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The Ottocast line looks sweet.  I wonder if you can use the Android ones without the App?

Paul.   For Android Auto, new model cars either have full wireless support or only via a USB cord connection.  Full wireless is usually only on the deluxe car models.

For instance, my new 2024 Honda doesn’t have full Android Auto wireless, only music play via Bluetooth.  Essentially, I don’t have all my phone apps available on my cars own screen (Google Maps for instance).

If I had paid $2,000  +/- USD more, that car model trim would have come with wireless Android Auto.  So these adapters act as a bridge.

While the Carlink adapters look nice with a lot of features, I don’t trust anything that’s made and completely located in China… especially as a business.  And I dislike the idea of an separate App to use it.  After checking, the Motorola MA? device may work.. although abysmal start/connect times.

The one piece of hardware that really saved me was a Firewire (1394) to USB Thunderbolt interface card with case.  It instantly resurrected my Nikon LS 4000 slide scanner, Sony Camcorders and other still useful gear.  None of those would work with my new computers that didn’t have Firewire/1394 inputs regardless of any combination of USB adapters.

https://media.startech.com/cms/pdfs/bndtb1394b3_datasheet.pdf

The second most beloved piece of hardware was the purchase of  an “outboard” audio interface device.  What an amazing experience with audio clarity that I never imagined from a computer.

https://us.focusrite.com/scarlett#

So why not use VLC ?  I just tried it with a WMA file and it works fine.

VLC is not a huge program and I just download and install the latest 64 bit version.  I suppose you could hunt around for an older 32 bit version at VideoHelp.com (link below).

There are others like  “Shuttle Player”.  But that’s a whole program.

And…….you could also use the command line program ffmpeg which isn’t installed.  That would require you to download the ffmpeg and place it in a folder.  Then using a command line you would do the conversion.

What’s your choice?

https://www.videohelp.com/software/VLC-media-player

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Deo

You bet Sue.  You can’t beat the music on that link.. especially with (currently) no commercials.  Just the jingle ID’s.  One thing I noticed is that some of the song versions are slightly different than what was released.

Who’d think in the 60’s we’d have the technology to do this kind of listening now?

Mike

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SueW

Here’s an SDR located in Australia.  Click to begin and then simply enter 1341 in the frequency box and then click the “AM” button, and you’ll be listening to 3GL from Geelong, Australia, playing oldies.

http://sdr-amradioantennas.com:8074/

SDR Interface Screenshot

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SueW

Mine was an AT&T installation which included the modem and a conecting cable (multiconductor with RJ-11 connectors) between the modem and a standard telephone wall jack.  Inside the wall jack plate the tech used 2 pairs of standard telephone wiring to achieve the bandwidth. Same idea at the street box.

The modem was actually a “gateway” which is a combo modem and router with 4 Ethernet outputs for Cat 4, 5 or 6 and dual band WiFi.  It was furnished by AT&T as part of the monthly service agreement.

 

Thanks.  The reason I was testing out all of the options was because my Bluetooth mouse doesn’t work. In fact it doesn’t work on any (RE, PE10 or 11.  And unfortunately, neither does the touchpad. So I don’t see any way that I can use Macrium on the laptop.

Windows 10 22H2
Doesn’t work entirely for me. Restarts my older Lenovo laptop (Z580) to just a Boot Menu which has the Windows Boot Manager, Network Booting, etc. I think on this computer, that is the same result as F8 on restart.
Mike

Yeah Suseka all those drivers are pretty confusing.  Thanks for the comment.

In the past (with another machine), I’d search the Internet and Microsoft’s Update Catalog for the driver names.  From there I would be able to get version numbers, dates, hardware ID’s and a description.  Then I’d compare those with the ones on my computer using Device Manager.  It was a time-consuming process.  Typically, if the driver was newer then the one I had, then I’d install it.  Now, I’m not so sure.

So, bottom line, most of those drivers are real and legitimate, but I’m thinking that if your computer is working okay, then you rarely need the drivers being offered by Microsoft.  I would say, however, that many new drivers are created for upgraded security from what I’ve read.

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Bookman, Sueska, Deo

Thanks again for all the input.

Thinking about all this; looking at the offered driver dates and their duplicates tells me not to install those.  Some of the processor ones might be for those early-on Intel processor exploitation(s).  Not sure, but I’ll decline those too.

Appreciate all the wisdom.

Just my tools and opinion(s)

Best for RAW files:  DXO Photolab and then Exposure Software

Best for Editing:  Affinity Photo (best in class for price) and then Photoshop Elements (worst in class for bloat)

Best upcoming:  Topaz Labs Photo AI  (if you like paying for development)

Best for one click adjustments:  Exposure

Best for a quick fix and best in price:  Faststone

What about using Cleanmgr.exe (been in Windows for ages) and the good ol’  %temp% ?  And perhaps a search for all other “tmp” files .

Looks like a subscription website to me. I assume you have a registered paid subscription? Have you tried the free sample at:
https://www.radiospirits.com/onradio/wrwplay21.asp?source=wrw&pcode=WRW2008

Note from their website

How do I listen to an audio program?
Our streaming audio programs utilize the HTML 5 built-in audio player control. If you are using a common web browser (such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari) your program should begin playing a short time after you click the play icon under the show listing. Please note, you must have an active, reliable internet connection to stream our programs.

Mike

My opinion on this, is based on what you are planning to use “this” laptop for Kathy?

Likely some of the updates you may be seeing are for security issues, and others for compatibility with versions of Windows 10.  Anyway, if the laptop works with Windows 10 using the last known drivers from Lenovo, then why update the drivers?  Again they could be for security, but perhaps that’s not an issue.  Like I pointed out, I’m using a Lenovo laptop that’s even older.  Many of the drivers are Vista or Windows 8 and it works just fine with Windows 10 22H2 and I’m not at all worried about the drivers…..security or otherwise.  However, I would never download or use drivers from a 3rd party.

Like others have pointed out, I’m having fun testing out Windows 10 versions and eventually I’ll be moving to Linux Mint on the same laptop.  It’s got a lot of life left.

Mike

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Kathy Stevens