.
iPad/iPhone SIG
Oak Park Library
9500 Bluejacket Street
Overland Park, KS 66214
Conference Room 02
Note location change for this month.
Friday, October 17, 2025, 2:00 ~ 3:30 pm
The main goal of our special interest group (SIG) is to share our knowledge of all things iPad and iPhone. The group is open to all. We encourage your questions on general and specific Apple-related topics/issues. Bring your questions to the meeting, or email Ray before the meeting, and he’ll add them to the agenda.
.
Ray Martinez convenes the iPad/iPhone SIG
rmartinez@kcsenior.net
.
.
Do you have a computer that can’t be upgraded to Windows 11, and don’t know what to do with it?
Would you like to learn about a different Operating System called Linux?
If you’re a senior using a Windows 10 computer, now is a great time to consider switching to Linux. Windows 10 is reaching the end of its support in 2025, which means no more security updates—leaving your system more vulnerable unless you enroll in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates for one more year of support. Linux is a free, secure, and easy-to-use alternative that runs well on older machines, helping you avoid the cost and hassle of buying a new computer. Many versions of Linux, like Linux Mint or Zorin OS, are designed to feel familiar to Windows users, making the transition smoother. With Linux, you can continue browsing the internet, sending emails, watching videos, and more—without worrying about viruses or forced updates. It’s a smart, budget-friendly choice for staying safe and productive online. If everything you do on your computer is done inside a browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, etc.), Linux can easily handle your needs.
Please let us know your interest! SenCom is considering holding workshops and developing classes on Linux. Contact either Joe Callison (jcallison@kcsenior.net) or Frank Mundt (fmundt@kcsenior.net).
.
SenCom is on Facebook. See the access instructions below to find our Facebook Group page (SenComKC). Check it out! Share your favorite SenCom moment or interaction.
To access the group page:
- Log in to your Facebook account.
- On your computer, click “Search Facebook” in the left-hand corner (to the left of the home icon, or on your mobile device, in the middle of the screen on top, then type SenComKC (not case sensitive).
- Search results should give you “Groups,” and under that, you will see SenComKC. To the right of your search results, you should see a “Join” button. Click the button to request to be a member of this Facebook group.
.
.
* Volunteers Needed *
SOS! NEEDED NOW! — Volunteers to help our Board of Directors fill the board positions of Vice President and Hospitality Director. If interested, please email me or another Board Member. Our email addresses are on the “Board of Directors” page under the “About Us” menu. Remember, this is your organization; please help us keep it healthy and growing!!
LITTLE OR NO COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED.
Lou Risley, 913-298-0575 or sencomprez@gmail.com
.
CDC information on the Coronavirus Outbreak →
.
GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
17 August, 2025
Keep Devices Updated for Security!
Vulnerabilities in computers and other electronics are being discovered with increasing frequency, possibly because of artificial intelligence. New vulnerabilities are being discovered faster using AI, but hackers are also able to create and distribute malware faster by using AI. It is more critical than ever to keep our device firmware and software updated as patches are released. Some of the recent critical vulnerabilities discovered are listed below.
Lenovo BIOS Vulnerability:
According to Lenovo, the following models are known to be affected:
- Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 3 24ARR9
- Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 3 27ARR9
- Lenovo Yoga AIO 27IAH10
- Lenovo Yoga AIO 32ILL10
- Lenovo Yoga AIO 9 32IRH8
The vulnerability rests in the Insyde BIOS firmware, which isn’t provided by Lenovo itself but rather the Taiwanese company Insyde. The patches for IdeaCentre models are available now and are expected for the Yoga models by September.
Insyde BIOS Vulnerabilities – Lenovo Support US
Dell Chip Vulnerability:
Dell has issued a warning about it, categorizing it as “critical” and stating that it’s a flaw in Broadcom BCM5820X series chips, which are mainly installed in Dell’s Precision, Latitude, and Pro laptops. A list of all affected devices can be found in Dell’s support article. It’s a problem with the ControlVault3 function, which is used to store passwords and biometric data, among other things, which is why the problem is particularly dangerous.
In the worst-case scenario, attackers could exploit the flaws to steal data and remotely execute malicious code. Due to the nature of the vulnerability, it’s also likely that stored passwords are no longer secure.
Archival Software Vulnerability:
WinRAR and 7-Zip both warned that updates have been released to patch recently discovered vulnerabilities. If you have these products in your list of computer apps, update them before using them.
.
FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)
By Joe Callison
9 December 2024
Windows 11+
If there are things about Windows 11 that bug you or you would just like to customize it beyond the built-in capabilities provided by Microsoft, take a look at https://windhawk.net. This collection of open-source customization mods may have just the features you wish Windows 11 had. A review of its capabilities can be found at Windhawk is one of the coolest Windows customization tools I’ve ever seen
If you would rather try a Linux distro that looks like Windows 11, take a look at three of the best possibilities at 3 free Linux distros that look and feel like Windows | PCWorld
Lastly, if you intend to upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 eventually but have been holding off because of all the reported problems, I have just completed the updates on two different brands of laptops, both about 3 years old, and had no issues. The updates did take much longer than expected, and I took the precaution of creating system image backups before performing them. Interestingly, I have not really noticed any changes that stand out as of yet, perhaps because they are not AI PCs.
.
SenCom gratefully acknowledges the following organizations for their support:
Google Fiber
City of Shawnee:
Parks & Recreation Department
Johnson County Library:
Central Resource, Oak Park
SENCOM IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT KANSAS CORPORATION
UNDER THE IRS 501(C)(3) RULES
