The Latest From KevinTheTechGuy.ca - 3 Things to Try on Monday Feb 3 2025
Say goodbye to spam calls, notification overload, and cookie pop-ups. Plus, a great local podcast, and a look at real advocacy in action.
Introduction
Hey everyone,
This week, I’m tackling some of those little tech annoyances that, when fixed, make a big difference—like stopping spam calls, silencing unnecessary Windows notifications, and finally putting an end to those relentless cookie pop-ups.
If you’re tired of unknown callers interrupting your day, there’s a simple iPhone setting that lets you automatically silence them while still allowing important calls through.
On the Windows side, notification overload is real, but a few quick tweaks can cut down the noise and help you focus on what actually matters. And for those of us who hate clicking through endless cookie consent pop-ups (which, let’s be honest, are intentionally designed to be frustrating), I’ve got a browser add-on that handles them for you—automatically choosing the most privacy-friendly settings every time.
I’m also highlighting a new local podcast worth checking out, plus sharing a bit about the work I do with Mark Cherrington and the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights. It’s been one of the most meaningful things I’ve been part of, and if you’re interested in supporting real, on-the-ground advocacy, I encourage you to learn more.
Let’s get into it!
—Kevin
What’s on Tap:
Silencing Unknown Callers on iPhone – A quick setting to block spam calls while still receiving important ones.
Managing Windows 10 Notifications – How to cut down on unnecessary alerts and take control of what gets your attention.
Consent-O-Matic Browser Add-On – A tool that automatically handles cookie pop-ups, prioritizing your privacy without extra clicks.
Featured Podcast: Everything Red Deer – A new local podcast covering top news stories, events, and interviews, including a conversation with longtime radio host Peter Michaels.
Mark Cherrington & the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights – Mark’s advocacy work helping vulnerable people navigate legal and social systems, and my volunteer work.
Quick Tip: How To Silence Unknown Callers On Your iPhone
The Short Version
Tired of spam calls interrupting your day? Here’s how to make your iPhone automatically silence unknown callers so only the people you actually want to hear from get through.
Know More
Silencing unknown callers is one of those small but transformative features that can make a big difference, especially if you rely on your phone for both personal and professional use.
By taking a few seconds to enable it, you regain control over your day, keeping interruptions to a minimum while still leaving room to catch important messages from unexpected callers. It’s a thoughtful, simple solution for the growing problem of spam and scam calls, and I highly recommend giving it a try. It’s an invaluable feature for me.
Quick Tip: How To Turn Off Notifications for Certain Apps in Windows 10
The Short Version
Tired of nonstop notifications? Learn how to customize what pops up easily, what stays silent, and what gets your attention in Windows. It’s all about taking control of your screen time!
Know More
Taking control of your notifications can greatly affect how you interact with your computer. Whether you want to cut back on distractions or ensure you don’t miss important updates, the notification settings in Windows give you plenty of flexibility. Spend a few minutes exploring these options and customizing them to your preferences—it’s worth doing. Literally every app often wants to remind you of it’s existence, including some unnecessary reminders and what might be arguably described as “ads”. Clear up the distractions and just see the ones that matter.
Kevin’s Picks: Consent-O-Matic – Browser Add-On for Automatic Cookie Management for Every Site
The Short Version
Tired of cookie pop-ups slowing you down? Consent-O-Matic automates your preferences, blocking manipulative consent prompts and keeping your data private. Set it once, browse freely—no extra clicks required.
Know More
You know that moment when you're just trying to read an article but instead are stuck clicking through yet another cookie consent pop-up? It's not just annoying—it’s designed that way. Many sites nudge you toward sharing more data than you realize, making privacy an uphill battle.
That’s where Consent-O-Matic comes in. Built by privacy researchers, this browser add-on removes the frustration of cookie pop-ups by automatically managing your preferences. Set it up once, and it quietly handles the rest—opting for the most privacy-friendly settings every time.
If you're tired of websites trying to outmaneuver you, this tool levels the playing field. No more digging through menus or clicking “reject all” a hundred times a day. Just seamless browsing with your privacy intact.
Featured Podcast Episode
I have had a couple of conversations with Red Deer journalist Josh Hall on Social Media over the years. He recently started up the Everything Red Deer podcast. So far I’ve listened to episode 1 and 5. It’s early days and bit rough around the edges, but it’s a solid podcast! Check it out if you live in Red Deer or are interested in the city.
For episode 5, Josh Hall and Ashley Lavallee-Koenig run down rdnewsNOW's top stories of the week, and chat about some fun shows and events coming up in Red Deer. Then we hear from Mayor Ken Johnston, who announced Jan. 22 he is to retire after this term of council. Finally, the feature interview with 25-year Red Deer radio host, Peter Michaels!
Something Interesting
I have been a volunteer for Mark Cherrington and the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights for a couple of years now. Mark and I first”met” on Twitter years ago. I help him with his laptop, some Social Media stuff, and we do his podcast together.
It continues to be one of the greatest privileges of my life to help him in any way I can.
You can read much more about his important work helping vulnerable people on their website and in my blog post. His work relies exclusively on donations, so please consider $5/mo or more. Check out his Bluesky for regular updates on what he’s up to and who he’s helping.
Conclusion
That’s it for this week! Hopefully, these Quick Tips help cut down on the little frustrations—whether it’s spam calls, endless notifications, or those cookie pop-ups that never seem to go away. A few simple tweaks can make a big difference.
If you check out the Everything Red Deer podcast, let me know what you think! I always appreciate seeing more local content out there. And if you’re interested in the advocacy work Mark does, I’d love for you to take a look at the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights, and please support his work. Even a small contribution can go a long way in helping people who are stuck in really tough situations.
As always, thanks for reading—I appreciate you being here and for taking the time. Catch you next time!
—Kevin
There are not paid ads. I simply want to support some friends:
Seth has now cut my hair twice. He’s not only incredibly skilled barber, but also a genuinely fastastic guy! He has supported my business, so I’m excited to spread the word about his work as well!
Also, his FREE newsletter is absolutely wonderful and hilarious! Sadly you can’t sign up for them on his website for some reason, but check out the archives! Send him a quick email, or get signed up after a haircut! I’m trying to get him on Substack as well. He says he just has to find the time. Fair enough.
Kim Siever has been a good friend of mine since we first joined Twitter in 2007 when I was going to college in Lethbridge. He’s a terrific person, and he’s passionate about his home business, AlbertaWorker.ca, where he focuses on issues directly affecting the working class in Alberta. Please check out his website, and support him on his website or Patreon.