Shopsmith Forums

Is it my ignorance or are the "Applications" that seem to be so popular being offered only for use with Smartphones, iPads, iPods, Androids, etc.

Do these applications work on desk top computers? If not, is there a technical reason why not.

I have tried, unsuccessfully, to use a couple of them but my lack of success could be due to my own short comings and not the software's.

The smartphones and tablets run a different operating system thaen Windows.

They do make what are called emulators, which is an application you open in one operating system (windows) and it operates as a black box running a different operating system (android, iPhone, etc.)

I haven't looked very hard, but only found one full blown Android emulator that made your computer act like a smart phone and it was very expensive. That was a while ago, there may be more tools out there now.

Worst case scenario, buy one of those cheapo Chinese 7" tablets for $100 assuming you have wifi in the house. I have a ZTE Optik I got from Sprint (It's connected to the cell network data or wifi, $20/month) and while it's not an iPad it works for what I do with it. Bonus, you can surf the internet in the bathroom.

What applications in particular, Dusty?

dusty wrote:Is it my ignorance or are the "Applications" that seem to be so popular being offered only for use with Smartphones, iPads, iPods, Androids, etc.

Do these applications work on desk top computers? If not, is there a technical reason why not.

I have tried, unsuccessfully, to use a couple of them but my lack of success could be due to my own short comings and not the software's.

I recently bought a "Windows 8" computer - a 'Lenovo Thinkpad Twist". All apps work on this laptop computer. In fact, I now have this forum as an app(liction). I can convert any web site into an app. It is a simple thing to do.

With a little help from a web site tutorial, I had Windows 8 running like a champ.

The "Lenovo Twist" is a small laptop computer that will convert to a tablet or a tent type stand. Of course, it is useable as a touch screen or a keybord computer. Here's what it looks like - http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/th ... st-series/

Believe me - Windows 8 is faster and easier to use than any previous Windows version. I just have to think a little differently than before. Everything the previous Windows had is on 8 except for "Outlook Express". That said, it is easier and faster to let "8" the stuff rather than doing a bunch of clicking.

The best trick I learned is to use the "charms" (that appear on the right side of the screen by "Swiping" right to left from the right side of the screen) -
Then clicking on the "Search" icon. from here you can type in any web site or application that you want and the computer will find it quickly. No more going to your search engine and then finding a site you want.

charlese wrote:I recently bought a "Windows 8" computer - a 'Lenovo Thinkpad Twist". All apps work on this laptop computer. In fact, I now have this forum as an app(liction). I can convert any web site into an app. It is a simple thing to do.

With a little help from a web site tutorial, I had Windows 8 running like a champ.

The "Lenovo Twist" is a small laptop computer that will convert to a tablet or a tent type stand. Of course, it is useable as a touch screen or a keybord computer. Here's what it looks like - http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/twist-series/

Believe me - Windows 8 is faster and easier to use than any previous Windows version. I just have to think a little differently than before. Everything the previous Windows had is on 8 except for "Outlook Express". That said, it is easier and faster to let "8" the stuff rather than doing a bunch of clicking.

The best trick I learned is to use the "charms" (that appear on the right side of the screen by "Swiping" right to left from the right side of the screen) -
Then clicking on the "Search" icon. from here you can type in any web site or application that you want and the computer will find it quickly. No more going to your search engine and then finding a site you want.

This is probably my biggest problem. I am not good at all when required to alter my think pattern. I am a dedicated creature of habit. Change is my enemy - that coupled with a lack of patience.

heathicus wrote:What applications in particular, Dusty?

Heath - I cannot answer that question. This happened a couple weeks ago and running applications was not something that I set out to do - it was one of those momentary detours that I took while I was searching for something.

It came back up today because I let myself get sucked into down loading something from FireFox. I spent most of the morning getting back to a configuration that works for me. I am just now getting back to where I feel like I operate efficiently in Windows 7.

dusty wrote:This is probably my biggest problem. I am not good at all when required to alter my think patter. I am a dedicated creature of habit. Change is my enemy - that coupled with a lack of patience.

Excuse my poor use of English when I said "I just have to think a little differently than before" I didn't intend on saying it was necessary to change my thinking patterns. Those patterns have been developed through logic and the scientific method, as I'm sure yours have.

To use Windows 8 we just have to recognize there is no "Start Screen", as we're used to and to accept use of the "charms" and tiles and aps will get us to places faster and easier than by using earlier versions of Windows. I'm sure that lack of patience will get us nowhere fast.

I think in order to get and use aps you need to have a 64 bit computer. And at least 4 gigs of memory.

dusty wrote:Is it my ignorance or are the "Applications" that seem to be so popular being offered only for use with Smartphones, iPads, iPods, Androids, etc.

Do these applications work on desk top computers? If not, is there a technical reason why not.

I have tried, unsuccessfully, to use a couple of them but my lack of success could be due to my own short comings and not the software's.

To get most apps you need an Apple Computer or a PC with windows 8. I think some apps may work under 7 but most have to be modified to do so.

Even then you are still constricted, some apps are written for Windows 8, but some are for Android only machines and some are exclusive to Apple.

In most cases the really great applications are made for all three, but some of the lesser are written only in Android and Apple then as you move down the ladder some nice ones are only Apple.

Therefore you have to decide what App you want and get a machine that will run it. Hard to do since most App stores require the appropriate machine to run the apps before they show them.

charlese wrote:I recently bought a "Windows 8" computer - a 'Lenovo Thinkpad Twist". All apps work on this laptop computer. In fact, I now have this forum as an app(liction). I can convert any web site into an app. It is a simple thing to do.

With a little help from a web site tutorial, I had Windows 8 running like a champ.

The "Lenovo Twist" is a small laptop computer that will convert to a tablet or a tent type stand. Of course, it is useable as a touch screen or a keybord computer. Here's what it looks like - http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/th ... st-series/

Believe me - Windows 8 is faster and easier to use than any previous Windows version. I just have to think a little differently than before. Everything the previous Windows had is on 8 except for "Outlook Express". That said, it is easier and faster to let "8" the stuff rather than doing a bunch of clicking.

The best trick I learned is to use the "charms" (that appear on the right side of the screen by "Swiping" right to left from the right side of the screen) -
Then clicking on the "Search" icon. from here you can type in any web site or application that you want and the computer will find it quickly. No more going to your search engine and then finding a site you want.

I'm a linear thinker I rarely want or have two or three programs open at the same time. Last night I was at Best Buy and I opened a few apps/programs and could not figure out how to close them. I got a salesman over and asked him to show me. The usual response is don't worry about then they aren't using any resources. I don't believe that and I want to close them. this guy didn't try that tactic with me. He closed and it worked slick.

I then walked over to another computer and tried the same thing by myself. It didn't work. I called him over and he got frustrated. Then and only then did he blurt out Windows 8 is piece of junk. I was shocked because they are always so positive on Windows 8. He then mentioned that Windows 8 often did this, it seemed to get lost in the finger swiping and all. I asked about windows 7 and he said not unless I ordered something. He then advised I wait until the new Windows 8 which is being field tested comes out.

I would really love to hear more about your experience with Windows 8.

Here is my thinking now. If I going to have to learn a whole new way of doing things maybe I should consider Apple now.

Another reason I'm considering this is Microsoft's new pricing of Office Suite. In the past you could buy it and install it on all you machines as long as only one copy of it was being used at a time. Perfect for me having a desk top and laptop.

Now suite comes two ways one you buy it but can only install it on one machine. So in my case I would have to buy two copies.

Or rent it or what they call Office 365 where you get a years subscription and each year you have to renew. But you can install it on more than one machine. In this case since I tend to keep Office for 5 years or longer I could be facing a fairly high cost. I think this was Microsoft's way of making people change office suite when they come out with a new copy.

Also I think windows 8 and Office suite drop outlook. What replaces it?

Apple has a mail program that seems fairly nice to run.

charlese wrote:I think in order to get and use aps you need to have a 64 bit computer. And at least 4 gigs of memory.

This brings up a good point as well.

Only 64 bit systems can use more than 4gb of ram. If you aren't running 64 bit and install more than 4gb, everything over 4 gb is wasted as the OS simply ignores the extra.

There are ways around it, but not easily in most cases. So don't let some kid at the computer store sell you more than you can use. It's surprising how few of them know this fact.