Shajini Surprise

Updated September 2026: in 2021, after moving my photo library from Google Photos to OneDrive, I found OneDrive did not sort uploads by year the way I wanted, and my library became hard to browse. I have rewritten it into a guide to keeping a photo library organised in OneDrive.

I uploaded photos from my iPhone and copied my old library from my MacBook into OneDrive. Google Photos had organised everything by date automatically. In OneDrive, the uploaded photos and the copied folders ended up mixed, and I could not easily browse by year.

How does OneDrive organise photos?

OneDrive stores files in folders, and its Photos view shows images by date taken, using the information stored in each photo. Camera uploads go to a Camera Roll folder, and the apps offer settings to organise new uploads into subfolders by year or month. Photos copied from elsewhere keep whatever folder structure you gave them.

How do you set up a clean structure?

• Create a folder for each year inside a main Photos folder.
• Move old library exports into the matching year folders.
• Turn on the option to organise camera uploads by year or month, where your app offers it.
• Avoid copying the same library twice, which creates duplicates.

Why do dates sometimes come out wrong?

Photos exported from Google Photos through Takeout can lose their date information, which is stored in separate files. OneDrive then uses the upload date instead. Tools that read the Takeout data files can restore the correct dates before uploading.

How do you find photos quickly?

Use the Photos view for browsing by date, and search by place or content, which OneDrive supports on many accounts. Albums help group events across folders.

Should you delete duplicates?

Yes, carefully. Check a sample to make sure both copies are identical before deleting, and keep the version with the correct date.

Is Google Photos better for organising?

For automatic organisation, yes. OneDrive rewards a little manual structure with a library that is easy to back up and move.

Keep reading

• The 3-2-1 Backup Rule for Family Photos
• Importing Google Contacts to an iPhone
• Changing Time Machine Backup Frequency on a Mac

Updated September 2026: in 2021 I needed to bring contacts from an older, secondary Gmail account onto my new iPhone, and found a simple method that was not easy to find online. I have rewritten it into a clear guide to importing Google contacts to an iPhone.

When moving from Android to iPhone, most contacts transfer easily. The difficulty I faced was a second, older Gmail account whose contacts I also wanted on the iPhone, without installing extra apps.

What is the easiest way to sync Google contacts?

Add the Google account to the iPhone. In Settings, open Apps, then Contacts, then Contacts Accounts, and add your Google account. Turn on Contacts for it. The contacts appear in the Contacts app and stay in sync with Google. You can add more than one Google account this way.

How do you move contacts permanently into iCloud?

• On a computer, open Google Contacts and select the contacts to move.
• Export them as a vCard file.
• Sign in to iCloud.com, open Contacts and import the vCard file.
• The contacts then sync to all your Apple devices.

This was the method I found most reliable: using a computer to export and import.

Should you sync or import?

Sync if you still use the Google account and want changes to flow both ways. Import if you are leaving the account behind and want everything in iCloud.

How do you avoid duplicate contacts?

Do not both sync and import the same account. If duplicates appear, the Contacts app offers to merge them when it detects duplicates. Check a few merged entries to be sure nothing was lost.

Which account do new contacts save to?

Set your default account in the Contacts settings. Choose iCloud or Google deliberately, so new contacts go where you expect.

What about Apple's Move to iOS app?

It transfers data from the Android phone itself during setup. It will not bring contacts stored only in a separate Google account, which is why adding the account or exporting is needed.

Keep reading

• Keeping a Photo Library Organised in OneDrive
• The 3-2-1 Backup Rule for Family Photos
• Scanning QR Codes Safely in India

• Lack of write functionality: Even though MAC operating system has functionality to read NTFS formatted drives or USB devices, there is no option to copy paste the files from MAC to the external drive. Often either the USB drive or External hard disk had to be formatted completely for the files to be copied. I understand there are many external solutions available as software to enable write functionality in NTFS formatted files system, However, most of those software functionalities are either to be purchased or had to extensive research to find freeware solutions.
• Backward compatibility of MAC filesystem in Windows or other devices: Other concerning scenario is that, when the USB drive or external file device is formatted with MAC operating system, the files are not detected in most used Windows operating systems and other devices like music systems or TVs. Apple should have at least had commonly used filesystem for external drive or USB files. I understand that MAC enables users to format external devices or USB drive in FAT32 filesystem, however these filesystems are outdated and takes long time for the files to be copied. 

Keep reading

• Inaccessibility of iWork in Android &Windows
• Stage Manager: Mac OS Ventura's Underutilized Feature
• Transforming iPad as Mini Mac: Unleashing the M3 Chip Power

Updated September 2026: in 2021, having decided to buy a treadmill, I weighed buying online against buying in a store: online offered lower prices, easy EMI and feature comparison, but raised questions about delivery, installation and service. I have rewritten it into a guide to buying a treadmill online.

I wanted a treadmill to exercise regularly and lose weight. After deciding what features I needed, the next question was where to buy. Online shopping offered attractive prices, easy comparison between brands and EMI options from different banks. The concerns were delivery, installation and after-sales service.

What are the advantages of buying online?

• Lower prices and frequent sale discounts.
• Easy comparison of specifications and reviews across brands.
• Bank offers and EMI options at checkout.
• Home delivery of a heavy, bulky item.

What are the risks?

• You cannot try the belt, cushioning or noise before buying.
• Installation may cost extra or take time to schedule.
• Service in your city may be limited for some brands.
• Returns of large items can be complicated.

How do you reduce those risks?

Try similar models in a store, then compare online prices. Check that installation is included and who does it. Confirm the brand has service centres or technicians in your city, and read the warranty terms for the motor and frame separately.

Are "no cost EMI" offers really free?

Often the interest is offset by a discount, but processing fees and GST on interest may apply. Check the total you will pay before choosing EMI.

What should you check on delivery?

Inspect the box for damage before signing, and photograph it if damaged. After installation, run the treadmill at several speeds and inclines. Report any problems within the return window.

Where should the treadmill go at home?

On a level floor with space behind it for safety, near a dedicated power socket, and away from direct sunlight. Measure the space and doorways before ordering; treadmills are bulky, and some do not fold.

Online or store: which is better?

Online usually wins on price. A store wins on trying and service. Many buyers get the best of both by testing in a store and buying online from a seller that includes installation.

Keep reading

• Buying a MacBook Pro in India at a Sensible Price
• Affordable Cars: The Hidden Long-Term Maintenance Costs
• Apple Pencil vs Third-Party iPad Pencils Compared

Updated September 2026: in 2021, with online classes likely to continue, I set out what I needed in a device for my child: app controls requiring an adult's approval, and a screen larger than a phone's. I have rewritten it into a guide to choosing a child's first device.

I had already written about the risks of giving young children phones. With online classes continuing, I still needed a suitable device for my child. My priorities were controls over which apps could be installed, with adult approval for anything new, and a screen larger than a phone for classes and reading.

Tablet, laptop or phone?

• Tablet: larger screen, good parental controls, easy for young children. A good first device.
• Laptop: better for older children writing assignments and coding.
• Phone: portable but small, and harder to supervise; better left until children are older.

Which parental controls matter most?

Approval for app downloads, time limits, content filters by age, and a downtime schedule. On Apple devices, Screen Time with Family Sharing provides these; on Android, Google Family Link. Set them up before handing the device over.

Why does screen size matter?

For online classes and reading, a larger screen reduces eye strain and makes it easier to follow teachers and documents. It also makes use more visible to parents than a phone held close.

Where should the device be used?

In shared family spaces, not bedrooms, especially for younger children. It keeps screen time visible and makes it easier to help with schoolwork.

How much should you spend?

Enough for a device that receives software updates for several years and has adequate storage. Very cheap tablets can be slow and stop getting updates quickly, which makes them frustrating and less secure.

What about apps with ads?

Choose apps made for children, which follow stricter rules on advertising, and consider paid versions that remove ads. For video, use YouTube Kids or a supervised account rather than the main app.

When is a child ready for their own phone?

It depends on the child and on need, such as travelling to school alone. Many parents start with a basic phone for calls, or a smartphone with strong controls, and relax them gradually.

How do you prepare children for their first device?

Agree simple rules together: when, where and what for. Explain why the controls exist.

Keep reading

• Myopia Control for Children: A Parent's Guide
• Which iPad to Buy: Standard, mini, Air or Pro
• Why the Next iPad Needs Ceramic Shield 2 & IP67 Ratings

Updated September 2026: after Apple's April 2021 event, I was disappointed not to see a low-cost entry iPad or an updated iPad mini, which had not been redesigned for years. Both arrived later. I have rewritten it into a guide to choosing between today's iPad models.

I expected Apple to launch a cheaper entry iPad using an older chip and design, and a redesigned iPad mini. Neither came at that event. In September 2021, Apple released a redesigned iPad mini with a larger screen, thin borders and USB-C, and the standard iPad continued as the affordable model.

What are the main iPad models?

• iPad (standard): the lowest-priced model, good for browsing, video, notes and schoolwork.
• iPad mini: the same features in a small, portable size, popular for reading and travel.
• iPad Air: faster chips and larger screen options, suitable for heavier work.
• iPad Pro: the best display and performance, for creative professionals.

Which iPad suits most people?

The standard iPad covers most everyday needs at the lowest price. Choose the Air if you want Apple Intelligence features, more speed or a larger screen without Pro prices. Choose the mini if portability matters most.

What should you check before buying?

• Storage: enough for your apps and downloads, since it cannot be upgraded.
• Pencil and keyboard compatibility, which varies by model.
• Whether you need cellular connectivity.
• Which software features the chip supports.

Is last year's iPad good value?

Often. iPads receive software updates for years, and discounted previous models offer much of the same experience for less.

Which accessories are worth buying?

A case, first. A stylus is worth it for note-taking and drawing, and a keyboard for typing-heavy use. Check which Apple Pencil and keyboard models your iPad supports before buying, as compatibility has changed across generations and third-party options can be much cheaper.

Wi-Fi or cellular?

Wi-Fi models suit most people, since a phone hotspot covers occasional use outside. Cellular models make sense for heavy travellers.

How long do iPads last?

Many people use an iPad for five years or more. Battery health and software support usually decide when to replace it, not performance.

Was the wait worth it?

For iPad mini fans, yes. The 2021 redesign was one of the most welcome updates in years.

Keep reading

• Apple Pencil vs Third-Party iPad Pencils Compared
• Buying a MacBook Pro in India at a Sensible Price
• Base Mac Storage: Does SSD Speed Matter?

Updated September 2026: in 2021 I wrote about leaving Google Photos after it ended unlimited free storage, and about the risk of relying on ageing hard disks and physical copies. I have rewritten it into a practical backup plan for family photos and documents, using the 3-2-1 rule.

Two things pushed me to rethink storage. Google stopped unlimited free photo storage, so photos counted against account limits. And keeping important photos and documents on old hard disks or in physical form felt increasingly risky, since ageing drives fail and devices get damaged.

What is the 3-2-1 backup rule?

Keep three copies of important data, on two different types of storage, with one copy offsite. For a family, that might mean the original on your phone or computer, a copy on an external drive, and a copy in a cloud service.

Why is one cloud service not enough?

Accounts can be locked, services change their terms, as Google did, and files deleted by mistake can be deleted everywhere by sync. A second, independent copy protects against all of these.

How often do hard disks fail?

Any drive can fail, and the risk rises with age. External drives are also easy to drop or lose. Treat any single drive as temporary, and replace old ones every few years.

How do you set up a simple family plan?

• Turn on automatic photo backup to one cloud service on every phone.
• Copy the full library to an external drive every few months.
• Keep that drive somewhere other than your computer, ideally another home.
• Scan important paper documents and include them in the backup.

How do you know backups work?

Restore a few files once or twice a year. A backup you have never tested is only a hope.

How much does a sensible backup setup cost?

Less than people expect. A mid-sized cloud plan shared by the family and one external drive of a few terabytes cover most households. Spread over several years, that is a small price for protecting photos that cannot be replaced.

What about old prints and albums?

Scan the ones that matter most, or photograph them carefully in good light, and add them to the same backup. Physical albums are the easiest memories to lose to damp or fire, and the hardest to replace.

What about privacy?

Use strong passwords and two-step verification on cloud accounts, and encrypt external drives that hold sensitive documents.

Keep reading

• Keeping a Photo Library Organised in OneDrive
• Changing Time Machine Backup Frequency on a Mac
• Base Mac Storage: Does SSD Speed Matter?

Updated September 2026: in 2021 I wrote that every business now needs a website with accurate information, and wondered why web hosting services charge so much. I have rewritten it into a guide to why hosting prices vary and what a small business actually needs.

The web holds an ocean of information, much of it inaccurate. A business's own website is where customers find reliable facts about it. Building a site has become easy, but choosing hosting remains confusing, with prices ranging from almost free to expensive monthly plans.

Why do hosting prices vary so much?

• Type of hosting: shared hosting is cheapest; VPS, dedicated and managed cloud hosting cost more.
• Resources: storage, memory and bandwidth allocated to your site.
• Support and management: managed plans handle updates, security and backups for you.
• Introductory pricing: low first-year prices often rise sharply at renewal.

What does a small business website need?

Reliable uptime, an SSL certificate for https, regular backups, reasonable speed and responsive support. A small informational site with a few pages runs well on good shared hosting or a website builder plan.

Are there cheaper alternatives?

Yes. Website builders include hosting in their plans. Free platforms such as Blogger suit simple sites and blogs, with a custom domain for a small yearly cost. Static site hosts can serve simple sites at little or no cost.

What hidden costs should you check?

Renewal prices, domain renewal, email hosting, backups and SSL if not included. Compare the three-year cost, not the first month.

When is premium hosting worth it?

For online shops, sites with heavy traffic or businesses that cannot afford downtime. Managed hosting saves time on security and updates, which matters if nobody in the business handles them.

Does hosting affect search visibility?

Indirectly. Slow or frequently unavailable sites give visitors a poor experience, and search engines take page experience and reliability into account. Choose hosting that keeps the site fast for visitors in India, use https, and avoid plans that are overloaded with other sites.

Should you register the domain separately?

Many people do, so that moving hosts later does not affect the domain. Keep the domain in the business's own account, not a developer's, and turn on auto-renewal.

How do you choose a provider?

Read recent reviews on uptime and support, check where servers are located, and start with a plan you can upgrade.

Keep reading

• Which iPad to Buy: Standard, mini, Air or Pro
• Apple’s Search Engine: Can it Change Google’s Dominance?
• New Gratuity Rules 2026: One Year Counts