Computer stuff...
As I mentioned back in March I bought 2 Galaxy S7’s via a By One Get One promo. The BOGO involved a $672 rebate. I never got it.
***EDIT – August 30, 2016
Happy ending! I got the rebate today.
Submitted: March 23
Received: July 30
Promised prior to rebate: “8-10 weeks”
Promised after submitting rebate info: “after 45 days of service”
It took 129 days, or 18 weeks and 3 days… and 3 “escalations”… and 2 forum posts… and 1 site post.
Hope the summer is treating you right.
Work had me burned out so I headed to the beach for a few days. Mostly rode my bike, drank some great local brews, and ate a ton of seafood.
Software Updates
Google Chrome 51.0.2704.106
Intel SSD Toolbox 3.3.6
Mp3tag v2.78
My Bike
2008 Specialized Hardrock Sport
Nothing special. Just an old, light duty mountain bike. I don’t get too crazy on it anymore.
RIP Chekov
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Anton Yelchin.
I only knew him in the role of Chekov in the latest Star Trek movies. I enjoyed him in the role. He made me laugh and that is a wonderful thing to do for another person.
CCleaner Updated
“Improved…Optimized…improvements…bug fixes…”
Download
Yeah, that’s it. Work has got me beat.
Thanks to reader Tim Cole for the heads up.
Adobe Flash has been updated. This means Google Chrome has been updated (Help > About Google Chrome) as well as Internet Explorer for Windows 8.1 and 10 (run Windows Update).
Download Flash :
Flash for IE
Flash for other browsers
Main download page
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Download Google Chrome
New Nvidia Drivers
GeForce Game Ready Driver 368.39 WHQL is out.
Download
Release notes
Browser Updates
Firefox 47 and Chrome 51.0.2704.84 have been released.
Download Firefox
Download Chrome
Wise Disk Cleaner 9.25
“Changes: Added some third-party software cleaning. Updated various translations. Minor GUI Improvements.”
Download
Petition
Have the EFF investigate Microsoft for malicious practices regarding Windows 10
Learn Linux
Great site: Linux Journey, “Learn the ways of Linux-fu, for free.”
Google Chrome Updated
“The stable channel has been updated to 51.0.2704.79 for Windows, Mac, and Linux…This update includes 15 security fixes.”
Download
You Don’t Need An App For That
There is a new Win10 app that shows if you’ve been “hacked”.
All it really does is check the existing site Have I Been Pwned. You can do that yourself.
Now You’re Upset? Really???
The latest chapter in the GWX saga has even Microsoft Fanbois upset. Basically clicking the “X” the in GWX pop-up window results in Win10 being installed. In the last 24 hours I’ve seen the terms used to describe this maneuver:
-Nagware
-Malware
-Unacceptable
-Indefensible
-Shenanigans
-Final Straw
-Nasty
-Dirty Trick
Criminy! Where the hell have you been?
Geeks from around the web have been screaming from the rooftops about GWX since this BS started. I’m pretty sure we’ve used all those words above, and, we’ve been doing it for months now.
Google Chrome 51
“The Chrome team is delighted to announce the promotion of Chrome 51 to the stable channel for Windows and Mac (Linux will ship shortly). Chrome 51.0.2704.63 contains a number of fixes and improvements…This update includes 42 security fixes.”
Download or update from within the program.
New Nvidia Drivers
GeForce Game Ready Driver 368.22 WHQL is out.
Download
Release notes
Ewe Need Faster RAM?
TechSpot examines whether faster RAM makes much difference. I expect synthetic benchmarks to show a difference and they did. For gaming it looks like it depends on the game but some extra FPS can be had. Good article and a quick read.
AS SSD Benchmark Updated
Adds Win10 support and a bugfix. Download and Info.
Independence Day: Resurgence | Extended HD Trailer #3 | 2016
I was in an email conversation this morning with a reader over a tech pundits condescending statement, “No self-respecting technology enthusiast would stick with Windows 7 in 2016.”
[Read more…] about Technology Enthusiast vs Geek
That Would Be A Big Fat “No”
iVerge’s Thomas Ricker asks “Do you trust Google to always be listening inside your Home?”
This Stuff Is Getting Out Of Hand
Think you’re not being tracked? Now websites turn to audio fingerprinting to follow you
It’s Kinda Funny When It Isn’t Happening To You
I watched PT’s twitter feed in twisted amusement as he found out what so many of us have known for so long. For Windows 7, Windows Update is “broken”. It is the opinion of a great many Geeks, myself included, that Microsoft is deliberately sabotaging Windows 7 Windows Update. He wrote the following article in the aftermath:
The Convenience Rollup Makes a Big Difference, But Windows 7 Updating is Still Broken
(Please notice I said opinion.)
7-Zip 16.02
Version 16 got a couple of minor updates since it’s release a couple of weeks ago.
Star Trek Beyond Trailer #2 (2016) – Paramount Pictures