First meeting for the 2020-2021 season!!!
welcome back…
Ok. Well, we didn’t go anywhere, and we’re not coming back to normal meetings any time soon. So This is more of a placemark. An indicator of how different our lives are now, and a remembrance of, “the only constant is change.”
We must adapt and grow. Someday, I hope to bring this virtual meeting into an actual meeting, but that’s not today. Today we will continue our virtual format for the foreseeable future.
With the US president’s covid infection in the background of our lives, we will continue to push forward, optimistically challenging ourselves to contribute, learn, teach, and enjoy as we share tech information.
I am so pleased that you all have continued this experience with me, and I hope others will join us as this new season progresses. Also, I hope all of you and your loved ones are healthy and safe. I will continue to do my part to keep it so.
Also, although I disagree with the president and his politics, I wish no person sickness, and I hope wholeheartedly that he, his family, and his friends recover without complications.
I hope you enjoy this latest installment of The San Carlos Computer Club.
Today’s meeting covered the following topic:
- Apple One bundle offers Apple services at a significant discount, from $14.95/month.
- Here’s everything Amazon just announced at its big hardware event
- My Amazon Prime Free Shipping rant and Facebook discussion that is still waiting for a straight answer.
Podcast Recommendation: The San Carlos Computer Club – listen to Vivi’s intros (always)
Book Recommendations:
Station Eleven, written by Emily St. John Mandel – “An audacious, darkly glittering novel set in the eerie days of civilization’s collapse, Station Eleven tells the spellbinding story of a Hollywood star, his would-be savior, and a nomadic group of actors roaming the scattered outposts of the Great Lakes region, risking everything for art and humanity. ” – from Amazon.
American Dirt, written by Jeanine Cummins – Why Is Everyone Arguing About the Novel American Dirt?
Educated, a memoir by Tara Westover – “is an account of the struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty and of the grief that comes with severing the closest of ties. With the acute insight that distinguishes all great writers, Westover has crafted a universal coming-of-age story that gets to the heart of what an education is and what it offers: the perspective to see one’s life through new eyes and the will to change it.” – From goodreads.
TV Recommendations: Raised by Wolves (hbo max), The Good Fight (Prime).
The YouTube video is available at: https://youtu.be/n-dmN-O6LCQ.
We are currently using the Google Meet code: [rgb-rrgc-gqp] for our weekly meeting. This code will probably be the same for next meeting. Check our blog sccClub.org and look for notifications when in doubt.
Reoccurring Themes:
NOTE #1: The Google Meet is scheduled on Google Calendar. If you want to be on that invitation, then provide me your Google account id. Also, provide your email address, or follow the appropriate accounts to see a reminder on the day of our meeting sent out by email, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WordPress.
NOTE #2: A CHALLENGE: Can you design a phrase or dialog to trigger and execute a smart speaker commands, while masquerading as conversation? #speakerhacker – Any command execution counts, for example: play a song, get the weather, turn on/off a light. The goal is to covertly execute the command with conversation. We’ll play with our speakers and check back in next week. (see article: Uncovered: 1,000 phrases that incorrectly trigger Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.)
[UPDATE for NOTE #2: currently no success, Bill and Cheryl have been experiencing random activations, but haven’t been able to reproduce their conversation. I too have had a few random triggers, but also cannot determine the dialog to set it off.]
Special thanks to all of you that have been helping in my endeavors. The things I am doing would not be possible without your support.
Still in the Kitchen Cooking intro was personalized and beautified with special attention by Viviana and myself, but only available on the podcast.
Remember, you can always show your support by taking a moment to go on YouTube and iTunes to review, like, and subscribe. When you do this, it gives our efforts greater exposure and this is as valuable, and as appreciated as any contribution. (don’t get me wrong. I could always use some money. hahaha.) Thank you.
Can’t wait till next week!
Everyone take care and #techOn!
Scott, headNerd at International Computer Solutions (internationalcs.net)
Please leave a comment.
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twitter: @sccClub
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this podcast is related to a blog post found at: https://www.sccclub.org/podcast/october-03-2020-01-a-prime-start-to-the-new-season-quarantine-meeting-30.