#968 – Ignored by Online Services? Remember, You Are Not the Customer

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You're the product

It's a harsh reality, but the fact is those free online services like free email or social media, aren't "free" at all. You're the product, and advertisers (or others) are the true customers.

The down side is that customer service is either non-existent, or decisions and changes happen not for us, but for those true customers.

This weeks featured article dives into the topic: Ignored by Online Services? Remember, You Are Not the Customer

Also this week

• "Not Responding"
• Changing the default search engine
• Adjusting virtual memory
• How long CHKDSK should take

As always, links below.

TEH Podcast

Zeppelins? yes, zeppelins! Upcoming Apple announcements (VR/AR headset? Maybe?) Adobe Firefly and Photoshop's "Generative Fill" (with examples), and why some won't let you create an AI cuckoo clock.

TEH 194: Airships, Mac rumors, Generative Fill, Trouble with clocks that have little birds.

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Take care,

Featured Article

Ignored by Online Services? Remember, You Are Not the Customer
Free or paid, listening to your feedback might not be a priority.

When free services seem to change arbitrarily, it's easy to wonder if they're paying attention to their customers. They probably are -- just not the ones you think.
Read: Ignored by Online Services? Remember, You Are Not the Customer

Also This Week on Ask Leo!

What Does "Not Responding" Mean? Bad behavior on someone's part.
"Not Responding" is Windows' way of telling you that a program might have a problem. Sometimes it's benign and sometimes it's a sign of a deeper issue. Read: What Does "Not Responding" Mean?

How to Change the Default Search Engine in Microsoft Edge Probably the most commonly undesired appearance of Bing.
It is possible to change the default search engine in Edge; it's just not obvious and sometimes ineffective. Read: How to Change the Default Search Engine in Microsoft Edge

How Do I Adjust Virtual Memory Settings? The memory used when you don't have enough memory.
Available virtual memory is controlled by a setting you can adjust. If you're constantly running low, you should look at what you're running. Read: How Do I Adjust Virtual Memory Settings?

How Long Should CHKDSK Take? It can take a while.
Several factors affect how long CHKDSK takes to run, but a scan requiring an unusual amount of time may signal additional problems. Read: How Long Should CHKDSK Take?

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How Long Should CHKDSK Take? Several factors affect how long CHKDSK takes to run, but a scan requiring an unusual amount of time may signal additional problems. Watch: How Long Should CHKDSK Take?

How Do I Adjust Virtual Memory Settings in Windows? Available virtual memory is controlled by a setting you can adjust. If you're constantly running low, you should look at what you're running. Watch: How Do I Adjust Virtual Memory Settings in Windows?

How to Change the Default Search Engine in Microsoft Edge It is possible to change the default search engine in Edge; it's just not obvious and sometimes ineffective. Watch: How to Change the Default Search Engine in Microsoft Edge

Ignored by Online Services? Remember, You Are Not the Customer When free services seem to change arbitrarily, it's easy to wonder if they're paying attention to their customers. They probably are -- just not the ones you think. Watch: Ignored by Online Services? Remember, You Are Not the Customer

What Does "Not Responding" Mean? "Not Responding" is Windows' way of telling you that a program might have a problem. Sometimes Not Responding benign and sometimes it's a sign of a deeper issue. Watch: What Does "Not Responding" Mean?

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• Tip of the Day: Disable Autofill
• Tip of the Day: Consider a Hardware Security Key
• Tip of the Day: Use Different Email Addresses for Different Purposes

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