Chrome OS 10

I got the Chrome OS 10 upgrade today.  I love the quick and easy updates unlike Firefox and Explorer.  A nice feature of the new version of Chrome is the ability to move the apps on the new tab page.  I have already rearranged and organized my apps.

It is a little funny reading comments on the chrome apps. all of the chrome apps are web based by design, and people don't like the fact that they appear like apps but are actually bookmarks to another webpage.  Even people that have "grown up" during the age of app still have the mind set that the software has to be downloaded to your device, computer, phone, tablet.  That is just nonsense and is not the long term future, which will be in the cloud.

Chrome Cr-48 Volume Controls

For some reason the volume control and mute buttons on the key board is not adjusting the volume.  I have reported the bug and will let you know if the volume control returns.  Sound card is working, just can't adjust the current volume which is rather loud.

On a positive note- love the battery life and the fact the I can see how long is needed for full charged, in addition to seeing the amount of charge remaining.

Update 3/5 7pm. Volume control has returned. Yeah!

Travel with the Chrome CR-48

Earlier this week was my first recruiting trip with the Chrome CR-48.  Quick set up with the hotel wifi and I was set.  Still loving the chrome laptop.

The Spring Hill Suites in Fairfax VA is a very nice hotel that was recently built.  Great service and beautiful lobby and room.  Most important- good water pressure.

Also the Chicken parm at the Fairfax Macaroni Grill was suberb.

watching WVU on ESPN3 and Google Chrome OS Cr48

I watched the WVU vs Rutgers men's basketball game on my Google Chrome cr-48 laptop.  Initially the flash player crashed and wouldn't load (reported bug since the plash player crashed a few times in the past 48 hours).

Once a new tab was opened the flash player worked and I was able to watch the game without incident.  I opened the game on my desktop to compare the two.  Performance was the same, laptop was less than a second behind because of wifi.  Interesting that they show different commercials to different people online.

Overall pleased with performance.

PS WVU won at Rutgers 65-54 on their senior day.

Webinar issues on chrome OS cr-48

This evening I was planning on participating in the Google Seminar online "Building a class site with Google Sites" which was being offered through webex.com. 


Unfortunately that didn't work well in Chrome.  


There are three plug-ins that were needed and only one is a web based format. 

• FlashPlayer 6.0 or later- check
• Windows Media Player 9.0 or later- nope
• QuickTime 6.0 or later- nope

When starting the webinar it was missing a plugin even though flash player was tested and working.


I had to switch over to my HP desktop without any issues, in Chrome.


Part of this is just having developers start moving their apps and programs online rather than as desktop programs.  My guess is somebody else will develop a webinar app without the need for desktop software.


Testing onward!  (good webinar on building a googlesite for a classroom application.

Some walls today on Chrome OS

Today I encountered two issues on Chrome OS on the CR-48.

First video- Currently Netflix isn't supported but they noted they are working on it.  Comcast Xfinity video player is only set for Windows and Macs right now, not sure if that is a COmcast issue or a Chrome issue.  Other services like YouTube and Hulu work just fine.  I watched the latest episode of Fringe without any issues.

Second- Google Docs drag and drop- There was a website that I wanted to download an excel file from and it downloaded no problem.  I wanted to upload it to Google docs, but the drag and drop feature didn't work in Google docs from the Download window in Chrome. I was able to upload using the browse button in Google Docs. Seems like that UI needs smoothed out to make cloud computing more intuitive.

Mouse and Bag

Adding a $13 logitech mini usb mouse has really enhanced my user experience on the chrome laptop.  I also got a laptop bag for it as well, so $50 for a new laptop isn't bad.  I went with the more professional and generic black protective bag than the WVU sleeve.  It will be more practical as I travel for my job.

Quick note on the mouse. I like the fact that it is smaller, only uses 1 AA battery and allows for the usb plug to be stored in the mouse when traveling.  The on off switch on the bottom of the mouse is a nice touch.  The last mouse I bought for our desk top doesn't have the on off switch and burns through batteries a little faster. I might upgrade the desktop mouse just for that feature.

Only clitch I have encountered in the last few days has been pasting links into facebook for status updates.  Ctrl C & V keyboard shortcuts work better than cut and paste through the mouse for some reason. Not sure if that is a mouse, CR-48 or a Facebook issue.

Still miss the delete key and the End key.

Google Chrome Cr-48

A few days ago, my Google Chrome Cr-48 arrived at dinner time like a great side dish for life.  Since I didn't know what it was I let me wife open it.  When it was revealed to be the chrome laptop, I told her it was free.  Her reaction, "No way you got a free laptop!" Our amazement lasted a few hours.  I was happy it was charged up so I could experiment right away.

• Cloud print- check at home (next day at work- check)
• Posting to facebook- yep
• Chrome sync- check (apps and book marks)
• Able to log in to WVU Novell Groupwise online- check
• Post to Twitter- check
• Friends jealous- check

I took it to work the next day and it loaded right up and easy sign on to the wifi network at West Virginia University "MountainAir"

First few day feedback:

• Never knew I would miss the "delete" key, it is backspace in reverse.
• Mousepad is without buttons- takes some getting used to and highlighting and copying is difficult, haven't mastered it yet. (I bought a mouse today. Not a a knock on the laptop, I just don't like track pads on laptops in general.)
• Quick start up every time.
• Auto sleep can be annoying if you leave the laptop for a few minutes but have Pandora or groove shark playing music.

Moving more items online and learning the Aviary suite over the coming weeks. I need to learn how to do graphic and video editing online.

Fingers are crossed that Santa Google will grat my request for 15-20 CR-48 to use with students and faculty at work.