Re: [Techno-Chat]: Storage Of Data in a FTP Server

[Dane Trethowan]

Okay thanks I’ll look at that in a moment.
Another problem has popped up along similar lines, it concerns NTFS drives I 
have added to the server machine which I wish to access via another computer on 
the network.
I have a number of Paragon NTFS For Mac licenses here and I installed one of 
those on the Server machine, so far so good and I can read/write to the NTFS 
drives I added to the server however I cannot access them via another computer 
on the Network.
Is there any way around this or am I going to have to reformat the NTFS drives 
to HFS.


> On 18 Jul 2020, at 1:18 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> I'm not sure what you mean by more practical. You. Have a couple of options 
> realistically speaking. First, you could addmore drives to your machine and 
> point your server to custom folders. Rumpus is incredibly powerful in that 
> regard. You do it like this:
> • Prepare your drive so that it's in a format that your Mac would recognise 
> and allow read/write access. Note that by default, MacOS cannot write to an 
> NTFS volume, although it can read from them.
> • Plug in your drive and ensure it's active.
> • Set up a folder set for custom access to. That drive within Rumpus.
> • Allocate your read/write permissions for the folder. Note that the 
> permissions can be overridden on a per-user basis if required.
> • Point your custom folder set to /Volumes/Drive/Folder/ and that's it.
> 
> So, define "More Practical", please. Feel free to take this off list if you 
> require detailed configuration help.
> 
> 
> On 16/07/2020, 14:31, "Dane Trethowan"  wrote:
> 
>Hi.
>Up until recently I was quite content to use the second drive on my Mac 
> mini Server machine - which runs the Rumps FTP server - for data storage but 
> that was then
>The amount of data I need to store online has increased 5 fold so I’m left 
> wondering about the most efficient way of handling this.
>At the moment I’m using a collection of Seagate Expansion 5TB drives 
> plugged into spare USB ports, so far so good but I wonder whether there’s a 
> more practical way of doing this?
> 
>--
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This post, like all posts to the Techno 

[Techno-Chat]: Storage Of Data in a FTP Server

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi.
Up until recently I was quite content to use the second drive on my Mac mini 
Server machine - which runs the Rumps FTP server - for data storage but that 
was then
The amount of data I need to store online has increased 5 fold so I’m left 
wondering about the most efficient way of handling this.
At the moment I’m using a collection of Seagate Expansion 5TB drives plugged 
into spare USB ports, so far so good but I wonder whether there’s a more 
practical way of doing this?

--

This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned by 
our server-side antivirus/malware solution. This should not, however, be viewed 
as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no culpability 
whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your systems as a result 
of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say that we remain vigilant 
within the boundaries of reason. We strongly urge you to do likewise! You have 
been warned!!!

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[Techno-Chat]: Article: How to cast or mirror a smartphone wirelessly to a TV | CHOICE

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi.
Thought other list members may find the below article of interest and a great 
starting point of reference.
https://www.choice.com.au/electronics-and-technology/home-entertainment/tvs-and-projectors/articles/how-to-cast-videos-and-photos-wirelessly-to-a-tv?utm_source=twitter_medium=social_campaign=how_to_cast_tv
 

 

[Techno-Chat]: Voice Dream Reader and Scanner Apps for Android, 50% off

[Dane Trethowan]

Subject line says everything.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=voicedream.reader=en_US 
 

RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

[Dane Trethowan]

Speed isn't really a factor with this machine I don't think given the machine 
isn't all that powerful in any case.
SD cards are nearly being given away these days when it comes to price, I could 
I think get 128GB for near to or under a hundred dolloars.


-Original Message-
From: d.griff...@btinternet.com  
Sent: Saturday, 18 April 2020 5:39 AM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

OK  thanks 
I will be grateful if you could report back your experiences over the next few 
weeks.
At least the SD card should not be too  expensive.
I think Class 10 are the fastest for a machine like yours? I may be a little  
out of date.
David G.

-Original Message-
From: Dane Trethowan  
Sent: 17 April 2020 20:26
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

Yes the Lenovo is Android compatible and I will install some Android Apps, the 
Doubletwist Music Player will be one of the first I Install.
I have to be a little careful as I have less than 64GB of storage to play with 
right now though this will of course be rectified when I get a SD card to 
expand the machine's storage.


-Original Message-
From: d.griff...@btinternet.com  
Sent: Saturday, 18 April 2020 4:09 AM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

Is your one Android compatible?
Are you going to install any Android apps?
David G.

-Original Message-
From: Dane Trethowan  
Sent: 17 April 2020 18:23
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

It would depend on whether your Chromebook ran the Android OS as well which 
most modern-day Chromebook and Chromebox machines seem to d.
Google Chrome OS is not the same as Google Android so make sure your Chromebook 
or Chromebox machine supports both OS platforms before you attempt to install 
any Android Apps.


-Original Message-
From: d.griff...@btinternet.com  
Sent: Saturday, 18 April 2020 3:19 AM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running


What I would personally find very interesting is the extent to which phone 
based Android  apps are usable and accessible on a Chrome Book.
So for example would a TTS voice bought under Android on the Google Play Store 
also be available on a Chrome Book?
As another example there are gaps in accessible Desktop/Laptop Windows 
applications  which do not appear on mobile devices. On my iPhone I can used 
CloudBeats for Music and  and/or Cloudbeats for Audio Books to accessibly 
stream all my media from DropBox and OneDrive through a proper media player 
interface making for me Apple Music unnecessary.
I know there are Android versions of these Cloudbeats programs - but would they 
work on a Chrome Book? If they did it would provide a functionality which 
Windows Laptops, as far as I am aware are not able to accessibly replicate as 
programs like Clementine are completely screenreader inaccessible.
I am sure there are other examples of Android apps which give  accessible 
functionality which is difficult to replicate under Windows.
David Griffith







-Original Message-
From: Dane Trethowan 
Sent: 17 April 2020 18:05
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

Hi again Travis.
I'm replying again as I've since done some more searching on Chromebooks and 
what I found did surprise me.
There are literally hundrends of Chromebook and Chromebox models out there and 
the specifications vary widely, right up to Intel I7 jobs with 16GB of RAM and 
512GB of storage as you will find in the top model of Google Pixel Book 
Chromebook computer.
My Lenovo machine is a dwarf compared to those specs with 64GB SD and 4GB of 
RAM though this shouldn't be a huge issue when running "Stand-Alone"
Androids Apps which you can do apart from the Online Chrome OS though to have 
the power of a Pixel Book would be absolutely wonderful so I might just put one 
of those on my savings goal list though - given the Pixel Book 2 is a couple of 
years old now - Google may very well release a replacement model.
As my house is dominated by Mac machines so it now seems to be dominated by 
Android devices so I'll just walk out into the backyard and drop dead .


-Original Message-
From: Travis Siegel 
Sent: Saturday, 18 April 2020 1:04 AM
To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! 
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

I tried a chromebook last year, when I bought it for my daughter.  I found it 
usable, but extremely limited in what it can do.  It would appear that if 
you're looking to do anything online, (basically, anything browser based), then 
chrome os is a perfect fit for you.  If however, you're like me, and do nearly 
nothing on the web, the chrome book/os is not a good fit. Honestly, I see how 
it could be useful, it just is

RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

[Dane Trethowan]

Yes the Lenovo is Android compatible and I will install some Android Apps, the 
Doubletwist Music Player will be one of the first I Install.
I have to be a little careful as I have less than 64GB of storage to play with 
right now though this will of course be rectified when I get a SD card to 
expand the machine's storage.


-Original Message-
From: d.griff...@btinternet.com  
Sent: Saturday, 18 April 2020 4:09 AM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

Is your one Android compatible?
Are you going to install any Android apps?
David G.

-Original Message-
From: Dane Trethowan  
Sent: 17 April 2020 18:23
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

It would depend on whether your Chromebook ran the Android OS as well which 
most modern-day Chromebook and Chromebox machines seem to d.
Google Chrome OS is not the same as Google Android so make sure your Chromebook 
or Chromebox machine supports both OS platforms before you attempt to install 
any Android Apps.


-Original Message-
From: d.griff...@btinternet.com  
Sent: Saturday, 18 April 2020 3:19 AM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running


What I would personally find very interesting is the extent to which phone 
based Android  apps are usable and accessible on a Chrome Book.
So for example would a TTS voice bought under Android on the Google Play Store 
also be available on a Chrome Book?
As another example there are gaps in accessible Desktop/Laptop Windows 
applications  which do not appear on mobile devices. On my iPhone I can used 
CloudBeats for Music and  and/or Cloudbeats for Audio Books to accessibly 
stream all my media from DropBox and OneDrive through a proper media player 
interface making for me Apple Music unnecessary.
I know there are Android versions of these Cloudbeats programs - but would they 
work on a Chrome Book? If they did it would provide a functionality which 
Windows Laptops, as far as I am aware are not able to accessibly replicate as 
programs like Clementine are completely screenreader inaccessible.
I am sure there are other examples of Android apps which give  accessible 
functionality which is difficult to replicate under Windows.
David Griffith







-Original Message-
From: Dane Trethowan 
Sent: 17 April 2020 18:05
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

Hi again Travis.
I'm replying again as I've since done some more searching on Chromebooks and 
what I found did surprise me.
There are literally hundrends of Chromebook and Chromebox models out there and 
the specifications vary widely, right up to Intel I7 jobs with 16GB of RAM and 
512GB of storage as you will find in the top model of Google Pixel Book 
Chromebook computer.
My Lenovo machine is a dwarf compared to those specs with 64GB SD and 4GB of 
RAM though this shouldn't be a huge issue when running "Stand-Alone"
Androids Apps which you can do apart from the Online Chrome OS though to have 
the power of a Pixel Book would be absolutely wonderful so I might just put one 
of those on my savings goal list though - given the Pixel Book 2 is a couple of 
years old now - Google may very well release a replacement model.
As my house is dominated by Mac machines so it now seems to be dominated by 
Android devices so I'll just walk out into the backyard and drop dead .


-Original Message-
From: Travis Siegel 
Sent: Saturday, 18 April 2020 1:04 AM
To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! 
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

I tried a chromebook last year, when I bought it for my daughter.  I found it 
usable, but extremely limited in what it can do.  It would appear that if 
you're looking to do anything online, (basically, anything browser based), then 
chrome os is a perfect fit for you.  If however, you're like me, and do nearly 
nothing on the web, the chrome book/os is not a good fit. Honestly, I see how 
it could be useful, it just isn't for me.

--

This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned by 
our server-side antivirus/malware solution. This should not, however, be viewed 
as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no culpability 
whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your systems as a result 
of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say that we remain vigilant 
within the boundaries of reason. We strongly urge you to do likewise! You have 
been warned!!!

You can find an RSS listing of all posts to this group at:
<https://mail.mac-access.net:7025/list/techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
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To encourage your friends to join this group, first accept our thanks for 
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RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

[Dane Trethowan]

It would depend on whether your Chromebook ran the Android OS as well which 
most modern-day Chromebook and Chromebox machines seem to d.
Google Chrome OS is not the same as Google Android so make sure your Chromebook 
or Chromebox machine supports both OS platforms before you attempt to install 
any Android Apps.


-Original Message-
From: d.griff...@btinternet.com  
Sent: Saturday, 18 April 2020 3:19 AM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running


What I would personally find very interesting is the extent to which phone 
based Android  apps are usable and accessible on a Chrome Book.
So for example would a TTS voice bought under Android on the Google Play Store 
also be available on a Chrome Book?
As another example there are gaps in accessible Desktop/Laptop Windows 
applications  which do not appear on mobile devices. On my iPhone I can used 
CloudBeats for Music and  and/or Cloudbeats for Audio Books to accessibly 
stream all my media from DropBox and OneDrive through a proper media player 
interface making for me Apple Music unnecessary.
I know there are Android versions of these Cloudbeats programs - but would they 
work on a Chrome Book? If they did it would provide a functionality which 
Windows Laptops, as far as I am aware are not able to accessibly replicate as 
programs like Clementine are completely screenreader inaccessible.
I am sure there are other examples of Android apps which give  accessible 
functionality which is difficult to replicate under Windows.
David Griffith







-Original Message-
From: Dane Trethowan 
Sent: 17 April 2020 18:05
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

Hi again Travis.
I'm replying again as I've since done some more searching on Chromebooks and 
what I found did surprise me.
There are literally hundrends of Chromebook and Chromebox models out there and 
the specifications vary widely, right up to Intel I7 jobs with 16GB of RAM and 
512GB of storage as you will find in the top model of Google Pixel Book 
Chromebook computer.
My Lenovo machine is a dwarf compared to those specs with 64GB SD and 4GB of 
RAM though this shouldn't be a huge issue when running "Stand-Alone"
Androids Apps which you can do apart from the Online Chrome OS though to have 
the power of a Pixel Book would be absolutely wonderful so I might just put one 
of those on my savings goal list though - given the Pixel Book 2 is a couple of 
years old now - Google may very well release a replacement model.
As my house is dominated by Mac machines so it now seems to be dominated by 
Android devices so I'll just walk out into the backyard and drop dead .


-Original Message-
From: Travis Siegel 
Sent: Saturday, 18 April 2020 1:04 AM
To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! 
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

I tried a chromebook last year, when I bought it for my daughter.  I found it 
usable, but extremely limited in what it can do.  It would appear that if 
you're looking to do anything online, (basically, anything browser based), then 
chrome os is a perfect fit for you.  If however, you're like me, and do nearly 
nothing on the web, the chrome book/os is not a good fit. Honestly, I see how 
it could be useful, it just isn't for me.

--

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This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned by 
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as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no culpability 
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of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say that we remain vigilant 
within the boundaries of reason. We strongly urg

RE: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi again Travis.
I'm replying again as I've since done some more searching on Chromebooks and
what I found did surprise me.
There are literally hundrends of Chromebook and Chromebox models out there
and the specifications vary widely, right up to Intel I7 jobs with 16GB of
RAM and 512GB of storage as you will find in the top model of Google Pixel
Book Chromebook computer.
My Lenovo machine is a dwarf compared to those specs with 64GB SD and 4GB of
RAM though this shouldn't be a huge issue when running "Stand-Alone"
Androids Apps which you can do apart from the Online Chrome OS though to
have the power of a Pixel Book would be absolutely wonderful so I might just
put one of those on my savings goal list though - given the Pixel Book 2 is
a couple of years old now - Google may very well release a replacement
model.
As my house is dominated by Mac machines so it now seems to be dominated by
Android devices so I'll just walk out into the backyard and drop dead
.


-Original Message-
From: Travis Siegel  
Sent: Saturday, 18 April 2020 1:04 AM
To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! 
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

I tried a chromebook last year, when I bought it for my daughter.  I found
it usable, but extremely limited in what it can do.  It would appear that if
you're looking to do anything online, (basically, anything browser based),
then chrome os is a perfect fit for you.  If however, you're like me, and do
nearly nothing on the web, the chrome book/os is not a good fit. Honestly, I
see how it could be useful, it just isn't for me.

--

This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned
by our server-side antivirus/malware solution. This should not, however, be
viewed as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no
culpability whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your
systems as a result of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say
that we remain vigilant within the boundaries of reason. We strongly urge
you to do likewise! You have been warned!!!

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[Techno-Chat]: Chromebook Up And Running

[Dane Trethowan]

H.
List members asked me to keep them informed of my progress with my new 
Chromebook so here goes.
Firstly I have a Lenovo Model E500 which has 4GB of RAM and a 64GB SSD.
Various configurations of the E500 are available with different RAM and SSD 
sizes going up to 256GB SSD and 16GB RAM but all seem to have the same 
connection set of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Micro SSD card slot, 2 USB-A 3.0 and 2 
USB-C 3.1 ports along with a headphone/microphone combo jack and stereo 
speakers.
The first surprise I got was when typing on the keyboard which doesn’t feel 
cramped and has a good comfortable feel to the key travel.
The E500 is also a tablet - fold the screen around on the 360 degree hinge to 
gain access to the screen as a tablet touch screen -.
Although the E500 is only an 11-inch model the touch screen seems much bigger 
when you start working with it.
Turing on Chromevox - the built-in Screen Reader - is done by booting up the 
machine and typing ctrl-alt-Z on the keyboard, the machine beeps and a message 
telling you that Chromevox is enabled is spoken.
If using the screen then press both volume up/down keys together for 5 seconds, 
wait for the audible tone and keep holding to enable Chromevox.
Operations from this point are fairly straight forward though you will need to 
use the “Search” key in combination with other keys on the keyboard to navigate 
with Chromevox, like other Screen Readers Chromevox will issue brief 
instructions on the commands available according to the appropriate context and 
environment of working.
The user needs a Google account and I have one so I just signed in following 
the prompts and allowed my new Chromebook to sync data from my Google account.
The search key on the E500 is where the Caps Lock key would normally be on a 
keyboard so the next question is how the hell one toggles Caps Lock? I’ve not 
found out as yet.
In the time I’ve ad the Chromebook I’ve performed various tasks including my 
regular daily afternoon read of Theaustralian newspaper, listening to various 
radio stations through their web sites and editing documents with Google Docs.
A bug pointed out in a review of Chromevox - characters being echoed a quarter 
of a second or so after being enter - seems to have been squashed thank 
goodness, all voice feedback whilst using Google Docs to type was pretty much 
heard instantly after each key was pressed.
So that’s a basic summary of just over 48 hours with the Lenovo E500 Chromebook.

--

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[Techno-Chat]: RADIO AUSTRALIA SPECIAL EVENT STATION ANNOUNCED! – TECSUN Radios

[Dane Trethowan]

https://www.tecsunradios.com.au/store/radio-australia-special-event-station-announced/
 

 

[Techno-Chat]: The TCL Plex Phone

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi.
I added another phone to my collection Yesterday in the form of the TCL Plex.
I bought the Plex for a number of reasons, I wanted a cheap phone for those 
times when I’m out and about and I was curious to know exactly what a $499 
phone felt like to use.
I will write up some notes on the phone shortly but for now I will say what one 
can buy for $499 in a phone is impressive and the TCL Plex should not be 
overlooked if you’re looking for a new phone because of the excellent feature 
set and build.
Sure, the Plex is not a premium phone and compremises have been made however in 
a few areas the TCL Plex swipes the big boys.
Talk Later.

[Techno-Chat]: Kogan 32-inch Series 9 LED Android Television: selling for half price

[Dane Trethowan]

Subject line says it all and I would recommend this Television if you want 
something of a reasonably small size that is quite functional.
I’ve written about this Television on list a couple of times so I won’t go over 
it ll again other to summaries some main points.
The user has full access to the Google Play Store.
Setup does require some sighted assistance but shouldn’t take too long as you 
can transfer many of the settings - your Google account etc - from your Android 
device to the Television using the Google App.
After setup you will most likely need Sighted Assistance to go into 
accessibility and turn Google Talkback on, Talkback comes installed as part of 
the Android TV software.
I say you may require Sighted assistance as it has just occurred me that you 
might well be able to turn on Talkback using the accessibility shortcut on the 
Television’s remote control - hold down the “Down” and “Back” buttons for 4 
seconds -. Or you could use the dedicated Google Assistant button and tell 
Google to “Enable Talkback”.
So once all that is done it is just a matter of going through the appropriate 
menus to fine tune the Television to your liking and configuration.
The television has 2 HDMI inputs and a digital output along with a composite 
video and audio inputs for older equipment.
Speakers sound reasonable for such a device and Equalisation can be adjusted 
though connecting the device to a Soundbar or AVR receiver is preferable of 
course.
A LAN port is provided for connection to a Home Network along with Wi-Fi, you 
can transfer your Wi-Fi settings from another Android device during setup.
The remote control has Braille letters next to some of the buttons, a Braille P 
next to the Power button and V next to volume up/down for example.
The layout of the remote control is nice with many of the buttons having 
different shapes and put into positions where they can be easily identified at 
a glance, the Google Assistant Button being a case in point.
This button is a round button on its own in the middle of other differently 
shaped buttons.
You can have the Google Assistant speak to you, this needs to be turned on as 
by default the Google Assistant shows the results on screen.
As an added bonus you might say, Eloquence Text-To-Speech is built-in to the 
Operating system and can be used with Talkback.
Talkback is fairly responsive and about 95% of all the facilities I have used 
with the Television seem to be accessible.
For added convenience many of the Apps you may wish to use such as Netflix and 
Youtube come pre-installed.
Youtube worked right out of the box using my Google Account information however 
Netflix is a bit tricky, works after you get sighted assistance to navigate 
past the User Agreement screen.
The Television has Google Chromecast built-in but alas no Built-in DLNA 
compatibility so an extra App is required.
The operating system on my set came out in late October 2019 so it seems 
reasonably up to date, there is a “Check For Updates” option in the system menu.
This Television can be purchased from Kogan at http://www.kogan.com 

[Techno-Chat]: A Review of the Braille Me Braille Display from Inovision | AccessWorld | American Foundation for the Blind

[Dane Trethowan]

Wonderful the choices we have these days when it comes to Braille Displays.

https://www.afb.org/aw/21/1/16870  

[Techno-Chat]: Google Keep Notes

[Dane Trethowan]

One thing I like about Android is that I seem to be continually discovering 
amazing Apps that doe incredible things in my option and the latest of these 
I’ve found is the Keep Notes App that came installed on my Google Pixel 3.
The App is indeed a note taking App which is simple to use and navigate, 
exactly what you want in a note taker, simplicity and ease of use.
You can take either audio or voice notes and it is the voice notes feature that 
interested me.
Double-tap on the New Voice Note button and the phone beeps to indicate that it 
is recording so speak your mind and when you finish the phone beeps again to 
indicate that recording is completed.
You can play your audio back or see how Google has translated your note in the 
edit box where you can add or edit the translation by double-tapping the edit 
box and using all the usual context menu commands, by typing additional 
characters etc.
Notes can be used as reminders etc though I haven’t found out as yet how one 
would save these notes to the Cloud, I suspect the sharing button has something 
to do with all that and will do further exploration in the App tomorrow.

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Re: [Techno-Chat]: Icom IC-R30 Professional Wide-Band Radio Communications Receiver

[Dane Trethowan]

Thank you for an interesting review.
I first heard about the Icom IC-r30 in October last year when a friend of mine 
mentioned a fully featured hand-held receiver had been available for some time 
of excellent quality with an excellent feature set.
I was anxious to find out more so I asked about and it didn’t take me long to 
discover that the Icom IC-R30 was already very well regarded and a star in its 
own right when it comes to handheld receivers which I had little regard for 
until this time.
It seemed therefore fitting that I should make an attempt to get to know a 
radio such as this so I bought one for my Birthday.
I echo many of the points by Gordon and I also agree that the IC-R30 is not a 
radio I will fully master overnight.
The equipment is feature rich without a doubt, like a car whose every nook and 
cranny is in occupation.
Some of the functions I think worth notting concern the wide variety of control 
the user has over the radio.
The IC-R630 has a 3.5MM jack above the USB socket on the right-hand side.
By default this jack will accept a standard pair of stereo headphones but 
that’s just the beginning.
The socket can be programmed to do several different thinks: act as an external 
speaker or line-out connection, as an external antenna connection etc.
Those who read Gordon’s review will know that this radio is able to receive the 
standard AM Broadcast Band, not a necessary quality perhaps in a receiver of 
this calibre but convenient all the same.
So what if I told you that Icom had actually gone a step further by including a 
lipstick aerial for the AM Broadcast Band inside the radio? How Icom managed to 
get anything extra into such a small body is beyond me but they managed and 
thus one can easily tune to and send to memory any frequency on that band.
The lipstick itself can be toggled on and off so the ability to isolate the 
lipstick and use a dedicated AM Broadcast antenna loop for example awaits the 
curious.
Internal speakers of such small devices are usually tinny and unpleasant to 
listen to, this isn’t the case with the Icom IC-R30 which has one of the best 
sounding speakers for a device of this size I have ever heard.
The volume by default is controlled by a pair of up/down buttons on the 
left-hand side of the radio, I say default because this can be changed.
The dial on the tip of the radio can be toggled with the up/down pair of 
buttons, a neat arrangement as I have already discovered.
Some times one might prefer to use up/down button tuning rather than the dial 
to move between frequencies or memory’s, its all dependent on what you are 
looking for.
If held down when the buttons are in tuning mode the radio races through the 
frequencies at 2000 spots a second, that’s moving so thank Goodness one can 
change the frequency step easily down to a fine 10HZ.


> On 6 Jan 2020, at 8:36 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> Good evening everybody.
> 
> You may remember Dane writing on list about this device some time ago. I had 
> been doing some research into similar devices for some time on and off, so it 
> tweaked my interest. That, of course, is the precise reason that this E-Mail 
> list exists and whilst I’m on, please feel free to spread the word amongst 
> your friends that this group exists. Always nice to have a good circulation 
> and helps to stimulate conversation.
> 
> Anyway, to the point. Just before Christmas, I decided to take the plunge, 
> and I bought one of those radio receivers. I have not been disappointed in 
> what my money bought for me. My only slight gripe, and it really is a slight 
> one, is that I never discovered until today that there is a version of that 
> receiver which also has a 3G LTE modem, so that you can use it with wireless 
> broadband. But then again, it may not be accessible anyway, so perhaps it 
> isn’t really an issue at all.
> 
> I managed to locate some adapters which have allowed me to hook up my 
> existing VHF/UHF Colinear antenna to the device. Since doing so on Friday, 
> the performance of the device has greatly impressed me.
> 
> It comes with a 27-inch metallic telescopic whip antenna which, depending on 
> your location, may or may not be adequate. In mine, it is not adequate, I’m 
> sorry to say. But the external antenna made the receiver sound like a totally 
> different device. Thus, I have a few comments to make here and now, but will 
> do so in extensio in our Blog, in due course.
> 
> Those of you who have been amateur radio enthusiasts for some years may 
> remember the old 1980s lineup of Kenwood handheld transceivers. Actually, I 
> stil have one in a cupboard here, but haven’t tried using it in years. Guess 
> I must do so. Anyway, to the point. This receiver is the absolute business 
> when it comes to versatility. It handles just about every mode of emission 
> known to mankind, including, but not limited to, FM, (Wide and narrow), AM, 
> (wide and narrow), Lower Sideband, Upper Sideband, CW, CW Reverse, (I’l 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: The Best Windows 10 System Repair Tool For Your PC

[Dane Trethowan]

Yes you can try before you by and that goes for both versions.


> On 24 Dec 2019, at 6:11 pm, Roger Firman  wrote:
> 
> Hello,
>  
> Si this a product you can try before you buy or do you need to make the 
> purchase first?
>  
> Regards,
>  
> Roger Firman.

[Techno-Chat]: Jabra Evolve 40 Stereo Corded PC Headphones

[Dane Trethowan]

I certainly recommend these cans if you’re looking for a corded set for your PC 
and to use with your mobile device.
The headphones come in 2 parts, the cans themselves and a USB adapter.
The USB adapter plugs into the 3.5MM connection lead of the headphones thus 
turn the headphones into a USB Sound device.
The 3.5MM connection of the headphones is compatible with most Mobiles and 
laptops available today so the USB adapter may not be necessary.
The USB adapter has 5 controls, a mute button in the middle, volume up, down 
and next /previous track buttons on the left and right respectively.
The pads on the headphones are lightly padded and rest on the ear, lovely sound 
from the speaker drivers here.
The microphone is a boom type and offers plenty of adjustment, again the 
microphone sounds excellent for chatting.
The cans come in a nice zip-up round nylon padded case.
The Jabra Evolve 40 is an excellent replacement for the now old Plantronics 
Audio 478 headsets I’ve been using.
I don’t like the ear cushions as much on the Jabra - I prefer them absolutely 
flat as found on the Plantronics Audio 478 - but as you can’t seem to get the 
Audio 478 any longer then the Jabra Evolve 40 is a good compromise.
The Jabra Evolve 40 costs around $100 Australian.


**
“Those with a positive frame of mind will leave the halfwits of this world 
behind”
**

[Techno-Chat]: Voice of America 1575KHZ Thailand Transmitter received from SDR in Collia WA

[Dane Trethowan]

A little treat for all of you who love to listen to them long distance 
Medium-Wave signals
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tuh36qt4rt7a1yp/Voice%20Of%20America%20Thailand%20Transmitter%201575KHZ.mp3?dl=0
 



**
“Better to walk alone through the storm than walk with the crowd in the wrong 
direction.”
**






**
“Better to walk alone through the storm than walk with the crowd in the wrong 
direction.”
**

[Techno-Chat]: Clever Radios

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi,
I now have a Tecsun PL365 radio which is rather unique in several ways.
Looking at the radio at first glance you could be forgiven for thinking the 
radio was a cordless phone handset, that’s the type of design we’re looking at 
with the Tecsun PL365 but just because the radio is small doesn’t limit the 
radio in capabilities.
Packed inside this little beauty is a fully fledged communications receiver 
without some of the functionality admitedly of its bigger Brothers and Cousins 
but functional, useable and practical nevertheless.
Performance is good across all bands and tis is amazing given the size of the 
radio.
Again not to the standard of the big boys but good enough for most situations.
The radio has a 40CM long telescopic whip antenna aerial for FM and SW.
A built-in ferrite rod is used for AM however the radio does come with an 
extension antenna socket for AM and takes full use of this with the supplied AM 
plug-in ferrite antenna.
This arrangement provides some great advantages over conventional ferrite 
antenna arrangements, the main being that the antenna can be “Homed” into the 
direction of the station you’re trying to receive.
The external Ferrite bar is only 3 inches long so don’t expect miracles from 
this antenna but its pretty good and adds directionality to the radio when 
receiving AM.
The external AM antenna jack means of course that bigger antenna units can be 
used such as a dedicated outdoor AM antenna or Tecsun’s own desktop tuneable 
loop antenna which plugs straight in.
Radio listeners will be pleased to know that the PL365 boasts a very nice SSB 
mode tuneable down to 10HZ which means that SSB reception of voice 
communications can be tuned to sound incredibly natural
As we’re talking SSB I think it time to mention the Shortwave coverage of the 
PL365 which goes all the way up to 30MHZ
Again performance on Shortwave is surprisingly good given the radio has such a 
short telescopic whip to work with, here’s to the benefits of DSP and SDR Radio 
yet again .
The radio has 500 memories though I’ve not got to the point of using those yet.
One function I’m looking forward to trying is the “Easy Tune” function.
The “Easy Tune” function is very similar to those auto scan functions you find 
on modern-day radio sets but the main difference being that “Easy Tune” puts 
the strongest signals it finds into a dedicated bank of temporary “Easy Tune” 
memory locations.
You can browse through these locations and transfer the stations stored there 
to permanent memory locations, a very similar arrangement is found on Radio 
Scanners.
The PL365 comes with a set of earbuds which sound perfectly reasonable and the 
radio receives FM stereo.
Buttons on the radio are about the size of match heads except for the power 
button which is big and rectangular in size.
The radio has no keypad, obviously the designers went with the idea of putting 
as much as is possible into memory and using the tuning thumb wheel to browse 
memory locations.
There is a micro USB port on the side of the radio though I haven’t been able 
to work out what this is for yet.
I’m powering the radio with 3 AA batteries which are stored in the bottom of 
the unit.
Speaker sounds a little tinny reminding me of the early transistor radio sets I 
had as a child, still perfectly listenable all the same and even better when 
using the supplied earbuds.
I bought my PL365 from Tecsun Radios Australia for $100 Australian so an 
absolute bargain.

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This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned by 
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[Techno-Chat]: Microphone Test

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi,
The following test comes curtesy of my friend Tom.
Tom has 3 pairs of Bluetooth headphones each with a microphone as he explains 
in this Demo, a pair from B, a pair from B and a pair from Bose.
The B and Bose pairs have noise cancelling where you hear the difference in 
how the microphone sounds due to processing.
The B P5 pair has no noise cancelling and - in my opinion - sounds more 
natural.
Having said that however the B and Bose pairs are not uncomfortable to listen 
to.
Anyway judge for yourself.
I forward this on as I’m sure there are a lot of list members out there 
wondering just how the microphones sound on headsets these days.
Surprisingly - although the Sony is rated as the best noise cancelling headsets 
available - the microphones of these headsets sound absolutely dreadful when it 
comes to making phone calls.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4gnvnvryvy5zpcr/Microphone%20Test.m4a?dl=0 

[Techno-Chat]: Great sounds of AM Stereo

[Dane Trethowan]

For those who have never heard the sound of Stereo AM before? Enjoy.
For those who lived through the period of Stereo AM and who owned a Stereo AM 
tuner or radio? Sit back and remember.
I found this sample of Stereo AM - from radio station 3MP in Melbourne - on 
Youtube.
I’d love to know what type of tuner this recording was made from as the band 
width is quite wide.
My Sony tuner was capable of this but only after it had been adjusted.
Anyway hear for yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPPOEIfU0bo=3573s 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Second Sample recording from Zoom H1N

[Dane Trethowan]

The only part that isn’t terribly accessible it seems is the setup menu and you 
will only need to go in there if you change the setup of the recorder or if 
you’re using the recorder for the first time.
All the other functions of the recorder are available but you will have to 
remember the keys to operate them.
Thankfully a lot of functions have there own key presses and shortcuts so menus 
are few and far between.


> On 17 Jul 2019, at 4:33 pm, Debbie April Yuille  
> wrote:
> 
> Hi Dane
>  
> How accessable is the Zoome H1N?
>  
> Debbie
>  
> From: Dane Trethowan  <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> 
> Sent: Wednesday, 17 July 2019 2:59 AM
> To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm!  <mailto:techno-chat@techno-chat.net>>
> Subject: [Techno-Chat]: Second Sample recording from Zoom H1N
>  
> A piece of music this time captured with the built-in X-y microphones of the 
> recorder from my Denon Heos Hs7-2 speaker and thanks to Tidal.
> You may hear a bit of handling noise, the H1N is quite sensitive to that.
> https://www.dropbox.com/s/98j5acp1vdj7giw/ZOOM0012.WAV?dl=0 
> <https://www.dropbox.com/s/98j5acp1vdj7giw/ZOOM0012.WAV?dl=0>

[Techno-Chat]: Looking for the best Bluetooth hearing aids on the market?

[Dane Trethowan]

This web site presents a stack of information that one can use to their full 
advantage when hunting for that near perfect Bluetooth Hearing Instrument.
I’ve been using Bluetooth Hearing Instruments for around 8 years now and 
they’re well worth the investment.
Significant progress has been made and will continue to be made in the 
development of Hearing Instruments and connectivity, some future development is 
touched upon on this page.
As you will see there are Hearing Instruments “Made for Ios”< “Made For 
Android” and everything inbetween.
https://www.hearingaidknow.com/bluetooth-hearing-aids 

[Techno-Chat]: Amazon Alexa and Skype

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi,
I recently set up my Amazon Alexa devices to work with Skype and was wondering 
If anyone else on list had done the same.
I’m quite impressed with the audio quality not from Skype so much  but from the 
Amazon Alexa units themselves using Skype.
I intend to do a demo of how good the latest Amazon Alexa Echo Dot sounds when 
I’m talking from the opposite side of my room in my armchair from where the Dot 
is sitting on the shelf above my computer desk.
The idea of using Skype with your Alexa device is simple enough, just ask Alexa 
to call a number etc and Alexa will use your Skype account.
My interest in Skype had I thought disappeared completely until I learnt about 
integrating my Alexa devices into Skype.
This is handy not just for making everyday calls but a great security idea, if 
I have an accident, fall etc then I can summon help immediately given I have an 
Alexa in every room of my house now and can always add more if required.
My only disappointment with the whole Amazon Alexa thing is the fact that 
Amazon have seen fit not to continue development of the Amazon Alexa Tap device 
which I think still is one of the best thought out Amazon devices still around.

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[Techno-Chat]: Amazon Alexa and Skype

[Dane Trethowan]

I think the integration of Skype and Amazon Alexa really shows off the power of 
the Amazon Alexa and how far the Alexa devices have come.
Once your Skype account has been signed into by Alexa via the Alexa App all the 
user need do is to ask Alexa to call a number or a Skype contact.
Obviously you will need Skype Credit to call Mobile and Landline numbers and - 
as per usual - Skype to Skype calls are free.
I’m not as yet sure as to whether such Amazon Alexa products as Echo Show and 
Echo Spot  as they are video devices.
Hands Free is very good and audio is clear on all the devices I tried.
There is a slight delay of around a quarter of a second so that’s perfectly 
acceptable given the technology we’re dealing with here.
Skype on Alexa is available in the UK, US and Australia.

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been warned!!!

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Re: [Techno-Chat]: Re: Gogle Chrome

[Dane Trethowan]

Actually there is one thing I don’t like about Google Chrome on the Mac.
Perhaps I’m missing something and I hope I am, I can’t find any way to select 
text in Google Chrome on the Mac using Voiceover.


> On 21 Apr 2019, at 7:49 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> There’s only one thing I used to dislike about Chrome, and that was the way 
> it wrote home, so to speak, regarding where you’ve visited and sometimes your 
> personal data. I believe, however, that Google has now changed that 
> behaviour. So I might just reinstall it on my PC. I hate Microsoft Edge. It’s 
> slow, and very unfriendly to use, I find. So on Windows, I went back to 
> Internet Explorer.
> 
> But that’s another area of concern for me, since Internet Explorer isn’t the 
> most secure browser these days, so maybe time to retry Chrome on Windows.
> 
> 
> On 20 Apr 2019, at 14:48, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> I have Chrome on all my Windows systems here.
> In the early days I used to have a lot of trouble with Chrome just crashing 
> for no apparent reason on Windows machines.
> This problem for the most part seems to have been addressed by the team at 
> Google and I just don’t see the issue now.
> Google is lightning fast on the platforms I use it on and it works so that’s 
> good enough for me.
> 
> 
>> On 20 Apr 2019, at 7:43 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
>> 
>> The Windows version didn’t impress me all that much, to be utterly honest. 
>> In fact, I removed it after a while. On my BrailleNote Touch, (which runs 
>> Android), it does work very well with speech turned off, which is my usual 
>> method of working.
>> 
>> HumanWare also has its own browser, called “KeyWeb”. It’s similar in some 
>> respects to Chrome, and I suspect it’s built around similar source code. 
>> However, KeyWeb doesn’t show you a real version of most web pages. For a 
>> start, it doesn’t seem to indicate the presence of images, although it will 
>> display Alt Text and LongDesc elements. On the whole though, I prefer to use 
>> Chrome when browsing on that device.
>> 
>> 
>> On 19 Apr 2019, at 17:27, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>> 
>> Google Chrome all round is a very nice browser on whatever platform you 
>> choose to use it, IOS, OS, Android and Windows.
>> 
>> 
>>> On 20 Apr 2019, at 2:21 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Your points are well taken. I was going to mention the Windows example 
>>> actually, although another one springs to mind as well. For me, for 
>>> whatever reason, Safari on MacOS is nowhere near as effective as Google 
>>> Chrome is on that platform. I see many, many sites where Safari either just 
>>> displays half of the web page, whereas Chrome shows it all and makes it 
>>> accessible. Often, Safari fails to show up frames and controls such as 
>>> video buttons. I don’t really want to get into a MacOS discussion here, 
>>> that’s more appropriate for Mac Access. But the point here is that the 
>>> differences between the browsers is amazing.
>>> 
>>> And yes, I am afraid I couldn’t resist it. To join the Mac Access mailing 
>>> list, which is the sister group to this one, run on the same terms on the 
>>> same servers, please send a blank. Message to:
>>> 
>>> Respond to the Cookie message you receive backhand you’re good to go.
>>> 
>>> Now, enough about Mac and Apple. ;-)
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 19 Apr 2019, at 17:04, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>>> 
>>> The answer to your question would very much depend on the user of the 
>>> device.
>>> Some Apps work better with Google Talkback whilst other work better with 
>>> Samsung Voice Assist.
>>> Samsung Voice Assist is in fact a modified version of Google Talkback and 
>>> Google Talkback is an open source project so anyone can make changes or 
>>> modifications as they see fit.
>>> A further example of modifications being made to Google Talkback is with 
>>> Amazon’s VoiceView Screen Reader which is found in many Amazon Tablets and 
>>> Echo devices with a screen such as Echo Spot and Show.
>>> The situation with Google Talkback and Voice Assistant can also be compared 
>>> to that often encountered when using Windows on a PC.
>>> Windows users will be all-too-familiar with the situation of some Windows 
>>> Apps being more accessible when a particular Windows Screen Reader is being 
>>> used.
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 20 Apr 2019, at 1:44 am,   
>>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Some I have a question. Do people us

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Re: SmartSwitch App For Android

[Dane Trethowan]

A slight correction here.
Smart Switch uses high frequency sound to communicate between point A and point 
B and the reason for this is simple enough.
By using high frequency for transmission and reception the user can 
transmit/receive data to/from devices without having to know details of local 
Wifi or Bluetooth connection passwords, pairing requests etc thus the data from 
one phone can be transmitted and received by the other seamlessly.
The only thing the user has to do is to allow access to the microphone of the 
device where the data is being transferred too.
The Microphone is required so the device can hear the frequency tones generated 
by the sending device.
You can yourself hear some of these high frequency data tones wit your own ears.
So that’s how Smart Switch works in the installation faze and I suspect it 
works the same way should you wish to use the App again in normal mode - after 
Setup -.


> On 21 Apr 2019, at 7:42 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> SmartSwitch isn’t a Samsung app actually, although I believe they have their 
> own custom version. But if you look in the Google Play Store, you should be 
> able to find it there. You can also get it for iOS. And actually, the purpose 
> of the original app was to allow you to switch your contacts and data between 
> the two OS platforms. I believe that Samsung’s app requires you to either 
> have the two phones on the same WiFi network, or else have a USB connection 
> between the two Android phones.
> 
> And actually, therein lies the difference between the two apps. SmartSwitch, 
> (which I actually have on my iPhone and on my Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+), works 
> very differently to the Samsung app. SmartSwitch makes it much simpler to 
> deal with your data. The way it works is to first backup your data to Google, 
> then simply run the app on the destination and re-download your data, job 
> done! Actually, I believe that later versions of SmartSwitch will allow you 
> to use other cloud services, such as iCloud or DropBox.
> 
> 
> On 20 Apr 2019, at 22:50, Joshua Gregory  wrote:
> 
> Weird, I honestly am not sure. I do believe it is a Samsung app,so
> maybe the problem lies somewhere in that?
> 

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Re: [Techno-Chat]: Re: Resetting Sony X Performance Xperia

[Dane Trethowan]

The App is available for the Sony phone.
The problem lies in the installation process.
I don’t think the Sony phones firmware will allow downloading of the Smart 
Switch software as the Samsung phone does during the setup process.
Now I could very well be wrong and I’d like to hope I am, I’d like to think 
that Sony have updated their Firmware enough to allow the use of Smart switch 
during the setup process so the only way to know is for Gordon to go through 
the setup process again and then he can tell us what he finds.


> On 21 Apr 2019, at 5:06 am, Joshua Gregory  wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> It is. I have an s10e, on Xfinity in the U.S., but it does come
> preinstalled. If you have a Sony phone, you might have to download it,
> but it shouldn't be too difficult.
> 
> On 4/20/19, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>> With the later Android setups I’ve seen the Smart Switch App - or a smaller
>> variant - is included so you may port settings such as Wifi and Bluetooth
>> over to your new phone thus if the user had a keyboard paired with an older
>> phone it should work with the new upon installation.
>> 
>> 
>>> On 20 Apr 2019, at 7:46 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
>>> 
>>> I have it reset now. I need to get that phone configured. I wish I could
>>> use a portable keyboard at this point, as my Google password is, as all
>>> web-based passwords should be, very strong. Typing in the password,
>>> accurately, is taking me forever!
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 19 Apr 2019, at 17:25, Dane Trethowan 
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> The reset procedure is found in Language and Inputs if I remember rightly
>>> under settings.
>>> Just follow the prompts and the procedure should be easy in your case
>>> given you haven’t set up any passwords or the like so its just a matter of
>>> answering “Yes” to the prompts.
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 20 Apr 2019, at 2:09 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks, comprehensive response, that’s what I like to see from list
>>>> members.
>>>> 
>>>> Can you remember what the reset procedure is? Wouldn’t you require visual
>>>> assistance for that? I’ll try the keyboard first, never thought about
>>>> that. The only USB keyboard I have is an. Apple one, and quite an old one
>>>> at that. But I’m wondering whether the Logitech preprietary system would
>>>> work if I plugged a USB dongle into the phone via an adapter. Only one
>>>> way to find out I guess, I’ll go and give it a whir.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On 19 Apr 2019, at 16:50, Dane Trethowan 
>>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Its been a good while since I’ve used a Son Xperia X-Performance phone
>>>> but I can tell you that I was at the very least always able to get to the
>>>> Google Play store.
>>>> I’m quite sure that you’ll find the iCon on the home screen somewhere or
>>>> at the very least you should be able to invoke a Voice Search to open the
>>>> App.
>>>> The Play Store was the first thing I tackled after completing a setup of
>>>> the phone given Google is at the heart of Android phones and you need
>>>> your Apps.
>>>> The other alternative you have is to reset the phone and sign into your
>>>> Google Play account during the setup process so that when the setup
>>>> process is complete the phone is already signed in to Google.
>>>> You can from here manipulate your phone from your PC or Mac by going to
>>>> the Google Play store and selecting the Apps you want to install on your
>>>> phone.
>>>> In other words don’t give up just keep trying.
>>>> You can also try plugging a USB Keyboard into the phone and navigating
>>>> around that way to find the Google Play Store iCon.
>>>> It is best you install your Apps from the phone if possible for a number
>>>> of reasons.
>>>> First being that you can look at the library of Apps you’ve purchased or
>>>> installed previously on other devices so if you know what you’re looking
>>>> for you can find the App there.
>>>> Second when you’ve installed an App from the Play store you get the
>>>> chance to open that App much as you would with the Apps Store under IOS
>>>> and OS.
>>>> Suppose you installed Nova Launcher through the Play store on your
>>>> Phone.
>>>> When the App had been installed an “Open” iCon would appear.
>>>> Double-Tapping on that would prompt you as to whether yo

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Samsung Galaxy S10 Notes

[Dane Trethowan]

I have Chrome on all my Windows systems here.
In the early days I used to have a lot of trouble with Chrome just crashing for 
no apparent reason on Windows machines.
This problem for the most part seems to have been addressed by the team at 
Google and I just don’t see the issue now.
Google is lightning fast on the platforms I use it on and it works so that’s 
good enough for me.


> On 20 Apr 2019, at 7:43 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> The Windows version didn’t impress me all that much, to be utterly honest. In 
> fact, I removed it after a while. On my BrailleNote Touch, (which runs 
> Android), it does work very well with speech turned off, which is my usual 
> method of working.
> 
> HumanWare also has its own browser, called “KeyWeb”. It’s similar in some 
> respects to Chrome, and I suspect it’s built around similar source code. 
> However, KeyWeb doesn’t show you a real version of most web pages. For a 
> start, it doesn’t seem to indicate the presence of images, although it will 
> display Alt Text and LongDesc elements. On the whole though, I prefer to use 
> Chrome when browsing on that device.
> 
> 
> On 19 Apr 2019, at 17:27, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> Google Chrome all round is a very nice browser on whatever platform you 
> choose to use it, IOS, OS, Android and Windows.
> 
> 
>> On 20 Apr 2019, at 2:21 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
>> 
>> Your points are well taken. I was going to mention the Windows example 
>> actually, although another one springs to mind as well. For me, for whatever 
>> reason, Safari on MacOS is nowhere near as effective as Google Chrome is on 
>> that platform. I see many, many sites where Safari either just displays half 
>> of the web page, whereas Chrome shows it all and makes it accessible. Often, 
>> Safari fails to show up frames and controls such as video buttons. I don’t 
>> really want to get into a MacOS discussion here, that’s more appropriate for 
>> Mac Access. But the point here is that the differences between the browsers 
>> is amazing.
>> 
>> And yes, I am afraid I couldn’t resist it. To join the Mac Access mailing 
>> list, which is the sister group to this one, run on the same terms on the 
>> same servers, please send a blank. Message to:
>> 
>> Respond to the Cookie message you receive backhand you’re good to go.
>> 
>> Now, enough about Mac and Apple. ;-)
>> 
>> 
>> On 19 Apr 2019, at 17:04, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>> 
>> The answer to your question would very much depend on the user of the device.
>> Some Apps work better with Google Talkback whilst other work better with 
>> Samsung Voice Assist.
>> Samsung Voice Assist is in fact a modified version of Google Talkback and 
>> Google Talkback is an open source project so anyone can make changes or 
>> modifications as they see fit.
>> A further example of modifications being made to Google Talkback is with 
>> Amazon’s VoiceView Screen Reader which is found in many Amazon Tablets and 
>> Echo devices with a screen such as Echo Spot and Show.
>> The situation with Google Talkback and Voice Assistant can also be compared 
>> to that often encountered when using Windows on a PC.
>> Windows users will be all-too-familiar with the situation of some Windows 
>> Apps being more accessible when a particular Windows Screen Reader is being 
>> used.
>> 
>> 
>>> On 20 Apr 2019, at 1:44 am,   
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Some I have a question. Do people use voice assistant more than talkback on 
>>> galaxy phones? If so why?
>>> 
>>> Mike
>>> 
>>> -Original Message-
>>> From: Gordon Smith  
>>> Sent: Friday, April 19, 2019 6:18 AM
>>> To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! 
>>> Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Samsung Galaxy S10 Notes
>>> 
>>> Just one comment for the moment, as I don’t yet have my planned acquisition 
>>> of the S10. On a standard phone, such as the Sony Xperia X Performance and 
>>> Xperia Z2+ phones, how do you change the launcher? Sorry, but I just can’t 
>>> remember. Actually, on my Xperia, I can’t even get to the Google settings, 
>>> so I. Can’t get to the Play Store.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 13 Apr 2019, at 04:09, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi,
>>> Here are some interesting discoveries I’ve made with regard to the 
>>> operation of the Samsung Galaxy S10.
>>> Some of these are probably old favourites to  other users out there and if 
>>> that’s the case both bare with me and feel free to comment on anything I 
>>> may have missed.
>

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Re: Resetting Sony X Performance Xperia

[Dane Trethowan]

With the later Android setups I’ve seen the Smart Switch App - or a smaller 
variant - is included so you may port settings such as Wifi and Bluetooth over 
to your new phone thus if the user had a keyboard paired with an older phone it 
should work with the new upon installation.


> On 20 Apr 2019, at 7:46 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> I have it reset now. I need to get that phone configured. I wish I could use 
> a portable keyboard at this point, as my Google password is, as all web-based 
> passwords should be, very strong. Typing in the password, accurately, is 
> taking me forever!
> 
> 
> On 19 Apr 2019, at 17:25, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> The reset procedure is found in Language and Inputs if I remember rightly 
> under settings.
> Just follow the prompts and the procedure should be easy in your case given 
> you haven’t set up any passwords or the like so its just a matter of 
> answering “Yes” to the prompts.
> 
> 
>> On 20 Apr 2019, at 2:09 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
>> 
>> Thanks, comprehensive response, that’s what I like to see from list members.
>> 
>> Can you remember what the reset procedure is? Wouldn’t you require visual 
>> assistance for that? I’ll try the keyboard first, never thought about that. 
>> The only USB keyboard I have is an. Apple one, and quite an old one at that. 
>> But I’m wondering whether the Logitech preprietary system would work if I 
>> plugged a USB dongle into the phone via an adapter. Only one way to find out 
>> I guess, I’ll go and give it a whir.
>> 
>> 
>> On 19 Apr 2019, at 16:50, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>> 
>> Its been a good while since I’ve used a Son Xperia X-Performance phone but I 
>> can tell you that I was at the very least always able to get to the Google 
>> Play store.
>> I’m quite sure that you’ll find the iCon on the home screen somewhere or at 
>> the very least you should be able to invoke a Voice Search to open the App.
>> The Play Store was the first thing I tackled after completing a setup of the 
>> phone given Google is at the heart of Android phones and you need your Apps.
>> The other alternative you have is to reset the phone and sign into your 
>> Google Play account during the setup process so that when the setup process 
>> is complete the phone is already signed in to Google.
>> You can from here manipulate your phone from your PC or Mac by going to the 
>> Google Play store and selecting the Apps you want to install on your phone.
>> In other words don’t give up just keep trying.
>> You can also try plugging a USB Keyboard into the phone and navigating 
>> around that way to find the Google Play Store iCon.
>> It is best you install your Apps from the phone if possible for a number of 
>> reasons.
>> First being that you can look at the library of Apps you’ve purchased or 
>> installed previously on other devices so if you know what you’re looking for 
>> you can find the App there.
>> Second when you’ve installed an App from the Play store you get the chance 
>> to open that App much as you would with the Apps Store under IOS and OS.
>> Suppose you installed Nova Launcher through the Play store on your Phone.
>> When the App had been installed an “Open” iCon would appear.
>> Double-Tapping on that would prompt you as to whether you wish to use the 
>> Launcher as a default Launcher.
>> At this point several choices would appear depending on how many launchers 
>> you have already installed, the Xperia Launcher would be one of the 
>> presented choices obviously.
>> Double-Tap on the Nova Launcher and select the button “Always” which 
>> indicates that the nova Launcher is always to be used and then press Okay.
>> If you wish to test the Launcher then you can choose the “Just Once” button.
>> 
>> I’m sure the default Sony Launcher has changed somewhat since I last looked 
>> at it so getting around the phone could be a little difficult before a new 
>> launcher has been installed.
>> 
>> 
>>> On 19 Apr 2019, at 8:18 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Just one comment for the moment, as I don’t yet have my planned acquisition 
>>> of the S10. On a standard phone, such as the Sony Xperia X Performance and 
>>> Xperia Z2+ phones, how do you change the launcher? Sorry, but I just can’t 
>>> remember. Actually, on my Xperia, I can’t even get to the Google settings, 
>>> so I. Can’t get to the Play Store.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 13 Apr 2019, at 04:09, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi,
>>> Here are some interesting discoveries I’ve made with regard to the 
>>>

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Samsung Galaxy S10 Notes

[Dane Trethowan]

Google Chrome all round is a very nice browser on whatever platform you choose 
to use it, IOS, OS, Android and Windows.


> On 20 Apr 2019, at 2:21 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> Your points are well taken. I was going to mention the Windows example 
> actually, although another one springs to mind as well. For me, for whatever 
> reason, Safari on MacOS is nowhere near as effective as Google Chrome is on 
> that platform. I see many, many sites where Safari either just displays half 
> of the web page, whereas Chrome shows it all and makes it accessible. Often, 
> Safari fails to show up frames and controls such as video buttons. I don’t 
> really want to get into a MacOS discussion here, that’s more appropriate for 
> Mac Access. But the point here is that the differences between the browsers 
> is amazing.
> 
> And yes, I am afraid I couldn’t resist it. To join the Mac Access mailing 
> list, which is the sister group to this one, run on the same terms on the 
> same servers, please send a blank. Message to:
> 
> Respond to the Cookie message you receive backhand you’re good to go.
> 
> Now, enough about Mac and Apple. ;-)
> 
> 
> On 19 Apr 2019, at 17:04, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> The answer to your question would very much depend on the user of the device.
> Some Apps work better with Google Talkback whilst other work better with 
> Samsung Voice Assist.
> Samsung Voice Assist is in fact a modified version of Google Talkback and 
> Google Talkback is an open source project so anyone can make changes or 
> modifications as they see fit.
> A further example of modifications being made to Google Talkback is with 
> Amazon’s VoiceView Screen Reader which is found in many Amazon Tablets and 
> Echo devices with a screen such as Echo Spot and Show.
> The situation with Google Talkback and Voice Assistant can also be compared 
> to that often encountered when using Windows on a PC.
> Windows users will be all-too-familiar with the situation of some Windows 
> Apps being more accessible when a particular Windows Screen Reader is being 
> used.
> 
> 
>> On 20 Apr 2019, at 1:44 am,   
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Some I have a question. Do people use voice assistant more than talkback on 
>> galaxy phones? If so why?
>> 
>> Mike
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Gordon Smith  
>> Sent: Friday, April 19, 2019 6:18 AM
>> To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! 
>> Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Samsung Galaxy S10 Notes
>> 
>> Just one comment for the moment, as I don’t yet have my planned acquisition 
>> of the S10. On a standard phone, such as the Sony Xperia X Performance and 
>> Xperia Z2+ phones, how do you change the launcher? Sorry, but I just can’t 
>> remember. Actually, on my Xperia, I can’t even get to the Google settings, 
>> so I. Can’t get to the Play Store.
>> 
>> 
>> On 13 Apr 2019, at 04:09, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>> 
>> Hi,
>> Here are some interesting discoveries I’ve made with regard to the operation 
>> of the Samsung Galaxy S10.
>> Some of these are probably old favourites to  other users out there and if 
>> that’s the case both bare with me and feel free to comment on anything I may 
>> have missed.
>> I have found it necessary with previous phones to change the default 
>> Launcher.
>> Until recently Google would have been my choice of preference however it 
>> seems that Google is no longer developing their Launcher so I switched to 
>> Nova until the S10 came along.
>> It seems that Samsung have been doing some serious thinking with regard to 
>> their default Launcher to the point that the Samsung Launcher is now 
>> incredibly easy to use it seems.
>> From the home screen swipe up to get to the Apps screen, what could be 
>> easier than that.
>> I haven’t yet worked out how one would move items on the Home Screen from 
>> place to place or even if one can remove or uninstall Apps from the Home or 
>> App pages. Apps aren’t so much of a problem to uninstall as that task can be 
>> accomplished through the Google Play Store App.
>> Another list member mentioned that the user can reorder the navigation 
>> buttons at the bottom of the screen.
>> By default the “Recents” button is to the left of the “Home” and the “Back” 
>> button is to the right. Added to this is the ability to change the behaviour 
>> of these buttons.
>> Normally one has to double-tap but this can be changed to a single tap, you 
>> slide to hold the button and then release your finger or if you know exactly 
>> where the navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen are then just place 
>> your 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Samsung Galaxy S10 Notes

[Dane Trethowan]

The reset procedure is found in Language and Inputs if I remember rightly under 
settings.
Just follow the prompts and the procedure should be easy in your case given you 
haven’t set up any passwords or the like so its just a matter of answering 
“Yes” to the prompts.


> On 20 Apr 2019, at 2:09 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> Thanks, comprehensive response, that’s what I like to see from list members.
> 
> Can you remember what the reset procedure is? Wouldn’t you require visual 
> assistance for that? I’ll try the keyboard first, never thought about that. 
> The only USB keyboard I have is an. Apple one, and quite an old one at that. 
> But I’m wondering whether the Logitech preprietary system would work if I 
> plugged a USB dongle into the phone via an adapter. Only one way to find out 
> I guess, I’ll go and give it a whir.
> 
> 
> On 19 Apr 2019, at 16:50, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> Its been a good while since I’ve used a Son Xperia X-Performance phone but I 
> can tell you that I was at the very least always able to get to the Google 
> Play store.
> I’m quite sure that you’ll find the iCon on the home screen somewhere or at 
> the very least you should be able to invoke a Voice Search to open the App.
> The Play Store was the first thing I tackled after completing a setup of the 
> phone given Google is at the heart of Android phones and you need your Apps.
> The other alternative you have is to reset the phone and sign into your 
> Google Play account during the setup process so that when the setup process 
> is complete the phone is already signed in to Google.
> You can from here manipulate your phone from your PC or Mac by going to the 
> Google Play store and selecting the Apps you want to install on your phone.
> In other words don’t give up just keep trying.
> You can also try plugging a USB Keyboard into the phone and navigating around 
> that way to find the Google Play Store iCon.
> It is best you install your Apps from the phone if possible for a number of 
> reasons.
> First being that you can look at the library of Apps you’ve purchased or 
> installed previously on other devices so if you know what you’re looking for 
> you can find the App there.
> Second when you’ve installed an App from the Play store you get the chance to 
> open that App much as you would with the Apps Store under IOS and OS.
> Suppose you installed Nova Launcher through the Play store on your Phone.
> When the App had been installed an “Open” iCon would appear.
> Double-Tapping on that would prompt you as to whether you wish to use the 
> Launcher as a default Launcher.
> At this point several choices would appear depending on how many launchers 
> you have already installed, the Xperia Launcher would be one of the presented 
> choices obviously.
> Double-Tap on the Nova Launcher and select the button “Always” which 
> indicates that the nova Launcher is always to be used and then press Okay.
> If you wish to test the Launcher then you can choose the “Just Once” button.
> 
> I’m sure the default Sony Launcher has changed somewhat since I last looked 
> at it so getting around the phone could be a little difficult before a new 
> launcher has been installed.
> 
> 
>> On 19 Apr 2019, at 8:18 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
>> 
>> Just one comment for the moment, as I don’t yet have my planned acquisition 
>> of the S10. On a standard phone, such as the Sony Xperia X Performance and 
>> Xperia Z2+ phones, how do you change the launcher? Sorry, but I just can’t 
>> remember. Actually, on my Xperia, I can’t even get to the Google settings, 
>> so I. Can’t get to the Play Store.
>> 
>> 
>> On 13 Apr 2019, at 04:09, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
>> 
>> Hi,
>> Here are some interesting discoveries I’ve made with regard to the operation 
>> of the Samsung Galaxy S10.
>> Some of these are probably old favourites to  other users out there and if 
>> that’s the case both bare with me and feel free to comment on anything I may 
>> have missed.
>> I have found it necessary with previous phones to change the default 
>> Launcher.
>> Until recently Google would have been my choice of preference however it 
>> seems that Google is no longer developing their Launcher so I switched to 
>> Nova until the S10 came along.
>> It seems that Samsung have been doing some serious thinking with regard to 
>> their default Launcher to the point that the Samsung Launcher is now 
>> incredibly easy to use it seems.
>> From the home screen swipe up to get to the Apps screen, what could be 
>> easier than that.
>> I haven’t yet worked out how one would move items on the Home Screen from 
>> place to place or even if one can remove or

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Samsung Galaxy S10 Notes

[Dane Trethowan]

Better is a most subjective word here as I detail in another eMail in this 
thread.
Certainly Samsung have added some handy gestures that help users navigate the 
screen
These gestures do have Talkback equivalents.


> On 20 Apr 2019, at 2:03 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> Samsung don’t use Google’s screen-reader. Their own takes its place and, in 
> my opinion, it’s better than TalkBack. I’m assuming that the S10 uses the 
> Samsung variant as well.
> 
> 
> On 19 Apr 2019, at 16:44, mmstopk...@gmail.com wrote:
> 
> Some I have a question. Do people use voice assistant more than talkback on 
> galaxy phones? If so why?
> 
> Mike
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Gordon Smith  
> Sent: Friday, April 19, 2019 6:18 AM
> To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! 
> Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Samsung Galaxy S10 Notes
> 
> Just one comment for the moment, as I don’t yet have my planned acquisition 
> of the S10. On a standard phone, such as the Sony Xperia X Performance and 
> Xperia Z2+ phones, how do you change the launcher? Sorry, but I just can’t 
> remember. Actually, on my Xperia, I can’t even get to the Google settings, so 
> I. Can’t get to the Play Store.
> 
> 
> On 13 Apr 2019, at 04:09, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> Here are some interesting discoveries I’ve made with regard to the operation 
> of the Samsung Galaxy S10.
> Some of these are probably old favourites to  other users out there and if 
> that’s the case both bare with me and feel free to comment on anything I may 
> have missed.
> I have found it necessary with previous phones to change the default Launcher.
> Until recently Google would have been my choice of preference however it 
> seems that Google is no longer developing their Launcher so I switched to 
> Nova until the S10 came along.
> It seems that Samsung have been doing some serious thinking with regard to 
> their default Launcher to the point that the Samsung Launcher is now 
> incredibly easy to use it seems.
> From the home screen swipe up to get to the Apps screen, what could be easier 
> than that.
> I haven’t yet worked out how one would move items on the Home Screen from 
> place to place or even if one can remove or uninstall Apps from the Home or 
> App pages. Apps aren’t so much of a problem to uninstall as that task can be 
> accomplished through the Google Play Store App.
> Another list member mentioned that the user can reorder the navigation 
> buttons at the bottom of the screen.
> By default the “Recents” button is to the left of the “Home” and the “Back” 
> button is to the right. Added to this is the ability to change the behaviour 
> of these buttons.
> Normally one has to double-tap but this can be changed to a single tap, you 
> slide to hold the button and then release your finger or if you know exactly 
> where the navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen are then just place 
> your finger on the button and lift.
> It would appear that some new gestures have been added to Samsung’s Voice 
> Assistant. Double tapping on the screen 3 times reads out a status message 
> and what you hear can be controlled from the settings of Voice Assistant 
> under Screen Reader under Vision in the Accessibility settings.
> The user might only prefer a short status message consisting of time and 
> battery remaining percentage whilst others might prefer more status content 
> such as wi-fi signal and so on.
> Voice Assistant users would be familiar with the 3-finger swipe from left to 
> right to move between such adjustments as dark cursor, voice rate, voice 
> volume and so on. What is shown for adjustments can now be set through Voice 
> Assistant settings.
> I have no need for voice Rate and Pitch as I use the Acapella Voices where 
> Rate and Pitch are adjusted through the Acapella Voice Manager so I’ve 
> removed those from my adjustment choices.
> 
> --
> 
> This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned by 
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Re: [Techno-Chat]: Samsung Galaxy S10 Notes

[Dane Trethowan]

The answer to your question would very much depend on the user of the device.
Some Apps work better with Google Talkback whilst other work better with 
Samsung Voice Assist.
Samsung Voice Assist is in fact a modified version of Google Talkback and 
Google Talkback is an open source project so anyone can make changes or 
modifications as they see fit.
A further example of modifications being made to Google Talkback is with 
Amazon’s VoiceView Screen Reader which is found in many Amazon Tablets and Echo 
devices with a screen such as Echo Spot and Show.
The situation with Google Talkback and Voice Assistant can also be compared to 
that often encountered when using Windows on a PC.
Windows users will be all-too-familiar with the situation of some Windows Apps 
being more accessible when a particular Windows Screen Reader is being used.


> On 20 Apr 2019, at 1:44 am,   
> wrote:
> 
> Some I have a question. Do people use voice assistant more than talkback on 
> galaxy phones? If so why?
> 
> Mike
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Gordon Smith  
> Sent: Friday, April 19, 2019 6:18 AM
> To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! 
> Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Samsung Galaxy S10 Notes
> 
> Just one comment for the moment, as I don’t yet have my planned acquisition 
> of the S10. On a standard phone, such as the Sony Xperia X Performance and 
> Xperia Z2+ phones, how do you change the launcher? Sorry, but I just can’t 
> remember. Actually, on my Xperia, I can’t even get to the Google settings, so 
> I. Can’t get to the Play Store.
> 
> 
> On 13 Apr 2019, at 04:09, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> Here are some interesting discoveries I’ve made with regard to the operation 
> of the Samsung Galaxy S10.
> Some of these are probably old favourites to  other users out there and if 
> that’s the case both bare with me and feel free to comment on anything I may 
> have missed.
> I have found it necessary with previous phones to change the default Launcher.
> Until recently Google would have been my choice of preference however it 
> seems that Google is no longer developing their Launcher so I switched to 
> Nova until the S10 came along.
> It seems that Samsung have been doing some serious thinking with regard to 
> their default Launcher to the point that the Samsung Launcher is now 
> incredibly easy to use it seems.
> From the home screen swipe up to get to the Apps screen, what could be easier 
> than that.
> I haven’t yet worked out how one would move items on the Home Screen from 
> place to place or even if one can remove or uninstall Apps from the Home or 
> App pages. Apps aren’t so much of a problem to uninstall as that task can be 
> accomplished through the Google Play Store App.
> Another list member mentioned that the user can reorder the navigation 
> buttons at the bottom of the screen.
> By default the “Recents” button is to the left of the “Home” and the “Back” 
> button is to the right. Added to this is the ability to change the behaviour 
> of these buttons.
> Normally one has to double-tap but this can be changed to a single tap, you 
> slide to hold the button and then release your finger or if you know exactly 
> where the navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen are then just place 
> your finger on the button and lift.
> It would appear that some new gestures have been added to Samsung’s Voice 
> Assistant. Double tapping on the screen 3 times reads out a status message 
> and what you hear can be controlled from the settings of Voice Assistant 
> under Screen Reader under Vision in the Accessibility settings.
> The user might only prefer a short status message consisting of time and 
> battery remaining percentage whilst others might prefer more status content 
> such as wi-fi signal and so on.
> Voice Assistant users would be familiar with the 3-finger swipe from left to 
> right to move between such adjustments as dark cursor, voice rate, voice 
> volume and so on. What is shown for adjustments can now be set through Voice 
> Assistant settings.
> I have no need for voice Rate and Pitch as I use the Acapella Voices where 
> Rate and Pitch are adjusted through the Acapella Voice Manager so I’ve 
> removed those from my adjustment choices.
> 
> --
> 
> This post, like all posts to the Techno Chat E-Mail group has been scanned by 
> our server-side antivirus/malware solution. This should not, however, be 
> viewed as a substitution for your own security strategy. We assume no 
> culpability whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your 
> systems as a result of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say that 
> we remain vigilant within the boundaries of reason. We strongly urge you to 
> do likewise! You h

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Samsung Galaxy S10 Notes

[Dane Trethowan]

Its been a good while since I’ve used a Son Xperia X-Performance phone but I 
can tell you that I was at the very least always able to get to the Google Play 
store.
I’m quite sure that you’ll find the iCon on the home screen somewhere or at the 
very least you should be able to invoke a Voice Search to open the App.
The Play Store was the first thing I tackled after completing a setup of the 
phone given Google is at the heart of Android phones and you need your Apps.
The other alternative you have is to reset the phone and sign into your Google 
Play account during the setup process so that when the setup process is 
complete the phone is already signed in to Google.
You can from here manipulate your phone from your PC or Mac by going to the 
Google Play store and selecting the Apps you want to install on your phone.
In other words don’t give up just keep trying.
You can also try plugging a USB Keyboard into the phone and navigating around 
that way to find the Google Play Store iCon.
It is best you install your Apps from the phone if possible for a number of 
reasons.
First being that you can look at the library of Apps you’ve purchased or 
installed previously on other devices so if you know what you’re looking for 
you can find the App there.
Second when you’ve installed an App from the Play store you get the chance to 
open that App much as you would with the Apps Store under IOS and OS.
Suppose you installed Nova Launcher through the Play store on your Phone.
When the App had been installed an “Open” iCon would appear.
Double-Tapping on that would prompt you as to whether you wish to use the 
Launcher as a default Launcher.
At this point several choices would appear depending on how many launchers you 
have already installed, the Xperia Launcher would be one of the presented 
choices obviously.
Double-Tap on the Nova Launcher and select the button “Always” which indicates 
that the nova Launcher is always to be used and then press Okay.
If you wish to test the Launcher then you can choose the “Just Once” button.

I’m sure the default Sony Launcher has changed somewhat since I last looked at 
it so getting around the phone could be a little difficult before a new 
launcher has been installed.


> On 19 Apr 2019, at 8:18 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> Just one comment for the moment, as I don’t yet have my planned acquisition 
> of the S10. On a standard phone, such as the Sony Xperia X Performance and 
> Xperia Z2+ phones, how do you change the launcher? Sorry, but I just can’t 
> remember. Actually, on my Xperia, I can’t even get to the Google settings, so 
> I. Can’t get to the Play Store.
> 
> 
> On 13 Apr 2019, at 04:09, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> Here are some interesting discoveries I’ve made with regard to the operation 
> of the Samsung Galaxy S10.
> Some of these are probably old favourites to  other users out there and if 
> that’s the case both bare with me and feel free to comment on anything I may 
> have missed.
> I have found it necessary with previous phones to change the default Launcher.
> Until recently Google would have been my choice of preference however it 
> seems that Google is no longer developing their Launcher so I switched to 
> Nova until the S10 came along.
> It seems that Samsung have been doing some serious thinking with regard to 
> their default Launcher to the point that the Samsung Launcher is now 
> incredibly easy to use it seems.
> From the home screen swipe up to get to the Apps screen, what could be easier 
> than that.
> I haven’t yet worked out how one would move items on the Home Screen from 
> place to place or even if one can remove or uninstall Apps from the Home or 
> App pages. Apps aren’t so much of a problem to uninstall as that task can be 
> accomplished through the Google Play Store App.
> Another list member mentioned that the user can reorder the navigation 
> buttons at the bottom of the screen.
> By default the “Recents” button is to the left of the “Home” and the “Back” 
> button is to the right. Added to this is the ability to change the behaviour 
> of these buttons.
> Normally one has to double-tap but this can be changed to a single tap, you 
> slide to hold the button and then release your finger or if you know exactly 
> where the navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen are then just place 
> your finger on the button and lift.
> It would appear that some new gestures have been added to Samsung’s Voice 
> Assistant. Double tapping on the screen 3 times reads out a status message 
> and what you hear can be controlled from the settings of Voice Assistant 
> under Screen Reader under Vision in the Accessibility settings.
> The user might only prefer a short status message consisting of time and 
> battery remaining percentage whilst others might prefer more status content 
&g

[Techno-Chat]: Samsung Galaxy S10 Notes

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi,
Here are some interesting discoveries I’ve made with regard to the operation of 
the Samsung Galaxy S10.
Some of these are probably old favourites to  other users out there and if 
that’s the case both bare with me and feel free to comment on anything I may 
have missed.
I have found it necessary with previous phones to change the default Launcher.
Until recently Google would have been my choice of preference however it seems 
that Google is no longer developing their Launcher so I switched to Nova until 
the S10 came along.
It seems that Samsung have been doing some serious thinking with regard to 
their default Launcher to the point that the Samsung Launcher is now incredibly 
easy to use it seems.
From the home screen swipe up to get to the Apps screen, what could be easier 
than that.
I haven’t yet worked out how one would move items on the Home Screen from place 
to place or even if one can remove or uninstall Apps from the Home or App 
pages. Apps aren’t so much of a problem to uninstall as that task can be 
accomplished through the Google Play Store App.
Another list member mentioned that the user can reorder the navigation buttons 
at the bottom of the screen.
By default the “Recents” button is to the left of the “Home” and the “Back” 
button is to the right. Added to this is the ability to change the behaviour of 
these buttons.
Normally one has to double-tap but this can be changed to a single tap, you 
slide to hold the button and then release your finger or if you know exactly 
where the navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen are then just place 
your finger on the button and lift.
It would appear that some new gestures have been added to Samsung’s Voice 
Assistant. Double tapping on the screen 3 times reads out a status message and 
what you hear can be controlled from the settings of Voice Assistant under 
Screen Reader under Vision in the Accessibility settings.
The user might only prefer a short status message consisting of time and 
battery remaining percentage whilst others might prefer more status content 
such as wi-fi signal and so on.
Voice Assistant users would be familiar with the 3-finger swipe from left to 
right to move between such adjustments as dark cursor, voice rate, voice volume 
and so on. What is shown for adjustments can now be set through Voice Assistant 
settings.
I have no need for voice Rate and Pitch as I use the Acapella Voices where Rate 
and Pitch are adjusted through the Acapella Voice Manager so I’ve removed those 
from my adjustment choices.

--

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whatever, implicit or otherwise, for any compromise to your systems as a result 
of opening any post to this group. Suffice it to say that we remain vigilant 
within the boundaries of reason. We strongly urge you to do likewise! You have 
been warned!!!

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Re: [Techno-Chat]: Ring doorbell Video 2 impressions

[Dane Trethowan]

The Video Doorbell II is similar in its feature set.


> On 7 Apr 2019, at 2:06 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> I have to admit that, were I able to do so, I would be. Tempted to buy the 
> Ring Doorbell Pro. It has a lot of things going for it according to what I’ve 
> been reading today.
> 
> 
> 
> On 6 Apr 2019, at 14:04, Dane Trethowan  <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> wrote:
> 
> Horses for courses mate.
> I didn’t have an intercom system before so the expense wasn’t a problem in 
> that regard though the Ring system as I’m finding does have some serious 
> limitations that the Raspberry Pi III doorbell doesn’t.
> The obvious limitations concern the Ring system itself which is closed.
> This will be fine for most people who want easy setup but even then 
> connecting additional Ring devices can prove difficult as I discovered when I 
> tried to connect additional wireless door chimes.
> So back to the drawing board and back to chat with the people who helped me 
> out with the first Raspberry Pi doorbell system I had installed here.
> 
> 
>> On 6 Apr 2019, at 9:40 pm, Gordon Smith > <mailto:gor...@mac-access.net>> wrote:
>> 
>> Seems like an awful lot of expense to go too, just for a doorbell device. I 
>> don’t doubt that there are advantages. But to be honest, I personally still 
>> find that the intercom system I’ve been using since 2016 is perfectly 
>> adequate. It’s loud enough, and the buzzer tone of the bell can be heard 
>> easily all over my house. The intercom works solidly from everywhere, 
>> including my back garden.
>> 
>> I could have installed a camera as well but, to be honest, I didn’t see much 
>> point in going to all that expense. My intercom was professionally 
>> installed, and the guy who did the work certainly didn’t skimp on what he 
>> did. All of the wiring between the power supply and the bell itself is 
>> absolutely invisible. When he drilled through the wall to bring the cable 
>> from the external part of the bell, (the push-button), he made sure that the 
>> hole is sealed so no draft comes through the wall. You can’t even see that 
>> the work has been done. All cables are discretely tacked to the wall. But 
>> I’m getting off the point.
>> 
>> I am sure that there are more advanced systems available now and yes, I may 
>> consider adding one to my side door, as that’s the one I routinely use 
>> anyway. So we’ll have to see.
>> 
>> 
>> On 27 Mar 2019, at 11:00, Dane Trethowan > <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Everyone,
>> I’ve had the Ring Video Doorbell 2 for a week now so thought I’d write down 
>> my impressions of the product.
>> Before that I had a Doorbell which I built around a Raspberry Pi machine 
>> however the machine packed up so I had to get something quickly.
>> I looked for Raspberry Pi Doorbell projects to build and boy has the 
>> landscape changed since I built mine back in 2013, if you go to Youtube and 
>> look for Raspberry Pi Doorbell you’ll soon see what I mean so plenty for me 
>> to choose from and to think about.
>> The Raspberry Pi I was using was of a considerable age and there have been 
>> several generations of Raspberry Pi since, I think we’re now up to the Third 
>> Generation? Anyway the newer Pi machines are far more powerful than the one 
>> I was using and offer far more flexible connectivity options but one thing 
>> at a time and back to the Ring Doorbell Video 2
>> The idea of the Ring Doorbell is to have the unit installed at a location 
>> while you use your Smart Phone to interact with the doorbell. My Ring 
>> Doorbell is installed at the front door.
>> If you have the old trusty electro mechanical type doorbell already 
>> installed then you can choose to have it work in parallel with the Ring 
>> Doorbell.
>> In my case I needed a sparky to come and give me a hand with my installation 
>> but if its just a case of sticking the Ring Doorbell on a wall then you 
>> should be able to perform the whole  installation job yourself.
>> Depending on the type of\The Ring Doorbell has several power options and the 
>> one you choose will depend on your installation requirements. I already have 
>> a mains supply installed for my doorbell requirements so the ring Doorbell 
>> can take advantage of that.
>> If you’re just going to stick the doorbell on a wall then you can use the 
>> supplied rechargeable battery which clips into the bottom of the Doorbell 
>> unit.
>> Connecting the Ring Doorbell to your network may take a little time and can 
>> be a little trick

[Techno-Chat]: Article: The battle for the last unconquered screen

[Dane Trethowan]

The battle for the last unconquered screen

The car dashboard is a source of endless complaints from drivers frustrated
by its glitchy concoction of buttons and technologies.

The car dashboard is a source of endless complaints from drivers frustrated
by its glitchy concoction of buttons and technologies.

By TIM HIGGINS and WILLIAM BOSTON

8:43PM APRIL 7, 2019

The auto industry and Silicon Valley are locked in a battle for control of
one of the last unconquered screens: your car dashboard display.

At stake are billions of dollars in revenue from ads and services as well as
the balance of power between two big industries. And then there is the
future of the dash itself, a source of endless complaints from drivers
frustrated by its glitchy concoction of buttons and technologies.

Car makers, trying to overcome this poor track record, are counting on these
few square inches to help build closer relationships with customers. Some
fear handing control to Silicon Valley. Alphabet Inc. and Apple Inc.,
meanwhile, are itching to put their familiar screens and apps inside
vehicles.

The current state of play is a confused free-for-all as the two industries
circle each other warily. Some car makers are turning over their dashboard
operating systems to Alphabet’s Google entirely. Others, including Ford
Motor Co. and Daimler AG, wager they can muster the technological chops to
compete.

The average American driver spends 51 minutes a day in the car, according to
a study earlier this year by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, making
them a literal captive audience.

On future screens, local restaurants, doctors’ offices and other services
could target ads based on typical driving routes. An insurance company could
offer lower rates for cautious drivers, while car makers could use system
data to offer service on an ageing part before it blows. Some envision a
world where users could start watching a TV show at home, then with a voice
command continue watching the same program in the car. Others are working on
allowing users to order and pay for gasoline and coffee on their screens.

These data-driven products could create as much as $750 billion in new
revenue by 2030, including from location-based advertisements and predictive
car maintenance, McKinsey & Co. has estimated.

“We see this as the battle for the fourth screen,” after the television,
computer and mobile phone, said Ky Tang, an executive director at Telenav
Inc., a Silicon Valley firm that provides map-based advertising to
automakers competing against Google.

Car infotainment systems have frequently exasperated Rick Cunnington, a
65-year-old retired engineer in Oro Valley, Ariz. With his wife’s 2016 Mazda
CX-5, he can’t figure out how to turn off the radio. “We can turn it down,”
he said. “But off is apparently a complex process we haven’t been able to
figure out.”

A Mazda spokeswoman said there is no easy way to turn off the infotainment
system, including the radio, on older models.

Mr. Cunnington is happier with his most recent purchase, a 2018 Toyota
Tacoma pick-up truck. Still, he studies his route before he leaves the house
so he doesn’t have to rely on the vehicle’s navigation system. “I’ve heard
all the stories of the navigation systems routing you to Timbuktu,” he said.

Automakers start with a natural disadvantage. New car models are designed
and engineered several years out and customers tend to hold on to their cars
more than they do phones. Car companies had been reluctant to spend money on
expensive electronics, and older car displays weren’t designed to be
updated.

Car makers must also be mindful of driver distraction and must ensure that
the systems work in a variety of conditions. Compared with using a device at
home, said Dave Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power,
“driving along at 70 miles an hour on the freeway with the wind noise and
the suboptimal location of microphones and kids in the back — it’s a lot
tougher. So you’ll get people saying, ‘My voice recognition in the car is
nowhere near as good as it is on my phone.’ ”

Volkswagen AG is bravely striking out on its own. Keeping control over the
reams of consumer data generated by a vehicle’s on-board electronics is one
reason the company developed its own car computing brain, with its own
online store of apps and services. The system will debut later this year on
a new generation of Volkswagen-branded electric cars, called the I.D.
series.

“Like Android and [Apple] iOS, we are building our own vw.os as the
platform,” said Chief Executive Herbert Diess during an earnings briefing
last month in Germany.

Volkswagen declared internally it would fast-forward efforts to combat
Silicon Valley’s encroachment into cars after a private meeting in 2016
between Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai and Mr. Diess, then chief for
the VW brand, according to people familiar with the matter.

Mr. Pichai explained how Google wanted the data to improve the user

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Sangean PRD-6 Radio Demo

[Dane Trethowan]

Sorry I don’t understand what you’re referring to here.
I didn’t give too much information on the recorder I was using for this test so 
just to clarify things I used an Olympus LS-14 and it would appear that the 
built-in microphones didn’t appreciate my speech though they worked very well 
at capturing the audio from the speaker of the Sangean PRD-6 radio itself.


> On 7 Apr 2019, at 2:11 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> Unlike most of their equipment in recent years.
> 
> 
> On 6 Apr 2019, at 14:56, Dane Trethowan  <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> wrote:
> 
> Subject line says it all and sorry about the microphones of the LS-14, I’ve 
> made a note never to use that device for recording ever again.
> https://www.dropbox.com/s/ewt54y9wptp3ic2/Sangean%20Prd-6.flac?dl=0 
> <https://www.dropbox.com/s/ewt54y9wptp3ic2/Sangean%20Prd-6.flac?dl=0>

[Techno-Chat]: Sangean PRD-6 Radio Demo

[Dane Trethowan]

Subject line says it all and sorry about the microphones of the LS-14, I’ve 
made a note never to use that device for recording ever again.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ewt54y9wptp3ic2/Sangean%20Prd-6.flac?dl=0 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Ring doorbell Video 2 impressions

[Dane Trethowan]

Horses for courses mate.
I didn’t have an intercom system before so the expense wasn’t a problem in that 
regard though the Ring system as I’m finding does have some serious limitations 
that the Raspberry Pi III doorbell doesn’t.
The obvious limitations concern the Ring system itself which is closed.
This will be fine for most people who want easy setup but even then connecting 
additional Ring devices can prove difficult as I discovered when I tried to 
connect additional wireless door chimes.
So back to the drawing board and back to chat with the people who helped me out 
with the first Raspberry Pi doorbell system I had installed here.


> On 6 Apr 2019, at 9:40 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> Seems like an awful lot of expense to go too, just for a doorbell device. I 
> don’t doubt that there are advantages. But to be honest, I personally still 
> find that the intercom system I’ve been using since 2016 is perfectly 
> adequate. It’s loud enough, and the buzzer tone of the bell can be heard 
> easily all over my house. The intercom works solidly from everywhere, 
> including my back garden.
> 
> I could have installed a camera as well but, to be honest, I didn’t see much 
> point in going to all that expense. My intercom was professionally installed, 
> and the guy who did the work certainly didn’t skimp on what he did. All of 
> the wiring between the power supply and the bell itself is absolutely 
> invisible. When he drilled through the wall to bring the cable from the 
> external part of the bell, (the push-button), he made sure that the hole is 
> sealed so no draft comes through the wall. You can’t even see that the work 
> has been done. All cables are discretely tacked to the wall. But I’m getting 
> off the point.
> 
> I am sure that there are more advanced systems available now and yes, I may 
> consider adding one to my side door, as that’s the one I routinely use 
> anyway. So we’ll have to see.
> 
> 
> On 27 Mar 2019, at 11:00, Dane Trethowan  <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> wrote:
> 
> Hi Everyone,
> I’ve had the Ring Video Doorbell 2 for a week now so thought I’d write down 
> my impressions of the product.
> Before that I had a Doorbell which I built around a Raspberry Pi machine 
> however the machine packed up so I had to get something quickly.
> I looked for Raspberry Pi Doorbell projects to build and boy has the 
> landscape changed since I built mine back in 2013, if you go to Youtube and 
> look for Raspberry Pi Doorbell you’ll soon see what I mean so plenty for me 
> to choose from and to think about.
> The Raspberry Pi I was using was of a considerable age and there have been 
> several generations of Raspberry Pi since, I think we’re now up to the Third 
> Generation? Anyway the newer Pi machines are far more powerful than the one I 
> was using and offer far more flexible connectivity options but one thing at a 
> time and back to the Ring Doorbell Video 2
> The idea of the Ring Doorbell is to have the unit installed at a location 
> while you use your Smart Phone to interact with the doorbell. My Ring 
> Doorbell is installed at the front door.
> If you have the old trusty electro mechanical type doorbell already installed 
> then you can choose to have it work in parallel with the Ring Doorbell.
> In my case I needed a sparky to come and give me a hand with my installation 
> but if its just a case of sticking the Ring Doorbell on a wall then you 
> should be able to perform the whole  installation job yourself.
> Depending on the type of\The Ring Doorbell has several power options and the 
> one you choose will depend on your installation requirements. I already have 
> a mains supply installed for my doorbell requirements so the ring Doorbell 
> can take advantage of that.
> If you’re just going to stick the doorbell on a wall then you can use the 
> supplied rechargeable battery which clips into the bottom of the Doorbell 
> unit.
> Connecting the Ring Doorbell to your network may take a little time and can 
> be a little tricky so be sure to follow the prompts in the Ring App and be 
> sure to create your account at http://www.ring.com <http://www.ring.com/> 
> which I suggest you do before you stat the setup process.
> Its during the setup process that I started encountering disappointments with 
> the Ring product.
> Firstly the Ring Doorbell Video 2 will only connect to 2.4GHZ networks and 
> the unit doesn’t have a LAN port which is odd given the Doorbell will be 
> mounted most likely in most homes in a fixed position.
> The Setup procedure in the Ring App was quite easy to follow and I have 
> everything connected in around 10 minutes along with having completed tests 
> to ensure that the doorbell was functioning as required.
> Ring sends you

Re: [Techno-Chat]: My new Samsung Galaxy S10 Phone

[Dane Trethowan]

A few points in reply to your eMail.
Firstly regarding the watch? I wouldn’t buy any Watch right now whether it be 
Samsung, Apple and so on as the big Swiss watch giants are about to flood the 
market with their wares and we know what that means, the bar will be lifted on 
performance, features etc where upon Apple, Samsung and the rest will be left  
to dust themselves off and come up with something new.
I upgraded my Apple iPhone from a 6S to an 8 and I’m very glad I did.
I’m not particularly concerned about the lack of a headphones socket so that 
certainly didn’t enter my thought process when the opportunity presented itself 
for upgrading.
If you have a hearing impairment and sound is all important to you - and you’re 
able to upgrade to say something better than the 6S - then I’d recommend you 
seize the upgrade opportunity as those Apple phones above the 6S take the sound 
of the internal speaker to a new and clear level, something Samsung phone users 
and Sony users have experienced for quite some time.
Whether you upgrade to one of the iPhone X series is entirely your choice. I 
didn’t go that far as I felt an iPhone 8 would serve my needs for quite some 
time to come.
As for Apple having better performance over the Samsung S10 for transmission? 
Well I’m no expert but I do know someone who is, he’s a mobile engineer with 
one of our big phone company’s in Australia so he’ll have a small chuckle I’m 
sure when he reads about Apple transmission qualities .
Since I’ve mentioned the Samsung S10 I should also add to my notes by saying 
that I’m well used to the onscreen fingerprint reader now and I can unlock the 
phone instantly. Its something to really get used to when you touch the screen 
and the phone instantly unlocks.
At the end of the day however Apple and Samsung are premium products and what 
you prefer to use is entirely your thing.


> On 6 Apr 2019, at 9:21 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> I’ve heard a lot of good things about the S10. And it’s interesting how many 
> technology journalists are making direct comparisons between the iPhone XS, 
> iPhone XS Max and the Samsung Galaxy S10.
> 
> According to what I’ve been reading, the S10 wins out on battery performance. 
> But the iPhone XS and XS Max are better in terms of mobile performance. 
> Apparently, the S10 isn’t quite as good in places where the mobile signal is 
> weaker.
> 
> I’m still on the iPhone 6s, and the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+. The iPhone is an 
> old device now and it’s no longer possible to do trade-ins. Same is true of 
> the S6 Edge+. I can’t afford to be buying a new device and, to be honest, if 
> I could, it would probably be a watch of some type. I’m still erring towards 
> the Apple Watch Series 4, if for no other reason than the seamless 
> integration with the iPhone. OK, the 6S is an old device but at least it 
> still runs the current OS. So until things change, it’s a matter of making 
> the best of what I have.
> 
> Oh yes, and I do still have a 2015 Sony Xperia X Performance as well. But to 
> my shame, since I received it, I still haven’t got it properly set up. That’s 
> something I’m going to have to tackle in the coming days I think. May even 
> have a shot at it now.
> 
> On 28 Mar 2019, at 10:45, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> Okay I’m up and running with the device now.
> I was hoping to be up and running a week ago but I crashed the phone after 
> setup so I had to get a pair of eyeballs to set the phone to factory defaults 
> and start the whole setup process again.
> The first thing I noticed upon exploring the phone was the audio which is far 
> better  than that of the Samsung Galaxy S9, actually the audio from the 
> Samsung Galaxy S10 its the reference for my mobile phone devices now being 
> the best I’ve heard, from a mobile phone even being slightly better than that 
> of the iPhone 8
> There are some things one has to know when using a S10.
> Every company has mysteries to solve and Samsung is no exception.
> Samsung have moved the fingerprint reader again so with the S10 the 
> fingerprint scanner is found near the bottom of the screen above the home 
> button - I think  -.
> Anyway I’m able to use the fingerprint reader to unlock the screen after 
> having some reservations as to whether I could use this method of unlocking.
> The Smart Switch App during initial setup will only import the Wi-Fi network 
> and associated settings from your older phone and that’s fair enough I guess 
> so to have Smart Switch complete its job - if that’s what you want - of 
> transferring everything from the old to the new phone you need to deal with 
> the notification Smart Switch shows on the screen after the setup process has 
> completed.
> A welcome’s addition to the setup is the ability to select if you want the 
> default Samsung Apps installed or no

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Re: Banks & Accessibility

[Dane Trethowan]

Thankfully the bank I deal with in Australia - The Commonwealth - have a very 
accessible App I can use.
Failing that - if I’m out shopping etc - then I can use my iPhone with Apple 
Pay and my Bank at terminals so no more worrying about touch screens and so on.
I really must check to see how accessible Samsung Pay is as the Samsung S10 is 
my phone of choice.


> On 6 Apr 2019, at 9:11 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> Sorry this has taken me so long to get around to responding to this. I am 
> always pleased to see banks and other institutions brought to book when it 
> comes to discrimination issues. Be they against any group of disabled people, 
> it’s wrong in the extreme to deprive either a group or, for that matter, a 
> single solitary person of their fundamental right to equality. I only wish 
> there were groups over here who had the backbone to stand up for the rights 
> of minority indigenous people by making use of the law.
> 
> All that seems to happen over here is protests, and even those are a 
> one-day-wonder. But I’m getting off topic, our purpose here is to discuss 
> technological issues, not legal or moral ones.
> 
> But our banks don’t even offer these facilities as far as I’m aware. Indeed, 
> there’s no guarantee that a bank’s website is even going to be accessible. My 
> own bank, for instance, has made changes to their website which have 
> significantly impacted on accessibility. It’s actually quite difficult now to 
> view statements etc. And branches are closing down completely because, so say 
> the banks, of the growing popularity of online and mobile banking in general.
> 
> 
> On 28 Mar 2019, at 10:46, Dane Trethowan  <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> wrote:
> 
> Thought other list members may find this of interest.
> https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-10/commonwealth-bank-settles-discrimination-claim/10702194
>  
> <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-10/commonwealth-bank-settles-discrimination-claim/10702194>
>  
> 

[Techno-Chat]: Commonwealth Bank settles discrimination claim by blind Australians over touchpad devices - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[Dane Trethowan]

Thought other list members may find this of interest.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-10/commonwealth-bank-settles-discrimination-claim/10702194
 

 

[Techno-Chat]: My new Samsung Galaxy S10 Phone

[Dane Trethowan]

Okay I’m up and running with the device now.
I was hoping to be up and running a week ago but I crashed the phone after 
setup so I had to get a pair of eyeballs to set the phone to factory defaults 
and start the whole setup process again.
The first thing I noticed upon exploring the phone was the audio which is far 
better  than that of the Samsung Galaxy S9, actually the audio from the Samsung 
Galaxy S10 its the reference for my mobile phone devices now being the best 
I’ve heard, from a mobile phone even being slightly better than that of the 
iPhone 8
There are some things one has to know when using a S10.
Every company has mysteries to solve and Samsung is no exception.
Samsung have moved the fingerprint reader again so with the S10 the fingerprint 
scanner is found near the bottom of the screen above the home button - I think 
 -.
Anyway I’m able to use the fingerprint reader to unlock the screen after having 
some reservations as to whether I could use this method of unlocking.
The Smart Switch App during initial setup will only import the Wi-Fi network 
and associated settings from your older phone and that’s fair enough I guess so 
to have Smart Switch complete its job - if that’s what you want - of 
transferring everything from the old to the new phone you need to deal with the 
notification Smart Switch shows on the screen after the setup process has 
completed.
A welcome’s addition to the setup is the ability to select if you want the 
default Samsung Apps installed or not, you can select all, none or customise 
your selection.
Okay off to have a rest now and let the Samsung S10 do its thing and get a full 
recharge.
I will try charging my old Samsung galaxy S9 wirelessly from the S10 later on 
today as well as having another play with the new device.

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[Techno-Chat]: Commonwealth Bank settles discrimination claim by blind Australians over touchpad devices - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[Dane Trethowan]

Thought other list members may find this of interest.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-10/commonwealth-bank-settles-discrimination-claim/10702194
 

 

[Techno-Chat]: Shure NV51 Product review

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!
I don’t mind telling you all that the Shure NV88 microphone I bought recently 
has impressed me very much, so much that I’ve been looking around for something 
from Shure that is compatible with Android devices.
Whilst I haven’t found an exact match I have found something a little bigger 
which will fill another role in my recording needs.
The NV51 as you’ll see from the review linked to here is a small portable 
desktop microphone compatible with multiple platforms including IOS, Android, 
Windows and Mac.
Concerns were voiced here regarding monitoring headphone output on an iPhone 
without a headphone socket, this problem has been addressed as the NV51 has a 
built-in headphones output.
The only thing that could be a problem is the touch panel the NV51 has so I’m 
wondering if the Shure Mative App for IOS and Android can bypass these? IFF not 
then perhaps I can label the panel with tiny dots and learn what the buttons do.
As far as I can gather they allow for selecting presets - music, flat, speech 
and so on -.
Anyway enjoy the review which has plenty of samples and comments.

https://larryjordan.com/articles/product-review-shure-mv51-desk-microphone/ 

[Techno-Chat]: Google Home Max

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi,
I’ve had the Google Home Max since last Thursday so plenty of time to explore 
what this device offers.
I think the best way to describe a Google Home Max in size is to compare it to 
a kitchen toaster so its going to take up a little more room the the Home 
itself.
The speaker is a fairly heavy and well built unit which for me adds to the 
excitement.
You can mount the Max either lying down or standing up on its end.
If lying down the speaker is in stereo mode but when standing up is in mono 
mode and the surface controls change.
By surface controls I mean you can slide your finger left to right to adjust 
playback volume or tap once to pause and again to resume.
On the back of the speaker are an aux-in jack, your mains power in connection 
and a USB C port.
I’m told that a dongle can be connected to the port to allow a LAN connection 
though various forums I’ve visited to try and find out more have reported 
problems with this method of connecting the Max to your network.
Setup of the Max is through the Google Home App either on Android or IOS.
So once the Max was all set to go it was time to do som testing with the Max in 
my kitchen on top of my fridge.
My Kitchen echos a little so listening to any music in that area has always 
been an annoyance for me.
I wondered how the auto tuning function of the Max would handle this or even if 
the tuning would take into account the slight echo of the room, the Max 
documentation says the auto tuning is supposed to take the acoustic environment 
in which the Max is placed into account and calibrate thus.
No indication is given as to the calibration made but I can tell you that if 
you have a room with some echo or ambience issues which affect your hearing 
then the Google Home Max does indeed seem to make adjustments accordingly or 
perhaps the Max just sounds good anyway, we’ll never really know for sure given 
the lack of indication as to what the Google Home Max does.
The Max has 4 units, 2 tweeters and 2 woofers all of which put out some 
impressive punch.
The stereo separation isn’t as good as what you’ll find in the B A5 and the 
B A7 but then again those 2 units are both more expensive than the Google 
Home Max.
If you’re looking at purchasing a Voice Assistant then this is the best I’ve 
seen to date without a doubt.
Google have obviously spent a bit of time making sure that volumes aren’t too 
out of balance, by that I mean being able to hear the Google TTS and the 
content you’re listening to at roughly the same volume.
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[Techno-Chat]: Shure NV88 IOS Microphone Review

[Dane Trethowan]

The NV88 microphone from Shure is designed to work with IOS devices.
This microphone is of extremely high quality both in build and sound as you 
will hear in the below review if you follow the sample links.
https://larryjordan.com/articles/product-review-shure-mv88-digital-microphone/ 

[Techno-Chat]: TV Tuners Revisited

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi everyone,
As other list members may remember I bought a Silicondust TV Tuner a little 
while ago but have only now found the time to get the unit up and running.
Silicondust specialise in TV tuners and several models are mode.
Mine is the 4 tuner version so 4 FTA TV programmes can be viewed at once, 3 
recorded at once whilst another is viewed and so on.
The tuner is straight forward enough, just a small 4 inch square box with 3 
connectors.
One connector for your TV aerial, another for the DC power supply and the 
remainder is a LAN connector so the Tuner can connect to your Home network.
Connection to the Home Network is the key here as the tuner is designed to 
stream around the house via the network.
That means you can use Apps on your devices to call up a programme to watch at 
any time.
For example I use VLC on my Android and IOS devices to select a channel to view.
So that’s the very basics but what if you want to go further and actually view 
a programme guide and schedule recordings from there/ That can be done though 
it took me a little while to find an accessible way of doing this but I 
persisted and with the help of Google I’ve found a useable and accessible 
solution.
Unfortunately the software that Silicondust bundles with their TV tuners is 
extremely grotty and even reviewers suggest a third party alternative.
One of these alternatives just happens to be the Plex Media Server with a Plex 
Pass which I already have.
Setting up Plex to recognise the Silicondust TV Tuner was easier than I 
expected.
All I had to do was select PVR from the settings menu and I was guided through 
the setup thanks to a wizard in the HTML interface.
The wizard detected the connected tuner and even did the channel scanning after 
I had specified my location and world region.
Plex then gave me a choice of local tV Programe guides for my region and then 
commenced the download of the guide which took a little time.
The guide is presented in the HTML interface though manipulating the guide may 
take some getting used to depending on how the guide is actually presented on 
screen.
Recording is a snap, just press the Record button next to the programme you 
wish to schedule.
A dialogue box then pops up so you may choose to record a series or just that 
one particular episode etc.
You can choose where the recordings are stored and they can go anywhere 
including NAS storage drives if you would prefer.
So that’s as far as I’ve gone with the Silicondust tuner and I’ll write more as 
I discover.
Apple TV users may also be in luck as there is an App/Subscription TV guide 
service called Channels which uses an Apple TV App.
I don’t as yet have an Apple TV so I have no idea just how useable this App 
would be.
Now that I know the Channels App is available I’m more tempted than ever to 
shell out on an Apple TV and and see what results I can get with the Channels 
and other Apps.--

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Re: [Techno-Chat]: Roberts Concerto 2 DAB/FM, CD player, SD/USB Player & Cassette Recorder

[Dane Trethowan]

I don’t know of the particular device myself but I would remind everyone that 
Roberts devices these days are marketed around the world as Sangean so others 
may find the same under the Sangean name and a different model number.


> On 26 Dec 2018, at 8:12 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> Good Yuletide to you, one and all. I trust your Christmas celebrations went 
> well.
> 
> I’ve been playing around with the Roberts Concerto 2 multimedia device for 
> quite some time now, and wondered whether anybody else on list would find a 
> comprehensive but objective review of the device of value?
> 
> If yes, I shall compile one and either upload it to this group, or post it on 
> our BLOG.
> 

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[Techno-Chat]: More on Denon Heos

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!
I’ve written to the list about various Denon Heos streaming/multi room products 
I have ranging from the Denon Surround-Sound receiver in the lounge, the stereo 
speaker in my den and the weatherproof portables.
2 weeks ago I took delivery of the most advanced Heos product I’ve used in the 
form of the Denon Heos Super Link, actually perhaps I’d best describe the Heos 
Super Link as being the most advanced and versatile audio product I’ve ever 
used.
The Super Link is very non descript looking like a typical rack mount component 
such as a Musical Synthesiser or radio tuner, the rack out ears can be removed.
There’s nothing on the front of the Super Link itself apart from a button with 
markings around it which I take to be a sleep button on some kind though I’ve 
never had any reason to use it.
The lack of controls is due to the fact that all controls for the Super Link 
and other Heos equipment are found in the Heos App itself which runs under IOS 
or Android, take your pick.
The Heos Super Link from Denon is designed to work with a variety of equipment, 
everything from Power Amplifiers to Digital to Analogue Converters, whatever 
your audio distribution or audio input/output switching dream then the Super 
Link can probably handle it and on top of that stream it!
The Super Link is divided into 4 zones - 4 completely separate output devices 
if you like - and they can be configured completely independently of each other 
even down to the IP address and name.
Using the Heos link you can switch between the zones or stream directly to them 
using DLNA compatible Apps.
Each zone has a serious of outputs including Optical/coxial digital and 
analogue RCA jacks.
The Analogue outputs can be configured as fixed level - for feeding into 
line-in - or variable - for feeding to power amplifiers -.
Each zone has a graphic EQ to match the sound even further.
If that’s not enough the stereo outputs can be combined to produce dual mono 
outputs.
The outputs can be set to drive sub-woofer units and have a complete bypass 
filter setup.
Remote control compatibility is catered for with each zone with a trigger out 
facility which can be used to turn on a power amplifier or similar when it is 
required.
Added to this each zone has its own USB port so you have the ability through 
the Super Link to connect 4 separate USB memory sticks filled with your 
favourite music in your favourite formats whether that be HD audio, MP3 or 
anything else.
So that’s the outputs and then come the inputs, 4 sets of stereo Analogue 
Line-In  jacks along with 2 Optical and 2 Coxial cable digital inputs, all of 
which can be switched amongst the output zones or switched to other Heos 
equipment on your network.
For example, I have one of my Digital tuners fed into Cox Input Digital 1 of 
the Heos Super Link, I can switch the input to any of the 4 zones of the Super 
Link or switch the input to the Surround-Sound system in the lounge, the Denon 
Heos 7 speaker in my Den, the portable speakers outside etc.
Let your imagination Rome over the possibilities that streaming to and from the 
Heos Super link brings, sending your cable Set Top box from the Surround-Sound 
to one of the zones of your Super link, sending the USB Memory sticks contents 
to the Portables in the barbecue area, pairing a guests Bluetooth phone with 
the Heos speaker in the party room and streaming  the guests  music collection 
to your study for your private enjoyment, what absolute fun!
Given the quality of the Heos Super Link it doesn’t come cheap at Australian 
$1800 but boy, you really get a good bang for your buck.
There are quite a few Heos products in the range now, the Heos 1 are the 
portable speakers I briefly spoke of, they can be paired into stereo pairs or 
you can use as individual speakers. The Heos 1 can also be fitted with a Heos 
Go rechargeable battery pack.
The Heos 3 is a bigger version of the Heos 1 designed to be run indoors. The 
Heos 3 can be used as rear or centre speakers in a Heos Surround-Sound 
environment if you like, they also make excellent main audio speakers.
The Heos 5 is a self contained stereo powered speaker unit as is the Heos 7, 
the 7 is meant for larger roos whilst the 5 for smaller.
I’ve already mentioned the Heos Super link but there’s another smaller Brother 
in the Kink range, the link itself which is only a 1 zone product as compared 
to the 4 offered by the Super Link.
The heos Amp is a self-contained Hi-Fi amplifier complete with all Heos has to 
offerer, the idea of this amp is that you connect to the Hi-Fi components and 
the speakers of your choice whilst having all the benefits of Heos connectivity 
at your fingertips.
I beleive that several Heos sub-woofer units are also available.

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[Techno-Chat]: There's finally a microwave you can control with Alexa, and it just got its first discount

[Dane Trethowan]

Wow! I hope this comes to Australia.
https://bgr.com/2018/08/02/smart-microwave-with-alexa-voice-commands/ 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: LattePanda 2G/32GB Windows 10 PC Mini PC

[Dane Trethowan]

Just going through my eMail and I see that one chap I know is going to use one 
of these devices with a couple of USB Sticks - radio receivers - thus he’ll 
have a very good and incredibly versatile Radio that he’ll be able to use to 
cover much of the spectrum in pretty much any receiving mode you can think of.


> On 30 Aug 2018, at 1:05 am, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> I think you’re looking at things from the wrong angle b because in many ways 
> the machine is ground breaking given it has a dual processor arrangement and 
> I’ve not heard of that in a mini computer before.
> No, not startling specs when it comes to speed but for $280 all ready to go? 
> Would make a nice media player say or something like that which didn’t 
> require too much power.
> 
> 
>> On 29 Aug 2018, at 8:51 pm, Gordon Smith > <mailto:gor...@mac-access.net>> wrote:
>> 
>> To be utterly honest, looking at the specifications of this device, I 
>> wouldn’t call it a ground-breaking one. For example, it only has a 1.8GHZ 
>> Quad Core processor, (it doesn’t seem clear which generation of CPU that 
>> is). Only 1 USB 3.0 ports, and 2 USB 2.0 ports. No USB 3.1C port as far as I 
>> can see.
>> 
>> On the spec sheet there’s no definition of which standards of WiFi it. 
>> supports. Neither does it tell you which version of Windows 10 it comes 
>> with. It just says a “Full” version.
>> 
>> There are plenty of machines out there in the Mini market whose specs by far 
>> exceed this machines’. Even the MiniCom machines would give it a run for its 
>> money. I actually own 2 of those beasts, so I can speak from experience. 
>> They’re nothing special, but they do work well in most situations.
>> 
>> As far as I can determine, (and I could have missed it, to be fair), there 
>> wasn’t any indication of what kind of display output it supports. For 
>> example, what HDMI standard, (if any), does it support? Is it a full-size 
>> HDMI port, a Mini, and does that port carry audio as well as video? Not all 
>> of them do.
>> 
>> Seems a bit old-hat to me, unless I’ve missed something spectacular.
>> 
>> 
>> On 27 Aug 2018, at 22:53, Dane Trethowan > <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> wrote:
>> 
>> Another incredibly versatile mini computer has hit the shelves.
>> As you can see this one comes to you with an activated copy of Windows 10 
>> preinstalled for your convenience.
>> 
>> 
>>> http://auseparts.com.au/index.php?route=product/product_id=335 
>>> <http://auseparts.com.au/index.php?route=product/product_id=335>
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> My compliments and kindest regards
>> Gordon Smith:
>> mailto:gor...@mac-access.net>>
>> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..
>> 
>> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
>> printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!
>> 
>>   Contact:
>> 
>> Twitter: @maciosaccess
>> 
>> • UK Free Phone:
>> 0800 8620538
>> • UK Geographic / Global:
>> +44(0) 1642 688095
>> • UK Mobile/SMS:
>> +44 (0) 7804 983849
>> • Vic. Australia:
>> +61 38 82059300
>> • US/Canada:
>> +1 646 9151493
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

[Techno-Chat]: LattePanda 2G/32GB Windows 10 PC Mini PC

[Dane Trethowan]

Another incredibly versatile mini computer has hit the shelves.
As you can see this one comes to you with an activated copy of Windows 10 
preinstalled for your convenience.


> http://auseparts.com.au/index.php?route=product/product_id=335 
> 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: What Will You Do If WWVB Goes Silent? | Hackaday

[Dane Trethowan]

I’ve ever ever taken any notice of a time signal broadcast from an Internet 
Radio stream or DAB stream if it comes to that,, I’m a halfwit I know but not 
quite as bad as all that yet .
Regarding delayed time signals? I agree with you, you either transmit them on 
time at the top of the hour or you don’t transmit them at all.
Having said all that there may be cases where the time signal can’t help but be 
delayed, suppose you’re listening to radio 2GB in Sydney which is a Talkback 
station.
2GB uses a 10 second delay and - though I’ve not done any testing - I’m willing 
to bet that because of the delay used for talkback purposes the time signal 
probably gets delayed too if the delay is still functioning when the time 
signal sounds.
Since we’re talking about time signals its appropriate to mention that you can 
call WWV or WWVH on your telephone.
As Gordon mentioned there will be a delay but if you’re calling from the US 
then that delay shouldn’t be any more then 250 milliseconds if that.
WWV +13034997111
WWVH +18083354363

> On 28 Aug 2018, at 3:40 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> The atomic clock is used by most commercial and broadcast services over here. 
> One of the frequencies is, as I said earlier, 10.0 MHz, but it does sometimes 
> drift a few HTz for whatever reason. It is, however, reliable in the extreme.
> 
> As I said earlier, there are some extremely accurate methods of time 
> synchronisation these days. They include GPS (where available) and 
> Internet-based time synchronisation using any of a range of NTP services.
> 
> Until recently, I had my own NTP server hardware. But, for whatever reason, 
> it won’t boot any more. I suspect it’s the power supply. I had to mount a GPS 
> receiver module outside on the wall just below my guttering because the 
> stupid little internal USB antenna which came with the system just wouldn’t 
> work indoors, as I would have expected.
> 
> The external box, however, produced a 100% reliable signal, and the server 
> was accurate within 1 Micro-second.
> 
> There are lots of network time server systems available now, and they all 
> synchronise via the atomic clock. That service will *NEVER* go away, as it’s 
> used all over the world by governments and commercial, entities, not to 
> mention scientific organisations, including NASA.
> 
> To be honest, I am quite surprised by what you say about time synchronisation 
> being out of sync. What’s the point transmitting a signal which is supposed 
> to provide accurate top-of-the-hour spot if it’s not accurate?
> 
> Oh yes, and just for the record, don’t be deceived by BBC Radio 4 and its 
> time signals. I guess the obvious reason for that is the Internet. If you’re 
> listening online, there’s always going to be a certain amount of time lag. 
> And I’ll tell you something else which I found out today by accident, as this 
> thread got me curious. I tuned to BBC Radio Four on digital satellite. I 
> discovered that there is about a 3 second delay on both FM and DAB signals. 
> So even the terrestrial signals may not be as accurate as we think. The Sky 
> Satellite signal was always ahead of the terrestrial ones by about 2 to 3 
> seconds. The DAB and Analogue FM signals are in perfect sync with each other, 
> whilst the free-to-air digital TV signal corresponds perfectly with the Sky 
> Satellite signal. 
> 
> On 27 Aug 2018, at 09:58, Dane Trethowan  <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> wrote:
> 
> As far as time signal services go in Australia we still have the ABC however 
> this time signal at the top of the hour is not reliable.
> Some stations and transmitters in Australia don’t even broadcast the signal 
> whilst some that do are out of sync due to the fact that the transmitter 
> takes a direct satellite feed.
> In the UK you’re lucky that BBC Radio 4 transmits a time signal at the top of 
> most hours.
> In Australia we have had time signal services on the Shortwave band, the VNG 
> Standard frequency and time signal service provided by the Australian 
> Telecommunications Commission on 4.5, 7.5 and 12MHZ was a regular feature up 
> until 1990 or so.
> The service used to broadcast from Linhurst in Victoria.
> In 1990 the service was moved to Longana NSW and given a range of new 
> broadcasting frequencies, 5, 8.638, 9.14 and 16MHZ.
> The interesting thing about the reincarnation of VNG was that some of the 
> frequencies listed above broadcast a voice synthesised talking clock at the 
> top of each minute whilst others broadcast the current time in morse.
> 
> 
>> On 27 Aug 2018, at 5:41 pm, Gordon Smith > <mailto:gor...@mac-access.net>> wrote:
>> 
>> In the UK, we’re fortunate to have several of these synchronisation 
>> stations, based on the Atomic Clock at Greenwich

Re: [Techno-Chat]: What Will You Do If WWVB Goes Silent? | Hackaday

[Dane Trethowan]

As far as time signal services go in Australia we still have the ABC however 
this time signal at the top of the hour is not reliable.
Some stations and transmitters in Australia don’t even broadcast the signal 
whilst some that do are out of sync due to the fact that the transmitter takes 
a direct satellite feed.
In the UK you’re lucky that BBC Radio 4 transmits a time signal at the top of 
most hours.
In Australia we have had time signal services on the Shortwave band, the VNG 
Standard frequency and time signal service provided by the Australian 
Telecommunications Commission on 4.5, 7.5 and 12MHZ was a regular feature up 
until 1990 or so.
The service used to broadcast from Linhurst in Victoria.
In 1990 the service was moved to Longana NSW and given a range of new 
broadcasting frequencies, 5, 8.638, 9.14 and 16MHZ.
The interesting thing about the reincarnation of VNG was that some of the 
frequencies listed above broadcast a voice synthesised talking clock at the top 
of each minute whilst others broadcast the current time in morse.


> On 27 Aug 2018, at 5:41 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> In the UK, we’re fortunate to have several of these synchronisation stations, 
> based on the Atomic Clock at Greenwich. One of the most widely used in terms 
> of analogue signals is the beacon which broadcasts on 10.0 MHz using Carrier 
> Wave, (CW) and which has been broadcasting for I don’t know how many years.
> 
> There are several digital signals as well but they’re all broadcast at UHF as 
> far as I know.
> 
> But I guess the thinking behind this change is that an ever-increasing number 
> of appliances and services now synchronise directly via the atomic clocks, or 
> via GPS. In the latter case, they must rely on the Internet being available.
> 
> I’m not saying I agree with the change. There should have been a much longer 
> time frame on this, in order to allow manufacturers to develop products which 
> synchronise using different methods.
> 
> GPS is only really reliable outdoors, which out of necessity precludes a lot 
> of consumer items from the list of possibilities. The Internet, on the other 
> hand, would necessitate the presence of broadband or similar. That in itself 
> is fraud with difficulties.
> 
> However, I can see why the government is trying to do this. It’s obviously 
> going to be quite a money saver and that, I am sorry to say, is a governing 
> factor the world over.
> 
> I am sure this will happen to us at some point as well. I can only hope it’s 
> a few years off.
> 
> 
> On 25 Aug 2018, at 17:38, Dane Trethowan  <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> wrote:
> 
> So what will you do?
> I wonder just how many list members have time pieces that rely on this time 
> synchronisation service?
> I don’t think the good folks in Europe or Australia rely on WWVB but 
> certainly its big in the US, the digital signal is broadcast on 60KHZ.
> If WWV and WWVH fall silent as well then this will bring some difficulties to 
> me too as I have quite a few time pieces here that rely on manual 
> synchronisation with a time signal and the only accurate time signal we have 
> left now as far as I know is WWV/WWVH on the Shortwave bands - 2.5, 5, 10, 
> 15, 20 and 25MHZ -.
> 
> 
>> https://hackaday.com/2018/08/20/what-will-you-do-if-wwvb-goes-silent/ 
>> <https://hackaday.com/2018/08/20/what-will-you-do-if-wwvb-goes-silent/>
> 
> 
> 
> My compliments and kindest regards
> Gordon Smith:
> mailto:gor...@mac-access.net>>
> Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..
> 
> This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can avoid 
> printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!
> 
>   Contact:
> 
> Twitter: @maciosaccess
> 
> • UK Free Phone:
> 0800 8620538
> • UK Geographic / Global:
> +44(0) 1642 688095
> • UK Mobile/SMS:
> +44 (0) 7804 983849
> • Vic. Australia:
> +61 38 82059300
> • US/Canada:
> +1 646 9151493
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 

[Techno-Chat]: What Will You Do If WWVB Goes Silent? | Hackaday

[Dane Trethowan]

So what will you do?
I wonder just how many list members have time pieces that rely on this time 
synchronisation service?
I don’t think the good folks in Europe or Australia rely on WWVB but certainly 
its big in the US, the digital signal is broadcast on 60KHZ.
If WWV and WWVH fall silent as well then this will bring some difficulties to 
me too as I have quite a few time pieces here that rely on manual 
synchronisation with a time signal and the only accurate time signal we have 
left now as far as I know is WWV/WWVH on the Shortwave bands - 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 
20 and 25MHZ -.


> https://hackaday.com/2018/08/20/what-will-you-do-if-wwvb-goes-silent/ 
> 

[Techno-Chat]: A Technical Look at Digital Radio in Australia - What Is DAB+ and How Does It Work?

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!
One of the most discussed topics on this list is Radio and the variants thereof 
which include Digital Audio Broadcasting - DAB and DAB+ amongst other methods -.
The following article details how the Australian system of DAB+ works and gives 
details about other DAB/DAB+ systems in Europe etc.
Thanks to Ian for passing this on, I found it a damn good read which furthered 
my knowledge of DAB/dAB+.

> https://mediarealm.com.au/articles/digital-radio-australia-dabplustechnical-overview/
>  
> 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Data Backups

[Dane Trethowan]

Super Duper is indeed a super backup utility of which I’m a proud owner, I 
guess I thought of Time Machine for the Mac as its on every Mac machine ready 
to go right out of the box, far better having a Time Machine backup on your Mac 
than having no backup at all.
I do remember the conflicts that Rollback RX has or perhaps had with Diskeeper.
I’m a user of Diskeeper and I made a deliberate decision not long ago to stop 
using Rollback RX in favour of Diskeeper and the valuable job it does however 
given my desktop machine has a SSD for the Windows installation then perhaps 
the job of Diskeeper isn’t as important as it once was when running Windows 
from a hard drive.


> On 23 Aug 2018, at 6:42 pm, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> My problem with RollBack RX Professional is the way that it interacts, or 
> doesn’t, as the case may be, with disk optimisation technologies.
> 
> For example,I believe Dane and I both use DisKeeper 18 Professional for 
> Windows. That app is excellent for eliminating millions of unnecessary I/O 
> operations per session. And again, the nice bit is that it requires no 
> configuration whatsoever from the user. So you install it and forget it. Just 
> let it get on with its job.
> 
> Regarding RollBack, I am honestly not sure how it would behave. I may try it, 
> after making a backup, of course!
> 
> Regarding Time machine on the Mac, I do’t rate it at all as a backup 
> solution. There’s certainly justification for the software, but not, in my 
> opinion, as a complete backup solution. Yes, you can install the operating 
> system itself from scratch. Sure, Disc Utility when invoked as the recovery 
> partition is used, or else as part of an operating system reinstall, but it 
> isn’t what I would call an efficient means of backup for your MacOS boot disk.
> 
> For me, the mantle of top backup solutions on the Apple platform are Super 
> Duper! And Carbon Copy Cloner.
> 
> The latter has more power than does Super Duper!. It’s perfectly accessible, 
> and not too difficult to use.
> 
> There is, however, another way of making backups of your hard drive on the 
> Mac. I shall write about that on the sister group to Techno-Chat shortly as 
> it’s a very valuable piece of information.
> 
> 
> On 22 Aug 2018, at 20:29, Dane Trethowan  <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> wrote:
> 
> I wouldn’t have computer systems without backups here.
> The Mac OS has had automatic Time Machine backup capabilities for quite some 
> time now.
> With Windows it’s a slightly different story.
> Windows 10 has a built-in backup client though I don’t think its accessible 
> thus users who are blind and wanted to make backups of their data still have 
> to rely on third party backup and restoration software similar to the 
> software we’ve been discussing.
> Thankfully making a backup on the whole has become a lot easier, a lot les 
> time consuming and a lot cheaper, you can buy an external portable hard drive 
> with a very high capacity for your backups for less than a hundred dollars 
> now or you can take out a Cloud subscription very cheaply.
> People are still under the impression that creating a backup is a day long or 
> longer process and they say that they just don’t have the time.
> Backups can be created automatically at scheduled times without the user 
> having to do anything.
> I use backups here when trying to troubleshoot problems, for example I may 
> backup a Windows machine and then install software piece by piece to see if I 
> can track down a particular issue in the full knowledge that all data 
> pertaining to the computer I’m working on is safe and secure so once I find 
> the problem I can restore what’s needed to be restored and have that machine 
> up and working within minutes or no more than a couple of hours.
> As Gordon says, Roolback is a most helpful tool when doing this sort of thing 
> as well.
>  
>  
> From: Gordon Smith mailto:gor...@mac-access.net>> 
> Sent: Thursday, 23 August 2018 5:09 AM
> To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net <mailto:techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
> Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite
>  
> Hello Roger
>  
> That’s what this group is all about, helping one another. It would appear to 
> be prudent, I think, to maintain a working backup of any computer system. In 
> actual fact, backups are a very large percentage of my working week. As I’m 
> responsible for some mission-critical projects, and also for the 
> smooth-running of my own servers, I simply couldn’t sleep at night were it 
> not for the ability to perform centralised backups and, if need be, recover 
> from a disaster situation using them.
>  
> Primarily, my mission-critical systems are not Windows-based. Much though 

RE: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite

[Dane Trethowan]

Ah Damn! I was hoping you might be able to boot it somehow say from a USB drive.

 

 

From: Gordon Smith  
Sent: Thursday, 23 August 2018 4:54 AM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite

 

No, because you need to be in a Windows environment for that to run.

 

 

On 21 Aug 2018, at 14:25, Dane Trethowan mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net> > wrote:

 

Wonder if there’s a way of using Take Command?

 

 

From: Gordon Smith < <mailto:gor...@mac-access.net> gor...@mac-access.net> 
Sent: Monday, 20 August 2018 11:11 PM
To:  <mailto:techno-chat@techno-chat.net> techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite

 

It’s a real shame that 4DOS no longer exists. At least, as far as I’m aware it 
doesn’t. Were that interface up-to-date, so much more would be possible from a 
scripting file.

 

 

On 20 Aug 2018, at 02:27, Dane Trethowan < <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net> 
grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:

 

That’s why I use command line switches, you can always write a batch file of 
course.

 






On 20 Aug 2018, at 10:20 am, Gordon Smith < <mailto:gor...@mac-access.net> 
gor...@mac-access.net> wrote:

 

Yes, I did make this point during my post. I fully intend to check out the 
text-only version. If, that is, I can get access to DOS. I don’t think I even 
possess a screen-reader for that environment now.

 

 

On 20 Aug 2018, at 01:12, Dane Trethowan < <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net> 
grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:

 

Hi!
I've not installed this on my system for a good while but I certainly intend to.
Last time I used the software - about a year ago - I found that the main Backup 
App had been simplified out of sight and was as accessible as ever.
Regarding restore? I was able to make a bootable DOS CD-ROM and use command 
lines and switches to do the restore without a problem, that ability exists 
still today if you believe the web site, 2 versions of the DOS restore utility 
are available, one is a Graphics restore and the other a Text restore utility.


-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith < <mailto:gor...@mac-access.net> gor...@mac-access.net> 
Sent: Monday, 20 August 2018 10:05 AM
To:  <mailto:techno-chat@techno-chat.net> techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite

Good morning everybody, or whatever it happens to be in your timeline as you 
read this post.

I just wanted to open a brief discussion about a product which, in all honesty, 
I haven’t used for quite a few years, but really must get back too.

It’s called: “TeraByte Drive Backup And Restore Suite”, these days. When I 
first used it, it was simply called: “Image For Windows”. For the convenience 
of anybody who would like to check this out, it can be found at the below 
secure website:
< <https://www.terabyteunlimited.com/image-for-windows.htm> 
https://www.terabyteunlimited.com/image-for-windows.htm>

Now, it would appear, that product has changed out of sight since I last looked 
at it! There is now an integrated suite of applications, of which Image For 
Windows is an integral part.

You have the ability to backup to network devices, even whilst Windows is in 
everyday use. You can burn images of your backup to CD/DVD/Blu-Ray, as well as 
to USB devices such as external storage media.

Naturally, as with any other professional disaster recovery suite, you can 
create DOS, Linux and Efi recovery disks, and I think those can be tailored to 
your requirements.

The one thing I’m unsure about just at this moment is how, exactly, one is 
supposed to boot into an environment whereby one can perform a complete 
restore, given the need, (at least here), for accessibility during the restore 
process. If there is anybody on list who uses this product who can advise me on 
this point, I’d be grateful in the extreme.

But that aside for a moment, it certainly looks as though this product has a 
lot to recommend it if you’re serious about full-system disaster recovery 
backups. Something which I think everybody who values their personal data and 
their working operating system environment would concur with. I for one know 
from experience just how troublesome those occasions where something gos 
disastrously wrong and your computer is left US as a consequence. If I can 
avoid it, despite the fact that Windows now has an accessible restore process, 
I have every intention of preserving my working system now, whilst it’s good to 
go. I have invested significantly in terms of both the operating system and 
associated software, plus the man-hours it has taken to build the system up to 
its current working status. I can assure you, I have absolutely no intention of 
repeating the laborious and intensely frustrating task of building this thing 
up again from scratch!

If only, if only, it we

[Techno-Chat]: Data Backups

[Dane Trethowan]

I wouldn’t have computer systems without backups here.

The Mac OS has had automatic Time Machine backup capabilities for quite some 
time now.

With Windows it’s a slightly different story.

Windows 10 has a built-in backup client though I don’t think its accessible 
thus users who are blind and wanted to make backups of their data still have to 
rely on third party backup and restoration software similar to the software 
we’ve been discussing.

Thankfully making a backup on the whole has become a lot easier, a lot les time 
consuming and a lot cheaper, you can buy an external portable hard drive with a 
very high capacity for your backups for less than a hundred dollars now or you 
can take out a Cloud subscription very cheaply.

People are still under the impression that creating a backup is a day long or 
longer process and they say that they just don’t have the time.

Backups can be created automatically at scheduled times without the user having 
to do anything.

I use backups here when trying to troubleshoot problems, for example I may 
backup a Windows machine and then install software piece by piece to see if I 
can track down a particular issue in the full knowledge that all data 
pertaining to the computer I’m working on is safe and secure so once I find the 
problem I can restore what’s needed to be restored and have that machine up and 
working within minutes or no more than a couple of hours.

As Gordon says, Roolback is a most helpful tool when doing this sort of thing 
as well.

 

 

From: Gordon Smith  
Sent: Thursday, 23 August 2018 5:09 AM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite

 

Hello Roger

 

That’s what this group is all about, helping one another. It would appear to be 
prudent, I think, to maintain a working backup of any computer system. In 
actual fact, backups are a very large percentage of my working week. As I’m 
responsible for some mission-critical projects, and also for the smooth-running 
of my own servers, I simply couldn’t sleep at night were it not for the ability 
to perform centralised backups and, if need be, recover from a disaster 
situation using them.

 

Primarily, my mission-critical systems are not Windows-based. Much though 
Microsoft has improved windows 10 in terms of resource-management and also 
stability, I don’t take system integrity for granted. Therefore, all of my own 
servers are MacOS-based. Each one has a working and licensed copy of Carbon 
Copy Cloner installed on it. I am, of course, aware of the very excellent Super 
Duper! For MacOS, However, Carbon Copy Cloner or, as it’s often referred to, 
“CCC”, has some additional functionality. For instance, there is the “Safety 
Net” which captures your essential files as they change. Therefore, if the 
worst were to happen, you simply restore the contents of the “Safety Net” as 
well as the system files etc.. That way, your backups are current right up to 
the second wen problems occur.

 

Sort of like “RollBack" on the PC, I guess.

 

 

On 20 Aug 2018, at 14:13, Roger Firman mailto:ro...@golden-chord.com> > wrote:

 

Dear Gordon,

 

Very many thanks for your really helpful response.

 

I’ll certainly take a look around.

 

Best wishes,

 

Roger.

 

From: Gordon Smith [  
mailto:gor...@mac-access.net] 
Sent: 20 August 2018 14:09
To:   techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite

 

Hello Roger

 

Yes, there are ways to migrate Windows from one PC to another. There are quite 
a few applications out there whose function is to “Clone” either the contents 
of a hard drive, or else clone the drive’s layout on a sector-by-sector basis. 
The only proviso being that the “Target” drive must be at least the same 
capacity of the “Source” drive.

 

There are a variety of ways you can accomplish the task. Obviously, the easiest 
would be to use an application such as the Terabyte suite. All you’d then do is 
use an external USB drive for your “Backup” of the original system. Then, use 
the same external drive to “Restore” on the destination system. Obviously this 
would involve booting from an external third drive, but TeraByte and other 
utilities can help you create the boot media.

 

Actually, it occurs to me as I write that the Paragon software suite may be 
more appropriate for this purpose. It would probably make the job simpler to 
accomplish.

 

But in essence, Roger, the answer to your question is, quite definitely, 
“Yes!”. You can indeed do this with Windows 10. Older versions of Windows were 
much more fussy about this kind of thing, due to the activation processes which 
Microsoft used on those versions. Much has changed, however. And the tight 
compliance requirements have been substantially relaxed.

 

But anyway, you should be able to find the information you need on one of the 
search engines. I urge you to 

RE: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!

On the same subject but taking a different path.

It occurred to me that using Tarabyte backup you could really make your backups 
useful by making them available to you wherever you were anywhere in the world 
if you were needing them.

Tarabyte Backup makes the backup to files so why not upload your backup files 
to a dedicated folder on Dropbox or similar?

The backups could be downloaded at a later time if you needed them but even 
better, the backups could show on your linked Dropbox device and not take up 
any room on that device when the device was synced to Dropbox – if you’re using 
Dropbox Pro then you can determine what’s on your hard drive and what’s not but 
the file listing is still on your computer so files are available at the touch 
of a button -.

I have Dropbox Pro here now and its made a huge difference particularly on 
those machines I have with limited storage such as my Macbook Air.

I have quite a few files on Dropbox that I may require in an emergency such as 
installation files and so on.

With Dropbox Pro these files aren’t actually taking up space on the Macbook air 
but they’re available if and when I need them.

Dropbox Pro comes with 2TB storage so that should be plenty of space for most 
people along with the ability to recover files from unlimited history.

 

 

From: Gordon Smith  
Sent: Monday, 20 August 2018 11:11 PM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite

 

It’s a real shame that 4DOS no longer exists. At least, as far as I’m aware it 
doesn’t. Were that interface up-to-date, so much more would be possible from a 
scripting file.

 

 

On 20 Aug 2018, at 02:27, Dane Trethowan mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net> > wrote:

 

That’s why I use command line switches, you can always write a batch file of 
course.

 





On 20 Aug 2018, at 10:20 am, Gordon Smith mailto:gor...@mac-access.net> > wrote:

 

Yes, I did make this point during my post. I fully intend to check out the 
text-only version. If, that is, I can get access to DOS. I don’t think I even 
possess a screen-reader for that environment now.

 

 

On 20 Aug 2018, at 01:12, Dane Trethowan mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net> > wrote:

 

Hi!
I've not installed this on my system for a good while but I certainly intend to.
Last time I used the software - about a year ago - I found that the main Backup 
App had been simplified out of sight and was as accessible as ever.
Regarding restore? I was able to make a bootable DOS CD-ROM and use command 
lines and switches to do the restore without a problem, that ability exists 
still today if you believe the web site, 2 versions of the DOS restore utility 
are available, one is a Graphics restore and the other a Text restore utility.


-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith mailto:gor...@mac-access.net> > 
Sent: Monday, 20 August 2018 10:05 AM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net <mailto:techno-chat@techno-chat.net> 
Subject: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite

Good morning everybody, or whatever it happens to be in your timeline as you 
read this post.

I just wanted to open a brief discussion about a product which, in all honesty, 
I haven’t used for quite a few years, but really must get back too.

It’s called: “TeraByte Drive Backup And Restore Suite”, these days. When I 
first used it, it was simply called: “Image For Windows”. For the convenience 
of anybody who would like to check this out, it can be found at the below 
secure website:
<https://www.terabyteunlimited.com/image-for-windows.htm>

Now, it would appear, that product has changed out of sight since I last looked 
at it! There is now an integrated suite of applications, of which Image For 
Windows is an integral part.

You have the ability to backup to network devices, even whilst Windows is in 
everyday use. You can burn images of your backup to CD/DVD/Blu-Ray, as well as 
to USB devices such as external storage media.

Naturally, as with any other professional disaster recovery suite, you can 
create DOS, Linux and Efi recovery disks, and I think those can be tailored to 
your requirements.

The one thing I’m unsure about just at this moment is how, exactly, one is 
supposed to boot into an environment whereby one can perform a complete 
restore, given the need, (at least here), for accessibility during the restore 
process. If there is anybody on list who uses this product who can advise me on 
this point, I’d be grateful in the extreme.

But that aside for a moment, it certainly looks as though this product has a 
lot to recommend it if you’re serious about full-system disaster recovery 
backups. Something which I think everybody who values their personal data and 
their working operating system environment would concur with. I for one know 
from experience just how troublesome those occasions where something gos 
disastrously wrong and your computer is left US as a conse

RE: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite

[Dane Trethowan]

Wonder if there’s a way of using Take Command?

 

 

From: Gordon Smith  
Sent: Monday, 20 August 2018 11:11 PM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite

 

It’s a real shame that 4DOS no longer exists. At least, as far as I’m aware it 
doesn’t. Were that interface up-to-date, so much more would be possible from a 
scripting file.

 

 

On 20 Aug 2018, at 02:27, Dane Trethowan mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net> > wrote:

 

That’s why I use command line switches, you can always write a batch file of 
course.

 





On 20 Aug 2018, at 10:20 am, Gordon Smith mailto:gor...@mac-access.net> > wrote:

 

Yes, I did make this point during my post. I fully intend to check out the 
text-only version. If, that is, I can get access to DOS. I don’t think I even 
possess a screen-reader for that environment now.

 

 

On 20 Aug 2018, at 01:12, Dane Trethowan mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net> > wrote:

 

Hi!
I've not installed this on my system for a good while but I certainly intend to.
Last time I used the software - about a year ago - I found that the main Backup 
App had been simplified out of sight and was as accessible as ever.
Regarding restore? I was able to make a bootable DOS CD-ROM and use command 
lines and switches to do the restore without a problem, that ability exists 
still today if you believe the web site, 2 versions of the DOS restore utility 
are available, one is a Graphics restore and the other a Text restore utility.


-Original Message-
From: Gordon Smith mailto:gor...@mac-access.net> > 
Sent: Monday, 20 August 2018 10:05 AM
To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net <mailto:techno-chat@techno-chat.net> 
Subject: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite

Good morning everybody, or whatever it happens to be in your timeline as you 
read this post.

I just wanted to open a brief discussion about a product which, in all honesty, 
I haven’t used for quite a few years, but really must get back too.

It’s called: “TeraByte Drive Backup And Restore Suite”, these days. When I 
first used it, it was simply called: “Image For Windows”. For the convenience 
of anybody who would like to check this out, it can be found at the below 
secure website:
<https://www.terabyteunlimited.com/image-for-windows.htm>

Now, it would appear, that product has changed out of sight since I last looked 
at it! There is now an integrated suite of applications, of which Image For 
Windows is an integral part.

You have the ability to backup to network devices, even whilst Windows is in 
everyday use. You can burn images of your backup to CD/DVD/Blu-Ray, as well as 
to USB devices such as external storage media.

Naturally, as with any other professional disaster recovery suite, you can 
create DOS, Linux and Efi recovery disks, and I think those can be tailored to 
your requirements.

The one thing I’m unsure about just at this moment is how, exactly, one is 
supposed to boot into an environment whereby one can perform a complete 
restore, given the need, (at least here), for accessibility during the restore 
process. If there is anybody on list who uses this product who can advise me on 
this point, I’d be grateful in the extreme.

But that aside for a moment, it certainly looks as though this product has a 
lot to recommend it if you’re serious about full-system disaster recovery 
backups. Something which I think everybody who values their personal data and 
their working operating system environment would concur with. I for one know 
from experience just how troublesome those occasions where something gos 
disastrously wrong and your computer is left US as a consequence. If I can 
avoid it, despite the fact that Windows now has an accessible restore process, 
I have every intention of preserving my working system now, whilst it’s good to 
go. I have invested significantly in terms of both the operating system and 
associated software, plus the man-hours it has taken to build the system up to 
its current working status. I can assure you, I have absolutely no intention of 
repeating the laborious and intensely frustrating task of building this thing 
up again from scratch!

If only, if only, it were possible to do things as simply as it is in MacOS. 
Although I do not wish to create a debate about which system is superior. That 
is entirely down to the individual or entity responsible for the device. But, I 
digress.

Having had only the opportunity to play briefly with the software since I 
installed it on Sunday, it would appear that much has changed since I 
originally bought a license for the product. Since that time, there has been an 
upgrade charge for access to the current version. However, I don’t begrudge 
that in the slightest, given how much more powerful this product now is. The 
cost of the upgrade was minimal, so I opted to pay it without question, and I 
regard it as an investment. Believe me,

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite

[Dane Trethowan]

That’s why I use command line switches, you can always write a batch file of 
course.


> On 20 Aug 2018, at 10:20 am, Gordon Smith  wrote:
> 
> Yes, I did make this point during my post. I fully intend to check out the 
> text-only version. If, that is, I can get access to DOS. I don’t think I even 
> possess a screen-reader for that environment now.
> 
> 
> On 20 Aug 2018, at 01:12, Dane Trethowan  <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> wrote:
> 
> Hi!
> I've not installed this on my system for a good while but I certainly intend 
> to.
> Last time I used the software - about a year ago - I found that the main 
> Backup App had been simplified out of sight and was as accessible as ever.
> Regarding restore? I was able to make a bootable DOS CD-ROM and use command 
> lines and switches to do the restore without a problem, that ability exists 
> still today if you believe the web site, 2 versions of the DOS restore 
> utility are available, one is a Graphics restore and the other a Text restore 
> utility.
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Gordon Smith mailto:gor...@mac-access.net>> 
> Sent: Monday, 20 August 2018 10:05 AM
> To: techno-chat@techno-chat.net <mailto:techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
> Subject: [Techno-Chat]: Terabyte Drive Backup & Restore Suite
> 
> Good morning everybody, or whatever it happens to be in your timeline as you 
> read this post.
> 
> I just wanted to open a brief discussion about a product which, in all 
> honesty, I haven’t used for quite a few years, but really must get back too.
> 
> It’s called: “TeraByte Drive Backup And Restore Suite”, these days. When I 
> first used it, it was simply called: “Image For Windows”. For the convenience 
> of anybody who would like to check this out, it can be found at the below 
> secure website:
> <https://www.terabyteunlimited.com/image-for-windows.htm 
> <https://www.terabyteunlimited.com/image-for-windows.htm>>
> 
> Now, it would appear, that product has changed out of sight since I last 
> looked at it! There is now an integrated suite of applications, of which 
> Image For Windows is an integral part.
> 
> You have the ability to backup to network devices, even whilst Windows is in 
> everyday use. You can burn images of your backup to CD/DVD/Blu-Ray, as well 
> as to USB devices such as external storage media.
> 
> Naturally, as with any other professional disaster recovery suite, you can 
> create DOS, Linux and Efi recovery disks, and I think those can be tailored 
> to your requirements.
> 
> The one thing I’m unsure about just at this moment is how, exactly, one is 
> supposed to boot into an environment whereby one can perform a complete 
> restore, given the need, (at least here), for accessibility during the 
> restore process. If there is anybody on list who uses this product who can 
> advise me on this point, I’d be grateful in the extreme.
> 
> But that aside for a moment, it certainly looks as though this product has a 
> lot to recommend it if you’re serious about full-system disaster recovery 
> backups. Something which I think everybody who values their personal data and 
> their working operating system environment would concur with. I for one know 
> from experience just how troublesome those occasions where something gos 
> disastrously wrong and your computer is left US as a consequence. If I can 
> avoid it, despite the fact that Windows now has an accessible restore 
> process, I have every intention of preserving my working system now, whilst 
> it’s good to go. I have invested significantly in terms of both the operating 
> system and associated software, plus the man-hours it has taken to build the 
> system up to its current working status. I can assure you, I have absolutely 
> no intention of repeating the laborious and intensely frustrating task of 
> building this thing up again from scratch!
> 
> If only, if only, it were possible to do things as simply as it is in MacOS. 
> Although I do not wish to create a debate about which system is superior. 
> That is entirely down to the individual or entity responsible for the device. 
> But, I digress.
> 
> Having had only the opportunity to play briefly with the software since I 
> installed it on Sunday, it would appear that much has changed since I 
> originally bought a license for the product. Since that time, there has been 
> an upgrade charge for access to the current version. However, I don’t 
> begrudge that in the slightest, given how much more powerful this product now 
> is. The cost of the upgrade was minimal, so I opted to pay it without 
> question, and I regard it as an investment. Believe me, if it saves me the 
> countless hours of work, and all the

[Techno-Chat]: Google Home Max Review: $400 Smart Speaker? - YouTube

[Dane Trethowan]

This Youtube video answers many questions I had about the Google Home 
Max to the point that I’ll most likely buy at least 1.

> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWuPwcwl214 
> 


**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

[Techno-Chat]: Article: A VISIT TO WWVH | Mount Evelyn DX Report

[Dane Trethowan]

For all those who still love their Shortwave as I do then this article is for 
you.
I’ve not read anything much about WWV/WWVH for over 20 years, I remember 
reading an article by Tom Moffat about the setup in an issue of Electronics 
Australia around 20 years ago.
Electronics Australia magazine have of course ceased to exist long ago and have 
been merged into the Silicon Chip magazine, I hope that Silicon Chip sees fit 
to publish the article on WWV/WWVH online but until then here’s a very recent 
contribution on the subject of WWVH.

> http://medxr.blogspot.com/2018/08/a-visit-to-wwvh.html 
> 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: A Review of the KiwiSDR: 10 kHz - 30 MHz Wideband Network SDR - rtl-sdr.com

[Dane Trethowan]

I’m progressing slowly with the radio, the location is proving to be the 
biggest problem as I have to do some major renovations to house the radio 
properly and to illimate interference or as much as is possible.
The radio and the Beagle Bone computer are actually going to be housed outside 
in a small wooden shed and that has to be shielded.
Then I have to choose a reasonable location for the antenna I’m going to use, 
the antenna is an Apak loop antenna which are very good and are optimised for 
AM, you can look them up on the Internet.
So the antenna will most likely be located around the side of my house 
somewhere, that seems to be about the best spot for it from all the testing 
I’ve done.
Unfortunately the radio and Beagle Bone can’t be housed inside as there are far 
too many devices that would cause problems with interference in the house so 
I’ve had to take these extra measures and thus planning has taken far longer 
than I expected given I bought the radio and so on back in February this year.
Regarding the Apak AM Loop antenna I’ll be using, if you want to get a feel for 
how well one works then go to http://www.sdr.hu <http://www.sdr.hu/> and select 
the Croydon Victoria SDR, that chap has done a real fine job.
I know its easy to say that to you but I know where Croydon is, around 50 miles 
away from me and believe me that Antenna pulls in stuff even I struggle to get 
sometimes.
I’m glad you enjoy my reviews and I don’t get paid for anything I write, I 
enjoy audio, computers and electronics as a hobby so I guess I’m lucky in that 
I’m able to keep an open mind with my writing.
I always take the attitude when I review that there’s always something better 
out there than what I’m writing about and this usually comes true.


> On 3 Aug 2018, at 8:33 pm, Don Breda  wrote:
> 
> Hi Dane,
> 
> 
> Wondering how your progressing with your kiwi sdr receiver these days?
> 
> 
> Do you think your ready to write a review yet?
> 
> 
> I can't imagine how you could find the time but thanks for all you do.
> 
> 
> Your reviews of various equipment are really interesting and quite helpful.
> 
> 
> Don
> 
> 
> 
> On 05-Mar-18 7:51 AM, Dane Trethowan wrote:
>> Hi!
>> I’ve spoken on list of the Kiwi Network SDR setup which I’ll be purchasing 
>> and setting up - Finally! - next month.
>> I’ll be keeping a log of my setup as I go through with it so in the meantime 
>> I’ve done a little Googling and found a review of the Kiwi SDR package which 
>> should straighten things out for those list members who either don’t know 
>> what I’m talking about or who wish to catch the Kiwi SDR fever themselves, 
>> enjoy!
>> 
>> 
>>> https://www.rtl-sdr.com/a-review-of-the-kiwisdr-10-khz-30-mhz-wideband-network-sdr/
>>>  
>>> <https://www.rtl-sdr.com/a-review-of-the-kiwisdr-10-khz-30-mhz-wideband-network-sdr/>
>> 
>> 
>> **
>> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
>> halfwits in this world behind.
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 

[Techno-Chat]: Asus Rog Phone

[Dane Trethowan]

I have to admit that reading about Android phones doesn't interest me much
these days.

Sure! Android phones are naturally impressive beasts that like to show off
power but.. well.. all the premium offerings seem to be much of a muchness
these days, all good so when I heard about the Asus Rog Phone I just
shrugged my shoulders.

Sure, another new phone but probably nothing to set the world on fire, well
that's how my thought process went until I went up onto the Asus global web
site and actually started reading about this thing.

Is it a phone or what is it? Clearly, Asus have put one hell of a lot of
time and trouble into designing the latest Rog Phone to the point where - no
matter how you use a phone - the possibilities are endless.

The web page below talks a lot about gaming and let's face it, if you're
gaming then you need the power to game plus a good display and brilliant
audio helps, the Asus Rog phone seems to have all of these and a lot more,
programmable physical buttons have made a comeback which could benefit those
who are blind and visually impaired who want that little extra control.

With 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB storage with lightning Wi-Fi connectivity
along with the latest LTE standards? Well you literally have the world and
the power in your hand so read on.

https://www.asus.com/Phone/ROG-Phone/

 

[Techno-Chat]: Battle Of The Sounds: Chromecast Audio

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!
As list members will know I have a Rotel A14 stereo amplifier in the Den which 
has a variety of input connections.
The amp has a built in DAC that accepts 2 coaxial and 2 optical toslink inputs 
a piece so plenty of room for expansion.
Also present in the Den is a Google Hom which is at my command.
The Google Home is amazing as you all know as to what it understands from your 
voice but not too amazing when it comes to the quality of sound produced 
through its internal speaker for music so obviously my thought process turned 
to the Google Chromecast Audio device and I started wondering how this would 
sound if I connected it to the Rotel A14 via a digital link, - the Google 
Chromecast can accept either an analogue or digital toslink connection via its 
3.5MM audio output jack.
Unfortunately the original Chromecast Audio device I bought had stopped working 
so time to buy another and they’re cheap enough at around $60 per device which 
isn’t much bigger than a wristwatch.
So the new Chromecast Audio was connected to one of the optical in connections 
of the amp and the power to the Chromecast is provided by a dedicated USB port 
on the back of the Amp, its almost as though Rotel thought people would want to 
connect a Chromecast of similar to the Amp.
The next thing was to set up the new Chromecast Audio device which is done 
through the Google Home App, I named mine “Shed Speaker”.
So now when I issue voice commands to Google Home I suffix them with the name 
of the device I wish to hear streams through.
For example, “Play my music library on Shed Speaker” and then the Chromecast 
Audio takes control of the stream delivering it via the digital link to the A14.
Whilst the Chromecast isn’t a top notch device when it comes to audio quality 
its certainly good enough given the Chromecast can accept up to 96K at 24 bit, 
twice as better as the Apple AirPlay 1st generation devices, I’m not sure what 
AirPlay II will support at this time.
I have quite a collection of Googlecast devices including 2 JBL Playlist 
speakers with Chromecast built-in which I use in separate rooms, a Chromecast 
Video which is connected to the Denon AVRX3400H surround-sound entertainment 
hub in the lounge etc.
I hope that more powered speakers with Built-in Chromecast 
functionality will make their appearance in the near future.

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Re: [Techno-Chat]: Price drop! Learn how to master Raspberry Pi 3 for under $20 - Android Authority

[Dane Trethowan]

All I say is, “Spend It Wisely” 


> On 25 Jul 2018, at 11:42 am, The wolf  wrote:
> 
> g
> 
> my pay check comes on friday ugh.
> 
> On 7/24/2018 6:39 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:
>> This could be one of the biggest bargains all year.
>> Even if I only get a tiny proportion out of this bundle I’ll be more than 
>> satisfied.
>> I’ve been playing about with Raspberry Pi computers for more than 6 years 
>> and have really enjoyed the experience, these little monsters are just so 
>> versatile and so incredible.
>> Note that the deal is only available until Thursday US Time.
>> https://www.androidauthority.com/raspberry-pi-hacker-888217/ 
>> <https://www.androidauthority.com/raspberry-pi-hacker-888217/>
>>  
> 
> -- 
> check out my song on youtube
> https://youtu.be/YeWgx2LRu7Y <https://youtu.be/YeWgx2LRu7Y>
> 
> 

[Techno-Chat]: Price drop! Learn how to master Raspberry Pi 3 for under $20 - Android Authority

[Dane Trethowan]

This could be one of the biggest bargains all year.

Even if I only get a tiny proportion out of this bundle I'll be more than
satisfied.

I've been playing about with Raspberry Pi computers for more than 6 years
and have really enjoyed the experience, these little monsters are just so
versatile and so incredible.

Note that the deal is only available until Thursday US Time.

https://www.androidauthority.com/raspberry-pi-hacker-888217/

 

[Techno-Chat]: Article: Tascam Delivers Cassette Deck With a Twist - Radio World

[Dane Trethowan]

I’ve read the manual for this unit and I can safely say that this deck is not 
for anyone who knows anything about cassette decks an you’d be far better off 
looking for a good deck on the second-hand market and buying a good sound card 
to boot than buying this unit.
the unit can only record to type I and the II cassettes but quality of 
recording isn’t guaranteed as the deck has no bias adjustment as far as I can 
tell, no reference as to what brand of cassette tape the deck has been 
optimised for as far as bias etc is concerned etc.
Its a shame as Tascam could have really done a lot with this deck.
You can play from the deck to your computer for recording but you can’t do the 
reverse through the USB .
You can’t control the deck from your computer which is also a shame and 
something I’d expect for a deck at $400.
Timer recording and playback needs ti use a conventional timer but why? Surely 
the computer could be used to do all that stuff.
In the specifications no mention is made of recording or playback frequency 
ranges, no wow and flutter figures, no information regarding tape transport etc 
so a dead oss  from Tascam and a huge disappointment.
Obviously the Tascam name is used by Team global for marketing purposes only 
and doesn’t mean you’ll get a quality product as it used to.


> https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/tascam-delivers-cassette-deck-with-a-twist
>  
> 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Article: MacBook Pro 2018 vs MacBook Pro 2017: is it a worthy upgrade? | TechRadar

[Dane Trethowan]

There are just so many nice things about many of the older MacBooks, iMac and 
Mac Mini machines, one of these being the built-in analogue and digital input 
and output connections.


> On 17 Jul 2018, at 11:39 pm, Joe Quinn  wrote:
> 
> Unfortunately I think after this next OS, my MacBook Pro mid 2012 will be out 
> the door.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Jul 14, 2018, at 4:50 PM, Dane Trethowan  <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> wrote:
> 
>> Yes a most interesting machine and it certainly has the power.
>> Again I’m old fashioned, I’ll stick to my MacBook Air 2014 which seems to do 
>> many of the jobs I want done.
>> Only problem is the limited life span if you want to keep running the latest 
>> OS.
>> Anyway read the review and envy .
>> 
>> 
>>> https://www.techradar.com/au/news/macbook-pro-2018-vs-macbook-pro-2017 
>>> <https://www.techradar.com/au/news/macbook-pro-2018-vs-macbook-pro-2017>

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

[Techno-Chat]: Article: MacBook Pro 2018 vs MacBook Pro 2017: is it a worthy upgrade? | TechRadar

[Dane Trethowan]

Yes a most interesting machine and it certainly has the power.
Again I’m old fashioned, I’ll stick to my MacBook Air 2014 which seems to do 
many of the jobs I want done.
Only problem is the limited life span if you want to keep running the latest OS.
Anyway read the review and envy .


> https://www.techradar.com/au/news/macbook-pro-2018-vs-macbook-pro-2017 
> 

[Techno-Chat]: Review: Cuthbert 6 Channel 3 Band Stereo Audio Compresso

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!

I know some folks on list like to use FM transmitters to transmit their
audio around the house or even other devices such as audio streamers such as
the Apple Airport Express or Apple TV.

The gadget reviewed here will help those people get some of the punch out of
their stream or transmissions similar to what the big boys do on the FM band
and the price is just so damn good, I'll get one of these little babies
myself, could be used with my Internet streaming I reckon.

https://radiojayallen.com/cuthbert-6-channel-3-band-stereo-audio-compressor/

 

[Techno-Chat]: Audio Hiijack 3.5 Adds the Ability to Broadcast Audio

[Dane Trethowan]

I just can't wait to give this a go.

Users of Mac computers would be familiar with the excellent Audio Hijack App
which has been aaround since.. well.. since forever it seems.

I've been using Audio Hijack for well over 10 years and just wouldn't be
without the App.

I've often said on this list that it really is a pity we don't have an Audio
Hijack for Windows.

Now here's yet another reason to take advantage of Audio Hijack if you have
a Mac.

Again I say that if its anything to do with Audio and you own a Mac then you
certainly need Audio Hijack.

https://weblog.rogueamoeba.com/2018/06/28/audio-hiijack-3-5-adds-the-ability
-to-broadcast-audio/

 

[Techno-Chat]: Review: Sonos vs. Denon HEOS: Which wireless speaker system stands supreme?

[Dane Trethowan]

This is an interesting read for streaming buffs such as myself.

I've never considered Sonos as the system won't play a lot of my audio
content but I do know that Sonos sound very good and had the Multi Room
speaker business to themselves up till a few years ago.

I have A definitive Technology W9 speaker system in the back room which I
use with the DTS Play-Fi multi room streming system.

I have other devices which I use with Play-Fi including the Polk Omni RS2
speakers and the Rotel T14 Tuner/Streamer.

Play-fi works very well and I was happy with it until I started using Denon
Heos which I was literally forced into using.

My Denon AVR-2113 Surround-Sound receiver died so I had to look for a
replacement, either that or not watch Television till I decided to buy a
replacement given how tightly everything in my lounge was integrated to that
receiver.

I bought the Denon AVRX3400H receiver which has Heos built in and what a
wow!

So much can be done with the Heos system and its App along with the playback
of all my HD Audio sources and tracks.

When I can afford to I'll be replacing my Definitive Technology W9 speaker
in the back room with the Heos 7 HS2 speaker and gradually - where possible
- converting to Denon's HEOS over DTS Play-Fi.

Anyway enough of me and my plans, here's a review which compares Sonos with
Denon HEOS which I found a most interesting read.

Sonos vs. Denon HEOS: Which wireless speaker system stands supreme?

https://www.digitaltrends.com/music/sonos-vs-denon-heos/3/

[Techno-Chat]: Notes on HEOS

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!

Heos is the multi-room wireless system used by Denon, Marantz and Heos
itself - Heos have just released their own model of Soundbar which looks
very nice. -

I've been using the Heos system for my Denon AVRX3400H Surround-Sound
receiver since May.

Last Wednesday I bought a Denon Heos 7 HS2 speaker for the Den to compliment
the receiver in the lounge room.

Up until now I powered Wireless speakers with a variety of Apps but had
never fully entigrated all the speakers I had, the closest I came to
integration was with the DTS Play-Fi system which I'm still using alongside
my Heos setup.

Heos takes integration to a new level for me, I already described how I
could stream sources connected to the Denon AVRX3400H to the Denon Heos 7
Hs2 in the Den and now I've seen how I can go even further.

You can for example pair your Apple iPhone to any Heos connected device on
your Network and have your iPhone seen on all other devices connected.

For an example, I paired my iPhone with the Denon Heos 7 Hs2 in the den and
I can play from the iPhone not only on the speaker in the Den but also on my
Surround-Sound receiver in the lounge thus I only need to pair the iPhone
with one device in the Heos system and I don't have to carry the iPhone
round to use with multiple devices using Bluetooth, remember Bluetooth has
limited range.

The same sort of integration can be applied to USB devices, plug a USB
Memory stick loaded with your favourite tracks into one Heos device on your
network and it can be accessed and used by all the other Heos devices.

So to sum up in 2 words, "Absolutely Brilliant!"

I plan to look at other uses for the Heos system including using Heos
speakers - Heos 3 HS2 - as rear speakers with the receiver in the lounge and
using 1 or more of the Denon Heos 1 HS2 speakers as portable stereo speakers
given the 1 HS2 can be equipped with a rechargeable battery pack -.

 

[Techno-Chat]: Intel Nuc Again

[Dane Trethowan]

I!
I’d like to mention the Intel Nuc computer we’ve been discussing again if I may.
I finally got around to running the beast on battery and I’m sorry it took so 
long but I had to hunt for the battery charger.
The Powerbank I use is called a Ravpower and this little beauty of a Powerbank 
can power anything from 5 to 20 volts.
The bank comes with an excellent pack of accessory plugs for just about every 
computer and device you could possibly want to run though my HP Probook sadly 
is not included in the extensive list but at least the Ravpower will easily 
power my Intel Nuc and my Dell Latitude machines along with my Casio Piano and 
associated Roland keyboard amplifier.
For those wanting to power an Intel Nuc you’re very lucky as the Intel Nuc 
seems to have a wide tolerance for voltage input, from 12 to 19 it seems.
Voltage is set on the Ravpower by repeatedly pressing a button on the top of 
the machine just below the small display, the voltages wrap but you get the 
hang of how it all works after a while.
The Ravpower can charge mobile phones and is equipped with Qualcom quick 
charge, the one USB gives out 1 amp of current whilst the other - the Quick 
Charge port - is capable of 2.
And to top this all off the Ravpower comes in a nice soft cary case with plenty 
of room for all your leads, plugs, connectors and the like.
Unfortunately there’s no way of interacting with the Ravpower from the Intel 
Nuc thus no accessible or audible way to find out the status of the battery and 
that’s a pain. If you do have a little sight then you can check the status of 
the Ravpower on its small screen.

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[Techno-Chat]: Smartisan R1 revealed: Why would you want a phone with 1TB of storage?

[Dane Trethowan]

So this is where we’ve come with Android Phones, truly amazing without question 
and I’m wondering whether it mightn’t be a good idea to change my plans, hold 
off upgrading to the Samsung Galaxy S9 and see where the phone linked to here 
goes.


> https://www.androidauthority.com/smartisan-r1-1tb-storage-866143/ 
> 

[Techno-Chat]: Google developing Lookout app to aid the visually impaired - CNET

[Dane Trethowan]

> https://www.cnet.com/news/google-developing-lookout-app-to-aid-the-visually-impaired/
>  
> 

[Techno-Chat]: Denon AVRX3400H and Heos

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!
I’ve now had my Denon amp for over a week so plenty of time to get acquainted 
and to take notes.
The 3400H is not the top of the range when it comes to Denon AVR receivers but 
neither is it at the bottom end, if you want a beginner level type 
surround-sound receiver then Denon has one for around $300 but I wouldn’t buy 
one of those as its extremely limited and doesn’t have much in the way of 
“Future Proofing” which I consider to be extremely important when shelling out 
on an item such as this so if you’re looking at a cheaper alternative then 
perhaps start with the model 2 models below mine which is aptly named the Denon 
AVRX1400H.
Those models that end with the suffix H have the HIOS compatibility built-in 
which - having played with Heos and my amp for a good week now - I consider 
extremely important for a whole bunch of reasons.
All the models of AVRX receivers from the 1400 to the 3400 are 7.2 channel 
compatible which I reckon is more than enough for most people.
You don’t have to have an entire 7.2 channel setup of course, you might have a 
typical 5.1 channel setup and choose to use those extra 2 channels as a second 
stereo zone for another room or as part of a blimp configuration with channels 
1 and 2 respectively so its go your own way with these receivers along with 105 
watts of discrete amplification per channel.
The first thing that needs to be done with any of these receivers is to connect 
the receiver to a Television and have some sighted assistance to walk you 
through the setup menu that’s displayed when the receiver is first switched on.
The setup process is extremely comprehensive and I’d recommend visiting it at 
least once as the interactive tutorial - onscreen - gives you plenty of 
information about the receiver along the way, You’ll also need to visit this 
setup tutorial if you plan to use the receiver with its Web interface as you 
need to turn that functionality on from there.
If you’re on your own however and can’t wait to get started - as was the case 
with me - then all you have to do is to connect a LAN cable to the LAN port on 
the back of the unit and start using the Denon Heos App on your smart phone 
which will detect the Receiver.
The receivers do have Wi-Fi connectivity which can be connected to your Home 
Network in a variety of ways including WPS however this functionality is as far 
as I know only available through the abovementioned setup procedure so yep a 
bit of a bummer.
There are 2 Apps that can be used with the AVRX3400H and I’ve mentioned Hoes 
which mainly controls music streaming and music services to your amp but it can 
do so very much more including taking sources from your Amp and streaming them 
to other Heos compatible devices.
The other App worth mentioning is the AVRX Remote controller which gives you 
access through the App to all the menus and configuration settings so in effect 
its a mobile version of the Web Interface.
So back to the Heos App which is incredibly accessible and a real joy to use I 
think because of the thought that has gone into the design of the App itself.
On the bottom row on the screen are 3 buttons which toggle between 3 different 
screens, the centre button being your music services screen, the right being 
the now playing screen and so on.
All the well known music services are here including iHeart Radio, Spotify, 
Soundcloud, Tidal, Pandora and Tunein Radio.
The App also gives you access to any DLAN compatible servers you have on your 
network.
One very convenient feature got my attention when I chose a station on iHeart 
Rai, instead of playing the station the Heos App prompted me with several 
actions, play now, add to playing queue or add the favourites so a very nice 
and convenient touch which will save me heaps of time.
The swiftness in which the App works is also most refreshing, choose a radio 
station to play and connection time and playback is impressive, double-tap the 
“Play Now” icon and the station begins playing in about a second in most cases.
I won’t boast about this function as there’s probably some very smart 
calculations going on inside that Denon that are aware of me having quite a 
good broad-band connection here so I’d be curious to see just how responsive 
Heos is with other people’s gear.
So what other HEOS devices are available? Denon make a Heos Amp which can be 
connected to your choice of speakers.
This amp has some worthy specifications including 100 watts per channel powered 
by 2 class D amplifiers so the whole signal path up to the speaker terminals is 
completely digital.
If the amp isn’t your thing then perhaps a pair of Heos speakers might do the 
job for you in other rooms.
Denon make several different models of these from the smallest portables to the 
bigger room filling party animals, I’m going to go down to one of my favourite 
Hi-Fi shops in a few weeks and test some of these models so I’ll get back to 
you with more on these speakers at that time.
Naturally all 

[Techno-Chat]: Denon AVRX3400 Is Here

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!

Obviously I've not had a chance to get this amp going yet so I can only 
tell you what I've observed from glancing at the unit, I hope to have a 
pair of eyeballs tomorrow to guide me through the setup process.


Anyway the AVRX3400h is of the same build as the AVR2113.

Cosmetically on the front they look a little different, on the AVR2113 
the front USB port, HDMI port and audio/video RCA in jacks were found 
under a removable trapdoor.


In this model the audio/video RCA jacks have been removed and the USB 
and HDMI ports on the front - along with the Microphone and Headphone 
socket - are clearly visible.


The Microphone's purpose is for test measurements so the system can work 
out how best to adjust the speakers and their acoustic characteristics 
to your room and a microphone along with stand comes with the unit.


Front controls are very simple, a row of 10 below the display, a source 
selection dial on the left and a volume control on the right.


On the rear its a different story, connections and sockets all over the 
place though I'm glad to see that Denon have chosen to place all the 
speaker terminals - 14 in all - in one long row across the near bottom, 
they're out of the way and easy to get to not to mention wire up.


There are dozens of RCA'S about the place, two of those are digital 
inputs, 2 are preamp outputs, many will befor composet and component 
video inputs and outputs, two will be a fono input whilst the others 
will be analogue inputs for older equipment, the second zone and so on.


The 10 HDMI ports run across the near top rear panel, 8 in and 2 out.

The difference here over the older model is the addition of the "Audio 
Return" channel for the HDMI ports.


In the past I had to run two cables to my Television, a HDMI cable from 
the HDMI out of the receiver - to feed the TV with the video from other 
sources - and a toslink audio cable to take audio from the Television 
into the amplifier.


Now I only need that one output cable which - as well as feed the video 
output from the Amp to the Television - will return the audio from the 
Television to the receiver so I may here it, looking forward to trying 
that out.


Unlike the AVR2113 the AVRX3400H has an AM tuner along with the FM, FM 
was very good on the 2113 so I doubt whether I'll be disappointed with 
the AVRX3400H. I doubt the AM section will be much chop and I don't 
think I'll even bother wiring up the loop antenna given I already have a 
DAB/FM/AM tuner ready and waiting to plug into the system through one of 
the digital inputs - the AVRX3400H has 4 of those -.


If home automation is your thing then it seems Denon have put quite a 
bit of thought into this with the now all too familiar RS232 serial port 
making an appearance for full programming and control of the receivers 
functions, 12 volt triggering for compatibility etc.


Now to something I don't understand, why have Denon even bothered with 
Wi-Fi connectivity? I understand that not everyone has the ability to 
wire directly to Lan but frankly the two Wi-Fi antenna mounted on either 
side of the receiver just get in the way and I can't see any way of 
removing those antenna, if there were a way then I'd certainly be onto 
it as I prefer to hard wire.


The AVRX3400H can connect to either the 2.4GHZ or 5.0GHZ bands in a 
variety of ways so I'm going to take some time to read through the not 
so well written manual tonight to find out all about that.


So yep I'm inpatient for tomorrow to come to get this thing going.
I really didn't want to upgrade to the AVRX3400H at this point. 
Unfortunately the AVR2113 died so I'm now making arrangements to have 
that looked at. I had planned on an upgrade to an AVRX3400H or whatever 
was available around Christmas Time or early next years but you know 
what they say, the best laid plans are the ones to ruin.



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[Techno-Chat]: Bluetooth Multi Meter Project

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!

List members may remember that I spoke of a Bluetooth Multi Meter being 
available.


I wanted to purchase one to see how I'd go about making use of the meter 
and I have a positive view to this as the Meter used an Android App 
which used the TTS of the Android device to read out the measurements 
the Meter was taking.


Unfortunately Jaycar, the store in Australia that did sell the Meter 
seems to have run out of supply or isn't getting any more supply in so I 
was a little disappointed until last week when I was able to source the 
Meter from the good old US of  so I subsequently ordered one, I should 
have it here next week and will  - I sincerely hope - be able to give 
you all some very good news.



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[Techno-Chat]: High quality audio coming to a shortwave radio near you

[Dane Trethowan]

Well this isn't quite true I suppose if you don't have a Shortwave 
receiver capable of receiving DRM but the poss ability is now more real 
than ever.


Ausie Radio - Australia's only domestic Shortwave broadcaster - is 
hoping to soon broadcast using DRM, they're just requiring the 
appropriate approvals.


This will mean FM quality sound through your DRM receiver and will not 
affect the standard Shortwave broadcast.


The idea of DRM is to reduce fading and all the other affects standard 
analogue Shortwave reception is known for but there ar downsides.


The reception of the signal has to be solid or the DRM portion won't be 
heard and you'll only hear the Analogue Shortwave signal instead.


Tecsun have a DRM model available and Tecsun Radios in Australia should 
be receiving stock of this shortly.


Other International Shortwave broadcasters are using DRM on a regular 
basis including Radio New Zealand's Pacific service and Radio India.


If you don't have a DRM capable radio then you can buy radio sets with 
connections to enable the radio to be connected to a computer running 
the appropriate DRM decoding software, examples of such compatible radio 
sets are the CC SW and Tecsun S-2000 or Grundig Satelite 750.



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[Techno-Chat]: Accessible Dictation with Open Source DictationBridge - AccessWorld® - April 2018

[Dane Trethowan]

A most interesting article in this months Access World and Yours Truly 
is happy to support and help out in this project, the benefits are 
crystal clear.


http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pubnew.asp?DocID=aw19040

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[Techno-Chat]: My first real annoyance with the Olympus LS-P4 recorder

[Dane Trethowan]

And that is the fact that the recorder won’t play M4A music files though it 
will happily play MP3 and FLAC.
I find this extremely odd as the M4A format or AAC has been in use for a decade 
and all modern music players have no trouble with the format.
I bring this to your attention just in case playing music on the Olympus LS-P4 
is going to be a concern to anyone should they decide to buy this recorder and 
- pairing the recorder to a Bluetooth or speaker - makes it quite a nice little 
music player apart from this obvious file playback flaw.
This oversight on the part of Olympus could probably be fixed in a firmware 
update and is only likely to affect those using iTunes.

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Re: [Techno-Chat]: Easy Voice Recorder Pro For Android

[Dane Trethowan]

Unfortunately the first sample file didn't come out in the original 
eMail I just discovered suffice to say that - by default - the App sets 
levels rather well for most situations.




On 15/04/2018 7:36 PM, Gordon Smith wrote:
I’ve actually had this software installed on my Touch, my Samsung 
mobile and tablets for a good while now. I’ve used it most 
successfully when in meetings etc.




My compliments and kindest regards
Gordon Smith:
<gor...@mac-access.net <mailto:gor...@mac-access.net>>
Accessibility & Information Technology Support Specialist..

This Message Was Created Using 100% Recycled Electrons. If you can 
avoid printing it, please do so. Think of the environment, save a tree!


  Contact:

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On 11 Apr 2018, at 09:45, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net 
<mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> wrote:


Bought this App for $4.99 and it looks quite accessible but more 
importantly I believe I can get quite good results from it as these 2 
files I hope will demonstrate.
The first one is how Easy Voice Recorder sounded by default when 
recording on my Sony xPeria X-Performance phone.
With I did some tweaking with the settings of Voice Recorder Pro in 
this next recording.
Firstly I set the recording quality to high and used the sample rate 
of 44.1KH~ 16 bit.
I turned on stereo mode though I’m not sure whether the Sony xPeria 
actually supports stereo mode but no harm done I guess.

I then turned noise suppression and echo cancelation off.
Having done that I changed the recording profile to Raw Music sound, 
there are several you can choose from including Voice Notes, Meetings 
and lectures.
I set things up so the recording would be uploaded to Dropbox once the 
stop button was activated and the recording would be uploaded in Wave 
uncompressed format, you can change settings for this including 
configurations that allow for the uploading of wave files to your 
cloud service of choice whilst files shared via eMail etc are 
compressed to MP3, AAC and so on.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ccnf7kymdonpxms/My%20recording%20%232.wav?dl=0 
<https://www.dropbox.com/s/ccnf7kymdonpxms/My%20recording%20#2.wav?dl=0>





--

**
"A dog is a good thing to have around a house and so is a fence"
**

[Techno-Chat]: Easy Voice Recorder Pro For Android

[Dane Trethowan]

Bought this App for $4.99 and it looks quite accessible but more importantly I 
believe I can get quite good results from it as these 2 files I hope will 
demonstrate.
The first one is how Easy Voice Recorder sounded by default when recording on 
my Sony xPeria X-Performance phone.
With I did some tweaking with the settings of Voice Recorder Pro in this next 
recording.
Firstly I set the recording quality to high and used the sample rate of 44.1KH~ 
16 bit.
I turned on stereo mode though I’m not sure whether the Sony xPeria actually 
supports stereo mode but no harm done I guess.
I then turned noise suppression and echo cancelation off.
Having done that I changed the recording profile to Raw Music sound, there are 
several you can choose from including Voice Notes, Meetings and lectures.
I set things up so the recording would be uploaded to Dropbox once the stop 
button was activated and the recording would be uploaded in Wave uncompressed 
format, you can change settings for this including configurations that allow 
for the uploading of wave files to your cloud service of choice whilst files 
shared via eMail etc are compressed to MP3, AAC and so on.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ccnf7kymdonpxms/My%20recording%20%232.wav?dl=0 

[Techno-Chat]: Bloke manages to tune in to Adelaide's FIVEaa from Finland : Radio Today

[Dane Trethowan]

Glad to hear that there are sill some out there who enjoy DX listening on the 
Medium-Wave band.


> http://radiotoday.com.au/man-manages-to-tune-in-to-fiveaa-from-finland/ 
> 

[Techno-Chat]: Yamaha NX-N500 Bookshelf Speakers

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!
List members know that my preference for good Hi-Fi is to have separate audio 
components and I do appreciate that this situation doesn’t suit everyone as a 
lot of people live in confined spaces without the room to set this sort of 
stuff up.
So what if one could get a pair of slick bookshelf speakers with with the amp, 
Internet Radio and facilities for music services built-in along with Bluetooth 
and extra inputs to support say a TV and CD Player?
Kef offer such a system with the Egg and the LS-50 Wireless and so do yamaha 
with the MX-N500 which I found on special this week for $549, usually $999.
Setting up the MX-N500 is easy though it does take some time and familiarising 
yourself with the varied setup procedures from information provided in the 
manual is a good idea.
When equipment offers the user varied ways to get it connected to the Internet 
then that’s when you really have to sit up and take notice.
I chose to setup the Yamaha MX-N500 using the Musicast App which is available 
for Android and IOS so I’ll get to that in a moment.
Before setup can take place however all the connections have to be made and 
believe me there are quite a few.
Each speaker - the MX-N500 is a pair - has its own power supply so you need two 
dedicated wall outlets.
Next you need to connect the connecting cables between the speakers and there 
are two of those, 1 XLR male to female and what looks similar to an Ethernet 
cable so you can see what I mean about sitting down to read the manual for a 
bit. Once all connections are made then its time to switch on and launch the 
Musicast App.
Setup is simple enough as you only have to follow the setup wizard in Musicast 
to complete the procedure.
During this time the MX-N500 generates its own Wi-Fi network for you to connect 
your smartphone to for connection to your main wi-fi network.
I was at this point disappointed to discover that the MX-N500 will only connect 
to 2.4GHZ networks but I guess you can’t have everything and as I go on with my 
description of this speaker system I think you’ll agree with me that this issue 
is but a minor flaw that could possibly be fixed in a future firmware update.
So once connected and setup you have full control of the MX-N500 system through 
the Musicast App which allows you to stream various music sources including 
Spotify, Apple Music, local music from your phone, from your Network, Internet 
Radio and so on.
You can also setup the MX-N500 directly from your network if you’re not 
interested in the Musicast App though this method may make selecting Internet 
music sources a little difficult and yes the MX-N500 does have a HTML web 
interface.
One of the great features about this speaker system - along with great clear 
and spacious sound - is the preset system which can be accessed via the 
supplied remote control or via the Musicast App.
There are 6 presets in all which hold all sorts of sources whether that source 
be a single radio station, a favourite track or a playlist and setting the 
presets from the Remote Control is dead easy as it should be, hold down the 
appropriate preset for 3 seconds and that’s it, from that point press that 
preset to have its contents start playing, a nice touch.
AirPlay and DLan connectivity are available but then again what else would you 
expect from such an incredible system.
If you’re planning to use the MX-N500 near a computer then you can take 
advantage of the USB port which allows your Mac or PC to recognise the MX-N500 
speaker system as a sound device.
And finally I assure you that those who like their collection of HD Audio files 
are certainly catered for here with the DAC capable of supporting 384K at 
32-bits.
The speakers are of a 2 way design with a 3CM tweeter and 7CM woofer in a 
dampened cabinet.
There’s much more to this speaker system and it would be impractical to write 
up everything about it here.
The MX-N500 is just one of the range of Yamaha Musicast speakers and 
components, I plan to get my hands on one of Yamaha’s portable Musicast speaker 
offerings in the future to see how that fairs.

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

[Techno-Chat]: Notes on the Olympus LS-P4 audio recorder

[Dane Trethowan]

This recorder is the smallest dedicated high quality digital recorder I’ve seen 
though not the smallest audio recorder I’ve ever handled, that honour goes to 
the old and faithful - and still very much alive - Sony MZR-900.
The Olympus LS-P4 resembles a rather large USB stick and perhaps one could call 
the LS-P4 a USB stick since the USB connector for the recorder slides in and 
out of the bottom at the touch of a switch.
The USB connector allows the recorder to connect to an AC adapter for charging 
or a computer for the transfer of audio files.
The LS-P4 recorder is the first digital recorder I’ve heard of that records in 
the Loessless FLAC format as well as MP3 and PCM Wave formats.
Sample and bit rates can be set for PCM and FLAC formats up to 96 and 24 bit 
respectively and 320K in MP3 with recording mono modes being provided which are 
particularly useful if you’re just recording your own voice as a lot of memory 
space can be saved.
The LS-P4 has both internal memory and facilities for a SD memory card which is 
inserted into a slot found in the battery compartment. I notice that the 
recorder takes a while to boot when a memory card is inserted though its quick 
off the mark when booting without a memory card.
Power is supplied to the recorder by a triple A battery and you can choose to 
use either an Alkaline or Rechargeable battery, the recorder comes supplied 
with 1 triple A rechargeable battery which the recorder chan charge via the USB 
connection.
When the recorder is first powered on you’re asked to select the battery type, 
to set the date and time used for time/date stamping of recordings and Voice 
guidance on/off.
I particularly like the control key arrangement of this recorder.
The traditional Olympus square of up, down, left, right and enter has been 
replaced by a more obvious round control which looks like a 4 pointed start - 
points indicating the 4 directions of the controls travel -.
I didn’t receive a carry case or windscreen with my LS-P4 though a good 
windscreen is easily purchased and I’ve ordered a Gutman windscreen though I’m 
still looking around for a protective carry case.
Connections for external devices can be found on the right hand side of the 
recorder for an external microphone and headphones.
Some previous models of Olympus recorders incorporated a setting in the menu 
system to turn recording monitoring on and off. Now the monitoring function is 
enabled if headphones are connected and the recorder is in recording mode.
I’ve made several recordings using the “Auto” mode for recording level and 
microphone sensitivity. The recorder has a very good level adjustment range so 
everything from the quietest to the loudest sound can be capture with this 
recorder.
If you know the sort of environment you’ll be using the recorder in then you 
may decide to use or experiment with one of the preset Scene settings which are 
available through the menu system or you can hold down the menu key to bring up 
the list of pre-defined scenes to select from.
This model of recorder offers Bluetooth connectivity so you can playback 
through a set of bluetooth headphones or a bluetooth speaker which I’ve found 
very convenient. Furthermore this function makes perfect sense given you can 
transfer music to the LS-P4 and use the recorder as a music player.
Bluetooth is also used for the Audio Control App available for both Android and 
IOS however I’ve not had any success with this App as yet.

**
Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
halfwits in this world behind.

[Techno-Chat]: Apps of a Feather

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!
The following link details changes that Twitter are making in the coming months 
that will affect you if you use a third party Twitter client such as Tweetings, 
Twitterrific, your Apple Mac and so on.
The upshot of these changes means that your third party Twitter client won’t be 
able to auto refresh itself.


> http://apps-of-a-feather.com/ 

Re: [Techno-Chat]: Bluetooth True RMS Digital Multimeter | Jaycar Electronics

[Dane Trethowan]

I was looking at the device from the point of it being Bluetooth connected thus 
it must send the data via bluetooth so we might be able to harness that.
Anyway I won’t be getting one for some time myself given Jaycar are right out 
of stock.


> On 2 Apr 2018, at 4:47 pm, <gor...@mac-access.net> <gor...@mac-access.net> 
> wrote:
> 
> A very interesting product. Not something that's high on my own shopping list 
> right at this moment, but an interesting read.
>  
> I didn’t spot anything in the spec sheet regarding direct support for TTS 
> functionality. However, it does support Bluetooth connectivity, so I’d 
> anticipate it should be pussible to export the readings directly to a smart 
> phone or other similar device.
>  
> In a device like that I’d be more keen if everying I needed in terms of 
> accessibility were integrated. But one cannot have everything.
>  
>  
> From: Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net 
> <mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> 
> Sent: 02 April 2018 02:29
> To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net 
> <mailto:techno-chat@techno-chat.net>>
> Subject: [Techno-Chat]: Bluetooth True RMS Digital Multimeter | Jaycar 
> Electronics
>  
> Wonder how useful this could be? At the price its certainly worth buying to 
> find out I reckon.
>  
>  
>> https://www.jaycar.com.au/bluetooth-true-rms-digital-multimeter/p/QM1578 
>> <https://www.jaycar.com.au/bluetooth-true-rms-digital-multimeter/p/QM1578>
>  
> 
> **
> Those of a positive and enquiring frame of mind will leave the rest of the 
> halfwits in this world behind.
>  
>  
>  
> 
>  
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[Techno-Chat]: Bluetooth True RMS Digital Multimeter | Jaycar Electronics

[Dane Trethowan]

Wonder how useful this could be? At the price its certainly worth buying to 
find out I reckon.


> https://www.jaycar.com.au/bluetooth-true-rms-digital-multimeter/p/QM1578 
> 


**
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[Techno-Chat]: Talking Multi Meter

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!
Was talking to someone several days ago who mentioned a new talking Multi 
Meter, this unit is made in Russia apparently.
I’ve not been able to get further information other than what I’ve just written 
so perhaps someone else may know exactly what I’m talking about here.

**
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Re: [Techno-Chat]: Olympus Audio Recorders

[Dane Trethowan]

certainly something needs to be done about file size as FLAC at 96K is 
still very large though not as large as wave.




On 31/03/2018 8:26 PM, Gordon Smith wrote:
Actually, I was reading here a couple of days ago, and I can’t 
remember where it was, that there’s a new format now being rolled out 
that’s superior to FLAC in both file size and quality. Apparently, one 
can save 24-bit audio at very high sample rates, without losing 
quality, in smaller files than even uncompressed FLAC. I’ll try and 
dig that article out again, as it’s an interesting read.




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<gor...@mac-access.net <mailto:gor...@mac-access.net>>
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On 27 Mar 2018, at 14:02, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net 
<mailto:grtd...@internode.on.net>> wrote:


Hi!

I was planning to buy an Olympus LS-14 recorder however these devices 
are no longer available it seems so I'm offered the Olympus LS-P4 as a 
replacement recorder.


I don't know much about the unit so I'll be most interested to see the 
recorder when it arrives after Easter having accepted the offer of the 
swap for for the LS-14 in my order.


I do know a couple of things which are worth noting and the first is 
that the P4 has Bluetooth capabilities.


What these capabilities actually offer the recorder remains to be 
seen, can the recorder be controlled from an iPhone or perhaps the 
recorder can output the audio to Bluetooth speakers or perhaps both if 
I'm lucky.


The P4 can also use the FLAC audio format when recording and this is 
the first I've heard of FLAC being accommodated in a portable device.


I was speaking to an audio engineer earlier today and he said that 
usually FLAC was left to a computer or similar given that quite a bit 
of processing power is involved creating and recording FLAC so perhaps 
Olympus are using a new more powerful chip.


Anyway having FLAC on a portable recorder means that we now have the 
facilities to record in a compressed mode to save file space on a SD 
card without losing any audio quality, that's something that MP3 
wouldn't allow.


The LS-P4 has the voice guideance feature as did the LS-14.

I already use a couple of Olympus recorders here including the widely 
regarded LS-100 and the classinc DM4.



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[Techno-Chat]: Olympus Audio Recorders

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!

I was planning to buy an Olympus LS-14 recorder however these devices 
are no longer available it seems so I'm offered the Olympus LS-P4 as a 
replacement recorder.


I don't know much about the unit so I'll be most interested to see the 
recorder when it arrives after Easter having accepted the offer of the 
swap for for the LS-14 in my order.


I do know a couple of things which are worth noting and the first is 
that the P4 has Bluetooth capabilities.


What these capabilities actually offer the recorder remains to be seen, 
can the recorder be controlled from an iPhone or perhaps the recorder 
can output the audio to Bluetooth speakers or perhaps both if I'm lucky.


The P4 can also use the FLAC audio format when recording and this is the 
first I've heard of FLAC being accommodated in a portable device.


I was speaking to an audio engineer earlier today and he said that 
usually FLAC was left to a computer or similar given that quite a bit of 
processing power is involved creating and recording FLAC so perhaps 
Olympus are using a new more powerful chip.


Anyway having FLAC on a portable recorder means that we now have the 
facilities to record in a compressed mode to save file space on a SD 
card without losing any audio quality, that's something that MP3 
wouldn't allow.


The LS-P4 has the voice guideance feature as did the LS-14.

I already use a couple of Olympus recorders here including the widely 
regarded LS-100 and the classinc DM4.



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[Techno-Chat]: Notes on the Yamaha CDR-HD1500 Hard Drive Recorder

[Dane Trethowan]

Two words spring to mind when using this Hard Drive recorder and they are 
flexibility and convenience.
Yamaha have added a CD Drive to this recorder you can copy to and from.
You’ll also find a set of digital and analogue inputs/outputs so yes the 
recorder can record digital/analogue from other sources such as a digital tuner 
or Cassette player.
The machine can be used as a DAC, connect a digital source to the digital input 
and hear the resulting output through the analogue connection jacks which is 
often better than the analogue you would hear on the source itself.
Up until now I’ve used my computer systems to rip CD’S but given how convenient 
the hard drive recorder is I don’t think I’ll be bothering with the computer 
too much in the future for CD ripping for my personal CD collection.
Copying a CD to the Hard Drive is as easy as inserting the CD, pressing the 
“Copy” button and then pressing the “Play” button to start the CD copy 
procedure, copying of a CD to the Hard Drive takes around 10 minutes.
The copy method I described above is the basic copy method and there are others 
which are more advanced, you can select the track or tracks you want copied 
from your CD for example so I’ll get to trying those methods out in time.
Each CD copied using the recorder is put into a separate “Group” thus one group 
per CD.
You can switch easily between “Group” and “Track” selection by pressing the 
jog-dial which toggles between these two modes whilst in playback.
Added to this are the skip forward and back buttons thus you can switch to 
“Group” mode and use the buttons to move between tracks in a group.
Editing functions are available to allow the user to put in names for groups 
and tracks but I have no need for this as its easy enough for me to identify 
the CD’S I’ve copied over by the tracks presented in each group.
You can mark favourite tracks and play them from you “Bookmark List”, 
unfortunately the recorder only handles one Bookmark listing.
The recorder can use CDR or CDF-W discs for recording, pity the recorder won’t 
handle CD-RAM discs as the Panasonic equipment does.
The recorder has a Headphone amp however the amp has problems as it compresses 
the output sound at louder volumes.
Front panel controls are well laid out but I prefer to use the remote control 
as the remote contains direct buttons to control more of the recorders 
functions directly along with a numeric keypad with letters.
So that’s everything I’ve discovered about the recorder so far, I’ll write to 
the list as I progress with the recorder.

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