Is 8 enough?

Windows 8 is the current release of the Windows operating system, produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablets, and home theater PCs. Windows 8 introduces significant changes to the operating system's platform, primarily focused towards improving its user experience on mobile devices such as tablets to rival other mobile operating systems, along with other changes and performance improvements. Windows 8 also introduces a new shell and user interface based on Microsoft's "Metro" design language, featuring a new Start screen with a grid of dynamically updating tiles to represent applications, a new app platform with an emphasis on touchscreen input, the new Windows Store to obtain and purchase applications for the system, and the ability to synchronize programs and settings between multiple devices. ..But is losing the desktop and the multiple views of applications in a real Windows environment along with a very attractive graphical user interface we had in Windows 7 really an improvement? I don't think so. I'll be trying out my free copy of Windows 8, but when, or if I consider it an upgrade remains to be seen.

Using the AT&T Skyrocket, a real blast for Independence Day

The Samsung Galaxy S™ II Skyrocket was provided for work to replace an aged Blackberry Tour 9630. The Office folks added the Good Messaging support to replace much of the mail and exchange server functions that our Blackberry smart-phones supported. The AT&T marketed version of the Skyrocket has a beautiful 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display along with a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, an NFC chip, and support for AT&T's LTE network. It shipped with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and has 16GB storage memory and 1GB RAM onboard, 8-megapixel auto-focus camera with LED flash with 1080p video capture that supports 1080p video recording. The 2-megapixel front facing video chat is only supported over a Wi-Fi connection. This model is a GSM-banded world phone with Bluetooth, microSD card support, and enhanced audio. Inside the box includes battery, SIM card, charger, headphones, USB cable. the office folks supplied an Otterbox Defender case with screen-protector and belt holster that doubles as a stand and can be used as a ballistic shield in hostage situations. You'll need to download the software from Samsung if you want to connect to a computer and copy files, but it supports and Over-the-Air (OTA) exchanges using Kies Air. I've heard some bad results from users who made the leap to "ICE-CREAM SANDWICH" the Android 4.0 Kernel provided as an upgrade to this phone. I have the Android Kernel version that was updated in April 2012 to 2.6.35.11, Build number GINGERBREAD.UCLA3. Listed enhancements for this update: Improved performance from several Qualcomm patches and other refinements, User interface updates such as the new screen unlock swipe, ability to reply all to MMS messages, Exchange ActiveSync wipe to remove all content from the device and microSD card, Improved battery indicator icon accuracy.

If the lower tax rates expire at the end of 2012, what are you waiting for?

Tax hikes ahead? A slew of tax breaks are expiring and some new taxes taking effect. See what’s in play. A Roth IRA The only thing certain about the tax code these days is, well, the uncertainty of it all. If Congress doesn’t take action before the end of the year, federal tax increases will go into effect next year, raising levies on income, capital gains, dividends, wages, gifts, estates, and more. Here’s an overview of some of the key tax policy issues to keep on your radar screen. Then for specific strategies to consider in preparation, read Viewpoints: Prepare for tax changes. 1. Lower tax rates are set expire at the end of 2012 -- Most observers agree that Congress is going to have a hard time addressing tax and budget issues before the November elections, says Shahira Knight, Fidelity’s vice president of government relations. "More likely, action will wait until a lame-duck session of Congress, or 2013, and that’s unsettling for investors and the markets,” she notes. “It may be a roller-coaster ride as key deadlines approach.” So where does that leave you as a taxpayer and investor? “A good approach is to be prepared for a range of possibilities, and to start now,” says Jim Buza, vice president of guidance and advice for Fidelity. “That’s really what you should do in any climate, but it’s especially critical now.” To get started, use our tax calculator to the right to estimate how you might be impacted. The tax cuts enacted by Congress in 2001 and 2003—often referred to as the Bush tax cuts—provided a broad range of tax relief, including lower tax rates on income, long-term capital gains, and qualified dividends. We dodged the expiration of these lower taxes back in 2010 when Congress extended the tax cuts for two years (through 2012). Now cuts are set to expire on December 31, 2012, and any action will likely come down to the wire as it did in 2010.

Cars and Technology

Ever wonder what would happen if you put your computer in a car in a useful way? Well apparently technology has found some interesting ways to get behind the wheel. I just purchased an almost new Infiniti G Sedan, and with an impressive technology package, you could almost take your hands off the wheel and it would drive by itself. Almost.

I have a satellite radio with video display, 6 CD player with a built in iPod interface with a Bose studio on Wheels, a keyless entry system that remembers my steering, mirror and seat positions, hands-free blue tooth, and some of the nicest controls for comfort, safety, and operations that all use a very intuitive interface that doesn't get in the way of driving the car.

All the possible features in this model are listed below as an example, so you can easily see that machine and technology blend nicely in the models sold today.

Premium Package
Power sliding tinted glass moon roof with one-touch auto-open/close, tilt feature and sliding sunshade
Infiniti Studio on Wheels® by Bose® 10-speaker Premium Audio System, including 3-way component front door speakers with 10-inch sub woofers and a parcel shelf-mounted sub woofer, CD player with MP3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume control
Rear Sonar System [*]
Driver’s Audio Stage
Dual occupant memory system for driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors, linked to individual Intelligent Keys
Driver’s seat, steering wheel and outside mirror position synchronization
Power tilt and telescopic steering column


Navigation Package
Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with touch-screen, Lane Guidance and 3-D building graphics[*]
XM NavTraffic® with Real-Time Traffic information [*]
XM NavWeather™ with Real-Time Weather and 3-day forecast [*]
Zagat Survey® Restaurant Guide
Multimedia playback of DVD or digital file from a USB flash drive on 7-inch WVGA color display
Infiniti Voice Recognition for audio, navigation, and vehicle information systems


Requires Premium Package. Replaces compass in rear view mirror.



Technology Package
Intelligent Cruise Control [*]
Brake Assist with Preview Braking [*]
Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) [*] with auto recirculation and Plasmacluster™ air purifier
Rain-sensing, variable intermittent front windshield wipers
Front-seat Pre-Crash Seat Belts.