Windows Live

I’m trying Windows Live to see how it updates the blog.  Some magazine I just read said that Windows Live Writer is one of the best applications to have.  Um …..

Windows 7 Continued

I installed W7 on a HP Pavilion tx2000 notebook with fingerprint reader, swivel touch screen, and built-in wifi/bluetooth. Neither the fingerprint reader nor the bluetooth works. Shortly after the install, bluetooth recognized the cell phone and, briefly, the Microsoft Bluetooth mouse. Now, nothing. The web isn't much help, either. But it is nice to know that others are having similar problems. Touch screen is more precise than it was in Vista.

Now the good - hibernation currently works much faster than it did in Vista. Boot times seem much quicker, too. I do like the combination quick launch and running programs bar better. It first I thought I wanted the separate quick launch toolbar, but now, not so much.

A Schedule

We've created a summer schedule that seems to be agreeable.

We leave here for home on June 6; work on Junior and go to all the missed doctor's appointments; return to Desloge on June 28; hope that Harold and Lucille can move into the assisted living apartment at that time.

THEN, we take an extended trip to Nova Scotia. Sounds like a plan?

(Subject to change)

Harold is Home

Just brought Donna's dad home. We are now entering Phase III of this experience. We hope her folks can take care of themselves for a while - give us a chance to return home for a few weeks. We should be able to determine that in a few days. Her brother is scheduled to return in late June for a week - don't think we can last until then!?!?

We spent a few wonderful days in Pella, IA this last weekend visiting Keith and Connie. Lot's of food and drink; met some of their friends; got a rainy tour of Pella; and saw lots of tulips. K & C have a very nice homestead in the country - hilltop views!

We are now thinking this might be the summer to go to Nova Scotia. Hmmmmmm ....

Windows 7

Last week the release candidate for Windows 7 was made available to the general public. Being the leading edge sort of a person I am, I spent the day trying to get it downloaded and installed. If you upgrade from Vista, expect the installation to be very long. AND, I found that strange things happened with the upgrade.

I then did something drastic - I did a new install of 7 and erased Vista! Windows 7 seems to run a little better and the install was much quicker. BTW, unless you hack the download file a little bit, what you will install is the Ultimate Edition. Not sure what that really gives you yet (I need to read more), but it will last until June of 2010. At which time you must buy 7 or go back to a previous version.

The UI is slightly different than Vista - maybe better?!?! It may load a little faster and I think hibernation is faster, too.

More later.

My Thoughts on Twitter ...

I've tried Twitter, Facebook, and even Pounce. I don't see the point??!!! People who tweet leave short messages that don't mean a whole lot and if you're on Facebook, there's always someone asking "are you the Steve Shaff that ..... ".

I've seen some discussion about the security of said services; some people expect big problems with them, and soon.

So, I've removed myself from these services. I will communicate via this blog and email. If someone has any better experiences, please email me. I'd like to know more about them.

Mini Trips

My days have changed slightly - I've returned to reading books. Just finished a good one by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - The Wheel of Darkness. The first book I read by them was Relic; I greatly enjoyed it and have read a couple by them since then. My problem is: which ones did I read? Do I have to read them again? Anyway, they have a few I DON'T THINK I've read, so will try them, too.

I'm now about two-thirds of the way through The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver. It is one of those "can't put it down" stories, but it is a murder mystery - something I don't really enjoy that much. However, this one is about identity theft - a topic I find interesting.

Oh, yeah, back to Mini Trips. I leave this next Monday to visit Mother in Ft. Smith. Plan to stay a few days and will return to Desloge on Thursday. On May the 14th Donna gets another relief spell from her Aunt, at which time we take a trip to Pella to see Connie and Keith (and the rest of the gang), drink a little wine, and celebrate Connie's 60th birthday. Should be fun!!!

We changed the surgeon's visit to May 18. We expect Donna's dad to be released from therapy shortly thereafter; he is doing very well (I think he really wants out of there!).