It isn't your fault!
I often get calls from people when their Internet access or email has stopped working. Unfortunately, they have often spent hours reconfiguring their software, re-installing Windows or other drastic measures in an attempt to solve the problem. The truth is, though, the problem might not be with thier computer at all.
If your computer has been working fairly well for weeks and you suddenly can't access the web or get your email, the first place to check for problems is with your Internet provider. ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are pretty stable in their operations, but even the best companies sometimes have outages. It is very possible that your problems are being caused by a loss of service, not your own computer. If you start changing settings in your software, it is very possible that you will make the situation worse, as well as frustrate yourself beyond all reason. If you can, wait 30 mins to an hour and try again. In most cases, your connection will be working again.
If you continue to have problems, you should first call your ISP (AOL, MSN, Earthlink, Adelphia, etc.) and make sure that they are not suffering an outage in your area. If you can still access the Internet from another location, or using a dial-up modem, you can check the network status page provided by most ISPs. Only after you have confirmed that there are no outages in your area should you start changing settings, re-installing software or other attempts to fix the problem.
Don't drive yourself crazy trying to solve a problem that is out of your hands. Check with your ISP first!
New books now available!
From yours truly...
From Rosanne Welch and Dawn Comer Jefferson...
May 2004
In the news...
Symantec Norton Internet Security and Norton AntiSpam Remote Access Vulnerability
“NGSsoftware notified Symantec of a security vulnerability NGSsoftware had found in the Symantec Norton Internet Security and Symantec Norton AntiSpam 2004. If properly exploited this vulnerability could allow remote execution of arbitrary code on a targeted system resulting in possible system compromise…. Symantec has verified the issues reported by NGSsoftware and released patches for both Symantec Norton Internet Security and Symantec Norton AntiSpam 2004 via Symantec LiveUpdate. Customers should run Symantec LiveUpdate manually to ensure all installed Symantec products are fully updated.” [Lockergnome Tech News Watch]
The Support Group is offering a free FileMaker 7 upgrade information kit, as well as on-site audits and FileMaker 7 classes. [MacInTouch: Mac news, information and analysis]
FileMaker Ships Major Revamp with FileMaker Pro...
FileMaker Ships Major Revamp with FileMaker Pro 7 (10-Mar-2004; 3.9K) [TidBITS]
Internet Providers Sue Hundreds for Unsolicited E-mail
The unusual joint effort accused hundreds of people of sending millions of unwanted e-mails in violation of the new law. [New York Times: Technology]
GNEWBIE GNOOK: Backing Up E-Mails By Brandon Watts
Q: Having been given a computer when I retired (70), I have gotten quite addicted to the beast. But old habits die hard, and I still make a paper copy of all my outgoing and incoming e-mails. I know this is not doing the environment any good, and I should be saving them electronically (i.e. to a CD-RW), but I can't find any way in Outlook express to do this - can you help?
A: This kind of question has been sent to me quite regularly within the past week. A good majority of us are Outlook Express... Read more at [Lockergnome Windows Fanatics]
Google has released Google Local, a geolocation Web search option, which allows users to query their region or neighborhood for digital documents. The local parameter can be attached to a basic Google query by adding a zip code.(via Scripting.com) [Smart Mobs]
iChat AV Frequently Asked Questions
iChat lets you easily chat using text, audio, or video with other iChat, .Mac, and AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) users over the Internet (or just on a local network using Rendezvous). You can also send and receive files with iChat. Find answers to common questions in this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document.
Google Offers Personalized Search
Ryan Barrett writes " Google is just overflowing with news today. Along with the recently announced UI redesign, they've launched a personalized search engine ... [Slashdot]
I found that Safari has been slowing down and I would see the spinning cursor for several seconds every time I open a page. Thankfully This tip from Mac OS X Hints solved it. [MacMegasite]
Additional simple tips to make Safari faster
I was having a problem with the spinning beach ball and slow page loads in Safari, and after searching a bunch of forums, found two things that seemed to help:Delete all your autofill entries from time to time. do this by go... [Mac OS X Hints]
Computer Discussion Group at the Sherman Oaks Branch of the LA Public Library
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 April 8th at 6:30 pm.
Currently scheduled for 2004:
April 22 Special Apple Mac Night
May 13 & 27
The 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.
LA Blogs
LA Blogs serves as a directory of Los Angeles based blogs; it also provides a community blog for Los Angeles based bloggers to post interesting links and tidbits relevant to the Los Angeles area.Software Updates
Macintosh
Download.via Software Update panel. [MacUpdate - Mac OS X]
Apple addresses thumbnail, performance, organization and reliability problems with an iPhoto update.... [MacInTouch: Mac news, information and analysis]
Apple has released iChat AV v2.1, which adds support for video conferencing with the new AOL Instant Messenger 5.5 for Microsoft Windows. The update is avaliable via the Software Update panel or at http://www.apple.com/ichat/. [MacMegasite]
Record iTunes & net radio as MP3 files [VersionTracker: Mac OS X]
Palm
Windows
Microsoft Office XP Standard - SP3
Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Powerpoint [VersionTracker: Windows]
Microsoft Office XP Professional - SP3
Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint and Access [VersionTracker: Windows]
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.
WelchWrite Merchandise
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 ColumnCareer-Op: Don't make outsourcing easy
by Douglas E. Welch, ComputorEdge MagazineThe most dreaded word to high-tech workers today is outsourcing. Newspapers, magazines and television programs are filled with stories about high-tech jobs moving overseas, to India and other countries, while high-tech workers in the States remain unemployed. While the effects of outsourcing, both good and bad, are being debated every day, the very nature of your work, and the relative anonymity of high-tech workers, can make it easier to outsource your job. If you want to protect yourself from outsourcing, you need to make sure that management knows who you are, exactly what you do for the company and how well you do it.
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:
San Juan Capistrano PhotosWe took a day trip to San Juan Capistrano, California last Friday. While Rosanne did some interviews for an upcoming magazine article, I took some time to wander about the center of town. We have visited twice in the past, but I never really had time to check things out fully.
Click for larger versions of these pictures
The main focus of town is, of course, the San Juan Capistrano Mission. Since I had already visited that in the past, I skipped it this trip. Instead of headed down towards the old train station, which is now a restaurant, even though the Amtrak and Metrolink trains still stop her regularly. Just across the tracks is the Los Rios Historic District, a collection of small cottages from San Juan Capistrano's past. Some of the cottages are shops, a tea house, restaurants and even a law office. Jones Farm is a large petting zoo with places to picnic a variety of animals. As the photos show, I wandered about, taking lots of shots, even in the in-and-out lighting caused by the afternoon fog.
This weekend is the Fiesta de las Golondrinas, the day the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano. To avoid the traffic, I would highly recommend Amtrak or Metrolink service as the best way to get to the festival.
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:
More plants for free?
Gardening.About.com has a small, but nice article on propagating more garden plants from those you already own.
I have tried my hand at propagation with some good results. My azaleas, of which I have probably 50 or more individual plants, actually propagate without much help from me at all. Azaleas are well known for their natural ability to "layer". When the limb of the azalea contacts the ground, it will often start to develop roots at that point. All you have to do is snip off the newly rooted portion and pot it up. Nothing could be easier. You can also assist this process by wrapping damp soil around an existing stem and covering it with plastic wrap. Eventually, the stem will develop roots. This Google search turns up a wide variety of layering information.
A few years ago, I took some cuttings from my rosemary plant and rooted them in potting soil. About half of the cuttings took, even though I was lazy and didn't even take the time to go out and buy rooting hormone. I am about ready to do another batch of cuttings in order to start some rosemary topiaries.
Here are some links to previous discussions about propagation in the garden:
AGN Blog Entry - May 12, 2002
Divide and Conquer - September 12, 1999
Anachronism - August 8, 1999Also, here is an interesting book on plant propagation:
Making More Plants: The Science, Art and Joy of Propagation by Ken Druse
Interesting
Web Sites
Gadget Sites Galore
Tell a friend
If you know of someone who would be interested in receiving this newsletter, please feel free to forward this message. They can also subscribe by sending a blank message to subscribe@welchwrite.com.
If you wish to be removed from this mailing, send a blank message to unsubscribe@welchwrite.com.
This newsletter is also available directly via the web at:
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 818-601-0051
Email douglas@welchwrite.com
AOL Instant Messenger WelchWrite