Scottie's Tech.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

So you want to prevent Dirty Electricity, but you don't want to spend a fortune on filters? No problem! With a few tools and some parts, you can DIY your own DE filters that perform just as well as pre-made Greenwave or Stetzerizer filters. I made 14 additional filters and saved a TON of money. Just be aware that you should probably have some experience soldering and working with 120/240V AC equipment. Don't want to burn your house down! ;) Part List (some affiliate links): - 4.7uF 305V X2 EMI capacitors: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002911470812.html - 10uF 305V X2 EMI capacitors: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002911445999.html - 220pF ceramic 1kV capacitors: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32213256790.html - 220k 2W 1% resistors: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32958363818.html - Electricity Saving Box (UK plug WITH GROUND): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32858486011.html - Universal to EU Plug Adapters: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32838881793.html - Weather stripping: https://amzn.to/31L8uVv - Hot Glue Gun: https://amzn.to/3wnVUq8 - Glue sticks: https://amzn.to/3kfUYzx - Dremel 8220 cordless: https://amzn.to/300M41B - Dremel EZ Lock cutting disc kit: https://amzn.to/3BUuzgz More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Taking screen captures is pretty easy. But what about VIDEO captures? It might seem like you need a PhD in computer science, but it turns out that recording a video of a single window or your desktop is VERY easy these days. Here are 3 easy ways to capture video from your puter, and the first one won't cost you a penny! I also include a fix for the very common and dreaded 'Snagit Mic Error' that seems to plague quite a few Snagit users. 0:00 Intro 0:40 Xbox Game Bar 4:43 Xbox Game Bar is Missing? 5:25 Snagit 8:30 Fix Snagit Mic Error!! 10:59 Aiseesoft Screen Recorder Goodies in the vid (affiliate links): - Snagit: https://www.techsmith.com/snagit-features.html - Aiseesoft Screen Recorder: https://www.aiseesoft.com/screen-recorder/ - USB audio adapters: - UGREEN USB external Sound Card (1 TRRS jack for both headphones + mic): https://amzn.to/3CaO2e5 - UGREEN USB external Sound Card (2 TRS jacks: 1 for headphones, 1 for mic): https://amzn.to/3A5wgY1 More techie tips or if you want to Hire Me to solve your techie problem: 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

RAVPower was all the rage not so long ago. They make some of the BEST USB power bricks and USB chargers that have ever existed. Then one, day, POOF! They were gone. What the heck happened? Join me for a look at the glorious world of Amazonism... Amazocracy? Whatever! Stuff in the vid: - Video: FAST Power Bank: No more 2-day recharge times! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c0ui6iB9a8 - RAVPower Power Bank 26800mAh 3 Ports: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003308081017.html - RAVPower 32000mAh Power Bank: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003245658516.html - RAVPower USB C Power Bank 15000mAh: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003244934301.html - RAVPower 65W USB C PD GaN Charger: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003299205966.html - RAVPower 100W USB C PD GaN Charger: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003304053363.html - Xiaomi Power Bank 3: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001296405703.html More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

So you've tried to fix Windows Update, but it just won't work. Even my earlier solution didn't work... Never fear! There is a way to essentially 'reinstall' Windows Update that should work. But first, there's one other step you should take to make sure this never happens again... Goodies from the vid: - Malwarebytes cybersecurity: https://malwarebytes.com - Command prompt goodness: dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth sfc /scannow - Registry entry to delete: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wuauserv - Registry import file: https://scottiestech.info/download/WindowsUpdateFix.reg - My video 'Windows won't update? Fix it fast!': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPHnOM3Tnp0 - My article 'How to fix Windows Update errors, including in Windows 10': https://scottiestech.info/2015/12/13/how-to-fix-windows-update-errors-including-in-windows-10/ - My video: Windows Updates broke your PC? NO PROBLEM! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NqdDXlDIXU More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

While everyone is paying the most attention to wireless tech like 5G, dirty electricity is often completely overlooked. In short, 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. What effects does this dirty electricity have? Well, it ain't pretty. Fortunately, there are simple filters you can get that reduce the dangers from this type of noise. Join me for a look at DE and get clean power! Goodies from the vid: - Dirty Electricity book by Milham (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3BBiTzR - Capacitive coupling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitive_coupling - Displacement current: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displacement_current - Stetzer Electric web site: https://www.stetzerelectric.com/ - Greenwave web site: https://greenwavefilters.com/ Fluo tube pic: BaronAlaric - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fluorescent_tube_under_electric_line.jpg More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Microsoft can't seem to get Windows 10 right, and maybe now we know the reason: because they just announced Windows 11! Coming sometime around the end of this year, Windows 11 promises to be everything Win 10 is not. There's only one problem: Everyone is claiming (including MS) that you'll need a super-modern puter to run it. In this vid, I take a look at Windows 11 and its system requirements. I also review past Windows releases, and how each time, the same thing happened. In short, YES, your computer will run Windows 11 just fine! Nothing to see here... 0:00 Intro 1:14 Windows 11 Intro 2:40 Android Apps 3:50 System Requirements 4:20 TPM 1.2 or 2.0? 5:50 PC Health Check App 6:50 So what is TPM?! 8:25 History of Windows ‘Requirements’ 10:18 Enable TPM 13:30 Enable UEFI + Secure Boot 16:23 Do you actually WANT Windows 11?! Links mentioned in the vid: - Windows 11 Intro: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11 - Compatibility requirements for Win 11: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windows-11/ - TPM fun: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/information-protection/tpm/tpm-recommendations - My guide on how to, "Convert your Windows 10 boot drive from MBR to GPT": https://scottiestech.info/2017/11/12/convert-your-windows-10-boot-drive-from-mbr-to-gpt/ More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

If you're a web developer, you've probably used Google's Material Design Icon font. It's a great way to include 1 small file and get gajillions of icons - instead of making 20 different pixel sizes of numerous icons, and then creating sprites and all that jazz. The trouble is that until now, there was no reference for PAST versions of the MD icon font. You're supposed to just load it from Google's servers and be happy. But what if you you don't need 1800+ icons at 102kB in file size? What if an older version of the MD icon font is just fine, you want to load the font file from your own servers or CDN, and you just want to know what icons are available in that older version? Now, you're all set! You can also use my Material Design Icon Viewer to see the differences between versions of the icon font, search for a certain icon, and even see the difference in font file sizes between versions. And then you can make a more intelligent decision as to what you really NEED in your application! Links mentioned in the vid: - Material Design Icons on Google Fonts: https://fonts.google.com/icons - Material Icons on github: https://github.com/google/material-design-icons - Scottie's Material Design Icon Viewer: https://scottiestech.info/material_icons/ - Code Example: https://scottiestech.info/2021/06/22/the-easy-way-to-use-material-design-icons/ 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. Beginning in version 3.0.0, it supports hardware acceleration so that it SHOULD play even hi-res vids smoothly. But quite often when you try to play a 4K (2160p) video, the playback stutters and is basically unwatchable. What gives?? Turns out there's a very simple fix that works 95% of the time! And it'll take you all of about 10 seconds to do it... Get VLC: https://videolan.org More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

A friend recently bought a new 5G smartphone. She was worried about the '5G' part especially. Two problems: First, there is no 5G where we live, so I just turned it off. Second, the 5G Samsung phone only supports lower frequencies than our local 4G network - IOW, no millimeter wave! Of course, it's about more than just frequency. In reality, it's about way more than just the technologies involved. There is a hidden danger to worrying TOO MUCH about the effects of our wireless wonderland... Stuff mentioned in the vid: - 5G is just the tip of the iceberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-qzqOhDc_0 - No more WiFi: How to wire your house for Internet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyVpunl8By8 - Invisible Rainbow: A history of EMFs and health: https://youtu.be/e-l1gro7wFU - The Fourth Phase of Water: Beyond Solid, Liquid, and Vapor: https://amzn.to/3mNjJ8j (affiliate link) More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

I learned the hard way what's happening with smart meters in Europe. The same type of smart meter they're using here in France has already been deployed in many EU countries. Mostly, we hear only about the negative health effects of wireless smart meters, but the ones here only send data back over the power lines. In short, with a smart meter, you may end up with less juice to power stuff, and more frequent main breaker trips as people exceed their (now reduced) capacity. My vid on Power Factor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fg96FcDSw4 Credits: A BIG thank you to Wes Marquenie for making me smarter! More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

By now, you probably know that there's enough scientific doubt about wireless tech. But how bad is it? More importantly, how do you get people to listen? It's easier than you think! From the Video: - 5G Wireless Communication and Health Effects—A Pragmatic Review Based on Available Studies Regarding 6 to 100 GHz [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6765906/] - Radiofrequency at 2.45 GHz increases toxicity, pro-inflammatory and pre-apoptotic activity caused by black carbon in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969720362100] - FCC SAR Guidelines [https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/specific-absorption-rate-sar-cell-phones-what-it-means-you] - Health risks from radiofrequency radiation, including 5G, should be assessed by experts with no conflicts of interest [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7405337/] More Studies: - International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies RF EMF as possibly carcinogenic to humans [http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2011/pdfs/pr208_E.pdf] - Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26300312/] - Long-term electromagnetic pulse exposure induces Abeta deposition and cognitive dysfunction through oxidative stress and overexpression of APP and BACE1 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006899316301330] - Possible Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Central Nerve System [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6513191/] - Electromagnetic field induced biological effects in humans [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27012122/] - Effect of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation Emitted by Modern Cellphones on Sperm Motility and Viability: An In Vitro Study [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36379868/] More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Everybody needs a backup, but not everybody wants all their data stored in the cloud. Until now, File History was good enough. Starting with Win 11, it's effectively crippled to push everyone to use OneDrive. Ug. So, what to do? I'll tell you what: Back up Windows like a Pro! The robocopy command and a handy script I wrote is all you need. And it only takes 5 minutes to set up! Links mentioned in the vid (some affiliate): - Article with details: https://scottiestech.info/2021/12/07/cloudless-windows-backup-thats-reliable-and-free/ - Batch script: https://scottiestech.info/download/robo_backup.bat - Samsung T7 1TB external SSD: https://amzn.to/3duoBZT More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Ah, 5G... It's a mixture of new technologies, the most "interesting" being mmWave, or millimeter wave. If you're wondering if a particular phone actually HAS mmWave, good luck figuring it out. Even worse, in most areas it's darn near impossible to find out what flavor of 5G is being used: Is it mmWave, or not?! Good luck with that one, too. And to top it all off, it doesn't really matter anyway because even official government bodies are really looking at 5G and EXISTING wireless tech, and starting to get worried... Links from the vid: - https://www.mi.com/global/mi-11/specs - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5G_NR_frequency_bands - https://www.androidauthority.com/xiaomi-mi-11-review-1201093/ - https://www.phonedas.com/smartphone/samsung-galaxy-s21_68619/ - https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/exynos/products/mobileprocessor/exynos-2100/ - https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2020/02/18/introducing-snapdragon-x60-raising-global-5g-performance-bar-worlds-most - https://www.ariase.com/mobile/carte-5g - https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2021/690012/EPRS_STU(2021)690012_EN.pdf More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

We often hear lately about nefarious plans involving injectable tracking devices... But is such a thing even possible? Given the current state of technology, would such a thing even work? Better yet, HOW would it work? After all, it's a long way from contactless payment cards to tracking chips floating inside inside millions of people who are constantly on the move. The answers to these questions surprised me - and they may surprise you, too! Stuff mentioned in the vid: - https://www.bichip.com/ - https://onlineweb.dkpto.dk/pvsonline/Patent?action=102&sagID=PA%202017%2000432 - http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17284751/ns/technology_and_science-innovation/t/hitachi-shows-worlds-smallest-rfid-chip/ - https://www.engadget.com/2006/02/06/hitachi-shows-off-7-5-micron-thick-mu-chip-rfid-tag/ - https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/smart-dust/ - https://rf-controls.com/passive-rtls-smart-antennas/ - https://www.rfidjournal.com/e-thread-provides-discrete-anti-counterfeiting-or-tracking-solutions 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

It's everywhere these days: 2FA (two-factor authentication). More and more, you must use something more than just a password to secure your online accounts. Some sites, like PayPal, are apparently requiring 2FA for everyone. So, what types of 2FA are there? Do you have to use a smartphone? Is there an alternative to SMS-based 2FA? And most importantly, is it that much safer? Finally, I reveal the other reason why everyone is pushing 2FA so much - and it doesn't have anything to do with your security or privacy! Hardware Security Keys (affiliate links): - Yubico 5 2FA USB + NFC key: https://amzn.to/2L1BzTY - Google Titan Security keys: https://store.google.com/product/titan_security_key Authy app: https://authy.com/ My article Two-Factor Authentication without SMS or a smartphone: https://scottiestech.info/2020/11/02/two-factor-authentication-without-sms-or-a-smartphone/ 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

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

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

Solar panels, power walls, wind power... It's all about Renewable Energy! In fact, it's all being pushed to often insane degrees. So the question is: Just how 'green' is Green Energy? Is it gonna save us all from certain doom, climate change, and space invaders? Well... As usual, it's complicated. Let's take a deep dive into the fascinating (and sometimes confusing) world of Green Energy! Links in the vid: - Dark Side To Solar? More Reports Tie Panel Production To Toxic Pollution (https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelshellenberger/2021/06/21/why-everything-they-said-about-solar---including-that-its-clean-and-cheap---was-wrong/?sh=7a7ddece5fe5) - Wind farms produced 'practically no electricity' during Britain's cold snap (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/6957501/Wind-farms-produced-practically-no-electricity-during-Britains-cold-snap.html) - The Costs and Benefits of Hydropower (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/costs-and-benefits-hydropower-180967691/) - Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Reservoir Water Surfaces: A New Global Synthesis (https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/66/11/949/2754271) - Iceland Volcano Update: Eruption-Making Magma Shift May Be 'Days' Away (https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/iceland-volcano-update-eruption-making-magma-shift-may-be-days-away/ar-AA1l9CZY) 00:00 - Intro 00:33 - Solar Panels 01:28 - FREE Solar Panels 01:52 - Wind Farms 02:27 - The wind stopped 02:56 - Geothermal power 03:46 - Is there a solution? 04:13 - The Power Problem 05:09 - Hydropower 05:49 - The greenhouse gas issue 06:32 - Climate Change 07:26 - Geothermal revisited 07:26 - Wrapping up 08:28 - What happens if we ditch Fossil Fuels? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OkYUle_Cr0) 08:31 - Your Green Story More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Chrome is a fantastic web browser - except when it eats all your CPU power and crashes your puter. What's going on here? I thought Chrome was lean, mean, and zippy? Well, it IS... But the Software Reporter Tool that it downloads and runs to scan your computer "for evil add-ons" may be up to more than just making sure Chrome runs well (which is hilarious, since it ends up crashing the puters of so many of us!). Well, whatever... How do you turn the dang thing OFF?! Now, it's easy! I also throw in a few other privacy-enhancing tips if you're using Chrome. More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info

Common wisdom dictates that you're supposed to use your air conditioning in a certain way. Let it warm up during the day or when you're not at home. If you're really hot, turn it way, WAY down and it'll magically cool faster. How you use your A/C depends on who you listen to... And on that front, you probably want to listen to the people who design, install, and maintain A/C. Because while scientific theories are great, practical realities back down here on Earth are better! More techie tips: https://scottiestech.info