Thanks to all for the great feedback and suggestions. I’ve made my choice: The Google Pixel 6, Stormy Black, 128GB, Unlocked. It is backordered and expected just before Christmas.
[Read more…] about New Phone
Friday News
Clonezilla 2.8.0-27
Clonezilla is a partition and disk imaging/cloning program similar to True Image or Macrium Reflect.
A few enhancements and bugfixes. Linux kernel updated to 5.14.6-3.
I usually use the “alternative stable” download as it is based on Ubuntu.
Download | Release Info
7-Zip 21.06
Bugfix for this weeks v21.05 release.
Download | Release History
Ultimate Windows Tweaker 5 for Windows 11
UWT is a useful tool for Win10 when used judiciously. Not using Win11 so let me know how it goes.
Download & Info
TorGuard Black Friday Sale
60% Off. Plans from $4 per month or $24 a year!
During checkout I chose Anonymous VPN Pro 3 year for $90 which works out to $30 per year.
Why I Don’t Like Apple
In my search for a phone, several folks are recommending iPhones…
[Read more…] about Why I Don’t Like Apple
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday Random Stuff…
I’m still musing about my next smart phone (past comments here and here). The Pixel 6 seems to have a number of issues including slow charging and and slow fingerprint reader. Perhaps if they get this stuff sorted out?
I’m hesitant on Samsung devices because of all the bloatware installed on them.
I’m not interested in Apple devices.
See some consumer reviews:
https://www.verizon.com/smartphones/google-pixel-6/
https://www.verizon.com/smartphones/google-pixel-6-pro/
Win10 21H2
Installed on 2 devices (busy with work) and no major issues. You’ll want to check any disabled network connections and O&O ShutUp10 settings.
7-Zip 21.05
File archiver/extractor. There hasn’t been a non-beta release since v19 in February, 2019.
Download | Release History
Audacity 3.1.2
4 hotfixes.
Download | Release Info
DuckDuckGo
Introducing App Tracking Protection for Android: The easiest way to block trackers lurking in your apps
Introducing Email Protection: The easy way to block email trackers and hide your address
Win10 21H2 Out
Go to Windows Update and choose Check for updates > if you don’t see it the go to the Download Windows 10 site choose Windows 10 November 2021 Update(You can download a full 21H2 install media too.) > double-click to run the file you just downloaded.
[Read more…] about Win10 21H2 Out
Sunday News
BleachBit 4.4.2
Over a dozen fixes.
Download | Release Info
Audacity 3.1.1
“This is a hotfix release.”
Download | Release Notes
Notepad++ 8.1.9.1
1/2 dozen fixes.
Download & Info
AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 21.11.2 Optional Drivers
Support for Battlefield 2042.
Download | Release Notes
Intel Graphics Windows DCH Drivers
v30.0.101.1069. Support for Alder Lake. Improved game loading times for a few games.
Download & Info
Patch Tuesday
Over 20 security updates. Win10 has several important fixes.
Win11 – November 9, 2021—KB5007215 (OS Build 22000.318)
Win10 – November 9, 2021—KB5007186 (OS Builds 19041.1348, 19042.1348, and 19043.1348)
Macrium Reflect Updated
Macrium Reflect 8.0.6353
They have a blog post dated yesterday exclaiming Reflect 8 Free is out now!
I find this to be rather odd since I’ve been using version 8 (free) since May and provided the links here.
Anywho… There’s a bunch of fixes and Win11 support.
Download | Release Notes
For those new here, I use Macrium Reflect to create disk images on all my computers. I use a bootable USB drive via the Create Rescue Media menu option. I only do backups offline. Old habits die hard.
https://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW80/Macrium+Reflect+User+Guide
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Amazon Fire TV 50″ 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV
List Price: $469.99
With Deal: $329.99
You Save: $140.00 (30%)
Friday Random Stuff…
AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 21.11.1 Optional Drivers
Support for Call of Duty: Vanguard and Forza Horizon 5, 2 fixes.
Download | Release Notes
Start11 Released
“Customize the Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 10/11”
I’ve been a Start10 advocate for years. I don’t use Win11 so if anyone is using this let me know what you think.
Download & Info
Intel UHD Graphics Driver for 12th Gen Intel Core Processors
Download & Info
Intel’s Alder Lake big.little CPU design, tested: It’s a barn burner
“Intel’s Alder Lake CPUs are an enormous improvement over their 11th-generation predecessors in every way—they offer both higher raw performance and higher performance-per-watt. They also handily trounce the AMD competition in both the Core i9/Ryzen 9 and Core i5/Ryzen 5 brackets—single-threaded, multithreaded, and just about any way you care to slice it.”
Intel 12th Gen Core Alder Lake Performance Review: Chipzilla Is Back
“These new chips put Intel back into the fight up and down its desktop CPU stack, regardless of workload. New 12th Gen Core CPUs are also priced competitively (at least in terms of MSRP), and the technology offered by this new Intel desktop PC platform is currently unmatched.”
Stuff I bookmarked recently. Some off topic, some not:
Is Facebook Bad for You? It Is for About 360 Million Users, Company Surveys Suggest
“The app hurts sleep, work, relationships or parenting for about 12.5% of users, who reported they felt Facebook was more of a problem than other social media”
The Scorpions new song Peacemaker:
Phil Lynott – Songs For While I’m Away official trailer
Available at Amazon, Google Play, an iTunes Store.
Phil Lynott at Wikipedia
Thin Lizzy at Wikipedia
Thin Lizzy official web site.