There's never been a better time for streaming video.
Whether you are cutting the cord or just want additional options, there's never been a better time than now to do that.
I'm often asked about Netflix vs. Hulu vs. Amazon vs. Roku vs. other options and I don't have enough experience with all of them to give a knowledgeable answer. We occasionally use our son's Netflix account, I've watched free movies through my Amazon Prime account and, we use our Apple TV to display the iPad on our TV or download a movie, but that's about it.
So, if you're interested in learning more or have a question about streaming video, I think you may want to click on and read this article.
And, if you do have experience with different streaming options, I'd love to hear from you!
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Is there a new Facebook algorithm?
In the past week, I've seen two of my Facebook friends ask people to post a comment so they will be able to see posts from them more often.
Both posts blamed a new Facebook algorithm for this problem:
"Hi everyone
😘 Jumping on the bandwagon... Fighting this Facebook algorithm change, because I’m totally noticing I am not seeing so many of my friends’ posts. 
😐
This post explains why we don't see all posts from our friends. Your Newsfeed recently shows only posts from the same few people, about 25, repeatedly the same, because Facebook has a new algorithm."
Is this for real? A new algorithm? No. No.
How do I know this?
1) Most instances where I am asked to share something on Facebook are not "real" (aka fake).
2) And, I check Snopes.com! Snopes is the website I always use to check if something is True or False. I simply copy part of the text from the posting and paste it in the Snopes search box. (If you are bored and want something to read for entertainment, spend some time reading recent entries at Snopes.com)
Just remember - if it sounds strange, don't share it. Or at the very least, check it out on Snopes first.
Both posts blamed a new Facebook algorithm for this problem:
"Hi everyone
😘 Jumping on the bandwagon... Fighting this Facebook algorithm change, because I’m totally noticing I am not seeing so many of my friends’ posts. 😐This post explains why we don't see all posts from our friends. Your Newsfeed recently shows only posts from the same few people, about 25, repeatedly the same, because Facebook has a new algorithm."
Is this for real? A new algorithm? No. No.
How do I know this?
1) Most instances where I am asked to share something on Facebook are not "real" (aka fake).
2) And, I check Snopes.com! Snopes is the website I always use to check if something is True or False. I simply copy part of the text from the posting and paste it in the Snopes search box. (If you are bored and want something to read for entertainment, spend some time reading recent entries at Snopes.com)
Just remember - if it sounds strange, don't share it. Or at the very least, check it out on Snopes first.
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
PayPal
If you shop online OR need to send money to someone, then you may want to consider signing up for a PayPal account (free).
I use our PayPal account whenever given the choice at checkout online. Why?
1) The real advantage for me is that by using PayPal, I don't have to give my credit card to the company I am purchasing from. Only PayPal has that information which they use to charge your credit card upon your purchase.
2) PayPal provides 24/7 fraud monitoring and alerts if there is a suspicious charge.
3) PayPal's faster. You don't have to enter all of your financial details (name, card number, expiration date, etc.) when you checkout. You enter it once in PayPal when setting up your account and then speed through checkout thereafter.
4) If you like to accumulate the rewards on your credit card (like our Southwest Visa that we use for the points to fly to Pennsylvania), you keep earning those points/rewards because PayPal uses that credit card each time you make a purchase.
5) It is also very easy to give/send money to individuals using your PayPal account (however, to send money internationally with PayPal is much more expensive than some other options).
We've had a PayPal account for quite a few years and enjoy using it. If you're looking to protect and speed up your online purchases, give it a try!
(If you set up an account and want to try sending money to someone, I'll gladly be your "test" recipient!) ;-)
P.S. Yes, I wrote about PayPal a little over a year ago, but I thought it might be time for a reminder!
I use our PayPal account whenever given the choice at checkout online. Why?
1) The real advantage for me is that by using PayPal, I don't have to give my credit card to the company I am purchasing from. Only PayPal has that information which they use to charge your credit card upon your purchase.
2) PayPal provides 24/7 fraud monitoring and alerts if there is a suspicious charge.
3) PayPal's faster. You don't have to enter all of your financial details (name, card number, expiration date, etc.) when you checkout. You enter it once in PayPal when setting up your account and then speed through checkout thereafter.
4) If you like to accumulate the rewards on your credit card (like our Southwest Visa that we use for the points to fly to Pennsylvania), you keep earning those points/rewards because PayPal uses that credit card each time you make a purchase.
5) It is also very easy to give/send money to individuals using your PayPal account (however, to send money internationally with PayPal is much more expensive than some other options).
We've had a PayPal account for quite a few years and enjoy using it. If you're looking to protect and speed up your online purchases, give it a try!
(If you set up an account and want to try sending money to someone, I'll gladly be your "test" recipient!) ;-)
P.S. Yes, I wrote about PayPal a little over a year ago, but I thought it might be time for a reminder!