Microsoft Office 365 and why it will probably fail

Quite possibly one of the most frustrating ideas with today's technology is the idea of subscription based models of payments for computer programs and apps. Recently, I have ben reminded of Microsoft's latest "scam." While we all use Microsoft Office, Microsoft has created a new project called "Microsoft office 365." It is everything you get buying with normal office, but you pay around $100 a year, instead of the simple payment of around $140. 

I believe that when you buy something, you own it. So as one can probably tell already, I don't really like this payment model. What really made me frustrated was the recent release of Microsoft office on IOS devices (iPad, iPhone, etc...). While excited like everyone else with such a device, we were all disappointed when after downloading the app, one discovers that one has to have an office 365 account. (so, pay over $100 a year to have access). Even that I have the entire office 2013 professional suite, I would have to pay for using it, which in my opinion is bollox. Apple's equilavent such as Pages, numbers, etc... are all free, and have full wonderful access to printing, iCloud, etc... Myself and many others believe that Microsoft has once again made a horrible decision in using this pricing model, and I personally believe it should be free access to all. One can make office documents online and on your iDevice VIA OneDrive, so why does one even need this app in the first place? 100% rip-off. 

While the app does look nice, it is a disappointment that no one will be able to use it. 

Internet Copyright Laws + Conservatives = No Privacy

Many Canadians are not aware of the new Bill S-4 in parliament at the moment, however they should be, as it compromises the most basic internet privacy rights.

National Post Article Here

Personally, it makes me kind of scared that the government can just peek into your internet usage if the bill passes (I don't believe it will). With all of the internet privacy problems recently from the NSA to the "new" Heart Bleed bug, internet privacy is at it's highest risk since being created. While there are the issues of piracy and other crimes, they will still have other means of preforming these crimes. There will always be some crime, its just part of human nature. However, if the bill DOES pass, it will affect only the 99.99% of the population that DOES have a conscious. It is a really scary thought and I believe that the government has a ways to go in finding a properly balanced solution to their problem.

A Watermark that is a little "too" good.

While still constructing my portfolio site henrybailliebrown.com, I recently redesigned my watermark that I put onto my photos that I post on my site. Before I changed the watermark, it was a nice red "Henry Baillie-Brown" with some red paint dabs in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Seeing a few other photos with the "new 'x' design", I decided to change it due to the rise in copyright issues on the internet. I feel a lot more safer with the new watermark, yet I feel like it is affecting the actual photo now. My father says that it does not look professional anymore, and can tell that I am paranoid, but it gives me security knowing that no matter what, people cannot simply crop out my name anymore.

How the new watermark works. As seen in one of my photos.

I feel as though I am at a crossroads, especially since I want to extend my portfolio into other places such as Flicker and DeviantArt. I am starting to lean to go back to the old one so viewers can enjoy the photos more. Only a little more thought will tell.

A blog post about blogging...

Blogging really is amazing, isn't it? I mean, ten years ago, the only real things you could do were write in a journal, send your news to the TV stations or news papers or even just pass a message along peer-to-peer, but the progression of the internet (in the case, the evolution of blogging) has changed this all completely! 

Blogging is a great way to vent, keep a journal, become a journalist, share stories, etc... and technically its free! (well, blogger anyways)

I am so very happy and grateful I started blogging, for it is great for ones writing skills, and keeps me thinking and on my feet. The best part is that I don't feel "forced" into doing it, but instead, I actually enjoy it when I can add an entry. 

If you have EVER thought of blogging, just give it a go! Why not? Who knows, you might even become an addict like me! ;^)

Cheers,

Henry

Switching over to Linux (laptop anyways) Good bye windows!

I have finally decided to make the jump and get rid of Windows 7 on my old laptop. While still "trialing" different versions of Linux, I am already confident that Linux is a "million" times better than its windows counterpart.

I am trying Ubuntu, a Linux platform that is one of the most popular in the world. Running faster, with smarter coding and a smoother workflow, Ubuntu is a remarkable step up from a windows 7 system. While I love Linux, I am actually installing it beside windows due to the sole fact that programs such as Adobe or Office will not work with Linux, so I can choose which operating system I boot with when I turn on my computer.

I am excited to see it fully installed, and along with the many exciting features that come along with it, such as no viruses, and more customization.