Articles
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Tales From a Computer Guy: "Something Exploded in There"
If you read my previous article, you know that I used to work for the now-defunct Totally Awesome Computers (a chain of local computer sales/repair shops in Northern Utah) One…
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The Great Hack of 2020
SolarWinds is a company that offers server monitoring (among other things). It does so through a user with administrative access to servers. Many companies use SolarWinds'…
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Regarding Texas' Petition to the Supreme Court concerning the 2020 Election
Regarding the election, and Texas' petition to the US Supreme Court regarding the handling of the elections in the States named in their complaint, here are a few points to…
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Tales From a Computer Guy: "It Won't Turn On!!!"
I used to work for the now-defunct Totally Awesome Computers . This was a chain of local computer sales/repair shops in Northern Utah. What made us stand out from the competition…
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OPPO Watch Extended Review: A Fresh Look at the "Google Watch"
Apple has just released its new wearable which incrementally improves on their prior version. But despite all the new bells-and-whistles, Apple Watch series 6 still misses out in…
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Product Review: KeySmart Pro, Star Trek Edition - with built-in Tile
Background Some years ago, I was browsing Kickstarter and came across what I thought was a pretty cool gadget which was beautiful in its simplicity: two pieces of metal attached…
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Home Assistant, Part 2: Installation and Hardware Considerations
First off, the official Home Assistant "Getting Started" page has a bunch of information that is VERY useful. The problem with options is that sometimes it take a lot of trial…
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Home Assistant, Part 1: Yet Another Home Assistant Convert
Welcome to yet another article about Home Assistant . First, what is Home Assistant ? Second, why do we need yet another series of articles about it? What is Home Assistant ?…
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Everything you need to know about 5G: What it is, what it isn’t
5G is all the rage with wireless carriers these days, but as with everything new, there’s a lot of confusion and misinformation circulating. Let’s dig into what 5G is, and more…
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Let's do something meaningful to stop mass-murders
Have you noticed that the vast majority of these mass-murders occur in locations which have "no guns allowed" policies? These policies turn every person within them into a…
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AREDN Node in Cache Junction
I'm a firm believer in HAM Radio as a tool for communications especially during emergencies when traditional methods may not work. Before I jump into what AREDN is, how to use…
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Why am I “Republican”?
Words have meaning. I know that sounds obvious, but think about it for a moment: to effectively communicate, we all have to have a basic understanding of what the words we use…
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State Central Committee of the Utah Republican Party
Cache County SCC Attendance, 2017-2019 I do not have data on those who left early (leaving your voice unheard), but here is the attendance data, taken directly from the Party…
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What is WiFi 6? And why it’s so important to the future of your mobile lifestyle
Wi-Fi (which is short for “Wireless Fidelity”) is on the brink of a major update: 802.11ax, also known as “WiFi 6”. For devices which include the new standard (and its requisite…
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Our dog ate my new phone!
My daughter's phone finally kicked the bucket. She, being a vibrant teenager, had more "need" of a phone than her frumpy ol' dad. Being the nice guy that I am, I handed her down…
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Is it “Racist” for a child to dress as a Native American for Halloween?
As the Halloween season approaches, the question of “appropriate” costumes is raised. Regarding the question of “cultural appropriation” or “racism” regarding Halloween Costumes…
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Life's not so Good with our LG Dishwasher
Updated August 2020! TL/dr I'd advise that you DO NOT BUY this or any LG appliance. Don't by any LG products until you know how this turns out , and then ONLY if you're satisfied…
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Choetech 50W 6-Port Desktop USB Charger (Product Review)
For better or worse, most gadgets these days are charged via USB. Most use standard, A-Type connectors on the supply-side, but the load-side can vary widely: from the most…
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Being Offended vs. Taking Offense
of·fend·ed əˈfendəd/ adjective resentful or annoyed, typically as a result of a perceived insult. Whether its a flag, a religion, a dress, a political party, or something someone…
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Part 1: The Problem with Utah Politics
Politics: Poly, meaning many; Ticks, blood sucking bugs. Chapter 1: The Background I've always hated politics. In high school, one of my teachers offered an extra-credit…
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Gun Friends: Support Amazon March 1st, 2018!
The Leftists have called for a boycott of Amazon because of their relationship with the National Rifle Association. Let's counter that boycott by buying something through Amazon…
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URIs: The Anatomy of a Web Address
Background We often take for granted the ease at which we can retrieve "stuff" over the Internet. Recently, at work, I was asked what sounded like an easy enough question, but…
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Finally, a Successfully UTGOP SCC Meeting!
I got involved in the Utah Republican Party because I didn't like what I saw going on in Washington, D.C, and even in our own State. I felt like, despite my vote being counted at…
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BREAKING: UTGOP Coup Happening NOW (video)
Heads UP It looks like there is a coup happening RIGHT NOW in the Utah Republican Party!! Why doesn't Chairman Anderson want the SCC to meet and resolve the Party's legal costs…
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Monumental Misconceptions: The Truth Behind Bears Ears
On a winter Monday in December 2017, President Donald Trump was in Utah, signing two proclamations which effectively shrank the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national…
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My GEICO Horror Story: It feels like GEICO is punishing me for being the victim
Never trust a talking lizard trying to sell you insurance. To recap, while taking my wife on a date, parts from a tiny house being towed hit my brand new car. That should be a…
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The Republic is dead. Long live the Republic!
Last night, Count My Vote, SB54, and the Buckshot Caucus won - and the Republican process lost. A "former" Democrat didn't care about your elected neighborhood representative -…
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Report on Pocatello ARC Eclipse Event Planning Meeting
My wife (Natalie, KG7EEZ) and I (Joe, KF7NWA) attended the Eclipse Event Planning Meeting held at ISU by the Pocatello ARC last night. Here are the notes and observations I took…
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Help Keep Solar Affordable in Utah
The Utah Public Service Commission is scheduled to hold a Public Witness Hearing (Net Metering 14-035-114) today, 09 August 2017 to discuss Investigation of the Costs and…
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Security & Privacy: Secure Your Computer with your Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Security & Privacy are two vitally important components of any successful society. Today’s connected world, where we carry computers in our pockets and share all our details on…
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Song of the Day: Waiting For The End [LINKIN PARK COVER] feat. Linney
Most of you probably don't know this: back in the day, I was in the Advanced A Cappella Choir at Layton High School. I love percussion and songs with strong vocals. LINKIN PARK's…
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Did my Chevy Volt just get hit by a HOUSE?!
I was minding my own business, driving SB I-15 near Willard, Utah a when strips of vinyl siding from a tiny house flew off and collided with my brand new 2017 Chevy Volt Premier!…
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Dell Schanze 'banned' from using Segways at Las Vegas Hotel
Las Vegas, Nevada: According to a story which originally ran on KVVU-TV Fox 5 in Nevada, Dell Schanze and his wife recently ran into some trouble when they tried to stay at a Las…
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T-Mobile almost lost one of its most loyal customers today
I've been with T-Mobile for a long time. How long? I had a VoiceStream-branded Nokia - that's how long. Over the years, I put up with VoiceStream's limited network - I didn't…
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Security & Privacy: The Hidden Risks of WiFi
Security & Privacy are two vitally important components of any successful society. Today’s connected world, where we carry computers in our pockets and share all our details on…
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Security & Privacy: Your Fingerprint isn’t your Password – and neither is your face or iris
Security and Privacy are two vitally important components of any successful society. Today’s connected world, where we carry computers in our pockets and share all our details on…
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Security & Privacy: Location Tracking, ergo ‘They Know Where You Are’
Security and Privacy are two vitally important components of any successful society. Today’s connected world, where we carry computers in our pockets and share all our details on…
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Thank you! What an Experience!
It has been an honor and privilege to travel the state and meet so many passionate and courageous members of the Utah Republican Party. From the beginning, I felt the Divine hand…
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The Art of Bartering
One of the often-overlooked topics in prepping is barter. bar·ter - ˈbärdər, verb (gerund or present participle: bartering) exchange (goods or services) for other goods or…
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Security & Privacy: How to Physically Secure Your Phone
Security and Privacy are two vitally important components of any successful society. Today’s connected world, where we carry computers in our pockets and share all our details on…
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Security & Privacy: An introduction; concepts explained; theory
Security and Privacy, two words that we all can agree are vitally important and an integral part of any successful society. That makes it sound like we’re going to dive deeply…
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Vote For Joe Levi
💡 Who Is Joe Levi? When my wife and I married almost 20 years ago, we moved away from the hustle and bustle of the suburbs into a small farming community, off the beaten path…
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TOO LATE TO APOLOGIZE: A DECLARATION (video)
“On this day, 227 years ago, 39 courageous men signed the Constitution and forever changed the course of history.”, Lee Skabelund, Leg 18 Chair Not one of my children came home…
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Symbolism of Flags
Why do we use flags? Flags are symbols, but they’re also made up of symbols. Throughout history, flags (or banners) have been flown to tell others that a piece of land is claimed…
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Liberty Isn't Easy: Delegates, Here's your Call-To-Action
Here's my obligatory, post-election political post - but it's not what you might think. In Utah, we have something called the Caucus and Convention System. That system provides…
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The future of WiFi is Mesh, and Google might be missing out
The secret to unlocking all the cool technological stuff you can do in your home is centered around a very reliable network. Smartphones and tablets; TVs and streaming sticks;…
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How to stop the buzzing when you play music from your phone in your car
I've got a smartphone that I use to play music, podcasts, or even audio books during my daily commute. When I plug it into my AUX port I get an annoying buzzing sound that cycles…
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The inconvenient truth behind Robin Hood
Everyone knows the story of Robin Hood. "Robin Hood is a heroic outlaw in English folklore who, according to legend, was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. Traditionally…
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Best USB Wall Outlet I've used
Plugging a wall wart into an outlet is a pain. You've got a thing dangling from the wall that drains power whenever it's plugged in, you have to plug a cord into a thing, then…
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Save your lawn from the summer heat with Rachio, the smart sprinkler controller
We just built our new home, and being the geek that I am, I've been equipping it as a "smart home". I can open and close my garage doors from the internet, I get an alert if…