Scobie.Net

Category: Hardware

  • Headphones, Updates, and Recycling

    Apple wants you to think plug-in headphones are passé, as they no longer will include that headphone dongle with new iPhones. You will need to own or buy Bluetooth headphones or a Lightning-to-headphone-jack converter. Microsoft Updates You may have heard that Microsoft will extend support for Windows 7 beyond January 2020, but that is only…

  • Comfy Laptops and Private Videos

    Many of us use laptops, and there are ways to make them as comfortable as desktops. Get a stand to angle the keyboard and place the screen at an ergonomically correct position, then pair it with a wireless keyboard and mouse. If you lack extra USB ports, add a USB hub. If you don’t have…

  • Cookies, New Systems, Chromebooks, and Vacations

    Clearing browser history and data manually or automatically can help reduce tracking cookies. Of course, each browser has its own method and to save space, I suggest that you Google or search the internet for “clear browser history” and the name of your browser (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Edge, Chrome – or another browser you…

  • Top Computer Tips for November

    If you still use Windows Vista or XP and have been relying on Firefox as your up-to-date web browser, Mozilla has announced that Firefox will no longer be supported and fixed, as Microsoft stopped supporting Vista this past April. Small Scanner Using your smartphone as a scanner is rather easy now with free apps available…

  • Disable, Reveal, Summarize… and Turn it Off!

    By now, you might have an extra computer or laptop lying around the house. Put it to use as your guests’ or grandkids’ computer so you don’t have to worry about changes made to your computer behind your back. It will lessen your stress, as will turning on the guest network feature in your Wi-Fi…

  • ISP data selling, Steaming your laptop (don’t), iOS workflow, Securing your mic

    With all the recent concern about ISPs being allowed to sell their customer’s data, it is good to see what you can do and understand what ISPs are currently saying. Some major ISPs, such as Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast, have already come out saying they will not sell their own customer’s data (I suspect it…

  • Tech support scams, iOS magnifier, improve lithium-ion battery life

    There is a quick way to “kill” some of those scary tech support scams that pop up on your computer. These are those windows that open up, nearly always from the web, trying to get you to call Microsoft for help. If you can, with the mouse, right-click on the task bar at the bottom…

  • Info on ransom ware, don’t overheat electronics, check mac and ios requirements for upgrades

    Ransomware, that malicious infection on your computer that encrypts and holds hostage your data, as affect quite a few businesses. Luckily there is a site that pulls together many of the tools and advice to help if you fall prey to this nasty attack. Check out <nomoreransom.org> and do it before you need to. I…

  • New printer, Google targeted ads, Windows 10 fixes

    Choosing a new printer? It might be time to ask some questions. Is a true photo printer what you really need when taking a thumb drive of photos to a local photo printer or drug store is cheaper than buying special paper and all those color ink cartridges? Or, maybe you can make do with…

  • Google going off XP, find your serial number, Firefox for iOS

    Dates affecting old stuff: Google will stop offering the latest version of their Chrome web browser for Windows XP and Vista, and OS X 10.8 in April of next year, 2016, it is unclear what Firefox’s policy will be on this; and computer makers will no longer be able to sell Windows 7 computers after…

  • Browser settings backup, USB eject, email fields

    Backing up your web browser settings can save time and help you recover from browser infections. If you have spent a lot of time tricking out your browser with custom start pages, particular extensions, extensive bookmarks and carefully configured privacy and forms settings, then you can use your browser’s ability to sync its settings as…

  • Mac system prefs to explore, touch screens equal battery drain, multiple browsers, reverse lookup phone numbers

    Mac System Preferences you should explore include: set Notifications to Do Not Disturb during certain hours to focus on work; setting up Hot Corners under Mission Control to trigger nearly anything, like putting your screen to sleep; program certain “abbreviations” to expand into full text using Keyboard’s Text tab; and explore what your Trackpad is…