Bob's Bytes: Hardware & Software

 5 June 2025

"Hardware & Software"

Topics of the Day

• Jared Isaacman’s nomination to be NASA administrator pulled by the WH
• SpaceX's Starship Flight #9 flew, until it didn't.  Boom.
• Mint is offering Home Internet over the T-Mobile Cell Network starting at $35/month <link>
• Microsoft Publisher is being *deleted* from Microsoft365 users, not just "out of support"
• The Xreal One AR glasses look like large sun glasses, give a 150" inch screen <link>
• The Ryobi RM300e electric riding mower gets a 'Do Not Buy" from Bob <link> 
• Our Wolverine MovieMaker-Pro no long spins the take-up reel all of the time, now it doesn't spin at any time.  <link>
• The WinXvideo v3 promo (free lifetime license) <link> good till June 22.  {Update: now showing as "Temporarily unavailable."  My guess: max number of free license claimed.
• Bob has gotten lots of free books from "How-to-Geek" newsletter. <link>
• Detwiler’s Farm Market, <link> - great place to get flowers & other stuff.
• PatchMyPC now has a portable version of their Home Updater.  <link>
• Bob prefers the Sumatra PDF viewer over all others.  <link>  Simple and fast!
• How to change file defaults, with details.
• No, you should not try to edit a PDF.  (But if you must: MS Word or LibreOffice Writer)
• Use Windows Snipping Tools to copy anything from your screen
• Use Calibre for managing your eBook collection; up & load to & from Kindle and other eReader devices. <link>

 Presentation link: https://1drv.ms/p/c/86b915ace9c0d278/ERVr237kg-tHoRpchS0B9tYBSOCZ2bXP4mhlQDoS5Qu_vA?e=IUcBhZ

(For unknown reasons, Microsoft won't let me login to our account where the presentation is stored.  One has to do that to 'embed' the presentation so that you can just see it. At least it can be shared through OneDrive without logging in through a browser.)

15 May 2025 - "DATI"

Guest presenter: Madeline Laquer, of the Univerisity of Dealaware's Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI)

 https://www.cds.udel.edu/at/dati/

DATI Services:

• Access to assistive technology (AT) through our lending library
• Assistance with acquiring AT
• Training and technical assistance
• Public awareness through community events
• Fee for services evaluations

Or, in other words, "Stuff to make your life better and easier."

1 May 2025 - Saving Old Records

Bob's Bytes #338 - and we don't mean just Long Playing (LP) records!

This was another thrown-together presentation, but besides the main topic, you also get to go with me down a rabbit hole.  Since retirement, I love to chase down these things, today's is entitled "1950's Super Panavision 70."  And I guarantee that if you've not heard of this, you have no idea what it's really about.

Topics and links:

• Super Panavision 70 at Wikipedia:  <link>  Ha - a false lead.
• The Internet Archive has an extensive collection of "Pulps" - magazines of the 40's and 50' printed on the cheapest paper available, "Pulps," usually with lurid cover graphics, but with well-known, recognized authors.  <link>
• Aside: you'll have to go through the presentation below to see where the rabbit hole goes!
• What to do if you computer locks up with a Tech Scam message - and beginner's questions on browsers and web pages
• Converting (i.e. "Digitizing") LP’s and Cassettes <<Class notes>>
• Elgato Video Capture, e.g., Digitizing VHS tapes  <link>
• 8mm and DV tapes require an adapter
• The Wolverine “MovieMaker-Pro” 8mm Film Scanner 
• Lots of other things we can do in the NSC Computer Lab.
  

17 April 2025 - A Q&A

When we have an open date, we usually fill it with a 'quick & dirty' Q&A - Questions received in the presentation or in email and discussions and/or answers to those Q's.  This was one of those.

Topics:

1. Blue Origin launches a New Shepard rocket with a "All-Women Crew"  <link>  We could argue over the 'Crew' part, they were passengers.
2. Dr. Konstantin Batygin gave the Harcourt "Ace" Vernon Memorial Lecture at UD's Clayton Hall on the Planet 9 Hypothesis.  We didn't know he is famous, has his own Wikipedia page <link> and even a Wiki page on his (and Mike Brown's) planet 9 theory. <link>  Worth reading if you have any interest in Pluto.
3. PC Mag had a good review of Satellite Internet <link> SpaceX's Starlink is the fastest.
4. Printers: do I need a new one for Windows 11.  No.  But what if it doesn't work?
5. Recommendation for a Ink Jet Printer?  Yes, if used a lot, the Epson EcoTank Series.  If not ... the cheapest one you can find on sale.  Throw it out when it stops working.
6. How to tell your Windows version and 'feature release' number?
7. Microsoft gives 7 tips to get the most out of Windows 11.  <link>  All of them are bogus!  Windows 10 is better or equal for all of these 'tips.'
8. Good CNet video on Text Scams <link>
9. Is Microsoft "Forcing" you to buy a new computer?  No, according to Leo <link> OBTW, 'Ask Leo' is a great side for lots more Q&A!  <link>

10 April 2025 - Bob's Bytes

A two-part presentation:

• A review of Windows 10 and 11 – what’s the difference, how to upgrade, how not to upgrade, and should you?  What happens if you don't?
• An "Oatmeal" story and loosely-associated video, "765874"
• (That's Yeoman's Colt Star Fleet serial number)

Some links for you:

• Preshow: Tesla LightShows, each one more complicated than the last -  Model X's Wizards in Winter, Dueling Teslas, Star Wars, 687 in Finland, 1,150 in Belgium.  Wow, just wow.
• Jared Isaacman nominated for NASA chief, he's "Astronaut worthy" <Wikipedia>
• Starliner's astronauts faced a critical decision, far more precarious and life-threatening than was originally known.  <link>
• How to encrypt your flash drive <link>  You don't need Windows Pro to use one.
• Windows market share <link>  Windows versions: <link>
• End of support for Windows 10 <link>
• Lock your version of Windows from changing with GRC's <InControl>
• Upgrade even if you don't meet the hardware requirements <link>
• The Oatmeal's story of the crashing plane: <link>
• It got fact-checked <link> Verdict: mostly true, with embellishments
• 765874, a video.  For Star Trek Fans ...
• Here are the 4 parts as published:
• 765874 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng8qTIythnA
• 765874 - Memory Wall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzeznWVQu5o 
• 765874 – Regeneration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KXU2Ob8gYY 
• 765874 – Unification https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgOZFny7F50
• The Roddenberry Archive <link>
• OTOY announces 765874 <link>
• What's it all mean?  Discuss! <link> This will help if you didn't understand it.

By popular demand, we saved a video of the main discussions, Encrypting a Flash Drive and the Windows 10 to 11 'upgrade.'  It's 54 minutes long: <link>

 

“How we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life"

3 April 2025 - Barbara Ward

 “I TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS: ART FALLS OUT.”

Beautiful pictures:

March 27, 2025 - My Tesla Model 3

Bob's Bytes #335

I wasn't sure I should give this, but the membership ok'ed it.   I did my best to stay away from the politics.

I stick with my opinion that Tesla's aren't cars for seniors - because the typical senior doesn't like change.  The experience of buying, driving, and supporting it is very different than the traditional gas engine car.  There is lots more 'do it yourself' tasks required, including no printed manual and few direct instructions.

As I write this Tesla, at $800B, is currently the 11th biggest company in the world by Market Capitalization (The number of shares times stock share price.)  Those numbers change not only daily, but by the minute!  I recommend checking out the linked site below for updated numbers and comparing all major companies, not just the few listed on slide 11.

Discussion topics of the day:

• Current Market Cap numbers: https://companiesmarketcap.com/
• Kelly Blue Book listing of Tesla Models: https://www.kbb.com/tesla/
• You can buy a Tesla here:  https://www.tesla.com/ - or at least walk through the process to find out the costs.  They have new, demo, and used models available.
• Note: Some listings automatically include Federal and State rebates and your 'projected savings' over not needing to buy gas.
• Car and Driver liked the Model 3, <link>; they hated my loved Prius Prime. <link>
• Slide 25 includes my current DelMarVa electric rates which jumped up to 18.7 cents per kWh this month - an increase of 42% (!!!) since 2021 and a full 2 cents more than last year.  Supercharging can be up to 50 cents per kWh.
• I added a new slide on charging details as it can get complicated and there conflicting advice from different sources.
• I didn't know that at the time that 'One Pedal Driving" that we spent time discussing can be turned off.
• I'm still learning new things about it after just 2 weeks, there are lots and lots of YouTube videos available, both from Tesla <link> and many others <link>.  More Do It Yourself.
• One more point about the included Dashcam video: as that *&%$# driver passed me on the right, the car threw a stone from the shoulder that hit our windshield with a very loud crack.  We were worried about damage, but thankfully, it caused only a very small scratch on hood and windshield, barely detectable with the naked eye.

 

6 March 2025 - OneDrive and Google Drive

 Bob's Bytes #334, Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive

 Topics of the Day

• The Search for Planet 9, a free lecture at UD <link>
• Stuff for Tech Club Members
• Ask Leo Notenboom is a great tech site <link>
• JayZ TwoCents: Never install these programs <link>
• We're still looking for a 8mm video player (8mm, Hi8 or Digital8) 
• You do not have to use either OneDrive or Google Drive!
• Reasons to use OneDrive and/or Google Drive
  
• Lots of information about OneDrive  <link>
• <giggle>  OneDrive is Horrible!  <link>
  
• Running out of space on Google Drive?  <link>
  

Feb 27, 2025 - Hospital Care at Home

 Guest Presentation by Marybeth McMahon - Christina Care

Yes, you can get fully supported "Hospital Care" at your home!  No hospital stay required.

• ChristianaCare HCH webpage <link>
  
• "It's a completely different kind of medicine" Video <link>
• ChristianaCare hospital care at home Video <link>

 

Feb 20, 2025 - Multi-Factor Authentication Methods

 A presentation by Carl Stewart.

 The various methods you can "Authenticate" yourself - prove to the service you are signing in to prove that you are who you say you are.  This can be difficult when you can't look the person {i.e. website} in the eye!

References:

• https://www.keepersecurity.com/blog/2023/06/27/types-of-multi-factor-authentication-mfa/
• https://frontegg.com/blog/multi-factor-authentication-types
• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/authentication/concept-mfa-howitworks
• https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeYHKbaShxTH-8qiNOZ8V3pGSC2qZqqcS&si=RGIyYi8-udmioJvU
• https://www.yubico.com/works-with-yubikey/catalog/google-accounts/#setup-instructions
• https://www.yubico.com/works-with-yubikey/catalog/?sort=popular

 

Feb 13, 2025 - Smart Phones

 A joint presentation by Bob and Doug.

 

 

And we also saved the presentation with the Zoom recorder: <link>

Jan 23, 2025 - Bob's Bytes #331

For Beginners & Free Updates

Topics of the Day

• News & Comment
• Spacex and Blue Origin both launched their large rockets
• The Best PCs by PC Mag <link>  Expensive!
• A word from our sponsor <link>
  
• Monthly Updates
• Windows Monthly updates
• Microsoft Store App updates
  
• PatchMyPC Home <link> for free program updates
• Also use this to install free programs, over 500!
  
• Free Software Changes: 
• MalwareBytes <link> Second opinion virus scanner
  
• Revo Uninstaller <link> clean up after uninstalling programs
  
• Novabench <link> Benchmark your PC
  
• Zoom <link> Free for most!
  

 

Jan 16, 2024 - Identity Theft and Fraud Protection

A presentation by Mandi Petersen of the Fulton Bank

Contact Annual Credit Report Request Services:
    www.annualcreditreport.com
    1-877-FACT-ACT (1-877-322-8228)
Dispute any errors by contacting the credit agencies directly:
    Equifax: 1-800-685-1111, www.equifax.com
    Experian: 1-888-397-3742, www.experian.com
    TransUnion: 1-888-4213, www.transunion.com

Other Resources

• Visit fdic.gov/education to learn more
• www.valuepenguin.com
• www.myfico.com
• www.credit.com

   

 www.FultonBank.com/JoinWorkplaceBanking

9 Jan 2025 - First!

Topics of the Day:

• News and Comment
• Rules of Computing <link>
  
• Available Free Movies & TV <link>
  
• Zero Patch - after Win10 goes off MS Support <link>
• Review your Subscriptions <link>
  
• Space News - SpaceX Starship & Blue Origin New Glenn launching tomorrow!
  
• Meta Quest VR Headset - a fun toy
  
• Free Software Changes: Edge, Ccleaner, Scleaner
• https://www.ccleaner.com/, https://github.com/ShrewdSquad/SCleaner

12 Dec 2024 - Penultimate

 (OK, not really ... but I like the word. It was the last of the year.)

Topics of the Day

• News and Comment
• WinDirStat updated, a great utility to show what things are taking up space on the storage devices.  https://windirstat.net/download.html
• Anyone have *readable* club CDs from 2005-6 and 2006-7?
• Anyone know Joesph Fratangelo?  We have a stack of pictures of his
• China hacking US Telecommunications, not something for you to worry about.
  
• Our New Photo Scanner: video demo <link>
  
• Hydrogen Tech Follow-up => Yes, it's *humans* that caused global warming.
  
• Did the Chinese Break RSA?
• No, they didn't but you should understand the topics
  
• Something new to look at: Samsung DEX an screens you wear on your face.
  
• A.I., Something to worry about? <link>
• An interesting video. "Humanity's Final Invention?"