Windows 8 Annoyance #1 - Solved!

No DVD playback? No problem!

VLC's myriad media options include full DVD playback.

Windows 8 still includes Windows Media Player, but the new version of the program lacks DVD playback support. If you've yet to take the plunge into a digital-only lifestyle, you could spring for Windows 8 Pro and the optional $10 Media Center Pack (which Microsoft is giving away free to upgraders until January 31, 2013). This is one solution, but I recommend downloading the free and flexible VLC instead.

VLC isn't as polished as Microsoft's Media Center software, but it's jam-packed with utility, offering full DVD playback and ripping support, robust file-transcoding options, the ability to tune in to Internet videos and podcasts alike, and even spotty Blu-ray support if you enlist the help of add-ons with questionable legality. Our guide to mastering VLC will get you up and watching in no time—and for no money.

Microsoft is so backwards, nobody wants to lease Office 2013

Microsoft this week raised prices of its Office suite by as much as 17% and eliminated multi-license packs, all part of a plan to push consumers and small businesses toward new subscription programs, analysts said.

On Monday, Microsoft unveiled pricing for Office 2013, the next version of its suite sold as a perpetual license, and for two new plans in the by-subscription Office 365 lineup.

The numbers revealed an increase of between 10% and 17% in the cost of a perpetual license, which gives the user the right to run the software as long as he or she likes. Microsoft also dispatched several multi-license SKUs, or stock-keeping units, for Office 2010, boosting the price of replicating those offers with Office 2013 by as much as 180%. And it pegged the prices of annual subscriptions to Office 365 Home Premium, aimed at consumers, and Office 365 Small Business, that let customers "lease" the software they've installed on their desktops, notebooks and tablets.

To make mobile use almost unbearable, rumor has it that Office for IOS will only function if you have a Office 365 subscription.   Why would anyone bother, Office is not a must have program anymore.

A perfect marriage....Windows and Flash

It is only fitting that the two most patched software programs of all time are now going to coordinate patches and bug fixes at the same time.  Sort of like scheduling your root canal and kidney stone removal on the same day.  

Adobe Tuesday announced that it will pair future security updates for its popular Flash Player with Microsoft's Patch Tuesday schedule.

At the same time, Adobe issued an update that patched seven critical Flash vulnerabilities, and Microsoft shipped fixes for Internet Explorer 10 (IE10), which includes an embedded copy of Flash.

But the move to synchronize Flash Player updates with Microsoft's monthly patch schedule was the bigger news. "Starting with the next Flash Player security update, we plan to release regularly-scheduled security updates for Flash Player on 'Patch Tuesdays,'" Adobe said in a statement yesterday.

"Microsoft and Adobe are now officially married," cracked Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle Security, in an email reply to questions. "They started dating when they decided to share the MAPP program [and] once Microsoft agreed to embed Flash in IE10, [it was] inevitable that Adobe was going to be strong-armed into following Microsoft's patch cadence."

iPad Mini, I would wait for now.

Simple reason why, there is a strong consensus that some features that should be in it are not so that they can be added to the next one. After all, it is getting a bit difficult for Apple to keep coming up with something new, so you solve that problem by rolling out features in drabs. In this case I am referring to the lack of a camera and a Retina Display screen.

Microsoft Surface Review to come

Thanks to my dedicated CMU student contacts, I recently picked up a Microsoft Surface RT tablet.  My initial impressions are positive.  Sturdy build, the kickstand actually works well and the whole tablet has possibilities.  I will withhold the complete review for another week or so.  You never really know about a product until you use it for a couple of weeks.   My only problem so far is the lack of apps, but that was expected.  Review soon.  The Microsoft "Pop-up" store in Ross Park is just a Island concierge desk.  There are Surfaces on display, but all you can really buy is that, not much else to look at.  I must say a really disappointing trip out to that mall.  No other Microsoft products to look at, much less buy.

The Logitech K750 Solar Keyboard...so far it's great.

For years I used stock mice and keyboards until I realized that the good ones do make a difference.  I recently purchased the Logitech K750 keyboard.  I did so for two reasons, it is wireless and it is solar (no more batteries).  It powers with any kind of light, not just sunlight.  In the two weeks I have have it, it truly is a great keyboard.  Most surprising to me is how sturdy it is.  Most keyboards do not really have any sturdiness to them, they feel like....keyboards.  This one does not, it is very firm and the keys are great.  A bit pricey at around $50-$60, but worth it.