learning curve – Page 240

Where is the ‘Other Devices’ link on the new Google Chrome? – Solved

Posted on October 25, 2013

One of the best things about Google Chrome is the ability to log in to the browser and then be able to share your history across all your google devices, simply by clicking the Other Devices link on the browser.

However, during a recent update, that link disappeared and with it, apparently at least, the most useful feature of Chrome.

But never fear, because it hasn’t gone far. While researching moving a favourites folder from IE one one machine to Chrome on another machine for my Dad (sorted, thanks), I discovered that it’s safe, well and merely slightly less accessible.
Why would they want to do this? I have no idea, although they have a bit of history in this regard.

Anyway: to get access to pages you have opened on your Other Devices now, simply click the Customise and Control button on the top right of the browser – the one with three horizontal lines – and scroll to Recent Tabs. There, you will see all your Other Devices – and the pages you have been viewing on them – listed.

As an aside, clicking on History in that same menu drop down now shows your your browsing history on all your connected devices.

Vulture II

Posted on October 24, 2013October 24, 2013

Sometime last week, I posted a shot of a Cape Vulture taken at the Oudtshoorn Wildlife Ranch. That vulture was a “normal” Cape Vulture, in that, despite being in captivity, it knew that it was a vulture and it recognised others around it as being vultures too.

The Cape Vulture at Radical Raptors was slightly different. Sure, it probably knows that it’s a vulture, but it thinks that the guy who runs the centre is its mum, and thus constantly begs for food from him, in the same way that baby birds in a – say – robin’s nest would beg for food.

baby-robins-begging-for-food

Aww.

The difference, of course, is that the Cape Vulture is:
a) far more mobile than these baby robins, and
b) has a wingspan of 2.6 metres.

The result is frankly terrifying:

But for all his deafening, banshee like screaming, he’s completely subservient and all he wants is a few scraps of meat.

Still, you wouldn’t want to get between him and his food. Like… er… I inadvertently did.

More pics (but still no blog post yet!) from Plett here.

The Slow Computer thing

Posted on October 14, 2013

New research by SanDisk suggests that we lose quite a bit of time each year waiting for our slow computers to do stuff. The estimated times vary by country, with the US the best of those surveyed, losing “only” 4.9 days each year. The UK averaged 130 hours (5.42 days) per year, while the poor old Italians claim to lose about 7 (seven) days per year to their slowly reacting computers, although this may be exacerbated by them heading outside for a drink, a smoke and some highly animated conversation while it does its thing. And by their national propensity for procrastination.

There are no figures available for SA, but foreign readers must understand that we have the double whammy of slow computers and slow internet to deal with here, so don’t expect anything to get done quickly, thank you very much.

Says DVice:

The results of this waiting aren’t pretty, either. Nearly 20 percent of British folks surveyed admitted resorting to violence to relieve their annoyance, throwing devices against walls or stomping on them. This, of course, probably only increased their wait times. In addition, 33 percent of British and 37 percent of Chinese responders were left in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

I must admit that I have thrown a mouse at a wall on more than one occasion, but that had nothing to do with computers and they should never have let me back into the pet shop anyway.

But I’m glad that these statistics are out there, because canny employees can use them as leverage with the boss when requesting higher-specs on their next laptop purchase.

Trevor Noah on QI

Posted on October 10, 2013October 10, 2013

A nice preview of SA comedian Trevor Noah on popular BBC programme, QI:

It’s an admittedly small sample (n=4), but the scientist in me noted that homosexual individuals seem rather susceptible to isiXhosa click singing. I’m not homosexual, nor am I particularly good at click singing, but this fact may be of interest should you be “on the pull” for a same sex partner at some pub or club this evening.

It’s good to see a bit of SA culture (yes, I’m aware that it’s Trevor Noah and I’m stretching it a bit here, but…) on entertaining, quality, prime-time UK TV.