May Meetings 2024
May 2, 2024 - Ads on Windows 11 Start Page - How to Sell Your Phone for Cash - Do Seniors Text? -
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past and who controls the unknown links controls your personal information, so don't click on them." - George Orwell
Club Questions
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past and who controls the unknown links controls your personal information, so don't click on them." - George Orwell
Club Questions
Turn Off Windows 11 Ads
Ads in Microsoft Windows' Start menu are nothing new, and it's no surprise that they're coming to Windows 11. Microsoft has been testing ads in beta releases, and this week the update that places advertising in the Windows 11 Start menu began rolling out to regular users. According to Microsoft, the Start menu ads will be comprised of Microsoft Store apps chosen from a "small set of curated developers." The ads will appear in the Recommended section of the Start menu which previously only showed documents and images that the user had recently used. But never fear, you don't have to suffer thru more ads on your computer, to learn how to turn off these new Start Page ads, take a look at this article.
Ads in Microsoft Windows' Start menu are nothing new, and it's no surprise that they're coming to Windows 11. Microsoft has been testing ads in beta releases, and this week the update that places advertising in the Windows 11 Start menu began rolling out to regular users. According to Microsoft, the Start menu ads will be comprised of Microsoft Store apps chosen from a "small set of curated developers." The ads will appear in the Recommended section of the Start menu which previously only showed documents and images that the user had recently used. But never fear, you don't have to suffer thru more ads on your computer, to learn how to turn off these new Start Page ads, take a look at this article.
How to Sell Your Phone for Cash
When it's time to sell or trade in your old phone, you don't want to leave money on the table. CNET has some tips that could help you get more cash from your carrier or other seller when you're ready to make a deal. Whatever the reason you're selling your phone, it's important to know how to get the most money for your device and what your options for selling or trading in your phone to a carrier or using a peer-to-peer marketplace like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. To learn more about how to sell your old phone, take a look at this article.
When it's time to sell or trade in your old phone, you don't want to leave money on the table. CNET has some tips that could help you get more cash from your carrier or other seller when you're ready to make a deal. Whatever the reason you're selling your phone, it's important to know how to get the most money for your device and what your options for selling or trading in your phone to a carrier or using a peer-to-peer marketplace like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. To learn more about how to sell your old phone, take a look at this article.
Do Seniors Text?
Texting/SMS (Short Message Service) has grown in popularity as a communication method in both person-to-person and business-to-person interactions in the last 20 years. Many (incorrectly!) assume this mode of “talking” with a friend, relative, or business is for younger people only. In fact, texting is also a popular form of communication for the aging population as well. To learn more about how seniors use texting to stay in touch, take a look at this article.
Texting/SMS (Short Message Service) has grown in popularity as a communication method in both person-to-person and business-to-person interactions in the last 20 years. Many (incorrectly!) assume this mode of “talking” with a friend, relative, or business is for younger people only. In fact, texting is also a popular form of communication for the aging population as well. To learn more about how seniors use texting to stay in touch, take a look at this article.
May 9, 2024 - Microsoft Issues Warning to Android Users - Google Adds AI to Cybersecurity - More on Group Chatting -
"See Spot, see Spot run, see Spot click on unknown links, Bad Dog Spot!" - Dick and Jane
Club Questions
"See Spot, see Spot run, see Spot click on unknown links, Bad Dog Spot!" - Dick and Jane
Club Questions
Microsoft Issues Warning to Android
Android users, numbering over a billion globally, are facing a significant security threat with the emergence of a new malware dubbed Dirty Stream. The alarm bells were sounded by Microsoft’s security team, highlighting a flaw that could grant hackers complete control over affected devices. If you're an Android user and want to learn more about protecting your device from this vulnerability, take a look at this article.
Android users, numbering over a billion globally, are facing a significant security threat with the emergence of a new malware dubbed Dirty Stream. The alarm bells were sounded by Microsoft’s security team, highlighting a flaw that could grant hackers complete control over affected devices. If you're an Android user and want to learn more about protecting your device from this vulnerability, take a look at this article.
Google Adds AI to Cybersecurity
As people try to find more uses for generative AI that are less about making a fake photo and are instead actually useful, Google plans to point AI to cybersecurity and make threat reports easier to read. The new product uses the Gemini 1.5 Pro large language model, which Google says reduces the time needed to reverse engineer malware attacks. To find out more about Google's use of AI for cybersecurity, take a look at this article.
As people try to find more uses for generative AI that are less about making a fake photo and are instead actually useful, Google plans to point AI to cybersecurity and make threat reports easier to read. The new product uses the Gemini 1.5 Pro large language model, which Google says reduces the time needed to reverse engineer malware attacks. To find out more about Google's use of AI for cybersecurity, take a look at this article.
More on Group Chatting
Chatting (sending messages) is one of the most fun and personal communication methods. To put it into perspective, according to Forbes, people send around 23 billion messages daily. With the growing implementation of end-to-end encryption in most messaging apps, chatting is becoming one of the most private ways we communicate. A group chat is about receiving and sending messages to multiple people simultaneously and in the same chat. If you are planning a surprise birthday party, road trip, event, or anything that requires the involvement of many people, having a group chat for the project is one of the most efficient and time-saving ways to keep everyone informed of the progress. To find out more about how to use/create group chats on your phone, take a look at this article.
Chatting (sending messages) is one of the most fun and personal communication methods. To put it into perspective, according to Forbes, people send around 23 billion messages daily. With the growing implementation of end-to-end encryption in most messaging apps, chatting is becoming one of the most private ways we communicate. A group chat is about receiving and sending messages to multiple people simultaneously and in the same chat. If you are planning a surprise birthday party, road trip, event, or anything that requires the involvement of many people, having a group chat for the project is one of the most efficient and time-saving ways to keep everyone informed of the progress. To find out more about how to use/create group chats on your phone, take a look at this article.
May 16, 2024 - The Arc Browser - FTC Refunds Ring Customers - 6 Tips for Organizing Your Phone Photos - Apple's Latest Update iOS 17.5 -
"I am not be the best navigator in the world, but I know to navigate AWAY from unknown links." - Amelia Earhart
Club Questions
"I am not be the best navigator in the world, but I know to navigate AWAY from unknown links." - Amelia Earhart
Club Questions
The Arc Browser
The Arc browser, a web browser originally designed for macOS and iOS, has finally made its way to Windows 11 after leaving closed beta testing. After testing it out, I’m finding myself enjoying it much better than Google Chrome and especially Microsoft Edge — despite them both being Chromium-based. In fact, in due time it could easily be one of the best browsers around. To see more of this review on the new Arc browser and how it might become your new favourite browser, take a look at this article.
The Arc browser, a web browser originally designed for macOS and iOS, has finally made its way to Windows 11 after leaving closed beta testing. After testing it out, I’m finding myself enjoying it much better than Google Chrome and especially Microsoft Edge — despite them both being Chromium-based. In fact, in due time it could easily be one of the best browsers around. To see more of this review on the new Arc browser and how it might become your new favourite browser, take a look at this article.
FTC Refunds Ring Customers
If you're a Ring customer, using one of the many Ring smart home products, like the Ring Doorbell for example, then you might be in for some cash back due to the recent FTC ruling that said Ring allowed improper access to it's doorbell and home security cam video footage. This ruling will affect over 100,000 Ring customers and will cost Ring over $5 million. To learn more about how to get your refund, if applicable, take a look at this article.
If you're a Ring customer, using one of the many Ring smart home products, like the Ring Doorbell for example, then you might be in for some cash back due to the recent FTC ruling that said Ring allowed improper access to it's doorbell and home security cam video footage. This ruling will affect over 100,000 Ring customers and will cost Ring over $5 million. To learn more about how to get your refund, if applicable, take a look at this article.
6 Tips for Organizing Phone Photos
If you’ve been neglecting the collection of photos you have on your phone, it’s time to get your virtual albums cleaned up and sorted so you can navigate them more easily. With Christmas right around the corner, now is a great time to do it, especially if you plan on using your photos in any gifts you’ll be giving this year. To learn more about how to organize your smartphone photos, take a look at this article.
If you’ve been neglecting the collection of photos you have on your phone, it’s time to get your virtual albums cleaned up and sorted so you can navigate them more easily. With Christmas right around the corner, now is a great time to do it, especially if you plan on using your photos in any gifts you’ll be giving this year. To learn more about how to organize your smartphone photos, take a look at this article.
Apple Update iOS 17.5
Apple released the iOS 17.5 update to the general public on Monday, about two months after the release of iOS 17.4. The latest update brings security patches and a handful of new features to the iPhones of some users. I've previously used iOS 17.5 as a beta and a release candidate and found a new word game for Apple News Plus subscribers and much more. To learn more about Apple's iOS 17.5, take a look at this article or take a look at the latest video on iOS 17.5.
Apple released the iOS 17.5 update to the general public on Monday, about two months after the release of iOS 17.4. The latest update brings security patches and a handful of new features to the iPhones of some users. I've previously used iOS 17.5 as a beta and a release candidate and found a new word game for Apple News Plus subscribers and much more. To learn more about Apple's iOS 17.5, take a look at this article or take a look at the latest video on iOS 17.5.
May 23, 2024 - VIDEO WEEK - More on Apple Updates - Smartphone Camera Tricks - Texting Tips -
"It's not easy being green, but it's even harder if you click on an unknown link." - Kermit the Frog
Club Questions
"It's not easy being green, but it's even harder if you click on an unknown link." - Kermit the Frog
Club Questions
Apple's Latest iOS 17.5.1
Smartphone Camera Tricks
Texting Tips
May 30, 2024 - Setting Up a Smart Home - Should You Always Accept Cookies? - Password Strength Chart -
"Do you know why I am laughing all the time? Because I never click on any unknown links!" - Laughing Buddha
Club Questions
"Do you know why I am laughing all the time? Because I never click on any unknown links!" - Laughing Buddha
Club Questions
Setting Up a Smart Home
Most of us are familiar with smartphones, but what about smart homes? A smart home takes advantage of all the latest tech to make your home life easier and more fun. You can control things like your lights, your front door lock, your heating and much more from you smartphone. There are now a wide range of products that offer smart home gadgets and even more ways to integrate them into your daily life. To learn more about how to set up a smart home, take a look at this article.
Most of us are familiar with smartphones, but what about smart homes? A smart home takes advantage of all the latest tech to make your home life easier and more fun. You can control things like your lights, your front door lock, your heating and much more from you smartphone. There are now a wide range of products that offer smart home gadgets and even more ways to integrate them into your daily life. To learn more about how to set up a smart home, take a look at this article.
Should You Always Accept Cookies?
In 2018 a law called the European General Data Protection Regulation came into effect which requires multinational companies to ask users for their permission to use cookies. You’ve likely noticed these pop-up messages, and maybe you click ‘accept’ without thinking twice. Let’s discuss the times it’s best to accept cookies and situations when you may not have to.
Accept: Some websites require you to “accept all” to use their website at all. When you do accept the cookies, the website remembers you and your interests and preferences, hopefully making your browsing experience more efficient. Cookies can also save your log-in credentials, which comes in handy.
Don’t accept: If a website is asking permission for third-party cookies, it may be a good idea to decline. Chances are, they are selling your information (such as preferences, shopping and browsing habits, etc.). Having new cookies can also slow your computer and occupy disk space. Finally, never accept the cookies if you are on a trusted website that asks for your SSN or other highly personal information. As always, double check the website you are on is the correct one.
In 2018 a law called the European General Data Protection Regulation came into effect which requires multinational companies to ask users for their permission to use cookies. You’ve likely noticed these pop-up messages, and maybe you click ‘accept’ without thinking twice. Let’s discuss the times it’s best to accept cookies and situations when you may not have to.
Accept: Some websites require you to “accept all” to use their website at all. When you do accept the cookies, the website remembers you and your interests and preferences, hopefully making your browsing experience more efficient. Cookies can also save your log-in credentials, which comes in handy.
Don’t accept: If a website is asking permission for third-party cookies, it may be a good idea to decline. Chances are, they are selling your information (such as preferences, shopping and browsing habits, etc.). Having new cookies can also slow your computer and occupy disk space. Finally, never accept the cookies if you are on a trusted website that asks for your SSN or other highly personal information. As always, double check the website you are on is the correct one.
Password Strength Chart
We all have to use passwords and it's always better if you use a strong password, but what actually constitutes a strong password? The folks at Hive Systems have been creating a password strength chart for several years now. Take a look at the chart (below) and make sure all your passwords are in the 'green'. Or if you want a deeper dive into passwords, take a look at this article by Hive Systems.
We all have to use passwords and it's always better if you use a strong password, but what actually constitutes a strong password? The folks at Hive Systems have been creating a password strength chart for several years now. Take a look at the chart (below) and make sure all your passwords are in the 'green'. Or if you want a deeper dive into passwords, take a look at this article by Hive Systems.
