It is now official…Windows 10 Creator’s Update will start rolling out on April 11. I say start rolling out as Microsoft does this kind of thing on an incremental basis. The last update, Anniversary Edition, took 3 months to roll out. Here’s how they decide who gets it and when: If they determine your computer is fully compatible with Windows 10, you will be given high priority. Last time, one of my computers got it on the same day the update was released. Another computer took a couple of weeks. The third, a laptop, took a bit longer.
I suspect my new laptop should get it early on as it is quite new, and was built with Windows 10 in mind. My other two computers many have to wait. As our first story says, desktop computers will have priority, and I have two of them. While I was quite anxious to get the Anniversary Edition, I feel a little more mellow about this one. Since I know what is in this new one, I am not all that excited (see story #2 below). Some of the more interesting features that were supposed to be in this one didn’t make the cut, so will have to wait until Fall to see them.
Microsoft journalist Mary Jo Foley says she thinks this update was misnamed. There is very little in it to excite creative folks, except for Microsoft Paint 3D. She says there is much more for gamers than creatives. Still, I think there will be many under-the-hood fixes that will keep us more secure and make our computers less likely to crash. I am all for that.
In other news, the US Congress has sold us down the river when it comes to personal privacy. The Congress Critters voted to let ISP’s sell our personal info as well as our browsing preferences to whomever is willing to pay for them…without our permission. The President is sure to sign the bill. Look for more invasion of our privacy and the end of Net Neutrality in the near future.
With that in mind, me and other folks have been exploring the use of VPN’s (Very Private Networks) at home to keep our data away from our ISP’s. I use Opera as my browser on my laptop to prevent snooping while using it in public places. It has a free VPN built-in. Now, I have started to install a VPN on all my computers. It is just my little revolt against those vulture who would sell my personal information for their own aggrandizements. Bastards!
OK. As I step down from my bully pulpit, it is time for you to start reading all the interesting info I have gathered here. –JRC
Tech News and Opinions
Windows 10 Creators Update starts rolling out on April 11th
It's heading to desktops first, with laptops and phones to follow.
The Coolest Features in Windows 10 Creators Update
Windows 10 now gets major free updates every several months. The latest, Creators Update, adds features and tools not only for creative types but for gamers and readers as well.
NY Times: How the Republicans Sold Your Privacy to Internet Providers
The Senate already approved the bill, on a party-line vote, last week, which means that in the coming days President Trump will be able to sign legislation that will strike a significant blow against online privacy protection.
Broadband Privacy Repeal Sparks Interest in VPNs
VPNs cloak a customer's web-surfing history by making an encrypted connection to a private server, which then searches the Web on the customer's behalf without revealing the destination addresses.
Police get warrant for entire Minnesota city's Google searches in wire fraud case
Police from the Minnesota city of Edina have obtained a wide-ranging court order that grants them access to a lot of it
Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks
The Laziest, Cheapest Way to Circumvent Your Snooping ISP
Congress decided that your ISP should be allowed to sell off your private browsing data, but the solutions to get around this are a bit complicated, costly, or just a pain. What’s a lazy-internet person to do? Use Opera.
Microsoft OneNote tutorial: Everything you need to know to start taking notes
It takes almost any kind of content and works well across platforms. What's not to like?
Windows 10 Tip: Turn Off Lock Screen, Start and Action Center Advertising
While Windows 10 is excellent overall, its rampant use of in-box advertising is annoying. Let's turn it all off.
How to keep a private stash of bookmarks in Chrome
Hush for Chrome lets you stash some bookmarks that can only be used in incognito mode.
12 keyboard shortcuts every Chromebook owner needs to know
A dozen keyboard shortcuts to make Chrome OS even easier to use.
Mobile Computing
Google finally releases Calendar app for iPad
It was previously only available for iPhone, Android smartphones and tablets and on the web.
7 Kindle tricks for iPhone users
Become a Kindle-for-iOS power user with these handy tips.
6 ways to maximize the Android phone dialer
Rearrange speed-dial contacts, get phone numbers for nearby businesses, duck spam calls, and more
Photo planning app PhotoPills now available for Android
Like its iOS-counterpart, PhotoPills for Android will set you back a hefty $10 but if you take your photo planning seriously this could be a small price to pay.
How to post Instagram photos to a Facebook Page
Share an Instagram photo to your Facebook Page instead of your personal account.
How to use Google Maps offline
Google Maps has an offline mode that lets you download maps and get directions even when you're not connected to the internet.
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