Tech Talk
By Tak Sato
In my last column, I described how free email services have evolved to include a suite of services that live together in the cloud (the internet). You only need a browser, which I refer to as “looking glasses into the internet,” that runs on most computing devices to use these web applications. Smartphones and tablets may additionally have “apps” so you can easily access these services on comparatively small screens.
With the January 14, 2020 expiration date for Windows 7 quickly approaching, people are asking me what they should do. Although each case is unique, over the years, I learned that many Boomers and seniors use their computers mostly to email and surf the web – the latter a catch-all phrase that covers activities such as Googling for answers, receiving entertainment, video chatting and Facebooking.
My point is that what you buy should match the intended usage so you don’t overbuy when shopping for a new or replacement device.
How Do You Use Technology?
Chromebooks, which look like a laptop, and Chromeboxes, which resemble desktop computers, may be appropriate options for many who use a computer mostly for email and web surfing. Misconceptions regarding Chromebooks are rampant due to their widespread use in schools, but they’ve evolved nicely for personal and professional use and are budget friendly.
Since ChromeOS, the operating system used by Chromebooks, is closely related to the Chrome browser, it is simple and may even be familiar to many. Just like a browser on a traditional computer requires an internet connection, Chromebooks also are most productive when connected to the cloud wirelessly. There’s an offline mode in some apps, such as Google Docs. But to keep this column true to its intended purpose of demystifying technology, let’s assume that Chromebooks fall in the always-connected-to-the-cloud category of devices.
There’s More
- Try neverssl.com when having difficulties with public Wi-Fi.
- Public Wi-Fi provided by Starbucks, Panera, McDonald’s, etc. use a “Captive Portal” page, also known as an“I give consent” page, that you need to agree to before they let you through to the internet. If that page doesn’t automatically come up, typing in the above URL in its entirety should bring up the captive portal page.
- Find out if your smartphone plan includes smartphone usage as a “hotspot.”
- When you’re not near a public Wi-Fi but need to connect your Chromebook to the internet, turning your smartphone into a hotspot provides Wi-Fi connection to your Chromebook. Make sure you know your plan’s terms so you don’t get a surprise bill.
- Keep appropriateness and budget in mind when considering different models.
- Just like traditional laptops with a touchscreen or a 2-in-1 model that can morph into a tablet, Chromebooks also offer those options. Try it before you buy it.
- Remember that your data is kept in the cloud.
- Chromebooks come with minimal local storage. If your Chromebook is damaged, stolen, or lost, your priceless data is safe in the Cloud. You can get to it using any device that can connect to the internet. Be cognizant of what you store in the cloud. My recommendation is to refrain from storing personally identifiable information such as your birthday or social security number.
