Windows 10

Posted on July 30, 2015 by admin

Today Microsoft launched Windows 10. I am not a Windows user (today did nothing to alter my preferences), but I do own a couple of Windows machines and I thought I would take the time to explore what the new OS had to offer.

A few years ago I bought a Lenovo S-10 to explore what K-12 students might experience when schools offer them netbooks. The S-10 came with Windows 7 and was underpowered. The Windows 10 is supposed to work on machines running 10 and is supposed to be suited for less powerful machines.

I worked at implementing the upgrade for several hours. Things just did not work well. I suppose Microsoft was getting slammed with downloads today, but this was more than that. I admit being behind with some of my upgrades. It appears that the Chrome browser will not work and I had avoided IE at all costs so it took some time to upgrade the browser to upgrade the OS. Still, the upgrade did not go as advertised. I finally located what may be the problem and I describe this issue because it both puzzles me and may frustrate others.

The Q&A provided by Microsoft directed me to a diagnostic script. Running this script revealed the following problem. The Windows site does explain that Enterprise customers are not entitled to a free download of 10.

win10

 

Now, I am confused what is meant by an Enterprise edition. I always thought this term was used to describe businesses and perhaps schools who might purchase equipment in bulk. I cannot remember exactly how I purchased my Lenovo, but I purchased it as an individual.

I only have so much curiosity and I have now exhausted whatever I could spare for Windows software.

Loading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on Windows 10

Technology not an equalizer

Posted on July 28, 2015 by admin

Tom Friedman has written some of the books I have found most influential. He claimed that technology was one of the major forces in his model of a “flat world”. Others, however, take just the opposite position:

“The real problem is that technology ultimately amplifies whatever underlying human capacities are already there. So, technology is great for people with a solid education, with great social ties, with influential political power. But, for exactly the people who don’t have it, exactly the people who in theory some of these efforts are trying to address, they’re the ones who can’t make use of the technology in productive ways that many of us enjoy.”

While I have high hopes for technology in education, I am concerned that the data support this second position.

Prompted by a post from PRI.

Loading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Technology not an equalizer

Wikipedia is still there

Posted on July 27, 2015 by admin

60 minutes just provided a segment on Jimmy Wales and Wikipedia. Wikipedia is one of those online resources that continues to become more valuable, but has faded from constant discussion. It is great to have a reminder.

Loading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Wikipedia is still there

ITunes “family plan”

Posted on July 24, 2015 by admin

The new Apple streaming plan offers options for individuals and for families. I found the terms of the family plan ($10 vs. $15) for five family members appealing until I read the details.

The plan would require me as “organizer” to take responsibility not only for the iTunes streaming service, but also for all app and iBook purchases. What is the purpose of combining ALL Apple content options rather than separating out the music service? I suppose there are ways to address this issue. I could put my family members on a plan that requires I approve each purchase, but I am guessing my wife would object to this approach. This seems such a kludgy way to provide a “family” option.

familyshare

 

familyplan

Loading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on ITunes “family plan”

Feds Launch Connect Home

Posted on July 16, 2015 by admin

Connect Home is a federal program just launched to improve the Internet connectivity of those living in HUD housing. The launch information contents 47% of those families with income <$25,000 have no or low speed access contrasted with 92% of those with family incomes >$100,000. There are obvious implications for education.

The pilot program is launching in twenty-seven cities and one tribal nation and will initially reach over 275,000 low-income households – and nearly 200,000 children – with the support they need to access the Internet at home.

…..

Albany, GA; Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Baton Rouge, LA; Boston, MA; Camden, NJ; Choctaw Nation, OK; Cleveland, OH; Denver, CO; Durham, NC; Fresno, CA; Kansas City, MO; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; Macon, GA; Memphis, TN; Meriden, CT; Nashville, TN; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Newark, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Rockford, IL; San Antonio, TX; Seattle, WA; Springfield, MA; Tampa, FL; and Washington, DC.

White House Fact Sheet

Loading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Feds Launch Connect Home

Screen time

Posted on July 12, 2015 by admin

Our grandkids and their parents visit the lake frequently and we get to observe the parenting skills and priorities of our own kids. Interesting! I notice that drinking water is a much bigger deal than I remember. In general, health-related concerns seem to receive a lot of attention.

Screen time comes up. The kids have iPads (our fault) and do like some television programs. Whatever happened to programs like Sesame Street and Reading Rainbow? The parents do seem to take note of how much time the kids are spending. They are reluctant to complain when I watch a three-hour ball game while using my own iPad before watching some CNN. Seniority does have some advantages.

I happen to notice this NYTimes post about screen time. The article mentions a documentary about web addiction in China (Web Junkie), cites the typical data about media exposure (you can listen and watch multiple devices at once), and offers some links to medical commentary. I have read some literature on this issue including the possible link between media violence and video gaming. It is complicated and applied research often involves methodological challenges that make cause and effect difficult to tease apart.

Note: The full version of Web Junkie will be aired on Monday evening (July 13) on PBS.

Loading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Screen time