Category: Internet

It’s vast and there’s no map in your glove box

Are you being (oh so gently) scammed?

Found this interesting article at neal.fun.

Websites on the internet are constantly trying to get you to complete actions. Whether it’s buying something, reccomending a friend or posting private information, there is a lot of value in getting you to perform specific actions. However, some websites go too far and try to trick or mislead you into doing what they want. This has led to what are called “Dark Patterns”, or shady ways of tricking you into performing actions without you knowing. Read more here.

Editor’s Note: I was going to title this post “Unfriendly Persuasion” but decided the reference was a bit outdated. See what I mean?

But back to business. Neal.fun is, as the name implies, a lot of fun. For example, “Where does the day go?”

Traveling this summer?

Home is where your e-knowledge is. You have all you need, right? Everything about your e-setup is cozy and easy to use. You know your smartphone’s tricks like the back of the hand that’s always holding it, right?

And you seldom have to use an e-map at home. After all, when BFF says to meet by the Dolphin Fountain, you know exactly how to get there. But what happens when your travel buddy says “I’m just past the gelato stand” and you can’t find the stand or them? Here’s the secret map setting to use.

But then you get on your plane to Timbuktu* and you have to set your phone to airplane mode. Let’s face it: it’s a looong flight and your companion wants to listen to their podcasts or watch that classic movie they’ve always meant to watch… can they, in airplane mode? Yup. We’ve prepared a printable summary of what airplane mode can do for you to tuck into your carryon. It’s from the STUG Monitor, a members-only benefit. Want to subscribe?

* Why do we say Timbuktu when we mean strange, far-off place? I wondered too.

Extensions do what they say, Part 1

A short series on How To Make The Most of Your Screentime, brought to you by STUG, The Sarasota Tech Users Group. First up, Mercury Reader.

If there’s anything that can make me madder than banner ads and commercial sidebars, it’s the pop-ups and un-asked-for videos when I am simply trying to read an article on the web.

Yeh, okay, I know,

Continue reading “Extensions do what they say, Part 1”

The Wealth You Didn’t Know You Possess

It’s an endless world of possibilities out there on the web, the internet, the intranet, whatever you call it… and here’s a get-started-quick intro to all you can learn, browse, gain:

From Storytime reading by your favorite librarians to STEM Classes, book reviews to a Lord of the Rings Escape Room experience, check out the Sarasota County Library Systems on-demand-programs.

And there’s 268 videos and growing, to watch on the library system’s Vimeo page.

Now, if there’s a tech question you can’t seem to find an understandable explanation of, you’ll love the recorded videos of GeeksOnTour. They cover everything from how to send photos from your phone to how to plan your next trip… in a way we can understand!

The STUG YouTube channel is being added to weekly, so check it out too.

Still can’t find the answer to your question, problem, or just plain curiosity? “Google it,” they say. But sometimes that’s not as easy as you’d like. Dig deep in the sand to find your hidden treasure with these 10 Tips and Tricks to Use Google Search More Effectively.

Zoom! Be the Hostess with the Mostest

By now, we most of us know how to attend a Zoom meeting… but have you ever thought to host one? For friends and family?

Maybe you’ve tried but you just stuck with the basics….

Or maybe you’ve hosted one which wasn’t quite as engaging as you’d like it to be.

Or maybe you felt it didn’t really reflect your personality.

There’s a lot on that Zoom dashboard, and there’s so

Continue reading “Zoom! Be the Hostess with the Mostest”

Is this you?

Stun the younger members of your family with all you learn…

If so, join us. We know that no one knows everything, and we’re devoted to helping you make the most of your screen time. With multiple ways to get help for just that small yearly dues, we might save you time, frustration… and help you stun the younger members of your family with info even THEY didn’t know.