What Makes It Go 101 In this 101, we talk about the parts of your computer and what you do. More an overview than an in-depth discussion, its meant to help you know what the parts are so when you see them listed on the box you know what they are, what they do, and gives you a starting point for further questions!
Email 102: How do you get to it? (3/16/19 Part 2)
Email! We talked about it, the different types, and more but now we need to talk about the options for accessing it. You can choose from using a web interfaces or a client or use both! What are the pros and cons of them? We talk about that! Email – 102 Outlook (as part of Office 365) Mozilla Thunderbird Mac Mail
Surfing the Internet 101! (3/9/19 Part 1)
If you’re here, you probably typed AlertInternetSurfer.com! Well, why did we name our website that? Because that’s what we want you to be! So, in our ongoing 101 series we go into Surfing The Internet! Computers 101 – Safe Surfin’ Tired of Internet Explorer? Edge? Safari? Try out a new browser today! Mozilla Firefox – https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ Google Chrome – https://www.google.com/chrome Opera Browser – https://www.opera.com TOR Browser – https://www.torproject.org/ Vivaldi Browser – https://vivaldi.com/
Updates! Keep’em Running! (3/9/19 Part 2)
When you’ve got a car, be it brand new, used, or a hand-me-down, one of the first things you learn about is the humble oil change. Later, its new tires. Brakes. There’s a bit of upkeep to keeping your car running! Computers 101 – Updating! Your computer and devices are the same. The operating system plus programs and even hardware get updates from time to time. Some are fixing problems, some improve performance, others add features. But, how do you do it?
Hoaxes! Urban Legends! Tabloid Trash and Conspiracies! (3/2/19 Part 1)
Hoaxes! Urban legends! Tabloid trash and conspiracies! They’re about as common online as cat videos. So today we’re talking about them because, as the Charles Spurgeon said: “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” Internet Myths and Fact Checking – Part 1 What can we do about it? Need some fact checking sites and other resources? Snopes.com PolitiFact.com https://www.newsguardtech.com/ https://www.wired.com/story/momo-hoax-viral-scares-advice/ https://www.npr.org/2019/03/02/699663319/the-latest-internet-hoax-momo-challenge
Defending against Internet Hoaxes! (3/2/19 Part 2)
So, there are hoaxes. What to do? How do you defend against them? We talk about how you can bop them on the nose! Internet Myths and Fact-Checking – Part 2 For more fun stuff to challenge your brain with: https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/ https://yourbias.is/ https://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles https://www.denverpost.com/2016/10/31/definitive-guide-to-denver-international-airport-conspiracy-theories/
Astronomy 101: Telescope Talk! (2/23/19 Part 1)
Star gazing. Its a wonderful way to spend an evening, especially on a dark, cool night. You can use just your eyes, and with a smartphone app you can have a nice time! Astronomy 101 – Part 1 But, what’s the next step? Why, its a telescope! Join us as guest Dr Armstrong joins us and talks beginner astronomy! http://stellarium.org/
Searching 101: Pros and Cons of Online Search! (2/16/19 Part 1)
Searching for things online is a great thing to do, but… its got issues. Can you trust random searches? Are searches objective? Why do you see what you see? Searching – Both Online and Offline Great links for you! Eli Parsons’ Ted Talk about Filter Bubbles: https://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles DuckDuckGo, LD’s favorite search engine! https://duckduckgo.com/ StartPage, formerly known as IxQuick. https://www.startpage.com/ NewsGuard, a fantastic plugin for many internet browsers. https://www.newsguardtech.com/ And don’t forget… where’s your local library? http://www.lib-web.org/united-states/public-libraries/
Searching 101: Libraries! Do you know the Dewey Decimal System?
Ah, Conan the Librarian… a classic joke from Weird Al Yankovic’s movie UHF. Tech available at your Local Library! Thankfully, real librarians are super nice folks with tons of knowledge but without the swinging swords. Fun links! Millennials love the library! http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/06/21/millennials-are-the-most-likely-generation-of-americans-to-use-public-libraries/ No, they really love the library! http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/09/10/younger-americans-and-public-libraries/ Hawai’i State Library System – https://www.librarieshawaii.org/ Want to borrow eBooks, audiobooks and more from your library on your phone or tablet? https://www.overdrive.com/ The Hawaii DOE has library services too! http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/BeyondTheClassroom/LibraryServices/Pages/Home.aspx Audible! You can check out audiobooks from the library using them as well! http://www.audibletrial.com/MauiOnline
Office, Office, and Office! (2/2/19 Part 1)
Office productivity software is a staple for businesses, schools, non-profits, and many households. Word processors, spreadsheets, even presentation software! Which Office? What’s out there? Well, we look into Microsoft Office/Office 365, LibreOffice, and GoogleDocs/GSuite for Business, talking about them and asking, “what about you?”