Hewie's Views and Reviews

I have placed all of my important YouTube Playlists and Channels in one place. I am frequently asked how to find my videos, the WinSIG Videos, or the Tech for Seniors Videos. Here they all are along with APCUG & Bob G’s Videos.   Playlists: Tech for Seniors – Every episode – New episodes get added each week https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi6B6bF8hCO7L91TMSPWJEM-6ztUR_qIg Zoom Settings for Hosts – 3 parts https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN1UpfqQkgToILYYYs70tLJcGi9-B_K4O Hewie’s Windows SIG 2020 – New month added after each meeting https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN1UpfqQkgTqrCxWwepJobLQKZP6XwzZX Bob G’s Security News Roundup https://www.youtube.com/user/bob3160   Channels to use Hewie…

I just received this email that warns me that my email box has exceeded its limit. It also states that deleting some mails may not free up the required space. If I don’t upgrade soon it may lead to the suspension of the mailbox. I noticed the following: The return address says Mail Administrator and then an address that is not my hosting company I delete all emails after downloading them, so the box is empty I am the email administrator! The link to increase storage goes to an address…

Locast is a U.S. non-profit streaming television service that allows users to view live streams of over-the-air television stations. These signals are sourced from antennas in each market it serves. All you have to do is sign up online, provide your name and email address, and certify that you live in, and are logging on from, one of the select US cities (“Designated Market Area”). As of June 3, 2020, the Tampa Bay area is now being served by Locast. From their service area map, the counties considered in this…

An interesting issue arose during a recent Zoom meeting that I was hosting for a group and I was the presenter. I created the meeting and sent a copy of the invite to my contact in the group. He then sent out an email to the members. When we started the meeting many of the regulars & those who indicated that they would be online, were not. One of the members made phone calls to those missing attendees and they indicated issues with signing in. They were clicking on the…

There are 3 online graphics programs that I tested and shared on Tech for Seniors. With these programs you can colorize old black and white photos, pixelate, blur, or create some very artistic effects. Be sure to view the video that demonstrates these tools at?https://youtu.be/vskmxu_Qv4g There are several reasons to use these free and online tools. For fun Hide email addresses names and more in screenshots Use personal photos in blogs or tutorials Prevent getting sued Protect the identity of people in photos Hide children’s faces Hide offensive items in…

Things to do while quarantined or just avoiding contact with others The Centers Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending that gatherings and events that consist of at least 50 people be canceled or postponed throughout the United States. Many of my friends are quarantined, self-quarantined, or just worried about going out and being around other people. So, what is one to do with all of the major sports also on hold? I have some suggestions. Backup your computers Organize your digital photos Read the manual for your smartphone…

It’s Time to Hold Your Meetings Online By Hewie Poplock March 13, 2020 Like most members of Computer & Technology User Groups, I am in the high-risk group for coronavirus COVID-19. Many user groups are losing meeting places due to the disease. All clubs have many members who are reluctant to attend meetings. Since we are technology users, whether beginners or gurus, there are ways for our groups to serve the members. Many groups have already used Zoom to have APCUG Speakers’ Bureau presentations. Skype is another service for remote…

Yesterday I received an email from Amazon that said that my Amazon Prime account was on hold. I had just received a notice from my credit card company that I was getting a new number because my card was in a recent breach. It made sense. However, instead of clicking on anything in the email, I went to my Amazon account. There were no notices and my Prime Account did not expire for several months. So I examined the email and have noted several clues that it was a phishing…

As everyone gets ready to eat turkey or ham?for the holidays, I get to eat crow! A few months ago a friend shared an ad that?had several types of 1 or 2 Terabyte USB sticks for the ridiculously low price of about $10.?They would be shipped directly from China.?He stated?that he received his and after checking them out, he?found that they were free of viruses or malware?and were showing that they were the stated size.? I ordered 3 different styles to get the total past the threshold for free shipping….

Pluto TV keeps adding more & more channels. They just added 9 more in the past week. The channels are free & so is the service. If you have a SmartTV, a Roku, FireStick, or another streaming device, just add the app to your device. If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Android device, add the PlutoTV app. If you have none of those, just go to pluto.tv in your browser & watch many TV channels & many movies for free. http://pluto.tv/