January Meetings 2019
Jan 3, 2019 - Bookmarks, Turn off unwanted webpage sounds
Club Questions - lots of them, almost two hours worth. This meeting started moving towards finding real time answers to class questions. Most meetings start with a short lesson of some kind and then go into class questions for the remainder of the time. This week was all about bookmarks.
Club Questions - lots of them, almost two hours worth. This meeting started moving towards finding real time answers to class questions. Most meetings start with a short lesson of some kind and then go into class questions for the remainder of the time. This week was all about bookmarks.
Bookmarks - how to organize and manage them
Here's a comprehensive look at organizing your bookmarks from PC Magazine staff who cover all the major browsers for saving, managing and editing bookmarks. And here's WikiHow's take on how to handle bookmarks in Google Chrome.
For those of you using Mozilla Firefox, take a look at what their support site says about bookmarks.
For you Windows users on the Edge browser, here's what Laptop Magazine has to say about bookmarks. And if you're curious about how to set up your Favourites Bar in Edge, take a look at this PC World article on the subject.
Here's a comprehensive look at organizing your bookmarks from PC Magazine staff who cover all the major browsers for saving, managing and editing bookmarks. And here's WikiHow's take on how to handle bookmarks in Google Chrome.
For those of you using Mozilla Firefox, take a look at what their support site says about bookmarks.
For you Windows users on the Edge browser, here's what Laptop Magazine has to say about bookmarks. And if you're curious about how to set up your Favourites Bar in Edge, take a look at this PC World article on the subject.
How to Turn off Unwanted Sounds
We've all landed on webpages that suddenly start playing some video or audio file we didn't click on. Sometimes figuring out how to shut down the offending video/audio file isn't that easy. This article breaks it all down for the various browsers and makes getting your silence back easy.
We've all landed on webpages that suddenly start playing some video or audio file we didn't click on. Sometimes figuring out how to shut down the offending video/audio file isn't that easy. This article breaks it all down for the various browsers and makes getting your silence back easy.
Jan 10, 2019 - Podcasts, Podcasts, Podcasts
This week is was all about how to find Podcasts
PODCASTS MAY BE the new radio, but listening to these downloadable shows requires more effort than just twisting a dial. The rewards, however, are much richer: the latest in politics and culture, interviews with your favorite celebrities, serial dramas, and comedy aplenty. All of this programming is available for free; just install an app on your phone and download the shows you want to hear. So rich is the abundance of great podcasts and apps, diving in can be overwhelming. So we've done the dirty work—here's a guide to help get you started.
First, you'll need to pick a podcast player. Here are four suggestions that will get you in the door and straight to listening.
This week is was all about how to find Podcasts
PODCASTS MAY BE the new radio, but listening to these downloadable shows requires more effort than just twisting a dial. The rewards, however, are much richer: the latest in politics and culture, interviews with your favorite celebrities, serial dramas, and comedy aplenty. All of this programming is available for free; just install an app on your phone and download the shows you want to hear. So rich is the abundance of great podcasts and apps, diving in can be overwhelming. So we've done the dirty work—here's a guide to help get you started.
First, you'll need to pick a podcast player. Here are four suggestions that will get you in the door and straight to listening.
Apple Podcasts
If you have an iPhone, this app comes built into your phone. It might not have the biggest feature set, but it offers a quick and easy way to jump into the world of podcasts. It lacks the more powerful features found in other players like "voice boost" (which is great for listening in loud environments like a subway train or an airplane) and the ability to skip silence in a podcast. However, you can stream and download shows, skip ahead or rewind in 15 second intervals, and set your favorite shows to download automatically as soon as a new episode is released. Free
If you have an iPhone, this app comes built into your phone. It might not have the biggest feature set, but it offers a quick and easy way to jump into the world of podcasts. It lacks the more powerful features found in other players like "voice boost" (which is great for listening in loud environments like a subway train or an airplane) and the ability to skip silence in a podcast. However, you can stream and download shows, skip ahead or rewind in 15 second intervals, and set your favorite shows to download automatically as soon as a new episode is released. Free
Google Play Music
If you're on Android, Google's music streaming app, which comes preinstalled on your phone, also supports podcasts. Like Apple's Podcasts app, Google Play takes a simplistic approach to podcasts. It lets you subscribe to podcasts, download episodes, and skip and rewind during playback, but that's about it. However, there's also a version of the app that runs in the web browser, so you can listen from your computer when you're at your desk and save your phone's battery. Free
If you're on Android, Google's music streaming app, which comes preinstalled on your phone, also supports podcasts. Like Apple's Podcasts app, Google Play takes a simplistic approach to podcasts. It lets you subscribe to podcasts, download episodes, and skip and rewind during playback, but that's about it. However, there's also a version of the app that runs in the web browser, so you can listen from your computer when you're at your desk and save your phone's battery. Free
Spotify
Spotify's mainly known as a music streaming service, but in 2015, the company added support for podcasts. Again, you'll just get the basics, but that's enough to get you started. If you're a regular Spotify user already, this option gives you a podcast player with a familiar interface. As a bonus, you can flip between podcast episodes and your usual songs and playlists, so you never have to switch apps to listen to something different. There are a couple caveats, though: Spotify hand-picks which podcasts are allowed on its platform, so it may not have everything you're looking for, and without a premium subscription you'll have to listen to ads between episodes. Free
Spotify's mainly known as a music streaming service, but in 2015, the company added support for podcasts. Again, you'll just get the basics, but that's enough to get you started. If you're a regular Spotify user already, this option gives you a podcast player with a familiar interface. As a bonus, you can flip between podcast episodes and your usual songs and playlists, so you never have to switch apps to listen to something different. There are a couple caveats, though: Spotify hand-picks which podcasts are allowed on its platform, so it may not have everything you're looking for, and without a premium subscription you'll have to listen to ads between episodes. Free
Pocket Casts
If you want the full podcast experience, Pocket Casts is for you. Unlike the above options, it goes well beyond the basics. You can quickly see new episodes available for download, keep track of your unlistened episodes, set custom skip/rewind intervals to jump past ads or catch something you missed, and turn on voice boosting and silence trimming for an improved listening experience. If you take organization seriously, its episode filters can sort episodes to your heart's content based on a handful of different variables. On top of all that, Pocket Casts rocks a colorful design that makes everything pop. Well worth the $4, and for an additional $9 you can access all your favorite podcasts from any web browser. $4
If you want the full podcast experience, Pocket Casts is for you. Unlike the above options, it goes well beyond the basics. You can quickly see new episodes available for download, keep track of your unlistened episodes, set custom skip/rewind intervals to jump past ads or catch something you missed, and turn on voice boosting and silence trimming for an improved listening experience. If you take organization seriously, its episode filters can sort episodes to your heart's content based on a handful of different variables. On top of all that, Pocket Casts rocks a colorful design that makes everything pop. Well worth the $4, and for an additional $9 you can access all your favorite podcasts from any web browser. $4
Overcast
Overcast is often considered the gold standard of iOS podcast apps, and for good reason. The clean interface is easy to thumb and swipe around in. It also has the advanced features like voice boost and silence trimming. Overcast supports playlists, so you can make lists of your favorite episodes, or a list of podcasts you want to listen to on a long trip. It'll notify you of new episodes for your favorite shows, and if you're low on storage you can set limits for how many episodes the app will download for offline listening. These features are all free, but for $10 per year you'll be able to remove ads, upload your own audio files to Overcast's servers, and change the color of the icon on your home screen, if you're into that. Free, with premium features for $10/year
Now Find Something to Listen to
Every podcast app has a section filled with recommended shows you can browse. Start there. Some apps have better suggestions than others, but at least you'll be able to find a few things you might like. When you find a show you're sure you'll enjoy, subscribe to it—this adds the title to your list of favorites in the app. If you want, you can set up your app to download each new episodes as soon as it's released. Most apps will also let you listen to an episode of any podcast without subscribing, so test out as many shows as you want.
Overcast is often considered the gold standard of iOS podcast apps, and for good reason. The clean interface is easy to thumb and swipe around in. It also has the advanced features like voice boost and silence trimming. Overcast supports playlists, so you can make lists of your favorite episodes, or a list of podcasts you want to listen to on a long trip. It'll notify you of new episodes for your favorite shows, and if you're low on storage you can set limits for how many episodes the app will download for offline listening. These features are all free, but for $10 per year you'll be able to remove ads, upload your own audio files to Overcast's servers, and change the color of the icon on your home screen, if you're into that. Free, with premium features for $10/year
Now Find Something to Listen to
Every podcast app has a section filled with recommended shows you can browse. Start there. Some apps have better suggestions than others, but at least you'll be able to find a few things you might like. When you find a show you're sure you'll enjoy, subscribe to it—this adds the title to your list of favorites in the app. If you want, you can set up your app to download each new episodes as soon as it's released. Most apps will also let you listen to an episode of any podcast without subscribing, so test out as many shows as you want.
Jan 17, 2019 - Podcasts
Podcasts - (Portable On Demand - broadcasts) how do they work? This week the Club goes deeper into Podcasting and how to make the best use of these free, creative audio programs. First take a look at the video below giving a general overview of Podcasts. And if you want to go a little deeper into podcasts, take a look at some of the stats and facts.
Podcasts - (Portable On Demand - broadcasts) how do they work? This week the Club goes deeper into Podcasting and how to make the best use of these free, creative audio programs. First take a look at the video below giving a general overview of Podcasts. And if you want to go a little deeper into podcasts, take a look at some of the stats and facts.
Podcasts - Where to find them
When it comes to finding the right podcast there are lots of ways of narrowing the field, I Heart Radio has a great list of categories that might help you find what you're looking for.
Top 100 Podcasts - Stitcher Recommends its favourite 100 podcasts here you can get some ideas about what's really out there. If you don't like this list, just do a search for "top 100 podcasts" there are plenty of list-makers out there for this sort of thing.
When it comes to finding the right podcast there are lots of ways of narrowing the field, I Heart Radio has a great list of categories that might help you find what you're looking for.
Top 100 Podcasts - Stitcher Recommends its favourite 100 podcasts here you can get some ideas about what's really out there. If you don't like this list, just do a search for "top 100 podcasts" there are plenty of list-makers out there for this sort of thing.
Jan 24, 2019 - USB Connections, Computer Symbols
This week, we dove deep into USB connections, the various incarnations and just how important this type of a connection is to computer use. It will most likely be a USB port that you plug into for most all your computer peripherals; keyboards, mouse, DVD drive, external hard drives and many other devices.
This week, we dove deep into USB connections, the various incarnations and just how important this type of a connection is to computer use. It will most likely be a USB port that you plug into for most all your computer peripherals; keyboards, mouse, DVD drive, external hard drives and many other devices.
USB (abbreviation of Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply between personal computers and their peripheral devices.[3] Released in 1996, the USB standard is currently maintained by the USB Implementers Forum (USB IF). There have been three generations of USB specifications: USB 1.x, USB 2.0, USB 3.x.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) was designed to standardize the connection of peripherals like keyboards, pointing devices, digital still and video cameras, printers, portable media players, disk drives and network adapters to personal computers, both to communicate and to supply electric power. It has largely replaced interfaces such as serial ports and parallel ports, and has become commonplace on a wide range of devices.
USB connectors have been increasingly replacing other types for battery chargers of portable devices.
And the USB symbol isn't the only unique icon used for computers, here is an article covering most of the common computer symbols and what they mean. Some of these symbols you may never encounter, but others, like the USB icon, you will see often.
https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001801.htm
USB connectors have been increasingly replacing other types for battery chargers of portable devices.
And the USB symbol isn't the only unique icon used for computers, here is an article covering most of the common computer symbols and what they mean. Some of these symbols you may never encounter, but others, like the USB icon, you will see often.
https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001801.htm
Some Common Computer Symbols
a typical Windows keyboard
a typical Mac keyboard
