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FUN FRIDAY: The right to repair?

This article originally ran in 2018. This week, California’s governor signed SB244 into law. This law, referred to as the “right to repair bill” ensures that any company providing tech in the state will have to supply tools, parts, documentation, and software for seven years for any electronic device costing over $300. What it doesn’t do is force manufacturers to actually make their stuff repairable in any meaningful way. For example, it doesn’t require that all the chips be individually replaceable. It certainly doesn’t require stuff to be easy to open. While those might seem like losses for the repair industry, that’s good for regular folks. A phone with 100% repairable parts would probably be about as big as a laptop. I wrote...
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WRONG TOOL/RIGHT TOOL: Ground your antenna

Our “Wrong Tool / Right Tool” series, now in its 11th year, helps DIYers choose the best way to move forward with common projects. Folks, you should be grounding anything and everything on your roof. If it’s metal, it will have a tendency to accumulate static electricity. That’s the first step toward a lightning strike, and a lightning strike is the very last thing you want to happen. Grounding gives static electricity a way to dissipate harmlessly before it builds up enough for there to be a problem. The idea is simple: a wire runs from the metal objects on your roof down to a location in your yard. Some people choose to attach to an outdoor breaker box or to a water pipe, because those objects are already grounded. Your local city...
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Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence: Ethics, Consciousness, and the Future of AI

The recent rise of natural language processing (NLP) models has put artificial intelligence (AI) on the map. Programs like ChatGPT have transformed modern AI from a novelty to a normalized part of everyday life. Today, 27% of people use AI “every day” while a further 28% utilize artificial intelligence “several times a week”. The discourse surrounding AI has largely hinged on job loss and dystopian predictions. This is understandable, as we’ve all been raised on a healthy diet of Terminator, Blade Runner, and Ex-Machina. However, fears about the future of AI shouldn’t stifle critical thinking. If we want to secure a better tomorrow with AI, it would be prudent to discuss the ethics and application of AI today. Consciousness and AI...
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Should you bridge the outputs of a SWM-30 so that you can share programs?

DIRECTV’s latest multiswitch is the SWM-30. It is, in fact, DIRECTV’s only multiswitch. But, until they were discontinued years ago, DIRECTV had a SWM-8 and a SWM-16. The number indicates how many tuners each multiswitch could accommodate. (Note that I said tuners, not receivers. Read this article to understand the difference.) When used with DIRECTV’s latest commercial receiver, the H26K, the SWM-30 can accommodate 30 tuners. With older devices, due to their construction, it can accommodate 26. Because the last SWM-8 and SWM-16 multiswitches were made in the early 2010s, many of them have seen better days. Swapping one out for a SWM-30 is a smart and easy change. Really you just unscrew the cables from one and connect them to the...
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Is SiriusXM Radio Still a Thing?

Sadly, people do ask this. Yes, Sirius XM radio still a thing. Whether it’s the “thing” for you is another matter entirely. A little bit of history When Sirius and XM radio first became available, some pundits predicted this then-new development would be the death of broadcast radio. That prediction was a bit too hasty. After all, Sirius and XM were forced to merge so that both companies would survive. About eleven months after the merger, the company came close to filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In February 2009, SiriusXM was bailed out by a $530 million loan from Liberty Media. Since then, this service continues to operate at a steady clip and remains popular with niche listeners looking for specific, mostly commercial-free...
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THROWBACK THURSDAY: The first viral video

For every thing, there is a first time. The internet was still incredibly new in 1997 when the very first viral video went online. Called “bad day,” it supposedly documented a worker destroying office equipment a full two years before the iconic scene in Office Space that you’re probably thinking of right now. Take a look: Wired tells the story in great detail in an article from about five years ago. They explain how the video isn’t really what you think. It was staged, but staged so well that it became a viral sensation years before the term “viral video” was even coined. But was it really the first? Well, that depends I guess That depends on your understanding of the term “viral” and the term “video.” Today we use the term “viral”...
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Can you use a DIRECTV H26K with a portable, RV, or marine dish?

DIRECTV’s latest box, the H26K Commercial 4K Receiver, is making waves throughout the satellite TV community. Yes, it’s only for commercial accounts. But take a moment and think about how many products have only been for residential accounts over the years, and it’s only fair. Now that Solid Signal has stock on the H26K, we’re getting a lot of questions. Because we’re the largest activation specialist for mobile and marine accounts, naturally our customers want to know if this latest and greatest receiver will work with mobile and marine accounts. The H26K works just great with any SWM-capable device. Generally speaking, if your mobile or marine dish is capable of seeing all 3 DIRECTV satellite locations at once, and if it’s fairly...
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DIRECTV phasing out Alexa on all its devices

Last night, as I was watching TV, I saw a message pop up in the “messages” section of the info bar. It simply says, “Customer Notification: As of 10/17/23, the Alexa Voice feature will be removed from Alexa devices and DIRECTV Genie HD DVRs. (Message 1 of 1.) As of the time I’m writing this, there’s no other detail to be given. Although it’s a little vague, I think what it’s trying to say is that the DIRECTV Alexa skill is being removed and won’t function. Gotta look back to understand DIRECTV started doing voice control of its devices all the way back in 2013. Don’t believe me? Here’s the review I did of it when it launched. This was in the early days of voice control, when most people had only seen demonstrations of Siri and...
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DIRECTV Technical Support: Genie Clients and Remotes

Do you see the picture above? The Genie receiver on the top is a C31 while the one on the bottom is a C41. Since C31 clients have only been available a few months, they are fairly rare. The C41 replaced it, and features added support for the DIRECTV RC71 remote. There also are two more Genie clients – the C51 and C61, which aren’t shown here. Since all of these Genie clients look familiar, it can be hard to tell the difference. Some might even wonder what’s the point of all this. Well, when it comes down to getting a replacement remote control, it’s a good thing to know exactly what you have in order to get the right remote. Here’s some general advice on which remotes match each receiver: For C31 receivers, use this remote...
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DIRECTV Technical Support: Power Supplies

Signal Connect’s DIRECTV technical supports comes in many forms. Sometimes, we share tips to remedy DIRECTV connection issues. Other times, we educate you about satellite TV equipment. This time, we take a closer look at DIRECTV power adapters. There are a few of them out there, and we identify each and tell you which DIRECTV equipment it matches. This is important information because you never know when you might need to replace your power supply. Let’s take a closer look at the power adapters DIRECTV has to offer. The DIRECTV EPS 10 Power Supply Do all DIRECTV boxes use the same power supply? Close, but it’s not quite to that point… yet. Right now, most DIRECTV boxes use the same power adapter. It’s the DIRECTV EPS10...
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Ken Reid and Greg Johnson

December 26, 1992 This week Ken welcomes old friend, now NYC based comedian Greg Johnson. Ken and Greg discuss 20 years ago, Comedy Doyles, Kenny Z, Ken’s first time doing stand up in Massachusetts, Eugene Mirman, Tim McIntire’s Thursday Night Fights at The Comedy Studio, growing up in Wellesley, white suburban towns, being a notable alum from your town’s High School, Greg’s album Greg Johnson 1, how Mass and NY really aren’t all that different, listening to episodes from ten years ago, Danny Tamberelli, The Adventures of Pete and Pete, getting to meet your heroes, Cheers, how Ken books guests, TV stars who should have been movie stars, Angela Lansbury, Madonna: Just a Peeler, clean and dirty covers, The Real World, Barney the...
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Signal Boosters for Hotels and Motels

Give Guests ALL the Comforts of Home As a hotel or motel owner, what does hospitality mean to you? Chances are, your answer is “providing my guests with a pleasant experience.” If you want happy guests, help them stay connected to their cell phones and wireless devices. A signal booster delivers optimal wireless service throughout your entire property. Signal Connect is your cell phone signal booster solution! It’s a Wireless World… … And everyone’s faces are lit up by cell phone screens. This reality makes signal boosters a must-have for your motel. It keeps your guests from experiencing a dropped call or missed text. In today’s wireless world, Internet reviews can make or break your business. You have a vested interest in keeping...
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Podcast #548: It’s time again… DIRECTV and DISH raise rates.

Yes, the yearly price increase has come a little early this time around. Here’s why it’s not the end of the world, and why it’s not even the satellite provider’s fault. Listen, then shop at Solid Signal - Signal Solutions including HDTV Antennas, DIRECTV and DISH Network satellite equipment and home entertainment supplies and accessories or call 888-233-7563 for a full service experience! Listen to the podcast your way! Just choose one of the following: Option 1: Click on the image above to stream the podcast in your browser. If you use the YouTube player above, be sure to subscribe to get future videos delivered to you! Option 2: The Solid Signal Podcast is available on several podcast aggregators. Search for us, or tap on the links...
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8 Tips for Running a Motel

When it comes to running a successful motel business, there’s a difference between doing it and doing it well. Your success depends on more than just comfortable rooms with all the amenities. Those are a given in today’s busy marketplace. Motel owners must do a variety of things to attract guests and encourage them to return when they’re in the area. Fortunately, Signal Connect works with motel owners across the country. These folks offered us some important tips for running a motel business. Hopefully, this advice can help your motel operation too. Upgrade Your Motel Operations Software Twenty years ago, motel owners needed a desktop software program to run their businesses. In 2018, we doubt that any motel owner could stay in...
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DIRECTV Upgrade for Hotels and Motels

Hotel owners, you’re paying too much for your DIRECTV standard definition (SD) programming. Let Signal Connect help with a DIRECTV upgrade to HD or 4K. In the coming years, DIRECTV plans to phase out its standard definition (SD) content. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. If you’re tired of paying more for DIRECTV’s lowest-quality service, it’s time to upgrade your hotel or motel. The world of high definition and/or 4K satellite programming awaits you and your guests. Signal Connect is here to help upgrade DIRECTV for your hotel or motel. DIRECTV Upgrade to HD If standard definition (SD) is no longer the thing, what is? DIRECTV’s high definition (HD) programming. Its 1080p HD is a huge improvement over SD programming. This...
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