JoeRetire wrote: ↑Mon Apr 30, 2018 7:22 am
Uhm, okay. Your cybersecurity expertise seems dated, but we each make our own choices and set our own priorities.
I never claimed practical cyber security expertise as in being able to configure and secure a system.
I do maintain theoretical cyber security expertise by reading articles and blogs, watching podcasts, and attending conferences.
JoeRetire wrote: ↑Mon Apr 30, 2018 7:22 amIf you are wireless-phobic ...
I am everything-cyber phobic. And I am happy with that. My default analysis is not to consider how a new device, application or feature can help me, but how it can harm me.
My grandmother was a physician. She has instilled in the family not only draconian sanitation but also deep suspicion of hospitals where one is particularly vulnerable to infections.
JoeRetire wrote: ↑Mon Apr 30, 2018 7:22 am ... then you should search for "wired speaker 3.5mm". You can easily fine one for less than $20.
It would take the place of your earbuds on your Sansa.
Thank you for the idea! I have found and ordered from Amazon "SODIAL(R) White 3.5mm Mini Pillow Speaker For MP3 MP4 Player iPhone iPod Touch CD Radio." I got two of them, for the exorbitant price of $2.56 each (with free shipping).
Victoria
Inventor of the Bogleheads Secret Handshake |
Winner of the 2015 Boglehead Contest. |
Every joke has a bit of a joke. ... The rest is the truth. (Marat F)
VictoriaF wrote: ↑Mon Apr 30, 2018 11:15 am
Thank you for the idea! I have found and ordered from Amazon "SODIAL(R) White 3.5mm Mini Pillow Speaker For MP3 MP4 Player iPhone iPod Touch CD Radio." I got two of them, for the exorbitant price of $2.56 each (with free shipping).
Victoria
Those are meant to be right next to your ear so the maximum volume is usually pretty quiet. You may need to get a different speaker if those do not provide enough sound. I would look for one with a built in rechargeable battery. It should still be less than $10.
VictoriaF wrote: ↑Mon Apr 30, 2018 11:15 am
Thank you for the idea! I have found and ordered from Amazon "SODIAL(R) White 3.5mm Mini Pillow Speaker For MP3 MP4 Player iPhone iPod Touch CD Radio." I got two of them, for the exorbitant price of $2.56 each (with free shipping).
Victoria
Those are meant to be right next to your ear so the maximum volume is usually pretty quiet. You may need to get a different speaker if those do not provide enough sound. I would look for one with a built in rechargeable battery. It should still be less than $10.
Thank you for the suggestion. I've read reviews of these units and saw that they are quiet by design. But I am curious if they may be all I need. If they are too quiet for my use cases, I will write off $5.12 and get something for $10.
Victoria
Inventor of the Bogleheads Secret Handshake |
Winner of the 2015 Boglehead Contest. |
Every joke has a bit of a joke. ... The rest is the truth. (Marat F)
JoeRetire wrote: ↑Mon Apr 30, 2018 7:22 am ... then you should search for "wired speaker 3.5mm". You can easily fine one for less than $20.
It would take the place of your earbuds on your Sansa.
Thank you for the idea! I have found and ordered from Amazon "SODIAL(R) White 3.5mm Mini Pillow Speaker For MP3 MP4 Player iPhone iPod Touch CD Radio." I got two of them, for the exorbitant price of $2.56 each (with free shipping).
For long baths, I doubt a Pillow speaker is what you want.
IMHO, you should cancel the order and look for a wired speaker, but not a "pillow" speaker.
Something along the lines of "Imation 02145 Memorex Ml100 Blk Utra Compact Travel Speaker Line In". $5.99 at Amazon.
This isn't just my wallet. It's an organizer, a memory and an old friend.
Lynette wrote: ↑Sun Apr 29, 2018 8:59 pm
Victoria, if you don't have WiFi in your apartment, how do you connect your computer to the internet? I'm assuming that you access Bogleheads from your apartment.
Hi Lynette,
I use an Ethernet cable to connect laptops to the router, which in turn is connected to my ISP.
Victoria
Hi Victoria,
Take one of those android phones out of their box. Turn it on. Put it into airplane mode (disables all wifi, cellular, bluetooth, etc).
Connect it to your computer via provided USB cable. Copy your media files to it. You now have a portable media player with a speaker that does not use any wireless frequencies.
JoeRetire wrote: ↑Mon Apr 30, 2018 7:22 am ... then you should search for "wired speaker 3.5mm". You can easily fine one for less than $20.
It would take the place of your earbuds on your Sansa.
Thank you for the idea! I have found and ordered from Amazon "SODIAL(R) White 3.5mm Mini Pillow Speaker For MP3 MP4 Player iPhone iPod Touch CD Radio." I got two of them, for the exorbitant price of $2.56 each (with free shipping).
For long baths, I doubt a Pillow speaker is what you want.
IMHO, you should cancel the order and look for a wired speaker, but not a "pillow" speaker.
Something along the lines of "Imation 02145 Memorex Ml100 Blk Utra Compact Travel Speaker Line In". $5.99 at Amazon.
The speaker you recommend is exactly what I need! Thank you very much.
I checked my Amazon account and it shows that the pillow speakers have already been shipped. It's too late to cancel them. When they arrive, I will test them in the bathtub and once I convince myself that they are a lost cause, I'll buy yours.
An important point is that a bath is not the same as a shower. To hear something in the shower you need a device with higher volume and even water resistance. By contrast, laying in a bathtub can be a quiet experience without much splashing. (The motivation for this topic is that I have recently started taking Epsom baths, but get bored staying there for 20-30 minutes.)
Victoria
Inventor of the Bogleheads Secret Handshake |
Winner of the 2015 Boglehead Contest. |
Every joke has a bit of a joke. ... The rest is the truth. (Marat F)
Lynette wrote: ↑Sun Apr 29, 2018 8:59 pm
Victoria, if you don't have WiFi in your apartment, how do you connect your computer to the internet? I'm assuming that you access Bogleheads from your apartment.
Hi Lynette,
I use an Ethernet cable to connect laptops to the router, which in turn is connected to my ISP.
Victoria
Hi Victoria,
Take one of those android phones out of their box. Turn it on. Put it into airplane mode (disables all wifi, cellular, bluetooth, etc).
Connect it to your computer via provided USB cable. Copy your media files to it. You now have a portable media player with a speaker that does not use any wireless frequencies.
Hi therub,
I realize that your advice is well-meaning and that what you are describing is straightforward for you to do. But I operate differently. After I open a box, I must figure out how to update the device's OS, I have to read whether it may have any interfaces open by default, I need to find out if I have to make any configuration changes. And that would take my time and thoughts from the things that interest me at the moment.
I am retired and I do what pleases me. And there are things that please me now more than exploring gadgets. In a few months, I may change my mind and open a box.
Victoria
Inventor of the Bogleheads Secret Handshake |
Winner of the 2015 Boglehead Contest. |
Every joke has a bit of a joke. ... The rest is the truth. (Marat F)
If you have some old computer speakers laying round, check those first for 3.5mm aux plug-in. Also check your existing sound devices such as boombox, clock radio etc, see if it already has an built-in aux input. Many last century models have such features, chances are one of your old devices already has this feature, or just need an 3.5mm aux cable to make it work.
I think your concerns about wireless security is on the paranoid side but each to their own.
I have an old iPhone that I use as a MP3 player. I normally keep it in airplane mode so no wireless connections. I tend to load everything via a USB port. I assume your Android phone can do something similar.
I would then get a Bluetooth speaker. It is low power so a hacker would have to be physically close. And even if they did hack in what would they get? That you listen to too much Beyonce? Sure, I can think of some esoteric attacks but the fact that your computer is plug into the internet is a bigger one.
However, if Bluetooth is too much for you then you can buy a stand alone charging dock / speaker / alarm clock. You can find ones for under $50.
EDIT - I did not see the most recent post from the OP. I do think it is over-kill to review everything. In fact, updating might break some of the older devices. If they are just going to be used as a MP3 player and never connect directly to the internet then why start now? Open them up, put them in airplane mode, and keep them in airplane mode. That way they would never touch the internet directly in the first place and only touch it via your safe secure computer.
Last edited by alex_686 on Wed May 02, 2018 5:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Former brokerage operations & mutual fund accountant. I hate risk, which is why I study and embrace it.
Just want to add that some blue tooth speakers also have an 3.5mm aux input option, you don't have to use Bluetooth connection if you don't want to. Just check the specs, and not let the Bluetooth name scare you away.
Lynette wrote: ↑Sun Apr 29, 2018 8:59 pm
Victoria, if you don't have WiFi in your apartment, how do you connect your computer to the internet? I'm assuming that you access Bogleheads from your apartment.
Hi Lynette,
I use an Ethernet cable to connect laptops to the router, which in turn is connected to my ISP.
Victoria
Hi Victoria,
Take one of those android phones out of their box. Turn it on. Put it into airplane mode (disables all wifi, cellular, bluetooth, etc).
Connect it to your computer via provided USB cable. Copy your media files to it. You now have a portable media player with a speaker that does not use any wireless frequencies.
Hi therub,
I realize that your advice is well-meaning and that what you are describing is straightforward for you to do. But I operate differently. After I open a box, I must figure out how to update the device's OS, I have to read whether it may have any interfaces open by default, I need to find out if I have to make any configuration changes. And that would take my time and thoughts from the things that interest me at the moment.
I am retired and I do what pleases me. And there are things that please me now more than exploring gadgets. In a few months, I may change my mind and open a box.
Victoria
This is why Victoria is one of my favorites at BH.
therub wrote: ↑Mon Apr 30, 2018 4:17 pm
...Connect it to your computer via provided USB cable. ...
Not tech savvy so I find this advice easy to follow. However when connected, my pc doesn't recognize the phone. It just shows the regular my computer (C:) and stuff. Do I need to download a driver that knows my phone? I have a Windows 7 PC and a Moto 5G phone. Thanks for your help.
BTW, I have a Sansa m240 that has served me well for the past 10 years. It is extremely easy to side load - stick it in the USB and there it is as drive E: always. The power button is not responding too well so am looking for a replacement. Thanks for the timely thread.
Faith20879 wrote: ↑Thu May 03, 2018 9:19 am
Not tech savvy so I find this advice easy to follow. However when connected, my pc doesn't recognize the phone. It just shows the regular my computer (C:) and stuff. Do I need to download a driver that knows my phone? I have a Windows 7 PC and a Moto 5G phone. Thanks for your help.
After you connect usb cable, touch and drag your phone's top notification bar down to choose desired connect option, i.e., camera, media device MTP or usb charging only. I probably did not have the exact terms but that's close enough you'd figure it out
ft2010 wrote: ↑Fri May 04, 2018 10:04 am
After you connect usb cable, touch and drag your phone's top notification bar down to choose desired connect option, i.e., camera, media device MTP or usb charging only. I probably did not have the exact terms but that's close enough you'd figure it out