Versions of Windows 8.1

After the confusion of having to deal with the multitudes of versions in Windows Vista and Seven, Microsoft wisely has reduced Windows 8 to just 3 versions with its latest incarnation. In fact, it's really just 2 versions because the Enterprise version is not on sale to the end-users, only to special groups such as companies and universities.

• Windows 8.1
• Windows 8.1 Pro
• Windows 8.1 Enterprise

There is also the infamous RT version that only runs on ARM-based hardware. Windows 8.1 cannot run on ARM-based hardware. Windows 8.1 requires x86 hardware such as systems that has Intel and AMD CPUs. I wish Microsoft would call Windows 8.1 version Windows 8.1 Standard to make it clear from the Windows 8.1 Pro. Also, Windows RT is confusing because it also has the Desktop mode that looks just like the Desktop mode of Windows 8.1. There are rumors that when Windows 9 comes out in a few months, the Desktop mode in RT will be eliminated altogether, making RT looks and behaves like a tablet completely. I hope that with Windows 9, Microsoft will just have 1 version for everything including the Enterprise. This is how Apple does it with its OSX operating system.

Below is taken from the Microsoft website comparing the major differences between the "Standard" and Pro versions.

	Windows 8.1	Windows 8.1 Pro
Great apps built-in such as Mail, Calendar, Messaging, Photos, and OneDrive, with many more available at Windows Store.
Includes Internet Explorer 11 for fast, intuitive, touch-friendly browsing.
Keeps you up-to-date and more secure with Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, and Windows Update.
Works with new and existing Windows desktop software, including the full Microsoft Office experience (Outlook, SharePoint Designer and more).*
Comes with Windows Media Player.
Provides enhanced data protection using BitLocker technology to help keep your information secure.**
Enables you to connect to your PC when you’re on the go with Remote Desktop Connection.
Connects to your corporate or school network with Domain Join.

Synology DSM 5.0 Reviewed

Updated on Feb 2015.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/nas/nas-reviews/32490-synology-dsm-50-reviewed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amkdWd153u0

Update: DSM 5.1 is now available. The latest version is DSM 5.1- Build 5022 Update 2. One major new feature is the inclusion of Microsoft Onedrive in Cloud Sync. This joins Dropbox, GoogleDrive, and Baidu. Moreover Microsoft will release a major update to its maligned OneDrive service to coincide with its Windows 10 release in the summer 2015. Currently, there is no official Onedrive client for Linux from Microsoft. Synology NAS operating system, Disk Station Manager, is Linux-based. As such, the Onedrive app for Synology is created by Synology itself using the APIs released by Microsoft.

There is another app on the DSM called Cloud Station. This is a completely different app than the Cloud Sync. Cloud Station syncs designated folders on computers including handheld devices under the mobile app DS Cloud. (I wish Synology would reduce the number of names for its apps to avoid confusion so instead of calling the iOS app DS Cloud, it should be Cloud Station for iOS). DS Cloud app enables you to sync a folder on your computer to your iPhone using the Disk Station as a middleman. It is sort of like Dropbox except the data is not stored in any cloud server like Dropbox.

Y Cable Merger and Spliter Cable

Many computers including smart phones these days have the audio and microphone 3.5 mm jacks merged into a single jack. If you have a headset that also has only one jack, then this connection is fine. however, some headphone and microphone combo headset have two separate cables that requires two jacks on the device. To use such a headset, you need to get a Y adapter that merges these 2 jacks into one connector. Notice there bands on the male end has 3 bands or rings. These 3 bands are needed to carry both the sound out and the sound in.

This particular adapter is color-coded and marked with icons for speaker and microphone which make its function explicitly clear. Sometimes these visual clues are not there, so the only clue is the 3 bands.

Do not confuse this adapter with one whose purpose is to split the audio output to two speakers. For

example you want the audio of your computer to output to a pair of speakers on your desk and your headphone at the same time. Then you need a Y spliter like this. Notice the characteristic 2 bands.

Create an AIO Windows Install

This video shows you how to create an all-in-one Windows installer. This works with any copy of Windows both 32bit and 64bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm8HbfBUtHk


On a related note, read about this.

http://lifehacker.com/5438005/eicfg-removal-utility-lets-you-use-any-product-key-with-your-windows-7-disc