A Good Time to be Self-Reliant

 

I am a bargain shopper and I am reasonably handy with tools for both large- and small-scale projects. As a result, I'm seldom deterred from acquiring second-hand items that can be easily repaired, if the price is right. The important thing is to be cognizant of what is—and is not—within the realm of my technical expertise, including my ability to learn new skills or apply existing ones to a new challenge. 

Case in point—I recently won an auction on Shopgoodwill.com for three men’s watches, a Pulsar, a Fossil and a Timex. It turned out they all needed batteries and to have links removed from their bracelets to accommodate my smaller than average wrist. So far, I have the Timex and the Pulsar running. It has also prompted me to acquire some basic watch repair tools so I can adjust bracelets and change my own batteries going forward. After all, any task worth doing is worth acquiring the proper tools.

The Timex, black chrome with an Indiglo dial, was the easiest to work on. I was able to pop the back cover off with a pocket knife and discovered I had the correct battery on hand. I was also able to remove a few links from the expansion bracelet using a jeweler’s screwdriver and needle nose pliers. It had been about 20 years since I’d done particular operation and I had forgotten just how much of a pain it is to work on. I’m not sure if I want to undertake that again in the foreseeable future. The watch shows a bit more wear than the other two and the calendar doesn’t move. Having done everything to this watch necessary to make it minimally serviceable, I feel a good sense of satisfaction. I also recognize my technical limitations and I am thus content to live with the calendar permanently displaying the 27^th.

The Pulsar and the Fossil, both full stainless steel with latching bracelets, also require a case opening tool to access the battery, along with a pin removal tool to allow me to take links out of their bracelets. I found these tools are fairly inexpensive and have ordered them for about what it would cost to have a battery professionally installed. Nonetheless, impatience got the better of me so I took both watches to Batteries Plus, where I was told they were “not allowed” to work on the Fossil but they could install a battery in the Pulsar. They had given me a similar song and dance about an Armitron watch that I own, even though they had replaced its battery in the past. I’m not sure what to make of their reluctance regarding certain brands but I shall be taking that function into my own hands, going forward.

Both of these watches are slightly too large for my wrist, which leads me to believe links have already been removed and the similarity in their respective sizing suggests they may have previously been owned by the same person. I was able to tighten the Pulsar’s bracelet a bit at the clasp but I will also need remove at least one link for proper fitment. The Fossil has no adjustment at the clasp and thus will also need a link or two removed; that is, if I decide to keep it.

The Pulsar was the watch that initially attracted me to bid on this lot and is thus a keeper, while the Timex continues to grow on me, despite the non-functioning calendar, mainly because I like the Indiglo display. Of the three, the Fossil is my least favorite—it’s design leans more toward fashion than function, which just isn’t me. It has no calendar and no numbers or minute markers on the face. While attractive in a minimalist sort of way, it makes timekeeping approximate at best. It might be okay for dressy occasions but definitely not for daily wear. Once I put a battery in it, I’ll wear it for a day or two without adjusting the bracelet before deciding whether to put it up on eBay. The popularity of Fossil watches may make it fairly easy to sell and perhaps for enough to pay for the other two.

While I have grown accustomed over the years to paying to have the batteries replaced in my watches, acquiring the tools to do so myself will result in considerable savings; in fact, the tools will easily pay for themselves on their first or second use, considering that a five-pack of watch batteries typically costs $3-$4, while having a single battery professionally installed costs about $12. That’s a hefty markup. Beyond the monetary savings, self-reliance is an important consideration. I derive pleasure and satisfaction from being able to fix things myself instead of having to pay others to do them for me. For me, the ability to repair things is empowering

Chromebook—Eight Months Later

 So I've been using my HP Chromebook 14a for about eight months now and on some levels I've learned to love it but on others, I'm still not exactly feeling it. While the added availability of Linux, and to a lesser extent Android, apps is a welcome addition, which markedly enhances the machine's capabilities, its browser-in-a-box roots are still hard to ignore. After all, the original Chromebook concept was to leverage Google's various Web-based offerings, such as Gmail and Google Docs, since most users do the vast majority of their computing via a Web browser anyway.

I find that my needs regularly push beyond the limited, albeit improving, scope of the Web-based apps that are still at the core of Google's vision for Chrome OS. Locally installed Android apps at best seem to offer a workaround for some of the platform's shortcomings but few of them are well suited for a laptop with traditional keyboard and mouse inputs, as they're optimized for smaller touch screen devices—smart phones and tablets.

On the other hand, the ability to install and run Debian Linux applications is a huge step forward in productivity for me as I can run desktop applications like LibreOffice and the Thunderbird email client, and even the Firefox Web browser, to more closely match my accustomed workflow on Mac OS or Windows since I use multiple email addresses and Web-based productivity apps like Office365 and those bundled with Google Drive, are too feature limited for my needs. The biggest issue I've run into with Linux apps on Chrome OS is the need to repeatedly enlarge the drive space allotment for them.

While the Chromebook is well suited for certain specific functions like Zoom meetings, I still find its inherent limitations and persistent need for workarounds make it less than well suited for 'daily driver' duties and thus I continue to stick with Mac OS or Windows for most 'production level' work. That said, the few times I've pressed the Chromebook into service for daily work activities, it has performed adequately.

Even though I am nowhere near the point of being a complete Chromebook convert, I do see it as a viable alternative, especially for users whose computing activities are primarily Web-based. There is a lot of as yet unrealized potential here and I will be interested to see how Chrome OS and the hardware on which it runs evolves over the next few years. 

UPDATE--After trying for a couple of years to force the Chromebook to be something it was never fully capable of being, I threw in the proverbial towel and got a business grade laptop with Linux Mint installed, and instantly realized that it was what I had been looking for all along. My Dell Latitude 7490 is now my primary 'daily driver' computer, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have truly become a Linux convert.

USB-C--Is it a Panacea?

I've read with interest over the past couple of days the European Commission's recommendation that USB-C be adopted as a universal standard for charging ports and cables on all electronic devices in the European Union—to the exclusion of all others. It's a nice thought that seems reasonable on the surface but like most things in life, it's far more complicated than it appears. 

The recommendation is aimed at reducing e-waste by freeing users from the need to replace their chargers and cables every time they acquire a new device. It would also free manufacturers from including chargers and cables with said devices, turning those items into potentially profitable a la carte purchases for consumers. If made law, it would directly affect the European Union nations but would also indirectly affect other nations, including the United States, since it is arguably more cost effective for manufacturers to standardize their offerings worldwide.

In theory, such a requirement could eventually bring order to the cable chaos most people experience in their homes and from which I am no exception. Looking at my own devices and connectors, two of my three laptops have proprietary connectors. Only one, a Chromebook, uses USB-C. The same is true of my tablets: my iPad Air uses an Apple Lightning connector, as does my iPhone, while my older Amazon Fire HD8 tablet uses micro USB and my newer Fire HD10 tablet uses USB-C. A host of other devices, including Roku boxes, charging cases for wireless earbuds and portable battery pack chargers. And that's not to mention a couple of old iPods with their obsolete 30-pin connectors that simply refuse to die.

For many of these devices, there is no choice but to use their dedicated power bricks, although I often have duplicates for use at home and on the go. In other cases, I have employed USB outlet expanders to create charging stations where I commonly use certain devices. These outlet expanders combine multiple 110-volt outlets with USB plugs to power and/or charge devices, which largely eliminates the need for individual USB power bricks; for instance, I have USB cords for each of my tablets plugged directly into a USB outlet expander in my bedroom with the Lightning cable serving both my iPad and iPhone. But that doesn't mean I don't need the charging bricks. I carry one with me when I travel so I can charge the devices I carry along on the trip. The caveat here is I don't necessarily carry the original brick along with me.

While moving to a single connector—ostensibly USB-C—may be a laudable goal, it would not be possible for me to do so without replacing the majority of my devices. At present, I only use two devices that are equipped with USB-C ports, two with Lightning ports, and about eight with micro-USB. Suffice it to say, I will continue a multi-port existence for the foreseeable future.

What USB-C Gets Right
To be sure, USB-C, in many ways, fulfills and expands upon what the USB standard has promised since it first appeared in the late '90s. It supports rapid battery charging, high-speed data transfer and even audio and video, making it really the only port one needs. The symmetrical plug itself is a vast improvement over the asymmetrical mini-USB plug it is replacing in that you don't have to pay attention to its orientation when you plug it in. The same is true of the Apple Lightning connector and it is one of the reasons I will not miss micro-USB when it is finally dead and gone.

What USB-C Gets Wrong
The heading above may be a bit of an over-simplification but USB-C does have its shortcomings, not the least of which is that it hides multiple standards behind a common plug. If you don't believe me, try plugging a USB-C laptop into a phone or tablet charger. It simply doesn't provide enough power to charge the battery. Likewise, other USB-C devices may well promise charging or data transfer performance that can only be achieved with USB-C accessories specifically engineered for that device. This will inevitably lead to a degree of confusion and disappointment that will leave some consumers feeling intentionally or unintentionally deceived or that manufacturers could be over-promising and under-delivering.

Industry Response
The degree to which manufacturers would be affected by such a law would vary significantly. Some, like Samsung, are pretty much there already. Others, like Apple, would need to redesign entire product lines and are understandably protesting the recommendation. What Apple and others have already done is to omit the cable and charger from the box. In Apple's case, it would seem to me that a Lightning to USB-C adapter/dongle, either included with the device or as a separate purchase, should be an acceptable solution. Perhaps simply including a certificate or redemption code in the box for customers who need an adapter to order one would be even better in terms of satisfying both the needs of consumers and the goals of the European Commission. 

The other side of this coin would be to establish realistic expectations and this may require expanding the USB-C standard to include various levels or classes. These could include designations for whether a device or cable supports multimedia or data transfer as well as charging classes based on wattage. While it would necessarily add a layer or two of complexity, it would also potentially enhance understanding and thus foster more realistic expectations.

Whether or not the EU adopts the USB-C recommendations and how far they push them if they do remains to be seen but USB-C is here to stay. The big question remaining is how effectively to we adopt and implement it.

UPDATE (January 2025)--Apple is presently phasing out the last of its Lightning-equipped products, the iPhone 14 series, to make room for newer models with USB-C. These are no longer available in Europe, and are slated for discontinuation in the North American market later this year, to make room for the iPhone 17 series, which like the iPhone 15 and 16, will use USB-C.

LibreOffice: The Upgrade Odyssey

 Okay, the title sounds a little science fiction but LibreOffice just released version 7.2 today so I felt obligated to upgrade all three of my laptops--Windows, MacBook Pro, and Chromebook, each one with its own procedure. The first two were relatively easy. I've upgraded those so many times I practically can do it in my sleep. That said, the Windows version takes an inordinate number of mouse clicks when compared to the Mac version and then requires a second download and installation for the offline help pack. But of course, everything's more complicated on Windows than on a Mac, which is a breeze by comparison. Just download the file, let the disk image mount automatically, drag the icon to the Applications folder and launch when the file finishes copying over.

And then there's the Chromebook. LibreOffice on Chrome OS is a Debian Linux application, running in a 'walled garden' called Crostini. While this admittedly sounds cryptic to the uninitiated, Crostini is basically a protected environment that does not interact with the rest of the system. 

While I have a Linux application installed called Gnome Software Center, which serves up Linux apps in point-n-click fashion, I couldn't use it for this purpose because the version of LibreOffice contained in its repository is even older than the one already installed on my Chromebook, so my best option was to download LibreOffice directly from its Web site and install it manually. This usually involves entering a bunch of text commands in the Terminal app but after more than an hour of frustration, I found a much better way that involves only a single terminal command. The rest is point-n-click:

1. Remove existing LibreOffice (if there is one) by right-clicking its icon in the application launcher and selecting 'Uninstall'. This step is not completely necessary but it is advisable if you're running short of disk space.
2. Download the latest LibreOffice (Debian version) from www.libreoffice.org
3. Open the Files app and drag the archive you downloaded from the 'Downloads' folder to the 'Linux Files' folder, then double-click to open and navigate to the DEBS folder.
4. Right-click the DEBS folder and select 'Open with Terminal' from the pop-up menu. The Terminal app will automatically open with the DEBS folder selected.
5. In the Terminal window, type the command 'sudo dpkg -i *deb' and press 'Enter'. The installation process will take a couple of minutes and you will know it's complete when the screen stops updating.

When I set up the Linux environment on my Chromebook last spring, LibreOffice was the most challenging part of the installation, enough so that I decided to ignore the myriad prompts to accept lesser updates and wait for 7.2 before undertaking it. Now that I know an easier way, I might be more inclined to take the incremental updates on my Chromebook as well. 

One feature that has never been implemented in LibreOffice that I would love to see is the "Install" button on the "Check for Updates" dialog box. The 'Download' button next to it just takes one to the download page on the LibreOffice Web site but it would be very convenient to have a one-click install for updates, especially on my Chromebook. One can wish, I suppose.

When Windows Leaves Your Laptop Behind

 I've always been amused by the scene in Rob Reiner's film This is Spinal Tap where the lead guitarist of the titular fictional rock band explains that his amplifier's volume control goes up to "eleven" for when you need that little bit extra. In some ways, I'm a little surprised Microsoft hasn't capitalized on that clip for their Windows 11 advertising campaign. I can just see the ads now: "Turn your PC up to Eleven!"

Be that as it may, I was one of the myriad users who was disappointed to discover that that my Windows 10 laptop would be left out in the cold when the new version, rolls out later this year. And like a patient receiving word of a terminal illness, the question uppermost in my mind regarding that computer is 'how long have I got'? 

That said, I wasn't terribly surprised about my laptop's prognosis as it's a four-year-old,  low end model that shipped with Windows 10 but these days struggles to run the latest iteration of the OS. It's little wonder that when the warranty expired a couple of years ago, HP put a notice up on its screen suggesting I make immediate plans to replace the device. Nonetheless, I'm still using it, although not as my go-to machine. That honor goes to an even older MacBook Pro. Yeah, they're way more expensive up front but in the long run, the total cost of ownership is similar, if not lower. 

As a consummate technological cheapskate, I do feel like I need to make a long-term plan for this little HP laptop. Microsoft announced this week that support for Windows 10 is presently projected to end in October 2025. That means at least another four years of security patches but not feature upgrades. Of course, the flip side of the coin is that as I'm riding out Windows 10 support, I could end up stuck running older software versions as vendors stop supporting Windows 10 with their latest versions ahead of that cutoff date. And of course, that date could end up being extended as it was with Windows XP and Windows 7.

Looking ahead to the fall of 2025, if I still own this laptop, it is still functional and I want to wring some additional life out of it, I'll be faced with another choice. Do I continue using what by then will be an orphaned operating system or do I start looking for an alternative? If you've read some of my earlier posts, you may know that by "alternative" I mean Linux.

Even today, a lot of people's eyes  tend to glaze over when they hear that 'L' word mentioned, thinking surely one must need some programming skills or at least some serious geek street cred to even consider jumping into it but the reality is you're probably using it already. If you have a Chromebook or Android device, it's running a variant of Linux. That's why you can install and run Android and Linux applications on newer Chromebooks. And don't get me started on the number of major e-commerce sites that run their servers on Linux. 

I've been playing with desktop Linux off and on for a little over twelve years now and it's amazing how easy to use it has become. In some ways, it's actually easier than Windows. For most Linux distributions, or 'distros' for short, it's just a matter of downloading a disk image, copying it to a bootable flash drive or optical media, which increasingly means a DVD, and rebooting your computer with that as the startup disk to take the OS for a test drive. This should be done with the understanding that things will run a bit slower from external media than when the OS is actually running from your internal hard drive. The best part is most distros are free so it doesn't cost you anything except a little bit of time and maybe a blank disc or two. Once you've found one you like, back up your files, reformat your hard drive to replace your OS or partition it for a dual-boot system and install. More detailed instructions can be found elsewhere on the Web.

The biggest question many prospective Linux users must answer for themselves is which distro to install. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Just use what feels most comfortable. Over the years, I have experimented with OpenSUSE, Fedora, and various iterations of Ubuntu. The most recent one I've settled on is Linux Mint, which is based on Ubuntu and its 'Cinnamon' interface will provide a comforting familiarity to new users coming from Windows that they will want to explore and get to know it better. 

The other thing that some users might find somewhat off-putting going into the Linux experience is they may not be able to run all of the Windows software they are accustomed to. The good news is there are alternatives. Most desktop Linux distributions include LibreOffice, which includes direct replacements for most Microsoft apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). Of course, one can also access Microsoft Office Web apps from any browser. Other frequently bundled software includes Web browsers, usually Firefox or Chromium (the open source basis for Chrome, Edge and other browsers) as well as email clients like Thunderbird. Other needed software is readily available, usually for free, from a built-in app store.  

The bottom line to all this is that, as I have been saying for years, desktop Linux offers tools that are more than adequate for most basic functionality including Web browsing, emailing, office productivity, and even editing and curating photos and other media files. It's also a great way to extend the life of your hardware, helping you avoid contributing to the growing e-waste problem and perhaps saving you a few bucks while potentially polishing your geek street cred. 

So if you're in the same boat I'm in with Windows 11, go ahead and enjoy Windows 10 while you can but begin considering whether Linux might be in your future.

 

Smokin' on the Gas Grill

 Like most American males, I like to grill when the weather's nice--and sometimes even when the weather's not so nice. I've actually been known to fire up the grill with snow on the ground but that's a different story altogether. For the past 30-odd years, I have primarily used gas grills out of convenience. It's nice to be able to come home for lunch, turn it on, grill a couple of hot dogs and still make it back to work on time but there's one thing typically missing with a gas grill--that lovely smoky flavor.

Now at this point, there are some who would simply say this is why one should use charcoal instead of a gas grill and while I acknowledge the validity of that argument, I shall not wade into this quasi-religious divide between gas and charcoal, other than to say I'm just not willing to give up the convenience and control of gas. I also do not have space for a dedicated smoker and I've known a lot of people who have bought one, used it a time or two and let it sit idle for a few years before giving it away or selling them at a steep loss at a yard sale. 

That said, I've had a supply of mesquite chips in my cabinet for several years and finally decided a month or so ago that I either needed to either use them of get rid of them. Being a bird-in-the-hand kind of guy, I opted for the former and went to that great fountain of online knowledge—YouTube—to find out if they could actually be used with a gas grill and if so, how.  

My first experiment, while not exactly a failure, could have gone better. I had a whole chicken taking up space in my freezer and decided to quarter it, marinate it, and grill it over wood chips, which I soaked in water and wrapped in a packet of heavy duty foil, with several holes poked into it to vent the smoke. I actually made two of these packets (called "smoke bombs" in at least one video I watched) and placed one at each end of the grill, directly over the burners. 

I cooked the chicken 'low and slow' to maximize the smoke absorption and it was very tasty—thanks to the Badia Mojo Marinade I used—but the smoke flavor I was really after was almost nonexistent. When I checked my 'smoke bombs' afterward, I found out why. They were just a little blackened at the edges but for the most part, they hadn't ignited. Too wet? Bad placement? Both? This warranted further investigation.

A few days later, I grilled a hamburger, re-using one of the smoke packets, this time dry, placed against the back of the grill. While I achieved a greater amount of smoke, the burger cooked fairly quickly so little of the flavor was absorbed. When everything cooled down, I opened the packet and found that the chips had not been completely consumed but had instead been transformed into what appeared to be charcoal. 

For my third test some time later, I grilled a seasoned pork tenderloin with the other smoke packet from the original attempt, this time with a small amount of water, and instead of a foil packet, I placed the chips into a 'smoke box', a lidded stainless steel box with holes in the top and sides to vent the smoke. The closed bottom allows the chips to be wet or dry. Again, the slightly dampened chips did not fully ignite or produce a large amount of smoke and like the chicken, the meat was very tasty but the result was indeterminate because it had been heavily pre-seasoned before packaging.

My most recent test came yesterday when I grilled two thick pork ribeye chops using all of the previously used chips dry in the smoke box, which was placed right in the middle. I think I might have gotten some good mileage out of those chips. The smoke box also covered a troublesome hot spot on my grill and I got the best smoke yet. The chops had a wonderful smoky flavor without any sauce. I think I'm finally getting the hang of this!

UPDATE: In the weeks since this initial writing, I have landed on a good technique the produces consistently good results and have also begun branching out (no pun intended) to use other types of wood chips, including hickory, apple, cherry and combinations. So what have I learned from my initial experiments? 

• On my grill at least, the smoke box works best with dry chips and should be placed right in the middle, underneath the cooking surface. Your mileage may vary.
• It is best to cook 'low and slow' (slowly over low heat) for maximum smoke absorption. This is a departure from my traditional method of grilling fast on medium to high heat. 
• Pre-heat the grill on high with the wood chips in place to get the smoke going, then turn it down to low and put the meat on for cooking. 
  
• A pan of water on the grill's upper rack can help create a more humid cooking environment and jucier meat.
• No peeking—Keep the grill's lid closed to keep in the smoke and maintain a constant temperature. Just open the lid to quickly flip the meat.
• Thicker cuts of meat, preferably with a little fat on them, work best since they cook a little slower and the fat will absorb flavors with which it comes into contact, such as smoke.
• Dry rubs and light marinades work well with smoke; thick sauces tend to hide the flavor.
  
• Don't be afraid to experiment. Just because some bozo on YouTube says his way is the only way to do it doesn't mean it's the best way for you and your grill. Figure out what works best for you and your equipment.
• A smoke box is a worthwhile investment. It works better than foil and will eventually pay for itself with what you save from not having to buy so much foil.

So, how does this gas grill hybrid method of smoking meats compare with doing it in a smoker? Based on my experiments so far, I'd say reasonably favorably, considering the inherent differences between a grill and a smoker. Even at the lowest setting, a gas grill is going to cook hotter than a smoker so it's going to cook more quickly. Leaving meat on the grill for eleven hours just isn't practical. Likewise, the smoke isn't going to last as long, maybe half an hour, and because of the placement of the smoke box or packet, it isn't feasible to replenish it while cooking. For this reason, the smoke flavor will be lighter and more delicate on the grill than from a smoker, where the meat is bathed in smoke for hours on end and don't expect to see that pink 'smoke ring' on the outside of the meat that a smoker produces.

While smoking on the gas grill doesn't make a whole lot of sense for burgers and dogs or thin steaks and chops, it can bring a world of new flavor to chicken and thicker cuts of meat—no sauces required.

My Home Just Got Smarter

It doesn't seem all that long ago that watching characters on Star Trek control various functions on the starship Enterprise, from turning on lights to procuring a cup of tea—Earl Grey, Hot—with voice commands seemed oh so sci-fi but now, it's becoming a part of our daily lives, thanks to 'smart home' technology.

I've been curious for a while about the notion of a 'smart home' and although I've largely allowed my Luddite tendencies take precedence in this area—why do I really need everything connected to my wireless network?—but despite my best efforts, I find myself suddenly thrust firmly into the twenty-first century. 

It all began last fall when SirusXM offered me a free Google Nest speaker to help me bring SiriusXM into my home. Unlike their previous—and ongoing—offers of a "free" SiriusXM receiver, which required an additional subscription, this device came with literally no strings attached so I accepted. While it's been fun to let the little hockey puck-sized device play music, set timers, give me quick weather updates, etc., all via voice command, it's hardly been a 'daily driver' device for me but that may have just changed.

Since getting the speaker, the notion of smart plugs have seemed like a potential solution to an annoying problem in my house, which has a dearth of overhead lighting. Instead, most of the rooms have a switched outlet into which one is supposed to plug a lamp. That's a nice idea, except that in pretty much every room, the switched outlet is in exactly the wrong place; case in point, the one in my living room is the outlet into which most of my electronics, including my WiFi router are plugged. I can't turn that one off so I've put a cover on the switch to keep it from accidentally being switched. The flip side of this problem is that at night, I must make my way into the living room in the dark to get to a lamp. Enter the smart plug.

The other day, I found a four-pack of Kasa Smart WiFi Mini plugs on Amazon at an attractive price, made all the more attractive by the fact that I had a credit that covered half the cost, so I felt compelled to pull the proverbial trigger. Within a half hour of their arrival, I had all four set up and working—one in the living room and one in each of the bedrooms. 

The process included downloading the Kasa app onto my smart phone—which is increasingly becoming the technological center of my life, whether I want it to or not—and then setting up each of the plugs by plugging it in, finding it on my network and giving it a name. Now, I can turn lamps in each of those troublesome rooms on and off with a tap on my phone screen. To double the fun, the Kasa app integrates with the Google Home app so that I can also control those lamps from my Google speaker with a voice command; for instance, if I'm sitting in the living room and want the bedroom lamp on when I get back there to get ready for bed, all I have to do is say "Hey Google, turn on bedroom lamp". 

 And we thought "The Clapper" was exciting back in the '70s. 

UPDATE—I just read an article titled "Smart Home Tech We're Leaving Behind in 2021" and I agree with most of it. Smart appliances—refrigerators, washers, dryers, toilets, etc.—are generally not worth the cost for the benefits they provide. But I have to disagree with the author on smart plugs. It is a technology I would definitely miss if it went away. They have definitely made my life easier with the simple task of turning lamps on and off in rooms where the switched outlets are in illogical locations as mentioned above. They also offer the added convenience of being able to turn on a light remotely when I'm out at night so I don't have to come home to a completely dark house. The only one I'm having trouble with is my bedroom lamp, which is mostly a matter of muscle memory. Because the lamp itself is conveniently located, I still frequently turn it off at the lamp instead of with my iPhone. Fortunately, I've gotten to where I usually instantly recognize my mistake and correct it. 

After about six weeks of using these plugs, I'm finding that I mostly control them from the Kasa app on my phone, although I will occasionally turn on the living room lamp with a voice command but I just as often, if not more often, simply use the phone app and even though I can also issue voice commands on my phone via the Google Home app, I never do.

The one thing the article failed to list was smart light bulbs and light sockets. To me, these are more dispensable because they are of more limited application. They only work with lights while a smart plug could conceivably be used with other appliances although the only one I could think of that makes any sense is a coffeemaker but most of those have timers, making remote control somewhat superfluous. It might also be handy to have an extra 'floating' smart plug that could be used for something temporary like a Christmas tree. But for my needs, the four plugs I have address my needs quite nicely. 

Another Update--I just added another Google Home device Nest Hub touch screen display. It does everything the Nest Mini does but it adds the convenience of touch controls. It looks like a small tablet mounted on a stand but the stand is actually the speaker. While I like having the option for a touch screen interface, I can't see that it adds any essential functionality over the Nest Mini speaker, it does seem to understand my commands somewhat better I've only had to yell at it once in the four days I've been using it. Perhaps the best part of having the Nest Hub in the living room now is it allowed me to move the Nest Mini into my bedroom so that now I have voice control over my four smart switch-equipped lamps at either end of the house. It's the little things, I guess.

Yet another update--Now that some of my smart plugs are getting a little age on them, they're periodically malfunctioning and showing as 'unavailable' in either the Kasa or Google Home app. Also, my Google Nest Home smart speaker sometimes fails to respond to my voice commands. When either of these things occur, I don't get annoyed, I just give the offending device a reset by unplugging and re-plugging it. That is usually sufficient to return it to working order. If not, or I'm in a hurry, I'll just skip the automation and push the manual button on the side of the smart plug.

I have also added yet another smart plug--a weatherproof outdoor model for two post lamps on my deck. For years, I have been turning them on and off by plugging them in and unplugging them, but no more. Because it's not near either of my Google Home devices voice control is out of the question, and since it's kind of troublesome to dig out my phone to control them remotely, I just find the manual button to be the easiest solution. Because they have proven satisfactory, I have kept to Kasa brand smart plugs to maintain a unified environment.

Chromebook Part 3: A Case of Ports and musings on USB-C

 So far, most of the challenges I've faced in getting this Chromebook set up and stable have revolved around software but there's also a hardware issue that needs addressing; specifically, a lack of ports. The laptop has a total of five ports: two USB-C ports, one standard USB port, a micro SD card slot and a headphone jack. This poses a couple of problems in that I use full size SD cards in my digital cameras and the single standard USB port is taken up by the receiver for wireless mouse that was included with the Chromebook. Meanwhile, one USB-C port is taken up by the charger. I have to say it is a nice touch to have the USB-C ports on opposite sides of the laptop so one has a choice of which side gets the charger cable.

The immediate solution for the latter issue was solved easily and cheaply with a USB-C to USB-A (female) adapter, which allows USB-A accessories, mainly flash drives, to be connected to the second USB port. Heck, I've even got an old SD card reader that I can plug into the adapter but that starts to get a bit ungainly. suggesting perhaps a more comprehensive solution is required. 

The Dell (Windows 10) notebook I use at work has a USB-C docking station connected to it that packs every conceivable port one might need into one brick, including several USB 3.0 ports, as well VGA and HDMI video ports. And since it connects to the laptop via USB-C, it can even act as a charger. The IT tech who set it up apparently did not recognize the latter capability because he initially connected the docking station to one of several USB-A ports on the laptop, using an adapter that was permanently attached to the cable. I changed it over to the USB-C port but it wasn't until I got this Chromebook that it dawned on me that it could also charge the laptop.

Such a device would be total overkill for my needs with this Chromebook, plus it would impede portability because it requires an external power supply, but it got me thinking. It turns out there are also smaller--and less expensive--USB-C hubs that offer functionality more in line with my needs and budget. Right now, I have my eye on one that has three USB 3.0 ports and an SD card slot for about $12 on eBay potentially solving all of my port dilemmas in one fell swoop. 

The Future is USB-C

Although USB-C was first popularized by newer Android phones and tablets that in recent years have shed the annoyingly asymetrical micro USB charging ports in favor of USB-C, it's has been Apple's adoption of USB-C chargers on recent MacBook models that has popularized USB hubs as a must-have accessory. Nearly all the eBay ads I saw prominently mentioned MacBook compatibility but few, if any mention USB-C-equipped Chromebooks or Windows devices. This is similar to the way USB itself was quietly introduced on Windows PCs in the mid-'90s and languished unused until Apple adopted the standard for the original iMac in 1998, doing away with all other ports in the process. Peripheral manufacturers at that point quickly glommed onto it as a universal standard to make devices universally compatible with both Windows and Mac OS computers. 

There is apparently a move afoot in the European Union to standardize all new phones and tablets to USB-C in order to reduce e-waste. The idea being that chargers would be sold separately could reuse an existing charger with a new device and only purchase a new one if needed. 

I've recently read a couple of articles, perhaps by the same author, suggesting that since Apple has fitted recent MacBooks with USB-C they should abandon the Lightning connector on iPhones and iPads in favor of USB-C to create a universal charging standard across all of its product lines. At the same time, many users have also been clamoring for a return of the very clever MagSafe charger port to the MacBook line. This magnetically secured charger design has saved countless MacBooks, including my own, from damage and destruction by easily breaking away from the computer. 

I would propose that it need not be an either/or proposition. It would be a very easy solution to add the benefits of MagSafe to the budding universality of USB-C via a MagSafe dongle. This could be accomplished in one of two ways. One would be to restore the MagSafe charging port to MacBooks, perhaps in addition to USB-C ports, and offer a dongle with a male MagSafe connector at one end and a female USB-C connector at the other. The second solution would be to offer a dongle with a female MagSafe connector on one end and a Male USB-C connector on the other.  This solution would offer the advantages of MagSafe not only to MacBook users but to users of almost any device that uses USB-C for charging. While Apple is not in the habit of making its own device interfaces universal, this idea does have some real possibilities. 

Chromebook Part Too: The LInux Apps

After my recent lengthy post on setting up Linux on my Chromebook, I thought it might be good to take a look at what Linux apps I have installed on my Chromebook and why. While I initially found the ready availability of Android apps on my new Chromebook to be welcome advancement and a huge step in the right direction, most are too limited in scope and functionality for my needs, as are most Web apps. For that reason, the availability of familiar Linux software titles makes my Chromebook seem much more usable. All of these titles are free and most are also available for Windows and Mac OS.

Gnome Software Center--Consider this the missing puzzle piece to make the experience of setting up Linux apps on your Chromebook much less painful. You have to install it from the Terminal's command line but once it's in place, most other titles you would want are available with point-n-click convenience, much like Google's Play Store or the Apple App Store. It should be noted that some titles in the store are outdated versions and depending upon your needs, you may be better off enduring the Terminal to install the latest version. The folks at Chrome OS would do well to include a dedicated software center with Crostini once the Linux experience graduates from Beta.

LibreOffice--This is the main reason I opened up a can of Linux on my Chromebook in the first place. The Web and Android versions of MS Office and their G-Suite (Google) equivalents are more than a little lacking for my tastes. I have used LibreOffice and its predecessor, OpenOffice, for about 20 years and find it contains all I need in an office productivity suite to do. LibreOffice comes preinstalled on most Linux distributions and is also available for Mac OS and Windows. It should be noted that the Gnome Software Center offers an obsolete version of LibreOffice (6.1.x), which reached its end-of-life two years ago (May 2019) so you'll definitely be better off downloading this one from the command line. Chrome Unboxed has an excellent how-to article to walk you through the process but the install scripts point to version 6.4.x so you'll need to modify them to point to the present version (7.1.2 as of this writing).

Thunderbird--This email client has long been my go-to outside of Mac OS, where I prefer Apple Mail. Having it in my Linux container means I can easily open attached files in LibreOffice or follow a Web Link in Firefox. Chrome cannot communicate with apps in the Linux container in the same way. Curiously, Thunderbird is not present in the Gnome Software Center's repository so it must be acquired via the Terminal with the command 'sudo apt install thunderbird'.

Firefox ESR--It may seem odd to want an alternative Web browser when Google Chrome is built into Chrome OS but as with Thunderbird, it's handy to have a Web browser residing inside the Linux container where it can interact with other Linux apps in a way that Chrome cannot. The 'ESR' designation stands for 'Extended Support Release'. Available from the Gnome Software Center, it is a slightly older but more stable version of the browser. It may not have all the latest features but you are spared having to restart every so often to install the latest version. 

GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program)--It functions like Photoshop without the annual subscription and also has some limited page layout capabilities. There are also versions available for Windows and Mac OS as well. This one is easy to install either from the Gnome Software Center or from the Terminal (sudo apt install gimp)

Scribus--A page layout application similar to MS Publisher or Adobe InDesign, it is not quite as user friendly as its commercial counterparts but it's not bad and the price is right. The version included in Gnome Software Center is the latest stable release and finally includes an assortment of templates for common projects like Fliers, brochures, booklets and business cards but it lacks one for a CD jewel case insert. It's not hard to create one, though. Like GIMP, there are also versions available for Windows and Mac OS as well. The easiest way to install this one is from the Gnome Software Center

AisleRiot Solitaire and Gnu Mahjongg--While these don't exactly qualify as must-have titles, they're fun, simple games for when you feel like wasting a little time on the computer. AisleRiot includes a multitude of different solitaire card games and Mahjongg (I have no idea why it's misspelled with two g's) is a simple puzzle game in which the object is to clear the board by clicking matching tiles. Both are easily installed from the Gnome Software Center.

The above titles adequately flesh out my software needs on the Chromebook and mirror most of the titles I have installed on my ancient Linux laptop. Unlike Android apps and Web apps, which have individual icons in the Chrome OS Launcher, icons for Linux apps are housed together under a single 'Linux Apps' icon, appears to open a folder containing icons for each app. For a more seamless experience, you can 'pin' the icons of your most frequently used apps to the Shelf at the bottom of your screen, much like the Windows System Tray or the Dock in Mac OS. 

I realize some hard-core Chromebook fans may think installing Linux apps somehow runs counter to the whole idea of maximized simplicity, which is central to the Chrome OS ethos but it does provide much-needed functionality that Web- and Android apps cannot quite match, at least for this old-school user.

UPDATE (5/6/21)--Late last week, my Linux environment crashed as I was using it and none of the Linux apps would launch. I was very busy, so I just set the Chromebook aside and used my MacBook Pro for 'mission-critical' work until I had the time, energy and inclination to resurrect it. The only solution I could come up with was to delete the Linux environment and start over. Having been through this before, I decided I needed a shortcut so as I installed each component, I also copied the installation scripts to a Google Docs file (see appendix below) so I could readily access it in the future. Just knowing what to do made the process simpler and I had all of my Linux apps restored in about an hour, including creating the 'cheat sheet' on Google Docs. I then took another hour or two on the next evening to configure and personalize Firefox and Thunderbird. I hope I don't have to go through this process again anytime soon but at least I'm becoming adept at using the Terminal.

Looking back on what happened, the crash occurred when Chrome OS attempted to install a minor system update. I'm thinking that it might have included an update to the Linux environment that couldn't be properly installed since it was in use at the time. As evidence that the update affected the Linux environment, my Linux apps' icons are now out on the Launcher instead of under the "Linux Apps" icon, which now only contains icons for library files I wouldn't need to launch directly. Of course, the latest experience also points out that the Linux environment still has a way to go before it is ready for 'prime time'.  Nonetheless, I still believe the addition of Linux apps is an important growth path for Chrome OS as it continues to increase in mainstream acceptance as evidenced by its tripling of market share in the past year to surpass my beloved Mac OS as the number two computer platform behind Windows. Ironically, this trend also sets Chrome OS on the path to become a dominant player in the desktop Linux market.

APPENDIX

Crostini Rebuild Scripts

The scripts below, implemented one at a time  in the sequence below, will quickly set up basic Linux applications under Crostini on a Chromebook with Linux Development Environment implemented.

Update System

sudo apt update

sudo apt upgrade

Install CUPS (printer support)

sudo apt install cups

sudo apt install system-config-printer

xhost +

sudo system-config-printer

Install Thunderbird1

sudo apt install thunderbird

Install Latest LibreOffice2

sudo apt remove libreoffice (if an older LO is already Installed, then download latest LibreOffice from libreoffice.org)

sudo tar -xf LibreOffice_7.1.2_Linux_x86-64_deb.tar.gz
(update version number, if necessary)
cd LibreOffice_7.1.2.2_Linux_x86-64_deb
cd DEBS
sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Install Gnome Software Center (easy access to additional Linux apps)
sudo apt-get install gnome-software gnome-packagekit
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

1Thunderbird is not included in the Gnome Software Center.
2The version of LibreOffice included in the Gnome Software Center is grossly outdated.

The Future of Chrome is Linux

 For some odd reason, the concept of a Chromebook has always intrigued me. It's sort of the ultimate expression of the power of a modern Web browser that it could essentially function as an operating system. The fact that Chrome OS has not only survived but thrived and grown in the decade since its introduction is proof that this concept is viable and that it is filling an important niche. Of course, it hasn't been without its growing pains.

If you look at online reviews of almost any Chromebook model, you will inevitably find negative reviews by people who purchased one and then were disappointed when they couldn't install Windows apps like MS Office on them. While those individuals arguably had unrealistic expectations because they did not fully understand what they were buying, the truth is they do function as advertised and are priced accordingly.

When I first acquired an outdated Samsung Chromebook a few years ago just to see what all the fuss was about, I at once marveled at its simplicity and chafed against its limitations. When I received a notification about a year ago that it had reached the end of its allotted period of updates--and as far as Google and Samsung were concerned, the end of its useful life--I figured my Chromebook journey was effectively at an end. But then, in a rather sizable impulse purchase, at least for me, I recently bought an HP Chromebook from Costco and was amazed to find how much had changed. 

For starters, the Chrome Web browser was now supplemented with Android apps, easily installed via the included Google Play store. I could have access to other apps in addition to Google Chrome, albeit stripped down versions, designed primarily for phones and tablets. Some are more optimized for laptop use than others, but it's a step in the right direction.

The greatest revelation came about a week after I acquired my Chromebook, when I came across an article the Web, describing how to install Linux apps on a Chromebook. Running Linux apps on a Chromebook is a logical extension of functionality, given that Chrome OS, like Android, is built upon the Linux kernel. I thought this was a brilliant idea as it would allow me to run LibreOffice on my Chromebook, which would be a huge step toward remedying what I considered to be one of Chromebooks' major limitations in functionality.

The Road to Linux.

Linux functionality turned out to be a bit of a hidden feature, clearly marked as a 'beta' under developer tools, but I've dabbled in Linux for more than a decade and had a passing familiarity with its command line terminal, which can be fundamental to installing and administering most things Linux. I also knew that once I had things set up and running, the terminal would not be part of my daily workflow on the Chromebook. The Linux apps would run pretty much just like one would expect them to in Windows or Mac OS. The pain, in other words, would be temporary.

With that, I decided to activate the Linux developer environment and install a modest collection of Linux apps--LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, Gimp and AisleRiot Solitaire. Activation was the easy part. The more challenging part was installing applications from the command line and configuring my printers. Fortunately, I had found a Website, chromeunboxed.com, which included a wealth of tutorials on how to do exactly what I needed to accomplish. In most cases, the tutorials included the exact lines of script I needed to put into the terminal, which I could do via copy and paste, which is almost as easy as point-and-click. Of course, sometimes I had to modify a script because the article in which it appeared was old enough that the current version number of the software had changed. 

Two lessons I had to learn the hard way were to start off by updating and upgrading (two separate functions) my Linux to the newest versions of the software I wanted to install as installing older versions can cause what is known in the Linux universe as dependency errors as an application being installed looks for newer versions of libraries than exist on the computer. I also found that it works better to install printer support (CUPS) prior to installing applications.

It only took me three tries over the course of five days to get everything up and running like it should. The first two tries ended in frustration with me invoking the 'nuclear' option of completely deleting my Linux environment and starting over. But now that it is all up and working, I am enjoying this Chromebook much more than my earlier one. I don't see it replacing my MacBook Pro, but it is certainly a viable alternative for many routine tasks. I actually set myself a challenge a few days ago to use the Chromebook exclusively for a day making note of the times when I felt I needed my MacBook Pro in order to complete a particular task. Thankfully, those moments were surprisingly few.

Installation options

While I chose to run my Linux apps from within Chrome OS, using a container environment called Crostini, there are other options that involve installing a complete Linux desktop operating system such as Ubuntu. There is even one designed especially for Chromebook hardware called Gallium.

One can choose to install and run Linux as a virtual machine, which allows both Linux and Chrome OS to run simultaneously and gives the user the option to toggle between them with a set of keystrokes. This puts greater demands on system resources but arguably achieves greater convenience.

Alternately, one can set up a dual-boot configuration where one chooses which operating system to use when starting up the computer. This is less resource intensive but is also less convenient in that switching from one operating system to the other involves restarting the computer.

The final option (figuratively as well as literally) is to completely erase Chrome OS and replace it with a Linux distribution. This is the most destructive option in that it removes the possibility of easily moving between Chrome OS and Linux but it does give Linux 100 percent of available system resources; thus it might be a viable alternative for extending the useful life of older hardware that has passed its allotted period for receiving Chrome OS updates. 

Hope for the Future

While the availability of Linux apps on a Chromebook is a major leap forward, its implementation is still in its infancy and definitely not ready for prime time for most users, as indicated by its 'beta' status. In the future, I would like to see Crostini or some successor active by default with something similar to the Google Play store installed to would allow users to easily install software in a more familiar manner with a few clicks of a mouse or track pad instead of typing commands in a terminal window. 

Most major desktop Linux distributions have such software libraries now and there are even a couple that purport to work with Crostini. As an experiment, I installed the KDE Discover library and was more than a little disappointed. Apps installed from it were often outdated versions and for the most part were not installed properly. Some apps would only launch from within Discover and others would not launch at all. 

The technology exists for making the installation and management of Linux apps on a Chromebook just as easy as it is for Android apps from the Play store. It's just up to Google to put the pieces together for a relatively seamless user experience, which should also include making CUPS an active component of Crostini by default. 

Final Thoughts

 Chrome OS, like Mac OS, was conceived largely as a closed system with Google controlling most aspects of the user experience but it has matured to the point that adding access to third party Linux apps is the logical direction for it to grow as not everyone is going to be content with a Web browser as a sole application. 

There is already speculation that Google is in the process of separating the Chrome browser from Chrome OS so that the browser would pick up updates on the same schedule as the Chrome browser does in other operating systems. Doing so would also allow Chrome OS to evolve into one of the most user friendly Desktop Linux distributions by virtue of tighter integration with purpose-built Chromebook and Chromebox hardware. 

All in all, I would say the future is filled with possibilities...

 

UPDATE: 26 April 2021:

The need for an easy-to-use Linux software store for Chromebooks has continued to tickle at my consciousness since I published the above post. Last night, I thought to give the KDE Plasma-Discover store a second look but then came across the GNOME Software Center and decided to give it a try instead. I am happy to report that instead of the previous days-long debacle, installing this software store took only about 20 minutes and after restarting of my Chromebook a couple of times, everything is copacetic--with me and with the computer. And just because I could, I installed a couple more Linux apps, including Scribus, a page layout application similar to Adobe InDesign or M$ Publisher and a Mahjong solitaire game, just to make sure things were working okay. Unlike Discover, everything installed flawlessly and with just a few mouse clicks. 

One annoyance is that both installers pull from the same Debian repositories so some of the apps I looked at were the same outdated versions. LibreOffice 6.1? Seriously? According to the LibreOffice Release Plan Web page, that version reached 'End of Life' on 29 May 2019! The newest version on the LibreOffice Web site is 7.1, which I had already installed from the command line. It wasn't the easiest task ever but it was definitely a worthwhile exercise.

An application I found inexplicably absent from the list was the Thunderbird email client. Fortunately, that one was easy to grab via the command line: Type in 'sudo apt install thunderbird' and follow the prompts.

This entire exercise with Linux apps on a Chromebook points out one inescapable fact. If Google wants the Linux apps to be a viable part of the Chromebook experience, Crostini absolutely must include a dedicated point-n-click software center by the time it graduates from Beta. The average user will not be as obsessed as I was and will follow the paths of least resistance to settle for Android apps at the first sign of difficulty.

I have read suggestions that such a function should be integrated with the existing Google Web Store but whether that happens or Google adopts or even re-brands a third-party store such as the Gnome Software Center, it needs to be present by default and pointed to repository of up-to-date apps. Anything less would be less than viable, in my opinion. Not that that counts for anything at Google, but still...