June Meetings 2023
June 1, 2023 - What is a Password Manager? Best Password Managers for 2023,
Best Apps for Plant Identification, RCS vs SMS for Texting, FCC Updates Broadband Map,
"It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's Superman,
and he's not clicking on any Unknown Links."
- innocent bystander
Club Questions
Best Apps for Plant Identification, RCS vs SMS for Texting, FCC Updates Broadband Map,
"It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's Superman,
and he's not clicking on any Unknown Links."
- innocent bystander
Club Questions
What is a Password Manager?
A password manager is a piece of software that helps you create strong passwords, store them in an encrypted vault behind a single master password, and then retrieve those passwords as you’re logging into your accounts. It is not recommended that you use a free password manager, but there are several good paid password managers. For more details on how to set up and use a password manager (including how to import passwords from your browsers or another password manager) take a look at the video below.
A password manager is a piece of software that helps you create strong passwords, store them in an encrypted vault behind a single master password, and then retrieve those passwords as you’re logging into your accounts. It is not recommended that you use a free password manager, but there are several good paid password managers. For more details on how to set up and use a password manager (including how to import passwords from your browsers or another password manager) take a look at the video below.
Best Password Managers for 2023
Now that you know how to set up and use a password manager (if you read the above article), then you're probably wondering what are the best password managers? For more information on some of the best choices for password manager, take a look at the links below.
CNET's Best Password Managers for 2023
Tom's Guide Best Password Managers for 2023
PC Magazine's Best Password Managers for 2023
Now that you know how to set up and use a password manager (if you read the above article), then you're probably wondering what are the best password managers? For more information on some of the best choices for password manager, take a look at the links below.
CNET's Best Password Managers for 2023
Tom's Guide Best Password Managers for 2023
PC Magazine's Best Password Managers for 2023
Best Apps for Plant Identification
We've all been there, out on a walk thru the neighborhood and we see an unusual plant, we want to know what kind of plant it is and all we've got with us is our smartphone. Luckily there are several apps out there that will ID plants with only a photo or two. It's as easy as taking a picture with your phone and letting the app do the rest. This technology has been around for a while now, but recent updates and the inevitable inclusion of AI is making Identifying plants much easier. Take a look at the links below to see the best of the plant identifying apps.
LifeWire's Best Plant Identification Apps of 2023
House and Garden's Best Plant Identification Apps for 2023
You Had Me at Gardening's Best Plant Identification Apps for 2023
RCS vs SMS for Texting
We all know how to text, but texting has evolved since its inception. SMS (Short Message Service) was the first kind of texting and was rather limited in several ways, then came MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) and that included the ability to send images and short videos. RCS (Rich Communication Service) is more more enhanced texting format that allows for multimedia, longer text count and encryption. To learn more about all the differences in these texting formats, take a look at this article.
We all know how to text, but texting has evolved since its inception. SMS (Short Message Service) was the first kind of texting and was rather limited in several ways, then came MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) and that included the ability to send images and short videos. RCS (Rich Communication Service) is more more enhanced texting format that allows for multimedia, longer text count and encryption. To learn more about all the differences in these texting formats, take a look at this article.
FCC Updates Broadband Map
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) recently updated its national map with ISP (Internet Service Providers) data, including spots with no service. To read more about what new data the FCC just released, take a look at this article. Or, if you just want to plug in your address to see what kind of coverage is available to you, go straight to the new FCC map.
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) recently updated its national map with ISP (Internet Service Providers) data, including spots with no service. To read more about what new data the FCC just released, take a look at this article. Or, if you just want to plug in your address to see what kind of coverage is available to you, go straight to the new FCC map.
June 8, 2023 - New Gmail Scam, Best Home Wi-Fi Routers for 2023 (including Mesh Routers), Life with 10G, Apple's WWDC 2023,
"I'd rather be bitten by a radioactive spider,
than click on any Unknown Links."
- Spiderman
Club Questions
"I'd rather be bitten by a radioactive spider,
than click on any Unknown Links."
- Spiderman
Club Questions
New Gmail Verification Scam
For those of you who use Gmail as your email provider, there's a new scam you need to look out for. The scam is taking advantage of an apparent problem with the recently rolled out blue checkmark verification, but there are a few things you can do to avoid getting the scam. First, double-check the header. If you see a bunch of random letters, numbers, and symbols in the email address, that’s your first clue that something is fishy. To learn more about this latest Gmail scam and how to protect yourself from it, take a look at this article.
For those of you who use Gmail as your email provider, there's a new scam you need to look out for. The scam is taking advantage of an apparent problem with the recently rolled out blue checkmark verification, but there are a few things you can do to avoid getting the scam. First, double-check the header. If you see a bunch of random letters, numbers, and symbols in the email address, that’s your first clue that something is fishy. To learn more about this latest Gmail scam and how to protect yourself from it, take a look at this article.
Best Home Wi-Fi Routers for 2023
It's time for another round up of the best of the best, this time it's all about routers for your home. As always, you should check out all the below links and see which routers consistently show up in the best of lists. Included in the lists below are single home routers, which are suitable for most home situations, as well as the best mesh routers, which consist of two or three satellites that connect to the main router and create a much larger, and faster, wi-fi network for larger homes.
PRO TIP - If you're renting your router from your ISP, you might want to consider buying one. The price of a good router will often be paid off in less than a year of rental fees and most routers last for many years before needing to be replaced/updated. This can save you potentially hundreds of dollars over the course of a couple of years.
PC Magazine's Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2023
CNET's Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2023
Tom's Guide's Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2023
Tech Radar's Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2023
Consumer Report's Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2023
It's time for another round up of the best of the best, this time it's all about routers for your home. As always, you should check out all the below links and see which routers consistently show up in the best of lists. Included in the lists below are single home routers, which are suitable for most home situations, as well as the best mesh routers, which consist of two or three satellites that connect to the main router and create a much larger, and faster, wi-fi network for larger homes.
PRO TIP - If you're renting your router from your ISP, you might want to consider buying one. The price of a good router will often be paid off in less than a year of rental fees and most routers last for many years before needing to be replaced/updated. This can save you potentially hundreds of dollars over the course of a couple of years.
PC Magazine's Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2023
CNET's Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2023
Tom's Guide's Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2023
Tech Radar's Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2023
Consumer Report's Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2023
Life with 10G
With 29 billion devices expected to be connected to the internet in 2023, the need for broadband networks that can meet the demands of today and well into the future is clear. America’s digital future will rely on next-generation 10G networks. 10G broadband is fiber-powered technology that will deliver internet speeds of 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) — 10 times faster than today’s networks. Its key benefits include: faster speeds, lower latency and greater security. To look into the future and see what life with 10G will be like, take a look at this article.
Apple's WWDC 2023
Apple held its annual tech reveal at its World Wide Developer's Conference (WWDC) this last week. This is where Apple introduces their latest flashy new tech to the world, and as always, they did not disappoint. Among other things, they debuted their super expensive VR goggles and also some great updates to their phones/tablets for travelers. For a quick overview of everything Apple had to say at this year's WWDC, take a look at the video below. All these Apple changes will be coming to supported devices later this year.
Apple held its annual tech reveal at its World Wide Developer's Conference (WWDC) this last week. This is where Apple introduces their latest flashy new tech to the world, and as always, they did not disappoint. Among other things, they debuted their super expensive VR goggles and also some great updates to their phones/tablets for travelers. For a quick overview of everything Apple had to say at this year's WWDC, take a look at the video below. All these Apple changes will be coming to supported devices later this year.
June 15, 2023 - Is Your iPhone Being Tracked? There's an App for That,
Google is Reinventing Internet Search,
"Even when I'm protected inside my metal suit,
I never click on any Unknown Links."
- Ironman
Club Questions
Google is Reinventing Internet Search,
"Even when I'm protected inside my metal suit,
I never click on any Unknown Links."
- Ironman
Club Questions
Is Your iPhone Being Tracked?
iPhone's are known for their privacy, but many iOS apps ask for precise location tracking permission by default the first time you open them. And it can be easy to forget how many or which apps you’ve given permission to. The main choices when the location tracking dialog appears after opening an app for the first time are “Allow Once, “Allow While Using App,” and “Don’t Allow.” It’s easy to miss that in the top left corner is a “Precise: On.” It’s actually a button that lets you make the choice to keep the precise tracking default enabled or change it to use your approximate location. Some apps need your precise location to work better, like maps, but many do not. To learn how to turn off precise tracking on your iPhone, take a look at this article. And it's not just iPhone users that need to think about this issue, if you're an Android user, learn how to change your location tracking on this article.
iPhone's are known for their privacy, but many iOS apps ask for precise location tracking permission by default the first time you open them. And it can be easy to forget how many or which apps you’ve given permission to. The main choices when the location tracking dialog appears after opening an app for the first time are “Allow Once, “Allow While Using App,” and “Don’t Allow.” It’s easy to miss that in the top left corner is a “Precise: On.” It’s actually a button that lets you make the choice to keep the precise tracking default enabled or change it to use your approximate location. Some apps need your precise location to work better, like maps, but many do not. To learn how to turn off precise tracking on your iPhone, take a look at this article. And it's not just iPhone users that need to think about this issue, if you're an Android user, learn how to change your location tracking on this article.
There's an App for That
That's what Apple used to say in the early days of iPhones, that there was an app that could do anything you wanted. Nearly 20 years later, most of us have smartphones crammed to the limit with apps we may have used once, but no longer need. It seems like everybody has an app these days, but do we really need them? You get a free app and a company (and its friends) get your information. To learn more about the proliferation of apps and what you can do about them on your phone, take a look at this article.
That's what Apple used to say in the early days of iPhones, that there was an app that could do anything you wanted. Nearly 20 years later, most of us have smartphones crammed to the limit with apps we may have used once, but no longer need. It seems like everybody has an app these days, but do we really need them? You get a free app and a company (and its friends) get your information. To learn more about the proliferation of apps and what you can do about them on your phone, take a look at this article.
Google is Reinventing Internet Search
If you feel like you’ve been hearing a lot about generative AI, you’re not wrong. After a generative AI tool called ChatGPT went viral a few months ago, it seems everyone in Silicon Valley is trying to find a use for this new technology. Microsoft and Google are chief among them, and they’re racing to reinvent how we use computers. But first, they’re reinventing how we search the internet. To learn more about what Google is planning for your internet searches, take a look at this article.
If you feel like you’ve been hearing a lot about generative AI, you’re not wrong. After a generative AI tool called ChatGPT went viral a few months ago, it seems everyone in Silicon Valley is trying to find a use for this new technology. Microsoft and Google are chief among them, and they’re racing to reinvent how we use computers. But first, they’re reinventing how we search the internet. To learn more about what Google is planning for your internet searches, take a look at this article.
June 22, 2023 - Google Lens vs. Skin Conditions, Google Maps Gets Big Update,
Jana's Corner - Texting for Seniors,
"Even the Lasso of Truth won't save me from them,
that's why I never click on any Unknown Links."
- Wonderwoman
Club Questions
Jana's Corner - Texting for Seniors,
"Even the Lasso of Truth won't save me from them,
that's why I never click on any Unknown Links."
- Wonderwoman
Club Questions
The Magic of Google Lens
Worried about a rash or mole? You can find visual matches online and gather more information with Google's image-recognition technology. Not everyone is a dermatologist, and skin conditions can be concerning. You can now upload photos of worrisome skin issues and the Google Lens image-recognition technology can help you find visually similar matches. To learn more about this new Google Lens feature, take a look at this article.
Worried about a rash or mole? You can find visual matches online and gather more information with Google's image-recognition technology. Not everyone is a dermatologist, and skin conditions can be concerning. You can now upload photos of worrisome skin issues and the Google Lens image-recognition technology can help you find visually similar matches. To learn more about this new Google Lens feature, take a look at this article.
Google Maps Gets Big Update
Google has announced that it's planning to roll out several new features and updates to Google Maps, some of which are powered by AI-like algorithms. By the look of them, these changes don't seem so minor.
These changes were announced June 14, but will be rolling out through next month, so you may not see them when you're off on a road trip this weekend. To learn more about this big new changes to Google Maps, take a look at this article.
Google has announced that it's planning to roll out several new features and updates to Google Maps, some of which are powered by AI-like algorithms. By the look of them, these changes don't seem so minor.
These changes were announced June 14, but will be rolling out through next month, so you may not see them when you're off on a road trip this weekend. To learn more about this big new changes to Google Maps, take a look at this article.
June 29, 2023 - Apple Pay vs Google Pay vs Samsung Pay, Google Maps Offline,
How to Permanently Delete Your Amazon Account,
"I do almost everything Lightening quick, but one thing
I never do, is click on any Unknown Links."
- The Flash
Club Questions
How to Permanently Delete Your Amazon Account,
"I do almost everything Lightening quick, but one thing
I never do, is click on any Unknown Links."
- The Flash
Club Questions
Mobile Payment Systems Compared
Smartphones offer a range of special features, including the ability to pay for items with merely a pass of your phone over the payment spot. You now have a few different mobile payment systems available on your smartphone, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, but which one is the best? For a head to head comparison of all the various attributes of each service, take a look at CNET's head to head battle of the mobile payment systems here. Or for a step by step tutorial on how to properly use each of these payment systems, take a look at this article from NerdWallet. Or if you're already using a mobile pay system and just want to know which vendors accept the one you use, take a look at this article listing all the spots accepting Apple Pay, and this article showing all the spots that accept Google Pay.
Smartphones offer a range of special features, including the ability to pay for items with merely a pass of your phone over the payment spot. You now have a few different mobile payment systems available on your smartphone, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, but which one is the best? For a head to head comparison of all the various attributes of each service, take a look at CNET's head to head battle of the mobile payment systems here. Or for a step by step tutorial on how to properly use each of these payment systems, take a look at this article from NerdWallet. Or if you're already using a mobile pay system and just want to know which vendors accept the one you use, take a look at this article listing all the spots accepting Apple Pay, and this article showing all the spots that accept Google Pay.
Google Maps Offline
Google Maps makes it easy to download any of their maps and save them in your phone, this way you can always see where you are in a given area and even use navigation without having to be connected to the internet. To show you how to do this, take a look at the two videos below, one that also offers an option to Google Maps.
Google Maps makes it easy to download any of their maps and save them in your phone, this way you can always see where you are in a given area and even use navigation without having to be connected to the internet. To show you how to do this, take a look at the two videos below, one that also offers an option to Google Maps.
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How To Delete Amazon Account
Amazon makes it very easy to create an account, and even easier to buy items on amazon.com, but when it comes to deleting your Amazon acc0unt, it's they make it a little harder. Of course, they don't want to lose you as a customer, but unless you know the correct steps to closing your account, it can be rather confusing. To learn more about closing your Amazon account, take a look at the step by step video below.
Amazon makes it very easy to create an account, and even easier to buy items on amazon.com, but when it comes to deleting your Amazon acc0unt, it's they make it a little harder. Of course, they don't want to lose you as a customer, but unless you know the correct steps to closing your account, it can be rather confusing. To learn more about closing your Amazon account, take a look at the step by step video below.
