For a wonderful article on the Upper Waccamaw River to Conway, SC, by Peg and Jim Healy, see /?p=138583

Now, strictly speaking, this is not a cruising topic, BUT many of us cruise with Windows based computers aboard, so when I plucked the info below off of the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) mailing list, I thought it well worth repeating here.
I may write further sometime about what I consider the single, most stupid corporate decision made since the millennium, namely, the introduction of the “Metro interface” in Windows 8. For now, though, please allow me to share a few, vastly over-simplified thoughts.
Yes, there was a need for Microsoft (Windows parent company) to introduce a new interface that works well with tablet computers and smartphones. However, to introduce an operating system that simply will not work with a traditional keyboard and mouse arrangement, thereby abandoning the millions of existing desktop and laptop computers that do not have touchscreen capability, is, without any question in my tiny mind, one of the biggest bonehead moves that could possibly be conceived.
If you don’t already know, Windows 8 and 8.1’s interface is designed to work with touch screen technology. It doesn’t work worth a whit with a traditional keyboard and mouse. Why didn’t Microsoft simply introduce one version of Windows 8 for, what I will call, traditional desktops and laptops, that boots directly to the desktop, and another for tablets and smartphones that boots to the metro interface, I guess we will never know.
Oh no, Microsoft made the decision that they were going to ram the metro interface down the throats of every Windows user! The result has been nothing short of chaos in the PC industry.
Oh, and by the way, Microsoft added to the stupidity factor when it introduced Windows 8.1. Yes, this version does let you boot directly to the desktop, but guess what happens when the user presses the “Start” key. You guessed it, the computer immediately returns to the dreaded Metro interface. Again, truly, truly DUMB!
My local computer hardware person has made a cottage industry from businesses that buy new Windows 8 computers, never turn them on, and take them directly to “Brian” to have Windows 8 wiped off the machine, and Windows 7 installed! “Brian” says he does not have a single business client that will even allow a Windows 8 machine in their offices.
So, with that off my chest, when I saw the exchange of information below, I realized that there is a less expensive alternative than having a computer professional replace Windows 8 with Windows 7. This is information WELL WORTH KNOWING! Read on:

This exchange began with this message:

I don’t understand why people call Windows 8 garbage. It is just Windows 7 with a different user interface. That user interface is easily disabled and you can return to the standard Windows 7 user interface, including Start button and menu. I set it up that way for all of my customers.
Ken Tischler
Microship
DeFever 49RPH
Bay St Louis, MS

I replied:

Sorry Ken, cannot agree with you. Windows 8 and 8.1 is pure garbage. My local computer hardware person is cleaning up by way of businesses that buy new computers, and then immediately bring them to him, have Windows 8 or 8.1 wiped off the hard drive, and then install Windows 7. He says not a single business that he serves will have an 8 or 8.1 machine in their offices, under any circumstances!
And, please explain how the metro interface can be “easily” disabled. Even 8.1 takes you straight back to this seriously stupid interface whenever the user clicks the “Start” button!
Thanks in advance!
Claiborne S. Young

And, Captain Ken’s important answer:

Claiborne,
I will agree with you wholeheartedly that Microsoft did something incredibly stupid when they told users they would give the Start button back in 8.1, then have it just take you to the start screen everyone loves to hate. Including me!
However, under the hood, Windows 8 is on the same kernel as Vista and 7. Just open a command prompt and type winver. You will see the version as Windows 6.3. Vista was 6.1 and 7 was 6.2.
The easiest way to get the Win 7 UI back is to run one of free utilities at will do this for you. My two favorites are Classic Shell (http://www.classicshell.net/) and StartMenu8 (http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php) for free. If you want a bit more polish, then you can spend $5 and get Start8 (http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/). I now make it standard policy to install one of these programs (usually Classic Shell) on every Windows 8 computer I deploy. It does not remove all of the Win 8 eccentricities but certainly makes it more familiar and user friendly.
Microsoft had a beautiful and stable operating system in Win 7. I wish they would have built upon its success rather than try to reinvent the wheel.
Ken Tischler
Microship
DeFever 49RPH

So, now all of us Windows users have a plan of action. THANK YOU Captain Ken!

Here’s good news for those of us who still want to have aboard as backup those old-fashioned, fold-able paper charts!

April 4, 2014 Contact: Dawn Forsythe, 301-713-2780 x144 NOAA’s paper nautical charts are here to stay New certified printing agents bring buying options It won’t be long before mariners and the boating public will have a wider choice of options and special services when they purchase NOAA paper nautical charts, thanks to NOAA’s expanded “print-on-demand” chart production and distribution system, Coast Survey officials announced today. This week, Coast Survey certified new print-on-demand chart printing agents, and gave them the flexibility to offer different color palettes, various papers, a cleaner margin, and a range of services. NOAA has now authorized seven companies to sell NOAA’s paper nautical charts that are printed when the customer orders them — or “on demand.” The information on the charts is still maintained by NOAA, and the charts are corrected with Notices to Mariners up to the week of purchase. “Last October, we announced that NOAA would stop using the government printing and distribution system we originally adopted in 1861,” explained Rear Admiral Gerd Glang, director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. “We asked private companies to help us transition from the government-run system to a robust and competitive market for paper nautical charts, and we are pleased with the results.” Rear Adm. Gerd Glang certifies a new print-on-demand chart agent after inspecting the company’s sample chart. Five companies have now joined the original “print-on-demand” distributor OceanGrafix and the more recently certified East View Geospatial. The newly certified companies are Frugal Navigator, Marine Press, Paradise Cay Publications, The Map Shop, and Williams & Heintz Map Corporation. Glang is confident that the expansion of the print-on-demand system will lead to new options for all who purchase U.S. nautical charts. As a premium service, for example, print agents are authorized to customize charts with user-specified overlays. “With more chart printing agents, we hope to encourage competition and ensure fully up-to-date charts are widely available. Buyers can shop around and find different types of paper, or choose between traditional or new color palettes. Our printing agents can offer delivery or in-shop service, and customers can have their navigation track lines or other information printed as overlays on their chart,” Glang pointed out. “All charts sold by NOAA-certified agents are NOAA charts, and fully meet navigational standards.” For the last 150 years, the federal government produced nautical charts using lithographic printing presses. Although chart-making techniques advanced from the 19th century’s delicate hand-applied etchings on copper plates to a process that is now completely computer-based, the system remained based on printing large volumes of charts, then selling them from stock for years. Charts for sale were gradually more and more outdated until a new edition was printed. The print-on-demand system allows the changes made by Coast Survey cartographers to reach mariners much faster. Coast Survey continues to examine applications from additional companies wishing to become certified as NOAA chart printing agents. The examination process includes testing of applicants’ sample charts, to make sure they stand up to normal onboard usage conditions. The paper charts sold by the NOAA-certified printing agents meet carriage requirements for ships covered by Safety of Life at Sea regulations, specified in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations. NOAA Office of Coast Survey is the nation’s nautical chartmaker. Originally formed by President Thomas Jefferson in 1807, Coast Survey updates charts, surveys the coastal seafloor, responds to maritime emergencies, and searches for underwater obstructions that pose a danger to navigation.

POD charts are no substitute for being able to walk into a store and quickly purchase several charts you need’“you need to plan ahead because it takes some time to order and print the charts, and POD places are still very rare. Don’t plan on being able to find a NOAA paper chart in every harbor’“even major ones. However, it is good news for those of us in the paper chartbook business as we are already seeing a surge in sales.
John Kettlewell