TweakHound

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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.

Wednesday Random Stuff…

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www_newsNew Nvidia Drivers
Nvidia GeForce Game Ready 368.69 WHQL Drivers. Available for XP-Win10.
Download

Autoruns Updated
Autoruns has been updated several times in a short while. The webpage states 13.52 but this is wrong. The current downloadable version is 13.61.
There is now a 64-bit version but it is broken (see forums). Just use the 32-bit version.
“This utility, which has the most comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and when you start various built-in Windows applications like Internet Explorer, Explorer and media players. These programs and drivers include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. Autoruns reports Explorer shell extensions, toolbars, browser helper objects, Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, and much more. Autoruns goes way beyond other autostart utilities.”

Introducing Windows Information Protection
“Windows Information Protection (WIP) – formerly referred to as enterprise data protection (EDP) – will ship in the upcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update.”

Happy Independence Day

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“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”
United States Declaration of Independence at Wikipedia
Independence Day (United States) at Wikipedia

Beautiful rendition of the The Star-Spangled Banner at the Lincoln Memorial by an ordinary American with an extraordinary voice.

 

My Favorite National Anthem Renditions

2nd Fav

All-time Fav (sometimes it’s about timing)

Sad
Video: 4th of July Zombies – Americans Don’t Know Why We Celebrate Fourth of July!

Only Semi-Related
Apparently the movie Independence Day: Resurgence really sucks.
That’s too bad as I was looking forward to it.

A Day Early
I put this up a day early because I’m taking the full day off tomorrow.
I’ll be starting off by attending a special Independence Day reenactment of Patrick Henry’s immortal “Give me Liberty or Give me Death!” speech.
I’ll follow this up with the same things many of you are doing: Beer and Fireworks.
I hope you all have a happy and safe 4th!

Verizon Wireless, Lying Liar Who Lies

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mad_1As I mentioned back in March I bought 2 Galaxy S7’s via a By One Get One promo. The BOGO involved a $672 rebate. I never got it.

***EDIT – August 30, 2016
Happy ending! I got the rebate today.
Submitted: March 23
Received: July 30
Promised prior to rebate: “8-10 weeks”
Promised after submitting rebate info: “after 45 days of service”
It took 129 days, or 18 weeks and 3 days… and 3 “escalations”… and 2 forum posts… and 1 site post.