Last time you were on an airplane, did you notice those little "antennas" on the backs of the wings? Turns out they're not antennas at all! And that's where it gets interesting. Join me for a look at the wild (and mysterious) world of static electricity!

- A Better Faraday Box video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NguyYHPjwnI
- Cling film article on ScienceFocus: https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/why-does-clingfilm-cling/

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

You know the drill: You've got an image, audio, video, or document file. Either you can't open it, or you need to convert it to a different format to send to someone else. You could use complicated software, but why not do it in just a few easy clicks? With File Converter, you can convert video files, turn video into audio files, change Word docs into PDFs, and a whole lot more. And it's FREE!

https://file-converter.org

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

The name "shaded pole motor" might sound scary, but these things are REALLY simple inside. So simple that if you have one, you can probably fix it yourself in about 10 minutes with a few simple tools. DIY, save some bucks, and Bob's your uncle. When they're used, how they work, and how to fix 'em good... Join me for a look at this common motor type!

Tools in the vid (affiliate links):
- BOSCH GSR12V-300FCB22 12V Max EC Brushless Flexiclick 5-In-1 Drill/Driver: https://amzn.to/3l9N3HD
- BOSCH GBA12V60 12V Max Lithium-Ion 6.0 Ah Battery: https://amzn.to/3ZXVzs8

My other SuperSaver vids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxiSXoEdwXk&list=PLrTCa4nP8TlGe1G7Vq4u7urrStiDdEGLC

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

These days, it's all about the green, reduced carbon footprint. While that all sounds nice, what would actually happen if we just ditched fossil fuels - coal, oil, and gas - overnight? It turns out it's WAY more complicated than you might think...

Links:
- The Power Problem with Electric Vehicles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rK45FG73jI

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

A little while ago, my electronic lockbox started eating batteries. When I opened her up, I discovered the problem: condensation! Join me for a look at how you can save your own battery-powered devices from the scrap heap - and save some bucks in the process!

Goodies (affiliate links):
- Phoenix KS0032E Key Safe / Lockbox: https://amzn.to/3ipVlts
- TOLEBLID 30 Keys Cabinet Lock Box: https://amzn.to/3XbTPKs
- WEICON Acrylic Resin Insulating Spray 400 ml: https://amzn.to/3GxZl34
- Techspray Conformal Coating: https://amzn.to/3GwtAHO

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

With everything getting more expensive these days, you want to be sure your costly electronics stay protected. One of the most common ways is to plug them all into a surge protector. The question is: Do these things really work? The answer is, as usual: It's complicated! Join me for a look at 3 different types/levels of surge suppressors, how these gizmos really work, and how best to protect your techie goodies from unfortunate zaps.

Goodies in the Vid (some affiliate links):
- Whole House Surge Protection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO-R0phSXXM
- EMP Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFT3rj8wtU4
- Dirty Electricity Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecwetD2zsms
- APC small surge protector (EU): https://amzn.to/3iYj1Fj
- APC small surge protector (USA): https://amzn.to/3W9h4nK
- Eaton 4-outlet surge protector (EU): https://amzn.to/3FN5fhw
- Brennenstuhl Super Solid 5-outlet surge protector (EU): https://amzn.to/3FMSkMB
- APC Back-UPS PRO BR650MI: https://amzn.to/3iOJK70
- APC Back-UPS Essential BE650G2: https://amzn.to/3PmK9tA

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Most people are NOT power users. We all still need to get stuff done. After many years of watching eyeballs widen when I do something on a Windows PC, my wife suggested it was time to make this video! Without further ado, these are 20 time-saving tips and tricks so that you can get the most out of your puter time - and maybe even save your sanity in the process!

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

When you need a color printout, it's nice when the colors on paper look the same as those on your screen. Most of the time, however, that's not the case. Fortunately, there's a quick cheat you can use to get MUCH better print colors - and it only takes a few seconds!

Goodies in the vid (some affiliate links):
- Video on calibrating your screen colors:
Make any LCD computer screen high-end
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POoc3IS_Naw
- Datacolor SpyderX Elite – Monitor Calibration: https://amzn.to/3UQpZtO
- My favorite color inkjet: https://amzn.to/3Ghgq2J

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

The Specific Absorption Rate, or SAR, of a phone shows how much energy from radio frequency waves is absorbed by body parts - head, torso, whole body, etc. The idea is that phones can be certified as "safe", while also allowing some sort of comparison between different phones. In reality, the whole thing is a bit of a bad joke. Even the FCC admits SAR is a pretty useless rating! Join me for another fascinating look inside our modern "Wireless Wonderland"!

- FCC SAR Database: https://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid
- FCC Guide to SAR: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/specific-absorption-rate-sar-cell-phones-what-it-means-you

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

VLC media player is free, popular, and just awesome. It'll play just about any audio or video file you throw at it. For video quality, there's an easy fix for choppy vids in VLC. But what about audio? How do you fix choppy AUDIO in VLC media player? Believe it or not, the fix is even easier than with choppy video...

- How to fix choppy video in VLC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIIE9oO458o
- Get VLC: https://videolan.org
- Pleasantville (Copyright 1998 by New Line Cinema): https://amzn.to/3CXCzB3 (affiliate link)
- Cletus Hawaiian Shirt - BLUE: https://scotties-techinfo.creator-spring.com/listing/cletus-hawaiian-shirt-blue?product=823
- Cletus Hawaiian Shirt - SUN: https://scotties-techinfo.creator-spring.com/listing/cletus-hawaiian-shirt-sun?product=823
- Cletus Hawaiian Shirt - DUSK: https://scotties-techinfo.creator-spring.com/listing/cletus-hawaiian-shirt-dusk?product=823

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Dirty Electricity is when all our wondrous gizmos generate noise that couples to the human body from the electrical wiring in our homes, schools, places of work, and so on. Fortunately, there are simple filters you can get that reduce the dangers from this type of noise. UNfortunately, you need to be careful using these filters if you have a backup generator! Join me for a look at one of the pitfalls of D.E. filters.

Links from the vid:
- Dirty Electricity: What it is and how to fix it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecwetD2zsms
- Make your own Dirty Electricity Filters!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bimHcxTDqg
- EEK #4: What the heck is Power Factor?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fg96FcDSw4

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Who doesn't love technology? Unfortunately, working and playing with our toys often results in bad, chronic headaches that just won't seem to go away. The good news is that correcting your posture and paying more attention to your body, you CAN end the headaches. While the exact mechanism at work here it still a bit of a mystery to me, honestly: Who cares?! My headaches are gone!

Goodies from the Vid (some affiliate links):

- Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection
https://amzn.to/3BiuTbG

- Anda Seat Kaiser 3 Series desk chair
https://www.andaseat.com/products/andaseat-2022-new-kaiser-3-series-premium-gaming-chair?variant=40547305193531

- E.T. (copyright 1982 by Universal Studios)
https://amzn.to/3Bh7AiF

- E.T. in Blue Flannel Robe
https://amzn.to/3ATrmiU

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

These days, updating Windows is like playing Russian Roulette. Microsoft keeps breaking things, and I have to continually figure out how to fix them. I recently had ANOTHER problem with Windows Update. After trying everything, this is the solution that finally worked for me! Don't worry: they'll break it again soon enough!

Videos:

- Windows Updates broke your PC? NO PROBLEM!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NqdDXlDIXU&list=PLrTCa4nP8TlHQIUj7E6_gzNh1DIVXW5-s&index=3

- Windows won't update? Fix it fast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPHnOM3Tnp0&list=PLrTCa4nP8TlHQIUj7E6_gzNh1DIVXW5-s&index=2

- Windows update is MISSING? Fix it for good!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYWntRMKDfc&list=PLrTCa4nP8TlHQIUj7E6_gzNh1DIVXW5-s&index=1

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Ah, the eternal battle: iOS or Android? These days, there's a big war going on where both sides are trying to prove that their mobile OS is the safest and most privacy-friendly. So, which is it? Join me for a deep dive into the wonderful world of smartphones...

0:00 - Intro
10:06 - How to turn an iPad OFF-OFF
11:13 - What LEVEL of Privacy?
12:52 - Android
17:21 - iOS
26:12 - Apple Mail vs Gmail

Links to stuff (some affiliate links):
- Oxford study: "Are iPhones Really Better for Privacy?" - https://arxiv.org/pdf/2109.13722.pdf
- iPad Air 5th Gen: https://amzn.to/3bJvs4v
- Logitech Folio Touch iPad Case: https://amzn.to/3Qd2Zmv
- Apple Pencil: https://amzn.to/3QbQ9oK
- Apple iPhone SE 2022: https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/iphone-se

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

We all know about Apple, Google, Amazon, and so on. But there's one tech company that's utterly massive in its importance to the entire industry, and no one is talking about it. Well, to be precise, no one is talking about what MIGHT happen should the current global mayhem go one step too far. Join me as I take a look at TSMC: the biggest tech company you've never heard of!

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

In recent news, a guy at Google claimed that one of their AIs, LaMDA, had become sentient. Well, that's quite a claim! So, I decided to read the entire transcript of a chat with LaMDA and see what all the fuss is about...

The whole transcript:
https://cajundiscordian.medium.com/is-lamda-sentient-an-interview-ea64d916d917

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Who doesn't want a faster PC? Well, it's easier than you think. Most of the time, the way we use our puters is what slows them down. By making a few minor adjustments to how you work, you can get the most bang from your existing PC - without forking over bucks for a new one!

Try: https://www.malwarebytes.com/

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ScottiesTechInfo/

A recent revelation from inside Facebook has called into question all these privacy laws we now have... Or more specifically, how companies are actually implementing (or not) these laws designed to protect our data. The truth, as usual, probably shouldn't surprise you: it's pretty much just smoke and mirrors!

Vice article:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/akvmke/facebook-doesnt-know-what-it-does-with-your-data-or-where-it-goes

FB internal doc:
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21716382-facebook-data-lineage-internal-document

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Despite the prevalence of touch devices these days, chances are you still have an "old fashioned" computer with a keyboard. Many keyboards are very quiet and comfortable to type on, but they don't last very long. Enter the Gaming Keyboard! It's old school durability and reliability meets modern tech... Only trouble is, these things are SUPER noisy to type on. Or at least, they WERE super noisy. Behold the world's most silent gaming keyboard!

Goodies in the vid (affiliate links):
- SteelSeries Apex 7 Gaming Keyboard: https://amzn.to/3rAQeYZ
- Glorious GMMK Modular Barebones Keyboard: https://amzn.to/3JUAE0u
- Razer Doubleshot PBT Keycaps: https://amzn.to/3jXAL0x
- Glorious Keyboard O-Ring Set: https://amzn.to/3KWTohf
- Gazzew Boba U4 RGB switches (110 piece): https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005001809357064.html
- C.K. Tools T3887 Ecotronic Side Cutters: https://www.amazon.com/Tools-T3887-Ecotronic-Side-Cutters/dp/B00W1ML6B2/

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

If you have no idea why you might want Windows 11, you're not alone. Microsoft is terrible with the whole marketing thing. Nevertheless, I happened to discover by accident a handy new feature in Win 11 just the other day. How many more are hiding in the shadows just waiting to be found?

- Make win 11 work on your puter: https://scottiestech.info/2022/02/22/how-to-make-your-pc-work-with-windows-11/
- Fix Windows Update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYWntRMKDfc

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Everyone knows about keyboard and mice... But the foot pedal?! What the heck? As usual, it turns out that they're not so expensive and very easy to set up - if you use the right software. Speaking of software, it's exactly because of NCH's Pedable application that this thing is so incredibly useful. You can use your foot to do 3 different things - including in games! Foot pedals aren't just for translators and transcribers...

Goodies in the vid (some affiliate links):

- VEC Infinity 3 USB pedal: https://amzn.to/3MNJm3g

- NCH Pedable application (FREE): https://nch.com.au/footpedal/index.html

- All NCH software: https://www.nch.com.au/software/index.html

- VLC Media Player (FREE): https://videolan.org/

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Printing in color has been a total nightmare as long as I can remember. If it wasn't the initial cost, it was expensive replacement parts for a color laser printer. Then toner cartridge price went through the roof. And let's forget the dreaded "laser line" problem that often happens even with brand new toner. Thankfully, there IS a solution: Business-Class Inkjets! While these may have been around for awhile, it's only recently that they seem to have taken their rightful place as the color printing solution of choice for the masses.

Goodies in the video (affiliate links):
- Brother MFC-J5945DW color inkjet multifunction printer:
https://amzn.to/347FatO
- Brother MFC-J5845DW color inkjet smaller version:
https://amzn.to/3C5qKql
- Canon GX6020 All-in-One Wireless Supertank Printer (24 ppm!!):
https://amzn.to/3tenvci
- Epson EcoTank ET-2760 (with slower 5ppm print speed):
https://amzn.to/35nDZqx

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Who doesn't love superglue?! Well, I suppose there are some people who glued their fingers together one time... Anyhow, superglue is still super-useful. There are just a few tricks you should keep in mind for best results. You can save a ton of money and even unstick your fingers in record time. So join me for the secrets of of my favorite adhesive!!

Stuff in vid:
- My article on superglue:
https://scottiestech.info/2016/07/10/superglue-everything-you-need-to-know-and-some-things-you-dont/
- 20g bottle of superglue (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3GPXchi
- Acetone: Visit your local hardware store - chemical aisle!

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

This time, for video #151, I'm gonna do something a bit different. A few weeks ago, I decided to propose to my girlfriend. Naturally, I had to include tech in my proposal because, well, I'm a nerd. Well, you'll just have to watch to find out what happened...

Goodies in the vid:
- Dark Welder 2.0 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyQ-gbYM8Og
- Language with Chu: https://www.youtube.com/c/JulianaBarembuem

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

As if all the controversy about 5G and health isn't bad enough, now there's a new saga: 5G vs Airplanes! Specifically, mid-band 5G vs radar altimeters. So, what's the deal? It turns out it's utter insanity. But then, I guess we shouldn't be surprised!

More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info