Tongfamily (Richtong.com Sync)

Wow, the prices have really comes down, in looking at Amazon, you can get an SDXC 64GB UHS-1 R40 (is that a mouthful, basically means 40Mbps read and SDXC breaks the 32GB barrier for SDHC) from Sony for $37 or $42 now. The Sandisk is about $66 and probably better…

Been shopping a bunch for this (and despite the fact that my computer has crashed twice now while taking notes), here are the conclusions from reading Amazon reviews and Cnet. There doesn’t seem to be a good source of action cam reviews: GoPro Hero Black 3. Despite the names, the…

Well now that it is really pouring, time to see what the right jackets are: Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer. You have to see this rain jacket to believe it. Weighs just a few ounces. Expensive at $165, but wow, what a think to carry in your pack. Mountain Hardware Ghost…

Yikes, amazing how computers can just kind of fail when they are not tended to. Here are my problems: The Synology DS-1812+ lost a 3TB Seagate hard drive. Amazingly Seagate has a warranty program and for the cost of shipping one way you can get a replacement. However, I only…

If your Bluetooth device connections seem flakey, or if your Apple wireless keyboard or Magic Mouse isn’t as responsive as you think it should be, there’s an easy way to check Bluetooth signal strength and then make adjustments accordingly. Open System Preferences from the ? Apple menu and click “Bluetooth”…

Here’s how to change the signal strength indicator with a number rather than a signal bar: Launch the Phone app Dial *3001#12345#* Then tap on the Call button, which will launch the Field Test app (or enter the field test mode). You’ll also notice that the signal strength indicator has switched…

Been buying a ton of 4TB drives lately, so good to see the reviews, the performance is about the same, but the big issue has been reliability. The new units are jusst out with Seagate HDD launched June 2013 and this is what I’ve been using (despite many notes in…

Alaska is really tough to qualify for. For MVP gold, you need 40k real miles. They don’t have multipliers for things like first class. Delta on the other hand for its golf program is 50k but they have a 50% multiplier for international business. Net net since delta codeshare so…

Now that everyone is concerned (at least me!) about privacy, what about the various things we depend on. What’s safe and also private: Password Managers. Of course this is the motherlode, if you can hack into a password manager. Agilebits makes 1Password and they have been open about their security…

Fell asleep on the plane, woke up and found the screen of my phone completely discolored. Looks like somehow, soda or something spilled on the thing. Who knows? Anyway, Applecare Plus is wonderful. Cost me $49, but they did fix the screen. Makes me really want to get a waterproof…