Joli Cloud update

What a great operating system Joli Cloud.  I managed to muck up my Joli cloud installation doing a few things I shouldn't. So I went into Windows un-installed Joli, then re-installed it. When it was up and running I hit the 'sync' button and it updated all the 'Apps' I had running previously.   No problem.

Into the 'CLOUDS' !!!

Where do you start? Well have a try using your existing ‘cloud’ apps, webmail, Facebook, Google Docs perhaps. This first step does not put anything on your machine and runs through your web browser. But which one? NOT Internet Explorer but one of the free ones such as either Firefox  or Chrome  browsers click on them to download and install. Then go to Joli Cloud sign up and run the Joli Cloud interface.
You can then play with that and get familiar with all the options. You will notice the interface is very much like the icons on a smart phone.

 

When you are happy with that then go to the Chrome store where have the choice of several hundred Apps to choose from. For online Office suites you can use Google ( Google Docs) and even run Microsoft Office Apps (Skydrive).

Once you are happy then go and sign up to load the Joli Operating System on to your computer. Before you do that I would recommend that you run the defrag programme on Windows before you start. Then  click on the 'Keep Windows' option and download. This may take some time. When all done click on file in your download area called Joli -OS-Installer then follow the instructions. This is just like installing 'windows' for the first time.  Next time you start your computer you will be given the option of either Windows or Joli operatinfg systems.
Loading Joli OS you will see how much quicker you got started. It comes with most of the programmes you need already installed. For instance for your word processing, spreadsheet and presentation package you have ‘open office’. This will read and write all versions of Microsoft office from early upto the latest 2010 edition.There are several other apps that come with this download.
Please feel free to explore as you cannot do any damage to your Windows setup and can revert to that at any time.

If at anytime you wish to take JoliCloud OS of your computer then in Windows goto Control Panel/Add or remove programmes and remove the Jolicloud from there. 
Goto:-
10 Good reasons to use JoliCloud

NOTE:- Printers - connection should be OK with Cannon, Epson and HP printers but Lexmark and Dell brands are not likely to work.


BW

10 good reason to use Joli OS

1. Speed - will load and run faster than you existing Windows setup
2. Secure - immune from Viruses and Mal-ware associated with Windows
3. Stable - less likely to crash or freeze as can sometimes happen with Windows.
4. No risk - Cannot muck up you machines as the software does not touch your Windows installation.
5. Cost saving - will defer cost of buying new hardware.
6. Good range of software - comes loaded with a selection of software compatible with Windows file formats and many more can be added.
7. Cost effective - no on ongoing software cost for updates or virus checkers.
8. Less wear and tear on your hard disc due to the way system works.
9. Dual boot - so you can aways revert back to to Windows if you do not have the program you want or prefer your old system.
10. Cloud-centric -Ubuntu underneath for the more experienced user.

Cloud computing

 Its all in the news but whats it all about and will it effect me? Yes its the way computing is going and in many ways it will make it easier and less costly for the private user.  If you use webmail,( i.e. Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo,etc), or Facebook or you shop on the Internet then you are already using ‘Cloud comuting'. It simply means that the hard work of running the programme is not being done by your machine but up in the sky. The change of names for things further complicate matters as programmes are now called ‘APPS’ (applications) the same as on smartphones. In fact there is a convergence between the ‘APPS’ on both devices that will increase over time.
The increase in Cloud computing has implications for several software and hardware companies. Most of our computers are very powerful but we rarely  need the computing power or complex operating systems on board for most of the work we do. So in future it will be very difficult for Microsoft to sell us yet another updated Windows or Office package together with more powerful hardware.
With the ‘cloud’ we only need basic hardware, so if your computer is old and slow then don’t rush to replace it, you may be able to give it a new lease of life (see below). The main constraint with the ‘cloud’ is the speed of your Internet connection. But with the right browser and operating system it is optimised to get the best results from your connection. Another advantage is that most of the APPS (programmes) are free and compatible with what you currently use.Also with a ‘cloud’ operating system on your PC the virus problems virtually disappear. To get slightly technical the reason is in the structure of Windows compared to the operating systems used by Linux  and ‘Apple’ computers.  It is easy to run the ‘cloud’ computing alongside your Windows system so you have the best of both worlds. The learning curve is not to difficult certainly no more so than going from Windows XP to Windows 7 and Office 2010.
At some stage in the future you will have to go down this track so have an experiment NOW!

Goto:-
Into the Clouds

Genuine Interest or Nosey neighbours?

To find out about an area the first option is on the Internet. To get house prices try www.nethouseprices.com , this will give you prices for any street or post code for the last 10years. Very useful, then go to google maps and street view to walk down the road. Afterwards go to google earth to zoom in to look at the area around the property and check out the garden. You can do the same for a holiday destination or Hotel. Bear in mind that the information could be 3-4 years out of date. For a holiday resort google 'webcam' of the resort and you may get live video of where you are going. A lot of useful research without leaving your home.

But what information is there about you or your friends? Try www.123people.com. Can be quite revealing what is there especially if you have a 'facebook' account.
Next month I will talk about anonymous surfing and e-mail.