Author Topic: The Technophobe Reader - Technology Help (Read 213633 times)

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #680 on:** November 28, 2012, 06:22:20 AM »

Welcome to The Technophobe Reader

Confused about Iphones, Ipods, Ipads, Itouch, Androids, or anything else electronic? Don't know what a "text" message is? Don't have a Nook or a Kindle and don't know the benefits of an e reader? Feel left out of the rush of the new technology and wonder what all the shouting is about?

Have a new Iphone, Ipod, Ipad, Nook, Kindle, or I headache or are considering same?

Ask your question here! Other sufferers may be able to direct you to a source for help or help with their own experience.

This discussion has no "expert" moderator, we offer here no professional advice but we may be able to answer out of our own experiences, so ask or comment away!

Can you believe, after all that help I received from some of you and then from the nice lady at Amazon, my Kindle is once again refusing to allow me to open any of my new purchases. They are listed on the front page but unopenable.

I will have to contact Amazon again, but I'm off to London for 4 days tomorrow, so it's going to have to wait. I hope Amazon are as nice to me as they were last time...

Rosemary

Frybabe · « **Reply #681 on:** November 29, 2012, 02:39:21 PM »

I splurged and treated myslef to a Kindle Fire. It arrived this afternoon.

I'll have to get used to the touch screen thing. It is heavier than my 2nd Gen Kindle and gets pretty warm. Not sure I like that much. So far, it works pretty well. This should do nicely for books that have lots of illustrations and photos. My other Kindle didn't very often show photos and illustrations even though I specified the version with illustrations. They just rarely showed up even if they were B/W rather than color. Don't know why.

Frybabe · « **Reply #682 on:** December 01, 2012, 10:11:21 AM »

yaaaayyy! I just figured out how to connect my new Kindle to SeniorLearn. Now all I have to do is learn how to type on this darn thing without mistyping every other letter.

LarryHanna · « **Reply #683 on:** December 01, 2012, 12:43:59 PM »

Frybabe, I suggest you might want to get a cover for the Kindle Fire. They are not expensive and you can use them as a stand and it helps with the heat from the battery. I got the one for Pat and Stacey from eBay and it was less than $20. You also might find it easier to type on it with a stylus and you can find those on eBay or Amazon for very little. The retail stores charge many times the price you can get them online.

Frybabe · « **Reply #684 on:** December 01, 2012, 06:11:09 PM »

Hi Larry,

I am planning to check out what the Under $5 store has at George's suggestion. As far as Amazon goes, I have until the 10th to use a 30% off voucher on accessories. I haven't decided on what all I want to get yet.

I am slowly learning my way around, mostly by trial and error since I don't think the users guide is especially helpful in many areas. My battery was really getting depleted fast which at first I attributed to downloading all the apps I wanted. Well, that was only part of it. I set the brightness back a little and learned were to turn off the wireless connection when I don't want on the net. I also found out I wasn't turning the thing off entirely unless I hold the button for a few extra seconds. I also got a free app called Cleaner to clean out my cache/temp files. It works well. I paid a small amount for an app to import my Firefox bookmarks before I found out I could set bookmarks on the thing without. I like the sound quality. It is much better than my 2nd gen Kindle.

Lorac625 · « **Reply #685 on:** December 06, 2012, 10:27:33 AM »

Ginny tells me that somewhere in here is info on how to use copy/paste on the forum boards. Any hints where?

jane · « **Reply #686 on:** December 06, 2012, 10:35:47 AM »

Lorac...

Below are some places that will explain/show you....a written explanation and a YouTube one. If you don't like any of those, just put words like "copy and paste explanation" into google and you'll get a lot of hits.

YouTube shows how to do from notepad, but the process is the same, if you're copying from wherever and then pasting into a posting box here.

http://www.webmasternow.com/copyandpaste.html

http://buildfree.org/copyandpaste.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c66pvfilotA

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #687 on:** December 07, 2012, 10:59:15 AM »

You may recall that I mentioned that my Kindle had once again gone wrong, after the lovely lady at Amazon had helped me fix it.

Today I had an on-line 'chat' with another Amazon employee. He went through everything it could possibly be, then said it was clearly defective and I should receive a new replacement in the post by next week! What great service! I asked him if Amazon were thinking of making their own brand of laptop, as I would definitely switch to theirs when they offer such good back-up. Unfortunately he says they have no plans to do so just now.

So 10 of 10 to Amazon, 0 out of 10 to Apple. I know Amazon has been getting lots of flak recently, but they certainly know how to keep their customers.

Rosemary

jane · « **Reply #688 on:** December 07, 2012, 11:19:09 AM »

Has anyone had a problem having a Kindle or a Nook...or both on their IPAD with IBooks?

I'm wanting to add a Nook app since I have several hundred books purchased from them when I used my Nookcolor. {Santa is coming here early...on Monday when I'm driving 3 hours (each way---what you have to do in rural America when there's only ONE Apple store in the entire state!) to pick up my new IPAD. I know, I know...Santa usually delivers, but us big girls get impatient and work around him, sometimes!! hahaha!!}

jane

jane · « **Reply #689 on:** December 07, 2012, 11:19:47 AM »

Rosemary...HURRAH for Amazon!! I'm glad your replacement is enroute. Good customer service is so hard to find these days that when it happens, it's such a treat!!

jane

mabel1015j · « **Reply #690 on:** December 07, 2012, 11:45:12 AM »

I have the kindle app on my ipad and have had no trouble reading the books on it.

Hooray for Amazon, Rosemary.

maryz · « **Reply #691 on:** December 07, 2012, 11:45:58 AM »

jane, all my kindle books transferred seamlessly to my iPad. I just put the kindle app on the iPad, and Voila!!!! I don't know if that's the problem you're having or not.

jane · « **Reply #692 on:** December 07, 2012, 05:15:24 PM »

I haven't picked up my IPAD yet...have to drive to West Des Moines (3 hours each way--only Apple store in the state) to get it Monday...but I'd been reading a forum and people in 2011 were complaining about IBooks interfering with their Nook app and their Kindle app. Since it's working for Jean and Mary, I'm guessing that problem has gotten straightened out, or the complainers were doing something amiss.

jane

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #693 on:** December 08, 2012, 09:36:07 AM »

Can you believe it? My replacement Kindle has arrived less than 24 hours after I concluded my on-line conversation with Amazon's Kindle trouble-shooting department.

We once sent back an expensive and defective phone to some phone company - they argued and argued and it took weeks to extract any positive response from them at all. As you can imagine, I've never gone near them since. Why are some companies still such dolts about customer service? I don't suppose that phone company cares tuppence about my custom, me not being their ideal, high-spending, teenage client, but it's about time they realised that it's parents like me who end up funding their offsprings' phones (at least during school years) so we do have more clout than they maybe imagine.

Rant over, and as you say Jean, hooray for Amazon!

Rosemary

LarryHanna · « **Reply #694 on:** December 08, 2012, 10:57:34 AM »

Jane, I have both the Kindle and Nook applications on my iPad along with the iBook application and have had no problem using any of them. While I have an iPad store within 15 to 20 miles from me in a big mall I ordered mine from Apple and got it on the day the iPad 3 was released. They were very prompt on their delivery.

rosemarykaye, we have had wonderful service from Amazon and have love the 2 day delivery. I have had a couple of times when I accidentally clicked on a book I thought was free and found it wasn't but had already been charged to me. All I had to do was go to my orders on the website and there is a drop down box and you can cancel the purchase and a refund is issued to your credit card. I am sure we will remain a Prime customer as have far exceed the $79 it costs in the savings in shipping costs and sales taxes by ordering online.

jane · « **Reply #695 on:** December 08, 2012, 11:09:52 AM »

Thanks, Larry.

pedln · « **Reply #696 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:44:20 PM »

Gollee, Rosemary and Jane -- it looks the world is being your oyster. Fantastic. Enjoy.

Can anyone help me with a "wireless" problem. All the lights on my router come one -- Internet, DSL, Ethernet, Power -- all but the wireless. And I can't download to my kindle, nor will my laptop connect.

When this first started it even knocked out the internet, but I unplugged, replugged, lovingly stroked the wires, then everything came back. But now the wireless won't work at all. I'm grateful I still have internet, but want to get the wireless back up and running.

any suggestions? Do I need a new router? Could this be a software problem?

Steph · « **Reply #697 on:** December 15, 2012, 06:16:23 AM »

OK>. my early birthday present to myself is a new computer with windows 8 and a wireless printer.. Now.. trying to get someone out here to hook it up and transfer data is like pulling teeth.. I cannot lift the old big fat box.. Just too heavy and awkward.. But I thought if I could figure out the router situation, I could unplug the old computer and maybe get a neighbor to lift it into the car, but if so, I wanted to be able to use my laptop and IPAD.. but my connection to road runner and the router are both plugged into the main computer.. Is there a secret here?? Can anyone tell me what to do first without really messing up the whole thing. I hate hardward?

??

Frybabe · « **Reply #698 on:** December 15, 2012, 08:09:45 AM »

Pedln, I'm afraid I can't be of much help on this one. Has it been fixed yet? Periodically, I have to disconnect my external wireless router from the modem and reconnect. My wireless USB device on the downstairs computer sometimes doesn't connect to the net. In that case, I reboot the machine and it usually comes back up.

Frybabe · « **Reply #699 on:** December 15, 2012, 08:25:10 AM »

Steph, I have heard of Road Runner, but I didn't know you had to plug something into your computer to use it. Is it like DSL or cable? My cable modem and the wireless router are both external on my machine. My router is connected to the modem, not the computer. The cable modem is what I plug into the computer. I used to have DSL. In that case, my modem was connected via a splitter to the phone line. But that was years ago.

Most machines have a diagram of the computer showing where and what the plugs are for. Also, most of the computers have little tiny, hard to see symbols beside the plug denoting whether it is for phone, audio, microphone, etc. I think this is a case where I'd have to see it to help since the new computer is likely to be configured differently than you old one. Not all set up and users guides are all that helpful. Sigh!

Frybabe · « **Reply #700 on:** December 15, 2012, 08:33:10 AM »

One more note.

I downloaded two free ebooks, one from Gutenberg and one from ManyBooks to my Kindle Fire. The notifications said they were sucessfully downloaded, and indeed from the notifications notice I was able to open them. However, since I read the notification they don't show up anywhere that I can find. So how do I get to them and like them to an icon (which they apparently don't have). I used the kindle .azw format. Should I have used something else?

Ah,HAH! I found something. Always check before downloading. Who knew. Kindle Fire has made it hard to download any books except for through them. SOOOOOO! Project Gutenberg has come up with an app to bypass that "little" problem. Here is the link to how to download and install it for anyone out there with a Kindle Fire. http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Gutenberg:K_Download The instructions are easy. I just downloaded two books and it works. Good! I wanted to download some free books with illustrations and photos which my regular 2nd Gen Kindle didn't want to do (that is the photo/illustrations didn't show up).

pedln · « **Reply #701 on:** December 15, 2012, 04:35:40 PM »

Frybabe, I appreciate your effort. The wireless still is not working. It's an all-in-one modem router -- Gateway 2wire -- got it when I signed up with ATT broadband. An ethernet cable connects it to the computer, another cable connects from the modem/router to the DSL filter that connects to the phone. It's worked fine for almost four years. Don't know what the problem is now.

I've unplugged and replugged so many times to no avail. I don't want to lose my Internet again before I head out of town for the holidays, so am just doing without wireless or going to the library if I really need it. I'll struggle with it when I get back, and go visit the ATT store.

Is technology shooting itself in the foot? It seems to be getting so complicated for the man in the street. Get a new version of something like a Kindle and you need an app to do what you used to do easily?

jane · « **Reply #702 on:** December 15, 2012, 05:03:04 PM »

I am loving this IPAD...and have both Kindle and my extensive Nook Library are on it and, as Larry said earlier, they work just great.

We will need to get a wireless "air” printer to use with the iPads.

jane

Frybabe · « **Reply #703 on:** December 15, 2012, 06:03:54 PM »

Ah, sounds similar to what I had. I noticed over the years that modems don't last too very long without acquiring problems. I think it has something to do with eventual compatibility problems with upgrades done at broadband servers that don't necessarily go well with older modems. Comcast, which is what I have now, sends updates to modems that sometimes don't "take" very well, or the modem is no longer supported. I think my last one lasted about three years.

Comcast tech support usually has a fit because I turn mine off at night or when I am away for any length of time. Apparently they are meant to run 24/7 even when the computer is off. Off and on all the time apparently can cause problems, not to mention missing modem updates. I am funny about leaving electric or electronic devices on when I am not home, not to mention saving money on electric bills.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #704 on:** December 16, 2012, 08:19:33 AM »

Frybabe - thanks for that app, although unfortunately my Kindle is far too old a model to work with it. I am reassured, however, as I found it virtually impossible to download books from Gutenburg and manybooks.com, and I thought it was just my usual incompetence. Lately I have given up and just get stuff from Amazon, although my daughter did work out how to download from the other sites, and indeed I have her written instructions pinned onto my noticeboard.

Rosemary

Frybabe · « **Reply #705 on:** December 16, 2012, 08:27:50 AM »

That's a shame RosemaryeKaye. What version of Kindle do you have?

Steph · « **Reply #706 on:** December 16, 2012, 09:47:36 AM »

I know I need someone to come look at what I have and how it fits with the new computer. I just dont to upset the applecart so close to Christmas.. Sigh.. A new computer with all sorts of bells and whistlers and there is sits in the box.. Darn.

Steph · « **Reply #707 on:** December 17, 2012, 05:56:28 AM »

45 minutes under the desk yesterday , sorting wires.. but i got it unplugged and my lap top plugged into the router and modem.. then I still cannot believe but sheer stubbornness got it downstairs and in the car along with the new one.. Then I went to Office Depot and they got it out of the car.. I should have my new computer back tomorrow sometime. But I am not happy that the new windows 8 will not allow Microsoft Office to be loaded. Must find a something that will let me write letters, etc. It always surprises me when stubborn wins the day.

Frybabe · « **Reply #708 on:** December 17, 2012, 07:40:19 AM »

You mean Windows 8 doesn't come with MS Office installed? How odd for MS. I just looked up Windows 8 program compatibility and MS Office Home and Student 2010 are listed as compatible. If you are trying to install an older version, it probably won't work.

You could try Open Office which is a free open source program very similar to MS. Version 3.4.1 is compatible with Windows 8. http://www.openoffice.org/ Not only that, but you can open Windows documents in it as well as the other way around. I've used both.

LarryHanna · « **Reply #709 on:** December 17, 2012, 11:29:16 AM »

There is a newer program that is free called LibraOffice that is also completely compatible with Microsoft Office documents. I have used OpenOffice as well and it works fine and it is also free.

ginny · « **Reply #710 on:** December 17, 2012, 02:05:29 PM »

Oh man this is amazing. Siri is incredible. I am dictating all this by Siri, just as Jane said and it's coming out perfect!! I'm here in the new iPad mini.

This the most amazing technology I ever saw!

mabel1015j · « **Reply #711 on:** December 19, 2012, 12:05:53 PM »

I thought Siri was part of a GPS system???

jane · « **Reply #712 on:** December 19, 2012, 02:59:40 PM »

Could be...she (?)'s also the dictation thingy on IPads {and maybe IPhones?} So, emails or posts here can be "dictated" and she'll print out what you said....or what she thought you said.

If you speak slowly and carefully, she's amazingly accurate.

jane

Frybabe · « **Reply #713 on:** December 19, 2012, 03:47:45 PM »

I saw some commercials for Siri a month of so ago, but none lately. It reminds me of the home AI system on the TV show Eureka, only portable.

Frybabe · « **Reply #714 on:** December 23, 2012, 08:40:23 AM »

Well, the little app I got from Project Gutenberg in order to download their books to Kindle Fire works fine - as far as it goes. I had to blow it off because I discovered that once a Gutenberg book got bumped off the carousel I couldn't find it. It does not show up in the device library or anywhere else that I could find to retrieve it to read. They list another program, somewhat involved to install, that will allow "side-apps" to be installed on Fire so that apps other than what you can get on Amazon. I may try that after a closer look at what it does and if there is a program which sets up a separate library for outside ebooks.

Kim Komando had a video on her latest newsletter on how to make a beer can WiFi booster. Interesting, but I wouldn't want all those sharp edges just sitting on my wireless router waiting to cut someone (me).

Frybabe · « **Reply #715 on:** December 23, 2012, 07:14:45 PM »

More on the KDown app from Project Gutenbergs site. George found the downloaded files for me. The are going into the Docs folder. I could have sworn I looked there. It is possible that my cleaner app is deleting them. Will be on the lookout for that. So I CAN read my Gutenberg downloads without all the fuss the other way they suggested. This evening I also downloaded a file manager app that should make things more helpful.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #716 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:21:25 PM »

I have not been following this discussion so my question may have been handled in an earlier post - if so just guide me - Not sure I like the kindle and so my grandboy's choice to get me a Paperwhite was perfect - however, I cannot find anywhere - can someone help me...

How to get rid of a Sample when you do not want to buy the book after reviewing the Sample
How long can you free rent a book?
How do you get rid of it when you have finished reading what you want from the book?
Can you Prime free rent more than one book at a time.

Frybabe · « **Reply #717 on:** January 01, 2013, 07:17:26 PM »

Hi Barb. The following link should help you with your last question about removing a book from your Paperwhite (see the bottom of the page for video).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_200953940_basics?nodeId=200954000

I think I tried a free sample once. If I remember correctly, when you get to the end of the sample, it gives you the option of buying or not. I am having trouble confirming the procedure. Some of the others in the group have used it, so hopefully someone will speak up.

There are two ways to borrow a book for free. One is through the Kindle Owner's Lending Library which allows one book at a time (or a month?) for an unlimited time. This is offered only to Prime members. The particulars are here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=help_search_1-4?ie=UTF8&nodeId=200757120&qid=1357083813&sr=1-4 The other is set up for someone who wants to lend one of their books to someone else. Let's say your grandson has a book in his library he wants to lend to you. He sets up a loan to you in his Manage your Kindle page with the specifics of what book and who is to receive it. You get an email with a link to the book and you have 14 days to read it. Here are the particulars for that: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_200549320_receive?nodeId=200549320&#receive In either case, not all books can be borrowed. It depends on the publisher.

I have Lendle bookmarked but I have not joined yet so I can't say how good it is. Lendle is not part of Amazon, but they use an associate account so that you can draw from a wider community of readers who want to lend and borrow their Kindle ebooks. As always, read the FAQ and terms so you know what you are getting into: http://lendle.me/ If anyone has actually used this site, let me know how you like it.

Sorry about all the links, Barb. I just think they explain it all better than I can (especially since they have videos) and you may find answers to other things that crop up. If your Paperwhite doesn't already have a User's Guide on it, you can download a copy (see sidebar on the left hand side of page).

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #718 on:** January 01, 2013, 10:25:08 PM »

Thanks after I opened the guide I realized that was what my grandson pulled up on the Kindle but he went so fast and I thought I understood then I could never figure out what he touched to pull back up the guide - this is great now I can sort this out and understand -

I have tried reading a book and so far I do not find the experience that satisfying - I have the print a bit larger and you cannot see the entire page as you can when reading a book so I feel lost at sea in a raft with no idea where the shore is located - and the size of the kindle in my hand reminds me of a small paperback - we shall see - there are things about it that appears to make reading and saving spots while looking up information easy but so far I think I love the feel of my books and like going to other books and the Internet to find more information - we shall see like anything new it takes time to see the benefits as greater than what you know.

I thought I was pretty technically savvy but it was about new ways of negotiating information where as this seems to be trying to replace something I love. Tried to read on the plane but there are times you have to shut off all technical devices and so out came the book that I just never put back when I could switch because I was so engrossed in the read.

Frybabe · « **Reply #719 on:** January 02, 2013, 12:10:36 AM »

I understand about the larger font size. I tried that and didn't care for it much either. I guess it takes a little getting used to.

I switch back and forth between print books and ebooks. Since I've been cutting back on my expenses, buying books is a rarity. Instead I download all those wonderful old books I missed when I was younger plus more from free ebook sites or I borrow the newer ones from the library. My Kindle comes in handy when the cats insist on making it difficult to hold a larger or heavy book over their furry presence. So far, I don't think getting the Fire was any big advantage over my 2nd gen Kindle except for playing games and a few other apps. It also is better for reading newspapers and magazines. Unfortunately, the battery drains rather quickly, and my eyes get tire and fuzz out much more quickly with that screen than with the 2nd gen. That was a surprise. I thought the lighted background would be a boon. I've mitigated that somewhat by changing the background color of the "paper" to a pale yellow. I do like getting around on Amazon a lot better with the Fire and being able to go out to the net. The sound quality was a pleasant surprise too.

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Author Topic: The Technophobe Reader - Technology Help (Read 213633 times)