Category: Uncategorized

Browser – “New” Microsoft Edge (Sep 2020)

Testing the “New” Microsoft Edge Web Browser

Technology Tips – Published September 2020 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

If you are not familiar with “Edge” it is the replacement web browser for the venerable but outdated and somewhat insecure browser – Internet Explorer. Yes, Internet Explorer remains on Windows 10 computers for those rare compatibility situations but you should not be using it routinely. The first iteration of “Edge” in 2015 was a ho hum affair. It never developed wide acceptance as most consumers gravitated toward using Chrome. In early 2020 Microsoft released the new version of “Edge” based on the Chromium engine, the same one that Chrome uses.

It was recently downloaded to me via Windows Update but you can also download it from Microsoft at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge. It’s a free add-on to Windows 10 and is also available free for Windows 7 and 8 PC’s. You should see a download button in the center of the page after you enter the above address into your Chrome or Firefox browser. The new “Edge” file will be downloaded into your Downloads folder. Double click
“MicrosoftEdgeSetup.exe” to install “Edge”.

The setup procedure is fairly easy. Once it’s installed you’ll be presented with a few screens to get you going. If you are presently a Chrome user choose “Import from Google Chrome”. When clicking “More import options” you’ll see a window showing all of the import items available. Choose all of them to import all of the Chrome settings then click “Confirm”. Next is the setup for new tabs. You’ll see “Inspirational”, “Informational” and “Focused”. In my opinion it’s a bit overblown as “Inspirational” and “Informational” merely adds a background picture to the two windows. “Focused” just eliminates a background picture. Next, is the choice to sync your data to other devices when you are signed in to your Microsoft account. Toggle the switch to “No” if no syncing is for you. The last setup screen allows you personalize advertising sent to you, courtesy of “Edge”. You might want to set the switch to “No”.

Clicking the 3 horizontal dots at the upper right takes you to a menu of items. Scroll down near the bottom and click Settings. On the left, under “Privacy and services”, turn on “Tracking prevention” and click “Strict”. Click “On startup” and choose the setting of your home page when you start up “Edge”. “Site permissions” are preset so for almost everyone there’s nothing to change. However, it’s best to review them for your needs. Clicking “Default browser” allows you to set “Edge” as the browser that, for example, will start when you click a web site link in an email or attachment. Clicking “About Microsoft Edge” will allow you to update “Edge” if necessary. You can review other settings not mentioned above as needed.

So how does “Edge” compare to Chrome? In my testing, very favorably. Since they both are based on Chromium the use of memory is about the same. Firefox uses a bit more memory than Edge or Chrome. So which is fastest? “Edge” comes out on top by a slight measure over Chrome. Firefox was faster on some sites but slower on others by a second or less.

Give “Edge” a try – you may like it.

Windows 10 Oddball Problems (July 2020)

Technology Tips – Published July 2020 in the Guide and Digest

by Don Trauger – Kennett

Windows 10 has been available to us for over 5 years. We’ve seen a number of problems in that time period. One of the major problems is Microsoft itself not fully testing their updates. We end up being their guinea pigs. For more information on the subject please read my article on Microsoft Updates in the Nov. 2019 issue or click the following link to read it at our HM web site. https://hersheysmill.org/?s=advanced+options

Another area that has issues is the way Windows 10 boots up. Microsoft has a fast startup feature that does improve boot up speed but it can also introduce startup problems. Type Control Panel in the “Type here to search field” on your Desktop screen then click “Open”. Click Power Options. If you don’t see it, look at the upper right, click Click “Category” and choose “Large icons” then click “Power Options”. This fast startup feature can be turned off by clicking on “Choose what the power buttons do”. In the next window click “Change settings that are currently unavailable” that is near the top of the window. Now remove the check next to “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” and click “Save changes” at the bottom and close any open windows.

The fast startup feature captures all the information from memory and saves it in one file when you shut down the computer. Upon turning it back on it only has to read this one file to get the computer started and running. The problem that can arise is that it captures bad memory bits along with good memory bits. These bad bits can invoke all kinds of startup problems on the next power up start. This does not frequently happen but it’s not uncommon either. Yes, there is a downside to turning this feature off, in that the next time you restart the computer it will take twice as long to come up to the Desktop screen. In other words it starts the same way older versions of Windows started.

Remember to do your regular monthly maintenance to keep your Windows problems at a minimum. This is required and not an option or something like “I didn’t know you had to do anything”, Read about here: https://hersheysmill.org/resources/technology/computer-performance-maintenance-tips/wise-disk-cleaner-and-registry-cleaner-mar-2020/

UPDATES: Face Masks, Restaurant Curbside Pick Up, Grocery Stores
Hershey’s Mill Master Association

Fellow Hershey’s Mill Residents,
 (This has been sent to all HM residents registered on the HM email platform)
Update #18  See below the email for the Lighter Side

This Email Contains Information On:
Face Masks
Restaurant Curbside Pick Up
Grocery Stores

**********************************************************************************************
FACE MASK UPDATE:
– Helping Hands currently has requests for approximately 80 Face Masks.  Volunteers are making masks.  We do not know when the current requests will be filled and more requests are coming in.  If you are ok waiting for a mask, we will get one to you as soon as possible.
These masks are double layered.  They are not N95 masks.  N95 masks are for medical professionals working directly with COVID-19 patients. They are appropriate for grocery shopping and other similar errands.

– Alternate Choice – We have arranged for a seamstress to make masks to help meet the demand.  These masks are made to order.

These masks are triple layered.  They also are not N95 masks. N95 masks are for medical professionals working directly with COVID-19 patients. They are appropriate for grocery shopping, visits to the doctor and other similar errands.
The masks, made by an outside seamstress, are $10.00 each.

We have made arrangements to have a bulk order of masks made for Hershey’s Mill residents who request one. Please contact your Village Coordinator or Volunteer to be your Village Coordinator.

We are gathering orders by Village. Masks must be paid for at time of pick up from the seamstress. One check, per village, payable directly to the seamstress.

Village Coordinator, please contact by return email: bsfkane@gmail.com
Village Name
Village Coordinator Name
Number of masks for males
Number of masks for females
Address
Phone Number

We will call you and answer any further questions.

First order going in at 4 PM today.  First Ordered, First Received.

*********************************************************************************

Curbside Pick Up Take Out Food

1) Box Lunches

Suburban Food Company is offering box lunches which include a sandwich, fruit, chips and a cookie for 9.95.
If they receive enough orders, they will deliver.  Helping Hands volunteers will pick up with 24 hours notice.
Call Nick at 610-618-9250 if you want to order a box lunch. These box lunches are not yet advertised on their website, but many other items are. Go to suburban food service.com and click on catering service menu.

2) Core De Roma – 327 East Gay Street, West Chester, PA, 610-701-8485
Excellent Italian Food.  Curbside PickUp from 3 PM – 8:00 PM  Delivery through delivery services.
Click Here to be taken to the Core De Roma website and menus

3) Hershey’s Mill Golf Club – See Instructions and Menu BELOW:
CURBSIDE Pick  Up Only – Drive up to the front door and ROLL DOWN YOUR REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW.
Keep yourself and the Club Staff safe and healthy.

4) Kildare’s Irish Pub – 18 W.Gay Street, West Chester, PA 610-839-8768
Curbside Pick Up – Click here to be taken to Kildare’s Irish Pub Menu Pages

GROCERIES

ShopRite – West Goshen Town Center – 610-696-4066
Delivery and Curbside Pick Up

ACME – 907 Paoli Pike, West Chester – 610-431-4726
Delivery Service – Senior Shopping 7 am – 9 am

Giant – Rt 30 seems to be better stocked from reports we have heard.
Senior Shopping 6 am – 8 am.

NEIGHBORS:

– Please check on your neighbors regularly.  A simple phone call checking in may make all the difference in someone’s day. We are all in this together – call a neighbor or two today.  If you just moved here an don’t know any one, call one of your Village Council members.

-Please communicate this information to any neighbor that does not receive emails.

– Please check with your friends and neighbors to be sure they see the COVID-19 emails.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

1)    Please tune into Hershey’s Mill Community TV (HMTC) Channel 1971 for updates via scrolling banners

2)    Please log onto hersheysmill.org for updates on the HersheyMill website.

We thank you for your understanding and patience as we navigate these unprecedented times.

On behalf of the Hershey’s Mill Technology Committe,

To your health and safety,

Wash your hands, stay healthy,

Sherry & Bill Kane
Co-Chairs, Technology Committee

Note: Emails sent out Community wide through the HM Email Platform are for internal HM use only and not for public distribution, posting on any type of website, with the exception of the hersheysmill.org website, or used in any other manner available to the general public or those residing outside Hershey’s Mill.