Feature Video: A Beginner's Guide to Linux

On weekends, we often talk about security and privacy. Today is one of those days.

If you are looking to switch away from Windows, Linux may be the way for you to go. MacOS and even ChromeOS are more secure. Linux is the most secure (MacOS is related to Linux, and ChromeOS is a type of Linux) and by default the most private operating system.

If you do consider switching to Linux, here is a video that will be helpful:

[YouTube]

Linux is the most private and secure operating system, and if that's important to you, it's something to consider.

My Streaming Life keeps security and privacy in mind at all times. It should be important to everyone.

Watching College Football: 2024 Week 3

Week 2 of the 2024 college football season is in the books, and there was an upset or two. But that's college football. Week 3 is this weekend, and actually began Thursday night with two games, and last night with another two. Today, 59 games are on the schedule. There are 18 Top 25 teams playing, with two games between ranked teams, including one last night. Between now and next Saturday, there are four more games.

This weekend's games will be broadcast over several networks. Here are the channels or networks you'll need to watch all the game this season:

• ABC
• ACC Network
• Big Ten Network
• CBS
• CBS Sports Network
• The CW
• ESPN
• ESPN2
• ESPN U
• ESPN+
• Fox
• Fox Sports 1
• Max
• NBC
• Peacock
• SEC Network
• truTV

Here's how to get the channels to watch college football this week:

ABC

• Antenna (free)
• Sling TV (8 markets only) ($45/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($75/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($80/month)

ACC Network

• Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($80/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($106/month)

Big Ten Network

• Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($80/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($106/month)

CBS

• Antenna (free)
• Paramount Plus (Premium) $12/month
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($75/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($80/month)

CBS Sports Network

• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($80/month)
• DirecTV (Ultimate) ($136/month)

The CW

• Antenna (free)
• Not available streaming.

ESPN, ESPN2

• Sling TV (Orange) ($40/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($80/month)

ESPNU

• Sling TV (Orange + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• Vidgo (Plus) ($70/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• Fubo (Elite with Sports Plus) ($100/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($106/month)

ESPN+

• ESPN+ (standalone) ($11/month)
• Disney Bundle Trio Basic ($15/month)

Fox

• Antenna (free)
• Sling TV (19 markets only) ($45/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($80/month)

Fox Sports 1

• Sling TV (Blue + Sports Extra) ($51/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($80/month)

Max

• Max (with Bleacher Report Sports Add-on) ($22/month)

NBC

• Antenna (free)
• Peacock (Plus) ($12/month)
• Sling TV (11 markets only) ($45/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• DirecTV (Entertainment) ($80/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($80/month)

Peacock

• Peacock is its own service, and can be used to watch NBC live programming with the $12/month plan.

SEC Network

• Sling TV (Orange) ($40/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• Fubo (Pro) ($80/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($116/month)

truTV

• Sling TV (Blue) ($40/month)
• YouTube TV ($73/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($77/month)
• DirecTV (Choice) ($116/month)

That's this week in Division 1-A/FBS college football, and covers the networks that are carrying college football games this weekend. My Streaming Life focuses on college football during this time of year. Of course, we'll cover next week's games next weekend.

Cutting the Cord: Free services offer a lot of content

Yesterday, I offered three tips for cord cutting newbies. I'd like to revisit that and expand on one tip.

Tip 1 was "Assess Your Viewing Habits." The idea was to understand your needs to help you choose the right streaming services to replace your cable subscription.

Most people think of this as picking between a nirtual multichannel video programming distributor (vMVPD) such as Sling TV, Hulu+Live TV, YouTube TV, fubo, or even Philo. While that is the route most people will take, my experience is that a pay service isn't always necessary. Today, live major sports channels such as ESPN do require a pay live streaming service. However, it's possible to find a lot of entertainment without a vMVPD service.

Current cable channels with new programming will require one, but when you cut the cord, try asking yourself if you really do need one of those. Check into the free streaming options on your streaming device. Each of the major platforms have their own section of free channels. Additionally, there are apps you can install such as Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Tubi, and other free ad-supported television (FAST) servcies that offer a lot of content.

If you feel you do need a pay TV streaming service, go ahead. Consider if you need it year round, or only for a month or two at a time, or just occasionally through the year. The rest of the time, look into the free options. You may find you can save a lot of money and watch a lot of good TV content by using the FAST services. My Streaming Life doesn't cost a lot. Yours doesn't have to either.

Cutting the Cord: 3 Essential Tips for Newbies

If you haven't yet cut the cord, but are considering it, you know that cutting the cord can seem daunting. However, with a little planning, it's easier than you might think. Here are three essential tips to make your transition smooth and enjoyable.

Tip 1: Assess Your Viewing Habits

Before you ditch cable, take some time to analyze your current TV watching habits.

• What channels do you watch regularly?
• Are there specific shows or networks you can't live without?
• How often do you watch live TV versus on-demand content?

Understanding your needs will help you choose the right streaming services and devices to replace your cable subscription.

Tip 2: Research Streaming Services and Devices

The streaming landscape is vast and varied, so it's important to do your research before committing to any particular service.

• Popular options include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and many more.
• Consider factors such as cost, content library, device compatibility, and user interface when making your decision.
• Don't forget to explore free streaming services like Pluto TV and Tubi, which offer a surprising amount of content at no cost.
• You'll also need a streaming device to access these services on your TV. Popular choices include Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast.

Tip 3: Get a Good Antenna

Even if you're cutting the cord, you can still enjoy free, over-the-air broadcast channels with a good antenna. This is a great way to access local news, sports, and popular network shows without paying a dime.

• The type of antenna you need will depend on your location and proximity to broadcast towers.
• Do some research to find the best antenna for your area.

Conclusion:

Cutting the cord can save you a significant amount of money each month while still providing access to a wide variety of entertainment options. By following these three tips, you'll be well on your way to a successful cord-cutting experience. Remember, it's all about finding the right combination of streaming services, devices, and antenna to meet your individual needs and preferences. My Streaming Life is a Happy one, and I hope yours will be as well.

Cord Cutting Confessions: My Sling TV Relapse and Recovery

Alright, cord cutters, let's talk about temptation. During college football season, I do the unthinkable – I resubscribe to Sling TV. It's my ESPN fix, my way to keep up with the game-day action. But the rest of the year? Nope, I'm a free-streaming bird.

I get it, the appeal of Sling, YouTube TV, and the like is strong. All those familiar cable channels at your fingertips? It's like a warm blanket on a cold night. But I cut the cord back in 2011. Back then, no vMVPDs existed to tempt me. It was cold turkey, and I learned to live without those channels, discovering awesome streaming alternatives along the way.

So, what happened this year? Sling lured me back in with sports, but then I started watching the news. It's an election year, my emotions are running high, and that one news channel? It was speaking my language. For a bit, it was glorious.

Then the addiction kicked in. I was glued to those channels, reliving the bad old days of cable news obsession. I even got sick this weekend and found myself reaching for the remote again.

But then it hit me: I don't need this. I can get actual news elsewhere, without the drama and the endless opinion pieces. I turned off the TV, and you know what? I felt better.

My Streaming Life is for entertainment, not agitation. So, I'm back to my cord-cutting roots, and I'm feeling good about it. Remember, fellow cord cutters, we're in this together. Resist the siren song of cable, and embrace the freedom of streaming!

YouTube TV's Ascent and My Personal Streaming Choice (not the same)

According to NextTV, YouTube TV has risen to the 4th largest live TV streaming provider in the US, gaining 50,000 new subscribers in the last quarter. With NFL football back in season, and the platform's appeal to sports fans bolstered by its NFL Sunday Ticket offering, further growth is anticipated.

Notably, at $73, YouTube TV stands as the most affordable option among vMVPDs carrying major broadcast networks.

Personally, I opt for Sling TV. While it doesn't provide ABC, CBS, Fox, or NBC in most areas, I circumvent this with an antenna. My Streaming Life uses Sling's sports packages during college football season because it perfectly suits my needs.

Windows 10's Expiration Date: The AI-Powered Push Towards Windows 11

The clock is ticking for Windows 10 users. With support ending in October 2025, the pressure to upgrade to Windows 11 is mounting. While many, myself included, prefer the familiar Windows 10 interface and have concerns about Microsoft's data collection practices, the reality is that Windows 11 is the future. And Microsoft seems intent on making that transition as enticing (or perhaps, unavoidable) as possible.

The biggest hurdle for many has been Windows 11's demanding hardware requirements. Recent news suggests Microsoft won't be easing up on these anytime soon. In fact, it's looking like the experience for those running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware might get even worse. Why? It all comes down to Microsoft's ambitious AI plans.

Microsoft is going all-in on AI, with 'Copilot+ PCs' set to become the new standard. These machines will require specific hardware to handle advanced AI tools, and Microsoft seems keen to drive hardware upgrades to support this vision. The reintroduction of features like 'Recall', which essentially records your PC activity for AI-powered search, further emphasizes the need for powerful hardware.

So, is Microsoft intentionally making life difficult for Windows 10 holdouts to boost sales of new PCs and AI subscriptions? It's certainly a possibility. The next year will be crucial in revealing how this all plays out. Will Windows 11 adoption surge? Will the AI features be compelling enough to justify upgrades? And what will the experience be like for those who stick with Windows 10 on older hardware?

One thing's for sure: Microsoft's focus is firmly on the future of Windows 11 and AI. Those clinging to Windows 10 might find themselves increasingly left behind. If you're in that camp, it might be time to start considering your options.