Monday, August 17, 2026
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Friday, February 27, 2026
Passwords
12 Feb 2026 - All about saving and managing Passwords
Plus other stuff as usual:
- The TurboTax Super Bowl ad: “The Pain is coming, brace yourselves!" <link>
- OBTW, Turbotax is still charging extra for digital filing of Delaware taxes. :-(
- The only online betting site legal in Delaware is BetRivers
- Bob tracks the NFL Playoffs results in a Spreadsheet, it's neat <link>
- "Let it Snow!" - An example done with Microsoft's Movie Maker <link>
- It was colder in Jan 2026 than in Dec 2025, but Bob's DP&L bill when down!
- Space News: Crew-11 was evacuated from the ISS early, Bob has a theory why
- No, you won't see that in the presentation, but it's common on the Internet
- The Windows 11 start menu has suddenly changed. Bob thinks it's for the better <link>
- Ccleaner - not recommended, it's got too agressive, PC Manager is better
- Get it in the Microsoft Store <link>
- Four ways to manage your Passwords:
- Write them down on a piece of paper
- Save them in a computer file (encrypt it!0
- Save them in your browser (but careful signing it to your browser on other computers!)
- Use a Password Manager, we like BitWarden, it's free! (link)
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
15 Jan 2026 - Windows 11 Customization
First ... sorry about that for our remote attendees. "News and Comment" went as normal, but when I switched to a new sign-in account for show how Windows 11 can be customized from scratch, Zoom went away. I should have realized that was going to happen. I thought everything was going to be fine when I re-launched Zoom from the new user; but 1) Zoom wasn't even installed for the new user and 2) if I did a quicky install, I'm sure the re-login to Zoom for our Pro account would not have been quick.
Topics of the Day
- For all the fun Star Trek AI videos (the preshow) simply go to YouTube and do a search. <link> The more you know ST, the better these are. :-)
- The Amazon Vine Program <link> I get free stuff to review.
- The first couple minutes of this week's "Security Now" podcast with Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte <link> talk about their being phished. In Leo's case, the phish was successful (!) and he had to change 3 of his credit cards. Proof that this can happen to anyone, even experts.
- Bob Rankin re-addresses the old question, "Is it possible to get a computer virus just by opening an email?" <link> Short answer: No ... but what you do after that can make all the difference.
- The Wave Browser <link> is not malware by itself. But ... big but ... Nare-do-wells have used it so often for malware attacks that it is now considered a "PUP" - a potential unwanted program. <link>
- You can check the details of your Delmarva Power bill here <link>. My bill for December was $500 -> a new record high for me by $100! Why? A combination of factors: Major factor was it was cold, but gas generation up by 43% and generally everything is now more expensive.
- I like and subscribe to the Microsoft 365 family plan, now called 'Classic' for $100/year. It's a cost effective plan if, and only if, you need it installed on multiple machines. That can be up to 30 computers! Recommend the Classic plan w/o AI ("Copilot") features. <link>
- Alternately, StackSocial has "Permanent" license for Office <here.>
- Or, the 100% free https://www.libreoffice.org/
- Link to my updated "Customizing Windows 11" paper <link>
Sunday, January 4, 2026
18 Dec 2025 - "Chasing Rabbits"
Yup, this last one of the year went down a deep rabbit hole. Bob's Bytes #345
o
Property taxes now due 31 Dec 2025 <link>
o
Parcel Search <link> shows updated balances,
past bills, history
o
You can pay on-line <link>
·
The “RAM-pocalypse” is coming
o
https://www.howtogeek.com/dont-panic-about-the-ram-pocalypse/
·
The Stiltz Elevator <link> Cool looking, but expensive
o
JerryRigEverything installs one <link>
§
https://www.youtube.com/@JerryRigEverything
o
JerryRigEverything is the YouTube channel of
Zack Nelson, who reviews technology through teardown videos and durability
tests. Nelson's channel is the most-viewed cell phone repair channel on
the internet
· Rocket Sizes compared <link> SpaceX’s StarShip is *Huge*!
YouTube channels worth investigating:
·
Smarter Every Day
o
https://www.youtube.com/@smartereveryday
o
The "Smarter Everyday guy" is Destin
Sandlin, an American aerospace engineer and science communicator known for his
popular YouTube channel where he explores science, engineering, and the world
around us through in-depth videos and high-speed footage, aiming to help people
to see things differently.
o
Trying to make something in America, the Smarter
Scrubber
§
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZTGwcHQfLY&t=1s
§
Amazon’s “Chinese” copy https://www.amazon.com/Bristle-Cleaning-Scrubber-Barbeque-Chainmail/dp/B0D3LMS7JM
o
Some good ones to start with:
§
Surfacing a Nuclear Sub in the Arctic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFJnWp1tAdU
§
If the motor in a Helicopter fails, does it turn
into a brick? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTqu9iMiPIU
·
Mark Rober … Glitter bombs & backyard
Squirrels; Crunch Labs
o
https://www.youtube.com/@MarkRober
o
Former NASA engineer. Current CrunchLabs founder
and friend of science. I make a monthly toy we build together on a video, that
gets delivered to your house that teaches you to think like an engineer. I worked for NASA JPL for 9 years, 7 of which
were working on the Curiosity Rover (I made a video about it you should def
totes watch cause it's probably my favorite of all my videos). Then I made some Halloween costumes. Then I worked for Apple in their Special
Projects Group doing Product Design as a Mechanical Engineer for 5 years. Then
in 2022 I created Crunch Labs to deliver monthly toys that teach you to think
like an engineer.
o
Some good ones to start with:
§
Glitter Bomb vs Porch Pirates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoxhDk-hwuo
§
The Squirrel Maze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFZFjoX2cGg
·
Everyday Astronaut … rockets & rocket
engines
o
https://www.youtube.com/@EverydayAstronaut
o
The Everyday Astronaut is Tim Dodd, an American
science communicator, YouTuber, photographer, and musician known for making
complex spaceflight topics accessible and exciting for a general audience
through high-quality, documentary-style videos.
o
Some good ones to start with:
§
SpaceX’s Raptor engine, why is it different? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbH1ZDImaI8
§
How to catch a rocket when it lands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAPt5vbr-YU
§
Inside the Star factory w/Elon Musk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFqjoCbZ4ik
§
The Truth about the Moon Landings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMHLvoWZfqQ
·
Tested (Adam Savage) … better half of the
Mythbusters
o
https://www.youtube.com/@tested
o
Adam Savage is the popular host, maker, and
editor-in-chief of the online platform Tested, known for his work as the
co-host of Mythßusters, his deep dives into special effects, maker culture, and
technology, and his engaging behind-the-scenes content.
o
Some good ones to start with:
§
Hollywood built space suits https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-vsakGJhEM
·
DASEF in Smyrna has one modelled on Neil
Armstrong’s suit
§
Can a plane take off from a treadmill? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUjcHW7SHaI
·
Linus Tech Tips … Canadian geek building
computers
o
https://www.youtube.com/@LinusTechTips
o
Linus Tech Tips (LTT) refers to both the popular
technology-focused YouTube channel and its founder, a Canadian tech personality
known for creating engaging videos about PC hardware, consumer tech reviews,
and engineering projects,
o
Some good ones to start with:
§
Building a computer using only wish.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ_8F4nzyiw
§
How to build a PC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL4DCEp7blY
·
First We Feast … home of the Hot Ones
o
https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWeFeast
o
"First.We.Feast" is the food and pop
culture media brand behind the hit YouTube interview show Hot Ones, hosted by
Sean Eyans, where celebrities eat progressively spicier chicken wings while
answering tough questions. Evans, the show’s host and co-creator, became famous
for his insightful, well-researched questions, turning the spicy wing challenge
into a cultural phenomenon and a successful franchise.
o
Some good ones to start with:
§
Bobby Flay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5ZJJSag8tQ
§
Gordon Ramsay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9DyHthJ6LA
§
Alton Brown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1-k7VYwsHg
o
There are 29 seasons of this, many celebrities
has taken the test!
·
Don McMillan … Nerd and PowerPoint
Comedian
o
https://www.youtube.com/@donmcmillancomedy
o
What do you get when you cross an Engineer with
a stand-up comedian? You get Don McMillan. This former chip designer has been
doing his one-of-a-kind, PowerPoint-Driven comedy show for audiences for over
20 years. In his show packed with graphs & charts
o
Some good ones to start with:
§
The Difference Between A Dork And A Nerd, full
show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwz-Md6OoyA
§
The one that started it all, “Death by
PowerPoint” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbSPPFYxx3o
·
Technology Connections … investigating
lots of (mostly old tech) things
o
https://www.youtube.com/@TechnologyConnections
o
The host of the popular YouTube channel
Technology Connections is Alec Watson, an American creator known for his
in-depth, humorous, and well-researched videos on the history and mechanics Of
everyday technology like home appliances, electronics, and transportation.
o
Some good ones to start with:
§
Lava Lamps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16gB2BDXwTo
§
Dishwashers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHP942Livy0
·
CGP Grey – The Cartoon Explainer
o
https://www.youtube.com/@CGPGrey
o
Cartoon videos on topics of interest. Doesn’t do many, but all interesting.
o
Some good ones to start with:
§
Does your Flag Fail, Rating US State flags. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4w6808wJcU
§
Should all locks have keys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPBH1eW28mo
§ Humans need not apply https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnJTWzf8kH4
·
Jingle Bells … Forever