2023 October eBytes
Windows 11 begins (very slowly) rolling out a slew of new features
The Best Video Editing Software for 2023
What are passkeys? The life-changing magic of going passwordless
How to use ChatGPT to do research for papers, presentations, studies, and more
Google extends Chromebook lifespan to ten years
Google Storage Hacks: Here's How to Save Your Money and Space
5 Bad Habits Destroying Your Smartphone
Temu vs. Amazon: Which shopping site is best for your buying needs?
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Windows 11 begins (very slowly) rolling out a slew of new features
Your Windows 11 PC is about to get a new AI Copilot and a bunch of AI-related tweaks to built-in apps, along with some welcome enterprise updates. But be prepared to wait.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-11-begins-very-slowly-rolling-out-a-slew-of-new-features/
https://www.pcmag.com/news/copilot-passkeys-ai-big-windows-11-updates-rolling-out-now
Microsoft's Copilot AI Coming to Windows on Sept. 26 - Copilot lands on Windows 11 as part of an operating system update rolling out on Sept. 26. It will arrive on Bing, Edge, and Microsoft 365 Copilot in the fall.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsofts-copilot-ai-coming-to-windows-on-sept-26
10 Reasons Windows Is Going in the Wrong Direction - Microsoft is disrespecting its customers with the changes it has made to Windows. As a fan of the OS, I want the company to do better.
https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/windows-is-going-in-the-wrong-direction
The Best Apps in the Windows 11 Store for 2023 - You'll be surprised by how much excellent software is in the Microsoft Store, and the selection keeps growing. These are the best Windows 11 apps, or at least the ones you should install first.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-apps-in-the-windows-11-store
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The Best Video Editing Software for 2023
Whether you're vlogging on YouTube, uploading to TikTok, or working for a movie studio, we break down the top video editing software based on features, capability, and price.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-video-editing-software
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What are passkeys? The life-changing magic of going passwordless
Here's how to take the first steps toward ditching passwords for good.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/passkeys-what-are-they-and-how-to-get-started/
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How to use ChatGPT to do research for papers, presentations, studies, and more
Never spend a second aimlessly scrolling on Google for sources again.
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Google extends Chromebook lifespan to ten years
Chromebooks are useful, but heretofore, Google only supported them for a few years. Going forward, all Chromebooks will have a minimum support lifespan of a decade.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/google-extends-chromebook-lifespan-to-ten-years/
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Google Storage Hacks: Here's How to Save Your Money and Space
Use these Google Drive and Gmail tricks to make some room.
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5 Bad Habits Destroying Your Smartphone
Has your smartphone not been lasting as long as you think it should? Here are five things you are probably doing wrong, and how to fix your bad habits.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/bad-habits-destroying-your-smartphone
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Temu vs. Amazon: Which shopping site is best for your buying needs?
Amazon or Temu? Each e-commerce giant offers millions of items for sale. Our buying guide helps you decide what products -- and when -- you should purchase from one site or the other.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/temu-vs-amazon-which-shopping-site-is-best-for-your-buying-needs/
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Links - News, Tips, & Downloads
Shield Your Internet History: How to Clear Your Cache on Any Browser - Don't let your internet history fall into the wrong hands. 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
Can't Afford Photoshop? Microsoft Paint Finally Gets Layers - The Paint app will also support transparency in images. But for now, the features are only available to beta users with Windows Insider builds.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/cant-afford-photoshop-microsoft-paint-finally-gets-layers
The Best iPhone Apps for 2023 - Your new iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro needs apps, but how do you find the best ones in the packed Apple App Store? We help you decide with 117 our of top picks in 12 key categories.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-iphone-apps
PC on the Fritz? How to Factory Reset a Windows Computer - If your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC is struggling, or you're looking to sell, it could be time to restore the computer to its out-of-the-box settings.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/factory-reset-windows-10
The Best Cheap Phones for 2023 - Looking for a new phone that won't wipe out your bank account? Whether you want a flip phone or a smartphone, we've gathered the best budget-friendly handsets on the market for around $300 or less.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-cheap-phones
Chrome is (obviously) the top browser, but you won't believe what's (a distant) second - Chrome is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the browser world. There is another, down in the number two slot. And then, there are all the rest.
These are the best Android tablets you can buy - For those who prefer the Android ecosystem, the best Android tablets offer excellent display features and storage options.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-android-tablet/
Mac, Windows, Chromebook, and More: How to Take a Screenshot on Any Device - Here's everything you need to know about capturing screenshots, no matter the platform—Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, iPhone, iPad, Android, and even Linux.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-take-a-screenshot-on-any-device
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
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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 - What are Passkeys for security?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. A passkey is a digital credential that is used as an authentication method for a website or application. The passkeys standard is a type of passwordless authentication, promoted by the World Wide Web Consortium and the FIDO Alliance. Passkeys are designed to be more convenient and phishing-resistant than conventional authentication methods. They are normally secured using possession (of the device/phone or security key), and often utilize biometrics as an additional security factor, neither of which require the user to memorize a password. Recently Apple added it to iOS 16. It is intended to replace other security logins like passwords, texts msgs, face, etc. and try to ensure who is logging in. Passkeys can not be used unless the company or site supports it. As time goes by I would predict more support for it.
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Q. From a PCC Member - When I connected to a friend's WiFi they put in a password on my phone. What happens the next time I go there, do they have to enter a password again?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. When you connect to any WiFi it saves the password so that next time it will automatically connect using the password. If you do not want the phone to save the information you can go into your WiFi settings on your phone and select the network and click “Forget”.
A PCC member replied that they usually turn off WiFi when they leave the house and will not be using WiFi to save battery life. Bluetooth can also be turned off if you are not using it to save battery.
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Q. From a PCC Member - Should I be using DuckDuckGo instead of Chrome?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. DuckDuckGo is a browser and search that creates less cookies and tracking. Google Search is the #1 search. Chrome does by default create cookies and track, but I do not have an issue most of the time. If I do not want to be tracked I use the Chrome “New Incognito Window” function from the Settings menu. Microsoft Edge has a similar feature “Private Mode” to hide.
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Q. From a PCC Member - I have lots of data on Microsoft OneDrive and thought I would look at backing that up. It said that it would take almost a day to download the backup. Why is that?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Depending on how much data you have on OneDrive, your internet speed, your hard drive speed, and a couple of other factors that determine the estimated time. I have 1 GB up and down internet, a fast SSD external drive, and it can take an hour or more if you have hundreds of GB of photos and video.
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Q. From a PCC Member - I have a powerpoint slide show of a family reunion and would like to share it with everyone. The file size is too big for casual users to download from something like a dropbox or cloud address. I suggested that many of the older recipients would have familiarity with using a DVD.Do you have any recommendation in the PC world for such software?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. There are many ways to do what you want. I will show how to use PowerPoint Record to create a video file. Then I would recommend the video be uploaded to YouTube where anyone can view it or you can limit it to only select people. YouTube creates a link that can be sent by Text message, eMail, website, or whatever to anyone in the world. Click this link to view the video I made of how to do it in PowerPoint: https://youtu.be/-DfIqRRXmHQ?feature=shared
I gave a PCC presentation on YouTube Sept 20 showing a little how it works.
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Q. From a PCC Member - One of my Legal co-workers accepted 3 boxes of department pictures.
So far I have tried to interest the people in the 201 library without success. Would you have any interest in having a look at these and maybe making some decisions as to miscellaneous department events of the past not being valuable or no one you know would be interested either… There are some historic large 8x10 glossies from the b & w era of early mainframe computers being patted by interested parties. These I think should go to the MN Historical Society to join all the other 3M stuff that 3M couldn’t be bothered to curate.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Please do not lose the boxes, they are of interest to the right people. I would recommend someone digitize the boxes of photos and documents which is easy to do with almost any multi-function printer. Then upload to a site like Google Photo or Amazon Photo and share. Example of 2019 photos what I have done with 3M PCC Club photos each years: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TXfNMLVq3rJv95BX8
Example of 1983 3M PCC eBytes newsletter converted to a PDF file and shared on the 3M PCC web site: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14jrmM4bP6qWNOwBsQTFHm2fOIaNLlT4k/view
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Q. From a PCC Member - I want my laptop or desktop to install updates at night?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. First change your Laptop/desktop Power settings. By default if you are not actively using your device goes to sleep for both the screen and power. If you want updates at night the power must be set Never so it does not shut down. There are also other laptop settings for if you hit the power button or close the lid on the laptop.
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Q. From a PCC Member - How to remove the weather and news info shown on the bottom right taskbar?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. To turn it off do the right click from the Taskbar we were doing and select "New and interests" then select "Turn off".
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Q. From a PCC Member David Peterson In 3M Legal Affairs has three boxes of old 3M IT photos and other info he was given in the hope that he could preserve this history. So far, 3M’s archive, now administered by the technical library staff, is not interested and except for the truly historical b&w patting the mainframe photos, will not be accepted by MN Historical Society.
His ability to hang on to them and continue searching for a willing custodian is threatened by my office being moved and “densified”.
The ideal outcome would be for someone to scan them and post them somewhere so that others can see them. David does not have time to do that so that possibility is open to someone else.
Any ideas or people that might be interested before the boxes are lost?
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Q. From a PCC Member - I’m a iMac Malwarebytes user, every month they send out a newsletter on different topics including cybersecurity threats. Check the site out.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2023/09/password-stealing-chrome-extension-smuggled-on-to-web-store
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Thanks for the info. Personally I recommend Windows users use Malwarebytes only if they think they have a virus. Load it, run it, and uninstall it. For Windows I recommend to use the free Windows Defender or free versions of Norton and McAfee from Xfinity or Centurylink.
CNet review: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-antivirus/
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Q. From a Friend - I spoke with a gentleman yesterday at a senior living building and he told me he couldn’t get into his email account (which is @msn.com) on his Windows PC or on his iPhone. He told me he called Microsoft and they told him he had about 27 viruses from foreign countries. They charged him $588 to remove them and he was able to get his email back. I was surprised by that. I didn’t know that Microsoft charged for such services. Have you ever heard of it? I fear for the vulnerable people in my building and I always try to watch out for them. If you’ve heard of this before, please let me know.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. I called and talked her, it was a scam. Microsoft does not operate that way at all. I asked how it was paid and if it was by Credit Card or Checking they should contact their bank to dispute the charge. Also, be sure to change passwords and make sure your anti-virus is working and up to date.
Friend responds - Nice talking with you today. I was able to tell the people I was telling you about that they had been scammed. They were able to cancel their check. They were using Windows 10. I went to their apartment and changed their passwords, cleared their browser history, restarted their computers, and made sure everything worked properly. They were extremely grateful! I am extremely grateful that you called me so I could help them out. I think we saved them $588!
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