Dear Readers,

Thinking back a few years on my train commute to work, I used to observe a significant number of BlackBerry phone users, busily typing away on their QWERTY keyboards. However, as time went by, the mobile landscape quickly changed as more varieties of smartphones became available. Eventually that legion of BlackBerry phone users has dwindled to almost nothing, having been replaced by an assortment of Android and iPhones.


It has been awhile since BlackBerry came out with a new phone, but just last week the company released two new ones, the BlackBerry Z10 and the Q10. These new phones sport a massive design change, the new BlackBerry 10 OS with a completely new user experience, and technology from their predecessors. But is it too late?

I personally think it's great to see BlackBerry jumping back into the mobile arena again. BlackBerry, from what I've seen, has always had a huge fan base, but many fans of yesteryear have jumped ship. So the big question is, will these new phones win them back? How about the new generation of smartphone users, young and old? What about the enterprise folks -- will they bite for the new BlackBerry in this highly competitive smartphone market that's dominated by iPhones, Androids, and Windows phones? Will you embrace their new phones and technology? Do you personally think BlackBerry has a fighting chance of surviving in this already highly competitive market?

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Dear visitors,

Happy February! While you all are reading this Post, I'll be at the gym with my friend. Now you might be wondering what that has to do with this week's topic, which is whether you can install Windows 7 over Windows 8.

Well, like a marriage brings change to your life, so does working with a new operating system. Most people dread change; stepping outside of our comfort zone is not something we look forward to usually. And with Windows 8 being very different than what we are mostly accustomed to, it is a huge change. This week's question from Gary probably sounds familiar to many folks, who may have the same thoughts: You went out and bought a new PC with Windows 8 preloaded on it and came to quickly realize that it's so different and you just simply don't want to put up with it. And I don't blame anyone bit for being frustrated and wanting to revert to Windows 7. But before you do that, there are a lot of people who suggest giving Windows 8 a chance; many of our friends and professionals and IT GEEKS felt the same way as you when they first started with Windows 8, but then eventually grew to like it. 

Now if you've given Windows 8 a chance and it still falls short of what you'd like it to be, before you attempt to downgrade to 7, many people recommended trying out a few programs that you can install on Windows 8 that will allow you to make Windows 8 look and feel like a more familiar Windows layout. And if that doesn't work out, there are plenty of posts on internet that will help you install Windows 7. Give them all a thorough read, as I'm sure you'll find a solution that will satisfy your needs. Good luck!

Now if any of you have any additional advice to offer other people or have experienced this yourself and have successfully downgraded to 7 from 8, swing on by and discuss this topic with us. Thanks for your participation. Have a great weekend!

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Do you still buy DVDs or Blu-ray movies? In the past several years, I have gone from buying a handful of DVDs and Blu-ray discs a month to maybe a handful a year. It's probably safe to say that my DVD/Blu-ray buying days are coming to an end. The only thing holding me back from ditching physical discs altogether is that on occasion a movie will come out that is a must-have for keepsake purposes. If it weren't for that, I probably wouldn't buy a disc ever again.

 As for my kids, they know how to use Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, and they know how to use my cable TV provider's on-demand video services. If they really want to see a movie not available on those services, I simply download it for them from iTunes or another video service. But that's just my family, so what about you? Do you still buy physical video media? Have online video-streaming and download movie services cut back on your DVD/Blu-ray spending? Do you think DVD and Blu-ray discs are headed toward extinction? If you are a habitual DVD/Blu-ray buyer, do you use the digital versions that come along with the purchase of the physical disc? CNET blog network writer Danny Sullivan recently wrote a post titled "Keep your Blu-rays and DVDs, Hollywood -- I've gone digital." In it, he talks about his Blu-ray and DVD buying habits, as well as his frustrations in dealing with digital versions that accompany physical discs that eventually made him give buying Blu-rays up altogether. Do you feel the same frustration as he does? Read the post, and when you're ready, tell us if you're like Danny, telling Hollywood to keep its DVDs and Blu-rays!

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