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Reviews, comparisons, and opinions about the latest technology products, services, trends and anything of interest to the thick glasses crowd!
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Android

Android · Total News:· Total Reads: 20124

Articles:

Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  SwampGeek Android TV & Fire TV apps - December 2017 (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Just Got an Android, now what? (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Incredible, free Android apps (kguske)

Most recent article:

SwampGeek Android TV & Fire TV apps - December 2017
by: kguske
2017-12-19 20:02:37

Android TV apps continue to evolve and expand, even as old favorites like Kodi decline.  Here are the SwampGeek recommended Android TV & Fire TV apps for December 2017.        

Click the image to view screenshots of the December 2017 Android TV Apps

Although popular Kodi plugins have disappeared, others have evolved and been renamed in order to continue providing links to content.

New Android apps, also supported by Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, offer good alternatives to the ever popular Kodi, including:

  • Terrarium TV - probably the best alternative, but must be downloaded from backup sources as the GitHub download has been removed
  • Stremio - available in the Play Store
  • Pluto TV (untested)
  • Cloud TV (untested)
  • TubiTV (untested)
  • YouTube
  • (commercial) Amazon Prime Instant Video (not available in the Play Store for Android phones, tables and TV boxes for newer Android versions)
  • (commercial) Netflix
  • (commercial) WatchESPN (requires cable subscription account login)

Many other apps can enhance your Android TV for Amazon Fire devices...

read more...

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cybersecurity Awareness Month · Total News: 30 · Total Reads: 50129

Articles:

Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Cybersecurity Awareness Tip 30: Just Say No to Bloatware (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Cybersecurity Awareness Tip 29: Remove Unused and Review Permissions for Mobile (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Cybersecurity Awareness Tip 28: Catchy Slogans Communicate Cybersecurity Concept (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Cybersecurity Awareness Tip 27: Update software and firmware often (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Cybersecurity Awareness Tip 26: Increase Your Cybersecurity Awareness (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Cybersecurity Awareness Tip 25: Backup all devices continuously (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Cybersecurity Awareness Tip 24: Check Your Cybersecurity Status. Often. (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Cybersecurity Awareness Tip 23: Use Digital Payments Instead of Swiping Your Cre (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Cybersecurity Awareness Tip 22: Use secure instant message for informal communic (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Cybersecurity Awareness Tip 21: Treat Password Reset Security Questions Like Pas (kguske)
· More -->

Most recent article:

Cybersecurity Awareness Tip 30: Just Say No to Bloatware
by: kguske
2021-10-31 12:42:16

Cybersecurity Awareness Tip 30: Just Say No to Bloatware

Many software developers and distributors see downloading and installing software as revenue making opportunities. This unwanted and potentially harmful software has come to be known as "bloatware." Most smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops and other computer come loaded with bloatware. Usually, you can remove preloaded bloatware, though it's not always easy. Microsoft is notorious for installing bloatware - sometimes without asking and without being able to remove it. For 8 days, Microsoft preloaded a password manager with a plugin vulnerability on Windows 10 installations.  CNET's Download.com was a major distributor of software in the early 2010's, when it was caught wrapping downloads in bloatware.

Just Say No to Bloatware

Although you can usually remove bloatware after the fact, why not just say no before it's installed? Bloatware promoters often disguise optional installation through "custom" installation techiques or fake download links.  Some give you the choice to install extras, usually with a convincing pitch and the default selection to install.  Just say, "No."

Resources

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Swamp Tech

Swamp Tech · Total News: 28 · Total Reads: 183620

Articles:

Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Circumventing screen savers (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Paying to be the Product (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Limit access to your Facebook friends list to reduce spoofing (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Should you use a virtual private network (VPN)? (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Wordpress themes and page builders (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Does the future belong to Open Source? (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Is Rural Outsourcing In Your Future? (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Top 10 Implications of Microsoft Buying Google (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Computer Security (kguske)
Read this articlePrinter ready versionE-mail to a friend  Remember your passwords and protect your privacy (kguske)
· More -->

Most recent article:

Circumventing screen savers
by: kguske
2023-02-09 14:17:36

Your friend left you alone to remotely fix her PC, and didn't share her password.  You took a break while a long-running utility completed, and when you returned, the screen is locked or the system went to sleep, and your friend is unavailable.  What to do?  Not much, unfortunately.  But keep these links handy to install a way to prevent lock outs next time.

The utilities enable you to override the power settings and / or screen saver settings by simulating activity on a Windows computer.  They run in the task tray and can be configured there.  Since most don't require installation, require little space and memory and have no license costs, these utilities make great additions to your portable tool kit.

Power Settings

Windows Power Settings optimize the use of electricity by automatically shutting down, moving to standy, or hibernating the system.  This isn't always optimal for remote support.  Fortunately there are some free, no-install utilities to address this.

Preventing Screen Saver Locks

Microsoft Windows can also lock the screen due to inactivity based on the screen saver settings.  Some utilities prevent this by periodically simulating keyboard or mouse movements.

Awake

Microsoft PowerToys Awake is "designed to keep a computer awake without having to manage its power & sleep settings." Unfortunately, Awake must be installed with all the Microsoft Powertools (i.e. it is not portable), and the download is large.

Caffeine

Caffeine from Zhorn Software simulates a keypress once every 59 seconds, so your machine thinks you're still working at the keyboard, so won't lock the screen or activate the screensaver.

Don't Sleep

Don't Sleep from Software OK is "a small Freeware Windows program to prevent system shutdown, Standby, Hibernate, Turn Off and Restart."  It can also be used to schedule shutdown and restart actions based on time, battery level, CPU load and / or network activity.  You can also use the app to "Please sleep" (turn off the display, etc.) under similar conditions.

Mouse Jiggler

Unlike the other utilities, Mouse Jiggler works by simulating the slight movement of a mouse. For reference, there are hardware devices that serve the same purpose.  But also unlike other utilities, Mouse Jiggler requires an updated .NET framework, which is unlikely to be installed on your friend's computer.  Although there is a portable version, it contains multiple files and requires much more space.

SwampGeek Recommends...

With the most functionality in the smallest, portable executable, Don't Sleep earns the SwampGeek Recommended seal of approval.

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