Have I been Pwned?

Many of you will notice that there is a huge influx of emails going around indicating that you’re being watched, emails that appear to be sent by you or someone indicating they have access to your online life. While many of these emails are simple scare tactics, one always has to wonder how much truth is behind what is being said.  What could they have access to? Have any of my accounts been compromised?

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Laptop Power Settings

Were you aware that you can adjust the power output of your laptop?  That if you are connected to a power supply, to increase the performance and CPU usage while working on tasks. Or if you have taken your laptop into a meeting to switch into a power saving mode to favour better battery life? Adjusting your power settings appropriately based on your work needs is essential. Below are instructions for both Windows and Mac users to optimize power settings for high performance when plugged in and for power saving when on battery.

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Outlook’s Scheduling Poll

We’ve all faced the challenge of coordinating meetings and finding a time that works for everyone. It can be frustrating, often requiring multiple emails and coordination of efforts. Many of us have turned to third-party tools like ‘Doodle Poll’ in an attempt to simplify this process.

Recently, I found an existing feature within Outlook that I’d like to share with you that could help streamline your scheduling: “New Scheduling Poll.” This tool is integrated directly into our Outlook email system and offers a convenient alternative to external apps.

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Mac Users – Quit approving accessories

Every new operating system introduces its own set of challenges, and MacOS is no exception. With each upgrade or update, MacOS users often encounter new hurdles.

One common issue for those using MacOS Sonoma is the need to approve new external devices each time they’re connected. This could include external drives, USB thumb drives, cameras, microphones, or adapters. Typically, a pop-up window appears to approve the device’s use.

However, there are times when this pop-up quickly vanishes before you can approve the device, leaving you unable to use your attached hardware. Or perhaps you’re simply tired of seeing this pop-up every time.

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What version of Windows should I use?

Throughout its history, Microsoft has unveiled various Windows versions, starting from Windows 3.1 up to the current at Windows 11. The common question is: Should I upgrade to the latest version?

As a suggestion when you do decide to upgrade to a new OS. When a new version of Windows is released, I would recommend to delay your upgrade for a few months after a new release. This gives early adopters the chance to identify and rectify potential issues. Companies like Microsoft and Apple can do extensive testing prior to release, but they can’t account for all the various hardware and software that us users have on our computers. So in a way, those first couple months are a kind of final testing.

My theory on upgrading is that you should consider updating to every alternate version of Windows. Throughout their versions they will have a good solid release, followed by one that needed work, and then another solid release. And my theory seems to hold up when you look back at the previous versions.

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Where are my “Power Options in Windows?”

For most laptop users, the term ‘Power Options’ within Windows might ring a bell. But did you know that even desktops, and in some cases servers, have these power settings?

Power options are pivotal for efficient energy management and performance. Depending on your device and usage, different settings might be more suitable. In this article, we’ll delve into these power options, why they might go missing, and how to retrieve them.

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