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Windows 8 Navigation Tips

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Have you received a new computer for the holidays? You'll probably be surprised that Windows 8 looks completely different from what you may used to.  Here are a few shortcut commands that have helped me out - if you don't see the video above, click here.

The most helpful tip is that to search, all you need to do is begin typing! As you can see in the above video, you can find the Control Panel by just typing "Control Panel".  Even before you spell it out fully, you'll begin to see results. These results are separated by Apps, Settings, and Files. You can use this searching methodology to find anything that you're used to seeing, from setting your resolution to launching the Notepad

If you want to go back to the Windows experience that you're most familiar with, hold the Windows button and press D to enter Desktop view.  Here you'll be able to access My Computer, the task bar  and other familiar areas of Windows 7. To get back to the Windows 8 tiled view, simply press the Windows button.

One last thing: Microsoft has not made it clear how to actually shut down your computer! The easiest way is to press Control + Alt + Delete, and then select the power button in the lower right corner.

I think Windows 8 is a great operating system, but it takes some getting used to.  Hope you have a great time!

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#1ReasonWhy We All Must Stand for Diversity

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I've posted in the past about gender diversity in the sciences. There have been gaffes, such as the EU attempt to get women more involved in science by making it "sexy". But there has been plenty of positivity out there too - women like Adria Richards, Clara Ma, Andrea Deveaux, Sally Ride, and the ladies of Nerdgasm Noire Network.

Iit disgusts me to read stories that women in the gaming industry are sharing via the #1ReasonWhy hash tag on twitter, and covered by publications such as Mother Jones and GamesIndustry.biz. Women are not being valued for their contributions to the gaming community and it had to stop if we ever want to be the true center of innovation and excellence that we claim to be.

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When women are being asked about husbands and body parts more than there science and tech skills, is there a question why less women wan to enter these industries?

The more women we have making games, the more games we will have that accurately represent the full human condition. Lets face it - a male dominate industry is not good for any of us, especially given the purchasing power if women in our economy.

Discrimination within the science and tech industries only harms us all. Lets put a stop to it.

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More Tapes, More Problems: The YTSW3 Aftermath

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Thanks to everyone for the feedback on my latest Yeah They Still Work (YTSW) video on cassette tapes. Many people asked to see my collection, so here are some pics!

The motherload.  Not as organized as usual, but the tapes go two levels deep.

The motherload.  Not as organized as usual, but the tapes go two levels deep.

i always labeled my mixtapes with a number.  I added the date for later ones.  Here's close to the end of my mixtape era in 1999.

i always labeled my mixtapes with a number.  I added the date for later ones.  Here's close to the end of my mixtape era in 1999.

I also labeled the backs with Title and Artist. if I didn't know, I just guessed

I also labeled the backs with Title and Artist. if I didn't know, I just guessed

I also had plenty of store bought tapes ... Don't Be Cruuuueeelll

I also had plenty of store bought tapes ... Don't Be Cruuuueeelll

I always loved the font choices for album covers. This one is particularly fancy, especially given Bobby Brown's content

I always loved the font choices for album covers. This one is particularly fancy, especially given Bobby Brown's content

I'm a huge fan of liner notes, and I miss them from most digital downloads.

I'm a huge fan of liner notes, and I miss them from most digital downloads.

And of course, you get amazing album art!

And of course, you get amazing album art!

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Yeah They Still Work 3: Cassette Tapes

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This is the latest post in my Yeah They Still Work (YTSW) series, where I review my old tech that still works and brings me joy.  

Do you still have your cassette tapes? I grew up in a family of DJs so I was surrounded by vinyl records and cassette tapes. In fact, I didn't switch over to CDs until the late 90s. I still have a subset of my favorite tapes even though the majority of my music is now digital.

Check out YTSW 1 on the minidisc (post and video) and YTSW 2 on the Double Dribble Tiger handheld (post and video)

If you can't see the video below, click here.