Dec 28, 2011
Notifications of new show notes and edits are tweeted at: twitter.com/ddhart.
– They're tagged with #Zentech.
– When what's said is unclear to me (or I'm unfamiliar with a topic) I tend to quote (" ") verbatim.
Editor's comments are delimited by < >
The guys talked about their favorite tech of 2011. Glenn's favorite gadget is his iPhone 3GS. He's looked at some tablets but his ASUS12" netbook, which both guys have, meets his needs and he's found no need for a tablet.
Paul noted that Cisco routers have an operating system called IOS: Internet Operating System. That's the same name used by the iPhones & iPads from Apple.
iOS 5.0.1 is Apple's latest iteration and it can't be used in an iPhone older than a 3GS. But Glenn said he recently plugged someone's 3G into his iMac and it prompted him to upgrade to iOS5, so he's going to look at that again. Paul said it's not always easy to tell what kind of iPhone you have. In an iPhone or iPad go to Settings -> General -> About and look at 'Model'. Use the number you find there to do a Google search and find the exact version of your device. What you see on the back of the phone cannot be totally relied upon.
Paul said there 2 types of firmware in iPhones, iPads, and just about any cell phone. One is for the modem, which is the cellular network system. Paul's phone has modem firmware version 5.16.
– There are jailbreaking methods that require a higher version number.
– Version 6 has been hacked.
– "It's the modem firmware that one has hack to permit the phone to talk to chips other than the one it was sold to go with", Paul said. The modem hack is what permits you to get off of the AT&T contract. <I think he meant you'd then be able to use a SIM card from another service provider: in other words, switch your carrier>
Paul went on to warn users that if they update the modem firmware to version 6 and then unlock the phone, they'll not be able to revert to the older version.
Glenn said it's been 4 or 5 months since iOS 5 came out and it's taken this long to jailbreak it. Paul said it keeps getting harder to jailbreak as new versions of iOS come out.
Glenn again mentioned that he uses a Tom Tom GPS unit and noted that Paul didn't especially like his unit because it wasn't easily hackable and it did not display the elevation along with the coordinates. Paul also noted that the USB connection of the Tom Tom Via is proprietary and therefore required a separate cable. And he said older Tom Tom unites allowed you to view the files it contained as if you plugged in a USB flash drive, so you could, for instance, easily replace the voice files. You can hack the newer units but it takes more work.
Tom Tom releases their navigation software for various platforms. For $39 ($49 if you want to add Canada or Mexico) you can get a version for iPhone & iPad thru the iTunes store.
– It can access your contact list if you tell it to navigate to one of your contacts.
– It's perfect for those with unlocked or jailbroken iPhones, as in Paul's case, because he doesn't have a contract with AT&T and only uses it on a wireless network. Since the Tom Tom software comes with all of the maps, all of the data resides on his phone so he doesn't need a network connection to use it.
– Just because your iPhone is jailbroken doesn't mean you can't use the iTunes app store.
– You can't get this Tom Tom software directly over the air, you have to use iTunes and synchronize it that way because it's a big download and iTunes has the ability to resume the download in case it's interrupted.
– As an aside, if you have iOS5, you can do your iTunes synching wirelessly now. You have to have iTunes 10.5.2 and iOS5 and the two have to be shared on the same local area network. One thing you cannot do wirelessly, however, is upgrade the operating system.
iOS5 is required if you want to use the new service called iCloud. It's an internet-based service that stores your data and synchronizes between all of your Apple devices. Paul seems to like it.
Paul mentioned Timeline on Facebook. It's a feature that presents the postings & dialog in a more accessible way. If you've been on Facebook for years, you can click on a particular year and see the content specific to that year. The content has always been available but now it's easier to get to.
Glenn said Facebook now has a feature similar to LinkedIn where you can view people's profiles. He couldn't remember the name of the feature and wasn't sure if it's a paid service. He said it was especially useful for the business professional.
Margie called and wondered of iCloud is meant to replace MobileMe.
<FAQ about the transition here.>
– Yes.
– The guys weren't sure if iCloud is a charged service. Looking it up on the net, Paul found info suggesting it is free. 5gig of storage is free & the music, book, apps & photo stream don't count against the total. Additional storage is $20 per 10gig.
– Make sure you have iOS5. Then look under settings for iCloud. You should be able to use your MobilMe login.
Margie also asked if Contacts & Address Book are not the same and will not update each other.
– They have some things in common which do update.
– Each will synch with its counterpart on the computer.
– Paul doesn't think there's enough difference to warrant a different name.
iCloud will only synchronize music you bought at the Apple Store. If you want to synch your other music, you'll need a service called iMatch for $20 per year. It will allow you to take music in your iTunes library and store it on iCloud.
Google now has a service called Google Music.
– You'll need a Google account.
– You download a small app.
– You get an enormous amount of storage. Paul was able to store 150gig on Google Music.
– It synchs all of your content from iTunes or from a generic folder — i.e. you don't have to use iTunes.
– It's for the PC or Mac.
– Paul loves it.
– Find it at google.com/music.
Hopefully the Zentech website will be working soon. <Remember, I tweet new show notes & updates at twitter.com/ddhart and if you've been paying attention, you know the temporary alternate location of the notes>
Glenn got an iMac earlier this year and he's now using it at home.
– Compared to Windows XP, he's noticed some clickable elements are in a different location.
– On the XP he was able to set his mouse to automatically position itself to the 'OK' button whenever a dialog box comes up. He hasn't been able to find a similar feature on the Mac.
One thing that Paul & his sister (a long time PC user) have yet to get used to is the magic trackpad device for the Mac. From his description, it's a trackpad that responds to gestures and multiple finger movements. It can be bought as a separate add-on for older Macs, but you have to have the latest (Lion) operating system `he implied>. Check Youtube for tutorial videos on its use — search for "lion mouse".
Ross called. He has Macbook Pro and suggested that his girlfriend get a Mac Airbook but she wants something smaller. Knowing the guys use ASUS notebooks, he asked if the Mac OS will run on them.
– It can be done but it involves a lot of hacking. Use Google to look up "hackintosh"
– ASUS isn't the only one that makes netbooks. Look up netbook with Google and you'll find a Wikipedia article.
– These units run much longer on a charge than they used to because the screens now use LED backlighting — 4 or 5 hours easily.
– The guys now both have the 11.6 (called 12") screen ASUS. It has a bigger keyboard then the previous smaller units they've tried and they give better resolution when an external monitor is attached.
– This 12" ASUS is a bit slow because it uses the Atom CPU. And they found the performance improved when they increased the 1gig RAM to 2gigs.
– The Atom is good enough to play Youtube videos but is not great for video games or animation work.
Paul said there are Chinese "clones" of the MacBook Air but in fact actually run PC software. Google "knockoff Air" to find out more.
Paul again mentioned that the Mac version 10.51 OS is the last that can run a telephone connected modem, 10.7 can't.
Paul found the correct name of the trackpad he talked about earlier — Magic Trackpad. He said you might be able to use it on the PC too. Find more info here.
Mark called. He just moved to Nevada County and needs to find a broadband service.
– Try Smarter Broadband.
– Try Spiral Internet, the local provider of Digital Path.
– As a last resort you can use a satellite connection.
Last Updated: 10:58 PM 12/28/2011
Dec 14 2011
Notifications of new show notes and edits are tweeted at: twitter.com/ddhart.
– They're tagged with #Zentech.
– When what's said is unclear to me (or I'm unfamiliar with a topic) I tend to quote (" ") verbatim.
Editor's comments are delimited by < >
Some music from the movie Tron was played at the opening and Glenn said he was able to see the movie on DVD. That led Paul to say that the idea of putting additional material on DVDs was pioneered by Spielberg with the movie Close Encounters. He also mentioned that Toy Story (1 & 2) have been released in 3D.
Glenn said he saw Puss 'n Boots in 3D and was not impressed with the 3D effects. However, he's heard that the movie Hugo is supposed to have been done well in 3D and he expects to see it soon.
Glenn said Marilyn is still having trouble with her mouse cursor — the icon looks like a circle with a line thru it.
– He thinks she may be pressing some key combination that selects that icon.
– He would like to use TeamViewer to access her machine and see directly what's going on.
– Paul said there's a way to choose what your mouse pointer looks like if you go into Control Panel -> Mouse -> Pointers tab <that's with the Classic View. With the Category View: Control Panel -> Printers & Other Hardware -> Mouse -> Pointers tab>. And some of the changes available there can benefit users with poor eyesight. Similar changes on the Mac can be accessed by going to Preferences -> Universal Access.
Summer called to say she loved the movie Hugo and its scenery. She thought the 3D was done well.
She also wanted to know if there are any free cursors for the MacBook Pro.
– Paul doesn't know of any but Glenn said Apple now has an app store just for the Mac computer and suggested she try it out.
Wynn called. He has 5-6yr old HP Pavilion laptop that's making a noise; he thinks it's the hard drive. He wants to change it himself and asked how sensitive the drives are to static electricity.
– The chips on the drive have better static protection than they used to, but take the precaution to electrically ground yourself.
– There may be something else other than the hard drive making the noise, Glenn thought it might be the fan.
– Before changing the drive, Paul suggested he get the software called Speedfan and it will report what's happening with the drive.
– Make sure you get the right type of hard drive IDE (PATA) or SATA.
– For routine maintenance Paul said to vacuum or blast compressed air thru the air vents to eliminate excess dust.
– Keep in mind that you can find used/recycled parts on Ebay, especially parts no longer being made.
Paul is often asked how he's learned what he knows about computers. He said it's by taking things apart. He recently took apart a laptop screens to see how they work.
– Most pre-2008 laptop screens are lit from the bottom with a thin fluorescent tube. Prisms & refractive gratings distribute the light to make the screen appear uniformly lit.
– The alternative, an eletroluminescent panel, draws more power and gives a pale greenish color.
– Glenn said the successor to that is the LED. He was recently looking a some TVs and noted the distinction between the LCD — a display technology that uses the fluorescent tube — and the LED LCD where LEDs are the light source
– Paul said that even those screens are divided into 2 types. Those using LEDs that give off a spectrum of light that's close to daylight, and those using triplets of LEDs — each with red, blue and green. The latter type has more electronics to run the LEDs and draws more power but has better control over the color.
Arlie called to say she has a virus hijacking her search queries. She's tried MalwareBytes but it didn't find anything. What's the recommendation?
– First, backup your computer.
– Try using Cobian <I guess it's a backup program. I think this is it.>
– Paul asked if this happens with more than 1 browser — no, only with Firefox. So he thought it may be a Firefox plugin that's causing the problem. Check what plugins you have to see if there is one that's unfamiliar, then remove it.
– Those writing such plugins get affiliate or referral fees when you click on the search results.
– She's using AVG as her anti-virus. Though that catches some malware, the guys suggest using Microsoft Security Essentials. But before you change to a different anti-virus, check for rogue plugins as suggested above.
– Don't jump to quickly to the conclusion that a virus is causing a problem. Stop and think about it — you yourself may have done something to cause the change in performance <thru some settings or software you've downloaded>.
A lot of viruses these days try to prevent their own removal. They're called rootkits and they hide themselves in the kernelof the operating system. <A previous show with some info about rootkits was on 2-9-9>
– If you suspect you have a rootkit, you can use Tdsskiller by Kaspersky Labs
– Paul doesn't recommend casual use of tools like this because it brings "heavy cannons onto the scene".
<Background about it & alternate ways to download it is here>
The disclaimer:
The opinions and whatnot heard here on KVMR are those of the speaker, not necessarily those of KVMR, its staff, board, underwriters or volunteers.
Michael called. He's using XP and at one point he chose a picture to use as his desktop <wallpaper>. Now he wants to change the desktop but he doesn't want to loose the picture and he can't find where the picture is stored.
– One way to use a picture on your desktop is to right-click on it and pick 'save as desktop' <or similar wording>, as Michael did, If you do it this way, it's often stored in the temporary directory.
– Note where you originally got the picture so you can get another copy if necessary.
– You can go to the temporary directory but it may still be hard to locate the exact file. You can get there by going to start -> run -> enter %temp% in the box -> hit return. Then switch the view to 'thumbnails' <later he called it "icon view">. That will help you locate the picture.
– To help find a particular type of file in the Temporary directory, you can go to View -> Arrange Icons by… -> type. <Then look for .jpg, .gif, .bmp etc.>
Julie called. She was given MacBook Pro which had been used with a wireless internet connection and she wants to use dialup, but she can't find the modem.
– They don't come with modems.
– You can buy an Apple modem (about $49) but the Mac OS must be earlier than version 10.6 or modem won't work. To check your version click the Apple logo on the upper left a pick 'About this Mac'.
– You might be able to use Wildblue, a satellite service, to get your internet. There may be a government program for rural folks that will allow you to get the service for about $39, but it's just a rumor.
– Make appointment at an Apple Store (even if you're out of warranty) and have them test if modem will work on your machine.
Summer called again. She suggested that Julie (see above) use Digital Path for her internet service.
She also mentioned Tineye, an addon for Firefox that lets you do a reverse search on pictures.
<There's a version for Opera, too. Yay!!>
Jayne called to offer Julie another suggestion for using the internet. What she does is use an older Mac that has both a modem and wi-fi. Then she uses this computer to get online and to share the connection with other computers in the house using its wi-fi.
Last Updated: 5:19 PM 1/13/2012
Nov 30 2011
Notifications of new show notes and edits are tweeted at: twitter.com/ddhart.
– They're tagged with #Zentech.
– When what's said is unclear to me (or I'm unfamiliar with a topic) I tend to quote (" ") verbatim.
Editor's comments are delimited by < >
Paul explained why the Zentech website isn't working. It uses the content management system called Joomla, which uses the programming language called PHP. PHP was upgraded at KVMR but the migration was incomplete. Paul hopes to have it done in a week or so — when he finds the time.
Glenn said he got a Vizio tablet at Costco last night for $190. It has an 8" screen — many of the sub $200 tablets are 7".
– It has 4gig of memory with 2gig devoted to the Android operating system.
– It has the more responsive capacitive touch screen rather than the resistive type.
– It takes up to a 32gig micro SD card. Glenn got a 4gig card at Fry's for $4.99.
<I think this might be the one.
Another review here.>
Paul noted that most GPS units have resistive touch screens but they are used differently than tablets. Most input is simply pushing the screen rather sliding the finger, as on the tablet, so the resistive screen is adequate.
Other GPS units, like the Tom-Tom that Glenn has, will take voice input. Paul said it's amazing how much progress has been made in voice recognition because of the need to discriminate the spoken word from ambient noise.
Glenn thought he got an excellent deal at Costco on his Tom-Tom Via TM (TM meaning 'traffic maps').
– He got a lifetime of free map & traffic updates.
– He paid $170 with a $55 instant rebate (after paying tax on the $170)
Some newer GPS units have intelligent routing. When they plan your route, they take historical data into account. For instance, they don't assume the freeway you'll be taking is free of traffic, but look at typical travel times needed by other drivers in the past, for that time of day.
Paul also said the newer GPS units have TMC which is a method of picking up traffic data from local FM radio stations (transmitted in "spare frames").
The data is picked up by the GPS thru the car adapter power cord, which serves as a receiver <or maybe an antenna?>. If you run it on its battery or powered while plugged into your laptop, this feature will not work.
Paul recalled when calculators started to replace slide rules & log tables there was debate about allowing them in the classroom. In his opinion if you don't know what you're doing then the calculator will only make it worse. And if you do know what you're doing it takes the grunt work out of it
The guys like the Tom Tom GPS units because they are based on open source software.
– The sound files are Ogg Vorbis open format compressed audio. You can easily change them.
– You can mess with the maps and sound files, and if you mess up the file structure, you can reload all of the software into the unit.
– Glenn was impressed with its voice recognition.
– With the advances in hardware processing power such unites are now able to complement the advances in software. This has led to 3D animations and improvements in voice recognition.
Scott called saying he's using an old computer (running Windows ME) with an expired version of Norton Anti-Virus. A newer version of Norton expects a more modern machine. He's concerned about lack of protection.
– The Norton program itself is still working. He just doesn't have the latest files to deal with the newer viruses. The money you pay to Norton is for these updates.
– Uninstall Norton and instead go with AVG Anti-virus. AVG 2010 runs on Windows 98 so it almost certainly will work on ME.
– Norton is a bit of a processor hog and tends to slow down the computer, especially an older one like his.
– At some point there are going to be diminishing returns in keeping an older computer going. Consider replacing it. ME is no longer supported by Microsoft.
– Refurbisihed computers can be bought with Windows XP.
– Go to Overstock.com and search for Optiplex. These are 2 or 3yr old off-lease Dell computers running XP that Paul has seen for as low as $149.
– Once you have an alternate computer to use, you can put Ubuntu Linux, on this one and it should work fine without an anti-virus. Linux gets along well on some older machines. If you go to ubuntu.com you can get them to mail you a CD with Linux for cost of a donation.
– Look for holiday prices of about $300 for a lower tier Windows 7 machines at Fry's.
– This is a good time to get your important data off this machine. ME should be able to use a flash drive for backup. Installing Ubuntu will mean all of your data will be blown away.
Marilyn called. When she uses her laptop at a friend's house to connect wirelessly to the internet, the connection is spotty. She's actually hitchhiking on the wireless signal of her friend's neighbor. She wants to know if she can be connected by dialup and wireless at the same time.
– If you know who this neighbor is (know where the signal is coming from), you might ask them to put their wireless transmitter closer to your location…or position yourself closer to it.
– Paul seemed to think it would be ok to have both connections going at the same time though he's only tried Ethernet & wireless simultaneously.
– If this laptop uses an external wireless receiver, you can try to extend the antenna cable so the antenna can be placed in a better spot.
– Use Netstumbler — software that scans for wi-fi signals in your vicinity and reports the signal strength. You'll be able to wander around and find the best location for a strong signal.
– For the Mac there's macstumbler.com.
In closing, Marilyn mentioned that Bodega Bay has great free public wi-fi.
Nikki called. She's been think of buying either an iPad2 or laptop. She just wants to use the internet & do email.
– It depends on your budget.
– You can get a new laptop with Windows 7 for about $300.
– Both guys like and use an ASUS. Fry's has had them for $298 with 15.6" screen. http://www.asus.com/
– Glenn said if money isn't an issue go with an iPad2.
– The software for the iPad2 is cheap. For example, Writer for iPad is a word processing program for under $10. Many apps are free.
– You can get a external Bluetooth keyboard for iPad, nevertheless, it's not a good platform for extensive writing.
– Go to an Apple store and try one out. You may want to make an appointment on apple.com first.
– Paul said Safari is the only browser for the iPad but Glenn said he's seen one called Download Lite <I guess this is it> that runs on the iPhone. <Implying it will work on the iPad>
– Safari on the iPad doesn't run Flash content but Apple does have an app for viewing Youtube videos (normally requiring Flash). But Glenn said he knows someone using that app and it will not play some Youtube videos.
– Download Lite does do Flash.
– If you decide on the iPad, get the wi-fi version. Don't get the one with 3G built in because that will require a service contract with a phone company to use their phone network, and there's usually a data cap (limit on the amount how much data you can receive per month).
– Ask how long a trial period you have so you can bring it back if you don't like it.
– Download Lite is available thru the App Store
Nikki asked if the guys recommend getting Apple Care at $169 for 2 years.
– Search Ebay for a better price.
– Email the guys: zen at kvmr dot org and they have info for getting it at a discount.
– Apple Care is especially useful if you're going abroad. It makes getting service easy.
Niki also asked for a wireless provider in Weimar, CA. She's currently using a satellite service. She was also wondering about Verizon mi-fi cards.
– Paul mentioned ColfaxNet. <I think this is it>
– The mi-fi cards use the phone network for the connection and there are monthly data limits. Wi-fi may be a better choice.
Ken called. When he drags the scroll bar on the right side of a window, the page jumps in sections.
– Glenn suggested that he might have changed something in Control Panel -> Mouse -> Mouse settings.
– Some browsers allow you to have either smooth scrolling or "large" scrolling. Check your browser settings. Use the browser's help section to search for something like 'scrolling preferences' or look around under 'options' in the menu to see if you can spot a relevant setting.
– Do a Google search for 'scrolling preferences' or 'erratic scrolling' (try different search words).
Sharon called. She's going abroad and wondered if she'll need to get a device for looking up bus schedules and hotels, etc, or whether her smartphone would suffice.
– Glenn doesn't think the tiny screen of an phone would be adequate.
– If you stick with the phone, you can use it on wi-fi without unlocking it.
– If you use your current phone network while abroad, you can be hit with big charges for roaming internet use. Stick with wi-fi.
– If you want to use a SIM card purchased in a foreign country, you'll have to have an unlocked phone. Check with AT&T (her current carrier).
She asked if getting an iPad would be cheaper.
– Probably not cheaper but much more enjoyable.
Last Updated: 11:05 PM 12/3/2011
Nov 23 2011: Mac Special
Notifications of new show notes and edits are tweeted at: twitter.com/ddhart.
– They're tagged with #Zentech.
– When what's said is unclear to me (or I'm unfamiliar with a topic) I tend to quote (" ") verbatim.
Editor's comments are delimited by < >
Notes that Mikail mentioned during the show are appended at the end.
Glenn & Mikail Graham were in the studio
They talked mostly about the iPhone 4S & iOS5 — the latest operating system for the iPhone.
Because the Zentech website was still down at the time, Mikail said he'll post much of the discussed information to his Facebook page.
Glenn said he's still using the iPhone 3GS and Mikail said you can get a 16gig version for 99 cents with a 2 year contract. Verizon & Sprint have various configurations of the iPhone 4 starting at $99 for the 8gig and going up to $399.
Mikail said he now has an iPhone 4S and with it he got the Apple Care Plus protection plan. For $99 and $50 per incident, the Apple Care plan gives 2 years of protection from anything. Additionally, he gets to ask Apple's support staff any questions he has. He went on to say that unlike some other phones, the glass of the iPhone is more prone to breaking. That's one reason he recommends a protective case, an "invisible shield" and the Apple Care plan.
He also mentioned the he bought a set of Altec Lansing speakers from Fry's recently for $20. They can charge the iPhone as well as play the audio from the phone.
Mikail said he has a lot of tips for the iPhone users, one of which is taking a picture using the volume button. You can also predefine what the iPhone does for different finger actions. For instance, if you move your finger in a circle, the phone will open a particular app. You can also set up a custom vibration pattern so you can tell who, in particular, calls or texts you from the unique vibration. <See his Facebook page for more tips>
Mikail then did a little demonstration of Siri on the iPhone 4S. It's a voice-activated assistant that's connected to an Apple server, which does much of the processing. You can ask Siri questions like what the weather is and the command will go to the Apple server, which then returns the answer.
He said Siri has been hacked to do other things. One guy got it to control the thermostat in his house by voice command.
Mikail said there are ways to jailbreak the iPhone as well as a way to unlock it. When you unlock the phone you can use it on a different cell phone network by changing the SIM card. Or you can buy an unlocked 16gig iPhone for about $650. The Verizon iPhone has CDMA that doesn't use the SIM card and you can't switch networks, as yet. Sprint iPhones originally came unlocked but are now being sold as locked phones. The iPhone 4 with certain versions of the iOS can be unlocked if you use a special SIM with it.
Carriers other than the big 3 (Verizon, AT&T and Sprint) have the iPhone available, but not T-Mobile. Glenn has switched to T-Mobile from AT&T and has experienced more reception problems in the Nevada City area. He has also started using the MagicJack unit for his home phone. He is also thinking of encouraging people to use his Google Voice number. Calls made to that number can be directed to various destinations (cell phone, home phone or other temporary location). Glenn also reported that he's very happy with his MagicJack. <He said more about it on the previous show>
Jerry called. He just missed what Glenn said and asked for a thumbs up or thumbs down on the MagicJack.
– Thumbs up.
– The original MagicJack had to be connected to a computer but the unit Glenn has does not.
– This newer unit does have to be connected to an Ethernet port and you have to have a broadband service (but not a satellite service).
– You can use it with Comcast cable but you'll need to ask them for special modem that has an Ethernet port or add a router between the modem and the MagicJack.
Jerry then asked, if he drops AT&T phone service, will he have to pay more for his DSL.
– No, you're no longer required to have phone service to have DSL. This is what's called a naked DSL. Be sure to check with AT&T first.
– And don't drop your phone service before you port your phone number to a unit like the MagicJack.
– You can even port your number to Google Voice for $20.
Glenn helped a friend get DSL service and reports "DSL no longer exits for a new sales product", according to AT&T. All they offer is U-verse. But Glenn's skeptical — he thinks it just some kind of sales ploy to get people to buy the U-verse service. <see disclaimer>
The disclaimer:
Views and opinions expressed on this show are those of the speaker only and not necessarily those of KVMR, its board, management, staff or contributors.
Mikail noted that if you upgrade to iOS5 you might have an issue with the battery draining faster than with previous iOS versions. Apple is working on it and expects to have version 5.02 out before Christmas. "It's a real simple one to fix for the most part". Go into your Notification & Location settings and turning off the time server. Details will be in the notes he'll post to his Facebook page. <And the Zentech site, when it's working again>
Paula called. She's been having problems using Skype and MagicJack to talk to her husband in the Middle East.
– There may not be enough bandwidth.
– Be sure he doesn't have any apps that use the internet, including possible tasks running in the system tray — the box in the lower right corner.
– Some countries may be limiting access to certain services like Skype & MagicJack.
– Google Voice doesn't work well internationally, which was the next thing she was going to try.
Continuing with iOS5, Mikail said that it has iMessage built in so you can send text messages with pictures for free, but only to other iOS5 users of iPhone, iPad & iPad Touch. Google Voice also lets text for free.
Bruce called to ask if 2 people can talk to each other with both using Google Voice.
– Yes. It's not just for forwarding calls or voice mails. <No further details given>
Bruce went on to say he's been using Skype and that it's not limited to computers — there are phones (some made by Philips & GE) that connect thru a router <and a broadband connection, no doubt> and use Skype.
Another new feature in iOS5 is that you don't have to use a USB cable to do your synching — you can do it wirelessly. Mikail uses it in conjunction with Photostream so photos taken with one device will show up on his other devices.
– You can do photo and movie editing on the iPhone now.
– If some one sends you a video, you can save the attachment directly to the "camera roll",
Another new iOS5 feature Mikail likes is how easy it is to read message alerts on the "lock screen". You don't have to unlock to read them.
Mikail recommended an app called Hey Tell, for the iPhone or Android. It acts like a walkie-talkie. <I guess it's like sending a text message but it sends a voice message>
Jeff called to ask how much of what's been said about the iPhone is applicable to the iPad.
– Almost everything Mikail has said is applicable except for Siri.
– The iPad 2 has the same processor as the iPhone but it's been clocked down in the iPhone 4s to save on the battery life.
Mikail mentioned iTunes Match. It's a $24.99 a year service that lets you store and play back your music on the Apple server — up to 25,000 songs. If it determines that you're the owner of a song, you don't have to actually upload it to the server, it will play back a copy of the song from the vast iTunes library. <At least that's the way I understand what was said. The advantage of the service is that you can play the audio at different locations and devices>. And if you only had a 128k version of a song that you intended to upload, the matching song that iTunes Match sends you is a 256K lossless version. iTunes Match will only let you submit songs of a certain bit rate or higher, and if the version of the song you want to store is only 64k or 96k, you can use the iTunes program on your computer to re-encode it to the higher bit rate and then store that at iTunes Match. <So when you play it back, you get back a higher quality (matching) song than the one you submitted. I know, it's confusing. It was confusing to write it, but I think that's the best I could do>
Glenn asked Mikail about the Apple MobileMe service. It was a service where you were able to store your data online. It has been discontinued and replaced by iCloud.
– < FAQ about the transition here. >
– You can migrate all your MobileMe data to iCloud — the new service from Apple.
– With iOS5 you get 5gig of free storage on iCloud, but if you want to store "notes", you have to create an account.
– Dropbox is an alternative free storage service.
– Apps Gone Free and appadvice.com are a good way to find free or cheap apps & services.
Mikail mentioned a couple of more interesting apps:
– Pulsenews is a great RSS reader. <For Android or for the iPhone>
– TuneIn Radio for listening to radio stations. <For Android or the iPhone>
Leo called asking where he can get a tutorial for the iPhone 4.
– Check Mikail's Facebook page or send mail to him or to zen at kvmr dot org and you'll be directed to some tutorials.
<The following is from an email I got and is pretty much unedited>
Below are a ton of useful tips & tricks and links for today's show that you
can use for posting to the Zen Tech site and also will be a bit of a road
map for where/how the show will flow beyond the phone calls and improv that
Glenn and I do live. Thought it might help for us as well as the
listeners…
*A FEW LIVE EXAMPLES OF FUN SIRI THINGS WE CAN DO ON THE SHOW BESIDES JUST
TALKING ABOUT FEATURES & WHAT IS NEW [?]*
SIRI will be a fun feature to demo live…
We can do a few things like have SIRI send Paul an email or Glenn a TEXT
message or show how easy it is to set a REMINDER with nothing more than
one's voice.
We could also choose a song and have SIRI play it or tell us info about the
song that is playing, or tell SIRI to call one's self by a particular
nickname if you like, like this:
SIRI please call me Master, to which SIRI will reply: "OK I will now call
you Master"
*SIRI Fun – examples of the silly things you can ask SIRI – (we'll do some
of these live on the air)*
________________________________
1. What is the meaning of life
2. I Love You
3. Will you marry me
4. Open the pod bay doors
5. Siri siri siri
6. who made you
7. I’m drunk.
8. I’m going to kill myself.
9. What's the best phone?
10. Testing 1, 2, 3
11. I’m drunk
12. I’m going to kill myself
*LOTS OF TIPS & TRICKS, INFO & MORE + LINKS ON iOS 5 FOR THE ZEN TECH
WEBSITE*
these should be easy enough to just paste in w/o much work…
*
The MAChanic Facebook page* where Mikail posts FREE tips & tricks and
interesting Apple related articles regularly:
https://www.facebook.com/TheMachanic.MacTech
*iOS 5 Complete List of New Features
*If you are wondering what is new & worthy of checking out in the new iOS 5
for iPhone/iPod Touch & iPad, here is a great overview that lists all by
category.
A great overview of many of the *TOP New Features*
30 of the Best iOS 5 Features
(list)<http://www.gadgetreview.com/2011/10/30-of-the-best-ios-5-features.html>
*iOS 5 Hidden Features – Fun Videos (useful Tips for the iOS thrill seekers
among us!)
*iOS 5 BATTERY ISSUES TIPS
*
If after upgrading to iOS 5 & you find your battery life is much worse you
might want to check your 'Location' & 'Notification' settings as they may
be helping drain your power more than think…
Check this link for more info: *iPhone 4S: Notifications, Location
Services, the bane of good battery
*
*Note:* these tips worked well for me on an iPhone 4S with my battery life
improving by several hours if not more!*
iOS 5.01 UPDATE INFO*
Note: the recently released iOS 5.01 update has had rather mixed reviews, I
personally have not upgraded to it yet due to these issues and am awaiting
the rumored 5.02 update that is suppoed to drop sometime before Xmas 2011.
read the article at this link for more info: http://tinyurl.com/cab2cc5
*iMessage – what is it & why is it so cool?
*
*iOS 5 iMessage Feature Overview
*
Send and receive unlimited text, photo, and video messages with other iOS 5
users
Track messages with delivery and read receipts
Group messaging and secure encryption
Works over cellular network and Wi-Fi
*iOS 5 TIP: iMessage App
*So what's the difference from my old SMS Texting app?
iMessage is an application which allows iPhone users to send texts and
multimedia messages without being charged (for FREE!). This new feature is
quite similar to RIM’s Blackberry Messenger, better known as BBM, which
allows Blackberry owners to communicate via text fee free.
You can send infinite messages through any wireless services such as 3G,
Wi-Fi, 4G LTE from your much loved devices such as iPad, iPhone (iMessage
for iPhone 4) and iPod Touch. It also allows users to send text, pictures,
videos and contact messages to their friends.
The only caveat is that both sides need to be running iOS 5. Messages with
iMessage are unlimited and secure, too. You can talk to all your friends or
family at once with group messaging, and also see who’s reading with
delivery and read receipts. And if words aren’t enough, you can also send
photos, videos, locations, and contacts.
If you are using an iPhone 4S you can even ask Siri to text for you. Just
say "text (insert friend's name here)" then “I’m on my way” and Siri writes
your message and fires it off.
*How to Use iMessage So Everyone Will Love
You<http://gizmodo.com/5846238/how-to-use-imessage-so-everyone-will-love-you>
iOS 5 WiFi SYNC**
*
iOS 5 TIP: Wi-Fi Sync
Finally iPhone is now wire-free. you can now sync the device with iTunes
wirelessly. Presently, the Wi-Fi sync feature is only available to Mac OS
users and you must upgrade to Mac OS X 10.6.8, otherwise you won’t see the
Wi-Fi Sync option.For the very first time you use Wi-Fi sync, you have to
connect your device to computer and enable a “Wi-Fi Sync” option in iTunes.
Once the option is set, you’re ready to sync with your device wirelessly.
NOTE: Contrary to what I've read (including the article in the link below)
you do not have to have your iOS device plugged in to power nor USB once
you set it up on both the Mac and your iOS device. This means as long as
iTunes is open & running on your Desktop Mac you can freely sync via wifi
anytime you like.
*How to Use Wireless Sync in iOS
5<http://www.pcworld.com/article/242242/how_to_use_wireless_sync_in_ios_5.html>
*
*
iOS 5 PHOTO EDITING & ALBUM CREATION & HOW TO SAVE VIDEOS FROM AN EMAIL TIPS
*
*iOS 5 TIP: Photo editing comes to the Photos app!!
*In the Photos app for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, you can now do basic
image editing work. Simply by tapping on the edit button at the top right
of a photo, you get access to several iPhoto-like tools:
* Rotate, to turn your image in 90 degree increments
* Auto-enhance, which waves a magic wand and tries to balance your image
* Red-eye removal, so you can just say goodbye to flash-induced evil
possession
* Crop, which lets you cut away the parts of an image you don’t want, and
includes all the standard
*
i*OS 5 TIP: Create new photo albums in iOS 5 – and here is how to keep your
Camera Roll organized in iOS 5!
*
1. Open the Photo App in iOS 5.
2. Tap the action button in the top-right.
3. Tap the photos you want to include in your new album.
4. When you've selected all your photos, tap the Add To button at the
bottom.
5. Tap "Add to Existing Album" or "Add to New Album."
6. Choose your existing album or type in a name for your new album.
Now your camera roll photos will be organized and easy to manage on your
iOS 5 device. NOTE: the folders you create on your iOS device are not
transfered to your Desktop computer!
*iOS 5 TIP: Save Videos to Your Camera Roll!
*This is just one of those new 200 Features of iOS 5 that you might not
have yet realized, and certainly a most useful addition for anyone using an
iPhone.
Check this link for more info: *iOS 5 Allows You to Save Videos to Your
Camera Roll | Cult of
Mac<http://www.cultofmac.com/125638/ios-5-allows-you-to-save-videos-to-your-camera-roll/>
*
*
SIRI VOICE ASSISTANT INFO*
*"Siri, how much data do you gobble up in a
*
*What can you say & or ask SIRI?*
http://www.tuaw.com/2011/10/05/iphone-4s-what-can-you-say-to-siri/
**
*Silly & Siriously Weird SIRI Remarks
*http://siriouslyweird.tumblr.com/
*
A good review of SIRI in WIRED*
http://www.wired.com/reviews/2011/10/iphone4s/
*
iOS Useful Utilities*
*iPhone / iPod Touch Backup Extractor <http://supercrazyawesome.com/>*
a very useful FREE! tool for iOS folks. So what does it do?
This application converts the iPhone / iPod Touch backups that are created
by iTunes into readily usable Mac OS X files. It is designed to run on Mac
OS X 10.5 upwards.
What's it used for?
Extracting application resources for developers to help them investigate
bugs.
Exploring files that are created by third party applications using Finder.
Decoding the SQLite database files that are stored on the iPhone / iPod
Touch, such as Call History, SMS messages, and Notes.
*
**Recover iPhone, iPad or iPod photos from backups with
Picturescue<http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpicturescueapp.com%2F&h=zAQHQTdMbAQGZ0MpHKMrV1EbWkvNVKNQdrkprjG6vPorJgQ>
*
A useful utility for restoring photos from a previous backup of your iOS
device. It's FREE to download and check out what photos are residing in
your old iOS backup files, but it'll cost you $4.99 in order to extract &
export any of them.
*How to quickly access settings from your Home
Screen<http://gigaom.com/apple/how-to-quickly-access-settings-from-your-home-screen/>
*
<http://gigaom.com/apple/how-to-quickly-access-settings-from-your-home-screen/>Don't
want to Jailbreak your iPhone but would still like to have access to a cool
Jailbreak like timesaver? Here is a 'fully legit' way to access useful
parts of your SETTINGS app via a one-touch-icon from your Homescreen. Or
access this link directly from your iOS device to add the profile of your
choice, and remember you can always delete the ones you don't need
afterwards: http://iphoneza.co.za/IconSettings/
*
iCloud*
*iCloud Overview (what you need to know)
*
iCloud vs. Wi-Fi Sync: Which does what?*
ttp://tinyurl.com/7znsgx4
*iTunes Match Info & Tips
**
Hands On With iTunes Match*
*Check Out Your Music's iCloud Status
*Dealing with iTunes Match's 25,000 Track Limit*
*Secrets of iTunes Match*
*EXTRA BITS & DEALS*
*
Jailbreaking & iOS 5 – CURRENTLY NOT RECOMMENDED!!!*
After seven betas, one GM and another performance improving update (which
itself has two betas), iOS 5 hasn’t received an untethered jailbreak yet.
Folks who wish to enhance their experience with apps and tweaks from Cydia
have to make do with a tethered jailbreak, but it appears that the
jailbreaking community is getting closer and closer to an untethered
jailbreak for iOS 5 as one hacker has sent out an update regarding its
progress.
No details have been given regarding the bug, but, perhaps, it is a
userland exploit like the five userland exploits which were announced by
p0sixninja at this year’s MyGreatFest. These userland exploits – unlike
bootrom exploits – are software-based and, hence, would be available for
all iOS devices, including iPhone 4S and iPad 2 (as was shown by MuscleNerd
of iPhone Dev Team), on the version of iOS which has the userland exploit.
The last userland exploit-based jailbreak was comex’s JailbreakMe which was
based on a PDF exploit in Mobile Safari on iOS 4.3.3. The main disadvantage
of a userland exploit is that it can be easily patched with a software
update whereas bootrom exploits cannot be patched unless hardware is
revised.
Current iOS 5 jailbreak is tethered-boot only, meaning you’ll have to
connect your device to your computer every time you need to restart it. If
you’ve got a supported iOS 5 device, you can jailbreak it using Redsn0w or
Sn0wbreeze. For more info I'd recommend doing a search for "iOS 5
Jailbreak".
*Apple's Black Friday Ad Leaked (good deals for the listeners)
*
New MacBook Air for $899 bundled with discounted $199 AppleCare* (time
sensitive so act quick for this deal!)
*
Pocket-Sized Projector for Your iPhone 4/4S*
*
PlugBug Charger, 10W USB iPad/iPhone Charger + MacBook Plug Attachment**
$34.99*
http://www.twelvesouth.com/products/plugbug/
————————–
OK hope all of this helps the cause…
*Whoops!!!*
One very cool goodie I forgot that would be most useful to the iOS crowd is
the following and should be placed under the EXTRA BITS & DEAL section.
*
Apps Gone FREE! – Get high quality paid apps for free each day. Every day
hundreds of apps reduce their price to free for a limited time*
Check their website out here:
http://appchronicles.com/category/apps-gone-free/
Or download the app directly for you iOS device from iTunes at:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/appsgonefree/id470693788?mt=8
Thanks much!!!
Last updated: 6:25 PM 11/24/2011
Nov 9, 2011
Notifications of new show notes and edits are tweeted at: twitter.com/ddhart
They're tagged with #Zentech
Editor's comments are delimited by < >
Both Glenn & Paul were in the studio today.
Glenn brought in a MagicJack unit and the guys spent some time talking about different options for a phone service. <Wikipedia article here.>
The MagicJack is $39.95 and you can get it at retailers, or online where shipping charges may apply.
– Their service includes 1-year free unlimited domestic, U.S. & Canada, long distance and cheap international calling.
– But you do have to plug it into your computer and the computer has to remain on to make & receive calls. In addition, the computer has to be running Windows.
|- Ongoing subscriptions are $20 per year.
– "You can port your own number to it". Glenn said he'll be doing that, as he seems to like it the unit.
What Glenn actually has is a MagicJack Plus (for $69.95 initial and $40/year ongoing and an optional 5 year prepaid plan that's even cheaper per year). This unit doesn't require a computer to plug in to. Instead, it can plug directly into an Ethernet port on a router. Glenn has yet to figure out how to get all of the phones in his house connected to the MagicJack — maybe disconnecting the incoming AT&T line at the outside box and connecting an unused wall plug to the MagicJack.
Glenn's MagicJack comes with voice mail, caller ID, call waiting and call forwarding. If you prepay for international calling, calls to many countries are about 2 cents per minute.
Paul noted that in some countries cell phone customers are charged for incoming calls at a premium rate and he avoids calling cell phone numbers in such cases.
Paul went on to say that Skype is another alternative for a phone service. It uses VOIP or voice over internet protocol. He also said ooma.com has a device similar to the MagicJack. It's a decentralized peer-to-peer network similar to Skype in the way it connects. He said it's surprisingly good and asked listeners who've used it for their opinions. Glenn said Ooma costs about $200 and there are no further charges.
Talking about Skype, Paul said that the individual packets travel by different routes (they're reassembled at the destination) and they are, he thinks, encrypted, so it's nearly impossible for the NSA or FBI to snoop on users. The origin and destination of the calls, however, are easily discovered.
<Here are articles concerning privacy with Skype & BitTorrent:
Researchers uncover privacy flaws that can reveal users' identities, locations and digital files.
New MS Office, Skype Could Spy on User Conversations
Researcher claims dangerous vulnerability in Skype>
Glenn said people without a MagicJack can make free calls to someone who has one by using an online VOIP service.
Charlie called in. He had been using Gmail while letting his computer fill in the password during login, but he eventually forgot the password. Now the computer has stopped filling in the password, so now he's stuck. <I've noticed this myself on some sites, and I think it sometimes happens when the login page gets changed so much that the browser no longer associates a password with it — I guess>.
– He's using the Firefox browser and there is a way to look at the passwords that it stores. Go to Tools -> Options -> Security -> Passwords. You'll then see an option to make Firefox display the password along with the website & user name information.
– You can also go to Gmail and click on the button that says something like "I lost my password", He said he tried that but he didn't have an alternate email where an new password can be sent. It's a good idea to provide an alternate email and challenge questions when you sign up for a service.
– It's not likely Gmail (Google) will be able to help him if he calls them directly.
– Keep entering possible passwords even though it may while. After about 3 attempts they may require you to respond to a captcha at each attempt.
Paul suggested a method for creating an easily remembered password. Pick a phrase that's meaningful to you and use the fist letter of each word in that phrase for the password. E.g. using the phrase "I can fly" would yield the password: icf. <It's usually recommended to choose a password several characters long and to add some symbols (! # $ etc) or numbers>
<Password tips mentioned in shows for Aug 23, 2010, Jul 27, 2011 and Jun 8, 2011>
<Password managers mentioned in show for Dec 15, 2008>
There are web sites & browser extensions that store passwords for you and some store other info, for instance, to fill in forms. Roboform was mentioned.
Rick called with a suggestion for remembering passwords. He said he writes all of his confidential information on cards and stores them in a safe place at home. He also uses just the first couple of letters of a word that's meaningful to him and depends his memory for the rest of the word. He then said not to use passwords that are personally relevant to you but are also commonly known to people you associate with or are otherwise easily discovered — spouse's name, your phone number, etc.
Rick also said he's been dissuaded from using Facebook because it's easy to share too much with too many people.
– Sign up using a pseudonym and a fake profile (age, location, etc).
– Paul said advertisers can indeed end up with your information from Facebook.
– You can set up Facebook so only your Facebook friends but NOT friends of friends will see your posts.
– Stick to email to keep your communications private instead of posting to Facebook.
– Even when using email don't click on links in an email if it's not from someone you know.
– And be aware that the email account of someone you know may be compromised. It's best to check with them before you click on any links in email form them.
– Email from a bank asking you to click on a link to fix some problem is likely to be a phishing attack. Call the bank (using their number from a directory) to confirm — don't click such links.
Michael called. He wanted to know if he could listen to this show in the Bay Area.
– Yes, KVMR is broadcast on the internet. You can hear a .mp3 stream at the "Listen Live" link on KVMR's front page.
<Podcasts of past KVMR shows are here.>
Michael went on to ask about the reaction of the technology sector to the Occupy movement. He was wondering if the new media (the internet) will follow the old media (print & broadcast) with unfavorable views of the Occupy movement. <Paul seemed to interpret his question to be whether the movement's message can be censored>
– The internet was developed for the military to be robust.
– Such attempts are subject to failure. Paul mentioned the Streisand Effect — "attention is drawn to something the moment you do try to shut it down".
– And remember, it's because of technology that word of the Occupy movement spread.
– Paul's view is that the internet is just a tool for communication and is essentially neutral.
The disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on this show are those of the speakers only and not necessarily those of the station or its board, its management, the staff, the contributors or the animals that belong to the people concerned.
Yvonne called. She uses AT&T DSL on a LAN and it & keeps going out for her and 2 others.
– Paul said some modems, from AT&T, were bad — they would occasionally reboot. In that case the modem's red light goes on indicating a reboot. That's not true in her case.
– Call AT&T…She's done that and they attempt to service her connection, but the problem comes back.
– Talk to AT&T asking them to check their service records so they know the problem has not gone away.
– Check your contract for the minimum level of service to expect. You may be due to not only reimbursement, but also compensation for the lost service.
Lily called saying some keys on her laptop are not working — she has to push hard. She's tried to blow out and also vacuum the keyboard but that hasn't helped.
– Paul's guess is that the electrical contacts have failed.
– Paul found out that she has a Dell Inspiron 1545 and said that those 4-digit series of Dell Inspirons had this problem in common.
– Check Ebay for a used keyboard. Paul had recently replaced a friend's keyboard for only $8.
– You can try to find a Youtube video showing how to change the keyboard. You just have to pop the top panel off, undo 2 screws and a connector — that's it.
– Also, first be sure it's not under warranty.
Last updated: 10:16 PM 11/11/2011