This blog posting is my initial review of the Framework 16 notebook computer. I chosen the one with the 7840HS CPU from AMD, with the standard keyboard in addition to the number pad. For modules, I chosen 4 USB-C ports, a 1TB storage module, and an SD card module. I will go into modules a little later in this posting. In addition to the PC, I had to buy memory which I bought 2 × 32GB (64GB) of memory, a 2TB, and 4TB NVME storage drives. The 4TB drive didn’t fit because it was too high (a heatsink). All together, I paid a little more than $3,000 for all purchases. Read more “First Impressions – Framework 16”
Author: Frank Pilone
First Impressions – Ubuntu
This blog posting is the review of Ubuntu Desktop 24.04. This is the first time I ever made a Linux distribution as my primary OS. There are some things I like about it, and some things I don’t like about it. So far, the OS does almost everything I would need without too much of a fuss. However, that doesn’t make it smooth sailing. As with most Linux OSes, Ubuntu is free, and the download .iso file was 6GB in size. This meant it needed to be installed on a drive that was 8GB or larger to install the OS. Read more “First Impressions – Ubuntu”
UBI, and How It Could Work
This posting is my opinion on Universal Basic Income (hereafter referred to as UBI). The concept of UBI is that everyone deserves a certain minimum amount of money to live well enough. There are a few ways this can be done, but the most popular is that everyone gets UBI. My concept for this plan is that everyone qualifies, but is a means tested. If the person doesn’t have a certain amount of finances available to them, then they will qualify. Once they reached a certain threshold, then they won’t qualify for UBI. Read more “UBI, and How It Could Work”
Expensive Want – Framework 16
I know this might seem strange wanting a Linux or Windows PC when I have an iMac desktop. However, I like the idea and concept of something repairable, and easily upgradeable. This system will even give me an encouragement to try Windows, even if it won’t be my primary system. I don’t see myself as technically inclined, but the instructions they have on their websites makes it look easy enough. So what is the problem, and why is it a want instead of a have? Well, the specs I would want is very expensive. And while I am sure a couple of components are overkill, I would still want to max out the system – therefore giving me a competent machine for longer than the lifetime of the motherboard. Read more “Expensive Want – Framework 16”
Emerson CXSW0555 Clock Radio
This is a clock radio that has a number of features, however – I use it for the most basic of functions. First, it is smart set clock. Second, it is an FM radio. And third, it has a Qi Charging pad. All three of these features are important enough for me to select this clock radio over other choices. I don’t know things like memory, or CPU (yes, they will have one), but none of that is important considering it is a clock radio, and not a computer. Read more “Emerson CXSW0555 Clock Radio”
Why VCF?
Some people will notice the links to my .vcf file, or My VCF. One might wonder what it is, and how does it work? In this blog posting, I will detail what a .vcf is, and how to best use it. With that in mind, I would hope that you would consider providing a .vcf file, if only to a few people. Me personally, I provide my .vcf file to anyone that would want it. I would recommend right away to use your smartphone when going to the .vcf file. This will be explained later in this posting. Read more “Why VCF?”
Grandstream WP-825
The Grandstream WP-825 is a SIP compliant Wifi phone. The phone was $130+tax from Amazon. While there were a couple of places that sold it cheaper, I wanted to the phone ASAP, and this one came 1 day after ordering it. I am sure the phrase SIP compliant Wifi phone means little to most, so I will go into detail what that means. SIP is an open protocol for Internet telephony. Wifi is obviously for the Wifi Network that your phone likely uses when home. When using SIP, you need a SIP UID, a SIP Password, and the SIP server. You would probably also need a credit/debit card as most SIP providers do not provide their service beyond network calling for free. Read more “Grandstream WP-825”
A Problem with Mint Mobile
I am a Mint Mobile customer. I really like them, and they are reasonably priced. I have a plan that is $205/year which is very affordable. Considering that the Big 3 in the United States starts their plans at around $60/month, the less than $20/month I pay with Mint is a blessing for my meager financial resources. Yes, my plan only gives me 5GB of data per month, but I am in a trusted Wifi Network much of the time, and the data provided by Mint is more than sufficient with my lifestyle, and resources needed. I also have good international rates, although I have yet to need to call an international number, so the money I added for international calls has yet to be used. Read more “A Problem with Mint Mobile”
Dropped Ooma
In late September, I had decide to drop Ooma. There was nothing wrong with the service, but since all of my telephone numbers do not ring the Ooma phone, it was becoming a waste of money. When I had Ooma, I had the premiere plan which was $10 + another $10 for taxes on something that is free. With the regards to dropping Ooma, I now rely on my Callcentric Account for all of my home phone lines including my primary home telephone number (begins with =1 855), and all of my international numbers. With that in mind, I will be saving $20 per month, and have one less service that I will have to deal with. Right now, all of my telephone services are either with my cellular provider (1 telephone number) or Callcentric (the other numbers). This will simplify things, and make life a little easier. Read more “Dropped Ooma”
iPhone 16 – A Want
Well, this is a predicament. A couple of years ago, I bought an iPhone 14 Pro Max. The phone works just fine, and that would be a part of the problem. Today, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16 lineup, and with that will come a number of features that my 14 Pro Max doesn’t have. However, at $1,200USD – I would need to draw on a credit card to pay for it. This will mean that I will be paying interest as long as I carry a balance. This will mean that my $1,200 phone will cost more than $1,200. Obviously, I will perform the same tactic that I would always do with debt and that would be to attack it with a vengeance. This will mean to throw ALL of my discretionary spending at the debt. With all of this in mind, and the fact that my iPhone 14 still works just fine, and expected to work just fine with the iOS 18 updates (except the higher features), there is no way I can justify buying a brand new phone that starts at $900, and only go up from there. So what are the features that would be something I will look forward to? Here they are: Read more “iPhone 16 – A Want”