Internet and Crossword

Finding IT updates

WE are all told to keep our devices updated, so most of us have enabled automatic updating, often to be carried out using Wi-Fi in the small hours perhaps when the device is charging. This helps to protect our machines from With NICK SPARKS vulnerabilities to malware and viruses and to correct any errors in programming. These updates are provided by the manufacturer of devices or the writer of the app/programme through the Internet and are largely not noticed by the end user.

However, there is another side to updating which is often overlooked, that is, the manufacturer’s introduction of new features and improvements to the device for which there is often no announcement, but which you may come across almost by accident.

Recent new features that have been added to some Samsung devices, for example, include being able to remove objects from a photograph in their gallery app; pressing and holding the keyboard space bar to give better control moving and positioning the cursor; and changes to the messages app. Bear in mind manufacturers may only release these features for the more upto-date devices.

But can you find what has changed, other than wading through update logs in the device’s “play store” or the software or apps sections of the settings menu? Well, you could search for updates to your particular device on YouTube.

For instance, searching for “Samsung updates” using Google, videos will show innumerable short videos by pundits, in channels, describing hidden and new features. Sakitech is one such channel whose raison d’etre seems to be discovering new and useful features within updates.

If you subscribe to a channel that you find interesting or useful you can receive a notification when there is a new video to see. One thing to be aware of is that these updates are not always carried out at the same time worldwide, the USA may get it first, Germany next etc etc over a few days or even weeks.

Sometimes you just have to be patient…happy hunting!

Submitted by Nick Sparks. Although we have ceased our one-to-one tuition at Cheddar due to Covid, a number of us will continue with this column under the heading "IT for the Terrified" to keep the name alive. This article is for guidance only, and the opinion of the writer. I.T. for the Terrified

The Mendip Mindbender

ACROSS

1 According to the bible,

“Three score years and ten.” (4,10) 8 Dante’s Divine Comedy refers to hell as such (7) 9 Money owing (7) 11 Garden implement (3) 12 Apparatus activated by insertion of a coin (4,7) 14 About 25% of the Elements are so described (8) 15 Pure or chaste (6) 17 Demands and forces payment of a debt (6) 19 Sort of indoors air-raid shelter used in WW2 (8) 22 Introduce autonomy (11) 23 An idiot at the centre of assassins (3) 24 Large Somerset village north of Midsomer Norton where the Somerset Coal Canal terminates (7) 26 Village SW of Bristol Airport probably named after the soil colour of a local landmark (7) 27 Valetudinarians, people who unnecessarily depends on medication (14)

DOWN

1 Village equidistant from

Radstock, Frome and Shepton

Mallet once awarded the title,

‘Calor Somerset village of the year’ (5,2,6) 2 Number of players in a rugby union side (7) 3 A non-believer when it comes to EEC politics (11) 4 An offer of marriage (8) 5 Damp and sweaty (6) 6 Express an opinion or grievance (3) 7 Horse drawn transport of ancient Rome (7) 10 Ammonium carbonate and perfume (8,5) 13 In USA one of the girls chanting and dancing in support of their team (11) 16 A subatomic particle with the same mass as an electron and a numerically equal but positive charge (8) 18 Where the infantry keeps their guns and ammunition (7) 20 Staying power (7) 21 Mixed spirits, fruit and spices cover a corporation (6) 25 As well as a sound couple (3)

Clues in italics are cryptic

An insight into medical history

Town crier Len Sweales at the opening of the exhibition with (l:r) Philip and Caroline Welch, visitor Donna Ford, exhibition organiser Clare Blackmore, visitor Roxie Ford, and Pete Jaggard, from the Friends of the Mendip Hospital Cemetery History of an asylum. Pictured (l:r): Pete Jaggard, museum trustee Richard Lovegrove, Clare Blackmore and Philip and Caroline Welch

AN exhibition has opened at the Wells and Mendip Museum in Wells looking at the lives of patients and staff in the former Somerset and Bath County Lunatic Asylum – later known as the Mendip Hospital.

The mayor and mayoress of Wells, Philip and Caroline Welch, were the guests of honour at the opening. The collection of photographs and documents charts their stories from the asylum’s opening in 1848 through to 1918.

The exhibition is being run in partnership with the Friends of the Mendip Hospital Cemetery, where almost 3,000 patients and staff are buried.

PLANSby Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions club to unveil its most ambitious project to date –a sensory garden within the new Midsomer Norton Town Park –have been delayed due to ongoing Covid restrictions.

The Lions have spent £4,000 on the project, which has taken a number of years to complete. The garden was due to open officially on July 3rd.

Lion Margaret Burdon worked closely with the then Town Trust’s secretary, Paul Myers, architects and the gardeners to get everything just right. The planting of the garden started back in February.

The Lions hope that the garden will appeal to all five senses and offer a rich therapeutic experience to people with a range of different needs. It says the design encourages a protected, stimulating place for people to enjoy simply being, working and socialising oudoors, a place for reflection and enjoyment.

The exhibition closes on July 10th. For details, visit: www.wellsmuseum.org.uk

History comes alive for pupils

Squirrels class inside the ruins of Nunney Castle

CHILDREN from Squirrels class, year 1, at Berkley First School, near Frome, visited Nunney Castle as part of their studies about castles, dungeons and dragons.

They made swords and shields during their visit and learned about the lives of kings and queens. They were all asked to bring a castlethemed picnic for lunch.

Meanwhile, one of their classmates, Hugo, aged six, raised more than £112 for the school by selling plants he had grown from seed in the greenhouse at his home. The sale took place at the bottom of his driveway.

Lions’ new garden