Microsoft: Say it ain’t so!

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Two troubling articles have surfaced about Microsoft in the past 24 hours. One of the strengths Microsoft had (especially when purchasing new hardware from the Microsoft Store) was that you could get your new hardware without all the “crapware” and “bloatware” that the other hardware vendors put on their devices. They did that as an additional revenue stream. Supposedly it made the hardware “more cost effective.” It is just annoying.

Now it seems that Microsoft signed a deal with TripAdvisor to do exactly the same thing. Preload crap on the device before you buy it. The full article from PC world is here: http://www.pcworld.com/article/3026728/windows/microsoft-will-preload-tripadvisor-onto-windows-10-devices-in-a-bid-for-relevance.html

The second article revolves around privacy and the “InPrivate” browsing mode that IE and Edge browsers have. The idea is that if you’re using the “InPrivate” feature, nothing gets written to the machine (cookies, URLs, etc.). This makes it harder for you to be tracked by the good or bad guys. Apparently the new Edge Browser on Windows 10 is keeping that data in folders that are fairly easy to access (if you know what you’re looking for). Microsoft says they’re working on fixing that. The full article is here: http://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/microsoft-edge-private-browsing-flaw-leaking-your-web-history-report-795607

Web link crashes Safari on your iPhone or Mac

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It works on Android too — and it’s not a good idea to do it on either.

So far it looks like a “harmless” prank. If you visit the site crashsafari.com (please don’t) it will crash the Safari browser on Mac and iOS (phone) devices so hard that you’ll likely require a reboot. It appears to do the same to Chrome on Android devices and PCs.

From the Endgadget article:

“There doesn’t appear to be any malware lurking behind the code, and you should be fine once you restart your browser or device. However, there are concerns that someone could use the crash to compromise your security (some attacks rely on crashes to open vulnerabilities)… or at least, use a URL shortener to hide the link and pull a prank.”

Read the full story here: http://www.engadget.com/2016/01/25/web-link-crashes-safari/

What is the Microsoft Educator Community and how can it help teachers?

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The Guardian recently released an “infomercial page” about the Microsoft Educator Community that does a really good job laying out some free resources for maximizing the Microsoft tools you likely already have in your classroom.

What sets MEC apart?

MEC has some particular advantages as a source of CPD:

  • It is separated from the school’s hierarchy and structure, and so is non-threatening and reassuring.
  • It is owned by the teacher, as a member of the MEC.
  • It is largely delivered by fellow educators, who, the evidence tells us, are the people from whom teachers are most likely to learn.
  • It is highly interactive – a collaborative learning community, not a passive group of learners.
  • It offers a wide choice of starting points – material which is age related, or subject related, or both, for example.
  • It is available anytime, anywhere, can be repeated, slowed down or approached from different directions.
  • It can be accredited with a system of “Microsoft innovative educator” badges.
  • Crucially, it’s free.

Read the whole article here: http://www.theguardian.com/microsoft-partner-zone/2016/jan/27/what-is-microsoft-educator-community-how-can-help-teachers

Office and OneDrive Updates for iPad Pro, iOS9, and WatchOS 2

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Microsoft has released updates to its Office 2016 Mac suite and OneDrive. The big news for me was that they have enabled the inking tools in OneNote to work with the Apple “pencil.” Now you really have no excuse for not using the best App out there.

Microsoft is taking advantage of the new multitasking features of the iPad Pro by using the Slide Over and Split View functions. (I wonder where Apple got the idea for these features? Microsoft Surface, anyone?!?)

Microsoft upped the ante with Intelligent Search, Wireless Keyboard Support, and two Watch enhancements for Outlook and Translator.

Source: https://blogs.office.com/2015/09/09/office-updates-for-the-ipad-pro-ios-9-and-watchos-2/

More conspiracy theories with Windows 10

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Opinion:

I really wish the conspiracy theorists would go after Google and Apple as hard as they do Microsoft. Microsoft is huge, but the other two are just as big and in many cases doing things far shadier than anything Microsoft has come up with.

In any case, I stumbled upon an article today from Business Insider that was ripe with conspiracy theory claiming that Microsoft was working with its hardware vendors to “kill Windows 7 & 8” and “forces chip makers into supporting Windows 10.” (source: “Microsoft forces chip makers into supporting Windows 10”)

Well, I say they’re right.

Last time I checked, time marched on and we can’t run Windows 7 on a 386 or 486 computer. OK, someone will probably come out of the woodwork now and claim to have done so, but my question is: how many hours did you spend making that work? Was it worth it in the end?

Windows 10 is here. It is streamlined code that runs more efficiently than 7 or 8. The new processors (specifically Intel’s “Skylake”) are more efficient. Why not combine the two and “double down” on processing efficiencies and battery life?

I don’t see anyone “forcing” anyone else here.

Unless you’re unfamiliar with how this whole computer life cycle thing works. If they move on with new silicone and new operating systems, then we have to buy more product. There’s nothing technically wrong with the hardware we have — but if you already have it, you’re not buying. The Bad guys are exploiting more vulnerabilities in operating systems and apps of all sorts and plugging those holes is often easier in the new version instead of trying to patch code that was obviously flawed. We don’t live in a “fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry” society. We live in a “throw it away and get new” society. It’s a shame, really.

Reading the whole press release makes a difference.

Microsoft’s Press Release about this very subject “Windows 10 Embracing Silicon Innovation” lays it out:

“In addition to our OEM partners, throughout the design of Windows 10, we’ve been working closely with our silicon partners, including Intel, AMD, NVidia, and Qualcomm, on collaborative engineering to ensure Windows 10 takes full advantage of new silicon features. We continue to partner with these companies on their roadmaps, to achieve breakthroughs in performance, imaging, connectivity, power, graphics, and more as the Windows platform evolves with them.”

I’m reading this as saying that they’re working with the silicon makers to further increase the efficiency of Windows 10 by taking advantage of innovation on the silicon itself.

Of course, this does leave 7 & 8 in the dust.

Just like Win 3.1, Win95 and WinXP were left behind by advances in processors and graphics. SURPRISE! (not really)

I understand that business currently lives in the Windows 7 (and A LOT of WinXP) world. Testing applications and business processes take time — this slows down adoption of new technology. (The Bad Guys love you for this, BTW) It’s looking like business will need to start hiring more “nerds” to increase their testing and adaptation rates. Time marches on faster and faster in each technology year.

Windows 10 is here. “Skylake” is here. Microsoft, Intel and their kind want you to buy more stuff.

Guess what they’re going to do? First, they’re not going to market to you. They’re going for the “kids.” Then they’re going to make the “candy” you already have look like a big pile of manure so you’ll buy their “new and improved candy.” Oh, and they’re not going to make the old “candy” anymore (because you’d probably buy that instead).

I wonder where I’ve seen this strategy before. Hmm.

Logo Apple Generasi Kedua

 

Apple has biggest App Store season ever

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Apple announced that it had its best ever sales this past holiday season. App store and in-app purchases topped 1.1 Billion dollars (cue Dr. Evil’s pinky finger) in a scant two week timeframe ending January 3, 2016.

“The App Store had a holiday season for the record books. We are excited that our customers downloaded and enjoyed so many incredible apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV, spending over $20 billion on the App Store last year alone,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “We’re grateful to all the developers who have created the most innovative and exciting apps in the world for our customers. We can’t wait for what’s to come in 2016.”

Source: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2016/01/06Record-Breaking-Holiday-Season-for-the-App-Store.html

Empowering Students with OneNote: Genius Hour

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I use OneNote daily in my business activity. For me it’s absolutely indispensable. I know I’m only cracking the surface of it’s potential but I can see the true power of this software when I see an example like this.

One Fifth Grade teacher in California is using OneNote to inspire and transform her class through “Genius Hour.”

The Full story is here: Empowering students with Genius Hour—Part 1: Accepting your genius

The FREE e-book that inspired this teacher: “Liberating Genius” (in OneNote format) is available here.

Here’s the beginning of the story:

The message on the whiteboard was simple. You matter. When the students entered the classroom, they were bound to see it. You matter. The next day it moved again, where students couldn’t miss it. You matter.

Genius hour image 1

It wasn’t put up by any teacher. This message was being driven home day after day by a student.

She was motivated to deliver these empowering words through the Genius Hour walk-up lessons we’ve been using from Angela Maiers’ free e-book (in OneNote format), “Liberating Genius.” My message-writing student told me she thought her genius right now was inspiring other students to feel as special as she does.

The “Room Nine Kids” is a fifth grade class in Manteca (California) Unified School District. I am a big believer in Genius Hour, which allows students to study a topic of their own choosing. The topic must be approved by the teacher; it must require research, problem-solving or skill-building; and the final project must be presented to the class. I have seen the power of Genius Hour in my students.

Maiers’ “Liberating Genius” paves the way to Genius Hour through lessons that involve self-reflection, character-building, collaboration and the inspiring motto, “You are a genius and the world needs your contribution.” One of our lessons included having the students realize that their genius matters—not just to them but to the world around them. And one of my students has already taken that message to heart.

Read the entire article: Empowering students with Genius Hour—Part 1: Accepting your genius

Microsoft, Privacy and the Big Debate

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hullabaloo

There’s been much made about the information Microsoft collects and uses for its own purposes. It’s really come to “light” with the push of Windows 10 upgrades and Microsoft’s inability to communicate anything effectively.

Here’s my take on the whole matter: Microsoft finally did what my mother always told me not to. (“If EVERYONE jumped off the bridge, would you have to?”) Oh sure, they’ve been collecting data on you all along. Just not as much and not as often. How do you think they knew how many machines were running what operating system and what kind of machine it was?

However, if the “new revelations” about the data Microsoft is collecting on you just scare you silly; I suggest you:

  • close that Chrome Browser,
  • deactivate your GMail,
  • shut down your
    • Facebook account,
    • Instagram,
    • SnapChat,
    • Twitter,
  • remove iTunes,
  • and shut down your iCloud account

Although from a “selling you out” and “invading your privacy” standpoint, the damage is already done.

Microsoft is not doing anything that the others aren’t already doing. None are completely transparent in what they do with the data. That’s a problem for anyone truly and deeply concerned about privacy.

Here’s my example. I’m not a Google fan. I was when they started out, but I became troubled with their revenue model. It bugs me. They rely almost entirely on advertising for revenue. That makes where I go, what I look at, click on and buy extremely attractive for collection — and that’s exactly what they do. Want to test it ? Look up anything you wouldn’t normally look for. See how long it takes the advertisements in Gmail or in the Chrome browser to change to what you just looked for. It’s creepy. I avoid their services. Now I still have an account because as a business, I need to be “everywhere” but I don’t use them for anything in my personal life.

I’m extremely sad that Microsoft has apparently “jumped on the bandwagon” but I am still more comfortable with them (or Apple for that matter) having my data than I am with Google.

There’s a couple of articles that are nice counterpoints. You can read more here:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/revealed-the-crucial-detail-that-windows-10-privacy-critics-are-missing/

http://betanews.com/2016/01/08/if-youre-fine-with-microsofts-approach-to-privacy-in-windows-10-youre-out-of-touch/

Microsoft updates OneNote Class and Staff Notebook

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onenote
Microsoft updated the best tool you’re not using in your classroom: OneNote.

Here’s a summary of the updates:

  • Class Notebooks—Co-teachers can now add or remove students to a Class Notebook.
  • Staff Notebooks—Staff leaders can now remove staff members or notebook co-owners and co-owners can now add or remove staff members to a Staff Notebook. In addition, Active Directory security group and Office 365 Group support is now offered.
  • Legacy SharePoint Store app for the OneNote Class Notebook Creator—Ability to remove students.
  • Legacy SharePoint Store app for OneNote Staff Notebooks—Ability to remove staff members.
  • OneNote Online—The top requested feature, Image crop, was added as well as the ability to unpin notebooks from the notebook list.

An in-depth explanation of each of the updates can be found here: https://blogs.office.com/2016/01/05/ring-in-the-new-year-with-onenote-class-and-staff-notebook-updates/