2025 September eBytes
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Hulu Is How Much?! Your Guide to Streaming Service Costs and Price Hikes
10 open-source apps I recommend every Windows user download - for free
I Tried Microsoft’s Take on AI Notes, and Google Should Be Worried
How much RAM does your PC really need in 2025? I did the math for Windows and Mac users
FaceTime on Android and PC? Yes, You Can
Is Age Verification Really Keeping Kids Safe—or Just Risking Your Privacy?
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Hulu Is How Much?! Your Guide to Streaming Service Costs and Price Hikes
Apple TV+ is the latest streaming service to get a price increase, following Peacock, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and more. Here's how we got here and what you can expect to pay.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/your-guide-streaming-service-costs-price-hikes-how-much
Streaming Services Too Expensive? Sling TV's New Passes Start at $4.99 - Ahead of college football season, Sling TV is rolling out daily, weekend, and weekly passes for customers who don't need a full month's subscription.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/streaming-services-too-expensive-sling-tvs-new-passes-start-at-499
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10 open-source apps I recommend every Windows user download - for free
Open-source might not be the first thing you think of with Windows, but these free tools can seriously boost your productivity.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/10-open-source-apps-i-recommend-every-windows-user-download-for-free/
I always install these 5 free apps on every Windows PC - here's why they're essential - For productivity, entertainment, and simply a better user experience, look to these services that don't cost a thing.
The Best Apps in the Windows 11 Store: Unleash Your PC's Potential - The number of excellent apps in the Microsoft Store might surprise you, and the selection continues to grow. These are the best apps to install first.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-apps-in-the-windows-11-store-unleash-your-pcs-potential
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I Tried Microsoft’s Take on AI Notes, and Google Should Be Worried
Copilot Pages makes it easy to find and organize info for your research and study projects. Here’s how to use it and why I think it’s better than Google’s NotebookLM.
https://www.pcmag.com/articles/i-tried-microsofts-take-on-ai-notes-and-google-should-be-worried
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How much RAM does your PC really need in 2025? I did the math for Windows and Mac users
Modern workloads are pushing users to upgrade their RAM - but how much do you really need? Here's what to consider.
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FaceTime on Android and PC? Yes, You Can
No Meet or Teams? This FaceTime trick connects you instantly anyway.
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/facetime-on-android-and-pc-yes-you-can/
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Is Age Verification Really Keeping Kids Safe—or Just Risking Your Privacy?
Age verification just isn’t worth it. The benefits for kids are debatable, and what you’re really giving up is your personal data, which is more valuable than ever.
Welcome to the Era of Online Age Verification. Are You Ready to Identify Yourself? - The introduction of the UK's Online Safety Act marks a shift in internet culture, the ripples of which are already being felt around the world.
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Links - News, Tips, & Downloads
Meta might be secretly scanning your phone's camera roll - how to check and turn it off - Some Facebook users have noticed new settings that let Meta analyze and retain your phone's photos.
Calling All Power Users: 27 Ways to Enhance Windows For Free With Microsoft PowerToys - Need to rename multiple files at once, find your mouse cursor, or quickly mute your audio during a virtual meeting? Microsoft’s free PowerToys utility will give your operating system a boost.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/enhance-windows-10-with-microsoft-powertoys
Put your favorite sites first in Google with this new Search setting - it's easy - Google now lets you choose which sites appear in Top Stories - and you can make ZDNET one of them.
You can delete sent text messages on Android now - here's how - Finally, you can take back that late-night text - before you regret it the next morning.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/you-can-delete-sent-text-messages-on-android-now-heres-how/
7 VPN Myths You Probably Believe—and Why They Can Put You in Danger - VPNs are essential tools in your privacy toolkit, but they don't do everything, and they're not perfect. Don't let these persistent myths fool you into a false sense of security.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/7-dangerous-vpn-myths-you-probably-believe
Forget Email, These Services Let You Send and Receive a Fax Online - If you don't have access to a fax machine, you can send and receive faxes right from your computer or mobile device.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-send-or-receive-a-fax-online
This infamous people search site is back after leaking 3 billion records - how to remove your data from it ASAP - National Public Data is back online. Protect your privacy from it now - and check if other people-search sites have your information.
Google Photos just put all its best editing tools a tap away - here's the shortcut - With Create, you can turn photos into videos, add 3D effects, instantly remix styles, and more.
How to Manage, Sync, and Share Files in Microsoft OneDrive - OneDrive lets you back up and sync your folders and files in the cloud, then share them with friends, family, and colleagues.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/manage-sync-and-share-files-in-microsoft-onedrive
Is AppleCare+ Worth Buying? Apple's Extended Warranty Explained - Apple offers a basic one-year warranty on new devices, but AppleCare+, and the new AppleCare One bundle, takes that protection up a notch—for a fee. Here's what to consider before signing up.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/is-applecare-plus-worth-it-extended-warranty-explained
Could Your Phone Have Malware? Here's What to Look For and How to Remove it - Has your phone been acting up? Here's how to check if malware is to blame, and what to do if you're infected.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-figure-out-if-your-phone-has-malware
The best printers you can buy - I tested the best printers of 2025 to find the fastest, sharpest, and most reliable models.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-printer/
6 Ways to Make Your iPhone Less Annoying - The iPhone offers a highly polished user experience, but iOS has some quirks that you might find irritating. Our quick tips can help you shut down some of the biggest culprits.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/ways-to-make-your-iphone-less-annoying
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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 - During the past ~ 6-12 months, Windows 11 has made me log in much more than I recall having to in the past. While working on my desktop PC, it will also suddenly indicate that Windows has had an issue (I don’t recall exactly the content of Window’s message), and it will shut down and restart.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Sorry to hear you are having problems with Win 11. Win 11 will shut down if it detects an issue that could be hardware, driver, software, or Win 11 OS related.
First step is to see exactly what the issue is. When it fails and you see a message, write down the number and then Google the number to see what it is and what is the fix. Another Win 11 tool is called the "View Reliability History" which logs issues on your computer. It is part of the "Control Panel" in windows. Use the Window Start and Search for "View Reliability History" to open it and see a report log with messages numbers and info.
Info on it: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/view-reliability-history-in-windows-11.5791/
I have had Win 11 on my main desktop for almost four years and leave it on all the time without any problems. It has been very stable for me. One tip you may do is uninstall any Apps you do not use. Less software means less problems and a faster PC.
Desktops will shut down without any messages if the voltage is too low or too high and you will not see any message prior to the restart. A laptop, because of the battery, does not lose power. Make sure all vents are open and clean so a desktop or laptop does not overheat and shut down.
If you do not find any errors, the worst case is to reload Win 11 and start new. Good Luck, Let me know any questions of what error you are getting.
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Q. From a PCC Member - >> I’m looking for a low cost wifi option in our rv park in Stillwater.
>> The park owners have wifi at the office , but it’s limited to about 50 feet around the office. My camper is 100 yards from the office.
>> Some campers have Verizon cables going to their camper, but it’s expensive.
>> We have a limited data cell phone plan with Xfinity currently.
>> I don’t understand wifi enough to know what we can do.
>> Some plans are $130/month after you buy a $300 router…not doing that.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. All depends on how often you use the Internet and what speed you need. If you only connect a couple times a day and do not need speed, just add more Cell Date or get unlimited for your phone. Then when you want to connect to the internet your phone into a Hotspot/Router. That is the cheapest option.
Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T have Home Internet plans (No cables) in limited areas starting at $50 a month if you do not have a Cell Phone from them or like $35 if you do. Xfinity has plans that start at $25 for some locations and new costumes if you sign up for 3 year service. Lots of options, you can just google and see what meets your needs.
WiFi routers cost from $30 to over $1000. It all depends on what a person needs. Mesh Networks cost the most, but provide the best signal to the largest area. I always recommend people not rent modems and routers and buy their own equipment.
The office could get a better router and locate it up high and outside to get max distance. You could also run a 100 ft Ethernet cable from the owner router to your camper. This assumes the owner connection has enough speed to support everyone connected.
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