PC Community Main Meeting
7:30 - 10 pm June 3, 2016
Calvary Baptist Church 28924 Ruus Road, Hayward California
President Chuck Horner called the meeting to order at 7:373 pm. Get at least one $5 raffle ticket for this month’s raffle prize, an TRENDnet N600 router dual band wireless router.
Chuck has a new toy called the thingCHARGER from thingSTART.com. It has phone and Apple device charging ports and a cradle for both iPhones and Anddroid phones. It replicates the wall sockets, so those aren’t lost with all those extra USB ports. You can also stack up ythingCHARGERS, giving you extra charging ports–possibly forever, or at least 2 or 3 according to the Internet, which also suggests a $39.99 price.
Presentation:
Member Bud Gallagher still isn’t so sure about Windows 10. Never10 and GWX control panel can be run to stop the automatic updates to Windows 10. Read carefully, and multiple times, to be sure you make the choice you mean. Never10 is easier to install, GWX may be more thorough and powerful. Bud reported on Kerish Doctor 2016 as an easy, thorough cleaner. Like CCleaner, it isn’t aggressive or invasive.
Member Paul Cooper suggests that Windows 10 is likely to be OK on a computer that is younger than 3 years old. Come July, Microsoft will be releasing a lot of updates to Windows 10. No more “service packs.” The inexpensive “Start Is Back” program restores the Windows 7 interface, including the Start button.
The conversation turned to the ubiquity of cell phones and connectivity issues. In some parts of the world, there never will be landlines. This is partly due to the difficulty of installing wires in some areas and also because copper wire is a theft target. Copper wire is now stamped with a code so that it can be traced and identified.
Chuck reported on a new device called YONDR. This a pouch that can be used to secure items–sort of the way clothing is secured in a store.
Remember: everything has an infinite lifetime on the internet. Those cute pranks you shared with friends will keep on sharing long after you come to your senses and take the video off your site. On the other hand, Andrew Tews reported that the European Union has secured free access to scientific information of January 1, 2017. Some articles are taken down soon and get hard to find, so Chuck suggests making an off-line folder and saving articles of interest as soon as you find them. Use a file format with as little formatting as possible.
Yorkman Lowe noted that the San Francisco Internet Archive has many items that can’t be found anywhere else.
Chuck asked for program suggestions. Andrew Tews said that he is still is having problems cleaning up after Windows 10. Several members suggested Privatizer. Yorkman’s question about apps led to a suggestion of an android/iPhone comparison. How to deal with apps. Michael Wong was looking at gadgets in the Brookstone catalog: he’d like to know more about them. Is anybody thinking of building a computer? Bud suggested exploring Windows 10 settings.
Andrew has a Windows 10 ebook that he is willing to share.
Sally would like to know what to get for raffle items. SSD drives are under $100 for 256 GB, which is the minimum size Paul suggests for an SSD drive because of the architecture.
Questions:
Yorkman has a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3. The battery died. He can’t get a battery. So he can’t get his photos and data off. It was suggested that he connect it to a computer and download. If that doesn’t work, he can find batteries on Amazon. Chuck suggested the local Radio Shack for repair. YouTube has a video that shows how to replace the battery.
Door Prizes
Pepcom bag Andrew Tews
Huawei earbud and charger kit Mimi Tse
Huawei earbud and charger kit Chuck Horner
Pepcom beverage holder Bud Gallagher
Pepcom beverage holder George Kornbluth
Pepcom beverage holder Michael Wong
Pepcom beverage holder Paul Cooper
SAGE touch screen pen Lola Hunter
Tripit AC to USB converter Alex Korzuchin
Raffle Prize
TRENDnet Dual Band Wireless Router Bayle Emlein
Thank you to George Kornbluth for coordinating refreshments and to Yorkman Lowe and Mimi Tse for the special contributions to the refreshment table.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 pm.
The next meeting
Respectfully submitted,
Bayle Emlein, Secretary
