GEEK FREE

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
24 November, 2025

Internet Router EOS/EOL

Internet routers are the gateway to the Internet. They are also the first line of defense against unauthorized access to your home network. They occasionally need to be updated with firmware patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities, so it is important to ensure they are still being supported by the manufacturer. This can generally be determined by a search of the manufacturer’s website for “end of service” or “end of life” for their router products. A few of the more common routers and their information as of November 2025 are listed below.

Netgear
NETGEAR End of Service | NETGEAR

D-Link
D-Link | Legacy Products

TP-Link
US EOL_List_Home – V3.pdf

ASUS
End-of-life product list

Your router model number can be found on a sticker or label somewhere on the router. If it is found to be unsupported by the manufacturer, you should seriously consider replacing it. New routers are currently available using three different standards. They are WiFi 6, 6E, and 7. Many new computers and the new iPhone 17 now support WiFi 7, so the older 6 and 6E model router prices are being discounted, but will also have fewer years of support left. WiFi 7 dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) routers start at around $90. WiFi 7 tri-band (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz) routers start at around $180.

WiFi routers and the adapters in your devices are backward compatible with older WiFi standards. Higher GHz provides more channels, which is beneficial in congested areas such as apartment buildings. Higher GHz also provides higher speed, but has less ability to penetrate barriers.

Before disposing of an older router, you should do a factory reset to remove all your current settings and personal information. There is usually either an external reset button to press (not to be confused with a WPS button) or a hole to insert a paper clip to press an internal button for a specified amount of time, while the router is powered, to initiate the reset. The user manual, available as a download from the manufacturer’s support site, will explain the process. It may also be possible to reset through the router’s web interface if you are using that method. An alternative to resetting would be to physically destroy the router.

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
23 October, 2025

Windows 10 Computer Performance Tips

If you have decided to stick with Windows 10 for another year on an old and slow computer, hopefully, by taking advantage of the Extended Service Updates program that can be free by simply letting Microsoft back up your settings and apps, and nothing more if you wish, then the following is for you.

There are a few default Windows settings that can be changed to make significant improvements in Windows performance.

The first setting is only applicable to laptops. By default, the Power Mode is typically set to Balanced for both Plugged in and on Battery, meaning a balance of power savings and performance. This might be fine for running on battery power to extend the time it can run, but the setting for when it is plugged in can be set for Best Performance without affecting the battery. One way to access the settings is through the path: Settings – System – Power & Battery – Power Mode.

Performance settings for laptops and desktops are under a Control Panel item called Performance Options that is described as “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows”. This can be easily found by using the search on the taskbar located next to the Windows start icon by typing either Performance Options or its description. The default setting is typically “Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer,” and note that almost every box is checked to be on. By changing to “Adjust for best performance,” all boxes are unchecked to be off. Next, switch to “Custom” and only check the boxes that are important to you, like possibly “Show thumbnails instead of icons”. Most of the settings make subtle differences in the look of Windows, but require significantly more processing power. Click the Apply or OK at the bottom to save the changes.

OneDrive can also significantly affect performance if it is set to continuously sync files to the cloud. If you are not signed into OneDrive, it will not sync files, but on many computers, OneDrive is started every time the computer is started up if computers were set up with a Microsoft Account for the user profile. The cloud icon on the taskbar will indicate if OneDrive is active by not being light gray with a slash through it. Putting the cursor over the icon will also indicate the status by text. You can pause syncing by selecting the cloud icon, then clicking the settings icon that looks like a gear, and choosing “Pause syncing,” or after clicking the settings icon, you could choose “Settings” and then Account and click the text “Unlink this PC” to permanently stop syncing. The automatic starting of OneDrive when the computer starts up could also be changed by going to the Windows Settings – Apps – Startup – Microsoft OneDrive and changing the setting to off. While in the Startup settings, you might want to review other items that are being automatically started with each Windows startup that could be turned off. If there is no logical reason for them to be running in the background all of the time, they are just affecting performance.

If the changes above do not result in enough performance improvement for you, there are other options. The best performance boost for old computers is cloning the hard drive to a solid-state drive, which will make the computer 4 to 5 times faster at booting up and reading/writing files to disk. The cost depends on the drive capacity needed, which can be determined by using File Explorer to examine the C drive properties for the amount of GB being used. A solid-state drive should be around twice the capacity of the currently used capacity. For most users, a 256GB drive is adequate, but some may need 512GB. The cost of the solid-state drives would be around $25 for the smaller drive and $50 for the larger. Paying someone to do the cloning and installation would be around $50 for an independent computer hobbyist or technician, or $100 or more at a big box store.

An alternative to the cost of going with a solid state drive for just one more year of Windows 10 use, you could switch to the Linux operating system for no cost. The Linux operating system requires much less processing power and memory capacity and will run much faster than Windows on older computers. It does have a different look and feel than Windows, but there is a huge variety of graphical user interfaces to choose from, with many designed to make the transition from Windows easier. SenCom has members familiar with Linux, and there is a large community of users sharing information through APCUG programs available to SenCom members. We are exploring the level of interest among SenCom members to have some kind of Linux workshop, class, program, or special interest group. Our members would be able to assist with installing Linux on your old computer, or we have several loaner computers with various Linux versions that you could try out if interested.

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.

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
24 July, 2025

Artificial Intelligence Challenges – Knowledge, Intelligence, and Wisdom

Knowledge bases have been around far longer than any of us. Libraries have been repositories of information, facts, skills, and many other categories of data that make up knowledge. Librarians and card catalog systems were the search engines aiding our access to desired data for many years.

Computers have largely taken over the functions of both the repositories and the search engines, but have lacked the intelligence of librarians and researchers to filter data until the recent advances in artificial intelligence were applied to man-made search engines. However, the ability to mimic human reasoning and decision-making requires tremendous resources in computing power and human development of algorithms, models, and data sets for training, testing, and retraining artificial intelligence implementations in order for them to be useful.

While machines can be made to mimic human intelligence, they lack the understanding, insight, and discernment to make wise judgments and decisions based on knowledge and experience, or the influence of ethics. There are few universal truths or rules that humans could agree on to train machines to follow. Situational ethics will always present challenges and dilemmas for machine responses just as they do for humans. Take, for example, the case of self-driving cars. If a large truck is approaching in the opposite lane just as a pedestrian steps into the lane in front of the car, and there is no way of avoiding both, what is the proper action to be taken by the car? Life and death decisions by artificially intelligent machines will raise many ethical and legal issues to be resolved by humans.

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
30 May 2025

A, B, C’s of Computer Terms (Part 2)

Computer technology comes with its own jargon that may not be familiar to some non-technical seniors. Here is part 2 of an alphabetical list of some common terms. More of the alphabet will be covered in future articles.

JavaScript
A programming language primarily used to create interactive and dynamic features of web pages.

Kbps
Kilobits per second (1000 bits per second). KBps is kilobytes per second, where a byte is eight bits. In data transmission using the Internet Protocol, additional bits are used for control, so that the average byte of data requires 10 bits to be transmitted.

Linux
A freely distributed operating system that can be customized and is used in millions of computers and other devices on many different hardware platforms without requiring licensing fees.

Motherboard
An older name for the main logic board of a computer, so named because it typically had expansion slots for insertion of “daughterboards” for such things as video, sound, and network, which are now typically integrated into the main logic board.

NTFS
New Technology File System, the Windows file system format that has been used for the past several generations of Microsoft operating systems and is currently used in Windows 11.

Open Source
Software that anyone can see and modify the source code for their use and distribution.

Pixel
Short for “picture element”, a pixel is one addressable dot or group of dots in an image that can consist of thousands of pixels in the horizontal and vertical dimensions, with each having an assigned color value.

QWERTY
The typical layout for an English language keyboard is named for the first six letters on the top row of the alphabetical keys.

RAM
Random Access Memory, the main working memory of a device that is not retained by the RAM when the device is shut down or loses power.

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
15 April 2025

Computer Buying Guide

Choosing a computer should generally be guided by what you want to be able to do and how much you are willing to spend. That will help define the boundaries for available choices. Some may only want to do email and browse the internet and need a reliable budget computer. Others may also want to stream movies in high resolution, play online computer games with high frame rates, or use artificial intelligence without using the cloud and need higher performance models.

To compare annual costs of purchase options, the cost per year of use can be estimated by adding the purchase cost plus expected maintenance and other costs, subtracting the value at the end of use, if any, and dividing by the total years of use. Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
28 January, 2025

Migrating to a New Windows Computer

If you want to migrate your existing user files, Microsoft apps, and Windows settings from a Windows 10 computer to a new Windows 11 computer, there is an easy method provided by Microsoft. It does require using a Microsoft account, which you already have if your Windows 10 account shows an email address in your profile instead of a Local Account, or you have an Outlook email account or a subscription for Microsoft 365 (Office). If you do not have a Microsoft account, you can create one. If you do not already have a subscription for Microsoft 365, you will need to sign up for at least the monthly Microsoft 365 Basic plan for $1.99 which can be terminated before the next monthly billing if you wish after completing the migration. This will provide you with 100GB of cloud storage to perform the Windows Backup System feature found in the Apps list on the Windows 10 computer.

As you go through the process of setting up the new Windows 11 computer, use the same Microsoft account email address and password used for the Windows 10 computer. One of the setup steps will guide you through the process of restoring your data that was backed up to your Microsoft account to the new Windows 11 computer. However, non-Microsoft programs will not be restored using this process.

After verifying that everything that can be transferred to the new computer has been completed, you may wish to perform a Reset on the Windows 10 computer if you are going to dispose of it or give it away. This feature is found in Settings, Recovery, Reset this PC.

See the following steps: Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
4 January, 2025

A, B, C’s of Computer Terms (Part 1)

Computer technology comes with its own jargon that may not be familiar to some non-technical seniors. Here is a partial alphabetical list of some common terms. More of the alphabet will be covered in future articles.

App
Short for application. This is synonymous with a program in computer parlance, but is now generally used in reference to the category of single-purpose applications found on phones and tablets, but can also appear on computers along with the more complex programs.

Browser
A computer program or app used to access, view, and interact with content on the World Wide Web (also called the Internet). A browser has many options for searching the internet, called search engines, and for additional add-on features, called extensions. These options may be provided by the same company providing the browser program or by a different company.

Cookie
Data saved by a browser when viewing or clicking on web page content or entering data. Cookies may be for the owner of the web page or its third-party advertisers. Acceptance of some or all cookies may be required to access the web page. Third-party cookies are generally blocked by default in the browser settings.

Download
A file that is retrieved from the internet and placed in a folder on the computer (or phone). The default folder is generally Downloads, but can be any designated folder chosen for the location.

Ethernet
The standard way of connecting computers and other devices on a network over a wired connection, as opposed to Wi-Fi over a wireless connection.

Firmware
A program or instructions stored on hardware in a reprogrammable memory that enables it to communicate with other hardware. Firmware is in almost all types of connected hardware and can be updated for performance, compatibility, or security reasons.

GPU
Graphics Processing Unit. The hardware that translates data into visual images. It may be incorporated into the computer chip for the Central Processing Unit that processes data to run programs or maybe on a separate computer chip.

HTML
Hypertext Markup Language. The language used to create web pages.

IP Address
Internet Protocol Address. A unique address that identifies a device on the internet or on a local network of devices.

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
13 November, 2024

End of Basic Auth for Email

Information copied from the internet for iPhone users:
To help keep Outlook personal email accounts secure, starting September 16, 2024, Microsoft will no longer support Basic Auth, the method in which a person provides only their username and password to sign into their account. As of September 16, 2024, Outlook will require that all those with a Microsoft email account use a mail or calendar app or the Outlook.com website that supports modern auth, such as the latest versions of Outlook, Apple Mail, or Thunderbird. Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
14 October, 2024

Extra Windows Security Features

Microsoft’s Windows Security, built into the Windows 11 operating system, has evolved into a full-service security suite capable of competing with third-party antivirus/antimalware programs. Some of the advanced features of Windows Security can even be used to enhance the protection offered by alternative programs. Windows Security used to be called Windows Defender, which later became just the name of the antivirus protection component of Windows Security. Windows 11 no longer uses the Defender name in the Privacy & Security settings. Note that the antivirus scanning component of Windows Security will be automatically disabled if you are using an alternative program, and automatically re-enabled if you later uninstall the alternative program. This was done by Microsoft to always ensure there is some form of protection in place.

The following article linked below explains how to use Windows 11 settings to enable 5 of the advanced security features available in Windows that can also be used in conjunction with alternative antivirus programs. The 5 features are:
Core Isolation
Smart App Control
Controlled Folder Access
Dynamic Lock
Reputation-Based Protection

I Made These 5 Changes to Windows Security for Optimal Safety

Windows 10 security settings also have some of the above-advanced features:
Core Isolation
Dynamic Lock
Reputation-Based Protection

And some others with different names:
Isolated Browsing (Application Guard for Edge)
Exploit Protection

If you want to maximize your protection, turn on some or all of these additional features and try them out. You can always turn off any that you decide are too restrictive for your liking.

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
17 September, 2024

Searching for Tech Websites and Support

Below are several websites that have technical information, equipment and software reviews, advice, software downloads, etc. that are trustworthy. However, even a trustworthy site can have advertisements placed by untrustworthy sources, so don’t assume ads or sponsored content is safe to click on. CNET and other sites that have things you can download are often plagued with the word “Download” in a strategically placed ad to trick you into clicking it instead of the actual place on the page for the download. When you do download a file, take the time to right-click on the file in your downloads folder, and from the menu that opens, find Scan with Microsoft Defender (or your antivirus software name) and run a scan on the file. If you have Malwarebytes installed, it will also appear in the menu if you want to scan with it. In Windows 11 you will probably need to click on Show more options at the bottom of the list for a second page of options. Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
5 August, 2024

Email Login Requirements are Changing

Email logins using a username and password, known as basic authentication, have become a growing security problem because of data breaches and are about to get more complicated because of changing email security requirements. To understand this better, let’s review some definitions. An email provider is a company that provides the service of storing, receiving and sending your email messages. This might be Apple, Google, Microsoft, AOL, Yahoo or even an internet service provider. An email client is a software product that you use to display, compose, and organize email on your devices. It could be a product from the email provider you use, but does not have to be. It could be Apple Mail, Gmail, Outlook, AOL, Yahoo, Thunderbird or many others. You can use several different ones at the same time if you like. In the past, you could generally use any email client you wanted, but email providers are moving away from basic authentication using a username and password to modern authentication using tokens generated by the open-source app OAuth 2.0, which stands for open authorization. The email client must support OAuth 2.0 to be used by most email providers eventually. Microsoft is ending basic authentication for the current Outlook email client versions in September. Older versions of Outlook or Outlook Express have already been requiring work-around methods to use certain email providers for the last couple of years. The Yahoo email service provided for AT&T companies requires using a special password provided by Yahoo to be used in place of your normal password in the old Outlook apps. OAuth 2.0 has provision for this type of workaround for legacy email clients using basic authentication, but email providers may not allow using it on their service. The transition to modern authentication may be a little bumpy for some users. Articles like the one in this link should help:

Outlook and other apps are unable to connect to Outlook.com when using Basic authentication – Microsoft Support.

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
2 July, 2024

Thinking About a New Computer?

Happy 4th of July! This is the beginning of the busy time of year for new PC sales as the new models are becoming available and the previous models are being discounted. There is more interest than usual in PCs this year because of the emphasis on artificial intelligence. Unfortunately, that has also been the cause of a lot of confusion. We have new “AI” PCs with Intel or AMD processors with Neural Processing Units included that will not meet Microsoft’s Copilot + criteria coming this fall, and PCs with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor that runs a different version of the Windows operating system and apps that does meet the Copilot + criteria, but has software glitches that have not been resolved yet. Newer models with Intel or AMD processors that will meet the Copilot + criteria are expected to be available by the Christmas shopping season. What is a person to do?

My recommendation is, if you are ready for a new PC before the end of support for Windows 10 next October, don’t let the AI capabilities influence your decision. We likely will not even know the benefits of AI features until they mature over at least the next couple of years, nor the real hardware requirements for a good experience using them. The new AI PCs do use less energy and therefore laptops should run longer on battery, unless the battery size is reduced to achieve lower weight instead. On the other hand, previous models with Intel 12th or 13th generation processors or AMD Ryzen 7th or 8th generation processors will save you hundreds of dollars. Many well-equipped laptops with up to 17-inch screens are available between $500 and $600 now, whereas the newest models with smaller screens start at around $1000.

Newer laptops have been pushing the limits of design to be the lightest and thinnest possible. As a result, they can be less durable and forgiving of abuse, as are phones and tablets. Dropping a device and liquid damage are the most common and obvious problems, but there are others to be aware of for laptops.

The budget laptops typically have all plastic cases and with the thinner designs, the hinges are especially susceptible to breaking loose from the case when the screen is opened. Always opening and closing the lid at the center instead of a corner will put less stress on the hinges and case.

Laptops typically have air intake openings on the bottom and very small standoffs for air to flow under the case. They are suitable for use only on a hard, flat surface. A tablecloth, bedspread, carpet, or sofa will completely block the air and cause overheating. Even using one on your lap can block much of the opening.

Laptop screens are very vulnerable to damage from pressure from your fingers or closing the lid with an object such as a pen or pencil left on the computer. When cleaning the screen, be very gentle and only use a clean microfiber cloth slightly moistened with water or a special-purpose screen cleaner, with the laptop powered off. Touchscreens should also be operated with very light touches, not pokes. Most use a technology that senses the presence of your finger, not a press, some without even requiring an actual touch of the screen.

The charging port and USB ports are vulnerable to damage from rough use or even long-term normal use, Some designs are more prone to damage than others, and some are designed to be more easily replaced than others. It is best to be as gentle as possible by always inserting and removing devices without wiggling them up, down, or to the side which is likely to eventually break them loose from the edge of the circuit board. The USB A design only goes in one direction and is often attempted to be pushed in too hard in the wrong direction. The laptop ports typically have the plastic insert at the top of the port and so your device or cable plug should typically have the plastic insert at the bottom. You can visually check to make sure. The USB C design is bidirectional and is rapidly replacing both the charging port and USB ports in laptops.

Most newer laptops these days have batteries and RAM memory that are non-replaceable by the user. It is important to be aware that sometimes batteries start swelling up as they age and can put pressure on the keyboard or trackpad area or the case depending on where the battery is located. If signs of swelling are noticed, the laptop should not be plugged in or used anymore to avoid even further damage to the laptop before being repaired.

If you want to know more about selecting a new computer, their features, or reliability, you can reply below or contact me as listed under About Us – Board of Directors in the menu at the top of the home page.

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
20 May, 2024

AI PC: Hype or Real Benefit

There is a lot of buzz about artificial intelligence (AI) and new AI personal computers being introduced in 2024. A resurgence in new PC sales is expected this year with the promise of upcoming AI features throughout the industry in both hardware and software. Microsoft will undoubtedly go big on AI at the Microsoft Build 2024 event held on May 21 through 23. Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
13 February, 2024

Alternatives to 3rd-Party PC Utilities

I (and Microsoft) have never recommended using any of the many utility programs offered in advertisements and popups to boost, clean up, optimize, update, or fix drivers, etc. for your PC. I found them unnecessary for the most part and potentially dangerous to use. They are also the favorite types of programs produced by malware creators. The operating system already provides the ability to do any of the useful functions needed if you take the time to learn how to find and use them. Granted, that is not as convenient as a program that simplifies the tasks or even does them automatically for you. If you want this convenience, it is now available from a more trustworthy source. Microsoft has added a couple of new apps to the Microsoft Store that were originally developed for non-USA markets:

Microsoft PC Manager

This app gathers several of the built-in tools and apps available in Windows in one app to simplify the user experience. It was originally developed to be an alternative to products like CCleaner. An article detailing information on the app is:

Microsoft’s PC Manager app is now widely available to free up your system resources

Microsoft PC Cleaner

This app is also an alternative to CCleaner but more targeted to perform the file and app cleaning tasks to speed up your PC. I did not find it available on the Microsoft Store yet as of today. Information on what it includes can be found at:

Microsoft’s official PC Cleaner app is now on the Microsoft Store – and makes big promises about speeding up your PC for free | TechRadar

If you want the convenience of these types of apps, then they are the safer ones to choose.

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
22 January, 2024

24 and AI

It appears that 2024 will be the year that artificial intelligence (AI) goes mainstream. Microsoft is readying the planned 24H2 Windows 11 update for the debut of AI throughout the operating system for computer systems with neural processing units (NPU) in addition to the central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU). These new computer systems are beginning to be released now and by mid-year will probably be shipping with AI-enabled Windows 11 pre-installed on them. Upgrades to incorporate at least some AI in existing Windows 11 systems should be available in the fall with the release of 24H2. Microsoft is hinting at future requirements for full implementation of AI that may include a minimum of 16GB of RAM and neural processing capability of at least 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This level of performance will be available in new Intel Core Ultra and AMD 8000 Series processors that will show up in computers later this year, which is expected to boost sales of new computers.

AI-enabled computing can greatly speed up search, analysis, or generation of huge amounts of data. Concerns about results generated by AI include the quality, validity, or potential bias. This will be heavily dependent on how the AI model is built and trained by humans. Like many advancements in technology, it can be used for good or it can (and will) be used for evil.

I have done some experimenting with the ChatGPT and Bing Chat and have found it useful in research-type internet searches, and appreciate how it includes the references for the information presented. I framed some questions to test for bias or assumptions and did not find any evidence of it. Both sides of controversial issues were typically presented in the results. ChatGPT even responded that it is not programmed to make assumptions but only to use facts. It is still up to the user to evaluate the validity of the material presented. Just because the majority of articles in the databases searched state or reference something does not make it valid. Authors of articles tend to cite data or views they agree with and the quantity of references citing the same data or views can be biased by popular opinion more than facts. This may be a problem if people depend too heavily on AI for things such as medical self-diagnosis for example.

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
31 October, 2023

Chromebook Automatic Update Support Improved

Chromebook share of the laptop market has averaged about 1 out of 8 of the laptops sold over the last 4 years, primarily because of use by elementary schools. The comparatively low initial purchase cost has been a major driver, even with the relatively short 5-year automatic software update support for new models. This seems to have been of little concern for many schools where students were allowed to take them home because they tended to wear them out by then and needed to be replaced anyway. Schools that can not afford to buy new ones every few years or others considering Chromebooks will be happy to know about Google’s recent announcement further increasing a previously planned support period of 8 years (in line with current Apple and Microsoft support) to an industry-leading 10 years support, beginning with models from 2021. This should be good news for senior citizens who may have been avoiding Chromebooks because of the short support period, especially if they were aware that bargain Chromebooks were being sold on Amazon with as little as 2 years of support left. Now even two or three-year-old models will have a more reasonable amount of support time left.

With the change in support, Chromebooks may be an attractive alternative to more expensive Windows or MacOS-based offerings. Chromebook models with screen sizes larger than 14 inches may be harder to find, but an external monitor or TV might also be usable with a USB-C to HDMI adapter if the Chromebook model supports video output through USB. For most senior computer users, a Chromebook should fulfill their computing needs quite well.

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
8 July 2023

Computer Services Ending or Beginning in July

IMPORTANT! If you have used Google Hangouts, Google +, Picassa, or other now unsupported Google features in the past, you may have photos or videos stored in Google Album Archive which will disappear on July 19. If you want to save them or are unsure if you have anything stored, the Google Takeout link in your Google account is how you can download them. Follow the steps below:

1. Click on your Google account photo (or letter in a circle if no photo) at the top right of any Google page you are signed in to (Chrome, Gmail, etc.) and then click Manage your Google Account.
2. Click Data & Privacy in the list on the left side of the home page for your account.
3. Scroll down the page to “Download or delete your data” and click on “Download your data”.
4. On the Google Takeout page, click the “Deselect all” blue text above the list of products. Then scroll down the list to AlbumArchive and click the checkbox to select it.
5. Scroll down to the bottom of the list, making sure nothing else is checked, and click the “Next step” button.
6. The default settings are Export once, File type .zip, and File size 2GB which can be left as is. Then click the “Create export” button. Google will email a notice when it is done, with a link in the email to download your files that will expire in 7 days from when the email is sent. Clicking the button will download your files and also open a “Manage your exports” page. It should not be necessary to click the Download link on this page as you should already have the download. The Google Takeout page will also list your last export and have a download link if you can’t find the email.

For users of Windows 7, 8, or 8.1: These unsupported operating systems have also lost support from Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and probably any other Chromium-based browsers. Firefox is not a Chromium-based browser and has released its last Extended Support Release (115 ESR) on July 4 which will be supported for a minimum of 60 weeks. At that time they may also decide to end support of these operating systems. You can still upgrade the unsupported Windows operating systems to Windows 10, which will be supported until October 14, 2025, for free by using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool download available at this link Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

Ending support does not mean they quit working, but they no longer receive any updates, including security updates. Some websites, like financial or medical, may also quit opening in unsupported browsers for security reasons.

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
12 February 2023

What to Know About Buying a Laptop in 2023

It is getting very difficult to provide recommendations for new laptops to people because most are not designed for long-term use anymore. Planned obsolescence seems to be the goal, whether the products are Apple, Windows, or Chromebook based. They seem to be following the same pattern as Apple and Android smartphones both in their construction and lack of long-term support. Operating systems are generally supported with security updates for about 3 years after they come out. Updating the operating system is expected yearly and is generally possible for about 5 years before the hardware no longer meets all of the requirements of the latest operating system. Most are not designed with repairability in mind. Even replacing a battery can require a difficult and expensive teardown.

It used to be a given that laptops had upgradeable RAM and storage drives as a minimum. Now many models have soldered-in RAM or eMMC for memory that can’t be upgraded and is impractical to repair. Some even have soldered-in storage drives. These components have hundreds of individual microscopic solder connections. Any single connection that fails can cause the laptop to no longer function. It may not be easy to determine if a laptop model has soldered components. It may be mentioned in detailed technical specifications or in some of the better technical reviews.

The top-selling laptops are from major brands like Apple, HP, Dell, and Lenovo. They all have several tiers of models with various features and prices, from budget to gaming capable.

Apple has MacBook Air (M1, M2) and MacBook Pro (M1, M2) models.

HP has HP (no name), Pavilion, Envy, Spectre, Omen

Dell has Inspiron, Vostro, Latitude, G Series, XPS, and partner Alienware

Lenovo has IdeaPad, ThinkBook, ThinkPad, Yoga, Legion

I prefer to order computers directly from the manufacturer’s website rather than a big box store or Amazon, Sam’s, or Costco. That way I can look at the details of the configuration and even change items if I want. Just watch out for the sneaky $9.95 per month warranty that Dell put in their fine print that starts billing the second month. After much complaining by customers, they may have changed that by now.

The low-budget non-Apple models are generally of plastic construction, rather flimsy, and are often provided with lower resolution displays, such as 1366 x 768 (HD) instead of 1920 x 1080 (Full HD). The higher resolution display is much preferable. Touchscreen is an unnecessary option for laptops in my opinion unless designed for tablet mode (two-in-one, flex, etc.). The better laptops have at least some carbon fiber or aluminum in their construction.

Windows laptop processors are generally either Intel or AMD. They range in price and performance from low to high as follows.

Intel – Celeron, Pentium, i3, i5, i7

AMD – Athlon, Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7

A good experience can be expected with an Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor or better. Intel i3 or Ryzen 3 should be the minimum to consider for even a very low-budget Windows laptop. Chromebooks can get by with lesser processors.

The amount of RAM in most new Windows laptops is at least 8 GB these days, which is enough for most users. If you must get a model with soldered-in RAM, it might be wise to get 16 GB unless there is a socket for expansion beyond the basic 8 GB of soldered-in memory.

The storage drive should be at least 256 GB for most Windows users. The typical actual used amount I see for a user is around 60 GB. You want to allow for at least double that amount without exceeding more than about 80 percent of the drive capacity, so the smallest available size meeting that typical usage example would be 256 GB. If you want to store a lot of photos, music files, or videos, it would be best to put them on an external drive.

If you care about the audio quality of a laptop, look for models with either front or top-facing speakers and a premium audio name like Bang & Olufsen, Harman Kardon, Beats, Dolby, or DTS.

A 2023 mid-level 15-inch laptop with 11th or 12th generation i5 or a Ryzen 5 processor, 1920 x 1080 display, 8 GB RAM, and 256 GB SSD should be available in the $600 to $800 price range.

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
3 December 2022

Virtual Credit Cards (Safer On-line Shopping)

Many seniors are hesitant to use credit cards for on-line purchases and for good reason. Some merchants are fraudulent, some have poor security for keeping your account information safe from hackers, and malware on your computer can steal your information while you use it for transactions. Having to get your credit card canceled is a nuisance and it takes time to get a new one issued. A recently introduced option that is growing in popularity is the virtual credit card. Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
2 November 2022

Downsizing My Computer

I am getting ready to replace my old full-sized tower-type computer that I built over 13 years ago and have replaced parts and upgraded over the years. Having that capability was the primary reason I wanted a full-sized tower. Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
27 July 2022

Swollen Li-ion Batteries

A relatively recent phenomenon that is becoming more and more of a problem as our electronic devices have been designed to be ever thinner and lighter is a swollen battery. This is because the lithium-ion battery packs are no longer encased in hard plastic and are not designed to be user replaceable. They are thin, soft rubbery bags that are often glued in place and can only be safely replaced by professionals or very knowledgeable users. As a result, we don’t really think about them until they show serious signs of problems. If we are lucky, those signs are just a decrease in time they can run without charging, inability to hold a charge while not being used, higher than normal temperature when charging, or inability to stay on when the charger is unplugged. An extreme battery failure may even prevent the device from running, even with the charger connected. Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
11 July 2022

DIY Repairs

You may be surprised to learn that my favorite hobby is not computers, though it does explain how I got into repairing computers. I have always been interested in studying how things work, how they fail, and how they can be fixed. It can be mechanical, electrical, or structural and I am interested in learning about it. In my engineering profession, my favorite assignments were the occasional opportunities to do troubleshooting or failure analysis and come up with fixes. I often thought I would have enjoyed specializing in forensic engineering, except for appearances in court as an expert witness. Because of these interests, I really enjoy resources like the following. Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
21 May 2022

Support for consumer computer hardware and software used to be typically 10 years, because that was the normal contractual requirement in business and government purchases, which drove the need for stocking replacement parts and repairs and for software updates. In recent years this has changed, probably because of the explosive growth of the consumer electronics market. Now support for consumer products can be as short as the warranty period. Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
17 January 2022

Windows has a number of settings that can make it easier to use computers, especially as we begin to lose manual dexterity and visual acuity with age. There are a few settings that I recommend every senior computer user consider to possibly enhance their user experience. I have used Windows 11 screenshots because people getting new computers are more likely to need or want to make these changes and the settings look different than they might be used to in Windows 10. Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
5 December 2021

Google has made changes recently that may require action if they apply to you, i.e. if you use any of the Google services such as Google Photos, Gmail, or Google Fiber TV.  Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
5 September 2021

Labor Day through New Year’s Day is the best time to buy the current model year televisions before the next year models are introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January and available to consumers by spring or summer. Most television manufacturers set the prices that authorized retail dealers can sell their televisions for, so any discounts should be the same wherever you shop but selecting a dealer with a price match guarantee is a good idea. Amazon does not do price matching according to my source of information.  Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
12 July 2021

Introducing Windows 11
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11

Much to my surprise, Microsoft chose to name their “new and improved” version of Windows as 11 instead of creating a catchy new name- a missed opportunity in my opinion. I guess they were still stinging from the Millennium Edition and Vista names that did not go so well. Now let’s see if they can actually get the new version out to computer manufacturers soon enough to be pre-installed in new computers for this holiday shopping season or if it will have to be installed later as a free upgrade. Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
10 June 2021

For decades computer hobbyists looking for a free or low-cost alternative to Microsoft Windows or Apple macOS operating systems have turned to Linux. Because of its reliability, modest hardware resource requirements, and low cost, it is now widely used for embedded operating systems for smart devices and a large percentage of computer servers powering companies and the internet. In recent years, improvements in the distribution process by organizations such as Ubuntu have made it more accessible to even those with modest computer skills by using bootable “live” CD or USB downloads that let you try it out without installing on the computer unless you choose to do so. Of course, the performance will be much faster when installed rather than running from the CD or USB files.   Continue reading →

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
21 April 2021

Wifi technology and the routers and wifi adapters using it have advanced a lot in recent years. It is difficult to explain the nuances of wifi technology without getting geeky, so bear with me a little as I attempt to explain some of the terminologies as simply as I can. Continue reading →