1142. BAD MICROSOFT: W11 Install: There goes the old W7 Card Games again

 For those who followed this blog and upgraded to Windows 11, you will have noticed that the W7 Microsoft Games again are missing. Unfortunately, the installation from Eldabl0 documented in previous posts is no longer available. So, now what do you do?

Like all upgrades before, a folder c:\Windows.old\ was created for you with the necessary files you will need...somewhat. So, do the following:

1. Somewhere create a personal "My Program Files" with a subdirectory "W7 Microsoft Games". 

2. Copy c:\windows.old\windows\system32\CardGames.DLL to that subsirectory

3. Now copy all the desired games folders from c:\Program Files\Microsoft Games. Choices are Chess, FreeCell, Hearts, Mahjong, Solitare, SpiderSolitare. Within the specific game folder you will get the basic files needed, namely En-US and SLC.DLL that are required. Next step provides others you need.

4. From all the files within c:\Windows.old\Microsoft Games\(your game of choice, i.e. Solitare, SpiderSolitare. Hearts, Solitare, SpiderSolitare, or FreeCell), Chess, or Mahjong) into your new folders. For example: 

Copy files from c:\Windows.old\Microsoft Games\Hearts\ to your My Program Files\W7 Microsoft Games\Hearts

Substitute other game name for "Hearts" above to get that set up.

5. You should be able to play by selecting the EXE file. You can pin them onto your Start Menu or Task Bar by Right-Clicking the EXE file and selecting the desired PIN TO.

Leave a comment if you are still having problems.

1141. "Murder Book" by Thomas Perry -- 5 Stars

 

Murder Book by Thomas Perry -- 5 Stars

Publisher: Mystery Press

 ISBN: 9781613163832

 

This is a fast-paced thriller set in small towns in Indiana. Through extortion and fear, big city crooks are forcing residents to sell their properties to them for far less than fair value. Harry Duncan, a private investigator working as an independent contractor for the government, uses ingenuity and past experience in law enforcement to outsmart the bad guys and to discover the motive behind the take over of the towns. It is a frightening plan.

I always enjoy Thomas Perry’s novels. This is a good one. 

 

 

Reviewer: Nancy

1140. "The Cabinet of Dr. Leng" by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child -- 5 Stars

 

The Cabinet of Dr. Leng   by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child -- 5 Stars

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

ISBN:  9781538736777

   This is another great book in the Pendergast series. Like the others, it has an intricate plot and remarkable characters. There is a time machine that takes Constance back to 1880 New York City to rescue her brother from an untimely death and her sister from the evil Dr. Leng. Descriptions of the time period are vivid. Coldmoon has a current day murder to solve. As he investigates, we learn about Lakota history and culture. Of course, Pendergast is there to solve problems as only he can.

As other reviewers and the authors point out, the Pendergast novels are most enjoyed in sequence. This one has a surprise in the final paragraphs and does end in a cliffhanger.

 Reviewer: Nancy

1139. "The Twisted Dead" by Darcy Coates -- 5 Stars

 

The Twisted Dead   by Darcy Coates -- 5 Stars

Poisoned Pen Press  

 9781728239231

 

 I had read the first two books in the Gravekeeper series and was anxiously awaiting the third, so I was happy to find it offered by NetGalley. It has unique ghost stories, quirky characters, a remote town with a spooky cemetery, a black cat that is more than a cute kitty and a main character with an interesting past. All this is in a fast paced novel. Each book in the series solves a mystery but leaves other tasks to complete.

I love this series. They are the first books I have read by Darcy Coates. The next thing I do will be to see what else she has written.

 

 Reviewer: Nancy

1138. "The Maze" by Nelson DeMille -- 4 Stars

 

The Maze by Nelson DeMille – 4 Stars

Publisher: Scribner

ISBN: 9781501101786

 Don’t you love DeMille’s wit? He is again at peak performance if this alone could captivate your interest for over 445 pages. But, for us, a good thing repeated constantly and so consistently for even 100 pages becomes too much. Then, when at 50%, John Corey has still not committed to a PI job and his girl friend Beth, yes, same Beth as Plum Island, continues to delay the reason why she wants him to take the job; the story begins to suffer with useless dialogue – same great wit, but at this point already dragging on. Well, there is no acceleration. You’re still waiting on the why he should take the job, then when he does, why he still doesn’t know the real reason why he is there. Good thing John Corey is so bright and has already discovered the whys. Yet, even that doesn’t speed up the story and his lingering around the Farmhouse, where he now works, is described in minute detail as was most things (way too much of this). For what reason we asked? By the time you get to 80-90% the story finally gets to what you already assumed and we still haven’t learned why the book is named “The Maze.” We’ll stop here and not spoil the ending with details. Let us just mention that Rich was so disappointed with the length of the book and the way delays were utilized when explanations earlier would have progressed the story forward faster without boring you – He started to skip pages half way through and never missed anything and never had to go back to read the missed pages. We liked the storyline and characters. Other readers might like everyday gossip and conversation to all depths and enjoy the book more than we did. DeMille still has good ideas. This one just dragged on.

 Reviewers: Rich and Nancy

1137. "The Scorned by David Putnam" -- 5 Stars

 

The Scorned by David Putnam  --  5 Stars

Publisher:  Oceanview Publishing

ISBN: 9781608094943

 

 I have read all the books in the Bruno series. I have enjoyed them all but this is my favorite. Bruno is planning on a quick trip from Costa Rica where he has made his home to Los Angeles where he is wanted for some past crimes. Nothing goes as he plans. There are bad guys to defeat and good people to rescue.

 The characters are the best, unique and colorful, especially Waldo, the tough smart Rottweiler. The plot is sometimes witty, sometimes intense and often surprising. It never slows. Once again Bruno fights in an evil world to save people who need help. There are always children who can not be left in harmful places. Great book. I look forward to more.

 

Reviewer: Nancy

1136. "A Fearsome Moonlight Black" by David Putnam -- 5 Stars

 

A Fearsome Moonlight Black   by David Putnam -- 5 Stars

Publisher: Level Best Books

ISBN: 978168121501

This novel is divided into Book 1 and Book 2. In book one, we meet Dave Beckett, a young man serving his six-month probationary period as a police officer. He naively finds himself involved in crimes of murder, suicide, family disputes, and missing persons. Some of these result in fights for his life. They eat away at his personal beliefs. In book two, 8 years later, Dave is a seasoned detective. His views of life have changed. The action becomes more intense as the events of his rookie years resurface, and tie together. The previous crimes and his fellow officers are not as they appeared when Dave was younger. The plot becomes complex and surprising all the way to the conclusion.

I absolutely enjoyed this novel, both book one about a young officer’s experiences and book two when as an older detective he is confronted with his past. I am a fan and anxiously wait for the second book in the series.

 Reviewer: Nancy

1135. Fidelity Login Issue

 Strange Logon problem with Fidelity, both website and ATP. When I type in my PW it fails at least 40% of the time. But if I copy/paste it from my PW dataset it works.

This was the first symptoms. Later even the copy/paste did not work. This just started happening wince I changed my PW. Tech Support and I tossed around some possibilities, like the use of a "." in the PW. Oddly, I removed the "." and it worked just fine 3-4 times in a row. But, then it failed again! So, now I though maybe Bookmarks were involved. I have bookmarks for about 20 different entries into the Fidelity application which I had selected in the past always successfully when Logging in that took me directly to the entry point. We tested using the straight login by entering the URL Fidelity.com and signing in there and it worked every time. At least for the 5-6 attempts I tried. So, conclusion was that the Portfolio Bookmark was bad, although it just went to Fidelity.com! So, I signed in the straight way, brought up Portfolio, copied the URL and reset my bookmark to that which was no longer fidelity.com but right to the portfolio. It seems to work fine. 

At this point I have yet another new PW and now still using the bookmarks to get to login screen. Since ATP was also failing, it CANNOT be related to the Browser Bookmarks! So, the only logical conclusion was the use of the "." in the PW at that time. My new PW still contains special characters, but not the "." and I'll see what its success is.

Weird problem. I already recommended allowing the user to SHOW the PW he is typing. At first, I was thinking CAPS LOCK or NUM LOCK were opposite my normal and causing the problem or ever the PC thought they were on and didn't indicate so. Don't think this was the problem. Typing the PW into word document between failures always typed them sorrectly. Thus, how can they not be correct going into the Fidelity Login screen? 

Time will tell. If it works always from now on both on Website and ATP, it must have been the "."!

1134. TRACFONE Review & Issues

Pros: Inexpensive, easy to refill plan, great voice quality and connection (except issues below), large selection of phones.

Cons: Older phones with limitations (See 1 below), website documentation not specific enough to implement action without calling customer service.

Issues:

1. Misrepresentation of available functions: I bought a Galaxy A01 Reconditioned Phone as an Emergency Phone for my wife. It was supposed to be a full function smartphone. I checked TRACFONE's description and also researched over Internet. What I got was indeed an A01 with Android 10 that immediately upgraded to Android 11. As with my other mobile phone I expected to be able to use Wi-Fi in the home along with Wi-Fi Calling. Beware that they are two separate functions. Yes, I received Wi-Fi connection and have full access to Wi-Fi with no subtraction from Data Plan (I think). Wi-Fi Calling (under settings on this Samsung Galaxy w/ A11 Android) defaulted to OFF when it was set up. This MUST be ON to do Calling functions (make a call, answer a call) via Wi-Fi instead of Cellular network and it has a preference to set to "Prefer" Wi-Fi over Cellular. Fine. I set everything on and it did NOT make a call using Wi-Fi at home like other mobile phone (Motorola w/A10 Android). Hence my Time Plan lost the minutes. 

I called TRACFONE to find out what was going on. 1.5 hours I spent on the phone to get NO answer other than it should. However, I had already done troubleshooting and HELPED them understand that this particular phone was reported as NOT capable of Wi-Fi Calling as per their website eligibility page that checks the number on AT&T by IMEI and SIM number. It came back with a big negative. Yet the Customer Service Reps and Sales claimed it was. Well, it isn't. Why? Despite what you read on Internet re the Galaxy A01, specifically one forum article asking whether it does support Wi-Fi Calling (answer = YES), eligibility is NOT by model, but by IMEI/Sim! My reconditioned on did NOT. So, my wife got her Emergency Phone (i.e., when away from home and no Wi-Fi), but cannot use Wi-Fi for calling to avoid minute deduction from a minute plan carried over from old phone! Whether Wi-Fi Internet works without deduction of data from plan is also unknown at this time. But, for those who don't realize it, even a deactivated smartphone can still use Wi-Fi and, thus, Internet without an ISP. Interesting! Thus, surely, data should not be deducted from an activated phone with data plan.

2. Clueless re specific phone support on their networks. Prior to buying the Samsung described in 1. above, I looked at a LG Classic Flip phone advertised at Best Buy and another one at Walmart. I needed to replace a 3G phone due to discontinuance of 3G by AT&T. I thought I'd call TRACFONE to determine whether they supported VoLTE (extension of 4G LTE which IS REQUIRED)-- note, just having 4G LTE does NOT mean 4G VoLTE. They could not tell me (3 different people) despite being at Tracfone sold by the two retailers. As it turned out, today they have the LG Classis Flip L125DL phone on the Tracfone website on sale! Had I ignored them when researching, I'd have my emergency phone to replace the 3G LG. It DOES support VoLTE. It isn't a smartphone and doesn't have Wi-Fi; but, we didn't need that on this emergency phone. The Samsung Galaxy reconditioned phone above was even more inexpensive and I bit at that. So, I gained Internet over Cellular Network with the Samsung. Guess I live with it not being able to use Wi-Fi Calling. byw: Wi-Fi Calling is a + when you are in an area where Cellular Network is not available or too weak. We lived in such an area for 10 years. Had satellite Internet hookup, so had Wi-Fi. A mobile with Wi-Fi Calling would work there allowing us to use calling functions up on the mountain where no Cellular was available AND the mobile network when in an available area.

3. Customer Service: I'd give TRACFONE service a 3 out of 10 based on the issues I had. The wait times were astronomical to get to 1st level, I was disconnected 30% of the time meaning call back and experience the wait queue again. Like other service today, they follow a script -- you know the drill: is it plugged in? Did you try 3 different browsers? Reboot it and try again, or experience issue again. Every call lasted a minimum of at least 30-40 minutes up to 2 hours before you get to a real technician. I give the higher tech level reps a 9. However, phone connection quality plagued me several times -- breaking up or echoing my conversations back to me. And, the accents were impossible to understand, particularly for me who has hearing problems where higher voice frequencies present an exponential problem and 95% of the 1st line seems to be a female -- good at script and responses, but impossible to understand the first 4-5 times. Even my wife couldn't understand them. Did I get accurate answers? Most of the time NOT. After weeks and many calls they finally agreed with issues and the answer was send back for refund or just sorry you are having this issue. Frustrating!

1133. "Bricks and Bones" by J.D. Allen -- 5 Stars

 

Bricks and Bones by J.D. Allen  --  5 Stars

Publisher: Severn River Publishing

ISBN: 9781648751899

 

Since I had read and enjoyed the first four books in the Sin City Investigations series, I was anxious to read the newest edition. I was not disappointed.

 Las Vegas in the time of the Rat Pack and The Outfit is contrasted with the present city. The plot is fast paced, unique, full complex characters, and twisty with an unexpected conclusion. Great book. 

 

Reviewer: Nancy

1132. "A Rip Through Time" by Kelley Armstrong - 5 Stars

 

A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong - 5 Stars

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

ISBN: 9781250820006

This story is interestingly different from other time-travel books that I have read in that the main character, Mallory, goes back in time and also enters a different person. She must not only adapt to a different time period but must also take on a disparate personality. Mallory, a police officer in 2019 Canada, becomes Catriona, a dishonest housemaid in 1869 Scotland.

Mallory has two goals: one to find a way back home and another to help her employer, an early version of a medical examiner, identify a killer without using modern techniques.

The plot is unique. The historical methods of crime solving are fascinating. The descriptions of Victorian Edinburgh and its residents are knowledgeable and vivid. Overall, I enjoyed the story and pace of the action. The crime is solved, but there were questions left unanswered.

 Reviewer: Nancy

1131. Wireless Mouse stops when Toshiba External Hard Drive attached

 Strange, but when I connected my external hard drive (Toshiba) to my Lenovo PC USB port on right side, it first only worked erratically (stop and go). But now it completely stopped functioning. After searching Internet, I found a post here that explained the problem and presented a solution. In short, it claimed attaching the external drive on the same side of the PC, i.e., to a second USB where first one contained the wireless mouse USB device, the mouse would not function. The solution was to move to other side. The post went on discussing USB2 vs Usb3, etc. 

I resolved the issue by switching the external drive USB connection indeed on the other side, but selected the USB-C port where I had an adapter (USB 3.0) to connect to that physical port to allow connection to my external drive (I didn't try the actual physical USB on the left side). Anyway, it works perfectly now.

1130. Disable TOUCHPAD on Lenovo AND fix reenabling issue

 Just how many times did my hand accidentally touch the TOUCHPAD on my Lenovo and screw up what I was typing? Countless. I learned that the key marked F6 also has the Touchpad symbol to disable it or enable it. But can this always be disabled across Restarts? YES. Go to START button then type in Mouse Settings. Select "Touchpad" in menu on left. Now UNCHECK the "Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected". This will disable it so no more accidental touches will occur. when the mouse is attached. Of course, you will have it enabled automatically when the mouse is not attached. I also see a switch that can be turned off instead to turn off the touchpad. I want it enables when no mouse is attached, so don't think I want it always turned off. I don't know how that function works, but I do know the method just explained to disable it when mouse is connected works AND allows me to go back in to check it again if necessary.

Another option is to just use the F6-Touchpad Toggle whenever desired. This doesn't protect you from accidental touches if enabled, but will disable it for periods you know you can't afford an accidental hit. I did this for a long time before I searched other alternatives like the one above.

--------------------

To set off permanently, change the Registry:

Here is what you need to do to disable the touchpad via Registry:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run command box.
2. Type "Regedit" and hit OK.
3. Allow user control access by tapping Yes.
4. Navigate to the PrecisionTouchPad status folder using the following path. (You can also copy-paste it into the Registry.)

   Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PrecisionTouchPad\Status

5. Double-tap on Enabled entry to change Value data.
6. Set Value x  to 0 instead of 1.

--------------------o

FIX enabling Touchpad:

Settings ... type TOUCHPAD SETTINGS ... ensure Touchpad is enable by switch on right AND, most importantly if you want to test whether it is on, press the DOWN arrow and check the box to ensure it is on when mouse is connected. Immediately, you can now use the touchpad.  BUT BEWARE: I already lost what I was typing -- the text moved elsewhere in the Blog because I accidentally touched it when typing. 'tis the reason I set it permanently off. Now I must remember to use the F6 key to turn it on and off too. No more accidents when F^ toggled it off! Why am I back to using it? Had to help a fellow and needed my Laptop, but forgot the Mouse! This way I can use it via F6 toggle. lol. 

1129. How do you reduce murders by use of guns?

 Gun control laws have been argued forever! Why punish the noncriminal gun owners who have guns for protection or hunting? Can't we just create a law that makes it a mandatory death sentence for anyone convicted of murder-1? Maybe that would deter the criminal owners who usually have illegal guns, i.e., no valid ownership and/or serial numbers removed. Would this not deter some of the criminals? Why argue which guns should be banned or restricted? Just kill the killers - Mandatory death sentences.

THEN we can argue whether assault weapons should be banned/restricted. I'm all in favor of my constitutional rights to own a gun. BUT, it must be LEGAL and owned for PROTECTION or sporting use. I personally see no use for assault weapons. I personally rely and depend on law enforcement and the military for defense and protection where such weapons would be required. But, discussion can come after the above control! Hopefully that enforcement will deter assault weapons too. 

Of course people could argue why stop there. That is, why stop if just a gun is used? We already have laws for murder-1 and the states have the right to determine sentence of death or other. Let the states govern non-gun murders as they do now. Let's just make it impossible for criminals to escape a death sentence when a gun is used -- one of the easiest, quickest, and most effective ways to kill someone. How about a grenade or other explosion you ask? Or some way even worse than a gun? Then I would call that terrorism! If someone or more dies because of terrorism, I would think laws are already present to get rid of them! But, I wouldn't hesitate to add these weapons/causes to the gun mandatory sentence.

Come on legal system. We need to control this level of crime. The legal defense lawyers should not be given a crack to defend. Mandatory is mandatory...Period!

1028. Windows 11 Upgrade Notes - Won't be doing it.

 11/16/21 Update - I decided to stay with Windows 10 . Why? First, I don't want to manage multiple operating systems and as long as the old Dell works I am stuck on Windows 10. Second, I don't want to mess with my setup and daily usage of the Start Menu, Task Bar changes, and the like. I feel like when windows 10 came out and the issue with the Start Menu and tiles were unstable, Microsoft came up with a solution that worked. Since then my tiles are wonderfully set up and useful as is. Do I need to change that! Also noticed some user ramblings lately respect to the task bar icons being grouped that turns me off since I have exactly what I want now. Third, I got bitten on Microsoft Word 2003 not being able to be reinstalled (had Windows 10 come preinstalled on a new PC without it) and had to purchase a 2007 level (quite cheap though). I often regret having to do so though since 2002 was again all I needed and I could fly around with it. 2007 has some strange changes and causes me to constantly go to help or Google for solutions, still, after 2-3 years of using it. Fourth, I have 2-3 Registry hacks that I always need to reapply. Fifth, I have another program that I always need to reinstall and don't want to take the chance that I will not be able to reinstall it, like Word 2003, which I also must maintain on the old Dell too. Sixth, just the time and to get everything back to where I want it. Thus, I'm in the Windows 10 camp until it is no longer viable. Why fix something that is not broken and may even outlive me?

With that, I am retiring this post until years from now or to when Microsoft allows me to keep thing as they are.

--------------------

 Today I am preparing for Windows 11 update. The System Update process still says it is not ready for my PC, but it is being prepared. I'll be updating this post as I proceed.

10/25/21 - First I need to backup my critical, personal data files. I use SyncBackFree for this and do so semi-annually to two, alternating, flash drives. Today I created a backup of the personal data to my Toshiba USB drive in addition to the 2 flash drives. That being done, I am now creating a System Image of my entire PC in case I need to use it to recover any damage by the W11 install. I am following instructions at https://www.windowscentral.com/how-make-full-backup-windows-10. Done successfully.

Next is to consider things that required action on my part after previous version upgrades and specific to the changes in W11:

1. Ensure my encryption application (AxCrypt) works and the hack to make the date of the encrypted envelope equal to the file inside. This Registry change needs to be done every time since a windows installation wipes it out. My hacks are in a Hacks Folder. This one is called "Axcrypt KEEPTIMESTAMP Hack.txt".

2. DisableCapsLock. I hate the Caps Lock which I always accidentally hit. I sooner disable it. This is another Registry Hack that gets wiped out.

3. I usually write down or print screen the Start up menu with all the tiles to ensure I get them back in the groupings and order desired. W11 completely redoes the Start so I have no idea how to organize them with new WIDGETS to simulate what I had in W10. I depended on hitting the Startup and then quickly selecting a tile to get to things rather then to mess with taskbar pinning or other means! Still I need to document my critical apps (tiles) and somehow get them together for selection.

4. The Pinned of apps will also be lost and need to be redone. I have Thunderbird, File Explorer, Calculator (this may disappear), Everything, Chrome.

5. Likewise with System Tray where I have ICONS for Defender, my Brothers Printer Control Center 4 for scanning, Power, Internet, Speaker Volume. Surely the date and time will still be there.

6. When installing I must remember DO NOT SET UP LOGIN TO WINDOWS USING MICROSOFT LOGIN!!! Instead, use the PC Login. This needs to be caught during the install.

7. The last upgrade, to Creator Version I believe, wiped out my Office 2003! It could NOT be installed any more! I had to find a new Microsoft Office. What will happen this time? I do have another Office product installed in addition - LibreOffice. Just in case MSFT screws me again. The Office product consists of both Word and Excel which I live by. Fingers crossed.

8. Review previous version update posts on this blog for any other things that I forgot here. 

----------------------------------------

10/xx/21 -

1027. It's a NOT a Texas Hold'em Market -- Cash Out Instead

 Post 1024 was the warning. This post notes that I did an All Out in my retirement accounts (no taxes there) to reap the gains before the market dump. I may premature by a couple of days, but better safe than a loss of 15-20%. Usually October is when the large Mutual Fund owners adjust their accounts resulting in a lot of selling activity. The sales at Market will drop the overall market only to create a great buying environment later in November/December. Note that mid-December end-of-year adjustments are usually also done to make their holdings look good for next year causing a week or two of havoc. This time, if you read the post 1024, we are in a late cycle probably passing through a recession phase. Give Humpty Dumpy Joe's economic tax increases and unnecessary spending unheard of by any other administration which will drive debt up, increase prices, lose jobs, etc. -- in other words, DISASTER -- I don't expect we'll pass through a normal or abbreviated recession phase. We might even see a real recession -- i.e., 3 months in a row of decrease GDP which some of the big financial wizards estimate to be a decrease of GDP on full percentage point. Thank you Humpy Dumpy! May you fall off your wall which you should have built along the southern border, instead of inhumanely telling the world to just incur a laborious, dangerous trek through Mexico to our border for their free deportation plane ride back home. The right policy is what Trump left your -- APPLY of the right to enter America in your own country and wait for acceptance. I pray our country escapes the terrorists you allowed into America and the drugs! Post 1021 is your certificate of dumbness. 

And, just WHO elected this clown? Everything he screws up, every life he endangers or causes, every dollar We the People lose, is the fault of those who elected Humpy Dumpy Joe and Kamala. It's humorous when you watch the college student interviews on Gutfeld, but in reality is so scary! Unfortunately, it doesn't stop at their ignorance of the world and life -- another 30-40% are like that and and created more  imbeciles for the future. What will it take to get voters to LEARN BEFORE THEY VOTE? All this chaos today could be avoided!!!

1026. Rename/Remove/Correct/Add Blogger Labels to all or selected posts

 Did you Misspell a Blogger Label and now want to delete it or correct spelling everywhere it was used AND ensure it is gone or the newly corrected one is the one that appears in possible Label selections? Here's how:

1. In Browser go to Blogger.com (this gets you to Blogger Dashboard)

2. Select POSTS on left to see your posts

3. Select the Label Icon (the one that looks like a Tag you put on a suitcase to Label it your bag) on the upper right and enter/select the Incorrectly spelled Label or want you want to remove. Now APPLY to set the filters to list only the posts containing it

4. Now that only the posts with the incorrect label are listed, select MANAGE on top right and check all the posts or only the ones you desire to be changed

5. Again select the Label Tag ICON

6. In the popup the list will first show all the labels used with checkmarks preceding them. UNCHECK the one you want to remove. If you want to replace it with a corrected one or new one, type that one on top. Now APPLY.

Use step 6 to perform whatever you want to do. That is, to just remove a label for the selected posts, just add a new label to selected posts (add it on top), select an existing label or labels you want to add to the posts (these will be in the list with a "-" preceding them and you need to tick it to change to a checkmark. APPLY will perform all desired actions.

1025. Jim Cramer and Important Tips

 I have reviewed most of Jim Cramer's tips and guidelines over the years. Here are the notes I took from his many articles and books:

Trading and Investing are NOT the same – Trading is the buying/selling of stock based on some catalyst. Investing is longer term accumulation of more assets.

 

E x M = P

 

Ten Commandments of Trading:

1. Never turn a trade into an investment. Do your homework and sell a buy later.

2. Your first loss is your best loss – Dump before you lose your pants.

3. Its OK to take a loss when you already have a loss – CLEAN UP that portfolio. It took you too long to take a dump.

4. Never turn a trading gain into an investment loss – corrolary of 1.

5. Tips are for waiters.

6. You don’t have a profit until you sell.

7. Control losses; winners take care of themselves – spend you time identifying potential or actual l9osses and take them. This is first priority.

8. Don’t fear missing anything – there will always be another opportunity and don’t be greedy.

9. Don’t trade headlines.

10. Don’t trade flow.

 

25 Investment Rules:

1. Bulls and Bears make money – Pigs get slaughtered. Take the profits while you can.

2. Its ok to pay taxes.

3. Don’t buy all at once – arrogance is sin.

4. Look for broken stocks, not broken companies. That is, identify stocks that are out of balance with reality of GOOD companies only.

5. Diversification is the only free lunch.

6. BUY and HOMEWORK; not buy and hold. MUST spend an hour per investment per week after it is bought to keep up with news. Dump when you have to; don’t hold and lose.

7. No one ever made a dime panicking.

8. Own the Best of Breed.

9. He who defends everything defends nothing, or why discipline trumps correction – if the analysis sees it as a fleabag dog, be disciplined and treat the sucker now! You may have to get rif of it.

10. The fundamentals must be good on a takeover.

11. Don’t own too many stocks – must have time for homework.

12. Cash and sitting on sidelines are fine alternatives. – wait till right time to buy or sell.

13. No wudda shudda cudda; no 2^nd guessing. – move on, you need to manage future, not past.

14. Expect corrections and don’t be afraid of them.

15. Don’t forget bonds – they get serviced before your stocks.

16. Never subsidize losers with winners – Don’t sell your winners to cover losers.

17. HOPE is not part of the equation. If you use the word HOPE, dump it.

18. Be flexible.

19. When high-level people quit without proper notice, something is wrong – bail out unless they are retiring.

20. Patience is virtue.

21. Ignore TV comments.

22. Wait 30 days after earnings preannounce before a buy.

23. Never underestimate the Wall Street promotion machine – be ready to do opposite.

24. Be able to explain your picks.

25. There is always a Bull somewhere in the market.

 

Spotting Tops:

1. When competition heats up.

2. When management no longer speaks specifics.

3. When a company over-expands – usually reported as integration problems, or trying to mix a slow grower with a fast grower. Compare aplees-to-apples, same-store sales; don’t be fooled by higher revenues as a growth of core business when it was due to new stores that bring with it more management and quality efforts.

4. Watch for Government actions – don’t be blindsided.

5. No place to expand? All states have stores? This could indicate a top.

6. What happened to the Fad? Top time.

7. Accounting problems!

 

Economy Indicators to watch:

1. 4 consecutive CPU increase may signal Fed tightening ahead.

 

Other Cramer tips:

1. BUY CYCLICALS when Multiples are HIGH

2. SELL NON-CYCLICALS when multiples are HIGH

3. Fed has 2 ways to control: (a) change borrowing rates and (b) change quantity of money in market by changing reserves banks are allowed to carry.

4. Claims P/Es correlate to GDP cycle and past can be used as guideline for a stock.

5. Look at EPS growth per year … fastest growing deserves higher P/E. Determine the multiple based on earning growth and then determine the proper price.

6. Compare companies by P/E to determine the norm and whether an anomaly is due to acquisition, mgt. change, new business, etc. or to predict a P/E.

7. Act on cpmpanies that aren’t discovered (#1M-4M) or any company that is not closely followed.

8. Compare dividend percent and history of growth.

9. Know the company’s business driver metrics – use to compare to others and for growth measurement. For example, $/seat in airlines, $/sq foot in realty, shipments per day, profit margin/product, same-store growth.

10. Build cash for Octobers buys (when mutual fund managers drive the prices down)

11. Examine Debt-to-Equity ration … avoid debt unless normal for industry. Some companies incur debt in 4Q (retail) to stock up for Xmas. Others may to buld planes, build more cable systems, etc.

12. Determine whether a stock is “secular” or “cyclical”. Secular stocks NOT dependent on economy and demand higher multiples.

13. Listen to company meetings and announcements.

14. Favor companies growing sales and earnings faster than peers AND S&P and costs less than average.

15. The Value of a DISCOVERED stock will mimic the market. UNDISCOVERED stocks may not.

16. Why do Large Caps grow/decline? (a) due to rotational catalysts, e.g., portfolio mgr. shifts from group to group base on macro backdrop, such as weak economy as dictated by Fed. Involves switching between secular (health, drugs, beverages, food) and cyclical stocks. (b) dure to estimate revisions

17. KNOW HOW sector MOVES! More important than a business. DON’T BUY A STOCK WHEN SECTOR OUT-OF-FAVOR! Look at the CYCLE chart.

 

My Methodologies:

1. Do your homework on stocks owned

2. Check the cycle chart! Know the GDP and CPI numbers and direction.

3. Focus first on losses and loss-candidates for a sell.

4. Buy/Sell: Try WR%. FIRST, look at 2-yr, weekly chart of WR% to determine WHEN to move on a stock. BUY when moving above -20% (short-term moves) or    -80% (longer-term moves). SELL when it moves below -20% or -50 to 80%. THEN consult 3-6 month and daily charts to do actual buy/sell.

 

The CYCLE:

 

GDP	To Do	Fed Action
	Fed tightening on DOWNward Economy
5-4%	SELL papers & chemical (IP, DOW, DD)	Tighten (raise rates)
4-3%	BUY Medical/food (PG, KMB, K, BUD, PFE)	Tighten (raise rates)
3-2%	SELL cyclicals (CR, CAT, MMM)	Tighten/Neutral
2-1.52%	BUY high multiple techs (GOOG, YHOO)	Neutral
1.5-1.25%	SELL metals & minerals (PD, AA, MUE, NEM)	Neutral
1.25%-1%	SELL Gold; BUY Banks & Retailers	Neutral
1%	Fed getting ready to EASE or starts	Neutral/Ease
1-0%	BUY Housing, BUY Autos	Ease
0 to -2%	Look for bottom (possible recession) and BUY Low Multiple techs (IBM, INTC)	Ease
-2% to 1%	Economy starts UP	Ease/Neutral
1%-2%	BUY Paper & Chemicals	Ease
2%-3%	SELL Medical and food	Neutral
2.5%-3%	BUY cyclicals before Fed tightens (M prob high)	Neutral
3%	Fed starts tightening again to void off inflation	Tighten
3-4%	SELL Banks, Auto, Retailer, Housing	Tighten
3.75-5%	BUY Metals and minerals	Tighten
Stocks oblivious to cycles: Oil & Oil Services, defense, Aerospace, Telecommunications

1024. We are beginning the LATE cycle of the Business Cycle -- Beware Stock owners

 Fidelity's Viewpoint Article is the 2021 version of a more complete 2017 article describing how to invest during the 4 different cycles of the Business Cycle. I maintains it's conclusions despite being a briefer version. 

Back in March 2017 when I read the previous version, I had penciled in dates of the cycles:

Mid-Early = 4/2017

Mid-Mid = 4/2018

Mid-Late = 10/2022

Beginning of Recession Cycle = 4/2024

So, what does this mean? Let me note some of the key points for the cycle I believe we are in. All this is in the current article referenced above.

Where the MID Cycle was remembered for growth peaking, strong credit growth, good profits that peaked peaked, a neutral policy, and inventories and sales growth reaching equilibrium, we find ourselves already about 8 months into the LATE Cycle that usually lasts 1.5 years. Here is what we can expect shortly: Growth moderating, Credit tightening, Earnings under pressure, Policy Contractionary, Inventories grow, Sales growth falls.

Previous recent posts note the mitigation attempts by Humpy Dumpy Joe -- mainly government spending and hand outs (94 year old mother-in-law will probably be dead before she ever receives her third stimulus check) -- aimed at presenting a rosy picture for a grim disease. It won't last long before even the average citizen to finally wake up. Until then, probably 75% will be clueless in the smoke stirred up from all the dog and pony shows.

Anyway, which sectors are in favor and which to avoid during the LATE CYLE and then the inevitable Recession Cycle? A chart I reproduced here from the 2017 version and from some of notes from some of Jim Cramer's articles and books follows with some differences:

Sector                                      Early     Mid     Late     Recession

Financials                                   +

Consumer Discretionary            ++                                    --

Info Technology                         ++         +        --              --

Industrials                                   ++         +                        --

Materials                                                  --        ++            -

Consumer Staples                         -                      +            ++

Health Care                                   -                     ++           ++

Energy                                          --                     ++

Telecom                                        --                                    ++

Utilities                                         --         -            +           ++    

Jim Cramer suggests that in this Late Cycle when the Fed begins tightening (it's tapering is first) at an expected 3% GDP, we should be buying food and medical stocks (seculars, e.g., PFE, ABBV, BUD, etc.). As economy shrinks to 2% GDP, we should begin selling cyclicals, e.g., CAT, IR. Still at 2% GDP we should be buying Large Techs such as AAPL, GOOG, etc.. As we continue to fall in strength, Sell Metals and minerals. Now get ready to jump into Financials when GDP approaches 1% and the Fed talks easing (that's printing money baby) and teasing consumers to buy. Retailers should benefit in rush of buying. Easing will take a few months of convincing to turn around housing and auto market and to get us back on an upward trend into another Business cycle Early Cycle and out of the Recession Cycle (not necessarily a Recession).

If you are like me, the recession choices of Energy and Utilities never happens -- they are always a loser in the long portfolio. 

Now, the caveat: Long Secular Cycles (10-30 years) will affect the smaller business cycles (1-10) years). If you are a long-investor thinker, would you ever dump your Technology and Health Care stocks just to play the Business Cycle? No. I read the above chart as a slowdown (-, --) or increase (+, ++) of portfolio choices during the cycle. But with outside factors like Covid and Humpty Dumpty Joe's plans for taxes a distortion of the above chart and Cramer's guidelines become just Rules of Thumb (ROT). Oops, sorry WOKE people, ROT is on the do not use list!

Bottom Line conclusion: I'd pay attention to the AVOID list generated by my analysis of LATE Cycle Business Cycle caught in the global, very negative, economy outlook. What will I do? Probably forget about the LATE and RECESSION choices this Business Cycle and SELL everything in my non-taxable accounts to avoid the 10-20% market crash coming shortly! Then I'll buy back in with some consideration of the chart and Cramer's tips into whichever cycle is driving the business cycle. 

So, if you remember Sam and her crystal ball which always guided you and me, she just sent a signal down to me to dump when techs next jump up. That's got to be very soon!

1023. Read Post 412 again re inflation, Mitigating pain by Gov't spending and handouts

 Reviewing the past sometimes reveals the destruction in progress by our current President and his administration and what's on our front steps waiting for the door to open.  Here's some snippets from Post 412 re "the Ten Million Dollar Gamble" by Russ Koesterich.

> 5/6 of budget = Entitlement programs, defense, and interest we have to pay on debt. 

> Slashing debt and deficits is hard to do when 45% of the population pay NO TAXES. The wealthy can't come close to helping us climb out of debt by increased taxes alone. Middle class MUST be taxed too. Even then, Entitlements must be reduced.

> Government tends to mitigate pain to those in trouble and the middle class INSTEAD of doing what must be done to reduce debt. Mitigating pain is a coverup that leads to much worse effects down the road. Handouts are killing us. Hard to take away and more and more want them. Just why do we continue to extend unemployment benefits? To mitigate pain. Result, we go further in debt to pay the extensions.

> Inflation signals (already knocking on our door):

1. Unemployment decreasing [note: inflation LAGS job growth by at least a year. Normally when inflation is 3% job growth will be <1.5%; If > 1% then there are more jobs than people. watch non-farm job reports 1st Friday of month at bls.gov/ces] which causes
2. Increase in Wages
3.Manufacturing Capacity Utilization >>80% means manufacturing can't keep up with demand and prices rise. [federalreserve.gov/releases/g17]
4.Money Supply grows too fast [federalreserve.gov/releases/h6/current/h6.html]. NOTE: there are long lags between money supply increase and inflation. In '60s it took 4 years. Watch M2 > 6% .
5. Fed Actions, like monetizing debt will increase money supply if banks loan out the money [federalreserve.gov/releases/h41/current/h41.htm balance sheet should now be shrinking from 2.3T. If not, look for inflation.

NOTE; Despite lags in inflation, the market reacts sooner anticipating the future.

> The vicious destructive cycle where large deficits lead to higher interest rates sometime in future and economic destruction:

Gov't needs to sell more Treasury bonds to spend OR what is happening today, Treasury will taper, i.e., gradually reduce the buying of bonds (same affects), which leads to (=>)

Higher supply of bonds =>

Lower price of bonds (supply & demand) =>

Higher interest rates (interest moves opposite bond prices) =>

Higher mortgage, student loans, car loans, all loan rates =>

Affects stabilization of housing market =>

Less people can qualify for a loan. 

Higher rates =>

Slows economy (both commercial and government will spend more on interest leaving less to put toward growth objectives) =>

Weaker job market. =>

Less productivity =>

Poorer economy

Humpty Dumpty Joe needs to stop reading Fairy Tales, dozing on the job, and pay attention to what affects Capitalism.

That's a wish that will never happen when Socialists and Marxists control Joe's strings! Guy can't even go to the bathroom anymore without a reminder to wipe and wash his hands.