January Meetings 2020
Jan 3, 2020 -
It's a new year, your resolution should be to NEVER click on Unknown Links Again!
Club Questions
It's a new year, your resolution should be to NEVER click on Unknown Links Again!
Club Questions
How to Set Up WeMo Smart Plug
If you're one of the lucky winners of last year's Xmas Club Raffle, you might be wondering what to do with your new WeMo smart plug? Well, there are so many things you can do with a smart plug; control lights, devices, appliances and lots more, but first you have to connect your smart phone to it (via an app) so you can start controlling it. The video below will help you get started.
If you're one of the lucky winners of last year's Xmas Club Raffle, you might be wondering what to do with your new WeMo smart plug? Well, there are so many things you can do with a smart plug; control lights, devices, appliances and lots more, but first you have to connect your smart phone to it (via an app) so you can start controlling it. The video below will help you get started.
Jan 10, 2020 - Text to Email, Email to Text, How to Wipe Your Smartphone Remotely, Finding/Removing Duplicate Files
Unknown Links are still bad news in 2020 - Don't Click on Them!
Club Questions
Unknown Links are still bad news in 2020 - Don't Click on Them!
Club Questions
Text to Email, or Email to Text
Have you ever wanted to send an email to someone and only had their phone number? Well, you could just call/text them and ask them for their email address, or you could use another method. All the main telecom companies offer an email address, that you can add to a person's phone number, that will allow you to send an email to their phone number. For a list of the correct email add-ons for the major telecom companies, see the list below. Simply replace phonenumber with the phone number of the person you're trying to send an email to.
Have you ever wanted to send an email to someone and only had their phone number? Well, you could just call/text them and ask them for their email address, or you could use another method. All the main telecom companies offer an email address, that you can add to a person's phone number, that will allow you to send an email to their phone number. For a list of the correct email add-ons for the major telecom companies, see the list below. Simply replace phonenumber with the phone number of the person you're trying to send an email to.
- Alltel: phonenumber@message.alltel.com
- AT&T: phonenumber@txt.att.net
- T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net
- Virgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com
- Sprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
- Verizon: phonenumber@vtext.com
- Nextel: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com
- US Cellular: phonenumber@mms.uscc.net
As for sending a text message to someone's email address, that's even easier. Most all phone providers now allow you to simply type in the email address into your texting app (in the same place that you would normally type in the phone number) and send your text that way. Keep in mind, that these messages will look different to your recipient than a normal text or email, especially the first time you connect with them this way.
How to Wipe Your Smartphone Remotely
Should you ever lose your smartphone or have it stolen, or even give it to a friend, you might be interested in knowing how to wipe all your data remotely. Both Android and iPhone offer ways to wipe your data remotely. Below are a couple of videos that go over the basics on what you need to set up first, in order to allow for remote data wipes in the future.
Should you ever lose your smartphone or have it stolen, or even give it to a friend, you might be interested in knowing how to wipe all your data remotely. Both Android and iPhone offer ways to wipe your data remotely. Below are a couple of videos that go over the basics on what you need to set up first, in order to allow for remote data wipes in the future.
Remotely Wipe Android Remotely Wipe iPhone
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Finding/Removing Duplicate Files
We've all seen our computers/devices create multiple copies of photos for no apparent reason, and we've also struggled with how to get rid of said copies. Unfortunately there is no native way for either Windows or Apple computers to hunt down and remove duplicate files or photos. All of those solutions come in the form of third party apps, and normally Computer Club doesn't endorse such apps due to the security threats they can sometimes possess. In this case there is a reputable app, Duplicate Cleaner, which offer a free version of their app. A direct link to the CNET download site is here. Watch the video below for a basic walkthrough of everything Duplicate Cleaner Free can do for you and your Windows computer.
We've all seen our computers/devices create multiple copies of photos for no apparent reason, and we've also struggled with how to get rid of said copies. Unfortunately there is no native way for either Windows or Apple computers to hunt down and remove duplicate files or photos. All of those solutions come in the form of third party apps, and normally Computer Club doesn't endorse such apps due to the security threats they can sometimes possess. In this case there is a reputable app, Duplicate Cleaner, which offer a free version of their app. A direct link to the CNET download site is here. Watch the video below for a basic walkthrough of everything Duplicate Cleaner Free can do for you and your Windows computer.
Jan 17, 2020 - How your computer stores data, What is CES? Consumers Electronics Show,
When playing with a Slinky - Don't click on Unknown Linkys!
Club Questions
When playing with a Slinky - Don't click on Unknown Linkys!
Club Questions
How is Your Computer Data Stored?
Computer data is stored as lots of binary numbers (think Zeros and Ones), by magnetism, electronics or optics. The old rotating disk drives in computers used a magnet to control data, DVDs and CDs use optical engraving to read data and the new solid state drives [SSD] manage data electronically. While the computer is operating, data is also stored in many temporary locations. Software is responsible for organizing, moving and processing all those numbers. The computer's operating system, for example, contains instructions for organizing data into files and folders, managing temporary data storage, and sending data to application programs and devices such as printers or spanners. Finally, application programs process the data. For more details take a look at the short video below.
Computer data is stored as lots of binary numbers (think Zeros and Ones), by magnetism, electronics or optics. The old rotating disk drives in computers used a magnet to control data, DVDs and CDs use optical engraving to read data and the new solid state drives [SSD] manage data electronically. While the computer is operating, data is also stored in many temporary locations. Software is responsible for organizing, moving and processing all those numbers. The computer's operating system, for example, contains instructions for organizing data into files and folders, managing temporary data storage, and sending data to application programs and devices such as printers or spanners. Finally, application programs process the data. For more details take a look at the short video below.
What is CES?
CES (formerly an acronym for Consumer Electronics Show) is an annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). Held in January at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, the event typically hosts presentations of new products and technologies in the consumer electronics industry. Everything from computer chips to building-size TVs can be seen there, often for the first time. The main categories of the show are listed to the right.
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The Best of CES 2020
Jan 23, 2020 - Lost or Stolen Phone? Here's what to do, Online Scams of 2020,
It's 2020, what are you still doing clicking on unknown links?!
Club Questions
It's 2020, what are you still doing clicking on unknown links?!
Club Questions
Lost or Stolen Smartphone?
If you've ever suffered a lost or stolen phone, you know how much of a hassle that can be. But if you take just a few precautions first, dealing with a missing phone is much easier. For Android users, because there are so many different manufacturers of Android phones, the steps you need to take to protect your phone may be different. Take a look at this CNET article that goes over all the major brands of phones and the various ways you can set up your phone now, so you can find it later.
For those of you iPhone users, take a look at the video below that goes over all the basics of setting your iPhone up for Find My iPhone.
If you've ever suffered a lost or stolen phone, you know how much of a hassle that can be. But if you take just a few precautions first, dealing with a missing phone is much easier. For Android users, because there are so many different manufacturers of Android phones, the steps you need to take to protect your phone may be different. Take a look at this CNET article that goes over all the major brands of phones and the various ways you can set up your phone now, so you can find it later.
For those of you iPhone users, take a look at the video below that goes over all the basics of setting your iPhone up for Find My iPhone.
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The Best New Scams of 2020
Another new year of new tech, ands along with all that new tech invariably comes new internet scams. Here's a video that goes over all the latest scams we can look forward to in the coming year, and some of the ways to protect yourself from them. |
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Jan 30, 2020 - Wireless Charging Phones, Gmail Labs, Who is Steve Gibson?
"I don't fink, dink or link." - anonymous
(meaning: he doesn't snitch on people, doesn't hit soft shots when playing pickleball and NEVER clicks on UNKNOWN LINKS when on the internet!)
Club Questions
"I don't fink, dink or link." - anonymous
(meaning: he doesn't snitch on people, doesn't hit soft shots when playing pickleball and NEVER clicks on UNKNOWN LINKS when on the internet!)
Club Questions
Wireless Charging Phones
Within the last few years, wireless charging has become available on smartphones. At this point wireless charging is still new and growing, but offers one more wireless way to get things done (in this case charging your phone). Below is a list of the major phone makers and which models they sell that feature wireless charging.
iPhones
- iPhone 8 and newer models
Android Phones
- Samsung Galaxy S9 and newer models
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and newer models
- Nokia 8 Sirocco
- LG G7 ThinQ
- LG V35 ThinQ
- Sony Xperia XZ2
- Motorola Moto Z3 Play (with Moto Mod)
Within the last few years, wireless charging has become available on smartphones. At this point wireless charging is still new and growing, but offers one more wireless way to get things done (in this case charging your phone). Below is a list of the major phone makers and which models they sell that feature wireless charging.
iPhones
- iPhone 8 and newer models
Android Phones
- Samsung Galaxy S9 and newer models
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and newer models
- Nokia 8 Sirocco
- LG G7 ThinQ
- LG V35 ThinQ
- Sony Xperia XZ2
- Motorola Moto Z3 Play (with Moto Mod)
Gmail Labs
If you're a Gmail user, then you need to know about "Labs" well it's not called Labs anymore, it's not hidden under the "Advanced" tab in your Gmail settings, but it's still got all the great, new content that Gmail Labs originally created. If you want to learn more about how to make the most of your Gmail experience, take a look at this article on the new version of Gmail Labs. Or watch the video below for even more Gmail tips.
If you're a Gmail user, then you need to know about "Labs" well it's not called Labs anymore, it's not hidden under the "Advanced" tab in your Gmail settings, but it's still got all the great, new content that Gmail Labs originally created. If you want to learn more about how to make the most of your Gmail experience, take a look at this article on the new version of Gmail Labs. Or watch the video below for even more Gmail tips.
Steve Gibson
In the early years of computer tech, Steve Gibson worked with Apple and Atari companies on various projects. He is best known for his "Spin-Rite" software and also for a variety of freeware apps his company, Gibson Research Corp, offers on their website. For more on Steve and his history, check out his Wikipedia page.
In the early years of computer tech, Steve Gibson worked with Apple and Atari companies on various projects. He is best known for his "Spin-Rite" software and also for a variety of freeware apps his company, Gibson Research Corp, offers on their website. For more on Steve and his history, check out his Wikipedia page.
