PC Update

Yammer Highlights January 2022

Dennis Parsons

Linux

Frank plugged his Kobo eBook into his Linux computer but couldn’t get it to connect properly. The reader was showing as connected on the reader but the computer wasn’t seeing the reader at all – it wasn’t showing in Calibre, the ebook software Frank was using.

Installing a newer version of Calibre was suggested but as this was going to require a direct download from outside the repository system it wasn’t ideal as it would need to be manually updated.

The other suggestion was the USB cable being used was a charging only cable which lacks the wire to carry data. Replacing the cable with a data capable one proved to be the solution. What a pain that the ebook reader didn’t indicate a non-data cable was being used.

<https://www.yammer.com/melbpc.org.au/#/Threads/show?threadId=1580399554560000>

Computer Help

Continuing the cable theme, Michael was having problems with his USB connected printer intermittently showing a “USB device not recognised” error message. Michael thought it might be a software based issue as he’d tried plugging the cable directly into the computer rather than via a hub and unplugging everything else without luck.

Given the intermittent nature of the problem a dodgy cable was suspected as the likely cause and replacement was suggested, which did indeed prove to be the solution.

USB cables seem to be a source of problems for many members so it appears having a spare available is a good move.

This prompted mention of the scourge of proprietary cables for devices such as fax machines that had some “feature” such as a capacitor or linked pins without which the device wouldn’t work. Very frustrating if it looks like any other cable.

<https://www.yammer.com/melbpc.org.au/#/Threads/show?threadId=1587465985236992>

Smart TV and Other Devices

For those with older ears the quality of sound from TV speakers can be inadequate and hearing aids don’t necessarily help if the sound is “muddy” and limited in frequency range in the first place. Don was seeking a hopefully cheap and easy solution to improve the audio output from an older TV he and his wife currently use.

Their “hearing guy” suggested a new TV would be better than a sound bar but Don wanted a second opinion so asked what Yammer users thought. The consensus was a sound bar was definitely worth trying as they could be bought for around $100 and should provide much better sound quality than the old TV speakers. He was advised to check which audio connections were available on the TV and make sure any sound bar he chose could cater for the connection types.

Don duly purchased a sound bar for $80, connected it using an RCA to mini-jack cable and was happy with the “fuller, crisper and clearer” sound and said “it’ll certainly do for now”. Sounds like a win all around.

<https://www.yammer.com/melbpc.org.au/#/Threads/show?threadId=1557637656625152>

Chit Chat

For those who enjoy puzzles, Wordle, the (currently free) word based puzzle that has recently been bought by the New York Times was discussed. Having recently jumped on the Wordle bandwagon, Jan shared a link that shows how to save the original web based version to your computer so you’ll be able to continue using it regardless of what the NYT decides to do.

Other options were mentioned such as an Android app and an online variant that offers word lengths between four and eleven for those that want more of a challenge.

<https://www.yammer.com/melbpc.org.au/#/Threads/show?threadId=1591667691757568>

 

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