This tablet's on fire! (Not literally!)

So, this year for Christmas I received some really neat items. One of them was an Amazon branded tablet (which I also happen to be starting out on as I am writing this review).

There are a lot of neat things about this tablet. The Amazon Silk browser is almost as good as Google's Chrome. Reading on it is nice as well because the resolution is adjustable to make the print easier to see. 

Once I got the device, I almost immediately decided to set it up. First it went through the process, and when it got to the Amazon part, it automatically connected to Matt and Emily's Prime account, which made the whole process quite a lot easier. I also got a folio cover case to go with it, as well as a set of three screen protectors, all of which installed without any real hassle.

The tablet also takes really nice pictures, which, in terms of quality, are better than Nintendo's handhelds, but not quite as good as the Samsung Galaxy S3, and I didn't notice that the Fire tablet had a flash feature, but I'll look into that more at some point.

I've only installed six apps on the tablet so far, and all of them have been, for the most part, satisfactory. 

The LDS Gospel Library is on par with the variation that I have on my phone, so I haven't had any issues with it.

Sonic CD is, for the most part, easy to control (and apparently that one was downloaded from my brother's Amazon Cloud drive!). 

I also have an app called OverDrive, which allows the tablet to connect to any public library lending system in the country, and my library card from Ohio is apparently still valid, so until it expires, I won't have to get a new card for Colorado or mooch off of my brother's card anymore. 

This will also most likely be how I read books I review in the future, so be warned, when future ISBN's show up on Literary Novelties, they will most likely be for the eBook version and not the physical hardcover version, unless I start listing both separately and accordingly.

One picture example that I will admit is missing from this review is for the interface itself. Because it is an Amazon product, the interface is much more customized when compared with other Android-based products, such as the Samsung Galaxy S3.

While some would say that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, in order to obtain access to services with other app ecosystems, such as Google Play, it is, ironically, a requirement to root the tablet itself. 

All in all, for the most part, I would recommend this device to someone whom is unsure about what kind of tablet that they are interested in, and also for someone who doesn't have a GMail address, and therefore, no ties to Google Play.

On that note, even though I do have ties to the latter, this is still a fairly solid device, and although I would most likely have to root the tablet to have Google Play installed (I've read circumstances to the contrary, but I have doubts about them), the Amazon app store does have a decent app selection in its own right (more on that next in the top five section).

At any rate, if there is some uncertainty about what types of apps should be downloaded to the tablet, fear not, I am able to shed some light on that subject. I even have had some experience with this before, because my very first Android tablet (made by "Polaroid" (Southern Telecom--the original company went bankrupt and the trademark was acquired) exclusively had the Amazon App Store pre-installed on it.

With that, here are five apps that I would definitely recommend installing right off the bat. Keep in mind that some of these may or may not be free, but that depends on what Amazon's "free app of the day" is.

5) Flow - This is a sort of "connect the dots" kind of game where you have to match each colored dot with each other and make a corresponding line. It's fun and also a good way to calm one's nerves and unwind after a stressful day.

4) OverDrive - For electronic books, despite being an Amazon device, this app is probably the way to go. It synchronizes with the library of you choice, providing you add your card number and corresponding PIN.

3) OfficeSuite Pro - While most likely not as complete as Microsoft Office, it seems as though it is still a viable alternative, especially since the Kindle Fire does not have Google Play, and only Microsoft Word seems to be available on the Amazon App Store.

2) Amazon Silk - Yes, it seems like kind of a cop-out to list the Kindle's built-in browser as one of the top apps available for it, but it handles browsing the internet just as well, if not better than Google Chrome. Also, cop-outs are the primary reason why this app is listed at number two. It didn't seem right to state that the best feature of a tablet was its browser.

1) LDS Gospel Library - Compared with its Android (Google Play) counterpart, this version reads a lot more nicely since the Kindle Fire can have its print scaled up a notch or two.

So there we have it. Those are five apps to get a new Kindle Fire owner started. As I get more familiar with the device, I will probably make another list. In the meantime, I plan to have more fun with the device and get to know it better. 

Confessions of a Nintendo Apologist

I have been a long-time fan of Nintendo from the get-go (which dates back to the times mentioned in Blake Harris' book, Console Wars). However, in recent years, they've done some things regarding pricing that don't exactly sit well with me.

First off, the pricing methods used with Wii U games hasn't set well with me. Sure, it's nice to have retail box games available in the Nintendo eShop, especially if a user wants to do some game shopping during a blizzard. However, the fact that the prices for digital games v. their retail box counterparts are identical is nothing short of frustrating. The biggest rant on this front is Super Mario Maker. While I am excited for the game itself, I feel as if I purchased it myself, I would prefer to wait a year instead of buying it right away (nobody take any hints from this--it's a general rant!).

Another rant of mine regards the pricing of their name brand peripherals. I have held off purchasing additional Wii remotes and Wii U Pro controllers because the asking prices for them aren't exactly thrifty in price. In fact, when the Wii Remote Plus was first introduced, my initial thought was something along the lines of "Why didn't Nintendo have a limited-time upgrade offer for those of us that bought the original Wii Remote?!" I do understand that a company needs to make a profit, but at the same time, I feel that the with the eighth generation of consoles, game companies have put profits ahead of customer bottom line, which is why I have no issues shopping at third party retailers for used games and hardware (to cut out the middle man). 

Why Buy New When Used Will Do?

About two weeks ago, I mentioned a couple of tablet computers I was interested in that double as laptops. One was the Microsoft Surface Book and the other was the Google Pixel C. Well, I have since realized that I don't necessarily need a new PC for school or Windows 10, for that matter. After finding out that Newegg.com was selling certain older PC models in the sub-$200 range, with reasonably decent specs, I narrowed my options down to two that I am really interested in.

Dell XT2 Docking Station

Dell XT2 shown halfway-orientated
into tablet mode.

This particular option would come

in quite handing for school tasks, 

such as note taking, among others.

Dell Lattitude XT2: This is a 2-in-1 that has Windows 7 pre-installed on it, but the units I am considering do not come with a stylus or DVD burner. While this may seem like a tragedy, Most software is available as a digital download these days, and at one point, I was considering a DVD burner for my desktop anyway. There is an after-market docking station available for this particular model, however, that restores DVD burning functionality, but it is not included in the cost of the laptop itself.

The other tragedy would be that this particular item does not come with a stylus, but those are so affordable to come by these days, that I would only have to go somewhere like Best Buy, Walmart, Office Depot, or even as unlikely of a spot as Big Lots to solve that particular issue. 

Amazon Pricing: Click Here Newegg Pricing: Click Here
Dock (Amazon): Click Here Newegg Price Unavailable

HP 6910P: This particular laptop comes with a DVD burner built in to the computer. Having the extra feautre also makes the computer in question a little on the bulkier side when compared with the Dell XT2, however, the trade off is that the cost of the DVD burner is already factored into the unit itself. It also still looks less bulky than the current Toshiba laptop that I have written this article on. While I wouldn't mind a computer with this design, I am leaning more towards the Dell XT2 because I can leave the DVD burner at home if I do not need it for a particular class assignment that day.

HP 6910p. Left/Right Side Shown.

While having the DVD burner would be a nice addition, in this day and age, having an optical drive to install software is almost unnecessary. A while back I wrote either in here or in my memoir that I was able to find full versions of my favorite childhood DOS games available for download on "abandon-ware" websites for free. Optical drives also have a tendency to make a laptop weigh more in the long run, and sometimes it would be nice to detach it and save the extra weight on class days where I do not need it.

Amazon Pricing: Click Here

Newegg Pricing: Click Here

As for my final verdict between the two, I am leaning towards the Dell XT2. At the risk of cursing my choice, I have had the most success with their hardware, and the cooling systems they use on their hardware have a habit of running quietly while still keeping the machine from overheating. I can also appreciate the lighter-weight benefit that would come from leaving a DVD burner at home on the days where I need to carry a laptop to class for note-taking and other purposes, which the Dell XT2 would fulfill quite nicely, especially with an affordable modern after-market stylus.   

Microsoft Office Subscription: Is it cost-effective?

I recently applied for (and got accepted into) Red Rocks Community College. I specifically applied for the Health Sciences program, whose campus is in Arvada, Colorado, which is sort of in the general vicinity of Downtown Denver. But anyway, for this article, that is kind of beside the point.

One of the benefits of this particular academic institution is the fact that they give their students a license for Microsoft Office 365 at no additional cost. When it was first introduced with Windows 8, I was intrigued at the concept. In short, the consumer pays an eight-dollar monthly fee, and receives software upgrades at no additional cost when they are released, as long as the subscription is still valid. 

The subscription, if purchased at retail price, grants a user five desktop licenses, as well as five additional tablet and phone licenses, each. This costs one hundred dollars per year, and also comes with an hour of the paid version of Skype, so there are a lot of benefits.

On the reverse side, a retail box copy of the current version of Microsoft Office (now 2016 for both Mac and PC) is a flat fee of one hundred and fifty dollars (all prices are United States dollars) and not only doesn't get the additional perks of Office 365, but once the Office license is purchased, the user is stuck with the current version of Office on their machine with no hope for an upgrade unless another retail product is purchased.  

Initially, I thought that the pricing meant that Office 365 would be a waste of money, especially since when it was introduced, Microsoft hadn't updated Office for Macintosh since 2011 -- not that I had ever intended to purchase a Mac in the first place. However, a few weeks ago, Microsoft released Office 2016 (as mentioned above) and it was released for Macintosh as well as PC. The cost for the full retail version, as also mentioned above, was between one hundred fifty and four hundred dollars, depending on the version purchased. When placed in this perspective, Office 365 is a bargain.  

The subscription also includes licenses for up to ten mobile devices for the Home version, and up to three for the University edition, but in the latter case, there is a cost of one PC license if three mobile licenses are used. Ironically, Microsoft's Office Mobile apps are already available in the Google Play Store at no charge, regardless of whether the user has Office 365 or not, and I already have them installed on my phone (see Just Made an App Swap) so this isn't really good or bad news, it's just news. On the flip side, though, a person can just head over to Google Play and download the apps separately and save one of their licenses for a desktop or laptop computer as well.

All in all, I feel that yes, Office 365 is a cost effective alternative to its full retail counterpart. While I was skeptical at first, I have practically become converted to the concept, and I will admit, that having a license handed out to me by an academic institution just for enrolling with them might have swayed my vote.  

Replacing Vista: Where to go From Here

My Toshiba laptop is getting a little long in the tooth, and I have been throwing ideas around regarding what I should do to replace it and put the beast out to pasture (it's a sobering thought of irony, since the machine I typed this on is the one I am considering replacing!).

Anyway, I have had several thoughts, from nixing the laptop altogether and adding a couple of parts to my Dell desktop, to getting a completely different computer. I even at one point considered getting a 2-in-1, such as the Microsoft Surface Pro, HP x2 or x360. However, every time I try to reach a final decision, I always end up back at square one with no decision reached whatsoever.

At one point, I considered purchasing a Google Pixel device. The problem with that is both models that have been released have been Chromebooks, and after my experience with the Samsung 500c, I had just about sworn them off. That was until I saw an article for the Pixel C Tablet. Despite being an Android product, it at least doesn't stick you with Chrome and nothing else, and actually tries to be an every day use computing device.

Google's Pixel C Tablet. Introduced instead of a flagship Chromebook.

Well, today I saw a review for a couple of new Microsoft Surface devices. Now ordinarily, I would pretty much ignore news like this, and I have only ever considered purchasing a Surface tablet once. Just the fact that they only sell half of a computer with a starting price of $500 is pretty outrageous in my mind, but on the other hand, Apple sells the iPad for about that price, and technically speaking, since a person needs Team Viewer or another piece of Remote Desktop protocol software to do anything productive on it, it really only counts as 1/4 of a computer. On that note, it drives me nuts how quickly these have been adopted in the Enterprise market.

Anyway, I found the a fore-mentioned article in my Facebook news feed, and it was "click bait" at first sight. It seems as though every two years, Microsoft decides to upgrade their "flagship" (another overused word in the technology industry) tablet, just as Apple and Google do with their phones (although Apple and Samsung's cycle seems to be about six months anymore!--but that's beside the point).

I then take a look at the article, and discover that not only is Microsoft making a fourth Surface Pro tablet, but they are also making a (nearly) full-functioning laptop. Dubbed the "Surface Book," this thing has a sort of appeal that hasn't won me over on a new computer in a while. It also comes with Windows 10, and seems as though it will fit in a backpack without weighing a person down. 

Microsoft Surface Book. Announced today.

After seeing the article (and a picture similar to the above one to go with it), my interest is captivated. Sure, it doesn't have a DVD burner or other type of disc drive, but in this day and age, practically nobody needs one. Besides, if I did go with the parts option mentioned above, it would save some weight when toting around in between classes. 

All in all, the Surface Book seems like a real winner in mine (pun intended!). At some point after it is released, I feel as though I ought to go down to the Park Meadows Mall in Centennial and try it out. It looks as though it is a really solid device. 

Just made an app swap. Feeling Perplexed.

Yes, you read that correctly. One of the apps I initially downloaded and recommended was 'Microsoft Office Mobile.' Well, today, I gave in to Microsoft's nagging and uninstalled the particular app in question. 

In its place, I downloaded the four individual mobile components that are found in the Home and Student version of Microsoft Office 2010. That consists of Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft OneNote. Microsoft Outlook and a couple of other apps were also displayed on the Google Play Store, but I decided to opt out of these because I already use GMail, and since I am not an Enterprise customer, I don't have any need for Outlook, Lync, SharePoint, or Remote Desktop Connection.

All in all, the individual apps feel like an improvement. As of this writing, I just tried the PowerPoint app to make sure I would not be disappointed, and so far, I like it better than the desktop version of Office 2013. This is probably because Office 2013, along with Windows 8, was designed with touch enabled mobile devices in mind, because I tried it on Windows 7 back when I was taking classes at Sinclair, and I felt that the software was somewhat horrible. 

Yes, it's not very practical to create a project on a four-inch screen, however, since I only have one computer with Microsoft Office, it will be nice to have more than one device that I can create, edit and view documents on. 

For Microsoft Word, click here

For Microsoft Excel, click here 

For Microsoft PowerPoint, click here 

For Microsoft OneNote, click here

Five More Must Have Android Apps

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a favorable review of the Samsung Galaxy S3, an Android smartphone that is capable of running version 4.4 (a.k.a. "Kit Kat") of the operating system. Since the writing of said article, I have found another five apps to make a list of. A couple of apps on this list will look familiar, as I have written individual reviews for them. Keep in mind that all of them are free, so there might be ad placement.

5) Tetris - Electronic Arts Click Here

This game has been ported seventy ways from Sunday since its initial debut on Nintendo's GameBoy. E.A.'s particular rendition is fairly decent and worth downloading. I have tried it a couple of times, and have not been disappointed by it. 

4) Acrobat Reader - Adobe Click Here

When I first saw this available in the Google Play Store, I might have scoffed at it. However, it has actually proven to be quite useful, because Google Cloud Print defaults to "Save as PDF" if you are using Chrome and it is also handy for storing coupons that are sent though a user's email address.

3) Messenger - Facebook Click Here

While not absolutely necessary, if you spend a lot of time on Facebook, it is quite handy to have. Apparently, a lot of Facebook applications that would normally be used in a desktop web browser instead have separate counterparts, and just like 'Words With Friends' and 'Candy Crush,' the chat feature of Facebook is no exception. I found this out the hard way when I tried to check a message using the regular Facebook mobile app.

2) Facebook - Facebook Click Here

As previously stated, it's pretty pointless to not have one app without the other. While the Facebook Messenger app allows a user to chat with others, the Facebook app allows a user to browse their news feed, as well as post status updates, and things like that. In a sense, it is the "Home" and "Profile" screens of the Facebook website, but redesigned for a user's mobile phone.

1) Remember the Milk - Click Here

This app tops the list because it initially got its own separate review (click here). It is a handy scheduling app that acts just like those old day planners that your high school used to give out for free at the beginning of the year and may or may not have had coupons included with them. I haven't had much experience with it, but I feel that once I either update my weekly goals, or enroll in college, it will prove to be quite useful.

Using Video to Reinvent Education

A few months ago, I wrote a review of the academic website, Khan Academy, and while I still have the love-hate relationship with the website itself. I have a new respect for it's founder and namesake. The man in question, 'Salman Khan,' is a really good public speaker, and quite frankly, has really good ideas. 

My issue with it, and this is partly my fault, is that the user has to find another person with an account on the website in order to find direct support. Since I signed up on my own without having access to a coach's ID, it has felt a lot like 'MyMathLab,' but without the $100+ cost for an access code (and at least MML has built-in support!). 

But at any rate, anyone should watch this TED talk. You will definitely be glad you did. Here is the link below. Feel free to get the discussion and insight going in the comments section following the article, as well.

http://www.ted.com/talks/salman_khan_let_s_use_video_to_reinvent_education?language=en  

Guess I don't Need the Roku 3 After All!

One thing I discovered after I set up my phone was the Roku Mobile App. This allows your smartphone to be able to search for items based on a person's vocal commands (it seems as though everyone has jumped on this fantasy-turned-reality feature of technology!). It has been a nice feature to have, even with just using Google Now to search for items without having to type meticulous items on a smartphone's on-screen keyboard.  

Prior to this, the only way I would have been able to use this functionality would have been either through newer streaming boxes, such as Amazon's FireTV or the newest generation of Roku 3. Since I have an older Roku 2 XS with a few firmware upgrades, the only feature I can't do with the phone is play games, however, considering that I needed batteries to use the remote to set up my phone, it's not too bad having a spare remote available. 

Anyway, I just discovered today that the my smartphone's Roku Mobile App allows the user to use voice search. I haven't taken too much advantage of this yet, but that may change in the near future. On another note, I have previously used 'Google Now,' which is Google's answer to Apple's Siri and Microsoft's Cortana. If a person has a microphone either built in or attached to their computer, and is using Google Chrome, then Google Now can be enabled on their computer's installment of Google Chrome, but that's another blog post. 

Between Voice Search on my Samsung S3, and game buttons on the Roku remote, the only features I am missing from a new Roku box are "easy access" buttons that instantly take a user to Amazon, Hulu, etc., and the presumably faster processor. However, the trade off is that I can use my existing box on any TV with A\V inputs, and I still have the important features, like the Game Remote, Ethernet, as well as MicroSD and USB storage options.

Roku Voice Search using the Samsung Galaxy S3

There was Something I was Supposed to do Today....

One of the apps that I forgot to add to my list of must-haves for an Android device is called 'Remember the Milk.' Now, I understand what you might be thinking, and no, it's not a grocery list app. I actually checked with my brother on this one, and the one that does fit that particular criterion is called 'Out of Milk.' 

This one, on the other hand, is more of a daily planner app, or "task scheduler" that  the user can set different tasks for, as well as have corresponding reminders set for each task in question. After I had my phone set to factory default, it was actually one of the first apps I installed (after the Roku app). I haven't got a chance to get to know it very well, but I have high hopes that at some point I will probably have said opportunity, especially if I enroll at a college somewhere (most likely Aurora or Denver if I do end up pursuing the X-Ray technician field). At any rate, the interface for the app is very simple, probably to the point where it makes Microsoft Outlook seem like a "Power User's" best friend. 

Overall, I would definitely recommend it to a new Android user, and when I was looking for different examples of pictures, it looks as though it is compatible with iOS as well.   

An example of the interface of 'Remember the Milk' I can only assume from the lack of branding that these are either devices that didn't get branding permission in the examples, or they are Nexus devices.

Introducing: The Next Big Thing (of 2012)

Around the end of July, I wrote about how great having an iPhone would be. Well, a month and two weeks have passed since that writing, and I have finally jumped on the smartphone "bandwagon." After Emily returned from her sister's wedding, she brought a Samsung Galaxy S3 with her, and told me that instead of an iPhone (or other new phone for that matter) that I would be able to use this instead. At first, I was hesitant, because used hardware has a tendency to wear out faster, plus I had heard about Samsung's "proprietary" software flaws, so I was skeptical at first.

Along with said post, I included five apps that I would be interested in, as well as a particular smartphone case. My Samsung S3 already has a protective lid for the screen, and therefore, that would be one less accessory that I would have to purchase, which, retrospectively, is definitely a positive.

Front of Samsung Galaxy S3 (cover on)

The other nice thing about this phone, is that it has Google Play pre-installed. The first Android device I ever had was a seven-inch tablet that I bought at BigLots for only $100, and came with the Amazon Appstore. Later on, after I lost the receipt, I sold it to Second Time Around for around $40, because they said they could only sell it for $60. Needless to say, after this first Android experience, I was fairly skeptical. 

At one point, I had considered trying a "third-party" mobile operating system, such as Ubuntu or Windows Phone. When I first strongly considered Ubuntu, it could be installed directly on top of Android, thus being able to "dual-boot" in the same respect that Wubi allows with a PC without harming the primary partition.

Back of Samsung Galaxy S3

After Ubuntu and Android parted ways, I strongly considered Windows Phone. My first pick of a device for this OS was the HTC One M8, and I had also noticed that I would be able to do work on it because Microsoft Office came preinstalled on the device. I thought for sure that I had a winner.

After some convincing, I eventually changed my mind again, and decided that the iPhone would be practical. For only $30 (after contract) I would get a phone with around 32GB of storage, and (presumably) a fairly stable operating system. However, once the events in paragraph one took place, I took the time to get to know the Samsung Galaxy S3.  

Well, before it was activated and reset, I was able to get familiar with Android Kit Kat (v4.4 of the OS) and overall, it felt a lot more stable than the tablet that I used to have. Now that I have it all to myself, I have already been able to find some decent apps for it. I have listed my top five choices (this is partly because I have only installed that many so far) and I feel pretty good about them.

I have now included five free apps from the Google Play Store that I feel will be very beneficial. As I get more acquainted with the phone, I will probably make another list, but here it goes:

Front of Samsung Galaxy S3 (uncovered)

5) Microsoft Office Mobile Click Here

If creating and editing documents on a smartphone doesn't bother you, then I would say go for it. It's also a nice way to get Genuine Microsoft Office while giving Microsoft the "financial bird." A word of warning however, is that if it asks, then you will probably have to download each individual app separately. From what I can tell, these are Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, and Outlook. 

4) RTD TransitWatch Click Here

This is a really handy way to use public transit without having mountains and mountains of bus schedules scattered throughout the house. However, considering that it only covers Colorado, it will be pretty useless if the user lives in another state.

3) Pokemon Shuffle Click Here

This is a nice little puzzle game released by Nintendo, originally for the Nintendo 3DS. This also happens to be the first place where I downloaded and played it. Playing it on a mobile phone has felt like a slightly different experience, however, this is mostly because the Samsung S3 does not have a stylus included with it. However, it still feels like a quality ported game.

2) Roku Mobile App Click Here

I initially downloaded this before I had the phone reset, and ironically, I couldn't set it up with my box until it was set up on the Wi-Fi with the remote it came with.  All in all, it's nice to be able to use because I can leave the remote aside and not worry about whether or not I should use the wrist strap. The only downside is that it doesn't allow me to play games. I assume this is because the firmware on my Roku is convinced that I do not have a game remote attached.

1) LDS Gospel Library Click Here

This comes in quite handy becuase it reduces the amount of books one has to carry on Sunday. The most recent update to it is really nice because in the past, the user had to download each book in the library individually. However, the most recent version allows the user to access the book instantaneously without waiting to download each one. I used the app in the past on a previous tablet, and I feel that the new feature is a major improvement.

As I get more apps, I will probably make additional lists. For now, however, this is a good solid start for most new Android users. The build of the Galaxy S3 is very nice as well, and I look forward to getting to know it better.

New Furniture! :)

A couple of days ago, someone that lives in our apartment complex (and got us the recommendation) was packing up for a move, and offered us a few pieces of furniture that she did not want to take with her. One of them was a desk that had a very nice looking wood finish on it, and the other two were a matching pair of bookcases that, at first glance, I thought that they merged together to make a changing table. 

So anyway, we go to pick up the furniture in question, and it is interestingly quite heavy, especially considering that all of the pieces do not have anything stored on them at the time. Besides the obvious "holy crap, this stuff weighs a ton!"), my first reaction was something along the lines of a comment on how nice looking it is. Once we get the furniture over to our apartment, either Matt or Emily ask me if I would like to use the desk for my computer instead of the white table that I was using at the time. After studying it for a couple of minutes, and trying to picture how it would look, I accepted the offer and we moved it next to my bed, not exactly facing the window, but instead facing the wall with the smoke alarm. 

To take precautionary measures, I decided to turn off my computer first because I heard once that if you move a computer while it is running, then there is a chance that if the computer is shaken, then the mechanical components of the hard drive will cease to function because of the friction from being shaken. I also unplugged everything from the wall because that way there would not be as much resistance from my electrical outlets, including the USB ports.

All in all, the table is actually the perfect height. I also noticed the horse-shaped drawer knob on the right-hand standalone drawer, and considered it to be a nice touch, even though it did not match the other four knobs on the left. The only caveat is that I have to be careful when adjusting stuff so that I do not scratch the wood finish, which is a perfectly reasonable request.

     

Godfather, there's a horse on my desk! Why?!

Set the traps! We have an infestation!

Of course, I don't mean an actual living mouse (or mice, as the case may be). I am, of course, instead referring to the pointing device that connects to a person's computer. Over the years, I've gotten very familiar with the personal computer, and I have seen several different types of these buggers over the years, especially while working in the field of recycling electronic waste. Probably the biggest improvement we've made this century is eliminating the need for that stupid ball that every high school kid (except me) has stolen at least once, and replacing it with an optical sensor that is almost akin to a robotic eye, as seen below.

Mechanical v. Optical mice, as shown in this diagram.

Most of these come in the form of two or three buttons. Others, especially those made by Apple, usually only have one gigantic button, or a sensor that can mirror either one button or two. In recent years, although probably as far back as Windows 98, manufacturers started replacing the middle button with a scroll wheel instead of the full middle button. This made browsing web pages easier, as well as file folders and other programs where all of the information presented to the user could not fit on the screen at one time. Somewhere along the line as well, some internet user(s) that designed mice for a living also decided that they were too lazy to click the browser buttons on their computers, and so we also started seeing "browser buttons" on mice as well, such as the IBM Optical Navigator Mouse (not actually manufactured by IBM, but whatever).

Logitech trackball with scroll wheel. 

Before the rise of the optical mouse, however, we saw the rise of the trackball. Apple was probably the only manufacturer to actually include it on a laptop, but don't quote me on that. With practice, proper care, as well as proper usage, they can prove themselves to be quite useful, especially for the trade of computer graphic design. I remember using one a lot throughout my childhood because my father preferred them to traditional mice. In that respect, they are still easier to clean than a mouse, but still not practical unless you're the exact niche audience for using one. Personally, I still say get me an optical mouse any day over this.

An example of a touch pad, as outlined above. 

And then there's this thing. Originally a laptop exclusive, Apple has tried making them mainstream in their desktop market, although the success rate, as far as I'm concerned, is unknown, because I am not an Apple enthusiast. In recent years, manufacturers have tinkered around with how to "improve" them, such as streamlining the buttons, which makes the scrolling surface bigger, to adopting previous niche features, such as Apple's two-finger click  for right-clicking. Personally, I still prefer a mouse, but if I had to use a touch pad, I'd prefer one with two physical buttons and a smaller scrolling area. Sure, that might make me a simpleton, but if it isn't broke, don't go looking for a fix to it "just because."

uDraw? So do I!

Okay, now that I have the bad pun out of the way, on to the post! So today I went to the Second and Charles location in Aurora with my brother and his family, and after some careful decision making, I splurged and bought myself a uDraw tablet for the Wii. Initially, I had considered purchasing the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 version, because both of those would be easier to connect to a Windows computer. However, today felt different. Before all of this started, we went to the Denver Fire Fighter's Museum (more on that in my Memoir, 'Exodus,'). At some point we also had lunch at McDonald's and then we finally went to the above mentioned store.

uDraw tablet with stylus and Wii Remote attachment showing.

uDraw Tablet and uDraw Studio GameBox.

Last time I had been to the store, they had the uDraw tablet available for at least two, but possibly three consoles: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii--the PS3 version is the one I can't necessarily vouch for. This time, I had only been able to spot the Wii version, and the price was reasonable. For only ten dollars (plus the obligatory sales tax) I was able to get the Wii version of the tablet, which, except for the attached stylus, is basically a hollow plastic shell with a nun chuck-style cord dangling off of it, and a rectangular hole for the Wii remote to stay in place, and the game uDraw Studio. After trying the game, I noticed that in a nutshell, it was a glorified coloring book with a few other features, and was almost as fun as Mario Paint (in fact, I kind of wish they would port a version of that particular game to use with the accessory). 

uDraw tablet with stylus docked and Wii Remote docked.

Since it relies on the Wii Remote for base control, having to aim the tablet just right was a bit of a challenge at first, but within minutes, I was able to aim the tablet correctly and use the stylus to color in pictures with minimal issues. As of this writing, I am still figuring out which tool does what, as well as how to color in using the stylus, but the potential for the product seems promising, especially because there is a variation of the board game 'Pictionary' available as a separate purchase. 

Drawing tools interface of uDraw Studio, as show through the Wii U GamePad.

Namco and Nintendo: Let's Rekindle a Match Made in Heaven!

My brother Matt over at Syntactic Sugar was having a discussion with me earlier today, and the subject of games for the Wii U came up. Well, since I own the console, and use it quite often, this is one of my favorite subjects, because I like to see what kind of games can utilize its hardware to its fullest potential. After much discussion, I settled on five that I would love to see at some point, either in disc form, or downloadable content from the Nintendo e-Shop:

5) Pac Pix -- This is one that my brother initially suggested, and given that Nintendo has bee porting Nintendo DS games to the Wii U's virtual Console, I see it as a distinct possibility. While it wouldn't be my first choice of game, I could see myself playing it on the condition of Namco fixing the stupid rule that the player absolutely has to draw Pac-Man a certain way or lose a life.

Screenshot of Pac Pix for Nintendo DS

4) Pac Man Championship Edition -- Initially, my first experience playing this game was on an arcade machine at either Dave & Buster's or Scene 75--probably the latter, since I have been there more recently. My first impression was excitement with a hint of giddiness, as well as disappointment when I initially couldn't play it at home. After I obtained the Roku 2 XS, however, this disappointment changed to excitement and happiness when I realized that the game was available in the Roku Channel Store. Regardless, however, it would be nice to play the game without having the television running.

Screenshot of Pac Man Championship Edition - Xbox 360 Version

3) Pac And Roll -- This is another Nintendo DS game that would work perfectly well if it was ported to the Nintendo DS, and compared with Pac Pix, it doesn't have any stupid or arbitrary rules for how to set up Pac Man in a certain way. Again, since Nintendo has started porting the Nintendo DS library to the Wii U, I see more likeliness of this game happening than not. I'm not crossing my fingers, or holding my breath, but it's nice to show a little optimism sometimes, providing it doesn't come back to haunt later. From the screenshot, the closest way to describe it is "Super Monkey Ball with Pac Man."

Screenshot of Pac and Roll. Looks like Super Monkey Ball, right?!

2) Katamari Damacy -- As much as I hate to disrupt the theme of Pac-Man, my second best choice for a Namco game being ported to the Wii U would be this. Between the Wii U having the dual-analog controls, as well as the convenience of off-television play, this game seems as though it would be a no-brainer for the console. Plus, to make things even more interesting, there could be an extra mode or controller setting that allowed the player to use the Wii U's gyroscopic motion controls along with or instead of the dual analogue joysticks. Perhaps I'm the only one whom feels this way, however, maybe if enough people read this, demand will start to churn.

Screenshot from the PlayStation 2 Game 'Katamari Damacy'

1) Pac Man Vs. -- With other games for the Wii U supporting five players at once, such as Super Mario Brothers/Luigi U, I feel that the fact that this game DOESN'T exist for the Wii U is a crime against humanity. With both the GameCube and Nintendo DS versions, only three players could play ghosts while one person played a round of Pac-Man. My theory is that a person can use the Wii U Game Pad as a fifth controller, in the same respect that New Super Mario/Luigi U does, however, instead of just providing extra platforms in the respect that 'New Super' does, instead, the fifth player plays a round of the game Pac-Man on the Game Pad screen while the other four players -- yes, four (the GameCube version had three) play as the otherwise non-playable ghosts 'Blinky', 'Pinky', 'Inky', and 'Clyde' -- or 'Sue' if you're playing Ms. Pac-Man.

And that's another thing. Since we already had Pac Man Vs. on both home console and portable, I feel that this new port of Pac Man Vs. should be 'Ms. Pac-Man' themed. Not only would it be a nice change of pace, but it would also round up fans who preferred the sequel anyway. And with that, I leave you with this final screenshot of Pac Man Vs. for the Nintendo GameCube. It was the first result to pop up on Google Images:

Pac Man Vs. for Nintendo GameCube. This screenshot shows the TV and GBA screens.

DVD burning process placed on hold

A few months ago (in March, to be exact), I wrote a post explaining how easy it was to convert one's personal VHS collection to DVD using a fully functional TV tuner, as well as a laptop with a DVD burner. Well, a few months ago, without any warning, my laptop's DVD burner decided to quit finalizing discs. 

This unfortunate event has put the entire process on hold, which hasn't bothered my brother or Emily (they're the ones I was doing it for). However, the fact that I am left stranded with just extra blank discs and nothing to burn them with (I offered to complete the project if I could borrow one of theirs -- they were okay with holding out) has felt, to say the least, frustrating. 

To remedy the situation, I looked in to different options, from external burners, to new laptops, to an internal model or two that seems as though one of them would fit my current Dell desktop computer, and the price(s) were affordable, so I seriously took the options into consideration, especially considering that it would be much less expensive to add an additional piece to a desktop than to purchase an entirely new computer and it would also be less time consuming because it would be less time consuming for me to install compatible hardware inside an existing machine than to learn an entirely new operating system.

Needless to say, I am sitting at square one right now weighing my options for the DVD burning process. 

Give Them Ten? We'll See.

So, yesterday the internet saw the unveiling of the much anticipated new version of Windows -- Windows 10. After the fiasco that was Windows 8/8.1, it will be really interesting to see where this new version of Windows will end up in a few years. 

The most obvious change is the "return" of the Start menu. However, those that were smart enough to install Classic Shell for Windows 8.1 will probably see it as Microsoft taking the Windows 7 start menu and half-butchering it with Windows 8-style apps, albeit, I hear that the apps run in an actual window now as opposed to full-screen, like a DOS application. 

The other feature that had me curious was the fact that Microsoft fixed the feature that allows a user to purchase a Windows Store app once and then use it on their phone, tablet, or desktop/laptop. However, since I decided to go for the iPhone as my first smartphone device, this feature doesn't seem as relevant anymore.

I've had very little experience with Windows 8(.1) and therefore I can't vouch for it, and really, the same goes for Windows 10, except I don't have any experience with it, since I did not sign up for the Windows Insider program. However, from what I have seen with Windows 8.1, the fact that Microsoft plans to chop the Windows 7 Start Menu in half and replace the other half with touchscreen apps for me, raises an eyebrow.

The other hilarious (albeit useful) feature that is "new" to Windows 10 is a multiple desktop option. This is primarily funny because it feels as though Microsoft is playing catch-up to other operating system competitors such as Linux, whose users have been able to enjoy this feature for more than a decade at least.

For more on the title reference, watch this commercial that has aired on television in the last couple of years: https://vimeo.com/95508597

An Example of the Windows 10 Desktop

I have my I on U -- From iPhone Antagonist to Apologist

Over the years, I have had much debate on whether or not to jump in to the heated debacle that is the "Smartphone Wars." At one point, I had almost decided on either Windows or Ubuntu because I was familiar with both, and each provided me with a variety of smartphone hardware (as does Android), but with the consistent interface that iOS provides across its generations of devices.

Originally, I had planned to go with Android, along with the Ubuntu One app, which allows a user to boot Ubuntu from their Android device, while still keeping their Android installation intact. However, as years went on after I made this decision, Ubuntu and Android parted ways, and Ubuntu Mobile became its own separate distribution that installs itself in place of Ubuntu instead of alongside it as an app that boots using the Android kernel.

Upon learning this, I took some more time to think about my smartphone options. I had finally made my decision a couple of months ago to settle on Windows Phone. This was because of the consistent interface across different devices, and the fact that there was a very good piece of hardware that used and supported it -- The HTC One M8. My reasoning for going with Windows Phone was that I would be able to use Microsoft Office to edit and submit assignments on the go without having to pull out a heavy laptop, plus Windows 8 allows its users to download an app and use it on their desktop and mobile device, and I had heard that Windows 10 had improved this feature. 

My decision in this matter came to a crashing halt when Emily pointed out how uncomfortable it would be to create and edit documents on a five-inch screen, even though this was one of my arguments for getting a Windows Phone in the first place. I then decided to go with Android again, and I had settled on the decision to choose either the Motorola Moto X or Google Nexus 6 (the latter of which is also made by Motorola). My brother had decided to get an iPhone at this point because he was fed up with how glitchy Android was, and wanted a fresh start. Well, over time, we both switched sides when Emily's iPhone that her employer provided her with started having call (and other issues).

Emily's next step (after a failed attempt at having an Apple Store employee fix it) was to get her phone replaced. This meant that Emily would have an extra iPhone to use, so she offered it to me with no strings attached. She then offered it to me because it would mean that she would have a spare, and after some careful research and consideration, I accepted the offer. I also showed Matt the Motorola Moto X (and possibly Nexus 6) because he was diving into App development, and Android caters better to this anyway. 

Ironically, Emily was able to get her existing phone in working order (for now), so that put me back to the drawing board regarding how to get an iPhone in the first place.

Anyway, after my decision was made, I took the time to research what kinds of apps I would prefer to install on the phone itself. Also, because the iPhone has a reputation for being easily damaged, I looked for a cover to protect the device. For that, I picked one that looked like an early Macintosh and as a plus, was a joke to a cartoon that Matt and I used to enjoy. That can be found here.

Compy iPhone 5 sleeve

I showed the phone cover to Emily, and she thought it was clever, as well as reasonable. As for the types of apps I would want to start out with I looked through the Apple App Store via my web browser and came up with five candidates to start out with: 

5) WinZip - I initially decided on this app because I have used it before on Windows desktops, and it comes in handy sometimes. I also was not sure if iOS could natively handle ZIP files, and in that context, it seemed like a good idea to download it just in case.

4) Khan Academy App - This is a website that I use every day, and I was curious how the mobile app would be. I thought that it would also be a positive to not have to pull my laptop out or boot up my desktop in order to do a couple of math equations every day.

3) Fruit Ninja - There wasn't much logic to this choice. I mostly needed it to fill out the top five list, and it's just a fun game overall. I have tried it before on an Android tablet, and also at either Dave & Buster's or Scene 75. It's quite a fun game, and I would not mind playing it again. 

2) LDS Gospel Library - Practically every church member that I have met has this app (as well as others) and this will be a nice addition to my iPhone, as well as a relief on my shoulders so that I don't have to lug a large pair of scriptures and 5 manuals everywhere.

1) Roku Mobile App - I saved the best for last. When I moved out to Colorado, one of the things I forgot to take with me was batteries. I have three devices that require AA batteries, and one that requires AAA. Three of the four devices I have learned to work around. My desktop's TV tuner can be controlled by keyboard and mouse, so I do not need AAA batteries for my remote control right now. I brought a spare wired keyboard and mouse with me so that takes care of almost all of my AA battery problems. The only issue is that I do not have anything to control the Roku with, which is also where the AA batteries come in. With the Roku app for iOS, I will finally be able to set up and use the Roku without worrying if I am going to need to replace remote batteries (the iPhone has RC capability and a rechargeable battery).

A depiction of the iPhone 5 from the front, back, and side.

Wait. It's Only Been Seven Days?!

Last week, I wrote a Top 5 post about a crop of Nintendo eShop games that I was interested in purchasing. This post was published on a Thursday, and as luck would have it, here I am, almost exactly one week to the day, and I am already writing a second post with more games to take into consideration. These are just as awesome as the first batch of games, and the best part is that they are all currently available, with no pending release date to wait for.

5) Puzzle Box Setup - (Nintendo 3DS) 

http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/fn1p9tW65CCjtNx275yfPvjGhPbqJqRg 

I watched the trailer for this, and at first glance, I was quite intrigued. The weirdest part of the demonstration video was probably the fact that the player turned the system upside down in order to play the game, but honestly, there have been Wario Ware mini-games that have required the same console orientation, so with that in mind, the weirdness wore off. My other impression was a touch of curiosity because the concept reminded me of pixel art.

4) Tetris Ultimate - (Nintendo 3DS) http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/V5fIE81U3xMFEQjje2V33i1D-iwFAn-0

There isn't a Nintendo handheld in the world today (except probably the original Game & Watch) that would be complete without some variation of Tetris. This version, published by Ubisoft, shows lots of promise, and hopefully will be a lot better than its original Nintendo DS predecessor. At a cost of only $15-20, depending on sale prices, it's an investment that doesn't require too much risk on the consumer's part.

3) Smash Controller - (Nintendo 3DS) http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/VmpYE_AjAlpxZvRYOerOrHkgincIINOl

Whilst initially looking at this option, one might think "Why would you include this option on a list such as this?" Well, given that the full Nintendo 3DS game costs almost as much as the Wii U version (which I'll add to this list next), ninety-nine cents does not seem like that much of an investment, especially considering most players would be more likely to play the Wii U version. Sure, there's no local multiplayer between Nintendo 3DS handhelds, but at a price of ninety-nine cents, I wasn't expecting too much of UI overhaul, anyway.

2) Super Smash Bros. - (Wii U) http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/HPp-wrUaZHOKvK_GzCJ9eDkIom6x_TEA

For most people, this would probably take the coveted top spot for a list such as this, however, considering that this game requires a lot of extra controllers that a user doesn't necessarily have laying around, it takes the number two spot on my list. Besides, when you see number one, and my reasoning for it, you'll understand.

1) Punch-Out! (Wii) http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/ZHP5TzdBJW6cYMf-0JGdbYCAIBvgTWLl

While it may seem odd for me to add a Wii game to a list of games to purchase for the Wii U, there is some logical thinking to this. A few months ago, Nintendo started adding Wii games to the Nintendo eShop lineup as downloads for the Wii U. This was one of them, as well as was the sequel to Super Mario Galaxy (which almost made this list). Initially, when Club Nintendo introduced a bunch of games to their reward lineup (before the program's discontinuation, which I mentioned in my Facebook note regarding the rewards program), they re-introduced a smaller version where you fight against your trainer, Doc Louis. I redeemed this version with some of my Club Nintendo points, and at first, it was awesome. However, I realized that there were no other opponents and decided that the full Wii version would be worth investing in, especially after reading reviews that said the downloadable version on the eShop was equal to its disc-based counterpart.

Five More Games to Buy From the Nintendo eShop

Nintendo has really built up its game library in the past few years. Initially, when the Nintendo 3DS was released, I was quite skeptical. However, as I have spent some time with both it and the Wii U, I have been able to gain an appreciation for the software library for each. Enclosed I have made a list of five additional games that I am interested in purchasing at a later time from their online store: 

5) 3D Classics -- Urban Champion (Nintendo 3DS) http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/fVmbnNN5DWsagC5FypPYqLFQCbLHJK3

This is primarily at the bottom of my list because I already own the normal version that is available in the Wii U version of the Nintendo e Shop. However, it still makes the cut because the visual effects of the Nintendo 3DS make it look more appealing.

4) 3D Classics -- Xevious (Nintendo 3DS) http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/sfSp0inPH0oilzztvI8WWqCNsbtlmkHv

I have actually played a 3D version of Xevious in the past for the original PlayStation, and to be quite honest, there were some parts of it that I was not impressed with. The saving grace of that title was that there were four other versions of the same game that I could play that had far superior controls. I am curious to see how Nintendo's three-dimensional adaptation pans out in comparison.

3) 3D Sonic the Hedgehog (Nintendo 3DS) http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/vZKEr0P1-o6VfSUoPNb2P6p7KJxichpO

While yes, this is yet another remake of the first game in a franchise, it also includes the Spin Dash move that the GameBoy Advance version implemented, which is not in the original Genesis version. I also have a feeling that the game will benefit from the Nintendo 3DS' Circle Pad, which is its take on a handheld joystick.

2) Bit.Trip Presents: Runner 2 (Wii U) http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/xOozJm59VnYDi6n_5k1xV7UM02QxJvUj

I've watched the trailer for this a few times, and I have also watched my brother play it once as well, because he has that computer version of it (which he bought via Steam). All in all, my first impressions of it are that it looks like a complete improvement over its predecessor, and I am really excited to try it for myself on the Wii U. Hopefully by the time I have enough eShop credit saved up, it will be on sale.

1) Mario Maker (Wii U) http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/i7YeZxnWhEFX6ST-sLdUBGmLoZivzNP5

This is probably the game that I am most excited about. Initially it was not slated to launch until New Year's Eve, however, after the latest E3 trailer, the release date was pushed up to September 11th, which means it will be available for the upcoming holiday shopping season. This was a brilliant decision on Nintendo's part, as it will probably be a "must-have" on every Nintendo fan's wish list (including mine, depending on its launch price).