Is public interest in Chromebooks taking off?

If standalone 2012 October and November Google search data for "Chromebook" are any indication, Chromebooks might be on their way up.

On the other hand, if comparisons with "macbook" and "windows 8" are any indication, they have a long way to go . . .

Cross-posted from my Google+ account.

Gmail/Drive/Google Search Field Test: JUST DO IT!

For all you CA readers who love Gmail and Google search, you will love, love, love the Gmail Search Field Trial.

Put simply, the forthcoming search change allows users to seamlessly search for contacts, specific emails, Google+ posts, and files from Drive, all in the beautiful blink of an eye, across Gmail and, at least, Google Search.

Seriously.  Go sign up for it.  Right now:  https://www.google.com/experimental/gmailfieldtrial  (You can thank me later.)

Did Romney Under-perform McCain? Blame CA/NY

Part of this year's post-presidential election conventional wisdom is that Mitt Romney blew it because he did worse than John McCain.  Let's consider that conclusion.

As of November 14, 2012, Mitt Romney received 58,937,514 votes nationwide for the presidential election (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Presidential_election_(United_States)), compared with John McCain's 59,934,814 in 2008 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2008).  How could this possibly happen when everything was expected to look up for Republicans?  It's actually quite simple:  California and New York.

Romney received 1,902,301 fewer votes than McCain in CA/NY combined, yet he received 905,001 more votes, nationwide.  He did 24.50% worse in CA/NY combined and did 1.73% better nationwide.  Hmmm . . .

How did the President do against himself?  He received a whopping 7,149,999 fewer votes nationwide or 10.29% off his 2008 landslide.  Excluding CA/NY, he did 6.24% worse.  In other words, President Obama did almost ten times worse against himself than Romney did against McCain (10.29% decrease vs. 1.66% decrease).  Excluding CA/NY, President Obama did about eight times worse against himself than Romney did against McCain (6.24% decrease vs. 1.73% increase).

See my numbers, here:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApAMwTvwL4rWdEVYLTV1TlB6SEpBQUMtLVRjTHdEQ1E#gid=0

As the title indicates, blame CA/NY for Romney's slide in his vote total.  After all, how many people really expected him to carry either state?

As for other states, the only one I've found where Romney actually under-performed McCain is, I am sad and embarrassed to admit, Ohio.  The humanity!!  Why did Romney lose Ohio?  See here:  http://washingtonexaminer.com/in-ohio-the-gop-puzzles-over-missing-white-voters/article/2513293

Why did Romney lose the election?  Per Michael Medved, President Obama's nuclear warfare (his "dirty little secret"):  http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/12/obama-s-dirty-little-secret-to-winning-the-2012-presidential-election.html

I got the idea for the CA/NY/nation difference from http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/11/the_real_lesson_of_the_election.html

My Reaction to the Democrats' Big Election Night: Trying to Stay Positive

Wow.  I am in shock and bewilderment the President was re-elected and the Senate retained for Democrats (I think they may have even gained a seat or two).  I greatly fear the looming consequences of Obamacare, a sputtering economy, reduced religious liberty, the fiscal cliff, and additional calamity, all descending ominously upon the greatest nation on earth.

I thought the voting electorate would be about D+0 or even R+1.  Looks like Gallup and Rasmussen both missed the mark, or perhaps the Obama turnout machine simply revved up the engine beyond belief.

While I am filled with anxiety about the future of our country for the next four years and even after (can Obamacare and the government takeover of health care ever be reversed, now?), I take solace in knowing I determine how happy I will be.

In my view, our country is going down a very dark and disastrous path.  Perhaps the ultimate outcome is more and more people will be forced to choose between God and Mammon.  Again, my level of happiness and optimism is up to me.  Said President Thomas S. Monson, "Your future is as bright as your faith."

You might want to watch this message from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on resolutions and regrets, below.  Here is a brief excerpt:

"The older we get, the more we look back and realize that external circumstances don’t really matter or determine our happiness.

"We do matter. We determine our happiness.

"You and I are ultimately in charge of our own happiness . . .

"Let us resolve to be happy, regardless of our circumstances."

May we do so, and may God bless the United States!