Have you ever wondered where some of the ideas for Microsoft programs came from? You know, the cutting-edge apps. There is a good chance they started in the Microsoft Garage.

Microsoft Garage is a platform for Microsoft employees to explore new technologies and move their ideas forward. Some of the projects succeed, and some fail. But one thing is for sure: they are some of the coolest apps around.

The first thing you should know is that all of the projects are experiments run by one or more Microsoft employees in their spare time. Some are open to the general public, and some are by invitation only.

You have to remember that these experiments are strictly just beta tests. Once an experiment is complete, you can no longer download it. However, it is an excellent opportunity to give a developer or team of developers a helping hand with valuable feedback.

Now, the experiments in the Microsoft Garage are for more than just Windows. There are projects for all platforms: iOS, Android, Xbox, and Windows..

What is cool is that Microsoft has even built several facilities at some of its development centers around the world just for the Garage developer teams. Microsoft even holds special events to help these developers explore new technologies.

Some ongoing experiments in the Microsoft Garage include Mouse Without Borders, a Windows program that allows you to control up to four (4) computers from one keyboard and mouse.

There is Face Swap for Android and iOS devices that, as the name implies, allows you to take a photo of your face and apply it to another image.

Sketch 360 allows you to create 360-degree sketches using an innovative grid design. You draw on the left side of the screen, and the sketch is displayed in a 360-degree view on the right side of the screen.

Also noteworthy is the What Dog experiment, which, as the name implies, tells you what breed a dog is. Just take a picture of a dog, and What Dog will identify the breed.

So, if you would like to help in the development of some cool apps, take a look inside the Microsoft Garage. You might be surprised by what you find.

Microsoft Garage

Doing computer repair for a living, I get a lot of questions. One of my favorites has to be, "Should I repair or upgrade my computer or just get a new one." So, let's look at whether to repair or upgrade an existing computer or buy a new one.

First, let's examine the three (3) theories I follow regarding computers and their components.

1. Infant Mortality is the belief that if it runs for a day (24 hours), it will run for its lifetime. It is also the start of what is called the Bathtub Curve.
2. The Bathtub Curve refers to the expected failure rate of electronics over time, as it resembles an end-to-end bathtub section. The failure rate starts high at the beginning of life (Infant Mortality) and then drops to almost nothing until rising again when it fails.
3. The definition of the Lifetime of computer components, from my experience, is three years from the start of service. At three years or older, it's not if it will break down, but when it will break down. But there are exceptions to this rule, mainly in terms of how well you take care of the electronics.

Another factor that has to be included in assessing whether to repair or replace is the life cycle of the operating system (Windows). For example, Windows 10's end-of-life date is October 14, 2025, and if the system you are looking at repairing or replacing does not have the hardware required to run Windows 11, repairing it may be questionable.

Many of my customers would prefer to invest in a new computer that will run Windows 11 than replace failing hardware in a computer that will soon lose support for security patches and updates.

To repair or replace

With that said, let's start with the repair or replace scenario. Most of the time, repairing is the best way to go if the computer (desktop or laptop) is within the expected lifetime. Now, the exception is with the price and availability of replacement parts.

With computers over three (3) years old, you have to consider the cost of replacement parts and labor versus the price of a new system. If the parts and labor total more than $200, I usually ask a client at least twice if they are sure they want to replace the part(s).

You also have to consider whether the replacement parts are new or refurbished (a fancy way of saying used). Refurbished will work quite well for laptop bases, lids, and bezels. A refurbished unit may or may not work for motherboards and IO/daughterboards.

Keep in mind that if a particular component has a flaw that caused it to fail, a refurbished (used) part may also have the same defect and could fail, just like the component you are replacing. I've had a 50/50 success rate with refurbished parts, with some parts lasting only months and some lasting years.

Hard drives, memory modules, desktop DVD drives, power supplies, laptop displays, laptop keyboards, and laptop fans are standard parts and often need replacement. These parts are generally easy to find and purchase. Laptop parts like hinges, display bezels, display lids (tops), and bases can be tricky. A quick Google search for computer model + part name should yield some results.

The availability of replacement parts

In my experience finding replacement parts, I have found that the computer's age has a lot to do with being able to find parts.

• If the computer in question is less than one year old, the only way to get replacement parts is through the manufacturer. And you can be sure that you will pay the full retail price for them.
• If the computer is 1 - 3 years old, the cost of replacement parts should go down, as the supply of parts improves. At this point, people are starting to 'part out' failed systems and posting the parts on eBay.
• If the computer is 3 - 5 years old, the replacement parts will be at their lowest cost. The supply will be high, and you will be able to find multiple vendors carrying the same components. It's a buyer's paradise.
• If the computer is 5 years or older, the supply of parts starts to dwindle, and prices go up. I had a client who wanted to replace a motherboard with bad capacitors that was fifteen (15) years old. I found one (1) refurbished motherboard at almost $500. We had the board recapped for a whole lot less.

To upgrade or replace

When it comes to upgrading a computer, there are quite a few things that you can do to desktop and laptop computers. The one thing with the most bang for the buck is memory. Most systems come with a nominal amount of memory and can easily be upgraded.

The problem with upgrading memory is that many manufacturers will purchase smaller memory modules and fill up all of the memory slots with them. For example, let's say you bought a computer with eight (8) gigabytes of memory installed. The motherboard has four (4) memory slots, and each one can handle a 4-gigabyte memory module (max.), for a total of sixteen (16) gigabytes (max.).

But when you open up the computer, you find that instead of using two (2) 4-gigabyte memory modules, the manufacturer used four (4) 2-gigabyte modules. To upgrade the memory to sixteen (16) gigabytes, you have to replace all of the 2-gigabyte memory modules with 4-gigabyte modules. Why do they do it? They can get smaller memory modules cheaper.

How to upgrade or add more memory to your computer

Another way to breathe new life into a computer is to upgrade the hard drive. You can go with a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) that spins faster or a Solid State Drive (SSD) that has a faster transfer rate. Either of these should give you better performance. Combine it with a clean installation of Windows, and you will feel like you got a brand new computer.

How to upgrade the hard drive in your computer

How to upgrade your computers hard disk drive to a solid state drive

If you have a desktop computer and like playing games, upgrading the graphics card may be an option. Just make sure you know the motherboard specification for the PCIe slot(s) (version 1, version 2, etc.) and use a compatible graphics card. Also, make sure you have enough power connector(s) (6-pin or 8-pin PCIe).

The bottom line

You are the only one who has to decide whether to repair or upgrade an existing computer or replace it with a new one. If it has sentimental value or runs a program you cannot reinstall, then maybe you should repair or upgrade it. But if the cost of fixing it is more than the total value of your existing computer, then consider just replacing it with a new system.

I don't know about you, but keeping my family safe on their Windows computers is priority number one. Sure, you can install anti-virus software and browser extensions, but what about the kids under 18? Here's how to set up Family Safety using Microsoft accounts.

Years ago, the only way I found to lock down my kid's computers was to add it to a domain and restrict the user permissions. And it did work. However, not everyone has a server/domain controller. So, what does a parent do?

Well, back in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, Microsoft had a product called Family Safety. It was part of Windows Essentials, which was a separate download. It worked pretty well, but Microsoft dropped support for Windows Essentials, and it is no longer available for download.

So, if you think that Family Safety just faded away, you would be wrong. Microsoft has taken all of the original program features and added them to its Microsoft account interface.

All of the same great features are there. You can still filter what websites your kids can visit and restrict access to certain apps and games. You can also set what time(s) your kids can use their Windows computer. You can even set the appropriate age for the apps and games that can be accessed.

Now, there are some requirements for using Family Safety in Windows that may be a bit disturbing. Everyone, you and your child, need to have a Microsoft account. That, in itself, is no biggie. However, your child will need an email address to create a Microsoft Account.

I don't know many five-year-old kids that have an email address, but if you create and monitor it yourself, you should be all right. You don't have to let them have access to it. They only need the Microsoft account email address and password to log into Windows.

If you are looking for ways to protect your family when they are online, using Microsoft accounts is one option. When used in combination with a Windows computer running in S Mode, you can be assured of the maximum amount of safety.

How to set up Family Safety in Windows using Microsoft accounts

1. Log into your personal Microsoft account. If you don't have one, then you will need to create one.
2. Once you log in, scroll down your account information until you come to the Family section, and then click on View your Family.
3. Under Your family, click on Add a family member.
4. Enter your child's phone number or email address and click on Next. If they don't have one, create one by clicking Create an account. If you do that, then you'll be creating a Microsoft account at the same time. When you have your child's account all setup, you will still need to send them an invite. To protect your child's privacy, Microsoft may charge a small one-time fee to verify your identity.
5. Once they (or you) accept the email invite, then you can start configuring their online settings.

What your child sees and can do when they log into their Microsoft account

• Manage sign-in preferences, just like a standard Microsoft account.
• Edit personal information like gender, State, ZIP Code, and time zone.
• Edit payment information. It only applies to their account, not yours. You can add funds to their Microsoft account through your account. They can also redeem codes and gift cards.
• Edit their Xbox profile if they have an Xbox account. If not, they can create one.
• Edit their Skype profile if they have a Skype account. If not, they can create one.

What you see and can do when you log into your Microsoft account

Windows section

• Screen time: This section is where you set up when your kid is allowed on the PC. There is a list of days, a time limit and the available times. Just click on a day, and you can adjust the hours accordingly. When you activate the time limits, the default time periods are triggered (7:00 AM to 10:00 PM). You can manually add, remove, or modify any of the periods, and you can have multiple periods per day.
• Devices: This is where you can set time limits on all of your child's connected devices.
• Apps and games: Here, you can block inappropriate apps and games. This section applies not only to Windows but also to Xbox. There is a pull-down menu that allows you to select the appropriate age for your child. This section will dictate some pre-configured settings that will enable or disable certain features. You can also view the list of blocked apps and games. If you want, you can also remove any program you feel should not be on the list.

Xbox section

• Screen time: This section is where you set up when your kid is allowed on the Xbox. There is a list of days, a time limit and the available times. Just click on a day, and you can adjust the hours accordingly. When you activate the time limits, the default time periods are triggered (7:00 AM to 10:00 PM). You can manually add, remove, or modify any of the periods, and you can have multiple periods per day.

Edge section

• Web browsing: You can turn on or off the blocking of inappropriate websites. You can create a (white) list of allowed websites and a (black) list of blocked websites. You can also only enable websites on the allowed list. Safe Search is turned on, and InPrivate browsing is turned off by default. Now, all of these web filters require that your child only uses Microsoft Edge. You can turn off the use of Firefox and Chrome under Apps and games.

Mobile section

• Screen time: This section is where you set up when your kid is allowed to play on their smartphone. There is a list of days, a time limit and the available times. Just click on a day, and you can adjust the hours accordingly. When you activate the time limits, the default time periods are triggered (7:00 AM to 10:00 PM). You can manually add, remove, or modify any of the periods, and you can have multiple periods per day.

Spending section

• Spending: This section is where you can add funds or credit cards to your child's Microsoft account for use at the Microsoft and Xbox stores. With credit cards, you can require approval for every purchase. You can also turn on or off receiving an email when your child gets a new app or game.

Settings section

• Account settings: This is where you set your child's age, turn web safety on or off, ask to buy, and weekly email features.

There is also a smartphone app, the Microsoft Family Safety app, that allows you to make changes to your child's Microsoft profile.

Microsoft Family Safety - Google Play

Microsoft Family Safety - iPhone App Store

One of the things I like to do when I go on vacation is taking panoramic photos. Since my camera doesn't take panoramic photos, I have to use software to stitch images together. One of the best image stitchers I have found yet is Image Composite Editor 2 from Microsoft Research Computational Photography Group.

Image Composite Editor (ICE) can take photos taken from a single location that overlap and create stunning panoramic images from them. Using techniques from the field of computer vision, ICE scans the images for similarities to each other and then estimates the vantage point for each photo. ICE can even create panoramic images from videos too.

Sample ICE 2 panoramic image without autocomplete

Sample ICE 2 panoramic image with autocomplete

Microsoft Research Computational Photography Group recently released a new version of ICE. The following is a quote from the ICE website of changes included in ICE 2:

• Redesigned user interface
  ICE has a new look that makes all the features more understandable and easier to use.
• Automatic image completion
  ICE can now fill in any missing pixels around the edges of your panorama, making a smooth boundary even in cases where you missed a shot.
• Improved workflow
  ICE now guides you through the steps required to make a great panorama. And you can back up a step to change settings, then see the effects of those changes without having to start over from scratch.
• Full-resolution preview
  Panorama previews are no longer limited by your screen resolution. ICE now allows you to zoom in to see every detail of your stitched panorama, no matter how big, before you export.
• Built-in Photosynth uploader
  ICE no longer requires the installation of a separate application to upload a panorama to the Photosynth web site. You can now upload and share your panorama directly from within ICE.

ICE will work on 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. For more information on Image Composite Editor from Microsoft Research Computational Photography Group, follow the links below:

ICE Homepage
ICE Support Forums

With the cost of Microsoft Office going up, not to mention the subscription / non-subscription thing, it's nice to know there are alternatives out there. One of the best office alternatives has to be OpenOffice. And it just so happens that the Apache Software Foundation recently released a new version of their free productivity software, OpenOffice 4.

The main screen inside of OpenOffice 4

For those who are not familiar with it, OpenOffice is a suite of office productivity programs that rivals Microsoft Office. It has everything you could need for creating great-looking documents, spreadsheets, and slideshow presentations. Here's a complete list of all of the programs included in OpenOffice 4.

OpenOffice 4 has some significant improvements over previous versions. A new Sidebar contains the most commonly used functions for that program, which can be docked, floating, or completely hidden. There is also much improved compatibly with Microsoft Office documents. The drawing, graphics, and gallery functions have also been enhanced, along with the copy & paste and drag & drop functionality.

The new Sidebar inside of OpenOffice 4 shown docked and floating

OpenOffice does use Java, but it's not required for installation, as it can be added later on. Compatibility with other document formats is pretty impressive, but Star Office is no longer supported. OpenOffice can automatically load/convert and convert/save Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Design Science Mathtype documents. The only file types that it cannot save to is the Microsoft Office 2007 - 2019 .???x formats.

And since OpenOffice is open-source, there are hundreds of third-party extensions to expand on the functionality of the applications. Add in a copy of GIMP or Paint.NET, and you have a complete and free desktop publishing package.

OpenOffice 4 is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems. For more information on OpenOffice 4, just follow the links below:

Apache OpenOffice Open Source Project

Download OpenOffice 4