We still cannot have in-person meetings at the library. So we will use Zoom.
Date: Monday April 28, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM ET You can join the Zoom meeting starting at 7:20.
https://us02web.zoom.us/expired
Meeting ID: expired
Passcode: expired
Although Zoom works in many browsers we STRONGLY recommend using the dedicated app on your device with the largest screen for the best experience.
You do NOT need a Zoom account to join a meeting!
If you need instructions, go here: https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/UsingZOOM
Agenda:
0 - Group chin-wag during log on 7:20 - 7:30
1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals 7:30 - 7:40
2 - Passkeys vs Passwords - Which is right for you? with David Rhynas 7:40 - 8:20
3 - Apple Intelligence and other AI options group discussion 8:20 - 9:00
Unfortunately, no after meeting wings or desserts at the Royal Oak, but feel free to prepare your own snacks and share them with us on screen!
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Don't forget the Ottawa Public Library!
Even though we are unable to meet in person at the library, the OPL still offers a wealth of services you can access online. Go to https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en
0 - Group chin-wag during log on
Stephen mentioned that he had to leave early and inquired about the possibility of recording the meeting for later reference. David and Wally suggested that they could send a written transcript of the meeting and the AI Companion summary instead of a video recording. In addition to the meeting minutes on the MUGOO website, this option is available for other members as well.
1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals
Keith recently purchased a Mac Studio (M4 max) earlier than planned due to the pending Trump tariffs turmoil. The Studio has the same footprint as the old Mac mini but is double the height. Thunderbolt 5 has the same connector as USB-C but is much faster, 80 Gbyte per second bidirectional, and great for video rendition projects. Keith also mentioned that he still uses a Caldigit RAID purchased in 2010.
2 - Passkeys vs Passwords - Which is right for you? - with David Rhynas
David discussed the evolution of online authentication, emphasizing the need for stronger security measures due to the increasing sophistication of phishing attacks. He introduced the concept of passkeys, a password-free alternative developed by Apple, Google, Microsoft, and others, which provide better protection against phishing and website breaches.
Since it is still early days, David recommended starting to experiment with passkeys for specific accounts and otherwise continue using password managers for password generation and security. He also mentioned the possibility of using a physical security key as a second form of authentication, but warned about the importance of having a backup in a different location to avoid permanent loss of access to an account. You can view David's presentation deck and commentary at https://mugoo.com/bigfiles/2025-04-28_Passkeys_vs_Passwords.pdf
3 - Apple Intelligence and other AI options
Wally expressed his concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology, citing an app that could help users cheat in job interviews. He also discussed his experiences with ChatGPT and the need to verify its accuracy by cross-checking with other reliable sources. Laurence shared his positive experience with the app Perplexity, which provides accurate and well-sourced answers to technical questions. David confirmed that ChatGPT can refine its responses in real-time and also mentioned that Siri now offers the option to check with ChatGPT.
Participants discussed the use of AI in various contexts, including healthcare and social media. They expressed concerns about the potential for misuse of personal data and the accuracy of AI-generated summaries. We also touched on the challenges of understanding sarcasm and humor in AI responses.
Laurence shared his unease about the potential for AI to manipulate history and reality through video and text generation. Ross discussed the use of AI in creating video and visual imagery, and the challenges of discerning what is real and what is not. David highlighted the issue of ads masquerading as news articles, and the difficulty of distinguishing between real and fake content. Participants agreed to explore these topics further in future discussions.