Tag: learning

Quick Tips: Your Battery and You

Posted on by Mr John

Stop Worrying About Your Battery

Hi Net Neighbors!

I am back today with another Quick Tip, this time focused on your devices’ batteries. Over the years I’ve met many a fine soul who was fearful of harming the battery in their phone or their computer. Today I am going to invoke a powerful piece of advice from none other than Douglas Adams, “Don’t Worry.”

Now you may be thinking, “But Mr. John, I’ve heard that we need to be careful with our batteries. That’s why I don’t charge mine until it’s almost dead.” If this is you, that’s okay. A lot of people think the same. But like Mr. Adams said, it’s time to stop worrying about your batteries.

Many of the fears we carry surrounding batteries date back to when many devices ran on NiMH, and NiCd batteries. These had ‘memory’ problems where if you charged it wrong the battery would remember where you were. So if you plugged it in at 90% you might only be able to use 90% of your battery. This is no longer true. Instead we use Lithium Ion batteries which do not have a memory problem. So if you are in your car, and you’re going to be there for a bit, then plug in your phone.

But what about Overcharging the battery? Won’t that hurt it?

Nope! You can’t Overcharge your battery. Do you know what happens when your battery is still plugged in and hits 100%? If you guessed it stops charging you would be correct. The computers governing your battery automatically stop charging and switches to run off the power cord. So plug it in, leave it over night, let it sit on your desk. It’s fine.

Quick Tip: Keep your email

Posted on by Mr John

Hi Net Neighbors!

Remember, unless you are paying for your email, you don’t need to get a new one when you change your phone.

If you are unsure whether you are paying for your email, here is a quick list of the ones I’m sure you pay for access to through your phone or internet provider:

  • Comcast.Net
  • Bellsouth.Net
  • Att.Net

There may be others but those are the quick ones I can think of. Emails that end with these other ones you can definitely keep between phones:

  • Gmail.com
  • Yahoo.com
  • Mail.com
  • Hotmail.com
  • Outlook.com

In fact, the number of addresses you keep between phones is much higher than those who don’t. So don’t worry about yours and don’t let someone talk you into another address you don’t need.

Look out for more Quick Tips.

Until then, have fun, find adventure, and stay safe.

  • Quick Tips: Your Battery on Video Chat

    Posted on by Mr John

    Hi Net Neighbors!

    Today I’m back with another Quick Tip, this time surrounding video chat and your battery. With more and more of us going virtual for our meetings and gatherings it’s more important than ever to understand how these activities can impact your battery life. The great news is that there isn’t much required to get the most bang for your buck.

    First things first, the easiest way to not burn through your battery is to plug your device in. That’s it. Now I know it’s not always an option, maybe you’re in the wrong place or there are no safe plugs. Just don’t forget this option though, it can save a lot of headaches.

    Next, it’s time to dive into your device’s general settings. Nothing extravagant, just the items you might have access to with a swipe up or down. In those quick settings there is often a slider for your screen brightness. Just turning the brightness down a little can save a lot of power. Also, the greatest thing about the brightness trick is that it doesn’t change what others see of you.

    Another great way to save power is by changing the network you’re on. Did you know that Wi-Fi uses a lot less power than mobile data? Think about it, Wi-Fi usually extends just past the edge of a building whereas mobile data can talk to a tower blocks or miles away. It’s the difference between talking and shouting. So if you’re going to be doing a lot of talking use Wi-Fi. Not only is it energy efficient, it’s cheaper!

    That’s it for this Quick Tip. It’s a little longer than the last but it’s good information. Give what I’ve said a try and see if you notice any change. I’ll see you next time.

    Until then, have fun, find adventure, and stay safe.

    Quick Tips: Zoom Permissions

    Posted on by Mr John

    Zoom logo, a white camera on a blue field

    Zoom Logo

    Hi Net Neighbor!

    Welcome to the first of what I hope are many Quick Tips. Quick Tips are quick little tidbits of information. They’re easily digestible and, hopefully, help a little too. This Quick Tip is on Zoom, or more precisely a portion of Zoom that can trip people up; permissions.

    If you don’t use Zoom often you might find yourself getting unnerved when your phone or tablet tells you Zoom wants permission to use your camera and audio. It’s a reasonable thing to be worried about, for so long we have been told to not let apps or programs, or really anything, have access to our devices. So many crime shows warn against this very thing. And while I do not want you to throw caution to the wind, for today’s Corner Tip I would like to promote a little more trust.

    Zoom is not asking for these things because it is being nosy. They aren’t trying to open a gate into your device to steal your information. No, instead they are asking your permission to use your stuff to do the thing you want to do. When Zoom wants permission to use your camera, it is so your friends and loved ones can see you. And when it asks to use your audio it’s so you can hear and be heard. If you want to use Zoom you’ll have to say yes.

    Don’t worry about leaving a hole for someone to crawl in, Zoom asks every time. In this way they are good Net Neighbors and it is up to us to treat them as such. Besides, you can always turn off your camera or mute your audio after the fact.

    That’s all for now, I’ll see you around the neighborhood.

    Until then, have fun, find adventure, and be safe.

    New Year, New Tech

    Posted on by Mr John

    Hi Net Neighbors!

    I’ve been around the block a while now and with every new year that passes I see more and more people being given new tech for the holidays. Oh the number of people I’ve encountered who held a new tablet or computer, their eyes wide and weary, and say, “My kid gave this to me for Christmas and I don’t know what to do with it.” If this is you, then I want you to remember a few things.

    1) It’s okay that you don’t know everything about it. After all, you don’t know Esperanto and no one gives you gruff about that.

    2) You are NEVER too old to learn something new. In fact, learning new things is good for you and your brain.

    3) There is no timetable for learning. No one learns the same way or at the same speed. If you are having problems learning something don’t beat yourself up, you just haven’t found your way.

    4) Reach out to others. Ask them to SHOW you not just do it. If you are working with someone younger, remind them about point 3. You might even need to remind them it took twice as long for them to be potty trained as their sibling, and that is a far more vital skill than knowing how to download an app.

    5) While books can be a great way to learn, by their very nature they are always going to be behind the march of technology. Don’t be afraid to look at YouTube videos or sites like this.

    6) No one, not even me, knows everything about technology and the Net Neighborhood and that’s okay. To this day I’ll look for the answers to my questions.

    7) Nothing is supposed to “just work”. Cars act up, lights turn off, ovens have to be set five degrees hotter because the gauge is a little off. Why then do you think your phone or tablet is different?.

    8) And finally, if you’re getting frustrated then set it down. No one learns when they’re frustrated. Set it down, do something else, and come back when you’re clear headed.

    That’s all for now Net Neighbors. Remember to breathe, to have fun, and I’ll see you around the Net Neighborhood.