26 March 2024 | Computers, Gizmos, How Does it Work?, Networking |
You might think Ethernet is on its way out the door. After all, everyone just uses WiFi, right?
WRONG! For the past couple of years, my most popular video on YouTube has been:
No more WiFi: How to wire your house for Internet
Published in September of 2019, the video has garnered over 1.6 million views, and it’s still going strong.
Obviously, many people want Ethernet – contrary to popular belief. That’s good, because it’s only going to get better…
20 February 2024 | Computers, Gizmos, How Does it Work? |
Back in November of 2020, I wrote an article entitled Two-Factor Authentication without SMS or a smartphone.
In those days, 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) wasn’t terribly popular. Today, it’s everywhere!
I also recommended using Authy for Windows, which is a desktop version of the popular smartphone 2FA app.
So, problem solved, right? NO! Authy just announced they’re canceling their desktop Windows app. 🙁
What the heck are we supposed to do now?!
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13 February 2024 | Gizmos, How Does it Work?, How to, Video |
Technology is everywhere these days. Most of the time, it makes life easier.
But instant and constant access to so much information, such as the latest news and world events, can also lead to high stress levels, anxiety, and eventually poor health.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could use technology to reduce your stress and anxiety instead of constantly increasing it?
Well guess what? You can!
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16 May 2023 | Gizmos, How to, Networking |
These days, darn near everything is censored – for your protection, of course!
While you may be able to read whatever web sites you want from home, mobile operators are particularly fond of blocking certain sites.
This is obviously particularly annoying for those of us who like to choose what we read and, ya know, make up our own minds. We’re not ALL brainless zombies.
While you could use a VPN, it’s often a PITA to set them up and use them. The best ones are also paid…
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was an easy, free option to view what you want? Turns out, there is!
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11 April 2023 | Computers, Gizmos |
Razer makes some pretty nice stuff: Laptops, gaming gear, keyboards, and even some very nice webcams.
Their Kiyo Pro webcam is particular awesome.
Unfortunately, their software is nowhere near as good as their hardware.
So, you might not want Razer Synapse to install, but every time your plug in your Razer gizmo, that dang installer prompts you – EVERY SINGLE TIME.
How to make it stop?!
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7 March 2023 | Computers, Gizmos, Spare Me! |
Windows 12 has been in the news lately.
Specifically, rumors are swirling that not only will there be a Windows 12, but it will be “AI-powered”.
Of course, this requires support preferably from Intel’s next 14th-gen processors as well as from AMD’s equivalent offerings.
That means Windows 12 will probably have even tighter hardware requirements than Windows 11, sadly…
But hang on, does anyone even use Windows anymore?!
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17 January 2023 | Gizmos, How Does it Work?, Wireless Wonderland |
These days, streaming is all the rage.
Whether you have a smart TV, a streaming stick, Blu-Ray player, soundbar, or even some projectors, many of these gizmos come with Android TV built in.
Too many of them also only have WiFi – no Ethernet jack to be found! This is particularly irritating for those of us who want to go wired and avoid the Wireless Wonderland.
So, how to get Ethernet? Well, you just buy a USB-Ethernet adapter, right?
Yes – sort of…
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10 January 2023 | Do-It-Yourself, Gizmos, How to |
A little while ago, my electronic lockbox / key safe started eating batteries.
When I opened her up, I discovered the problem: condensation!
Join me for a look at how you can save your own battery-powered devices from the scrap heap…
And save some bucks in the process!
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13 December 2022 | Energy, Gizmos, How Does it Work? |
With everything getting more expensive these days, you want to be sure your costly electronics stay protected.
One of the most common ways is to plug them all into a surge protector.
The question is: Do these things really work?
The answer is, as usual: It’s complicated!
Join me for a look at 3 different types/levels of surge suppressors, how these gizmos really work, and how best to protect your techie goodies from unfortunate zaps.
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1 November 2022 | Gizmos, How Does it Work?, Video, Wireless Wonderland |
The Specific Absorption Rate, or SAR, of a phone shows how much energy from radio frequency waves is absorbed by body parts – head, torso, whole body, etc.
The idea is that phones can be certified as “safe”, while also allowing some sort of comparison between different phones. In reality, the whole thing is a bit of a bad joke.
Even the FCC admits SAR is a pretty useless rating!
Join me for another fascinating look inside our modern “Wireless Wonderland”!
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You might think Ethernet is on its way out the door. After all, everyone just uses WiFi, right?
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