2022 July eBytes
New Desktop Video Camera by Tom Kreuzer
Message/Text from Your Desktop/Laptop by Tom Kreuzer
How Long Will Microsoft Support Windows 10?
Charging Your Phone Overnight: Battery Myths Debunked
Alexa Together: How to Remotely Care for Family Members With an Echo Device
The Best Free Software to Download Now
How to clear the cache on your iPhone (and why you should)
Read the Charter Issue of PC Magazine From 1982
Get Moving: How to Make Your Windows PC Boot Faster
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New Desktop Video Camera by Tom Kreuzer
For the last ten years I have been using an old low quality video camera on my desktop PC that I got at a garage sale for $2. The image was Ok at 720p and the mike was good. About six months ago I saw a 1080p for $19 at Menards that I bought. When I got it home I found the mike was on a ¼ plug (not on the USB with the camera) and the sound was like I was inside a cave. I returned the camera and forgot about it till I saw an article from CNet about a good $29 camera from Amazon. It was a Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2 Full HD Wide-Angle USB Webcam with Auto Mute and Noise Cancellation for Video Calls, Improved Dual Built-in Mic, Privacy Lens Cap, Universal Tripod Mount. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0919XGLXH/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00
I got the camera and plugged it in to check the video and mike and it was an improvement from my old camera. Most cameras will look good if you position it correctly at eye level and make sure you have proper lighting. Position a light behind the camera. Never have an windows or lights behind or above you. Make sure your background is not an outside window or brighter than the light on you. You can buy a good ring light if you have problems with lighting.
The video camera on a laptop usually relates to the cost of the laptop. If the laptop is $1000 or more it has a better camera than a $300 laptop.
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Message/Text from Your Desktop/Laptop by Tom Kreuzer
I had been using software from my cell phone plan provider “Republic Wireless” to see and respond to text messages on my desktop until they stopped that service in May of this year. They suggested people switch to Google Messages.
Google Messages for Web allows Android users to message seamlessly between their smartphones and any desktop/laptop/tablet devices. Open the ‘Android messages’ app installed on your smartphone, this is the default messaging client for most recent versions of Android. If you don’t have it, first go to ‘Settings > About Phone > Software Information’ to ensure that your device is up to date. If the update fails to download Android Messages, open the Google Play Store to search for and install it yourself.
On your computer open https://messages.google.com/web. A QR code will appear automatically. On your phone Open Android Messages and select the ‘Settings’ button on the top right, choose more options and select ‘Messages for web’. Then, use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code on the ‘Messages for web’ desktop page. This will pair your phone to the services and your messages should automatically appear.
The interface is very similar to that of the Android app. Select individual messages to view their contents and type into the text box beneath to reply. The service will only work while your phone is switched on and connected to the internet. Choose to enable ‘Remember this computer’ if you do not want to scan each time.
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How Long Will Microsoft Support Windows 10?
Windows 10 won't go away until Oct 2025, but the fine print says you must keep your PC up to date in other ways to avoid being cut off from support.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/how-long-will-microsoft-support-windows-10
Note from Tom Kreuzer - Windows 7 is not supported by Microsoft and should not be used. Windows 8 support ends January 2023.
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Charging Your Phone Overnight: Battery Myths Debunked
Is it bad—or even dangerous—to leave a smartphone plugged in as you sleep? The answer is complicated, as are many things regarding batteries.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/charging-your-phone-overnight-battery-myths-debunked
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Alexa Together: How to Remotely Care for Family Members With an Echo Device
Alexa Together can help you support and check on family members to make sure they’re okay.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/alexa-together-remote-caregiving-echo-device
From Tom Kreuzer PCC Board Member - I used the service while it was free, but determined I did not need it. I have a Father who is 95 in independent living. I have an Amazon Show 5” that I can “Drop In” and view/hear in his living room at any time without him having to do anything. Permission needs to be setup to allow Drop In between devices. I have Dot in his bedroom, so anywhere in the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, or living room he can say an Alexa command. If he says “Alexa Call for Help” from anywhere in his apartment it will send a text message to my phone “EMERGENCY ALERT: John Kreuzer or someone in their home asked for help…” and also call my phone, announce the same message, and allow me to talk with anyone in the apartment. To use this function, add your phone number to the Emergency Contact of the person who needs help. I also added a Wyze camera, $30, to his living room. This allows me at any time to view the entire living room and also to send alerts to me when it detects a person moving in a defined area of the apartment. This way the alerts let me know when he fixes breakfast, anyone visits, and when he goes to bed. My Dad like it, I like it, and provides a low cost solution to remotely care for someone. It is not perfect, but has been working good for me.
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The Best Free Software to Download Now
You want powerful software? You don't have to pay for it. Everything you need to be productive and secure on your PC is on this list, and it's all totally free.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-free-software
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How to clear the cache on your iPhone (and why you should)
Cache and cookies can actually slow down your browser, clogging up your browser's performance.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-clear-cache-on-iphone-and-why-you-should
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Read the Charter Issue of PC Magazine From 1982
Four decades ago, no one knew exactly where technology would take us. We just knew the IBM PC was here to change everything.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/read-the-charter-issue-of-pc-magazine-from-1982
Spec Showdown: The Original IBM 5150 vs. Today's PCs - Just for kicks, let's compare the specs of the 1981-vintage computer that inspired the birth of PC Magazine to some modern-day desktops.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/spec-showdown-the-original-ibm-pc-vs-a-lenovo-thinkcentre-aio
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Get Moving: 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
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Links - News, Tips, & Downloads
Alexa, Show Me the Best Amazon Echo Show Tips and Tricks - Amazon's Echo Show devices, which include touch screens in addition to their speakers, have their own special features. These tricks will help you make the most of Amazon's smart displays.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/amazon-echo-show-tips-and-tricks
Need a Second Phone Number? How to Get Started With Google Voice - The Google Voice service gives you a free phone number to use for phone calls, text messages, and voicemail on your mobile phone or your computer.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/google-voice-tips-get-started
Family Tech Support: How to Set Up an Amazon Echo for Someone Else - Live too far away for a tech support housecall? Here's how to set up an Echo for someone outside your household and ship it to them so it's ready to go out of the box.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/set-up-an-amazon-echo-for-someone-else
How to Turn Your Phone Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot - Is your home internet down? Need to connect your laptop on the go? With a few taps, you can turn your smartphone into a source for internet that laptops, tablets, and other phones can use.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-turn-your-phone-into-a-wi-fi-hotspot
What Is USB-C? An Explainer - With so many devices now featuring the interface, it's clear that the USB Type-C connector is here to stay. Here's why that's a good thing—and how to understand both its subtleties and where it's headed.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/what-is-usb-c-an-explainer
How to stream from your iPhone to your TV - Discover how to easily display your videos and photos from your iPhone straight to your TV.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-stream-from-your-iphone-to-your-tv
Your Router Is Probably in the Wrong Spot - Move it to get faster Wi-Fi. Here's what to know.
How to Block a Number on Your Smartphone - Whether you have an iPhone or Android smartphone, you can block annoying calls and texts.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-block-a-number-on-your-smartphone
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Ask a Question - Send any Tips & Downloads, Ask a Question, For Sale, or articles to: TheMiningPCC@gmail.com
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Q. From a PCC Member - I don't know if this type of backup storage unit will work with my older
computer. It uses USB 3.0, which I don't know if it would match up with my computer? How can I determine what will work with my computer? https://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Portable-External-Hard-Drive/dp/B07CRG7BBH/ref=sr_1_8
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Most devices, like a hard drive, depend on the hardware of the PC for the port connection and the OS it is running for a device driver. This drive will work with any PC that supports USB2 or USB3 and is running Windows 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. You did not list exactly what you have, but almost anything from 2009 and on will work.
A USB3 device is backward compatible with USB2 port, but it will run at the slower USB2 speed and not the USB3 top speed. Many PC today have 3-8 USB ports. Some are USB3 and some are USB2. Check your PC manual to see what you have. Plug in slower devices into the USB2 ports (mice, keyboard, etc.) and use USB3 for devices like hard drives or video cameras to get the fastest speed possible.
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Q. From a PCC Member - I see that 3M has a link to Staples Office Supply. The site has a few desktop computers at discounted pricing. Do you know if buying from the 3M/Staples site would be a good deal? They offer free shipping.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Not sure what desktop you are talking about on the 3M/Staples site. Make sure it comes with Windows 11 since Windows 10 end of life is Oct 2025. Lots of vendors are dumping old PCs. Unless you plan to buying a new PC in 2025 stay away from old PC that can not run Windows 11.
Most places like Walmart, Target, Best Buy and many others provide free shipping for most items over $25. Always check prices from multiple sources before buying to see who has the best price.
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Q. From a PCC Member - I believe the 3M store closed for good on June 6th 2022.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Thanks, I was not aware of the change. Info below from the 3M Retire site on the change of the 3M Store:
3M Employee Sales eStore - As of June 6, 2022, the 3M Employee Sales eStore closed. The Staples Advantage program will offer over 50,000 products and specially negotiated 3M pricing for our employees and retirees. Additionally, we are working on a refreshed online shopping experience for 3M product categories not currently included in the Staples Advantage program.
Information for the Staples Advantage program can be found here:
StaplesAdvantage.com User Guide.pdf
Register for the Staples Advantage program here to use this program.
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Q. From a PCC Member - While using an iPhone (any cell phone) and web streaming with a lightning HMDI adaptor to a monitor, tv, or PC for play, what is preventing the web stream to have a black screen and freeze screens. Is there a compatibility problem?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Usually freezes when streaming video is due to poor cell or WiFi connection. Since most monitors and TV can show 1K video it requires a good (strength and speed) connection. Run a speed check to see what you get, you need at least 5-10 Mb per second down on cell or WiFi. If it is not the connection it usually is the phone is not fast enough or needs more memory. If your monitor or TV supports Apple AirPlay for "Screen Mirroring", use that instead of the cable. If you are streaming TV it is best to not cast at all and load the apps on the TV or a box like Roko.
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