E-mail the boss, and install Windows 10

If you ever have not been fairly treated, and wanted to “e-mail the boss”…now you can, as Justin did! Use http:EmailTheBoss.org

————————————————————————–

Linkysys has expanded DD-WRT support to WRT1200AC, WRT1900AC, and WRT1900ACS routers. Their statement to TechtalkRadio is that: “…WRT is our flagship brand within the Linksys consumer line…”

Features include:
dual core processors…
USB 3.0 ports which support storage devices, and the ability to share files across a network…
and eSATA ports.

(The Linksys WRT1200AC AC1200 Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Wireless Router also has parental controls, and “guest access” for devices that may be used by visitors to the household.)

——————————————————————————

Andy downloaded and installed Windows 10 on a computer…if he can do it, so can you! Download it from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

——————————————————————————-

And we talk about preparing tax returns with a representative from TurboTax

Move stuff from old to new Windows…for free…

Need to get from an older version of Windows to a newer one?…

For transitioning from Windows XP to a later operating system, I stumbled across this:

“Microsoft has partnered with Laplink to provide you with data transfer tools that transfer selected files, folders, and more from an old Windows PC to a new Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 PC.

“24/7 free transfer assistance…

“Free download available from September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016. Will run only if source PC is Windows XP or later and destination PC is Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. The free data transfer will not migrate your apps.”

————————————————-

Also, just to toss this in here…a tool has been available from Laplink’s website. (Maybe it’s the same, or similar.)

“…Laplink PCmover Express for Windows XP is an easy way to move your files, settings and user profiles from your old Windows XP computer to your new Windows PC.

“Will run only if source PC is Windows XP and destination PC is Windows 7 or later. The free data transfer will not migrate your apps.

“24/7 Free transfer assistance…”

 

How to get the new U2 “Songs of Innocence” album {CONFIRMED!!!}

According to Apple, it was supposed to be too simple:

“Your album is already in your library, waiting for you to download. On your Mac or PC, open iTunes, then select the Albums tab. Select Songs of Innocence. Select a track to listen or click the iCloud icon to download.”

WRONG!!!  (Can you see the frustration in my text?…)

Another website gave information…that did not apply to me. My computers that have iTunes installed are using Windows 7 as the operating system. The instructions on http://radio.com/2014/09/10/how-to-download-delete-the-new-u2-album/ were incorrect for my configuration. In the comments section of that article, Nathan Bowhay (my new hero) is the person who provided the correct instructions that worked for me:

Click iTunes Store in the top right (not library)…
…click the house/home icon to the left of music…
…on the far right there is a QUICK LINKS section…click Purchased…
All your purchases including Songs of Innocence should be there and you can click the cloud on them to download them.

Thank you, Nathan!  Now maybe the throbbing that’s been in my head and neck the past few days will subside.

New Windows notebook to compete with Chromebooks?

It’s being reported that specifications for a Windows competitor to Chromebooks, for around $200, have been found…

I feel a strong need to comment on this issue. I’ve owned a Chromebook. And many “low-end” notebook computers. And have tried to use outdated computer hardware (notebooks and desktops) with various operating systems. Before you spend your money, I want to try to help you with your decisions about what to buy…and what not to buy.

The information about the possible upcoming HP Stream Notebook PC was publicized by http://www.mobilegeeks.de/hp-stream-199-dollar-notebook-kommt-mit-14-inch-display-amd-plattform-100-gb-onedrive-alle-details/

It should have a 14-inch screen. Anything less, and I have felt a bit cramped…as I do when using a netbook, or a large (10-inch) tablet with a keyboard. The keyboard on my Asus C7 Chromebook was smaller than a standard one. I was not comfortable using it over long periods of time.

The processor in the HP Stream is expected to be a quad-core AMD A4 Micro-6400T. When using Chrome OS, AND Windows, I have no complaints about the performance of dual-core processors…UNTIL:

I am trying to watch video, or stream something from the internet (including YouTube)…
I use multiple applications/programs and browsers…
I have multiple tabs open in a browser…
and I try to use some websites where they are heavy with whatever it is they feel the need to bombard me with (video/graphics, “dancing baloney”, etcetera).

I will never invest my money in any computer (or tablet) with less than a quad-core processor, and expect it to be able to reasonably render multimedia content. I’ve been very, very disappointed. (I have a notebook computer with Windows 7, 8 GB RAM, and it has a quad-core processor which I have no complaints about. I don’t like using my other computers that have Windows 7 and 8, 8 GB RAM, and dual-core processors in them: they lag and drag when I am using them with the internet.)

The HP Stream will probably come with only 2 GB RAM, that cannot be upgraded. We will all need to wait to find how this configuration might perform. There are Chromebooks available with 4 GB RAM, but none I’m aware of with quad-core processors.

If, as expected, it has at least a 32 GB drive…this will be a great incentive. I read a report from someone who was trying to download content from Google Play Movies & TV to his Chromebook ( https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-play-movies-tv/gdijeikdkaembjbdobgfkoidjkpbmlkd?hl=en ) but could not, because it had only a 16 GB storage drive.

A screen-shot of the specifications that were found is at http://1-ps.googleusercontent.com/h/www.mobilegeeks.de/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/605x1165xhp-stream-specs.gif.pagespeed.ic.YcCSaefr99.png

======================

I found a review that gave me answers to some questions I have about the more “powerful” Chromebooks…and I want to warn you about them:

“…Samsung…Chromebook 2 uses Samsung’s latest Exynos 5 chip…along with 4GB of RAM…It does fine as long as I’m only doing one thing at a time, but as soon as I open a bunch of tabs in rapid succession or try to stream music while I power through my RSS feeds, the Chromebook 2 starts to chug…

“…A number of manufacturers are working to put Intel’s latest chips into similarly priced Chromebooks, and every one I’ve tried works faster than this one. These devices don’t need to be exceptional, but before we’ll ever get any work done on Chrome OS they must keep up; the Chromebook 2 feels like it was running two steps behind me all the time, red-faced and breathing heavily.

“…I can’t imagine ever recommending a Chromebook without an Intel processor…

“…I can’t work on a laptop that can’t keep up with me — and I wouldn’t recommend anyone else do so either…”

http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/10/5788934/samsung-chromebook-2-review

 

 

Move from Windows XP, to Windows 8…for free!

I  received an e-mail about a product that might greatly benefit those needing to try to move from a computer running Windows XP, to one that is using Windows 8…

“For a limited time, Laplink is offering PCmover Home for free to users who are moving from an old XP computer…to setting up a new Windows 8.1 PC by moving all of their selected data, settings, and programs. PCmover Home includes application selectivity, folder selectivity, profile selectivity for logged on users, Free Transfer Assistance, and more.”

PCmover Home is available …

“…for only $19.95 to anyone else. Upgrade to the Professional version for just $20 more—now only $39.95!”

You’ll need to…

“…download your Laplink product and obtain your Serial Number…”

…and, per their website, you should be able to “transfer everything across a Laplink High-Speed Ethernet cable, network router, or Laplink USB…

“PCmover automatically moves all the programs, files and settings you select from your old PC to your new one and all of your applications will be installed automatically ready to use.

Read the “What You Should Know” section:

Some programs on your old computer may not be compatible with a newer operating system.
Files with Digital Rights Management (DRM), such as music files and programs that require keys or serial numbers with a hardware fingerprint, may require deactivation on the old PC and reactivation on the new PC.
Some programs with unique copy protection may need to be deactivated on the old PC then reactivated with their original key or serial number on the new PC.
If you are unable to deactivate applications on the old PC, please contact the software manufacturer for each respective application to have the license reactivated.
Users are responsible to follow user license agreements with each application that is moved.
You should remove trial software on the new computer if a full version exists on your old PC.
Antivirus and Anti-Spyware programs will not be moved to your new PC.
Specific hardware drivers will not be moved to your new PC.
Make sure to apply all appropriate Windows Updates (including .NET) to your new PC before performing a migration with PCmover.

The User Guide is available at http://download.laplink.com/documentation/pdf/pcmover/pcmhome/PCmover_8_Home_UG_ENG.pdf