RD Stinson Computers & Technology

Microsoft Linux What? The idea that Microsoft has or is building its own version of Linux is very amusing to me. I have worked with associates over the years who were so overcome with the idea that Microsoft is the only way to go. Whether it be for the desktop or the enterprise, Microsoft was the "all in all" for them. I have been casually building out Linux desktops and servers for customers over the years. I have found that the problems I commonly repair for Windows users are non-existent for those using Linux. The truth that Linux has been a dominant network and server system for many years is compelling to say the least. All this being said, I probably wouldn't have even taken the time here if Microsoft hadn't finally realized that they need to jump on board. Cheers

Why Not Let Your Phone Do It Fo You? We are really getting so sophisticated these days.  Some might interpret it as being lazy. Our devices are becoming more and more involved with our daily activities.  How in the world, if you're my age, did we ever get along without them? Consider Apple's latest software upgrade, iOS 9. There are some nifty new features and upgrades to applications etc. I just had to share here. Follow the link, iOS 9 and check it out for yourself I also read about HomeKit and the many features available to control your home using iOS 9 on your iPhone or iPad. Technology is certainly interesting and ever evolving. Cheers

Internet Outages Many of you may have been affected by a recent Internet outage if you are an AT&T customer. I certainly was. This recent outage disrupted overall communications provided by this extremely popular and widely utilized Internet Service Provider (ISP).  Impacting businesses by forcing cash only purchases or temporarily putting their business on hold. On a personal level, customers were left with no ability to carry on with day to day routines over a period of several hours. Technicians like myself basically checked everything down to the lowest level of communications to rule out the possibility of any local issue. Some folks even visited local establishments with an alternate ISP to gain Internet access. If you were able to establish a connection from another provider, you could research the issue further. This brings me to a couple of tools available that you may find useful during an Internet outage: Down Detector  is a very popular and an ad...

Simple Surveillance Have you ever wondered what to do with that old Android cell phone you have laying around?   There are many uses for it.  For me the most likely one is to have it monitor my home for me. I downloaded a free copy of IP Webcam and put that old HTC EVO to use. This little app works flawlessly and is a very welcome addition to this older piece of equipment that I haven't been using. It has many settings available so that you can fine tune it to your specifications. My EVO is now in operation 24/7 and it is helping me to insure that I can web in to see what is happening around the house. There is an advanced version of the application available too. I would follow the advice the author has provided in regards to this development: " Please try Lite version of IP Webcam first. Its only limitations are lack of Tasker integration and customizable user interface. IP Webcam turns your phone into a network camera with multiple vi...

Python is fun! I have done my share of tinkering with writing code over the years.   I've never done it to the point of becoming a serious application developer. In the early years I created batch files (filename.bat) on DOS operating systems, created simple shell scripts on Linux machines (filename.sh) and even compiled a simple application using GCC with Linux. Writing and editing style sheets, CSS, for web pages etc. have been something that has amused me over the years as well.  PHP, the very widely used language of the Internet has and still does intrigue me. The reason for this article or blog post though is in regards to the writing code with Python. Up until recently, I have never before tried to see what is happening with Python. I recently, found and have been following the teachings of  Zed A. Shaw from his online book "LEARN PYTHON THE HARD WAY". You can check it out by clicking up the link to it:  http://learnpythonthehardway.org...

Hello out there. I am writing today about a fabulous full function office suite. Over the years as painful as it may be at times, it's likely that all of us have had to use some form of office application. Microsoft Office dominated this area of applications in recent years. It was not always the case as there were other, very formidable solutions from different vendors. For several years now, I have found that an open source solution provides everything and more that I would require from and office suite. That is why I am writing this today. LibreOffice is an open source solution to your office suite needs. As you can see from the image above, all of the options you may have come to expect to have at your disposal from other office software is available in LibreOffice. Since it is open source software, it is available for free. They do request a donation, as well they should. If you are interested, visit the L...

I'm a big fan of GarageBand. I am excited to test out the new enhancements in the latest version. Follow the link for a bit more information: http://www.engadget.com/2015/06/30/apple-garageband-force-touch-support/ Cheers!

The Mighty Penguin Has Arrived! It is evident that Dell Computer has a strong relationship with the Linux community.  This should not be surprising because leveraging their hardware prowess with a sustainable operating system is kinda like a no brainer.   You can visit this link to check it out:   http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/555/linux-solutions The average computer/mobile device user does not really care as long as their devices keep on working.   Linux provides for so much more than it has ever received credit for.  I think that it is notable when a major computer hardware company is taking advantage of this.   You as well can get your feet wet and try out Linux with old hardware that you have laying around.  Just visit http://distrowatch.com/ and download a copy for yourself.  Installation is relatively simple and if you have questions, you most likely will receive the answers you ar...

Sometimes in our day to day busy lifestyles, removing data from our smartphone devices can prove to be something that we would have liked to have preserved rather than removed. Fortunately, there are ways to recover data.  Check out the link for more details: http://www.cultofmac.com/323667/

Hello everyone.   I know that some of you have an Apple computer.   I enjoy my iMac and it's smooth functionality.   The support website for Apple is very direct and concise.  Today I am sharing the weblink pertaining to the functions available for the MAC keyboard. There is a plethora of shortcut keys for the keyboard.   Just checkout this list from Apple's support site:  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201236 There is a reason that Apple MAC computers, iPhones & iPads etc. have become so popular.  One of those reasons is their no-frills support site in my opinion. Cheers!

Linux Mint is my favorite Linux distribution.  I have used it for several years and while I look at other Linux distros from time to time, Mint serves me well and meets my needs as a desktop operating system.   It is based off of the the popular and stellar Ubuntu and Debian Linux distributions.  The user friendly approach seems to be what I appreciate about it the most.   If you'd like to have a look at it follow this link: http://linuxmint.com/ .  I recommend the XFCE version. It is the one that I use the most.  Linux Mint offers much of what you might find in proprietary operating systems.  It's worth looking into! Cheers.

Tune it in or tune it out. You be the judge. I believe that the advantage of controlling the sound we take in may just find its place in the market. Many times I have desired to tune something in a bit more clearly or just tune it out all together.   Read more about it here: http://www.wired.com/2015/06/doppler-here/

Good morning. I found this article interesting and thought that you would too: http://www.wired.com/2015/04/age-drone-vandalism-begins-epic-nyc-tag/ Happy Reading!

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For 15+ years I have been in the business of installing and maintaining computers of all types. I also have experience with other technological devices and networking. Please contact me if I can be of service.

More and more, the older I get, it seems that life tends to operate at two speeds. I find that during most of my waking hours, the pace of the day usually is fast. Most of the time this is bearable, but there are instances in which the fast pace can induce undesirable stress. Productivity can be seriously affected because of this. While we continue to develop at such a rapid pace, errors will continue to be prolific and at times our goals are stifled. With all the advances in today's technology, there is still need for proper validation and testing. This is necessary in order to mark our achievement as successful and beneficial. Since I have but a brief moment in time to discuss this now, I will conclude by stating that the opposite speed, the slower speed is the speed that I prefer. Whether it is simple relaxation, contemplation or extended periods of sleep, those are most satisfying to me. What about you?