Saturday, May 31, 2014

Top 10 Incredibly Useful Windows Programs to Have On Hand

Top 10 Incredibly Useful Windows Programs to Have On Hand: Some apps are essential, and you use them every day. Everyone knows their names: Firefox, VLC, 7-Zip, and so on. However, there's another class of app that gets less attention: the apps that are insanely useful to have in your back pocket on the rare occasions you need them. Here are 10 of our favorites.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Saving the wild salmon - CBS News

Saving the wild salmon - CBS News: Saving the wild salmon

Do salmon farms help or hurt the declining wild salmon population? Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports on the controversy surrounding the multibillion dollar industry.

Friday, May 9, 2014

How to switch your Windows 8.1 log-in to a local account - CNET

How to switch your Windows 8.1 log-in to a local account - CNET

How to move your OneDrive local storage to another drive - CNET

How to move your OneDrive local storage to another drive - CNET





With Microsoft's recent release of Windows 8.1, the cloud-storage
service formerly known as SkyDrive officially became OneDrive. And it
remains tightly integrated with the OS.



So integrated, in fact,
that it syncs your cloud files to your hard drive, and vice-versa.
That's a handy feature, to be sure, but what happens if you're running
out of space on that local drive?



This can definitely be a problem for anyone with, say, a Surface or similar tablet,
or a laptop with a small solid-state drive. Fortunately, it's a simple
matter to relocate OneDrive's local storage to another storage device,
thereby freeing up critical space.



What kind of device? Because it's something you'll want to keep plugged in full-time, I recommend a tiny flash drive like the PKparis K'1 or much more affordable Team C12G (currently $15.99 at Newegg for the 32GB version).



Once you've added your drive, here's how to strongarm Windows 8.1 into moving your local OneDrive folders to it:

Monday, May 5, 2014

iPad Resources

Hello AT/AAC people!

     I've only been emailing you about 2-3 times per month so I don't think I've been taking advantage of your good nature in allowing me 'in' to your lives ;-)

     My RoadTrip requests this year have been significantly less than previous years.  I have to face it; I'm older (61) and I strive to stay relevant and current. I still get comments like "I wish you moved in with us!" and "We [the support team] didn't even think of that!" when I do visit with 'you, so I hope you ask me to visit *your* facility soon!  It's (almost) free and I LOVE doing it!  Any ages, any disabilities. And with my new knowledge about ASD, from my current efforts towards a Masters in Autism Instruction, I *do * consider myself an "expert" in ASD technology.

     Back to business, though.  There *are* newer companies with 'newer' people now.  I don't think they do a better job than I, but they are younger, and they get around! I have to hand it to them. So, get ready, and here they are, my competitors (and colleagues)*:

Ablenet - Always a solid company, and they have re-invented themselves also, since the iPad. They make a lot of the same types of things I do (but mine are less money).  But they still make great stuff and are current and relevant.

http://ablenetinc.com

Therapy Box - Over in the UK, they've made some (rather pricey, but great) apps, like Predictable, and now Chat-able, and they carry several things by several other companies. They alway do a 'warm' newsletter with great stories :-)

http://therapy-box.uk.co

Inclusive Technology - I don't know how they do it but they come out with app after app, and several are free.  They also carry several nice iPad hardware items. They are a strong competitor! Their prices are a bit higher than mine, but great stuff.  You can play their games online at:

http://helpkidzlearn.com

     Remember that all interfaces work with all apps, regardless of company. You might need a bit of tech support, so call 1-800-RJCooper (me) or email for any help with any interface from any company with any app from any company.

Enabling Devices - The owner of this company, Steven Kanor, and I had been friends for years, but recently he moved more to the background and a real 'business person' (steamroller: Karen) took over operations and I'm not very happy with them, as they've copied, exactly, several of my products, without permission, after reselling them for years.  Not happy at all.
     But, they do make a bunch of things that no one else makes so they are still of value *to you*, hence I include them here as a *service to you*:

http://enablingdevices.com

(I do ask that you consider me first, though, for anything that we *both* make)

AMDI - Their original 'claim to fame' was a line of AAC devices in the $4000 range and less.  Good products.  But they never *really* caught on.  They've also re-invented themselves for the iPad and carry mounting products, similar to mine (mine are less $, of course), and other iPad things, most notably, the iAdapter *rugged* cases w/built-in speaker and stand.  Great product.  A bit pricey but does what it is advertised to do.
    Of BIG note for this company, they are the only ones that make a real variety of 'odd' switches', like piezo-electric and proximity.

http://amdi.net

Attainment Company - Known best for paper-oriented picture support materials, they are probably best known for the GoTalk device, rugged and solid, and reasonably priced.  Once again, a company that has re-invented themselves, they produce iPad cases that are nice competitors to my Ultimate II's. They're worth a look-see. They also make some nice social skills apps. Not to forget, my favorite, for now, AAC app, GoTalk Now.  One of the only ones that does video and music.

http://attainmentcompany.com

     There *are* companies like EnableMart and InfoGrip that carry *everyone's* products, including just a few of mine.  I'm not a big favorite of these 'all in one' stores as my stuff is so specific to people and populations, but they do serve a purpose.  If they don't have something of mine, and you *must* order through them, but they say they don't carry it, insist, because they do.  Usually, it's a case of not making enough money on my stuff because my stuff is *always* lower priced than others.

And here is MY home page:

http://rjcooper.com

     So, if you've ever seen Miracle on 34th Street (the original), this concept of sending you to competitors should sound familiar ;-)  If not, watch the movie at the holiday season this year ;-)

Until next time!

RJ :-)

P.S. Don't want my little 'bring-a-smile-to-your-face' emails here, just UnSubscribe below.

RJ Cooper & Associates, Inc. | 22600-A Lambert St. Suite 708 | Lake Forest | CA | 92630 | US

7 More Issues With Windows 8.1 That Can Be Fixed

7 More Issues With Windows 8.1 That Can Be Fixed: Windows 8.1 has been available since October 2013, with its first major update having just been released on April 8th. In light of the release, we take the chance to follow up on our original 7 Windows 8.1 Upgrade Issues and How to Fix Them article with another look at some problems and issues that users have faced when using Microsoft’s flagship operating system.