September Meetings 2019
September 5, 2019 - Windows Updates, Windows Cortana, Apple Siri, Cheap Printer Ink, Firefox Refresh
UNKNOWN LINKS, Stink.
- Pepé LePew
CLUB QUESTIONS
UNKNOWN LINKS, Stink.
- Pepé LePew
CLUB QUESTIONS
Windows Updates
Windows users account for nearly 90% of the computer users worldwide and because of that fact, hackers are much more interested in creating hacks for the Windows OS (Operating System). Microsoft regularly puts out security patch updates to protect its users from Internet bad actors. It is generally recommended that you set your Windows updates to automatic, so you don't miss an important security fix. It is quite easy to adjust your update preferences in Windows. Please take a look at the videos below to see how it's done.
REMEMBER: OS updates will NOT be installed until you restart your computer. Always restart your computer after all updates.
Windows users account for nearly 90% of the computer users worldwide and because of that fact, hackers are much more interested in creating hacks for the Windows OS (Operating System). Microsoft regularly puts out security patch updates to protect its users from Internet bad actors. It is generally recommended that you set your Windows updates to automatic, so you don't miss an important security fix. It is quite easy to adjust your update preferences in Windows. Please take a look at the videos below to see how it's done.
REMEMBER: OS updates will NOT be installed until you restart your computer. Always restart your computer after all updates.
Updates for Windows 10 Updates for Windows 7
|
|
|
Windows Cortana
Voice assistants are the future and Cortana is Windows 10 virtual assistant. If you are a Windows 10 user you will have Cortana built in to your OS. To learn more about how to customize and use Cortana take a look at the video below.
Voice assistants are the future and Cortana is Windows 10 virtual assistant. If you are a Windows 10 user you will have Cortana built in to your OS. To learn more about how to customize and use Cortana take a look at the video below.
Siri for Apple
Apple has been perfecting Siri, their AI assistant, for several years now and Siri has gotten smarter every new generation. To see how to use Siri on a Mac, take a look at this video below.
Apple has been perfecting Siri, their AI assistant, for several years now and Siri has gotten smarter every new generation. To see how to use Siri on a Mac, take a look at this video below.
Where to Buy Cheap Printer Ink?
Buying a decent printer can be relatively inexpensive, but keeping that printer in ink is where it can start costing you money. Anyone who uses a computer printer knows the troubles of inkjet cartridges; they're expensive, don't last that long and can even dry out due to lack of use. Sometimes replacing the ink cartridges can cost as much as the printer itself. Consumer Reports has a detailed article covering all the best cost saving techniques for ink cartridges here. The article also goes over choosing a printer and benefits of Laser printers vs Inkjet printers. For those of you that just want to find a cheap ink supplier, take a look at what PC World has to say about printer ink (they also include a list of links to recommended cheap online ink suppliers).
Buying a decent printer can be relatively inexpensive, but keeping that printer in ink is where it can start costing you money. Anyone who uses a computer printer knows the troubles of inkjet cartridges; they're expensive, don't last that long and can even dry out due to lack of use. Sometimes replacing the ink cartridges can cost as much as the printer itself. Consumer Reports has a detailed article covering all the best cost saving techniques for ink cartridges here. The article also goes over choosing a printer and benefits of Laser printers vs Inkjet printers. For those of you that just want to find a cheap ink supplier, take a look at what PC World has to say about printer ink (they also include a list of links to recommended cheap online ink suppliers).
|
|
Firefox Refresh
If you're a Firefox user and are experiencing some problems with your browser, maybe you need a quick refresh. Watch the short video to see a complete explanation of how to clean up your Firefox browser. |
September 12, 2019 - TED talk on EMFs, Computer Fixes Cheat Sheet,
Make My Day, Click on that Unknown Link, Punk!
- Clint Eastwood
CLUB QUESTIONS
Make My Day, Click on that Unknown Link, Punk!
- Clint Eastwood
CLUB QUESTIONS
The Truth About Electromagnetic Radiation?
Ever since cell phones came into existence experts have been telling us we're going to die of cancer if we use them. Altho it's been several decades since the first cell phone was sold, there have been no verifiable cancer deaths attributed to them. But with the coming of 5G and all those new satellites and electromagnetic networks, the concern over all the electromagnetic rays we must endure continues. I am including the following TED talk here because the speaker approaches the problem from a scientific perspective with realistic suggestions as to how you can deal with it all. The video is longish (close to 20 minutes), but worth the watch if you have any interest in how all these networks might affect us.
Ever since cell phones came into existence experts have been telling us we're going to die of cancer if we use them. Altho it's been several decades since the first cell phone was sold, there have been no verifiable cancer deaths attributed to them. But with the coming of 5G and all those new satellites and electromagnetic networks, the concern over all the electromagnetic rays we must endure continues. I am including the following TED talk here because the speaker approaches the problem from a scientific perspective with realistic suggestions as to how you can deal with it all. The video is longish (close to 20 minutes), but worth the watch if you have any interest in how all these networks might affect us.
Computer Fixes Cheat Sheet
Fixing your own computer is less necessary if you perform computer maintenance. These tips for maintaining your PC can help you prevent computer problems before they happen and can keep your computer running smoothly and efficiently.
Fixing your own computer is less necessary if you perform computer maintenance. These tips for maintaining your PC can help you prevent computer problems before they happen and can keep your computer running smoothly and efficiently.
- Keep your computer cool and dry. Avoid direct sunlight on all computer components. Don’t block fan and ventilation openings. Be careful with food and drink around the machine; a spill can ruin a machine in seconds.
- Keep your computer clean. Wipe the monitor, keyboard, and computer case periodically with a soft cloth. Keep handy a soft, clean paintbrush or a can of compressed air to clean out the keyboard and ventilation ports on the computer case and monitor. You can also gently vacuum the parts.
- Keep your software up to date. Microsoft regularly updates Windows and Apple regularly updates Mac OS. Other software manufacturers keep their applications current with updates, too. Check manufacturer Web sites.
- Cooling fan. The computer’s cooling fan should make only a soft whir, but some machines automatically speed up the fan when temperatures start to rise. Is the computer in direct sunlight? Have you inadvertently restricted airflow in and out of the box? Is the power supply overheating?
- Hard drive. A louder-than-usual hard drive may mean an impending failure; listen for clicks or erratic speedups and slowdowns. Back up your data and run diagnostic programs provided by the hard drive manufacturer or your computer maker.
- Lag time. Notice how long it takes to launch a program or retrieve data. If things start taking unusually long, you may be seeing a hard drive about to fail, or it just may be cluttered. Run diagnostics and use a defragmentation utility Also, keep an eye out for error messages or alerts.
- Contact the manufacturer. For hardware problems and software that came installed on your computer, the manufacturer is the best place to start. Write down the computer model, serial number, and date of purchase; then check your documentation or the manufacturer’s Web site for contact information. Choose Start→Programs→All Programs and look for a folder named for your computer or manufacturer. Some manufacturers include complete user manuals or even videos to help you learn about your machine and troubleshoot it.
- Find local experts. Many computer stores and big stores offer in-store repair. Make sure you are clear on the services they will provide and what it will cost before agreeing to service. Ask friends and co-workers for recommendations or references.
When in doubt - REBOOT THE DEVICE
September 19, 2019 - Have You Been Pwned? Windows 10 Administrator, Apple Keynote 2019
Never click on any missing or unknown links, it hurts my fur.
- Sasquatch
CLUB QUESTIONS
Never click on any missing or unknown links, it hurts my fur.
- Sasquatch
CLUB QUESTIONS
Have You Been Pwned?
Or maybe you're just wondering what the word "pwned" means? It started as a typo in an online gaming chatroom, and has since taken on God-like power in such circles. It was supposed to say "I Owned You" in reference to game performance, but the typo made it "pwned" and the rest is internet history.
As for whether or not You have ever been pwned, well that's more about your email address(es). This website, will allow you to simply type in an email address and then it will chug thru its data base looking for your email address among the known data breaches from many, many companies and services. If your email does come back as having been breached, the site will list all the companies/services that lost your email address to a breach. It's also a good time to change your passwords.
This site provides a service to the public. Data breaches are rampant and many people don't appreciate the scale or frequency with which they occur. By aggregating the data, the site creator, Troy Hunt, hopes that it not only helps victims learn of compromises of their accounts, but also highlights the severity of the risks of online attacks on today's internet.
Or maybe you're just wondering what the word "pwned" means? It started as a typo in an online gaming chatroom, and has since taken on God-like power in such circles. It was supposed to say "I Owned You" in reference to game performance, but the typo made it "pwned" and the rest is internet history.
As for whether or not You have ever been pwned, well that's more about your email address(es). This website, will allow you to simply type in an email address and then it will chug thru its data base looking for your email address among the known data breaches from many, many companies and services. If your email does come back as having been breached, the site will list all the companies/services that lost your email address to a breach. It's also a good time to change your passwords.
This site provides a service to the public. Data breaches are rampant and many people don't appreciate the scale or frequency with which they occur. By aggregating the data, the site creator, Troy Hunt, hopes that it not only helps victims learn of compromises of their accounts, but also highlights the severity of the risks of online attacks on today's internet.
|
Windows 10 Administrators
Being an administrator on Windows 10 (or any version of Windows) allows you extra privileges that only come with being an administrator. An easy way to check and see who's your administrator (HINT: if it's your computer, it should be You) and also add/change administrators take a look at this short video. |
|
2019 Apple Keynote
It's mid-September so that means Apple has given their annual keynote speech and released all their latest gear as well as some Operating System overhauls for both their computers and i-devices (iPhone, iPad, etc). Below are a couple of short videos going over some of the new features for iOS (iPhone, iPad, etc) and macOS Catalina (computers).
It's mid-September so that means Apple has given their annual keynote speech and released all their latest gear as well as some Operating System overhauls for both their computers and i-devices (iPhone, iPad, etc). Below are a couple of short videos going over some of the new features for iOS (iPhone, iPad, etc) and macOS Catalina (computers).
iOS 13 Features macOS Catalina Features
|
|
|
September 26, 2019 - VOiP Calling, Voice to Text, Blue Light Filters, Dark Mode vs Blue Light, Sign in with Apple
Unknown Links will Pwn You! - 10 year old grandchild to granpa
CLUB QUESTIONS
Unknown Links will Pwn You! - 10 year old grandchild to granpa
CLUB QUESTIONS
|
What is VOiP?
VOiP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, is basically making a phone call over the internet and it is the future direction of telecommunications. The main reason for the changeover is due to the price, VOiP is waaay cheaper than traditional phone service. For a brief overview of VOiP and some of the feature it offers, take a look at this video. |
|
|
|
Speech to Text on Windows
If you've tired of using your keyboard and mouse to enter text, you can try Window's speech recognition. This article will give you instructions and screenshots of what you need to do to set up speech recognition in Windows 10, or for a more complete description (which also includes how to set up speech recognition on earlier Windows versions), take a look at this video. |
Do I Need a Blue Light Filter on my Computer?
If you know anything about blue light, you might know that it can upset your circadian rhythm (your sleep cycle) and bring on a host of problems. To keep these issues at bay we are told it is best to avoid any blue light (computers and devices all put off blue light to varying degrees) after the sun sets. Luckily there are many ways to do just that, some built in to your computer/device and others are available thru third party apps. Take a look at this article, it goes over all the basics for dealing with blue light on both Windows and Apple computers and iOS and Android devices. Or for even more blue light info, take a look at the video below.
If you know anything about blue light, you might know that it can upset your circadian rhythm (your sleep cycle) and bring on a host of problems. To keep these issues at bay we are told it is best to avoid any blue light (computers and devices all put off blue light to varying degrees) after the sun sets. Luckily there are many ways to do just that, some built in to your computer/device and others are available thru third party apps. Take a look at this article, it goes over all the basics for dealing with blue light on both Windows and Apple computers and iOS and Android devices. Or for even more blue light info, take a look at the video below.
|
|
Dark Mode Vs. Blue Light
And as long as we're talking about blue light, why not learn a little more about Dark Mode and how that feature can play a part in your eye and general health. Take a look at this short video which goes over Dark Mode for all devices. |
|
Sign in with Apple
One of the new features Apple has come out with this year is the, "Sign in with Apple" service. With their view to personal security, Apple has created a safer way of signing in to all those apps/services you love. Watch this short video for a better understanding of how Sign in with Apple will work. It will be available in iOS 13. |
|
