Posts Tagged: ‘Miscellaneous’

Bah! Humbug! (2018-12)

July 11, 2022 Posted by Tiny

Thoughts From a Clicker
By Tiny Ruisch

Bah! Humbug!
It’s that time of the year again. The retailers want us to spend all of our hard earned nickels on lots of things that we don’t really need. My daughter always tells me that it is hard to buy me a Christmas present because I don’t need anything. I tell her that makes it easier. Don’t buy me anything. It never works that way though, but it’s alright. I can always use socks and t‑shirts (if they’ve got a pocket. Did you know that you can actually give someone a Gift of Nothing?

Bah! Humbug!
About the only difference in the holiday season every year is that it usually seems to start earlier and earlier. This year, I saw my first Christmas display on labor day. All of the major online sales sites started advertising Black Friday deals sometime during the first part of November. Black Friday has almost become Black Thursday. You’d at least think they would change it to Fifty Shades of Grey Thursday. I’m expecting the 2019 season to start around the Fourth of July.

Bah! Humbug!
Every year, I’ve got to listen to some novelty song about five zillion times. I’m just happy that Grandma doesn’t get run over by a reindeer as often as she used to. I’d rather just listen to some Christmas music on YouTube.

Bah! Humbug!
It’s that time of year when we get to watch all of those TV specials and rerun movies that are better off forgotten. It was a Wonderful Life when it was a movie, but 9000 times as a TV special leaves something to be desired. The only good thing you can say is that during the holidays, we don’t have to watch the regular lousy television programming. Don’t even get me started on Christmas commercials.

Oh well. I guess it’s time for me to stop bah humbugging and write something about technology. On the other hand, it is the holidays. I’ll just give everyone a link to one of the best sites on the internet to find free software. Tech Support Alert is a community site for reviewing and rating free programs. If you’ve never visited them, it is definitely worth a click.

By the way, I’m not really a Bah! Hum‑bugger. Merry Christmas!

Bah! Humbug! My wife just told me to put my shoes on because she wants me to go along and help pick out the daughters’ Christmas present. I know what she really means is that I’ll be carrying a whole bunch of bags.
Thanks for reading.

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Why I Like Computer Clubs (2018-11)

July 11, 2022 Posted by Tiny

Thoughts From a Clicker
By Tiny Ruisch

You may not know me (yet) as I am one of the newest members of the Cajun Clickers Computer Club.  I thought I’d take a few minutes and tell everyone why I’ve joined the club.  Of course, I’m assuming that the Club Newsletter Editor thinks this article is worthy of printing.

Over the years I’ve been a member of several computer clubs.  There are many reasons that I keep joining them.  The most important thing about these computer user groups (clubs) is that they were full of people who meet to share information and to learn from each other.  All of them were informal groups with a common purpose of learning more about how computers operate.

Computer clubs offer a lot of knowledge and experience.  It’s almost like having tech support with a native English speaking support staff.  No matter what problem you may have, there is usually someone that knows how to solve it, or where to go to find out how.

A computer user group gives you something better to do than sitting at home staring at the wall.  The meetings are a fun method of learning something new.  Even though I’m fairly knowledgeable on many aspects of computing, there are many times I that I learn a new tidbit.  In the few months since I’ve joined the Cajun Clickers, I’ve learned from a professional interior decorator, an author and a Linux guru.  I’m sure the future will bring me more of the same.

Most computer groups have a monthly newsletter.  These are usually filled with in‑depth, informative articles on various aspects of computers and other electronics.  I’ll also admit that I like to run my mouth and newsletters often give me a chance to write about something that I like to talk about.

Computer user groups are a fun place to mingle and meet new people  Since joining the Cajun Clickers, I’ve been introduced to and joined another unrelated organization.

Where else can you get all of this and more for less than five dollars a month? The annual membership fee is less than you would pay for one computer class anywhere else.  Sometimes, that means we teach each other how to use Windows 10.  Other times, it means teaching how to use the Internet more effectively, to use a photo editing programs, how to take digital pictures or how to research your family tree.  These are topics for ordinary people, not things for programmers.

Now that I’ve told you why I like the Cajun Clickers, I’m going to take a few more minutes of your time and suggest how you how you can help make our computer club even better.

Why not contribute an article to this newsletter?  Do you have a favorite program that you think would be useful to other computer users?  Take a few minutes and tell everyone about it.  Not only that, but the editor will likely appreciate it too.

Why not bring a friend to one of our monthly meetings?  You can impress them with how smart you are by being a member of the club.  They just might decide to join and then everyone would benefit.

Have you found a great website that everyone should know about?  Found a great deal on a new computer?  Heard a funny story that you just can’t wait to tell?  Have a computer question that can’t wait for the club meeting?  Why not post it on the club’s Facebook Page or Google Groups.  It only takes a few minutes and is just the thing that could generate more interest in the club.

Thanks for reading.

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Useless Gadgets (2022-07)

July 10, 2022 Posted by Tiny

Thoughts From a Clicker
By Tiny Ruisch

Back in the last century, I had a nifty little electronic gadget on my key ring.  It did only one thing.  If you pushed the button, it would indicate if there was a wireless network in range.  Back then, most networks weren’t secure and it was easy to get online.  Electronic gadgets have come a long way since then.  Many people have their favorite gadget, everything from a remote control to a robot that vacuums the floor.  Even the military has gadgets they use to blow up things.  In my opinion, many of them are useless.  There are many new technologies others have that I just don’t care about.

By now I bet you’ve figured out that this article is going to be about some high-tech devices that I can live without.

The cell phone might be one of the most annoying gadgets ever.  I got my first cell phone in 2005 when I first moved to Louisiana.  My daughter added the wife and me to her family plan and gave us both a phone.  Even people that can’t live without a cell phone would have to admit that they are often annoying beyond human endurance.  The photos and movies they take can lead to all kinds of problems.  They can be awful scary.  When driving, you have to watch out for the cell phone packing motorist.  When carrying one, you have to worry about being tracked.  When using one, you have to worry about the controversial possibility that the thing is slowly cooking your brain.  There isn’t a whole lot of privacy any more.  Don’t you just love it when you’re at a meeting and someone’s cell phone rings?  After all of the ranting, I have to tell you that I’ve put myself in a position where I can’t live without the darn thing.  If an incoming call is not in my contacts list, it goes straight to my voice mail.  I don’t need to sign up for the National No Call Registry.  If I don’t know who is calling, I just don’t answer the thing.  A while back, I received an e-mail that closed, “Sent from my mobile phone.  Please excuse any typos.”  As Colonel Potter often said on MASH, “Horse hockey!”.  (Once he changed it to “Cow cookies”).  I’m sorry, but I am not buying in to the notion that I should forgive poor grammar, bad spelling, or indecipherable texting because the sender is using a gadget with a lousy keyboard.

You don’t see electronic pagers much anymore.  The last time I saw one, I was at a restaurant.  They paged you when it was your turn to give them some of your money.  Talk about making you feel important.  “Dr. Tiny, we have your table prepared with some surgical instruments.  Please come to the check in counter.  We’re finished testing your patience level.  Don’t forget to return our useless gadget.”

Speaking of useless gadgets, how effective can a battery powered robot that automatically vacuums the floor be?  Can that Roomba do a good job as small as it is?  Maybe if you got one of those robot doggies, you could use your Roomba as a robot doggie pooper scooper.

I’m still undecided whether or not I like dedicated e-readers.  My tablet has e-book software that works pretty good for me.  The advantages that I miss out on are being able to read in bright sunlight and a much longer battery life.  Since I am seldom out of the shade for very long and I’ve got plenty of electric outlets, I’m not too worried.  I don’t have a dedicated e-reader, but with my tablet I can not only read a book, but write one, listen to the radio and play a game or two.

If I could take a poll of all the club members, I wonder how many would have a useless gadget in the junk drawer next to a key chain camera or a clapper.  That’s it for this month.  I’ve got to finish searching the internet for a new gadget.  I’ve been looking for a Swiss Army Knife with USB and Bluetooth capabilities.  I want one that will tell me if I need to sharpen the tools.  I sure hope I can find one that is upgradeable.

Thanks for reading and keep on clicking.

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Gizmo’s Is Back (2022-03)

March 16, 2022 Posted by Tiny

Thoughts From a Clicker
By Tiny Ruisch

I finally found some time to do an update on one of my websites.  Like many other sites, I have a favorite links page.  I immediately noticed that I still had a link for Gizmo’s Freeware.  I knew I needed to delete it because the site closed down in 2021.  It was a sad time for everyone that likes excellent freeware programs.

In 2008, Ian “Gizmo” Richards launched the Tech Support Alert Website.  It featured reviews and links to freeware programs in several categories.  Programs were reviewed by volunteers.  There was an active forum with comments and suggestions from readers.

One of the great things about the site was that there wasn’t any advertising.  It was funded solely by donations from users.  I remember several times there were pleas for extra funds to keep the site going.  Disclaimer: I usually sent what I could afford.  In later years, donations were no longer enough to pay costs and Google ads were incorporated.  In March of 2021, Google Ad Sense canceled their advertisements.  It was announced that the web site would shut down in July.  The site shut down and a farewell page was posted.

I’m glad that I rechecked the link.  Gizmo’s is back online.  It has been renamed “Gizmo’s Best” and has a new web interface.  I’m surprised that I haven’t seen any mention of this happy fact on any of the many tech news sites that I read.

There aren’t as many reviews or programs listed as on the old site.  At first this was a little upsetting, but on further thought, I agree.  Many of the programs on the old site were outdated and no longer available.  The site still lists the ones it has in the same categories: Android, IOS, Linux, MACOS and Windows.  There is a new category for Reader’s Best.  The “Free Wallpaper of the Week” is still on the site.

If you remember how great Gizmo’s Freeware was, give the remake a try. You can find it at Gizmo’s Best (techsupportalert.com).

Thanks for reading and keep on clicking.

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Buying an Android Phone (2022-02)

January 30, 2022 Posted by Tiny

Thoughts From a Clicker
By Tiny Ruisch

Every time I do an About Android Workshop, I’m asked for recommendations of which Android phone someone should buy.  My answer is always the same, “I don’t have the slightest idea.”  Depending on individual needs, buying the “right” electronic device is a decision that every person has to make for themselves.  This is the same advice that I give for buying or using almost anything: computers, cars, software, whiskey, etc.

What I can do is give my opinion on various products.  When I do, I usually mention that what is good for me isn’t good for everyone.  Apple iPhones are arguably the best that you can buy.  They aren’t for me.

If you’re buying an Android phone, the main thing to keep in mind is that Android is Open Source software.  This means that any individual or company can modify it to suit their needs.  This often results in “fragmentation” of the market.  Manufacturers can modify Android to add their own unique programs.  Cell carriers can do the same thing.  The Android Operating System on two phones of the same make or model can be different from each other.

If you’re in the market for an Android phone, there are several things you can look at before deciding what to buy.  There are many hardware decisions to make.  How important is it to have a SD card?  What is the best screen size?  Which processor should you get?  How unbreakable is the screen?  What sensors are in the phone?  Sadly, many people don’t answer these important things.  The only thing that concerns them is “How much does the phone cost?”

I can tell you about my personal preferences when I buy a new phone:
1) What is the manufacturer’s position on updates?  Google provides security updates on a monthly basis.  Some manufacturers don’t provide the updates.  Others may update several months later.  There have been instances of makers promising updates and then changing their schedules.
2) What is the return policy?  It seems like every time a new phone is released, there is some problems.  Often, all of the phones aren’t affected.  I want to know that if I get a lemon, I can easily replace it
3) An absolute must have in my phones is an NFC sensor.  Near Field Communication is what allows you to exchange date without contact.  The most common function is using phone for payments.  It was available on Android long before Apple Pay.  I went without the feature for a couple of years and realized how important it was to me.
4) I’ve also gotten to appreciate a fingerprint sensor.  Not all phones have one.  I’ve found that it is the easiest method for unlocking a phone.
5) How much memory does the phone have?  I used to only buy phones with an SD card slot.  I’ve found that it is not a big thing for me anymore.  I can easily store and read files on many of the cloud services.

I always buy my phones unlocked.  This simply means that they are not tied to any carrier.  Not only do I avoid having the provider bloatware installed on my phone, my monthly phone bill also is smaller because I am not paying for a “free” phone.

In conclusion, please remember these are my opinions.  I’m making no claim that they are best.  If you’re buying a new phone, make a list of what you need it to do.  Then research and find the one that’s right for you.

Thanks for reading and keep on clicking.

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Cruising Again (2022-01)

January 2, 2022 Posted by Tiny

Thoughts From a Clicker
By Tiny Ruisch

I’m writing this article on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean.  I know the pandemic isn’t over, but the wife and I like to cruise and we’ve been getting a little antsy sitting around home.  We haven’t been gone out much for the last two years.  I feel fairly safe here.  Before boarding (a Carnival ship), all passengers were required to have proof of vaccination.  A negative Covid test two days prior to boarding had to be shown.  Masks are required on elevators and while waiting in lines.

Don’t worry. This article is about technology, not cruising.  I’ve been reflecting on how technology has changed since the wife twisted my arm and took me on our first cruise in 1991.  Way back then, a ship required one or more tugboats to push it to the dock so they could moor.  Modern cruise ships have an interesting technology.  Thruster pods in the bow and stern of the ship can rotate 180 degrees and maneuver the ship to the pier.  To me, it is amazing to watch a ship move sideways without a tugboat pushing it.  These pods also enable the ship to do a complete turn in the harbor before mooring or getting underway.

Cell phones were not all that common thirty years ago.  On the modern cruise ship, they are a necessity.  The dining room has hardly any menus.  If you want to see your meal choices, you need to check the app on your cell phone.  Speaking of eating, the first time we went to the dining room, we had to wait for a seat.  Turns out that patrons are expected to make a reservation.  The ship then notifies you when your table is ready.  You need your phone for many other things such as viewing the ship’s schedule, booking shore excursions, locating places on the ship and many others.

Besides the official photographers, I only saw two people with actual cameras on the ship.  I’m sure there were more, but almost everyone just used their cell phone camera.  Another thing that has changed over the years is how many people are using some type of e‑reader, I‑Pad or other tablet.  There were some passengers with an actual book that was made out of paper.  It seemed to be a real oddity.

Sadly, there is one technology that definitely has not changed or improved.  I’m an internet junkie and subscribe to the ship’s ISP package.  It is a satellite service and is often intolerably slow.  When I e‑mailed the Clicker Quizzler to Pat, it took about six minutes to send.  When I’m at home, I start to get frustrated if I have to wait for six seconds.  At least I’ve been able to slowly follow some of my favorite sites.  We’re cruising during Christmas week, so I’m not missing much.

I hope everyone had a be-yule-tiful Christmas.

Thanks for reading and keep on clicking.

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Astronomy Web Sites (2021-10)

September 20, 2021 Posted by Tiny

Thoughts From a Clicker
By Tiny Ruisch

By now, all members of the Cajun Clickers hopefully have had their electricity restored.  Hurricane Ida did an excellent job of depriving us of many of our modern conveniences.  For me, there was a benefit to help allay the lack of air conditioning.  There wasn’t any light pollution.  The night sky was clearly visible.

It seems that space and astronomy stories are in the news almost every day.  Even if you discount the billionaires mucking things up, there are many exiting things happening.   We have been exploring our solar system in depth, especially Mars.  Deep space telescopes are finding many new planets orbiting distant stars.  Scientists are speculating that many of them might even be habitable.

Now that we’re getting back to normal, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a telescope to view the heavens.  Planetarium software will allow you to view stars as if you were actually looking at the sky.  All you need is a computer with a decent graphics card.  There are several free planetarium software programs that can bring the skies to your monitor.

Stellarium is a free open source planetarium program that shows the sky in 3D.  If you have a compatible telescope you can use the program to control it.  The program runs on Windows, Linux and MacOS.  There is also a portable version.

Celestia is a multi-platform Planetarium software available for free.  It lets you explore the Solar System along with the vast expanses of the Universe.  Celestia does not restrict you to view objects from Earth’s point of view.  You can go to a planet, a star or galaxy to view it from a different perspective.

SkyChart is another open source cross platform program.  It also will control a computerized telescope.  There are many deep space images with more being frequently added to the data base.

C2A is a freeware program that has an excellent data section next to the sky image display.  The program is very intuitive and easy to use. It is available for Windows only.

WorldWideTelescope has an interesting “Guided Tours” feature.  Each of the tours takes you on a multimedia trip through some aspect of the night sky.  You can either download the program for windows or view in a web browser.

Although I’ve gotten older and don’t have a telescope any more, I still enjoy exploring the universe with these websites and programs.  If you’re interested, give them a try.

Thanks for reading and keep on clicking.

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Planned Obsolescence (2021-09)

August 22, 2021 Posted by Tiny

Thoughts From a Clicker
By Tiny Ruisch

Don’t you just hate it when something fails shortly after the warranty expires?  It might be my imagination, but it sure seems to happen often.  It reminds me of a MAD magazine article I read about forty years ago.  It was a satire of Thomas Edison.  There was a picture of him in his lab working on the phonograph.  On the shelf behind him was a reel-to-reel tape recorder/player, which at that time was the latest audio technology.  The caption said that Edison didn’t get rich by patenting his best products right away.

Ever notice when you buy a new phone there will be a new model or major update long before you wear it out?  The same thing for computers.  You can bet that within two months of buying one, there will be a better model released.

Even though it sometimes appears suspicious, I don’t believe that companies would stoop so low as to profit by withholding their best.  I think they bend even lower.  How often is it cheaper to buy a new model of something than to repair your old one?

How old is your cell phone?  Does it work as good as it did when you first bought it?  How much longer do you think you’ll be using it?  How about your cassettes.  Do you still listen to them?  Maybe you listen to your phonograph records instead.  No?  It must be the reel-to-reel tapes that you like to listen to.  Why is it that you can buy a new computer, set it up and find that it is already out of date?

The answer to all of those questions and many more like it is planned obsolescence.  That is why so many things work great until about the time the warranty expires?  I think it is because companies deliberately design their products to fail early.  Is it a coincidence that printers quit printing when the ink is low, but not empty.  Doesn’t it seem that a lot of software isn’t compatible with prior programs or files?  Didn’t automobiles made fifty or sixty years ago last a lot longer than modern cars?

It isn’t just electronics technology that manufacturers plan to become obsolete.  Textbooks are revised every year even though most topics don’t have many changes in the subject material.  When I was younger, my Mother had a Hoover canister vacuum cleaner that she must have used for at least twenty years.  These days, it seems like my wife needs to replace the vacuum every three years or so.  The cuckoo clock in my living room is at least 100 years old.  I wonder if I could buy a new model that would last as long.

It isn’t just that equipment wears out.  How often do you hear about printer problems.  Many of them are solely because software drivers haven’t been updated.  No problem, you can pick up a new printer pretty cheaply.  If you’re using an android phone, how are you’re monthly security updates doing?  With most manufacturers, they are two or three months behind, if they’re updated at all.

I could probably rant on for another five pages or so, but I think you probably know what I mean.  Companies plan for their products obsolescence so they can make more profit by selling new stuff.  Of course, that’s just my opinion.

Now that I think about it, it’s not just manufacturers that plan for obsolescence.  After all, next month this column will be obsolete.

Thanks for reading and keep on clicking.

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Android Fragmentation (2021-08)

July 18, 2021 Posted by Tiny

Thoughts From a Clicker
By Tiny Ruisch

Lately I’ve been doing research for my “About Android” workshop.  I’ve been an Android user since June of 2013 when I bought a Samsung Galaxy Note 2.  I probably would have never bought it if Windows Mobile hadn’t started becoming a terrible operating system.  Since then, I’ve owned several Android phones and tablets,  I’ve used products from Samsung, Google, HTC, LG, Motorola and many other companies.

One of the greatest problems with the Android OS hasn’t changed since it was first released in 2008.  The market has always been fragmented.  Android is open source software.  Essentially, this means that anyone can modify it to fit their needs.

This is why the market has become so fragmented.  Phone manufacturers modify the OS and add in their proprietary applications and other things that a user may or may not want.  On my Samsung tablet, the Operating System is listed as “Samsung Experience”.  Other companies do the same type of thing.

Most end users buy their phones through one of the cell carriers.  In turn, these companies add more programs and bloatware.  These often include apps for finding your family, chatting and texting, news feeds, roadside assistance, etc.  For most users, these apps aren’t needed, use up storage space and slow down their phones.

Another thing that contributes to Android fragmentation are updates.  Google releases a monthly security patch.  Before your phone can be updated, the manufacturer has to incorporate it and make it available for downloading.  Many stop doing this after a year or two.  If it is a carrier phone, the security patches have to go through another layer of updates before they can be installed on phones.  It isn’t hard to figure out why many phones don’t have the latest updates.

It’s not unusual for updates to take three or four months to get incorporated by manufacturers and cell phone carriers.  Some companies are faster than others.  Others just help to increase the fragmentation.

One last problem with Android fragmentation is the problems that application developers find when they create new programs.  It can be difficult for them to make sure their app work on every device.  Don’t believe me?  Look at almost any app in the Google Play Store and there will be restrictions on devices and Android Versions.  Read reviews for almost any app and you will find comments that the app doesn’t work on a particular device.

So what can you, the user, do to avoid the problem of Android Fragmentation?  Unfortunately, not much.  Do a little research before you buy a new device and check the manufacturer’s update polices.  Buying an “unlocked” phone instead of a carrier phone will eliminate one step in the update process.  If you are adventurous, you can find instructions on the internet for installing your own Android OS.

Thanks for reading and keep on clicking.

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The End

March 6, 2021 Posted by Tiny

A Pain in the Whatchamacallit
By Tiny Ruisch

“Welcome to My Ramblings
     In this section you can find my thoughts on many things, mostly computers, consumer electronics and software reviews.
Most of the articles were originally published in the Southwest Louisiana PC Users Group monthly newsletter. The opinions are mine. If you find other writers on the internet that agree with me, they must be pretty smart. If they disagree, I’ll try not to lose any sleep over it.
     A Pain in the Whatchamacallit is a monthly rambling on various topics. Although I occasionally divert, I usually write about computers, the internet, consumer electronics or different ways that technology is used (or abused).
Lagniappe is a Southern Louisiana & Mississippi word that means an extra or unexpected gift or benefit. These Articles are reviews of software that is either open source or freeware. All of the programs have zero cost for home users.
From the Darkside articles are all about Android devices and software.”

The preceding was copied from my website information page.  This article will be the final Pain in the Whatchamacallit.  I sure wish I had used a different word in the title.  Whatchamacallit is a real “pain” to type.  At least, I probably won’t be typing it again.

After thirty‑seven years, the SWLAPCUG Club Newsletter has published its final edition.  I started writing these articles for the newsletter after I moved to Louisiana and joined the club.  Looking back, I’m a little amazed at how many there have been.  I’ve written 133 Whatchamacallits, 65 Lagniappes and 53 Darkside articles.

After each newsletter was published, I posted all of the articles on my personal web site.  I will continue to write the occasional review, rant, observation, etc.  I am also writing articles for another newsletter.  I’ll be posting them on my website in the future.

They say that all good things come to an end.  I hope that “A Pain in the Whatchamacallit” has been considered to be a good thing.

Goodbye and thanks for reading.

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