Posts Tagged: ‘Mobile’

Reading For Cheap – Originally Published March 2016

March 13, 2016 Posted by Tiny

A Pain in the Whatchamacallit
By Tiny Ruisch

Ever since I learned how, I’ve always been an avid reader.  My parents didn’t have a television until I was about ten years old.  That never bothered me.  The library had a lot of entertainment.  In later life, when I was in the Navy, I seldom watched the ship’s movie.  I was busy finishing reading one more chapter before lights out.  These days, I still read at least a dozen magazines each month.  I am usually reading four or five books at a time.  I’ve got my bedside book, bathroom book, digital book and an audio book for my morning walk.

I could not even estimate how many thousands of dollars I’ve spent buying reading material of one form or another.  In the past three or four years, my reading has all become either digital or audio.  I haven’t been in a bookstore or looked at a magazine display rack in at least a year and a half.  For me, it’s all been for the better.  In this article, I’m going to tell you how you can do the same.

I’ve saved a lot of money with e-books and audio books.  One of the reasons is because it is so easy to check the material out from the Parish library.  From my easy chair I can check out a vast number of books (both digital and audio), magazines, comic books and movies.  I’ve written many times about using the library to download material.  We have had several demonstrations at club meetings and there is a lot of information on our website.  I won’t bore you by repeating the details again.

There are many internet sites where electronic books can be downloaded for no charge.  All of the major booksellers offer some free books, but there are many other places you can get a better selection.  A good place to start your search is at Tech Support Alert’s Free eBooks And Audiobooks To Read Online Or Download.  This is the launch page for other pages that list site with free books.  The lists are broken down by genre.  There is also an alphabetical list at their Best Free eBooks Online.  At the time of this writing there are 913 sites listed.  These pages also have links to sites for downloading comic books, textbooks and online courses.  Bonus tip: if you read the user comments, you will find many other sites.

Some of the sites that I regularly use (in no particular order) are:

  • Project Gutenberg – was one of the first ebook sites.  There are more than 50,000 titles. It has by far the largest list of free titles for downloading and the site is easy to use.
  • LibriVox – is similar to Project Gutenberg except it is all audio books.  Volunteers read and record books and upload them.
  • Open Library – although not technically a download site, the goal is to have a web page for every book ever published.  There are links on these pages where you can get the book.  You can borrow others for a two week period.
  • Bookbub – is a site that I check daily.  It isn’t a download site but lists the latest deals on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, Google and Kobo.  Many of the books are for sale (usually $0.99 or $1.99) but it also lists many free books.  Use the link in this article and you won’t have to give them an e-mail address.

I hope this list of sites has piqued your interest and gets you started on ebook reading.  This is nowhere near a complete list of download sites for ebooks.  If you’re like me and like to read, these links should get you started.  If you know of any good book sites, I’d like to know.  Post on our club website or send me an e-mail.

Thanks for reading.

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OK Google

November 13, 2014 Posted by Tiny

From the Dark Side
by Tiny Ruisch

OK Google. What happens if I get laryngitis and can’t say OK Google?  Answer: Google gives you information on how to treat your voice loss.

OK Google is tightly integrated with Google Now, Android’s personal assistant program.  They have almost become synonymous.  In the next year or so, I think there will only be one program combining both.

In the last couple of years OK Google has become an excellent tool for making your mobile Android device easier to use.  Without tapping anything on your phone, you can use your voice to make a phone call, send a text message or compose an e-mail.  I often use it to write these articles for the club newsletter.  I hardly ever key in a Google search anymore.  It is just so much easier to speak my search phrase.

Almost all Android devices come with Google Now installed. For those that do not, the Google app is available from the Play Store.  It works by setting up “cards” on your device to assist you with your personal life.

Google voice searching was first introduced in 2008 in Google Maps.  It has constantly been improved over the years.  Today it is excellent for both searching and phone commands.  Examples of searching commands are:

Where was [President Obama] born?
Define [computer].
Who is the governor of [Louisiana]?
How old is [Bobby Jindal]?
Show me pictures of [the White House].
What’s the weather like? What’s the weather in [New Orleans] [this weekend]?
What’s [182 yards] in [miles]?
What is [12 ounces] in [liters]?
What’s [135] divided by [71]?

Some examples of commands are:

Take a picture (“Take a photo” also works)
Record a video
Call John Doe [mobile]
What’s my schedule?
Send email to [Tiny], subject [Darkside], message [That was a great article in the November newsletter.]
Text [Tiny] [I just sent you an email.]
Open Evernote

Of course, these are only a few of the things that Google will recognize.  If you do a web search you can find complete lists.  There are also a lot of fun “Easter Eggs”.  On of my favorites is “Scotty, beam me up.”  If you’re not a Star Trek fan, I’ll tell you that Google responds with a classic Engineer Scott reply, “I canna do it Captain.  I do not have the power.”

This short article has only given an overview of the powerfulness of OK Google and Google Now.  Click here for Google’s help page on setting up OK Google on your Android.  Google also has a help page on OK Google and voice search.  If it is not already installed, the Google Now app is available in the Play Store.

Thanks for reading.

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TunnelBear VPN – Originally Published March 2014

August 28, 2014 Posted by Tiny

Some Lagniappe for You
By Tiny Ruisch

la·gniappe (lnyp, ln-yp)
n. Chiefly Southern Louisiana & Mississippi
1. A small gift presented by a store owner to a customer with the customer’s purchase.
2. An extra or unexpected gift or benefit. Also called regionally boot.

Do you ever download from the internet on unsecured wireless networks?  If you answered “no” to that question, I can say that you are most likely not telling the truth.  The first thing almost everyone does when they come to our monthly meeting is log in to the local WI‑FI.  It is probably safer than the local McDonald’s, Starbucks, or library.  Personally, I’m not willing to bet my personal data on that.

That’s why I use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).  Put simply, a VPN is a group of computers networked together over a public network, namely the internet.  A VPN client is the software that allows you to enter an encrypted network and access the internet.  Anyone intercepting your data will not be able to decipher and read it.

If you search for “free VPN”, “best VPN”, etc. you will find literally thousands of VPN clients.  Of course they will all tell you why they are the best.  I like TunnelBear. I’m not going to tell you it is the best, but I’ll try to convince you that it is pretty good.  The first thing I like about TunnelBear is that it is a Canadian company.  This means that they aren’t subject to a National Security Agency court order.  It’s really not that big a thing, but I know the NSA spies so why make it any easier for them.  TunnelBear has servers in seven different countries.  They create a secure, encrypted connection between your internet device and the host country you are connecting to.

TunnelBear is easy to download and setup.  There is no need for the user to learn about network protocols, IP addresses, encryption levels, etc.  After downloading and installing the program, an account must be created.  The only user information required is name, e-mail address and password.  No need for your phone number, address or Mother’s middle name.

Like all other VPN companies, TunnelBear offers both a free and paid service.  Their free service gives you 500 MB of free data every month.  This should be plenty for the occasional user.  A bonus 1 GB can be obtained by promoting them on Twitter.

TunnelBear is easy to setup and use.  Give it a try and see if you like it.  You can download TunnelBear here.

If you like the program, just tell everyone that you’ve got a SWLAPCUG extra, a bonus perk; a little lagniappe.

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Google Nexus 7 Tablet – Originally Published September 2012

August 1, 2014 Posted by Tiny

A Pain in the Whatchamacallit
By Tiny Ruisch

Maybe I should start calling this column “Tales From the Dark Side”.  I’ve had my new toy for about three weeks now.  It’s the Google Nexus 7 tablet.  If I had to describe it with one word, I think I’d say fantastic.  I’d been thinking about replacing my Archos tablet with something more capable.  The Tech Guy, Leo LaPorte, convinced me to get this machine.

The Nexus 7 has a Quad-core Tegra 3 processor and the latest Android operating system, Jelly Bean (4.1).  It is really fast and smooth scrolling.  This is by far the best Android machine that I have seen.  The display is a 7 inch 1280×800 HD (216 ppi). It is gorgeous.

There is no 3G/4G installed.  For me, that is not a problem.  I didn’t have it on my old tablet and never missed it.  On the few occasions I was away from a network, I just tether to my cell phone if I need to access the Internet.  There is Wireless b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0.

It has a built in microphone which I have used quite a bit with Google Talk.  I’ve found myself searching for really stupid things just to see what the machine will find.  For instance, I often tell my Grandson that he is just a “silly goose”.  When I told the Nexus 7 to “find a silly goose”, I got driving instructions to the Silly Goose restaurant in Nashville, TN.

There isn’t a rear camera.  For me that isn’t a big thing.  I can’t think of a reason that I would ever use a tablet to take a picture.  I seldom take pictures with my Pocket PC.  Oops!  I meant to say telephone.  I used to say the same thing about front facing cameras, but I use the one on the Nexus 7 several times a day.  One of the features of Jelly Bean is taking a picture of yourself and then using the camera to wake the machine up from sleep mode.  The camera compares your face with the file picture.  If you look different, a pass code is needed to wake the machine up.  I haven’t been able to fool it yet.

Other features include a Near Field Communication technology, and Accelerometer, Global Positioning System, a Magnetometer and a Gyroscope.  The battery is a lithium ion 4325 mAh.  I haven’t yet got a recharge soon warning.  I wish I could say the same for my Android phone.

There are only two ports on this machine.  One is for a headphone jack.  The other is a mini USB (host) port, used for both charging and input/output.  I haven’t yet tested to see what USB peripherals can be used with the Nexus tablet.

All is not roses.  Almost every review you read lets us know that there isn’t an HDMI out port.  That doesn’t matter much to me.  I have a HDMI port on my other tablet.  I’ve used it exactly one time.  When I first got the machine, I plugged it in to see how the output looked on my television.  My old HTC phone had a HDMI out port too.  I used it two times.  I had tested it at home when I first got it.  The second time is when I demonstrated it on the big screen TV at one of the SIG computer meetings.  I think I’ll be able to cope without an HDMI port on the Nexus tablet.

There isn’t a Secure Digital expansion slot.  I purchased the 16 GB model, so I’m hoping that I won’t miss it.  I’ve never filled up the expansion data cards on either my phone or my Archos tablet.

I only have two real complaints about the Nexus tablet.  The on/off button is placed in a corner of the case and I am constantly accidentally bumping it and turning the machine off.  I also wish the speakers were a little louder.  I’m getting older and my hearing isn’t as good as it once was.  There is plenty of volume for me when I use headphones.

I like using Android 4.1 so much that I’ve decided not to get the Galaxy S4 III phone.  I’m going to save my upgrade for something with Jelly Bean.  Maybe I should send Microsoft a thank you note for dropping the ball on Windows Mobile and Windows Phone.  It got me to try Android and I’ll probably never go back.

If you’re in the market for a tablet PC, I highly recommend you check out the Galaxy Nexus 7.  By the way, it already passed the “drop” test twice for me.  I’d better hurry up and order a case for it.

Thanks for reading.

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I’ve Joined the Darkside – Originally Published July 2012

July 31, 2014 Posted by Tiny

A Pain in the Whatchamacallit
By Tiny Ruisch

I’ve gone to the dark side.  I didn’t think it would ever happen, but I’m using an android phone.  OMG!  It’s worse than I thought.  I even called it a phone instead of a pocket computer.

I’ve carried a pocket PC since I bought my first IPAQ in 2002.  I just loved being able to carry my files, e-mail and to-do list with me everywhere.  It was so easy to sync with Outlook on my other computers.

In April 2010, I finally retired my IPAQ2495 and bought a HTC Touch Pro 2.  I think the people at the Sprint store thought I was a little crazy.  I was comparing the HTC to my IPAQ.  They just couldn’t understand that I wasn’t buying a phone.  I was buying a new pocket PC that happened to also be a telephone.

After a couple of months, I enjoyed using the Touch Pro 2 so much that I even used it to write this column for the newsletter.  It was a tough machine.  I estimate that I dropped it at least twenty or thirty times (including a few on concrete).  I might have been in the minority, but I liked Windows Mobile 6.  It was a reliable operating system that synced easily with Outlook.  I like Outlook.  It’s one of the few programs that I’ve actually purchased.

My TP2 finally gave up the ghost.  Naturally, I looked at replacing it with a Windows 7 cell phone.  Sprint had exactly two choices.  I didn’t much like either one.  I considered changing carriers, but I’ve got a pretty good reason for sticking with Sprint.

My grandson recently got an iPhone.  I activated his old phone, a Samsung Epic 4G.  My theory is that I can save my upgrade discount for a future Windows phone.  I’m not unfamiliar with the Android operating system.  I’ve used it on my tablet for a year or so.  My only problem with having Android in my pocket is that there isn’t a native synchronization with Outlook on my computer.

I finally slipped a little further into the dark void.  I almost gave up and went completely dark.  I gave some serious thought to abandoning Outlook and using Android PIM programs.  Then I could even stop telling people that the only software that I’ve spent money for is Outlook.

In the end, I actually purchased some software.  I got frustrated having to jump through several hoops to synchronize the darn thing with my computers.  Once again, I can just click one icon and have all of my data synced.

I wonder what my mobile future will be like.  Windows is going to have to get a manufacturer to make one heck of a phone to get me back.  Then they’ve got to get Sprint on board to sell it.  Then they have to get me to buy it.  That’s a pretty tall order.  They might have to get Bill Gates to come out of retirement and take over the company again.

My IPAQ is still somewhere in the junk box.  I sure miss it.

Thanks for reading.

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Kingsoft Office – Originally Published August 2013

July 29, 2014 Posted by Tiny

From the Dark Side
by Tiny Ruisch

I’ve finally decided which office suite to use on my android devices.  My requirements are probably a little different than most users.  On my phone, I mostly use a half dozen different spreadsheets to track my medical data.  On my tablet, I usually connect my portable keyboard to write newsletter articles, etc.  Over the last year and a half or so, I’ve tried all of the major suites in the Google Play Store.  All of them work fairly well, but each has its own idiosyncrasies.  Kingsoft Office for Android is an office suite that is free.  Unlike many other suites, there is no paid version with extra features.

The Kingsoft suite has five modules: a widget, Writer for Android, Spreadsheets for Android, Presentation for Android and a file manager.  The interface is easy to use.  Files are previewed in a large, sliding thumbnail window.  I have found this to be much more efficient than a file list which my clumsy fingers seem to always touch the wrong file.  More that twenty file formats can be imported.  Output file formats are: Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint 97 to 2010 formats: .doc, .docx, .txt, .xls, .xlsx, .pptx and .pdf.

Working on documents isn’t difficult at all, as long as you are comfortable with typing on a touch interface.  When I attach my Bluetooth keyboard, it is even more simple, almost like using a laptop computer.  All the options like save, edit, layout etc. are easily accessible from the toolbar at the top.  Underneath it, you will find all the sub-options on a horizontal ribbon.  When working on a document, a long press on any part of the text will open a pop-up window with options to cut, copy, select, share etc.  Other options include the ability to add images, font size, header/footer, encrypt files, copy/paste, add comments etc.

Working on spreadsheets is also easy.  Formulas are supported, as well as options like wrap text, freeze panes, sort, add charts, auto shapes etc.  The touch interface is a little difficult to learn but is easy to use once you’ve done so.  As with the writer module, connecting a keyboard will make it a breeze.

I have not used the presentation module enough to know how well it works.  It is compatible with power point files.  My only complaint about Kingsoft Office for Android is that it doesn’t support RTF (rich text format) and ODT (Libre Office) files.  For my mobile files, I usually save as either text or word and then do my final edit on either my laptop or desktop.

There are many more features I did not mention in this short review.  One is support for cloud services.  You can learn more at the Kingsoft Store.  The suite is available for download from the Google Play Store.  Give it a try and post your thoughts on the club website.

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Galaxy Note 2 Review – Originally Published January 2013

July 25, 2014 Posted by Tiny

From the Dark Side
by Tiny Ruisch

Way back in April of 2010, I wrote in this column about how I was finally giving up my IPAQ pocket computer (PPC) for a newfangled kind of PPC that happened to also make phone calls.  Now that I look back on what I’ve just written, I’m wondering if Hewlett-Packard could sue Apple for copyright infringement.  On third thought, I guess not.  Apple uses a lower case I.

Last June, I told you about how my trusty TP2 finally gave up the ghost.  Microsoft lost a customer due to their lousy updating of their mobile operating systems.  I changed to an Android phone that my grandson had quit using.  Three months later, I bought an android tablet.

In November, I finally used my upgrade and bought a Samsung Galaxy Note II.  This is by far the best pocket computer I have ever owned.  (I still can’t get myself to call it a telephone).

The Note II is a big machine.  It measures 5.949” x 3.17” x 0.37” and weighs 6.349 oz.  Some of the tech writers are calling this machine a “phablet” (from the two words phone and tablet).  For me it is a perfect size.  It fits in my pocket and the large screen is easy for my old eyes to read.  The screen resolution is 1280 x 720.

The processor is a Exynos 1.6GHz Quad-core and it is fast.  I haven’t experienced any screen lag.  The operating system is Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and is a joy to use.  Android has finally come into its own.  There is 16GB of internal memory and a slot for up to a 64GB micro SD card.  Powering it is a 3,100 mAh battery.  I have yet to get a message telling me the battery is getting low.  As a matter of routine, I’ve always bought a second battery for my pocket computers.  I haven’t had to use my stand-by battery with the Note II.

The camera resolution is 8.0 Megapixels.  The front facing camera is 1.9 Megapixels.  The camera features include Auto Focus, Best Face, Best Photo, Beauty, Buddy Photo Share, Burst Shot, Face Detection, HDR, Low Light, Panorama, Share Shot, Single Shot, Smile Shot and Geo-tagging.

One of my favorite features is the multitasking in split screen windows.  I can watch a movie in one window while I’m playing a game in the other window.  The possibilities are endless.  Messaging in one window, take pictures in the other.  Map in one window, take notes in the other.  This is an awesome feature.

Of course, all of the standard features are included: WI-FI, Bluetooth, GPS, Messaging, Web Browsing, Social Networking, etc.  Also included are some new apps designed specially for the fancy stylus, named the S-Pen.  The stylus is touch sensitive.  The harder you press on the screen, the darker the line.  It also works without touching the screen at all.  One of the cool features is when you pull the S-Pen out of its holder, all of the apps automatically load.  Reinsert the S-Pen and they close.  You won’t easily lose your stylus, because the machine will sound an alarm if you walk away without it.

There are a couple of things that I don’t like about the machine.  There is only one button on the front.  Pressing it opens the home screen.  Long pressing brings up the recently used apps screen.  Double pressing the button opens Samsung’s S-Voice app, which I don’t use.  Maybe future hackers will make some useful applications for the button.

The power button is on the upper right side of the computer, which is an an awkward position for me.  I often accidentally bump the volume control when I’m turning the machine on or off.  I wish they had put it on the top of the device.

Lastly is a pain in the whatchamacallit when using the camera.  You cannot turn the sound off.  This doesn’t bother me anymore though.  I’ve rooted my phone and have a quiet camera now.

If you’re in the market for a new phone and you want a large screen, a smooth operating system and superb battery life, I recommend you test drive the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.  It’s an excellent pocket computer that happens to also make telephone calls.

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Android App Permissions – Originally Published August 2011

July 22, 2014 Posted by Tiny

A Pain in the Whatchamacallit
By Tiny Ruisch

I’ve had my Archos Android tablet for six months now and I’ve formed an opinion of android applications.  There are a lot of them.  I’ve got three different app stores on my device, so I can usually find a usable program for whatever I want to do.  The only thing that is easier is finding applications for things that I don’t want to do.

The Google Marketplace is the iTunes store of the android world.  The selection of programs grows larger every day.  I can’t really say much about iTunes because Apple is one of the companies whose software I avoid installing on my machines.  Probably the biggest difference between the two is the fact that Apple has real live people preview all software before it goes on the market.  In theory, this will stop any malicious applications from ever being downloaded.  The only problematic iTunes programs I’ve read about involve misusing their customers private data.

The Apps Library is the Archos Android store.  It doesn’t have as many programs as the Marketplace, but they almost always work on my device.  I’ve noticed that many of the tablet manufacturers have their own application libraries (stores).  I imagine that is so they can get a cut of the sales.

The Amazon Android Store has been in operation for about a month now.  Every day, they feature a free app of the day.  Some of them have been useful to me.  Most of the daily offerings have been games.  Amazon says that all applications are previewed by employees.

Many applications can be downloaded directly from the developers website.  If you download directly, I recommend that you do some research and make certain that it is a safe application.

My biggest concern with downloading Android applications is that it is extremely easy to install programs that might not be in your best interests.  For example, at the June meeting when we had our first door prize drawing, I downloaded and installed a random generator app.  Later on, when I more closely checked it out, I found that I had given the app permission to modify storage, check GPS location, monitor phone calls and full internet access.  Does this simple program really need those functions?  Maybe so, but not from me.  I’ve deleted the program.

If you use Android software, I recommend that you closely check the permissions that programs request before you install them.  This is especially true for new software on the market.  Some of the permissions that could cost you money are:
a) Make Phone Calls.  This could allow an application to call a 1-900 number and charge you money.
b) Send SMS or MMS.  This could let an application send a text message on your behalf, and much like the phone call feature above, it could cost you money.

Other permissions could allow a rogue program to steal your personal data or make changes on your device that you don’t want to happen. Examples are:
a) Modify/Delete SD Card Contents will allow the application to read, write, and delete anything stored on your device’s SD card.
b) Read Contact Data is extra scary for me.  Unless an app explicitly states a specific feature that it would use your contact list for, there isn’t much of a reason tor you to allow it.
c) Full Internet Access could be the most important permission you will want to pay attention to.  For any malware to truly be effective it needs a means by which to transfer data off of your machine.  This is one of the settings it would definitely have to ask for.

Some other Android permissions that are mostly benign are:
a) Read Calendar Data.
b) Write Calendar Data.
c) Read Phone State and Identity gives an application access to three unique numbers that can identify your phone.  The numbers are the International Mobile Equipment Identity, International Mobile Subscriber Identity and a 64 bit unique ID that Google provides for the phone.
d) Fine (GPS) Location will allow an application to track where you are.
e) Modify Global System Settings allows a program to change anything you find under Android’s main ‘settings’ window.
f) Automatically Start At Boot will allow an application to tell Android to run the application every time you start your phone.  g) Retrieve Running Applications will allow an application to find out what other applications are running on your system.  Am I paranoid about the Android application security?  I don’t think so, but I’m definitely concerned enough to write an article about it for the Club Newsletter.  Like many other things on the internet, free isn’t free.  We pay for programs and services by giving the developers access to our personal data.  This information can be used for useful things like showing ads that you could use.  It could also be used for lousy things like mining every e-mail, phone number, address, etc. in your contact list.

Right now, my only Android device is my tablet.  It doesn’t have a phone or GPS.  This eliminates a lot of my concerns.  Will my next phone be Android?  I don’t know.  If Microsoft doesn’t get their mobile stuff together, I might have to make a change.

Thanks for reading.

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