Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Category: General Cogitation Page 25 of 40

Why I’m A Cubs Fan

By

On June 25, 2013

In General Cogitation

me_gpav_wrigley-smGranted, I don’t think its necessary to explain why anyone chooses whatever team they choose to root for but I feel that my choices for being a Cubs fan are pretty sentimental. The picture you see attached to this post is a photo of me when I was 2 years old. I am seated with my grandfather in Wrigley Field. Documented proof that I have been a Cubs fan since I was 2 years old.

It’s more then just a 30 year old picture. I grew up in South Bend, Indiana but I fondly remember my grandfather showing up at our house in his 1986 red Mustang to pick up me and my dad and we drove to Chicago to watch the Cubs play. He did this quite often. He was a die-hard Cubs fan and he passed that on to my dad and me. He passed away never having seen the Cubs win a World Series. I hope that doesn’t happen to me or my dad.

I hope to instill this love for a baseball team in my kids one day and I know my dad will do all he can to perpetuate the love for the Cubbies. I think to be a Cubs fan is like a good marriage. You must endure the bad times and savor the good times no matter how abundant and/or few there may be. I will never give up on the Cubs because I know my grandfather never would have.

So now you know why when someone asks me “why am I a Cubs fan” that I respond with “because I’ve been a fan since I was 2 years old.”

Go Cubs!

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

I Think I’m Addicted

By

On June 4, 2013

In General Cogitation

bibs1Hello. My name is Biggs, and I’m addicted to exercising.

A year ago, if you would have told me that I would have participated in two 5K walks within three weeks of each other, I would have laughed in your face. Now, what I find equally as strange, is that I’m researching additional 5K activities.During our recent 5K walk, the Redlegs Run, my wife and I discussed the idea of trying to participate in one walk a month. I think I am becoming addicted to this.

I know they say that when you get into a routine of exercising that it can become addicting, and that is true. On days when I don’t exercise, or if I go a couple days in a row where I don’t exercise, I definitely feel like I haven’t completed my day. I pay even closer attention to what I’m eating and how much I eat because I don’t want to start to reverse what I have already worked so hard to lose. An important lesson to keep in mind when this happens is to not overdue it when you do get a chance to work out again. Sometimes our minds tell us that we need to push ourselves harder to compensate for missed opportunities. The problem with that is its one of the easiest ways to injure yourself; and injury will only make you miss more exercise opportunities.

When your body gets use to a routine, your metabolism increases and thus you begin to burn more even when your body is at rest. As long as you don’t gorge yourself on pizza and ice cream, you are not likely to gain too much weight if you miss a few days. This is clearly one of the healthiest addictions I’ve ever had.

So, Bring On The 5Ks!

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

How I Used FitBit To Lose Weight

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On May 9, 2013

In General Cogitation

chartAs you can see from the graph I pulled from the FitBit phone app, I have been losing weight steadily since I purchased my FitBit back in January. During that time many have asked me what I have done and the FitBit has been one of the main components.

There are several options to choose from if you are thinking about buying a FitBit and it all depends on what you want to track and how much you are willing to spend. The cheaper option ($59) is the FitBit Zip which will just track your steps and sync it with the phone app and website. If you want to track your sleep and stairs then you might want to look at the FitBit One (this is the one I have, its $99). The One comes with additional features such as a silent alarm and a wrist band to use at night. The newest model is the FitBit Flex, which has all the same features (and price) of the FitBit One but it can be worn in the shower and, allegedly, can be worn while swimming up to 10 meters below the water (I don’t know, water and my FitBit still makes me skeptical).

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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

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