Simplicity

"True simplicity is derived from so much more than just the absence of clutter and ornamentation; it's about bringing order to complexity." -Jony Ive

What's the Deal With Inserting Images in Documents on Mobile Devices?

I got a brand new iPad mini last October. Wanted an iPad since they came out and I finally scraped together some money to get one. So far it's been great. I love it. In fact, it's perfect in every way -- except one. Document editing. Let me explain...

There are many apps that one can download on a tablet or smart phone to use for editing or creating new documents. On iPad, you can use Google Drive, QuickOffice HD Pro or Documents to Go. You can even launch a web browser and login to Skydrive and edit documents using the web version of Word. Sure it's very stripped down and basic but it gets the job done. There are paid apps, free apps and many other options. They can sync with various cloud services, they can be saved in a multitude of file formats and you can access them from just about anything and anywhere. There's really only one thing you CAN'T do with them -- and that is,... insert a picture.

(and it probably never will at this rate)

link: http://support.google.com/drive/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2755803

Side note: I inserted the image above from the Blogger app on iOS. So for anyone about to lecture me on hardware limitations, then you'll have to come up with something else.

So what's the deal? What is so difficult about inserting a picture? What is the deal with inserting images? Is this some kind of technological advancement that is impossible to achieve? I feel crazy for thinking this but I'm starting to suspect some kind of conspiracy. It's like all the developers got together for a meeting and they all agreed, "Ok, here's what were gonna do. We'll let them type as much as they want. We'll even give them bullets and a few font choices. But under NO circumstances must you allow them to insert an image into their documents! Everyone agree on this?" And they all nod and leave to go develop all kinds of apps to create documents,... none of which allow for inserting an image.

That reminds me, does Surface RT have Office? Oh yeah, it does. I wonder if it lets a person insert an image into their document? Oh nevermind. It would probably crash before you had a chance to find out.

If there is anyone out there who stumbles across this post and has some information on this, I would love to hear from you. Either Google needs to add the feature to insert images into a Google Drive document or Microsoft needs to release Office for iOS and Android. Am I the only one noticing this gaping void in the tablet space? Am I the only one interested in using a quality product for creating documents and spreadsheets on an iPad? I can't be the only one can I?

Virtualization - Install Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 as a Virtual Guest

This is the second in a series of videos I will be creating discussing basic virtualization. When you are done watching this video, you should be able to create a Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 virtual guest.

MS Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/ee175713.aspx

Virtualbox: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Virtualization - Basic Installation of Windows XP using Virtualbox and Imgburn

This is the first in a series of videos I will be creating discussing basic virtualization. When you are done watching this video, you should be able to convert a physical CD or DVD to an ISO file, install Virtualbox, and create a Windows XP virtual machine.

Imgburn: http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download

Virtualbox: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Extend Microsoft Windows or Office activation period

If you are using Microsoft Windows 7/Vista or Office as a trial, you can extend it from the default 30 period to 120 days by doing this: Simply click on the Start button and in the search window, type in cmd and you'll see the Command Prompt at the top of the page. Don't press Enter yet — instead, right-mouse click on the shortcut and select Run as Administrator. Now, after the Command Prompt loads up, type this: slmgr.vbs -rearm and the hit Enter and reboot. That's it.

1. Click on the Start button and type in "cmd". Don't press Enter and instead right-click on the shortcut and select "Run as Administrator".
2. Type slmgr.vbs -rearm and then hit Enter.
3. Reboot.

And now it should be good to go for 120 days.