Practical Technology

for practical people.

August 14, 2013
by sjvn01
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Run Windows apps on both OS X & Linux with CrossOver 12.5

Most Mac and Linux users think anything Windows can do their operating systems can do better. Often, they’re right, but then there comes that day when they really need to run that one special Windows application and then they’re stuck.

Run Windows apps on both OS X & Linux with CrossOver 12.5. More >

August 12, 2013
by sjvn01
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Microsoft Bing-bang-bungles local search

Talk about having things both ways! A few months ago in its “Scroogled” ad campaign, Microsoft was complaining about how Google uses your search terms and Gmail contents to deliver targeted ads. Now, Microsoft is touting how Windows 8.1 uses your search terms to deliver targeted ads, even when you’re doing searches on local drives.

Do people at Microsoft ever talk to anyone outside their own groups? Does the Bing team need to be introduced to the Scroogled team? Scroogled? How about Bing-Bang-Bungled?

Windows 8.1 is still in preview, but when you do a local search in it, your results will include both local and Bing-provided hits. Microsoft will then use your search terms for targeted ads.

Microsoft Bing-bang-bungles local search. More >

August 12, 2013
by sjvn01
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ZTE Firefox OS smartphone available globally for $80

No one doubts that Android is the number one smartphone operating system and that Apple’s iOS is number two. The real question is “Who will be number three?”

Windows Phone is moving up; Blackberry is imploding; and, the Linux-based Ubuntu and Firefox want to be in the mix as well.

What’s a would-be number three smartphone operating system to stand out from the pack? Well, Ubuntu has proposed a do-it-all, crowd-sourced smartphone/PC hybrid. And, Firefox has also shown some creative thinking by partnering with smartphone OEM ZTE to sell the inexpensive ZTE Open worldwide via eBay for $80.

ZTE Firefox OS smartphone available globally for $80. More >