Testing Windows 10

So I decided to load up the Windows 10 Tech Preview on my PC. Why not? I need to be aware of issues and the processes related to the installation and upgrade of Windows in order to do my job as an IT professional.

Here are some things I have found so far:

- PIN login for Microsoft accounts is currently broken: MS is updating these features to allow us to use more secure PINs to login with. It is sort of a pain if you are logging in with an MS account. A workaround is to perform the Windows 10 installation as an upgrade from an OS where you are already using a PIN login. I have verified this to be working from Windows 8.1 Pro.

- SonicWALL Global VPN client was broken at first. A reinstall of the software resolved the issue.

- Notifications seem a bit off. I am still getting a notification for Raptr when I login, even though I promptly uninstalled it after loading my graphics drivers.

- Modern Applications: From what I understand, this is a universal app that launches and runs the same on tablets and desktops. The issue here is that many applications will want to launch this way by default, like OneNote and Control Panel. This is reminiscent of the Metro UI from Windows 8, in my opinion. MS should let us default to a desktop application at all times.

Overall, I'm pleased with Windows 10. Looking forward to the RC!

Unemployment projections for 2017 - 2018

Most people’s projections for the immediate future on our economic growth are looking very positive. Speculations certainly include the rapid growth of consumer spending, excellent housing starts growth, and the improvement of business capital spending. Manufacturing production has also been dramatically on the increase over the past twelve months, for a total gain of five percent.

Some people speculate that not all is to be peaches and cream, however. Non-residential construction isn’t expected to see much growth, if any at all. Another legitimate concern is that if the fed tightens down too soon, projections put a decline around 2017 or 2018. If the Fed does not trigger another recession, projections are quite positive, only getting better with more time.

The stock market is expected to do well in these conditions. This is because the positive effects of growth offset the negative effects of interest rates rising. The rate hike is anticipated to be around one percentage point per year.