Daily Archives: August 23, 2020

• Patching survey: Business — 2020

  Posted on August 23, 2020 at 21:15 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums
  

  PATCHING SURVEY

  By Susan Bradley

  What do IT pros and consultants think about the current status of Microsoft updating?

  Based on our just-concluded survey, the folks in Redmond could do a lot better at keeping business PCs stable and secure.

  In this first article of a two-part series, I focus on the business perspective on Windows and Office patching. Next week, I’ll show the results of our consumer input.

  This is not a highly scientific survey, but we think the results provide valuable insight into how well Microsoft’s current system of product updating is working for those on the receiving end.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 17.33.0 (2020-08-24).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Survey AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Business patching, Patch satisfaction, Patching experience survey, Update frequency

• Annoyed that Win10 Version 2004 won’t install

  Posted on August 23, 2020 at 21:10 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  By Fred Langa

  An AskWoody reader is losing patience waiting for Windows Update to green-light the newest Windows 10.

  Here’s what could be blocking the update — and how to easily work around most such issues.

  Plus: A brave subscriber wants to swap just the physical platters inside his dead hard drive.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 17.33.0 (2020-08-24).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Hard drive platter swapping, Upgrade blocking, Win10 2004, Win10 upgrade blocking

• How to transfer school apps from Chromebook to Windows

  Posted on August 23, 2020 at 21:05 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  DISTANCE LEARNING

  By Woody and Andy Leonhard

  Over the past few months, I assume many of you have become the local support center for an extended family of kids, all of whom are trying mightily to get into the swing of online learning.

  My fifth-grade son, Andy, is in a school district that spent USD $6 million this year on new Chromebooks. Here’s what he says:

  “You get a Chromebook administered by the district along with supplies. The district mainly uses Zoom for communications. But what I quickly discovered is that the Chrome’s sound output, camera quality, and screen are inferior to our Windows-based home PCs.”

  Fortunately, your school district probably doesn’t require the use of a Chromebook. Ours doesn’t. So our weekend project was to migrate Andy’s entire distance-schooling environment — applications, data, procedures … the whole ball of wax — to his trusty and comparatively beefy Windows PC.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 17.33.0 (2020-08-24).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Distance learning AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Chromebooks, Home PCs, Learning from home

• Docking stations: Combining the best of laptops and desktops

  Posted on August 23, 2020 at 21:00 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  HARDWARE

  By Lincoln Spector

  Do you know anyone who uses a desktop PC anymore? Not sure I do. Laptops have plenty of power, and you can take them anywhere.

  But they also have limitations. For example, most portables’ keyboards still feel somewhat cramped and slow, compared to a good standalone model — especially for anyone with large hands. Moreover, laptop screens are relatively small and there’s only one. Many newer portables no longer include an Ethernet port — always a faster and more reliable network connection than Wi-Fi. In fact, most of today’s ultra-portable machines have just one or two ports.

  The solution? Buy a multi-port docking station.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 17.33.0 (2020-08-24).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Hardware AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Docking stations, Notebook ports, Portable docking stations

• Moving your kid’s schoolwork from a Chromebook to a Windows PC

  Posted on August 23, 2020 at 20:00 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Chromebooks have a lot of advantages, but the Chromebooks that most school districts hand out tend to be wimpy – little screens (no touch!), tinny sound, cramped keyboards.

  If your student already has a Windows PC, they may fare much better if you can move them from the Chromebook to the PC.

  My fifth grade son and I made the transition over the weekend. So far we haven’t hit any burps. We have full details in Monday’s AskWoody Newsletters (both Plus and Free).

  Have a different setup? Need some help? Here’s where to ask.

  (NOTE: The discussion has been moved here.)

  Chromebook, Windows News Learning from home, Move Chromebook to PC