2023 June eBytes
Don’t Tell ChatGPT Anything You Wouldn’t Want to See on a Billboard
10 Big Reasons Not to Upgrade to Windows 11
This $180 Android tablet is capable of things my iPad Pro can only dream of
Sick of Microsoft? How to Make the Switch From Windows to Linux
How to Make Sure iCloud Is Backing Up, Syncing Your Data
Watch Out, TurboTax: IRS to Test Free, Online Tax-Filing System
Minnesota Governor Signs Sweeping Right-to-Repair Bill Into Law
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Don’t Tell ChatGPT Anything You Wouldn’t Want to See on a Billboard
Chatting with an AI program feels personal and conversational, but don’t be fooled. Here's why you should keep a lid on what you reveal to ChatGPT and its ilk.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/dont-tell-chatgpt-anything-you-wouldnt-want-on-a-billboard
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10 Big Reasons Not to Upgrade to Windows 11
If you don't want to buy a new computer or give up an efficient interface that you love, then don't upgrade to Windows 11. Windows 10 does everything just as well, and in some cases even better.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/10-reasons-not-to-upgrade-to-windows-11
Microsoft: Sorry, But No More Feature Updates for Windows 10 - Last year's release of version 22H2 for the OS 'will be the final version of Windows 10,' Microsoft says. That means you'll need to get Windows 11 for major enhancements.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-sorry-but-no-more-feature-updates-for-windows-10
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This $180 Android tablet is capable of things my iPad Pro can only dream of
Want a cheap, large-screen tablet that can take a hit? This one from Oukitel is worth a look.
The best Android tablets: Forget the iPad - If you prefer the Android ecosystem, the best Android tablets offer excellent display features and storage options. My top picks include tablets from Samsung, Amazon, and Google.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-android-tablet
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Sick of Microsoft? How to Make the Switch From Windows to Linux
If you are done with Windows 10 or don't want to upgrade to Windows 11, you can install Linux instead. Here's how to make the switch to an open-source operating system and install apps.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-make-the-switch-from-windows-to-linux
Ubuntu Cinnamon makes switching from Windows to Linux as painless as possible - Ubuntu Cinnamon is an official spin of the open-source desktop operating system that makes Linux immediately familiar to any user or skill level.
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How to Make Sure iCloud Is Backing Up, Syncing Your Data
If you've felt the pain of losing all the photos, videos, and documents saved on your iPhone, or want to avoid it, iCloud is your friend. Here's how to make sure everything's set up and syncing.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-make-sure-icloud-is-backing-up-syncing-your-data
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Watch Out, TurboTax: IRS to Test Free, Online Tax-Filing System
The IRS will offer the prototype online tax-filing system to a small group of users next year, according to The Washington Post.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/watch-out-turbotax-irs-to-test-free-online-tax-filing-system
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Minnesota Governor Signs Sweeping Right-to-Repair Bill Into Law
Starting next year, electronics manufacturers must provide Minnesotans and independent repair shops with the tools and parts needed to fix broken devices.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/minnesota-governor-signs-sweeping-right-to-repair-bill-into-law
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Links - News, Tips, & Downloads
Best Phone Under $500 for 2023: New Features at Lower Prices - Our latest best phone under $500 is so close to its more expensive sibling, there's no reason to spend more for it.
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/best-phone-under-500
12 Simple Tips to Speed Up Windows - Make your Windows 11 (or Windows 10) PC run faster without compromising its interface or functionality.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/12-tips-to-speed-up-windows-10-windows-11
How to use Bitwarden Send (and when you should) - If you have a document or text that contains secret or sensitive information you'd like to keep away from prying eyes but you still need to share it with someone, try Bitwarden Send.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-use-bitwarden-send-and-when-you-should
How to Uninstall Apps on a Mac (and Make Sure Leftover Files Are Deleted) - There are multiple ways to delete apps from your Mac. The method you choose depends on how it was installed in the first place.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/uninstall-delete-apps-from-mac
What Is Deep Learning? - Deep learning is a subset of machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence that configures computers to perform tasks through experience. Here's a deep dive.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/what-is-deep-learning
25 iPhone Apps Worth Paying For - You spend $4 on a coffee; what's a few bucks for an app you'll love a lot longer?
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/26-ios-apps-worth-paying-for
Our Top 100 Budget Buys: Affordable, Tested Tech That's Actually Worth It - Our experts review more than 1,500 technology products each year. Our mega-guide, updated monthly, scopes out the very best cost-conscious products across 15 key categories.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-pcmag-cheap-100-affordable-tested-tech-actually-worth-buying
Don't Let Google Manage Your Passwords - Experts tell us that relying on Google Chrome (or any browser) to manage your online passwords is a seriously bad idea. Here's why.
https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/warning-dont-let-google-manage-your-passwords
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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 - Having some trouble with selecting text using my mouse. Sometimes does not continue to select when I hold down the mouse button.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. You can hold down the Shift key for continuous selection or Cntl for non continuous. If it is a wireless mouse it could have a weak battery, bad button, or lose the wireless connection. That would cause the computer to think you are no longer holding down the selection.
Most people do not use or know about the Windows Clipboard Manager that you can use at any time by using the speedkey "Windows key + V". This allows you to put multiple selections into the clipboard and get them out at any time.
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Q. From a PCC Member - I recently inherited an old Windows XP pc that I want to use as a digital photo frame. What is the best way to scan the hard drive of this old pc for any viruses, before I start plugging my USB drive into it to load up my photos? As a side note, I don't ever plan on having this pc on the internet, but I'm sure it has been in the past before I received it.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Looks like AVG still has a download that you could use: https://www.avg.com/en-us/windows-xp-antivirus#pc
Personally I would not worry about scanning XP. I would just be sure any PC you use the USB should be scanning so you have that protection. Good not to connect XP to the Internet because it could be hacked or held for ransom.
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Q. From a PCC Member - I’ve been reading and hearing some hype about shredding flight boarding passes. They’re saying there’s personal information in the barcode that someone can use to get into your account. But there’s a Snopes article from 2016 that says the only information is your name and frequent flier number and it would take a lot of work for someone to get into your account. I got an app that will read the QR and I don’t see anything very personal other than that. Before your flight is over someone could easily make changes. But after the flight is done I don’t see how anyone can get into your account if they don’t know your password or answers to security questions. So I wanted to ask what are your thoughts on that?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. A barcode translates to a single number so it has no meaning unless a hacker can get into the airline website and database using an airline account and password. Nothing to worry about shredding a ticket. A QR code can contain a little info and usually a line to a web site or service. If a hacker has an account and password that gets them into the airline website and database they do not need your boarding pass number, they could get at all the data or every person and every flight.
Member replies - Where this is coming from is articles like this one where an “expert” is quoted as saying, “...people don’t realize that all your personal information is encoded right there.” But the truth is it does not have all your personal information. It seems like they’re generating fear from something that isn’t completely true. Most people will take it at face value, whereas someone skeptical like me will look into it deeper. The Snopes article says what’s in the boarding pass information isn’t enough to do any harm. And that agrees with what I see using the QR Code reader app. Someone would need to do a lot more work, like searching social media, to piece together more information before they could hack your account. It just irks me when people hear things like this and get all worried. I have friends who now are even worried that they have to shred the airline's bag-tag on their checked bags because they “heard” that the 1-D barcode on it has personal information. Anyway, I just wanted to hear your thoughts in case I was missing something.
Tom replies - You are correct. I also see many people talking about things they do not know. Most people who worry about info like this are the same people who do not protect their passwords. Everyone must use a Password Manager, make all passwords strong, change them frequently, and never use the same password for multiple accounts.
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Q. From a PCC Member - How do we know when it is time to buy a new cell phone? My wife and I both have Motorola Moto G phones, probably 5-7 years old. They both work OK.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. If it is 5-7 years old you do need a new phone. Below are the main reasons to upgrade that I have seen:
1) Something broken like a screen or button not working
2) Battery not holding change like when new (Usually get about 1000 charges max)
3) OS no longer updated to new versions or security patches (Vendors, even Apple, limit support)
4) Can only get 5G cell data with new phone
5) Need more memory to store photos, videos, and apps
6) Better camera (Photo megapixel and video 4K 8K)
7) Newer/faster/more secure WiFi standard supported
8) Other - better screen, faster CPU, Google Pay support, wireless charge, more waterproof
Member replies - Do you have any recommendations for Android phones in the $500 or less range?
Tom replies - Depends on the features you want, like I list below (5G , camera, memory, battery, etc.). Couple of links below:
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-phones-for-seniors
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-cheap-phones
Member replies - Wife and I both got Samsung Galaxy A14s fromTarget/Consumer Cellular. It took an hour and a half at Target for the tech to set up and transfer everything! But the new phones are great. We use them at our place near Sandstone, where the signal is very weak. New phones rapidly bring in email and the on- line St Paul paper. And very good battery life.
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Q. From a PCC Member - When I am on my Asus laptop it suddenly goes off of the internet connection. The Asus laptop does not go back onto the modem even though it is directly connected between the laptop and the gateway. My other laptop does not have this problem as it goes back onto the wireless connection when it becomes available (usually momentarily). This has been going on for some time now and my answer is to restart the laptop.
My second question relates to the Asus battery I just changed. The laptop battery light was always blinking red so I ordered a new battery from Amazon and changed it after watching a YouTube video on how to do it. Wondering if I can throw the old battery in the trash?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Your connections issue - A WiFi connection will act differently than a wired Ethernet. WiFi in normal use may be connected, not connected, and then connected again as a person moves in and out of range of the WiFi. So WiFi will automatically reconnect. Ethernet is not expected to be disconnected in normal use. You may be able to manually force a re-connection after it is lost by using the Windows Settings\Network and Internet". Maybe the bigger question is why your modem or router is going down? That is not normal.
Asus battery: Good job on replacing the battery. Do not throw in trash, they contain lots of bad chemicals. Almost any place that recycles computers will recycle it for free. That includes stores like Best Buy, Staples, Batteries Plus store, and your local city recycling where you can drop off electronics.
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