Windows 3.x has come to the closing moments of its long life.
On 1 November Microsoft stopped issuing licences for the software that made its debut in May 1990 in the US.
The various versions of Windows 3.x (including 3.11) released in the early 1990s, were the first of Microsoft's graphical user interfaces to win huge worldwide success.
They helped Microsoft establish itself and set the trend for how it makes its revenues, and what drives the company until the present day.
For many computer users 3.x was the first Windows-based operating system they used, and the software established the iconography of Microsoft's flagship product.
As it was updated the software started to make PCs a serious rival to Apple machines, as it could take advantage of much improved graphics, had a broader colour palette, and could use multimedia extras such as sound cards and CD Rom drives.
Microsoft maintained support for Windows 3.x until the end of 2001, and it has lived on as an embedded operating system until 1 November 2008.
Use screen sharing, chat, notes, audio, and video to conduct meetings online that can be as interactive and productive as in-person meetings with up to three participants.
Use any platform and any browser with no special downloads necessary to join the meeting — all you need is free and ubiquitous Adobe® Flash® Player.
Your own personal online meeting room has a permanent URL that is easy to remember, so you'll always know where to meet online.
With just a click, enable meeting attendees to see what's happening on your screen. There's no better way to show and tell.
Access key meeting features while you're sharing your screen.
Use familiar tools to mark up what's being shared onscreen. Draw lines and shapes, drag and reshape them, add text, and save the Whiteboard as a PNG file.
With a webcam, you can even use multipoint video for a real in-person feel to your online meeting.
Use the microphone on your computer to speak with other meeting attendees using VoIP. Or use one of the conference numbers provided for traditional teleconferencing.
Send instant messages to one person or the whole group to raise questions and share ideas. Customize your Chat pod by selecting fonts, sizes, colors, and emoticons.
A meeting participant can take control of another participant's desktop with permission. This is useful for collaborative work sessions and technical support.
Today, Anne Barrett-Evans the Chief Officer at PAVS on behalf of the Circuit Riders project kindly drew out the names of the winning entries in the Adobe Contribute software prize draw competition.Congratulations to the winning groups. Your local Circuit Rider will be in touch soon to arrange delivery of your prize.
I've spent some time recently looking at the gamut of online office applications, from the comprehensive and somewhat overwhelming (Zoho), through to the single purpose app that just does what it says on the tin.
Oh yes, the looks. It looks, and I must try not to gush here, it looks gorgeous. Minimalist and shiny, it makes all other office applications look like the deranged doodlings of a child with an oversized crayon. The interface is slinky, intuitive (to me anyway) and has just enough features for your average user, but not too many to confuse the novice.
So, if you're considering your options when it comes to word processing software, and don't already have a copy of Office, it may be worth looking into some of the online alternatives and see if they would suit your lifestyle. Look out for a more comprehensive review of online applications of the Wales Circuit Rider website soon.
