Sparking up an Android

[JackLuis]

Just a flash about Android Apps for writers.

The best Android apps for writers

While I have a 'droid device, I'll look for stuff for my new Win 8.1 computer.

If only my computer wouldn't keep suggesting I buy stuff!

 

[StrangeLife]

Interesting link - thanks.

I can second Evernote - it's a must-have on every device I own. It's just such a useful service. I put all documents in there (the juicy stuff secured with encryption, just in case) and I never lose anything.

They were missing Dropbox though. Another great way of keeping your work in the cloud and there are clients available on all mobile platforms.


As far as your Windows 8.1 computer goes, just put it on eBay and go get a real PC already...

 

[Handley_Page]

Interesting link - thanks.

I can second Evernote - it's a must-have on every device I own. It's just such a useful service. I put all documents in there (the juicy stuff secured with encryption, just in case) and I never lose anything.

They were missing Dropbox though. Another great way of keeping your work in the cloud and there are clients available on all mobile platforms.


As far as your Windows 8.1 computer goes, just put it on eBay and go get a real PC already...

At twice the normal price?
No thanks.
PS. Apple may have different sales policies over there to here. They sure seem to spend a lot on Lawyers, though.

 

[PayDay]

1. I tend to make a ton of typos on my android because of big thumbs. I couldn't imagine writing a story on one.
2. I'm still trying to figure out what's wrong with XP other than 64 bit looks cooler.

 

[johneb87]

1. I tend to make a ton of typos on my android because of big thumbs. I couldn't imagine writing a story on one.
2. I'm still trying to figure out what's wrong with XP other than 64 bit looks cooler.

The only thing wrong with Windows XP is that support for it is ending on 4/8/14. That means no more updates or security patches after that.

My last installation of XP ran like a champ; 5 years, survived two major virus attacks, I loved it. Windows 7 is very nice too.

 

[Handley_Page]

The only thing wrong with Windows XP is that support for it is ending on 4/8/14. That means no more updates or security patches after that.

My last installation of XP ran like a champ; 5 years, survived two major virus attacks, I loved it. Windows 7 is very nice too.

So Redmond stops 'improving' it in April; does that mean it'll dissolve into a pile of silicon dust ?
Personally, I doubt it.
I have two DOS boxes which still work (although one is in the shed and I have not used it for a while), and frankly, I think I'd rather use them.
With so many versions of Win 7 available (and no explanation as to what they all do differently) I'm feeling a bit stuck regarding 'upgrading' my main PC.

 

[Blind_Justice]

... and here I was, looking for a sci-fi plot hook.

I use my 'droid tablet for reading only, even typing this forum post is a major pain. Why again are touchscreens so widespread? You can't reliably type on them and as a VI person, my handwriting drives this recognition thingy completely nuts

 

[StrangeLife]

So Redmond stops 'improving' it in April; does that mean it'll dissolve into a pile of silicon dust ?
Personally, I doubt it.

No, but any new security exploits and holes discovered after that day wont be fixed. This may not sound so bad, but it kinda is. The badguys know the following facts...

- New security exploits wont get fixed (normally exploits have a very short shelf life because of constant updates).
- Win XP is overall less secure than Win 7.
- It will take many years before Windows XP is completely gone from the market.
- The corporate world is conservative and will react slower than the home segment when upgrading.

This will result in a massive increase in the search after Win XP exploits because XP suddenly becomes a highly attractive target.

A secondary effect will be lack of support for new features and hardware. It will take a while before this becomes a problem, but eventually it will. I would say that the best strategy is going with Windows 7 (actually OS X is better, but you already vetoed that one ).

Windows 8 isn't too bad either, even without a touch screen. I'm running it on the Mac as a second OS - for gaming - and I'm starting to get used to the design with Live Tiles. I'm using a Windows Phone as well (Lumia 920) and it's almost the same gui...

 

[patientlee]

My mom got windows 8 a few weeks ago (no touchscreen). She got her old computer fixed at the same time. The new one is collecting dust. She can't figure it out.

 

[johneb87]

My mom got windows 8 a few weeks ago (no touchscreen). She got her old computer fixed at the same time. The new one is collecting dust. She can't figure it out.

Windows 8 is cumbersome without a touchscreen. But every time I go to the Microsoft store at the mall and play around with the tablets, I like it more and more.

My brother and I bought my dad a Surface 2 with Windows 8.1 RT for his birthday last November. He's not a tech savvy person, but he really enjoys it since all he really needs it for is to get work done. The battery life is excellent and the touch cover works very well. I've even added the Surface 2 to my wishlist, would be much easier to have for my writing than carrying around my current clunky laptop.

 

[hoo_hoo_boo]

I don't know. I've been using a mac. There are lots of things I don't like about it but it has never had a virus. I don't need to put in any anti virus stuff. For me, that alone is enough to make it better than windows. Soon, I think, I won't have a computer though. I'll be moving and I don't want satellite. I'll have enough to do without a computer adding to it.

 

[StrangeLife]

My mom got windows 8 a few weeks ago (no touchscreen). She got her old computer fixed at the same time. The new one is collecting dust. She can't figure it out.

Windows is like an old pair of comfortable slippers. The gui hasn't truly changed much from Windows95 to Windows 7 and most of the shortcuts and mouse-functions are hardwired in our brains. We don't realize how much this familiarity means until we face a situation where it's gone.

I noticed the effect a few years ago when I switched jobs and they suddenly slapped a Mac onto my desk on my first day. I had to check the manual to even turn the friggin thing on! And no mouse buttons... all my short-cuts were ineffective or made the the machine do weird stuff... I had no idea what programs did what... couldn't figure out how to get onto the network... I was basically more lost than a hamburger in a kennel (but being a man I would of course die in a meteor shower before asking anybody for help).

So I scoured YouTube for beginner-tutorials and toiled on in secret. Today I'm a complete Mac convert and I'm not buying a Windows PC again, but there was a learning curve. And it was steep in the beginning because I suddenly had to think about everything I wanted to do rather than "using muscle memory."


I suspect your mom might be in the same situation as I was. Windows 8 is the first major overhaul of the Windows gui in a decade, and it is quite different from "7" in many ways. For the first time since Windows 3.11 upgraders are facing a real learning curve. But if she sticks it out for a bit - maybe google for a beginners guide or grab Windows 8 For Dummies or something - she will be back in the saddle in no time. Don't let her off the hook... sabotage the old PC if you must... and soon she'll be playing that Windows 8 PC like a Strad.

I don't know. I've been using a mac. There are lots of things I don't like about it but it has never had a virus. I don't need to put in any anti virus stuff. For me, that alone is enough to make it better than windows. Soon, I think, I won't have a computer though. I'll be moving and I don't want satellite. I'll have enough to do without a computer adding to it.

Unless you're moving off planet you'll be hard pressed to avoid having one. Though I must admit that phones are able to most of the same stuff these days...

 

[patientlee]

She ordered the Dummies book. Thank goodness. She keeps asking me how to do things. I have no clue!

I agree that muscle memory is an issue. I think the bigger issue for her is not having any idea how to do what she wants.

I hope she paid for fast shipping.

Windows is like an old pair of comfortable slippers. The gui hasn't truly changed much from Windows95 to Windows 7 and most of the shortcuts and mouse-functions are hardwired in our brains. We don't realize how much this familiarity means until we face a situation where it's gone.

I noticed the effect a few years ago when I switched jobs and they suddenly slapped a Mac onto my desk on my first day. I had to check the manual to even turn the friggin thing on! And no mouse buttons... all my short-cuts were ineffective or made the the machine do weird stuff... I had no idea what programs did what... couldn't figure out how to get onto the network... I was basically more lost than a hamburger in a kennel (but being a man I would of course die in a meteor shower before asking anybody for help).

So I scoured YouTube for beginner-tutorials and toiled on in secret. Today I'm a complete Mac convert and I'm not buying a Windows PC again, but there was a learning curve. And it was steep in the beginning because I suddenly had to think about everything I wanted to do rather than "using muscle memory."


I suspect your mom might be in the same situation as I was. Windows 8 is the first major overhaul of the Windows gui in a decade, and it is quite different from "7" in many ways. For the first time since Windows 3.11 upgraders are facing a real learning curve. But if she sticks it out for a bit - maybe google for a beginners guide or grab Windows 8 For Dummies or something - she will be back in the saddle in no time. Don't let her off the hook... sabotage the old PC if you must... and soon she'll be playing that Windows 8 PC like a Strad.





Unless you're moving off planet you'll be hard pressed to avoid having one. Though I must admit that phones are able to most of the same stuff these days...

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I don't know that computers are better than 25 years ago. In 1988 I could alter an address book into damn near anything. I actually made an inventory program from a simple address book. 25 years later I cant do shit as my PC is now an ankle bracelet that lets Obama know where I am 24/7, and its the infomercial that never ends.

 

[StrangeLife]

I don't know that computers are better than 25 years ago. In 1988 I could alter an address book into damn near anything. I actually made an inventory program from a simple address book. 25 years later I cant do shit...

Wrong - you still can.

...as my PC is now an ankle bracelet that lets Obama know where I am 24/7, and its the infomercial that never ends.

Let the poor guy have his hobby. He has a pretty tough job with all the health care mess...