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I have experienced a few minor glitches with these but my machines are all pretty new and my 2017 Dell Touchscreen 24" AIO has had none and it is one of the oldest i7 hardware system still approved to run Windows 11. I wish Microsoft would get some decent beta testing for updates. Excerpt: "Microsoft's official 24H2 update for Windows 11 has been saddled with one bug after another. Here's why you should avoid updating and what you may find if you jump into the new version right now. After months of beta testing, Microsoft officially released its major 2024 update for Windows 11 on October 1. Known as Windows 11 24H2, the latest version enhances the Copilot AI, spruces up File Explorer, promises faster performance and greater stability, and kicks in other improvements. Rolling out to some Windows 11 users, the update may appear on your PC's Windows Update screen. If so, you can certainly install it from there. Otherwise, the new version is accessible on Microsoft's Download Windows 11 page, where you can grab it through the Installation Assistant, installation media, or as an ISO file. But before you dive into the 2024 update, you may want to reconsider. The new version has been plagued by a variety of bugs that could prevent you from fully using Windows the way you want and expect to. Some of the glitches have been documented by Microsoft, and others have been reported by Windows users. In response, Microsoft has put the update on hold for problematic PCs that could encounter blue screens and other issues. To address the barrage of bugs, the company has rolled out two bug patches so far -- one in late October and another in mid-November. The October update fixed a few bugs but also created a couple of new ones. The November update resolved several, but certainly not all, of the outstanding glitches. Since then, further bugs have popped up, turning the update into a continual albatross around Microsoft's neck. Here are just some of the issues you may bump into if you jump to the new version. 1. Conflict with Ubisoft games Certain games from Ubisoft could freeze, crash, or even trigger a black screen if you try to run them in the 2024 update for Windows 11. The five games are Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Assassin's Creed Origins, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Star Wars Outlaws, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. 2. Problem accessing USB-connected scanners and other devices You may be unable to connect to a device that supports the eSCL (eScanner Communication Language) driverless scanning protocol. Affecting USB-connected scanners, printers, fax machines, modems, and network devices, the glitch prevents you from using the device at all. The conflict is that the peripheral device fails to switch out of eSCL mode to USB mode. 3. Conflict with Easy Anti-Cheat online gaming app A program known as Easy Anti-Cheat is automatically installed with some online games to prevent cheating. Windows 11 2024 doesn't play well with this software -- users can experience the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), at least in rare cases, according to Microsoft. 4. Blue screens in other instances Beyond the clash with Easy Anti-Cheat, other situations can lead to the BSOD in the Windows 11 2024 update. Intel and Microsoft have discovered incompatibility issues with certain drivers for Intel Smart Sound Technology (Intel SST) on Intel 11th Gen Core processors. People running the affected driver and Windows 11 24H2 could run into blue screens. Also: Can't quit Windows 10? Microsoft will charge for updates next year. Here's how much Sources told Windows Latest that Microsoft is reportedly aware of a glitch in the 24H2 update that causes blue screening for PCs with certain Western Digital SSDs. This one has affected Lenovo, Asus VivoBook, and other model computers. In another issue spotted by Windows Latest, PCs with Z890 motherboards sold by MSI, Asus, and other vendors can run into blue screens. This occurs most notably on systems with the Core Ultra 200S series and its integrated Xe-LPG graphics. 5. Disappearing mouse pointer A bug in Windows 11 24H2 and other recent Windows updates causes the mouse pointer or cursor to vanish in Chromium-based apps such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, according to Windows Latest. The glitch only occurs when you interact with a text input field, though there is a workaround for it, which Windows Latest describes in its article. 6. Internet connection issues Some people who've installed the Windows 11 2024 update report that their internet connections are now glitchy. As discovered by Windows Report, these users seem to be able to connect via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, but they don't receive a valid IP address and therefore can't get an internet or network connection. Neither updating drivers and firmware nor resetting the network connectivity resolves the problem. In certain cases, using a static IP address instead of a dynamic address resolves the issue. 7. Time zone glitch Unless you have administrative privileges in Windows, you may be unable to change the time zone at the Date & Time screen in Windows Settings. In this case, the time zone option fails to even appear. Microsoft has tagged this bug as mitigated, which means it hasn't been fixed, but there is a workaround. Just head to the old Date and Time setting in Control Panel and change it from there. 8. Broken clipboard history The Windows clipboard history is a great tool for storing and syncing a history of copied clipboard items across multiple devices. I've liked this feature ever since Microsoft introduced it in 2018. Alas, the latest Windows 11 update breaks the clipboard history, at least for some people. As spotted by Windows Latest, dozens of users chiming in on different online forums report that the tool keeps insisting that the clipboard history is empty even though they've already copied one or more items to it. Though this bug seems to affect only a small number of users, it was flagged by Windows Insider testers a few months ago. But apparently, Microsoft didn't bother to fix it or didn't fix it properly. 9. Network sharing doesn't work In another network-related issue triggered by the 24H2 update on some PCs, either the computer or other devices fail to appear in the network list, according to Windows Latest. As a result, you're unable to share files and printers between different PCs. The problem could be related to Function Discovery Resource Publication (FDResPub), which lets Windows 11 remain visible on the network. As a workaround, some people have resolved the glitch by setting FDResPub to start manually instead of automatically." Much more with screen shots of glitches, related links and pics in the article here: https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-revolving-door-of-windows-11-24h2-bugs-10-reasons-to-avoid-this-update-for-now/

I will continue to post alternatives to buying a new computer if anyone has a Windows computer too old to update after Windows 10 support drops off in October 2025. If you don't like Windows or prefer Apple great! These are free alternatives for Windows 10 and 7 users to get back to a secure Operating system. Wubuntu is ready to help you transition if you're debating whether to try Linux but are afraid it's too different to Windows. Yes the pictures of the desktop are this Linux Distro not Windows 11. The task bar and everything look familiar enough for me. Excerpt: Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET One of the many wonderful things about Linux is that you can make it look how you want. If you want to go crazy and create a desktop that looks and feels unlike any other, you can. But there are also distributions for people who'd rather have a user-friendly and instantly familiar desktop environment. Wubuntu is one such distribution, and I'm sure you can figure out what operating system it mimics. Yes, the correct response is Windows 11. I've tested plenty of Linux distributions that attempt to copy the look and feel of Microsoft's OS, and none of them get nearly as close as Wubuntu. Upon installing Wubuntu, I was surprised at how much it resembled Windows 11 -- down to the inclusion of Microsoft's AI, Copilot, and Microsoft Edge. The only thing Wubuntu is missing is those pesky ads in the menu. s you probably expect, Wubuntu is based on Ubuntu and uses the KDE Plasma desktop to achieve a strong appropriation of Windows 11. On the panel, you'll find a weather app, a sidebar, a desktop menu, a run command launcher, favorites, a system tray, and Copilot. Upon first login, you'll be greeted with the Settings window, where you can select your theme and adjust a few other aesthetics. As usual, KDE Plasma is a highly configurable desktop environment. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET Dig a bit deeper, and you'll find things like Microsoft PowerShell and quick links to Office 365 apps, each of which opens in Edge. For those who'd rather keep their document creation/management locally (or in the cloud), the OnlyOffice Desktop Editors is installed. Wubuntu also includes tools to interact with your Android devices, Active Directory support, a driver manager, Google Chrome, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Steam, Thunderbird, VLC media player, Webcamoid, Wine/Winetricks, and Flatpak (so you can easily install even more software). Aside from the collection of pre-installed software, what's most impressive is how well the developers have copied the look and feel of Windows 11. Don't get me wrong, I'm still not a fan of the Microsoft operating system, but that doesn't mean I can't be impressed with the amount of work that went into creating this distribution. And the more you dig into Wubuntu, the more little details you'll find -- especially if you've been using Windows 11 for some time. As Wubuntu is based on Ubuntu, you know you're getting high levels of user-friendliness and outstanding hardware support. The only downside is that Wubuntu ships with kernel 6.8.0-48, which means you're not getting the added hardware support from the latest kernel release. Even so, unless you're running the latest hardware, kernel 6.8 will do a great job detecting and supporting your computer's technology." Much more and related hotlinks in the full article here: https://www.zdnet.com/article/this-linux-distro-is-so-windows-like-it-even-comes-with-microsoft-apps/

Linda lots of folks don't want to be any kind of an early adopter solar or diesel vans. I agree that diesel is much more heavy duty than many gas engines. For me, the high torque at low rpms makes diesels ideal for long term towing and hauling loads. While a bit more expensive new, most folks are unaware that a decently maintained Cummins 5.9 will go at least 350k miles trouble free if the lift pumps have already been replaced with aftermarket lift pumps. Many have gone many more miles with the venerable 5.9. As well, just having a qualified diesel shop balance the injectors can and did for me add about 10% or a very noticeable power and acceleration increase. I did my gas years and my diesel years and now our electric years. For now I can rent a utility trailer for $14 from UHaul for a half day when I need to haul sheets of plywood or a refrigerator. I stuck with RAM in line sixes because I know them and the in line six 5.9. Being retired we would never be driving it in freezing weather, just when we need a truck. But a small trailer since my car has a hitch receiver and tow package from the factory. The good thing for diesel heads or past diesel heads is that we know how durable and powerful they are, and most of the gas owners won't touch a perfect diesel with 100k miles. Out of habit. So we can steal them with 100k miles. We know they are just getting broken in at 100k unless abused. I have never owned any brand but the four RAM diesels My last one had 350k milers on it. The one before doesn't count because it was a short bed and all my others were long beds that rode like a Cadillac I kept the only short bed less than six months so it does not count, my second was a 2500 that had 450k miles on it when I sold it, my first one was a 1992 1 Ton diesel dually long bed that had 100k miles on it when I bought it from a diesel mechanic that just went through it and had well over 600k miles when I sold it still in excellent condition to a friend who still uses it on his farm today. I immediately put in the 1993 under bed oil fan stock RAM oil cooler. I had to replace the injector pump and lift pump on it for about $2200 and for the seven years towing full time then construction and flipping houses for a few years after that was no expense since I bought it cheap with 100k miles on it from a major diesel mechanic in San Antonio who used it only as his personal truck. He Painted it and went through it before I bought it. If I were to go RVing again today it would be one of those two years Rams 5.9 Cummins and I would search for it as long as needed. Only as an example because I have not checked this one out. This one at 210k miles would, if it was taken care of and I checked it out and it met my criteria has 210k miles on it and would likely give another 140k miles of good service. But that only as an example, YMMV. https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-2006-Dodge-RAM-2500-c5418#listing=353680853/NONE/DEFAULT Caveat Emptor, as some folks don't have the patience to go through a lot of used vehicles and some that do have terrible luck, which we can have with a new vehicle of any kind. I don't propose you do as I do. Just another alternative. Happy Holidays and Safe Travels!

Kirk if they have any at the Dallas show post some pics and impressions!

https://www.votervoice.net/iframes/AFSA/newsletters/387328?isInformationalBroadcast=true

Kirk alluded to the trailer tow vehicle saying that "you can never have too much truck." Stick with the suggestions to do actual weights of your rig/s loaded and empty, dry and wet (Wet= batteries, water, propane tanks and fuel tanks full) We traveled with 5 gallons of fresh water and 5 gallons of water added to the black tank after dumping to slosh on the road. If I were getting back into RVing part time for long trips I would be buying a used 1 ton B5.9 Cummins Ram 2006 or 2007 5.9 with 100k miles or less, only if owned by an RVr who has maintenance records. Then I could tow any non full-time trailer of modest size. At least a 3/4 ton diesel. You have to know what you are doing with any used truck and not everyone's cup of tea. Then if you want to upgrade to a larger trailer within reason you could and save a lot off the price of a new one and save half the price of a new smaller truck that leaves you limited much more. And the bigger diesel can stop and climb hills with a load much better. But that is just me and one data point learned over 7 years of full time RVing with two 36 foot fifth wheels and doing everything west of the Mississippi and from Mexico and up to and including Alaska. We'd already done the East coast and the Northeast before retiring at 54 years young.

Kirk, I posted that link in my OP - here's the sticker shock pricing page - https://reserve.lightshiprv.com/booking/ae1-cosmos I just posted here as an FYI as I said. I doubt anyone on these forums would buy one. But price is relative. This is radical as it is truly self contained for power and self-propelled, and has none of the same appliances that all RVs have today. But that is all available online for those interested in the links, and many aren't interested. I can't afford a trip to space on an Origin or Falcon flight but I do love to read all the details. Some RVrs might want to read about the newest tech in RVs. When Philips introduced the first plasma TV in 1997, it was only displayed in four Sears stores and cost $14,999. $14,999 in 1997 is $29,499.34 in 2024 dollars: Inflation calculator Some folks did buy that TV?? We bought a 75" 2023 QNED TV that was ~$1400 at the BX on black Friday 2023, less than Best Buy by far and no tax. It is amazing! Price or cost is relative. Many would never buy a TV for more than a few hundred today. I would never spend $4,404,597.00 on a car but there are many who do. This one won't last long: https://www.jamesedition.com/cars/bugatti/chiron_110_ans/2019-bugatti-chiron-110-ans-awd-for-sale-14474275 Nor would I ever spend $145,775.00 for an Airstream same old same old travel trailer : https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2024-Airstream-Globetrotter®+27FB-5029247857#sid=429134 But I do, as a past full time RVr, keep up with the latest redesign of the whole concept of what an RV is and can do. If making do and cost were the only factor I would never have gotten two top shelf 36' fivers and a Ram 1 Ton diesel Tow Vehicle - I could have made do with a tent right? Every system on this Lightship RV is different, totally. Airstream has not brought their concept to market yet and no estimate of price. But they still have the same flatter tall front and systems. Winnebago has a fleet of Sprinter type "Loaners" out there, so we will see where the Industry goes in the next decade both standard and new tech. At the very least interesting: https://www.winnebago.com/all-electric Another total innovator Pebble is almost ready for production, it even hitches itself - another one to watch: https://pebblelife.com/ I'm not buying any of them and price isn't a factor. What we can pay and what we will pay could change next year. But we would only make that investment in an RV if we go full time again. I can look at the menu with no obligation to order. However I would like to tour all of them when they are actually in production like the Lightship, I expect the Winnebago to be next and won't make a call on the rest. Safe travels!

Just FYI the newest RV debuts today. I have been following this rig from concept to today's debut. Back when we were full-time RVrs for seven years, our Ram 1 ton diesel dually long bed truck was getting 20 mpg when we used it as a cowboy Cadillac with no load. But when we hitched up our 36 foot HitchHiker fiver it dropped to 10 mpg. Of course that front of the RV was flat and it was tall. This one expands at the campsite and drops down for travel. But this one is self propelled so whether gas or electric you will get about the same mpg or range as without a trailer. Today the initial model went on sale and they aren't cheap. But it is big news for Modern RV design. They could flop or fly but it will be interesting to watch and see what owners say. The AE.1 Cosmos Edition Has Arrived: Your Ultimate Electric Adventure Begins Now Introducing the AE.1™ Cosmos Edition—the ultimate Aero-Electric travel trailer for those who lead, not follow. This first edition is limited to just 50 units, this exclusive edition boasts two custom-designed colorways that will never be seen again on a Lightship. Designed for the boldest of journeys, the AE.1 Cosmos Edition elevates your adventure to a new level. As a reservation holder, you have first access to purchase one of the 50 being produced. Lead the Charge With groundbreaking technology and thoughtful design, the AE.1 Cosmos Edition takes adventure to a whole new era. TrekDrive Experience the brawn and brains of towing with TrekDrive™. Combining self-propulsion and intelligent hitch technology means less force and more confidence when you’re climbing or descending. Inviting Interior Combining each of the two limited-edition interiors with large panoramic windows, the AE.1 Cosmos Edition creates a seamless connection between modern comfort and the beauty of the outdoors. A thoughtfully designed spa-inspired bathroom and Three-Point Galley Kitchen ensures every corner is as functional as it is stunning. CampQuiet Enjoy the serenity of nature with CampQuiet, a self-contained microgrid powered by the industry’s largest solar and battery system. SwitchBack Lounge The SwitchBack Lounge is the standard in adaptable comfort, transitioning seamlessly from a cozy daybed to a pre-made sleeping area in seconds. It’s where versatility meets durability meets livability when you’re on the road. Atlas The Atlas System is your all-in-one control hub, managing everything from climate settings to energy and water levels with ease. It’s the ultimate co-pilot for your adventures. CargoCraft The CargoCraft system offers endless possibilities for organizing your gear, with modular bins, hangers, and shelves that can be customized to suit any adventure. You can see more at their website. Lightship website

If you are interested in saving your older computer AND get security updates to not be compromised in the wild west that is the Internet, with a little learning curve Linux is an easy and free alternative and updates are also free. some are for older systems and many will run great on newer ones. These can make your old slow system fast AND secure again. Here's how to save money, reduce e-waste, and get more use out of your old hardware at the same time. Excerpt: "As someone who's been around the block a few hundred times with technology, planned obsolescence has long bothered me. Consider this: When Microsoft released Windows 11, it became clear that a lot of hardware (capable of running the previous iteration) wouldn't support the new version of Windows. A lot of people wound up having to purchase new systems (if they wanted to stick with Windows). For some, that wasn't an option, so they had to keep using a Windows operating system that would eventually fall out of support. That meant no more security updates, which can leave users (and their data) vulnerable. Also: When Windows 10 support runs out, you have 5 options but only 2 are worth considering If you've found yourself in such a situation, there's hope by way of a handful of Linux distributions designed specifically for older (or less-powerful) hardware. With these operating systems, you can revive an old machine and make it run as though it were new. Here are five Linux distributions that are perfectly at home on older (and even newer) hardware. " The info and how are in the full article here: https://www.zdnet.com/article/want-to-save-your-old-computer-try-these-5-linux-distributions/

From Ed Bott my favorite tech writer, like him, I am also partial to Dell and Surface devices, but do not have a Mac like him. "If you're patient and willing to do some research, you can save hundreds of dollars and get a more powerful configuration than you ever dreamed possible. Here's how. A new PC or Mac is a major purchase. Buying a high-quality device that's built to perform well and last for years can easily cost you $1,500 or more. How much more? Well, Microsoft's most expensive business laptop costs roughly $3,000, and a fully loaded MacBook Pro tops out at a cool $4,000. But you don't have to pay those sticker prices. With a little preparation and some patience, you can save up to 50% off those high price tags without sacrificing quality. Over the years, I've bought dozens of PCs and have learned a few tricks that I share in this article. I'm partial to Dell PCs and Surface devices, and I always have at least one Mac in my office, but the information here should apply to any vendor. How in the full article here: https://www.zdnet.com/article/stop-paying-full-price-for-pcs-and-macs-7-ways-to-shop-smarter-and-get-more-for-your-money/

https://www.votervoice.net/iframes/AFSA/newsletters/387174?isInformationalBroadcast=true

This is my fourth Pixel Pro, Lynda's first. I had two Pixel 8 Pros, and a Pixel 6 Pro I am keeping for a backup phone. I agree, they are fast and great builds. Is yours usable in the states and in a foreign country? Do you like Gemini? I like the immediate updates for Android with Pixels as Google makes them and makes Android for those who don't know.and the the seven or so years of security updates.

Last week on Black Friday, Best buy had a deal we just could not resist. We liked the Pixel 8 Pros we had but even though I just got them last April, they had a trade in deal where we could upgrade to the Pixel 9 pro for only $155.81 each with 256GB storage, combining two promotions and the trade in for our Pixel 8 Pros! Our old Pixel 8 pros were almost 7 inches and this year they had the Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Pixel 9 Pro and the 9 Pro XL are the same phones but the XL is slightly larger than the Pixel Pro. The Pixel 9 is the entry level Pixel. We decided on the 9 Pro as it is a perfect size for us,he 9 Pro is smaller and they still have the larger one but it is called the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Here is a picture of my new Pixel 9 Pro next to my old Pixel 6 Pro. I am keeping the Pixel 6 Pro for a backup phone but is the same size as our Pixel 8 Pro phones were we just traded in for our Pixel 9 Pro. The larger 9 Pro XL was only $50 more but we both like the compact 9 Pro size better. BOth phones came with Android 14 and updated immediately to Android 15. One thing we both did not like was Gemini and all the Ai on them. I am not into Ai except the LG QNED Ai that tuned our new TV picture last year, that was awesome. So I just disabled Gemini and went back to Google assistant which we use a lot. As usual a less than 2 minute YouTube video walked me through it easily and we now have our old Assistant back. I tried Gemini for a week and was not impressed. I will try it again later after it matures a bit or not. If you want to remove Gemini from a Pixel Pro 9 Here is a short video walk through. The first method on the video worked fine and that is what I used. I just did both of our new phones: I will do a better review of likes dislikes on the Pixel 9 Pro once our cases/screen protectors come in and we have used them daily. We still have her old Motorola and my old Pixel 6 Pro. We are using the old phones until new cases and screen protectors that we ordered come in next week.

Forbes - Nov 24, 2024,06:30am EST Samsung Warns All iPhone And Android Users—Your Messages Are Now At Risk Excerpt: "All change for iPhone users. This year has already seen the biggest shift in texting in a decade, with Apple’s long-awaited adoption of RCS. And next month it will change again, with iPhone users being able to change default messaging apps. But there’s a serious new warning that iPhone and Android users need to be careful what they text. While Apple has introduced RCS, it has adopted the standard protocol which does not yet include the end-to-end encryption that protects Google Messages between Android users, iMessages between Apple users, or the likes of WhatsApp. It could have provided an integration layer with Google Messages to provide this security from launch, but that was not done leaving users at risk. Google and Samsung have just issued a range of odes to RCS, celebrating that it now bridges the Android-iPhone gap. But hidden in a footnote is recognition of that glaring issue. “Samsung and Google welcome a new era of more seamless, cross-platform messaging,” it says. “With the latest version of iOS supporting RCS, the benefits are available beyond the Android ecosystem,” but warns that “encryption is only available for Android to Android communication.” Put very simply—this means your texts can be intercepted and read by others. Timing is everything, and this comes just as the lack of security with general cellular text messaging has been thrust into the headlines yet again, this time by the latest allegations of Chinese hackers running riot across various networks. As one US Senator warned on Friday, these Chinese hackers now “have access to every single one of our major telecommunications companies. They have broken in. They can read your texts, and they can hear your conversations. It’s just a matter of who they want to listen to and who they don’t.” This follows revelations that China’s “Salt Typhoon,” a group “closely linked to China’s Ministry of State Security,” has infiltrated US networks, lurking undetected “for more than a year.” While the Senator’s rhetoric is overplayed, at least as regards everyday users of little interest to China’s state spies, the raw facts are that content—whether voice, text or data—is either encrypted end-to-end or it’s not." More here from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/.../samsung-warns-iphone-and.../

Forbes Republished on December 5 with additional comments provided by the FBI and reports into US political pressure given the scale of these Chinese cyber attacks. "Timing is everything. Just as Apple’s adoption of RCS had seemed to signal a return to text messaging versus the unstoppable growth of WhatsApp, then along comes a surprising new hurdle to stop that in its tracks. While messaging Android to Android or iPhone to iPhone is secure, messaging from one to the other is not. Now even the FBI and CISA, the US cyber defense agency, are warning Americans to use responsibly encrypted messaging and phone calls where they can. The backdrop is the Chinese hacking of US networks that is reportedly “ongoing and likely larger in scale than previously understood.” Fully encrypted comms is the best defense against this compromise, and Americans are being urged to use that wherever possible" Much more in the article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2024/12/05/fbi-warns-iphone-and-android-users-stop-sending-texts/