by Anura Guruge
on January 4, 2024.
That was kind of cute getting the ‘January 5, 2024’ Pixel 14 update at 8:38am on January 4, 2024.
This was for my brand new Google Pixel 8 Pro — which I only started using two days ago.
I think Google is pushing this update out, aggressively, to Pixel 8 users. I am not complaining. Rather nice not having to wait.
by Anura Guruge
on July 15, 2023
Yes, I knew from the get-go that it wouldn’t be long before I would have to update the firmware. Was relieved that I didn’t have to do it as soon as I got the camera.
I did NOT receive any notifications, e.g., e-mail, from Fuji.
Just happened to see it, BY CHANCE, on YouTube last night. Hmmmm. Worth knowing. So, must make a point of checking for firmware on a regular basis.
Wasn’t really sure I needed the update, BUT it had to do with AUTOFOCUS (AF) & that is important to I. Not sure whether these AF refinements will play a big role given that I use a Tamron, rather than Fuji, lens as my main lens.
Fairly standard updating process using an SD card.
I was surprised/amused that CHECKING/UPDATING firmware is NOT a MENU options. That is not good. Needed to look it up. Involves holding down ‘BACK’ button while powering up camera. First & only thing about this camera that I do not like. Stupid. Should be a menu option.
Also the PROCESSING the update, on the camera (i.e., it getting installed), took longer than the (usual) 90-seconds it says on the online instructions. Would have been happier IF they said that it can ‘take some time’ rather than saying 90-seconds & having to wait 5-minutes. But, it is done, & all seems to be working. Happy, for now.
by Anura Guruge
on May 16, 2023
I still let ‘HostGator‘ automatically update my ‘WordPress‘ software. So, today, i.e., May 16, 2023, I got a message saying that WP had been updated to 6.2.1. I do NOT keep up with WP releases & as such had no idea that this maintenance release was in the works.
It seems to work, but it is still early days.
I have seen that WP has had quite a number of security issues of late & this update claims to fix several. That is good.
I will keep you posted.
by Anura Guruge
on April 23, 2023.
NOT FUNNY. NOT HAPPY.
But, that was the CASE, alas.
At least the dealership (which will remain nameless for now) was honest enough to immediately, upfront admit that it was all due to an inexperienced, rookie technician.
I guess they thought that a simple software update should be within his training. Well, it appears not.
So, a week Friday they had to give me a LOANER (which to be fair was pretty nice (& a tad better featured than mine)) so I could go to ‘Lake George‘, New York as planned. That trip was a success & the loaner did OK.
I called the dealership Thursday once I got home. They told me the facts & that my car was ready. But, they had also promised to clean a bit before giving it back.
I couldn’t get up there till late Friday afternoon. My car was ready & it was cleaner than it has been in a very long time. That at least was a consolation.
Drove it back. Seems OK. Much to my relief & DELIGHT none of the SETTINGS had been lost. The Sirius XM favorites, the garage door opener etc. etc. all worked. So, that was good. Not sure about any of the stuff they did … like VGM Reload, ECM Reload, TCAM battery recharge etc. Just hope they knew what they were doing.
I will keep you updated.
by Anura Guruge
on April 15, 2023.
So, so, so frigging GLAD that this was NOT ‘OTA’ (Over the Air). I would have been totally dead in the frigging water.
This was a DEALER — a very big & super-good DEALER at that — doing it.
Totally KILLED the car. Couldn’t even open the tailgate! I had my hiking gear bag in the back (as always, packed & ready for action). LUCKILY we were able to pull it out by folding the backseat.
This is BEYOND STUPID. Car totally dead. They don’t know what is wrong with it!
They, at the dealership, can do OTA. Appears they tried doing it OTA 3 times. Failed each time. So, they plugged the car into the computer. That is when they FRIED the car!
I took the car (i.e., XC60) in at 12:30 (as agreed). They said about two hours. That is fair enough. It was 80F. I went ambling. {See the pictures}
At 3:30pm they sheepishly broke the news. WE HAD A PROBLEM. I am going ambling in upstate New York on Monday. I told them, forget the update, just get the car to the state it was when I brought it in. They admitted they couldn’t. Told me that they can’t even open the tailgate. I was NOT amused.
They, of course, immediately offered me a loaner. They had to.
My XC60 is my HIKING car. The Mazda CX-30 is my local car. The XC60 is PRECISELY packed with all my hiking gear. Spare boots, sticks, clothing, straps, picnic stuff, hotel/motel stuff (e.g., extension cords, nighlights {SMILE}), maps.
I had to transfer 90% of the stuff from my DEAD car to the loaner — which was a XC60. I was nearly done when I remembered SIRIUS XM. I can’t drive without Sirius {& I am NOT kidding} & there was no way I was going on a hiking trip WITHOUT Sirius. I need to listen to CNBC. SMILE. That loaner didn’t have Sirius. I am so RELIEVED that I had asked.
They scrambled around & got me another loaner that had Sirius. This was FANCY. Fancier than mine! It was a 2023 whereas mine is a 2022. It also has Premium Sound & is a B6 (whereas mine is a B5 with POLESTAR). So, at least, I don’t have to slum it. It is pretty nice car — with only 3,000 on the clock (whereas mine (after 16 months) has 12,900 miles). Plus, I will save myself around 800 miles on the lease. SMILE. They still owe me.
NOT HAPPY. NOT HAPPY.
I have had NOTHING but trouble with this XC60. I hate it. Never getting the software updated again.
by Anura Guruge
on November 30, 2021
Unlike this desktop, which I use for many hours a day, daily, my recently acquired ‘Dell’ laptop is NOT mission critical, i.e., I will not be frantic if something went awry with it. So, unlike with the desktop I can afford to be cavalier with it. Which is why, for a start, I got it with Windows 11.
I have only really used the laptop once since I got it — & that was to do a presentation on comets to ‘Laconia Rotary‘.
I, however, no better than to leave laptops idle for months on end. If nothing else it is good to have the monthly Windows installed.
So, that is how I ended up installing this HALF-YEARLY feature update.
It was nothing like the NIGHTMARE when I updated my desktop to Windows 10 21H2 last year. That was scary.
Though I had my laptop LAN connected (with 800Mbps Internet) it took close to an hour to download the update. I wasn’t sitting around looking. So, I can’t be 100% sure. All I can say is that it took some time.
But, once downloaded the installation itself was pretty quick. Maybe 1/2 hour. The restart was very quick too. So, it would appear Microsoft has learnt from 21H2 & streamlined the process. I am glad.
Bottom line: I had no issues or nightmares updating Windows 11 to 22H2.
by Anura Guruge
on December 17, 2022
The fingerprint sensor on my LATEST Google ‘Pixel 6 Pro‘ (that I got in June 2022) was working GREAT until I got the December 2022 update for the phone a few days ago.
The fingerprint sensor has now basically stopped working!
OK, I am not as aggravated as I should be BECAUSE I already have a new Google ‘Pixel 7 Pro!’ The last few years I have been treating MYSELF to the latest Pixel phone at Christmas. Since it is my Christmas present I haven’t unboxed it yet. I like to start using the new phone on January 1 of each year. So, I was waiting. When fingerprint doesn’t work I keep on telling myself that this is but for another couple of weeks!
But, this is NOT funny. I feel bad for those who can’t upgrade or get another phone. Come on Google. This is NOT cricket.
by Anura Guruge
on December 6, 2022
Click images to ENLARGE.
Got an e-mail from ‘Volvo‘ saying that these updates are now available. Since I (alas) have a ‘B5’ I will NOT get it ‘OTA’ (Over the Air).
As luck would have it I have an upcoming service appointment, for my 1-year service, this coming Monday. I called them today & asked them to kindly add this update. While none of the listed fixes seem applicable, I have learnt from the past updates that each version is more STABLE. That is what I am looking for. Some stable software.
I have been on Version 2.2 since August 2022. Suffice to say that is the best software I have had on this accursed car since I leased it 13-months ago.
I will let you know, of course, what I discover when they install Version 2.5.
by Anura Guruge
on November 29, 2022
I do not, in any way, want to appear insensitive (let alone crass), but ‘WOW’. 37. Nearly 1/2 my age. Died in his sleep — on his wedding night. (Yes, my adoptive mother died in her sleep, at 62 — & coincidently, it was after a big party in her honor attended by upwards of 300 people).
I hope we are told, in time, as to what caused this. Yes, heart failure — & then one has to wonder if physical exertion (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) was a factor. But, alas, these days one cannot also rule out drugs. Shame. Of the two, dying from too much sex would definitely be better.
Well, I am sobered. Wow. I guess I have been very lucky. SMILE. Enough said.
I do NOT want to disrespect this poor guy. What a way to go.
by Anura Guruge
on November 28, 2022
Click to ENLARGE.
This is only the start. It is far from over. More lights will go up around the windows. Then she will do the steps & the trees. Then I help her put up the lasers. We have 4 right now. I invariably get a new laser — the latest on the market each year. So, we might have more.
This is ALL Teischan’s work. She spent 2-hours on Sunday putting these up. For the last 4-years, since she was 12, she has INSISTED that she do all the lights on her own. I just lay out the initial 2 outlet ‘taps’. She takes the power off those. We now have some extension cords buried in the ground (& under the walkway). That makes things slightly easier. I suspect we will see the next installment of lights this coming weekend.
I will record the progress, photographically, for you. SMILE.