A tech solution is often at your fingertips: Just Google it
Recently we were trying to digitize our CDs so we could play them on our computer, but Windows Media Player couldn’t identify any of the tracks. We were stuck with “Unknown Album” and “Track 1,” “Track 2,” etc. Windows Media player is supposed to name your tracks automatically, but it didn’t.
The Windows Troubleshooter popped up to tell us that our media player was corrupted but offered no solution. It dumped us out on a general Microsoft page where we could search vast reams of info from other users. So we searched the web on the phrase “fix corrupt Windows Media Player.” The first website we went to solved our problem when it told us which files in the Windows Media Player folder to delete, and then told us to reboot the computer. That’s a trick we’ve noticed many times. If you delete something that’s not working, it gets reinstalled the next time you reboot if it’s part of the operating system.
A VIRTUAL TECH SHOW
We recently had a videoconference with tech company founders who were showing off their latest products. Here are a few products that caught our eye. You can get more details at Showstoppers.com.
The Envoy Pro EX is a new four-terabyte solid-state drive from Other World Computing. That’s a tremendous amount of storage you can slip into your pocket and plug into your computer when you’re ready. It can hold 800,000 photos, 166 hours of video footage in 4K resolution or 1,437 hours of videos in standard resolution, the company says. Cost is $1,129. If you don’t need that much storage, you could get a flash drive from Sandisk with 128 gigabytes for around $19. Because solid state drives have no moving parts, data trans
fers are almost instantaneous.
The $25 Mountie is a clip from TenOneDesign.com. It allows you to expand your computer’s screen size by connecting your iPad, Android tablet or phone to your computer screen so that you get an extrawide, side-by-side display. Or you might want three screens, by using a clip on both sides. If you have a larger tablet, such as the iPad Pro, you’ll need the Mountie+, for $35. This lets you watch the stock market, a sporting event or your favorite show while doing your work.
The new Evolve2 headphones from Jabra.com let you work at home without worrying about disturbance from your dog or children while you’re on an important call. They have three built-in microphones to make your voice heard over any background noise, and they make it easier to hear the person on the other end. What’s more, their software lets the company’s IT department monitor how good the sound quality was during your call. The Evolve2 40 is $139 for the stereo version. The Evolve2 65, a wireless version with stereo, is $299.
CROSSOVERS
We came across a noisecanceling headset with a microphone, Bluetooth Communication Hearing Protection from Rifleman, for $41 on Amazon. Joy put some Rachmaninoff on really loud and then called Bob. The music was dampened to a whisper while the headset was on. It was easy for us to hear each other.
This was initially designed and intended for hunters. This kind of cross-matching of technology is interesting. Several years ago, Bob noticed that hearing-enhancers for hunters, magnifying their ability to listen for game, cost less than hearing aids. A national testing service rated them as almost equal to hearing aids for a hearing boost. Some users say they like them better than hearing aids.
We saw Walker’s Game Ear on Amazon for $144. Of course, Medicare probably wouldn’t cover it.
INTERNUTS
“How to Make a Mask with a T-shirt.” Search on that phrase to get some clever suggestions. Joy had the idea of putting a statement or advertisement on the face masks. For instance: ”Back off Buster,” “Hi, I’m Single,” or “Joe’s Pizza.”
“View from My Window.” Type those words into the Facebook search box for some remarkable photos. People from all over the world are sharing the view from the inside looking out and adding comments, a nice diversion during this covid-19 crisis when we’re all staying home. We just looked at the view in Calarca, Colombia. Pretty nice.
Scullinsteel.com/apple2 has a virtual version of the old Apple II machine, which was sold new until 1993. You can try programming it in BASIC. It reminded Joy of why she decided she’d never be a programmer.
Bob and Joy Schwabach can be reached by email at bobschwab@gmail.com and joy. schwabach@gmail.com.