Long gone, but now back… sort of. :)
Q. What are the advantages of using a word processor over using a typewriter? (Via Quora) A. The answer varies somewhat, depending on exactly what you mean by “word processor.” The most common meaning is a piece of software that can capture your keystrokes on a personal computer of some type, including smartphones, tablets, and…
Q. Who is the “genius” who invented Windows registry? (via Quora) A. It was a group, not a single person. But from your snark, I assume you’re unhappy with the Windows Registry — you’re having some problem with it, yes? Here’s the thing: The Registry is just a special-purpose hierarchical database. Hierarchical databases have existed…
Q: “What was the last generation that learned to type on a typewriter instead of a computer keyboard?” (via Quora) A: In the developed world, the “boomer” generation — offspring of WW2-era parents — are almost surely the last. I’m part of the tail end of the Boomer generation. In my own career, I started…
Q: What is the funniest filename you have ever seen? (via Quora) A: Funniest one I recall was actually a folder name. Back in the day, serious PC users could create small scripts to automate repetitive tasks. These scripts were actually a series of manual commands that the operating system would execute, same as if you’d…
Reader Eric Desman writes: Fred, You have always had a practical approach to layered backups. In 2018, what is your recommendation for backups? I currently backup to a local external hard drive and use Backblaze for off-site backups. I found an old version of Zipit.bat that made me think of this. :-o. — Eric Your…
A reader asks, via Quora: Q. “What would happen, if all humans suddenly gained the ability to fly?” A. For one thing, car windshields would be much harder to keep clean. Permalink: https://wp.me/paaiox-4o Ask me anything! Use the Contact link on this page.
Reader John Negley asks: “Fred, What e-bike do you have? “I know of your love of bike riding, I’ve seen your videos. I am also like you, approaching geezer age. So I’m thinking of getting a bike too. Just curious, what type of bike to you have? I plan on riding on paved roads &…
Q: What is the maximum length for an HDMI cable before attenuation occurs? (via Quora) A: In reality, any length of cable will introduce some attenuation. I think you’re actually asking “how long can a cable be before attenuation becomes a problem?” But even there, there’s no absolute answer. A cable in an electromagnetically quiet…
Q: My Lenovo (windows 8.1, later 10) used a recovery drive from an Acer laptop with Windows 8 which it updated to 10. Len now thinks it’s an Acer? What changed? (Question sent via Quora) A: OEM recovery drives usually contain drivers and add-on software specific to that brand of PC; the Acer recovery disk…
A reader asks: How do I know if I have enough RAM? (Question sent to me via Quora) Every device (PCs, tablets, smartphones…), and every user, has a unique answer for “what’s enough RAM?” In a perfect world, RAM would you hold all of your running programs and processes in their entirety, live; letting the hard drive…