TweakHound

Computer stuff...

Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

Monday Random Stuff…

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www_newsSensational?
Win10 AnniUpdate may not be sensational but some of the headlines about it are:
Windows 10 Anniversary Update is borking boxen everywhere ( I love these guys old-school reporter writing style. )
Windows 10 Anniversary Update causing big problems for many users
Windows 10 Anniversary Update woes continue
and by the same guy
The case against Windows 10 Anniversary Update grows
Have your say on the Win10 AnniUpdate by voting in the poll in the right sidebar and spouting off here.

dBpoweramp Updated
My long time favorite CD ripper / music converter has been updated. I’ve been using this program for at least a dozen years.

“I think you have to be 8 different kinds of stupid to put your house or car on a network.” – TweakHound
Hackers Make the First-Ever Ransomware for Smart Thermostats
75 Percent of Bluetooth Smart Locks Can Be Hacked

QuadRooter
Some reporters are trying to act like the sky is falling over the latest reported Android vulnerability. Android Central seems to be the only outlet to report this matter accurately: QuadRooter vulnerability: 5 things to know about this Android security scare

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I haven’t watched any of this seasons Mr. Robot and they are stacking up in the DVR. Time for some binge watching. Speaking of which, if you Netflix and you haven’t caught it yet, Stranger Things is awesome.

New Poll Up

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thpinpostlogoI’ve got a new poll up in the right sidebar.
“What is your opinion of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update?”
Please vote.
I stopped using polls because either they don’t support WordPress caching, or caching doesn’t support the widget, or something like that.
Anyhow we will see how it goes. It is more important to me that the site is fast for you than to have the polls.

Wednesday Random Stuff…

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win10_logon_logoWin10 AnniUpdate Observations
I am 0-3 in having the AnniUpdate show up in Windows Update. This is across 3 different machines. One 1 machine I have done 3 installs.
1 – I have used the Media Creation Tool to download ISO, extracted, and install from that.
2 – I have used the Media Creation Tool and the “used install on this PC” option. (FAILED)
3 – I have used the link here to install the update too.
Every install was completely different. I later found out that I had to remove and reinstall my Creative Sound Blaster drivers on the 2 successful installs. None of the installs kept all my settings but option 1 kept more of them. The whole thing was just bizarre. Every install should have been exactly the same.

Google Chrome Updated
“The stable channel has been updated to 52.0.2743.116 for Windows, Mac, and Linux. This will roll out over the coming days/weeks.”
I’m really getting tired of “roll outs”.
Download

Classic Shell Hacked
See their forum post: The Classic Shell software got hacked [Aug 2 2016]
Thanks to reader Phil for letting me know!

Off Topic
iVerge: The Best Turntable You Can Buy

Pre-AnniUpdate News

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classicshell_newSitting here waiting for the Win10 AnniUpdate so I thought I would post a couple of quick things:

Firefox 48 Is Out
Download 32-bit(en-US)
Download 64-bit(en-US)
Download other systems and languages
Release Notes

Classic Shell 4.3.0 Released
WARNING…SEE COMMENT BELOW
Here’s what’s new:
-Improved support for Windows 10 Anniversary Update (AKA Redstone)
-Taskbar skinning – change background color, texture, and text color
-New Metallic skin with many new skin features
-etc.

Ready for Win10 AnniUpdate
All other app updates applied? Check!
Drivers updated? Check!
True Image backup? Check!
Start10 autostart off? Check!
10, 9, 8, 7…..

Help Me Find A New Site Theme

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thThis site runs on WordPress. I’ve used a theme called Suffusion for years.
A few days ago the theme’s creator announced that the theme would no longer be maintained. Though disappointed I understand his reasoning.
So, I am looking for a new theme and would like your suggestions. Here are the things I am looking for.
1 – Speed. I want fast loading. Our time is important.
2 – Simplicity. Obviously this site doesn’t need a fancified setup.
3 – Fully customizable colors, headers, fonts.
4 – 2 columns.
I am willing to pay for a theme if it is awesome.
Before someone suggests it, I’m not interested in creating my own.

Thursday Random Stuff…

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win10_logoNo, I haven’t gone anywhere. There has just been so little computer news I find interesting that I haven’t bothered to even sign in.

It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
As every freakin’ tech site has constantly reminded you of for the last month, tomorrow is the last day for the free update to Win10.
Or not.
Some folks opine that Microsoft could extended the freebie indefinitely.

Win10 AnniUpdate
See that stupid name I just gave it? Yeah, that’s how bored I am.
The AnniUpdate will be released Aug 2nd.
Several tech sites claim Cortana will be more difficult to configure or turn off after the AnniUpdate. Although many sites claim otherwise, turning it off via regedit as you did before works just fine. I documented it in the Win10 Tweak Guide and showed you My Windows 10 Tweaks before that. The key is here:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search]
“AllowCortana”=dword:00000000

Speaking Of The Win10 Tweak Guide
I’m guessing an update will fall around Labor Day weekend.

Wednesday Random Stuff…

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startrekBack from vacation.
cry_1

Google Chrome 52
Version 52.0.2743.82 is out.
Download

CCleaner Updated
“Improved…Optimized…bug fixes…”
Download v5.20

Star Trek Beyond
This gets released this week. Am I pumped for this? I’ve already got my tickets to the Thursday, 7:00 P.M. IMAX show. I didn’t know you could actually pick your seats now?! When did that happen?
Critic reviews seem to be good with Rotten Tomatoes having it at 94% as of this writing.