Setting up iPhone for Vintage Users in a Dignified Way

I was a guest on Allison Sheridan's Chit Chat Across the Pond where we had a great discussion about how to help inexperienced smartphone users of an advanced age group by setting up a new iPhone for them or optimizing the one they already have.

I hope you enjoy listening to the show as much as I did helping to make it. Allison and I could talk for days on this subject and I think you'll be able to tell. :)

Here are the show notes I composed for this episode. It's super long and I've modified it to add some new tips I thought of after the recording, but I hope it can be used as a reference guide for those who might be struggling or need some additional tips when working with their loved ones or assisting a friend in need.

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Problem to be Solved: simplifying a complicated device to meet the basic needs of a user with limited touch interface skills while helping to preserve their autonomy in the process.

Recurring things I have observed to be helpful
If it causes more problems than it solves, it’s time to reevaluate.

This is not a complete list and it can take days or even weeks of tweaking, exploring, and experimenting to get someone’s device set up to be the most optimal for their needs, but it’s a good place to start thinking about the most necessary features and settings. Start by doing the initial setup and then make adjustments as the person you're helping gains more confidence and experience. If there is something they don’t like, take time to listen to their needs.

In the beginning it can be really hard for them to ask for help when they don’t know what something is called in order to phrase the question effectively. Aim to reduce whatever is causing friction by asking them what task they’re trying to accomplish. Maybe the text is too small or the screen doesn’t stay lit long enough for them to finish their question, but they weren’t sure how to convey that to you. 

Always check and ask for consent as you go. They might not understand what it is they are consenting to though, so try to explain your intent to help them be more secure with their new device and how the setup is intended to help them use it more easily and securely. Trust is paramount and they’re relying on you to help.

It's The Great Sale Sporting Event

I obsess when it comes to Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales because I save and research all year long for these days to come! My sister is the hard-core brick and mortar in-store shopper and I'm the caffeine dosing all-nighter online shopper. Both of us treat this time of year like it's a goddamn sporting event!

Well, I thought I'd share my findings here on my blog in hopes that some of you could benefit from it. Sharing is caring :)

It's iPad Stylus Comparison Time!
Did you get in on the Black Friday sale on a new iPad yet?

These newer iPads work with Apple Pencil, but those things are really, really pricey, so I set out to look at alternatives. 🤑

Lots of styluses are on sale now and choice paralysis is setting in. Maybe these considerations could help YOU decide so have a look:

✏️Compared to the Adonit Note, the Crayon can make thick and thin lines because it supports tilt, but I'm still not yet sure if that means you can make shading in sketches happen or not. None of the sub-$50 stylus models seem to support pressure sensitivity, so you'll need to pick and choose from their other features. Reviewers on Amazon for the Adonit Note report a better on/off/connection experience compared to the Adonit Crayon. Both have nibs that wear out over time and need to be replaced, but they are soft on the iPad's glass and don't scratch. I still think it sucks that they don't come with replacement nibs. You'll need to factor in the replacement pricing towards the total cost over ownership.

✏️Then there are the lesser-known (or not really known at all) brands like FoJoJo — which is just fun to say. Styli made by these makers all seem to be knock-offs of each other and it's difficult to tell from the reviews how well these models will hold up over time or if they'll be supported with new firmware down the road when needed. (Hello, FiftyThree Pencil, anyone? :(

✏️The thing that frustrates me about the "carbon fiber" nibs is that I can't seem to determine whether or not they can or will scratch the iPad's glass. The details are sketchy at best. (See what I did there?) In some of the product details they recommend that you put a screen protector on your iPad, but they don't want to admit it's because their nib could potentially scratch the glass like some buyers reported. It says on other product details that the nib is smooth and won't scratch, so which is it?! They all seem to provide replacement nibs, which is handy. but compared to the cost of having to get a screen protector, we're then back to factoring in yet another add-on to the total cost. There is a 5-minute auto-shut off feature which, at first I thought was cool, but then I thought about how frequently I get distracted by interruptions and then I imagined that it would feel like it was constantly losing the connection, so now I'm not so sure if that will be a good feature. One last thing to consider is power button placement. Some look like they would get pressed by accident while others are a tap on the top which might be better.

🛍Either way, these are all great alternatives to the pricier Apple Pencil if you don't need the additional bells and whistles. If you can keep your expectations reasonable for whether or not the money you save is worth the lack of longevity and future support, then one of these might get you creating more with your fancy new iPad!

Here are the three I've been comparing: (The Adonit went on sale again while I was writing this!)
✍️Logotech Crayon:


✍️Adonit Note:


✍️FoJoJo:


Go Clean Your...Mac!
You've heard me brag about how much space I save on my Mac by using Mac Cleaner X, right?
Wait...NO? Sheesh! You're worse than my kids!! Go check out this Sale on the MacPaw Store


(Thank you kindly if you've considered clicking my affiliate links in this post.) 🙏

CleanMyMac X Has A New Space Lens Feature

I am really looking forward to trying this new feature out on all my external hard drives! MacPaw makes some of the most beautifully designed interfaces on the planet and I'm thankful for the opportunity to review this version of CleanMyMac X.

Here is a peek at new feature called Space Lens.

One of the toughest parts of my job is trying to help my clients move their data around and optimize it so they can access it. So many times they have external hard drives loaded with stuff and they don't know what's on them. I'm going to scan a bunch of my own drives with this new tool.

I'll report back with new features as I discover them, but two features that look really interesting are the built in malware detection scan and the Menu Bar status. (It's a bit like iStat Menus.)

Download a free trial and check it out for your Mac.

How to Block Your Caller ID

Today I helped a client who needed assistance disputing a charge on their credit card. They were duped into purchasing a piece of software considered to be malware. (More on that later.) During the process, the credit card customer service representative instructed my client to call the phone number listed on the transaction. They said the rules are that the customer has to make an attempt to contact the solicitor to cancel the charge. I told the rep that I did not think it was a good idea for my client to call the number and risk having her number added to yet another robo call list. The rep was resourceful and looked up the instructions for blocking caller ID. I have not had this need so I wasn't familiar with the process, but I was happy to learn about it.

Dial *67

We first tested it out by having my client use their landline to dial *67 and then my phone number. I showed them my screen so they could see what it looked like. Once we were confident it worked, we dialed the toll free number of the malware company. I really did not like this part, but the credit card rep told us that it was a standard protocol that needed to be followed in order to dispute the transaction and that this happens a lot. They said they see this a lot and don't expect there to be a live human on the other end. Sure enough, it was only a recording when we called it. Now, if ever it would need to be investigated again, there is a record of the steps taken to dispute the charge.

I hope this helps should you find yourself in this scenario.

Geekiest Show Ever with Kevin & Mike - Episode 209

!! colorful language advisory !!
Talking smack with Kevin and Mike on
"Geekiest Show Ever 209 – Peanuts Cause Facebook Problems"

Check out original show notes here: https://geekiestshowever.wordpress.com/2016/04/20/geekiest-show-ever-209-peanuts-cause-facebook-problems/
explicit
Tap or click the play button in this player to listen to the show.

Upgrade Your Car With ZUS

Mother's Day isn't far off and I have a terrific gift idea! If the mom in your life is anything like me she may have any one or more of the following: an older or aging car, a habit of losing her car in a parking lot or parked on the street far away, and a smartphone or tablet that's running low on juice (because she just shot a bunch of home movie and photos). Sound familiar?

ZUS to the rescue! Thanks to a review unit from nonda.co, this handy new gadget has given my 13-year-old car a bit of an upgrade. ZUS plugs into the cigarette lighter port and converts it into a 2-port charging outlet for USB-powered devices. I love how each port is illuminated so I can find them easily in the dark. It's also built with military-grade materials so I don't have to worry about it melting or malfunctioning in the desert temperatures where I live. Not only does this thing charge our smartphones AND tablets quickly, it also helps me locate my car!

Imagine you're on a road trip with the family and your destination is an amusement park with one of those huge parking lots. I always have so much anxiety worrying about finding my car when we get back. Recently, I took the kids to the Children's Museum downtown where parking was a huge challenge because of the need to park so far from our destination. In these scenarios, I used to whip out the Notes app and jot down the row number or some kind of description or snap a photo – all while trying to keep my wiggly kids from having a meltdown because it's taking Mommy too long. Now I can park my car quickly and worry-free because ZUS will help me find it. When it's time to walk back, my kids love helping me find our car with the ZUS iPhone app because it gives us a compass to follow. If for any reason it can't pinpoint your location as you park your car, the app lets you know and directs you to snap a photo of the area surrounding your car. (So far in testing it out, it's only happened once during our current road trip.)

Another great feature in the ZUS app is the ability to set a parking timer right there as soon as you park. We've definitely been in that situation many times where we had to concern ourselves with a parking meter ON TOP OFF trying to remember at which meter we've parked! Two problems solved with one ZUS!

My family and I have travelled across the country and back several times and I can already see how handy ZUS will be for future road trips to come.

I really think this would make a fantastic gift for Mother's Day on Sunday, May 8th, 2016. When you buy a ZUS directly from nonda.co, use this 10% off promo code (valid until March 31, 2016)

SMM-AKZUSSUMMER16

If you're reading this after Mother's Day, then Father's Day next on the gift list! Check it out using my affiliate link and thanks in advance for supporting my blog!

Many thanks to nonda.co for the opportunity to review ZUS for my readers!

Guy Lets Me Vent On MyMac Podcast Episode 584-5

Getting it out of my system with Guy on
"MyMac Podcast 584-5: TheMacMommy is Angry"

Check out original show notes here: http://www.mymac.com/2015/12/mymac-podcast-584-5-themacmommy-is-angry/

Tap or click the play button in this player to listen to the show.

How To Update Adobe Flash Player: A Walk-Through

Hand-Made Mac Tip:

How To Update Adobe Flash Player On A Mac — A Walk-Through
with Step By Step Pictures

I get many requests for how to do this, so I thought I'd make a tutorial.
I hope this is helpful and helps keep you SAFE from hackers!

So, you're surfing along on the Internet in Safari or whichever browser you choose and all of the sudden, this window pops up out of nowhere! It seems to do this fairly frequently!

Why? Because Adobe is constantly patching its software to keep the bad guys out and they need to send you an update. While you don't want to ignore these updates, you don't want to get tricked into putting something harmful on your computer by the bad guys pretending to be Adobe either.

Follow these steps to do it the safe way:

Here is the window that pops up. Even though this one may be legit, lets pretend it's not and go get it from the source making sure we are the one making all the calls.

You may have to repeat these steps if BOTH of these plugins have updates. Most times it's just one or the other. You will see a message that says you're up to date if none is needed. If an update is available, it will say so like shown in the next image.

Wow. 14 steps! They sure don't make it simple, do they  Why do we even need Adobe Flash anyway? 

It's one of those necessary evils that's called a plugin. It's like a supplement for our computers. Without it, we wouldn't be able to process certain multimedia content like videos or interactive graphs. Lots of banking websites still require it to make their websites function the way they were designed to be viewed by the visitor. They want to display information in a chart and it may have some type of animation. To you it may be overkill, but to the web designers, this is the choice they made. 

What if I don't care about updating it? Can't I just skip it? 

Sure, but you do so at your own risk. You could be allowing the plugin you are currently using to operate with a "hole" in it — one the bad guys could get through to compromise your security. Better safe than sorry.

Is Your Website Mobile-Friendly?

Google has a new tool to check your website to see if it is mobile-friendly. Just click the link and enter your site"s url into the box and view the results.

https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly/

This example shows that my blog is mobile-friendly.

What happens if your site isn"t mobile-friendly? Your site won"t get listed at the top in google search results which means less visitors. Contact your website designer and let them know. If you need a website designer, let me know and I can put you in touch with my friends and colleagues in the business.

On Geekiest Show Ever 161 with Keven & Mike

!! colorful language advisory !!
I pick Kevin's brain on his new iPhone 6 Plus as I'm still on the fence about which form factor I want in the new iPhone. I tell the story of how I recovered my husband's stolen iPhones. Mike talks gear that collects data and more on
"Geekiest Show Ever 161 – Our Connection to Sanity"

Check out original show notes here: https://geekiestshowever.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/geekiest-show-ever-161-our-connection-to-sanity/
explicit
Tap or click the play button in this player to listen to the show.