) that I have been talking about often. I’m sure you are aware by now that these titles are Age of Wushu and SWTOR’s first expansion. Read on to see additional details about their respective launches. I haven’t picked up the SWTOR expansion yet. I want to but I’m still trying to justify the cost since so few of my friends are still playing it I lack the motivation.

If you are playing the SWTOR expansion, I’d like to hear from you. I’ve already received some great feedback from the folks on Google+. Actually, if you are partaking in any of the new things talked about in this issue I’d be curious as to your impressions. Age of Wushu went live, some new raid content for TSW, we have some more Infinite Crisis news and more!

On a final note, I want to express my heartfelt sorrow for those victims of the bombing at the Boston Marathon. Its despicable that someone is capable of such atrocities. My thoughts and prayers are with all the runners and the communities affected by this tragedy.

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Alas, Poor Microsoft

By

On April 15, 2013

In General Cogitation, Microsoft, Technology

windows-crackI was reading this article over on ZDNet and, while its a pretty scathing article about Windows 8, the author does make a couple of valid points. It isn’t a secret that I am not the biggest fan of Windows 8. I do run a Windows box at home and I’m quite content with Windows 7. I also have a Mac and a Linux box so my allegiance belongs to nobody.

At any rate, here is the biggest point the author makes, which I believe is the reason Windows 8 is a total flop: “This isn’t a matter of judging a book by its cover; the user interface (UI) is everything for computer users. If the UI alienates users, you lose them. It’s as simple as that.” This is exactly what has happened to Microsoft with Windows 8. The “tiled” desktop is the cause of the out of control, downward spiral of the Windows 8 OS. I said that would be its downfall since the first time I tried it out. You can’t make a dramatic change to the UI and just expect the users to be OK with that. It’s as if Microsoft forgot what their target market was.

Perhaps Microsoft was trying to create some kind of cohesion between their tablets and the desktop, and I get that. However, you can’t take a tablet interface and slap it on a desktop and expect the experience to remain the same. These allegations that not enough touch-capable PCs exist is laughable. It shows that not only is Microsoft out of touch with its users, they are also out of touch with the industry. You have to coordinate a paradigm shift between hardware and software, you can’t brute force such a change.

I feel like Microsoft has become the proverbial unyielding, crotchety old man in the corner talking about how things use to be in the old days. Microsoft’s whole business strategy is archaic. If they want to survive in today’s constantly evolving technology they need to adopt a more collaborative strategy and focus less on brute force. They’re not the top dog anymore.

/cheers

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