Off to the holidays!
This months's issue is a shortened edition. As we head into the various holidays, our attention is diverted elsewhere. Computer information can wait until January 1st.
Look for more great information and links in the New Year!
Be well and have a very Happy Holiday!
Douglas Recommends...
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In the news...
Color laser printers add hidden ID number to print-outs
Zach J sez: Colour laser printer manufacturers encode each printout with the printer's serial number so they can trace it back to you if you are counterfitting bills. They can trace it back to you for anything else as well. Oh, and you could of course hack this to give yourself a nice alibi. "Clearly it wasn't MY printer, look at the code!" How long have they been doing this? Why isn't it common knowledge? What other ways to track our lives have been implemented without a big announcement? Link - Mark Frauenfelder [Boing Boing]
Steve Ballmer's $100 PC, Sans Windows
Martin_Flory writes "SolarPC has announced the $100 personal computer. Steve Ballmer's idea for reducing piracy was great after all, since this computer runs on Linux (DSL Distro). 'The design and construction of the SolarLite is consistent with the goal of an environmentally friendly computer. It uses a lightweight, recyclable, aluminum case that has a 20-year warranty. Its VIA chipset based "long-life" motherboard is a "green" lead free product. Like all SolarPC computers, the SolarLite operates on 12 volt DC power and can be run from a solar panel, car battery, or human powered (with a bicycle-based generator). The cool and quiet SolarLite uses approximately 10 watts of energy, just a fraction of what a standard PC consumes.' Sounds amazing right? This could change education all around the globe... a new Information Era is coming, and everyone is invited." The site claims they'll be available next month (minimum order 100,000 units), and promises a demo at SCALE 2005. [Slashdot]
Interesting traffic citation scam
Stefan Jones sez: Rob Cockerham takes a break from pranks, hijinks, tomfoolery, and bizarre eBay auctions to describe a new type of mail fraud: An authentic-looking letter claiming that the recipient's car was spotted exceeding the speed limit and demanding payment (by money order or cashier's check) of a fine. Link - Mark Frauenfelder [Boing Boing]
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 December 9th at 6:30 pm.
It appears that I will have scheduling conflicts for the next 6 months, so my library class will be on hiatus until further notice. If I can find an alternative night, I will let you know.
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, anti-spyware and anti-virus programs
Operating System Updates
For Windows (98, 2000, XP), there should be an icon labeled Windows Update in your Start Menu, or visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
For Macintosh OS 9 systems, check Apple Menu, Control Panels, Software Update
For Macintosh OS X systems, check System Preferences, Software UpdateAnti-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.
Spyware
Download, install and update a Spyware prevention program such as Spybot or Ad-Aware. These Trojan Horse programs can slow down your computer dramatically and eventually make it unusable.
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.
WelchWrite Now Accepts Credit Cards
Now accepting credit card payments via PayPal*
*small additional processing fee applies
Interesting
Web Sites
"Google Scholar enables you to search specifically for scholarly literature, including peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, preprints, abstracts and technical reports from all broad areas of research. Use Google Scholar to find articles from a wide variety of academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories and universities, as well as scholarly articles available across the web."
New York Changing. Rephotographs from then and now. [MetaFilter]
WelchWrite Merchandise
Photos by Douglas E. Welch, Products from Cafepress
I have taken my nice photo of Echinacea flowers and made it available on mousepads, greeeting cards and postcards.
You can browse and order by visiting my CafePress Shop
Additional stores are also open at:
http://cafeshops.com/mossyrock/
http://cafeshops.com/welchphotohttp://cafeshops.com/welchsun/
If you are shopping for gifts 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 2.5%) 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: Beginning, middle and end
by Douglas E. Welch, ComputorEdge Magazine
Every high-tech worker has different skills, different talents and different desires. Sometimes we try to cram ourselves into a particular job without much thought towards our own needs. We do this for a number of reasons. Maybe you are simply out of work, or your family and friends think the job is a great opportunity or you just want to make more money. While these reasons might enter into your job decisions, there are more fundamental issues to consider. You need to find out where you fit in the structure of projects and business...the beginning, middle or end. (Continued)
Listen to this column on your computer, iPod or other MP3 player
MP3 via Coral | MP3 direct from WelchWrite.com
RSS Feed with enclosures
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:
Joe and I spent most of Saturday at The Nethercutt Museum, a collection of "restored antique, classic and special interest automobiles" in Sylmar, California, near the intersection of the 5, 405 and 210 freeways.
The collection is amazing and offers over 100 autos currently on display. Additionally, they have a research library, automated music making machines (i.e. Nickelodeons) and a beautifully restored steam locomotive and historic Pullman car.
Admission to the museum is free.
You can also get a reservation to visit San Sylmar, across the street, which shows even more autos and musical instruments, including a grand Wurlizter organ, in an opulent atmosphere. The tour of San Sylmar is 2 hours in length.
Take advantage of this great, somewhat hidden, museum, the next time you are looking for a fun, family event.
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:
Poinsettia Purchase and Care
The Telegraph in the UK has an excellent article on the selection and care of this extremely popular holiday plant.
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Contact
Information
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Contact Numbers:
Office 818-781-6955
Cell 818-601-0051
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