RYAN'S DIGITAL NOTEBOOK

Over the past decade, it seems like everything we do has moved from our local computers to the cloud. While less consumers are buying desktop PCs for their home, a rise in smaller, single-use edge computing devices is on the horizon. The cloud has taken over our digital lives. We use it to store our data (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.), rely on it for our media content (Netflix, Spotify, etc.), and it’s even starting to stream video games (Stadia, xCloud, etc.). With all of thi

Taking a photo using your webcam can be a quick and easy way to add an image to your online profile, get a shot of that new gadget you just have to show someone, and even just capture the rare moment your hair looks absolutely perfect. Taking the photo doesn’t have to be a difficult process, and there are several ways to do it. First, the software included with your webcam probably has the feature built right in. If your webcam didn’t come with a disc loaded with drivers and

This morning, I wrote an article detailing why I hate the idea of an OS built with cloud dependence in some of its core features. The fact is, there are many reasons why an OS built with the cloud in mind at its base is a good idea. This is especially true for users that are frequently doing work from the road that needs to access the most up-to-date copies of files. Files and Content Remains Synced Doing work in the cloud can be a tremendous help, especially when you’re col

For a while now, the buzz around Windows 8 was that it would be more of a cloud OS than the traditional model. Its core would still remain locked on the local drive and experience, but many programs are rumored to rely heavily on connecting to the ever-present cloud. Unfortunately, the cloud isn’t always there for everyone. One reason I like services like Dropbox and Steam is though they benefit from a consistent connection to the web, you’re not completely locked out of your

One of my favorite games dating back to Windows 3.11 is Mahjong. This seemingly simple matching game combines strategy with luck and serves as a great way to kill time. A quick browse of the Google Chrome Marketplace revealed a new and noteworthy app called 247 Mahjong. The app turned out to be a simple link to their website where you can play Mahjong as long as you want with no charges, signups, or probing questions. They’ve included a background music track that is undeniab

Picnik, the photo editor in the cloud, is now a free service to users, allowing them to edit their photos without the need of a pesky subscription fee. This was a heavily limited feature in the past, allowing only premium members to take advantage of their array of editing features that mimics a lot of the functionality found on iPhoto and other basic photo editing programs. This is no competitor to Photoshop, but it can help you jazz up your images currently sitting on Flick