Thursday, April 23, 2026
https://daringfireball.net/linked/2026/04/16/how-to-format-10-digit-phone-numbers
How to Format 10-Digit Phone Numbers
By John Gruber
*** begin quote ***
The Associated Press Stylebook, on Threads:
We updated our style for telephone numbers in 2024 to drop parentheses. We now recommend the form: 212-621-1500.
For international numbers use 011 (from the United States), the country code, the city code and the telephone number: 011-44-20-7535-1515.
Use hyphens, not periods. No parentheses. The form for toll-free numbers: 800-111-1000. If extension numbers are needed, use a comma to separate the main number from the extension: 212-621-1500, Ext. 2.
I have long been annoyed that U.S. phone numbers are so often formatted in the outdated (123) 555-1234 format. The use of parentheses for the area code dates back to the old days, when you only needed to dial the area code to call a number outside your own area code. (The same era whence comes the verb dial.) Until 10-digit dialing with mandatory area codes started to become standard in the late 1990s, you only needed to dial seven digits to call a local number.
*** end quote ***
Never realized that this was a problem. But it is annoying when filling out forms, cut’n’pasting data, and interchanging fields.
I’d agree with the author mostly except of the extensions. I’d prefer just the comma and number. I remember using it on autodialers back in the old telephone modem days.
We need open standards that everyone uses!
— 30 —
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Technology | Tagged: Associated Press Stylebook, daringfireball, daringfireball.net, John Gruber | 
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Posted by reinkefj
Monday, April 20, 2026
https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/13/roblox-introduces-kids-and-select-accounts-for-age-appropriate-access-to-games-and-chat/
Roblox introduces ‘Kids’ and ‘Select’ accounts for age-appropriate access to games and chat
Aisha Malik
5:15 AM PDT · April 13, 2026
*** begin quote ***
The move comes as Roblox implemented mandatory age checks in January for all users who want to access chats. The same age-check technology will be used to assign users to these new accounts. As part of the changes, users who haven’t completed age checks will only be able to play a selection of games rated for younger audiences.
*** end quote ***
We “solved” the ROBLOX problem by nuking it. Argh!
I think that we don’t have to wait for app developers to fix their app. ROBLOX was a “near and present danger”. ROBLOX app developers were too slow to fix it. So we did. No need for Gooferment diktats! Parents just need to take control.
Argh!
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: age-check technology, Aisha Malik, Roblox, techcrunch | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Friday, April 17, 2026
FROM MY EMAIL
Interesting video about the original promise of the Internet “freedom” and what it’s become. Have to admire Mozilla for speaking out about what the Internet should be.
———- Forwarded message ———
From: Mozilla Foundation <hello@mobilization.mozillafoundation.org>
Date: Mon, Apr 13, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Subject: We have a simple request–can you open and click this email?
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Mozilla Foundation is building a better technology future—powered by people, open by design, fueled by imagination.
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Thanks for reading!
You’re receiving this email because you subscribed to Mozilla News. If you no longer want to receive our emails, we’ll understand if you unsubscribe.
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— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: Michael Whitney, Mozilla, Mozilla Foundation | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
https://cordcuttersnews.com/bad-news-for-babylon-5-fans/
Bad News For Babylon 5 Fans
By Luke Bouma on April 11, 2026
*** begin quote ***
Fans of the groundbreaking science fiction television series Babylon 5 received disappointing news recently as the show disappeared from major free streaming platforms in the United States. Amazon’s MGM, which holds distribution rights, has pulled the series from ad-supported services including The Roku Channel and Tubi. Viewers who once enjoyed legal access to all five seasons without a subscription or purchase now find themselves without that option. The move forces enthusiasts to either buy digital episodes, invest in physical media, or seek out paid subscription services where the show might be available.
*** and ***
The removal from free platforms highlights the challenges in preserving access to older catalog titles. While physical Blu-ray releases offer high-quality remastered versions for collectors, and digital purchase options exist on various storefronts, the lack of free availability may deter younger viewers or those on tight budgets. Industry observers note that such decisions often stem from efforts to maximize revenue through exclusive deals or bundled content libraries. Amazon’s MGM appears to be repositioning the property, possibly in preparation for new distribution strategies or integration with other services.
For dedicated fans, the situation underscores the importance of owning physical copies or supporting official releases.
*** end quote ***
I’ve often ranted about technology shifts that force people to pay again for what they originally had. This is just another instance of that same gripe.
I used to have an extensive collection of self-help cassette tapes. When the “Big Publishers” shifted to compact disks they expected me to re-buy all that content. Not only couldn’t I afford it at the time but I refused to do it. Argh!
I wonder where in the Universe all that content is store for the eventual copyright expiration date?
Or is it lost forever.
Argh!
Gooferment diktats like “copyright laws” really are misguided at best and the result of political “contributions” to politicians by Big Publishing!
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: amazon, Babylon 5, Big Publishing, copyright laws, cordcuttersnews, distribution rights, free platforms, Luke Bouma, MGM, physical copies | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Saturday, January 24, 2026
https://www.androidauthority.com/downdetector-carrier-reports-spike-3632489/?utm_source=newsletter
T-Mobile and AT&T also seeing an uptick in outage reports during today’s Verizon disruption
Not as many reports as Verizon, but still a bunch.
By https://www.androidauthority.com/author/taylorkerns/
18 hours ago
<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2026-01-15>>
*** begin quote ***
- Verizon is experiencing a significant service outage today.
- Other services, including AT&T and T-Mobile, have seen smaller but still significant upticks in outage reports on Downdetector.
- Verizon has said it’s working on a fix for its own service issues today.
*** end quote ***
I have a second phone on Google Fi, which basically costs nothing if not used.
“3 is 2! 2 is 1! 1 is none! Look for redundant capability; not redundant gear!” — a disaster recovery adage
Just an FYI.
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: androidauthority, AT&T, Carriers, Mobile, T-Mobile, taylorkerns, Verizon | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Monday, January 19, 2026
https://www.androidauthority.com/mudita-kompakt-hands-on-ces-2026-3631800/?utm_source=newsletter
This tiny, e-ink Android phone is the minimalist gadget I’ve been waiting for
Say hello to the Mudita Kompakt.
By Joe Maring
<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2026-01-14>>
*** begin quote ***
One of the more interesting smartphone trends of the last year or two has been the rise of minimalist phones; phones that are designed to be less addictive than “regular” smartphones while still keeping you connected to phone calls, texts, etc.
I saw one such device at CES 2026 last week. It’s called the Mudita Kompakt, and compared to other minimalist phones on the market today, it’s the first one I’m actually tempted to buy.
As you’d expect from a phone of this caliber, the Mudita Kompakt is a pretty simple device. It has a 4.3-inch e-ink touchscreen display, a 3.5mm headphone jack, IP54 dust/water resistance, 32GB of storage (expandable up to 2TB), and a 3,300mAh battery rated to last up to six days.
*** end quote ***
This might be a good phone for “children” who are old enough to handle it. Unlike the politicians and bureaucrats that run schools, I think that children NEED to be able to communicate with parents and visa versa. Teachers are not above suspicion and emergencies happen. Like when my child’s bus driver missed his drop off. And, there has been (at least one or two that I remember) school shootings that were first reported by a “child” with his phone.
Heck I might ever get one as my “next” phone! Might even be perfect for befuddled old people like me?
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: androidauthority, Joe Maring, Mudita Kompakt | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Saturday, January 17, 2026
https://proton.me/support/troubleshooting?product=pass
PROTON, PROTON PASS
# – # – # – # – #
I’m using the PROTON suite.
I had a question about PROTON PASS.
I can’t see how to generate a random password.
And, I couldn’t find any way to leave a message, email, or comment. Argh!
The original question is just an :annoyance”,
Not being able to contact is a “big negative”.
Argh!
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | SOFTWARE | Tagged: PROTON, PROTON PASS | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Google Photos reminders users how deleting works across devices
https://9to5google.com/2025/12/19/google-photos-delete-content-guide/
# – # – # – # – #
As always, backup backup and backup!
3 is 2! 2 is 1! 1 is none! Look for redundant capability; not redundant gear!
I recommend that everyone use at least two different backup capabilities for the all important photos.
This was brought home hard when it looks like Google Photos “barfed” and took out BOTH the local device and the Google cloud backup copy.
Needless to say, that was traumatic. Luckily a restart unbarfed Google Photos. We immediately set up another backup capability on DROPBOX.
Suggest that (1) you should be backing up your phone’s pictures SOMEWHERE; (2) have a redundant capability for at least two independent backups; (3) consider using a cheap disk drive — usb or ssd — to create that complete off line archival backup.
After the disaster, it’s no good to say shoulda, coulda, and woulda!
FAIWWYPFI (Free Advice Is Worth What You Pay For It! ?zero?)
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: DROPBOX, faiwwypfi, Google cloud backup, Google Photos | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
*** begin quote ***
The AT&T Photo Storage app was discontinued on October 20, 2025. To ensure your treasured memories are safe, please make sure to retrieve your stored photos and videos before February 1, 2026.
*** end quote ***
the AT&T ashcan!
Of course, no reduction in price. Argh!
#AT&T_ashcan, #Google Graveyard
Technology’s version of shrinkflation!!!
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: #AT&T_ashcan, #Google Graveyard, Google Graveyard, the AT&T ashcan | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
https://www.makeuseof.com/airdrop-coming-to-android-if-you-have-this-phone/?utm_source=MUO-NL&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=MUO-202511210900&user=bXVvQHJlaW5rZS5jYw&lctg=28d2ed2b3c7a64795f347195bfd302ab46e112a2d0fa032e2ba5de55cc388ab7
AirDrop is finally coming to Android, but only if you have this phone
By Mahnoor Faisal
Published 21 hours ago << EDITOR ADDED DATE 2025-11-21>>
*** begin quote ***
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Summary
- Quick Share now lets Android send files to iPhone via AirDrop.
- The feature allows files to be sent both ways between Android and Apple devices.
- Initially, Quick Share with AirDrop is rolling out only to the Pixel 10 family, though Google plans to expand it to other Android devices in the future.
*** end quote ***
I’ve been using LocalSend for my transfers between devices (i.e., mac osx, iOS, and android).
Free and easy.
Share files to nearby devices.
Free, open-source, cross-platform.
What more could one want?
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: Mahnoor Faisal, makeuseof.com | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Saturday, November 1, 2025
https://www.dunkindonuts.com/en/account/dunkinrewards
*** begin quote ***
Dear Ferdinand Reinke,
Thank you for taking the time to contact Dunkin’.
To add a Dunkin’ card to the Dunkin’ App, please follow these steps:
1. Expand the menu in the top left-hand corner.
2. Tap “Add/Manage Cards”.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap “Add a Dunkin’ Card”.
i. If you have an existing card that you want to add, select Yes and enter the details. If not, select No to purchase a virtual card.
4. Select your card design and tap “Done,” and then “Done” on the next screen to complete registration.
To add a Dunkin’ card using our website, please follow these steps:
- Log in to your Dunkin’ Rewards account on the Dunkin’ website.
- Click “My Account” on the top right-hand corner and select “Add or Delete a Dunkin’ Gift Card”.
- Enter the Card Number and PIN to add it to your account.
To remove a card from the Dunkin’ Mobile App, select the card you want to delete and tap “Delete Card.” (Please note that if the card is not at a $0 balance, you will not be able to remove it from the account.) Before you complete the deletion, write down the card number and PIN in case you want to re-register the card later. Removing a card from the app will also unregister it from your account, and unregistered cards will no longer earn points or rewards.
If you have any further questions, please reply to this email, or give us a call. Our support team can be reached at 800-447-0013, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.
Thanks again for contacting us.
Customer Care Coordinator
Ref:MSG1362625_wmb3eHsyFfthTCngJSJV
*** end quote ***
My réponse:
I don’t have the original rewards card. Please recover it and all my points.
# – # – # – # – #
Boy, do I hate AI! It seems that when some Corporation deigns to allow you to email about a problem, they have AI reply with a canned response which has nothing to do with my problem.
Don’t they realize the damage that they are doing to their brand? Or do they just don’t care.
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: @dunkindonuts, DunkinDonuts | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15210077/reality-internet-meltdown-amazon-aws.html
The alarming reality EXPOSED by the global internet meltdown… and why Amazon’s crash is only the beginning
By HARRIET ALEXANDER, US SENIOR FEATURES WRITER
Published: 15:37 EDT, 20 October 2025 | Updated: 08:35 EDT, 21 October 2025
*** begin quote ***
By 11:43am ET on Monday, over eight hours after the first sign of trouble, Amazon sounded optimistic that the end was in sight.
‘We have narrowed down the source of the network connectivity issues that impacted AWS Services,’ the company said. ‘The root cause is an underlying internal subsystem responsible for monitoring the health of our network load balancers.’
They said they were deliberately slowing some services ‘to aid recovery’ and were still ‘actively working on mitigations.’
*** end quote ***
Having once ran an IT tech support group for AT&T PBXs, I sympathize with the poor souls with an impossible task. Six 9’s is the standard — .999999 reliability — that’s about 3 seconds of downtime per year. Sometimes you just need to lucky. And, you better have a fantastic testing strategy since every change that’s introduced into this tech version of Jenga has the potential to bring down the whole shaky stack.
End Users need to plan for those outages which as in this case can last for hours.
Hopefully we never have one of those Carrington Events (an intense geomagnetic storm on September 1, 1859) which could cripple our civilization.
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: dailymail.co.uk, HARRIET ALEXANDER | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Monday, October 20, 2025
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/10/software-update-bricks-some-jeep-4xe-hybrids-over-the-weekend/
don’t OTA on Friday
Software update bricks some Jeep 4xe hybrids over the weekend
- Jeep has pulled the update; owners are advised to ignore it if it already downloaded.
Jonathan M. Gitlin – Oct 13, 2025 10:10 AM
*** begin quote ***
Owners of some Jeep Wrangler 4xe hybrids have been left stranded after installing an over-the-air software update this weekend. The automaker pushed out a telematics update for the Uconnect infotainment system that evidently wasn’t ready, resulting in cars losing power while driving and then becoming stranded.
*** end quote ***
Laugh! Thanks for the advice to ignore the update. A little late; no?
A good reason not to allow any car to do “over the air” updates unless it’s parked at home?
Or a good reason not to buy any such car!
Anyone wonder why I wait a week to apply updates? I’m as scared of the “update” as I am mildly “scared” of the problems it fixes.
How does one backup and restore an old version of your car’s software?
IDK !? !? !?
Do you?
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: arstechnica.com, Jonathan M. Gitlin | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Sunday, October 5, 2025
https://www.makeuseof.com/i-get-these-emails-every-week-but-theyre-actually-a-scam/?user=bXVvQHJlaW5rZS5jYw&lctg=28d2ed2b3c7a64795f347195bfd302ab46e112a2d0fa032e2ba5de55cc388ab7
I get these emails every week, but they’re actually a scam
By Gavin Phillips — Published 23 hours ago
- Gavin is the Segment Lead for the Technology Explained, Security, Internet, Streaming, and Entertainment verticals, former co-host on the Really Useful Podcast, and a frequent
<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2025-09-27>>
*** begin quote ***
Thunderbird’s spam filters need some better training, that’s for sure, as even after marking so many of these repeat offenders as spam, they reappear. I’m not even sure how some aren’t flagged, as they’re clearly scams.
It’s also interesting that there is a range of tolerance to the spam that lands. Some are clearly phishing emails waiting to snag my data, while others look less dangerous but have hidden threats.
It makes it all the more important I know what to look out for to keep my inbox and computer free from threats—and you should know, too.
*** end quote ***
SPAM emails seem to be a fact of life.
Google GMAIL seems to do a pretty good job of catching them. Especially after I’ve marked them.
What really annoys me is spam text messages. And, no matter how many times I mark and report they still keep coming. Is anyone at APPLE, AT&T, the FCC, or anyone listening? Argh!
Maybe if I got paid for each email message, except for pre-approved senders like family, friends, and email I asked for, then we could use “postage” to stamp out this annoyance.
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: APPLE, AT&T, the FCC | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
https://a.tldrnewsletter.com/web-version?ep=1&lc=834d23bc-ea90-11ec-9258-0241b9615763&p=fed2061c-8fbc-11f0-a7bf-214dec94fde6&pt=campaign&t=1757673580&s=aa29e0273801d56e71f15cc32a41f44053f1403baf33cd1ccbc2231fcfb6c211
TLDR 2025-09-12
*** begin quote ***
That giant mountain of spreadsheets and screenshots standing between your startup and your success.
*** end quote ***
Why hasn’t someone come out with a simple way to “compile” a spreadsheet?
Once I’ve “perfected” my spreadsheet, why can’t I “freeze” into an app. That app would allow input BUT, (and there is always a BIG butt), not allow formulas or formatting changes.
When I was the bar manager at my local American Legion post, I had several spreadsheets for various functions. Unfortunately, I couldn’t share them with my team because invariably some one would mess it up the formulas or format. So even when we got square to take credit cards, my data entry work didn’t ease up; it increased. Argh!
I could have coded an app in assembler, Fortran, or COBOL, but why bother? That was more work than just entering, and in some cases, reentering the same data. Luckly, COVID came an killed the Post’s business. Thanks to Gooferment diktats and no reduction in fees to non-profits, we went from stay afloat to being underwater. Argh!
I still would like de able to “freeze” a spreadsheet. Maybe I should apply to Apple, Microsoft, or Google to develop it for them. I don’t see them doing much to advance spreadsheet technology?
FWIW!
# – # – # – # – #
p.s., I’d like some TLDR swag. Laugh!
https://refer.tldr.tech/3dabce84/
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: Spreadsheet, TLDR, tldrnewsletter | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Saturday, September 20, 2025
MAC OSX 26 upgrade
2025-Sep-15
- Big download and long delay getting it; aborted once and restart seemed to pick up where it left off
- Multi-hour estimate; left it running overnight
2025-Sep-16 0911
- wipes out Marsedit 5.3.7 blog settings … …
… … no heads up from anyone. Took a few minutes to repair.
- mac osx 26 lost share action for gmail … …
… … no obvious fix
2025-Sep-16 1150
- Firefox 142.0.1 (aarch64) appears to send every link thru google … …
… … can’t seem to capture or reproduce?
… … seems that clicking a link in email gets passed to Google search engine?
… … Firefox 143.0 (aarch64) updated on restarting Firefox?
2025-Sep-19 1000
- All tasks when tabbed out now become minimized. Giant PIA! Initial inet search shows no fix.
- Firefox 143 appear to route all new links thru google some how for some reason.
- In Finder 26 the share selection with a file selected does n’t have “mail” which should have been Firefox Gmail.
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | MAC OSX | Tagged: MACOSX, OS26 upgrade | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Monday, September 8, 2025
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/08/i-like-plaintiffs-chances-prime-video-back-in-court-over-using-the-word-buy/
Words matter
The fight against labeling long-term streaming rentals as “purchases” you “buy”
- New law emboldens complaints against digital content rentals labled as purchases.
Scharon Harding – Aug 29, 2025 5:51 PM
*** begin quote ***
Words have meaning. Proper word selection is integral to strong communication, whether it’s about relaying one’s feelings to another or explaining the terms of a deal, agreement, or transaction.
*** and ***
Often, streaming services like Amazon Prime Video offer customers the options to “rent” digital content for a few days or to “buy” it. Some might think that picking “buy” means that they can view the content indefinitely. But these purchases are really just long-term licenses to watch the content for as long as the streaming service has the right to distribute it—which could be for years, months, or days after the transaction.
A lawsuit [PDF] recently filed against Prime Video challenges this practice and accuses the streaming service of misleading customers by labeling long-term rentals as purchases. The conclusion of the case could have implications for how streaming services frame digital content.
*** end quote ***
I think the “high water mark” is when we bought CDs with the belief that we could always have the content.
I got burned buying content on cassettes and 8 tracks. Then having to buy the “content” when the player were sent to the technology equivalent of the Google Graveyard.
This is just another instance of the same fraud all over again. And again. And again.
If they said “buy”, then they have stuck themselves with a “deal” they had no intention of fulfilling. To me, that’s fraud!
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: arstechnica.com, long-term rentals, Prime Video, SCHARON HARDING | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
https://www.androidauthority.com/dropbox-password-manager-discontinued-3582689/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailyauthority&utm_term=Daily%20Authority
Dropbox says it’s time to find a new password manager as it prepares to shut down service
- Time to say goodbye to Dropbox Passwords.
By Ryan McNeal 21 hours ago
<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2025-07-31>>
*** begin quote ***
- Dropbox Passwords users will no longer be able to add new passwords on August 28, 2025.
- The mobile app is scheduled to stop working on September 11, 2025.
- The password manager will be fully discontinued on October 28, 2025.
Dropbox Passwords users will soon have to find a new password manager to store their passwords, usernames, and other sensitive data. The company will be shutting down the service in the next couple of months.
Dropbox has announced that it is preparing to sunset its password manager. According to a help center document, the decision was made so that the company can “focus on enhancing other features in our core product.” The full service is scheduled to be discontinued on October 28, 2025, but the shutdown will be carried out in phases.
*** end quote ***
“Sunsetting”? Argh! Call it what it is “shrinkflation”.
Why they ever pursued it is beyond me.
And, they don’t suggest BITWARDEN which is basically free.
Is OnePassword or Lastpass an affiliate link?
Argh!
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: @androidauthority, androidauthority, DROPBOX, Google Graveyard, Ryan McNeal | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Monday, August 4, 2025
I was thinking the other night, when the local TV and Comcast weren’t “speaking” to each other, why can’t I just use an app on my phone to debug the problem?
Everything was on the same LAN. We had the TV remote and the Cable remote.
But wasn’t that completely unnecessary?
… …
Also I’ve been a sports bars where the patrons were forced to watch whatever was on at the time, when voting to change the channel could have easily been accommodated by a common app.
And, how about putting on the closed caption feature for those of us who need it. Rather than forcing us to buy an expensive hearing aid.
… …
Seems like technology is letting us all down.
Argh!
— 30 —
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: remote control, TV | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Microsoft is killing its ChromeOS competitor:
Back in 2021, Microsoft announced Windows 11 SE as a lightweight platform to rival Google’s ChromeOS, but now, the company is pulling the plug on the offshoot.
more…
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: Google Graveyard | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Saturday, August 2, 2025
https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2025/07/how-solid-protocol-restores-digital-agency.html
Schneier on Security
*** begin quote ***
How Solid Protocol Restores Digital Agency
The current state of digital identity is a mess. Your personal information is scattered across hundreds of locations: social media companies, IoT companies, government agencies, websites you have accounts on, and data brokers you’ve never heard of. These entities collect, store, and trade your data, often without your knowledge or consent. It’s both redundant and inconsistent. You have hundreds, maybe thousands, of fragmented digital profiles that often contain contradictory or logically impossible information. Each serves its own purpose, yet there is no central override and control to serve you—as the identity owner.
*** and ***
The economics of Web 2.0 pushed us toward centralized platforms and surveillance capitalism, but there has always been a better way. Solid brings different pieces together into a cohesive whole that enables the identity-first architecture we should have had all along. The protocol doesn’t just solve technical problems; it corrects the fundamental misalignment of incentives that has made the modern web increasingly hostile to both users and developers.
As we look to a future of increased digitization across all sectors of society, the need for this architectural shift becomes even more apparent. Individuals should be able to maintain and present their own verified digital identity and history, rather than being at the mercy of siloed institutional databases. The Solid protocol makes this future technically possible.
This essay was written with Davi Ottenheimer, and originally appeared on The Inrupt Blog①
*** end quote ***
Good luck wresting control of “digital identity” from the all-powerful omniscient Gooferment. Never mind the technology giants like Google, Facebook, and Apple. And, of course, the completely subservient “We, The Sheeple” who don’t know how they are getting <synonym for the past tense of the procreation act.>!
Argh!
— 30 —
① https://www.inrupt.com/blog/
Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: Davi Ottenheimer, digital identity, incentives, Schneier, Schneier on Security, Security | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
https://www.zdnet.com/article/download-your-photos-before-at-t-shuts-down-its-cloud-storage-service-permanently/
Download your photos before AT&T shuts down its cloud storage service permanently
- Come October, AT&T’s Photo Storage service will stop backing up your files. Here’s how to grab them before they’re gone.
Written by Lance Whitney, Contributor
July 22, 2025 at 8:33 a.m. PT
Reviewed by Elyse Betters Picaro
*** begin quote ***
Starting Oct. 20, 2025, AT&T Photo Storage will stop backing up your files. At that time, the app will be removed from Apple’s App Store and Google Play. The service itself, however, will still remain available until Feb. 1, 2026, at which point your stored photos will vanish as well.
*** end quote ***
Of course, the monthly nut I pat to AT&T will OF COURSE be reduced proportional to the cost of this service.
Yeah, right.
It’s just a technological form of our old friend, SHRINKFLATION!
Back in the day when I worked for Old Ma Bell, no one would dare harm the Customer. It was part of the credo, ethic, or morals of the employees.
Then Judge Green broke up the “monopoly” and the USA went from a stellar phone service to a mixed jumble of offerings. Bell Labs and Wester Electric were fatal casualties of the distruction.
Were phone calls “cheaper”? The phones certainly weren’t a durable and the politicians and bureaucrats ruled “rates” at all levels of Gooferment.
Unfortunately, unlike the leadership of IBM who told the Gooferment to go <synonym for the act of procreation> themselves, Ma Bell just rolled over and played dead.
Roll the clock forward and we have expensive phones and service (such as it is) and the AT&T ASHcan!
Argh!
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Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: AT&T, AT&T ASHcan, cloud, Cloud Storage, Elyse Betters Picaro, Google Graveyard, Lance Whitney, shrinkflation | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Sunday, July 20, 2025
https://www.makeuseof.com/genius-ways-to-use-airtags/?utm_source=MUO-NL
16 Genius Ways to Use Your AirTags (That Aren’t Just for Keys)
By Jack Mitchell
Published 2 days ago
<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2025-07-10>>
*** begin quote ***
Track Mailed Items
If you’re sending a valuable item, sensitive documents, or something irreplaceable to friends or family, consider dropping an AirTag in the package (which they can return to you later). This way, you can track its journey to ensure it arrives at its destination, especially when delivering items overseas or sending gifts back and forth during the holidays.
*** end quote ***
Not sure if that’s allowed due to the battery?
FWIW I use them extensively.
- Haven’t put them on remotes yet.
- Nor have I “tagged” a pet; not “chipped” either. Argh!
- Nor have used one for my wallet; should, but haven’t yet.
- Don’t have a drone.
- Have them in cars, luggage, bags, and on my keys.
- Battery replacement is easy.
And, I put their location (for example in the car) in the name (i.e., Rogue glove box 1/1/25) so i can find them when the battery needs replacing.
YMMV
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Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: Jack Mitchell, makeuseof, MUO | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Friday, July 18, 2025
https://www.makeuseof.com/thread/how-do-you-feel-about-free-vpns/?utm_source=MUO-NL&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=MUO-202506290800&user=cmVpbmtlZmpAZ21haWwuY29t&lctg=7e6c3cd411d6a815afa18582d54bd455914c43c5f69df1448b8ec20ee4959f71
How Do You Feel About Free VPNs?
Ben Stegner
<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2025-06-29>>
*** begin quote ***
Security-minded folks usually advise against using free VPNs, since they have few privacy guarantees, lack features, and are slower compared to paid VPNs. However, depending on your purpose for using one, a free VPN can be suitable. If you’re just trying to see what a website looks like from another country, get around a block, or test what using a VPN is like before committing, they can work OK.
How do you feel about free VPNs; do you use them or stay far away? I wouldn’t use one all the time, but as a quick way to test something or get around a blockage, I would be open to them.
*** end quote ***
# – # – # – # – #
If it’s “free”, “you” are the product. I pay for anything that’s “free”. Sometimes in money; other times in data. I think a VPN is important enough to spend money on.
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Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: Ben Stegner, makeuseof.com, VPN | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
https://support.lastpass.com/s/document-item?language=en_US&bundleId=lastpass&topicId=LastPass/lastpass_for_safari_extension_move.html&_LANG=enus
*** begin quote ***
Transition to LastPass for Safari: Replacing the legacy Mac desktop app
We’re replacing the LastPass Password Manager (Mac desktop app) with LastPass for Safari, a modern, secure, and optimized solution for managing your passwords on Mac.
*** end quote ***
FYI, I do NOT use Safari.
Argh!
I’ll be transitioning to BITWARDEN, which supports all platforms.
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Leave a Comment » | SOFTWARE | Tagged: BITWARDEN, LastPass for Safari, LastPass Password Manager | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
https://www.androidauthority.com/amazon-freevee-app-shut-down-august-3573688/
Amazon’s Freevee app gets an expiry date, but here’s how to keep watching for free
Prime Video is the new home for all of Freevee’s ad-supported content.
By Pranob Mehrotra
July 3, 2025
*** begin quote ***
- Amazon confirmed plans to sunset its free streaming service, Freevee, late last year.
- The company has now notified users that the Freevee app will be shut down in August 2025.
- Freevee’s extensive library of movies, TV shows, and live TV will be available through Prime Video.
After announcing plans to wind down its free video streaming service late last year, Amazon has now confirmed that the Freevee app will finally be shut down in August. But there’s some good news for those who enjoy Freevee’s vast library of TV shows, movies, and live TV.
*** end quote ***
Remember if it’s “free”, then you are the product!
Now like the Google Graveyard, we have an “Amazon sunset”!
Amazon’s Dash buttons are no more. Remember the “Tide button”, and other product buttons to make reordering easy? I don’t remember Amazon “sunseting” other things. And certainly not as frequently as Google does.
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Leave a Comment » | Technology | Tagged: amazon, Amazon Freevee, Amazon Sunset, androidauthority.com, Entertainment, Freevee, Google Graveyard, Pranob Mehrotra, Streaming | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj
Reinke Faces Life 
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