Geekly Update - 28 Feb 2018
How soon will you be able to use your smartphone on the Moon? Under what circumstances is it illegal to walk and chew gum in California? And why is NASA's Planetary Protection Officer a little upset with Tesla founder Elon Musk? Get answers in today's Geekly Update -- it's jam-packed with the latest tech news. And why are Apple HomePods sliming your countertop? This issue is guaranteed to make you 146% smarter -- you'll see why. Read, think, and, comment! |
The AskBobRankin Geekly Update
The city of Montclair California has banned "texting while crossing the street." Actually, the ordinance also includes talking on the phone or wearing headphones while perambulating in a crosswalk. First-time offenders may face fines that start at $100, and escalate to $500 for hard-core offenders.
A Washington D.C. man was apparently fed up with those cameras that snap photos of speeding drivers. He was caught in the act of destroying at least one of them. A nearby video surveillance camera captured the deed. I'll give him an "Incomplete" for his efforts.
A rancher in “border land” Texas found a creepy camera strapped to a tree on his property. So he removed it and took it home. Now the Border Patrol is suing him to get its property back, which he refuses to return because it was installed on his property without his permission. Even better: the rancher is a 74 year-old retired attorney.
ShareX is a screenshot capturing utility that does some pretty amazing things. Give it a try and see how you like it.
Self-driving cars may save fuel, but they cost a lot more at the car wash. Seems personal, human detailing is required to keep their sensors clean.
The USPS is rolling out Informed Delivery, a new service that will show you images of your letters and junk mail before they are delivered. No option to say “Don’t deliver” but some progress.
Who cares that Elon Musk sent a red Tesla Roadster into Earth orbit? Lisa Pratt, the lady responsible for protecting Earth from aliens.
The Moon will get its first mobile phone network in 2019, and no doubt The Man in it will have to sign a two-year contract.
The Oregon House of Representatives has passed the State’s own Net Neutrality rules, since the sell-outs in Washington won’t protect consumers against giant ISPs like Comcast, the most hated company in America for more than five years in a row.
CNN’s Jeff Zucker is calling upon the federal government to break up and regulate “monopolistic” Internet giants like Facebook and Google, now that they are more relevant than his cable news network.
If you have dreams of building the best replica of an Altair 8800 proto-computer, you should probably seek professional help. Also, Maker Chris Davis, a developer from Minnesota has a kit for you.
How do you strap a bodycam on a polar bear? Inquiring minds want to know, from a safe distance.
Your thoughts on these topics are welcome. Post your comment or question below...
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This article was posted by Bob Rankin on 28 Feb 2018
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Most recent comments on "Geekly Update - 28 Feb 2018"
Posted by:
JP
28 Feb 2018
I've been using the USPS Informed Delivery "service" for a few months. The only thing it's really good for is letting you know when you don't get a bill or other important document (tax forms, for example) you're supposed to receive. There's a link in the email you can click when you don't get something that's shown, but the link takes you to a page that basically tells you to wait a while because it might get to you. If you call the local post office to check on the undelivered mail, you'll likely get a rude response.
It would be of service to USPS management if they'd track the carriers to see who is losing the mail -- and they did something about it!
Posted by:
Art F
28 Feb 2018
There's an inaccuracy in your summary about the guy who removed the Border Patrol's camera from his property. They're not suing him, he's suing THEM to protect himself from threatened arrest. According to the linked article, the Border Patrol would have the right under federal law to place the camera without permission if his property was within 25 miles of the border, but the property was actually 35 miles from the border.
Posted by:
sirpaul2
28 Feb 2018
I've been using ShareX for about four years. Once you get past the slight learning curve, it may still be the best screen-shot utility available.
Previously to that, I was using Greenshot
Posted by:
SparkyVA
28 Feb 2018
Elon Musk sent a red Tesla Roadster into Earth orbit? Couldn't he could be fined for littering?
Yes, we have too much space junk already. I hope this was photo shopped.
Posted by:
RichF
28 Feb 2018
I guess I'd be out of luck with a self driving car. The only car wash my car sees is when it rains. Probably no good for the car's sensors.
Posted by:
Denis
28 Feb 2018
Hi Bob. I am using the Vivaldi browser that you suggested a few days ago and I am finding it much faster than Chrome. I have a slow computer at work and it is making a big difference. I really like it and am installing it on all my computers. Thank you very much. It has made my online life %144 better.
Posted by:
GuitarRebel
28 Feb 2018
I find USPS Informed Delivery to be a great new feature of the USPS. I can tell at a glance of my computer screen what's coming today before it gets delivered, even packages. I know whether or not I should be hovering around my mailbox if it's something important. Otherwise, I just get the mail whenever it's convenient for me.
USPS sends my email address a clickable link every morning, unless I have no mail for the day. It details every letter I'll be receiving for the day, even standard mail.
It's been 100% accurate in the 6 months I've been using it...and best of all, it's totally free.
Posted by:
Therrito
01 Mar 2018
Great Geekly Update, Bob! I was compelled to follow the links on many of the articles. :-)
Posted by:
Mike R
01 Mar 2018
I love USPS informed delivery. When we have substitute carriers, I can tell when I need to visit a neighbor to see what they did with my mail. Same when my regular carrier slips up. With news of people stealing mail, it helps to know that something is missing.
ShareX looks great, but for now, I'm enjoying Firefox's new screenshot feature.
Thanks for keeping us informed of new developments!
Posted by:
Jim
01 Mar 2018
My brother built one of those Altair 8800 computers. I remember my sister and soon to be brother-in-law playing some game on it in the 1970's. The USAF lost the case in one of his many moves but he had the "guts" somewhere he always said. I do wonder what happened to it when he died.
Posted by:
Jim Swan
01 Mar 2018
Has anybody here heard anything about another new browser called BRAVE? Also a new crowdfunded startup named PURISM, manufacturing a line called LIBREM ? I recently saw ads for these. They claim to have security as the foremost design consideration, and the LIBREM line runs open-source software, including its own OS, called PURE. They all sound very interesting, if they can deliver on their claims.
Posted by:
Lucy
01 Mar 2018
We too have been using USPS Informed Delivery, and we love it.
Each morning, if we have any mail, we receive an email that shows a scan of all mail and notes if any packages are to be delivered that day.
It is really easy to sign up for, some may have concerns because you do have to give a couple of pieces of info so USPS can check out the name and the address you are making the request for ... but you don't want someone else to be able to sign up to see your mail. Then within days you'll get your first email.
Posted by:
RandiO
03 Mar 2018
I like the name "Informed Delivery"; especially if the destination is a gmail address.