I recently began using the Apple Magic Keyboard with my docking station. I use my docking station for my MacBook Pro and Dell XPS 13.
I highly recommend the Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 dock, which works great with a single cable to my MacBook or my Dell XPS 13 and also provides charging & power to both laptops.
2022 Update: The Thunderbolt dock recommendation above was made in 2018 when I initially posted this blog. I now recommend and use the CalDigit TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock. I use the CalDigit TS3 Plus with my new MacBook Pro 16-inch M1 Max with no issues.
I’ve retired the Dell XPS, because of hardware/driver issues that I couldn’t solve after lots of time on the phone with Dell Support.
All was fine until I accidentally toggled the keyboard into insert mode in Windows 10. Insert mode overwrites characters if you move the cursor earlier in the sentence to make an edit.
To disable insert mode on Windows 10 on the Apple Magic Keyboard
Press clear above the seven (7) on the numeric keypad.
Then press 0 (zero) on the numeric keypad.
Are you using an Apple Magic Keyboard without a numeric keypad? Try this.
Press Fn – I at the same time.
I don’t have an Apple keyboard without a numeric keyboard to test on, so let me know if this works.
Another way to disable the insert mode
Go to the Start Menu.
Please search for the On-Screen Keyboard app and open it.
Click the insert key on the virtual keyboard.
Are you looking to purchase an Apple Magic Keyboard or Mouse? Use the links below.
2022 Update: Are you looking for a better wireless keyboard across your devices? The Logitech MX Keys Advanced Wireless Illuminated Keyboard is my top recommendation and the keyboard I enjoy far more than the Apple keyboards.
After upgrading from PHP version 7.0 to 7.1 on my WordPress website hosted with DreamHost, I received the error message below above the header on my website.
Warning: Parameter 2 to wp_hide_post_Public::query_posts_join() expected to be a reference, value given in /home/xyz_vps/nafzinger.com/wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php on line 298
The solution
If you’re not using the WP Hide Post plugin, make a note of the error message, it should give you a hint of what plugin is causing the issue. In the case above, my hint was Parameter 2 to wp_hide_post_Public::query_posts_join(). You can also disable the problematic plugin.
Some code caused the error in the WP Hide Post plugin. I fixed it by connecting to my server via SFTP, then navigating to the WP Hide Post plug-in directory, as shown below.
Whew, it has been a while. I’m here to give a quick overview of the Google Home Mini compared to the Amazon Echo Dot.
After using the Amazon Echo Dot for the past 1+ years, the Google Home Mini (and other versions of the Google Home) win for a few reasons.
The speaker and sound quality of the Google Home Mini are better than the Amazon Echo Dot. You could almost use it as an everyday speaker if you’re not throwing a party and have relatively quiet surroundings.
You can make phone calls using your Google Voice phone number through Google Home and the Google Home Mini. No phone is required. They need to fix the ability to connect the Google Mini Home and other Google Home devices to Bluetooth headsets. If you don’t have a Google Voice number set in Google Assistant, the phone calls show up as “No Caller ID” to the person receiving the call. You can dial by name from your Google Contacts or by phone number.
The Google Home Mini and Google Home devices are more likely to understand complex questions, and you can ask follow-up questions. So Google Home is more contextually aware.
The Google Home Mini and Google Home devices don’t require you to add skills to achieve things like requesting rideshare, playing simple games, etc.
The setup process for Google Home devices is much more pleasant. It doesn’t require you to disconnect from your wifi and connect to the device.
When I first read about AIDS/LifeCycle (ALC), a 7-day, 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, it immediately appealed to me. I was eligible for a one-month sabbatical but wasn’t sure I’d be able to take time off in June because of a high-priority project with a launch date of June 11, 2013. I was thrilled my sabbatical request was approved in December 2012.
Seattle friends from Team of One at ALC Orientation – Day 0
A few unpleasant thoughts came to mind just a few months before the ride. I love the outdoors, but 7-days camping in a tent, using port-a-potties, not sleeping on a real bed, or taking a real shower didn’t seem appealing.
My first ALC ride was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The unpleasant thoughts quickly faded upon experiencing the energy and passion of other ALC riders and roadies. Everyone on the ride was happy to chat and get to know you. Riders were also very friendly when something went wrong. I had one flat tire during the ride; I was with my friend David, who stopped to offer emotional support. David gave a thumbs-up to each rider who passed as I fixed the flat tire.
The thing I liked most about the ride was the diversity of the people involved.
Riding out of Cow Palace — Day 1
This year was a historic one for ALC. With the help of thousands of generous donors, 2,203 cyclists and 552 roadies (volunteers) raised $14.2 million to support the parent organizations and the services they provide to those in California. I had the opportunity to meet a small fraction of the nearly 3,000 people involved, but every interaction I had was delightful.
Everyone was so invested in this. Everyone had a heartfelt story about why they became involved with AIDS/LifeCycle.
Me near Santa Cruz — Day 1
Initially, I intended to write a blog post each day of the ride. I thought I’d have plenty of time to collect my thoughts each day. After posting on an ALC rider’s Facebook group, I found out the days are pretty busy, and taking a laptop or iPad isn’t a good idea.
A typical day on AIDS/LifeCycle consists of waking up at 5 am and getting into your cycling gear. You take down your tent, pack your bag, and deliver it to the designated truck. Then, you head off to the dining tent for a hearty breakfast. After breakfast, you make last-minute stops before venturing off to start the day in the saddle.
Fog and mountains in Central California — Day 3 of ALC
The days ranged from 44 to 109 miles, with rest stops every 15-20 miles. The rest stops were fully equipped with delicious treats, Gatorade, water, bike technicians, port-a-potties, medical, and even entertainment! There were short hilly days and long flat days with rolling plains, similar to what I’m used to in Central Kansas. There were days with ocean and mountain views. There were days of riding through large strawberry, avocado, and artichoke fields. There were days filled with rolling hills and beautiful vineyards. There were days on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), with a mix of bike trails, country roads, and city streets winding through the small towns of California.
The ALC ride and everyone involved provided a pristine example of how an ideal society might function.
Most days, I’d start out riding with my team, the Pork Pedalers, or with friends who were members of Seattle-based Team of One. By mid-day, you’d break into smaller groups of riders riding at your pace.
Pork Pedaler’s AIDS/LifeCycle Team in Lompoc, CA – Day 5
Each day when you ride into camp, you are greeted by a crowd of cheering, enthusiastic roadies. The first thing you do is park your bike in the vast secure bike parking. Then make your way to your gear truck to pick up your luggage and tent. You find your space on the grid, set up your tent, and unpack your belongings for a much-needed visit to the shower trucks. I’ve not seen shower trucks before; they are semi-trailers with about 20-25 private shower stalls each. The water pressure was excellent, but I forgot to pack a towel. Luckily, my friend Matt packed an extra!
Me riding into ALC camp in King City, CA – Day 2
After a shower and shaving, you’d head over to the cold wash stations if you had laundry to wash. After all this, it was time for dinner and evening announcements. By the time dinner wrapped up, it was 8 pm, when you’d head back to your tent to wind down and prepare for the next day. We had a few fun nights where we gathered to play board games or went to a nearby restaurant for some non-camp food. In the early evening, when camp started to fill up, mobile phone and data service would quickly diminish.
The thing I liked most about the ride was the diversity of people. There were people of all skill and fitness levels, backgrounds, nationalities, races, and age groups. There were gay, lesbian, straight, HIV-positive, and HIV-negative people. I sometimes see these groups co-mingling in Kansas City, but it’s with far less frequency, cohesiveness, and energy toward a common goal. Everyone invested in ALC and had a heartfelt story about why they were riding.
In Memory of Ruby – September 5, 2003 – April 16, 2013
What does one do on a bicycle for 6 to 12 hours daily? ALC bans listening to music via headphones, portable speakers, or mobile devices for safety. Riders are required to ride single-file, except when passing. As a result, you focus on the road, the beautiful sights, smells, and sounds. You do lots of thinking. Many thoughts crossed my mind as I rode:
Everyone putting forth the time and effort on the ride
My best friends who moved to San Francisco in July 2013
The thoughts brought tears to my eyes several times during the week.
ALC Candlelight Vigil at Ventura Beach – Day 6
On Day Seven, we rode from Ventura to Los Angeles. It was a relatively easy 60 miles with a few rolling hills and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. The best part of the day was seeing my friends Mike, Zack, Scott, and Shawn at the finish line. I said goodbye to ALC friends from California, Portland, Denver, Birmingham, Seattle, and even a cyclist from St. Louis.
KC Friends and I at the ALC Finish Line in Los Angeles – Day Seven
In closing, I’ll share a random powerful moment one night at dinner. One night, our team table filled up quickly. I ended up having dinner across from a middle-aged gentleman with disabilities. He had to communicate by typing on an iPad. He had trouble communicating with me and was even having difficulty eating. I wish I could have talked with him more and shared how much I admired his will and passion. I wish I had hugged him. Tears streamed down my face as I walked back to camp.
I’m so thankful my employer offered this opportunity—a month from work to do something meaningful to me and thousands of others in California and worldwide.
