Showing posts with label Windows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Windows. Show all posts
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Should You Upgrade to Windows 8?
Q: Would you recommend upgrading a desktop that currently operates on Vista to Windows 8?
A: I don't recommend upgrading a computer to Windows 8 that's more than a year or two old, especially if you intend to keep your data files and programs. If this PC is still running Vista, which came out six years ago, it's probably too old to assure a trouble-free, satisfying upgrade to Windows 8. You can check by downloading and running Microsoft's free Upgrade Assistant. I also recommend you search through the support section of your PC maker's website to see if the company supports the upgrade.
Q: My PC with XP just died. I just bought an iPad for portability so I don't see why I need a laptop. I gave one away because I didn't like the feel of it. But I still use Office—particularly Publisher. Should I buy a Windows 8 laptop with a touch monitor or a desktop?
A: It sounds to me like you're not a laptop fan, and don't feel you need one for portability. So I suggest you consider one of the new Windows 8 all-in-one touch screen desktop computers.
Q: Is the capacity of the iPad infinite? I've had mine three years and regularly delete emails. Is there a capacity limit and if so, how should it be dealt with?
A: The iPad has finite storage. For some of its functions, like email and the calendar, you can control how much data it stores by going into settings and specifying how many messages it should show from each account, or how far back in time its calendar should sync with the calendar service it uses.
Otherwise, if you begin to run up against the device's capacity, you'll have to delete some apps or media or other content. You can check how much capacity you have available by going to Settings, General and then clicking on About.
—You can find Mossberg's Mailbox, and my other columns at the All Things Digital website, http://walt.allthingsd.com. Email mossberg@wsj.com. A version of this article appeared February 6, 2013, on page D2 in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: Columnist Walter S. Mossberg answers readers' questions.A New View on Windows
Q: In Windows 8, what is the relationship between desktop mode and the start-screen mode with the new user interface? I find it confusing that, when opening a picture, it goes to the picture app in the start screen instead of opening in the regular Windows photo viewer. The same goes for videos.
A: I believe Microsoft sees the tabletlike start screen experience in Windows 8 as the future of Windows, the beginning of a long transition away from the traditional Windows desktop. That's why Windows 8 opens in the start screen, why Microsoft is working to build up a large catalog of tablet-type apps that run only in the start screen, and why the traditional desktop has been relegated to a mode you reach by clicking on an icon on the start screen.
It's also why the default behavior in opening photos and videos is to use the new full-screen viewers in the start screen mode.
However, I'd point out that Windows 8 gives you a choice the first time you open a picture or video of switching to the traditional desktop viewers.
And, even if you haven't opted to do so, you can always right-click on a picture or video, choose "Open with" and use the traditional viewers.
Q: Should I un-pair my cellphone from my rental car's Bluetooth system when I'm done? Are there any data theft tracks I am leaving behind?
A. Every car-phone combination may be different, but in my experience, some cars can cache some information from the phone, including the address book and recent calls. It may be that rental cars don't do this, but even so, I'd definitely un-pair your phone from a rental car.
Q: At my office, I am given a choice between a Dell laptop and a MacBook Air. I've never run the Mac version of Microsoft Office and am a bit nervous about seamless compatibility with Windows versions of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
A: Years ago, compatibility between the Windows and Mac versions was spotty. But today, with the latest editions, it's very good. In most cases, a file created in Office on one platform will appear just fine in the other, and no conversion process is needed because both use the same file formats. However, there are exceptions. Some complex files created in Windows may not translate properly to the Mac.
— You can find Mossberg's Mailbox and my other columns at the All Things Digital website, http://walt.allthingsd.com. Email mossberg@wsj.com A version of this article appeared February 20, 2013, on page D2 in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: Walter S. Mossberg answers readers' questions about technology.
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