Interesting Links #3: Computers!
Many of this week’s Interesting Links deal with computers & technology.
When I started out with WordPress in 2007, I thought that my main focus would be writing about technology, and that I would write fiction as a hobby. As it turned out, things happened exactly the opposite way.
But I still do a lot with computers. Some people go to the garage and tinker with their cars to blow off steam. Me, I fire up a Linux virtual server and tinker with it. I suppose the impulse arises from the same place.
-When I tried to use Google Docs on a Chromebook to write a book, it got laggy and choppy after 10k words. It seems to have improved since then: Google Stuff For Authors Revisited.
-Speaking of Chromebooks, a $1000 Chromebook kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it? The Google Pixelbook brings back the $1,000 Chrome OS halo device.
-I’ve played like half of these games: Best RPGs Of All Time.
-I don’t want to upgrade my phone. I have everything set up just so. But when the day comes: What’s The Best New Android Phone?
-Part of the reason I don’t want to upgrade my phone is because the trend of getting rid of the headphone jack is bad: The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are official at $649 and $849.
-Auto-playing videos are really annoying. Here’s how to fix them: Disabling autoplaying videos in Chrome goes viral.
-And speaking of annoying websites, this is not a good business strategy: Some publishers give Facebook and Google visitors a worse user experience.
-I really like the title of this article, and it’s a good mindset for the modern writer: The Arc Of The Indie Author Journey. From First Book To CEO Of Your Global Media Empire.
-This How-To Geek article is about table saws, but this quote is excellent advice for using any power tool: “You always want to treat any power tool with respect, because the moment you bad mouth it, you’ll be convicted of treason (metaphorically) and your head will be cut off (possibly literally).” How To Safely Use A Table Saw.
-I have to admit I got one of these, and it’s a really excellent entertainment and reading device. On balance, I think it’s the best tablet Amazon has ever built: Amazon Fire HD 10 review (2017).
-JM
I apply the same logic to computers as that author does to table saws. Men, treat them as if they are your wife. If you do not speak to it with respect, it will get it’s payback! After working in IT for 20 + years now, many of my end-users say I must have the Midas touch, and I say, “Nah, I just sweet talk the thing into working for me.”
If there’s one rule of IT, it’s that end-users should never have admin rights to anything!
Favorite IT quote of ever: “90% of all people’s computer problems occur between the keyboard and the back of their chair.”
That is very true! And I did it to myself a few times. 🙂