January 21, 2012 – 12:22 am | No Comment

Happy 2012! This year I am going lean–downsizing to control my budget and getting in shape. I am “cutting the cord” –discontinuing my cable TV service–and I am losing weight and training for another Olympic-length …

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Triathlon Training Technology -Fitness-Weight Loss

How to use technology for losing weight and training. Features, tips, and my journey toward an Olympic-length triathlon.

Cutting Out Cable-Streaming Media & Home Networks

Can you live without cable TV? See my experience. How to get movies, TV shows, your videos, photos and music WHERE and WHEN you want it. What you need to stream.

iPhones, IPads, ITunes & Gadgets on the Go

iHow-to and iNews: How to use your iPhones, iPods, iPads, Android SmartPhones, MP3s, GPS…What they are. What you want. How to use it. Troubleshooting and tips.

Photography

Making photography and cameras simple. Explaining features to help you get your best photos.

TVs, Home Audio and Home Entertainment

All about TVs, and home audio includes components like Blu-ray Disc and DVD players, and DVRs, TIVO, and anything else you hook up to your TV… Satellite, Antenna, Cable

Home » Archive by Author

Articles by Barb Gonzalez

I'm a baby-boomer widowed mom of a teenage son. I am passionate about Home Theater and Gadgets. (My son is thrilled about that. My boyfriend is befuddled by it.) I love to play with these toys that make life fun and sometimes easier. But, like most people I find technology confusing and that the answers are in techno-babble. Crucial details and steps are left out. I've been given the gift (and sometimes a frustrating curse) of being able to see things from the mind of a beginner at the same time I can understand complex technology. Mostly, I give tips to help you choose, set up and use your electronics - home theater, gadgets, etc. But I also will write about the ways you can approach technology so it is easier for you to figure out for yourself. My favorite quote is "The obvious is hidden from those on the inside." Those who understand can rarely explain. I hope my gift will help you to enjoy technology and move forward into the future with fun and ease!

Making DTV Converter Boxes Simple for Our Older Folk
May 29, 2009 – 1:16 am | 2 Comments
Making DTV Converter Boxes Simple for Our Older Folk

It’s been touted that DTV converter boxes are simple to install and use. Converter boxes that qualify for the converter box coupon programs are required to have certain features. While closed captioning and …

Shopping for TVs – Step 2 Get Advice
May 14, 2009 – 11:20 pm | No Comment

The second step in shopping for a TV is finding out what features are available on today’s TVs.  Researching TVs can be time consuming and tedious for most folk.  Here’s…
Where to do your Shopping for …

Shopping for a Home Theater & More – Step One: Evaluation
May 1, 2009 – 7:51 pm | No Comment
Shopping for a Home Theater & More – Step One: Evaluation

 I’ve written much to give advice about shopping for home theater–buying TVs and components and more.  It is unfortunate (but fun for me) that I am in the position to buy a bunch of electronics. …

You Don’t Need A Cable Box
April 30, 2009 – 4:32 pm | No Comment
You Don’t Need A Cable Box

 
If you subscribe to cable TV, you don’t need to rent their cable box, you have choices. I’m about to move into a new house here in Bend. I’ve been living on acreage …

Setting Up Self Hosted WordPress
April 28, 2009 – 11:16 pm | No Comment

Been working on getting this wordpress setup all day. Even with “WordPress for Dummies,” it’s never easy. Sometimes I think that things intentionally go wrong–I mean I’m following directions– then again, I …

YOU ARE LIVING IN 21st CENTURY
March 9, 2009 – 5:53 am | No Comment
YOU ARE LIVING IN 21st CENTURY

Lots of jokes get emailed to me. Being a gadget person, and social networker, this is the funniest, most relatable email I’ve gotten. Either you will know someone like this or you will …

A Sad Day for Plasma TVs – “Seeing and Hearing like you never will” -Pioneer Kuro R.I.P.
February 21, 2009 – 5:52 am | No Comment
A Sad Day for Plasma TVs – “Seeing and Hearing like you never will” -Pioneer Kuro R.I.P.

[/caption]. It’s official. Pioneer has killed their plasma division. I got confirmation from my PR connection at Pioneer. Here’s the official lowdown The company that makes the best consumer flat screens, the reference by which …

Videos to Help with the DTV transition
February 18, 2009 – 11:04 am | One Comment

Well, today was the day that the analog signals were to be shut off at local TV broadcasters and only digital signals would be sent. This marked the end of an era. The …

List of TV Stations that May Not Be Allowed to Switch Early-on February 17
February 15, 2009 – 2:31 am | No Comment
List of TV Stations that May Not Be Allowed to Switch Early-on February 17

A few days ago I posted a list of TV stations that had applied to turn off their analog signals on February 17th. In some areas, all the major network affiliates requested early shut …

Important Info on DTV Transition and Your Local TV Stations
February 12, 2009 – 8:32 am | No Comment
Important Info on DTV Transition and Your Local TV Stations

This may be the most important information about the DTV transition that you need to know right now. The DTV transition date has been changed from February 17, 2009 to June 12, 2009. …