Technology Class Session Summary 4.30.2026

By

 Technology Class Session Summary


AI Tools and Recommendations

  • Download AI engines directly (Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude) rather than third-party AI apps with subscriptions
  • All major AI engines (Gemini, ChatGPT/OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek) offer free versions
  • DeepSeek provides inline citations/references showing source websites, allowing users to verify information

Safari Autofill Settings

  • To change autofill address: Go to Safari Settings > Autofill
  • Autofill can pull from "My Card" in Contacts or from manually entered information
  • To set up "My Card": Create new contact with your information, then go to Card menu > "Make this my card"
  • Important: Always separate first name and last name in contacts for proper alphabetical sorting
  • Safari autofill also supports Google passwords, 1Password, and other password manager extensions

Managing Contacts and Lists

  • "My Card" appears at top of contacts with a unique circle/profile picture icon
  • To create contact lists: Click plus (+) > New List > Name the list > Drag contacts onto list name
  • Lists only work with Mac Mail, not web-based Gmail or Yahoo
  • Lists are references only - deleting from list doesn't delete the actual contact
  • To remove from list (not delete contact): Click contact > Edit > Remove from list
  • Can undo accidental deletions via Edit > Undo

Credit Cards and Apple Wallet

  • Remove expired credit cards from autofill by clicking the minus (-) button
  • Apple Card is minimalist white titanium card with only Apple logo (no visible card number)
  • Apple Card expiration dates update automatically in Wallet
  • Disposing of titanium cards: Companies may provide self-addressed envelopes for return (cannot shred or cut)

iCloud Storage Management

  • Check storage status in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud (don't trust external messages claiming storage is full)
  • When storage bar is red and shows maximum capacity (e.g., "8 of 8"), upgrade is needed
  • Apple's storage optimization suggestions are primarily designed to encourage purchasing more storage
  • High-resolution photos and videos from modern smartphones consume significant storage

Security Warnings - Common Scams

  • Storage full alerts: Never click links in messages about full storage - always check storage directly in Settings
  • Digital signature requests: Emails claiming "your signature is required" or "e-signature needed" are often scams, especially around tax time
  • Party invitations: Fake emails from known contacts inviting to events - designed to make you click malicious links
  • Best practice: Delete suspicious emails without opening; if legitimate, sender will follow up with phone call

Transferring Files Between Computer and Phone

  • AirDrop method: Select file > Share > AirDrop > Choose device (ensure AirDrop is enabled on phone)
    • Transfer files in small groups to track successful transfers
    • Works via Bluetooth
  • iCloud Drive method: Enable iCloud Drive in Settings > iCloud > Drive
    • Access on Mac: Finder > Go menu > iCloud Drive
    • Drag and drop files into iCloud Drive folders to sync across devices
    • Warning: "Desktop and Documents" sync option will upload everything to cloud and consume storage
  • Alternative methods: Email files to yourself, use cable connection
  • Recently transferred files appear in "Recent" on phone - should be moved to permanent location

Managing Mac Dock

  • To add application to dock: Use Spotlight to search for app > Open it > Control+click on dock icon > Options > Keep in Dock
  • To remove: Control+click icon > Options > Remove from Dock
  • Folders and website shortcuts can only be placed on right side of dock (near Trash)

AirDrop Settings on iPhone

  • Access AirDrop settings in Control Center (pull down from top right)
  • AirDrop icon: circle with smaller circles/head shape
  • Recommended setting: "Contacts Only" or "Receiving Off" (not "Everyone")
  • "Everyone" setting allows anyone nearby to send files - only use temporarily at gatherings
  • To send via AirDrop on iPhone: Select item > Share button (arrow pointing up) > AirDrop > Choose recipient

Apple Passwords

  • Apple Passwords is native to Apple devices and free
  • Works seamlessly with Safari without additional extensions
  • Alternative to paid services like 1Password

Popular posts from this blog

Technology Class 8-22-04

By
Image
 Visit the Amazon AI Popup in San Francisco https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/robots-on-market-street-lure-visitors-to-amazon-ai-pop-up-space/ar-AA1p96y0?ocid=BingNewsSerp#image=3 https://aws.amazon.com/startups/lp/aws-gen-ai-loft-san-francisco Watch Drone Light Shows with over 1500 drones on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNcMDoBmhGA When searching be cautious and check the http... website address and look at the article to be sure it's what you want. When going to a website, use the address bar on the top of the window, type in the name with .com, and save the website to your bookmarks for a reference to the trusted site in the future by clicking the star. On Macintosh Photos how can I find duplicates? Open the multicolored flower Click the categories on the left and find Duplicate Click Duplicate to reveal the duplicate photos How can I test my foreign language skills. Use the dictation on Google Translate https://translate.google.com/?sl=auto&tl=zh-CN&op=tr...
Read more

All About Email pt 1 & 2 3/6/2025

By
Image
Email Security Use a reliable email service. *If you are on @comcast.net setup a secondary email address. And you can forward emails from @comcast.net to your new email while you slowly transition over to a more secure email provider. Getting too much Spam (Junk Mail) Unsubscribing doesn't usually work Use the SPAM/Junk filters Create your filters/rules ~If the above options don't help, setup a secondary email address and share the new address with friends and family while leaving the junk behind in the old email. How to create a new email address? Go to gmail.com (Google), outlook.com (Microsoft) Choose Create Account, follow the prompts How do you access your emails? Webmail = gmail.com, outlook.com (this is recommended by the email provider because they have control over what you see, including the ads) Mail Client App = Macintosh Mail, Outlook, Thunderbird,  2 Layer SPAM filter 1st filter = Mail Providers Spam/Junk filters from your provider. Best Spam/Junk filters gmail.co...
Read more

Q & A Session from 2/27/2025 - Hacked: Warn contacts, change password, tech help. Podcast: on-demand radio app. Shazam: identify music via iPhone control panel.

By
Image
My emails have been hacked! What do I do? Notify all your contacts, friends and family to ignore the recent email and NOT send you money or respond to the email. This includes someone to send the message on your behalf.  Or create/use a secondary email to send a notification email to your friends/family group or distribution list NOT to send you money or respond to the email. (Be sure to put all the contacts in the BCC and send to groups of no mare than 50 contacts at a time) 1. Contact a Computer Tech to help cleanup and verify your email settings are properly configured, change your password and setup 2 factor authentication 2. Determine the extent of the Hack and if your original email can be secured you can continue to use it OR you might need to create a new email address What's a podcast? On-Demand Streaming Radio Shows Apple has a podcast app on their Computers and iOS devices ~Open the app to search for a show by name or host. ~Choose follow to add the show and newly added ...
Read more