March 6, 2017

To Save a File

Filed under: Main — admin @ 12:01 am

You don’t think about it today, but the process of saving a file was once a specific ordeal that differed from program to program. Even with the same developer, their software would offer various odd ways to save your work. That inconsistency is no longer an issue.
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March 2, 2017

A Relic I Cannot Get to Work

Filed under: Main — Tags: — admin @ 12:01 am

I have quite a few antique computers laying around. Why I keep them, I don’t know, but the list grows longer. One of the beasts is the original Osborne computer, called the Osborne 1.
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February 27, 2017

Word’s Image Compression and eBook Publishing

Filed under: Main — Tags: — admin @ 12:01 am

eBook publishers desire that you use a specific image resolution for pictures in your digital manuscripts. Word can deal with pictures in a document just fine, but it automatically compresses images unless you direct it not to. The results are less-than impressive and could even cause your eBook publisher to reject the submission. So the esoteric topic of Word’s image compression suddenly becomes important.
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February 23, 2017

Power Supply Goes Pop!

Filed under: Main — Tags: , — admin @ 12:01 am

It seems like just a few months ago, I replaced a power supply in my son’s PC. And just the other day, the power supply killed itself.
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February 20, 2017

No, Nothing is Out There; You’re On Your Own

Filed under: Main — admin @ 12:01 am

I remember when I got my first computer. It came with a basic (literally BASIC) how-to book, but nothing else. If you wanted more information, you went to the library or a bookstore. I chose the latter.
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February 16, 2017

Another Keyboard to Lust For

Filed under: Main — Tags: , — admin @ 12:01 am

I’ve written about my keyboard obsession many times. Yes, I pay more to have a fully-mechanical keyboard for my computers. Being a fan of the old typewriter, I enjoy typing and want a keyboard that respects my preferences. But am I willing to pay $280 for my latest crush: The QWERKYWRITER?
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February 14, 2017

Android Nougat Changes in the Settings App

Filed under: Main — Tags: — admin @ 12:01 am

The latest version of Android Nougat (7.1.1) was installed on my Nexus phone and Pixel tablet. Along with these updates comes new frustration, mostly because my material — both printed and online — becomes out-of-date in a matter of minutes. I sigh heavily, but that’s why I write this blog: to keep you updated.
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February 9, 2017

Ancient Screenshots

Filed under: Main — admin @ 12:01 am

I pride myself on keeping copies of things — records or archives. Only in the past few years have I destroyed hardcopies of my old stuff. I had boxes of records going back to 1984. They’re all shredded now because, well, I’d like to think that I’m not a hoarder. Still, I like keeping records for future reference. The same goes with my computer files.
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February 7, 2017

The Keyboard Adores USB 2.0

Filed under: Main — Tags: , — admin @ 12:01 am

It’s been awhile since it mattered which port you used to connect a PC’s keyboard. Back in the old, old days, you had to use the DIN port — and the PC had to be turned off when you connected or disconnected the keyboard. Then came the PS/2 ports, one for the mouse and another for the PC. Today, everything is USB, so you’d think that using any old USB port for the keyboard would be okay, right?

Nope!
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February 2, 2017

Happy Groundhog Day

Filed under: Main — admin @ 12:01 am

Bill Murray as Phil Connors in 1993’s Groundhog Day.

February 2 is Groundhog Day in the US. It’s the midpoint of winter. Seasonally, winter is only 6 weeks old, but because winter weather can start in mid-November, at this point of the year most people are really sick of the cold, wet, snow, and ice. So Groundhog Day becomes a point of reflection: Do we have six more weeks of winter or can we hope for an early spring?
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