12/4: Holidays and technology
Agenda:
Questions from last week (Your cellular phone)
Presentation
Homework
Go to an online site and see how you can order something online. Review their return policies and privacy. Consider comparing prices. Check your credit card to make sure that it is correct.
Find a holiday movie on your favorite streaming service. While you are at it, look for a holiday playlist Consider setting up your own.
If you have an Amazon Echo device, set up a holiday routine (or any routine). Link as many things as you can.
Use resources provided to research charities to find one that is reputable.
Use the drop down list to discover activities that you can attend during the holiday season.
Check out any of the additional links for other holiday related things.
Recording
Miss the class? Here is Tuesday's class on holidays and technology.
Quick links:
https://sdccd-edu.zoom.us/j/9191959460?pwd=OXh0RE9ZTVZTWElTMUQ0ZzAxQzExdz09.
Passcode: emeritus
Using technology for holidays
In this lesson, we will look at things associated with the holiday season and how to use technology to do a better job. Feel free to share what you have used in the past to enjoy your holiday season.
Online shopping and safety
We do a lot of shopping during the holiday season. And we are encouraged by the frequent sales and promotions. We have just had Black Friday (now more online than in person) and Cyber Monday (more in person). How do you know if a site is safe, and how can you compare prices while ensuring online safety and privacy?
Finding Deals and Comparing Prices
Use Price Comparison Websites and Apps: Websites like PriceGrabber, ShopSavvy, and Google Shopping allow you to compare prices across various retailers. Apps like Honey or CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon products) can track price history and alert you to price drops.
Sign Up for Newsletters and Alerts: Many stores send exclusive deals and early sale alerts to their email subscribers. Use a dedicated email address for shopping to keep your primary inbox uncluttered.
Follow Favorite Brands on Social Media: Brands often announce special deals and promotions on their social media platforms.
Check Out Daily Deal and Flash Sale Sites: Websites like Amazon and Groupon offer time-limited sales.
This might be subjective, but some ideas for price comparing online
Never completely trust these sites. They are also trying to make money.
Price aggregators use software to collect and compare prices. They often have affiliate links.
Ensuring Online Safety and Privacy
While shopping online is convenient and offers a wider variety than in person, there is the risk of safety and privacy. Here are some of the ideas for making sure that you stay safe online.
Shop on Secure Websites: Look for URLs that start with “https” – the ‘s’ stands for secure. Check for a padlock icon near the address bar, indicating a secure connection. Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager. Consider using a password manager to keep track of your passwords securely. Avoid Shopping on Public Wi-Fi. Instead, try a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or wait until you are on a secure network.
Be Wary of Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals: Extremely low prices can be a sign of a scam. Verify the legitimacy of the retailer before purchasing.
Use Familiar Websites: Stick to well-known retailers or do thorough research on new or unfamiliar sites before buying.
Keep Software and Apps Updated: Ensure your browser, antivirus software, and apps are up to date to protect against the latest security threats.
Monitor Bank Statements: Regularly check your bank statements for any unauthorized charges.
Be Cautious with Personal Information: Only provide necessary information for a purchase. Be wary of requests for information that seems irrelevant to the transaction.
Use Secure Payment Methods: Credit cards generally offer better fraud protection than debit cards. Consider using payment services like PayPal for an additional layer of security. You might consider creating a unique credit card for online shopping.
Read Privacy Policies: Understand how your data will be used and whether it will be shared with third parties.
Be skeptical on reviews: Reviews about a company or product from a wide variety of review and retailer sites, search engines, app stores, and social media platforms. Check several sources and consider where a review is posted, who wrote the review, and the reviewer’s history. And don’t rely on star ratings alone because some reviews and ratings are fake or misleading. Fake reviews can be positive or negative.
Read the seller’s information about shipping and delivery, and check out the return policy: An FTC rule requires sellers to ship items as promised in their ads. If a seller doesn’t promise a time, it has to ship your order within 30 days after it gets your name, address, and payment, or permission to charge your account. Many sites offer tracking options that let you see exactly where your purchase is and an estimate when you’ll get it. If you pay by credit card but don’t get the item, disput the item.
Keep records: When you buy something online, be sure to keep information about the company name and website, what you ordered, the date you ordered it, and what you paid. Also note the seller’s return policy, all email, text, and other communication you have with the company and your credit card or bank account statements that show how you paid for the product.
Helpful links:
Scams while looking online for bargains: https://www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/consumer-news/2022-12.html, https://www.wellsfargo.com/privacy-security/fraud/bank-scams/online-shopping-scams/
Tips on online shopping: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/online-shopping
Make sure to be safe when purchasing online.
These are review tips for businesses to improve the accuracy of their reviews.
Amazon sellers will create fake ads. Verified purchases on Amazon means that the review is connected to a purchase. Listen to hear more.
From Khan Academy, some tips for shopping online especially for unfamiliar sites.
From AARP, tips to avoid scams on social media shopping
From Capital One, how to create a virtual card for shopping online
Streaming holiday entertainment
A streaming service is a subscription-based service that offers streaming content without requiring a cable or satellite TV subscription. It allows users to access movies, TV shows, and other content directly over the internet, without the need for a traditional cable TV or satellite subscription. These services offer a variety of content, including original programming, movies, and TV shows, and can be accessed on a variety of devices, including smart TVs, computers, tablets, and smartphones.
There are lots of special shows offered during the holiday season. The challenge is to find the right program. Here are some tips on finding a holiday special right for you (and the family):
Use the Search Function: Most streaming platforms have a search bar. Simply typing in keywords like "Christmas," "Hanukkah," "New Year's," "holiday," or "festive" can bring up a variety of holiday-themed movies, shows, and specials.
Browse Special Holiday Categories: During the holiday season, many streaming services create special categories or sections dedicated to holiday content. These can usually be found on the home page or in the genre/category section of the service.
Check Out Curated Playlists: Some platforms curate playlists or collections of holiday movies and TV shows. These can include classics, family-friendly options, or new releases. To create one, login to the service and browse for content that you want to use. When you find the title, look for an option like “add to my list” or “watch list” and click on the option. To view, go to “my list” or “watchlist” on the site to find them. You can add or remove as needed.
Look for Banners and Promotions: Streaming services often promote holiday content through banners or featured sections on their homepage. These are usually updated regularly to highlight new and popular options.
Read Online Guides and Reviews: Websites, blogs, and social media pages dedicated to streaming and entertainment often publish lists of the best holiday content available on various platforms. A few possibilities:
o Rotten Tomatoes: Holiday movies and streaming
o IMDb: Here are the holiday picks on IMDb
Use Voice Search: If the streaming service is accessible through a smart TV or device with voice recognition (like Google Home or Amazon Echo), simply saying a holiday-related command can bring up relevant content.
Explore Recommendations: Many streaming services offer personalized recommendations based on viewing history. Watching a few holiday titles can prompt the service to suggest more.
Examples of some streaming services
Netflix ($6.99 - $19.99 a month)
Amazon Prime ($139/year or $14.99/month)
Hulu (7.99 to 14.99 (no ads))
Apple TV+ Apple TV+ is a subscription service with Apple originals, other movies and more. It is $9.99 a month. This can be confusing, as there are other products as labeled Apple TV:
Apple TV the Product: This is a streaming device to stream videos from iTunes, Amazon Prime, ESPN, Hulu, Netflix and more.
Apple TV app: A free app/service that is a hub for content from various streaming services including Apple TV plus. It comes preloaded on the Apple TV product.
NOTE: You can get Apple TV+ bundled with five other services for $16.95/month to $32.95/month using Apple One.
Disney Plus: (7.99/mo (ads) – 13.99 mo (no ads)
Create a playlist on Spotify. It will be similar with other services.
A curated list for holidays entertainment on multiple services.
Create a home for holiday ambiance
Use Smart Home Devices for Holiday Ambiance: Google Home and Amazon Echo are smart speakers that can significantly enhance the holiday experience by playing music, controlling lights, and helping create a festive atmosphere in your home. Here's how you can use these devices for holiday cheer:
Music:
Use voice commands to play holiday music. Both Google and Amazon Echo have music playlists just for the holiday. The simplest thing would be to say, “Hey Google, play holiday music” or for Amazon Echo, say, “Alexa, play holiday music”. You can also name a particular album or singer as well.
You can also create your own playlist. The process is similar to creating a video playlist. You will login to the service and browse for music that you want to use. When you find the title, look for an option like “add to my list”. To hear, you can go to “my list” on the site to find them. You can add or remove as needed. When created, you can also ask Google or Amazon Echo to play it ("Play my holiday music playlist.")
Lighting:
Many smart lights allow you to change colors. Create festive scenes with colors like red and green for Christmas or blue and white for Hanukkah. Use commands like “Alexa, set living room lights to red” or “Hey Google, change kitchen lights to green.”
Use smart plugs for your non-smart holiday decorations. Plug your holiday lights or electric menorah into a smart plug. Control these with voice commands, like “Alexa, turn on the Christmas tree” or “Hey Google, turn off the holiday lights.”
Set up a holiday routine:
Maybe you are having people over. You can prepare ahead of time with a holiday routine which you will teach to your smart home devices. Then with just a word, you can enable your holiday lights, music, thermostat controls and more. Your only limit is the number of smart home devices you have, provided they are all associated with one provider (Google/Amazon/Apple). To set a routine using Alexa:
Open the Alexa App: Make sure you have the latest version of the Alexa app installed on your smartphone or tablet.
Go to the ‘More’ Menu: Open the Alexa app and tap on the ‘More’ option (three horizontal lines) in the lower right corner of the screen.
Select ‘Routines’: In the menu that appears, select ‘Routines’ and then 'Your routines'.
Create a New Routine: Tap the ‘+’ icon in the upper right corner to create a new routine.
Name Your Routine: Choose a name for your routine that is easy to remember. For example, “Good Morning” or “Bedtime”.
Set a Trigger: Tap ‘When this happens’ to choose what will trigger the routine. This can be a voice command, a scheduled time, an alarm, or an event from a smart home device. For a voice command, select ‘Voice’ and enter the phrase you want to use, like “Start my day”.
Add Actions: Tap ‘Add action’ to choose what happens when the routine is triggered. You can add multiple actions to a single routine. Actions can include playing music, controlling smart home devices, reading the news, giving weather updates, and more. For example, you can add actions to turn on the holiday lights, read the weather forecast, and then play your favorite holiday playlist.
Set Device: Choose which device will perform the routine. If you have multiple Alexa devices, select the one where you want the routine to run.
Review and Save: Review your routine to make sure everything is set up as desired. Tap ‘Save’ to store your routine.
Test Your Routine: Test the routine by saying the voice command or waiting for the scheduled time to see if it works as planned.
A step by step guide for setting up routines on Alexa
Controlling smart lights with Alexa
Online charity and donation platforms
Holiday season is a great time to donate to those who are less fortunate. However, it is also a time for scams. Do your homework before donating. Here are some tips from the FTC:
First, search online for the cause you care about — like “hurricane relief” or “homeless kids” — plus phrases like “best charity” or “highly rated charity.” Once you find a specific charity you’re considering giving to, search its name plus “complaint,” “review,” “rating,” “fraud,” or “scam.” If you find bad reviews, it might be best to find another organization.
Check out the charity’s website. Does it give you details about the programs you want to support or how it uses donations? How much of your donation will go directly to support the programs you care about? If you can’t find detailed information about a charity’s mission and programs, be suspicious.
Use one of these organizations that help you research charities:
Find out if the fundraiser and the charity are registered. Some states require that charities register with the state regulator. Check to see if a fundraiser and the charity they’re calling on behalf of are registered with your state’s charity regulator (link takes you to California's site, and yes California does require that the charity register with the state regulator).
Check if the donation will be tax deductible. If this is important to you, confirm that the organization you’re donating to is registered with the IRS as a tax-exempt organization. Look up the organization in the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search.
Before donating, view this short video.
More information from AARP
More information on charity fraud from US Postal Service.
Bonus: 2023 HOliday Happenings: Click on the down arrow
Dec. 7-10
Gaslamp Quarter – Gaslamp Holiday Market drops down on three straight Thursdays beginning Dec. 7, with vendors, light displays and Santa. Head to 5th and Island avenues from 4-9 p.m.
La Jolla – the Valencia Hotel offers a variety of events throughout the holiday season, including marking the start of Hanukkah with Chabad of La Jolla at 5 p.m Dec. 7, free.
Liberty Station – The Chabads of Downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach host a public menorah lighting at the Arts District for the first night of Hanukkah. 5 p.m., Dec. 7, free.
East Village – the Tree Lighting and Holiday Market starts at 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Quartyard; with live music from Elizabeth Bowersox Duo and The Luvalot Band.
Poway – Christmas in the Park features a tree lighting, Santa, train rides, live music, crafts and more at Old Poway Park, 3:30 p.m. Dec. 9, free.
Cardiff/Point Loma/Tijuana – Bach Collegium San Diego’s holiday performance, “Messiah vis a vis El Mesias” – 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cardiff and 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at All Souls Episcopal Church in Point Loma. General admission, $45. The 6 p.m. Dec. 12 show at CECUT in Tijuana is free.
National City – the 15th annual A Kimball Holiday, at 2 p.m. Dec. 9, with performances, a ferris wheel, Santa’s Village and Whoville and car show at Kimball Park. Free.
Liberty Station – the Marine Band – its Big Band, Brass Band and Rock Band – hosts its free Winter Holiday Concert at 5 p.m. Dec. 9 at the North Promenade in Liberty Station.
Del Cerro – Hanukkah Happening at Temple Emanu-El, 3 p.m. Dec. 9 with snow, games, crafts and music. Free.
Del Mar – the 31st annual Red Nose Run, a fun run/5K, takes place at 1 p.m. Dec. 9. Dress up to benefit Semper Fi & America’s Fund and San Dieguito River Park.
Mission Bay – Christmas Boat Parade of Lights with sailboats and other pleasure craft decorated for the holiday season, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 9.
Oceanside – the Harbor Parade of Lights circles the harbor with a wide variety of boats, decorated for the holiday season. 7 p.m. Dec. 9.
North Park – Winter Wonderland returns Dec. 9-10 at North Park Mini Park, with ice skating, artisan market and beer garden. Free, beginning at noon each day.
Mission Bay – at Santa Paws at Paradise Point, take Spot to brunch for a pet picture and create a pet-themed ornament, Dec. 10.
La Jolla – Enjoy crafts, shopping, a costume contest and performance by Jason Mesches at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center’s Hanukkah celebration, at noon Dec. 10, $5 admission.
San Diego Bay – the first of two chances to see the free Port of San Diego Bay Parade, with more than 80 private boats decorated with holiday lights. 5:30 p.m. Dec. 10.
Dec. 15-17
Spring Valley – The Noah Homes again hosts the Enchanted Village, the annual festival of trees (with more than a million lights), in the evenings from Dec. 15-22. Early bird prices, valid through Monday, are $20 for adults, $12 for kids, before going up.
Downtown San Diego – The classic, The Nutcracker, performed by the Golden State Ballet Dec. 15-24 at the San Diego Civic Theatre. Tickets start at $25.
Gaslamp Quarter – Cute pups march in the Gaslamp Pet Parade to show off their best elf and Santa duds. 1 p.m. Dec. 16. Free to watch, $25 to take part. Pups in the Pub party follows.
El Cajon – San Diego Ballet performs The Nutcracker at the Magnolia Theatre Dec. 16. Admission starts at $45; shows start at 1 and 5 p.m.
Embarcadero – The San Diego Symphony, along with San Diego Master Chorale and the San Diego Children’s Choir, present “Noel, Noel” at the Rady Shell, Dec. 15-17, Admission starts at $22.
Liberty Station – Nutcracker Tea Party returns to Liberty Station on Dec. 17, with treats, a performance by San Diego Ballet, Santa and more. Two showtimes, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Admission, $60.
San Diego Bay – second chance at the Port of San Diego Bay Parade. 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17.
Dec. 21-25
Embarcadero – The San Diego Symphony performs live to a screening of the Tim Burton film, The Nightmare Before Christmas at the Rady Shell. Very limited tickets remain, starting at $46 for the 6 p.m. Dec. 23 show.
Mission Bay – the Jingle Belle Family Cruise, by two resorts, the Bahia and the Catamaran; sip on hot cocoa and snack on cookies while singing with carolers, crafting and watching Santa. Afternoon and evening departures, Dec. 21-24, and afternoon only, Christmas Day. $45.
Ongoing during the season
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum – the North Pole Limited, hosted by elves, with special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus. Leaves Campo Depot. Fare starts at $30 for adults, $15 for kids. Through Dec. 16.
Old Globe Theatre – offers two holiday shows – Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show continues through Dec. 24. Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! runs through Dec. 31. Tickets start at $34.
Carlsbad – 1222 Oceanfront: A Black Family Christmas, directed by Kandace Crystal, continues at the New Village Arts Theatre through Dec. 24. General admission, $55.
Pine Valley – Camp Christmas, with a water show, holiday photo opps, winter hay and train rides and a nightly holiday show; Friday through Sunday evenings, through Dec. 23; admission starts at $15 if purchased online.
Gaslamp Quarter – the Pendry San Diego, with Tipsy Elves, known for their special holiday sweaters, hosts “Deck The Halls” at Nason’s Beer Hall through Jan. 1. The goal? To offer the “jolliest, brightest, (most) over-the-top décor.”
Liberty Station – Located in the Central Promenade at the Arts District, the Rady Children’s Ice Rink is in its 27th year. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with some special holiday hours. General admission costs $20.
Hotel del Coronado – Hours for Skating by the Sea vary throughout the season, but the typical schedule is 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. General admission costs $40.
Viejas Outlet Center – Enjoy the ice in Alpine, with shopping too. Open daily from 3 to 10 p.m. General admission costs $22.
Old Town – Cygnet Theatre continues its A Christmas Carol tradition (with music and puppetry too). From Dec. 1-30 (except Mondays and some Tuesdays) with admission starting at $39.
Belmont Park – Winter Wonderland features rides transformed for the holidays, elf face painting and pics with holiday sculptures, through Dec. 31. Miracle at Draft gives the beer emporium a holiday cast. Park ticket packs start at $16 with full-day passes starting at $35.
Hotel del Coronado – options include Skating by the Sea, $40 per session, through Jan. 7; “All That Jazz” light show, free, through Jan. 7, and Jingle Roast, Movies on the Beach and Gingerbread House decorating on select dates.
San Diego Botanic Garden – “Lightscape,” a light show with a mile-long trail of displays through the venue; through Jan. 1. Admission starts at $26.
San Diego Zoo – “Jungle Bells,” opening Dec. 9, has roaming entertainers and a light show, “Aurora” during extended hours, to 8 p.m. Through Jan. 1. Starts at $67.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park – “Wild Holidays,” on weekends and select dates from Saturday through Dec. 31, features a bridge of lights, Safari Park themed tree and choreographed light show. Starts at $67.
Legoland – meet Santa, the Toy Solider and Gingerbread Man and spy the 30-foot tree with over 400 Lego ornaments. Weekends and select dates through Jan. 7. Tickets start at $79.
Coastal Christmas – a fest at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, with 1 million lights and activities including ice skating, ziplining and a holiday market, opens Dec. 14, then on select dates through Dec. 30. Starts at $20.
SeaWorld – features a parade, live shows and displays, including a 30-foot Christmas tree and a music-activated tunnel of lights, through Jan. 7. Starts at $65.
Sesame Place – “Very Furry Christmas,” through Jan. 8, includes a parade, show and dance party, and photos with Sesame Street faves in their holiday finest. Starting at $68.
Some useful links for the holiday season
Good sites for holiday recipes:
Sites for shopping online:
Gift Cards:
How to spend the last dollars of a gift card (Consumer Reports)
How to use the Netflix gift card (Video on YouTube)
Online grocery shopping:
Cheapest ways to order groceries online (Reader's Digest)
Holiday events: