2022 Chromebooks 02

My initial reintroduction (it's been over 6 months) to the world of Chromebooks was perhaps a little disappointing. I made a lot out of my inescapable longing to move back to a Chromebook as my primary computer in my last missive, but in actual practice the time away had stolen some of the glimmer I expected to experience. 

First, I was unable to connect to my Citrix desktop, so the Chromebook was immediately out as a machine available for work. This was disconcerting, as its ability to supplement my desktop for this task was one of the more attractive benefits. I wouldn't be lost without it, certainly, as my workplace has already provided quite a powerful laptop to meet this need. I could absolutely take that laptop out and about as needed to work away from my desktop. I would imagine my workplace would prefer I take this approach. However, the work laptop is a bit unwieldly and it is actively monitored by my employer. As much as I am sure it isn't a big deal, I wouldn't want to browse Amazon or write a blog post while logged in on my work laptop. I'd only want to enter bills, which is my job. In that regard it is perhaps even healthier for me to use my work laptop for work. But I am selfish person. I like my freedom, even if I don't actually intend to use it.

Then, the Android game I've been fiddling with wasn't authorized to run on Chromebooks. Phones only. Which is dumb and totally not my Chromebook's fault. Even so, it was a disappointment. And it made me sad.

Then, all the Android games on every device I own went ahead and installed themselves on my Chromebook. I had to uninstall them all. And then they were all uninstalled from all my other Android devices. I mean... I like the automatic synchronization, but the implementation is a little awkward in this context. I don't actually know how to separate specific devices from what appears to be the communal install pool. I should probably figure this out.

Finally, I was thinking all the extra power under the hood would make for a more fluid and precise drawing experience that what has been afforded by my Chromebook Duet. It does. However, the screen is a bit tackier than the glossy coat on the Duet. This is actually nice when using the Chromebook as ... a Chromebook. But the stickiness isn't super pleasant when using a pen. And then, also (and perhaps super obviously), the Chromebook is a good deal heavier than the Duet. It's not pleasant to write on unless it is sitting on a tabletop. The Duet, on the other hand is light and easy to handle. 

So, with such an array of disappointments, perhaps I should be filled with regret. I am not. But maybe I should.

On Chromebooks in a new year

The central question to my first analysis of Chromebooks revolved around whether or not I could use the platform to replace my dependency on Windows as an operating system to enable my activities. While this was, perhaps, an unfair premise for evaluation, it was also necessary. As Microsoft has more openly discarded any concern for individual freedom or anonymity, the pressing desire to abandon their product has grown. Yet there are very pronounced dependencies to attend. Steam gaming habits. Photoshop projects. File storage. Video editing. Audio editing. None of these pastimes could be abandoned and all would require replacement. Even so, no suitable replacement is found. This was rendered frustrating because of the perceived necessity of migration.

Yet, with honest evaluation, is it really fair to laud the Chromebook as a more private alternative to Windows in its most invasive form? Not really. Google's nascent OS initiative is built upon a Faustian disregard for personal privacy. If my primary concern is being tracked, traced and catalogued then Chromebooks simply do not apply. 

So, in the air of this reality, I tried to disregard the death of my Chromebook. I complained to my wife on the day it refused to charge or boot again, thinking perhaps we would agree to find room in the budget for a replacement. However, we were in dire financial straits at that moment. The idea of purchasing a new computing device was laughable at best - especially when weighed against the fact that I posses plenty of devices, including another Chromebook (tablet). No deprivation would actually occur. These realizations settled in quickly and I sought to save face by not pressing the issue. The machine I once considered my main system ignobly passed from paperweight to trash bin without further remark. And this was meant to be the end of it. 

So, why am I continuing to discuss Chromebooks? As it turns out, Chromebooks are worthy of consideration for their own merits. They do not need to be positioned as a reasonable replacement for something Windows or Mac. They are just great in and of themselves. In the weeks which followed where I attempted to acclimate myself to life without a Chromebook, I found my reliance on Chromebook tablet greatly increased and my reliance on Windows computer unchanged. Windows did not move in to fill the gaps left behind by my deceased Chromebook. In many ways, it couldn't.

That statement probably strikes readers as odd. Rightfully so. Summarily, I just stated that Chromebooks are incapable of replicating many of the necessary tasks performed by Windows-based computers. It is well known that the base functions Chromebooks do offer are also available in the Windows ecosystem. This is the core argument of all those who insist Chromebooks are only good as cheap alternatives for people who couldn't (or shouldn't) afford better. The people who insist this are MANY. There are entire websites run by them. People who own and love iPads and attempt to review Chromebook tablets - inevitably coming to the conclusion that the Chromebook tablet is, in fact, a tablet but not actually an iPad and therefore unworthy of money. People who own and love Windows gaming computers who insist that Chromebooks can play games, but they still fail at running the games which only run on their Windows gaming computer. People who aggregate such sentiments to state that Chromebooks with powerful hardware are merely silly excess because Chromebooks are obviously nothing more than a niche alternative for people who can't afford the real thing.

It is tempting to see the logic in these statements. Indeed, I have bought the false syllogism personally. Yet, one thing remained. I missed my Chromebook. Daily. 

Oddly, when my Windows computer stopped working, I forged ahead and managed to only miss it very circumstantially until I had no choice but to replace it. I have used both iPad and Macbook and somehow manage to live without missing either at all. But my niche, unnecessary alternative Chromebook I've missed daily. Fervently. Passionately. Annoyingly. 

I didn't replace my Chromebook because there were just so many things I couldn't do without it. I replaced it because I wanted to have it for the things I can do with it. I am not sure what that means, but certainly, for myself, I have to recognize that ChromeOS is not just a cheap, less effective alternative to other so-called "full" OS experiences. ChromeOS is a full OS in its own right, worth my money and my consideration.

So, perhaps I should continue to explore why.

Logitech

 I wouldn't say that I am a fan of Logitech's mice for gaming. Generally, I think they are gaudy and poorly designed. I am saying this as a person who has loved Razer mice for over a decade. So... take that as you will. However, Razer has let me down, Roccat doesn't sell the mouse I liked any more and the Corsair mouse I tried died within 2 months. 

My options are very limited.

I don't want to rest on my pride and prejudices, so I decided to set all that aside and get a Logitech mouse, since Logitech seemed to be my only remaining option. I got the G502 SE, which was the cheapest decent gaming mouse they offered. It is not loaded with buttons, but it has a few.

One thing I feel I can expect from Logitech, however, is reliability. Reliability is what my mice have been lacking lately, so I believe this choice will be best in the end.

So...

 I am genuinely curious (assuming we are all alive in another 20 to 30 years) what our children's opinions will be about this period of "mostly peaceful protest looting."

For The First Time Since 2001

For the first time in almost two decades, my primary computer is no longer operated by a Razer mouse. This was a surprisingly difficult move for me, given how much I despise Razer's synapse software, however, after purchasing the Razer Lancehead for $160 on release because it finally offered the best of all worlds and then seeing the mouse fail to work properly over the course of the past few months, I've (at least for the moment) tired of Razer's lack of commitment to quality.

I am now using a refurbished Corsair M65. Let's see how this goes (only a few buttons on this thing, a fact that I do not love).

Updateme On The State Of Rift

Alright, we are deep in the coronavirus quarantine and overloaded with time because everyone is staying at home all day long. So, is the second playtest module ready to be mailed out? Sadly, no.

I have run out of poster board. So, unfortunately, I won't even be able to work on the second module until I am able to head out to the store to purchase a few more sheets of poster board. I made my module out of black backing. So, Shon, if you'd like a different color backing for your lanes, let me know and I will see what I can do when the shelter in place order is lifted and the stores re-open. No guarantees, of course. I know for a fact that they have black poster board for a good price which is the ideal weight and thickness for the project, but I cannot say whether there is any in a different color. I can certainly check, though.

This is a bit of a bummer, to be honest, because I honestly do have plenty of time to knock this project out. Yet, I have not been able to do so. I wish I had the foresight to grab the poster board when this was all starting, but I lacked that (and the money to be honest).

Building the lanes is a bit time-intensive. I looked into some alternatives, but based on my research, the cost goes up steeply and I just can't justify it at this point. If I were manufacturing this game for sale I think the other alternatives might begin to make sense - manufacturing things in bulk through automated services instead of hand-crafting them at home. I am not at that point.

The thing with Rift is that it is a lane limited concept. The lanes are integral to the identity of the game. Manufacture would be cheaper and easier without the lanes involved, but the game just doesn't make sense in that context. So, my apologies for the further extended deadline for this project. I guess Thanksgiving of last year was extremely optimistic as was Christmas (though to be fair I had all the cards finished by Christmas).

Am I still sending a copy to Shon? ABSOLUTELY. I wish I had the ability to have sent it out already. I don't, so it is going to have to wait awhile longer. I do feel terrible about that.

Why Not Google?

Home security. It was the realm of rich people when I was growing up and now it is so commonly available that people are actually spending time deliberating over the wisdom of having a camera connected to the internet which watches every corner of their house all day long. I don't have the tools to answer that conundrum. It's a deep discussion.

I do, however, have a desire to monitor the entrances and common areas of our home. For safety reasons. So I guess I fall on the foolish, self-monitoring side of the equation. The bigger question for me is how to accomplish the goal. We've tried a few solutions over the years and many are rather expensive.

I wanted to take a moment out of my day to simply state that it is possible to have robust monitoring in-home, covering three areas with HD/nightvision and a week's worth of history for less than $100. That's less than the cost of a single Nest camera and the solution we are using doesn't require a subscription to reap its benefits. So what are we using? Well, oddly, this is where I draw the privacy line. I can say we are NOT using Nest - because of the prohibitive and constant cost of it. But for those who want to know what we ARE using, you'll have to ask me in person. That, or work at Amazon I guess. I suppose you could just search my purchase history in that case.