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I want to make a side-by-side comparison of the iPhone 4S and an Android device that is aimed at the common user. Most of the reviews I have seen are aimed at the tech-savvy and geeky instead of at the average user that neither knows nor cares what version they have. They want the phone to work, and do it easily.

Anyone that has an Android device that would be willing to let me borrow it for about 2 weeks, please contact me.

Thank you! : )

Well, Windows 8 Developer Preview is gone. I couldn't take it any more, so reloaded the computer with Kubuntu Linux 11.04.

Happy!

Windows 3.1 and 3.11 = Good

Windows 95 = Bad

Windows 98 = Good

Windows Me = Bad

Windows XP = Good

Windows Vista = Bad

Windows 7 = Good

Windows 8 = Bad

Any questions?

I'm not really a developer, but the Win8 DP is available to anyone, so I thought I'd go ahead and give it a shot. See what Microsoft has been up to for a while. See what will be appearing on desktops around the world in years to come, especially since MS announced that Windows XP support dies once and for all in 2014.

I have Win8DP installed on a Dell Optiplex 755, which I'll grant you is not the most up to date and powerful computer in the world. It is, however, a computer that will run it and give me an idea of what the Win8 experience will be like.

Holy Cow.

It's a phone! Really, that's what they have made it. Sudoku is an app that comes with the system and when I open it, it says "Tap to start a new game". Tap?!? It has Airplane Mode. On a DESKTOP OS! It has a Lock Screen! You can select apps that are enabled to have notifications show on the Lock Screen. On a desktop. There is a Store, but it is not enabled in this release. Apps on the main screen also scroll information like in WP7. So is this a desktop OS or one for a phone/tablet? It might be pretty sweet for a tablet, but for a desktop? We'll see.

Windows 8 has a start screen, just like the one on Windows Phone 7. Hitting the "Start" button (and yes it is again called a Start button) takes you to the home screen instead of a menu. On this screen you will find square and rectangle icons that you wipe to move left and right. Each program in the system gets an icon on the start screen. They can be removed, and you can "pin" other things to the screen as well. Clicking one of these icons brings up a full screen program, which is ended by either tapping the Windows key or moving the cursor to the bottom left corner of the screen, which brings up the "Start" menu. This menu has 5 options: Start, Search, Share, Settings, and Devices.

Devices is not the Device Manager. It is the place to find connected devices like printers, MP3 players, and other peripherals. Settings, likewise, is not for the system. It brings up a very brief selection that has "Preferences" that only asks if you want to show Administrative Tools. Checking yes does nothing that I can see. It also shows icons for Network, Volume, Brightness, Notifications, Language, and the Power button to restart or shut down.

Share lets you share a screenshot. That appears to be about it that I can see. It does mention that you can only do that from desktop apps, and as I was in Windows Explorer with a file selected, that makes......sense? Being in Internet Explorer and clicking Share allows you to share to social media like Twitter and Socialite.

Start Screen icons can be moved just by dragging them, and the larger ones can be made smaller. Ones that started large and were made small can be made large again, but others cannot. Installing a program adds a small icon to the Start Screen to launch the program. Everything is fullscreen except when opened in the Desktop. Is the desktop the regular desktop, or is it just an app? I'm not sure right now.

All in all right now, I think Windows 8 has a long way to go to be taken seriously, especially by the corporate crowd that wants things simple and productive. This revision yet again complicates the OS. Everything is moved even worse than it was when Vista came out. I haven't yet installed much software on 8, but I am going to try so I can see how well it works.

More later.....?

A little known tool in Windows 7 is the Problem Step Recorder. This uber-handy tool will allow you to work your way through a task and record everything you do in it. It records keystrokes, mouse clicks, and it takes screenshots of everything.

1. Click Start --> Run
2. Type psr and click OK
3. Click Record
4. Perform the task that generates the error or is not working
5. Save the session (it walks you through this part) on the desktop or in the Documents folder (easier to locate again)

This handy little hack will help you find things much easier and takes up very little room. This works with Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. I'm not really sure if it will work with Windows 98 or 95, but it might if you are still using that for some reason. It does not work for Windows 3.1 or 3.11, as there is no toolbar. (How's that for complete version information?)

First, right-click on your taskbar and go to Toolbars -> New Toolbar. You will be greeted with a box to choose a folder. You can pick any folder you want, such as your Documents folder as an example. Navigate to your user folder and click once on your My Documents folder to choose it and then click OK. There is now a handy new toolbar near your clock. Click it and it will show all of the Files and folders in your My Documents. You can do this for any folder on your computer. I have my User folder on mine because then I can see Documents, Downloads, Music, and anything else I might want right handy.

More tips and tricks coming for Windows and Macs.

This should come as a real shock, but House Call Computing now has a page on Facebook (like everyone else in the known universe!) Visit it here and be sure to click "Like" for me. : )

Now, thanks to the wonderful iPhone and Square, I can take credit cards right on site. Accepted are Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover. I can take a debit card, but only if it can be run through as credit. They will appear on your bill / bank statement as House Call Computing. As always, I am working towards making things easier and more convenient for you.

I really missed the help desk. It was handy and allowed people to get with me easily from anywhere. When I changed servers it went away and I just didn't bother to put it back.

After several requests, I have put in a new help desk. This one is geared for businesses larger than mine, but it will certainly get the job done. At the moment the email notification system is not working properly, but I'm working on that as I do need it to work. : )

Feel free to create an account and test the system here.

*EDIT* - Email notifications are fixed and working fine now.

Computers that are able to be fixed by me: All of them. This includes Windows PCs and Macs. I am fully qualified and trained on working on and repairing both Windows (all versions since '95) and Macs (OS 9 and X).

If you are wanting to transition from one to the other, I can help with that as well. I can offer training for general use on any computer you may have, and how to use it for business purposes. I run this business on a Mac and assist both Mac and Windows customers from it.

Give me a call or email me to see if I can help with your needs. I'll be happy to do what I can for you and your business.

I got a new logo! The old one was ok, but I just didn't think it really was a good professional logo that represented how I make house calls. I think the new one does just that. I admit that I designed it on one of those free logo sites and it wasn't made just for me, but that's ok! I think it looks great and I'm keeping it.

Man, it's amazing how many crashes there have been with this snowy weather. Cars off the road, pile ups on the freeways. People stuck in driveways and even side roads. It's just a bad season.

Wouldn't it be easier for you to just have the computer repair done at your place instead of driving through this mess and lugging that tower inside - all to have to bring it back home and try to get everything plugged back in correctly?

With House Call Computing, that's exactly what will happen! You sit in your easy chair while I do all the work and get you all fixed up. And all of that at the new less expensive rate of just $75/hour!

(Steve Ballmer impression begins) Now what would you pay?!? But wait! There's mooooore!

Ok, there really isn't more. I just like doing crazy impressions. : )

To make things easier during the current economic situation, I have decided to reduce my onsite rate from $90/hour down to $75/hour. I am hopeful that this will make it easier on both homes and businesses to be able to get their equipment serviced and repaired.

Please remember that there is still a one hour minimum on a service call. This is to cover my travel expenses and any other costs. Even if I am only there for 10 minutes because I get things fixed lickety-split, the minimum still applies. The good news is that you have me for that hour so you can ask me about the other little things that don't really warrant a call. Kill multiple birds with just one hour long stone!

It's so important to maintain the computers that we depend on so much. It is even more important to have a data backup solution in place so that when - not if - something goes wrong, you can get through it without losing your information. Ask about different solutions for backing up your data. It's less expensive than you think, especially considering what is at stake.

Well, I sure hope everyone had a great time over Christmas and New Year. I and my family had a great time and everyone came through it unscathed.

The New Year Sale is over, and thanks to those that took advantage of the lower pricing. I always love being able to see the cool techno toys everyone gets for Christmas.

Anyone else needing help getting your computer set up, camera connected and working, or anything else you may need - backup solutions, printing, networking - be sure to let me know so we can schedule something. As always, you can check the calendar and make sure the time you need is available.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Christmas. Spend as much time with the family as possible, as that is what really matters.

For this week only - now to New Year - take 20% off of a House Call. Instead of $90/hour, you only will have $72/hour. What a deal! Is that great or what? Get your new present set up and working and save money at the same time. 387-3871 for more information, or email rob(at)robroye(dot)com.

(Email is written that way so I don't get a flood of spam from the bots crawling the web looking for new addresses)

Everyone have a safe and merry Christmas. Be with those you love and just concentrate on loving them. Happiness and love is the most valuable thing in the universe, so enjoy at least a whole day of it.

After Christmas is over, remember that HCC can help you with getting those new gifts up and running! : )

I'm working on getting the website to the point that it is working as it should and has some good information on it. I want to let people know about HCC and the benefits there are to my services. More coming soon.