Is your ISP down?

Tech News and Views

Sometimes, when you can't connect to the Internet, you suspect that there is something wrong with your computer. However, it's often the provider or web site that is having the problem.

Here's a site that lists dozens of providers and websites that you can click on to see if they are down or are having problems.

downdetector.com

Use Audacity to add sound to LibreOffice Impress presentation

Tech News and Views

I recently created a 58 slide LibreOffice Impress presentation. Impress is similar to Microsoft's PowerPoint, but unfortunately does not incorporate a good way to incorporate sound clips with slides.

I wanted to use a mike to narrate sound for the Impress presentation and therefore experimented with several methods to accomplish the goal. Here's the best method I found:

Add sound to LibreOffice Impress Presentation

• Open the Impress presentation and Audacity (side by side)
• Click Record in Audacity and record the sound for the first slide. Click Stop to stop recording.
• Click File Export. And OK. Give file a name or number (such as slide 1) and save as WAV file.
• When Edit Metadata slide appears, just click OK.
• Go to LibreOffice and click View. Select Slide Transition
• Choose None for transition
• Click down arrow by word Sound
• Click Other Sound
• Click the number of the saved sound file that matches the slide
• Click Open
• Click Slideshow and slide to preview recording
• Click X to delete audio track from Audacity, so you can record sound for next slide.
• Repeat process for remaining slides.

Maximize Battery Life

Apple Bytes

Battery life of a device can be critical for many individuals. Many consumers want to maximize the battery life and lifespan of these gadgets so they can do more with them.

Apple has devoted a web page laying out a few tips to improve the battery life and battery lifespan of iPhone, iPad and other iDevices. That information also applies to other brands and devices using the lithium-ion battery.

A detailed explanation of the below tips is found on the Apple Users Group website at the following link: appleusersgroup/maximize-battery-life

Maximize Battery Life

1. Update Your Device To The Latest Software
2. Avoid Exposing Your Device To High Temperatures
3. Remove The Device’s Case When Charging
4. Charge It Around 50 Percent When Storing The Device
5. Optimize Your Device’s Settings
6. Activate Your Device’s Low Power Mode
7. Check Out Your Battery Usage

Credit: apple.com

Disable Roomba cliff sensors

Tech News and Views

Most of the new robot vacuum cleaners use cliff sensors to prevent the devices from falling down stairs. The sensors work too well. When the robots approach black bordered rugs, the robots won't climb on to the rug or carpet to clean because the darkness appears to be like falling into an abyss.

Many YouTube videos show the solution to the problem. Users can place aluminum foil over the cliff sensors and hold the tape in place with duct tape. If the users have houses that are all on one level, the problem is solved. If the robots are used in multi-story houses, virtual wall barriers can be set near stairs to stop the robots from going over the edge.

You would think that after 13 years of existence that iRobot would have a way to disable the sensors rather than have users apply foil and tape to the expensive devices.

Executive Board Minutes

Computer Technology Club, Inc. – Executive Board Minutes
May 10, 2019

Alan Marcus, President, called the meeting to order at 9:00AM. Members in attendance: Bob Leiner, Jim Trimboli, Don Forgette, Bob Kenlay, Ron Kenyon, Linda Tingley, Bob Roesener and Alan Marcus.

Secretary’s report read by Bob Kenlay. No corrections or additions necessary.

Jim Trimboli read the Treasurer's Report. The current balance is $1355.39.

Future meeting topics:

May 15 - One Drive and Windows Settings by Bob Kenlay
June 19 - TV Cable “Cutting the Cord” by Don Forgette
July 17 - Computer Backups by Alan Marcus

Ron Kenyon reported that he was still having scanning problems with reprinted club badges. Alan Marcus will check into the bar codes.

Jim Trimboli suggested that we develop a volunteer questionnaire application for club members. He will develop the possible questionnaire and report at our next executive meeting.

Alan Marcus suggested that we look into our audio equipment and report at our next executive meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20AM.

Respectfully submitted,
Bob Kenlay, Secretary

Mac Tips For Windows Switchers

Apple Bytes

For those of you who have switched from a Windows computer to a Mac, here are some tips to help you make the transition. Many keyboard shortcuts are similar except that instead of the Ctrl key you will use the Command (⌘) key.

• Cut = command+X
• Copy = command+C
• Paste = command+V
• Undo = command+Z
• Print = command+P
• Save = command+S
• Select All = command+A
• Close Window = command+W
• Switch Apps = command+Tab
• Quit App = command+Q
• Find Files = command+space bar
• Screenshot = shift+command+3

More Mac keyboard shortcuts can be found > HERE.

Here are some other tips for using your Mac.

• Buttons for closing, minimizing, and maximizing a window are in the upper-left corner of the window.
• Use the volume control in the menu bar, or use the volume keys on your Apple keyboard.
• Use Spotlight to quickly find and open apps, documents, and other files.
• You can also use Launchpad and the Dock to open your apps (programs).
• Looking for Windows File Explorer? Learn about the Finder.
• Looking for the Control Panel? Use System Preferences instead.
• Looking for the Recycle Bin? Use the Trash, which is in the Dock.
• To rename a file, click the file once to select it, then press the Return key and type a new name. Press Return when done.
• Preview most files on your Mac using Quick Look. Click the file once to select it, then press Space bar.
• Back-up files: Time Machine keeps a copy of all your files, and it remembers how your system looked on any given day.

Credit: apple.com

Full screen FaceTime

Tech News and Views

Those of you who use FaceTime (Apple's equivalent of Skype) on a Mac and are using it to have a video chat with someone using an iPhone, may have encountered a full screen problem. It seems that the picture only occupies about 1/3 of the screen on the Mac.

Instructions for FaceTime tell users to click on the green full screen button or to press Video and select full screen. However, the green button doesn't do it, and the full screen commands are grayed out.

The solution lies in how the person using the iPhone is holding the phone. When the phone is held horizontally, the picture in the Mac changes to horizontal and fills the screen. When the phone is held vertically, the picture on the Mac reverts to portrait and only fills about 1/3 of the screen.

How To Use iPad 'Slide Over', 'Split View' and 'Split Screen'

Apple Bytes

Those of you that regularly use an iPad will find some new features of the recent OS updates very helpful. Multitasking has come to iPad with the introduction of 'Slide Over', 'Split View' and 'Split Screen'.

The website, Apple Users Group of Oak Run, has tutorials for these three features. Use the links below.

How To Use 'Slide Over' Multitasking

How To Use 'Split View' Multitasking

How To Use Safari 'Split Screen' Multitasking