The Latest From Kevin The Tech Guy - 3 Things To Try for Monday Jan 27 2025
Simple ways to safeguard your files, browse privately, and streamline your tech setup. Let’s also talk about taking control of the digital spaces we share.
Introduction
Hey there!
Thank you so much for checking out the fifth edition of my FREE newsletter. I’m making some changes going forward, but the content will remain the same. I’m sure you’ve noticed that these newsletters are a bit long.
So I’m going to publish 3 Things to Try on Mondays, and 3 Things to Know on Fridays. I’ll include the Featured Podcast and Tech News You Might Have Missed on Fridays. This change takes effect starting today.
In this newsletter, I’m sharing a mix of tech tips, personal recommendations, and something a little thought-provoking to round things out. Whether you’re looking for smarter ways to protect your data, boost your online privacy, or make your browser work better for you, there’s something here to dig into.
Here’s what’s on tap:
Quick Tip: Cloud Backup Services I Recommend—Backing up your data doesn’t have to feel like a chore. I’ve broken down my favorite tools—like Backblaze and IDrive—and explained why automating your backups can save you from future headaches.
Kevin’s Picks: ExpressVPN – Privacy online is more than just a buzzword; ExpressVPN takes it seriously. Learn why their RAM-only servers make them a standout choice for keeping your data yours.
Quick Tip: Customize Your Chrome Toolbar – If you haven’t already, it’s time to tidy up your browser toolbar. Google Chrome’s latest update makes it easier than ever to organize your go-to tools, extensions, and shortcuts just the way you like.
And for a little something to chew on, I’ve included a quick note about Bluesky and the future of social media. It’s a reminder that our digital spaces can—and should—be shaped by us, not billionaires.
Let’s dive in!
3 Things To Try
1. Quick Tip: Cloud Backup Services I Recommend
The Short Version:
Backing up your data doesn’t have to be complicated. With today’s tools, setting up an automatic backup system ensures your files are always protected without requiring constant attention. Cloud services like Backblaze, IDrive, and Dropbox make off-site backups effortless, while external hard drives add an extra layer of security. Whether you’re syncing to the cloud or automating backups on Windows, the key is finding a system that fits your needs and sticking to it. Let’s dive into the best strategies for keeping your data safe and accessible.
Know More:
This blog post offers a practical guide to creating a reliable backup system that protects your data with minimal effort. It highlights the importance of automatic backups using tools like Backblaze, IDrive, and Dropbox for off-site storage, while emphasizing the added security of keeping a local copy on an external hard drive.
For Windows users, it recommends the built-in Backup and Restore tool as a simple option for automating external backups. The post also warns against relying on USB thumb drives for long-term storage, sharing personal experiences to illustrate their unreliability. With insights into the pros and cons of different tools, it encourages combining automation, cloud storage, and external backups for a robust data protection strategy.
2. Kevin’s Picks: ExpressVPN
The Short Version:
ExpressVPN’s approach to privacy is straightforward: they don’t track or store your activity. Sessions run in RAM, not on hard drives, so your data is wiped the moment you disconnect.
Know More:
ExpressVPN is built to prioritize user privacy at every step. Unlike many other services, they use a unique RAM-only server setup, meaning no data is ever written to a hard drive. Every session operates entirely in memory, so all activity traces are immediately erased when you disconnect.
This approach ensures that even if they were to receive a subpoena or their servers were accessed. There would be no user data to hand over. It’s a system designed for maximum security, giving you confidence that your online activity is private and completely under your control.
3.0 Quick Tip: You Can Now Customize The Chrome Toolbar (where the extensions live, usually)
The Short Version:
Google Chrome has made it easier to customize the toolbar to organize your favorite features the way you like. With just a few clicks, you can add shortcuts to the tools you use the most, keeping them handy. Here’s how to do it.
Know More:
Google Chrome has introduced a feature that allows you to personalize your toolbar, making it more functional and tailored to your browsing habits. This update allows you to organize your favorite tools and features exactly how you like them.
Whether you rely on certain shortcuts, extensions, or other Chrome tools, you can now decide what appears on your toolbar. This change streamlines your experience and keeps the things you use most just a click away. This change not only enhances accessibility but also reduces the clutter that can come with a busy browser, giving you a cleaner, more efficient setup that works for your needs.
Something Interesting or Fun
We can’t keep letting billionaires dictate how our digital spaces function. Bluesky is paving the way for a new kind of social web—one where we all have more say, choice, and control. Their AT Protocol has the potential to grow beyond a single app, but realizing that vision requires independent funding and governance. It’s not perfect, but it’s a damn good start.
Our goal with Free Our Feeds is to create a foundation that supports an ecosystem of interconnected apps and companies that truly prioritize people over profit. This isn’t just about supporting one platform—it’s about building an open, healthy, and resilient social media landscape that no single company or billionaire can dominate.
If you can contribute, please consider it. :)
Conclusion
As we wrap this up, I hope you found something useful here, whether it’s the peace of mind that comes with a solid backup strategy, the confidence of knowing your online activity is truly private, or the joy of a more organized Chrome toolbar.
These tips are all about helping YOU make the most of your tech, quietly in the background or front and center when you need it. The broader conversation about Bluesky and the future of social media reminds us that we can aim for something better, both in how we use technology and how we shape the spaces we share online.
Thanks for reading. If you have thoughts, questions, or tips to share, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s keep this conversation going. Please support my work for $5/mo and get access to the forums (it keeps out spammers and trolls). Messages can also be included in one-time support options. See below. Or send me an email.
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