Starting a Journey with Google Chromebook

We are revising the 5th edition of the Informatics and Nursing textbook.  The new second chapter will be the essentials of computers and software.  Operating system(OS) is one of the computer concepts.  Google Chrome OS used for the $179 Chromebook changes everything!  The Chrome OS is not installed on a hard drive.  It is a web browser and OS built into one.  You open the computer, connect to a WiFi system and work.  All of the software apps are in the cloud.  Examples are the Google Drive apps, email.  The laptop does have two USB ports, so you can exchange files on a USB device.  More later as I learn...

WiFi Range Extender

I had a really weak WiFi signal at the kitchen end of the house and the porch.  Last week Flor shared that her home has 5 WiFi range extenders.  Wow!  It prompted us to do a search for WiFi range extenders.  We ordered one and it arrived this afternoon. 

The install was not difficult, but had a slow start.  My computer would not see the range extender until I disconnected from the Internet and used an Ethernet cable to connect the laptop to the range extender. I had to enter the encryption code for the extender (cloned from the router/modem) on all of the devices (computer, iPhone, iPad).  The range extender has already made a huge difference.  So tomorrow, when we meet to work on our research and write, we will have a strong WiFi signal in the kitchen.

Wifi Hacking Problem

One of my friends experienced fraud recently.  There is a rash of fraud involving debit cards at the university.  I read in the newspaper this morning about a new free app that cybercriminals are using to hack debit cards.  You can read more about the problem at http://www.indianexpress.com/news/new-hacking-tools-pose-bigger-threats-to-wifi-users/752559/