Window 8 Anti-virus - Don't buy one

Is seems that our classes are getting more and more popular.  I am not sure whether it is because technology is changing so fast or just because the more people want to learn and take control of their technology purchases.  Either way, our attendance has double since last year.

Today we are discussing "Backup and Recovery", transferring data to a new computer and Anti-virus.  Many people in the class had recently purchased new Windows 8 based machines and almost in every case they were sold an Anti-virus program like Web Root even though the manufacturer of the laptop had added Norton or McAfee to their standard bloatware.  None of these are necessary - when you purchase Windows 8 with or without a computer you have already
a great Anti-virus included in the price.  It comes with Windows and is call Windows Defender.  Much of our time after the class was spent removing the Anti-virus that was installed on the system and letting Windows Defender take over.

iPad Class

Today's iPad class was a lot of fun.  We had about 40 people show up and spend an hour learning how to use their iPad.  We started with the very basics and ended the session with a demo of Siri.  I had done one class previously but started with the assumption that when someone owned the iPad they already knew how to use it.  I later found out that that was not so.

Starting with the very basics - A hardware tour, some basic setting, how to organize the iPad apps, and setting up Email was very popular.  Even those who had used their iPad for a couple of years admitted to learning a lot.  Most of the 40 people had never used Siri and didn't even know it was on their iPad.

At the end of the hour, when asked if they learned any new things and if it was worth the time they spent - EVERYONE raised their hands.  That is why I love doing this.  Thank you all.

Windows 8 Class at Rock Crusher Canyoun

Bettyann talks about transitioning to Window 8

Windows 8 really isn't that difficult but it is a big change for many people who purchase a new computer.  Having someone spend an hour telling them the basic and the folks at Rock Crusher Canyon were a lot more confident using it.  They also got very excited about some of the Windows 8 apps that weren't available in earlier versions of Windows.  Apps like Google Search that allow you to talk to the computer and let it do your searches were very popular as were new games like the Free Sudoku app.
We also spent an hour answering questions and addressing individual concerns people had with things they were trying to accomplish with their computer.  Overall, a very successful class. It is always nice when people leave the classroom and tell you how much they have learned and how much they appreciate opportunity to learn.

Some early results of a two year old with a computer

I know when I first posted that we were giving our grandson, Travis, a computer for his 2nd birthday many of you silently chuckled. Especially when I said it was a big Windows 8 HP Touch Screen computer.  Well it's been three months now and here are some early results.  This is a 40 second clip with a great deal of cuteness packed in.  Here is the link:

Travis Age 2 years 3 months

Windows 8.1 Install

The Windows 8.1 install went very smoothly.  I went to the store, saw it was available, click on it to install and less than an hour later it was up and running.
My first reaction was that nothing really changed.  The tiles were a little more crisp and there was this annoying "Start Button" at the bottom left of the desktop screen.  When you don't have a touch screen and you navigate using a mouse this thing gets in the way of left and right scrolling while you are in a app.  Personally, I like the way it popped up before.  For you who expected the start button to bring back Windows 7, you will be very disappointed.  When you click on the "Start Button" it takes you to the start screen.  For all you techies who couldn't find anything when Vista took away the word "My" from Documents. Pictures, Videos and Music - get over it.  Things are going to change.
Windows 8.1 is a lot more responsive.  There are changes in the way you get to All Apps and the various size tiles are very nice.  The search has changed.  In 8.0, people missed the fact that you could search for anything other than apps.  I wasn't intuitive that you could search files. And, for me sometimes my searches just didn't work.  That problem is gone now.  Access to the store is different now there is a not so obvious right click (swipe for the top) to get categories.
The search is the first thing I tried. It didn't seem to get the things I was looking for.  That was just me being a little too excited to try it.  It took 8.1 a bit of time to index all the data.  After a few minutes it was terrific it found things
I didn't even know were in my data files.
I had one little problem - My HP Control Center lost my printers.  Windows 8.1 knew they where there but HP seemed to have lost them.  Not a big problem - I just had to run HP's "Add a Device" and it re-discovered them.
Overall, Windows 8.1 - Terrific.  Nice job Microsoft!

Windows 8.1

I am downloading Windows 8.1 as I write this and am excited about the some of the new changes.  Unlike most people, when it comes to technology, I like change.  I am one of the only people who will admit that I liked Vista.
First, I am looking forward to the multi-sized tiles and am hoping for some enhancements to the search functions.  I actually don't care that they are bringing back the start menu it was always in the bottom left corner.
I also wanted to purchase a Surface tablet but didn't because I needed more than the 128GBs available one the first version.  Instead, I purchased a 256GB drive and installed it in my laptop and ran Windows 8, non-touch, with a real keyboard and a large screen.  I no longer feel the need to rush in to BestBuy to purchase a new Surface with the larger hard drives.

Training the parents on Windows 8

Well the computer is ready.  I have installed the apps, set up his start screen and even set up an account for Travis's older brother Jaret.  Now for the real challenge - training the parents.
Well that's not really fair, my daughter Mireille (or Mimi as everyone calls her because no one can pronounce Mireille), like all of our children are pretty good with computers.  They were brought up that way.
Mimi is a manager for a technology company and is very skilled with Windows 7 but like everyone else who hasn't used it, is a little apprehensive when it comes to Windows 8.  As a result, I will have to spend a hour with her going though Windows 8.  The challenge is to find an hour where she doesn't have here two boys demanding her attention.
She will be the administrator on the system and as a result will have to approve everything the boys do on the system.  Windows 8 Family Safety is excellent she can easily control what they do, where they can go on the internet and when.  Travis' birthday is fast approaching so we will have to arrange the training session soon.