Category Archives: Computers

FreePBX: How to send emails through Office365

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If you’ve tried to configure the FreePBX phone system to send emails through a Office365 account, you probably ran into a few roadblocks. There are a number of ways to work around these issues, but this post describes the method I have found to be the easiest.

First, identify an existing Office365 account that will be used to relay the email messages, or create a new one for that purpose. For example purposes, we’ll assume this account has an email address of johndoe@example.com.

Under Admin >System Admin > Email Setup, set the following options:

  • SMTP Server: Use External SMTP Server
  • My Hostname: leave as default (blank is fine)
  • My Origin: leave as default
  • My Domain: leave as default
  • Provider: Office 365
  • Username: johndoe@example.com
  • Password: (enter the password for the email account)

Under Settings > Voicemail Admin > Settings > Email Config, set Server Email option to johndoe@example.com.
Note: this step may or may not be required. The system doesn’t seem to actually honor this setting. If it did, the following steps would not be necessary.

Add these lines to the end of the file /etc/postfix/generic. This is not accessible from the GUI, so you’ll need to do it from the command line. I usually sign in using Putty or WinSCP so you can just modify the text to suit you and then past it in.

root johndoe@example.com
root@localhost johndoe@example.com
root@localhost.localdomain johndoe@example.com
root@freepbx johndoe@example.com
root@freepbx.localdomain johndoe@example.com
asterisk johndoe@example.com
asterisk@localhost johndoe@example.com
asterisk@localhost.localdomain johndoe@example.com
asterisk@freepbx johndoe@example.com
asterisk@freepbx.localdomain johndoe@example.com
vm@asterisk johndoe@example.com

Add the following to the end of the file /etc/postfix/main.cf
smtp_generic_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/generic

Then run these two commands:
postmap /etc/postfix/generic
service postfix restart

That’s it! The FreePBX system now be able to send emails.

 

What laptop should I buy in May 2021

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Note: please check the date of this post. If it is more than a month or two old, check my main blog page to see if I’ve posted more recent recommendations.

One of the most common questions I get from customers and friends is, what laptop should I purchase? Since the answers are usually the same for everyone, here are my recommendations. But before I dive into the specs, there are a few important points to mention:

First, this article is for those looking for a Windows laptop. There is nothing wrong with purchasing an Apple product, but I don’t have experience with them and cannot give good purchase advice. The other option when purchasing a laptop is a Chromebook, which runs Google’s Chrome OS. If you intend to use your laptop only for email and web browsing, a Chromebook may be a good choice that can save you money. Just keep in mind you cannot install Windows software on a Chromebook.

Secondly, keep in mind that this article is aimed at a typical user that is not doing anything too demanding. If you’re looking to do a lot of gaming, computer aided designing (CAD), or video editing; you will probably want something that exceeds the specs mentioned below.

Touchscreens

Some buyers incorrectly assume that all new laptops come with touchscreens. That is not the case. Many models do not have touchscreens, and many computer users see no practical use for a touchscreen on a laptop. If you want a touch screen, just be sure you look for that as you shop. If it isn’t mentioned in the specs, it probably doesn’t have one.

Optical drives (DVD and CD)

Most new laptops do not come with optical drives. If you need that, make sure you pay close attention to that as you shop. You can also purchase an external DVD drive that plugs in to the USB port if you need one occasionally.

Brands

I always encourage customers to stick with popular brands and models. That way, if you need to get it repaired there is a greater chance of parts availability.  I prefer HP, Dell, and Lenovo in no particular order. Among those three brands, I just look for the best prices and features.  Acer is another popular brand that I’ve seen a few more problems with. In some cases you can get an Acer for cheaper than the other brands, but if there is not a significant savings, I’d stay away. I have little experience with other brands such as Asus or Samsung, so I cannot offer a solid opinion on those.

Solid State Drive

The days of computers having a crash-prone hard drive spinning at 7200 rpm inside are going away. Instead, most new computers come with an SSD or Solid State Drive for storage, which are much faster. But you need to be careful, because there are still some computers that sell with a mechanical (spinning) hard drive. If it doesn’t specifically state that it has an SSD or Solid State Drive, it probably doesn’t have one, and you should not buy it.

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc)

I still get people who assume that Windows includes licensed versions of Word and Excel. Windows does not include those programs, and this is true regardless of whether you get Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro. All you’ll normally get are trial versions. If you want to continue to use them, you’ll have to pay extra for them. You can either pay Microsoft a subscription fee to use them (Office 365 or Microsoft 365), or you can make a one-time purchase. Some computer sellers (Dell, for example) let you purchase Microsoft Office with the computer, but the fact remains that it is a separate product and will cost you extra. Many users (myself included) find that LibreOffice.org, a free alternative to Microsoft office, suits their needs just fine.

The Details

Here are the specs you should look for:

  • Processor: An Intel i5 or better, or an AMD Ryzen 5 or better. If you’re trying to get something very inexpensive and don’t mind it being a little slower, you can probably get by with an Intel i3 or AMD Ryzen 3.
  • RAM: At least 8 GB. If you can find one with 12 or 16 GB in your price range, go for that instead.
  • Storage: At least 250 GB, and again, make sure it is an SSD. If you’re going to be working with video or tons of photos (like 10s of thousands of photos), you may want 512 GB instead.
  • Windows 10. Obviously, most computers some with Windows, but make sure it says so. Also, if you are using the computer in a business, keep in mind that you will likely need Windows 10 Pro. If you get one that just says “Windows 10” or “Windows 10 Home”, you’ll need to pay $99 after the fact to upgrade it to Pro. If you’re a home user or a business user that doesn’t have a server, you can probably get by with the Home version.

Links

Below are some links to some good laptop deals on Amazon. Keep in mind that the prices are subject to change, so I’ve listed the prices and specs beside the links so you can determine if something has changed with the Amazon listing after these links were posted. These links are affiliate links, so I may earn a commission when you purchase one of these. You can also find good deals at retails stores. Just take along a printed copy of the specs above to help you make the right choice.

Lenovo – i5 – 8 GB RAM – 256 GB SSD – $557.99
https://amzn.to/2SwxNWE

Lenovo – i5 – 12 GB RAM – 256 GB SSD – $588.49
https://amzn.to/3d3jrVq

HP – Ryzen 5 – 8 GB RAM – 512 GB SSD – $606.35
https://amzn.to/3wIwFP9

HP – Ryzen 5 – 12 GB RAM – 256 GB SSD – $629.90
https://amzn.to/3uDy2g6

 

What laptop should I buy in April 2021?

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Note: please check the date of this post. If it is more than a month or two old, check my main blog page to see if I’ve posted more recent recommendations.

One of the most common questions I get from customers and friends is, what laptop should I purchase? Since the answers are usually the same for everyone, here are my recommendations. But before I dive into the specs, there are a few important points to mention:

First, this article is for those looking for a Windows laptop. There is nothing wrong with purchasing an Apple product, but I don’t have experience with them and cannot give good purchase advice. The other option when purchasing a laptop is a Chromebook, which runs Google’s Chrome OS. If you intend to use your laptop only for email and web browsing, a Chromebook may be a good choice that can save you some money. Just keep in mind you cannot install Windows software on a Chromebook.

Secondly, keep in mind that this article is aimed at a typical user that is not doing anything too demanding. If you’re looking for a gaming computer to help you waste your time, don’t read any further. Find somebody who actually plays computer games to see what kind of computer you should get. Also, if you do a lot of computer aided designing (CAD) or video editing, you will probably want something that exceeds the specs mentioned below.

Touchscreens

Some people incorrectly assume that all new laptops come with touchscreens. That is not the case. Many models do not have touchscreens, and many computer users see no practical use for a touchscreen on a laptop. If you want a touch screen, just be sure you look for that as you shop. If it isn’t mentioned in the specs, it probably doesn’t have one.

Optical drives (DVD and CD)

Most new laptops do not come with optical drives. If you need that, make sure you pay close attention to that as you shop. You can also purchase an external DVD drive that plugs in to the USB port if you need one occasionally.

Brands

I always encourage customers to stick with popular brands and models. That way, if you need to get it repaired there is a greater chance of parts availability.  I prefer HP, Dell, and Lenovo in no particular order. Among those three brands, I just look for the best prices and features.  Acer is another popular brand that I’ve seen a few more problems with. In some cases you can get an Acer for cheaper than the other brands, but if there is not a significant savings, I’d stay away. I have little experience with other brands such as Asus or Samsung, so I cannot offer a solid opinion on those.

Solid State Drive

The days of computers having a crash-prone hard drive spinning at 7200 rpm inside are going away. Instead, most new computers come with an SSD or Solid State Drive for storage, which are much faster. But you need to be careful, because there are still some computers that sell with a mechanical (spinning) hard drive. If it doesn’t specifically state that it has an SSD or Solid State Drive, it probably doesn’t have one, and you should not buy it.

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc)

I still get people who assume that Windows includes licensed versions of Word and Excel. Windows does not include those programs, and this is true regardless of whether you get Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro. All you’ll normally get are trial versions. If you want to continue to use them, you’ll have to pay extra for them. You can either pay Microsoft a subscription fee to use them (Office 365 or Microsoft 365), or you can make a one-time purchase. Some computer sellers (Dell, for example) let you purchase Microsoft Office with the computer, but the fact remains that it is a separate product and will cost you extra. Many users (myself included) find that LibreOffice.org, a free alternative to Microsoft office, suits their needs just fine.

The Details

Here are the specs you should look for:

  • Processor: An Intel i5 or better, or an AMD Ryzen 5 or better. If you’re trying to get something very inexpensive and don’t mind it being a little slower, you can probably get by with an Intel i3 or AMD Ryzen 3.
  • RAM: At least 8 GB. If you can find one with 12 or 16 GB in your price range, go for that instead.
  • Storage: At least 250 GB, and again, make sure it is an SSD. If you’re going to be working with video or tons of photos (like 10s of thousands of photos), you may want 512 GB instead.
  • Windows 10. Obviously, most computers some with Windows, but make sure it says so. Also, if you are using the computer in a business, keep in mind that you will likely need Windows 10 Pro. If you get one that just says “Windows 10” or “Windows 10 Home”, you’ll need to pay $99 after the fact to upgrade it to Pro. If you’re a home user or a business user that doesn’t have a server, you can probably get by with the Home version.

Links

Below are some links to some good laptop deals on Amazon. Keep in mind that the prices are subject to change, so I’ve listed the prices and specs beside the links so you can determine if something has changed with the Amazon listing after these links were posted. These links are affiliate links, so I may earn a commission when you purchase one of these.

Dell – Ryzen 5 – 8 GB RAM – 256 GB SSD – $499.98
https://amzn.to/3dJFYWs

HP – i5 – 8 GB RAM – 256 GB SSD – $571.99
https://amzn.to/3t8S5Ti

Lenovo – i5 – 12 GB RAM – 256 GB SSD – $573.80
https://amzn.to/3d3jrVq

HP – Ryzen 5 – 8 GB RAM – 512 GB SSD – $599.93
https://amzn.to/3wIwFP9

HP – Ryzen 5 – 12 GB RAM – 256 GB SSD – $614.99
https://amzn.to/3uDy2g6

 

Windows 10: How to fix Error Code 0x800F081F when installing .NET Framework 3.5

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Problem

When you select to install .NET Framework in the Windows Features list in the Control Panel, it does not complete. After asking if you’d like to use Windows Update, it then gives you an error code 0x800F081F

Solution

  • Insert Windows 10 installation CD or mount the ISO
  • Open an administrator command prompt
  • Type the following command (substitute correct drive letter) 
    Dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3 /All /Source:D:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess

Surface Pro 3 camera test – a disappointment

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I recently had my first experience using the Microsoft Surface Pro 3. Since I’m into photography and video editing, I figured the first thing I should do is check out the camera.

When I tapped the camera app, a view from the rear facing camera filled up the screen, and nothing else. No button or toolbars were visible to give me a clue how to use the app. So I tapped the screen, thinking that it might take a picture just like it would on my Moto X. Sure enough, it did. Next I tried to slide a finger up and down on the display to see if it would zoom like my Moto X does, but it didn’t. I tried using two fingers and sliding them apart to zoom, but that didn’t work either. After some more poking around, three buttons suddenly showed up along the right side of the screen. One was to take a picture, one to take a video, and one to take panoramic photograph. I’m not sure quite why a button to take a picture was included because tapping anywhere on the display appears to do the same thing. Pressing the video button started a video, so I took some test footage and pressed stop. The interface paused for a few moments, presumably to save the footage, before it allowed me to take another picture or video. After trying a few more video clips, I noticed that sometimes this pause would be non-existent, and other times it would take 30 seconds or more before it would save the video and let me proceed using the camera app. I found this rather baffling, but I assumed it was by design.

Then I looked at the footage. About two out of three clips had distortion or artifacts in the video. Some of the problems were minor, but in some cases the entire video was garbled and choppy. It seemed that the videos that took the longest to save were the ones that had the most issues.

After many attempts, I put together a camera test video that you can watch below, but I had to record some of the segments several times to get a usable video. As you can see, even the clips I used had some distorted areas.

Has anybody else encountered these problems with the Surface Pro 3? If so, put your experience in the comments below. In the coming days I’ll be doing some more research to see if I can find more information on the issue or a way to fix it. If I can learn something, I will add it to this post at a later time.

Ubiquiti Unifi Long Range Access Point – Review

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About a year ago I decided to replace my aging Linksys access point that was beginning to cause a fair amount of trouble.  One problem is that it would freeze on a weekly basis and had to be power-cycled to fix it.  Range was also an issue.  I wanted the signal to reach another building on our property that was about 200 ft away.  In order to make that happen, I had purchased a pair of range extender antennas for the unit.  This allowed internet access in the other building, but the signal was very weak and not all devices were sensitive enough to be able to connect to it.

After some searching, I decided to get a Unifi Long Range access point from Ubiquity.  Shortly after I purchased it I recorded a video showing the unboxing and setup, as well as my initial thoughts.   Now that I’ve used it for some time, it’s time for a more in-depth review.

Ease of setup and use

Setting up a Unifi access point is different from most other access points in a similar price range. Instead of having a built-in web-based administration interface, it requires that you install the controller software on your computer. The controller software runs on Windows or a MAC, and you can also download a Linux version from the Ubuquity website. Once the controller software is installed, then you use a web-browser to configure the unit much the same way as you would any other access point. For most of the features of the Unifi, the controller software doesn’t have to be running – you only launch it when you need to change the configuration. A few businesses oriented features such as captive portal need the controller software to be running in order to function.

For home use, the controller software doesn’t give you any major benefit, and it takes a little more effort to use than a built-in web-base administration interface. However, where the controller software becomes useful is when you have two or more access points. The controller software allows you to configure common settings such as SSID in one place, and it gives you lots of statistics on who is using wifi and what AP they are connecting to.

Some enterprise access points use a hardware controller. The problem with them is that if the hardware controller fails, you have to get a replacement to get things working again. With a software controller you can move the controller function to another server in minutes and be back up and running.

Range

The range of the Unifi access point is leaps and bounds better than my old Linksys. With the Unifi, any device can connect from any building on my property. In fact, I can manually set the power of the AP one notch back from the highest setting so it’s not using full power, and the coverage is still sufficient.

Value

For a business-class access point, it’s hard to find an access point with all the features of the Unifi without spending a lot more money. For home use, it’s still a good value, but there are other good choices. I’ve been impressed with the models I’ve used by Engenius. Although Engenius isn’t as well-known a brand as many others, I’ve found that they beat the more well-known brands in price, features, and reliability. But if you’re looking for business class features on a budget, go with a Ubuquity Unifi.

The model I purchased can be found on amazon by clicking here.

How to turn your child into a computer geek

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memory1.JPGMy almost-three-year-old has gotten quite proficient at the game of memory.  You know, the one where you compete to find matching cards.  Not only is he good at remembering the location of the cards, but he can usually name the object or character on each of the cards.  So he now can correctly identify Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, and more.  While developing memory skills is a good thing, knowing who Goofy and Mickey Mouse are is not exactly a valuable skill.

memory2.JPGI figure if he can learn to identify useless characters, he can probably learn to identify useful objects such as computer components.  So I hunted down some sheets of blank 3.5″ diskette labels that had been in the cupboard for years, snapped a few pictures of computer components, and then designed and printed them using OpenOffice Writer.  Then I applied the labels to cardboard I salvaged from an empty cereal box.