Secrets of Technology

Spam is a scourge of modern communications. Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Jack Baruzzini discuss their strategies for dealing with unwanted communications and scams that come in via email. text, and calls. Plus, the Vatican's new VR gallery and the end of the iPod. The post Stop Spam appeared first on StarQuest Media.

It's never been easier or cheaper to make beautiful music in your home. Dom Bettinelli, Victor Lams, and Fr. Joseph Sund discuss how to get started, the software and hardware to consider, and how to share your creations with others. Plus Kindle changes, Apple abandoned app policies, and your data in the Facebook lake. The post Make Music with Technology appeared first on StarQuest Media.

If you've got an old Mac you'd like to extend the life of, why not install Linux on it? Fr. Cory Sticha, Dom Bettinelli, and Joanne Mercier discuss the why and the how, the benefits and potential pitfalls of installing Linux especially on older Macs that no longer receive macOS updates. The post Linux on a Mac appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Camping is as old as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, but Dom Bettinelli and Thomas Sanjurjo have some tech gadgets, gear, apps, and web sites that will make your next trip safer, more convenient, and more comfortable, whether on a backcountry hike or car camping with the family. The post Tech for Camping appeared first on StarQuest Media.

If you're looking to get outdoors more, whether after winter or after lockdown, Dom Bettinelli and Pat Scott have apps and web sites to recommend that will help you find great walking trails, look at the stars, learn more about that mountain, bird, or plant nearby, or play a fun game. The post Tech for Getting Outdoors appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What are the biggest software and hardware flops? Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Joseph Sund, and Victor Morton discuss their choices for the dubious award and note how often the flops were just ahead of their time and showed up as successful products later in a different form. The post Biggest Tech Flops of All Time appeared first on StarQuest Media.

A good power backup can not only keep you working in a blackout, but can extend the life of your delicate electronics. Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Cory Sticha, and Joanne Mercier discuss how to choose a UPS and tips for making the most of it. Plus, more headlines and picks of the week. The post Choosing, Buying, and Using a UPS For You appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Alexa, Google Home, and Siri are all good at hearing their names called, but one listener wants to know how to stop them from listening to his toddler. Dom Bettinelli, Jack Baruzzini, and Thomas Sanjurjo give their advice and then also discuss weaponizing open source and drilling into the Earth for unlimited energy. The post Kids and Home Assistant appeared first on StarQuest Media.

If you're looking for a search engine that censors less or protects privacy more, Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Fr. Andrew Kinstetter have some suggestions. Plus, stay on top of your kids' screentime without taking down your town's internet and is it wrong to make the Amazon driver dance for TikTok? The post Search for a New Search Engine appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Is old music killing new music? Dom Bettinelli, Victor Lams, and Pat Scott discuss how streaming music up-ended the music industry, including what kinds of music people listen to; Apple's latest Silicon announcements; wireless electric roadways; and patients left stranded when a bionic implant company closes. The post Streaming Completely Changed Music appeared first on StarQuest Media.

As the war in Ukraine grabs our attention, Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss how tech is shaping coverage and how we can use (and not use) our tech to stay connected without doomscrolling. Plus, the FBI warns on QR codes and then more on tracking tags. The post Tech Connects Us to World Events appeared first on StarQuest Media.

A Catholic techie was removed from a public crypto project for an old tweet expressing his beliefs. Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Jack Baruzzini discuss what happened and how we can be openly Catholic without running afoul of the crowd. Plus, what is the digital dollar and why should we care? The post Catholic Beliefs in the Tech Space appeared first on StarQuest Media.

VR tech is more exciting than ever, so Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Fr. Andrew Kinstetter have revisited their discussion of the Oculus Quest with more hints, tips, and techniques for getting the most out of it. Plus, the new Samsung Galaxy S22 and more. The post What’s New in Oculus VR? appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The IRS has backtracked on its plan to require facial recognition to access your tax data, but Dom Bettinelli, Victor Lams, and Fr. Joseph Sund discuss why the plan was so controversial and problematic. Plus, how much faster our computers are today; a Linux smartphone; and crypto to help those in need around the world. The post The Government Wants Your Face appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Should we have an expectation of privacy in prayer apps? Dom Bettinelli, Joanne Mercier, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss reports that some faith-related apps are collecting and even sharing how people are using the apps. Plus, Google v. Apple on messages; autonomous car liability; and recycling appliances. The post Privacy and Prayer Apps appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Keeping your car secure can involve lots of high and low tech. Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Jack Baruzzini discuss the rings of security and the cost-benefit balance of various tech to guard your vehicle. Plus Meta's new AI supercomputer; Intel's new chip plant; and Alexa going to the moon. The post Car Security Tech appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Which cloud storage service is best? Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss the various options for personal cloud storage and their pros and cons, and then offer their own recommendations. Plus, whether government should default to choosing free, open-source software. The post Choosing Personal Cloud Storage appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What are our favorite videogames of all time and now? Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Joseph Sund, and Victor Lams discuss their favs, why games aren't just frivolous, and what makes a good game. Plus, cryptomining, 3-d printed homes, and weird CES announcements. The post Our Favorite Videogames appeared first on StarQuest Media.

As VR becomes more real and accessible, will virtual reality experiences replace real world experiences? Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Andrew Kinstetter, and Joanne Mercier discuss the good and the bad, the potential consequences, and what a Catholic worldview has to say about living in the metaverse. The post Will Virtual Disney Replace the Real Things? appeared first on StarQuest Media.