Wednesday 22nd April 2020

Printing This Blog

Now that we have more than one blog post in one month, this revealed a bug which resulted in the Print button at the bottom of the blog post only printing the first post of the month. To get around this problem I have now listed the blog posts by week (rather than by month) so there is still only one per view.

BBC Local News Location

Just following up this question from last time, I could not find any solution to Brian’s problem of being unable to permanently set his location on the BBC Local News page. Brian has 2 Windows 10 systems with Chrome. When he selects a location on the Local News page of the BBC web site, he does not get the Yes button which would allow him to save it on either of his machines. I also have Windows 10 with Chrome and it works. So this one remains a mystery.

KOMP

Also following on from last time, we discussed how some, perhaps older or disabled people might not be able or willing to cope with modern technology and yet could be missing out on some of its benefits in terms of keeping in touch with family etc. A company called “No Isolation” based in Norway has produced a device called “KOMP” which aims to overcome this problem. Karen Dolva, CEO of No Isolation states that their aim is “to make sure no one has to suffer from loneliness”.

KOMP first launched in Norway in 2017 and is now available in the UK. KOMP is a simple video device that does not use passwords, does not use a touch-screen and only has a single button to operate. It can receive photos and messages from loved ones using the app on their smartphone and it can also perform a two-way video call. You can read more about the device on No Isolation’s web site at:-

https://www.noisolation.com/uk/komp/

Also, AbilityNet, a charity which supports older and disabled people, has an article about it here:-

https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/how-tech-can-help-social-isolation-abilitynet-and-komp

Once set up, KOMP is completely automatic. The single button allows the users to switch it on and off and control the volume. KOMP cost about £600 and requires an Internet connection so there is a cost, but it does not require any prior knowledge of technology to use it. Obviously it would initially need to be set up by one of the other family members.

As John pointed out, other devices such as an Amazon Echo Show would be cheaper and perform some of the same tasks, e.g. video calling and messaging.

Coronavirus Contact-Tracing

We discussed a proposed app last time which is being developed by NHSX, the technology division of the NHS and social care. Since then, Apple and Google surprised the world by announcing they were working together on a system to facilitate contact-tracing. The plan is to build the necessary infrastructure into iOS and Android – see this announcement from Google published on 10^th April:-

https://www.blog.google/inside-google/company-announcements/apple-and-google-partner-covid-19-contact-tracing-technology/

While some people have voiced concerns over the privacy and security of such a system, it appears to be completely anonymous. Essentially, each phone with this system would generate a large random number, known to no one, as its ID. This ID would be combined with the date and time (in 10-minute intervals) using irreversible cryptography to create a ‘rolling proximity identifier’ which your phone can transmit using Bluetooth LE. Phones nearby would receive and store such identifiers. Nothing in the broadcast proximity identifier contains any information about you or your phone. However, if you subsequently get diagnosed with Covid-19, you can then upload all the proximity identifiers you have broadcast over the last several days to a server. All phones would check the server periodically to see if any identifiers they have stored match those which have been uploaded to the server – if they do, it means they have been near a Covid-positive person and should self-isolate.

Steve Gibson, a well-known security expert, provided a detailed explanation of how this works in his weekly podcast, Security Now, on 14^th April which you can find here (start 1 hour 19 mins and 12 sec in):-

https://twit.tv/shows/security-now/episodes/762?autostart=false

Calling Phones From Smart Speakers

Amazon Echo (aka Alexa)

This site explains how to use your Alexa device to call UK landline and mobile numbers:-

https://www.techradar.com/uk/how-to/how-to-make-phone-calls-with-alexa

As I understand it, these calls are free.

If you know someone who also has an Amazon Echo device, you can call on that.

Examples of things you could say after the wake word (normally "Alexa") include:-

Call Michael’s Echo

Call Michael’s mobile

Call Michael on his home phone

Call Michael on Skype (see https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA34874/what-is-skype-calling-with-alexa)

Make a phone call

If you have more than one “Michael” in your contacts, Alexa will ask you which one you want.

If you say “Make a phone call”, Alexa will ask which number you want to call – you can then say the mobile or landline number (sometimes, you may need to include the “+44”).

Google Home/Nest

Google devices work in a similar way to the Amazon Echos. This site explains more about using them to make phone calls:-

https://www.the-ambient.com/how-to/make-voice-calls-google-home-423

Facebook Portal

As far as I know, the Portal can NOT call landline and mobile phones. However, it can make and receive calls to/from WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger on mobile devices.

Windows 10 – Version 2004

As most of you know, Windows 10 has a big “Feature Update” twice a year. The first one for this year is expected to be released on 12^th May (Patch Tuesday) and will take Windows 10 to version 2004. I mentioned a bit about this in the 16^th March 2020 blog post and you can read more here:-

https://pureinfotech.com/windows-10-2004-20h1-release-date/

Removing Apps from Windows 10

This used to be done by using the Programs & Feature applet in Control Panel, but in Windows 10, although you can still do it that way, I would recommend going to Start, Settings, Apps., Apps & features. There you will see a list of all the installed apps. If you want to remove an app, click on it and then click Uninstall and follow any further on-screen prompts that may appear.

If you have previously downloaded and installed an app to try it out, you might subsequently decide you don’t want it and can remove it this way.

A lot of apps would have been pre-installed when you bought the machine. You can remove these, but be sure you know what they are and what they do before uninstalling. If the app is paid-for, you might need a licence number before you could re-install it or you would have to purchase it again. If in doubt about an app, you can google to get information about it before you decide to remove it.

In general, on machines with large storage drives, there is little to be gained by uninstalling apps that are not being used.

Apps that start up automatically could be using resources and even slowing the system. To see which apps run at start-up, click Start and type Task Manager and press Enter to run Task Manager. Click the Startup tab to see a list of tasks which are launched when the machine starts up. You can right-click on a task to Disable it so that it will not start up on the next reboot. If you are really sure the task is not wanted, you could uninstall the associated app.

History Sidebar

Allan had an issue with the History sidebar popping up when typing an email. This is usually invoked by pressing Ctrl+H, so if you accidentally press the Ctrl key instead of the Shift key when typing an “h”, the History Sidebar will appear. Just press Ctrl+H again to turn it off.

Language in Web Sites

Allan, having used his laptop in Spain, was getting some web pages appearing in Spanish. I suggested he check his location settings in Windows 10 by going to Start, Settings, Time & Language. In particular check that the Region and Language settings are UK/English.

Some web pages allow you to select a language and they may remember that choice in a cookie. We looked at the https://www.skyscanner.net/ site which does have a language selection option near the Login button (top right).

You could try using a different web browser. Each web browser stores its own cookies, so that could help diagnose if it is a cookie problem. 

You could also try doing a Google search (for anything) and then scroll down the the bottom of the page. There it will show what Google thinks your location is.

Disabling Google Timeline

Last time, we mentioned the Your Timeline feature associated with Google maps. This can track and store your journeys so you can look back at what you did and where you went in previous days, months or years. If you do not want to be tracked in this way, you can disable Location History. To disable it on a PC:-

1. Go to maps.google.com in a browser
2. Click on the 3-bar symbol (top left)
3. Select Your Timeline
4. At the bottom of the screen, click on Manage Location History
5. Turn off Location History

To delete the Location History, go to Your Timeline (steps 1 – 3 above) and click the bin symbol (bottom right).

On mobile app:-

1. Tap 3-bar (top left) or Account Circle (top right) – depending on version
2. Tap Your Timeline
3. Tap 3-dots (top right) and select Settings
4. Tap Location History is on
5. Turn off Location History

While you can delete a day on the mobile app using the Settings (step 3 above), I don’t think you can delete everything – you will need to use a PC to do that.

iPhone Battery Replacement

Tony raised this issue. The official answer is to use Apple or an Apple authorised repairer to replace iPhone batteries. This site give details:-

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/iphone/repair/service/battery-power

You can use any other trusted repairer who may be cheaper, but this may affect any warranty or any future repair by Apple.

Bluetooth on PC

Linda raised this, regarding connecting a wireless mouse. Although wireless mice and keyboards use a wireless technology, this is usually a proprietary protocol rather than Bluetooth, so you have to use the USB dongle that comes with the mouse/keyboard. You can easily add Bluetooth to a PC if it does not have it built in. This just involves adding a Buetooth USB dongle which can be purchased for around £10. One use of Bluetooth on a PC with Windows 10 is to connect to your smartphone. You can use this to keep Windows 10 unlocked while your phone is in close proximity. Windows 10 also has a Your Phone app which allows you to see recent message and photos from your phone on your PC.

Next Session

Wed 13^th May 2020 at 2pm via Google Hangouts.

Wednesday 8^th April 2020

(Video call via Google Hangouts)

I think we managed to get the Hangouts technology to work! It seems to work well using the app on an iPad. If using a browser, Chrome is the best bet as both Hangouts and Chrome are Google products.

Covid-19 Helplines

First, I highlighted some helplines that are available relating to the Covid-19 pandemic. Please pass on this information if you feel it could help friends or relatives. 

Age UK Cheshire has launched a Covid-19 helpline:-

01606 881 660

For more details go to:-

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/cheshire/

Cheshire West and Chester Council also has launched a Covid-19 helpline:-

0300 123 7031

The line will be open 7 days a week from 8am to 7pm and will provide advice and support and, where necessary, make arrangements for food, medicines, etc to be supplied. There is advice online at:-

https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/news-and-views/incidents/coronavirus-covid-19/how-to-get-help/dedicated-helpline.aspx

Cheshire East Council also have web page offering advice on Covid-19:-

https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19.aspx

This page links to their Coronavirus Advice Booklet which includes their helpline number:-

0300 123 5034

Coronavirus Statistics

In the 11^th March blog, I mentioned this site which shows the current world-wide statistics on the Covid-19 Coronavirus:-

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Scroll down the page to see the stats for the UK and other countries. Click on the UK link (or any other underlined country) to see more details.

Also, the Microsoft Bing team have produced a coronavirus map. You can zoom in on the map and click on the red dots to get more information. You can find this at:-

https://bing.com/covid

Coronavirus Tracing App

A contact tracing app could form part of the Government’s ‘exit strategy’ from the current lock-down.  Using GPS, Bluetooth to nearby phones and scanning QR codes in some buildings, the app would know where you have been and who else has been there. If you become infected, the app could instantly notify anyone you have been near in the last several days so that they could all isolate. In effect, this achieves contact-tracing in an instant, rather than it taking days or weeks. Other features may be added to make the app more attractive, such as indicating how busy local supermarkets are at any time. This BBC article from 31^st March explains more:-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52095331

To be effective, it would need wide-spread adoption and would probably need to be combined with other things such as more coronavirus testing and the discovery of drugs which could mitigate the worst symptoms of Covid-19.

Google 'Your Timeline'

Just following on from the above item, I mentioned that many of us are already being tracked by Google Maps if you have that app on your phone. We did discuss this back at the Computer Club on 12th Sept 2018 - you can look back at the blog if you wish. The app has been redesigned slightly since then. Now, to access Your Timeline, you need to launch Google Maps and tap the circle (top right) with your picture or initial, then select Your Timeline. If you select Day (at the top) you can scroll right (on the bottom half of the screen) to go back in time, or tap the date at the top to select a particular date in the past to see where you where at that time. You can also select Places, Cities or World to find things by category, town or country. It's interesting to look back where you have been as we sit here unable to go anywhere!

WhatsApp on PC

Some communities are setting up a WhatApp Group with their neighbours so they can keep in touch in these difficult times.

If you want help to this on Android, go here:-

https://faq.whatsapp.com/en/android/26000123/?category=5245251

If you want help to do this on an iPhone, go here:-

https://faq.whatsapp.com/en/iphone/26000115/?category=5245251

Although WhatsApp works via you mobile phone number, you can link your phone to your PC so that you can read and create message using a bigger keyboard and screen. To do this, go to:-

https://web.whatsapp.com

Tap the 3-dot symbol or Settings cog symbol on the WhatsApp app on your mobile device and select WhatsApp Web. Use your mobile device to scan the QR code on your computer.

Many other technologies exist to allow groups to communicate including Facebook, FaceTime, Zoom and Hangouts which we used for this Club meeting. Although these and other technologies can be a great benefit to people, especially at this time, to keep in contact with friends, relatives and neighbours, some people may find the technology or the cost challenging. We had some discussion around this point.

Increasingly, there are smart speakers available, some with video, such as the Amazon Echo, Google Home/Nest and Facebook Portal. Once set up, these offer ways to connect to the Internet and communicate with just voice commands.

Learn More About Social Media, etc

If you want to learn more about any technical topic, have a look at my document Learning More About IT:-

bit.ly/CE-LearnIT

One source this document refers to is GCFLearnFree.org. Click on Topics to see a huge list. If, for example, you then click on Social Media under the Internet Skills heading, you will find tutorials on WhatsApp, Facebook, etc

YouTube is, of course, another source of information, although it can be tricky sorting the good stuff from the rubbish. Here, for example if a video tutorial on Facebook:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjbRBd-HbYY

Scanning With a Mobile Device

If you have an all-in-one printer/scanner/copier and a PC, you could use that to scan and save to the PC, then launch your email software and attach the file, for example. Alternatively, you might want to use a mobile device, such as a smartphone and this might be easier if you only scan the odd thing occasionally. You can, of course, just take a photograph with your mobile device, but if you want to keep documents separately from photos and save them as a PDF rather than a JPG, you might like to consider the processes described here:-

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-scan-documents-to-your-phone-or-tablet-4155329

Essentially, on an iPad/iPhone you can use the Notes app and save the scan as note.  On Android, use Google Drive to scan the document which saves it to your Google cloud storage.  In either case, the document could then be printed or attached to an email.

BBC News Site - Forgetting Location

Brian had a problem with the BBC News site. If you visit bbc.co.uk/news you can click on Local News and then set your location. If you have allowed your browser to access your location, this would be offered as the default. You can subsequently change the location by clicking the Find a location link at the top right:-

This location setting should be remembered by your device in a cookie. Cookies are small files relating to a specific web site which are saved on your device by the browser. If you subsequently clear cookies, you would have to set things, such as this location choice, again. However, Brian's system did not seem to be remembering the location setting after he closed and re-opened the browser. This could be caused by having the browser set to clear cookies on exit, but this did not appear to the case with Brian's machine(s). So I am at a loss to understand why this is not working - any suggestion would be welcome.

Next Session

Wed 22nd April 2020 at 2pm via Google Hangouts.
Possible topics:-
Calling phone numbers from smart speaker devices.
Converting PDFs to an editable format.

Wednesday 1st April 2020

Today we had a test link-up with some of the Club members using Google Hangouts. There were one or two teething problems, but overall it went fairly well and I think will enable us to run the Computer Club remotely.

For some unknown reason, sending the invitation to join the Hangouts group failed for some participants. However, I also have the alternative method of sending a link by email to join the group, so between these two methods, I think we can make it work.

To access Hangouts you can either:-

1. Go to hangouts.google.com in a web browser - Chrome is probably the best browser to use if possible.
2. Install the Hangouts app from the app store on your phone or tablet.

You have to be signed in with your Google Account.

Just a few comments on the way Hangouts operates. Once we are all online, the default is that you will automatically see the person who is currently speaking. You can override this by clicking on one of the thumbnails at the bottom of the screen to see that person - click again to de-select them and return to auto-select mode.

If there is some extraneous noise around you, click on the microphone symbol at the bottom of the screen to mute your mic. (Note these symbols disappear until you move the mouse to the bottom of the screen).

It is possible to share a screen with the group by clicking on the 3-dots (top right) and selecting Share Screen and then choosing which window you wish to share. I may use this to show you, for example, a web site. If I was sharing a screen, you might click on my thumbnail so your view remains on the screen I am showing you.

Triple-Clicking

I did use the screen-sharing feature to demonstrate triple-clicking. You may know that you can select one word in a block of text by double-clicking on the word. However, if you want to select the current paragraph, you simply need to triple-click anywhere in that paragraph. Try in now while reading this blog! This is handy if you want to copy a paragraph. You can also use it to copy the complete web address (aka URL) at the top of your browser. It works in most text items - including web pages.

Next Session

Wednesday 8th April 2020 at 2pm.

I will email out a link to the meeting about 10 minutes before. I will also try to issue invitations to anyone who does not respond to the email.