Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Can you tell the location of a caller by their phone number?

Posted on October 16, 2023

Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter

Question from Martha: About three or four times a month I get a call from the number (205) 595-XXXX.

(I blanked out the last four digits to protect the caller in case everything is on the up and up.)

The strange thing is this person just calls and then hangs up just as soon as I answer. Then it’ll be a week or two before they call again.

I won’t tell you where I live because I don’t want this person to see it and hunt me down. I know I’m probably just being paranoid, but it does worry me.

My question for you is do you know if it’s possible to determine where that caller is located just from looking at the phone number? [Read more…]

Enable Low Power Mode to extend your iPhone’s battery charge

Posted on October 16, 2023

Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter

iPhone users started complaining about their phones’ horrible battery lives almost as soon as the first iPhone was released.

In response, Apple developed a comprehensive strategy for improving the battery life in their devices.

As part of that comprehensive strategy, beginning with the release of iOS 9 they began to provide a Low Power Mode that can greatly increase the duration of each battery charge. [Read more…]

Generative Artificial Intelligence: The silent revolution in digital design and artistry

Posted on October 16, 2023

The advent of generative AI has quietly initiated a revolutionary wave, transforming digital design and artistry landscapes.

This technological marvel has unfolded new dimensions of creativity, enabling the synthesis of digital content that is as intricate as it is innovative. [Read more…]

How to disable Predictive Text on your iPhone

Posted on October 14, 2023

Your iPhone’s keyboard has a feature called Predictive Text that analyzes your words as you are typing and tries to predict what you are going to type next.

When you first get a new iPhone it doesn’t do all that great at predicting what you’re planning to type.

However, over time, it can become surprisingly accurate with its predictions as it learns the way you “think” and type.

Most folks seem to love the Predictive Text feature and consider it to be a huge time saver, but every now and then I’ll receive a request for instructions for turning it off.

[Read more…]

Q&A: Which version of Linux should I replace Windows with?

Posted on October 14, 2023

Question from Ed: I have a Lenovo laptop that came with Windows 8.1 preinstalled.

The hard drive died and I have to replace it and my co-worker recommended that I install Linux on it.

The thing is, there are so many Linux versions to choose from that trying to pick one is about to make my head explode.

Which version of Linux do you recommend for a system that was running Windows 8.1 previously? [Read more…]