Events

Wonka Wonders

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory has always been one of my favorite movies. USC is hosting an exhibit of photos and other materials from the movie.

From the web site...

David L. Wolper Center Exhibition

Sponsored by Information Services Division

Wed, May 28, 2003 through Fri, September 19, 2003 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Admission: Free

Doheny Memorial Library (DML) David L. Wolper Center, Ground Floor University Park Campus

This exhibition features rare on-set photographs, production designs and other material from the 1971 musical Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

The landmark film was co-produced by the Center's namesake beneficiary, David L. Wolper, and he contributed much of the material on display.

Roald Dahl wrote the film's script, based on his own book. Dahl's offbeat vision was so unexpected in a children's film that the movie was initially received with bewilderment. It has since been recognized as a classic.

Events

LemonFest 2003 - Ventura, CA

A new festival in Ventura starts next weekend.

From the web site...

Mark your calendar to join us on September 6 and 7, 2003 from 10am - 6pm in celebrating Pacific View's history! The mall sits atop a former lemon grove and, fittingly, has launched Ventura County's newest festival to honor this history.

Career Column

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

Stretching yourself, both professionally and personally, can be a bit painful. It can also yield some of the best improvements in your life. Just like you may be sore the day after starting a new exercise routine, your ego and intellect might emerge a little bruised, but your body will be better for the effort.

(Continued)

Global Art Exhibition Calender

While the coverage is a bit spotty at the moment, ExCalendar.Net is aiming to provide a global resource for art exhibition information. Choose a continent, then a region and ExCalendar will present you with a list of museums and the exhibitions at each museum.

This could be a great resource when you are traveling. Instead of sitting around your hotel room in the evenings, you could go catch the latest exhibition.

Via Neat New Stuff

Computer/Windows

I received notice of the following update for Microsoft Windows regarding a flaw in the Microsoft Media Player application. Please visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ to install this security update.

From Microsoft.com...

MS03-017: Flaw in Windows Media Player Skins Downloading Could Allow Code Execution

Microsoft Windows Media Player provides functionality to change the overall appearance of the player itself through the use of "skins". Skins are custom overlays that are made up of collections of one or more files of computer art that is organized by an XML file. The XML file tells Windows Media Player how to use these files to display a skin as the user interface. In this manner, the user can choose from a variety of standard skins. Each skin provides an additional visual experience. Although Windows Media Player comes with several standard skins that users can choose, it is relatively easy to create and distribute custom skins. A flaw exists in the way Windows Media Player 7.1 and Windows Media Player for Windows XP handle the download of skin files. The flaw means that a malicious user (referred to as an "attacker") could force a file that masquerades as a skin file into a known location on a user's computer. This could allow an attacker to save and then start a malicious executable file on the system.

Read the entire article

Computer Discussion Group at the LAPL Sherman Oaks Branch

Tonight, (8/28) I am re-starting my Computer Discussion Group at the Sherman Oaks Branch of the LA Public Library.

Rather than a traditional class, I usually show off some new web site or other interesting technology, then I open up the floor for questions. This seems to make the most sense, as it allows me to directly address the most important questions on people's minds.

If you would like to attend, or know someone who would, here is the information:

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Computer Discussion Group

With Douglas E. Welch

August 28
September 11/25
October 9/23
November 13/20*
December 11

* to avoid Thanksgiving holiday

6:30 pm

A short technology presentation, followed by an open question & answer session.

Send email computer@welchwrite.com for further info

Sherman Oaks Branch
Los Angeles Public Library
14245 Moorpark Street
Sherman Oaks, California
(818) 205-9716

Avoid this scam - Do Not Call List is Free!

In the ongoing battle against scams, spam and viruses, be aware of the following scam based around the telemarketer DO NOT CALL listing. You can register for this list for free via both telephone and the web. Some scammer is trying to charge you $2.95 to probably do absolutely nothing.

Here is some info from DM News, the Online Newspaper of Record for Direct Marketers...

A toll-free number, 1-800-DO-NOT-CALL, that offers to register consumers for the national no-call list for a $2.95 fee, is a scam, the Federal Trade Commission said last week.

Read the entire article

Please take the utmost care when approaching any offer such as this. There are too many people more than willing to separate you from your money in the quickest way possible.

Via TechDirt

A Walk Through the Getty Garden

While visiting the Getty Center yesterday, (August 23), I came upon the idea of creating a walk-through of the striking gardens, for those of you who have never had a chance to visit.

More in my gardening weblog, A Gardener's Notebook