Pocket PC Guru

This is part 2 is a multipart series on setting up Windows 7 on YOUR computer.   You can see parts here at Just Another Mobile Monday and at iTechGear.org.

When Microsoft released Windows XP, there were 2 versions – Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional. Yes, it satisfied the KISS principle...it couldn’t get much simpler.  However, the Pro version was installed on more home PC’s than the Home version was (or at least, it seemed that way).  There were key security and networking features in the Pro version that were missing from the Home version.

When Microsoft released Vista, they decided to up the ante a little and released 4 versions. I honestly remember hearing that they released (or planned to release) 7 versions; but Microsoft’s website documents 4 as of this writing. The four versions (compared to XP’s two) did nothing more than confuse the day lights out of everyone, especially when the features varied so greatly from version to version.

With Windows 7, Microsoft went back to basics, or took a more Windows XP approach.  While they technically released four versions of Windows, only two of them are really worth mentioning.  Here’s why...

 

Windows 7 Starter Edition
This version of Windows 7 is NOT available for purchase at retail. The ONLY way to get this version of Windows 7 is to purchase it on a new computer; and then that computer MUST be a netbook, like an Asus Eee PC, MSI Wind, Dell Mini, etc. While I (and just about anyone else) can get just about ANY version of Windows 7 to run on a netbook (provided that netbook satisfies the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 7). However, I’ve been able to install any and every version of Windows 7 on a netbook.  As long as the computer meets the system requirements, you’re good to go.

Windows 7 Home Premium
This is the version that 95% of the consumer world will use. Windows Home Premium gives the user the improved Windows 7 interface, provides enhanced desktop search, includes IE8 and provides secure home networking and file sharing within that home network.  From a technical perspective, what does this mean?  Very simply, you’re going to get the new OS with all the eye candy and enhancements, very quickly find programs, options and documents regardless of where Microsoft or you put them, surf the internet (allowing you to share pictures, send and receive messages, and visit your favorite websites), and share documents between all computers in your home.

Windows 7 Home Premium is $199.99

Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Professional does everything that Windows Home Premium does but also provides the following capabilities – The ability to run Windows XP Mode (an advanced compatibility mode only needed in the most EXTREME incompatibility cases), the ability to join a business network (like the one at work), and the ability to backup your data to a network drive. These extra three features aren’t worth an extra $100 unless you need to connect to a business network. Period; so save your money.  Most everyone won’t need to do this. Windows 7 is NOT like Windows XP or Windows Vista where there are vast differences between one version and the next.

Windows 7 Professional is $299.99

Windows 7 Ultimate
There was a compelling reason to buy Windows Vista Ultimate – Windows Ultimate Extras (a series of cool, free, MS created add-on applications only available with the Vista Ultimate version – Ultimate Extras have now been discontinued and are no longer available), included DVD decoders (so you could watch a DVD on your PC without having to buy any other program), as well as some other not often used differences.  Windows 7 Ultimate offers two (2), just two additional features over Windows 7 Professional – BitLocker (a data security add-on originally included as a Windows Vista Ultimate Extra, but now only available in Win7 Ultimate) and the ability to have Windows 7 display in one of 35 different native languages (Simplified Chinese, Spanish, German, etc.).  Unless you MUST run Windows 7 in a different language than the one native to your country, there is absolutely no reason to spend the extra $120, so again...save your money.

Windows 7 Ultimate is $319.99

Conclusion
Over the years, Microsoft hasn’t made it easy to choose the right version of Windows for your home computing needs.  XP’s two choices were simple enough, but more people wanted the connectivity and networking features of Windows XP Pro than the features of the apparently crippled XP Home.  Choosing the right version of Windows Vista was just plain confusing. With Windows 7, Microsoft has made it much easier – Save your money. Unless you have specific computing needs as outlined above, you need Windows 7 Home Premium.

Earlier this year, I wrote a review on a power line networking product called HomeNet by Corinex over at Gear Diary.  You can see the review here. I generally liked the product; but since the review posted, I’ve had a number of problems with the products.

If you don’t have wireless; or if your wireless network doesn’t penetrate everywhere in the house, power line networking could be a GREAT way for you to get online without having to buy an access point or lay CAT5/CAT6 cable throughout your house.  Up until about 5 months ago, I really liked my Corinex products.  They were getting the job done.

Then out of nowhere, the first set of Corinex AV200 adapters I had failed. Fortunately for me, I had a second set.  I had a great deal of difficulty getting them to shoot a signal from one end of my basement to another (or anywhere else in the house for that matter).  The documentation was conflicting/contradictory and I think the adapters were a bit flakey.  They were nothing like the first set.  However, I got them working.  Don’t get me wrong, when they work, they do a great job.  The nice thing about power line networking is that the signal flows through all wiring in your house, extension cords and power strips included.

However, they failed as well.  Out of nowhere, just like the first set, they dropped the network signal, and would NOT resync or carry a signal at all.  To top it off, they would NOT work with the first set at all, so if one in either set was bad, I couldn’t get a signal from any combination of pairings between the GameNet and HomeNet products I had (I was told they were essentially the same by Corinex earlier this year).

The big problem is that I had the documentation for the Corinex products IN HAND; and it didn’t make a bit of difference.  What I did earlier to get the second set to work, wouldn’t work this time.  I tried for about 2.5 hours.  If someone with my experience can’t get a turn key product to work after 2.5 hours of trying, it ain’t gonna work.

I made a quick run to Best Buy and bought a set of NetGear AV85 Power Line adapters with a gift card I had been sitting on.  I brought them home, plugged one into an AC outlet near my Linksys wired, 4 port Cable/DSL router, plugged the RJ45 cable into it and watched the lights on it come to life.

I then walked across the basement into my home office and plugged the second unit into the power strip behind my desk.  I plugged the RJ45 cable connected to my Linksys 8 port Workgroup Switch into it, and POOF!  I was back on.  No runs, drips or errors.  Nothin’ but broadband...

I checked the speed I was getting with my connection and was pleasantly surprised.

While I can get better speed with wireless, it really doesn’t come down to my office very well. The signal is a bit weak, and I really don’t want to rely on it for important computing like writing for JAMM or iTechGear. The signal from the NetGear AV85 power line adapters may not be as fast as any other connection types available to me in the house; but the privacy and consistent connectivity is worth the slower speed.  Besides, nearly 4Mbps down is fast enough for what I’m doing from the Internet. I’m not watching Hulu down here... I’m working.  No, seriously!  I mean it!  (OK, maybe just a little Hulu or other stuff; but with my Hava, I really don’t need Hulu.)

This is the turnkey product I was hoping it would be. Plug it in, hook it up, and it just works. Period.  Not bad, NetGear...not bad.

Conclusion: When I started this article, it was immediately following my return from the store with the NetGear AV85 power line adapters.  I was really frustrated with the Corinex units.  I’ve got 4, and not only would they not work together, they had trouble keeping a signal even after I did get them working.  The NetGear units had a better out of the box experience than the Corinex units, and have a lower entry cost ($40 cheaper than the Corinex units at the time of review). Provided they stay working (like, beyond a year... I’m just sayin’...), they are a much better buy, even at only 85Mpbs as compared to the 200Mbps potential from the Corinex units.

Power line networking works, kids; and its a VERY easy way of bringing a reliable network signal into a room where wireless isn’t available. Its consistency is much better than wireless, and you don’t have to worry about other kinds of radio interference.

Price: The NetGear 85Mbit Power Line Network Adapters are $99.99 and available at most electronics stores (like Best Buy) in your neighborhood. The Corinex AV200 Power Line adapters can be purchased for about $80.00 here.

What I Liked: The NetGear products just worked. You plugged them in, and they worked...instantly. No hoops to jump through...buttons to push...Nothing. They just worked.

What Needs Improvement: With the NetGear equipment. Nothing really. As I mentioned, they just worked.

Disclosure: The Corinex Power Line Networking adapters were provided by Corinex, free of charge to facilitate the review for Gear Diary back in February. The NetGear Power Line Networking adapters were purchased in a fit of desperation.

I'm in the market for a new phone, and possibly a new carrier (after nearly 5 years with AT&T); and the Moto CLIQ may be the device for me and the family.  PC Magazine recently reviewed the device and gave it 4 out of 5 stars, AND their coveted Editor's Choice Award.

 

The Motorola CLIQ is the company's first Android-powered Smartphone. It's also a stellar device for the socially inclined. It aggregates updates from social networking sites, photo sharing sites, and Web-based e-mail. It could easily serve as the center of your connected universe. For a change, that's not hyperbole. Despite a few stumbles, the innovative and effective CLIQ easily wins our Editors' Choice award for T-Mobile smartphones.

As always, PCMag has a very thorough review, and some cool pics to go with it.  If you're considering picking up the device, or want to know if Moto is really gonna say "hello" with this device, you need to check out the review.  Like me, you may be pleasantly surprised. However, I did notice one downfall. Motorola is going to have to release their own updates for the device, not T-Mo,

But while Motorola insists the highly-customized CLIQ is compatible with all third-party programs, the CLIQ can't handle Google's standard OS updates. The CLIQ comes with Android 1.5, and can't be updated to Android 1.6 ("Donut") at the time of this review. CLIQ owners who want the integrated camcorder app and improved Android Market must wait for Motorola to issue its own package.

JAMM is on the waiting list to get a CLIQ for review, and as soon as it arrives, you can expect an unboxing/unboxing video as well as a thorough review.  Stay tuned, kids... things are going to get turned up a notch, as Motorola may just have gotten back into the Smartphone arena!

I’ve been writing for a long time, and one of the things that I learned early on, is that there’s a lot to like about most everything you get to review.  Your TRUE opinion usually hits after the honey moon period is over.  THAT can last a couple of months, depending on the device/gadget/thingy you’re reviewing. Getting past the WOW factor is important, and most product reviewers just can’t do it in a couple of days to a week.

When I saw the Soda Stream Penguin Starter Kit, the wow factor for me was pretty high – a nine or a ten (on a 10 point scale), and I knew that any kind of review would take a while.  The device is, after all, pretty cool (more below); but let’s can the chit-chat and get down to brass tacks.  The Soda Stream Penguin Starter Kid – Yeah or Nay..?  Read on for a combo video/picture and text review.

 

The Soda Stream Penguin Soda Maker Starter Kit

 

How to Make Your Own Soda – So Easy, Even a 4 year Old can do it!

 

I also noticed that much of the components in the machine are made of plastic.  During my review, the main part of the soda maker that controls the valve on the carbonator simply snapped.  I was shocked!  It just…snapped!  I tried a couple different types of Crazy Glue to fix it, and neither worked.  The plastic wouldn’t bond with the glue.  I even tried Gorilla Glue (it works with EVERYTHING, especially skin) and even it wouldn’t make the pieces stick together (it even expands to fill gaps as it cures). The type of plastic is unusual in the Penguin, so you need to make sure that it doesn’t drop, get bumped, etc., as if it breaks, you’re done.  In my case, it seems I encountered a very RARE manufacturing glitch. The replacement soda maker that I was shipped has really done well and hasn’t missed a beat, even when Sam and Josh help me make a batch of soda.

See the # “4?” My original machine cracked diagonally through this area

This is the component that broke on me.  I’m not sure how or why; but I was told that it happens, but it is very rare.

The carbonator (bottle of gas) screws into the machine here; but it needs to be TIGHT!

The plastic used here is very good at making a seal with the carbonator, but you need to make sure that the seal is tight. The pressures that we’re dealing with here are incredible, and you need to be careful.

This is the piece that inserts into the water in the carafe.

The infuser inserts itself into the top of the carafe when the top closes and the gas shoots into the water through it.

Only use an approved carafe in the machine.	The inside of the carafe.

 

Price: The Soda Stream Penguin Starter Kit comes with the Penguin Soda Maker, 2 Carbonators, and 2 glass carafes, and retails for $249.99.  At the time of this writing, however, it is on sale for $199.95 directly from Soda Stream USA.  It can also be purchased at a number of different local retailers by using their store locator. Stocked products and prices will vary.

What I liked: Being able to create as much or as little carbonated beverage as I liked or needed. Making the soda is fun, and is easy for everyone to do. You control the degree of carbonation, so drinks are as flat or fizzy as you like.

What Needs Improvement: You have to like Splenda as a sweetener, or you’re not going to like the Soda Stream beverages. Most of them have a “diet” taste to them. Some more so than others. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it is something you need to be aware of.  Splenda has a very distinct taste, and you have to like it if you’re going to like these beverages. 

You can ONLY carbonate water.  Any attempt to carbonate anything else other than water usually results in an overflow of some kind, regardless of how carbonated you make the beverage.

Plastic parts can sometimes break, as my soda maker experienced a “blow-out” while making a bottle one Sunday evening. Not even Gorilla Glue would fix it (due to the type of plastic used), and it glues nearly EVERYTHING.  Once it breaks, you’re done.

 

Conclusion: This is an AWESOME product; but the only way it makes sense economically is if you buy extra carafes, and stick to it.  After a while, the “fun” might wear off, and you’re simply stuck making soda. You also need to be satisfied with your super market’s brand of soda, as this is going to taste very similar to it.  However, you get to determine how much you make, how much syrup you use, the level of carbonation, and of course, you do make it with your OWN tap water.

From a “green” perspective, you completely eliminate cans and plastic bottles in your home; and the carbonators are easily recycled at a local retailer.  All in all, two green thumbs way up.

I. Am. A. Mobile. Computing. User... Period.

I live for converged devices, laptops, netbooks, and data on the go. I’ve got unlimited data on my Smartphone account; and have tethered my laptop to my phone when I need to be online in a pinch. When I travel, I need to take it with me; and when it comes to airport security, I dread the TSA required aerobics and mandatory disrobing... Thankfully, to help make things easier, Skooba Designs has blessed us with the CheckTrough Backpack.  Let's take a quick look to see how (and if) this thing makes travelling easier...

 

 

I have a LONG commute. I spend 4 hours a day (2 hours, door to door, each way) going back and forth to work on the Metra Rail here in Chicago, and then to and from the train station.  At times, I’ve also had to trek out to Denver, and back and forth (on rare occasion) to Nashville.

 

 

When it comes to air travel, I hate, haTE, HATE doing the necessary aerobics and disrobing routine (shoes, belt, empty and turn pockets inside out, take watch off, etc.) at the security gate.  I curse the name of Richard Reid every time I have to kick my shoes off and walk on that dirty, DIRTY floor (just because this guy wanted to blow his feet up (for whatEVER reason)).  Its nice, however, when I don’t have to completely unpack at Security; and that’s all due to the CheckThrough Backpack from Skooba Designs.

The CheckThrough backpack opens and folds flat at its middle so that your laptop doesn’t have to come out of the bag.  When going through airport security, you simply unzip the bag at the middle, lay it down so that the clear window is up and exposed so that a TSA agent can see what’s in it, and allow the bag to go through the scanner.  The bag is designed to present your laptop exactly as it would if it were in a bin. 

Everything is secure, so all you have to do when it comes out the other end is (get dressed), slip your shoes back on, grab the bag, give it a quick zip and head off to your gate.  There’s no need to repack your carry-ons. However, Skooba Designs does note the following on the product page for the bag on their site -

It is the intention and expectation of all involved in the “checkpoint-friendly” bag program that once fully implemented, the process will move smoothly and that suitably designed and constructed bags, properly packed and used, will move through the system efficiently as planned. However, in all instances, screening personnel always have the right to require laptop removal, secondary screening, or any other measures deemed necessary to ensure travel security.

 

Skooba has a cool video of the CheckThrough process.  You can see it below.

 

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McPMuNpcpco[/youtube]

 

Commuting Use
I’ve been running back and forth to the house on the Chicago Metra BNSF line for a few years. I’ve been using the bag there for the past few months. As a backpack, this thing is merely, ok.  Its small, so if you have more than 1 PC (like me) or some additional accessories to carry along with some paperwork, you may end up with a tight fight.  After a while, it got difficult to use in a daily commuting scenario, at least for me, with everything that I want/need to carry.  Also, according to TSA regulations, carrying a laptop in the accessories/clothing compartment will still require you to pull the second PC out and have it scanned separately.

For me, this was not a good commuting bag.  With both my work and freelancing PC, it was a bit heavy. The straps weren’t padded enough, and after a while, the bag became painful to carry.  The extra compartments made if hard to carry power bricks and other accessories for one PC comfortably, let alone for two.  It seems a bit small for clothing and shoes/toiletries for any other kind of trip other than an overnighter.  Thankfully, however, Skooba Designs does include a clear, plastic zipper bag to store TSA scannable liquids in. A nice little extra; and the document pockets were kinda nice to have, especially for my monthly train and bus pass.

 

 

Price: The Skooba Designs Check Through Backpack is $129.99 (at the time of this writing), and is available directly from Skooba’s website.

What I liked: CheckThrough design. Ease of use at airport security (provided you only carry/use one laptop in the bag)

What Needs Improvement: The bag is designed for travel, and as such, could use a LOT more room to hold accessories and/or clothes. The straps could benefit from a lateral tie to hold them together while being worn on both shoulders. The bag could use additional padding to help with back and shoulder support, as wearing it for an extended period of time (like in a LONG airport security line) can be a bit tiring and painful.

Conclusion: This is a decent bag that will do well for commuters doing puddle jumping on the East Coast, or for quick business trips.  Don’t plan on packing a lot of clothes, though. The extra compartment is very small; and if you’re going to be gone for anything longer than an overnight trip, you’re going to want a separate overnight bag for clothes or toiletries.

After carrying this bag for about a month, I am ready to move back to my older backpack.  The straps don’t tie together across your chest, making the bag feel as though it might slide off easily, despite their innovative shape. It also lacks a waist strap that would pull the bottom of the bag in closer to your hips, giving you a bit more lumbar support while carrying it.