Wednesday 27^th May 2020

Updated 03/05/2023. The section headed Zoom now links to an updated document.

Windows 10 – Version 2004

The latest twice-yearly big update to Windows 10 will start being released from 28^th May. This will move from the current version (1909) to version 2004. There is a range of relatively minor changes, but most users will notice very little difference. For more details see:-

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

Installing Linux On An Old PC

If you have an old PC which has an out-of-date version of Windows, you could consider installing Linux for free. John talked through the process of installing Linux Mint.

Linux was developed in 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Unlike Windows, Linux is free. It is available in slightly different “distributions” – Mint, which John demonstrated, being one of them. The distributions come with a number of apps such as LibreOffice, Firefox browser, GIMP photo editor etc.

If you want to learn more about downloading and installing Linux Mint, take a look at this YouTube video:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7TX_udR95k

When you have created the Linux Mint installation USB stick, you can boot from it. You have the option to run Mint straight from the USB stick or to install it onto the hard drive. Just running it without installing it means you can see if it works with your hardware. It's also a handy way of diagnosing or fixing a Windows system that will not boot.

If you want to learn more about using Linux Mint, here is a 7-part video tutorial:-

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrW4kXWyzgoKKLkdHTH8E5v_JboLeAITi

Windows 10 Mail App

While you can stick with the Mail app that comes with Windows 10, I think there are some better alternatives. I suggested Mozilla's Thunderbird which is free and open-source. Other apps are available, some of which are paid for. This site reviews some of them:-

https://www.windowscentral.com/best-email-apps-windows-10

Contactless Payments

In the current circumstances, no one wants to physically handle cash, so, in supermarkets and other shops, contactless payment is encouraged, if not compulsory.  Contactless payments with Credit or Debit cards can be made up to £45.

If you have a modern smartphone with NFC (Near Field Communication), you can use it to make contactless payments which link to one of your Credit/Debit cards.  The three major systems which use this feature are:-

Apple Pay on iPhones, and

Google Pay (formerly called Android Pay) on Android phones.

Samsung Pay on Samsung phones (these are Android phones, so you could opt to use Google Pay instead).

Your bank or card provider has to support the relevant system, which most major banks do.  Once set up on your phone, the device uses a virtual card number known as a token, rather than the actual credit/debit card number.  This means that you could cancel the virtual card, if, for example, your phone was lost or stolen, without cancelling the real card that it links to.

Provided your phone is unlocked, there is no limit to the amount you can pay, although some retailers may impose their own limits.

For more details, have a look at this Which? article:-

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/03/why-apple-pay-and-google-pay-are-the-safest-ways-to-spend/

(Note, the above article was written on 4^th March this year before the basic contactless card limit was increased to £45 on 1^st April).

This Which? article compares Samsung Pay with Google Pay:-

https://www.which.co.uk/money/banking/banking-security-and-new-ways-to-pay/new-ways-to-pay/what-is-samsung-pay-ay4ss5p98m8g

If you have a smartwatch, you may be able to use this to make contactless payments – see this article for more details:-

https://www.wareable.com/smartwatches/apple-pay-vs-samsung-pay-vs-android-pay-5655

File History Drive Disconnected

Tony had an issue where his File History drive in Windows 10 could not be found. File History is a backup feature of Windows 10 which regularly (typically hourly) backups up any changed files and it retains all earlier versions of files. To set it up, just connect an external hard drive to a USB port and go to:-

Start, Settings, Update & Security, Backup

Turn on File History and select the required drive.

As drives are connected to a Windows system, they are allocated a Drive Letter alphabetically. So, if you have Hard Drive C and Optical Drive D in your PC, the next drive you plug into a USB port will be E, then F, etc. If you connected drives in a different order next time, they will be allocated different drive letters - this can confuse File History. One solution to this is to allocate a specific letter (e.g. Z) to your File History drive in the first place. To do this, proceed as follows:-

• Right-click on the Start button
• Select Disk Management
• Right-click on the drive you want to use for File History
• Select Change Drive Letter And Paths
• Click the Change button
• From the drop-down list, select "Z" (or whatever letter you want to use)
• Click OK

(Note: You need to be logged in as an Admin User to do the above)

Chat in Gmail

Brian found the Chat label in Gmail on the web rather irritating and wanted to remove it. To do this, go to gmail.com and sign in and then:-

• Click on the Cog symbol (near top right)
• Select Settings
• Click on the Chat tab across the top
• Select Chat off
• Click the Save Changes button

Pinning Browser Tabs

When using a browser on a PC or Mac, it can be set to go to a particular web page or several web pages (each in a tab) when the browser is opened. The way you set the Start/Home page(s) varies depending on which browser you are using. There is some information on this in my Browser Basic document:-

bit.ly/CE-BrowserBasics

Or you can google for how to do it in a particular browser.

However, having to delve into the browser’s settings can be a challenge, so wouldn’t it be great if there was any easier way to have specific web pages loaded each time you launch the browser? Well, there is, by pinning a tab. This feature is now found on most modern browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari on the Mac.

Here’s how it works. If there is a web page you always want to be there every time you open the browser, just go to that web site, right-click on the tab and select Pin Tab. If you change your mind, it’s just as easy to unpin a tab. Why not give it a try.

Zoom

Although we aren't using Zoom for the Computer Club, some of you may have already encountered it in other group video conference calls. You can find an article called Join a Zoom Meeting under the Tech Hints and Tips section of my website:-

bit.ly/rogersdocs

Chromium

John raised this. Chromium is an open-source software project from Google. It is the foundation of a number of other web browsers including Chrome, Opera and Brave. It is also the basis of the new version of Microsoft Edge. The current version of Edge which is built into Windows 10 will, in due course, be replaced by the new Chromium-based version. If you want to try the new Chromium Edge, you can download it from:-

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4501095/download-the-new-microsoft-edge-based-on-chromium

When you install the new Edge using the above link, it will be installed in addition to, and independent of the current version.

Chromium OS is an open-source operating system designed around the Chromium web browser. Chrome OS is Google's commercial product which runs on Chromebooks and shares the same code-base as Chromium OS. Chromium/Chrome OS is essentially another version of Linux.

Jitsi

Jitsi is a free, simple and easy-to-use alternative to Hangouts, Zoom etc for video conferencing, i.e.making group video calls.  On a PC it runs completely in the browser, so no software needs to be installed. On mobile devices, you need to install the Jitsi Meet app from the App Store.  Unlike some other group video software, you do not need an account.

I would like to switch to Jitsi for future Computer Club meetings.  So, if you are using an iPad or Android tablet, please install the Jitsi Meet app.  If you are using a PC, you don’t need to do anything. I will open the meeting room about 10 minutes before the meeting and send you a link by email as usual. If you open that email on the device you want to use and click on the link, you will gain access to the meeting room, either in your browser on a PC or in the app on a mobile device. You will be asked to permit use of your camera and microphone. To increase security I will use a password of “Northwich” which you will be requested to enter.

If you want a bit more information on using Jitsi, have a look at this:-

https://mashable.com/article/how-to-use-jitsi-meet-zoom-alternative/?europe=true

Next Session

Wed 10^th June 2020 at 2pm via Jitsi Meet.

Wednesday 13^th May 2020

Blink XT2 Security Camera

Tony is looking into getting one of these systems and had a few questions. There are several similar security camera systems available. The one from Blink has the advantage that you do not need to pay on-going fees to store video clips on their server. You can store about 2 hours of video, but it will normally only record 5 to 10 seconds clips when it is armed and triggered by motion.

You can purchase a 2-camera Blink system from Screwfix for £180:-

https://www.screwfix.com/p/blink-xt2-wireless-smart-camera-system-with-2-cameras/330ht

You can add additional cameras if required.

The Blink system has a sync unit that would connect to your router by wi-fi. The Cameras use a proprietary wireless system to communicate with the sync unit over a distance of about 100 feet (probably less if walls are in the way). The system is controlled from a smartphone app. The cameras are powered by lithium AA batteries which have a stated life of about 2 years.

Google Maps, Your Timeline – Correction

Last time, I indicated that you could not delete your Location History via the mobile app. This was incorrect, you can delete Location History on the mobile app – here’s how:-

Open the Google Maps app

Tap the Account Circle (top right) or 3-bars (top left), depending on the version

Select Your Timeline

Tap the 3-dot symbol (top right)

Select Settings and privacy

Scroll down to Delete all Location History

You can also select Delete Location History range to delete history between any two dates.

Windows 10 – Version 2004

The next big update (i.e. a “Feature Update”) to Windows 10, is thought to be scheduled for release in a phased manner from 28^th May, although this date has not been confirmed.  The changes are relatively minor – for more details, see here:-

https://thewincentral.com/top-new-features-in-next-windows-10-major-update-2004/

A new feature which could be useful, although hopefully you will never need it(!), will be found by going to Start, Settings, Update & Security, Recovery. This currently allows Windows to be re-installed from a local backup. The new version will also give you the choice of downloading and installing an up-to-date version of Windows from the Cloud.

Browser Problem

Margaret was having issues with her web browser (Chrome). It seemed that her default search and perhaps other things such as start page, have been changed. The simplest way to correct this may be to reset the Chrome browser. To do this proceed as follows:-

1. Open Chrome
2. Click on the 3-dots (top right)
3. Select Settings
4. Scroll down and click Advanced
5. Scroll down again and click on Restore settings to their original defaults
6. Click Reset settings

This will reset the startup page, new tab page and default search engine which hopefully will resolve the issue.

Connecting Wireless Printer

Linda had a query about a wireless printer that was no longer visible on the network. This sounds like the printer needs re-connecting to the wireless network. On some printers, this can be done from the control panel on the printer, where you can select the network and enter the network password. If the printer does not have a control panel feature to do this, there should be an app that could be installed on an iPad/iPhone (from the App Store). Check the installation instructions for the particular printer which you will be able to find on the manufacturer's web site.

If there is a PC available on the network, this could be used to set up the printer, possibly by initially connecting via a USB cable and using setup software downloaded from the printer manufacturer's web site. Again, check the installation instructions for the particular printer.

Mail App Problems

Margaret had a problem with the Windows 10 Mail app which had ceased providing access to her Gmail account, although it was still working OK with 2 other email accounts. Personally, I don't recommend using the Windows 10 Mail app. For many people with a single email account, webmail is probably a better option. Another free app that could be used is Thunderbird from Mozilla. In fact, I should have mentioned that she could simply go to gmail.com in any browser and sign in with her email address and password (and 2-factor authentication if applicable) and access her mail there, at least until the issue with the Mail app is resolved.

With regard to this issue, I suggested that Margaret should open the Mail app and click on the Settings cog (lower left), then Manage accounts. Here you will see all the accounts. Click on the Gmail account and then select Delete account from this device. Having done this, return to the Manage accounts menu and click Add account and follow the subsequent screens to set up your Google account in Mail again from scratch.

If this does not work you could try uninstalling and re-installing the app:-

Click on Start, Settings, Apps, Apps & features

Scroll down to locate the Mail and Calendar app

Click on it and select Uninstall

Next, go to the Microsoft Store (you can click Start and type Store if you don't have shortcut icon)

Click Search (top right) and type Mail

In the results, click on Mail and Calendar to re-install the app.

Then open the app and add back all three accounts.

NHS Contact Tracing App

Allan raised an issue on this. The NHS app, currently being trialed on the Isle of Wight, is not, as I understand it, based on the protocol developed jointly by Apple and Google which we discussed last time. This is because the NHS want to be able to capture more location information than the Apple/Google system would allow. The NHS want to be able to identify possible Covid-19 hot spots so that they can clamp down on them to suppress any outbreak.

Zoom Security

Allan asked about this. Zoom has become extremely popular for making group video calls since the coronavirus lockdown. Zoom was previously used mainly by businesses and organisations where they were trained and experienced in its use. The number of daily users has increased by a factor of 30 since the end of last year. 

A big issue has been "Zoombombing" where someone uninvited joins your meeting and then shares their screen to display racial abuse, propaganda or other offensive material. In most cases, this could have been prevented if the host had made the necessary changes in settings. The latest update of Zoom has changed the defaults, in particular, to require a meeting password, enable the Waiting Room and reserve screen-sharing to just the host.

In the last few days, Zoom has purchased security company Keybase to help them develop end-to-end encryption - something which Zoom falsely claimed to have at one stage.  See more in this article:-
https://www.vox.com/recode/2020/5/7/21250560/zoom-keybase-facebook-google-encryption-video-chat

With these new changes, Zoom is probably safe enough for the average group meeting, although it has a bit of reputational damage to restore.

Wi-Fi Problems
Tony raise a scenario where an iPhone was getting a poor wireless connection upstairs, but was OK downstairs. The first thing to try is using another device to figure out if it is a problem with the router of the iPhone. Another possible issue is that the iPhone might be connected to the 5GHz band rather than the 2.4GHz band. Many modern routers are "dual band" and provide wi-fi on both these frequencies. 2.4GHz was the original wi-fi frequency, but it has become very crowded as we all have more devices. The 5GHz band provides a less crowded alternative which may work better in some circumstances. However, the 5GHz signals cannot travel as far or through walls/ceilings as easily as the 2.4GHz. If the iPhone has been connected to the 5GHz band, this could be the problem.

A way of improving wi-fi coverage throughout the house, particularly a large house, is to use a mesh router. Mesh routers consist of several nodes rather than a single device. For example, I use the TP-Link Deco 4 with 2 nodes - one downstairs and one upstairs. This TP-Link site shows their range of mesh routers:-
https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/deco/
BT offers the Whole Home mesh systems:-
https://shop.bt.com/learnmore/bt-branded-products-and-services/bt-whole-home-wi-fi/
Here is a review on Techradar of the best mesh routers:-
https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/best-wireless-mesh-routers

Installing Linux On An Old PC

If you have an old PC that has an out-of-date version of Windows, you could consider installing Linux for free. John will talk more about this next time.

Next Session

Wed 27^th May 2020 at 2pm via video conference.