Category: Tech

The Lake House Tech Forums Resume on May 19th

Shell LogoTopics of interest to Seabrookers of educational, cultural, or wellness value.

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE iPHONE AND iPAD        iphone and ipad

with Chad Droze and Mark Watson of the Post and Computer Store

Who should attend: Seabrookers who are interested in learning the basic functions of the iPhone and iPad. This forum is designed for Seabrookers who recently purchased an iPhone/iPad or those who missed previous introductory sessions.

Date: Thursday, May 19th

Time: 3:00 PM

Location: The Lake House

Topics Covered:

How to …

*Place and receive calls

*Send and receive text messages and emails

*Manage the Address Book and Calendar

*Basics of camera

Registration:  PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND! FORUM IS LIMITED TO 40 PARTICIPANTS. WALK-INS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED

To register please email Janet Pasquale at jannyseabrook@gmail.com.

Fee: No Cost

Tech Experts: Chad Droze and Mark Watson

Submitted by the Lake House

 

 

Seabrook Comcast Customers Get Special Account Manager

comcast logoAt the POA Board meeting on April 18, Board President Janet Gorski announced that Comcast is providing its Seabrook Island customers with an account manager who is able to handle all sales, service and installation related inquiries. Andy Gretton can be contacted locally at (843) 266-3217.

Billing questions should continue to be directed to 1-800-COMCAST.

—Tidelines Editor

Tech Forum: Emergency Information

Available Technology:

The technology that is used to facilitate gathering and sharing information included:

  1. Smart Phones: These phones allow access to the internet and a wide variety of applications that provide traffic, weather and emergency information.
  2. Flip phones are limited to accepting text messages; they do not support applications (apps) that provide emergency data.
  3. Computers – fully functional access to applications
  4. Tablets – fully functional access to applications
  5. Telephone- land lines. Accept only voice messages—CodeRED.TechForum

In all cases, it was stressed that the operating system, be it IOS, Android, Windows or an Apple OS, should be kept up to date.  Out of date systems will often result in failures in applications.

Available Sources: 

The discussion focused on the web sites and apps that provide weather, traffic and emergency information.

Web Sites:

  1. Local TV station web sites: Live5News.com, abcnews.com, etc.
  2. Weather.NOAA.gov
  3. Tidelinesblog.com
  4. SCDOT.gov   (Twitter hash tag= SCDOTpress)
  5. Waze.com
  6. TotalTraffic.com (for accident reports)
  7. Charles County Sheriff’s Office: http://www.ccso.charlestoncounty.gov
  8. TownofSeabrookIsland.org (Twittter hash tag =@SeabrookIsland87)
  9. Town of Seabrook Island toll free number: 1 800-764-8404
  10. CodeRED (Town of Seabrook Island)
  11. SIPOA Email-blast  and website: SIPOA.org

Apps:  (Available for both IOS and Android unless indicated):

  1. Live5Weather
  2. Waze(requires active GPS, collects and distributes public comments)
  3. Hurricainehub
  4. iHeartradio
  5. Total Traffic
  6. Scanner apps that mimic a radio canner – “5-0 Police Radio Scanner” for iPhone and iPad.” and “Scanner Radio” for Android for example. These apps transmit all the ‘chatter’ on the ‘air’; emergency information will be mixed with all other radio traffic.(Search the web for Police Scanner Apps.)
  7. Twitter – especially the Charleston County Sheriff office, CHSWS, @FreshfiledsVillage, National Weather Service
  8. Facebook was mentioned, but discussion indicated that Facebook information is generally not immediate.
  9. RSS feeds. A RSS feed Reader app (free) can be installed to facilitate “push” notification of emergency data from an app—like Tidelines where a notice is sent to you immediately. E-mail notices from Tidelines are generally received as  “pull” messages—the user has to go and get – or pull- the e-mail.

Other sources:

SIPOA receives notices from: (Examples)

  1. Seabrook Utility Commission (in case of drinking water hazards and flood water overflows)
  2. Fire Department of( road hazards on Seabrook that may interfere with rescue/emergency services; requests to stay off the roads unless travel is essential)
  3. Berkeley Electric of (dangerous electrical conditions—water in transformers).

These notices are posted to Tidelines and are sent to subscribers to the SIPOAE-mail blast.

Submitted by Lynn Kennedy

Emergency Information: Survey and Forum

SIPOA is investigating “lessons learned” regarding sources and accessibility of weather and road condition emergency information during the weather emergency of October 3-6 and the “King Tides” in late October/early November.

We know that residents used a number of sources and devices to stay up to date during these events. As we plan for future events, we are engaging in a two-part initiative to assess your needs and assist you with the use of available technologies.

Survey:
First, we’d like to know more about how you got information during the October/November events. We ask anyone who was keeping track of weather and traffic information at the time to take the following short survey.
SURVEY:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SIPOAemergencycommunications

This Monday: Forum
Second, we invite you to join us this Monday, December 7 at 6:00 pm at the Lake House for an Emergency Information Tech Forum. The forum will cover a wide range of sources and applications for emergency information, such as Waze, Tidelines, Live 5 Weather/News, CodeRED, NOAA, and more. In addition, we’ll discuss how keeping your operating system up to date can help you make better use of available technologies. Chad Droze from CompuExperts will be on hand to answer technical questions.

Let us help you make the most of your devices during these weather events. This is especially important going forward, as more record tides are expected in December and January.

—Shawna Jarrett, SIPOA

Added: Instructions for Managing Your TIDELINES Subscription

Because we occasionally get inquiries from followers who want to adjust the frequency with which they receive e-mail updates of new posts, we’ve added instructions on managing your subscription in the second post from the top. This post will stay near the top for future reference.

—The Editors

Tech Forum on Tuesday, December 1

OPEN FORUM WITH CHAD DROZE AND MARK WATSON ANSWERING PARTICPANTS’ QUESTIONS ON THE iPHONE AND iPAD
Date: Tuesday, December 1
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: The Lake House
Registration:  Open to all Seabrookers. Please contact to Dave Osborn at dave.h.osborn@gmail.comor 703.304.4010 to register and submit questions.
Fee: No Cost
Tech Experts: Chad Droze and Mark Watson

OPEN TECH FORUM WITH CHAD AND MARK

CHAD DROZE AND MARK WATSON

ANSWER PARTICPANTS’ QUESTIONS ON THE iPHONE AND iPAD

Who should attend: Seabrookers who have questions about the use and capabilities of their iPhone and iPad.

Date: Tuesday, December 1
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: The Lake House

Topics covered:
•       The use and capabilities of the iPhone and iPad per questions submitted in advance
•       Question and answer session if time allows

Registration:  Open to all Seabrookers. Please contact to Dave Osborn at dave.h.osborn@gmail.com or 703.304.4010 to register and pose two or three questions to be covered in the forum.

Fee: No Cost
Tech Experts: Chad Droze and Mark Watson

Submitted by The Lake House

 

 

SIPOA Communications Committee Posts Results

The SIPOA Communications Committee held its meeting at the SIPOA Administration Building Conference Room on October 16, 2015, from 10:30 AM-Noon.

The first item of business pertained to a discussion of communications during the October 2-6 weather emergency, with a focus on (a) lessons-learned re: distribution, accessibility, and timeliness of emergency information (e.g., road closures, ponding, weather) to property owners; (b) importance of updating software to be able to access timely emergency information; and (c) critical mobile traffic and weather apps to download.

The Town of Seabrook receives information from Charleston County, which is then forwarded to SIPOA for distribution to property owners via E-blasts.  Given the severity of the weather emergency, SIPOA issued during the emergency three E-blasts daily.  In addition, Tidelines was identified as a most useful source of real-time information, particularly as related to road conditions, as conditions changed rapidly and on-the-scene property owners often had more current information than was distributed by either the Charleston Sheriff’s office or County.

 

 

In addition, mobile apps were identified as particularly useful during the emergency:  WAZE (traffic conditions); NOAA Radar (weather conditions down to street level); and Live5News (traffic and weather conditions).  It is critical going forward that operational software—particularly on standalone desktops and laptops—be kept up-to-date in order to receive useful information, especially in an emergency, in a timely fashion.  If software is out-of-date, HTML communications may be unreadable.

 

The Committee will take to the Board at its November 16 meeting for Board approval a short communications survey for property owners on lessons learned during the weather emergency.  A standalone Tech Forum will be scheduled that will focus exclusively on emergency communications, and the SIPOA Communications Committee will do a brief Tech Forum teaser at the November 16 “Get the Scoop” meeting.  The Tech Forum will focus on Tips and Tricks—the variety of tools that need to be monitored during an emergency ((e.g., NOAA, Live5News, WAZE, SIPOA E-Blasts, Town Website, Tidelines, and Club Communications)—and what to do to access information when electricity or Internet is down.

Continue reading “SIPOA Communications Committee Posts Results”

Applications to Help Navigate our Roads

With the recent weather conditions, driving has often been a challenge. It’s hard to know what roads are open, what the alternate routes are or if there’s an accident ahead. There are many smartphone apps that can help you in navigating the roads. Search for “app for traffic and road conditions” in your favorite browser or try these recommended by Tidelines editors. All are free and available in either iOS or Android versions.

UnknownWaze

Described as the ‘world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation app,” Waze shows travel routes with real-time reports on conditions submitted by drivers in the area. It includes such information as closings,  construction, law enforcement presence, accidents and alternate routes. It is a battery hog so turn it off when not in use.

imagesInrix

Inrix is a global company providing traffic and driver services information. Information is gleaned from GPS locator devices. The smartphone app allows the user to save frequently traveled routes and provides best time to travel, road conditions and alternate routes as well as an option to text others your  ETA.

images-1Beat the Traffic

This app offers real-time traffic information specific to your route. It’s ideal for commuters since it can suggest the best route to take, traffic flow and any impediments along the way.

Unknown-1iExit

Although iExit doesn’t give directions, it is invaluable for knowing what’s available along your interstate route. After launch, it will find your location and can show what services are available at each interstate exit ahead as well as service areas and rest stops on the interstate. Services are all within 1.5 miles of the exit and include such things as restaurants, lodging, fuel, campgrounds, hospitals, and miscellaneous services like drugstores and banks. The newest version allows you to access the information before starting your trip by choosing “Select Any Highway” from the front page.

–Tidelines Editor

The Lake House Tech Forum

Do you feel that you are using all the capabilities and functions of your iPhone’s or iPad’s camera?

Do you know how to share your pictures and videos with your family, friends or with favorite Internet sites and apps?

Can you find your favorite photos on your iPhone or iPad quickly?

If not,

or if you just missed last year’s Forum on this topic,

Whatever the Reason,
You are cordially Invited to the

Lake House Tech Forum On Tuesday, October 27th

-The iPhone and iPad Camera-

with Chad Droze and Mark Watson of the Post and Computer Store
From 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Registration is open to all Seabrookers.

Please contact Dave Osborn at dave.h.osborn@gmail.com or 703.304.4010 to register.

No fee will be charged and chairs will be provided.

Submitted by the Lake House

Lake House Tech Forum on Wednesday, November 4th

2015’s BEST IDEAS

Who should attend:  Seabrookers who are interested learning what the analysts are saying about which industries and sectors are poised to prosper this year and which might lag behind.

Date:  Wednesday, November 4th
Time:  6:00 PM
Location:  The Lake House

Topics Covered:
•      Emotions and Your Money
•      US Stock Market Outlook
•      The Power of Dividends

Registration:  Open to all Seabrookers, please RSVP to William Evans at 864.727.7749 by November 2nd.
Fee: No cost

Presented By: Austin Marquis, Regional Vice President, Sun America

Hosted By: The South Atlantic Group Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be provided.

The guest speaker is neither an employee of nor affiliated with Morgan Stanley. Opinions expressed by the guest speaker are solely his or her own and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley.
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives and risks as well as charges and expenses of a mutual fund before investing. To obtain a prospectus, contact your financial advisor or visit the company’s website. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the mutual fund. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Morgan Stanley’s financial advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their personal tax and legal advisors before making any tax- or legal-related decisions.
Investments and services are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, member SIPC.

Submitted by Jamie Mogus, Lake House

iOS Security Hack Requires Attention

If you’re one of the large number of people on the Island who own an iPhone or iPad, be aware of the worst security hack in iOS history that recently took place. Otherwise legitimate developers used infected code called “XCodeGhost” downloaded from a Chinese web site. Hundreds of apps, most of them in the Chinese App Store, were affected. There is no way of knowing how far the bad code has leaked out beyond China.

There are basic precautions everyone can use to avoid having an infected iPhone or iPad cause a personal security breach. The folks at CultOfMac.com have a useful article that includes a link to a list of affected apps that should be purged from your device until a developer patch has been issued. Read the article here.

Apple has posted a bulletin on the issue here. While this does not appear to be a severely malicious code at this juncture, the actions suggested are precautionary in nature. In other words, be aware of any strange dialog boxes that pop up on your mobile devices or attempts to get you to “confirm” your Apple ID–good advice under any circumstances.

—Tidelines Staff