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20th Anniversary
August of 2022 marks the 20th Anniversary of this website. While this website does focus on tech, there are times when it does go off topic. This is one of those times.
A new section is being constructed for the last frontier state, Alaska.
Within six days, hundreds of photos were shot covering Anchorage, Wasilla, and Seward.
Having family in the 49th state for over thirty years is concerning that it took this long to visit this state.
Webside Upgrades
Some sections of the website will have icons to switch from certain pages, within a section of the website. This is being tested on the Alaska section that has been added this week (still under development).
In addition, a new slide show control will be added as well. The current version will display images in a random order (with the posiibility of duplicates).
Not all USB (type C) chargers are the same
Many devices are using USB (type C) chargers these days including computers such as Chromebooks and Raspberry Pi's.
Just because these devices have the same end that will work with your mobile phone, doesn't mean that you should use them to charge your phone.
These computer devices require additional amps to charge their batteries or operate them that are higher than the amps used on your phone.
Using the wrong charger (not the one that came with your phone) can create the following:
Overheating
Cracking of the mobile device
Possible battery explosion
Voiding of the warranty because the approved charger wasn't used.
Amps are the killer to mobile electronics. Too many can destroy the device.
Be wise when charging your electronics.
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Amazon Fresh
While in the Federal Way area in August, Amazon Fresh opened at The Commons (where Sears was).
Many changes have happened to this mall that has been in the area for 47 years from Link light rail, new stores, and Dick's Drive In, this mall is very different than what it was when it opened in August of 1975.
This controversial store, with contactless pay, is covered in the Amazon section.
Upgraded to Gigabit Speeds
With the twentieth anniversary of the website, the completion of gigabit bandwidth has been completed with the installtion of a Netgear Nighthawk CM1200 cable modem.
For the last two years, the network has been upgraded and improved to add routers and level 3 smartswitches to increase traffic and speeds at using gigabit ethernet connections. With the addition of the cable modem, this hardware upgrade has been completed.
Availability of Raspberry Pi 4 devices
The availability of Raspberry Pi 4 devices is in short supply again.
While there was a supply available in December, that supply has decreased. What is available is at higher prices (less than $200 for an 8gb model).
The exception to this rule is purchasing the model 400 series that includes the keyboard.
This device uses a different board (than the 4) that is overclocked and contains a heat sink.
One of these was purchased this year for a family member and will be featured soon.
Information about this model will be available on the website soon.