September - The Digital Life - News, Tips, Advice, and more
Another Labor Day is coming, another summer closes (in the northern hemisphere at least) 🙂 You've got a long weekend of lounging coming up, so we've got some interesting reads to go along with it!
For starters - learn about AI generated text and how good it is, social media bias and how it leans, and why you won't have a TV in the future.
Then, how about tips? We like tips! Refresh yourself on how to backup your phone, get some tips on Mac shortcuts, and dictate a letter to Microsoft Word.
If that wasn't enough, we've got advice! TV advice, a Ring doorbell comparison, and apps to help your mental health. Closing out, the tech history tidbit and updates on your survey answers.
Have a great Labor Day and September!
News to ponder....
OpenAI’s language generator has no idea what it’s talking about — ow.ly
You've probably read a headline about scary new text-generating AI that can "fake" articles. The program in question is called GPT-3. OpenAI released this new AI language-generating in May to test users. It's been hyped a lot, but read here why humans are still way smarter (for now!)
Instagram 'bug' heavily favored Trump content over Biden for months — ow.ly
There have been wide spread claims of "censorship" by social media companies by some politicians. Particularly, that social media companies are "left wing" and therefore demoting conservative content. Turns out, it's been the opposite - at least on the 'gram!
Why projectors could be the future screens of smart homes — staceyoniot.com
In the not too distant future (in my lifetime hopefully), we'll look back and wonder why we had this tech "junk" all over and big "screens" covering the walls. I predict interactive interfaces, surface projectors, and nano particle laced wall coatings. You'll tell the house to bring up whatever "screen" you want to see wherever you are in whatever size.
The tip round up
Microsoft Word can now transcribe your conversations on the web — www.engadget.com
Finally - you can dictate your letter to Word without any third party tools or trickery! Not surprising they've been able to add this given their now (mostly defunct) work on Cortana. Can't wait to try this feature out - although I'm still a pretty fast typist thanks to the old Swintec model electric.....🙂🔥🔥
The Best Ways to Back Up Your Smartphone — ow.ly
Chances are, you rely on your smartphone an awful lot—so what would happen if it fell off a cliff or down a well? What would you do if you left it in a different country or it got lifted out of your pocket? This article gives you the low down on making sure things are backed up.
Mac keyboard shortcuts — ow.ly
Shortcuts save SO much time, and you only need to learn a few to be effective. Here's a reminder of the shortcuts you can use on a Mac by pressing certain key combinations. Start saving clicks today - bookmark this page now!
Advice and more...
TCL’s latest 6-Series Roku TVs move up to mini-LEDs, start at $650 — ow.ly
TCL has released their 2020 fall lineup. The 6 series looks to be a strong contender. Probably one of the best overall bargains in the sub $1000 range. Read all about it here, after all - with Labor Day almost over the holidays are next! And not to mention football..... 🙂
Is it time to replace your old Ring Video Doorbell with the latest? — www.androidcentral.com
This is a good little breakdown on the original Ring vs. the latest Ring 3 model. If you have an older Ring, this is a useful read. Trust me next time it comes to changing the battery - which means taking the whole thing down for the first model!
Take care of your mental health with these apps! — ow.ly
You can only scroll so much news and play so many games. Take a few minutes a day to take care of your mental health too! Here's a good round-up of mental health apps by the folks at Android Central. Most of these apps are available on iOS also. Inhale.......exhale.........🙏🙏
In tech history...remember Archie?
You probably don't remember Archie, unless you were in university using an FTP (file transfer) system. 30 years ago, the first Internet search engine, Archie, was launched. It was used to index FTP archives to make finding files easier. However, as the technology for the World Wide Web was not invented until later in the year, it was not the first web search engine. (W3Catalog and others came online in 1993, and Yahoo didn't come along until 1994 - see history)
Fun fact - my "OG" Yahoo e-mail address has been in existence since 1994 😮
Thanks for responding
A big thank you to all those who answered the survey last month on pre-recorded online courses of tips and tricks. It was very insightful into planning. Here are some findings:
Most of you would spend 15-30 minutes learning a lesson, and think a good value course would be 2-3 hours at a $29 price point. It was encouraging that most would be interested in the sample topics I provided. I heard loud and clear that splitting up the content into shorter lessons is key.
Stay tuned on more updates this fall as I continue to pursue options!
I'm leaving the survey open for now, so if you would still like to weigh in, please do!
Online Course Survey — lokwest.surveysparrow.com
Your feedback matters! Take this quick survey on potential pre-recorded online courses from us. Under 3 minutes guaranteed!