March Meetings 2022
Mar 3, 2022 - What to do for a Slow Computer, How to Find Your Wi-Fi Passwords on Your Computer, How to Open Safe Mode, Android Update March 2022, Add a Keyboard to Your Computer,
Unknown Links Stink, don't touch them!
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Unknown Links Stink, don't touch them!
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What to do for a Slow Computer
If your computer is running slower than normal, there are several things you can do yourself to help bring it back up to speed. Of course the first, and most obvious fix, is to simply reboot your device. This is always a good place to start, but if that doesn't fix your issue, there are a few other things you can do to help get your computer back on track. To learn how to make either your Windows based computer or your Apple computer run faster, take a look at this article.
How to Find Your Wi-Fi Passwords
If you have a laptop computer, you probably have more than a few different Wi-Fi passwords inside it. Every time you take your laptop to a new Wi-Fi network, it remembers the password you used to log in. But where are all those passwords stored? CNET breaks down a few ways to get into all those passwords, whether you use a Windows or Apple computer. To learn more about how to find your passwords, take a look at this article.
If you have a laptop computer, you probably have more than a few different Wi-Fi passwords inside it. Every time you take your laptop to a new Wi-Fi network, it remembers the password you used to log in. But where are all those passwords stored? CNET breaks down a few ways to get into all those passwords, whether you use a Windows or Apple computer. To learn more about how to find your passwords, take a look at this article.
How to Open Safe Mode
Safe Mode is built into every computer and is very helpful for troubleshooting computer problems, including software and hardware issues. Safe Mode is a feature on both Windows and Apple computers. Safe mode is intended to help fix most, if not all, problems within an operating system. It is also widely used for removing rogue security software. To learn more about how to open safe mode on your computer, take a look at this article.
Safe Mode is built into every computer and is very helpful for troubleshooting computer problems, including software and hardware issues. Safe Mode is a feature on both Windows and Apple computers. Safe mode is intended to help fix most, if not all, problems within an operating system. It is also widely used for removing rogue security software. To learn more about how to open safe mode on your computer, take a look at this article.
Android Updates March 2022
Android has a variety of means for providing updates. Some are system-level, like when your phone gets the new version of Android. Others apply themselves via the Play Store, or Google Play Services. Any Android phone running Play Services can take these upgrades. The most recent update includes a host of tweaks and new features coming to most Android phones. There are several new things of note, including a means by which you can better manage your privacy settings. To learn more about the latest Android update, take a look at this article.
Android has a variety of means for providing updates. Some are system-level, like when your phone gets the new version of Android. Others apply themselves via the Play Store, or Google Play Services. Any Android phone running Play Services can take these upgrades. The most recent update includes a host of tweaks and new features coming to most Android phones. There are several new things of note, including a means by which you can better manage your privacy settings. To learn more about the latest Android update, take a look at this article.
Add a Keyboard to Your Computer
Most of us are working on computers that have a standard English language QWERTY keyboard on them, but what if you need to write in another language? Adding a new keyboard to your computer is free and relatively easy. For you Windows users, take a look at what the official Microsoft support site says about adding a keyboard to your device.
And if you're an Apple user, take a look at what the official Apple support site say about adding a keyboard to your device.
Most of us are working on computers that have a standard English language QWERTY keyboard on them, but what if you need to write in another language? Adding a new keyboard to your computer is free and relatively easy. For you Windows users, take a look at what the official Microsoft support site says about adding a keyboard to your device.
And if you're an Apple user, take a look at what the official Apple support site say about adding a keyboard to your device.
Mar 10, 2022 - Supercharge Your Online Security, Add/Change Keyboards on Smartphones, How to Record Your Computer Screen, Best DIY Home Security Systems 2022,
If You Click on an Unknown Link -- You'll be Sorry!
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If You Click on an Unknown Link -- You'll be Sorry!
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Supercharge Your Online Security
Protecting your personal data isn’t just smart these days—it’s a necessity. As the world grows more and more connected, your private info becomes more and more valuable. Whether it’s using leaked info from website breaches to hack into your other accounts or holding your personal computer ransom for money, malicious evildoers won’t hesitate to ruin your day if it puts profits in their pockets. To learn 5 quick things you can to do enhance your online security, take a look at this article.
Protecting your personal data isn’t just smart these days—it’s a necessity. As the world grows more and more connected, your private info becomes more and more valuable. Whether it’s using leaked info from website breaches to hack into your other accounts or holding your personal computer ransom for money, malicious evildoers won’t hesitate to ruin your day if it puts profits in their pockets. To learn 5 quick things you can to do enhance your online security, take a look at this article.
Add/Change Keyboards on Smartphones
Whether you use an Android smartphone or an iPhone, there is a way to either change your keyboard (to a different language) or add a new keyboard (third party keyboards). On iPhone you can easily add a new language keyboard from the many onboard selections. To read more about how to do this, take a look at this article from Apple Support. If you're interested in adding a third party keyboard (like a finger swiping style keyboard), take a look at this article.
For Android users, you can also easily change the language of your keyboard within the settings app. For more on how to change languages, take a look at this article. And for Android users who wish to swap out the regular keyboard with a third party app, take a look at this article.
Whether you use an Android smartphone or an iPhone, there is a way to either change your keyboard (to a different language) or add a new keyboard (third party keyboards). On iPhone you can easily add a new language keyboard from the many onboard selections. To read more about how to do this, take a look at this article from Apple Support. If you're interested in adding a third party keyboard (like a finger swiping style keyboard), take a look at this article.
For Android users, you can also easily change the language of your keyboard within the settings app. For more on how to change languages, take a look at this article. And for Android users who wish to swap out the regular keyboard with a third party app, take a look at this article.
How to Record Your Computer Screen
There may come a time when you want to record what's happening on your computer screen, if you want to create a video that captures all actions performed, you can record your screen to a video file. Recording your screen can be useful if you want to create video tutorials, or review something you did on your computer at a later time. For more on how to record your computer screen, on either Windows, Apple or Linux, take a look at this article.
There may come a time when you want to record what's happening on your computer screen, if you want to create a video that captures all actions performed, you can record your screen to a video file. Recording your screen can be useful if you want to create video tutorials, or review something you did on your computer at a later time. For more on how to record your computer screen, on either Windows, Apple or Linux, take a look at this article.
Best DIY Home Security Systems 2022
Having a home security system installed professionally can be very expensive costing hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. But modern technology makes installing such a system by yourself very possible. Most of these DIY systems are made for the average person and can be installed in a matter of an hour or two without the help, or expense, of professionals. If you're interested in setting up a few cameras around your house and property, and saving a lot of money at the same time, take a look at this article.
Having a home security system installed professionally can be very expensive costing hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. But modern technology makes installing such a system by yourself very possible. Most of these DIY systems are made for the average person and can be installed in a matter of an hour or two without the help, or expense, of professionals. If you're interested in setting up a few cameras around your house and property, and saving a lot of money at the same time, take a look at this article.
Should You Update to Windows 11?
Windows 11 has been out for a few months now, and you'd be hard pressed to buy a new PC without Windows 11 already installed. But if you're on Windows 10 (or lower), should you make the upgrade to Windows 11? Microsoft would tell you, yes, but there are a lot of reasons you might not want to, for more on these reasons, take a look at the video below.
Windows 11 has been out for a few months now, and you'd be hard pressed to buy a new PC without Windows 11 already installed. But if you're on Windows 10 (or lower), should you make the upgrade to Windows 11? Microsoft would tell you, yes, but there are a lot of reasons you might not want to, for more on these reasons, take a look at the video below.
Mar 17, 2022 - 8 Mobile Apps for Privacy, How to Use iCloud with Your Photos, How to Use Windows Function Keys, Amazon's Fake Review Problem,
Clicking on an Unknown Link is NOT like finding a Four Leaf Clover!
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Clicking on an Unknown Link is NOT like finding a Four Leaf Clover!
Club Questions
8 Mobile Apps for Privacy
If you're concerned about the rising tide of mobile phone hacks and massive data breaches in the news, there's more you can do to lock down your most personal piece of technology. CNET has gone thru the basics from browsing privately to turning your stolen smartphone into a brick. For more on the apps CNET recommends, take a look at this article.
If you're concerned about the rising tide of mobile phone hacks and massive data breaches in the news, there's more you can do to lock down your most personal piece of technology. CNET has gone thru the basics from browsing privately to turning your stolen smartphone into a brick. For more on the apps CNET recommends, take a look at this article.
How to Use iCloud with Your Photos
Using a cloud service to backup your photo collection is a great idea, but if you're an iCloud user you have to think different, as Apple has always said. Many an iCloud user has accidentally deleted their most precious images because of a lack of understanding in how iCloud actually works. For those of you using iCloud as a backup service for your photos, learn more about how to use it correctly, take a look at this article.
Using a cloud service to backup your photo collection is a great idea, but if you're an iCloud user you have to think different, as Apple has always said. Many an iCloud user has accidentally deleted their most precious images because of a lack of understanding in how iCloud actually works. For those of you using iCloud as a backup service for your photos, learn more about how to use it correctly, take a look at this article.
How to Use Windows F-Keys
At the top of every Windows based computer keyboard is a line of F-keys, or function keys. Within the Windows ecosystem these keys offer a wide range of extra features, or at least easy ways to get to specific features. Many of the function keys offer shortcuts within specific apps (IE, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc). MakeUseOf.com has created a wonderful list illustrating each F-key and what special functions it does, to learn more about how to take advantage of all the F-key features, take a look at this article.
At the top of every Windows based computer keyboard is a line of F-keys, or function keys. Within the Windows ecosystem these keys offer a wide range of extra features, or at least easy ways to get to specific features. Many of the function keys offer shortcuts within specific apps (IE, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc). MakeUseOf.com has created a wonderful list illustrating each F-key and what special functions it does, to learn more about how to take advantage of all the F-key features, take a look at this article.
Amazon's Fake Review Problem
Although Amazon banned the practice in 2016, reviewers would often admit they got a product for free in exchange for a review, but the practice is now fully in the shadows. Amazon also says it puts resources into removing fake reviews and the accounts that post them, adding that it blocked 200 million suspected fake reviews before they were posted in 2020. Even so, the problem still persists, and it isn't just for good reviews, it is also used by competitors to flood their competition with bad reviews. To learn more about the state of fake reviews on Amazon now, and what they're doing about it, take a look at this article.
And if you're not sure how to spot a fake review, here's an article that gives some basic tips on how to see thru the fake ones.
Although Amazon banned the practice in 2016, reviewers would often admit they got a product for free in exchange for a review, but the practice is now fully in the shadows. Amazon also says it puts resources into removing fake reviews and the accounts that post them, adding that it blocked 200 million suspected fake reviews before they were posted in 2020. Even so, the problem still persists, and it isn't just for good reviews, it is also used by competitors to flood their competition with bad reviews. To learn more about the state of fake reviews on Amazon now, and what they're doing about it, take a look at this article.
And if you're not sure how to spot a fake review, here's an article that gives some basic tips on how to see thru the fake ones.
Mar 24, 2022 - Android Beam's Replacement, New Android Feature Saves Space, Turn Off Windows 10 Annoying Settings,
Unknown Links are Looking for a Sucker, Don't Be One!
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Unknown Links are Looking for a Sucker, Don't Be One!
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Android Beam's Replacement
For those of you who remember Android Beam, Google's way of sharing links and files easily between devices wirelessly, there is good news and bad news. Google is planning on rolling out a new "Fast Share" protocol through a Play services updates that will allow Android devices to share assets to other devices, primarily using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct connections. To learn more of the good and the bad about Google's newest sharing technique, take a look at this article.
For those of you who remember Android Beam, Google's way of sharing links and files easily between devices wirelessly, there is good news and bad news. Google is planning on rolling out a new "Fast Share" protocol through a Play services updates that will allow Android devices to share assets to other devices, primarily using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct connections. To learn more of the good and the bad about Google's newest sharing technique, take a look at this article.
New Android Feature Saves Space
If you're using an Android phone, but have struggled with onboard storage limits, then Google is about to come to your rescue in the form of a new "app archiving" feature. Android will allow users to reduce the size of apps up to 60%, thus saving precious space on your smartphones. But don't get too excited as this new feature won't be coming to your phone right away, probably not until the release of Android 13. To read more about this space saving feature, take a look at this article.
If you're using an Android phone, but have struggled with onboard storage limits, then Google is about to come to your rescue in the form of a new "app archiving" feature. Android will allow users to reduce the size of apps up to 60%, thus saving precious space on your smartphones. But don't get too excited as this new feature won't be coming to your phone right away, probably not until the release of Android 13. To read more about this space saving feature, take a look at this article.
Turn Off Windows 10 Annoying Settings
Windows 10 is a tried and true operating system at this point, and if you haven't updated to Windows 11, there are still a few tweaks you can do to Windows 10 to help make it a little easier to use. In this piece by CNET, you learn 8 easy adjustments you can make to your computer that will improve your user experience, from telling Cortana to stop asking you questions to making the jump to a new OS much easier. For more on these efficiency tips, take a look at this article.
Windows 10 is a tried and true operating system at this point, and if you haven't updated to Windows 11, there are still a few tweaks you can do to Windows 10 to help make it a little easier to use. In this piece by CNET, you learn 8 easy adjustments you can make to your computer that will improve your user experience, from telling Cortana to stop asking you questions to making the jump to a new OS much easier. For more on these efficiency tips, take a look at this article.
Mar 31, 2022 - Best Doorbell Cams for 2022, Best TV Antennas for 2022,
Best Mesh Routers for 2022, PC Mag's Top 100, Get Rid of Windows Bloatware,
Unknown Links Want to Steal Your Personal Information. No Clicking!
Club Questions
Best Mesh Routers for 2022, PC Mag's Top 100, Get Rid of Windows Bloatware,
Unknown Links Want to Steal Your Personal Information. No Clicking!
Club Questions
Best Doorbell Cams for 2022
Considering how many online purchases we're all making these days, having a doorbell cam is becoming a better and better idea. Doorbell cams are exactly what they sound like, a small web-based camera attached to a doorbell which replaces your old fashioned doorbell. But not all video doorbell cameras are created equal -- design, installation cost, video quality and video storage subscriptions for each doorbell cam can vary immensely. To learn more about this year's models, take a look at this review from CNET.
Considering how many online purchases we're all making these days, having a doorbell cam is becoming a better and better idea. Doorbell cams are exactly what they sound like, a small web-based camera attached to a doorbell which replaces your old fashioned doorbell. But not all video doorbell cameras are created equal -- design, installation cost, video quality and video storage subscriptions for each doorbell cam can vary immensely. To learn more about this year's models, take a look at this review from CNET.
Best TV Antenna for 2022
That's right, TV antennas still exist, and if you live in an area with a decent signal, you can watch some of the most popular TV shows, specials and sports for free. If you're sick of paying the high price for cable, then maybe it's time to get a TV antenna, and depending on where you live and your signal reception capabilities, you can watch anything on NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS, PBS and more. To learn more about this year's best TV antennas, take a look at this review.
That's right, TV antennas still exist, and if you live in an area with a decent signal, you can watch some of the most popular TV shows, specials and sports for free. If you're sick of paying the high price for cable, then maybe it's time to get a TV antenna, and depending on where you live and your signal reception capabilities, you can watch anything on NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS, PBS and more. To learn more about this year's best TV antennas, take a look at this review.
Best Mesh Routers for 2022
What is a mesh Wi-Fi router system? Mesh systems join two or more Wi-Fi access points together, creating and sharing a single, seamless Wi-Fi network that can be expanded and set up to cover even the largest of homes or buildings. If the Wi-Fi router that worked in your small apartment doesn't give you the wireless connectivity you want for a big house, then a mesh Wi-Fi router system may be the solution for you. Now that you know what a mesh router is, take a look at this review of the best mesh routers for 2022.
What is a mesh Wi-Fi router system? Mesh systems join two or more Wi-Fi access points together, creating and sharing a single, seamless Wi-Fi network that can be expanded and set up to cover even the largest of homes or buildings. If the Wi-Fi router that worked in your small apartment doesn't give you the wireless connectivity you want for a big house, then a mesh Wi-Fi router system may be the solution for you. Now that you know what a mesh router is, take a look at this review of the best mesh routers for 2022.
PC Mag's Top 100 Tech Picks
Every year the tech editors at PC Magazine reviews thousands of tech related products, for 2022 they have made their recommendations of outstanding values in 100-odd product categories from hardware to software, from home entertainment and health to PCs and smartphones. To view the complete list of reviewed and recommended tech gear, take a look at this article.
Every year the tech editors at PC Magazine reviews thousands of tech related products, for 2022 they have made their recommendations of outstanding values in 100-odd product categories from hardware to software, from home entertainment and health to PCs and smartphones. To view the complete list of reviewed and recommended tech gear, take a look at this article.
Get Rid of Windows Bloatware
If you're a Windows 10 or 11 user and you've got applications that are slowing down your computer, there's a relatively easy way to get rid of all that bloatware. Bloatware is an umbrella term for apps, services, and programs you don’t need, and never asked for, and Windows comes preinstalled with a boatload of them. To learn more about how to rid your computer of bloatware, take a look at this article.
