Month: May 2017

Happy Memorial Day

Dan Uff May 29, 2017 0

As we get together with friends and family,
please don't forget the REAL reason that
we're celebrating Memorial Day.

"WE ARE FREE, BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE."

How to Disable VBScript in Microsoft Internet Explorer 11

Dan Uff May 28, 2017 0

(Windows Blog): VBScript is deprecated in Internet Explorer 11, and is not executed for webpages displayed in IE11 mode. However, for backwards compatibility, VBScript execution is currently still permitted for websites rendered in legacy document modes. This was introduced as a temporary solution. Document modes are deprecated in Windows 10 and not supported at all in Microsoft Edge.

To provide a more secure experience, both the Windows 10 Creators Update and Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer-April 11, 2017 introduce an option to block VBScript execution in Internet Explorer for all document modes. Users can configure this behavior per site security zone via registry or via Microsoft Easy fix solution. Enterprise customers can also configure this behavior via Group Policy.

Recommended Actions

As a security best practice, we recommend that Microsoft Internet Explorer users disable VBScript execution for websites in Internet Zone and Restricted Sites Zone. Details on how to configure this behavior can be found in KB4012494.

We also recommend that web developers update any pages that currently rely on VBScript to use JavaScript.

In subsequent Windows releases and future updates, we intend to disable VBScript execution by default in Internet Explorer 11 for websites in the Internet Zone and the Restricted Sites Zone. The settings to enable, disable, or prompt for VBScript execution in Internet Explorer 11 will remain configurable per site security zone, via Registry or via Group Policy, for a limited time. We will post future updates here in advance of changes to default settings for VBScript execution in Internet Explorer 11.

Staying up-to-date

Most customers have automatic updates enabled, and updates will be downloaded and installed automatically. Customers who have automatic updates turned off, will need to check for updates and install them manually.

― Maliha Qureshi, Senior Program Manager

How to Place a Call using the Amazon Echo

Dan Uff May 27, 2017 0

Over the past 2 weeks, Amazon has been busy updating its Amazon Echo product lineup to give it the ability for it to make (free) calls to anyone else around the world from an Android or iOS device.

How? Here is a step-by-step tutorial on what to do:

Download the Alexa app for your smart phone for Android or iOS.
Launch the app as you do with any other.
Tap the Chat icon at the bottom.
Tap the icon in the upper-right corner (that looks like the outline of a person).
This will show you a list of your contacts that have the updated app and can receive calls from Alexa.
To make a call, Tap a Contact's Name.

Now that the app has been updated, on your phone, and has access to your contacts, you can also make a call directly from the Alexa device, like this:

"Alexa, call mom."

That's all there is too it!

When you place a call, it'll ring on another user's phone through the Alexa app, or on every Echo connected to their account. If you want, you can send and receive messages using the Alexa app from the same page you'd place a call. Alexa will either play your recorded voice or translate your text and speak out your message on the other end.

There are a couple of hiccups Amazon needs to iron out. The call quality is good but not great — voices sounded a bit hollow on my Amazon Echo Dot. Also, the person at the end of the line can hear you say "Alexa hang up," which is sort of awkward. Also, you need to ask your friends to update their apps in order for this to work. That isn't always easy.

Now you know :-)

OPINION: Why cable cutting is NOT a good idea – just not yet

Dan Uff May 25, 2017 0

If you read 98% of the articles abut getting rid of cable and going all streaming to save money, they make it seem that it is the thing to do, and that cable systems should be worried about their business, or are even predicting their demise in a few years.

Well, I don't mean to be the caller of bad news, but don't call your cable company just yet. Here's why:

While it is true that cable companies are hiking their prices and are giving you less offerings, you're still getting a deal with the number of channels and offerings that a cable company is giving you.

For example, lets say that you're paying an average of $300.00 per month for cable TV and Internet. Now lets compare that to an Internet TV service like DirecTVNow. The maximum channel package is around $70.00 a month. You get all of the channels that they offer, except the local CBS affiliate and some other ones such as the Pop TV Network.

Now if you want CBS, you'll have to pay for the All Access feature for $5.99 a month. That takes you to around $76.00/Month, plus what ever you're paying to have speedy access to the Internet, let's say $40.00/month for the cheapest (and most of the time slowest) Internet access. You're already at around $115.99 / Month.

You'll then find that when you're watching streaming TV, other members of the family are also on the Internet either downloading music, watching videos, etc. That will cut into the WiFi access and it starts to affect YOUR TV viewing - unless you have the highest Internet access available - which could be around $70.00/Month.

So, lets really break it down:

Streaming Only:

DirectTVNow - $70.00 / Month (May or may not include all local channels or net affiliates).
CBS Access - $5.99 / Month.
Internet Access (highest speed) - $70.00 / Month.
Add HBO and/or Showtime / $5.99 /Month.
Grand Total: $150.00 / Month.
Grand Total: $1,800.00 / Year.

Cable TV Only:

284 + Cable Channels (includes local channels in most areas).
155 MBPs Internet Access.
Grand Total: $80.00 / Month.
Grand Total: $92.00 / Year.

Now, of course, I'm not adding the additional fees that your cable company may charge you to rent equipment and for any FCC payments and such - that varies from company to company. But in my option, it would still be cheaper for you to stay with cable - at least for now.

What do you think? Am I wrong? Comment below!

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