It may just be my laptop and occasionally my phone, but it seems recently that I've had difficulty loading some websites, and Facebook seems to be an occasional culprit. After doing some reading, I found a way to determine whether it is the website or only my computer. Read on.
Using the website - Down for Everyone or Just Me? - copy and paste the URL (address) of the website you are trying to access. Click on the blue button that says "or just me?". It's that simple. You will then know if the website's servers are down.
File this tip away and hope that you will never need to use it!
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Update your iOS device now!
If you are an iPhone or iPad user and you’ve not read about Apple’s latest iOS update on the web or on Facebook, I want to stress the importance of installing that update on your iPhone and or iPad....now.
Many of us have our devices set to automatically install updates and this usually happens overnight when we have them plugged in to charge. However I would encourage you to look at your Settings - General - Software Update and make sure that “Your software is up to date.” The update was just released yesterday so there is a chance it might have been installed overnight or is scheduled to install tonight. However if you have the time and can plug in your device I’d recommend that you go ahead and install the update as soon as you read this........for security reasons. For more information you can go to this article.
Many of us have our devices set to automatically install updates and this usually happens overnight when we have them plugged in to charge. However I would encourage you to look at your Settings - General - Software Update and make sure that “Your software is up to date.” The update was just released yesterday so there is a chance it might have been installed overnight or is scheduled to install tonight. However if you have the time and can plug in your device I’d recommend that you go ahead and install the update as soon as you read this........for security reasons. For more information you can go to this article.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Flight Radar 24
FlightRadar24 is a fun, easy way to monitor airplanes. It can be used to track passenger flights in real time as you watch the planes "fly" across the map. (It is also available as an app for your mobile device).
For years we've used FlightTracker and a couple of other websites/apps on our phones when we are checking the status of a flight. But this website, FlightRadar24, allows you to see any plane overhead or in the region you wish to follow (private, passenger and commercial). To do this:
1) Simply drag the map to the region you are interested in. You may need to click the + symbol to zoom in.
2) Hover your mouse over each plane icon until you find the one you are interested in.
3) Click on that plane and more information will be given in a side panel that opens.
It's free, the data supplied is maintained by volunteers, and the plane must be enabled with ADS-B technology for it to be tracked. But, it's FREE (did I already mention that)?
So, while you are trying to beat the heat today by staying inside, give it a try! Or try it now by zooming in on your location to see if there are any planes overhead!
Happy Tech Tuesday! Hydrate and try to stay cool!
For years we've used FlightTracker and a couple of other websites/apps on our phones when we are checking the status of a flight. But this website, FlightRadar24, allows you to see any plane overhead or in the region you wish to follow (private, passenger and commercial). To do this:
1) Simply drag the map to the region you are interested in. You may need to click the + symbol to zoom in.
2) Hover your mouse over each plane icon until you find the one you are interested in.
3) Click on that plane and more information will be given in a side panel that opens.
It's free, the data supplied is maintained by volunteers, and the plane must be enabled with ADS-B technology for it to be tracked. But, it's FREE (did I already mention that)?
So, while you are trying to beat the heat today by staying inside, give it a try! Or try it now by zooming in on your location to see if there are any planes overhead!
Happy Tech Tuesday! Hydrate and try to stay cool!
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Facebook fundraisers
Recently I noticed a friend's request to donate funds to the Topeka Rescue Mission through a Facebook fundraiser for her birthday. I've always refrained from participating in those requests, but I know that she works at the Mission so decided to learn more about Facebook fundraisers to see if the funds generated end up where they are supposed to go.
Here is what I found. Facebook does not charge any fees for funds generated for non-profit organizations. The charitable organization gets all of the money generated.
For personal fundraisers which you sometimes see on Facebook, there is a fee to cover the cost of processing; people do not get the full amount of your donation.
As always, I recommend that you be cautious about fundraisers, particularly for individuals. If you know the person, it might be best to give them or the person running the fundraiser the money directly rather than them losing a percentage to the fees.
For more information about Facebook fundraisers, check out this page: https://www.facebook.com/help/1409509059114623/?helpref=hc_fnav
Here is what I found. Facebook does not charge any fees for funds generated for non-profit organizations. The charitable organization gets all of the money generated.
For personal fundraisers which you sometimes see on Facebook, there is a fee to cover the cost of processing; people do not get the full amount of your donation.
As always, I recommend that you be cautious about fundraisers, particularly for individuals. If you know the person, it might be best to give them or the person running the fundraiser the money directly rather than them losing a percentage to the fees.
For more information about Facebook fundraisers, check out this page: https://www.facebook.com/help/1409509059114623/?helpref=hc_fnav
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Avast is still the best anti-virus program
First of all, I want to assure you I've not disappeared from the face of the earth. I apologize for being "absent" from these Tech Tips the past two weeks. A family wedding celebration in California followed by having our two granddaughters here with us for 10 days somehow consumed my time AND energy. It was wonderful!
This week I read about recent testing that has been done on different antivirus programs. It was reassuring to find that Avast (the free version) still is the top recommendation for PC users. (If you own a Mac, you do not need to install this program.)
The other interesting thing I learned is that Windows Defender (which comes pre-installed on your computer) has gained a lot of ground and is now ranked as one of the best antivirus programs.
The only drawback to Avast is that there will be occasional pop-ups trying to get you to install additional features or subscribe to the paid version. Don't do it; don't click "yes". The free version is perfectly fine.......as verified by the latest research.
This week I read about recent testing that has been done on different antivirus programs. It was reassuring to find that Avast (the free version) still is the top recommendation for PC users. (If you own a Mac, you do not need to install this program.)
The other interesting thing I learned is that Windows Defender (which comes pre-installed on your computer) has gained a lot of ground and is now ranked as one of the best antivirus programs.
The only drawback to Avast is that there will be occasional pop-ups trying to get you to install additional features or subscribe to the paid version. Don't do it; don't click "yes". The free version is perfectly fine.......as verified by the latest research.
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
What is AI and should I care about it?
I happened to catch several of the stories on 60 Minutes Sunday evening. All were very good, but one was very thought-provoking for me. It was the interview with the top AI (artificial intelligence) man in China, Kai-Fu Lee.
Kai-Fu Lee said: I believe it's (artificial intelligence) going to change the world more than anything in the history of mankind. More than electricity.
Scott Pelley opened the segment with these remarks:
"Despite what you hear about artificial intelligence, machines still can't think like a human, but in the last few years they have become capable of learning. And suddenly, our devices have opened their eyes and ears and cars have taken the wheel. Today, artificial intelligence is not as good as you hope and not as bad as you fear, but humanity is accelerating into a future that few can predict. That's why so many people are desperate to meet Kai-Fu Lee, the oracle of AI."
The interview segments and transcript can be found at this link. I found it fascinating!
Happy Tech Tuesday. Try to stay cool!
Jeline
Kai-Fu Lee said: I believe it's (artificial intelligence) going to change the world more than anything in the history of mankind. More than electricity.
Scott Pelley opened the segment with these remarks:
"Despite what you hear about artificial intelligence, machines still can't think like a human, but in the last few years they have become capable of learning. And suddenly, our devices have opened their eyes and ears and cars have taken the wheel. Today, artificial intelligence is not as good as you hope and not as bad as you fear, but humanity is accelerating into a future that few can predict. That's why so many people are desperate to meet Kai-Fu Lee, the oracle of AI."
The interview segments and transcript can be found at this link. I found it fascinating!
Happy Tech Tuesday. Try to stay cool!
Jeline
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
What do you do with an old smartphone?
Do you have an old smartphone tucked away in one of your drawers? If so, you might want to check out Rick Rouse's article: "7 Great Ways to Put an Old, Unused Smartphone to Good Use"
The author suggests you could turn your old phone into:
1) a landline telephone
2) an emergency radio scanner
3) a wireless security camera
4) a document scanner
5) a remote for your digital camera
6) a metal detector
7) magnifying glass
Pretty resourceful!
The author suggests you could turn your old phone into:
1) a landline telephone
2) an emergency radio scanner
3) a wireless security camera
4) a document scanner
5) a remote for your digital camera
6) a metal detector
7) magnifying glass
Pretty resourceful!
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