Journal #5, Feb 15

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_08/b4120000087240.htm?chan=technology_tech+maven+page+-+new_this+week%27s+column

If you have ever been sitting in an airport or in a coffee shop and you want to pull your computer out to check some information online? But by the time your computer boots up and is ready for use, it is time to board your plane or leave. I know it has happened to me plenty of times. It is just such a hassle to have to wait five to ten minutes to use your computer. Every laptop user has been through this process. Every system is bad but Windows is the worst. Now there are several ways to improve this setup process. One is called “Hyperspace”. It was developed by Phoenix Technologies to help the start up process. What Hyperspace does is it boots a version of Linux that allows you to access the internet through Wi-Fi, wired or broadband connection. You can not use any Windows programs other than Firefox web browser. Not even Microsoft Outlook. There are two versions of Hyperspace, Hyperspace Hybrid and Hyperspace Dual. Hyperspace Hybrid allows you to use Windows and Hybrid at the same time. Windows would be in sleep mode of course. Dual only allows you to use one or the other. It is just one step closer to making a faster computer.
It is about time computer companies try and help with this situation. I spend more time booting up my computer than the actual time I spend working on it. I don’t know if this is the way to do it. It cost way too much money for this product. Plus you don’t even get to use the programs on your computer from Windows. Every time I get on my computer I use certain programs from Windows, so this product maybe a great problem solver to some but to others it is not that great. Eventually I think all computers initial startup will be really fast and all programs will be able to be accessed. This is just a step in the right direction toward that goal.