Our jack-o-lanterns shine out for Halloween!

Events/Kids

International Children's Television Festival

I received this really nice flyer in the mail detailing all the specifics for this event. It looks like a wonderful way of exploring children's television from all over the world.

From the web site...

November 2 to 24, 2002 in New York and Los Angeles

See great children's television from around the world

  -- Enjoy dance, music, and storytelling performances celebrating the customs and traditions of other cultures

  -- Participate in arts and crafts activities in the Museum's main galleries

-- Meet popular costume characters

Computers/Warning

Beware FriendGreetings.com

If you get an email telling you that you have a free e-greeting card waiting for your a FriendGreetings.com, I highly recommend that you delete it.

In an audacious move, FriendGreetings will ask to install a program on your computer. In the End-User License Agreement (EULA) included in the installer, you give FriendGreetings the right to send a SPAM to everyone in your email address book!

I personally think this is a rotten way to do business as it will catch many people unaware. It does reinforce the point, though, that you shouldn't install anything on your computer unless you are completely clear on what it does.

Career Column

Career-Op: Scary Things
by Douglas E. Welch, ComputorEdge Magazine

As we approach Halloween, it might pay to reflect on some of the scary things you might be facing in your career in the coming months. Although some of these thoughts might make you more scared than a 3-year-old on All Hallows Eve, you should always remember that with a little planning and preparation you won’t suffer any more than the usual post “Trick or Treat” sugar hangover.

(Continued)

Events/Halloween

A Walk in the Garden?

Here is a perfect activity to get ready for All Hallow's Eve and All Souls Day...cemetery tours.

Via Digital City

Web/Photography

Top Ten Digital Photography Tips

Taking digital photos should mean more than just point and shoot. Even the simplest units have some custom features of which you can (and should) take advantage.

This excellent article from MacDevCenter.com gives you 10 well-explained tips on how to get the most out of your digital camera, whether you are a novice or a near-pro.

Via Blogdex

Events/Halloween

Boo at the Zoo

Los Angeles Zoo

October 26-27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The LA Zoo is always a wonderful place to take the kids for a little outdoor time. There is a lot of construction going on right now for a major expansion, but all the usual exhibits are open. -- Douglas

From their web site...

Parents, bring your kids to the L.A. Zoo for a safe weekend of trick-or-treating fun. Kids, have a ghoulish good time as you enjoy face-painting activities, mask-making, and other spooky crafts. A Pumpkin "Stomp 'n' Chomp" is scheduled for several Zoo animals, and Creepy Creature Encounters will feature giant hissing cockroaches and other creepy crawlers. There's even a special Halloween-themed Imagination Adventure taking place in Adventure Theater . . . come if you dare! Spook-tacular strolling entertainers will also provide lots of fun and music. Anyone wearing a Halloween costume receives $1 off admission, and all activities are free with paid Zoo admission. Don't miss out on a spooky good time!

October 26-27 (Saturday and Sunday) -- 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Pumpkin "Stomp N Chomp" and special feedings
(times are subject to change)

Meerkats: 10:30 a.m.
Chimpanzees: 11 a.m.
Sea lions (Aquatics area): 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Sea lions (Winnick Family Children's Zoo): 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Elephants: 1 p.m.
Black bears: 1:30 p.m.
Hippopotamuses: 2 p.m.

For additional information, call 323/644-6400.

Web/Halloween

Devils Tramping Ground

This wonderful collection of spooky Flash animations appeared a few years ago, but they are always a good place to visit for scary Halloween thrill.

Artist, Ed Bain, is a true master of animation.

Computers/Macintosh

iChat Hack expand input line

While iChat, Apple's built-in instant messaging client, is quite nice, you aren't allowed to expand the one-line input field at the bottom of the window. This was quite a mistake on Apple's part, but someone has provided us with a fix. Note: it might be clear in the documentation, but you do need to Logout/Restart in order for the fix to go into effect.

Via VersionTracker.com

Computer/News

Latest Version of MS Office in testing

News.com has an article on the test release of the new MS Office. This new version will incorporate Extensible Markup Language (XML), which Microsoft says will help facilitate data sharing across large enterprises.

One thing is for sure, though. A new version of Office, especially one with new file formats, will be sure to cause a great deal of havoc in most offices, small and large. Anyone who works with computers, like I do, would be well-advised to keep a close on eye on the development of this software.

Via Macintouch.com

Career Column

Career-Op: Prying Eyes
by Douglas E. Welch, ComputorEdge Magazine

The longer I work in high-tech, the more distressing I find the environment in which we are all forced to work. In this case, though, I am not talking about a bad work environment and bad managers. I am talking about a high-tech environment where all computer systems, large and small, are under constant attack from both inside and outside. Instead of spending your time developing new ways to increase productivity and profits, you are engaged in a running battle against viruses, crackers, worms and a host of other problems. It seems certain that if you decide to continue to work in high-tech you will be spending even more of your time on these issues.

(Continued)

Events/Photos

Getty Family Festival

A busy weekend for the Welch Family. Today we headed "up the hill" to the Getty Center for a Family Festival. There were several craft stations, free give-a-ways, music and storytelling.

Web

The Elements

A Flash animation for all you fellow science geeks out there.