Set Top Boxes

A Set-Top Box (STB) is simply something that connects to a TV and inputs some video signal to it. Technically, a cable box, DVR, game console, DVD player are all STBs, even though usually they are placed under the TV.  :-)
For today's presentation the following STBs were demonstrated:  the Apple TV, a ChromeCast Stick, the  Amazon Fire TV Stick, the Actiontec ScreenBeam Pro, a Roku 2 XD, and a Raspberry Pi.  If your TV is not 'Smart' (i.e., doesn't connect to the Internet and have apps) these things can add that capability.  And, depending on the device, they can mirror, or otherwise copy, the display from a hand-held phone or tablet to the big screen.
With all the possible combinations, this gets confusing.  Here's the handout from the presentation that attempts to lessen that confusion.   <link>

Not Just PCs!

A grab bag of topics - 'Not just PCs!'

• Visit our evolving web site:  <link>
• Be sure to checkout our new Veteran's page.  <link>  Do you have any pictures for this?  Spouses, siblings, and offspring in Uniform count!  Send 'em to: specialprojects@nscsurfers.org
• Email Tracing:  http://whatismyipaddress.com/trace-email
• The $35 Raspberry Pi single board computer.  <link>  Just add a mouse & keyboard, power supply and a HDMI monitor for an great project computer.  Or get a kit with accessories like this:  <Amazon Link>
• Ask Leo about the Microsoft Account <link>  or how to go back to a local account <link>
• Good video on Electric Cars: CNet's Top5 Best Selling EVs <link>  

Selected items from the preshow:

• Airpano has really panoramas, here is a video of them:  <link>  I will be talking more about these in a future show.  (Was supposed to be this week, but oh well.)
• Lost in the Fifites <link>
• The must see: Zapatou's Youtube 10th Anniversary <link>  Just under 200 videos in 3:30.
• And if you want to track down that video which was cut to only 1 second in the above, here's the complete playlist: <link>

Internet Sites vs. Mobile vs. Apps

What's the Difference?  Jodi tells us ...


Links for further investigation:

• http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/6783-mobile-website-vs-mobile-app.html
• https://www.affordablewebdesign.com/mobile-website-vs-desktop-website/
• http://www.uxmatters.com/mt/archives/2011/03/10-ways-mobile-sites-are-different-from-desktop-web-sites.php
• http://www.adaptistration.com/blog/2013/04/30/understanding-the-difference-between-apps-and-mobile-websites-2013/