XBMC Little Black Box

In the past, I've discussed XBMC (XBox Media Center) as my favorite multimedia software.  Well, now they have created their own Linux XBMC Little Black Box.  Sort of like a Roku.  But the capabilities of XBMC are much more extensive.  Take a look at the new product here - http://goo.gl/uXudMy.  Read all about XMBC here - http://xbmc.org/

Oldcomputergeek meetings will begin in about a month.  Oh my, Summer is about over.  But, why is it 104° on the deck now!!!!

dSploit

As more and more people use internet devices, it behooves us to be as secure as possible.  This article discusses a hijacking program called dSploit.  This software can monitor unencrypted wifi traffic; consequently, it can obtain passwords, credit card information, etc.  Anything you type on an unencrypted internet connection.  Although it provides sufficient information to enable this activity, it also provides steps you can take to prevent this possible, but unlikely, action being taken against you.  The meat of the article is contained in the last section - "How Can I Protect Myself?"  Those are easy steps to take to prevent a major inconvenience in you life.

Chromecast

Received my new Chromecast yesterday.  It has potential for being an excellent product.  Not too many sites support it now, but for $35 you can't go wrong.

I finally purchased a cell phone with enough memory - the HTC One.  Seems pretty speedy.

Free Software

Free is always good!  Take a look at this link to a site that reviews some software that, in their opinion, would be worth paying for.  Some of these you might want to try.

New to Us

We witnessed something new to us the other day.  There have been many new groups of Gamble Quail in the park.  The guys shown here were frozen still for over 30 minutes!!  It seems that "mom" said something and they froze in their tracks.  Really!  Other birds were nearby, but the babies remained motionless.  We had to check this out online, and that's what they do.  We never did see a possible predator.

Monsoon Season

The monsoon season is upon us, but, so far, we have been spared the strongest storms.  The newspaper has forecasted daily storms for the Valley.  I watch the radar daily, and it seems these storms split just on the other side of the mountains and go to either side of us.  I know that doesn't always happen, but I think the Superstitions have a significant impact on our weather.

On a more colorful note, here's one of the flowers you may have missed by not spending the Summer here.

Taylor Lake

This past weekend we traveled to Durango, Colorado.  Our goal was to hike to Taylor Lake in the LaPlata Mountains to find some Elephant Heads flowers.  We succeeded.  Here is a view of the mountains near the lake.  Elevation is about 11,500 feet.  Very beautiful.

Small Computer

Anybody comfortable with Linux as an operating system?  Take a look at this small desktop computer.  Very cool.  http://utilite-computer.com/web/home

A Replacement for the Park Phone System

I know that many residents will just use their cell phone when the Park's phone system is gone (the system will be shut down on July 1), but I've elected to take a different approach.  My current cell phone plan (t-mobile) provides for only 100 voice minutes, but unlimited text and data.  I hate to lose this plan, as it's only $30 per month, so I make most of my phone calls utilizing my free Google Voice service (http://goo.gl/CUq31).

With hardware from Obihai (http://goo.gl/HIwmx) I'm able to use my existing telephones, but instead of connecting to a land line, they are connected to the internet.  Calls to Canada and the US are free (I expect Google will charge some day).  The cool thing about Google Voice is that I'm able to have incoming calls ring the Obihai-connected Phone, a computer, or a cell phone (or a land line if I still had one).  In fact, I can set them up to ring all three.  Outgoing calls are just like a regular phone line.  Many special features are available; the one I like best is call blocking.  If a telemarketer transmits his/her phone number, then I can tell Google Voice to, henceforth, block that number.  Or give that caller a "special" message.

The basic Obihai hardware is about $40 from Amazon.  Setup is easy, with the only caveat being that Google Voice requires a telephone number to set up their service.  So, you might need to borrow someones phone line for the initial setup if you don't currently have a cell phone.

Speed dial is available for 99 numbers and you'll have to get the phone numbers from your friends.  Maybe the park directory will be a phone book, as well.

We've used GV for a couple of years and find it very reliable and easy to use.  And, it's FREE (so far).

Call or email me if you have questions.

Getting a New Computer?

If you're in the market for a new PC, you might consider an Ultrabook.  Take a look here - http://goo.gl/UwatR.

With the "newer" Windows 8.1 being released soon, Windows and these devices should be better than ever.

Wonder if Donna will let me try one?

Favorite Cartoon

This is funny!
 http://goo.gl/xvOeP

Windows 8 Not So Bad ...

I've been using Windows 8 for many months.  When it's the only Windows OS you have, you find out more about it.  Increasingly, I'm pinning Metro Apps to the desktop task bar - the best of both worlds.

Read this article about the new start screen.  Very informative.

Is IE 10 faster?

I've been experiencing some very slow responses from Google lately.  It seems I can get my gmails faster if I use a third party email program - presently, I'm trying Postbox.  It is pretty good.

Even Chrome seems to be very slow for me (Donna hasn't experienced this slow down on her computer, but of course she has put up with the internet at work).  So, I'm trying IE in Windows 8 and it SEEMS much faster than Chrome.  Hmmmm.  I've always that Chrome to be much faster than Internet Explorer, but now I'm not so sure.

Anybody out there using Windows 8?  How to you rate IE10?