GREETINGS
Thanks for taking a moment to read this month’s update. I hope you’re doing well.
The photo above is one that I stylized on 7 Feb 2025 using the Prisma filter app with the cartoon filter effect.
Green Tech
I’ve enjoyed having some opportunities recently to help people keep their older computers by upgrading them. Installing more memory and a solid state drive (SSD) can help speed up older computers and keep them running for a few more years. This allows people to continue using a familiar computer, and wait to buy a new one. Sometimes this takes a big commitment of time beyond what is financially practical. So, I usually volunteer some time and materials to keep the overall cost down.
In October, updates for Windows 10 will only be available for a $30 fee to cover an extra year of updates. There is also a three-year extension option available. I’m going to work with people who have perfectly good older computers to ensure they can get the updates they need to keep going.
Recycling Old Devices
People regularly give me their old computers, hard drives, and other tech devices for recycling. Cords and cables can be dropped off at Staples for proper handling. However, many tech items need to be securely erased or reset, and that process can be time consuming. So, lately I’ve been catching up on the many boxes of old equipment — erasing hard drives, resetting phones, and clearing out other items before dropping off for recycling or shipping to centers that provide dedicated services for reclaiming usable materials. It’s a very time consuming aspect of the work I do, but it’s necessary. It wouldn’t be practical to charge for my time since the devices themselves have little or no value. Most people would just throw them in the trash if they could, or be tempted to drop them in a recycle bin without proper erasing.
Tech Guides
Some of the tech guides I create are in response to common questions that I get from several people having the same issue. By writing up a thorough guide, everyone can benefit from the resource without having to pay for the time it takes to find a solution for a problem.
An example recently was a guide I wrote for users of Yahoo! Mail who recently found that the Yahoo! Mail system had changed significantly without much advance notice. Here is a link to that guide — https://iowacitytech.com/2025/03/06/yahoo-mail-original/
I’ve had phone calls and emails from people across the country expressing their appreciation and gratitude for that guide. It’s a good feeling to get that kind of positive feedback.
WRITING TOPICS
I continue to expand on the topic reports found on the Resources For Life dot com website. The list can be found on the What’s New Page. Adding incrementally takes very little time since the post and related context are already present.
TECH WRITING
If you’re interested in the latest tech-related guides and articles I’ve posted, you can visit the Posts Page on the Iowa City Tech website.
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THANKS
Many thanks to all of you who keep in touch and provide support for the work I do.
Origins. For those of you who are new to these monthly personal updates, they began about 24 years ago out of a desire to share from my personal life about topics of lifeways (faith/philosophy), health, career, finances, relationships, effective living, and public interest efforts. This is based on the Life Map presented on the Resources For Life website. [View]