1173. BAD MICROSOFT: Use the LOCAL ACCOUNT logon to Windows instead of MICROSOFT ACCOUNT logon

 Are you tired of running into Microsoft changes to your Windows 11 system without being told about them? Are you seeing new PREVIEW ICONs appearing on you Task Bar and wondering how they got there? Are you losing functions that you had in Windows 10 that you depended on?

Well, it’s probably because you are using the Microsoft Account to logon to windows when you start/restart your system instead of a Local Account. What's the difference? Microsoft wants you to believe that there is a reason to use a Microsoft Account. Years ago, I was nailed when I had to do a SAFE boot to do some repair work. I believe it was related to doing a system restore or something recommended by Microsoft. Only problem was that it always failed. Searching the web, I learned that I would have to use a Local Account logon to fix the issue. That worked like a charm. Since then, I have been leery of the Microsoft Account and reasons why I needed it. Now, I have learned that Microsoft can slip a new function onto your system without your acknowledgement under the guise of a PREVIEW. First time I saw this was when I was helping another user who used a Microsoft Account logon Windrows, i.e. Start/Restart Windows on your pc system. It was an AI Search Icon installed onto the Task Bar. Well, I tried it out and on the first several tries I could NOT get it to locate anything that I could locate via a simple Goggle search! Plus, for my client who is essentially legally blind, this was just one more annoyance to a routine he had learned to find things via a browser search which was as much as he needed. He did NOT need an AI search, particularly one that didn't produce results! You can read yourself about the AI PREVIEW Search Icon on the Task Bar to learn how it got there and its purpose. I found it useless and even more so for my blind client. Then I had to search for quite a while to find out how to remove it! I really need these interruptions, hurdles, and delays! Another PREVIEW that apparently went onto his system before I started working with him was the new PHOTOS APP that replaced PHOTOS and its GALLERY index to all your pictures that appears at the top of your File Explorer window. You can read about that at this post. I recommend an additional link there for information so I don't have to explain these and couldn't explain it any better It used Regedit to make a change to the Registry, so,  but I want to first caution you to ALWAYS back up the Registry when you need to use REGEDIT! Either EXPORT the entire Registry by selecting the top entry or go ahead and traverse the tree to get where you need to make changes and EXPORT just the part that you are changing. That way, should something not work, you can simply double-click the saved .reg file to put it back together the way it originally was before your changes.

But for now, get off Microsoft Account and gain control back to how YOU want to manage your system.

First BEWARE. Microsoft has made it difficult to return to a Local Account once on a Microsoft Account. That’s why every time I install a new Windows version I make sure I don’t blindly follow the instructions up front that lead you to a Microsoft Logon! Select Local Logon instead there. Microsoft removed all the ways you used to be able to do so with another interface (as of 10/6/2023). You can find ways by doing a search that give Instructions to go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info > then simply:

1. Select "Sign in with a local account instead"
2. Followed by Type the user’s name, password, and password hint for your new account.

 

NO MORE!  Now instead go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info > Select "Stop signing in to all Microsoft Accounts Automatically"

The rest of the instructions also do not apply. When I "TRIED" the above out of desperation since no really current nor correct solutions could be found, it returned immediately and changed the Settings text above the selection from "Microsoft Account" to "Local Account". That was easy, but It did NOT let me choose a User Name, password, and password hint for your new account as the incorrect search article stated. Knowing from MY system that a name should be assigned, as well as a password, etc. prompted me to find out how to do that, but I had little patience by this time and simply wanted to get a Local Account up and running. Probably I could have determined what to exactly do, but  I was in a rush for what turned out to be another 3-hour repair of what my blind client messed up because of the Preview Photos App and Gallery (Go Here  to read about it). Thus, I settled on just how to use the existing account name "User" (Yes, whoever created his system didn't even create a name different from the default which shows up as "User User" in file explorer as the lead in all file paths. Fine, I could live with that initially -- just needed to assign a password which he never had making his PC vulnerable to anybody getting onto! Of course, Microsoft changed all its procedures to do that too! In other words, Microsoft does NOT want you to use Local Account! Luckily, I found this "How to Change a Windows Password Using Command Prompt" that is invoked in a basic DOS via Start > CMD > Run as Administrator :

"To change a password in the Command Prompt, type "net user [username] [new password] and press "Enter." For a more discreet option, you can type "net user [username} *" and press "Enter." Then enter the new password twice. You must have administrative access to change a password using the Command Prompt.Apr 26, 2023"

Note, that when you type the password, it does NOT display while typing. Confused me at first. Just enter it and you'll be prompted to enter it again (not displaying) for confirmation. That did it. I restarted, the user account poppet up, entered the password and now home safe for once, never to be bothered by Microsoft's experimental PREVIEW functions.

1172. BAD MICROSOFT: Return to using Windows 10 Context Menu instead of dumb-downed Windows 11 version

 

Update: 5/16/2024: You no longer need this Registry Hack. The W10 version of the context menu can be brought up instead by simply doing a SHIFT+Right-Click whenever you want it, e.g., on a file, do a SHIFT+Right-Click instead of just a Right-Click. Besides, if you did the hack it will be overwritten by new updates to Windows and needed to be reapplied.

Return to using Windows 10 Context Menu out of the chute instead of the so-called simplified Windows 11 Context menu where you need to take an additional step to see all your options.

I have additional functions that I use constantly already added to my od Windows 10 version of the right-click context menu. For example, I I want to encrypt or decrypt a file I want to immediately select that option when I right-click the file name. Other things, how about Scan a file with Defender (now called Windows Security), or run a Slideshow of pictures in a folder, or Share a folder/file via Goggle share, etc. There are so many other options on the Windows 10 version of the Contest Menu to choose.

To get the Windows 10 Context Menu back, you have to go way down the Regedit route! This RegeditLink explains the details.  BUT, first ALWAYS EXPORT the entire Registry or the portion that is being changed before you mess with Regedit. Should the article disappear, here are the steps thanks to the originator at the link above.

Type “regedit” on the Run window,  press enter, and navigate to Computer > HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Classes. > CLSID folder.  Right-click it and Click New when the menu appears. Now, select Key and name (copy below and do paste) it to 

{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}.

Under that new key, Create another key and name it: InprocServer32 

Open InprocServer32 and double-click on “Default” at the right pane. A window should appear after you do this step, but ignore the fields in the opened window and just click Ok.

When you now Restart your PC the legacy W10 context menu should appear providing you all the options on this FIRST and ONLY menu to do your business.

1171. BAD Microsoft: Index to other posts to prevent MSFT from controlling what it wants on your system

BAD MICROSOFT Index

Maybe you never noticed how Microsoft has impinged on you with Windows 11 system, particularly with changes to it, and neither did I, UNTIL I began my volunteer work with my visually impaired individual. Now several times I (We) was nailed by PREVIEW features slipped onto his system without his knowledge AND a Microsoft application that called PHOTOS APP that replaced the original PHOTOS that came with Windows 11.

Being legally blind makes it extremely difficult to keep track of what is happening to your Windows system by someone else. When you use the Microsoft Account as your logon to Windows you just opened yourself up to allow Microsoft to throw install so-called PREVIEW features/functions onto your system without warning you. Worse yet, they become permanent sometime (I have yet to discover when or how).  

So, you think you trust Microsoft? Well, read all the posts labelled BAD MICROSOFT and become aware! You can simply SEARCH for “BAD MICROSOFT” at the top of the Blog to find them or jump to a specific one via my Index to them below. 

There are too many things that I consider detrimental-to-progress and eventually-damaging already on my client's system. I’ll try to keep an index to the posts here to allow you to jump to the one that interests you most. I would suggest starting with (1) which eliminates unknown surprises slipped on to your system, then look at details of the specific ones.  

(1) Use the LOCAL ACCOUNT logon to Windows instead of MICROSOFT ACCOUNT logon (Click Here)

(2) Return to using Windows 10 Context Menu instead of dumb-downed Windows 11 version (Click Here)

(3) PHOTOS APP and GALLERY slipped into FILE EXPLORER (Click Here)

(4) AI Task Bar search

(5) Slideshow your photos to your display (Click Here)

1170. BAD MICROSOFT: Slideshow your photos to your display

 Would you like to run a slideshow of your pictures (.jpg files)? Slideshow used to be available on a context menu BEFORE Microsoft removed it in one of their feature updates. Here is what you need to restore that function.

You can use REGEDIT to enter the information below manually, or much easier, copy/paste the following into a Notepad or Wordpad file. Save the file as SLIDESHOW.REG or anyname.REG. MUST have .REG file type suffix. Next, double click that file which will run it and add the contents to your Registry. (NOTE: EXPORT the Registry BEFORE doing this. Always safer to have a way to restore it if it doesn't work.) When it is finished adding the contents, RESTART you PC. It is now ready for you. go to FILE EXPLORER and on a .JPEG file, right-click to get the Context Menu where "SLIDESHOW" will now appear. Select it and ALL .jpeg files in the FOLDER containing the file you selected will begin to display, one after the other, round and round until you hit the ESC key to stop it. Enjoy. 

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

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\image\shell\Slideshow]
"CanonicalName"="{73BCE053-3BBC-4AD7-9FE7-7A7C212C98E6}"
"CommandStateHandler"="{880ac964-2e34-4425-8cf2-86ada2c3a019}"
"CommandStateSync"=""
"Description"="@shell32.dll,-31288"
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-5347"
"MediaTypeFlags"=dword:00000005
"MUIVerb"="@shell32.dll,-31287"
"VerbToInvoke"="slideshow"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\image\shell\Slideshow\command]
"DelegateExecute"="{80c68d96-366b-11dc-9eaa-00161718cf63}"

1169: Accessibility: Chrome Text SiZE

 Just another improvement for my visually impaired client. In CHROME Browser, and proably EDGE since it also uses the base Chrome code, go to settings (via the vertical ... on top right), select SETTINGS, then  and ACCESSIBILITY on left. In there, set the Text to LARGE or VERY LARGE. voile, the text now jumps out. Better than before, but maybe still too small. Time will tell. 

1168. Yeah Penn State

A 30-0 is impressive -- Usually. But from my seat I saw major weaknesses in the Penn State Lions offense. For example, unlike previous year where the running backs were cracking open long runs, the last two games they were primarily limited to short gains. Thanks to several 4th down gambles that all worked, the weaknesses were ignored. Where is the blocking to open up holes? Iowa's defense was stingy the entire first 3 quarters. Allen and Singleton could get their 3-4 yards, but falling short after 3 downs is NOT a strength! Come on boys. I don't like the formations at all this year. You don't see the plays as in last 3-5 years. Maybe the plan is to completely rely on Quarterback Drew Allar to dig them out of the hole. He made some fine throws to do so, yet he struggled. When he was replaced in 4th quarter the RUNNING quarterback Pribula came in, he forced Iowa to try to tame his running and they couldn't. So, BOO on the offensive plays which produced far less than the previous offenses would have gained against the same IOWA team. Kudos to Iowa defense for at least getting the running game managed. 

But, the highlight was the Lion Defense. Over 9 take-a-ways! I thought Watt had gone back to school and burst in from the end. Good job Lions. Iowa Offense could only hang their heads...beaten thoroughly! Plus, the special teams were fabulous with fumble recoveries and field goals.

I hope two more games before Ohio State and real hard practice will be enough to compete against the Buckeyes. I think the Offensive coaches in particular need to get their act together. And where is Franklin? Can't he see the Offensive problem compared to prior years. Heck he has 2 of the finest running backs both last year and this year and they just aren't producing.

One game at a time -- GO STATE.

1167. How to Spell Check on Google Blog

 https://support.google.com/blogger/thread/27938693/my-spell-check-in-blogger-disappeared-how-can-i-find-or-restore-it?hl=en givens these procedures:

If you are using the Chrome browser please make sure the spell checking settings are turned on:

1. Open chrome and click the following link chrome://settings/?search=spell+check
2. Scroll to Language setting section
3. Across from spell check make sure the toggle is in on position

Kindly share  if you are experiencing the issue using a different Internet browser.

Thanks to the author of that! It works.

1166. Accessibility: SONY Smart TV

 Last steps in finalizing my setup for my visually impaired client. Now that he can switch between FireTV (Primarily You Tube application) and SONY Smart TV (Football games on Local Channels) I needed to find a way to allow him to determine what channel he on. I found on SINY Settings, under Device Preferences the procedures for turning on different Accessibility feature. Useful were the enlargement of text and speech. The full text-to-speech was overwhelming -- it read everything on the screen. All he needed was a display of what channel he was on. Did find how to get very large text popup when changing channels display on top of screen temporarily. Actually, it displays the Input first "Cable/Antenna" then a 2nd popup with channel info. I need to see if I can eliminate the first popup which is meaningless. The text-to-speech also read out the channel, but went on for 2 more lines under that which became a nuisance. He's happy. Green Bay was currently on, and his Cowboys coming up next. So, he wrestled up his chair 3' from the at lest 60" screen and enjoyed the games. My mom had macular degeneration and that did her in completely. His 85th birthday bash is this Friday. So, we have everything working for him. Unfortunately, he is learning the hard way that not everyone has the same interests. He had spent over 5 months using Family Search to update his ancestors and then uploaded all his pictures, over 400 of them, into his Gallery. Then organized them and prepared the updated Family Folder for Goggle Drive to SHARE them with his relatives. I told him he was lucky if he found ONE relative with his interest in carrying on for him. He didn't listen and now sits with the files to SHARE and no email addresses to sent them to. We went through a lot of effort to get Family Search updated with pictures under Memories for the immediate family and creating a tree for the living which to date Family Search will not commit to sharing, but has told me by year end sharing will be available. See my other Accessibility posts for help in setting up aids for visually impaired people.

1165. Let's return to Wall Street stuff-9/27 Update

 The COVID era didn't only stifle everyone with it masks, distancing, and stay home from school and work idiocies. Hopefully we all learned how wrong a government can be and how much each of the TV bobble-heads say is only what furthers them along to being the perceived wise person or to cover up their ignorance. Not the subject of this entry, just needed to get it out!

Today, we look at where the Wall Street Markets are heading and how to get back in. For the last year I have been essentially out of the Techs and other risky or less favorable stocks. The private companies have more than surprised me in that regardless of the poor economy and political environment it continued to grow and even sustain that growth until the beginning of this week. I was out collecting my 4.75-5% in a broker’s account for large amounts in addition to my 7-10% preferred stocks. So, I didn’t miss out on much at all while the indices climbed. All this generated interest was in my IRA accounts, so, dream on Taxman those percentages were Tax Free!  This week we took some hits dropping the indexes and I am predicting another poor week ahead. I nibbled over the last 3-6 months when the market dropped gradually getting back into the market with stronger selections and more balanced portfolio (always something to improve). Now, I am waiting for next Friday, the day the markets move big up/down to catch a buying wave. MSFT is back down to the level I sold it months ago and I most definitely need that stock back in the portfolio. Most others I rebought piece by piece averaging back in gradually., like AAPL, AMZN. TSLA was a loser and I think still. EV’s are NOT the short future. Plus, China hold the power in batteries.

Is it really time to go full in? Long-term, yes. I’d say there is a LOT of crap out there to consider which is negative, but the question is how will the private companies fare. A positive is AI. How much hype is there re Artificial Intelligence (AI)? If the media or TV bobble heads would really understand AI they would stop talking about Goggle algorithms. AI is far more complicated and useful than making the people believe it is the keyword-search functions and algorithms and how someone is going to manipulate it more than the Dems have already with its collaboration with the Techs and the numbskull Media sheep. AI was being developed back in the 1970’s at IBM Watson Research. Do you really think it is a keyword processor algorithm that took 50 years to advance? I don’t have time to tell you the so-many useful applications and misuses. Just believe me that we have been waiting for this learn-as-you-go, explore-all-the data in the world, analyze it utilizing thousands of expert analyses and processes, then present a solution that no one expert could ever imagine. This baby is a spark to unimaginable growth of new companies and expansion of existing ones, let alone, improvement to our lives. Think medical diagnoses, think Network performance improvements, think manufacturing marketing analysis, improving profitability, streamlining the manufacturing of products. We lived in a world where even the “best” manager couldn’t keep up with process improvements. Not anymore. Long-term, you MUST be in the Tech Markets. We only saw a tiny piece with the CLOUD business companies becoming available to manage data on their systems to offload and faster process other company data. Now here is where AI can improve it’s the algorithms to rapidly and completely improve the connectivity and management of the Cloud for its many Applications and Users. The cloud alone driven by MSFT, AMZN, IBM and the likes will see major benefits in products and services. Health Industry components including hospitals, doctors, etc. will become substantially better prepared and develop more beneficial services. These Techs must be in a portfolio. Of course, for the riskier stock players, small Tech companies have huge potential. So, if you are still bringing in work income its time to put on the Lont-term beanie and jump in based on the risk you can tolerate.

The Fed maintained rates this time. Inflation is going back up, thanks mainly to Oil increases. Humpty Dumpty Joe continues to waddle with his head in the mud; the people actually running the government aren’t much better. We still have a massive immigration problem killing our cities. Who created it? Our government with its can-kicking for decades. Why we never updated the immigration policies to allow the proper type and quantity of workers  and an improved entry policy for legal entries I cannot understand and have been wondering that for at least 30-40 years! Joe has NO CLUE what it all about and what must be done. We desperately need to overhaul the whole immigration process. That will never happen until we get the clowns in the House and Senate out to pasture and replace them with real thinkers and movers. An outside consultant to run meetings and planning sessions would be most extremely invaluable. Never see it! They know only how to play the beat up the other party game. Gets me back to a very long-ago post (you can find it by entering keywords) re abolish the two-party system. Anyway, I’ll support the let’s-put-an-end to this illegal migration that is killing America. The Wall should have been completed! Joe, you are clueless! Then yesterday he was back reading his speech on TV blasting the Republicans for the immigration mess. I only hear a snip it or two, for I have better things to do than listen to his babble. I don’t know how Trump would deport everyone as he claims he would do, but this illegal crap BEFORE the legal ones is real disturbing. Plus, not know where everyone is and who came in is a major National Security threat. What are the Dems thinking? Yes, I know that answer – more votes down the line while them sacrifice life today!

Back to the Market. I have primarily kept the same portfolio of investments for several decades and have beaten every mixed investment model out there. Create a portfolio with just a few stocks. Don’t ever put more than 20% into risky stocks unless you have many years left of work. Always buy for Long-term vision. Avoid the news (generally), meaning don’t react to it. It will only change in the short-term. Breathe and enjoy the outdoors more, away from the financial stuff. Use the Williams%R graph indicator to learn when to buy/sell and overall market changes. I have a lot I can share with little time to do it. So, enjoy the investment journey and learn, learn, learn. Homework is Every Day; Work is every day. Commit and make an effort. Good Luck. 

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

9/27/2023

Prediction happened. Couldn't wait for the Friday move...could be up big or down, but back to positive next week. Therefore, I'm back in earlier than waiting for the absolute lows tomorrow or later today. 😉 

1164. Accessibiity: Fire Stick and Smart TV and OTA Antenna

I am in the midst of installing Accessibility enhancements for my client's TV to allow him to utilize it given his visual impairment. I know I may not have the best solution, but it works so far.

He said spending up to $250+/month for TV was a waste. He only wanted to get to You Tube videos. Well, that changed last week to now adding NFL games. His TV service was already gone, so here's what we have so far and what we are working on.

First, we installed a Fire Stick (under $30) in the HDMI port 2 (HDMI 1 was his Smart Sony TV and TV service which is now gone). The Fire Stick remote with VOICE ACTIVATION of everything resolves mountains of issues he had. Setting up VoiceView option under Fire Stick reads the essential parts of the screen for him which were impossible to read giving his impairment. Someday, I'll document the entire process we went through, but this post will be limited to the current issue facing us.

Which is: Giving him his NFL, Cowboys of course here in TX, football games on Local Channels. So, the challenge is to make Local Channels available to him. There are a number of solutions, e.g., AirTV Mini, Amazon Cube, Free Sling App, etc. But the one we are going to try requires only the purchase of an indoor HD Antenna that is required in ANY solution. Out attempt does not require anything by the antenna attached to the Sony Smart TV, whereas, the other solutions require purchase of one of the network-attached local channel converters and an APP on the Fire Stick.

Our solution requires SWITCHING from the default Fire Stick INPUT to the Smart TV to watch the games and then SWITCH back to Fire Stick mode. Commanding the change to and back is ASY with the Fire Stick Remote. Just say "Switch to HDMI1" to get to Smart TV (IF you are on a cable/satellite service attached to HDMI1) or "Switch to HDMI2" to get back our Fire Stick system. Well, we cut the cord completely and HDMI is now vacant. So, we could say "Switch input" and up will come selection of apps on the Smart TV. Now, how do we select one of the apps that he cannot see from the Smart TV Remote which is also too small to use. He also has very unsteady hands and fingers, so even if bigger would probably not help. 

First step is to get the Local Channels loaded via an Antenna purchase (under $30). Second, use the Smart TV Remote to test it out. Shouldn’t be a problem. Should work just like the OTA antenna I have on my TV. But, the problem for his setup is to Switch directly to the Channel Guide or a TV station instead of a selection of APPS. So, Third, we exclude all APPS except for "Channels" (I'm hoping that's where the Locals will arrive when the TV scans for them. Fourth, is a try it out implementation where a subcomponent of the TV INPUT is defined via Equipment and Mange Inputs sets up an Input to go directly to CHANNELS by that name. Thus, we hope "Switch to Channels" will get directly to what we want. FIFTH, assuming that works, we test out the channels and getting around with the Smart TV Remote. What I am hoping for is that ONLY the Channel UP/Down, Volume Up/Down, power, and MUTE buttons are require so we can get a Visually Impaired Universal Remove with only those buttons on it to manage the TV. Of course, we still have the visual problem reading a TV Guide, but that can be delivered via the Internet in 18 pt text for him. The Universal will require setting them up with JUST the FAVORITE 5 network stations. No problem with the Sony setup where Favorites can be selected to ignore the other 40 or so channels that we expect to be found. Cycling through 4-5 channels will not be a problem.

There you have it. We begin the implementation of the plan this Saturday. 

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

DONE and SUCCESSFUL! Walmart delivered the 

Camkey HDTV Antenna Indoor, Digital TV Antenna with Amplifier Signal Booster Up to 120 Miles, Support 4K 1080P HD VHF UHF for Local Channels  

in less than 2 days! This was a requirement no matter the option for viewing channels on SONY Smart TV. Here's the process:

1. First, we were installing the Antenna onto a Smart TV, but without any TV service. So, $0 for our self-service.

2. Unpack the very small boxed antenna, like 5".

3. Screw the Antenna stick to the Antenna base...no parts needed

4. Plug the USB plug into TV USB port to use the TV power OR attach the Receptacle plug onto the Antenna USB Plug and plug it into the wall receptacle.

5. Now, screw the coax Antenna Cable onto the TV’s ANT IN port.

6. On the Smart TV Remote find in it’s Settings the Channel Setup function and begin the SCAN for local channels (23 digital channels were found) … success

7. We wanted ONLY ABC, FOX, CBS, NBC, and CBS, so, we omitted all the others from the FAVOITES leaving only the desired stations selected. Cycling through 5 channels with the Channel UP/DOWN was a wonderful implementation. But later we improved on that too.

8. Locate the multi-directional Antenna somewhere where nothing interferes with the reception. We first had it on a table and it was perfect until the cleaning lady walked between the Antenna and the local broadcast station. Next, we moved it looped over the drape rod. This was fine except for PBS that is located further from the other stations and the drape itself interfered with PBS. Lastly, we set on the top of the bottom window and taped the cord onto the frame so it wouldn’t fall off accidentally. PERFECT. TV channels showed solidly CLEAR! It all works using the TV Remote. Now we moved on to switching between the Smart TV and the Fire Stick,

9. The primary use of the TV is to watch You Tube on Fire Stick, although he may find other desires later. Thus, the default power on is to Fire Stick, our HDMI1 connection to the TV. When he wants to switch inputs to the TV, he holds the Firestick Mic down and says “SWITCH INPUT”. Note, usually one would say SWITCH HDMI2, but we have no cable/satellite service connecting to HDMI2. I can’t find a way to get there via a HDMI port and would love to be able to tell it to go to the ANTENNA. If you know how to set this up on a SINY, please leave a comment.

10. “SWITCH INPUT” gets you to the TV, but a banner comes up that makes you select CHANNELS to continue. On the TV remote we stuck a GREEN dot over the enter key (button surrounded by a circle of UP/RIGHT/DOWN/LEFT options). NOGO using his finger! His hands are unsteady and it kept hitting one of the surrounding options too. Solution? USE YOUR THUMB. Bingo. He can now execute the function to continue onto the TV channels 100% of the time.

11. I then up orange dot stickers on the channel UP and DOWN and Red dot stickers on Volume up and Down…Success. He can cycle through his 5 channels. I have a red square sticker on his MENU button which he’ll never use because he can’t see it YET! Until I explore the Accessibility features of the TV. Hopefully a magnifier or text-to-speech will be there to assist him

12. After watch TV, he needs to get back to the Fire Stick video input. Put the TV Remote down, you are finished watching Local Stations on your TV! Pickup the Firestick Remote, hold the MIC button, say “SWITCH FIRE STICK” or “SWITCH HDMI1” and up pops the Fire Stick screen.

 I considered an easier TV remote, but I’m not sure how he would execute the CHANNELS button displayed on the banner (See 10 above). The Visually Impaired TV Remotes all appear to have only Power, Mute, Channel UP/DOWN, Volume UP/DOWN. I saw one with INPUT, but that won’t work as it unless it can be programmed to be an ENTER button. I could continue to look, but NOT necessary since the original SONY Remote with the COLOR enhancements over the buttons works just fine. Oh, A YELLOW Dot Sticker is on the TV MIC.

 Conclusion, for the price of the Antenna (less than $30 shipped to the door from Walmart), and a few color stickers that he’ll have forever, and the effort above to implement the process, we are good to go! Onto the next Accessibility project. Any questions? Submit a cmoment.

1163. Accessibility: NaturalReader Read Kindle Book

 What a wonderful product for enhancing life for visually impaired individuals. As I mentioned in previous posts, I have been helping an 85-year-old who can barely see. For years his life has been limited to things that he couldn't see. Tough when you want to work on a computer (search issues, read news, read books, look at pictures, etc. I have posted about Microsoft Magnifier (free) which now allows him to zoom in areas of his diaplay screen to see it. This was only step 1 of brightening his life. 

The text-speech product from NaturalReaders.com - NaturalReader -- is gold. Today we used it to read a Kindle eBook. There are two ways do do this (assuming you have already downloaded a book from Amazon OR borrowed for free from your local Library as it in Kindle Format and delivered by Amazon.

1. First read about NaturalReader at its site NaturalReaders.com. You may think it has to be purchased becasue it discusses mostly the Subscription Plans Plus, Premium. The different plans depend on the voices you want (See post 1161). That post tells you about the FREE voices (NOT a default) that can be used unlimited, versus the PLUS and PREMIUM voices which cut you off fter 5 minutes, number of characters/month, etc. So, use a FREE voice as instructed in post 1161. Even if you download the software instead of opting to use the website translation, your limits remain the same for text-to-speech! Also, you will have to pay for the software and again for upgrades. No need for this.

2. Now that NaturalReader is available (requires a FREE registration and login, get the Chrome or Edge Extension. Sorry if you use a different Browser. You want to use one of these two to allow you to use NaturalReader to read anything and everything loaded into Chrome. For example, any site can be read for you AND if you let browaser open the .PDF files you haveon you system it will be read. As a matter of fact, you can read most everything available to you outside the browser too, like a WORD document. You always have an option to go to NaturalReaders.com and then upload a file to have it read to you. But, I am limiting thsi post to Kindle eBooks only.

3. Optoin 1: Get the free Kindle App from Amazon -- check your App Store of preference and install on your PC. Open it and your Library will populate with books you obtained via Amazon and be displayed.  Click on the book of choice and scroll to where you want to begin (closing the book and restarting pickup where you left off). Now being test-to-read using keyboard chortcut Ctrl-T. Use thsi also to pause and begin again. Only other shortcut is Ctrl-W to close the book.

4. Iption 2 which I like better: Option 3 does not allow you to do modifications of voice, read speed, etc. when using it hat way. So, better is to open https://read.amazon.com/kindle-library. Up comes the Library with your books. Now like Options1, pick the desired book and open it.

5. Now it you PINNED the Naturalreader extension onto you browser (do so! how? manage extensions and PIN it works for Chrome) ian icon, large capital blue "N" will be on top tight. Click it to tell it to put the pop-up Player and settings manager up on the display. FIRST, change the voice by clicking on the circled voice and choose a FREE one (one of 3-4 at bottom of list...David is my favorite). compress/expand the size of the popup (arrows) will allow expansion that gives you access to settings where you can set the speee of narration. Play with the settings as desired. Only necessary ones to start is setting to FREE voice and speed. I found a whie ago that the Free voice selectionhad to be reset thsi time! So, remember to check it first. No problem though. If you get the tiemout, chenge it then to FREE one.

6. Now about the Kindle settings available. If you move mouse to top icons to monage the Kindle book itself appears. For example Aa allows changing text size. Play!  

PLAY is the key word. I am taking my notes re how I need to use both the Kindle browaer version AND the NaturalReader. I just want to alert my followers that thsi product is superb. Worth your time.

1162. Accessibility: FINALLY have adequate loudness on Lenovo Laptop!

 Since I installed this Lenovo Laptop (Ideapad s340-15API), I have experinced a maximum speaked loudness that was always at the threshold of my poor hearing. Thus, it was very difficut to hear, let along understand, the words spoken over my speakers. If you are hard of hearing like me, you cna hear the music playing but can heear only about 30% of the works enough to understand them. Well, NO MORE!

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-U-and-S-Series-Notebooks/Audio-volume-very-very-low/m-p/5019257 had a post below from an echoecho. Thank you Echoecho.

Re:Audio volume very very low

I have got a solution but you will have to sacrifice the dolby benefits for it. Go to dolby audio speaker system -> personalize -> make all the frequencies full. It works for me.

1161. Accessibility - Naturalreader text-to-speech and Microsoft Magnifier

 I have been helping an 86-year-old, visual impaired individual to take advantage of Accessibility features available to him. He had been visually impaired to the degree that he needs to both get a large display with highest resolution and then increase the size to 225% just to visualize the screen Icons and format. He was still unable to read most text.

First came Microsoft's Magnifier implementation that enabled him to magnifier his screen or just a lens over his screen to be able to read short text streams. He chose the Lens mode of the magnifier (Ctrl-Alt-L) since he could already visualize where things appeared on the overall screen. This allowed him to not only read within the lens but also input text without errors. Since his hands were constantly shaky, typing is almost impossible without duplicating letters or misspelling words. We tried the narrator function of Magnifier for a while, but it is very limited and not very consistent in what/where it reads.

Thus, we tried NaturalReader by NaturalReaders.com. Beautiful. You want to use either Chrome or Edge browser and get the Extension from their store to use NaturalReader withing the browser (ANY Website text) in addition to being able to load a file from your desktop or other folder to have that one red to you. You will question what is free or not, but simply put Natural Reader IS Free and unlimited if you chose the FREE voices given. The reader works in either Online mode (FREE or a subscription to get additional voices of function), or download a software version which also gives you access to Online but still limits your time in minutes and characters if you aren't using a FREE voice.

Here's the rub. It defaults to a voice that is part of the PLUS subscription. Thus, it will stop narrating at 5 minutes. Boo. To get around this, hit the Change button when the voice & play popup comes up and scroll to bottom of voices. All voices are designated by the subscription mode and FREE is specified for 3 voices at bottom. Now you will have unlimited access to whatever you want narrated. We are evaluating the functions in the FREE mode and have found everything we need.

What other functions did we pass up for now? One must remember that it is reading TEXT for its narration. Text withing an image is NOT TEXT by nature. If you want to read it you need to convert it to OCR (Optical Character Recognition). Thus, if you scan a document, e.g., you geta letter, bill, etc. in the mail and want help reading, you could scan it in and have it go through OCR software to "attempt" to convert all text correctly. OCR software is NOT perfect first off, but doe give you enough to correctly read a document despite some errors. Most likely, but haven't tried yet, NaturalReader knows this and can read and narrate correctly regardless. To use OCR with NaturalReader, you will need the Premium Subscription. (even if you have the NatyralReader software, plus, of course you will need OCR software. Brother printers/scanner come with the function and allow scan-to-OCR directly. Beware that not all OCR software is equivalent and you should find the best out there.

One other function we didn't play with yet and which I don't think is a necessity is the convert text to MP3 file. Maybe that would be beneficial should we want to hear the file some other time or to replay it in the future and didn't want to have to redo the text to speech work again.

Bottom line is NaturalReader is great. Unlike the Magnifier from Microsoft which uses its Narrator, it reads continuously without a hiccup, meaning wondering how to continue where you left off. The Free voices are the same to us! David in Plus is David FREE. I couldn't tell the difference. 

Now you can both see and read (narration. Increasing mouse pointer is helpful, but instead of increasing the size too much which will overlay text, CHANGE the COLOR. I found that my client had no problem finding it when green. He just then needed it enlarged minimally to see where the point was. I also use the magnifier now for the fine print text. AN I use the NaturalReader to narrate a Kindle eBook while work on something else. These changes to my client's life were invigorating. He again feels empowered and doesn't have to just sit around. Since he is so ambitious, he pursued genealogy using FamilySearch.org and succeeded in building his tree back to the 1600s where he uploaded over 500 pictures and attached them to individual persons. He also has written a story of his ancestors and self-published that. To transfer that onto his descendants, we put the story and photos out on Goole Drive (G:/MyDrive) which he could simply send to ANY email recipient to view. I have learned a lot in this progress and feel great that I could help. Sam, through me, has now become a seeing-eye and speaking dog, and would be proud of me.😀💕😁

1160. Word - Move an entire row in table

 Well, Help didn't help me. So, I searched the Internet and found out the answer to how you move a row in a tab;e to a different place. Pretty simple. Postion yourself at the row to move so it highlights. Hold Shift-Alt and either the Up arrow/Down arrow and mvoe as desired. It does NOT overlay a row, but instead, inserts a new row at the destination.

A simple solution that SHOULD be in Microsoft Word HELP!

1159."The Diabolical" by Author David Putnam -- 5 Stars

 

The Diabolical  by Author David Putnam -- 5 Stars

Publisher: Oceanview Publishing

ISBN: 9781608095292

 

Now that Bruno is in Costa Rica he wants to live quietly with his family and friends but again he finds himself in the center of danger. This time, he must defend his family and does so formidably.

Like all the books in the Bruno series this one has plenty of action and a complex plot. It is exciting and fun to read.

 

Reviewer: Nancy

1158. "Dream Town" by Lee Goldberg – 5 Stars

 

Dream Town by Lee Goldberg – 5 Stars

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

ISBN: 9781662512346

 

I know a book by Lee Goldberg will be entertaining and fun to read. This one in the Eve Ronin series is no exception.

Fame and money have made the characters more than a little self-absorbed and crazy. Eve stays focused in her role as a homicide detective and sees through the craziness. There are great characters, witty dialogue, and a plot that never slows.

 

Reviewer: Nancy

1157. Chrome Download shelf (bottom bar) disappeared

 Chrome update enabled a new way to indicate that a Download was executed. Instead of seeing the file on bottome of Chrome window, the notification was replaced by some flag! Certainly not what I desire. Here is how to DISABLE the new crap and return to the way we all knew where and what downloaded:

1. Go to chrome://flags/#download-bubble
2. Click the "Enable dropdown" (just the one that appears on top) and click DEFAULT to change it to Disabled

Note that this is a experimental flag and Google may remove it in the future.

1156. Accessibility: Microsoft Accessibility Magnifier

 The Microsoft Accessibility Magnifier is a great tool for visually impaired people. I wanted to address some hints/usage guidance.

First, Accessibility Magnifier can be set up via START->Settings->Accessibility->Magnifier

Options exist there to :

>> Turn it on, go to Magnifier and throw the switch ON

   -> Use the keyboard 

        .. to magnify more via the combination of the Windows Key (the one that looks like a window pane probably on bottom left of keyboard) and + key

        ..  reduce the magnification using the combination of Window Key - key

        ..  to turn off magnification (return to minimum) by combination Windows Key and ESC key

>> If you want a minimum magnification, look at ZOOM LEVEL. Here you can tell Windows how much magnification (e.g., 600%) you need at a minimum.

>> VIEW is nice, but needs explaining:

  -> You begin with FULL View, versus Lens View. This means as you move around the physical screen, the entire image moves with you. When greatly magnified, your view (larger than physical screen) moves left-right-up-down, on-off physical screen. This mode allows you to view entire area necessary to read. For example, if you have a form with entry fields, all is magnified and you an type in the fields while also reading the areas around it also on the physical screen. This mode makes me dizzy moving the area I needed to read onto the physical screen as needed. Anyway, hitting Ctrl+Alt+F together, gets you to FULL view if you are not there.

  -> LENS View is like having a rectangular hand magnifier and put it over a paper. You see the magnified area under the lens glass. Important here is that the physical paper doesn't move, only the Lens on it does. Likewise on the PC screen, the image displayed remains fixed on the physical screen, but the Microsoft Magnifier Lens blows up the area you desire. This is fine for reading a typing, but disallows view the areas not under the lens should you need those for referenced too. All may be good for you just move the lens around where you need it. This mode is my preferred way. The physical image, maybe a form, remains fixed and I can simply move the lens to examine it and complete the fields. The way it works is that it outlines the lens and then allows you to increase, decrease magnification within the lens via the Windows Key+ or Windows Key- as described above. I like this mode. You use Lens Mode by doing a Ctrl-Alt-L combination. It can be set up as default via the VIEW under Accessibility->Magnifier.

Other slick options available for colors, plus a pointer to more info on this settings screen.

Enjoy life again by using the Magnifier. I have mine turned on with default 100%. Thus, I can use the keyboard to use the Lens and magnification as desired.

1155. Windows locked - call Microsoft scam

 On 7/17/23 I was hit by a scam that locked m system and told me to call Microsoft technicians. THIS IS A SCAM! Microsoft staes they nor any other reliable company ould ever lock your system out. Do NOT get caught in repsonding to a scam like this or another related to reCAPTCHA authentication!

First, the lockout: It locks everyhing -- keyboard, mouse, etc. Usually you could get to Task Manager and free your self from the lockout by ending the browser task. Cant do that now. Plus, it scares you into believing that if you power off your system will be damaged. NOT TRUE. The only wy to get rid of this lockour IS TO POWER OFF , AND most importantly, HOLDING that power key about 10 seconds to assure your system relly powers off. Otherwise, it remains in standby mode and restarting (power on) goes back to lockout issue. So, HOLD the power key 10+ seconds and when your system indicates it is fully powered off, then power back on.

According to Internet articles, this scam is NOT dangerous in itself, meaning that it doesn't load malware or a virus. I certainly wouldn't believe that, So, I ran FULL Windows Security scan. BUT, I am having bad luck doing that. It seems to NOT complete some times. After the third try (one was even the OFFLINE scan by defender), the FULL scan did complete and found a low malware that I had it remove. However, today I was hit again and it took 2 FULL scans to complete one and it showed no threats.  Suggestion is DO run a full scan of some product to be sure. 

How did I get into this lockout? One time I wsa reading a historical genealogy article that had a lhypertext link to more detail, and WHAM! Today, I simply mistyped a website and WHAM. I can only beieve the scam triggers by IP Address activity that some machine is monitoring for active state. Somehow it can catch some interation of the IP with a site and send out the scam to that IP address. Microsoft needs to get a handle on this!

Now, a secon scam is the CAPTCHA or reCAPTCHA popup telling you further authentication is required. This happens sometimes when websites mistyped and you go off to one that is a scam site. It sends out the reCAPTCH popup and wants you to respond. DO NOT! Do not respond to one of these unless you are expecting to require an authoentication for real! This is a common way for hackers to get you to hit that enter key and establish a connection tho their machines. Yesterday I was helping an old age 85) friend set up his genealogy PC software. He was visual impairment, so his screen it at about   400$ magnification and that is minimum size he can see with glasses on. Anyway, a mistype on that screen (I had terrible time working in that mode) a red screen cmae up with a box in the moddel being reCAPTCHA! I immediately informed him that I had to have gone to invalid site and this was a SCAM screen and never to respond to it ! So, beware! You can red all about these types of scams re reCAPTCHA yourself.

1154."Calico" by Lee Goldberg – 5 Stars

 

Calico by Lee Goldberg – 5 Stars

Publisher: Severn House

ISBN: 9781448310135

 

Calico is a magical unique mix of past and present. It is a current day mystery combined with an old western adventure. Movement between past and present flows smoothly making time travel almost believable. There are interesting characters, history, romance, humor, science and surprises flawlessly woven together into an entertaining story.

I have been a fan of Lee Goldberg’s books for some time. This is my favorite.

 

Reviewer: Nancy