Lend a helping hand
As most of you know, I am an absolute harpy on the subject of protecting your computer from virus and spyware threats. I believe that this is the single most important factor in improving and maintaining your experience with your computers. That said, I am going to offer a new challenge to all of you.
Now that you know the importance of protecting your computer, I call on you to assist those around you. Help your friends, relatives and co-workers protect their computers, as well.This isn't entirely altruistic. The fact is, if your friends computers are protected they can't infect you with a virus or worm.
As you probably know, many viruses and worms, once they infect a computer, attempt to email a copy of themselves to everyone listed in the the email contact list. It is very possible that if a friend's computer is infected, that virus may show up on your computer at some time. Now, if you have been following my guidelines for protecting your computer, the virus will not be able to do any damage, but it is much better if the virus never gets sent in the first place.
You may have noticed a dramatic increase in virus-type emails this week, as the MyDoom virus/worm infected thousands of computers. These infected computers then began spewing out thousands more emails in an attempt to infect other machines. The increase in traffic slowed email to a crawl and contributed to the failure of several mail server computers across the Internet, including my own welchwrite.com server.
So, now that you know how to protect your computer, I challenge all of you to help those around you. The computer you save could be your own.
New books now available!
From yours truly...
This collection of my best columns from 1997-2002 is now available from CafePress.com.This book is a great gift idea for students who are thinking of a high-tech career, those graduating into the "real world" of high-tech work, or anyone who is thinking about moving into high-tech as their second career.
From Rosanne Welch and Dawn Comer Jefferson...
May 2004
In the news...
Older Windows versions win renewed support
Microsoft prolongs support for Windows 98, Windows 98 SE and Windows ME until June 30, 2006. Support for Windows 98 was scheduled to end Friday. [CNET News.com]
Microsoft Announces Office 2004 for Mac OS...
Microsoft Announces Office 2004 for Mac OS X (06-Jan-2004; 1.1K) [TidBITS]
Screenshots of Microsoft Office 2004
We have posted up over 10 screenshots of the upcoming Microsoft Office 2004 for the Mac. [Lockergnome Bytes]
New Trojan masquerades as Windows XP update
A new Trojan horse program known as Xombe or Dloader-L is spreading via spam e-mail and masquerading as a Windows XP software update from Microsoft. [Computerworld News]
The January Microsoft Security Bulletins Are Out
.. but the Internet Explorer vulnerability discovered at the end of 2003 is not addressed by any of the new updates. What is in the trio of January updates are fixes to an ISA Server 2000, Exchange Server 2003 and various Windows data-access-component breaches. [Microsoft Watch from Mary Jo Foley]
Personal Firewall Day - January 15th, 2004
If you have ever wondered just why anti-virus software and firewalls are a necessary part of your daily, computer life, Personal Firewall Day can help you out. Here you will find information on the how, why and where of keeping your computer secure from malicious attack. Share this resource with your friends and clients! Info contributed by Sam at NightsNWeekends.com [My Word with Douglas E. Welch]
PayPal scam tries to jumpstart new Mimail worm
Antivirus companies including Sophos and Kaspersky Labs warned customers today of the threat, which arrives in e-mail in-boxes as a message purportedly from online payment service PayPal. [Computerworld News]
At last! A new site, Free-After-Rebate, lists all those great free after rebate deals that Circuit City, Office Depot, & Office Max run from time to time. I can't tell you how many slim jewel cases I've gotten that way. As long as you're willing to fill out some paperwork, xerox some stuff, and wait 6-8 weeks, it's a great deal. This site goes on my Favorites list for sure.[LibrarianInBlack]
I'm sure that some of you have poked around all of your System Preferences, including the Universal Access pane, but you'd be amazed at how many Mac users are unaware of "Digital Zoom". It's time to learn more. [MacMerc]
Computer Discussion Group at the Sherman Oaks Branch of the LA Public Library
My computer "classes" at the library continue through December and into 2004. If your friends or co-workers would like an example of how I teach and coach computer users through large and small issues, I recommend they stop by some evening. This is probably the best way to get to know me and my methods.
Each class starts with a a short presentation on some interesting technology, web site or software, but then quickly becomes an energetic question and answer session, where I answer the questions that are most pressing in the minds of the attendees.
The next meeting is February 12th at 6:30 pm.
Currently scheduled for 2004:
February 26
March 11 & 25The Sherman Oaks Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library is located at 14245 Moorpark Street Sherman Oaks, CA -- Telephone 818-205-9716.
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.
Small office/home office staffing
Did you know that Douglas can act as your own personal, in-house Information Technology staff?
If you or your employees need regular assistance with office tasks, software upgrades, network servers, backups or a host of other services, why not set up a regularly scheduled appointment?
Email or Phone today to set up your standing appointment!
Standard hourly rates apply.
More Stuff 4 Less Bargain Blog
Where to find bargains on the Internet!
This great site, updated several times a day is wonderful place to watch for deals on those items, both high-tech and low-tech, that you want for your home or office.
Try it out today!
Software Updates
Macintosh
SafariSorter 1.2 - sorts Safari bookmarks alphabetically
Palm
Dynamically ordered ToDo list driven by goals [VersionTracker: PalmOS]
Windows
QuickTime 6.4 Installer for Windows
NEW - Freeware - Atmosphere Lite v5.0
Atmosphere Lite enables you to bring the sounds of nature to your desktop. You can choose from various sourroundings such as tropical, thunderstorm, nighttime, summer, fireside and several others or.... [WebAttack.com latest software]
The Atom Builder 1.0 - Interactive chemistry teaching software
Software Updates of all sorts
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.
Product Highlight
Product Highlight
WelchWrite Merchandise
New products available from Cafepress
I have added a new store to my Cafepress collection. It contains products with this picture, from my recent trip to Sicily.
Check out the wide selection at:
http://cafeshops.com/mossyrock/
Additional stores are also open at:
http://cafeshops.com/welchphotohttp://cafeshops.com/welchsun/
If you are shopping for holiday presents through Amazon.com, you can use the WelchWrite Bookstore. Simply click on the link below to start your shopping and WelchWrite receives a small portion (around 5%) of each sale.
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.
Latest Column
Career-Op: The Little Things
by Douglas E. Welch, ComputorEdge MagazineAs we begin another year I am starting a project with all of my current clients. I am making a big effort to address some of the smaller high-tech problems that have lingered over the years. Sometimes, in the heat of fighting the big battles, we just don’t have the energy to address the smaller problem, which can often be much more difficult to resolve. Now is the time, though, to finally solve all those nagging issues and make everything work like it should.
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:
Is it time to delete Internet Explorer?The fact that this question keeps coming up week in and week out points to the answer. Once again, Microsoft's Internet Explorer is found to have a crippling security hole that can allow anyone to trick you into downloading a malicious file, while masquerading as a innocuous data file. (See New Explorer hole could be devastating, TechWorld.com, January 28, 2004)
It seems obvious that Microsoft is incapable of plugging the holes in their software, or, worse still, doesn't care. For my clients, I am going to start a more concerted effort to find a replacement that protects their computers while providing similar functionality. This is something I should have done a long time ago. Luckily, as a Macintosh user myself, I already have an excellent alternative in the Safari browser provided by Apple.
Update:
It looks like Microsoft is addressing one issue that is being severely abused by spammers and scammers, as shown in this post from Lockergnome.
Internet Explorer's Handling in HTTP and HTTPS URLs
Microsoft plans to release a software update that modifies the default behavior of Internet Explorer for handling user information in HTTP and HTTPS URLs [Lockergnome Tech News Watch]
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:
Nasturtiums and Paper Whites
The Paper-whites are in full bloom outside the back door. I am always amazed at their vigor each year. I once read that the smell of paper-whites is a bit like burning electrical wiring and I must say, that is true in some ways. The smell always catches me by surprise when I step out into the garden. Being a computer geek, the smell of burning electrical is never a happy thing, so I have remind myself that it is the flowers, not something about to blow up. (SMILE)
In the same bed, the nasturtiums I planted years ago are coming up again. A few years after we moved in I scattered some wildflower seed mix to try and fill in some holes. While most of the other flowers performed poorly, the nasturtiums from that mix naturalized and have returned every year. They are a really nice cover for the fading bulbs blooms as the summer progresses.
Not much rain in the last week. The storm I talked about a few days ago did indeed fall apart before it got to the Valley. I would like a nice steady rain to help out the transplanted roses from a week or so ago. I checked them yesterday and I am seeing signs of budding, so hopefully this means they will re-establish themselves and survive the summer. I will keep you informed on their progress.
Interesting
Web Sites
WhatGoes Around
"A new non-profit organization that's revolutionizing giving in America." A gift registry where you can list the charities you'd like people to donate to in your name.[Neat New Stuff]
University of Virginia E-Book Library
1,800 publicly-available e-books including classic British and American fiction, major authors, children's literature, the Bible, Shakespeare, American history, African-American documents, and much more. Thousands more titles (currently web versions only) can be found in the Electronic Text Center's E-Book Library. [Lockergnome Bytes]
The Splendid Table with Lynn Rossetto Kasper
Listen to this fabulous radio show for "people who love to eat" -- online whenever you want.
Listen to Garrison Keillor's weekly shows, past and present. You can even tune in LIVE with webcam pictures each Saturday when the show is in St. Paul.
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Contact
Information
I am available for assistance via telephone,
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The fee for assistance via these methods is my basic hourly rate, pro-rated
by the minute.
Contact Numbers:
Office 818-781-6955
Cell 818-601-0051
Email douglas@welchwrite.com
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