Category Archives: Ask J.D.

Walkie talkie Android apps for your phone/tablet

2 comments

Lately I have been looking for Android apps that can enable walkie talkie (intercom) functionality over LAN/wifi/bluetooth. Normal internet based options are not ideal as we live in a very remote area with no powerlines, phonelines or wired anything. We also don’t generally get reliable cell phone reception. So satellite internet (WildBlue) is our primary internet connection. Latency is too high and bandwidth too precious, to really support reliable voice communications when it has to be routed out over the internet

Read more Android tips, Off the Grid

ASUS A53 laptop memory upgrade

29 comments

If you own one of the nice ASUS A53 laptops you may be wanting to maximize the amount of memory your lovely laptop have. Here is how a photo tutorial showing how to upgrade the RAM on an ASUS A53 notebook 🙂 UPDATE: Many readers have asked what memory I recommend for upgrading the A53 series. My recommendation is 8GB of Kingston memory because it offers a lifetime warranty, solid performance AND it is only about $37 with free shipping!

Read more computer tips

How to sideload Android apps onto the Kindle Fire & Nook Tablet

Leave a comment

Thank goodness both of the hottest new 7″ tablets support side loading Android apps onto the devices! There are a LOT of tutorials out there, some of them pretty complicated, so here are the TWO best sideloading tutorials I have found… Sideloading for the B&N Nook Tablet:   How to sideload apps on the NOOK Tablet (Amazon Appstore, GO Launcher EX) – Liliputinghttp://liliputing.com/2011/11/how-to-sideload-apps-on-the-nook-tablet-amazon-appstore-go-launcher-ex.htmlFortunately it’s pretty easy to install third party apps on the NOOK Tablet. You don’t even need to

Read more Android tips, computer tips, Entertainment, Gadgets and Tech, tech tips

iTunes match stuck at Step 2?! [Solved]

Leave a comment

If you signed up for iTunes Match, it may finish with Step 1: Step 1. Gathering information about your iTunes library. and then eventually get stuck at Step 2: Step 2. Matching your music with songs in the iTunes Store. If you do get stuck, try going ahead and pressing the “Stop” button at the bottom of the iTunes Match screen, and then pressing the iTunes March “Start” button once it is available. It may take a bit,  and it

Read more computer tips

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III USM – What do you think of this lens? – Ask J.D.

Leave a comment

Ali asks: EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III USM – $180.00 What do you think of this lens? I would like it for taking photos of wildlife and sports mostly. I am also wondering about quality of any other brand of lenses that will fit my camera. I have a canon EOS rebel xsi. JD answers: (condensed version) Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III USM +FOR THE PRICE, this lens can’t be beat for wildlife photography and sports on bright sunny days. For

Read more Ask J.D., camera tips

Christmas Camera Recommendations

Leave a comment

I always enjoy hearing from friends and readers. Recently a long time friend emailed me asking for a camera recommendation. And thus begins my 2011 Christmas Camera Recommendation post! JD, I hope all is well, and congrats on the 2nd little one coming your way. Michelle and I are expecting our 1st in February which brings me to the reason I am e-mailing. We are looking to upgrade our digital camera so we can take lots of photos! We currently use

Read more camera tips, Cameras

Lump sum payout versus annuity payments

Leave a comment

While visiting John in STL recently, his girlfriend regaled with me a tale of a man (we’ll call Fred) who received a large settlement from his wife when they divorced. Fred then proceeded to move to Thailand (a lifelong dream of his) where he started a resort and began construction on a mini-mansion. Unfortunately he ran out of money shortly afterwards and is apparently now destitute 🙁 These types of stories, with variations, are surprisingly common: someone wins the lottery

Read more Misc Links, money tips, Uncategorized

Chase QuickDeposit Review and Updates

Leave a comment

If you routinely use the Chase QuickDeposit program, for example via the Chase mobile banking Android app, then these update notifications may be useful to you. The big change is that as of October 2nd the daily deposit limit has been increased to $2K and the monthly limit is increased to $5K. This makes the service much more useful IMHO as the previous $1K/$3K max was a bit limiting… [full review to be posted later] Here are the update messages from Chase:

Read more money tips