14 Nov 2024 - It's Random!

Yup, random topics from about the world.

Topics of the Day:

• Worth a look: A 27" UltraHD (3840x2160) Monitor: <link> Was only $200
• Spacex may launch Starship Test 6 this Monday!  <link>
• McMillan's "Is Pluto a Planet?"  <link>
• Is it time to ditch Verizon Wireless?
• For me, it was. $20 increase per month in a year to $100/month for 2 lines
• Switched to MintMobile for $40/month for 2 lines (long term)
• The promo was even better: $8/line for 3 months!  YMMV!
• Very good review of plans by the Wirecutter <link>
• Even AI can do a good job: <link>
• Just ask: “What is the least expensive mobile wireless plan?
• WinDirStat <link> is a great utility to visualize your storage in Windows
  
• Not available for iOS, use "Disk Inventory X" for that
• For Android, look for 'DiskUsage' in the store.
• Don't be caught by the scary phish using NPD data!
• <link> starting on page 3
• Check your records in the NPD breach: <link>
• New Photo Scanner in the Lab <link>
• Works great!
• Bloom's Decision factors for a new PC:  <link>

10 Oct 2024 - the rest of the story

A continuation from last week.

Topics & links of the day

• Space News - Elon wants to launch the StarShip immediately, the FAA doesn't want to rush the license
• PS: The FAA did rush it and the StarShip was launched less than 12 hours after
• Surprise: Megazilla caught the booster flying back to the launch site. No boom.
  
• You asked for it!  Here are pictures from my Colorado/Utah Trip <link>
• Q&A Continued: Apple CarPlay, Lemon8, Win11 Upgrade w/o requirements, Win11 24h2, photos from phone to computer, manage pictures, EICAR
• "Ask Leo" is a great site for computer Q&A: <link>  Worth reading/watching:
  
• You're never too old: https://askleo.com/youre-never-too-old/
  
• Very funny Viking edition of the above: https://askleo.com/thou-art-not-too-old-viking-edition/

3 Oct 2024 - Catch-up, News, Q&A

 Topics & Links of the Day

• Google Maps keeps a history of your travels
• Assuming, of course, you've got a Android you've logged into
• You can turn this off, but I find it handy
• As it did for my trip out West
• Lots of Space News
• SpaceX's "Polaris Dawn" flew <link>
• Lots of firsts: space walk, orbit altitude, private flight, new EVA suits, etc.
• Boeing's Starliner returned, but without its crew
  
• It was "Very Bad" <link> or "Safe" <link> take your pick
• Crew will return with the Spacex "Crew-9" mission in March 2025
• SpaceX Crew9 15th crewed flight, 4th flight of the “Freedom” <Link>
• Just 2 instead of 4 aboard
  
• And it had it's own problems, Falcon9 are now grounded.
• Third grounding in 3 months, need Boeing as backup
• Meanwhile, Elon does not want to wait for the FAA for a launch license
• Will they launch StarShip 5 with out it?
• Get Windows 11 Pro for only $18!  <link> from StackSocial.com
  
• Or Win10 Pro for $20, MS Office Pro for $50.  Watch for sales!
• Important as the free upgrade from Win7 to Win10 has ended.
• FYI: Win11 24H2 is out, but wait for it to be offered to you
• Likewise, MS Office 2024 is now available, replaces the 2021 version
• This is the 'Permanent' license, home is $150, pro is $250
• Book Recommendation: "Ender's Game"
• As only one person asked about it, this will be my last
• I got my copy of the complete "Enderverse" from HumbleBundle for $18
• National Public Data was hacked, lost 2.9B records (!)
• Included Names, Addresses, Family details, Properities, DOB,  Phones, Debts, Criminal Records, Cars, SS numbers, Assets, {eMail addresses} , “and much more”
• If this doesn't scare you, nothing will
• To check if your data as exposed, enter your name at https://npd.pentester.com/
  
• That shows 9 records for me, going back over 50 years!!
• Good page for ID theft and credit freezes: https://grc.sc/freeze
• Much more info on the hack is here:  <link> starting with page 10
• Don McMillan's "Are You an Information Addict?"  <link>
• Compare benchmarks for all CPUs: https://www.cpubenchmark.net/

  and more next week!