As you probably have guessed many of my weekly updates are based on client situations.  However, there are times when I interact with a client and that situation actually helps to enlighten my perspective about something related to technology or makes me remember a forgotten tip that could be quite relevant. 

Here are a couple of points I want to share.

-The “Apple keychain password manager” is not a terrible one.  It’s quite good for basic needs. This manager will allow you to sync passwords between Mac, iPhone, and iPad.  Sorry, but it doesn’t work in Windows.  You will be able to fill in passwords in Safari on all of the devices and in multiple apps that support password managers on your iOS / iPad devices.  If Windows is involved in any way or you want a better password manager, I still recommend Last Pass or 1Password.  I don’t like that there is seemingly no way to export or print passwords from the Apple password manager, but it is certainly better than no password manager.  Google also has a version of this that syncs with Chrome and Android phones, but I trust Google less with my passwords than Apple. 

-I think it’s really important to have a second browser on your computer, loaded up with an ad-blocker of course.  On Sunday night, a client told me that a website would print better in the alternate browser.  Another reason to have access to browser number 2 is that you want to multi task — certain websites will be open in browser 1 (remember you can have more than one — right now I have like 15 open in various tabs) and others will be open in browser 2.  Finally, your first browser may get corrupted.  A lot of infections these days stay within the browser and do not spread to the computer.  Having that second browser can help you get work done or just use your computer safely until you have a chance to contact a tech like me for help.  Edge is the default browser in Windows these days (which most people don’t use).  Chrome is the #1 browser in the world by use.  Safari is the default browser on the Mac.  Other browsers you can use include Google Chrome, Firefox, or Brave.  Those are my top 3 choices in no order.  Brave is kind of cool because they block ads by default.  It was created by one of the founders of Firefox.  Fire up your alternate browser at least once a month so it updates (though it may happen automatically).