Computers and the Internet – Page 3

CLIPCHAMP – Windows Live Movie Maker replacement?

On 26th June 2017 I posted about the loss of the excellent free video editor from Microsoft – Windows Live Movie Maker (WLMM) .

Recently, I heard that Microsoft had purchased the video editor Clipchamp.

Initially, when I looked at it, I discovered that the free tier was very restricted and, if you wanted more, a subscription was required.

However since then, Microsoft has improved the functionality of the free tier. Whether or not it is a complete replacement for WLMM is hard to say, but at least it is a move in the right direction. Also, don’t forget that the Win 10/11 Photo App has a video function.

I must admit that, after the loss of WLMM, I have used iMovie on my MacBook Pro.

WINDOWS 11–UPDATE 9 – SYNCTOY ALTERNATIVE – SYNCFOLDER

Please refer to previous post – Windows 11 Update 8 – SyncToy – Backup.

The program SyncFolder is proving to be a good alternative for the discontinued Microsoft program SyncToy.

I gave it 5 out of 5 stars on the Microsoft Store with this comment:

This is an excellent alternative for the discontinued Microsoft program SyncToy. I have been running it for a few weeks now without any issues.

WINDOWS 11 – UPDATE 8 – SYNCTOY – BACKUP

Please refer to my previous post about this topic. Nothing has changed since my last post and the Backup section in Win 11 ‘Settings’ continues to be for backup to OneDrive only.

As stated, I use the 3-2-1 Backup method. Three (3) copies of all data, stored on Two (2) different local storage media, with one (1) copy offsite, in a remote location. That is – the original on the computer with a local Backup copy on an external hard drive (using Windows Backup) and the third copy in another location. In my case the third off site copy is on OneDrive.

I use the 3-2-1 method in case something goes wrong with the internet and you need a local backup. In fact with my main older computer (still running Windows 10 – it can’t be updated to Win 11), I have a 4th (local) backup to an external drive that is neither connected permanently to the internet nor the computer in case I get infected with ransomware type malware.

For the 4th copy, I have been using the Microsoft program “SyncToy”. Unfortunately SyncToy is no longer available for download from The Microsoft Download Centre but it still continues to work where it is installed. As a result, I do not have it on my newer computers and, therefore, I don’t know if it works on Win 11.

A 4th backup is a bit superfluous on the other computers that do not have anything of importance on them. Nevertheless I will start looking around for an alternative to SyncToy in case it stops working and/or if the File History backup method is withdrawn – which I hope is never the case.

The thing I like most about SyncToy is that is makes a direct copy of everything so that it looks just like the copied drive. It is more of a synchronisation program rather than a back up program – as the name suggests. Therefore, I want a program that operates like SyncToy. I don’t mind paying but I don’t want to pay a subscription.

I also want it to be a local Backup to a hard drive that can be disconnected from the computer when not in use – just like SyncToy. With my current set up, I have an external USB Drive to which I have assigned a Drive Letter.

TO ASSIGN A DRIVE LETTER IN WINDOWS 11, – Settings / System / Storage / Advanced storage settings / Disks and volumes / Click on the drive and select Properties and use the Change Label and Change Drive Letter buttons to name and assign a permanent drive letter.

I found a program in the Microsoft Store called – SyncFolder. This is their Web Site http://syncfolder.cwwonline.be/

It has 3.8 stars (out of 5) in the store but only 9 reviews. It is free, but the privacy policy says that the app – “doesn’t collect and doesn’t use any personal information, except to cover use cases where the user must configure source or destination locations that require user credentials (account, password, key, ..) for access.” – I won’t back up OneDrive so I shouldn’t need to be concerned about “user credentials”.

I will trial it on my HTPC for a while and add a review to this post (and the Microsoft Store) after I have used it for a while.

SyncFolder operates like Sync Toy and I set it up for manual sync and ran it:

I have now completed the first backup plus a couple of tests with additional documents. Just like SyncToy, the first time took a while. However, subsequent backups are quick as it only copies the changes.

So far – So good. As with SyncToy, I excluded all the system/program files etc, so it is only syncing my files. You can even run all the tasks at once by clicking in the menu as follows

With both backups, D drive and C drive, I excluded all system and program files so that I only sync my own files. In the case of C drive, the backup is only for ‘Users’ and, even then, it only includes folders like Documents, Pictures etc that contain my files.

WINDOWS 11–UPDATE 7–SNAP LAYOUTS

Another handy feature of Windows 11 is the improvement to “Snap”. “Snap” is where you can have more than one application visible on the desktop at the same time.

The improvement is called Snap Layouts.

Snap Layouts gives you an easy way to arrange 2 to 4 applications open at the same in various layouts.

Simply click Win Key / Z or hover your mouse over the “Maximise/Restore” icon (Top right between the “-” Minimise and “X” Close icons).

This will bring up :

First open the applications that you want included in the layout.

Then maximise the application that you want as the first image in the layout. I did this a couple of times – so Test 3 starts out as the main pane – BUT Test 1 is the main pane in the final image (below). You can arrange any way you want.

Then open the Layout Options (Win Key / Z or hover over Maximise/Restore)

Then select the pane that you want for the first App — it will turn blue:

Clicking on the space will put the application on the screen/desktop in this position. Then a split screen will appear to choose the applications to place in the remaining spaces. Just click on them in order until you have filled all the chosen spaces in the layout.

THE FINAL with all three in the spaces as per the layout chosen:

Just like with any screen, you can slide/position the individual Apps by clicking on the one you want to move and using the sliders at bottom (For left / right) and the right (For Up and Down).

I find this handy and use it all the time.

Windows 11 – Update 6 – Settings – Your Microsoft account

I came across this on thurrott.com.

Settings has been upgraded to include a section for information on your Microsoft Account .

Go to Settings/ Accounts / Your Microsoft account :

This section has various handy details about your Microsoft Account (MS A/C).

I usually access my MS A/C via the Edge browser which I retain as the default browser.

SEE my post “Browsers and Search Engines – February 2021”.

I have checked and, as yet, there has been no update to Settings / Accounts / Windows backup

Email Scams

ANOTHER WARNING about Scams.

I recently received a Scam Email trying blackmail to extort money.

It starts like this:

Hi. How are you?

I know, it’s unpleasant to start the conversation with bad news, but I have no choice.

Few months ago, I have gained access to your devices that used by you for internet browsing.

Afterwards, I could track down all your internet activities.

Here is the history of how it could become possible:

At first, I purchased from hackers the access to multiple email accounts (nowadays, it is a really simple thing to do online).

As result, I could easily log in to your email account (one of my email addresses).

One week later, I installed Trojan virus in Operating Systems of all devices of yours, which you use to open email.

Frankly speaking, it was rather straightforward (since you were opening the links from your inbox emails).

Everything ingenious is quite simple. ……

AND SO ON …. It goes on to claim that it has evidence of access to porn sites:

As I was gathering information about you, I couldn’t help but notice that you are also a true fan of adult-content websites.

You actually love visiting porn sites and browsing through kinky videos, while pleasuring yourself.

And then demands money not to release this information.

WHATEVER YOU DO – DON’T FALL FOR IT. Note it as Spam/Junk and then delete it.

This is a link to the Australian Government site https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/alerts/sextortion-email-campaign-impacting-australians

Also this is a good YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9CYBP_yfXM

I note that the YouTube video is sponsored by a Password Manager (Last Pass). A password manager is essential these days – as is two factor authorisation / identification (2FA)

ALSO DO NOT RE-USE PASSWORDS.

The following is a list of some Password Managers (I am not recommending any – do your own research)

Last Pass https://www.lastpass.com/

1 Password https://1password.com/

Bitwarden https://bitwarden.com/

Dashlane https://www.dashlane.com/

RoboForm https://www.roboform.com/

AND IF ALL of your devices are MAC/APPLE, Keychain is a very good password manager and comes free with Apple devices. Browsers also have password managers BUT all the experts say to get a separate password manager that works everywhere.

CNET has a good article here https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-password-manager/

OR Tom’s Guide https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-password-managers,review-3785.html

RING DOORBELL–UPDATE 3 – Upgrade from Doorbell 2 to 4

Please refer to my previous posts about my Ring Doorbell:

https://whysun.com/home/ring-doorbell-update-no-2/

https://whysun.com/home/ring-doorbell-update-chime-pro-wi-fi-extender-problems/

https://whysun.com/uncategorized/ring-doorbell/

I finally gave in and bought the Ring Doorbell 4. NOT that there was anything bad about the Ring Doorbell 2, especially after the Wi-Fi problems were resolved (See RING DOORBELL UPDATE No 2 ).

The main reason was that Ring sent me an Email offering a 25% Christmas discount and, apparently, I have more money than sense.

The upgrade was easy. You do get better video and a “pre roll” (you are given video of a few seconds before the detected motion) plus some other things. I turned on HDR video and this improves the quality of the videos. I now have 3 batteries so battery life is not an issue.

However, there are 4 things that I noted that may be of interest.

No 1 – Ring Plans

Having a plan is more or less essential. The basic plan for one camera device is AUD$40 per year – About AUD$0-77c per week.

Having a plan provides a number of facilities but the main one is the ability to download and save video. You could get by without one, but at 77cents a week – WHY??

I thought that my plan was attached to my Ring Account and that I could simply transfer to the new Doorbell. I don’t think this is the case. The plan appears to be attached to the device. I looked around on the site but in the end I could not find any alternative but to cancel the old plan and start a new plan for the new Doorbell. This is NOT an issue as I was given a full pro rata refund and I also was given a free month for the new device.

No 2 – Microsoft Store App

The Microsoft Store Ring App will be discontinued an the end of this month. However the new Doorbell 4 will not show on the App so mine is finished a couple of weeks early. PLEASE RING update the account web site as promised to full functionality. (A note on the App in the Microsoft Store advises that the App will be discontinued at the end of December but the web site will be upgraded to replace the App.)

No 3 – IoT Devices ( “IoT” – Internet of Things – Various devices that connect to the internet so that you can control them via an App on a phone etc.)

When I was setting up the new Doorbell, at first it would not connect to the Chime Pro. It suggested that I connect to my router. I did that and after an update it all worked as it should. (I should say that everything you buy these days requires an immediate update.)

HOWEVER, when I connected, it did not require the Wi-Fi password for that particular router. The App remembered it. THIS IS A REMINDER for one of the many reasons why you should have all IoT devices on a separate Wi-Fi Network. I only have 2 IoT devices – My Ring Doorbell and my Solar Electricity. They have their own router with a different SSID / IP address.

No 4 – Packaging

The Doorbell 4 package is less than half the size of the Doorbell 2.

They saved space by having the battery in the doorbell (with plastic protectors over the contacts) and by omitting things:

Only one extra (Corner) mount comes with Doorbell 4– There are 3 different mounts in the Doorbell 2;
The masonry bit is not in the 4;
The little level is not included in the 4;
Extra Face Plate (different colour) comes with Doorbell 2 but not with 4.

All of these items can be bought separately for a few dollars and I did not use any of them.

The Doorbell 4 screwed into the same holes that I made for the Doorbell 2.

Also, both have a screw driver for the special security screw for the battery but the Doorbell 4 is not reversable like the Phillips Head/Security screw with the Doorbell 2.

FINAL THOUGHT – WAS IT WORTH IT. The Pre Roll is worth the upgrade. I have tested it and it works well.

Windows 11 Update 5–Microsoft Store Updates

This is not exclusive to Windows 11, but the change in procedure for updates for Store Apps occurred when the new Microsoft Store App was released around the same time Win 11 was released.

Even though I have the Microsoft Store set for automatic updates, whenever I look, there are updates.

TO SET Automatic Updates:

Click on the Profile Icon immediately the right of the search bar at the top of the home page;

NOTE I did not put an image on the icon but it is the image I have on my Desktop – The wreck of the steamship SS Dicky which used to be on a local beach until the council removed it a few years ago. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dicky_Beach,_Queensland

In the Drop Down click “App Settings”;

Turn on App Updates – “Update Apps Automatically”- Set the slider to ON – by sliding right.

TO CHECK ON UPDATES

On the Microsoft Store App – Home Page – Click Library

Click “Get Updates”

Windows 11 Update 4–Notifications

This is not a major issue but is another instance of a small change from Win 10.

NOTIFICATIONS – MAIL APP

As I have noted before, Notifications still appear on the right of the screen but, unlike Win 10, the icon (in the form of a blue circle with a number) only appears when there are notifications. The Mail App also shows unread Emails as a number on the icon in the Task Bar.

However, unlike Win 10, if you clear the Notifications, the unread Emails number also gets cleared from the Mail App icon in the Task Bar. (If you open the Mail App, the number of unread emails still appears on each Email Address.)

Just a small thing, but still something to be aware of if you use the Notifications to keep track of Emails.

Windows 11 Update 3 – Lock Screen

I really like those “Windows Spotlight” photos on the Lock Screen for Win 10 and 11.

When I first installed Windows 11, the Lock Screen displayed a generic image like this:

This was despite selecting “Windows Spotlight” in Settings / Personalisation / Lock Screen / Personalise Your Lock Screen.

However, yesterday when I logged on, the familiar “Windows Spotlight” images were back. These are great images and I am always careful not to click “Like” on any of them so I continue to get the full range from all different countries and settings.