That’s exactly the idea behind the Kickstarter that yours truly has just launched.
After working for nearly a decade in IT at various levels, I’ve come to learn that you can never have enough formal documentation on how to do anything. It may seem simple enough for you or myself to just head over to Office Web Apps and interpret what happens.
Does a plug-in failed to load, causing us to have to try out about a dozen or more other competitors? Are we allowed to sign-in? If so, how do I work that interface or just get my school paper done in time? Let me handle your frustration in advance so that you can have the best chance at smooth sailing.
That’s fine. At one point in time we all new nothing and had no skill in everything that we’re proficient with now.
Moving beyond that, people are able to get much of their computing done via a web browser and Chrome OS. They’re uying Chromeboxes and Chromebooks that are within the same pricerange of a Wii U. They offer an operating system with little to no maintenance needed in stationary and mobile form factors. The Wii is mostly stationary but via the GamePad it is versatile. There are some things that Chrome OS can do and offer that a Wii U can’t, the same is true for in reverse. Why not take part in a guide that clears a path for you?
Sure, we can trust our pc’s, laptops or tablets to friends or family but not everyone has these extra devices to share. Not only that but they are often highly personal devices. Should your sisters get to learn about what you and your girlfriend were really up to last night while supposedly researching Hernando Cortes for a history paper? I don’t think so.
Sure, she or he (little brothers are a monster unto themselves) may be very adept at web searching and can punch keys to type but how well can they organize a project on their own that will net them an A? (with them doing awesome research, typing and assignment adherence of course)
My sisters excel at this, my mother… eh. It wouldn’t even need to be family. Most people learn a single workflow in a very specific environment so that they can do a task, almost on autopilot sometimes. If their machines die or become unusable somehow, you can bet that they’re coming for yours next.
If they need to complete an autocad project or advanced music editing, you may just be out of luck and have to take that risk is they aren’t a savvy user. If their needs are simple, you can stay on your machine or even jump over to the Wii U yourself, and continue working and generally doing whatever you were doing before.
In the end, this is a project about making you and those around you more adept and able to repurpose a fun piece of tech to get some light work done. I’ve tried doing this many times in the past and can tell you that the random hiccups can often suck up more time than the actual work itself. Be prepared. Let me spend a month or more with a Wii U, document how to handle many tasks needed for school work, general every day work and a few odds and end tasks. Let me suffer so that you may be able to spend your time more wisely.
Lowest option is $1 and it gets you a digital copy of this guide. Yes, every participant gets to taste the fruit of my labors, anything over that dollar is all about adding more of yourself to this project without needing to commit much – if any – time.
I’ve only spoken about a few general use cases, do you have something more particular that you’d like to have looked at? $3 will get your voice heard. I will determine the feasibility of what you would like added and do my best to try to accomplish it on the Wii U. Some things are just plain impossible with the way the system is now, others are very unlikely or may require odd workarounds. No problem, I’ll try that for you.
Just go here and pledge to become a part of this awesome Kickstarter.
No Dice At All 