Merry Christmas to All!
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
Our Summer Destination!
Do you travel with a laptop, tablet and smartphone? This blog will focus on ways to use these technologies in a safe and effective way. There are now separate pages for specific topics and information on the blog. Click the page name to go to that topic. Share your favorite uses for technology while traveling by leaving a comment.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Thursday, November 19, 2015
New I Phone Feature That Costs You Money
Have you updated the software on your iPhone yet? The latest upgrade is iOS9 but there’s one new feature that’s hurting more than it helps— and depending on your data plan, it could cost you hundreds.
What is it? It’s called “Wi-Fi Assist,” and the idea is that when the Wi-Fi signal is weak or your phone is connected to a slow network, the cellular data will jump in to “assist,” attempting to find you a better network and improve your connection. It’s a nice idea in theory, but you see the problem, right? If it’s turned on, it’s running, and that means you could just be sitting anywhere – even at home! – thinking that you’re saving data by connecting to your Wi-Fi, and meanwhile your data is draining away in the background.
Turn it off by going into Settings, then enter the “Cellular” menu. Scroll all the way to the bottom and you’ll see Wi-Fi Assist listed. Toggle it off, and you’ll never have to worry about this costly feature again.
Monday, October 19, 2015
11 Reasons to Stop Looking at Your Smartphone
Many of us travel with smartphones and they are handy ...but what are the problems of constant use of cell phones like many young people do? According to PC Magazine, there are some real hazards to the over-use of cell phone.
"With great power comes great responsibility, however, and scientists are starting to learn that spending so much time staring at our phones is actually doing some damage to our physical, social and intellectual lives. In this feature, we'll run down the main reasons you might want to give your phone a break for a bit. Is this enough to convince you, or do you think it's all overblown?" What's New Now <WhatsNewNow@eletters.whatsnewnow.com>
"With great power comes great responsibility, however, and scientists are starting to learn that spending so much time staring at our phones is actually doing some damage to our physical, social and intellectual lives. In this feature, we'll run down the main reasons you might want to give your phone a break for a bit. Is this enough to convince you, or do you think it's all overblown?" What's New Now <WhatsNewNow@eletters.whatsnewnow.com>
I'd also like to add a No, 12 for good measure...
Put the cell phone down and enjoy the scenery!
I'd also like to add a No, 12 for good measure...
Put the cell phone down and enjoy the scenery!
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Look to the Sky !
The September 27 sky will host a rare view... a super moon and a total lunar eclipse, too! Go out and see something amazing!
The supermoon will rise at about 6:30 p.m. CDT across Alabama. (Get moonrise times for other locations throughout the United States here.) The lunar eclipse will begin at 8:07 p.m. CDT (or 9:07 p.m. EDT and 6:07 p.m. PDT).
The total eclipse will last over a hour and begin at 9:11 p.m. CDT (or 10:11 p.m. EDT or 7:11 p.m. PDT)
Not only will there be an eclipse, but the moon will also be about 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than usual -- a supermoon.
The moon will appear red as Sunday's lunar eclipse reaches its peak -- which will be at 9:47 p.m. CDT. (NASA)
Supermoons are not not rare. In fact this is the fifth one in 2015 alone. But Sunday's moon will be the closest to Earth in all of 2015, coming within 221,753 miles of our planet.
Tonight's supermoon is rare because of its timing with the total lunar eclipse. The last time it happened was in 1982, and the next time it will happen will be in 2033.
This eclipse will also bring about the fourth and final blood moon of a lunar tetrad that began in 2014. (A lunar tetrad is used to describe four total lunar eclipses in a row, separated by six lunar months or six full moons).
If the weather doesn't cooperate in your area go to this live stream from Nasa.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc
If the weather doesn't cooperate in your area go to this live stream from Nasa.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc
Roads of the Old West
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
10 Ways to Customize Windows 10
One of my favorite ways to keep up with what's new in technology is PC Magazine newsletter, especially the What's New Now. Today's newsletter included an article called 10 Ways to Customize Windows 10 I have not yet downloaded the Windows 10 version but will shortly. Before getting stuck with new software problems, I like to have an idea what is good and what is bad in the new version. These are the topics in the article found in the
Mega-guide-10-ways-to-customize-windows-10 article.
3. How to Change Your Windows 10 Background Image
Mega-guide-10-ways-to-customize-windows-10 article.
1. How to Choose the Windows 10 Start Menu or the Start Screen as Your Default
2. How to Change the Color and Transparency of the Windows 10 Start Menu or Start Screen
3. How to Change Your Windows 10 Background Image
4. How to Customize the Lock Screen
5. How to Change Windows 10's Default Browser
6. How to Bypass the Windows 10 Login Screen
7. How to Change the Windows Font Size in Windows 10
8. How to Customize the Windows 10 Taskbar
9. How to Customize the Windows 10 Action Center
10. How to Change Your Privacy Options in Windows 10
To subscribe to the PC Mag newsletter for What's New Now click here.
Enjoy and please comment!
Friday, August 14, 2015
New Library Website for Chama, NM
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Follow my blog with Bloglovin"
Follow my blog with Bloglovin I have now included a link to Bloglovin' on my site. It will allow to subscribe to the blog and to others and and receive one update to all of them.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Tips on taking fireworks pictures
Follow my blog with Bloglovin
A good fireworks photo can be quite striking, but it can also be a very tough shot to get. While many cameras now have a Fireworks scene mode, taking a little bit of time to configure your camera manually will get you better-quality photos. And you don't need to bring an SLR or mirrorless camera (although it certainly wouldn't hurt), but you will need a good point-and-shoot with some manual controls. Follow these tips, and you'll get great shots that would impress even the founding fathers.
This article on http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2406594,00.asp?mailing_id=1299896&mailing=whatsnewnow&mailingID=CDFAEC59C17DA0824CABA0A5E5F9F177 will give you some great tips on configuring your camera to get great shots.
Additional Resources:
WikiHow 7 steps to Photographing Fireworks (source of photograph)
Additional Tips
A good fireworks photo can be quite striking, but it can also be a very tough shot to get. While many cameras now have a Fireworks scene mode, taking a little bit of time to configure your camera manually will get you better-quality photos. And you don't need to bring an SLR or mirrorless camera (although it certainly wouldn't hurt), but you will need a good point-and-shoot with some manual controls. Follow these tips, and you'll get great shots that would impress even the founding fathers.
This article on http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2406594,00.asp?mailing_id=1299896&mailing=whatsnewnow&mailingID=CDFAEC59C17DA0824CABA0A5E5F9F177 will give you some great tips on configuring your camera to get great shots.
Additional Resources:
WikiHow 7 steps to Photographing Fireworks (source of photograph)
Additional Tips
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Calling On-Road Quilters
Here is an amazing on-line tool for your quilting. The Victoria-Albert museum has a patchwork tool that creates a patchwork pattern from your picture, then gives you the ability to transform your picture into a quilt with instructions and colors for cutting and creating your quilt. Try this out -- it is a great tool. Can't wait to try it.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/microsites/quilts/patchwork
http://www.vam.ac.uk/microsites/quilts/patchwork
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Meteor Shower Tonight, May 5, 2015
 |
| picture from http://main.slooh.com/ |
Whenever the Earth passes through comet trails, the little bits of rock and ice burn up in the atmosphere and result in a high occurrence (i.e. a "shower") of meteors. The Earth has actually been in the Aquarids debris field for about a week, but we'll be into the peak of it tonight.
The website http://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/eta-aquarids.html has a good location-based guide for locating the Aquarids wherever you are. The main site http://www.timeanddate.com/ is also a good site to bookmark for reference on time and calendar events when you've been enjoying yourself so much you've lost track of the "real world".
Not Going to Get Up Really Early? Here is a website that will live broadcast the meteor shower starting at 7:00 pm CDT. http://live.slooh.com/stadium/live/eta-aquarid-meteor-shower-in-2015
The site http://main.slooh.com/ has lots of information on astronomy no matter where you are.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Trip to the Top of Mount Everest...You Can Do It, Too!!
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Click here to start your journey. Mount Everest Journey
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Scams to think about.
NOT ALL THIEVES ARE STUPID
I received this via email and don't usually pass it on. Although I didn't check it out at Snopes, I think they are probably good lessons to think about as we travel and shop.
1. LONG - TERM PARKING
Some people left their car in the long-term parking at San Jose while away, and someone broke into the car. Using the information on the car's registration in the glove compartment, they drove the car to the people's home in Pebble Beach and robbed it. So I guess if we are going to leave the car in long-term parking, we should NOT leave the registration/insurance cards in it, nor your remote garage door opener. This gives us something to think about with all our new electronic technology.
2. GPS:
Someone had their car broken into while they were at a football game. Their car was parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard. When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen. The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they had to clean out the house. It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents. Something to consider if you have a GPS - don't put your home address in it. Put a nearby address (like a store or gas station) so you can still find your way home if you need to, but no one else would know where you live if your GPS were stolen.
3. CELL PHONES:
I never thought of this! This lady has now changed her habit of how she lists her names on her cell phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet, etc., was stolen. Twenty minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says, "I received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago." When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text "hubby" in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.
Moral lesson:
a. Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc.
b. And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back.
c. Also, when you're being texted by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet "family and friends" who text you.
4. PURSE IN THE GROCERY CART SCAM:
A lady went grocery-shopping at a local mall and left her purse sitting in the children's seat of the cart while she reached something off a shelf/ Wait till you read the WHOLE story! Her wallet was stolen, and she reported it to the store personnel. After returning home, she received a phone call from the Mall Security to say that they had her wallet and that although there was no money in it, it did still hold her personal papers. She immediately went to pick up her wallet, only to be told by Mall Security that they had not called her. By the time she returned home again, her house had been broken into and burglarized. The thieves knew that by calling and saying they were Mall Security, they could lure her out of her house long enough for them to burglarize it.
*PLEASE PASS THIS ON
Even if this does not pertain to you, please let your family and friends know so they don't get caught in a scam.
I received this via email and don't usually pass it on. Although I didn't check it out at Snopes, I think they are probably good lessons to think about as we travel and shop.
1. LONG - TERM PARKING
Some people left their car in the long-term parking at San Jose while away, and someone broke into the car. Using the information on the car's registration in the glove compartment, they drove the car to the people's home in Pebble Beach and robbed it. So I guess if we are going to leave the car in long-term parking, we should NOT leave the registration/insurance cards in it, nor your remote garage door opener. This gives us something to think about with all our new electronic technology.
2. GPS:
Someone had their car broken into while they were at a football game. Their car was parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard. When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen. The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they had to clean out the house. It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents. Something to consider if you have a GPS - don't put your home address in it. Put a nearby address (like a store or gas station) so you can still find your way home if you need to, but no one else would know where you live if your GPS were stolen.
3. CELL PHONES:
I never thought of this! This lady has now changed her habit of how she lists her names on her cell phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet, etc., was stolen. Twenty minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says, "I received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago." When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text "hubby" in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.
Moral lesson:
a. Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc.
b. And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back.
c. Also, when you're being texted by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet "family and friends" who text you.
4. PURSE IN THE GROCERY CART SCAM:
A lady went grocery-shopping at a local mall and left her purse sitting in the children's seat of the cart while she reached something off a shelf/ Wait till you read the WHOLE story! Her wallet was stolen, and she reported it to the store personnel. After returning home, she received a phone call from the Mall Security to say that they had her wallet and that although there was no money in it, it did still hold her personal papers. She immediately went to pick up her wallet, only to be told by Mall Security that they had not called her. By the time she returned home again, her house had been broken into and burglarized. The thieves knew that by calling and saying they were Mall Security, they could lure her out of her house long enough for them to burglarize it.
*PLEASE PASS THIS ON
Even if this does not pertain to you, please let your family and friends know so they don't get caught in a scam.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
18 Google Map Tricks You Need To Try!
One of my classes this winter was a lesson on all the things that can be done with Google. This article comes PC Magazine, one of my favorite tech publications. Wish there was an easier ( and legal) way to share this with you. I will list the sections of the article but you will have to go there yourself. For those still in the warmth of Tucson, there are some things you'll be able to use.
18 Google Map Tricks You Need to Try
18 Google Map Tricks You Need to Try
- Travel with Google Maps
- Create Your Own Private Google Map
- View (and Change) Your Google Maps History
- Search Lazily
- We Are All Unpaid Cartographers
- A Heads-Up on Footnotes
- God View Through Google Maps
- Be Your Own Traffic Reporter
- Know Your Street View Key Commands
- Change Directions Around by Drag and Drop
- Find Directions With a Single Click
- Measure Any Distance
- Find Nation-Specific Info
- Explore Maps Galleries
- Indoor Directions
- That Little Person in the Corner Has a Purpose
- Go Off-Road
- Easter Eggs
Please Comment -- I wonder if anyone reads it.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Shared Links
Traveling with Technology classes are ending this Thursday. The final class will highlight links and information from everyone.
From Diane
1) rvparkreviews and gasbuddy.com, of course, and news.google.com everyday.
2) Very handy for fulltimers, can locate a tv schedule for any zip code. Go to:
http://www.zap2it.com/
-From the drop down menu, select TV Listings.
-Enter the zip code of your site/ rv park, and
-select tv reception type--
• antenna (over the air);
• cable (pick the park's cable service if available);
• or satellite service (since we don't have satellite, I don't know how that works or if it's even needed).
I'll then bookmark the page that comes up and the schedule is available throughout our stay.
http://www.zap2it.com/
-From the drop down menu, select TV Listings.
-Enter the zip code of your site/ rv park, and
-select tv reception type--
• antenna (over the air);
• cable (pick the park's cable service if available);
• or satellite service (since we don't have satellite, I don't know how that works or if it's even needed).
I'll then bookmark the page that comes up and the schedule is available throughout our stay.
3) Also helpful with the tv: www.tvfool.com
• Which broadcasters are transmitting locally?
• How far are the transmitters from me?
• Which direction should I point my antenna?
• How strong are the signals in my area?
• What analog and digital channels are available?
• Which broadcasters are transmitting locally?
• How far are the transmitters from me?
• Which direction should I point my antenna?
• How strong are the signals in my area?
• What analog and digital channels are available?
4) Finding zipcodes, http://maps.huge.info/zip.htm
5) Weather, http://www.wunderground.com/maps/ (I used to like this better before they recently changed it)
6) To find area attractions in a new spot and also restaurants, we use Tripadvisor.com
6) To find area attractions in a new spot and also restaurants, we use Tripadvisor.com
7) Definition and pronunciation--onelook.com will search multiple dictionaries for a word.
8) And, since over the years we've stayed at probably hundreds of rv parks, remembering them is impossible, so I list them in a google calendar. I usually enter the town name for the event title, the rv park and town and state it's in will usually bring a map link into the event info. In the event description I enter the park website and any info I want to remember about the park.
And Google search, search, search regularly
From Gary
From Peggy
www.sharetheexperience.org
www.planetsark.com
www.shutterstop.com
www.joyfullyjobless.com
www.kickstarter.com
www.silkpainters.org
www.pbs.org/nationalparks
www.couldneverdothat.com
www.roadsideamerica.com
www.doityourselfrv.com
www.factorytours.com
www.fotosketcher.com
www.photographersedge.com
www.planetsark.com
www.shutterstop.com
www.joyfullyjobless.com
www.kickstarter.com
www.silkpainters.org
www.pbs.org/nationalparks
www.couldneverdothat.com
www.roadsideamerica.com
www.doityourselfrv.com
www.factorytours.com
www.fotosketcher.com
www.photographersedge.com
From Diana
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ This site gives you a data base of personal care products and the safety of the ingredients in them
From Ann
Print Friendly Put this on your tool bar and save the website information you want to keep in a PDF form.
About. Com A expert topics search engine full of articles on various topics including Iphone/Ipad Information.
PC Magazine Subscribe to these newsletters for keeping up with tech information.
Kim Komando A technology radio program with great information and newsletters.
TWT Craft Links
http://www.traveling-with-technology.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-trip-along-crafter-net.html
http://www.traveling-with-technology.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-trip-along-crafter-net.html
Texas Travel Links
- Travel Tex http://www.traveltex.com/ Be sure to request the guide book listed here.
- Texas Historic Sites Atlas http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/
- Explore Texas http://www.thc.state.tx.us/explore-texas
- Texas State Parks Guide https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/parkguide/
- Touring Texas Guide http://www.touringtexas.com/
- Texas Highways Events http://www.texashighways.com/events
- Texas Fairs and Festivals http://www.texasfairsandfestivals.com/eventSearch.php#.VMg1E_ldWSo
- Texas Festivals Online http://www.festivalsoftexas.com/events.htm
Friday, January 30, 2015
Beyond the Hunt and Click --Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts can speed up your computer work and reduce the risk of repetitive motion injuries. It is faster than using a mouse for basic functions. Follow the screens below to develop your use of keyboard shortcuts.
- 20 Essential Microsoft Shortcuts
- Windows 8 Shortcuts
Prepared for Desert Trails RV, Tucson AZ 2015
Thursday, January 22, 2015
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