tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77756127627165447872024-03-13T13:09:42.988-07:00Navas' TipsCool technology, ideas, products, how to, hints, and other thoughtsJohn Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-82315160239123057942023-09-02T10:00:00.003-07:002023-09-04T18:23:43.621-07:00Power Bank Bargain<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-size: small;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqWkILXzHS9Dj1ep8rJPck7QnQ7qLZAriTGS8WTAhLqQ1lb9N0WPjYyaI8J-ofv3WL7HFf8AU3XKs8rGornFFBW8aKdeaplii2M-bSAE6-4LqMyhiHt95ivu0K9P-NqfVOcR_4PdyUb2c5kGMRwJvrZVG2EWOkm8yTOnB3gBDWoJ4w82hKShYBfQJtiQ1/s4032/PXL_20230902_014120823.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Generic AUKEY phone power bank" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqWkILXzHS9Dj1ep8rJPck7QnQ7qLZAriTGS8WTAhLqQ1lb9N0WPjYyaI8J-ofv3WL7HFf8AU3XKs8rGornFFBW8aKdeaplii2M-bSAE6-4LqMyhiHt95ivu0K9P-NqfVOcR_4PdyUb2c5kGMRwJvrZVG2EWOkm8yTOnB3gBDWoJ4w82hKShYBfQJtiQ1/w200-h150/PXL_20230902_014120823.jpg" title="Generic AUKEY phone power bank" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Generic is really AUKEY</td></tr></tbody></table><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b>Update</b>: Sold out on Amazon. <a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2499334.m570.l1313&_nkw=PB-N93A&_sacat=123417">Check eBay</a>.</i></span></h4><div><span style="background-color: white;">A </span><b style="font-family: georgia, serif;">power bank</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;">is a big battery that can be used to power and recharge electronic devices when AC power is not available. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;">Keep one charged to power phones </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;">in emergencies, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;">when on an airplane without seat power, when camping or sailing, etc.</span><p></p><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;">Unfortunately, they only last 3-5 years before losing so much capacity that they need to be recycled and replaced. Worse, it's hard to find a high-quality power back with good capacity, longevity and features at a good price.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;">At the moment, the best power bank for <i>phones</i> (not tablets or laptops) is the</div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.aukey.com/collections/power-banks/products/aukey-pb-n93a-usb-c-power-bank-20000mah-pd-ultra-slim-power-bank-with-18w-pd&source=gmail&ust=1693758637448000&usg=AOvVaw3d-vtPNXab1AModMalsl35" href="https://www.aukey.com/collections/power-banks/products/aukey-pb-n93a-usb-c-power-bank-20000mah-pd-ultra-slim-power-bank-with-18w-pd" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">AUKEY PB-N93A USB C Power Bank 20000mAh, PD Ultra Slim Power Bank with 18W PD</a>. It has enough power for 3+ recharges of a typical smartphone and a wealth of good features. But the <b>$60</b> price is too high for such a simple device that costs little to make.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFgemcSS8xI4KxrNw1ERHVx8YseGt4T43aE4ZtCdl2j4wfwhZDDij5FO9_GcfL6hDe6IbEa2KLJklXHZ6ToOJeA59F4pt6Keyvqe_vflx1qDvJWxl1CPkPfbmOs187Qsinu8IWg0YFM00yBfYivgMH_9JSyLrFTDgoKpC16UgSz6dX7ZMMdjZVo56rJbp/s4032/PXL_20230902_013548116.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFgemcSS8xI4KxrNw1ERHVx8YseGt4T43aE4ZtCdl2j4wfwhZDDij5FO9_GcfL6hDe6IbEa2KLJklXHZ6ToOJeA59F4pt6Keyvqe_vflx1qDvJWxl1CPkPfbmOs187Qsinu8IWg0YFM00yBfYivgMH_9JSyLrFTDgoKpC16UgSz6dX7ZMMdjZVo56rJbp/w200-h150/PXL_20230902_013548116.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>There's a generic power bank on Amazon for only <b>$16</b> that looks <i>identical</i>: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXHGBLF3&source=gmail&ust=1693758637448000&usg=AOvVaw1fzMmBtN0FtcXHh67TcPAB" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXHGBLF3" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><b>PB-N93A USB C Power Bank 20000mAh, PD Ultra Slim Power Bank with 18W PD | Amazon</b></a>.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;">The best part is that it's not just identical to the AUKEY, it <b>is</b> the AUKEY. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;"><b>If you need a phone power bank or <i>a thoughtful gift for someone</i>, $16 is an incredible price!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxbtwv94YG3X1-kgu6dJkwLcunuBKz3a-lQuwIc2gBIUWAzg3n7f49FOJmuQffZXo1pQvPdQp8cFQU6ueHGu0Bh_pgNxaKHyaOUUFN8co6uRNlMPpdxprnKU_4DA-8oNZWoaL8zzxSjsSH7EiSnQ57sOZRgxB4y0kEsGeBCBBsFledqxEyjEOvo7ezdRM/s4032/PXL_20230902_013600631.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxbtwv94YG3X1-kgu6dJkwLcunuBKz3a-lQuwIc2gBIUWAzg3n7f49FOJmuQffZXo1pQvPdQp8cFQU6ueHGu0Bh_pgNxaKHyaOUUFN8co6uRNlMPpdxprnKU_4DA-8oNZWoaL8zzxSjsSH7EiSnQ57sOZRgxB4y0kEsGeBCBBsFledqxEyjEOvo7ezdRM/w200-h150/PXL_20230902_013600631.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></b></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">p.s. </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">It can charge or power a device while itself recharging, so it can be used as a <i>mini-UPS</i>.</span></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif;"></div></div>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-87503140536554039592022-11-12T08:50:00.002-08:002022-11-12T08:52:37.426-08:00Rapid COVID Test 2022<p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGxAe-J-uTT1lyLOCiaMARv_iXWPsk0WUJ2dh-PWER4YGUzBN6W4HpUVRvtxHE6P6NZwKmWeukrecA7lc82krYjJJICsE12i4yQ0aToLZuZbfUIA0Yyk49oMenpTisysJivr8zIhDl3n3Lynl7jTwPYduvm0CO_pvJSi_HCXXqsjNt1fYfHyEUdj4rA/s300/download.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Roche Pilot" border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGxAe-J-uTT1lyLOCiaMARv_iXWPsk0WUJ2dh-PWER4YGUzBN6W4HpUVRvtxHE6P6NZwKmWeukrecA7lc82krYjJJICsE12i4yQ0aToLZuZbfUIA0Yyk49oMenpTisysJivr8zIhDl3n3Lynl7jTwPYduvm0CO_pvJSi_HCXXqsjNt1fYfHyEUdj4rA/w200-h112/download.jpg" title="Roche Pilot at home COVID test" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roche Pilot home COVID test</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Previous post: <a href="https://tips.navas.us/2021/12/rapid-covid-test.html">Rapid COVID Test</a></h4><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Roche <b>Pilot </b>at home COVID test at CVS</h3><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Previously available in Europe and U.S. government distribution.</li><li>Clinical study results [excellent]: </li><ul><li>False-negative rate of 6.8%.</li><li>False-positive rate of 0%.</li></ul><li><b>CVS </b>to stock it.</li><li><b>New #1 recommendation</b>, dropping ACON <b>FlowFlex </b>to (close) #2.</li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-63709155712582726682022-03-27T13:11:00.005-07:002022-03-29T09:23:46.025-07:00Lumix DMC-FZ2500 Video<h4 style="text-align: left;"><i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8bpx95It1WddYxagdtHZfYfMIzs_cmU4FTpHz6yoi6Hr2_4J-wEVA3D1I8ITkYVe-2xkcvBzawlR53fyeHNyS_j8DL2qPETjAt22ohT9LMyDuj-aNMCE78jat3D1qKCOinrkpQYbFzuDBeEA8ySjX9qs1ovdIC3zm2cp3J_ZMpKM5M8LpFfSzJhdxQ/s371/DMC-FZ2500.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lumix DNC-FZ2500" border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="371" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8bpx95It1WddYxagdtHZfYfMIzs_cmU4FTpHz6yoi6Hr2_4J-wEVA3D1I8ITkYVe-2xkcvBzawlR53fyeHNyS_j8DL2qPETjAt22ohT9LMyDuj-aNMCE78jat3D1qKCOinrkpQYbFzuDBeEA8ySjX9qs1ovdIC3zm2cp3J_ZMpKM5M8LpFfSzJhdxQ/w200-h178/DMC-FZ2500.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lumix DMC-FZ2500</td></tr></tbody></table>The Lumix DMC-FZ2500 is great for sports action video!</i></h4><p>Panasonic makes two great large (1") sensor Lumix bridge cameras with excellent Leica-branded superzoom lenses:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://shop.panasonic.com/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/point-and-shoot-cameras/dmc-fz1000" target="_blank">DMC-FZ1000</a></b>: great stills camera that also does very good video.</li><li><b><a href="https://shop.panasonic.com/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/point-and-shoot-cameras/dmc-fz2500" target="_blank">DMC-FZ2500</a></b>: great video camera that also does very good stills.</li></ul><div>While the FZ2500 has a rich and powerful video feature set, its still image heritage makes the optimum video setup a bit tricky. For example, the viewfinder display in "S" Creative Video Mode shows the shutter speed but not the aperture. (Go figure.)</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Action Sports Recommendations</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>MP4 LPCM FHD 50M 60p</b></li><ul><li><b>Recording Format</b>. Choose either MP4 LPCM or MOV (which are essentially identical) based on your own workflow. If in doubt, choose <b>MP4 LPCM</b>.</li><li><b>Frame Rate</b>. For action video, <b>60</b> fps (frames per second) gives smoother results than lower frame rates. That limits resolution to 1080p Full HD (<b>FHD</b>, not 4K), but that's usually sufficient for most purposes.</li><li><b>Bitrate</b>. 100M (Mbps) gives highest quality, but <b>50M</b> is probably fine if you won't be doing heavy post-processing. 200M ALL-I is <i>not </i>recommended because quality is actually lower than 100M. </li></ul><li><b>Mode</b>. For smooth video, use a shutter speed twice the frame rate, so with 60 fps, use a shutter speed of <b>1/125</b> sec in Shutter Priority (<b>S</b>) mode.</li><li><b>Aperture</b>. Unfortunately, the FZ2500 lens suffers increasingly from diffraction softness at apertures smaller than <b>f/5.6</b>, so aperture should be no smaller than f/8.</li><li><b>ND</b>. Thankfully, the FZ2500 has built-in ND (neutral density) filters that can be used to keep the aperture large enough for sharp images. In general, <b>1/4</b> works well in outdoor sunlight with 1/125 sec shutter speed. Unfortunately, the viewfinder does not display the aperture in "S" Creative Video Mode, so either shoot video in Shutter Priority (S) mode, or switch temporarily to S mode to check the aperture set by the camera.</li><li><b>Sample video </b>with these settings: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MlrmuMTGIY">SailGP Practice, San Francisco Bay, 25 Mar 2022 - YouTube</a></li><li><b>Stills</b>. Shutter speed of 1/125 sec is often too slow for action sports. For different settings:</li><ul><li>Use Shutter Priority (<b>S</b>) with ND on for <b>video</b>.</li><li>Use Aperture Priority (<b>A</b>) with ND off for <b>stills</b>, with <i>lens wide open</i>. </li><li>Unfortunately, unlike FZ1000, FZ2500 has only one Mode dial setting for Custom mode, so switching between Custom modes is a clumsy menu operation.</li></ul></ul><h4 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfbmkbGDzemhstLE01LZm8xHjfqHmi7MdZh3HjOYQeQeIgB9fthm9yQa7W8_FUSa5v9YVlU8PvjbxLJQ19ViIPqkcepaUiUNyHr3n6NKK1O60fYePEeHFsQeUYgUm968oRK8Jv7T6B9tFcD4Ff2xllqPNYtxQfH_ZNfRa9XXOCAfR9HcC6gCXlc7mlw/s505/extreme-pro-uhs-i-sd-128gb-front.png.wdthumb.1280.1280.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="SanDisk Extreme PRO" border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="387" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfbmkbGDzemhstLE01LZm8xHjfqHmi7MdZh3HjOYQeQeIgB9fthm9yQa7W8_FUSa5v9YVlU8PvjbxLJQ19ViIPqkcepaUiUNyHr3n6NKK1O60fYePEeHFsQeUYgUm968oRK8Jv7T6B9tFcD4Ff2xllqPNYtxQfH_ZNfRa9XXOCAfR9HcC6gCXlc7mlw/w153-h200/extreme-pro-uhs-i-sd-128gb-front.png.wdthumb.1280.1280.png" width="153" /></a></div></h4><h3 style="text-align: left;">Notes</h3></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Except as noted, <b>default settings</b> are recommended.</li><li><b>Continuous Autofocus (AFC)</b> works well in tracking moving subjects.</li><li><b>i.Dynamic Auto</b> can help on dynamic range.</li><li><b>Diffraction Compensation</b> is just extra sharpening and should <i>not</i> be used.</li><li><b>AF/AE Lock</b> can help when lighting is variable.</li></ol><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Tips</b></h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvkTKy2Ndk97Yxtxk3_Yo-IUfEnuL5bX1h_juMMAMhjGIOtoqyQs5EIQwu-z3g4ASL14DhQLmrvg9WTyX0tcJuzRN1SiX0tQjjqiuhj-nhD_Tu199bNaSKgwxT5_6sbMW0ibxnWl7e4GC7Wy_mDz-6d30HhYVRK-kKYp3qB10Vk8eojdoB1_SMZBmKw/s888/PXL_20220327_195200272%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lowepro Toploader Zoom 45 AW II" border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="888" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvkTKy2Ndk97Yxtxk3_Yo-IUfEnuL5bX1h_juMMAMhjGIOtoqyQs5EIQwu-z3g4ASL14DhQLmrvg9WTyX0tcJuzRN1SiX0tQjjqiuhj-nhD_Tu199bNaSKgwxT5_6sbMW0ibxnWl7e4GC7Wy_mDz-6d30HhYVRK-kKYp3qB10Vk8eojdoB1_SMZBmKw/w200-h189/PXL_20220327_195200272%20(1).jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lowepro Toploader Zoom<br />45 AW II</td></tr></tbody></table>Memory Card: <a href="https://www.westerndigital.com/products/memory-cards/sandisk-extreme-pro-uhs-i-sd#SDSDXXY-128G-GN4IN" target="_blank">SanDisk Extreme PRO</a></b> is what I use and recommend.</li><li><b>Case</b>: <a href="https://www.lowepro.com/global/toploader-zoom-45-aw-ii-black-lp36700-0ww/" target="_blank"><b>Lowepro Toploader Zoom 45 AW II</b></a> is a perfect snug fit, has a built-in all weather cover.</li></ul></div><div><i>Happy shooting!</i></div></div><p></p>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-69848142617478468812021-12-24T16:37:00.006-08:002021-12-30T09:56:52.884-08:00Rapid COVID Test<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsrEfvBmzFJCFGNcI9fFRliAg4IIvetsRzsb8s3Y9T_8UavuTs3-d-_b2UPNMFeV4CTKetVxiwMgjQ95xjewmBiTbZjz8vL9NUIpH51NydscCbPWI24JZI--FPw3GsTdzGxiE3KUYyQYaiuZve0VSIF3iH2voPmnXbB_VEdQ-osKtbl7QXMEOLQzCmqw=s422" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Flowflex at home COVID test" border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="422" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsrEfvBmzFJCFGNcI9fFRliAg4IIvetsRzsb8s3Y9T_8UavuTs3-d-_b2UPNMFeV4CTKetVxiwMgjQ95xjewmBiTbZjz8vL9NUIpH51NydscCbPWI24JZI--FPw3GsTdzGxiE3KUYyQYaiuZve0VSIF3iH2voPmnXbB_VEdQ-osKtbl7QXMEOLQzCmqw=w200-h156" title="Flowflex at home COVID test" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowflex COVID test</td></tr></tbody></table><h4><i style="font-weight: normal;">Rapid COVID tests help prevent transmission and community spread</i>.</h4>To do your own rapid COVID test at home, there are two tricky parts:<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Choosing a test</b> that can detect the new <b>omicron </b>variant.<br />We don't yet have enough data to be sure, but these seem the best bets based on what we know now (in priority order):</li><ol><li><a href="https://www.aconlabs.com/brands/flowflex/covid-19-antigen-home-test/" target="_blank"><b>Flowflex</b></a>. Latest technology, only a single test required, just $10. <i>Recommended.</i></li><li><b><a href="https://ihealthlabs.com/" target="_blank">iHealth</a></b>. Two tests required, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KZ6TBNY/">$18 on Amazon</a>.</li><li><a href="https://quickvueathome.com/" target="_blank"><b>QuickVue</b></a>. Two tests required, $24 for a kit.</li><li><a href="https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/diagnostics-testing/BinaxNOW-what-you-need-to-know.html" target="_blank"><b>BinaxNOW</b></a>. Similar to QuickVue,<br /> </li></ol><li><b>Finding them in stock</b>.</li><ul><li>Try: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rapid+covid+tests+for+home&crid=14FKDAKBQG16B&sprefix=rapid+covid+test%252Caps%252C173" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.cvs.com/shop/home-health-care/home-tests/home-covid-test" target="_blank">CVS</a>,* <a href="https://www.riteaid.com/" target="_blank">Rite Aid</a>, <a href="https://www.target.com/c/home-tests-monitors-health-care/covid-19/-/N-4yinkZ7bxpehwmrx4" target="_blank">Target</a>, <a href="https://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/covid-testing.jsp?ban=covidfy21_newtestingpg_brandstory_main_11.21.22" target="_blank">Walgreens</a>, <a href="https://www.walmart.com/browse/health/covid-testing-kits/976760_1005860_542089_3092061" target="_blank">Walmart</a>.</li><li>* CVS:</li><ol><li>Open test product page on CVS website; e.g., <a href="https://www.cvs.com/shop/flowflex-covid-19-antigen-home-test-prodid-823994" target="_blank">Flowflex</a>.</li><li>Click <i>Check nearby stores.</i></li><li>Enter ZIP code and select <i>Show stores where this item is available</i>.</li><li>Call store to be sure, ideally when it first opens.</li></ol></ul></ol><h3 style="text-align: left;">References</h3><div><ul id="docs-internal-guid-c2c6383d-7fff-8205-f003-3a51927ec2a7" style="text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1"><div><a href="https://www.aconlabs.com/statement-on-the-omicron-variant/" target="_blank">Statement on the Omicron Variant - ACON Labs Inc.</a></div></li><li aria-level="1"><div><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/12/02/2345504/0/en/iHealth-Statement-on-the-COVID-19-Omicron-Variant-and-Its-At-Home-Test-Kit-s-Effectiveness.html">i</a><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/12/02/2345504/0/en/iHealth-Statement-on-the-COVID-19-Omicron-Variant-and-Its-At-Home-Test-Kit-s-Effectiveness.html" target="_blank">Health Statement on the COVID-19 Omicron Variant and Its At-Home Test Kit's Effectiveness</a></div></li><li aria-level="1"><div><a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/sars-cov-2-viral-mutations-impact-covid-19-tests" target="_blank">SARS-CoV-2 Viral Mutations: Impact on COVID-19 Tests | FDA</a></div></li></ul></div>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-27848148587072670582021-10-20T12:16:00.008-07:002022-01-09T10:06:10.923-08:00KF94 Masks for COVID-19<h4 style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozaP3K5bP0A/YXBpZjUeFeI/AAAAAAAAhzU/0Rvd260YpxgUDDAw99xBXXJ4gpoJ1FSdACLcBGAsYHQ/s1322/LG-AirWasher-KF94-Mask.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="LG Airwasher" border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozaP3K5bP0A/YXBpZjUeFeI/AAAAAAAAhzU/0Rvd260YpxgUDDAw99xBXXJ4gpoJ1FSdACLcBGAsYHQ/w97-h200/LG-AirWasher-KF94-Mask.jpg" title="LG Airwasher" width="97" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LG Airwasher</td></tr></tbody></table>Previous post: <a href="https://tips.navas.us/2021/01/covid-19-masks.html">COVID-19 Masks</a></h4><p>While (genuine) N95 (USA) and KN95 (China) masks are still recommended, another good option is <a href="https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/kf94-masks-effective-different-kn95" target="_blank"><b>KF94</b></a>, the Korean equivalent to N95 and KN95. Important reasons:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Readily available</li><li>Designed for extended wear</li><li>Inexpensive</li></ul><p></p><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">TL;DR: Top recommendation: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WJPS6KY&source=gmail&ust=1634842602624000&usg=AFQjCNFWL_H0r5O14KZWb18FExcCc64o5w" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WJPS6KY/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><b>LG Airwasher KF94 Disposable Face Mask</b></a></span></div><div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Reasons:</span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><ol style="color: black;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">High filtration</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Good fit and sealing (excellent nose wire, adjustable earloops)</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Easy breathing and talking</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Lightweight</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Comfortable</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">3D shape (will not collapse onto nose or mouth)</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Does not fog glasses</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Inexpensive (reusable, replace weekly)</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Authentic</span></li></ol><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, serif;">Runner Up:</span></h4><div><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/60AFB5EB-5ECC-4D45-875C-F06E8FC08D35?ingress%3D0%26visitId%3D1c936581-6f68-4e58-8f06-289b2b8c77e3&source=gmail&ust=1634842602624000&usg=AFQjCNHjr2RiZIY2TiGxJYVEUL8v9Q9VgQ" href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/60AFB5EB-5ECC-4D45-875C-F06E8FC08D35?ingress=0&visitId=1c936581-6f68-4e58-8f06-289b2b8c77e3" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><b>BOTN KOREA: KF94</b></span></a></li></ul><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">References & Data (lots of data):</span></h4><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/27/best-masks-covid-tests-cloth-surgical-respirators">Some Covid masks are better than others. I know – I’m the Mask Nerd | Aaron Collins | The Guardian</a></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/user/coll0412/videos&source=gmail&ust=1634842602624000&usg=AFQjCNGHPcpclm0agHZ0AB2kGLQWTMjEGQ" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/coll0412/videos" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Aaron Collins - YouTube</a> (A mechanical engineer by day, Collins’ master’s degree research focused on aerosols)</span></li><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DZ93BoeCuIE4%26t%3D10s&source=gmail&ust=1634842602624000&usg=AFQjCNG-g0xIjfKctVf2_7zXOnaG468VHg" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z93BoeCuIE4&t=10s" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">KF94/KN95 Mask Test and Review - Bluna FaceFit, LG Airwasher, Dr. Puri Black and More! - YouTube</a><br /></span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DWE5Uo3F2TdU&source=gmail&ust=1634842602624000&usg=AFQjCNGwUdS31XEYoQkKPxqqvTLFBoD2gQ" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE5Uo3F2TdU" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Current Top Mask Picks & Kids Masks - YouTube</span></a><br /></li></ul><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia, serif;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M0mdNLpTWEGcluK6hh5LjjcFixwmOG853Ff45d3O-L0/edit?usp%3Dsharing&source=gmail&ust=1634842602624000&usg=AFQjCNGUrTL8VsiV3pzxH5_LEHDQ3JZqBQ" href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M0mdNLpTWEGcluK6hh5LjjcFixwmOG853Ff45d3O-L0/edit?usp=sharing" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Master Mask Testing Data Set</a></span></li></ul></div></div></div>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-70286807120426927402021-08-27T15:43:00.002-07:002021-08-27T15:45:26.183-07:00Mini UPS for Modem, ONT, VoIP, Router<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; font-size: 14px;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7OnYp3lqiU/YSlnpvfQXWI/AAAAAAAAg-o/ElsKbSZcd1AZs6YGTsD5GBrRUx3Flm21ACLcBGAsYHQ/s996/51FXPmuOg5L._AC_SL1100_.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="996" height="91" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7OnYp3lqiU/YSlnpvfQXWI/AAAAAAAAg-o/ElsKbSZcd1AZs6YGTsD5GBrRUx3Flm21ACLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h91/51FXPmuOg5L._AC_SL1100_.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">TalentCell SL3400 Mini UPS</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/general/voice-over-internet-protocol-voip" target="_blank">VoIP</a> telephone service, </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-weight: 700;">battery backup</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> of the modem, ONT (Optical Network Terminator, like a modem for fiber), and VoIP adapter are important to maintain telephone (and Internet) service during a long power outage (e.g., during an earthquake or other disaster, which can knock out cell phone service).</span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Unfortunately, conventional 110VAC UPS units </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444;">won't</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> provide extended runtime. (They are typically good for only 2-4 hours even with a small load.) What will work is a "mini" UPS designed to directly power </span><em style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444;">12VDC</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> equipment; e.g., modem, ONT, VoIP adapter, and/or wireless router.</span></span></p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 20px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Mini UPS</span>: <a class="postlink" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WLD32RP" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #00549f; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">TalentCell SL3400 Mini UPS 27000mAh 98Wh Lithium ion Backup Battery with DC 12V/9V/5V Output for Wireless Router, Modem, LED Light, CCTV Camera, Smartphone and More</a></span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Power Tip Adapter</span>: <a class="postlink" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J6NQ1KN" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #00549f; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">IBERLS Universal 5V DC Power Cable, USB to DC 5.5x2.1mm Plug Charging Cord with 10 Connector Tips(5.5x2.5, 4.8x1.7, 4.0x1.7, 4.0x1.35, 3.5x1.35, 3.0x1.1, 2.5x0.7, Micro USB, Type-C, Mini USB)</a> <i>[depending on what tips you need for your equipment]</i></span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Review</span>: <a class="postlink" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R249LOEDT3GH1H" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #00549f; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">A good backup for powering fiber internet (TalentCell Mini UPS)</a><br /></span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">If you have a wireless router for your Internet service, either rented or purchased, while it may be able to share a mini UPS with a modem or ONT, it's better to put it on its own UPS so as not to reduce modem or ONT runtime.</span></div>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-46066964399536789462021-07-19T08:00:00.008-07:002021-07-19T20:36:03.704-07:00Manage Passwords<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EvaWu_zivUc/UlwW1bEoHOI/AAAAAAAACyc/A_cc7PpOD7Y/s1600/keepass_256x256.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EvaWu_zivUc/UlwW1bEoHOI/AAAAAAAACyc/A_cc7PpOD7Y/s200/keepass_256x256.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KeePass Password Safe</td></tr>
</tbody></table><h4><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Use a </span>Password Manager<span style="font-weight: normal;"> on PC, Android, and more.</span></i></h4><div>Because remembering passwords can be a huge hassle, many people make the mistake of using a single password for multiple uses. That's a really bad idea because if one use is compromised, <i>which happens all too often</i>, that compromised password can then provide access to other uses, contributing to <i>identity theft</i> and <i>serious harm</i>; e.g., your compromised social networking password giving bad actors access to your online banking.<br />
<br />
The best way to protect against this risk is to use <i>different, strong</i> passwords for different uses, so the compromise of any one use affects <i>only </i>that one use. That may sound like a huge hassle, but it doesn't need to be: a <i>Password Manager</i> can easily generate and manage lots of strong unique passwords. Then you only have to remember <i>one strong master password</i> that you <i>don't use for anything else</i>. Your other passwords are safely stored in a securely encrypted file. You can also increase security with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-factor_authentication">multi-factor authentication</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>
If you use more than one connected device (e.g., computer, tablet, smartphone), you can have your passwords available on all of them by storing your securely encrypted password file in a "cloud" storage service like <a href="http://drive.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Drive</a>, <a href="http://onedrive.com/" target="_blank">Microsoft OneDrive</a>, or <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/" target="_blank">DropBox</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Password Managers can be either proprietary or open source. The problem with proprietary is that <i>privacy and security cannot be verified</i>—you are instead relying on <i>hope and trust</i>, and that's <i>not</i> a good idea, as evidenced by weaknesses and compromises known and <i>unknown</i>. By contrast, <i>open source</i> software can be verified easily by experts and corrected or modified as needed or desired. So look for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_and_open-source_software" target="_blank">FOSS</a> (Free and Open Source Software).</div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Note</b>: Be skeptical of reviews and ratings, especially on the Internet.</i> </div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Most are not written by real experts. Many are just paid promotions.</i> </div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>This site receives no consideration for its recommendations.</i></div></blockquote><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Best Password Managers (FOSS)</h3><div style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://keepass.info/" target="_blank"><b>KeePass</b></a><span style="background-color: white;">. Limited native functionality, but rich in plugins and ports.</span></li><ul><li><b><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=keepass2android.keepass2android" target="_blank">Keepass2Android</a></b><span style="background-color: white;">. Best Android implementation of KeePass.</span></li></ul><li><a href="https://pwsafe.org/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><b>Password Safe</b></a><b>.</b> Simple and basic. Written by expert Bruce Schneier.</li></ol></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Honorable Mention</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://authpass.app/" target="_blank">AuthPass</a></b>. Compatible with KeePass. Has potential, but suffers from teething issues.</li><li><b><a href="https://bitwarden.com/" target="_blank">Bitwarden</a></b>. Slick, feature rich, and open source, but <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemium" target="_blank">freemium</a> and dependent on Bitwarden servers.</li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">Better than Third Party</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Apple <a href="https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/intro-to-icloud-keychain-and-icloud-passwords-mm65f84b8b06/icloud" target="_blank">iCloud Keychain</a>. Proprietary.</li><li><a href="https://passwords.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Password Manager</a>. Proprietary. Includes <a href="https://blog.google/technology/safety-security/password-checkup/">Password Checkup</a>.</li></ul></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Resources</h3></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2019/02/on_the_security_1.html" target="_blank">On the Security of Password Managers - Schneier on Security</a><br /><i>Bruce Schneier is an internationally recognized security expert.</i></li><li><a href="https://stuartschechter.medium.com/before-you-use-a-password-manager-9f5949ccf168" target="_blank">Before You Use a Password Manager | by Stuart Schechter | Medium</a></li><li><a href="https://www.fosshub.com/Password-Managers.html" target="_blank">FOSSHUB | Password Managers Software.</a></li></ul></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><i style="background-color: #fcff01;">Strongly recommended. Do it. Today.</i></h3></div>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-1209058647493559642021-07-18T11:29:00.006-07:002021-07-18T11:53:01.117-07:00Security Cameras<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1185" height="187" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvs6y8ix0FM/YPRxjvrkuhI/AAAAAAAAgbw/QxNTIReU154if3VAOf8uvGT6u4J3_9FtQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h187/51KvTM5wZfS._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></td>
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<td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dome Security Camera</td>
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To protect yourself from bad actors:</i></span></h4>
<p></p>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Deter</b>. Encourage them to hit someone else instead.</li>
<li><b>Defend</b>. Make it harder for them to do you harm.</li>
</ol>
Catching bad actors <i>after the fact</i> is unlikely, and only rarely of much comfort
or real value.
<div>
<br />
</div>
Thus the primary benefit of security cameras is <i>deterrence</i>, and to maximize
deterrent value, they should be <i>obvious</i>. Even a fake security camera has
deterrent value.<div>
<blockquote><i>You don’t have to run faster than the bear to get away.<br />
You just have to run faster than the guy next to you.</i></blockquote>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Recommended Outdoor Security Cameras</h2>
<div>
These are <i>professional grade </i>cameras which have <i>advanced
Sony sensors</i> with <i>high resolution</i>.</div>
<p></p>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: georgia, serif;">
<a href="https://amcrest.com/amcrest-ultrahd-4k-8mp-dome-poe-ip-camera-security-3840x2160-98ft-nightvision-2-8mm-lens-105-ip67-weatherproof-ik10-vandal-resistance-microsd-recording-white-ip8m-2493ew-v2.html">
Amcrest UltraHD 4K (8MP) <b>Dome</b> POE IP Camera Security, 3840x2160,
98ft NightVision, 2.8mm Lens, 105° FOV, IP67 Weatherproof, <b>IK10 Vandal
Resistance</b>, Supports up to 256GB MicroSD Recording, White (IP8M-2493EW-V2)</a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: georgia, serif;"><u>
<a href="https://amcrest.com/ultrahd-4k-8mp-bullet-poe-ip-camera-security-2-8mm-lens-ip67-weatherproof-microsd-recording-white-ip8m-2496ew-v2.html">
Amcrest UltraHD 4K (8MP) Outdoor <b>Bullet</b> POE IP Camera, 3840x2160,
105º FOV, 98ft NightVision, 2.8mm Lens, IP67 Weatherproof, MicroSD Recording,
White (IP8M-2496EW-V2)</a></u></span></li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;">Recommended
Memory Card</span></h2>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: georgia, serif;">
<a href="https://shop.westerndigital.com/products/memory-cards/sandisk-high-endurance-uhs-i-microsd#SDSQQNR-128G-AN6IA">
SanDisk High Endurance microSD Card</a></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Note</b>: <i>This site receives no consideration for recommending
these products.</i></div>
</div>
</div>
John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-50642877976657460932021-05-28T12:47:00.013-07:002021-06-18T08:02:55.227-07:00Allergy Relief<h4 style="text-align: left;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIiJSDquO8c/YLE3Fy4h-kI/AAAAAAAAffk/dPgL8-ndhJQXmnlwMeS8PSNKFwAUJNZBgCPcBGAYYCw/s500/woman-with-a-hay-fever-1523533152Xku.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIiJSDquO8c/YLE3Fy4h-kI/AAAAAAAAffk/dPgL8-ndhJQXmnlwMeS8PSNKFwAUJNZBgCPcBGAYYCw/w200-h200/woman-with-a-hay-fever-1523533152Xku.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></i><h4 style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Get Relief and Save Money with these Unbiased Recommendations </span></i></h4></div></i></h4>There are so many allergy relief products on the market with extravagant and competing claims, often at high prices, that it's hard to figure out what really works and is still a good value. Part of the problem is that so many online recommendations are essentially just <i>paid promotions</i>. By comparison, <i>no incentives, fees or commissions are earned from these recommendations</i>.<h2 style="text-align: left;">Important Notes</h2><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>This is <b><i>not</i> </b>medical advice. <i><b>Check with your own doctor.</b></i></li><li>Different products may work better for you. </li><li>Generics work just as well as branded but cost less.</li><li>OTC: over the counter, available without prescription.</li><li>Prices current as of May 2021.</li><li>Buy online only from reputable major sellers because counterfeits are a huge problem.</li></ol><h2 style="text-align: left;">Recommendations</h2></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Allergic Rhinitis (hay fever) (OTC)</span></b></li><ul><li><b>Fexofenadine</b> (generic Allegra™): 180 mg tablet gives non-drowsy 24-hour relief.<br /></li><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0939LMTRK" target="_blank">Welmate Allergy Relief <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">100 Count</span> at Amazon.com for $16.95</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081S96RT9" target="_blank">MHL Allergy Relief <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">100 Count</span> at Amazon.com for $17.95</a></li></ul><li><b>Fluticasone </b>(generic Flonase™): nasal spray gives 24-hour relief from nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and runny nose.</li><ul><li><a href="https://www.costco.com/kirkland-signature-aller-flo-50mcg.-allergy-spray%2C-5-bottles.product.100295245.html" target="_blank">Kirkland Signature Aller-Flo 50mcg Allergy Spray, <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">5 Bottles</span> at Costco.com for $22.99</a> <i><b>(no membership required)</b></i></li></ul><li><b>Ketotifen </b>(generic Zaditor™): 12-hour eye itch relief.</li><ul><li><a href="https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/bausch---lomb-alaway-eye-itch-relief-antihistamine-eye-drops/ID=prod3168980-product" target="_blank">Alaway Eye Itch Relief Antihistamine Eye Drops <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">0.34 fl oz</span> at Walgreens for $13.99</a> <i><b>(discount coupons may be available)</b></i></li></ul></ul><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Skin Allergies (OTC)</b></span></li><ul><li><b>Hydrocortisone Cream</b></li><ul><li><a href="https://www.costco.com/kirkland-signature-hydrocortisone-1%2525-plus-anti-itch-cream%252c-8-ounces.product.100376314.html" target="_blank">Kirkland Signature Hydrocortisone 1% PLUS Anti-Itch Cream, 8oz (<span style="background-color: #fcff01;">4 2oz tubes</span>) at Costco.com for $7.49</a> <i><b>(no membership required)</b></i></li></ul></ul><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Allergic Asthma (prescription only)</b></span></li><ul><li><b>Fluticasone</b> (generic <a href="https://hcp.myairduo.com/" target="_blank">AirDuo</a>™): 12-hour relief, 30-day supply (60 doses), very effective, excellent inhaler.</li><ul><li><a href="https://www.goodrx.com/airduo" target="_blank">GoodRX coupons for CVS and Walgreens as low as $31.33</a></li></ul><li><b>Albuterol</b> (generic now available): treat and prevent bronchospasm,</li><ul><li><a href="https://www.goodrx.com/albuterol" target="_blank">GoodRX coupons for Safeway, CVS and Walgreens as low as $18.27</a></li></ul></ul></ul><div><i>All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners.</i></div><div><i>All company, product and service names are used for identification purposes only.</i></div></div>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-57087961398726033942021-04-19T20:36:00.013-07:002021-04-20T07:49:12.974-07:00Blood Pressure<h4 style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">Managing hypertension can help ensure a long healthy life.</i></h4><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N40dvHk1c4I/YH43h07uXUI/AAAAAAAAe-0/E19y4CbMZEEDs33nqITJ-kMCVIg2QpPAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s357/bp652.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Omron BP652N" border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="357" height="149" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N40dvHk1c4I/YH43h07uXUI/AAAAAAAAe-0/E19y4CbMZEEDs33nqITJ-kMCVIg2QpPAgCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h149/bp652.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omron BP652N</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Why It's Important</span></h2><p>From the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/hypertension/index.html" target="_blank">CDC</a>: "High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, both of which are leading causes of death in the US. Nearly one-third of all American adults have high blood pressure and more than half of them don’t have it under control..."</p><p>When your blood pressure is high:<br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>You are <b>4</b> times more likely to die from a stroke</li><li>You are <b>3</b> times more likely to die from heart disease</li></ul><p></p><p>While your doctor should help you manage your blood pressure on every regular visit, it can actually be more effective to keep track of your blood pressure at home.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What To Know</span></h2><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Most of the many devices on the market are <i>not </i>validated for accuracy.</li><li>Validation standard is ±10mm hg, which is seriously<i> unhelpful</i>.</li><li>Stick to <i>established brands</i> with a reputation for accuracy.</li><li>For best results, take <i>3 consecutive readings</i> at 1 minute intervals, and average them.</li><li>Supermarket and drugstore machines are often <i>not </i>maintained for accuracy.</li><li>Doctor's office readings are often <i>too high </i>(<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/white-coat-hypertension/faq-20057792" target="_blank">white coat hypertension</a>) or <i>too low</i> (<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20057853" target="_blank">masked hypertension</a>).</li></ol></div><h2><span style="font-size: medium;">What To Look For</span></h2><div><ol><li>Accuracy.</li><li>Automatic (rather than manual) operation.</li><li>Ease of use.</li><li>Flexible, comfortable cuff with good fit.</li><li>Quiet, gentle operation.</li><li>Averaging of 3 readings.</li></ol></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recommended Devices</span></h2><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://omronhealthcare.com/blood-pressure/" target="_blank">Omron</a></b>. Validated accurate to ±3mm hg. Recommended in <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/blood-pressure-monitors.htm" target="_blank">Consumer Reports</a>. Series 7 is the sweet spot.</li><ul><li><a href="https://omronhealthcare.com/products/7-series-wireless-wrist-blood-pressure-monitor-bp6350/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">BP6350</a>. Wrist model. Compact, comfortable, quiet, and accurate. Prior model <a href="https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/omron-7-series-wrist-blood-pressure-monitor,-model-bp652n/ID=prod6044692-product" target="_blank">BP652N</a> is as good and may be less expensive.</li><li><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RYBKNC2/" target="_blank">BP5250 (Silver)</a></b>. Upper arm model. </li></ul><li><b>Equate</b>. Walmart brand, <a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=equate+%284000%2C6000%2C8000%29+blood+pressure+monitor&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&LH_RPA=1&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=3" target="_blank">Check eBay for best prices</a>.</li><ul><li><a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-4000-Series-Upper-Arm-Blood-Pressure-Monitor/477827819" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">4000</a> (<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=equate+4000+blood+pressure+monitor&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&LH_RPA=1&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=1000" target="_blank">eBay</a>). Upper arm model. Basic version.</li><li><b><a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-6000-Series-Upper-Arm-Blood-Pressure-Monitor/511253608" target="_blank">6000</a></b> (<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=equate+6000+blood+pressure+monitor&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&LH_RPA=1&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=1000" target="_blank">eBay</a>). Upper arm model. Standard version.</li><li><a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-8000-Series-Premium-Upper-Arm-Blood-Pressure-Monitor/236438190" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">8000</a> (<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=equate+8000+blood+pressure+monitor&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&LH_RPA=1&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=1000" target="_blank">eBay</a>). Upper arm model. Full featured version.</li></ul></ul></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recommended Reading</span></h2><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/index.htm" target="_blank">High Blood Pressure | CDC</a></li><li><a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/understanding-blood-pressure-readings" target="_blank">Understanding Blood Pressure Readings | American Heart Association</a></li><li><a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/blood-pressure-monitors.htm" target="_blank">Best Blood Pressure Monitor Reviews – Consumer Reports</a></li><li><a href="https://medaval.ie/blood-pressure-monitors/" target="_blank">Blood Pressure Monitors - Medaval</a> (Irish medical device certification)</li><li><a href="http://www.drmikekuna.com/your-blood-pressure-machine-readings-are-garbage-here-is-how-to-fix-them/" target="_blank">Your Blood Pressure Machine Readings are Garbage. Here is How To Fix Them. | Dr. Mike Kuna's Blog</a></li></ul><div><br /></div><p></p>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-67119320004958930622021-04-16T12:38:00.001-07:002021-04-18T12:50:51.683-07:00OpenVPN for Android<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpAxS7gep5Q/YHnlpCFqXLI/AAAAAAAAe9I/doSOKIwRHMYCCzI_tZGdwa8Ex7b70rIXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s360/OpenVPN%2Bfor%2BAndroid.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="OpenVPN for Android" border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="360" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpAxS7gep5Q/YHnlpCFqXLI/AAAAAAAAe9I/doSOKIwRHMYCCzI_tZGdwa8Ex7b70rIXQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h200/OpenVPN%2Bfor%2BAndroid.png" width="200"></a></div>Why <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.blinkt.openvpn" target="_blank"><b>OpenVPN for Android</b></a> is now my <b>recommended OpenVPN client for Android</b>:<br><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Open Source</li><li>Secure (<a href="https://compliance.ioxtalliance.org/product/144">ioXt certified</a>)</li><li>Fast</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Related:</span></h2><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://tips.navas.us/2020/03/recommended-vpn-2020.html" target="_blank">Recommended VPN 2020</a></li><li><a href="https://tips.navas.us/2014/02/free-vpn.html" target="_blank">Free VPN</a></li><li><a href="https://tips.navas.us/2012/11/vpn.html" target="_blank">Secure Wi-Fi with VPN</a></li></ul></div><div><br></div><p></p>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-42217869250843911532021-03-11T14:10:00.008-08:002022-06-08T07:29:26.958-07:00Google Voice Ringtone<h4 style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3VYlt13K6I/YEqT3-wWaRI/AAAAAAAAeT8/S8wajfuT5w8WZ-BylAeQtOrxgPY4nqT_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s648/GV%2Bwith%2Bnotes.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3VYlt13K6I/YEqT3-wWaRI/AAAAAAAAeT8/S8wajfuT5w8WZ-BylAeQtOrxgPY4nqT_QCLcBGAsYHQ/w198-h200/GV%2Bwith%2Bnotes.png" width="198" /></a></div><br />Beta, thy name is Google.</i></h4><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">FIX: Google Voice using Notification sound instead of Ringtone on Android</span></h2><p>If you use <a href="https://voice.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Voice</a> on your Android device, and<br />incoming calls are not using your desired <b>ringtone</b>, then<br />here's how to fix the problem:</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Open phone Settings.</li><li>Select Apps & notifications.</li><li>Select Voice (in All apps if not visible).</li><li>Select Notifications.</li><li>Under <span style="font-size: x-small;">OTHER</span>, select Incoming call.</li><li>Expand Advanced. (On Android 11. Skip this step on Android 12.)</li><li>Select Sound</li><li>Select desired ringtone sound (which should then play) and close Settings.</li></ol><h4 style="text-align: left;">NOTES</h4><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Sound will still show "Default notification sound" (a bug), but correct Ringtone should now play.</li><li>Verified with Google Pixel 4a 5G (bramble) running <b>Android 11</b>. May not apply to other versions.</li><li><b>Android 12</b>: There is no Advanced option. Skip Step 6.</li></ol></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>YouTube Video</b>: <a href="https://youtu.be/LzIIM-coqls">https://youtu.be/LzIIM-coqls</a></h3><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIu974X4_E8/YEqU-T7QcDI/AAAAAAAAeUE/fwtW-6a2XtYN-QDOxDLp7ISJTpbkESLxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s650/Screenshot_20210311-114026-marked.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIu974X4_E8/YEqU-T7QcDI/AAAAAAAAeUE/fwtW-6a2XtYN-QDOxDLp7ISJTpbkESLxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Screenshot_20210311-114026-marked.png" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-69552090204856402142021-01-17T14:59:00.035-08:002021-03-15T09:05:24.801-07:00COVID-19 Masks<p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCB3fRz3yQ8/YClcda3WPfI/AAAAAAAAeDI/DfD6AI5LfQseoaZ-7-il8ElFDmO4kK6DwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/N95.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aCB3fRz3yQ8/YClcda3WPfI/AAAAAAAAeDI/DfD6AI5LfQseoaZ-7-il8ElFDmO4kK6DwCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h200/N95.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></i><h4 style="text-align: left;">UPDATE: Genuine made in USA NIOSH approved N95 masks now available:</h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Direct from the manufacturer: <a href="https://shop.demetech.us/" target="_blank">DemeTECH</a></li><li>HALYARD (medical grade): <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EI9A75Q" target="_blank">Amazon</a></li><li>Kimtech (Kimberly-Clark): <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NVDFB3R" target="_blank">Amazon</a></li><li>KN95: AccuMed BNX: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SHTDCD5" target="_blank">Amazon</a></li></ul></div></div>Face masks are a <i>crucial </i>part of minimizing the spread of deadly COVID-19 infection, but poor, fake masks have flooded the market and are a huge problem, thanks to incompetence of the Trump administration, which:<div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Failed to update early <i>temporary </i>mask guidance. (Ordinary cloth masks are
<i>not</i> terribly effective.)</li>
<li>Provided little guidance to consumers on how to obtain affordable <i>high-quality</i>
masks.</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p>The good news is that genuine, affordable, high-quality masks are now readily
available. The bad news is that it's hard to distinguish good from bad.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The best masks meet the USA N95 standard<strike>, but those are
still in short supply</strike>.</li><li>Good alternatives are those that meet the comparable Chinese
<b>KN95</b> standard.</li></ul><p></p>
<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkUu4y9V3YI/YATDVIElXEI/AAAAAAAAdqc/DTNym694_egqqA0KesmeddlbjwvrhF58gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/kn95%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkUu4y9V3YI/YATDVIElXEI/AAAAAAAAdqc/DTNym694_egqqA0KesmeddlbjwvrhF58gCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h200/kn95%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></div><b>How to Tell Genuine KN95 Masks</b><p></p>
<p></p>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Manufacturer appears on the
<a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-euas" target="_blank">
FDA PPE EUA list</a>.</li>
<li>Masks (<i>not just packaging</i>) are <i>branded </i>with a China KN95
standard:</li><ul>
<li>Medical: <b>GB19083-2010</b></li>
<li>Non-medical (but still effective against COVID-19): <b>GB2626-2006, GB2626-2019</b></li>
</ul>
</ol>
<p></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">How to Avoid Fake Masks</h4>
<p></p>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Manufacturer does <i>not </i>appear on the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7775612762716544787/6955209020485640214#" target="_blank">FDA PPE EUA list</a>.</li>
<li>Masks are <i>not </i>branded with a China KN95 standard (listed above).</li>
<li>Masks claimed to be GB19083-2010 but "<i>non-medical</i>" (since that
is a <i>medical </i>standard).</li></ol><h4 style="text-align: left;"></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">Tips</h4><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Best filtration is <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/n95-mask-shortage-melt-blown-filters/" target="_blank">melt-blown fabric</a> in a multi-layer sandwich.</li><li>Carbon filtering is <i>not </i>effective against COVID-19.</li><li>Avoid masks with <i>valves</i>, because they are less effective against spreading infection.</li></ul><p></p></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Genuine KN95 Masks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUsrxWSFzKg/YATDqxWoOWI/AAAAAAAAdqo/_poIIBVyz78hj0LYEwswhD0CI_pmRluvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/colors%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUsrxWSFzKg/YATDqxWoOWI/AAAAAAAAdqo/_poIIBVyz78hj0LYEwswhD0CI_pmRluvQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h200/colors%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></h4><div><p></p>
<b><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087M2T7NP" target="_blank">Powecom KN95 Protective Face Mask (10-Pack)</a> (<i>white</i>)</b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LYGTQM5" target="_blank">Chengde Technology
KN95 Face Mask 20Pcs</a> (<i>white</i>)</b></li><li><b style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KWFWXKJ&source=gmail&ust=1611007982109000&usg=AFQjCNFhhaTfPmKoOjSUm9EAvK6jSGOkNw" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KWFWXKJ" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">ChiSpi KN95 Face Mask 20Pcs</a> (<i>colors</i>)</b></li><li><b style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KWFWXKJ&source=gmail&ust=1611007982109000&usg=AFQjCNFhhaTfPmKoOjSUm9EAvK6jSGOkNw" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KWCVJBX" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">ChiSpi KN95 Face Mask 60Pcs</a> (<i>white</i>)</b></li><li><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L92R3VF" target="_blank">Hotodeal KN95 Face Mask 40 PCs</a> <i>(white)</i></b></li></ol></b>
<div>
<i><b>Disclaimer</b>: Provided as public service, accuracy <u>not</u> guaranteed.</i></div>
<p></p>
<p><br />
</p>
<p><br />
</p>
</div>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-63848998037175178382020-12-25T12:43:00.002-08:002021-07-19T14:00:02.115-07:00YouTube Music Playlist Shortcut<p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbYyf3eI8bo/X-YdYq4FDGI/AAAAAAAAdV8/STwZBw77PhINgGCJXsV_vqzIrFQNCTuRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/Youtube_Music_Playlist.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YbYyf3eI8bo/X-YdYq4FDGI/AAAAAAAAdV8/STwZBw77PhINgGCJXsV_vqzIrFQNCTuRQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h200/Youtube_Music_Playlist.png" width="200"></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Google giveth
and Google taketh away.</span></i></h4>
<p></p>
<div>
Play Music, originally Google Music, was mature and pretty good. There was really no
reason for Google to create YouTube Music and shut down Play Music, forcing
a painful transition on users, other than its own organizational convenience (but I digress). </div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
Part of the pain for users is that (as of this writing at least) YouTube Music
doesn't work as well as Play Music, particularly for those using it for cloud
storage of uploaded music more than for paid streaming. One of the more annoying
issues is that some (not all) video playlists get mixed in with audio playlists, making it
harder to navigate audio playlists.</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
The <b>YouTube Music app for Android</b>, which suffers from annoying pauses even with strong
mobile signal, makes things worse by having no way to create Home screen icons
for specific playlists, either by widget or by shortcut. (The Play Music app
had a widget for a specific playlist.) Fortunately, there is a way to work around
this limitation, but it's not obvious. On Android:</div>
<div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Install the
<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.deltacdev.websiteshortcut" target="_blank"><b>
Website Shortcut app</b></a>.</li>
<li>Open
<a href="https://music.youtube.com/library/playlists" target="_blank">YouTube
Music</a> in Chrome browser (not the app), and navigate to a desired playlist.</li>
<li>Scroll up to 3 dot overflow menu at right end of Chrome navigation bar to Share that page to Website Shortcut:</li><ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>Add the Playlist name in the Label field.</li>
<li>Select a custom icon (e.g., artist photo) if desired (otherwise it will be the YouTube Music icon).</li>
<li>Create Shortcut, and install the icon on a Home screen.</li>
</ol>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
Now that Home screen icon can be used to launch the specific playlist (in the app if it's installed rather than in Chrome).</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A good
way to organize these playlist icons is to create a Playlist folder on the Home screen.</li><li>Another way is to add a Home screen just for music
playlist icons.</li><li>This same technique works for <b>artist, album, contributed playlist, search</b>, anything that can be shared.</li></ul></div><div>The reason for using Website Shortcut is that <i>Add to home screen</i> in Chrome just creates an icon that launches the app, not the desired playlist.</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>Enjoy!</div>
John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-14236429522604759442020-12-14T11:30:00.004-08:002021-07-19T14:00:55.037-07:00Message Not Delivered<h4 style="text-align: left;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmFgzn9tHw4/X9eZtV8OBZI/AAAAAAAAdDU/W0AK_sVJNQM6_4t-qACuDVzvvjh2EVBFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s126/mnd-icon.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="126" data-original-width="126" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmFgzn9tHw4/X9eZtV8OBZI/AAAAAAAAdDU/W0AK_sVJNQM6_4t-qACuDVzvvjh2EVBFQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h200/mnd-icon.png" width="200"></a></div></i></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Message Not Delivered error with alias in Gmail 'send mail as' featur</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">e.</span></i></h4><p>In <b>Gmail</b>,</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>if you use the '<b>send mail as</b>' feature to send mail from a different address (account),</li><li>and you have recommended <b>two-factor authentication</b> (aka <a href="https://www.google.com/landing/2step/" target="_blank">2-Step Verification</a>) enabled,</li></ul><div>then you may eventually get this <b>Message not delivered</b> error:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRG-H_DBHDA/X9e24pnZPoI/AAAAAAAAdDg/-XYyhSmPAmEtBF1VrTXFaOEz67WKErMHACLcBGAsYHQ/s692/message-not-delivered.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="692" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRG-H_DBHDA/X9e24pnZPoI/AAAAAAAAdDg/-XYyhSmPAmEtBF1VrTXFaOEz67WKErMHACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/message-not-delivered.png" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>Unfortunately, the error message is written in confusing technical jargon that makes it hard for ordinary people to figure out (a) what's causing the problem and (b) how to correct it.<br><div><br></div><div>The clue is the "out of date" phrase. To use 'send mail as' when two-factor authentication is enabled, you have to create and use an <a href="https://support.google.com/mail/answer/185833" target="_blank">app password</a> in order to setup mail sending. What Google doesn't tell you is that there's an <i>expiration</i> on that setup, after which it will no longer work, resulting in the above error message.</div><div><br></div><div>It would be much better if Google alerted you to the expiration with instructions on how to renew it, but alas, you have to figure it all out for yourself. Here's how to fix the problem when it occurs:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>In Settings > Accounts and Import, find that 'Send email as' address and Delete it.</li><li>Then use 'Add another email address' to <i>add that same email address back</i>.</li><ol><li>Leave 'Treat as an alias' checked, and click Next Step.</li><li>Username is <i>your Gmail address</i> (since you are using a Google SMTP server).</li><li>Password can be the <i>same</i> app password as before, or a new app password.</li><li>Then Add Account, and follow instructions to Verify it.</li></ol></ol><div>Voila!</div></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">References:</span></h2><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://support.google.com/mail/answer/185833" target="_blank">Sign in with App Passwords - Gmail Help</a></li><li><a href="https://www.google.com/landing/2step/" target="_blank">Google 2-Step Verification</a></li><li><a href="https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185839" target="_blank">Protect your account with 2-Step Verification - Computer - Google Account Help</a></li></ol></div><p></p>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-47239333025655231832020-12-03T11:04:00.085-08:002021-03-11T13:10:15.851-08:00Chrome Sharing Hub<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCit56q5CVg/X8lGeP-A5sI/AAAAAAAAc7k/JvXjAv74OGQ58UB9OCY_t6b4HP7d9pdlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s512/Sharing-Hub.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Chrome Sharing Hub" border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCit56q5CVg/X8lGeP-A5sI/AAAAAAAAc7k/JvXjAv74OGQ58UB9OCY_t6b4HP7d9pdlQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h200/Sharing-Hub.png" title="Chrome Sharing Hub" width="200" /></a></div></i><h4 style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">"The road to hell is paved with good intentions."</i></h4><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Update 3/10/2021:</b> Chrome 89 expired the chrome-sharing-hub flag. To get it back (probably just temporarily), open chrome://flags/ and enable <b>Temporarily unexpire M88 flags.</b></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sharing on Android</span></h2><div>Share functionality on Android has been something of a mess, in that picking a Share target has been clumsy and painful. With Android 10, Google made significant improvements, although it's buggy in that the wrong target app is sometimes launched if you select too quickly (a problem that persists in Android 11).*</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, possibly due to that clumsiness, the Chrome team has been working on its own Share solution, called Sharing Hub, and has now rolled it out widely.<p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">What's Wrong with Sharing Hub?</span></h2>The Sharing Hub provides an array of sharing targets at the bottom of the screen, which sounds like a good idea, except there are a number of problems:<p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The array of targets cannot be customized (as of this writing at least). That's only fine if you just want the sharing target choices made by Google.</li><li>If you want some other sharing target, you have to first scroll to the right, then select the More overflow menu to open the standard Android Share menu.</li><li>Opening the standard Android Share menu thus takes two extra selections, which is clumsy and painful, especially if you do it frequently.</li><li>Opening the standard Android Share menu also takes more time that slows things down, making it doubly clumsy and painful.</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">How To Disable Sharing Hub</span></h2><div>Fortunately, Chrome Sharing Hub can be disabled, leaving just the standard Android Share menu:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>In Chrome, open<br />chrome://flags/#chrome-sharing-hub</li><li>Change the option to<br />Disabled</li></ol><div><br /></div><div>* Work-around for the wrong target app bug is to scroll the standard Android Share menu up before making a selection.</div></div><div><br /></div><p></p></div>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-41351969968248998772020-03-13T20:10:00.001-07:002020-12-03T13:14:35.829-08:00Recommended VPN 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFT2K-gN2zM/XmxKiSzCHSI/AAAAAAAAabs/v4UQHiTrFzUs-MLuMwnZQR5b_58VKJL-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/surfshark.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="1028" height="51" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KFT2K-gN2zM/XmxKiSzCHSI/AAAAAAAAabs/v4UQHiTrFzUs-MLuMwnZQR5b_58VKJL-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/surfshark.png" width="200" /></a><i>Update to <a href="https://tips.navas.us/2012/11/vpn.html" target="_blank">Secure Wi-Fi with VPN</a></i><i><br /></i>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What is VPN?</span></b></h2>
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service that allows you to connect to the Internet via an encrypted connection to ensure your online privacy and protect your sensitive data. VPNs are commonly used to secure connections to public Wi-FI hotspots, hide IP addresses and make your browsing private. In addition, VPN can make it possible to get around geographic blocking, such as accessing Canadian and British content from the USA (and USA content from Europe). <b>I strongly recommend use of VPN, particularly on public networks (e.g., Starbucks Wi-Fi).</b><br />
<br />
I had been using and recommending <a href="https://airvpn.org/" target="_blank">AirVPN</a>, but it has eliminated all but one server local to me, and that server has not always been reliable. (Servers in other locations are not as fast due to extra distance.) So I undertook a through analysis of other VPN providers, and my new recommendation is <b><a href="https://surfshark.com/" target="_blank">Surfshark</a></b>. In addition to excellent service and support, Surfshark is also (currently) a bargain, at only $47.76 for 2 years of service, <i>less than $2 per month</i>, with 30-day full refund.<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Notes</span></b>:</h2>
<ol>
<li>I get no commission for recommending Surfshark.</li>
<li>During the Olympics, I use VPN to access Canadian coverage (by connecting through a Canadian VPN server), which is far superior to coverage here in the USA. </li>
</ol>
John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-3390969368017086342019-01-22T19:58:00.002-08:002020-12-03T13:17:14.368-08:00Choosing a Wireless Router 2019<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kBIqUKAFC-o/XEfibo8HqLI/AAAAAAAAVYI/QLov7QWvRVACTjbfUpRAfF0kkuwBgXJaACLcBGAs/s1600/Archer_C8%25EF%25BC%258D01_1485312657467b.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="408" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kBIqUKAFC-o/XEfibo8HqLI/AAAAAAAAVYI/QLov7QWvRVACTjbfUpRAfF0kkuwBgXJaACLcBGAs/s200/Archer_C8%25EF%25BC%258D01_1485312657467b.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TP-LINK Archer C8</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Checklist for Wireless Networking</i><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">
Very Important</span></h2>
<ol>
<li><b>Don't settle for a "wireless gateway"</b><br />A "wireless gateway" is an all-in-one device that combines a modem (cable or DSL) with a wireless router. They tend to be mediocre, poor performers, <i>especially those supplied by Internet providers</i>.</li>
<ol>
<li>Insist on a <b>pure modem</b>. Buy your own separate wireless router.</li>
<li>Make sure the modem is configured in "<b>bridge</b>" (not routing) mode. Otherwise you can have "double NAT" problems.</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">
Important</span></h2>
<ol>
<li><b>Simultaneous Dual Band</b><br />The low 2.4 GHz band, commonly found in consumer-grade devices, is increasingly crowded, which can severely limit performance. The high 5 GHz band tends to be much less crowded, and will often provide much better performance. But don't just get a single band 5 GHz device, since some wireless devices only support 2.4 GHz, and avoid <i>dual band devices with a single radio</i> that can only work on one band at a time. In other words, not just dual band, but <i>simultaneous</i> dual band.</li>
<li><b>AC1750 (Wi-Fi 5)</b><br />The current baseline for good Wi-Fi is AC1750 (Wi-Fi 5), 450 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band plus 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band. AC1900 and up can provide improved range and speed, but may not be needed in many cases.</li>
<li><b>Gigabit Ethernet</b><br />Although Fast (100 Mbps) Ethernet is comparable in real world performance to 300 Mbps wireless (actual wireless performance is usually much less than the advertised maximum), Gigabit (1000 Mbps) Ethernet provides much faster wired networking for not much more money and is otherwise good "future proofing".</li>
</ol>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">
Nice To Have</span></h2>
</div>
<ol>
<li><b>Guest feature</b><br />A guest feature is a separate wireless network for guests that lets them connect to the Internet but not to any of your own networked devices.<i> It's a bad idea to give guests access to your own network.</i></li>
<li><b>USB</b><br />USB can be used to attach USB storage or USB printer to the wireless router for network access.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">
Recommendations</span></h2>
</div>
<ol></ol>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RT-AC86U/" target="_blank"><b>ASUS RT-AC86U</b></a><br /><i><b>Best</b>. </i>AC2900. Outstanding range and performance. High processing power for gigabit throughput. Excellent support.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RTAC68U/" target="_blank"><b>ASUS RT-AC68U</b></a><br /><b><i>Better</i></b>. AC1900.<b><i><br /></i></b></li>
<li><b><b><a href="https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RT-AC66U-B1/" target="_blank">ASUS RT-AC66U B1</a></b><i><br /><b><i>Very good</i></b></i></b>. AC1750. B1 is improved over original version. <i>All that most people need.</i></li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.tp-link.com/us/products/details/cat-9_Archer-C8.html" target="_blank">TP-LINK Archer C8</a></b><i><b><br />Best Buy.</b></i> AC1750. <i>All that most people need. </i></li>
</ol>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Notes</span></b></h2>
<div>
<ol>
<li><b>Update Firmware</b><br />Check the support website for updated firmware <i>before</i> installing, and <i>regularly thereafter</i> (e.g., quarterly).</li>
<li><b>Don't "cheap out"</b><br />A cheap wireless router can reduce performance due to poor internal routing speed.</li>
<li><b>Use WPA2 AES Security</b><br />Identity theft is just one of the risks from getting hacked, and WEP "security" is essentially <i>useless</i>. Use a <i>different</i> (and equally strong) password for a Guest network.</li>
<li><b>Set a Strong Password</b><br />Use a <i>random</i> combination of 12 or more mixed case letters and numbers that you <i>don't use for anything else</i>, and do <i>not</i> use common words, names, numbers, etc.</li>
<li><b>Don't fool yourself</b><br />Network name (SSID) hiding and MAC address filtering are too easily circumvented to provide even minimal security, and they can lead to network problems, so <i>don't use them</i>.</li>
<li><b>Network Backup</b><br />Network storage is an excellent way to keep your devices backed up. <i>Highly recommended.</i> (<a href="http://www.wd.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=1140" target="_blank">WD My Cloud</a> is a very good alternative to network storage on the wireless router.)</li>
<li><b>Mesh wireless</b><br />Mesh wireless is all the current rage, but impairs wireless performance. The better way to increase coverage is with wireless access points connected by Ethernet wiring, or by powerline networking where Ethernet is impractical. If mesh must be used, <b>ASUS <a href="https://www.asus.com/us/AiMesh/" target="_blank">AiMesh</a></b> can work well with a pair of wireless routers.</li>
</ol>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">See Also</span></h2>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="http://tips.navas.us/2014/09/extend-wi-fi-coverage.html" target="_blank">Extend Wi-Fi Coverage</a> </b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://tips.navas.us/2014/01/mini-wireless-multifunction-routers.html" target="_blank">Mini Wireless Multifunction Routers</a></b></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-9498866180470752232018-09-25T08:26:00.005-07:002018-09-25T14:36:45.302-07:00Memory Card for GoPro<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULUDzn5E46Y/W6qqSRCR9YI/AAAAAAAAUN8/cVrHjuOb3okfDym8yDcSMfbFTho7rNMzwCLcBGAs/s1600/MB-MC64GA_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="585" height="148" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULUDzn5E46Y/W6qqSRCR9YI/AAAAAAAAUN8/cVrHjuOb3okfDym8yDcSMfbFTho7rNMzwCLcBGAs/s200/MB-MC64GA_1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samsung EVO Plus microSDXC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Which memory cards are good for GoPro HERO action cameras?<br />
<br />
Many professional photographers and videographers swear by <a href="https://www.sandisk.com/home/memory-cards/microsd-cards/extreme-microsd-for-action-cameras" target="_blank">SanDisk Extreme</a> and <a href="http://www.lexar.com/portfolio_page/professional-1000x-microsdhcmicrosdxc-uhs-ii-cards/" target="_blank">Lexar Professional</a> memory cards because they have proven to be tops in <i>reliability </i>and <i>performance</i>.<br />
<br />
But as of September 2018, arguably the best card for GoPro HERO (and for most other devices) is the <b><a href="https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/memory-storage/memory-cards/microsdxc-evo-plus-memory-card-w--adapter-128gb--2017-model--mb-mc128ga-am/" target="_blank">Samsung EVO Plus</a> (2017 Model)</b>. With Class 10 U3 speed (up to 100MB/s Read and 60MB/s Write), the 64GB capacity (with adapter) is widely available for only $21.<br />
<br />
For reliability and performance, format cards with the official <a href="https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/" target="_blank">SD Association Memory Card Formatter</a>.<br />
<br />
Counterfeit cards are a <i>huge</i> problem. To protect against counterfeits, always (a) buy from a major reputable reseller like <a href="https://www.bhphotovideo.com/" target="_blank">B&H</a>, and (b) test <i>before </i>use with <a href="https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/H2testw.shtml" target="_blank">H2testw 1.4</a>. Example of testing a 64GB Samsung EVO Plus in a Lenovo ThinkPad T460p:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Test finished without errors.<br />
Writing speed: 57.7 MByte/s<br />
Reading speed: 70.2 MByte/s<br />
H2testw v1.4</blockquote>
(After testing with H2testw, be sure to either delete the test files from the card or format the card.)John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-28198051209614396272018-03-01T10:04:00.001-08:002020-12-03T13:18:59.090-08:00FZ1000 No Limit Video<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lUIxvghc9cA/WpzXRo33ukI/AAAAAAAASFQ/jeckPY41QwY7eGaNRC6piktEBLTrKYRKQCLcBGAs/s1600/DMC-FZ1000_640.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="640" height="125" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lUIxvghc9cA/WpzXRo33ukI/AAAAAAAASFQ/jeckPY41QwY7eGaNRC6piktEBLTrKYRKQCLcBGAs/s200/DMC-FZ1000_640.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lumix DMC-FZ1000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
The <b>Lumix DMC-FZ1000</b> by Panasonic is a terrific digital camera for stills, thanks in part to an amazing Leica branded long zoom lens, but what really sets it apart is excellent 4K video, except for one unfortunate limitation: the length of a video clip is limited to 29:59 (30 minute limit, thanks to an EU tariff, even on a USA camera).<br />
<br />
One way around the limitation is to feed video while monitoring (not recording) over HDMI to an external recorder like <a href="https://www.atomos.com/" target="_blank">Atomos</a>.<br />
<br />
Another way, not documented by Panasonic, is to hack the FZ1000 into <i>service mode</i> with the following procedure:<br />
<ol>
<li>Start with the FZ1000 turned <i>off</i>, with Drive Mode dial set to Single, and Recording Mode dial set to Program AE (P).</li>
<li>While holding down Right Cursor, DISP, and AF/AE LOCK (yes, all 3), switch the camera on.</li>
<li>Press green Play button to enter Playback Mode.</li>
<li>While holding down Up Cursor and AF/AE LOCK (2 things), switch the camera off.</li>
<li>Switch the camera back on.</li>
</ol>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Notes</span></b>:</h2>
<div>
<ol>
<li>PAL cameras must be switched to NTSC frame rates to remove the recording limit. (This is not needed on NTSC cameras.) <i>Format memory cards in the camera after making this switch.</i></li>
<li>Recording limit is removed <i>only for 4K video</i>, not HD or other video formats.</li>
<li>Yellow exclamation mark that appears when turning off the camera in service mode can be ignored safely.</li>
<li>With this hack, FZ1000 is able to continuously record over 80 minutes of 4K video on a 64 GB SDXC card, ending with 2 of 3 bars battery (when starting with a fully charged battery).</li>
<li>This hack reportedly also works for a number of <i>other Lumix cameras</i> with the 29:59 limit.</li>
</ol>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Reset to normal mode</b>:</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Start with the FZ1000 turned <i>on</i>, with Drive Mode dial set to Single, and Recording Mode dial set to Program AE (P).</li>
<li>While holding down Right Cursor and MENU/SET (2 things right next to each other), switch the camera off.</li>
<li>When the menu appears, press Right Cursor until the camera actually turns off.</li>
<li>Camera has now been <i>fully reset </i>to normal mode with all <i>settings restored to defaults</i>, so must be initialized again (language, date, time, etc).</li>
</ol>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Helpful videos</b>:</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/_WWGZN7T298">https://youtu.be/_WWGZN7T298</a></li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/HxmVDdU1xf0">https://youtu.be/HxmVDdU1xf0</a></li>
</ol>
</div>
John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-20410024630690248872018-02-27T09:33:00.000-08:002018-02-28T10:02:42.783-08:00Transcode with VLC<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avZNKDLGfdU/UlwTcZ5U-wI/AAAAAAAACx8/YfXvOYQUMHIykOI2uS1SDuQmahLKJRmsQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/VLMC-Icon.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="467" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avZNKDLGfdU/UlwTcZ5U-wI/AAAAAAAACx8/YfXvOYQUMHIykOI2uS1SDuQmahLKJRmsQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/VLMC-Icon.png" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VLC as a Recorder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In addition to being a great way to play video and audio content, VLC is also a great way to <b>record Internet streams</b> (e.g., radio) -- see <a href="http://tips.navas.us/2013/02/record-internet-radio-vlc.html" target="_blank">Record Internet Radio</a>.<br />
<br />
MP3 streams are the simplest to record because they can just be dumped to a "raw" file, but that often won't work with other types of streams. The solution is to <i>transcode</i> (convert) streams into MP3 format with VLC before writing them to a "raw" file. It's also a good way to reduce the bitrate of MP3 streams for speech.<br />
<br />
Example of VLC output without transcoding:
<br />
<div style="font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 0px; white-space: nowrap;">
--sout="#std{access=file,mux=raw,dst=Recording.mp3}"</div>
<br />
Corresponding example with transcoding for speech<br />
(bitrate 48 Kbps, stereo, speech sample rate):
<br />
<div style="font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 0px; white-space: nowrap;">
‑‑sout="#transcode{acodec=mp3,ab=48,channels=2,samplerate=22050}:std{access=file,mux=raw,dst=Recording.mp3}"</div>
<br />
Corresponding example with transcoding for music<br />
(bitrate 128 Kbps, stereo, music sample rate):
<br />
<div style="font-size: x-small; margin-bottom: 0px; white-space: nowrap;">
‑‑sout="#transcode{acodec=mp3,ab=128,channels=2,samplerate=44100}:std{access=file,mux=raw,dst=Recording.mp3}"</div>
<br />
For the complete recording procedure, see <a href="http://tips.navas.us/2013/02/record-internet-radio-vlc.html" target="_blank">Record Internet Radio</a>.
John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-59034640155668683312017-01-23T08:07:00.001-08:002018-03-03T17:51:10.035-08:00TASCAM DR-40 Input Level<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4TphZ4Adg4/WIYcvqFnm-I/AAAAAAAANHY/yNLMRrvZLf4BQ7KQDvAzwS-i-FgKOkxEQCLcB/s1600/dr-40_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4TphZ4Adg4/WIYcvqFnm-I/AAAAAAAANHY/yNLMRrvZLf4BQ7KQDvAzwS-i-FgKOkxEQCLcB/s200/dr-40_front.jpg" width="92" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TASCAM DR-40</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the best affordable digital audio recorders is the <a href="http://tascam.com/product/dr-40/" target="_blank">TASCAM DR-40</a>, capable of producing audio recordings that are far superior to recordings made by most digital cameras and camcorders. Dubbing DR-40 audio into recorded video in post production with software like <a href="https://www.adobe.com/" target="_blank">Adobe Premiere</a> is a great way to produce quality video output.<br />
<br />
One of the keys to making good audio recordings is to set the input level properly. Set it too high and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipping_%28audio%29" target="_blank">clipping</a> can result in distorted audio. Set it too low and the result can be <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise#Recording_and_reproduction" target="_blank">noisy</a> when amplified to normal listening levels.<br />
<br />
A feature that sets the DR-40 apart from the competition is <i>Dual
Recording Mode</i>, which makes a secondary recording at a lower level (at
an adjustable difference of -6db to -12db) as a backup in case the
primary recording is accidentally clipped into distortion.<br />
<br />
Here's a simple, effective way to set DR-40 input level properly when using Dual Mode:<br />
<ol>
<li>Set initial input level to <i>80</i>.<br /> </li>
<li>Adjust input level during testing or rehearsal for <i>peak value of -6db</i> (as shown on the display), with an <i>average level of about -12db</i> (triangular hash mark on the display), which will usually provide sufficient <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headroom_%28audio_signal_processing%29" target="_blank">headroom</a> (safety margin).<br /> </li>
<li>Set <i>Dual Mode at -9db</i>. In the case where input level has accidentally been set too high for the primary recording, that will usually provide proper headroom for the backup recording.<br /> </li>
<li>Before dubbing with video in post production, check peak recorded level of the primary recording, and if it did run out of headroom (higher than about -3db), use the backup recording instead.</li>
</ol>
General recommendations for quality recordings:<br />
<ul>
<li>Record in (lossless) <i>WAV format</i>. </li>
<li>Use a <i>sampling rate</i> of at least 48 kHz, preferably 96 kHz for music.</li>
<li>Use <i>24 bit</i> depth.</li>
</ul>
These settings may be more than you need for finished video, but you may well need extra margin in post production, so you should <i>capture as much quality as possible</i>. Because these settings can result in large files, make sure you have a sufficiently large memory card of high quality (e.g., <a href="https://www.sandisk.com/home/memory-cards" target="_blank">SanDisk</a>, <a href="http://www.lexar.com/products/memory-cards.html" target="_blank">Lexar Professional</a>). John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-59905704124485879142017-01-01T11:21:00.000-08:002017-01-02T11:45:06.717-08:00VLC for Fire TV<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgWVsHKBeXk/WGlFPXJFa-I/AAAAAAAAM3I/AyJZ4VsLoQY1xZHOMpIr4H_Wq7HQ47DxwCLcB/s1600/Fire%2BTV%2Bstick%2Bwith%2BVLC.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgWVsHKBeXk/WGlFPXJFa-I/AAAAAAAAM3I/AyJZ4VsLoQY1xZHOMpIr4H_Wq7HQ47DxwCLcB/s200/Fire%2BTV%2Bstick%2Bwith%2BVLC.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazon Fire TV stick 2016 with VLC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
<i>Stream wireless audio/video to TV from computer!<br />Plays virtually any valid file format!<br />Excellent quality video, audio, sync, even subtitles!</i></h4>
Several good network video streaming solutions are available (see <a href="http://tips.navas.us/2015/03/wireless-hdtv-video.html" target="_blank">Wireless HDTV Video</a>) with the primary purpose of delivering content from the Internet, but streaming of local content (cell phone video, camera video, and other files) tends to be more difficult, often involving <i>server software</i> (e.g., <a href="https://www.plex.tv/" target="_blank">Plex</a>) on a computer, a problem for less technical users.<br />
<br />
What tends to work better for most people is a TV-centric (client-centric) solution rather than a server-centric solution, where the TV is used to select and play content files. That's now possible with the advent of <a href="http://www.videolan.org/" target="_blank"><b>VLC Media Player</b></a> for Amazon Fire TV and stick. VLC is an excellent free and open source app that can handle virtually <i>any</i> valid file format.<br />
<br />
Installing VLC can be a bit tricky since <a href="http://a.co/6ZlrTYh" target="_blank">VLC for Fire</a> is not yet listed in the Amazon Appstore on the new 2016 Amazon Fire TV stick, which means you have to <i>sideload</i> <b>VLC for Android</b> (on which Fire TV is based):<br />
<ol>
<li>Download the latest <b>ARMv7</b> of VLC for Android <a href="https://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-android.html" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.<br />(Look for small <b>APK package</b> link below Play and Fire buttons.)<i><b><br /></b></i></li>
<li>Follow the instructions in <a href="http://cordcutting.com/how-to-sideload-fire-tv-apps/" target="_blank">How to Sideload Fire TV Apps</a>.<br />(If you have an Android phone, that method is probably the easiest.)</li>
</ol>
The second part of the process is to <b>enable file sharing</b> on a Windows and/or Mac computer, and <b>share folders</b> in which you will place files for streaming by VLC on your Fire TV.<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Mac</b>: <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204445" target="_blank">How to connect with File Sharing</a> </li>
<li><b>Windows</b>: <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Enable-File-Sharing" target="_blank">How to Enable File Sharing</a></li>
<li>Share files from <b>network storage</b>, like <a href="https://www.wdc.com/products/personal-cloud-storage.html" target="_blank">WD My Cloud</a>.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CQQrQR2NWDE/WGlUqGW9JvI/AAAAAAAAM3Y/VxbOKGej9Jk_H77YXwBqSy0KoNkoAgAWwCLcB/s1600/Browing%2Blocal%2Bnetwork.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CQQrQR2NWDE/WGlUqGW9JvI/AAAAAAAAM3Y/VxbOKGej9Jk_H77YXwBqSy0KoNkoAgAWwCLcB/s200/Browing%2Blocal%2Bnetwork.png" width="200" /></a>To play files from your Fire TV:<br />
<ol>
<li>Start the VLC app.</li>
<li>Select <i>Browsing</i>.</li>
<li>Select <i>Local Network</i>.</li>
<li>Select source network device (computer, network storage).</li>
<li>Navigate to the audio or video file you want to play.</li>
</ol>
If you need <b>help</b>, try <a href="https://forum.videolan.org/viewforum.php?f=35" target="_blank">VLC for Android and Chrome OS Forum</a>.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Tip</b>: Fire TV is a great way to "<b>cut the cord</b>" (cable) with the excellent Sony <b><a href="https://vue.playstation.com/" target="_blank">PlayStation Vue</a></b> service.</i><br />
<i> </i>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-1652080995060124022016-07-21T17:09:00.001-07:002017-01-01T12:02:03.888-08:00Android Earphones King<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWOdCG2i6yM/WGlfvOkKn6I/AAAAAAAAM3o/8W3shGlSJNEXWeUcP9-AR0nag6e9gNObQCLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWOdCG2i6yM/WGlfvOkKn6I/AAAAAAAAM3o/8W3shGlSJNEXWeUcP9-AR0nag6e9gNObQCLcB/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>There's a new king!</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://tips.navas.us/2014/01/earphones-with-mic-for-android.html" target="_blank">Earphones with Mic for Android</a> recommended:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.sony.com/electronics/in-ear-headphones/mdr-ex110-110ap" target="_blank">Sony MDR-EX110AP</a> at about $25 as <i>good</i></li>
<li><a href="http://www.klipsch.com/products/image-S4A-headphones" target="_blank">Klipsch Image S4A</a> at about $45 as <i>great</i><br />(discontinued, replaced by <a href="http://www.klipsch.com/products/r6m" target="_blank">Klipsch R6m</a>)</li>
</ul>
But, good as they are, the Xiaomi <b><a href="http://www.mi.com/en/headphonespro/" target="_blank">Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro</a></b> is <i>better</i> than Klipsch but even <i>less expensive</i> than Sony! In fact it is <b><i>better than any earphones this blog has tried under $100</i></b>. Sound quality is <b><i>stunning</i></b>!<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Hybrid dual drivers</b>: dynamic for bass, balanced armature for treble</li>
<li><b>Metal sound chamber</b> machined by CNC</li>
<li><b>MEMS microphone</b> reduces noise interference on calls</li>
<li><b>3-button remote</b> for calls, music, and volume</li>
<li><b>Kevlar fiber cable</b> for durability</li>
<li><b>TFE end section</b> minimizes microphonics (clothing noise)</li>
<li><b>Comfortable fit</b> and good isolation with multiple eartip sizes</li>
<li><b>Tuned</b> by Grammy award winning tuner Luca Bignardi</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Reviews:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.head-fi.org/t/786589/xiaomi-hybrid-iem-thread-piston-successor" target="_blank">Head-Fi</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.neowin.net/news/review-of-the-xiaomi-hybrid-earphones-xiaomi-have-done-it-again" target="_blank">Neowin</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2015/11/16/9739798/xiaomi-mi-in-ear-headphones-fourth-generation" target="_blank">The Verge</a></li>
</ul>
To avoid <i>counterfeits (a serious problem)</i>, buy from:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.mi.com/en/headphonespro/" target="_blank">Xiaomi</a> (direct)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.gearbest.com/earphones/pp_261864.html" target="_blank">GearBest</a> (less expensive)</li>
</ul>
John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7775612762716544787.post-10612574528777430412016-05-25T17:06:00.001-07:002018-03-04T07:16:16.847-08:00Windows Monitor Calibration Issue<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IymwlPRbPxs/VSKxsH6qHLI/AAAAAAAAHhY/jw_XcWj2U6MS0sW4UM43INC3q-26VI1rgCKgB/s1600/Datacolor-Spyder-Calibration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IymwlPRbPxs/VSKxsH6qHLI/AAAAAAAAHhY/jw_XcWj2U6MS0sW4UM43INC3q-26VI1rgCKgB/s200/Datacolor-Spyder-Calibration.jpg" width="200" /></a>Calibrating your monitor is important because most monitors are <i>not
</i>calibrated by the manufacturer, and do <i>not </i>display accurate color. See <a href="http://tips.navas.us/2015/04/calibrate-your-monitor.html" target="_blank">Calibrate Your Monitor</a>.<br />
<br />
But
even after you've calibrated your monitor, it may not display accurate
color, especially if you are running Microsoft Windows and have
uninstalled the calibration software.<br />
<span class="inline_editor_value"><span class="rendered_qtext"></span></span><br />
<div class="qtext_para">
If you research this issue you're likely to be told that Windows doesn't load the calibration CLUT (<span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-tooltip="attached" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colour_look-up_table" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Color Look-Up Table</a></span>)
properly, and advised to keep calibration software installed. But even
then your monitor may not stay calibrated, shifting between calibrated
and uncalibrated for no apparent reason. The truth is that monitor calibration <i>can</i> be made to work properly under Windows <i>if</i> you take the necessary steps:</div>
<ol>
<li><span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-tooltip="attached" href="http://www.laszlopusztai.net/2009/08/23/stop-losing-display-calibration-with-windows-7/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Stop Losing Display Calibration with Windows 7</b></a></span>
details how to configure Windows to use a calibration color profile. But that may work for you at first, only to shift back again. Something
may seem to be fighting with Windows. If so, check the article again, and see the
note regarding Intel display drivers, which will lead you to:</li>
<li><span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" data-tooltip="attached" href="http://www.laszlopusztai.net/2011/03/12/intels-video-drivers-kill-display-calibration/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Intel’s Video Drivers Kill Display Calibration</b></a></span>, which explains how Intel interferes with display calibration, and how to solve the problem by <i>disabling the Intel Persistence module</i>. If you use Sysinternals <span class="qlink_container"><a class="external_link" href="https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Autoruns</a></span> to disable Persistence, your monitor should then <i>stay calibrated even without calibration software installed! </i></li>
</ol>
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<i><br /></i>John Navashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08907313381648759970noreply@blogger.com0