Emil Protalinksi at The Next Web  wonders if Windows 8 can provide a bounce to this market, and market researcher IDC was also cautiously optimistic about tepid growth in announcing Thursday poor third-quarter PC shipment results across the board.

But if there is one at all, I don’t think it will be big, nor long lasting. For better or for worse, we’re coming to — or in some cases have passed — the tipping point for mobile vs. desktop. As of late 2010, smartphone sales started surpassing those of traditional computers. And IHS iSuppli’s own forecast for tablet sales this year, which really didn’t exist in meaningful numbers until 2010, says they’ll jump 90 percent to 124 million sales, or just over 35 percent of total PC sales this year.

Some in the PC market have ignored this shift; that’s why I called the top computer companies five biggest losers in January last year. They’ve watched their sales figures erode as two things have happened: Apple has continued to buck the trend by generating Mac sales growth and computing activities are migrating away from traditional computers.

Ridiculous or reality?

Right about now, I suspect many readers are thinking, “Ludicrous! We still need PCs at work and to get specific tasks done that no smartphone or tablet can do. To say the PC is dead is simply ridiculous.” To that, I say, yes… and no. I’m not suggesting the PC is dead. I am suggesting, however, that the PC is dying and the numbers have shown all the warning signs of it getting replaced for the past few years.

More importantly, those readers still shaking my head over this thought are likely long-time PC users. There’s a whole new generation of the world’s population growing up now that uses a tablet or smartphone as their primary computing device. Don’t believe me? The numbers don’t lie: A recent survey of 7,700 teens shows that 40 percent of them have a tablet and 43 percent have an iPhone. Surely, some have PCs too, but are they primary computing devices?

I can’t extrapolate much from my own kids but it’s telling to me that they only turn to PCs in rare instances these days: To play online Flash games and occasionally for multiuser video chat. Outside of that, it’s all iPad, iPod or Android phone for games, email, and even schoolwork. I don’t think their usage patterns are outside of the norm for their generation, but again, I won’t read too much into their activities.

But that brings me back to Windows 8 and the overall PC market. Windows 8 is expected this month. Now is the time when people should be talking about it as Microsoft builds buzz. But try an experiment to see if that buzz is where it should be.

Which is owning the conversation: PCs or mobile devices?

In your circle of friends, family, co-workers and the like, tune in to their tech talk. See if they’re more excited about the possibility of an iPad mini, the latest Android phone, an Ultrabook, or a new Windows 8 device, for example. Sure, you’ll find some talking about the latter two, but I don’t think you’ll find the majority of the conversation revolving around PCs. The new mobile world order is about smartphones and tablets, not the legacy activities that require us to be attached to a laptop or desktop computer.

One could argue that the poor economic climate is hurting higher priced PCs as consumers and businesses choose to buy less expensive mobile devices. That’s a fair point. As the global economy heals, however, I don’t expect PC sales to rise with it. Our mobile devices are more capable than ever before and becoming more capable every day. Thank the maturity of apps, faster mobile broadband networks, use of the cloud and improved mobile chips for these and future advances.

Schools, enterprises, and consumers alike are moving on to the always-connected, do-anything-anywhere experience that smartphones and tablets provide. And as more do so, the stodgy old PC as we’ve known it for 25 or more years is getting left behind.

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That’s the premise of a new Kickstarter project from Grady Booch, IBM’s chief scientist, co-creator of the Unified Modeling Language and a rock star in the programming world. Booch is looking for $25,000 to help launch Computing: The Human Experience. The project is aimed at shining a light on computing much the way that Carl Sagan’s Cosmos TV series elevated the universe 25 years ago, generating excitement over the exploration and understanding of the heavens.

But to call Computing a documentary really just scratches the surface of what Booch is proposing. He’s envisioning a “trans-media” assault, complete with a series of broadcasts on the web and on TV as well as apps and interactive e-books, a social network and a website. Booch and his wife Jan along with screenwriter Seth Friedman will start by creating a series of recorded lectures that will lead to a book and online videos, culminating in a seven-minute trailer that can ultimately entice bigger funders. All in all, Booch imagines Computing to be a $10-million project.

So is there enough drama and excitement in all of this previously geeky territory? Absolutely, Booch says, because the project will not only focus on the science of computing but will challenge people to think about our relationship to computers and whether we are controlling or being controlled by our creations:

We need to show them all – in a way they totally understand – that Computing is distinctly not a boring technical video of talking heads, but that it is really the unbelievable, exciting, provocative story of humanity’s ongoing fight between extending and not surrendering ourselves to our digital doppelgangers. In other words, what we are doing here is creating the initial material that proves just how fascinating, jaw-dropping, and cool Computing really is. Very. Wickedly. Cool.

Booch is offering backers increasing levels of access to himself depending on the donations, ranging from a hand-written note for a $50 donation to a phone call or face-to-face meeting for $500. At the high end, $10,000 donors will get their name hidden in the book, a copy of the app, a credit in the teaser video and a Booch bobble head figure.

This definitely plays to the computer scientists in the crowd. But it’s cool to see Booch take on this subject and try to frame it for a mainstream audience. Booch apparently got some of the idea for the project after hearing from his goddaughter that all she needed to know about computing was surfing the web.

“That was frightening and it gave us even further impetus for the project,” Grady told eWeek. “We want to make sure people get an opportunity to know what’s behind their Facebook page.”

The project is not being pursued by IBM so Booch can’t count on big funding from his employer. But he’s found a good partner in The Computer History Museum in Mountain View, which has offered to host Booch’s first lecture talks. Booch has raised about $6,000 so far and has until Jan. 3 to reach his $25,000 goal.

I think this is a timely project, especially as computers become so personal and indispensable to people. I think it would be a shame to see so many people grow up surrounded by computers without having a deeper understanding about what’s happening. And for the sake of the U.S. tech sector, we need to do a better job of telling the story of our successes in technology, to help influence a generation of students who can help keep the Silicon Valley story alive.

We’re falling behind in the number of computer engineers we produce and already there’s a talent crunch in most big tech centers. We need to connect these cool mobile apps and online sites like Facebook to career choices for students. We need to demystify the computing story and make it less of something only geeks pursue. The big opportunity is in recruiting all kinds of people, non-technical and techie alike, to jobs in computing. I’m not sure one project can turn the tide but it’s time we had more ambitious efforts aimed in this direction.

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While maintaining the lead it’s held since 2004, Apple has for the third straight year increased its American Customer Satisfaction Index score, bumping up a bit to 87 from 86 last year. The next closest is Hewlett-Packard with a score of 78, up from 77 last year. Dell, Acer and “all the others” rated 77. Compaq, an HP sub-brand, is ranked 75, up from 74 in 2010. The ACSI for Personal Computers, which will be officially released Tuesday morning, is a yearly survey that was initially begun at the University of Michigan. It deals with many consumer products, and has been ranking PC customers’ happiness since 1995.

The average for all PC owners held steady at 78 for 2011, the same as last year’s average score. Considering the turmoil and upheaval in the traditional computer business this year, we can’t really be surprised that there was no broad improvement (more shocked it hasn’t gotten worse). It’s been a particularly rough couple months for some of the world’s most high-profile computer makers: Acer had its ugly public spat between the now-former CEO and his board, Dell admits it’s seeing demand drop way off, and the world’s largest PC maker, Hewlett-Packard, is talking of abandoning the business altogether.

Customer satisfaction can be indicative of more than just people not having problems with a product and positively identifying with a particular brand. It can also be an indicator of how well a company is doing financially. According to ACSI founder Claes Fornell:

In the eight years that Apple has led the PC industry in customer satisfaction, its stock price has increased by 2,300%…Apple’s winning combination of innovation and product diversification—including spinning off technologies into entirely new directions—has kept the company consistently at the leading edge.

But the reverse is true as well. Apple has not always been great at creating satisfied customers (see chart above). The period between 1997 and 2000 was a low point, when the company’s ACSI index score hovered just above or below the average for the industry. Though it was not terrible relative to the rest of the field, the score was far below where it’s at now. Think about where the company was during that time though: Steve Jobs was just coming back to the helm, the company was narrowly avoiding bankruptcy, and the product line was pretty much a mess in the process of being untangled.

Now flash forward to today: Apple’s selling more computers than ever before; it has $76 billion in the bank–more cash on hand than any other technology company–and Monday, right before this survey came out, the company hit an all-time stock high with a price of $413.23.

Thumbnail courtesy of Flickr user Vectorportal

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Using fillable forms

With certain PDF files known as fillable forms, you can enter information and either save or print your changes. You can’t create fillable forms in Preview (you need Adobe Acrobat Pro or Smile’s PDFpenPro to do that), but you can fill out someone else’s PDF form, like any of the forms and publications from the IRS. Simply open the file, click on one of the fillable form fields, and enter your information. Once you’ve filled out the form in full, go to File > Save or File > Save As… to save the info you added or create a filled duplicate of the original form with a different file name.

Making annotations

When reviewing a document, I like to take notes directly in the document. This is particularly useful when interviewing job candidates, for instance. Using Preview, you can highlight, underline and strike through text; add notes and text boxes; and even some draw some limited graphics like lines, boxes, circles and arrows in PDF documents. To access the annotation toolbar in Preview, click on the Annotate button in Preview’s toolbar. In Snow Leopard, the annotation toolbar will appear at the bottom of the window. In Lion, a redesigned annotation toolbar will appear at the top.

Managing signatures

A new feature in OS X Lion’s version of Preview is the ability to manage signatures. This is great if you don’t have a scanner or fax machine handy. You can even create and manage a collection of various signatures. Create a new signature in Preview by following these steps:

1. Open a PDF in Preview and click on the Annotations toolbar button.
2. Click on the Signature button on the Annotation toolbar and select “Create Signature from Built-in iSight…”
3. Hold up a signed piece of paper to the camera and align it with the blue line.
4. Click “Accept” to add it to your library of signatures.
5. Add it to your PDF document from the Annotation toolbar the same way you would an arrow, text box or note.

Creating a duplicate

Since you’re technically editing the PDF file when adding annotations, saving a copy of the original as a new file might make sense. But if you’re using Lion, you can simply create a copy of the document by selecting “Duplicate” from Preview’s File menu. This is a lot easier than finding the document in the Finder, creating and renaming the file before opening, or even using the “Save As…” command.  If you have already made changes to the document before you duplicate, you will be presented with an option to revert your changes in the original, and create a duplicate copy that has all of your changes intact.

Any other tips for using Preview with PDF files? Share them in the comments.

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Kickstarter-backed iPhone, iPod and iPad accessories

The PadPivot is a versatile iPad (or any other tablet or e-reader) stand that folds up for easy storage, and works both on hard surfaces like a table or desk, or on your thigh for holding your iPad steady while browsing or watching video on the couch. In my review, I wasn’t shy about calling the PadPivot the most practical stand I’d ever come across, and that remains true after a couple more weeks of usage.

PadPivot easily exceeded its funding goal of $10,000, raising $190,352 on Kickstarter, where anyone can pledge small amounts to see the project become a reality. Another project that blew past its initial funding target, the iPod nano watchbands called LunaTik and TikTok, also went on to pick up a prize retail distribution deal, and are now available on Apple retail store shelves.

Kickstarter’s advantage is its ability to act as a focus group (designers will change their product based on feedback during the funding period), test market (pledges act as pre-orders, so retailers have a ready-made sample of prospective buyer interest) and funding round. Thanks to that triple-pronged approach, consumers get to select from some unique accessories that might not have made it through the design-by-committee process that churns out relatively interchangeable designs at established accessory-makers.

When the PadPivot arrives on Best Buy and Future Shop (which is owned by Best Buy) shelves, it’ll bear in-house RocketFish branding. The device will still retain the same design that makes it so handy, and the PadPivot name, however, and should retail for around $39.99. Check it out in action below.

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The Blackbox Bamboo was originally designed based on creator Lance Atkins’ experiences travelling with a MacBook Pro on an African backpack safari, during which time the neoprene sleeve he was using provided inadequate protection, resulting in a broken Mac. He created the first Blackbox Case out of oak in 2010 to provide a heartier alternative to traditional soft sleeves. Now, the company wants to expand their business and provide an entire, new line of cases made out of the more sustainable bamboo.

The Blackbox Bamboo will come in a choice of two colors, either with a carbonized brown stain or in natural bamboo finish. It will also come in a variety of sizes, including one that fits the iPad 2 with or without the official Apple Smart Cover attached, one for both the 11 and 13-inch MacBook Air, and one each for 13, 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pro models. All varieties come with a leather strap with a snap closure for securing your device in the Blackbox Bamboo.

Kickstarter backers qualify for pre-orders starting at $79, which gets you the iPad 2 version, and range up from there depending on which model you’re interested in. It’s a pretty cool product that appeals to the outdoor adventurer in me, though I’m not sure I wear that mantle often enough to qualify. Anyone else’s fancy tickled by the Blackbox Bamboo? Be sure to check out the video below before you answer.

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[W]hile PCs will continue to be much-used devices, they’re no longer at the leading edge of computing. They’re going the way of the vacuum tube, typewriter, vinyl records, CRT and incandescent light bulbs.

That’s a strong statement by Mark Dean, made even stronger when you consider his credentials. Dean is IBM’s Chief Technology Officer for the company’s Middle East and Africa region. If that doesn’t lend credence, perhaps this will: Dean was on the team of 12 engineers that designed the original IBM 5150 Personal Computer, which celebrates its 30-year anniversary tomorrow.

Yet with such a rich personal computing history behind him, Dean says he’s moved on from traditional computers already; he now favors a tablet as his primary device.

Dean suggests that new computing ideas such as social networks and consumer interaction are pushing the PC aside. I agree; these activities are mobile by their very nature, and so are the devices that enable them.

That’s why smartphone sales began to surpass that of PC sales earlier this year and why there’s a fast-growing market for portable tablets powered by low-powered smartphone components. Mobile apps that offer bite-sized but specific functionality paired with small connected devices are the new tools of choice for many: Even for one of the men who helped design the first popular PC.

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Braben, one of the men behind 1980s classic Elite, is now head of U.K. studio Frontier, but he’s continued his lifelong fascination with trying to help people learn how computers really work. That’s why the non-profit group has assembled an entire computer inside a USB stick, which it hopes to sell for just £15 ($24.50).

The whole thing seems barely large enough to carry a fully-functioning computer, but that’s what it is. Inside it there’s a 700MHz ARM-based processor, 128MB of RAM and a fully functioning operating system (the Ubuntu version of Linux). With an HDMI port at one end, it can be plugged into a screen, and the USB port allows it to be connected to a keyboard. There’s even an SD card slot for storage. Of course, these items add to the overall cost as well. The system is currently being prototyped, but the barriers to production seem fairly small.

It’s quite astonishing, really — and shows how fast technology has moved in the 30 years of personal computing.

Braben says projects like this are vital for introducing children in both the developed world and developing countries to real computing and to real programming, without a prohibitive cost barrier.

In this video, he explains the idea to the BBC:

The idea is that a cheap, lean machine allows children — who now spend more and more time learning to use pieces of software such as Microsoft Office that are many layers of abstraction away from the machine — to really start to understand how the computer works and get at the guts of it. According to Braben:

“You can use it to learn programming, to run Twitter, Facebook, whatever — but also to be able to understand the whole process of programming. A lot of things have been obfusticated [sic] these days, in the sense that you can’t get at them. There’s so much between you and doing something interesting or creative that it gets in the way — and hopefully this device will be one of the pieces that helps change that.”

I have a real soft spot for projects like this, whether it’s high-end attempts to rebalance the global education system such as the One Laptop Per Child project spun out of MIT, or the attempt by groups such as PlayPower to recondition existing low-cost hardware and open programming to a generation of kids in developing countries. I think they’re massively important in challenging our conceptions of what technology means, and vital in helping those who are capable of advanced programming to realize their abilities.

But there’s always a niggle or two. Are cheap computers really what the world needs? Is the gap between proprietary software and bedroom coding really the barrier that we need to vault?

Many people in developing countries already have access to a low-cost computer, in the form of the mobile phone. There are billions of devices out there, already in people’s hands. And though they may not be as open as education advocates would like, they are powerful and often programmable to some degree. Raspberry Pi and projects like it are laudable and necessary, but would they be better off harnessing the devices that are already out there?

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It’s not yet clear what the new build brings to the table. We detailed some changes coming in OS X Lion in a previous posts, and reports suggest that a number of stability improvements must be made to the OS before it sees general release, so presumably some  those are included in this update.

Apple is said by some to be approaching the GM candidate release, which immediately precedes the arrival of a public shipping version. OS X Lion is slated for release this summer, possibly as early as the WWDC conference scheduled for June 6 – 10. At the very least, we’ll likely see a version of the OS much closer to wide release previewed at that event.

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PC makers also had their highest-ever satisfaction ratings in the survey, the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), mostly due to the introduction of Windows 7. If you’ve switched from Vista to 7, you’ll probably see why. It’s like washing dishes by hand your entire life, then switching to a dishwasher late in life: so much better, it feels like you’re getting away with something.

However, Apple’s still got quite a lead on its nearest competitors. Acer, Dell and HP are the next closest big brands, with approval ratings of 77 out of 100. That’s almost ten points less than Apple’s 86, which is two points up from 2009′s score of 84.

Apple’s score includes users’ experiences with the new iPad, which is great news for the Mac maker. It means iPad owners are satisfied with their devices, and aren’t experiencing much early adopter dissatisfaction or buyer’s remorse. It’s also good news for Mac users who fear Apple’s growing focus on iOS, since Cupertino isn’t likely to ignore a silo where they have such a strong advantage over the rest of the market in such a crucial area.

Here’s the real key to Apple’s success: I’ve never had an Apple hardware-related support issue go unresolved. If you asked me to measure my satisfaction with my PCs, I’d have a very different story to tell. Being told “Oh yeah, they’ll do that” when you complain that your computer overheats and just shuts down of its own accord after only a year of ownership is not conducive to high marks, and that’s what happened with the last Windows machine I owned.

Anyone feel like Apple’s customer service reputation isn’t quite as deserved as it seems? Sound off in the comments.

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