I’ve been installing CloudReady OS on older laptops for a couple of years now. Basically, that means I’m making old computers into useful Chromebook-like computers. If you’ve never used a Chromebook, you should consider giving it a try. A Chromebook is a great alternative to a full blown computer. Most folks use a computer for the browser. I spend most of my time on a browser, looking stuff up, buying from amazon, watching youtube videos on how to take apart and reassemble the laptop someone gave me.
 
Many people are getting away from their computers and just using their smart phone or iPad. A tablet is an astonishing computer that can generally do anything that most of us are doing on our computers. I mostly work on my PC and my phone. The only tablet sized device I use is my Kindle paperwhite, which I love. When I travel, I don’t bring a computer, as I can generally check on things with my phone.
 
CloudReady is now a Google product, as is Chromium and Chromebook. They are similar enough that I am going to treat them the same for this particular article. What I am going to talk about is CloudReady, mostly. The way I make a “ChromeBook” is I use a USB installer of CloudReady and start up the computer booting from the USB drive. After it starts, I sign in and use the option in the lower right corner to install it onto the computer. It wipes the drive and installs itself. It’s pretty easy. The nice thing is that it uses far less resources to operate that a PC or Mac, and so, it’s a great option for an older laptop.
 
Pretty much, you can do whatever you want, using available apps and cloud based software. I’ll include a bunch of links below. The first one is an wee explanation of CloudReady and Chrome HERE. 
And HERE. 
 
Get a copy to install HERE. 
 
The downside? It’s NOT a Chromebook. While many programs will run via the browser, there is a whole world that is off limits due to not actually being a Chromebook. Currently, you can’t download apps from the Google Playstore, and you can’t run Android apps. Still, there is a huge amount you can still do, and most likely, all that will keep you plenty busy.  

Carol got a letter from someone about pacemakers being effected by iPhones, and other Apple devices.  I was interested in that and started reading about it. I found a link on Apple’s website, and it is true, there can be some magnetic interference that could effect a pacemaker, though it’s not just Apple devices. Apple’s link on the subject is HERE. 

As I was reading about that, it occurred to me that all smart devices may have this issue, and so, I Googled that. It turns out that yes, other brands of smart phones and devices have the same issues. An article from the FDA is HERE.

You’ve probably seen microwave warnings at restaurants, and that is for the same reason. The thing is, there are a LOT of electronics that create magnetic fields, some of which can no doubt create an issue with a medical device. I imagine that if you have such a device, then you have been warned about these things. It certainly doesn’t seem like the warning is dire. Don’t place your cell phone in your pocket over the medical implant. It doesn’t say not to put it in the other breast pocket.
All in all, it was interesting reading but nothing to be worried about.

Supposedly, Windows 11 will be released October 5. Typically, the release isn’t made available as an update to everybody at once, and I certainly wouldn’t recommend that everyone jump on this bandwagon as soon as possible. It’s good to be aware of it though. I expect that a lot of PC’s won’t qualify for the upgrade, at first anyway. Windows 10 has another 4 years to go for support, so there isn’t a real hurry. I am curious about it, of course, so I will be looking to find a PC that is upgradable. I think I have one.

There is supposed to be a workaround for non-allowable PC’s. You can create an installation disk and install a fresh copy of Win 11. It may not work well on a non-compliant PC, but it might. Check out an article on this subject HERE. 
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I’m sure Windows 11 will tout new and better security, prettier screens, more robust this and that. The fact is, most of us don’t really like change. Change is a necessary part of life, and certainly inevitable. As soon as I get an install of Windows 11 on a PC, I’ll let you know what I think.

If you have an Android phone, then you may be interested in the article HERE. 
Apparently there is some malicious software being downloaded from the Play Store imbedded in other software. This malware is able to create ways to bill your bank accounts and put the money into their accounts.

In other news, DON’T LET A STRANGER ACCESS YOUR COMPUTER. While it’s possible that the pop-up is really malware, it won’t be giving you a legitimate phone number to call for help. That is, in fact, a major clue that you should NOT call the number. Calling that number will likely put you in contact with the scammers and giving them access to your computer will be the final step in that part of the crime.

The best thing to do if you get a pop-up telling you that your computer has been infected and to call a phone number for immediate help, TURN OFF THE COMPUTER. Pull the plug if you have to, but don’t call the number. Get help from someone you trust. Get help from someone you know.

Windows and Microsoft will not have pop-up like that, so if it says it is them, it is a lie. The Marshall’s Office also will not have a pop-up telling you that it knows what you are doing or that you have outstanding warrants. They won’t call you either, nor will the IRS.

Ultimately, the best thing to do is stay off the computer, turn off your phones, and go for a hike. It’s so beautiful here. We went rock collecting in the Jemez Mountains yesterday. We found heavy black rocks made of glass, and light tan rocks that float on water, all in the same place by a beautiful mountain stream. How cool is that?

A few years ago I switched from an Android phone to an iPhone. It wasn’t because I thought the iPhone was better, it was because I wanted to do FaceTime on my phone. There are plenty of reasons to prefer an Android phone over an Apple phone, and vice versa.

Something that Apple does really well is tying together their products. Since they make them all, that’s a bit easier, I’m sure. Windows and Google and Android should all play together better, and perhaps they could put Apple out of business. Neither of those things is likely, and including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, it’s really a race to take over the world. Personally, I’m voting for SpiffyCo to do that, but that’s just me.
I FaceTime my mom every day. It’s a great way to stay in touch, especially with the pandemic, and FT is by far the easiest way to do a video call. You can even add more people to the call, which I just stumbled onto, so that adds some more fun to it.
Apple is about to provide a way to send a link to non-Apple devices that will allow the person to join in a Facetime session. You can read about it HERE. 

It works using a browser, so pretty much any OS should be able to do it. The Apple device needs to initiate the request to Facetime, but that’s a start.
Still no non-Apple app yet, but maybe someday.