Windows 8: The Countdown Begins

It's almost that time again, the time when the next version of Microsoft Windows makes its way from Microsoft into the hands of users everywhere.

According to Microsoft, Windows 8 will be put in the hands of OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers, or quite simply, the big computer companies which make the computers you buy) in August. From there, they will have some time to develop and test drivers for the new operating system, as well as come up with ideas for new computer products, all leading up to the big release day.

Microsoft says that Windows 8 will be released on October 26, 2012. This release date applies to new Windows 8 computers and to upgrades from previous versions of Windows. I have mentioned in previous blog posts that you don't need to buy new hardware just to run the next version of Windows 7 this time, meaning that if your computer runs Windows 7 well (or even Windows Vista, as bad as that was, well), it can run Windows 8 (in place). To provide an incentive to upgrade, through January 31 of next year, Microsoft is running a special upgrade price, $39.99. The only catch here is that you must be running Windows XP or later, but I can't think of many situations where this wouldn't be the case. If you're the kind of person which likes the install files on physical media, a packaged DVD upgrade to Windows 8 (Pro) will cost you $69.99 during the same period of time.

If you go the upgrade route, the kinds of files and settings you can migrate depend on which version of Windows you are upgrading from. Users running any flavor of Windows 7 can upgrade to Windows 8 pro and migrate everything along which includes your Windows settings, personal files, and apps. Users running Windows Vista can only migrate your Windows settings and personal files. Users running Windows XP will only be able to migrate your personal files. In many instances, a backup of any important files on the computer and a clean install (meaning that you start fresh) will be the best option to choose.

If you really want to jump on the touch features found in Windows 8 and currently don't have a tablet pc or slate pc, you might want to just wait until the OEMs come out with some offerings with touch/stylus and go with that. Even if touch is not a big factor for you, the performance fixes/new features should entice you to upgrade. With Windows 8, you get the new Metro UI, which is the new user interface standard with Windows, as well as Xbox Live, Zune (excuse me, I mean "Xbox Music"), and the Windows Marketplace.

With the upgrade, you can now download it and use a big enough usb drive or a dvd as install media. Judging from my experiences with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview/Release Preview, you will need a usb drive which is 8gb or bigger if you choose to use a usb drive as install media. Now granted, you could also do this with Windows 7 as well, but this time, the download and create your own install media thing is much more mainstream.

If you wait to buy until after the promotional period or wait for a boxed retail version of Windows 8 to come out, there is no word yet on how much you will have to pay for it. I guess then, we will just have to wait and see what happens. If just can't wait until October, the release preview of Windows 8 is still available for you to download and install. Remember: no matter what you do, ALWAYS BACKUP IMPORTANT FILES FIRST before doing any major operations on your hard drive such as (re)installing Windows

My prediction is that it will be the consumers (and a little more than just the early adopters this time with the cheap upgrade price) which will be the first to jump on Windows 8. Businesses and organizations will wait until at least the first Windows 8 service pack comes out before any upgrades happen.

If you have any thoughts or comments on anything related to Windows 8, feel free to share them via the comment box below.You can also find me on twitter (twitter username is @rctechgeek). Feel free to subscribe to my rss feed too. I am now on Tumblr now as well (link to Tumblr is http://www.tumblr.com/blog/catholictechgeek), so please follow me on Tumblr too.

If you're at work now and can't seem to stay awake or if your're driving to work and you need that coffee to get you going in the morning, drink some tasty Mystic Monk Coffee (use this link or click on the picture below to access the store and purchase). Trust me, it's good coffee (in most instances, much better than Starbucks coffee) and you won't regret buying some (just keep it away from your computer keyboard or laptop/tablet). For the summer, they are also offering Iced Coffee as well. If you like tea more than coffee, they also offer tea. Using the link (or picture below) to buy the coffee (or tea) helps the monks out and helps me with college expenses as well.

Feel free to try out my apps for Windows Phone: Mobile Media Manager, a media player app I made which has some features which (I feel) are missing from the system Zune player, and BSA Eagle Tracker, an app that boy scouts can use to track their progress to Eagle Scout (when the scout handbook isn't always handy). New versions of the media player with new features/bug fixes is coming within a week (most likely sooner than this, but definitely within 2 weeks) of passing Microsoft Apphub certification. BSA Eagle Tracker is also getting a bug fix for an obscure bug I noticed recently.

BSA Eagle Tracker download: http://bit.ly/Mm1Upo
Mobile Media Manager (paid version) download: http://bit.ly/y3rf6V
Mobile Media Manager (free version) download: http://bit.ly/xGCsWE

The Implications of the Windows 8 Cloud in the Enterprise

If you haven't seen or tried Windows 8 yet, there is a big change in procedures as far as logging in goes. The big thing with Windows 8 is using the power of "The Cloud" to synchronize your settings across all computers you own. In order to utilize this sync feature, you must have a windows live id. In fact, this is the new norm in logging in to Windows. To log in, you input your windows live id username as the login username and your windows live id password as your login password. For a consumer, this is a welcome feature. Many families own more than one computer and can now have the same settings such as desktop wallpaper or Internet Explorer favorites across all of their computers. What's more is that you can customize which settings get synchronized, so you can pick and choose what gets synced and what doesn't. In the enterprise, this doesn't work so well.

In a business, computer security is much more uptight. Like consumers, you still have to worry about stuff like viruses and malware. However, businesses also have to worry about integration with existing systems. Access to company resources is still controlled by active directory and all given permissions on existing domains is still active. Since Windows 8 has built-in integration with Skydrive, the potential of (unauthorized) transfer of company files from company property increases. With existing systems, you still have this problem, but it is much easier to catch since you don't have to worry about numerous windows live ids being used constantly. With the Windows Live Id, you also open up to the intrusion of the personal life with company life. For example, with the synchronized settings, you may have an employee which had an offensive wallpaper on his home computer, and then it got transferred over to the work computer by default. There is also consumer programs on there like Xbox Live as well, which would almost certainly be disabled in an enterprise setting. You furthermore have the issue of being able to install unauthorized programs from the marketplace, but I believe installing from the marketplace is (still) controlled by access levels (in other words, only admin users can still install programs from the marketplace).

For the benefit of enterprise users, there is an option in which you can set up "local" users that only reside on the computer (very similar to what you already have now). The thing with local users is that settings are not synchronized between computers. I am sure that most companies that move to Windows 8 will be happy with the local user option. To solve file and settings synchronization issues, one solution is to have a "company" windows live id. This would something which would be set up and managed by the company, being able to control which windows live services a user has access to.

A plus side about the windows live id is that it works with the synchronization features already mentioned. Being able to work from any company computer anywhere seems like a great thing. However, let's not forget that when a new user logs in with the windows live id, the new user is automatically added to the list of users for that computer, and files created by that new user reside on the computer even after you log off unless you delete them first. Depending upon the situation, this can be a security risk.

From what I can see, Windows 8 is a great consumer operating system designed for consumers and students alike. However, these (and more) are some issues which enterprise users will have to iron out if they will, indeed, make the jump from Windows 7 to Windows 8. I will admit that I haven't really gotten a chance to test out Windows 8 in a domain setting. Word has it that the professional version of Windows 8 will have support for stuff that enterprise users need, like the ability to join a domain. In the next version of Windows Server, there are no guarantees, but Microsoft might consider some of these issues when updating tools to control group policy settings.

If any enterprise users or I.T. department people have already done some testing with Windows 8, I would love to hear about how testing went and what the results are. You can share this via the comment box below.You can also find me on twitter (twitter username is @rctechgeek). Feel free to subscribe to my rss feed too. I am now on Tumblr now as well (link to Tumblr is http://www.tumblr.com/blog/catholictechgeek), so please follow me on Tumblr too.

If you're at work now and can't seem to stay awake or if your're driving to work and you need that coffee to get you going in the morning, drink some tasty Mystic Monk Coffee (use this link or click on the picture below to access the store and purchase). Trust me, it's good coffee (in most instances, much better than Starbucks coffee) and you won't regret buying some (just keep it away from your computer keyboard or laptop/tablet). For the summer, they are also offering Iced Coffee as well. If you like tea more than coffee, they also offer tea. Using the link (or picture below) to buy the coffee (or tea) helps the monks out and helps me with college expenses as well.

Feel free to try out my apps for Windows Phone: Mobile Media Manager, a media player app I made which has some features which (I feel) are missing from the system Zune player, and BSA Eagle Tracker, an app that boy scouts can use to track their progress to Eagle Scout (when the scout handbook isn't always handy). New versions of the media player with new features/bug fixes is coming within a week (most likely sooner than this, but definitely within 2 weeks) of passing Microsoft Apphub certification. BSA Eagle Tracker is also getting a bug fix for an obscure bug I noticed recently.

BSA Eagle Tracker download: http://bit.ly/Mm1Upo
Mobile Media Manager (paid version) download: http://bit.ly/y3rf6V
Mobile Media Manager (free version) download: http://bit.ly/xGCsWE
CodeProject

A Prayer of Thanksgiving after Recieving the Eucharist

For a while now, I've been experimenting with the text of a prayer that I came up with one day during daily Mass. I know that this is simpler than and less than other prayers designated for after receiving the Eucharist. However, if you like it and/or it benefits you in some way, shape, or form, I am happy to be of service to you in this manner:

I give thanks to thee, O Lord, for thou hast blessed me with many gifts from thy bounty, but most of all, thou hast given me the gift of the body and blood, soul and divinity, of thine own dearly beloved son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Now that I have received this great gift, O Lord, I humbly pray that you keep me safe from the evil one and I submit to you,  so that you may use me to accomplish thy will in the world today, and may the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ lead me to eternal life.

     Amen.

Again, this is something I came up with myself one day and gradually fine-tuned it until I released it for public use now. If you know of any way to, perhaps, "improve" this prayer, or to share your own prayers you might have come up with, please share them in the comment box below. If you have any other comments on this, I welcome them in the comment box below as well.
You can also find me on twitter (twitter username is @rctechgeek). Feel free to subscribe to my rss feed as well. I am now on Tumblr now as well (link to Tumblr is http://www.tumblr.com/blog/catholictechgeek), so please follow me on Tumblr too.

I am also working on a "prayer reminder app" for Windows Phone. This app is designed with Catholics in mind, but any Christian (not just Catholics) can use this app. More details will be coming in further blog posts.

If you are in a state of prayer (excluding fasting) and are feeling thirsty, drink some tasty Mystic Monk Coffee (use this link or click on the picture below to access the store and purchase). Trust me, it's good coffee (in most instances, much better than Starbucks coffee) and you won't regret buying some (just keep it away from your computer keyboard or laptop/tablet). For the summer, they are also offering Iced Coffee as well. If you like tea more than coffee, they also offer tea. Using the link (or picture below) to buy the coffee (or tea) helps the monks out and helps me with college expenses as well.

Feel free to try out my apps for Windows Phone: Mobile Media Manager, a media player app I made which has some features which (I feel) are missing from the system Zune player, and BSA Eagle Tracker, an app that boy scouts can use to track their progress to Eagle Scout (when the scout handbook isn't always handy). New versions of the media player with new features/bug fixes is coming within a week (most likely sooner than this, but definitely within 2 weeks) of passing Microsoft Apphub certification. BSA Eagle Tracker is also getting a bug fix for an obscure bug I noticed recently.

BSA Eagle Tracker download: http://bit.ly/Mm1Upo
Mobile Media Manager (paid version) download: http://bit.ly/y3rf6V
Mobile Media Manager (free version) download: http://bit.ly/xGCsWE

What makes a Great Video Game

For some video games genres, fans come by default. For example, with sports video games, the ones most likely to play them are fans of the games in real life. For most genres of video games, however, you need to work to earn your players. While the following will apply to action/rpg games, these are points that can apply to any type of video game.

The most essential part of any video game is a good, solid storyline and plot. One of the great things about video games is that they have the ability to tell a story. Of course, books, which have been around for much longer than video games, do the same thing. Where a video game excels in contrast to a video game is the ability to actually "act" out the story yourself through the character onscreen. For example, with a battle scene, the visual aspect of the video game helps to give form to that scene in the way which the author saw it. A good exposition will introduce the main character, the protagonist, and other main or secondary players which play a great part in this story. The rising action part of the story will help to build the story up, giving us extra needed information about a character or characters and the setting(s), until we reach the climax. This is also where the villain can be introduced if he is not introduced to us in the exposition. The climax will most likely be that final struggle, that final boss battle, which decide the outcome of the story, and ultimately, the game. The resolution should tie everything together. If there is to a sequel to the game, this is also where you can create that "to be continued" feeling and set the player up for the next game.

The second most essential part of any video game is good characters. People should be able to relate to a character in the game, especially the protagonist, in some way, shape, or form. A character's nature can work to help draw the player further into the game. Good characters also help to make the game more memorable. Uniqueness of a character plays a big part here. What makes your character different from all the other video game characters out there? I realize that a character can only be so unique from the others, but what matters is how the character looks, thinks, and acts.

The third most essential part of any video game is side quests (and variability of them). A main storyline is good, but what is going to convince players want to continue playing your game if they want to deviate from the main storyline a bit? Side quests accomplish this function, creating a "game within a game". A simple, yet enjoyable mini-game can keep a player playing for hours on end. One of the reasons that Final Fantasy VII was so enjoyable is that it had many side quests to keep a player coming back for more, even after the main storyline was beaten.

Another essential part of a good video game is its "battle system". If your character gets into a conflict, or battle, how can the character act in battle? Does the character have just a simple kick and punch, or can the character do some flashy "super moves" as well? Does the character use any kind of special weapons or movements? The game camera plays a big part here. One of the biggest things that can turn off  players is a bad camera. A player should be able to have a clear view of what he or she is fighting as well as the ability to freely move about. The controls should also be easy to use as well.

Another part of a good video game is its music. As a composer, singer, and saxophone player, I know how music can set the mood of a scene. If the main character in the game is in a frantic moment, the music will probably be fast-paced. If it's a more sad and somber scene, the music will reflect this as well (usually being in the key or either D minor or G minor, but not always).Repetition of a particular musical theme is fine and can help to engrave it in the mind of the player, but don't overdo it. Part of the reason why the Final Fantasy prelude and victory themes are so memorable is because they occur in every game in the series. A good soundtrack also means that people are more likely to buy the OST of your game.

The issue of graphics quality is a mixed bag. High quality graphics is always desired, but this is not an issue which, alone, can decide the outcome of a person's purchasing decisions. Try to be modest with your graphics. If the graphics quality is high, it can slow a game down unless a person upgrades their hardware to handle that high graphics quality without slowdowns. The amount of frames per second (fps) which a game should strive for to have a smooth playing experience is around 60 frames per second.

As I said before, these points can apply to any video game out there. If you create video games, theses are some points that can help you in really making it great for the players and memorable too. Be as creative with your game as possible. It is, after all, your masterpiece. If your game can stand the test of time, you will know that your game has done well.

I realize that I might have missed something, or not given enough information on a given point. If you know of something I missed or if you have some ideas of your own on what makes a video game great, please share it in the comment box below, or e-mail me at catholictechgeek@gmail.com. You can also comment (and follow me) on twitter (twitter username is @rctechgeek). Feel free to subscribe to my rss feed as well. If you like this post, please share it with your family and friends.

In the meantime, while you are thinking or playing great video games throughout the years and feeling thirsty, drink some tasty Mystic Monk Coffee (use this link or click on the picture below to access the store and purchase). Trust me, it's good coffee (in most instances, much better than Starbucks coffee) and you won't regret buying some (just keep it away from your computer keyboard or laptop/tablet). For the summer, they are also offering Iced Coffee as well. If you like tea more than coffee, the monks also offer tea for sale. Using the link (or picture below) to buy the coffee (or tea) helps the monks out and helps me with college expenses as well.

Feel free to try out my apps for Windows Phone: Mobile Media Manager, a media player app I made which has some features which (I feel) are missing from the system Zune player, and BSA Eagle Tracker, an app that boy scouts can use to track their progress to Eagle Scout (when the scout handbook isn't always handy). New versions of the media player with new features/bug fixes is coming within a week (most likely sooner than this, but definitely within 2 weeks) of passing Microsoft Apphub certification. The update for the free, ad-supported version of Mobile Media Manager got denied in Apphub certification, but it will be resubmitted within the next day or two. The update for the paid version will be in certification with it (I've been busy lately, and hadn't had a chance to submit the paid version update to Apphub yet). BSA Eagle Tracker is also getting a bug fix for an obscure bug I noticed recently, so it is also due for an update.

BSA Eagle Tracker download: http://bit.ly/Mm1Upo
Mobile Media Manager (paid, ad-free version) download: http://bit.ly/y3rf6V
Mobile Media Manager (free, ad-supported version) download: http://bit.ly/xGCsWE