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I may be slightly off topic in this thread, but while on the subject of Social Security I found an interesting and educational tool to save Social Security, but not from the DOGE cobol re-progamming that sounds scary to me, (a non tech home user), – but here is a user tool anyone can use to form ideas about how to save Social Security from its insolvency crisis:
“Social Security provides vital income security to millions of beneficiaries, but it is on a road toward insolvency. The Social Security retirement program is projected to run out of reserves by 2033, or by 2035 if combined with the disability program. Upon insolvency of the theoretically combined trust funds, all beneficiaries regardless of age and income will face an immediate 17 percent benefit cut, growing to 28 percent by 2073.”
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget offers An Interactive Tool to Fix Social Security. “The Reformer” allows users to build their own plan to restore solvency. See how your choices stack up! This interactive tool has progress charts on the right side of the webpage so you can see what your individual changes do to the outcome. I hope our Congress people will pay attention. Give it a try at:
https://www.crfb.org/socialsecurityreformer/
1 user thanked author for this post.
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Yes, it is a very good idea to follow Susan Bradley advice to set up a “my Social Security Account” and review all the available information there, and print out as much as you can, or take screenshots, so that you have some type of an official record before any thing could possibly go haywire (?) –
Here are some informational links that may be helpful:From Clark Howard, a long time consumer advocate, he turns 70 in June 2025:
My Social Security: The Free Account Everyone Needs To Set Up
Written by Sally McDonald | December 19th, 2024“… did you know there’s an important step you need to take before you turn 62? Money expert Clark Howard has one secret to share that will help protect your financial future: – 6 Things To Consider About Your “my Social Security” Account”
How to Create or Access Your Social Security Account – Ready to sign up?
Visit https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/create.html to get started. You will have the option to create an account with one of our credential service providers, Login.gov or ID.me.
1 user thanked author for this post.
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Best product key finder software of 2025
By Desire Athow last updated January 16, 2025“We list the best product key finder software, to make it simple and easy to find the serial code for Windows and other software. – – Belarc Advisor is primarily a tool for gathering information about your Windows system, including hardware, security updates and product keys. – – Scroll down to ‘Software licenses’ to find serial numbers and product keys for Windows, Office and many other applications.”
https://www.belarc.com/products/belarc-advisor
“The license associated with this product allows for free personal use only.”
I have good luck with Belarc Advisor and the Tech Radar article is useful.
1 user thanked author for this post.
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Oh so sad. Condolences to family and friends. Rest In Peace O Mighty One. Woody is a fine example of the “GOAT” classification, truly one of the ‘Greatest Of All Time’ members. Thank you Woody for creating this friendly helpful community here at AskWoody.com – may Susan, Will, PKCano, Kirsty, and all the MVPs continue to keep the Spirit of Woody alive for as long as possible. Bless your work here good friends. This website with these fine Forums is one of the very best in the entire world. Heartfelt Truth.
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Thank you for the good educational article, very interesting. Would anyone be interested in the so-called “God Mode” where a lot of settings are in one place. Here is a brief quote from the geeks for geeks organization ( Last Updated 27 Sep, 2024 ) : =
“God Mode gives you access to a centralized control panel with all the system’s settings in one place, making it easy to manage everything from administrative tools to accessibility settings. Whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11, activating God Mode is simple and can greatly enhance your experience by offering quick access to advanced features.”
Personally I do not know enough if “All” the system settings are included, but it is an interesting folder to have a shortcut to –
How to Enable God Mode In Windows 10 and 11
2 users thanked author for this post.
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For AskWoody participants in the USA, and anyone anywhere in the world that is able to receive or collect US Social Security or SSI Supplemental Security Income payments, pay heed when the MarketWatch website has some articles about DOGE and Social Security, perhaps we all should pay attention and learn as much as we can. Some links to MarketWatch articles:
Should you be worried about Elon Musk’s DOGE accessing your Social Security information? – By Jessica Hall – Last Updated: Feb. 18, 2025
“Attempts by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to seek access to the Social Security Administration’s database have sparked concern that it could compromise people’s private financial and medical information and could lead to a disruption in benefits. – – – The SSA has data on everyone who has a Social Security number – which is nearly every American – as well as everyone who has Medicare, and every low-income American who has applied for Social Security’s means-tested companion program, Supplemental Security Income, according to non-profit advocacy group Social Security Works.”
Here’s a key Social Security issue that Elon Musk’s DOGE task force could tackle — and it’s not fraud – By Alessandra Malito – Published: Feb. 18, 2025
Opinion: Worried about Elon Musk and ‘DOGE’ getting your Social Security number? Here’s how to protect yourself. – By Brett Arends – Last Updated: Feb. 7, 2025
“A credit freeze is generally seen as the most effective way of protecting yourself.”
Here is an AskWoody link for information on Freezing 7 Credit Bureaus:
https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/hackers-leak-2-7-billion-social-security-numbers/#post-2695599
1 user thanked author for this post.
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February 11, 2025 – ” Information Overload ” article from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities authored By Jacob Leibenluft – titled:
“DOGE” Access to Treasury Payment Systems Raises Serious Risks
“The Bureau of the Fiscal Service operates the “plumbing” that both collects information from government agencies about the people, entities, and governments to which funds should be disbursed and then makes those payments. The vast majority of payments that flow in and out of the federal government go through the Treasury payment systems. BFS manages an average daily cash flow of roughly $200 billion, securely disbursed nearly 1.3 billion payments totaling $5.4 trillion in fiscal year 2023, and centrally disburses nearly 88 percent of all federal payments.”
All I can say is that “they” had better not mess around with my Social Security payments or else I will become extremely upset, and then what? – I don’t know, but I am open to suggestions. Good thing Susan said she will keep eye on this, yay!
5 users thanked author for this post.
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The linux links website released a new article on February 6, 2025 concerning a new update for OnlyOffice new version 8.3 =
“The developers of ONLYOFFICE Docs have released version 8.3, bringing a fresh wave of enhancements designed to streamline document collaboration, improve security, and upgrade user experience. Whether you are working on spreadsheets, text documents, presentations or PDF files, ONLYOFFICE Docs 8.3 provides users with smarter tools and a more intuitive interface. – This article will explore the key features that make this update stand out.”
And even more information with many pictures from official blog website:
https://www.onlyoffice.com/blog/2025/02/onlyoffice-docs-8-3-released
Thank you Slowpoke47 for bringing this fine office suite to our attention
3 users thanked author for this post.
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Accidental update tester reporting in, I usually wait for Patch Lady advice for safe updating, but somehow I messed up with WuMgr and got KB5050411 installed. It is a new improved Windows Recovery Environment update. I had been hiding them because of the troubles they had. This one installed ok, so I thought I would let others know. Mayank Parmar at the Windows Latest website has an article out today that gives good information:
P.S. just re-read PKCano notes, for info, I did not install any other 2025-01 updates, only the KB5050411 installed by itself without the other updates. Also, I do not like being “accidental” update tester, just wanted to share my experience. “It” installed without others, ymmv.
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AskVG website has:
Fix: News and Interests Running in Task Manager in Windows 10
Last updated on October 23, 2024 by VG
UPDATE: A new working solution has been added to the article to disable and remove News and Interests (msedgewebview2.exe) processes running in background in Windows 10.
1 user thanked author for this post.
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Even though the solar storms can cause havoc with radio frequency transmissions, including satellite and space station communications, they sure do create some beautiful visual displays. If you like to look at pretty pictures of these aurora, then please enjoy your visit to these two websites:
Northern Lights dazzle – By Popular Science Staff – Oct 11, 2024
“Northern Lights dazzle in stunning photos from Key West to NYC to China
The aurora was visible in regions that don’t normally see it due to a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm on the sun. Overnight on Thursday October 10 into Friday October 11, the aurora borealis was visible as far south as Florida and even in urban areas like New York City that have more light pollution. The pink, purple, red, and green lights were visible in these areas that normally do not get to see them due to a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm.”A splendid dozen colorful pictures to view from Popular Science. And if that just teases your appetite for great aurora pictures, you have absolutely got to see the 13 fantastic photos at EarthSky.org:
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Sad News – the download from uptodown claiming to be Macrium Reflect Free version 8.1.8311 turned out to be the 30 day free trial of the Home version and Not a Free version. I apologize for misleading anyone, I should have done more research before posting. Please forgive me. I saw a free version offered at the TechSpot website, so I downloaded that one, and it also is the 30 day trial for Home. Wow, False Advertising as both of those websites plainly state Free in their offer, with no mention of Home or any mention of 30 day trial. Makes me wonder if a lawyer could sue them, but I will not go there. But I did go back to the Major Geeks website and downloaded their “Free” version 8.0.7783, and started the installation just to see the different words they used to describe what is being installed. Major Geeks does have a Free version, please see the two pictures attached to see what I am talking about. Note: you have to be logged in to see attachments. It is ok to make up a name and register. This AskWoody website is free for lounger guests, but why not contribute a little $6 or more to help support this wonderful place. Here is link to Major Geeks Macrium Reflect FREE Edition 8.0.7783:
https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/macrium_reflect_free_edition.html
P.S. I did complete my full System Image Backup using FREE version 8.0.7783. -
My relatives in Orlando are staying put and securing there home and yard as best they can. They have been there for decades now and are getting good at doing that. But still, this looks like it may be a direct hit on Tampa and Orlando, so please join me in praying that they all will be safe and secure. I hope bbearen and TechTango and all in the path of Milton will be safe.
1 user thanked author for this post.
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Just sharing some information for users of the Macrium Reflect Free version that would like to get the latest version, the uptodown website has a page titled:
Older versions of Macrium Reflect Free – en,uptodown,com website
“If the latest Macrium Reflect Free update is not supported by your device, you can search the previous version history of Macrium Reflect Free for Windows from Uptodown. Download previous versions of Macrium Reflect Free, safely and free of charge.”
The latest version that they offer is 8.1.8311 = 229 MB, and is dated October 8, 2024. If you click on one of the versions it immediately opens a new page with information about that version, very complete with SHA256. A VirusTotal Scan of the above linked website shows no problems, and I downloaded this new Oct. 8, 2024 version 8.1.8311 .exe and scanned with Windows Security (10) Microsoft Defender Antivirus, also with Free Standalone Malwarebytes, and also SuperAntiSpyware, and all say it is clean. I have not installed it yet because I am happy with my Major Geeks version of Macrium Reflect Free ver 8.0.7783, and will install this new updated version later after my next scheduled full System Image Backup. Here is latest version info link if anyone is interested:
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