Have you ever been out and about and suddenly had a “Panic Attack” because your go-to device (Smart Phone, Tablet) was running out of battery? So what do you do if you run into a situation where you will be out for long periods
Instagram Adding Archiving Option
For those of you who use Instagram on a regular basis, have you ever wondered “Wish I could save this picture to Instagram without letting everyone see it”? Well if you have ever thought that (or something like that), Instagram has now given you that option. Up to now Instagram was focused only on letting share photos, with the release of Archive, Instagram is now a both a photo share and a photo storage app.
Per Instagram, with Archive,
…a new feature that lets you move posts you’ve previously shared into a space that’s visible only to you. Your profile is a representation of who you are and evolves with you over time. With Archive, you now have more flexibility to shape your profile while still preserving moments that matter. You can archive a post you’ve shared to hide it from your profile and make it so your followers and other people on Instagram can’t see it. When you archive a post, it keeps all its likes and comments.
To Use Archive:
- Go to your profile
- Tap
(iOS) or
(Android) above the post you’d like to archive
- Select Archive
To Unarchive:
- Go to your profile and tap
in the top right - Tap the post you’d like to show on your profile
- Tap
Source:
Manchester One Love Concert – Live Feed
In support of the victims of the Attack on Manchesters, the One Love Manchester Concert will be going on today June 4th to raise money for the victims. The concert that was organized by Ariana Grande will include the following music stars
- Marcus Mumford: ‘Timshel’
- Take That: ‘Shine’, ‘Giants’, ‘Rule the World’
- Robbie Williams
- Niall Horan
- Little Mix
- Pharrell Williams
- Miley Cyrus
- Justin Bieber
- Usher
- Katy Perry
- Coldplay
- Black Eyed Peas
- Ariana Grande
To Donate Visit the One Love Manchester
Source:
Big Game #51 Streamed
Not sure if I can call the Super game being played today by its actual name (due to contractual rights) but football fans know what the Big Game is called. For those who can’t watch on a TV for any reason, Fox Sports Go is streaming today’s game. The game can be watched at
https://www.foxsportsgo.com/event/156815/super-bowl-li-patriots-vs-falcons
Skype Retiring Older Versions
Over the past couple of years, the Skype team at Microsoft has been “transitioning Skype from peer-to-peer to a modern, mobile-friendly cloud architecture”. These changes have added a number of new features and improvements.
What Is Changing
Improved quality and better performance:
- Redesigned infrastructure, meaning a better, more consistent user experience
- Built to be faster, more lightweight, and more responsive than ever
More ways to stay in touch:
- Mobile group video calling
- Group video messaging
- Video message saving
- Cloud file sharing (up to 300 MB)
At the same time, with improvements come changes, and tech changes usually mean someone is going to be left behind. In this case, based on a blog post from the Skype team
So, beginning March 1, users running older versions of Skype for Windows desktop (7.16 and below) or Skype for Mac (7.0 to 7.18) will no longer be able to sign in. If you’re one of those users, all you’ll need to do is download the new update.
How To Check Your Version Of Skype
For those running on a new computer (2 years of newer), you are most likely running one of the newer versions of Skype. However, if you are one of those who believe “my computer works just fine for me” and are still using the old faithful pc, you may not have the newest version.
In either case, to check what version of Skype you are running from the top of the Skype window click on Help -> About Skype.
The window that opens will show you the version of Skype you are running. You are looking for a number higher than 7.16 for Windows, and 7.18 for Mac.
Source:
- Skype Info – Skype Blog
Apple iPhone 10th Anniversary
On a stage in San Fransisco, California, on January 9th, 2007, Apple’s Chief Executive Steve Jobs told the audience that was in attendance, “Every once in a while, a revolutionary product comes along that changes the world,” he said. “Today Apple is going to reinvent the phone.” Even though when the iPhone 1st came out, critics said that the iPhone was a hodgepodge, trying to do too much. Since it didn’t include a stylus, or physical keyboard, and originally didn’t have a formal secure email app for business users, the average person would never use it. WHOOPS, WHERE THEY WRONG!
In 2006, prior to the iPhone announcement the most popular phones were
and most of the popular phones looked like the BlackBerry Pearl, with a full keyboard (as shown below)
Then came Apple.
The Apple Press Info
The following is part of the original press release by Apple about the new shiny toy known as the iPhone, from 2007.
So with 10 years and over 1 billion iPhones sold worldwide, I guess all we can say is
Happy Anniversary Apple!!
Source(s)
- Steve Jobs Photo – Wikipedia
- Best Selling Phones of 2006 List – Wikipedia
- BlackBerry Pearl Photo – Wikipedia
- Apple Press Release iPhone 2007 – Apple
Hoax Alert – John Amos Is NOT Dead
In 2016, we had a large number of celebrity deaths, from Prince to Princess Leia (Carrie fisher). For some reason, a website has decided to post a hoax celebrity death to start 2017. That hoax has now started making the rounds on Facebook. The hoax appears to be attributed to a post (as shown below) on a questionable site.
Since the site, put their post up, many posts have been making the rounds on Facebook, saying #RIP to Mr. Amos.
Mr. Amos, who is known for his role on the 70s tv hit, Good Times, and his roles in the movies Coming To America and Die Hard 2, among is many acting credits has had to resort to his Facebook page, to thank people for their concerns about the hoax.
So Mr. Amos is alive. Happy New Year.
A quick note on this post.
- We did show a screenshot of the story in question, that is believed to be the source of the hoax. However, we are not linking to the “questionable” site, as we do NOT wish to give them any additional legitimacy by linking to them.
Source:
- Verification of Living – John Amos Facebook Page
Facebook Cost Money Hoax
One of the regular hoaxes, which seems to have a life of its own, involves Facebook charging users a service fee for its services. There are 1000s (seriously) of variations, but overall the hoax says that unless you share, or send the following post to ….. a number of your friends that Facebook will start disabling accounts, and will charge to have those accounts re-enable. Well, it seems we have a new version of this hoax making the rounds on Facebook. AGAIN LET ME BE CLEAR IF YOU SEE THIS POST ON FACEBOOK, ITS A HOAX. Facebook Cost Money Hoax
The post Being Seen On Facebook
As you read the message, if you noticed, the grammar makes you say HUH! and the post verbiage itself seems to be all over the place. Oh and one more thing, who is this said Carlos that is the director of Facebook. Is Carlos the secret identity of Mark Zuckerberg? Just remember, a site like Facebook has over 1 billion users worldwide. I’m fairly confident that if they ever decide to charge for their services you would see reports in news organizations all over the world.
When you see hoaxes like these, it’s best if you do NOT participate, so DON’T SHARE IT! Also if you know others who are sharing it, make sure to tell them that it’s a HOAX, so they can remove it from their timelines.
Fix For Amazon License Limit Error
This week I came across an error with Amazon, while trying to launch the Amazon App Store. I received an error message concerning the “License Limit Reached”. The error happened after installing the Amazon App Store on a new device, when trying to log in. The messaged seen (as shown below) said that I had “exceeded the limit on the number of devices that can read this item.” The following steps can be used to Fix the Amazon License Reached error. Fix For Amazon License Limit Error
The Fix
So you receive the message, what do you do now? Well the fix is rather easy, but you will need to access your Amazon account via a webpage.
- Go to Amazon.com in a web browser.
- If you aren’t already signed in, do so.
- Click on the “Your Account” menu.
- Select “Manage Your Content and Devices”
- In the screen that pops up, select “Your Devices” on the subnav
- Deregister any old devices that you no longer use. Old Kindles, old smart phones, and old tablets may still be associated with your account.
Once that is done, relaunch the app and it should open just fine.
2017 New Years Eve Live From Time Square (via Livestream)
Every year as the clock nears midnight on December 31st, the eyes of the world turn once more to the dazzling lights and bustling energy of Times Square. Anticipation runs high. New Year’s Eve at the symbolic center of New York City has become more than just a celebration – it’s a global tradition. 2017 New Years Eve
And as the clocks strike twelve, millions of people cheer and celebrate.
As the famous New Year’s Eve Ball descends from the flagpole atop One Times Square, an estimated of over one million people in Times Square, millions nationwide, and over a billion watching throughout the world are united in bidding a collective farewell to the departing year, and expressing their joy and hope for the year ahead.
Again This Year, Tech Geek and More will be one of many sites, all around the web, showing the live stream from NYC. Coverage begins on 12/31/16 at 6 pm (ET)
Source
- Live Video – Livestream
Recommended Windows 10 Tweaks
For those of you who got your new Windows 10 toy (aka a PC, Laptop, or Tablet), and are coming from a Windows 7 or Windows 8 environment, here are a couple of Windows 10 Tweaks to give you all the power of Windows 10 while giving the feel of your older system. This is the list of Recommended Windows 10 Tweaks.
Tweak 1 – Remove The Unneeded
There are a number of applications that Windows 10 has installed by default. The following list is some of the applications we regularly uninstall when setting up a new Windows 10 machine. For a majority of the applications, all you need to do is right click on the application directly on the start menu, and select Uninstall.
The following applications are regularly removed (when we set up a pc)
- Feedback Hub – The Feedback Hub includes a feedback board for submitting suggestions and problems, announcements on new Insider Previews of Windows and apps, “quests” for testing new workflows, and a dashboard for tracking achievements in the Feedback Hub. For the average person this is just an unnecessary app.
- Get Office – Most people either already have a copy of Microsoft Office, or if you are going to purchase it, you will get a better deal on the price by web surfing and finding deals.
- Paid Wifi & Cellular – Unless you plan to pay for prepaid wifi hot spots or prepaid cellular this app isn’t needed
- Skype Preview – For those who use Skype, this is the light version of Skype. Skype Preview allows you to reach your friends or family anytime from your PC for a chat, or video call, you can make voice calls too. If you want the additional Skype functions, like sending files, sharing what’s on your screen, or translating your calls or messages, then you will need to install the full version of Skype. If you don’t use Skype at all, then this can go.
Some Apps can’t be uninstalled by default in Windows 10, they include
- 3D Builder
- Alarms and Clock
- Maps
- OneNote
- Xbox App
So if you right click and don’t see uninstall as a choice, you aren’t crazy. In a future post, we will list how you can remove the default apps that Microsoft doesn’t want you to remove. It is possible.
Tweak 2 – Bring Back Old Looking Start Menu
In Windows 10, the start menu looks different and for those coming from an older version of Windows it may take some getting used to.
However, you do have a free alternative that will bring back the “old school” start menu. By visiting the Ninite website you can download and install the Classic Start add-on for Windows. Its simple, once on the Ninite site, select Classic Start, click on the Get Your Ninite button, and then run the download. This will automatically install Classic Start for you. 
Once Classic Start is installed, you will get the “old school” start menu.
Tweak 3 – Changes To Configuration
Another highly recommended tweak is a change to the default configuration in Windows Settings. Windows 10 has a couple of really annoying things that are turned on by default. The following is a list of changes you should make from the Windows Settings page
Change 1 – In the System Area Section
- Notifications & actions – Under the Notifications & actions area, turn off the setting to “Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows”.
If you leave this setting running, you will constantly receive messages (see below) with just random advice. I yet to find someone who isn’t driven crazy with those pop up’s.
Change 2 – In the Network & Internet section
- Wi-Fi – In the Wi-Fi section, turn off the setting to “Connect to suggested open hotspots”. For one this is a security issue. I do not want my machine to randomly connect to hot spots I don’t know.
- Wi-Fi – Also in the Wi-Fi section, if you scroll down a little, you will find the Paid Wi-Fi services. You will want to turn this one off as well. If you want to use Wi-Fi services while traveling, you are going to want to keep control to where you connect. This setting takes that control away.
- Mobile hotspot – In the Mobile hotspot section, you want to turn off the “Turn on remotely” setting. If I want to use the Mobile hotspot function, I want to be able to turn it on myself. There is no reason why it should turn on remotely. Again, its all about keeping control of my machine.
Change 3 – In the Personalization section
- Start – In the Start section, you want to turn off “Occasionally show suggestions in Start”. If you leave it on, you will constantly get ad’s for apps in the start menu.
Change 4 – In the Privacy Section
- Feedback & diagnostics – In the Feedback & diagnostics section (its on the lower left, not shown in picture) you want to change “Feedback frequency” to never. Also in the same area, change the “Diagnostic and usage data” to Basic. If you don’t change these settings, you will constantly get nagged with “What do you think about Windows” pop up messages.
- Background apps – In the Backgroud apps section (which is the lowest item on the left, not shown) you want to go through the list and turn off any app that you do not need to get regular notifications from. By regular notifications, if you use social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.), email, or anything like that then you want to leave it on. Anything else, turn off. Turning off does not mean you are removing it, it just means it wont run unless you actually start the app.
As we said at the start of this post, we do these changes on all new Windows 10 machines we roll out.
Deal Alert – Kensington Folio Cover iPad via WOOT! (SOLD OUT)
Unfortunately, this is now SOLD OUT
For those of you with a 3rd Gen iPad (2012 / New iPad) or 4th Gen iPad (2012 – 2014), and in need of a case for your device, WOOT! may have the deal for you. Currently on WOOT! the Kensington K39635WW Folio Expert Cover Stand is on sale for $2.99. The folio cover stand by Kensington is usually priced at $49.99 making this deal a 94% savings off the list price. Kensington Folio Cover
According to the post on WOOT!
Once inside the folio, your iPad is wrapped in a layer of microfiber that protects it from scratches, bumps, and wear. And the magnetic closure keeps the folio cover secure when on the go or for in-case use. When you reach your destination, the folio easily converts to landscape or portrait viewing and adjusts to a variety of angles for greater comfort whether you have the iPad on a desk or on your lap.
- Adjusts from low-angle position to working on your lap
- Micro-suction technology allows universal compatibility with the new iPad and iPad 2
- Supports either landscape or portrait viewing
- Compact and light folio folds flat for in-case use
- Magnetic closure with automatic wake/sleep mode
- Microfiber interior protects the tablet from wear and scratches
- Easy port access to all controls and connector
- iPad not included
The Kensington cover is not available to be shipped to Alaska or Hawaii and comes with a 2 Yr. warranty directly from Kensington. The offer is available from WOOT! until 12/31/16 or until it is sold out. For the price, this deal is a steal.
DISCLAIMER:
Tech Geek and More, does NOT have a deal with WOOT! This post IS NOT a sponsored post. Tech Geek and More does NOT make any money from WOOT! (or any other business) without specifically labeling its post as such.
Source
- Information / Pictures – WOOT!
How To: Install WhatsApp On An Android Tablet
WhatsApp Messenger is a proprietary, cross-platform instant messaging subscription service for smartphones and selected feature phones that use the internet for communication. In addition to text messaging, users can send each other images, video, and audio media messages as well as their location using integrated mapping features. As of February 2016, WhatsApp is the most globally popular messaging app with more than 1 billion unique monthly users. Unfortunately for tablet owners who wish to use WhatsApp on a bigger screen, it’s not supported and they usually get a message that reads “Your device isn’t compatible with this version”.
For Android users, even though WhatsApp isn’t officially supported on tablets, it is possible to install and run the app from a tablet. One of the biggest questions I get asked is “How can I install WhatsApp on an Android tablet”? The following steps will allow you to install it on an Android tablet.
Installing WhatsApp On An Android Tablet
- For starters, from your Android tablet visit the WhatsApp website, and download the WhatsApp APK file.
- Once downloaded –> Run the apk file to install WhatsApp
- Once installed –> You will first see the Welcome to WhatsApp screen. Just click on Agree and Continue
- You will get a message that says “tablets are currently not supported”. Click OK –> The install will allow you to continue.
- Now select your home country and the phone number for a smartphone that can receive text messages. (NOTE: Services like Google Voice will not work for a text. It must be an actual cell phone number.)
- At this point, WhatsApp will attempt to verify two times. You should receive the verification code via text message.
- If the text verification fails, you will get a message that prompts you to click on “Call Me” so that you can get the code you need via a phone call.
- Once you enter your verification code, and the app finishes installing, you will be ready to go and WhatsApp will be ready to be used on your Android tablet.
This has been tested with Samsung tablets, but this is known to work on virtually all Android models. No rooting or any other changes should be required.
Source(s)
- Monthly User Data – VentureBeat
- APK Download – WhatsApp
How to recover your software product key (serial number)
One of the issues that I’ve come across regularly, while trying to provide support, involves having to reinstall either the Windows operating system and/or the Microsoft Office software on a pc without having the product key (serial number). How do you recover the software product key when you don’t know it? In many cases, the sticker on the side of the pc is faded to the point you couldn’t make out what it says, if its even there.
So for those times you come across situations, where the sticker code is faded or missing, you can use the software called ProduKey from Nirsoft to save the day. The following is listed as the Description for ProduKey
Description
ProduKey is a small utility that displays the ProductID and the CD-Key of Microsoft Office, Windows, Exchange Server, and SQL Server installed on your computer. You can view this information for your current running operating system, or for another operating system/computer – by using command-line options. This utility can be useful if you lost the product key of your Windows/Office, and you want to reinstall it on your computer.
Installation
ProduKey is a simple program to install. From the Produkey page, scroll about 2/3 of the way down until you see “Feedback”. The installer file you need to download will be located just below the Feedback section. I recommend using the “Download ProduKey with full install/uninstall support”.
During the install process, just use the default settings.
Usage
Once installed, all you have to do is open the program, and it will automatically scan your pc and pull up any Product Key (Serial Numbers) for items installed on your pc.
The Product key listed on your computer is the code you would use while reinstalling Windows or Office on your pc.
Disclaimer
Tech Geek and More (TGM) has no connection or affiliation with Nirsoft. TGM is in no way getting any compensation for this post. This post is provided for informational purposes, to assist readers of Tech Geek and More with this specific issue. ProduKey is provided by Nirsoft as Freeware and per Nirsoft is “As-Is” software, without warranty.
Source:
- Nirsoft – ProduKey Software Page
Tip: Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
You are showing your age, if you remember what keyboard commands like (holding down) Ctrl – C, Ctrl – V, Ctrl – X do. For those of you who are not familiar with keyboard short cuts, on a computer, a keyboard shortcut is a sequence or combination of keystrokes on a computer keyboard which invokes commands in software. Some keyboard shortcuts require the user to press a single key or a sequence of keys one after the other. Other keyboard shortcuts require pressing and holding several keys simultaneously.
The following list of keyboard shortcuts will allow you to use your Windows pc without touching your mouse.
Windows system key combinations
- F1: Help
- CTRL+ESC: Open Start menu
- ALT+TAB: Switch between open programs
- ALT+F4: Quit program
- SHIFT+DELETE: Delete item permanently
- Windows Logo+L: Lock the computer (without using CTRL+ALT+DELETE)
Windows program key combinations
- CTRL+C: Copy
- CTRL+X: Cut
- CTRL+V: Paste
- CTRL+Z: Undo
- CTRL+B: Bold
- CTRL+U: Underline
- CTRL+I: Italic
Mouse click/keyboard modifier combinations for shell objects
- SHIFT+right click: Displays a shortcut menu containing alternative commands
- SHIFT+double click: Runs the alternate default command (the second item on the menu)
- ALT+double click: Displays properties
- SHIFT+DELETE: Deletes an item immediately without placing it in the Recycle Bin
General keyboard-only commands
- F1: Starts Windows Help
- F10: Activates menu bar options
- SHIFT+F10 Opens a shortcut menu for the selected item (this is the same as right-clicking an object
- CTRL+ESC: Opens the Start menu (use the ARROW keys to select an item)
- CTRL+ESC or ESC: Selects the Start button (press TAB to select the taskbar, or press SHIFT+F10 for a context menu)
- CTRL+SHIFT+ESC: Opens Windows Task Manager
- ALT+DOWN ARROW: Opens a drop-down list box
- ALT+TAB: Switch to another running program (hold down the ALT key and then press the TAB key to view the task-switching window)
- SHIFT: Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you insert a CD-ROM to bypass the automatic-run feature
- ALT+SPACE: Displays the main window’s System menu (from the System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the window)
- ALT+- (ALT+hyphen): Displays the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) child window’s System menu (from the MDI child window’s System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the child window)
- CTRL+TAB: Switch to the next child window of a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) program
- ALT+underlined letter in menu: Opens the menu
- ALT+F4: Closes the current window
- CTRL+F4: Closes the current Multiple Document Interface (MDI) window
- ALT+F6: Switch between multiple windows in the same program (for example, when the Notepad Find dialog box is displayed, ALT+F6 switches between the Find dialog box and the main Notepad window)
To copy a file
Press and hold down the CTRL key while you drag the file to another folder.
To create a shortcut
Press and hold down CTRL+SHIFT while you drag a file to the desktop or a folder.
General folder/shortcut control
- F4: Selects the Go To A Different Folder box and moves down the entries in the box (if the toolbar is active in Windows Explorer)
- F5: Refreshes the current window.
- F6: Moves among panes in Windows Explorer
- CTRL+G: Opens the Go To Folder tool (in Windows 95 Windows Explorer only)
- CTRL+Z: Undo the last command
- CTRL+A: Select all the items in the current window
- BACKSPACE: Switch to the parent folder
- SHIFT+click+Close button: For folders, close the current folder plus all parent folders
Properties control
- CTRL+TAB/CTRL+SHIFT+TAB: Move through the property tabs
Source:
- Microsoft – KB126449