Report - Using Microsoft Windows Live

Most if not everyone who has ever used a computer should be familiar with Microsoft.  This is a report discussing their extremely large online web application called Microsoft Windows Live.  Some people may recognize the application through their hotmail email service.  This book covers in-depth the contents and usability of Windows Live and its services, from an introductory tour to thorough explanations of their services.  This book provides various aides such as interactive videos.   People who may already be familiar with what Windows Live provides may find this book to be a review whereas for people who are only familiar with a specific service, like Windows Live Hotmail will find some new additional information regarding the services they are using.

The first part of this book starts with Windows Live Essentials and how to get started.  Now, I myself may look pass a lot of these programs.  There is Windows Live Family Safety which is a family based program set up for the most basic guard against web threats; although the standard anti-virus program will be sufficient enough without this.  Using this program may also enable people to block sites to prevent access to.  Again, this is something that could just as easily be done through the web browser.  Next, they introduce Windows Live Messenger, the most commonly used program within Windows Live.  I could spend a large portion talking about all the small functions that this program provides people, along with their mobile version that can be accessed by virtually any small digital device that has WIFI access.  There’s maybe more in this program worth discussing than most of their compilation of programs.

Through Windows Live Messenger, files can be transferred to other people.  It usually has around a 6~8 megabyte limit.  Mail can also be jumped to from the Windows Live Messenger.  Windows Live Mail, again, is among the most common programs.  There’s not much more to explain here than there is for Google Mail, as function wise, they’re very similar.  Next we get into the production programs, such as Windows Live Movie Maker and Photo Gallery.  The functionality of the Movie Maker is a bit more limited than other video editor applications such as YouTube.  Photo Gallery is another image storage service.  It’s a bit more privatized than the standard image host (Imageshack), but allows some handy photo editing like what you can do at Walgreens to customize photos.
 
The rest of the programs through Windows Live feature programs like Windows Live Writer which is similar to Blogger.  Only main difference is you’re not restricted to being on the service (Blogger) to construct a blog post, but you still need to be logged into Windows Live to really make use of it.  So I hardly see that much of a difference.   And finally there’s the Bing Bars, which I don’t like.  I rarely use all these added plug-ins attached to my browser and I find that they take up memory even when they are not in use.

The second part of this book works with how to install and know what is worth downloading from Windows Live Essentials and how to make use of it.  Although, by the time anyone begins installing any of the services, they’ll already know the basics of how to use them.  If they wanted to know more, they would simply consult their program’s help menus.  The third and fourth parts of this book cover the above mentioned programs and services into excessive explanations of them.  Now, particularly the only web service listed to note of that hasn’t already been introduced is SkyDrive, which caught my attention.
 
What is SkyDrive?  SkyDrive is essentially a Microsoft supported FTP which enables the creation, storage, and transfer of Microsoft documents.  Now, most of the programs, like PowerPoint may require that the programs be installed before using them; but when accessed, they open up within the SkyDrive user interface. Beyond that, there’s not much more to explain which wouldn’t be understood within the same minute of using it.
 
The remainder of the book is all appendices and glossaries so if anyone got lost in the technical terms and concepts, they can look back here.

Using Microsoft Windows Live

by Mark Edward Soper

published December 9, 2011

by Que.

Screencast - Talk to the Screen

This is a screen-cast about YouTube.  I figured of all the things to screen-cast, why not make it on a video-cast and/or host?  With already a take on image hosting and a screen 'host' of sorts, it'd fit well to attempt it with a video host.

Now, this was quite an interesting experience.  The greatest challenge I find in any oral presentation is being able to cover all the material without speaking too fast or too slow.  It's funny, because having to explain a document or lengthy presentation; in this case a PowerPoint gets a little nerving because you never know how it's going to sound.  But certainly a fun experience with talking to the screen.

Software Flickr - Managers Behind the Screen

Primarily this is experimentation on a photo web application called Flickr, but just as a demo, it will make a miniature slideshow of what manages the input/output that goes on screen.  Geeks everywhere may recognize what any of them are at first glance.  But not everyone buying a computer may know they can access some of these areas to know what is going into the computer and to make changes, provided they know how.  Knowing is everything--- especially when working with complex machinery; and that knowledge aides in being cautious of any consequences there may be when altering data.  Always know what to do before taking action.  Here is my demo-slideshow.

Screenshow

Blogging moods

What probably separates the most about each blog type are the moods for which a person has.  I find it may actually be easier to make a business related blog as activities are always occurring providing reasons to blog about it.  Whereas most other blogs depend on what content can be provided or the simple spirit of discussing whatever is on the mind, even if it is all themed. Themes create the border for what inside work can be done.  So then, it comes down to the blogging mood to decorate.   Some may push for a cottage; others may push for a skyscraper.   So what puts a person into the mood of blogging?   Or in the mood of reading a blog?  Would it be safe to say that it's not that much different than home decorating and shopping?
To each his/her own.

Diigo - Putting on an Explorer's Eye

I must say that this was a first for me.  I never even thought of a network that would save bookmarks with added features.  Over time I'd have a flood of folders in my favorites with all the websites I would ever visit or anything that would be important for school or work.  It goes to show that there are many things yet to discover or tools to investigate that might make life easier; or perhaps just to keep things looking clean. For me however, if I'm going to organize, I prefer it to be simple.  I am sure in time, I might make use of a bookmarking site like Diigo.  Although, I probably will only need half the tools they provide.  Social bookmarking in general is probably better for people who hold a large quantity of websites that they visit daily.  It is less likely for people like me who only keep a handful of important sites in one place whereas the rest are stashed in a set of referencing folders which I only open when I need to.

2012 Vice President Debate

Another majorly event.  The Vice Presidential debate.  We the People only get to see these debates once in every 4 years.  In any case, whether the Democrats want to say Biden crushed Ryan or the Republicans want to say Ryan crushed Biden, I'm just going to say that out of everything that was going on, I was most distracted by the mannerisms that were being displayed.   In short, I don't care what the Democrats are voting for, I didn't like Biden in this debate.  And I know I am not the only one that notices this; Biden just came off rather snide and rude.  There are a lot of things to snicker about, but to do so in a serious debate of all places, and in public, is completely unprofessional.  I don't care how good or bad the content may be.   Body language and expression speaks louder than words.  I also notice the mention of fact checking as both candidates may have skewered some facts every now and then.  Although I'd sympathize a little for a rookie speaker to go through 90 minutes without stumbling, I can't quite hold the same sympathy for people who are suppose to be expert speakers running for a national office.

Bookmarks - Page Attraction

As generally, we bookmark places in a book where we leave off because not everyone can read an entire book in one sitting.  That is just the common reason to place a bookmark.  Another reason could be to pick a spot where certain lines or quotes are most attracting.  The Internet on the other hand is an almost limitless paged book.  Aside from the usual search engines, emails, and other important sites there are usually sites browsed for personal exploration or interest.  Everyone finds themselves attracted to some random website.  You never know what someone might be looking for or where they'll end up.  So then, what really attracts a visitor to one site over the other?  When looking for something, what usually catches their attention?  In the end, it all comes down to curiosity.  But in the minds of the maker, can anyone help but feel anxious of what the visitor is thinking?