Windows 8 myths — 2. Computers sales are down because people didn't like Windows 8. Really?!

Computers sales are down for the last couple of years, most notably in 2013, simply because most people (consumers) can do without a PC or any type of computer by just using smartphones or tablets. They have e-mail, text messaging, video, Internet browsing, games (lots of them!) and on top of that the ability to make phone calls, so who needs a laptop computer and much less a desktop computer to do those things? In addition, for a vast number of people around the world a smartphone it is most likely their first experience with a computer and that's all they know and all they need. Computers sales for corporations and businesses will fare slightly better in 2014. Post-PC era? Desktop PCs and laptop computers will continue to be in business for years to come. They're already a commodity.

Windows 8 myths — 1. It's confusing and it has a learning curve

This myth is easily debunked by evidence based on usage. You just have to use it to understand it, and getting the knack of it will take only a few minutes. Remember to also use the Windows key (the one to the left of the ALT key, to the left of the Space key). There is nothing confusing about it unless you cannot wrap your head around the fact that the tiles ("The Star Menu") are simply an extra layer of what otherwise is simply Windows 7. You have the traditional desktop on the one hand and you have the tiles on the other hand, and you can even start Windows directly in "desktop mode" if so you wish. Other than that, whatever you can run in Windows 7 will run in Windows 8.x.  Other visible difference is that Windows 8.x does not include the fancy transparent borders of Windows 7 (or Vista) called "aero effect." Are you missing the traditional "Start Menu"? If you are very fond of it it's probably because you never learned to use shortcuts on the desktop or the convenience of adding shortcuts right onto the Taskbar. Do you still miss it? Try some Windows Start Menu alternatives (I'm not endorsing any of them, though). In addition, whenever you are in the Tiles mode, simply start typing whatever you are looking for and the search box will pop up instantly for you. Please, stop complaining and just type... You can also try these very useful educational videos to get started.

Re/Code, a newer tech news "non-religious", "non-fanboy" site

So it seems. My previous post lamented the blatant proliferation of "dude tech journalism" in which enthusiasts of faddish products and brands openly despise Microsoft products and technologies without even actually trying them on a daily basis. I am, on the other hand, pleased to know that a newer tech news website called <re/code>, founded by former editors of the Wall Street Journal's tech section All Things D(igital) Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg, is the new kid on the block, since January 2, 2014, in what seems like a fresh influx of content and presentation. They and their journalists team continue to include, next to the byline, an ethics statement that starts with exactly the same wording as before: "Here is a statement of my ethics and coverage policies. It is more than most of you want to know, but, in the age of suspicion of the media, I am laying it all out." However, I believe they should also reveal what type of tech tools they use on a daily basis. I have my doubts that, to make an analogy, a regular driver of a German a car like a BMW, could be a good, and fair(!), reviewer of Japanese cars, no matter how good the latter might be compared to the former. Granted, you may like one product over another, but for fairness sake, let people know upfront what your preferences, and 'loyalty', are when you write about "the competition." Among other good things of <re/code> is its policy for a "higher standards for comments", to counter the all so common "trolls", childish comments, unsupported claims, etc. (case in point, the readers of ZdNet, to name a popular tech site). I enjoyed the clever sort of op-ed article by Walt Mossberg about "the Church of Apple" and similar "cults" in which he admonished, not without a good dose of humor, "Attention fanboys and fangirls: Your favorite tech hardware, software and services are not religious objects." On other subjects, I notice that this site is powered by the ubiquitous blog and content management system WordPress. Granted it is a great tool, but was that the right tool for such a content-intensive website? Time will tell.

This is what is wrong with some "tech journalists": they are sold onto a brand or a platform

I call this "Dude Tech journalism" (watch the guy holding the phone)

Only one week to go before we can say goodbye to 2013, a year that continued to see bias after bias against Microsoft products in the media. Not from actual users of Windows, Surface tablets, Windows Phones, etc. but apparently from Apple (and Android) users. Nobody is saying, at least not me, that their products are not good, in fact I found iPhones and Samsung Galaxy smartphones, for instance, worth considering. In sum, nice hardware, nice software. What I find problematic and frankly annoying is that these Windows product "reviewers" are for the most part declared Apple (and/or Android, and Linux) followers and you can tell they don't actually use the Windows products, they merely ogle them, even disdainfully. It's not only the blunt and exaggerated headlines like "Apple, Google topped news coverage in 2013, leaving Microsoft in the dust" and hundreds of similar click-baiting headlines that I don't care to talk about. I'm going to give you just one example here of what I believe is wrong with some "tech journalists" in this video (and article) from TechCrunch. Here, they're criticizing the wonderful Nokia Lumia 1520 with sarcasm and cynicism. The bias is pretty obvious to the point of being laughable. Would they have the same attitude with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3? Envy? most likely so.

Configure, personalize, tweak to your heart's content

The ability to configure and personalize Windows has always been a signature feature of this operating system and obviously Windows 8.1, with its new "modern" or "metro" interface, plus the traditional desktop, allows you to play with colors, images, parameters, etc. The Personalization Gallery is where you get free wallpapers, languages and themes. Try it. It's fun.

This time there is more help and guidance available

Windows 8.1 is user-friendlier in many respects including in its Help + Tips utility, not to mention that the first time you run the software a big orange arrow, on top of the "Start screen" will be pointing to the upper right-hand corner advising you of the existence of the charms (Search, Share, Start, Devices and Settings) and not a moment too soon another one, at the lower left-hand corner will let you know that there is a "Start button", some sort of the reincarnation of the one that had been there since the times of Windows 95 and was absent in Windows 8.  Help + Tips offers really useful indications, with sleek animations, about what you can do with this operating system and which may not be so obvious for first time users or simply for regular folks: Start and Apps, Get around, Basic actions, Your account and files, Settings and What's new... For a more comprehensive Help utility, press F1 while in the Desktop mode (click anywhere on the wallpaper first).

Get Windows 8.1, install it, enjoy it!

Only through the App Store, apparently...

It's already a week since Microsoft released to the public the Windows 8 upgrade known as Windows 8.1. For starters, you need to do it through the App Store, within the "modern" interface, i.e. the Tiles. Though if you do it while browsing within the Desktop mode, the Meet Windows link will take you there at any rate. That's how I did, and I figure you could probably get the ISO file through some sort of TechNet subscription. Please, also note that the upgrade is free for Windows 8 users, whereas if you want to upgrade from Windows XP, Vista or 7, you will have to buy the software. My personal verdict: it's definitely worth the upgrade, whether from Windows 8 or from previous Windows versions!