Windows 10

Been a while since I posted here last, so it was time to come back!

This past few years Microsoft changed the whole OS upgrade policy as we knew it. When Microsoft released Windows 8.1, they made it free which lead to Apple release Mac OS X Yosemite for free too. That changed everything for the whole market. Who will pay for an OS if they can have it legally for free? I've been a mac user and definitely Windows has come a long way since 95 and they keep evolving according to the users needs. Apple seems to have stood still in time for a while now.

This year, Microsoft decided to make the ultimate upgrade to their OS, Windows 10, and also made it free to all their previous costumers that already owned a license and had a viable machine to run it. It combined what people loved about Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 in one and most important, it adjusts to your hardware and makes the most of it.

The useful new features, such as multiple virtual desktops, are now part of your life at the range of a simple touch. The UI combined the classic and the modern from previous releases and added a mobile touch, but only when needed, so basically you're running the same OS on your Computer, Tablet and Smartphone despite of the UI differences.

Also, developers, using Microsoft Software, can now program for all platforms with just a few adjustments, what makes their life a lot easier. That will help in a way that less used platforms such as Windows Mobile won't be ruled out of Market App releases as they've been so far.

Windows 10 is also HoloLens native Operating System, so... the future starts NOW!

Jornalismo Mau para a Saúde

A jornalista Alexandra Campos do Público, que diz ser especializada na área de saúde, escreveu um artigo, há cerca de um mês, sobre a comparticipação que os laboratórios faziam privadamente para cobrir a parte que o estado deixava de comparticipar quando perdiam a patente e passavam a haver medicamentos genéricos de substituição.

Foi por causa deste artigo que os laboratórios deixaram de fazer essas comparticipações, ficando os medicamentos muito mais caros para os utentes, sendo praticamente obrigados a ter de optar pelos genéricos, por razões económicas, sendo que no caso dos doentes crónicos isso pode fazer toda a diferença pondo inclusivamente em risco a sua saúde. Apesar do príncipio activo ser o mesmo há diferenças que nos casos de doenças crónicas podem diminuir bastante a sua qualidade de vida.

Os laboratórios faziam a comparticipação de sua livre e espôntanea vontade apenas para que os doentes não fossem prejudicados e não deixassem de ter acesso à sua medicação. Não havia nenhum "esquema", era mesmo só boa vontade da parte dos laboratórios.

Partilhem e se foram afectados por esta medida comecem a mandar as contas da farmácia para esta senhora pois foi a única responsável pela mudança de política dos laboratórios. Este é o mail dela: acampos@publico.pt e podem ler aqui o artigo.

Samsung vs Apple

You want to buy a new laptop for graphic work and are aiming for a new MacBook Pro? FYI the only decent machine they got at the moment it's the most expensive one. Do what? Samsung has a very decent range of very powerful laptops among the new Series 3 and Series 7 that will run the software you need very smoothly.

Yes that's true, Apple has an history of being a very good work tool for both musicians and visual artists, but that has changed since they released the Intel Macs. Right now you can compare what's inside and choose according your needs.

For Visual Artists, besides a powerful processor you'll need a good Graphic Card and tons of SDRAM and VRAM. You can find that on Samsung's Series 3 or 7 laptop with very good results. All the visual arts software you are used to in a mac has now simultaneous releases for both platforms which means you don't need to leave behind all your past work.

Apple computers quality has decreased much since the Intel Mac release, costumer support too and also their policies aren't as friendly as they used to be. Samsung on the other hand has improved not only technically but as a love mark. Their Galaxy Note Tablet and Smartphone are technically way better than any incarnation of Apple's iPhone and, Visual Artists, don't forget that it's the only mobile device with an Adobe Photoshop Touch developed specifically for it.

So if you're looking into a new laptop, remember that Apple, that used to be an awesome professional tool, is now only a status symbol for the super rich. Choose a better machine for one third of a MacBook Pro among the Samsung's Series 3, 5 or 7 according to your real needs, and be sure to be making a good choice. Remember that a more powerful computer will have better results with the software you need to run.

About changing OS... Yes MacOS X is awesome, but Windows 7 and 8 are amazing and have a great UI, very easy to adjust after over 20 years of Apple Computers, the migration is relatively painless and will save you a lot of money. Think different, don't be an iDiot!

Public Transports and Mobile Comms

Since I moved to Algés, I've been using the Public Transportations Network to travel through Lisbon and it improved my quality of life quite a bit. That allied to an android smartphone allow me to blog from anywhere at anytime without having to be tied to a computer in a room and allows me to be outdoors and have more free time to work on new projects.

Today, travelling by tram while blogging brought me back high school memories and it actually made me remember why I love my birth town: Lisbon!

Smartphones and Mobility

More and more we're all connected via web. Carrying a laptop around doesn't help much so the industry turned to smartphones and tablets. But does it makes you more connected to other human beings or less?
On New Year's Eve we were all in the same room texting our thumbs off and for a moment we all doze off from reality and it made me wonder.
I just got my first smartphone and it actually freed me from so many hours at the computer and it does allow me to check work mails, to Blog while I'm having coffee at some place nice or to comment at twitter or facebook while watching a soccer game.
I guess it's just a matter of setting a few sensible rules on it's use and it's actually a good thing.

Namasté

Banks, Social Services and Citizen's Card

Been to banks all morning today and the amount of time you spend on a line to take care of simple things you could easily do at home if the Portuguese new Citizen's Card would work at 100% is amazing.

My question is… Why the heck did they even bothered to remodel the old ID card to the new Citizen's Card if not even Social Security or Finances Services benefit fully from it?

Was that just another Mr. Sócrates' stunt to look good in the picture saying how much we'd benefit from this new service instead of working towards a more unified system between all official services?

Well, good thing he's gone with the wind to Paris to study philosophy, but in the meanwhile I hope the current PM will make something useful out of the Citizen's Card, once we already were bonded to it by default and we're not actually benefiting from it as it didn't simplify anything gin our lives.

Apple Laptops, Starbuck's and Coffee

Did you ever noticed how Lisbon's Starbuck's are populated with people using Mac laptops? It's not like they are just quickly checking their messages or an important work mail… They spend hours there, don't look at anything else but the screen and seem totally oblivious that they are at a public place.

Does the use an Apple laptop at an american coffee shop chain gives them the idea they are living in one of those american teen shows they like so much? An idea of success?

Why not keep those activities home? It's not like there aren't smart phones or even regular cells where you can simply check or send an important e-mail or check your Facebook or Twitter messages. Take advantage of being outdoors and, please, socialize! There are other people around, you know? Don't look for answers in Social Networks, please use them as a tool to keep in touch with people that are NOT next door.

And why Starbuck's? Anyone knows that Brasileira or Nicola have the best coffee, are traditional Lisbon coffee shops and located just 100 m away of any of the Starbuck's in that particular Lisbon's area.

My suggestion is very simple. Please DO use Apple Laptops and Gadgets if you must. They are the most reliable and user friendly ones known to men, but please do it at a local area Coffee Shop. Portuguese coffee blends are so much better than theirs, most national coffee shops have those Frappuccinos or similar that you like so much… And you'd be also helping improve the local economy which actually needs a revamp, don't you think?