SHOCKER: CrowdStrike global IT outage caused by… CrowdStrike!
In my earlier video, Global IT Outage: What it means for you, I discussed the outage caused by CrowdStrike's wonky update. Since the publication of that video, I've read a fair load of nonsense. It's Microsoft's fault! It's the European Union's fault! It's the fault...
Where did the desktop icons like Computer and Network go in Windows 10?
So, you get a new puter running Windows 10. It's speedy, and Windows 10 doesn't look much different than Windows 7, so life is good. But then you notice a little problem: Many new computers come with only the standard Recycle Bin icon on the desktop. Computer / This...
Set up Windows File History and stop fighting with Backup and Restore
Okay, I admit: I was quite reluctant to try out the "new" File History backup system in Windows 10. In fact, just a few months ago in my article Windows Backup and Restore failed: Four fixes that work, I wrote: I suppose you could just be using File History, but...
What you need to know about Online Security
There are a few things you need to understand about staying safe and secure online. You need to realize what you're actually up against. But don't fret, because it's really not a big deal if you always keep in mind how things usually work. For example, e-mail is never...
Shrink your videos quickly and easily with HandBrake
Video is all the rage these days. Heck, even I started a YouTube channel! Even if you're not a "video author", you still probably record videos of family, friends, important events, and so on. The video files saved by most devices - including smartphones - is usually...
How does an electric tea kettle know when to turn off?
The age old question: How does your electric tea kettle know when to turn off? Is it electronic, or something simpler? It turns out the key is a bimetallic strip. At a certain, carefully adjusted temperature, the bimetallic strip will bend just enough such that right...
Stop OneDrive from popping up in Windows 10
OneDrive is Microsoft's "cloud storage" for Windows. Beginning with Windows 8, it was installed by default. If you didn't want it, you could easily disable it. Beginning with Windows 10 1703 - the "Creators Update" - the story changed a bit. OneDrive seems to keep...
EEK! #3 – 3-phase power
Why does AC electrical power come in 3 phases? What the heck is a "phase", anyway? In this episode of the EEK! Series, you'll learn about 3-phase power and its advantages. In short: fewer wires, more power, and the Earth itself is a conductor. In addition, 3-phase...
Batteries: Alkaline vs NiMH vs Lithium-ion
Ever wonder about the differences between alkaline, nickel metal hydride, and lithium-ion batteries? Wonder no more! Alkaline batteries are great for their initial higher voltage, but the total current available drops off (along with the voltage) over time. NiMH cells...
Click Farms and Social Media
Ah, click farms... Click farms are organizations that you can pay to boost you or your product on social media. They do their thing through the use of "bots" or semi-bots, which are automated systems to like, share, and otherwise promote something. But hang on, is...
The Amazing Candle Life Hack!
This isn't exactly "techie" in the traditional sense, but it does involve friction, and it's super-handy to know. Actually, I thought everyone knew about this, but apparently not. What to do when your wooden drawers are sticking? Easy! All you need is any old type of...
EEK! #2 – DC vs The Magic of AC
In episode 2 of the EEK! series, we cover the basic difference between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). Why is your home powered by AC, and not DC? Simply put, AC allows the use of transformers to step up the voltage, step down the current, and...
How to choose a good solar USB charger
Solar USB chargers are all the rage these days. The most popular models are small, and many have integrated lithium-ion batteries. But just how good are these things? Will you be happy with a small one, or is it better to supersize it? In short, get a big one! Smaller...
EEK! #1 – Volts, Amps, and Watts: Who’s in charge?!
This first video in the EEK! series explains basic concepts of electricity in simple, practical terms. Learn about conductors, insulators, voltage, current, power, volts, amps, and watts. It's not as difficult to understand as it sounds. No crazy math or physics...
The best LED headlamp out there
If LED flashlights are great, LED headlamps are TOTALLY AWESOME! In this video, I show a couple of cheaper headlamps of increasing price, and then I reveal my personal favorite. Links below as usual. Watch the video below! https://youtu.be/-Wh6ESwwweY Note: The first...
Windows Backup and Restore failed: Four fixes that work
If you're still doing local backups instead of storing all your junk in "The Cloud", then you may still be using the Windows 7-era Backup and Restore feature. I suppose you could just be using File History, but that's a different type of backup. Personally, I still...