Gadgets: Phones, Tablets, & Whatever Else They Come Up With Next!

[auntlada]

Right click on the sentence and select "reject deletion."

I am on a Windows machine.

Edited May 4, 2018 by auntlada
Specifying computer type.

[SunnyBeBe]

1 hour ago, auntlada said:

Right click on the sentence and select "reject deletion."

I am on a Windows machine.

I'll try that.  I contacted Microsoft and they said that it couldn't be done, after I had saved it. Oh well...I'll try your suggestion. THANK YOU!

[GHScorpiosRule]

2 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I'll try that.  I contacted Microsoft and they said that it couldn't be done, after I had saved it. Oh well...I'll try your suggestion. THANK YOU!

This may be more complicated if what @auntlada suggested doesn't work. Email it to yourself, then reject that particular track change; and resave it. Then continue on? I've found I've got to improvise and get creative when it comes to Word.

[auntlada]

I don't know why Microsoft would tell you that, @SunnyBeBe. I do it all the time after I save a document. You can always choose to accept or reject a tracked change. After you have accepted the deletion and saved, it's gone, however, I think. But if you haven't accepted the change, it is still there to accept or reject.

[SunnyBeBe]

Okay.  I'm working on it Sunday and I'll try your suggestion.  I don't know why they said that either.  I googled my question a bunch though and was not able to find a solution online, including You tube, which I thought was odd. 

[theredhead77]

I'm in the market for some noise cancelling over the ear headphones that won't break the bank. I don't care if they are Bluetooth or wired. I want them to block out jet engines and crying babies when I'm playing music. I'm thinking about these but am open to suggestions to a good pair that won't break the bank.

[SunnyBeBe]

On 5/4/2018 at 10:25 PM, theredhead77 said:

I'm in the market for some noise cancelling over the ear headphones that won't break the bank. I don't care if they are Bluetooth or wired. I want them to block out jet engines and crying babies when I'm playing music. I'm thinking about these but am open to suggestions to a good pair that won't break the bank.

Yeah, that sounds like a great idea. I want some too! 

Auntlada, THANK YOU, for that tip.  It WORKED PERFECTLY.  So much for Microsoft's tech support. They were wrong. We chatted online. He told me the solution was to back up everything.....well....maybe, he's new. lol   I also spoke with an experienced paralegal who didn't know how to do it either!  ODD. I'm glad that I was able to fix the problem.   So simple for future purposes. 

[SunnyBeBe]

I now know how to use the Reject option, but, how does the Accept work?  Would the creator of the document,  who is reviewing the redline changes that I made be the one to Accept of leave the changes?  So, that since I am the person requesting changes, I would forward the document with my saved redlined changes to the creator of the document for her review.  She would then accept them or not?  Is that correct? 

[JTMacc99]

On 5/4/2018 at 10:25 PM, theredhead77 said:

I'm in the market for some noise cancelling over the ear headphones that won't break the bank. I don't care if they are Bluetooth or wired. I want them to block out jet engines and crying babies when I'm playing music. I'm thinking about these but am open to suggestions to a good pair that won't break the bank.

That's a lot of good reviews. It seems like you wouldn't go wrong with those headphones based on the quality/value ratio. 

[GHScorpiosRule]

8 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I now know how to use the Reject option, but, how does the Accept work?  Would the creator of the document,  who is reviewing the redline changes that I made be the one to Accept of leave the changes?  So, that since I am the person requesting changes, I would forward the document with my saved redlined changes to the creator of the document for her review.  She would then accept them or not?  Is that correct? 

Yes. If you are making changes in redline; the person you are sending the document to will either accept or reject the changes. 

[SunnyBeBe]

Great.  

One more question.  How do I remove the large right margin designated for comments?  

[GHScorpiosRule]

2 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

Great.  

One more question.  How do I remove the large right margin designated for comments?  

Are there comments there? Usually, when a document is in "track changes" mode, there will be a gray large right margin, which will disappear after changes are rejected and/or accepted. At least, that's how it's been for me.

[SunnyBeBe]

3 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

Are there comments there? Usually, when a document is in "track changes" mode, there will be a gray large right margin, which will disappear after changes are rejected and/or accepted. At least, that's how it's been for me.

No, there are no notes written in the tracked changes margin. It's just empty space.  I made changes in the document that are redlined.  I want those to stay, but, the right margin to leave, because, when I print the document, it's small due to the right margin being there.  I will not be accepting, since it's not my document. I am forwarding to the creator of the document to see what she thinks of my redlined changes. 

[GHScorpiosRule]

8 minutes ago, SunnyBeBe said:

No, there are no notes written in the tracked changes margin. It's just empty space.  I made changes in the document that are redlined.  I want those to stay, but, the right margin to leave, because, when I print the document, it's small due to the right margin being there.  I will not be accepting, since it's not my document. I am forwarding to the creator of the document to see what she thinks of my redlined changes. 

Like I said, for me, that "empty" space will remain there until the changes are either accepted or rejected. I've never been able to remove them. But they disappeared after I've accepted changes in a redline document and resaved it as the new master or new version x.

[SunnyBeBe]

Okay.  I saw a video that shows you can click on Delete comments and that works, but, when you reopen it, the margin reappears. 

Thanks. 

[auntlada]

2 hours ago, SunnyBeBe said:

I now know how to use the Reject option, but, how does the Accept work?  Would the creator of the document,  who is reviewing the redline changes that I made be the one to Accept of leave the changes?  So, that since I am the person requesting changes, I would forward the document with my saved redlined changes to the creator of the document for her review.  She would then accept them or not?  Is that correct? 

That's how it should work, but you may have to tell the recipients how to accept and reject changes.

If you have comments or formatting changes, the side margin will be there. If a comment is on a to-be-deleted section and the deletion is accepted, the comment will still be there and will have to be deleted by itself. Once all comments and formatting changes have been deleted and accepted or rejected, the bigger margin should disappear.

If the formatting has to do with a space and no text, it can be hard to find. Adding spaces alone can be hard to find as well if you are dealing with changes individually.

Edited May 7, 2018 by auntlada

[Lisin]

@SunnyBeBe it also depends on what "view" you're in... if you go to the review tab and change to Simple Markup the right margin will go away for you. It's there to show things deleted as well as comments depending on how you're viewing track changes. 

[SunnyBeBe]

Thank you all.  It's been quite helpful. 

Could I revisit a completely separate issue that I posted about here upthead some time ago?  I'll try to find it. It involves images saved in separate JPG files.  Moose135 tried to help me, but, I was slammed at the time.  The problem is that even though I have the photos saved as separate JPG files with separate numbers, when I click on them to send as an email attachment, somehow, other JPG files ALSO attach and are sent along with it.  So that if the recipient clicks to look at the photos, they not only get the ones that I sent them, but, other photos with different JPG numbers that are on my computer.  I know this happens, because I have tested it. I have stopped sending any photos, due to this problem.  I know it sounds bizarre.  I've done research on it and apparently, there is some kind of grouping that bands them together.  Have you ever heard of it? 

Edited May 7, 2018 by SunnyBeBe

[GHScorpiosRule]

HELP!!!!!

I know I haven't been here for awhile, but I need some assistance because like I've said before, I'm a technoturd. Anyhoo. I finally invested and got a great deal on the Amazon Fire Stick. Here's my question. Presently, the HDMI2 port, where I can play my bluray player is the port for my stick. So, will I have to unplug that when I want to stream via Fire stick, and then unplug it and plug in my bluray player for when I want to watch, well my movies I have on dvd/bluray? I'm thinking yes, right?

[JTMacc99]

8 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

 I'm thinking yes, right?

Assuming HDMI1 is the home to the cable box, and there is no HDMI3 or 4, then yes. There is probably a way to connect the Blu-ray using component cables (red, blue, green and another for sound) but that costs more money and probably isn’t worth it unless you frequently use it. 

[GHScorpiosRule]

1 hour ago, JTMacc99 said:

Assuming HDMI1 is the home to the cable box, and there is no HDMI3 or 4, then yes. There is probably a way to connect the Blu-ray using component cables (red, blue, green and another for sound) but that costs more money and probably isn’t worth it unless you frequently use it. 

Thanks. I can unplug/plug until I get a new teevee with more than two ports.☺️ No way am I going to do the wires thing. 

[ABay]

@GHScorpiosRule, You can connect both the blu-ray and fire stick with a switcher. This is the one I have. You connect the HDMI cable from the TV into the switch box, then connect the blu ray player into one port on the switch box and the Fire Stick into the other. I have a Roku rather than the Amazon stick, but this works for me. The box comes with a little remote so you can switch between devices.

ETA: If the link is not working, this is the device: Dinger HDMI Switch, 3 Port HDMI Switch with Remote Control and AC Power Adapter, HDMI Switches Supports 4K, 1080P, 3D

Edited April 21, 2019 by ABay

[GHScorpiosRule]

10 minutes ago, ABay said:

@GHScorpiosRule, You can connect both the blu-ray and fire stick with a switcher. This is the one I have. You connect the HDMI cable from the TV into the switch box, then connect the blu ray player into one port on the switch box and the Fire Stick into the other. I have a Roku rather than the Amazon stick, but this works for me. The box comes with a little remote so you can switch between devices.

ETA: If the link is not working, this is the device: Dinger HDMI Switch, 3 Port HDMI Switch with Remote Control and AC Power Adapter, HDMI Switches Supports 4K, 1080P, 3D

Thanks!!!! Link worked and I just ordered it!!!😁 

[GHScorpiosRule]

Aw phooey. Right now I have to deal with two frickin' remotes to switch until I get the box. Sigh...

[GHScorpiosRule]

Dammit. The switchbox won't work. The end that's supposed to go into the back of my tv isn't shaped like the HDMI--so I'll just have to settle for unplugging/plugging. And there was fine print that it's not compatible with Comcast or Xfinity, and I have that, so there you go. Phooey.

[ABay]

Huh. I also have Comcast/Xfinity. The switch box has standard HDMI ports...did it come with a mutant cable that won't attach to your TV? I can't remember if I had to buy a cable or two to connect devices.

Mine is set up thusly:

HDMI Out on Roku to HDMI In on box.

HDMI Out on Blu ray to HDMI In on box.

HDMI Out on box to HDMI In on TV.

[GHScorpiosRule]

5 minutes ago, ABay said:

Huh. I also have Comcast/Xfinity. The switch box has standard HDMI ports...did it come with a mutant cable that won't attach to your TV? I can't remember if I had to buy a cable or two to connect devices.

Mine is set up thusly:

HDMI Out on Roku to HDMI In on box.

HDMI Out on Blu ray to HDMI In on box.

HDMI Out on box to HDMI In on TV.

I can do the first two--HDMI Out on Firestick to the box and and bluray. But the power cord from box to tv? the one that goes into the tv? is shaped like a flat regular ole usb, and the two HDMI ports on the back of my teevee are HDMI ports; no port for the flat usb. Maybe I can find another switch box that has an HDMI shaped port that goes into the teevee.

Why does Technology HATE MEEEE????

[ABay]

Can you try a cable with HDMI on both ends? 

[GHScorpiosRule]

3 minutes ago, ABay said:

Can you try a cable with HDMI on both ends? 

That's what I need! cable with HDMI on both ends, or rather, the end that's supposed to go into the TeeVee. Like I said up thread, I am not gonna try and get those component wires in red, blue, green, yellow, whatever and go through the frustration that I did when using those things back in the VCR days!

[ABay]

2 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

That's what I need! cable with HDMI on both ends, or rather, the end that's supposed to go into the TeeVee. Like I said up thread, I am not gonna try and get those component wires in red, blue, green, yellow, whatever and go through the frustration that I did when using those things back in the VCR days!

Ah, coaxial cables...do not miss them.  You can find HDMI cables anywhere, or even a converter that attaches the USB end of the cable you have into an HDMI connector. Like those doodads you can get to make a 3 prong plug fit a two hole outlet.

[GHScorpiosRule]

26 minutes ago, ABay said:

Ah, coaxial cables...do not miss them.  You can find HDMI cables anywhere, or even a converter that attaches the USB end of the cable you have into an HDMI connector. Like those doodads you can get to make a 3 prong plug fit a two hole outlet.

I find it hilarious when talking technology, how my usage of the English language devolves into using words such as thingies, doohickies, thingamabobs, whatchamacallits, and doodads!😜😄😆

[theredhead77]

2 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

I find it hilarious when talking technology, how my usage of the English language devolves into using words such as thingies, doohickies, thingamabobs, whatchamacallits, and doodads!😜😄😆

"Thingie" and the other terms you posted are all technical terms. You can trust me, I spent nearly 2 decades in IT.

[GHScorpiosRule]

15 minutes ago, theredhead77 said:

"Thingie" and the other terms you posted are all technical terms. You can trust me, I spent nearly 2 decades in IT.

Well, the things you learn! Now I don't feel like I'm dumbing myself down! I only ever use those terms when I'm blanking on the correct name!

[GHScorpiosRule]

Okay @ABay, what do you call those doodads that I can connect to the flat end usb port so that I get an HDMI port I can plug to the back of my TeeVee? I've been going nuts trying to find another switchbox, but I've seen nothing but "it's crap" "don't waste your money" for those that come with the HDMI cable that I can plug into the teevee, but no remote control. I will admit, I like the one that you gave the link to, above. And where can I get one? 

I'm wondering if I shouldn't just go into a Best Buy, Target, whatever and see if they have one?

Thanks!

[ABay]

@GHScorpiosRule, it would be an adapter but all of the ones I see on Amazon are the opposite of what you need. Does the USB cable have an HDMI end connected to the switchbox? If so, I'd pick up a standard HDMI-at-both-ends cable and use that instead. Otherwise, you might need to take a trip to Best Buy or Staples or something like that.

[GHScorpiosRule]

24 minutes ago, ABay said:

@GHScorpiosRule, it would be an adapter but all of the ones I see on Amazon are the opposite of what you need. Does the USB cable have an HDMI end connected to the switchbox? If so, I'd pick up a standard HDMI-at-both-ends cable and use that instead. Otherwise, you might need to take a trip to Best Buy or Staples or something like that.

Yup, that's what I found when my brain remembered it's an adapter I need, and yes, every.single.search, just gives me the OPPOSITE of what I need! I need a thingie to stick the flat usb port into, and the other side of the adapter should be the HDMI "stick" I plug into the back of my teevee. The switchbox you linked above, has the usb port as part of the power cord. That is, the teeny tiny usb, goes into the box, and the other end of that cable is the usb port instead of an HDMI port! AARRRRGHHHH!!!! It's off to Best Buy I go! or NewEgg.

But thanks for all your help! And for the giggles!

[BookWoman56]

After reading the descriptions of the challenges for finding the correct connection cables and so forth, damn it, I need a time machine to take me to a future in which things really will be wireless. That is, no having to plug in appliances, electronics, etc. to a power source; no jungle of cables connecting cable boxes, TVs, laptops, etc. to each other. Just the ability to speak into the air and tell any given device what to do. 

Similarly frustrating, several times a day I have to go in and turn on my mother’s TV because she has managed to fuck up the settings by pressing random buttons on the remote until she accidentally turns off the cable box. Ordered one of those “senior-friendly” remotes for her but can’t get it to sync with the cable system, which is a major cable provider. 

[GHScorpiosRule]

1 hour ago, BookWoman56 said:

After reading the descriptions of the challenges for finding the correct connection cables and so forth, damn it, I need a time machine to take me to a future in which things really will be wireless. That is, no having to plug in appliances, electronics, etc. to a power source; no jungle of cables connecting cable boxes, TVs, laptops, etc. to each other. Just the ability to speak into the air and tell any given device what to do. 

Heh. J.D. Robb's In Death Series takes you to 2059, where you do just that==tell the 'puter what to do, what you want, no cables or wires, etc. No time machine, but it will transport you in your mind?

Edited April 24, 2019 by GHScorpiosRule

[auntlada]

48 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

Heh. J.D. Robb's In Death Series takes you to 2059, where you do just that==tell the 'puter what to do, what you want, no cables or wires, etc. No time machine, but it will transport you in your mind?

Now I'm picturing this:

[biakbiak]

Does anyone have a phone tracking/sharing location that works equally well for iPhone and Android? Not in a creepy way but my boyfriend has an android so we can’t use the share location function on the iPhone which we both always found handy. 

[Moose135]

1 hour ago, biakbiak said:

my boyfriend has an android so we can’t use the share location function on the iPhone which we both always found handy. 

Boyfriend could get an iPhone or you can find a new boyfriend with one...

😜

[biakbiak]

4 hours ago, Moose135 said:

Boyfriend could get an iPhone or you can find a new boyfriend with one...

😜

He needs an Android for his new job and after 15+years with him I have grown quite fond so neither of these option works which is also a problem I have found for many tracking apps which led to my question!

[Scatterbrained]

Not sure this is the right thread for this, but...

i am looking for a “book light” type of thing to illuminate a workstation in a dark room.  Any  recs?

Background info:  I sit with the kids until they fall asleep.  I usually web surf on my iPad, but I am getting tired of the internet and would also like to model “coloring” for the kid who hates crayons and may have handwriting issues as a result.  So, I bought an adult coloring book and some coloring pens and pencils and plan on doing that during our bedtime routine.  Now, I need to illuminate it, while keeping the rest of the room dim.  

Other factoid: I’m very sensitive to light.  It can’t flicker and can’t be weird like fluorescent lights and some bluish leds.

[shapeshifter]

Hulu no longer works on the original iPad Mini. 😭

[GHScorpiosRule]

As much as I love technology sometimes, I HATE technology! Yes, Yes, I realize that I've just contradicted myself, but after yesterday, I'm ready to pull out all my hair and wish I lived when all this fandangled technology didn't surround me!

Here's the thing. I purchased a 7th generation refurbished nano ipod last year--it's wonderful. I love it. I listened to all my music on it while I was doing contract work for most of 2018 before I got my current job. Then I haven't had time to use it, until a couple months ago. There's this one track--song, which I LOVE. Now, all of a sudden, after the first two lines, it stops. It's a song from a very classic Bollywood movie circa 1978. 

So I synched up the nano with itunes to see if that would fix it. nope. But the weird thing is, the same song on my iphone? This song plays with no issues.

So, I call Apple Support, and the first person I spoke to informed I may have to restore the nano. That might fix it. So, when I go home, I call them back, because I'm a techno turd and I don't want to erase anything that can't be un-erased. The first person I spoke to was a moron. She was nice enough, but the longer we spoke, the less sense she made.

Like how iTunes' new software doesn't support any of Apple's other products, be it iPod, shuffle, or nano. So, I won't be able to restore this one song, because, she repeated, the software won't support the nano.

But. I said. it worked fine before. So are you saying, if I uninstall and repurchase, it still won't work? Her answer: Yep. Well, then, what are my options? Will I not be able to purchase any more tunes for my nano? Her response was to transfer me to a supervisor because I, clearly an idiot, couldn't understand what she was trying to tell me (I still don't).  The "supervisor" was nice enough. But guess what? His computer kept crashing after 10 seconds and our call would get disconnected. Before it did, he said, it could be the FORMAT of the song wasn't supported by the nano. I told him, it did BEFORE. What's changed? Since the software that doesn't support the nano is NOT installed in the nano, but still has the old software, and the song played perfectly fine THEN. disconnect. He called back and told me he'd transfer me to another supervisor since his 'puter kept crashing.

No one called me back.

So. I just went to iTunes and bought the album/soundtrack. The first one was a double--two movies with two soundtracks, but I had only downloaded the three songs from the second movie. This time I lucked out and found the soundtrack for just this movie, and guess what? All the songs work FINE. So this techno turd resolved the issue on her own.

BUT. Because there's always a BUT with me. Said albums I purchased and was able to sync to my nano, didn't make it to my iPhone! I synched that sucker, too.  And backed it up. Nuthin'.

I went to iTunes on my phone, did a search for the album in question---say I already purchased it, yet it's not in my music library. GAH! I synhed and backed up again. Nuthin' again.

So I called Apple this morning. The guy I spoke to was very nice. When I told him we couldn't test my phone at work, he emailed me the directions. I told him of my experience last night and what the first person told me. He informed me, that she was WRONG about purchasing tunes to play on the nano--even if said nano isn't supported by iTunes' software--which was wrong. He said only first generation AppleTV or something. I had to end the call since I was at work.

But Jeebus FUCKING CHRIST on a Cracker! I just want to listen to my Golden Oldies from Classic Bollywood films! 

[Cobb Salad]

@GHScorpiosRule

I have a similar situation with a song I purchased via iTunes a while back for my iPod Touch 4th gen.  It played as it should start to finish as it should for a while then it started to act up.  The tune would play a couple of seconds then go on to the next track.  I never really pursued trying to fix the problem as each time I was at the gym working out and I’d forget about it.  This tune was part of a movie soundtrack - when I purchased it I also bought another tune from the same soundtrack and that one has never had any problems.  

So reading your story today motivated me to check that tune again.  It’s not even in my iTunes library online nor on my current 6th gen iPod Touch but it is still on my ancient 4th gen device still acting up - I suspect it was on my current device when I first synched it from the old device but somewhere along the way it was removed from my library and device during a backup.  

I’ve never gone to Apple support about this but your story tells me I won’t have much luck.  I’m pretty sure I played the tune enough to get my 99 cents worth anyway.  This kind of stuff reinforces my opinion that it’s probably best that if you’re willing (and can find) just get the CD and go through the added steps to get it on the device.   

[Guest]

@GHScorpiosRule

It sounds like those idiots that I talked to about my XFinity cable box have gone to work at Apple/iTunes.

Sympathies.

Edited July 3, 2019 by ParadoxLost

[shapeshifter]

Anyone want to swap info? 

FYI to anyone here in a situation similar to my trifecta of obsolete devices (not counting the TV and DVR, which are even older):

I have: 

• iPhone 5c  
• and an iPad Mini original (circa 2012)
  (Apple not supporting either for last several years, so now Apps and websites starting to lose functionality too, e.g., no more Hulu on the Mini)
   
• and a Lenovo laptop T500 from 2009 running Windows 7 (MicroSoft will not support after end of year and don't think it can handle Windows 10, plus hard drive might be failing, 2nd battery is nearly dead, and it weighs over 8 lbs.)

--and I have just entered the land of fixed income--hopefully supplemented by freelance gigs, but nothing sustainable as of yet.

So, I've been shopping around online, and I love the young folks working in Best Buy, which is where I just learned (from a Best Buy guy who is majoring in Computer Science and had a MicroSoft guest lecturer) that:

MicroSoft's goal is to market the Surface line to be equivalent to Apple's --meaning that the Surface laptops will have support phased out sooner, like the Apple OS's are. In other words, not for the budget conscious, unless you factor, say, $500/year into a computer hardware budget. 😝

And the Surface price is very similar to the Mac prices. Also, the tech person at the place where I worked for the last 18 years says that she is ready to convert from Mac to PC because of the Surface.

I'm leaning towards

• maybe a Lenovo Yoga, but a daughter had one crap out the day after the 1-year warranty was up, but the Best Buy guy says that different models are better (the higher the model number, the better, apparently).
• and maybe the biggest refurbished phone I can afford to replace both the phone and iPad Mini.

Sorry if this is TMI, but any input is welcome. 

[theredhead77]

@shapeshifter what do you use your laptop for and what do you use your tablet for?

That will make all the difference in what you truly need vs what the guy at Best Buy says you need.

[shapeshifter]

10 minutes ago, theredhead77 said:

@shapeshifter what do you use your laptop for and what do you use your tablet for?

That will make all the difference in what you truly need vs what the guy at Best Buy says you need.

Yes, we discussed this in detail.
I might or might not be doing illustrations with huge PhotoShop files, and the Best Buy kid works with huge video files, so he understood. 

The tablet just needs to be functional for mostly recreational stuff and some document access.