818-781-6955
help@welchwrite.com
www.welchwrite.com
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818-781-6955
help@welchwrite.com
www.welchwrite.com
November 2003
Last month, Apple Computer, Inc. released several major pieces of software. Even more surprising, one of the most exciting items was for computers running Microsoft Windows! That's right, Apple released software for users of MS Windows. To be honest, though, most everyone in the high-tech community knew it was coming -- it only made sense.
iTunes allows all Windows users to gain access to the extremely popular Apple Music Store, where they can purchase individual songs for $0.99 each and entire albums for around $10. Mac users have enjoyed access for the last 6 months or so. Along with this, Windows users can now easily share music between Macs and PCs and also get much better fidelity when playing MP3 music files.
The iTunes download also includes a new version of Quicktime 6.4 -- software that assists you in viewing video content from the web.
The
other big announcement from Apple was the release of the latest and greatest
version of Mac OS X. Panther (its development codename) continues to improve
on OS X and brings new features to the game.
You can find information about Panther by visiting these pages on Apple's web site.
Panther Home Page | Panther Support Page
There is also a good article on MacMerc.com, What to do before installing Panther.
For myself, I am probably going to wait until Apple releases something like 10.3.1 before making the jump. I don't require any of the new features just yet and want to let a majority of the bugs get worked out before making the leap.
If you are ready to make the leap, you can buy Panther directly from Amazon, through the WelchWrite bookstore, by clicking on the photo above.
at the Sherman Oaks Branch of the LA Public Library
Now that the Sherman Oaks Branch has re-opened, along with a beautiful, new meeting room, I have restarted my Computer Classes. This time I am arranging them as a computer discussion group, focusing on answering questions that computer users might have, instead of a more seminar-like environment.
I will be giving a short presentaion on some technology to start each meeting, but then I will open the floor for questions and discussion from the people attending that evening.
The November meetings are scheduled for the 13th and 20th at 6:30 pm.
I have been looking for something to do with the variety of good photos I have taken over the years and decided to open up a shop at CafePress.com . You may have seen some of these photos in the revolving Picture of the Moment on this page.
CafePress allows you to upload photos and other artwork and then have it applied to a variety of products including mouse pads, t-shirts, postcards, journals and more.
This can be a great idea for creating t-shirts for a club or organization, too. CafePress handles all the ordering, billing and manufacturing.
You can browse and purchase these items by visiting:
Lavender Field Merchandise - mouse pads, postcards, greeting cards, tote bags
California Christmas Merchandise - greeting cards, postcards, mugs, tote bags
I will soon have a book, The High-Tech Career Handbook, available from the same source. Watch this space for further information.
My good friend, Mitch Krayton, recently launched a new location of The Mac Shoppe in the Santa Clarita Valley. He is a Macintosh expert of the highest degree, with many years in Apple Macintosh sales, service and support.
The Mac Shoppe is an authorized Apple Sales, Service and Support Dealer.
If you have any Macintosh needs, I can guarantee that you will find no better customer service experience. Please tell Mitch I sent you and you heard about it in My Word.
You can find The Mac Shoppe at:
26027 Huntington Lane, Suite DFrom The Mac Shoppe web site...
Valencia, CA 91355 [Map]661-295-3467
661-295-3841 Fax
The Mac Shoppe is the first Apple Specialist and Apple Authorized Service Provider in the Santa Clarita Valley. It is the second location of The Mac Shoppe which has been serving clients in the Conejo Valley for nearly two decades. We bring more than a century of combined Apple experience to our community.
Looking for new anti-virus software, a Palm PDA or books? Check out Douglas Recommends...
It contains direct Amazon links to some of my favorite Books, Hardware and Software. These are the items I find myself constantly recommending and I wanted to share them with you. I will be adding new items regularly, so check back often.
If you are looking for a recommendation on anything particular, let me know and I will add it to this page.
Remember to update operating systems and anti-virus programs
Anti-Virus
The beginning of each month is the perfect time to ensure that your operating system (Windows/Macintosh OS) and anti-virus software are up-to-date. Your anti-virus software cannot protect your computer from the latest viruses without these updates. Updates are released at least once a month, unless a new virus is dangerous enough to justify an immediate update.
Operating System Updates
For Windows (98, 2000, XP), there should be an icon labeled Windows Update in your Start Menu
For Macintosh OS 9 systems, check Apple Menu, Control Panels, Software Update
For Macintosh OS X systems, check System Preferences, Software Update
Most systems can be set to automatically check for updates directly from the Internet, as well. If you want to learn how to set up automatic updates for these programs, drop me an email or give me a call.
Software Updates
My WritingMacintoshSee iTunes/Panther stories above
Mac OS X 10.3 Security Update 2003-10-28 - The first update for PanthterPalm
Windows
Windows Updates
A variety of important Windows Security Updates are available using the Windows Update service at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
Software Updates of all sorts
My weblog, My Word with Douglas E. Welch, is a daily gathering spot for all the information I come across in my travels. There I announce new software updates, post photos, highlight interesting news stories, book recommendations and LA Events. You can check it out at: http://www.welchwrite.com /blog/
A Recent Entry:
Smokey Tuesday
We have been pretty lucky over the last several days, as the winds were pushing the smoke from the wildfires to the west and south of us. With last night's change of wind direction, though, we have been socked in all day.
Taken around 3 pm today in Van Nuys -- Click for larger image
I was already suffering from some sinus problems, but today has been nasty. Even without any particular smoke smell, there is enough junk in the air to feel it in my breathing today.
We have kept the house closed up today, due to the heat, but I am not sure what to do tonight, when we usually open the windows to let the cool air in.
A Gardener's Notebook is a daily weblog of the trials and tribulations of a part-time gardener. It includes notes on what is blooming, what I am planting and what is struggling. It also contains links to new (or newly found) gardening books and more. Spend some time in my garden! http://welchwrite.com/agn/blog/
A Recent Entry:
Small Beauty in Big Places
When walking about the Getty Center, one expects to be surrounded by beauty. The architecture is overwhelming and inspiring at the same time, the art within is some of the best in the world and the gardens are admired around the world.
Still, I was surprised while walking along a rather nondescript, even passageway-like, area on my way to the central garden when this planting caught my eye.
Click the photo for a larger version
I must admit, I am a fan of purple. Still, the way these simple containers glowed in the afternoon sun was amazing. There are no fancy plants here, no fancy containers, just a considered juxtaposition of material. The contrast between the cool greens and the hot purples balance the composition. Simplicity is usually best and this unknown gardener seems to have taken that philosophy to heart.
For my thoughts on a past visit to the Getty, here is a previous AGN entry.
Career-Op, now in its 6th year, is my weekly column on high-tech careers. In Career-Op, I address some of the particular issues of working in high-tech and also general issues that we all face in our careers. You can find the latest column, and a complete archive of past columns complete archive of past columns.
Career-Op: What matters most?
Latest Column
by Douglas E. Welch, ComputorEdge MagazineIn a high-tech career, it is too easy to get caught up in the technology while losing sight of its real purpose. If you are still fighting the Mac vs. PC war, Linux vs. Windows, or a host of other technology battles, it is time for a wakeup call. It is not the technology that matters, but how people use it. If you forget this simple rule, your high-tech career is going to suffer.Interesting Web Sites
Skirball Center - November/December Events
Contact Information
I am available for assistance via telephone, cell phone, e-mail and instant messaging. The fee for assistance via these methods is my basic hourly rate, pro-rated by the minute.Contact Numbers:
Office 818-781-6955
Cell 818-601-00 51
Email help@welchwrite.com
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