Expanding Outlook database

https://www.msoutlook.info/question/852

Therefore, we have to go to the registry to increase this limit.

https://www.msoutlook.info/question/increase-pst-file-size-limit 

Directional HDMI Cables

Here is a fruitful article on this type of cable. If price is ok, you should use these directional cables even for shorter distances because once installed, you do not need to replace the cables for a long time. 

https://tinyurl.com/directionalhdmicables

The unruly actual link is:

https://thehometheaterdiy.com/directional-hdmi-cables/#:~:text=Directional%20HDMI%20cables%20are%20more,signals%20in%20only%20one%20direction

Whoever manages this webpage in particular forgot to eliminate the spaces between the words in the web document. How inconsiderate.

PoE on Ubiquiti Edgerouter X

This router is a gem of a network device. It has a lot of the advance networking feature including PoE for a meager price of $60. It's so popular that it is often out of stock on the manufacturer's website:

https://store.ui.com/collections/operator-isp-infrastructure/products/edgerouter-x

https://www.ui.com/download/edgemax/edgerouter-x/er-x

If you want more ports on the router, the next best thing is the EdgeRouter 10X

https://store.ui.com/collections/operator-edgemax-routers/products/edgerouter-10x

https://www.ui.com/download/edgemax/edgerouter-10x/er-10x

Here is the entire family of the EdgeRouters:

https://store.ui.com/collections/operator-edgemax-routers

Used in conjunction with a UniFi6 Lite access point, you will have a basic rock solid wifi system that almost rivals one found in big business. If you want even more features from the access point, have the UniFi6 Lite be managed by a controller by replacing the EdgeRouter with a Dream Router

https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-wireless/products/u6-lite-us 

https://www.ui.com/download/unifi/unifi-6-lite-ap/u6-lite

https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-unifi-os-consoles/products/dream-router

This post focuses on the Power over Ethernet aspect of the EdgeRouter.

The EdgeRouter X comes with a two-prong AC power brick that can output 12V at 0.5A. While this can power the router, there is not enough juice to let you use the eth4 as the source to power a PoE device such as the access point. However, if you use a 24V 0.5A power source -- either a PoE injector on eth0 or a power adapter via the DC barrel jack -- you can enable PoE output on eth4. Be aware that this is 24V passive PoE. As such, it will only work with end devices designed for this particular type of PoE. If passive PoE is enabled and a non-PoE device is connected, this power can potentially damage these devices since this is passive PoE. Unlike 802.3af/at/bt, it does not have an active process to auto-detect/negotiate power delivery before power is sent. This eth4 cannot be made to be 802.3af/at. For that you have to get a different PoE device that has support this technology. Interestingly, the UniFi6 Lite access point can take both 24V passive PoE and 802.3af/at PoE.

You can get this 24V power adapter here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0194B7ZS0

However, unless you have absolute control over the physical layout of the network, it's best to not use passive PoE at all in favor of 802.3af/at/bt for safety.

https://community.ui.com/questions/I-bought-the-EdgeRouter-X-can-the-power-supply-deliver-24v-PoE-or-need-different-adapter/f7692781-a984-4659-8d1c-e89af19bc8fc

Forgot Mac Admin Password?

 

https://www.switchingtomac.com/macos/forgot-mac-admin-password-heres-how-to-get-back-in

Google Workspace Editions

Google offers a cloud-based service where under a custom domain, you can get various services such as email and website. One of these is Google Drive. However, not all editions of Workspace offer shared drives. These are basically virtual drives where users of the organization can share files in a more centralized manner. They can always share a folder within their respective My Drive, but this manner of sharing is ad-hoc and can be messy if there are many people in the organization who need to share data with each other. Common shared drives that are owned by the organization and not by a particular account so they are more appropriate for this purpose.

https://workspace.google.com

If you want to get your feet wet with this Google service, most likely you will start with the Business Starter plan. Although it says the Business Starter plan cost $6/user account/month, by telling Google that this is for personal use and not to run a business, Google can let you have the Business Starter service for free.  (https://admin.google.com/ac/billing/legacytransition). However, to be able to get team drives, you must get one of these supported editions:

Business Standard $12/user/month
Business Plus $18/user/month

Essentials

https://apps.google.com/supportwidget/articlehome?hl=en&article_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.google.com%2Fa%2Fanswer%2F7681288%3Fhl%3Den&product_context=7681288&product_name=UnuFlow&trigger_context=a

Essentials editions are designed to provide seamless integration with your existing email solution. Use these tables to see exactly which features are included with the following editions: 

Essentials Starter—Collaboration and video conferencing at no cost for teams of up to 25 users.

Essentials—Collaboration and video conferencing, additional security features, pooled storage, and policy controls. Essentials edition is no longer available for new customers.
Enterprise Essentials—Collaboration and video conferencing with more participants and advanced features, more pooled storage, and enterprise-grade security and management.

More info

https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/7681288?fl=1

Enterprise

Education Fundamentals

Education Standard Teaching and Learning Upgrade

Education Plus

Nonprofits

G Suite Business (will be deprecated soon)

More info on the Business Starter plan

https://support.google.com/a/answer/10071876

There is an oddball edition called Google Workspace Individual that is $9.99 a month. It's strange that it costs more than the Business Starter plan that costs $6/month/account.

https://workspace.google.com/individual

Google Drive for Desktop

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/7329379#zippy=%2Cdownload-install-google-drive-for-desktop%2Csystem-requirements%2Copen-google-drive-for-desktop%2Ckeep-files-and-folders-offline%2Csee-whos-editing-microsoft-office-files-in-real-time

Visit the Google Workspace Learning Center

https://support.google.com/a/users#topic=11499463

Recommended Brother and HP Printers for ChromeOS Computers

These computers come in a variety of names, but they all fall into 3 categories based on their hardware configurations.

• Chromebox
• Chromebase
• Chromebook

Chromeboxes are desktops. As such, they need externally attached monitors, keyboards, and mice.

Chromebases are desktops that have the monitor built-in. They need external keyboards and mice.

Chromebooks are laptops. You can still use an external monitor if you need a bigger screen and external keyboard and mouse if you want to close the lid of the laptop during use.

Regardless of what forms these computers come in, they all run the ChromeOS system, created and maintained by Google. Therefore, printer compatibility is the responsibility of Google and the makers of the ChromeOS computers to include the driver software to make use of these printers.

For Brother printers, here is the compatibility list. Warning, while this list is populated with more models, some of the printers do not support Google Native Printing. That means these printers may work with ChromeOS if you are lucky. This applies to not just Brother printers but printers from other brands. If you want maximum compatibility with ChromeOS, you need to get a printer that supports Google ChromeOS Native Printing.

https://support.brother.com/g/b/oscontents.aspx?c=us&lang=en&ossid=2#Prod_7

Here is a list of printers that do support Google Native Printing.

https://help.brother-usa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/171523/track/AvPOYAqBDv8S~YdgGhIe~yL34E8q8i75Mv_q~zj~PP9j

The least expensive Brother laser on this new list at this writing is the HL-L2325DW as seen on the Brother website. This printer can do duplex printing. It is on sale at Brother website for $109. This is unusually cheaper for its capabilities so when you go to its product page, the price may go up. 

https://www.brother-usa.com/products/hll2325dw 

Youtube has a video on how to set up this HLL2325DW.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBpFwwxXaHc

If you just want a basic inexpensive monochrome laser printer for the home or home office that supports ChromeOS, particularly one that supports Google Native Printing, this HL-L2325DW is the best one. Incidentally, it makes no sense to buy a color inkjet printer if most of your printing is black and white. Using a laser printer will save you money in the long run because a toner can produce more pages. The HL-L2325DW has a USB connector to hook it up to a ChromeOS computer. It has wireless network connectivity, but if you can hook it up with the USB, do so. 

Brother also has the HL-L2350DW which is $50 more. It prints 32ppm as opposed to the HL-L2325DW printing at 26ppm. I am not sure that justifies the extra cost. The HL-L2350DW also supports Google Native Printing. The HL-L2350DW is recommended by the WireCutter website.

https://www.brother-usa.com/products/hll2350dw

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-laser-printer/#best-budget-laser-printer-brother-hl-l2350dw

As far as I know, all Brother printers have a USB connection, but if you want one that can do duplex and has both wired and wireless network connectivity, then the best one is the HL-L2379DW. It was just released by Brother so you can expect a longer support from the company in terms of firmware updates and toner replacements. It might be hard to find until Brother rams up production. It looks like this HL-L2379DW model replaces the HL-L2370DW. The HL-L2370DW has a wired network port and supports Google Native Printing, a claim explicitly listed on the BestBuy website selling it. So if you can't wait for the HL-L2379DW to be available, you should get the HL-L2370DW.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/brother-hl-l2370dw-wireless-black-and-white-laser-printer-gray/6130042.p?skuId=6130042

You can find a list of Brother printers sellers here:

https://www.brother-usa.com/dealer-locator?ProductSku=HLL2379DW

Below is a playlist of HL-L2379DW on Youtube. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6PSWzC8um4&list=PLSBF478LqZsDRwg52OOUi6Xf4gD5z1z4-

Most printers in the HL family have the dimension of 14" x 14" x 7".  It's not the most compact monochrome laser out there, but it's not too big either. Some of the HL printers have scanner built-in which makes its size bigger. One of these is the HL-L2390DW which has a dimension of 16.1" x 15.7" x 10.7". The HL-L2395DW variant has wired network.

By the way, if you want scanning on a ChromeOS computer, this function is poorly supported by ChromeOS. In fact, the Brother website explicitly says that scanning is not supported in ChromeOS. If you scan often, but use a ChromeOS computer as your main computer, it's best to get a printer/scanner combo computer that can do scan to email. These printers can scan and directly send the resultant scan file to any email addresses, bypassing a computer altogether. Alternatively, you can get a cheap Mac or Windows PC computer to use for scanning. It's overkill, but at least it's more reliable than trying to scan from a ChromeOS computer.

If you want scan to email function, the HL-L2395DW has this feature and a larger color screen to accommodate this. While this article focuses on the HL family of printers that are compatible with ChromeOS, Brother also offers printers meant for high printing volumes found at offices. These printers have scanners that can do both glass and feeders. Feeders are for scanning multiple sheets at the same time. These are the MFC or DCP lines of printers. 

DCP - Digital Copier Printer

MFC - Multi-Function Center

HL - Home Laser for low-volume printing.

L stands for Laser.

C- color

D - duplex

N- wired network (not consistently used)

W - wireless

For scanning, newer ChromeOS versions have a native camera app, implying that scanning is possible when the computer is connected to a dedicated scanner or a MF printer. I have not tested out this feature, but will update this post as soon as I can verify this exciting capability.  

HP has its own compatibility list for Linux and ChromeOS

https://developers.hp.com/hp-linux-imaging-and-printing/supported_devices/index

HP also has a plug-in for the Chrome browser

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/hp-print-for-chrome/bnlhehcgpmfpfceghjccbpmbnfpaedgj

More info: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/ish_2506940-1986942-16

Useful Websites

Free Stock Video Footage

https://coverr.co

Data Visualization and Storytelling

https://flourish.studio

Tools for better thinking

https://untools.co

Create Engaging Video Content with Automation

https://lumen5.com

GL-iNet Products Comparison

Opal, Slate, Beryl, Brume. Wonder what they do differently?

https://www.gl-inet.com/products/compare

This company makes inexpensive networking devices that are not economical on features.

PowerPoint Slide Timing

A common export of PowerPoint decks that contain voice narration is to make the slideshow into a video. This way, the viewers do not need the PowerPoint program or a (free) app to view the slideshow. The resultant video format is well-supported that any computer can play them. This is how many tutorials are made for Youtube.

You would make the narration directly with PowerPoint with these sound clips embedded onto the slides. The duration of each narration would likely be different. Therefore, you have to tell PowerPoint how long it displays each slide to allow the entire audio clip to play before PowerPoint transitions to the next slide. If you don't set the individual timing of each slide, PowerPoint gives each slide 5 seconds regardless whether the audio has finished playing.

To set custom durations for slides, click on the Transition tab in PowerPoint. 

On the overview column on the left, select any slides that you don't want this default 5 seconds.

Put the cursor over the embedded audio clip. When the playback bar appears, hover the cursor over the end of the clip to get a pop up showing the length the audio clip.

Go to the top to put in the elapsed time before PowerPoint automatically shows the next slide. In this example's case, this slide is set at 53 seconds because the audio clip is 52 seconds.

Repeat this for all the remaining slides. As said, if a custom timing is not set, the slide will be displayed for 5 seconds. 

When the last slide's timing is done, you can export the deck as a movie. It doesn't matter whether you choose MP4 or MOV.