Topics

1

Tech / How To Make the Safari Start Page Super Useful

« on: June 07, 2022, 10:27:31 AM »

I've made some really useful changes to my Safari start page thanks to his tips. Your usage may vary.

https://youtu.be/SAmbUwrRedY

2

Tech / How do I turn off these pop-ups?

« on: February 27, 2022, 01:13:35 PM »

On my iMac, more and more sites have a pop-up window that seems to be attached to the page, asking if they can send me alerts. (see attachment) Is there a way to turn this off? It's driving me crackers, and I'm already on the edge as it is--I don't need any more help. 🤪

FWIW: brand new iMac, running Monterey (12.12.1), using Safari version 15.3 (17612.4.9.1..

Thanks for helping me save my sanity. 😂

3

Tech / Data leak with Keychain

« on: September 15, 2021, 03:25:35 PM »

This morning I had an alert that my 1Password* (1P) master password was part of a “data leak.” Digging into things, and eventually contacting support at 1P, it turns out it’s an APPLE data leak. 😡 Apparently I said yes to Apple Keychain storing my 1P info at some point (not my norm and I know better!), and somehow Apple didn’t keep my keychain secure. 😡 Now my entire credit life/life has been compromised.  😡 Thanks a ton, Apple. 😡

I’ve now gone into my account at 1P’s site, changed my master password, had it un-log every device, remove any devices that are no longer in use, and now all is right with my world. I hope. I’m praying I caught this in time before someone got into my 1P account.

The morale of this tale is to not trust Apple’s Keychain. Get thyself a password program and use it, not the keychain or the browser. 😉

*1Password data is kept safe by AES-GCM-256 authenticated encryption.

4

Tech / Safari can't open the page

« on: July 20, 2021, 01:33:33 PM »

This error and inability to open a page -- any page -- is becoming a constant issue with Safari. (see attachment) I know, I know, I'm running a really old OS, but it's what I have at the moment. If I flip over to Chrome, everything works. Same with Firefox. Both of those browsers are updated to the latest. But Safari constantly drops.

Sometimes if I quit and restart that fixes the problem, sometimes not. Sometimes turning wi-fi on and off fixes the problem. Sometimes a total reboot of my iMac makes Safari happy. But these things don't make ME happy. I simply don't have it in my budget right now to upgrade my iMac. Does anyone have any suggestions, or shall I go back to using Chrome? 


Safari: Version 13.1.2 (13609.3.5.1.5)
OS: 10.13.6x (High Sierra) updated as far as the iMac will go

5

Tech / Smart plugs & smart bulbs

« on: May 28, 2021, 01:13:56 PM »

Do any of you have either smart plugs or smart bulbs in your home? If so what do you have, and most important — are you pleased?

My desire is to be able to use either Siri or a phone app to turn off the last living room light when I go to bed, or even turn it on when I’m away from home and it’s dark. Plus one in my bedroom would allow me to turn the light on and off at night. One in each of the extra bedrooms, and one in my reading area would allow me to change lights in random patterns.

I don’t think I want to go the whole Apple HomeKit route, but I’m considering getting some Wemo smart plugs (link below) that I can work with Siri, or just the app on my iPhone. I figure 5 plugs will fit my needs; or I could get 6 and set up the coffee pot the night before and have it ready when I get up—no more waiting 5 minutes. HAHA

Opinions? Comments? Suggestions? Thanks!


https://smile.amazon.com/Control-Devices-Remotely-Assistant-HomeKit/dp/B08CJTMBF8?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

6

Tech / Need help tracking down who owns a domain

« on: May 22, 2021, 03:11:52 PM »

I’m hoping one of you is a better detective than I am. I’m trying to find out who owns the domain realsteelcenter dot com . Are they actually a US based company? Are they foreign owned? Searching iCann and godaddy brought me different information. Maybe it’s me, or maybe it’s my ISP blocking things, or …. who knows.

Also, this site: https://uspto.report/TM/90063188

shows a trademark application date of 7/20/20 for a business at
REELSTEEL CENTER, LLC
6603 OVERCREST LANE
PASADENA, TX 77505

But I also see a “live/registered” trademark for a Chinese company, and that’s who I’m seeing in some of the “whois” searches.

How do I find out if this company is a legit US company based in Texas? Help, please.

7

Tech / M1 iMac Review

« on: May 19, 2021, 10:11:25 AM »

Good review.

https://youtu.be/vSAa_ls9grQ

8

Tech / Desktop Pictures - why did Apple remove the old ones?

« on: March 20, 2021, 11:47:45 AM »

Today I decided that, after 7+ months, I was sick of looking at the same ol' desktop photo on my laptop. My memory was that Apple had provided some nice artistic pictures, plus nature, patterns, and other things, so I launched "Desktops and Screen Savers" and was stunned to find a really trimmed down version of desktops. Most of what I remember as being there is gone. There used to be sub-folders, and those are gone. I'm guessing this happened when I upgraded to Catalina, but why? Couldn't Apple have left them? I want them all back! 

I have iPhone photos, but those are (imo) ugly unless they are viewed on the iPhone or iPad. I don't have access (yet) to my old iMac, and loads of my photos aren't in the cloud, so I don't have that option either. I'm praying my iMac still works as someone packed my backup drives and I haven't yet found them.

I guess I'm going to have to search for some good photos. What Apple is offering me is B. O. R. I. N. G.

9

Tech / Buying a printer

« on: March 08, 2021, 03:16:52 PM »

I'm now ready to buy a printer. I'd like a B&W laser printer that works on wi-fi. Right now I have 2 computers (see below), but depending on my finances I may purchase a newer iMac.   If you have a recommendation on the best B&W laser printer, let me know, please.

--MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014)
--iMac (27-inch, 2011 -- I think)

10

Tech / Are you a digital hoarder?

« on: January 18, 2021, 11:10:32 AM »

https://theconversation.com/digital-hoarders-weve-identified-four-types-which-are-you-153111

11

Tech / Flash is done, time to remove it

« on: January 02, 2021, 08:51:38 AM »

https://9to5mac.com/2021/01/01/fully-remove-adobe-flash-from-mac/

After a three-year warning, the end of Adobe Flash has officially happened. And with that, Adobe is strongly recommending users uninstall it from their computers immediately. Read along for how to fully remove Adobe Flash from your Mac.
Adobe officially dropped support for Flash as of today, January 1, 2021. And in just under two weeks, Adobe will block all Flash content from working in Flash Player.

12

Tech / Two-factor authorization--turn it off

« on: December 19, 2020, 06:39:49 PM »

I don't want to use two-factor authorization, but every time I turn my MacBook Pro on, I get the little alert in the right hand corner of the screen. I click it, system prefs launches, and I simply close it as there is no where that I can find to shut off this option. That only works until I restart. I'm more than a bit frustrated. How do I turn this option OFF for good?

OS: 10.15.7 (19H114)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014)

13

Community / I have landed in Florida

« on: October 16, 2020, 07:20:51 PM »

My daughter and I landed in Florida this past Tuesday. It was a great trip across the country. We drove 4043.5, visited 12 states, slept in a wig-wam, ate some delicious food, saw the old London Bridge, the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, meteor crater, the Cadillac Ranch, the big cross in Groom, TX. Visited Old Town Albuquerque; stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Resort; stopped for lunch in Russellville and took a photo for my grandson, Russell. We spent a night in Gatlinburg, then on to Savannah where we stayed in the historic Marshall House and had ice cream at Leopold’s. Our last day we took the trolley tour of Savannah (where I saw Warren park dedicated to General Joseph Warren who was a distant relative), then headed home.

I'm currently staying with the kids while I wait for my house sale to come through. Oh, and I'm buying a different house. I'll explain later.

States we visited:
Oregon
California
Arizona
New Mexico
Texas
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Tennessee
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida

14

Community / I'm moving across the country!

« on: August 22, 2020, 12:22:59 PM »

Jim seems to think we need a thread about this, but most of what is taking place I don't want to share publicly. Here's what I'll say ... I'm moving across the country. Bought a house, but haven't yet sold this one. Going from cool temps to heat. Going from a porch to a sunroom (and I've double check and it's not a lanai).   Going from 1850+sq ft to 1393 sq. ft.  Going from a Terrace to a Drive. Going from being alone and lonely to being near family. ❤️

I'm attaching a little map that shows why I love this move. I have pictures, but they are too easy to research, so I don't want to post them. The map will have to do for now.

15

Tech / Is Firefox endangered?

« on: August 15, 2020, 11:12:45 AM »

https://www.zdnet.com/article/an-endangered-internet-species-firefox/