Windows 8 myths — 1. It's confusing and it has a learning curve

This myth is easily debunked by evidence based on usage. You just have to use it to understand it, and getting the knack of it will take only a few minutes. Remember to also use the Windows key (the one to the left of the ALT key, to the left of the Space key). There is nothing confusing about it unless you cannot wrap your head around the fact that the tiles ("The Star Menu") are simply an extra layer of what otherwise is simply Windows 7. You have the traditional desktop on the one hand and you have the tiles on the other hand, and you can even start Windows directly in "desktop mode" if so you wish. Other than that, whatever you can run in Windows 7 will run in Windows 8.x.  Other visible difference is that Windows 8.x does not include the fancy transparent borders of Windows 7 (or Vista) called "aero effect." Are you missing the traditional "Start Menu"? If you are very fond of it it's probably because you never learned to use shortcuts on the desktop or the convenience of adding shortcuts right onto the Taskbar. Do you still miss it? Try some Windows Start Menu alternatives (I'm not endorsing any of them, though). In addition, whenever you are in the Tiles mode, simply start typing whatever you are looking for and the search box will pop up instantly for you. Please, stop complaining and just type... You can also try these very useful educational videos to get started.

Windows 8.1 may be in your near future

Beyond Windows 7 is Windows 8.1, the latest iteration in the form of a meaningful upgrade of the Windows operating system. You can do everything you are used to do (if it runs in Win 7, it'll certainly run in Win 8.1). In addition to the traditional desktop and the ability to work with all types of software you get a new taskbar, ready for touch devices, access to thousands of apps from the Windows Store, Start screen with live updates and personal settings that appear on up to five different PCs. When it comes to search you can have a single search to find things across the web, apps, and your PC; all you need to do is start typing while on the Tiles mode. See for yourself what's in store for Windows 7 users. I also understand you may not be ready to upgrade and probably don't need to. I personally always liked Windows 7, its nimbleness and the beauty of the aero effect, not to mention the amazing technology under the hood. I use and like equally both.

Internet Explorer 10 is for Windows 7 too

And a good upgrade. If you have not upgraded from IE 9 or previous versions you are missing not only on features but on improved security as it is always the case when a new Internet Explorer version arrives. Though this new version is hardly the latest news, I decided to post about IE 10 for Windows 7 only after having used it for several months now. It's a worthy upgrade for a browser that is more standards-compliant than ever. Try some showcase videos here.

End of retail customer service as the weakest link for Microsoft products?

Not an unusual view in some Best Buy stores: empty displays or
misplaced merchandise, not to mention frozen PCs. This is my experience.

Microsoft has finally decided to be on top of things to guarantee that its latest PCs with Windows 8 get to more customers, taking a page from the Apple stores. Needless to say Apple sells more and more computers and software thanks to a well greased retail system where the customer service reps actually know what they are talking about, let alone the quality of their products. Contrast that with the poor experience you get when visiting a retail store like Best Buy or a similar chain. First of all, the reps kind of elude you and if you finally get their attention they may talk down to you and try to get rid of you as soon as possible. Or even worse, they don't understand your questions if you happen to be a more educated consumer. The other day I asked one of these young fellows "What is the computer with the best quality, the best materials?", I said that referring to some flimsy plastic HP laptops and looking for something better. Though I had to rephrase my question, the fellow replied "I don't understand your question" (!) with an unequivocal expression of annoyance. I don't think this is just my personal experience. Let's hope that, now that Microsoft and Best Buy are teaming up to open 500 Windows Store locations inside this big retailer stores, things get better. On the other hand, I hope that Microsoft Retail Stores improve as well. I remember very well when I visited the one in Times Square, New York (is it still there?) to find a very nice place with nice reps but not too well versed in Windows 8. I was showing to some of them how to use Windows 8... (!) Retail will continue to be the weakest link for Microsoft as long as they continue to hire at lower wages people who are not exactly experts in their wares (unlike the Apple guys). Why don't you hire people who really know IT and who appreciate Microsoft products? The caveat is: you will have to pay them higher wages... That's small potatoes for the deep pockets of Microsoft, so why not?

Why chkdsk in a Windows 7 and Windows 8 dual boot?!

In a PC with two main operating systems like Windows 8 and Windows 7, each one in a separate disk partition, there appears to be a problem when switching to Windows 7 (after having previously loaded Windows 8 and restarted the computer). This is a really annoying situation in which, just when you thought you were ready to start Windows 7, the basic black screen pops up with the message: "One of your disks need to be checked for consistency. You may cancel the disk check, but itis strongly recommended that you continue." Of course you can cancel the timed operation but it will show up the next time... and you are never really sure if there is an actual problem with your disk and/or each one of its partitions. I have not yet found the solution myself, but there are some options may be worth trying. The first one is to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows. Other options I will have to first find and then test, but I read somewhere that a Windows 8 not correctly shut down may affect starting other operating systems, like Windows 7. I'll post the solution when I find it.

It's not the economy, it's lousy customer service, stupid

You'd probably have thought about this more than once. Whenever you go to a "information age" store (the big IT supermakets, or any wireless phone service provider) or even call a 1-800 service, have you not left, or hung up, with a sensation that you deserved better attention and better information? Don't you find frustrating when you have a question or need something and there is nobody around to help you? And how about, when you finally get hold of someone and this person, who almost invariably never smiles, is either "cold" in a a rude sort of way or plain clueless, or both? I've experienced this more than once and throughout the years, and I do not believe, for  a moment, that it's because I live in a self-centered and in-your-face city like New York. I know this is a national phenomenon. Let's face it. Customer service in the U.S. sucks. I have one simple explanation, rooted in corporate greed: cheap labor. It's not, mainly, the economy. Cheap labor entails hiring low skilled people, paying them minimum wage (or less!), a work force ill-prepared to help people, with an attitude that says loud and clear "I don't care", and who most of the time are young people, who are longing to punch out the clock the minute they start their work shift. I don't blame them, they are nickled and dimed every day. Remember CompUSA? I witnessed their demise and how it was rare to find genuine help. The same fate befell Circuit City and it will continue to be like that for other giants. I believe, for example, that Apple stores have been successful also because their employees are focused and willing to help, in spite of low salaries... The root of this bad customer service situation, more a consequence than a cause, is corporate greed, where big selfish, self aggrandized honchos, refuse to share their wealth. What's a few million dollars to hire, train and retain, sterling customer service in the big scheme of things of a company that have even billions in profit? They're shooting themselves in the foot... Provide good customer service and expect repeat business. This simple truth apparently escapes many a CEO who thinks the bottom line is only about sophisticated "business models" and Excel charts and business jargon and Wall Street... Only in America?

Outlook.com: a modern email for the next billion mailboxes

Microsoft launched today its new web mail service, Outlook.com, as a personal e-mail service that aspires to be "a modern email for the next billion mailboxes." It is the same desktop application and service for business (Exchange server) that you are probably already used to, but with a new Metro interface, from within your Internet browser, with a neat interface and a nimble performance . You can subscribe to this free service either creating a new account or using one of your Hotmail or Live.com accounts. Outlook.com will replace Hotmail and its aimed, among other things, to attract users from Google's Gmail service as a very solid competitor. Microsoft thinks that the time is right to reimagine email, "we realized that we needed to take a bold step, break from the past and build you a brand new service from the ground up." Read more in the Outlook Blog.