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Tech News & Commentary
Nudasar in Anchorage, Alaska listens on 700 AM asked us: “I’ve had an iPhone for a while but it seems like I never have enough space. I’ve tried taking apps out, I’ve tried downloading different software to clean it up but how do I keep it maintained so that I don’t run out of space next time I try to take a picture or video?”
Nudasar, Although I am no expert on Apple products– there might be a solution to your problem that is actually included in your question! Pictures and videos are usually the main culprits of storage space running low in your iPhone as people usually forget to clear out useless ones or some, like myself, just begin hoarding these memories and find it hard to just let go. Now, if you want to record new memories, you’re really going to have to clear out some old ones! Also check for those really pointless ones, like that one photo of your second-cousin’s sea monkeys or that one time you accidentally put your finger over the lens while taking a group photo.
Now, if you absolutely cannot let go of your massive selfie collection– no problem, there’s an app for that! With apps like “Dropbox”, you can store all your photos and videos on a separate, secure server that will be viewable on any device from a cloud as long as you sign in.
Before you go crazy and start deleting photos of your poor grandmother and the golden retriever next door– be absolutely sure this is the source of your low storage capacity. To check exactly what is taking up your space, first launch the “Settings” on your home screen and click on “General.” Next, click on “Usage” and then “Storage.” Here, you will be directed to a detailed list of how much space each app is taking up and you will be prompted to make some decisions on what you need to cut down on.
If you have iOS7 or above, you can actually see how much space your messages app is taking up and perhaps you can begin deleting old messages to clear up space. After all, your iPhone will usually just hold onto message threads up until the point that you manually delete them, so make sure you locate the problem and nip it in the bud. Then, you can continue your selfie craze and upload them all onto Facebook for your friends AND enemies to see!
Apple would love for you to use their iCloud Drive product, but Dropbox is a proven system that’s cross-platform and supported by everyone who supports a link to cloud storage. At $100 a year for a 1TB storage plan, it’s affordable too.
What we would recommend is to stay away from the free photo storage services. They might be great now, but what’s their business model? Will they use your photos commercially? Some do! Will they go out of business and dump all your memories on the way? Some have. That’s why we like and recommend straightforward cloud storage systems. You get what you pay for.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
“This Week in Tech History” Weekly Feature with Chris Graveline
Scott in Jackson, Mississippi listens on 97.3 FM and is calling via the App asked us: “How can I password protect my external hard drive?”
Scott, Usually your external hard drive should come with a software that will allow you to password protect your device easily– but in the unusual case that it doesn’t, there are some softwares available for download that can get that done for you. In the case that you locate the build-in software at a later time, we recommend using that one rather than one of the suggestions we’re about to throw at you because it’s likely suggested by the manufacturer.
One option is to download Folder Lock, an application that will protect against prying eyes who are trying to access all your most sensitive documents. With the full-version, you can lock files and folders using a simple drag-and-drop method, protect locked data, clean window and browser history, feel guarded with secure file, folder and drive shredding, and more. Probably one of the neatest features is that with a cloud backup, you can download a Folder Lock app on your iPhone, Android or Windows phone that will allow you to access files from your phone as well, with features that vary depending upon your phone type. Folder Lock Lite costs about $24.95 and for $15 more, you can purchase purchase the full version.
Also, be on the look-out for discount codes which are usually easy to find on the main Folder Lock website.
Another option is StorageCrypt, a program that allows you to password protect second hard drives as well as removable drives. The program utilizes 128 bit AES encryption to secure your files and promises not to store your password in order to further protect against any violations of privacy. StorageCrypt, while not as high-tech as Folder Lock, comes in at a much more affordable $29.95 for the complete, full-version.
Some editions of Windows come with their own encryption utility, if you have Ultimate or Enterprise versions of any Windows released since Vista came out, you probably have a tool called BitLocker already and for free. BitLocker can encrypt your internal drives, but it also offers an option called “BitLocker To Go” to protect your removable drives.
If you’re running one of the more basic version of Windows, it may not work for you, but If you have access to the right Windows edition, you might as well take advantage of the free encryption that’s already built in, especially since all you may need to do is right click and click Turn on BitLocker.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Guest Segment:
Alex Berard, Chief Elf officer – Portable North Pole
Dan in Fairbanks, Alaska listens on KFBX 970 AM asked us: “Dave, I just bought a new computer with Windows 8.1 on it. I’ve been trying to put Linux puppy or Linux Ubuntu and I find it locked up. I was wondering if you could help out with that.”
Dan, We don’t know exactly what you mean by “locked up” but you used to be able to install Linux by just running and installer, but in some newer machines, Windows has finer control over the hardware, and you may need to take a couple of extra steps.
For starters, you should shrink the partition that Windows is using so you have space to install Linux. That hasn’t changed, you’ve always had to assign each operating system a domain over which to rule, but if you haven’t been doing that, make sure you do it.
You will also have to turn off Fast Boot under System and Security on your Control Panel so that you can boot from your installer media (DVD, USB, external hard drive or whatever you’re using), and you will have to turn off Secure Boot from your UEFI settings. After doing that you should be able to run the Linux installer without any problems.
Searching for specific information on your make and model of computer and including the keywords “linux,” “ubuntu,” and “freezes during installation” might also give you some pointers. It is possible, although perhaps not likely, that you need something adjusted in your build of Linux to compensate for some specific issue with your brand of computer.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Josh in Tupelo, Mississippi listening on Supertalk 94.3 FM asked us: “I dabble in graphic design. I’m in need of a program comparable to Adobe Photoshop but need something that is anywhere from free to much cheaper than Photoshop. Any ideas?”
Josh, You have several options. GIMP is great, a little rough around the edges, and with more of a Linux feel to it, but it’s totally free and it does a lot of what Photoshop does, and does it very well, there’s a version of it called “GIMPShop” that tries to mimic the Photoshop user interface as well, so you could look at that one if you’re really looking for more of a Photoshop clone.
Pixlr is another free option, it’s not as full featured as Photoshop or even GIMP and it’s web based, but it is pretty powerful, especially for a cloud-based tool. If you’re good at image editing already, just make sure you’re not on Basic mode.
Photoshop Express is Adobe’s own free online editor, again, fewer features than real Photoshop, but it will look similar and perform some basic functions. Paintshop Pro will also cost around $80, it’s has plenty of useful features and it may be enough to satisfy you, if you don’t need the most advanced Photoshop functions.
Another great free alternative is PhotoScape. PhotoScape has all of the basic image editing tools you might want, as well as some advanced features that let you add text and other objects to your images. It is far simpler than Photoshop, although admittedly doesn’t do nearly as much, but it’s free, and for someone looking to touch up their digital photos, PhotoScape is a great tool and they have both Windows and Mac versions. You can get the details at photoscape.org.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Richard in Habsburg, Mississippi asked us: “I recently received a wifi antenna for my desktop computer (plugs through a USB cable connector). It works fine for free internet, I’ve had free internet for the past four months, is this okay? Is there anything illegal about doing this? I also have a an antenna, its a analog digital converter box for my Tv with a clear TV antenna and it works free and good too. I have been able to shed Comcast from internet and TV and it is great. Am I doing anything wrong?”
Richard, Using someone else’s WiFi network may or may not be legal depending on where you are. Usually, it’s illegal but few people get in trouble.
Here in Florida, for example, it’s a third-degree felony, but not many people will get in trouble for it. Sometimes even using your neighbors WiFi with their permission is not allowed because of the service contracts that users sign when they get internet access.
The thing is, you probably won’t get caught sitting at home on a desktop on someone else’s WiFi, it’s not like you’re going to be parked at night in some dark alley with the screens glow making your ski mask stand out in the darkness…
You are most likely safe, and you are most likely also breaking the law, if you want to be on the legal side, you should probably be paying, but you’re probably not gonna get in trouble.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
SMS Audio: Street by 50 – Over-The-Ear Headphones and earbuds
Parellels:Parallels Desktop 10 Software allows you to run Windows on your Mac
Kanex: GoPower Battery Pack – Mobile battery pack with built-in stand for smartphones
Tylt: Several Charging cases and cables – for smartphones and tablets