Tech Tools Revisited:
YouTube Studio
Google has fully launched its revamped YouTube Studio. The new hub for
creators, which provides insights into their channel’s performance, features
three new metrics in the YouTube Analytics section: impressions, impressions
click-through rate, and unique viewers. As well, the dashboard now provides a
snapshot of the user’s latest upload, personalized recommendations, and instant
access to news. studio.youtube.com.
have learned their lesson this time around as there are now update
settings where you can decide which updates to install and when
they will be installed. Even Windows 10 Home users have a little
more leverage regarding the update schedule where before they
basically had none.
For more control over updating, Windows 10 Professional is still
the best route to go for serious users.
The new 1903 update does run a little faster due to the recoding of the
fixes for the Spectre bug. In case you were unaware, the Spectre bug
was an Intel CPU flaw that allowed hackers to access the code within the
CPU and the only fix to this was to make concessions within the oper-
ating system to stop them. Unfortunately, those corrections deprived
users of some of their CPU cycles. The new update has improved the
code that deals with those bugs, which thankfully all but negates the
performance penalties introduced in the last update.
Other things of interest with the update for the artist community
would be the ability to remove most of the apps that come built into
Windows, thereby helping to keep the visual clutter down and freeing
up drive space and resources.
The start menu now searches your whole PC for files, which should
make the search tool more useful. Also of interest, Cortana and the
search bar have parted ways, with the search interface getting a new
look. I personally never liked the two being connected as I never used
Cortana, so now I can search without having Cortana popping up. If you
do use or are a fan of Cortana, it can still be added to the taskbar.
Sadly, the search still combs the web via Bing with no way to
change it. Hopefully they’ll change that in a future update.
There Is No Cure for GAS
GAS, or as it is known in musicians’ circles, “gear acquisition syn-
drome,” is a terrible disease to have. If you are suffering with GAS and
must have more gear, let me at least help you with some handy advice
for building a new PC.
I would start with a ninth-generation CPU from Intel, either an i7 or,
if budget allows, an i9. These days, with RAM being so affordable, noth-
ing less than 16 GB should be considered.
On the note of affordability, consider SSDs (solid-state drives).
Though they still may not be quite as practical for mass storage as con-
ventional mechanical drives, 1 TB versions of SSDs are starting to appear
under $200, with high-performance versions coming in at just under
$400. Add a decent video card with dual monitors and you still won’t
be breaking the bank – unless of course you want a cutting-edge video
card, which can cost as much as the rest of the parts combined!
Bottom line, with some prudent shopping, you should be able to
build a very powerful and effective computer for around the $2,000-
$2,500 price range.
An Apple a Day…
Now, unlike last year’s report where I discussed at length Apple’s shame-
ful abandonment of its core user base, there have been some actual
rumblings about new hardware from Cupertino. I was fortunate enough
to have had the WWDC (World Wide Development Conference) happen
just as I was starting this article, allowing me to catch a glimpse of what
Apple has in store for users in the coming months. I won’t call what they
presented earth-shattering news, but it is something.
Come fall, we will get the latest iteration of MacOS X called Catalina,
as well as the more prominently featured brand new Mac Pro and its ac-
companying WDX Pro display. Interestingly, some integration between
MacOS and iOS is finally happening, allowing you to use iPad apps on
your computer. Let’s take a deeper look….
Open Your Wallet & Say “Ugh”
Well, Apple finally announced a new Mac Pro desktop and it’s a
beauty; I just hope you won the lottery!
This new base model Mac Pro is selling for $5,999 USD and is
scalable to about $30,000 depending on which upgrades you want.
Of course, you’ll want the screen to go with that. The Pro Display
XDR, the company’s new 32-in. Retina 6K display, will only set you
back about $4,999 USD. Oh, and don’t forget the special stand for
Tech Tools Revisited:
GarageBand Artist Lessons
As part of a significant GarageBand update in 2018, Apple made its Artist Lessons fea-
ture free as part of the Basic Lessons package in the program. First launched in 2009,
GarageBand’s Artist Lessons allow users to learn popular songs straight from the
artists who recorded them, including Rush, Sarah McLachlan, Sting, John Legend, Fall
Out Boy, Death Cab for Cutie, and more. www.apple.com/ca/mac/garageband.
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