New use for old cell phones

Tech News and Views

My Tracfone cell phone overheated and LG said the battery was bad. Since the phone was under warranty, I got ready to send it back to Tracfone, but then I wondered, will I lose all of my apps and contacts.?

I did some research and found that you can easily connect a cell phone to a computer and copy all the info, apps and contacts, to a place of your choice. I copied the info to the computer's desktop. Then, I reset the phone to wipe it clear before returning it to Tracfone.

I then copied the files from the desktop to an old cellphone that no longer had phone service, but which easily took in all the apps and contacts.

Guess what! The old phone does everything but make calls. When on Wi-Fi, the old phone can connect with my Tesla, run my Roomba vacuum, take pictures, connect to my Google calendar, calculate, play music, show YouTube videos, run speed tests, play solitaire, etc. etc. etc.

The moral of this story is, don't throw out that old cell phone. You may find it very useful.

Executive Board Minutes

Computer Technology Club, Inc. – Executive Board Minutes
Oct 11, 2019

Alan Marcus, President, called the meeting to order at 9:00AM. Members in attendance: Bob Leiner, Jim Trimboli, Bob Kenlay, Ron Kenyon, Linda Tingley, Don Forgette, Bill Balch, Bill Cahill, 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 $1184.39.

Bob Kenlay made the motion to give 5 gift cards at $10 each at the next meeting. The motion was seconded by Linda Tingley. The motion was accepted.

Alan Marcus presented a pen light, laser light, stylus and pen as a Holiday party gift. Bob Kenlay made a motion to order 4 boxes (96 pens) at $1 each. The motion was seconded by Jim Trimboli. The motion was accepted.

Linda Tingley will purchase the food for Holiday party. Bob Kenlay will contact the “Director on Duty” to open the kitchen and will prepare the coffee.

Ron Kenyon will report on the scanning of members’ badges at a future meeting.

Future meeting topics:

Oct 16 - “VOIP Technology for Hearing Impaired” by Susan Richardson
Nov 20 - “Apple Watch” by Chris Kilbride of Ocala Mac User Group (OMUG)
Dec 18 - Christmas Party, US Postal Mail app by Kathylee Johnson

It was agreed that the Computer Technology Club, Inc. will provide assistance to any residents with entering of data into computers for the new Envera Security gates.

The meeting adjourned at 9:40AM.

Respectfully submitted,
Bob Kenlay, Secretary