Windows 10 Available July 29th

Starting today, users of Windows 7 and 8.1 can reserve an upgrade copy of Windows 10. If you are a current user of Windows 7 or 8.1, you have have noticed a little Windows icon in your system tray. Once you click on it, a pop up explaining how it will work. The short of it is this - you give them your email to reserve it, Microsoft will notify you when it’s available to download, and you can then choose when to download and install it. The download will be 3GB.

If you are upgrading from Windows 7 or 8.1, Windows 10 will be offered for free for a year. If you do not upgrade within a year, or you are still using an older version of Windows, you can purchase Windows 10 at a later date. Some evidence points to a hard copy of it being available in August at $109.99 for the home OEM version, and $149.99 for the Pro OEM version.

Windows 10 brings back the traditional start menu on desktops and laptops, while keeping the intuitive start page for tablets, as well as introducing Cortana to the desktop world, the Edge browser to replace Internet Explorer, virtual desktops, and Continuum. Continuum is a feature that allows devices such as the Microsoft Surface to switch on the fly from tablet mode to desktop mode. Continuum for phones will even allow the phone to connect to a display, keyboard, and mouse, in order to use some apps in a desktop environment.

When it releases this summer Windows 10 will only be available for PCs, with phone and tablet versions launching at a later date. Microsoft is seeking to bridge the gap between mobile and desktop devices while not alienating either group.

Sources: 

http://www.techspot.com/news/60845-microsoft-windows-7-81-users-reserve-free-upgrade.html

http://www.zdnet.com/article/online-reseller-leaks-oem-prices-and-on-sale-dates-for-windows-10/

http://www.cnet.com/news/how-continuum-will-work-in-windows-10/#!

http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/continuum-for-windows-10-for-phones-puts-a-pc-in-your-pocket-1292491

http://www.techspot.com/news/60668-microsoft-reveals-full-lineup-planned-windows-10-editions.html

GOG Galaxy

First there was Valve’s Steam, then EA’s Origin and Ubisoft’s UPlay, and many other attempts at gaming clients. Now there is Good Old Game’s Galaxy. Currently in beta, the client functions much like any other, allowing you to shop and download games from the GOG catalog. If you already have a fine collection of GOG games, you can scan for their install folders and have them added to the client’s library. 

As it is in beta, many features found in the competitors’ clients are still missing, including a chat feature, achievements, and automatic update for your games. The games themselves are still DRM free, and do not require the client to play. Galaxy is another option to download, organize, and play your favorite games then and now.

Steam Workshop Introduces Paid Mods

The Steam Workshop has grown since its inception to provide quality mods to players. Great mods that add new features, levels, art, and gameplay are available for anyone with the base game to enjoy. They extend the life of a game tremendously, as seen with the Elder Scrolls series of games. Skyrim for example, came out in 2011, and the modding community is still creating content for it.

But as with anything new, there are quirks and bugs, and speculation. Long time gamers who are used to free mods are up in arms about having to pay for user made content. And there is potential for this system to be abused. People have already started to pirate mods to sell on the Steam Workshop. But that’s something that could be moderated.

Modding may be the work of hobbyists, but that does not diminish the time and effort they put in to it. And while there’s no risk of the Steams Workshop going under any time soon, I have seen amazing mods disappear because it was too costly to continue development and hosting for them, such as MekTek’s Mekpaks for MechWarrior 4.

While I was initially shocked by this news, I am curious to see how this plays out. These people are artists and developers, even if they’re not working for a studio, and if they feel they should be reimbursed for that work, then why not? If they want to continue to provide it for, that’s just fine.

I am curious what everyone else thinks.

Sources:

http://steamcommunity.com/workshop/aboutpaidcontent/

http://steamed.kotaku.com/steam-users-see-big-problems-with-charging-for-mods-1699803962/+nathangrayson

http://askagamedev.tumblr.com/post/117200179771/what-is-your-opinion-on-priced-mods-on-steam-its

Me and my BAE on Valentine's day.

Windows 7 Now on Extended Support

As of Tuesday, January 13th, Windows 7 ended mainstream support from Microsoft and is now on extended support.

All this means is that Microsoft will continue to roll out security patches for Windows 7 until 2020, and will no longer provide software updates or bugfixes for the OS. While this is unfortunate for anyone expecting a Service Pack 2 or DX 12 update for Windows 7, it comes as no surprise; Windows 8 is already over two years old, and Windows 10 is expected to be released later this year.

Sources: HardOCP, PC Perspective

Today I feel like sharing something other than planes or video game news, my PC, "Snow Owl." This is for the computer enthusiasts out there, and those curious about building a computer. I find that building a computer is very satisfying, as you are making something personal to your specifications. It is your computer, and you get to enjoy it your way.

I built it as a present to myself in the fall of 2012, and have continued to tweak and improve it since. Built in an NZXT 210 Elite chassis, it uses an MSI Z77 MPower motherboard with an Intel i5-3570k overclocked to 4.2 GHz. A Xigmatek Dark Knight II heat sink with a quiet Cougar fan keeps it nice and cool, even under heavy load. Originally I used an XFX AMD HD 7850 graphics card with it, but I swapped that out for a Sapphire HD 7950 Boost Edition card. For a brief period I ran two HD 7950s in Crossfire, but saw little gain in the majority of titles I played for the power and noise I was getting. The second card will be part of a future build I'm working on.

For storage I have an Intel 520 series 180 GB SSD for the OS and important programs, paired with a Western Digital EZEX 1 TB HDD for bulk storage. An overkill 16GB of RAM rounds out the system, providing plenty of wiggle-room for multitasking and virtual machines. An equally overkill NZXT Hale 82 750W power supply provides plenty of clean power to the system.

I love working on computers, and I enjoy talking about them and sharing them with others.

Bossa Studios, creators of Surgeon Simulator and I Am Bread, and Improbable are looking to make a striking new games, World's Adrift. There is little info available at the moment, but World's Adrift looks to be a physics based world featuring grappling hooks, flying ships, and multiplayer. However, the game is just an idea for now. Bossa Studios is looking for your input. Watch the video above and check out their website.

Mustang's getting a transplant.

Also, I need to take my good camera with me.

I got to take a ride in the CAF 3rd Pursuit Squadron's Antonov AN-2 Big Panda.

Get Sim City 2000 Free!

EA's "On the House" deal has been a great way to play classic games for free. Previously they released Sims 2, Wing Commander III, Dead Space, and other hits. Now you can get Sim City 2000 for free.

Now if only they'd release SimCopter...

LucasArts Classics Heading to Good Old Games

Disney Interactive/LucasFilm have partnered up with Good Old Games to release DRM-Free copies of X-Wing, Tie Fighter, Sam & Max, and more. These games should be configured to work on modern PCs. Check it out in the following link.

http://www.gog.com/news/new_publisher_disney_interactivelucasfilm

Grumman Wildcat. Although the Hellcat is my favorite aircraft, the Wildcat holds a special place in my heart.

Some quick shots of the Spitfire Mk XIV uncowled at the CAF So Cal Wing.

Wings Over Camarillo 2014, featuring Chino's Planes of Fame and their Northrop N-9MB