Lots of Apple News and more
There
is a lot of news from Apple this month as they announce 3 new products
at this weeks MacWorld Conference. I am personally looking at the iPod
Shuffle as an inexpensive way to listen to Podcasts and music. At
$99 it finally meets my price point for an audio player. I could not justify
paying $300-$400 for a full-sized iPod, but this just might meet my needs.
The Mac Mini could become the replacement for my aging G4 Desktop computer. I coudl re-use my mouse, keyboard and screen with the new, exceedingly small computer. It has much more power than my existing unit, but don't expect to get away for just the $599 price tag. I highly recommend a memory upgrade to at least 512MB before you take it home.
On
the Windows side, Microsoft has finally released their own tool for dealing
with, and protecting you against, spyware. You can download the beta software
at Microsoft's
web site.
Douglas Recommends...
In association with Amazon.com
Your referrals are greatly appreciated! -- Click here to recommend me to a friend!
In the news...
Microsoft None Too Happy About Latest Windows Flaw Disclosure
Microsoft is chiding the group that discovered the latest high-risk Windows vulnerabilities for not following proper protocol in disclosing three new Windows flaws. But the fact remains that these vulnerabilities are serious and so-far unpatched. [Microsoft Watch from Mary Jo Foley]
If anyone is wondering where the market is for the Mac mini, well here it is: for the first time you can get an iPod and a Mac for under $1K. You've already got a screen at home from your PC. Bingo. I'm sure we'll see them packaged together shortly. [SIGNAL VS. NOISE]
Lawrence Schear writes:I've been playing with this ipod shuffle for about an hour now; at first I was skeptical because of the lack of display, the emphasis on 'random' play, and the overly simplistic design (this thing is really just a plastic flash keychain all ipodded up). But now I understand- your musical interface is basically invisible and there are no decisions to make. By the way- floods of people were streaming in as I left the Apple store and several employees at the door were handing out shuffles from boxes by the dozens. People were buying 3, 4, 5 of these things at a time. Amazing what a brand can make people do.[Gizmodo]
Two More Windows Patches from Microsoft
In addition to the critical fix for the Help flaw which implicated Active X, and which Aunty posted about here, Microsoft today announced two additional security patches for Windows users. The first one involves both a cursor and icon handling vulnerability, along with a Windows kernal vulnerability, and affects a broad range of Windows products, including 98, 98 SE, ME, NT Server, 2000, and all versions XP except for SP2. The second one is a…[Lockergnome Windows Fanatics]
PowerBook speed bumps to 1.5/1.67GHz confirmed
Just when mobile Apple fans thought their need for speed was going to be met, Think Secret confirms that you will have to wait a bit longer than expected for those wonderful G5s….[Lockergnome Mobile Lifestyle]
Macworld: Apple posts stream of Macworld keynote address
For those Apple fans interested in viewing Apple chief executive Steve Jobs' Macworld keynote, whic... [AppleInsider]
Macworld: Apple unveils iWork '05 productivity suite
Apple today unveiled iWork '05, productivity software designed to take advantage of both Mac OS X a... [AppleInsider]
My New Favorite Gadget: The iPod shuffle
Just 12 short hours after purchasing an iPod shuffle, I'm in love... [MacDevCenter]
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.
This class meets every Thursday nights, excepting holidays
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.
Christmas in Ohio Photos
Click here for the complete photo gallery!
WelchWrite Now Accepts Credit Cards
Now accepting credit card payments via PayPal*
*small additional processing fee applies
Software Downloads and Updates
Macintosh
Apple iTunes - 4.7.1 -- audio player, encoder, burner & music store [VersionTracker: Mac OS X]
iTunes 4.7.1 addresses a security vulnerability involving malicious playlists. [MacInTouch: Mac news, information and analysis]
Apple Final Cut Express HD - 3.0 -- digital video editing (ships Feb.) [VersionTracker: Mac OS X]
Palm
Windows
Apple iPod Updater - 2005-01-11 -- restore & update features [VersionTracker: Windows]
Apple iTunes - 4.7.1 -- software jukebox, music store, listening library [VersionTracker: Windows]
Software Updates of all sorts
Interesting
Web Sites
Wine from Ohio, you say? Of course, I've known about Ohio wines for years. I had an exxcellent ice wine from Firelands Winery during our recent holiday trip to my hometown. It was so good I am going to try and order some for myself and for the friends who shared it with us. The winery doesn't have online ordering yet, but you can still order by phone. [My Word with Douglas E. Welch]"You can be happy. You can live the life you want to live. You can become the person you want to be. This is what I've figured out so far." [MetaFilter]
5 Steps to Protect Your Computer - from Penn State University
A quick, informative guide to protecting your computer and its data [NightsNWeekends.com]
Looking for something to read? ManyBooks.Net has out-of-copyright books i.e. Don Quixote, The Three Musketeers, etc., preformatted for your Palm PDA and others. I always keep a couple of books on my Treo 90 for those times when I get stuck in line or otherwise need to kill some time.
From their web site...
Free eBooks for your PDA.
This site contains more than 10,000 eBooks formatted for reading on your Palm, PocketPC, Zaurus, Rocketbook, or Symbian cellphone. When eBooks are added to the site they're listed on the Recent Additions page.
Once again Delicious has offered up a great link for anyone interested in photography.
If you want to learn more about using your camera and taking more than the average family snapshot (or even better family snapshots) check out this Free Online Photography Class.
The class was given in real-time over a series of weeks last july, but all the lessons and examples are still available online for your use.
From the web site...
Jodie Coston is a freelance photographer who lives in northwestern Montana. She has exhibited her work in gallery exhibitions around the world and has won numerous international awards for her images.
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: Referrals
by Douglas E. Welch, ComputorEdge MagazineReferrals are the life-blood of anyone working in high-tech, whether a freelance consultant and coach, like myself, or an IT staffer working inside a large corporation. Word of mouth is one of the strongest methods for developing new clients or finding the next job up the corporate ladder. As with most career issues, referrals can be a double-edged sword. Friendships, family and business can suffer when referrals become a contentious issue instead of simply one person, or business, helping another.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:
Once again Delicious has offered up a great link for anyone interested in photography.
If you want to learn more about using your camera and taking more than the average family snapshot (or even better family snapshots) check out this Free Online Photography Class.
The class was given in real-time over a series of weeks last july, but all the lessons and examples are still available online for your use.
From the web site...
Jodie Coston is a freelance photographer who lives in northwestern Montana. She has exhibited her work in gallery exhibitions around the world and has won numerous international awards for her images.
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:
Garden "Bones"
This pictures, one of the many I took in Ohio on our holiday trip, shows the clear importance of the "bones" of a garden design, especially in Winter.
The trellis, tree and evergreens provide the sense of the garden, even when it is deep in snow. I haven't had to think about this very much here in Los Angeles, but the same thoughts apply even when your garden never really goes to sleep. Even with the various dormant plants around the garden at this time of year, I think it looks more alive and green than it ever does in Summer. The structure of the deciduous trees is beautiful in a totally different way than the leaf-covered structures of the Spring and Summer, even though that the very same tree.
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