Summers’ Best Questions

By Arlene Rosenberg, Susan Davis, Nina Goodman, and Richard Sherwin

No Ethernet Slot, No Problem!

Q- My new laptop came with a built-in WIFI enhancement to supposedly make the unit very fast when browsing which should be terrific, but my cable provider has inconsistent Wi-Fi coming from the router. Also, my new laptop does NOT contain an Ethernet port so it’s thoroughly on WIFI. Is there any way to connect this laptop directly to the router?

A- Yes. For under $10 from Big Lots, Best Buy, Amazon and other online retailers, you can purchase an Ethernet connector that plugs into any USB 3 Port. Once the PC recognizes the input, your speed will be as fast as any of your devices that are directly connected to the router.

Clear My History, Clear my Cache!

Q- I’ve noticed that when using Chrome, Mozilla, and Microsoft Edge browsers, when I put my name and password into a program or website, the browser asks “do I want to remember this password?” Hit Yes or No! Yes would make it easier to not have to enter the name and password all the time but if you are using any financial or retail software and someone gets into your PC, they can easily operate those programs. So, what to do?

A- The smartest thing is to say no! and write down your passwords or use a password program. If the browser is already saving the name and password, go to settings an undo that command. Find that setting is in the Privacy and Security section. By turning this off, you can sign into Google sites like Gmail without signing in to Chrome…same thing in Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Mozilla. Another privacy setting is available on all browsers: When available activate “Do Not Track” in your browser settings. Always keep this setting on. And remember while you are doing your weekly browser house cleaning, go to Clear Browsing Data, Clear history, cookies, cache, and hit clear.

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Allowing Guests to Use Your PC or Mac

WHERE’S THE QUESTION?

On a Mac, you can log in as a guest user by selecting the Guest User account on the login screen. If this option isn’t available, you’ll have to enable it. Here’s how: From the desktop, click the System Preferences icon in the upper right of screen…(the one with the gear image.) Click “Users & Groups.”

Your own login should be password protected. But on an older, non-Windows 10 PC, you also have the option of letting your visitors use the when the PC starts in the pulldown menu have them hit “ guest.”

But, unfortunately, because Windows 10 was allegedly built around digital security, there’s no easy way to access the guest pulldown menu. In fact, the feature is hidden in in older Windows 10, since Microsoft wants you to set up Microsoft only accounts in almost every program. Enabling the guest (or “Visitor” account) requires Administrator access (if it’s your house you must make sure that you are running the PC as an “Administrator” by changing that setting in your settings folder. Then as an administrator you can set up a guest account.

Q- Can I ask Amazon Alexa to Make A Phone Call?

A- Yes! Ask Alexa to make the call through your Echo device. Say: “Alexa, call [name of the contact that’s in your mobile phone or tablet’s contacts list] and Alexa will place the call. To make a call with the Alexa app on your phone, make sure you’re at the Communicate screen on the Alexa app on your phone and then tap the Call icon.

Note: Alexa Calling does not support calls to the following types of numbers:

· Emergency service numbers (for example “911”)

· Premium-rate numbers (for example “1-900” numbers, or toll numbers)

· Three-digit numbers / abbreviated dial codes (for example “211”)

· International numbers (numbers outside of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico)

· Dial-by-letter numbers (for example “1-800-FLOWERS”)

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Tricky Tracker Band or Smart Watch

Q- My family has several health-tracking watches and bands. Why can’t I get my health tracker or watch to respond when I touch the bottom of the band as it says to do? It doesn’t matter whether I am using a Fitbit or Samsung and Apple watches and wrist trackers. No matter what brand it seems as if I have to hit that place on the band numerous times because it’s not always responsive. Help!

A-Some of these trackers, especially newer models that include many features (heartbeat, blood pressure, swimming, etc.) still try to keep the watch-tracker face small by placing the hit spot or indented button very close to the letters and numbers. This makes it more difficult to just hit the spot as you are sometimes just hitting the letters on the device. Try to hit the spot a little harder but place your finger directly on the spot or indentation.

Q-Why are the new HP, Epson and Canon Printers so Cheap?

A-Many of our favorite printers that we paid $250 to $350 only a few years ago are now $69 and even $39 at Walmart, Target and Amazon. The printer makers realize that it’s the razor vs blades and that over time the blades (ink) make more money. So all of them have raised the cost of inkjet ink. And lowered the price of the printers themselves.

Q-Are There Any Other Printer Options Rather Than Costly Laser Printers?

A-Epson was the first brand to market an ink system using a small tank that might be a good idea for those of you who use your printers a lot. The Epson Eco Tank Model is around $200 at Walmart while some are feature-laden tank based systems are selling for around $300 and $400. So far, some users claim that they can get 20,000 black-based pages and around 15,000 color pages from these tanks. The tanks cost about 20% more than inkjet cartridges but do last longer. Canon and HP have also started to market tank-based printers.

Q-Amazon Fire Stick vs Roku Stick and Chrome Cast?

A-The Fire Stick 4K is harder to set up than the Roku Stick, but does seem to have better Wi-Fi performance and it does give you a slightly better picture when watching a 4K signal and its voice control is a real plus. The Roku stick is much easier to set up, has more channel options and, of course, has no Amazon extra clutter. The Google Chromecast device is cheap, but only uses your phone or tablet to run the system (no remote) and is harder to use in any streaming request.

The bigger Amazon Fire TV and full-size Roku 4K Premier cost about 40% more than their smaller brothers and have slightly more ability to capture Wi-Fi, but don’t really have more features.

Q-Is My Phone’s Camera Better Than a Digital Camera?

A-While the top phones — iPhones, Samsung Galaxies, Huawei’s — have superb cameras and instant editing capabilities, some readers say that when they require a little more steadiness and ease of use they still rely on their digital cameras. And DFA knows of many pro photogs that feel when having to perform sophisticated lens adjustment, angle shots multifunction operations and tripod use require a digital camera more than a mobile phone camera.