2024 February eBytes
Freshly Updated: Our Comprehensive Windows 11 Review
The best live TV streaming services for cord cutters
How to create a passkey for your Google account (and why you should)
Update your iPhone and turn on Stolen Device Protection ASAP. Here's why
I revived three ancient computers with ChromeOS Flex, and you can too
What Google Chrome's incognito mode really does (and doesn't do) for you
The Best of CES 2024
How to Lock Down Your Microsoft Word Documents and Excel Spreadsheets
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Freshly Updated: Our Comprehensive Windows 11 Review
A radically modernized, more consistent design for Windows 11 belies what is really more of an evolutionary update to the world's most popular desktop operating system. But Copilot, a generative AI tool added in the 2023 update, takes it to the next level.
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/microsoft-windows-11
The Best Apps in the Windows 11 Store for 2024 - 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 live TV streaming services for cord cutters
The best live TV streaming services let you watch your favorite shows, news, and sports in real time. Here's how to choose between Sling TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, YouTubeTV, and more.
https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/home-entertainment/best-live-tv-streaming-service/
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How to create a passkey for your Google account (and why you should)
The old process of verifying your Google account login has been deprecated in favor of a new, more secure method. Here's what it is and how you use it.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-create-a-passkey-for-your-google-account/
Passkeys: What They Are and Why You Need Them ASAP - We tell you what passkeys are, how you can get them, and where you can use them to log in securely without exposing your email address or creating a password.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/passwordless-authentication-what-it-is-and-why-you-need-it-asap
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Update your iPhone and turn on Stolen Device Protection ASAP. Here's why
Apple just released iOS 17.3 with an important new security feature.
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I revived three ancient computers with ChromeOS Flex, and you can too
Don't throw out your old PC; breathe new life into it with the sustainable and accessible Linux for everyone. It's easier than you think.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-revived-three-ancient-computers-with-chromeos-flex-and-you-can-too/
Linux Mint 21.3 is here - and it's outstanding - The latest Linux Mint update is an excellent Linux desktop for many reasons.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-mint-21-3-is-here-and-this-is-why-its-outstanding/
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What Google Chrome's incognito mode really does (and doesn't do) for you
Don't be fooled. You're not actually incognito when using incognito mode.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-google-chromes-incognito-mode-really-does-and-doesnt-do-for-you/
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The Best of CES 2024
Among countless new products and technologies at CES this year, these are the ones that will shape the landscape for the next 12 months and beyond.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-best-of-ces-2024
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How to Lock Down Your Microsoft Word Documents and Excel Spreadsheets
Want to protect an important Word document or Excel spreadsheet? Here's how to add a password, make documents read-only, and tap into other tricks to safeguard sensitive files.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-lock-down-microsoft-word-documents-excel-spreadsheets
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Links - News, Tips, & Downloads
How to Remove the Most Annoying Ads From Windows - Microsoft likes to promote its own services in Windows 10 and 11. Tweak these settings to stop the irritating tips, suggestions, and pop-ups.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-remove-most-annoying-ads-from-windows
The Best Laptop Deals for January 2024: Dell, Apple, Asus, and More - Welcome a new year with laptop deals for gamers, creators, and more.
https://www.pcmag.com/deals/the-best-laptop-deals-you-can-snag-now
Friendly Reminder: Clear Your iPhone's Cache - Give your iPhone a fresh start by clearing your browser cache.
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/friendly-reminder-clear-your-iphones-cache/
How to Password Protect a PDF (With and Without Adobe Acrobat) - Don't let your sensitive data fall into the wrong hands. These tools encrypt important PDFs without the need to spend hundreds of dollars on the full Adobe Acrobat program.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-password-protect-a-pdf
Windows 11 Paint has its own AI image generator tool - here's how to use it - Plenty of AI tools will create images based on your descriptions. But every Windows 11 user already has such a tool right at their fingertips - Microsoft's own Paint program.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-use-the-windows-11-paint-app-to-generate-ai-powered-images/
Internet Speed: How Much Do You Really Need? - Trying to pick out the right internet plan for your home? Here's how to get the speed you need without overpaying.
https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/how-much-internet-speed-do-you-really-need/
IRS Free File: How to Submit Your 2024 Taxes for Free - Tax season kicks off today. Here's everything you'll want to know about the IRS program that allows you to file for free.
https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/taxes/irs-free-file-how-to-submit-your-2024-taxes-for-free/
Have 10 hours? IBM will train you in AI fundamentals - for free - I spent my holiday break earning my digital credential in AI from IBM. The last session was my favorite.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/have-10-hours-ibm-will-train-you-in-ai-fundamentals-for-free/
How to Find Your Product Keys for Windows and Microsoft Office - Reinstalling software? Older versions of Windows and Microsoft Office require product keys. Here's how to find them before your PC goes kaput.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-find-product-keys-for-windows-microsoft-office
Best Cell Phone Plans for 2024 - Prices for cell-service plans are rising, perks are disappearing, and the 5G network has thus far underwhelmed. But there still are some appealing cellular plans for consumers who take the time to shop carefully.
https://www.bottomlineinc.com/life/consumer-technology/best-cell-phone-plans-for-2024
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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 - Is there a way to have my browser automatically accept cookies that are strictly necessary - and reject marketing and targeting cookies?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Unfortunately there is no way to tell what a site is using cookies for. All browsers let you clear your chase and cookies, but understand that that deletes all cookies except the sites you may have flagged to not delete. Cookies are used and many sites for many good reasons to save information and login easier. You can use use a Browser like Chrome and when you do not want cookies or tracking, go to the top right 3 vertical dots icon and select “New Incognito window”. In Microsoft Edge it is called “New InPrivate window”.
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Q. From a PCC Member - I am considering moving to Edge now that I can use it on the Windows 10 computers.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. The old Microsoft Internet Explorer was not good and is no longer available since Windows 10. The Microsoft Edge browser is made from the same base public domain code as Chrome and in many tests is faster and uses less memory. It is starting to become more popular. It can also run the same browser extensions as Chrome and is available on Windows, Android, and Apple iOS devices.
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Q. From a PCC Member - I have used Quicken extensively since 2004. If I do not renew Quicken at the end of the year will my data go away? Also recently it has been downloading incorrect data? Any other finance programs you can recommend?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Intuit sold off Quicken many years ago and went to a yearly subscription fee. If you do not renew, you can continue to use the current version you have and it can not download new data from your banks or stock prices. The security and code needed to download transactions from banks is always changing and causes download to not work. It can take up to a couple of months for a company like Quicken to make changes. Intuit is stopping the Mint website. I have presented at a past PCC meeting on GNUCash that I exported my data from Quicken and have been using for a number of years. The software is free. It does not have all the Quicken features, but it is the best that I have found.
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Q. From a PCC Member - What password manager do you currently recommend?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. BitWarden. The Feb PCC will be on passwords or check in the past meetings for past presentations. BitWarden can generate new passwords for you. The basic version is free on all devices.
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Q. From a PCC Member - I have been getting scam eMail that I have won. I put them in spam and block the user, but I usually keep getting more. Is there more I can do.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Most scams use different emails each time so blocking should be done, but you can still get scam emails from other emails. If you truly want to not see them you can create in most email systems a filter to move all emails that contain certain words in the Subject and/or body. You also never, never, never want to open, read, or preview a scam email. This sends a message back to the scammer that your email is being read and is sold to other scammers. Turn off read or preview so you are not opening everything.
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Q. From a PCC Member - Maybe you have some ideas. I monitor my WiFi Speed every day. The speeds on the left side below, show my laptop on WiFi for the last few days. The speeds on the right are my 5G Android phone on WiFi. My question is why is the speed of my laptop sometimes high and sometimes slow. I tried restarting the WiFi router but that didn't make any difference. Then I tried restarting the computer and neither of those seem to bring the higher speed back.
down up down up
186.8 11.1 387 11.5
140.7 11.4 563 11.9
041.6 03.6 541 26.3
040.4 11.4 476 11.7
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Many factors affect speed, some on your devices in the home and some outside your house. Without running “Task Manager” on the laptop, I would bet the laptop was busy running other updates or services in Windows. The major difference between the laptop and phone would be the CPU speed, modem standard (802.11n, ax, etc.), and other software apps running.
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Q. From a PCC Member - Venmo and other payment app theft is ‘skyrocketing,’ Manhattan DA warns. However, much of the fraud was caused by users' own bad behavior such as being drunk, or in bars, or giving their phone to others. Still sad that banks won't refund fraudulent Zelle transactions. But I don't know anyone that has experienced a fraudulent Zelle transfer. My wife told me to remove the Wells Fargo app from my phone, for this reason. I did for a while, but have put it back.
Https://finance.yahoo.com/news/venmo-other-payment-app-theft-121336337.html
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. You are correct that bad behavior contributes to the problem. In 2022 only 50% of cell phone users used login security and timeout features to lock their phones. Back in 2020 there were a series of crimes in downtown Minneapolis bus stops where the thieves would steal phones from victims who had unlocked and were using their phones. Immediately they would open cash apps and drain them. The cash apps are not a bank or credit card company and so have no refund policy. When a user accepts the terms of service for the apps they have no rights. If they did have a refund policy, I could easily steal money from my own account, transfer it to another account like a crypto currency account and claim a refund. Many accounts today can not be traced and have no proof of who owns the account the cash was sent to. For a secure, traceable, and refundable transaction users should use these apps and instead go from one one bank account to another with no 3rd party in the middle.
I have my Wells Fargo, US-Bank, Fidelity, and more on my phone. I have security to unlock and to open the app and no fear that anyone will get into any of them. At the February 21th PCC meeting I will talk on passwords and the new replacement passkeys that give even greater protection. Passkeys are built into all devices and OSs, it will take a little time for sites and apps to add the option. Myself and everyone in the industry recommends people start using passkeys today. Passkeys can not stop bad behavior, but will stop remote hackers and password breaches.
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Q. From a PCC Member - would like to know how to set up Google Sites. Since the pandemic I have been promoting the Google Sheet for my Tartan Niners and the AZ golf leagues and now I would like to take it to the next step.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. I last did a presentation in Feb 2012 on Google Sites and have attached the handout. Most of the info is still valid. We have not had much interest from members on the topic, so it is unlikely to be a presentation again. Creating a site is as easy as creating a word document using the Google tool. Since it is free you can try several templates and find something that works for what you are looking for. If you have questions on Google Sites let me know. The PCC web site uses Google. It is a basic website creator and does not have advanced features some services provide. YouTube has a number of videos on Sites and a Google Search is a good resource. Let me know any questions
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Q. From a PCC Member -I was helping a 94 year old upgrad her laptop to Windows 10. That was good, however, when we went to log into her laptop, the Windows welcome screen asked for her password. Well, she didn’t know it. We signed into Microsoft and got her password reset so that was good. But, we can’t get past the Windows welcome screen.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. When Win 10 was installed, a user has the option to register Win 10 using a network Microsoft account and password or use a local password to secure the PC. Looks like the upgrade was installed to use the local password option. That is why her network password is not working for the password. If it was using the Microsoft account and password you should have seen a link for "Forgot password" and other options. If you do not know the local password you may have to reset the PC and that would lose any settings or data the user has. Win 10 is trying to protect a hacker from logging in and seeing a user data. Only the correct local password will let you in. Not sure if these tips will work: https://softwarekeep.com/help-center/how-to-fix-windows-10-login-problems
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Q. From a friend of mine - I would call you but I can't. My Iphone won't display this morning. I had it charging and I think it has power because I can feel it vibrate, but there is no display. I've been following the processes that I found online, but I'm hoping I don't have to go to Xfinity to get a new Iphone especially on a Sunday. I'm wondering if it had to do with the latest Update. I know I was due a download of their latest update. Maybe it downloaded and now I have problems?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. This is a common problem where the device is not responding and needs to be forced rebooted. This is not a virus or other problem. Follow the directions for the version you have depending on the phone. iOS 17 and iOS 16 are the same:
https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/force-restart-iphone-iph8903c3ee6
This will start your phone 99.9999% and you will be back. After several tries it worked for him. You must follow the direction exactly for it to reboot.
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