2021 May eBytes
How to tell when it's time to upgrade your router
How to Make Your Windows PC Boot Faster
How to Wirelessly Transfer Photos From Your Phone to Your PC
Laptop vs. Chromebook: Tougher choice than ever
Everything announced at today's big Apple event
Find the best streaming services for you
Give your Android phone a tuneup: 5 simple things that'll make a big difference
Two-Factor Authentication: Who Has It and How to Set It Up
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to tell when it's time to upgrade your router
Here's how to get the most out of your next upgrade if the time has indeed come.
https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/how-to-tell-when-its-time-to-upgrade-your-router
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Make Your Windows PC Boot Faster
Does Windows take a long time to boot up? Here are a few things you can do to make the startup process on your computer a little quicker.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-make-your-windows-pc-boot-faster
How to Tune Up Your Windows 10 PC for Free - There are only three unavoidable things in life: death, taxes, and a Windows 10 PC that eventually runs slowly. Kick the operating system back into high gear with these useful tips that won't cost you a dime.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-tune-up-your-windows-10-pc
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Wirelessly Transfer Photos From Your Phone to Your PC
You can transfer photos from an Android phone to your Windows 10 PC with the Your Phone app. iPhone users have to rely on third-party options.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-wirelessly-transfer-photos-from-your-phone-to-your-pc
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laptop vs. Chromebook: Tougher choice than ever
Chromebooks have gotten a lot of attention with kids schooling remotely during the pandemic. But the truth is that Chromebooks keep getting better and are the best choice for more and more people.
https://www.cnet.com/news/best-chromebook
Why Chromebooks are now my go-to recommendation for most laptop buyers - Commentary: They do almost everything you want, but cost less.
https://www.cnet.com/news/chromebooks-are-now-my-go-to-recommendation-for-most-people-heres-why
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Everything announced at today's big Apple event
There was tons of Apple news at the Spring Loaded unveiling.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Find the best streaming services for you
Many of the best new TV shows and movies are going straight to streaming services. But which ones are worth the money and which ones can you skip?
https://www.cnet.com/news/best-streaming-service
Streaming services ranked by content, features and value - Find out how Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max and others stack up.
https://www.cnet.com/news/best-live-tv-streaming
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Give your Android phone a tuneup: 5 simple things that'll make a big difference
Make your Android phone feel fresh and snappy again by following our tips.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two-Factor Authentication: Who Has It and How to Set It Up
Don't let scammers get their hands on your sensitive information. Here's how to secure your online accounts—from Amazon and Google to Twitter and WhatsApp—with two-factor authentication (2FA).
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/two-factor-authentication-who-has-it-and-how-to-set-it-up
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Links - News, Tips, & Downloads
Shine Up Chrome: The Best Free Google Browser Extensions - Extensions let you customize your web-browsing experience by adding functionality with the click of a mouse. These are the best free add-ons for Google's Chrome browser in 9 key categories.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-100-best-free-google-chrome-extensions
How to Clean Your Laptop the Right Way - Gunk happens! Here's how to clean up your laptop's act—from the top bezel to the bottom fan—without inflicting harm. (It's easy, and you can use products you have around the house.)
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-clean-your-laptop-the-right-way
How to Recycle Your Electronics - Need to dispose of an old printer, PC, or phone? Do your part by donating your old tech or getting rid of it in an environmentally safe way.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-recycle-your-technology
11 Uses for Your Old Smartphone - Don't let that old smartphone gather dust in a drawer or kill the environment in a landfill. In just a few steps, you can re-purpose it as a security camera, alarm clock, science experiment, and more.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/uses-for-your-old-smartphone
Hidden iPhone Tips and Tricks That Will Make You an iOS Expert - Apple's iOS is a pretty user-friendly mobile operating system, but there's plenty of hidden power under the hood. These tips will help you become a true iPhone guru.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/iphone-tips-tricks-ios-secret-expert
How to Clear Your Cache on Any Browser - Don't let your internet history fall into the wrong hands. It's not always a straightforward process, but it's a good idea to delete your browser history and internet cache on occasion. Here's how to do it on the desktop and mobile.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-clear-your-cache-on-any-browser
10 Gmail tricks you'll use every day - Check out these Gmail tips for accessing multiple inboxes, adding a signature, recalling an email and more.
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/10-gmail-tricks-youll-use-every-day
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ask a Question - Send any Tips & Downloads, Ask a Question, For Sale, or articles to: TheMiningPCC@gmail.com
Q. From a PCC Member - COVID Vaccine info stored on phone what should I do?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Take a photo and store on phone. If you want a paper version, make a copy of the original. Keep the original in a safe place at home. Do not laminate the original because it may cause the inks to run. Also, the original may be used in the future to add your booster shots in the future. As far as a standard app in the US for showing who has a shot, I do not expect the US to agree and put anything in place. You may see an airline like DELTA or a ticket company require using their app to prove your vaccination.
Member suggested using Microsoft OneDrive to store with a password "Personal Vault".
You can use any of the Cloud Storage services like Google Drive to store photos and documents. You can then choose to share with other people or keep it private. The password manager BitWarden also has a vault to save things like this or passport and credit card images.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. From a PCC Member - What are the main difference between the major virtual meeting programs?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Each has a different set of features, there is not one that is best. We did talk about them in the March 2020 meeting that you can find the video and handout out in the Past Meeting page.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. From a PCC Member - I have attended Microsoft Team Meetings, on my computer, when I log on to the computer, a pop up comes up requesting me to sign up for my organization to use teams? Can you initiate a team meeting without having an account?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. If you have a link to a Teams meeting you do not need to create an account to attend. You can attend as a Guest. If you want to start a Teams meeting you need to create an account. Teams is a tool for organization like 3M for employees to collaborate with each other. It can work for people at home, but you will find Skype a better tool for most home users who want to talk with other people.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. From a PCC Member - If I have Microsoft 365 subscription, do I have access for Skype and Teams?...would I use my Microsoft outlook account to set up Skype or Teams accounts?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. You do not need Microsoft 365 subscription to create a Skype or Teams account. Anyone can. An outlook account is best to use, but you can create an account with a Gmail account. Since it is free to create an outlook account, I suggest people do that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. From a PCC Member - I have not been able to connect my smartphone to my 2019 Dodge used car that uses UConnect?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. You read your user manual for the car. Go online if you do not have one. I did a Google search and found the following site where you can update your Uconnect software and has videos of some of the features. https://www.driveuconnect.com/support/dodge.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. From a PCC Member - I want to load Adobe DC to my laptop, it asks if I want to install two other McAfee things and an Adobe extension from Chrome. Are those 3 other apps/programs good things to download also?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Since you should already have an anti-virus, I would not install the 2 McAfee options. They will slow down your PC, not really providing more security, and most likely prompt to sell more McAfee products. The 3rd option is a Adobe plugin extension for Chrome. If you open PDF files from web sites in Chrome this can open them inside Chrome as a tab instead of opening them outside of Chrome in a separate window. Up to you, I use the Chrome extension.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. From a PCC Member - Sorry for the distractions in the MacSIG this morning with not able to hear anything. As I suspected, it was the headset. I now know much more about how to set the audio in Zoom, and on my computer for that matter. Contrary to the online instructions on Zoom settings where it says setting are in the upper right hand corner, it is set by clicking the microphone dropdown in the lower left hand corner.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Glad you found it. It is different depending on the device and how you connect (Browser or Software/App). Most people have multiple devices, so you can experiment connecting between your devices to learn how to use Zoom. The settings can be gotten at from multiple places. On my PC I can get to them from five different spots depending on if I am in a meeting or not. Be aware that whenever you plug in or add a new audio out, mike, or camera you need to see what Zoom is using, it usually defaults to whatever was last added or connected.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. From a PCC Member - What would you recommend for a multifunction color printer. Would be nice to have fax capability for the long term however could get by without. Would rather pay more and get something of good quality. It is for my daughter who is in grad school. She has a macbook pro.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. I have attached the handout from the Jan 2019 Meeting on "How to choose a Printer". You can see the video and slides on the PCC website. I usually recommend a B&W Laser for most people like similar to a Canon MF424DW I bought 3 years ago for a little over $200.
If you need good to best color for photos, a tank/bottle inkjet is the best option. If your color needs are low quality business graphics and color text, a color laser is ok.
Most inkjet and lasers are multi-function so they can be used to scan or fax if you have a phone. If you do not have a phone like me, I scan then use online web sites to send faxes of PDFs or images that scanned from the printer. You can also use most smartphones to take photos of your fax documents to fax.
Most printers should be connected to your home WiFi so you can print from any device.
*************************
From Mike Griffen - Regarding photo printers, many of those not only have five or six color ink jet cartridges, but will typically handle thicker paper stock / photopaper as well. My main printer is an older Epson Expression XP-950. It has a separate tray for photo paper, and a separate tray for CD printing. It prints, scans to memory card or remote computer. It acts like a copier. It has built in wi-fi and USB connectivity. It lets you use standard or high capacity cartridges. It cost about $200 at the time.
So, I mentioned all of that to say it pays to do your homework. If you don’t need all those features, you can get multi-function printers for $70.
The tank printers are a good idea, you pay a little more for the printer in exchange for lower printer costs. They are currently geared more towards office use, but not so much multi-media use - which is one of my interests.
I do think it is wise to get a printer that has WiFi connectivity.
***********************
My son has several hundreds of dollars he can redeem at best buy so that is where I will purchase. I noted that a lot of the low to mid priced multi-function printers on the best buy website are out of stock. My theory is with all the people now working from home there has been a run on home printers. Here is my leading candidate at this time. Best Buy will match the $329.99 price at Amazon.
Looks good. One of the sites I trust for unbiased reviews is PC Mag: https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/canon-pixma-g7020-megatank-all-in-one and they like it.
The main complaint that I can see and PC lists as the only Con is that the screen is small and not a touch screen which makes user interaction and messages a little harder to work with. I find my Canon 5" touch screen easy to make copies, scan, change paper, feed envelopes, and many other changes. You will be able to do everything, just not as easy.
I did purchase the G7020 with a Best Buy price match. The printer is in short supply and required ordering with a 10 day delivery as it was out of stock in all Minnesota stores.
It is also backordered on most major websites, including Canon. The Best Buy people in the store raved at the product. Thanks for the input.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. From a PCC Member - Now that I have a new PC working to my satisfaction, it’s time to get back to spring cleaning, which includes disposing of 3 laptops that I believe are ~ 2015 models (HPs and Acer) that no one is using any longer. Might you have any words of wisdom as to what should be done to get them ready for disposal - recycling or an alternative future? I am primarily concerned with wiping any personal information from them before final disposal. We also have a Galaxy S6 phone that is dead and will no longer operate. Any thoughts on how to dispose of such an item?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. I just updated some info out on the PCC site: https://sites.google.com/site/theminingpcc/deals under "Device Donations to Charity or Recycle". It lists a number of options and tips on how to clean and reset. Personally I have taken several old Windows 7 laptops and turned them into Linux laptops and given to people at a local Nursing Home. Depending on CPU, memory, and hard drive, they can work fine for simple Internet access. If the phone does not work, take out any SIM or SD cards. I would drill holes in it and then recycle with Best Buy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. I received the following email
Subject: Re: Bonnie Borchard
On Mon, Apr 12, 2021, 12:16 PM Bonnie Borchard <bonnieborchard@comcast.net> wrote:
Greetings,
Please I need you to do me a favor. Please reply when you get this.
Thanks
Bonnie
**********************************
I replied: What do you need?
**********************************
An email came back: Nice to hear from you, I'm sorry I'm unavailable over the phone as I forgot my cell phone at home, I'm only here with my iPad. I just need to get a Walmart gift cards for a Cancer patient It's her birthday I promised her a gift card, but I can't do this now because currently I'm traveling to Elizabeth islands. Can you get it from any store around you? I'll pay back as soon as possible. Kindly let me know if you can handle this, so I can tell you the amount and how to get it to me. Thanks Bonnie
**********************************
I replied: 1 billion dollars in Bitcoin is on its way to you please pay me back with 1 billion in Gold.
**********************************
I never did get the 1 billion in Gold. Bonnie Borchard has an eMail @comcast.net, this email was from BonnieBorchard@hotmail.com. A scammer had created the new email in an attempt to fool people. Keep your eyes open, lots of scams out there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. From a PCC Member – Is my Xfinity creating a public WiFi for people to use?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Yes, by default most Xfinity routers create a public WiFi in addition your home WiFi. Sounds like you may have the Xfinity Gateway "Modem/Router" and then a Netgear Router plugged into it? If so you have to make sure which router you want to change if you connect by WiFi. If you connect a laptop by Ethernet you know exactly what you are connected to. If you are not using the Xfinity Gateway WiFi you can turn it off so it does not interfere and slow down your Netgear. Link to general info to change settings: https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-access-your-wi-fi-routers-settings