Wednesday, July 22, 2020

HTPC Software for Win-10 & more

Best HTPC Software In 2020 for Home Streaming:
https://www.addictivetips.com/media-streaming/best-htpc-software/
https://mediaexperience.com/top-10-most-popular-media-center-software-for-your-hdtv/

"If you'll be streaming content from off the internet, consider investing in a VPN.
...
 IPVanish offers great speeds for streaming and downloads at a lower price than other options, and because of that they're the optimal choice for using alongside Kodi and other HTPC applications."


Kodi - previously known as XMBC (Xbox Media Player). Kodi isn't just a streaming box, though. It offers incredible versatility for managing and playing all kinds of media types, thanks to its open-source architecture.

Kodi add-ons developed by 1st and 3rd party developers alike add a truly staggering amount of functionality to the application. A popular example is Trakt, which tracks your viewing habits and syncs them to your Trakt account so that you can keep track of what you have and haven't yet seen on your Kodi machine (while sharing this information with your friends)!

    Supported OSes: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
    Supported Media: Video (Movies/TV Shows), Music, IPTV, Radio, Photos, Games (with add-ons)
    Streaming Capable?: Yes


Plex - Plex makes it extremely easy to turn your main PC into a media server from which your phone, other PCs in the house or even other PCs across the internet can stream your media.

Plex, like Kodi, also offers add-ons and custom channels, though Plex is better suited for streaming your own media between the two. However, if you're a diehard Kodi fan (and really, who isn't?) you'll be overjoyed to learn that you can access your Plex library via the Plex for Kodi application. Seamless integration makes for an incredible all-in-one media viewing experience that is truly second to none.

For most HTPC solutions, we find a combination of Kodi and Plex to be the most powerful and flexible solution.

    Supported OSes (Server): Windows, Mac, Linux (various distros)
    Supported Platforms (Streaming): Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Kodi, many more
    Supported Media: Video (Movies/TV Shows), Music
    Streaming Capable?: Yes


Emby -  focuses on two things above all: streaming media and ease of use. While it isn't the most powerful or in-depth media streaming solution out there, it might just provide the friendliest user experience for those who aren't as comfortable tinkering with a media server (or who may not even know what it is at all).

    Supported OSes (Server): Windows, Mac, Linux, NAS, Docker, FreeBSD
    Supported Platforms (Streaming): Android, iOS, many more
    Supported Media: Video, Music
    Streaming Capable?: Yes


NextPVR - NextPVR is probably the best alternative to Windows Media Center to watch and record live TV.
It is easy to set up and supports advanced features like recording series.
You can use NextPVR as a front-end application, but the user interface is not as stylish as WMC or Kodi, but it is clean and simple.
You can also use NextPVR as a back-end and integrate it with Kodi using a PVR add-on.


MythTV - MythTV is the PVR of the Linux media center. You can record your shows and play them back at any time. It used to be a great alternative to TiVo.
This one is for advanced users that want to set up their home theater computer to link to their television. Once linked, you will be able to record live television programs and store them on your PC.
Unfortunately, MythTV development has been discontinued.

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The Best PC Software For Windows 10, 8, 7 In 2020:
https://blogs.systweak.com/must-have-windows-10-software/


Friday, July 17, 2020

MS Office substitutes

NOTE: support for Office 2010 ends in October 2020
Free Microsoft Office Alternatives (Microsoft 365 costs $69.99/year):
https://www.howtogeek.com/671262/the-best-free-microsoft-office-alternatives/
  Apache OpenOffice - The free and Open Source productivity suite - https://www.openoffice.org/download/index.html
  LibreOffice: Open-Source Desktop Apps - https://www.libreoffice.org/
  Google Drive: Web-Based Work Apps From Google - https://www.google.com/drive/
  FreeOffice: Versatile Productivity on Most Devices - https://www.freeoffice.com/en/
  Microsoft Office Online: Fewer Features But No Cost - OneNote, Teams, etc. - https://www.office.com/

M.2 and NVMe SSDs: What are they and how do they benefit your PC? - Newegg Insider

https://www.newegg.com/insider/m-2-and-nvme-ssds-what-are-they-and-how-do-they-benefit-your-pc/

Monday, July 13, 2020

Classic car wiring options

Hot Rods - Fuse Panel, Ignition Switches, Etc... How to Wire Stuff Up Under the Dash.
http://www.how-to-build-hotrods.com/fuse-panel.html

5 Best Ways to Install a Kill Switch in Your Car (anti-theft):
https://dashcameras.net/car-kill-switch/

Custom Aftermarket Fuse Boxes:
 https://mgispeedware.com/product-category/aftermarket-fuse-boxes/

Laminated Wiring diagrams: 1961 Lincoln - https://www.classiccarwiring.com/lincoln/ - different sizes available
1964 Falcon:  https://www.classiccarwiring.com/falcon-maverick-1960-1973/ - note 1965 alternator conversion ...

Complete wiring harnesses:
American Autowire:
https://www.americanautowire.com/
Possible choice for an early Lincoln:  https://www.americanautowire.com/shop?aw_vehicle_fits=1116   or
https://www.painlessperformance.com/wc/symm.php?Year=1961&Make=Lincoln&Model=Continental&sb1=+

Possible choices for a 64 Falcon:  https://www.americanautowire.com/shop?aw_vehicle_fits=994  <==  Mustang update kit is very complete!

Possible choices for 64 Falcon:  https://www.painlessperformance.com/wc/symm.php?Year=1964&Make=Ford&Model=Falcon&sb1=+   <== Better prices than I expected.

@ Summit: https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/wiring-harnesses
@ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=automotive&bbn=15729931&rh=n%3A15684181%2Cn%3A15690151%2Cn%3A15719731%2Cn%3A15729591%2Cn%3A15729601%2Cn%3A15729931%2Cp_72%3A1248861011%2Cp_36%3A1253497011&dc&fst=as%3Aoff&qid=1594657319&rnid=386419011&ref=sr_nr_p_36_5
  or
https://www.amazon.com/classic-car-wiring-harness/s?k=classic+car+wiring+harness

Six to Twelve Volt Conversions:  http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/six12.htm

How to Do Hot Rod Wiring the Right Way:  http://www.how-to-build-hotrods.com/hot-rod-wiring.html
Several tutorials ...
-Welcome to Wiring 101!
-A 6v to 12v Conversion to Improve Your Car!
-Rewiring Checklist
-Wiring Tips
-Impoved Power Circuit! How to Fix a Weak or Overloaded Electrical System
-Fuse Panel, Ignition Switches, Etc... How to Wire Stuff Up Under the Dash.
-How to Wire up Lights in Your Hotrod!
-How to Add Turn Signals and Wire Them Up
-Got Led Problems?
-Electrical Gremlins: The Simple Approach to Fixing Them
-Electric Fuel Pump: How to Do It Right



Friday, July 10, 2020

Use Google Voice for calls from a PC or cell phone over WiFi

Tech how-to: Make phone calls from your computer:
https://www.komando.com/tech-tips/make-phone-calls-from-your-computer/736698/
Google Voice is one of the options mentioned ...

(Read about it before signing up ...)
What Is Google Voice?  One voice number no matter how many times you change providers or jobs
https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-google-voice-1616888

Google Voice deserves your attention (again) - A once-abandoned Google service is finding new life — and deserves a second look.
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3564825/google-voice.html

How to Use Google Voice On Your Computer Desktop:  
https://www.techjunkie.com/google-voice-desktop/

Download Google Voice for Windows:  https://downloads.tomsguide.com/Google-Voice,0301-51918.html
Read comments about some settings that will improve it ...

Google Voice Free Download for Windows 10:  https://appforwin10.com/google-voice-free-download-for-windows-10.html

(From Google) Get Voice:  https://voice.google.com/about

Google Voice (iPhone):  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-voice/id318698524
Google Voice gives you a phone number for calling, text messaging, and voicemail. It works on smartphones and computers, and syncs across your devices so you can use the app in the office, at home, or on the go.
NOTE: Google Voice only works for personal Google Accounts in the US

(Related) Google Fi: The complete FAQ: https://www.computerworld.com/article/3323068/google-fi-project-fi.html