Happy New Year ~ 2009

Greetings. With over 6,000 visitors to this blog, I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and a quick recovery from a difficult 2008. If, like me, you have a desire to hunker down with a good book this winter, or spend a little more time with friends & family, and less time on the computer, well, that's alright by me. The time we sink into technology is irretrievable, so if the quality isn't there, take a break and enjoy other pursuits.

As T.S. Eliot said:

Where is the Life we have lost in living? Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?

So, here's to good times in 2009 with friends, family, great books and movies to enrich our spirit.

Wherever you are, please remember to support your local economy. The merchants and stores support you with tax dollars, employ your neighbors, and invest in your community. Show your appreciation by supporting their business.

Online privacy? Nah...

When browsing the web, especially if you use Google, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or Yahoo, you're leaving more than cookie crumbs behind.

In a Wired.com blog on 12/18/08, writer David Kravets explored Yahoo's recent announcement that they would keep user date for only 3 months, instead of 13 months. Google keeps users search data for 9 months and Microsoft for 18 months.

As a computer consultant, I've always explained that the data collected when we use the web and search engines was aggregated, so maybe they can dig through the data and know how many people in your zip code shop online for a Chevy. But now, with advanced technology and plenty of money, these firms are mining for data to a degree beyond what we ever imagined. They now put everything together in a profile for, in the case of this graphic, a 37-year-old male web user.



Because all of our web usage can be traced back to an internet protocol (IP) address, I don't doubt that its possible to trace such a specific profile back to a unique user. If the data is out there, I don't believe privacy rights are enough to keep our usage patterns private.

Kravets' report provides a link to a Yahoo paper entitled "Squeeze Every Drop of Meaning from Data," http://research.yahoo.com/node/89, and a presentation made by Yahoo about the ability to gather massive amounts of data, all for the purpose of helping gain ad revenue from advertisers delighted to have such precise profiles of their target audience.


Source article http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/12/data-mining-una.html

Favorite Free Software

I rarely convince anyone that my favorite tech tools are right for them, but here are three tools I most appreciate. Spice up your computer with one or two.

1. Clusty.com - the search engine that gives better results because it clusters results and sorts by category, so you don't have to.

2. IrfanView - a free utility to re-size and edit photos. Here's the download.com page where you can get it.

3. Dictionary.com - I woke up this morning determined to finally figure out how to pronounce the spice called "turmeric." After hearing Rachael Ray say "tumor-ick," I decided to visit my favorite dictionary where I could hear the word pronounced aloud.


http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=turmeric

Early winter warning: Fight procrastination

Here are my five best procrastination busters.... as originally appeared in Work Home You magazine. I hope these suggestions help keep you on track this winter.

Lost? Get free directions & information

Google now offers free 411 information service on the web and on cell phones.

On your phone, dial 1-800-goog411. You don't need a computer, an Internet connection, or even the keypad on your phone or mobile device. GOOG-411 is voice-activated, so you can access it from any phone (mobile or land line), in any location, at any time. For free. (*)

Dial (1-800) GOOG-411. Say where. Say what you're looking for. GOOG-411 will connect you with the business you choose. For now, there's no charge to connect your call.

See the quick video demo here: http://www.google.com/goog411/

Next version of Windows: Maybe it's one you'll really want...

With the dismal consumer acceptance of Microsoft's Vista operating system, those of us holding on to Windows XP so we can be productive, will soon have a new system to covet.

If you're itching to upgrade, the early reviews of the next version of Windows, currenty called Windows 7, is on display at trade shows around the world, and seems to combine to fresh new look of Vista + Macs with the functionality we need and appreciate in Windows XP. Launch dates are scheduled for early 2009.

Read more here at cnet.com.

Digital writing on Bamboo tablet....

Now that I have your attention, yes, it's true. There is a new digital pen tablet device that converts your ideas, drawings and signature to your computer.

The Bamboo lets you write emals, ideas, lists, and notes, working from anywhere. Learn more at Bamboo.

Oh, and the best news may be the $79 price tag! And it works on Windows XP, Vista and Macs.

Windows, Windows....

Good news! Microsoft told CNET this week that they will yield to pressure and keep Windows XP available - while they rapidly plan a roll-out of Windows 7 to replace Vista, the product no one wants.

Although the largest PC makers can't sell XP anymore (except for ultra-low-cost machines), they can sell Vista Ultimate and Vista Business machines with XP discs in the box, or even Vista machines that are "factory downgraded" to Windows XP.

That option was supposed to go away early next year, as Microsoft was going to stop supplying Windows XP media after January 31. However, the company now says it will offer the discs through July 31, giving the option a six-month extension. (Update: PC makers will also be able to sell the factory downgraded machines online as well.)

Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10057617-56.html?tag=nl.e433

When software gets too clever

We're all amazed that humans can write software code to make a computer do clever things, such as displaying a rotating carousel of photos*, or tracking time to remind us to go somewhere. But the new technology is being applied to so many gadgets today, such as smart phones, I just have to wonder... Shouldn't we be re-channeling all this amazing talent into something more beneficial to society? We could run 'green' buildings, stop melting polar ice-caps, get food to hungry people, but instead...


Google is launching a cell phone. Just what the world needs! Of course, Google's billionaires are just doing it to compete with the Apple iPhone which made Apple billionaires richer.

As TMobile is ready to roll out Google's phone, called G1, and people line up to buy it, Google founder Sergey Brin was asked about the new phone. He's been creating prototypes that do cool [useless] things. Don't believe me? Get this, a quote from Knowledge World magazine:

"His latest application allowed a Googler to throw an Android phone up in the air and it would measure the amount of time until he caught it."

This is why I'm dismayed by the misdirected talent of those with the most money and power to do something useful for society.

What do you think? Comments?
* Curious about the carousel of photos? See releaseyourwriting.blogspot.com and look at the book covers on the right side.

NetFlix, RedBox and now Amazon does video rental

If unopened movies from NetFlix, or the RedBox movie drop-off in your neighborhood is too inconvenient, Amazon has launched a good video rental program - with instant download and nothing to return !!


It includes TV shows at $1.99/episode and full-length movies typically priced at $2.99 or $3.99. Click the link, choose your film, and pick "watch now."

Amazon Video On Demand

It requires Adobe Flash or a similar video viewer.

Digital Nosiness

Did you ever stop to think about how much information is collected about us as we go through our daily lives?

Or go through tollbooths - medical tests - buy movie tickets online - use a preferred card at the grocery store, not to mention displaying our brand of toothpaste as we trudge through airport security.

And then there are cameras on street corners, monitors in every store, and search engines cataloging everything we seek online.

There's an amazing new book called The Numerati by Stephen Baker that explores this concept of "digital nosiness."




The book is described as "an urgent look at how a global math elite is predicting and altering our behavior - at work, at the mall, and in bed. Steve Baker's The Numerati shows how a powerful new endeavor, the mathematical modeling of humanity, stands to transform everyone's daily life."

The Numerati in the title refers to mathematicians and statisticians who are using this data to create a model of human nature as its never been done before. We live in a different world today.

The Numerati is available locally through The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, and other online retailers.

Are you Linked In?

For those of us who shy away from social networking sites such as FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter and the rest, there is still one useful option. Consider using LinkedIn if you want a place to list a public profile, viewed by other people with your professional interests. It's like old-fashioned networking for business folks, without the "Hello My Name is...." badge.

You know a lot of smart people, and they know many other smart people. LinkedIn is away to see who they know, and ask for an introduction or get recommended as a respected contact.

The exponential growth of those connections is what makes LinkedIn worth a few minutes of your time. For example, I have a modest 23 connections out there, but that gives me a link to the 615,600+ professionals who are all someway/somehow linked to someone I know.

That's wide exposure to people who may want my consulting services, hire me as a speaker, or who may want to purchase Release Your Writing or Computer Ease. Take a look at LinkedIn.com if you want to expand your reach.

Chrome: Google's new web browser

Tired of Internet Explorer? I've frequently urged clients to move to SeaMonkey or Firefox, both from Mozilla.org, the creators of Netscape. Any of these browser are less crash-prone than Internet Explorer, and less susceptible to attacks from hackers.

If you haven't yet moved to the amazing Firefox version 3, you might jump to the head of the class and get the free download of Google's new browser, named Chrome. It is still a 'beta' product, meaning not ready for prime-time, and as one person suggested: "Chrome may need some polish." but you have nothing to lose by trying it.



Advantages include
1. smart typing so when you type www.nyt the address for www.nytimes.com fills in, if it is a site you've visited before.
2. My favorite feature is a start-up screen with thumbnails of the sites you visit the most. Now that's useful. Sort of like seeing your bookmarks and favorites asn actual screenshots.
3. Home page also includes links to recently visited pages.

Google likes to capture user information, so read the privacy notice if you want to turn off some of their data collection.

download here if you're ready for something new.

ADDENDUM: Well, it's been about a week and I can't say I'm impressed with Google. Maybe the Beta was released too soon. It lacks many of the features in other browsers, such as smart-typing, easy access to Bookmarks, a visible menu bar, etc. Download Firefox 3 from mozilla.org if you're looking for something better. / HG 9-11-08

Can Jerry Seinfeld save Vista?

We all know Jerry used a Mac on the old Seinfeld show, but Microsoft is desperate to sway reluctant converts to Vista, so they'll pay him $10 million dollars for an ad campaign.




Or they could put that money into fixing Vista's flaws with performance, security, and ease of use. Wouldn't that make more sense?

Get your news at only the real CNN web site, not mail links

With so many of us watching the Olympics, keeping up with world news, and getting ready for the big DNC convention in Denver next week, the web's resources are a natural way to get a quick news fix.

Last week I noticed I was getting emails from CNN with news stories. Since I'd never signed up, I deleted them, but want to share this warning with you. As I suspected, the non-CNN look-alike emails actually lead to trouble. Here's the recap, thanks to the Wilmette Chamber of Commerce tech person:

As I rebuild a 5th computer in so many days, I thought it would be worth
sending a message to everyone about a very nasty virus that is out right
now. It is called Antivirus 2008 or 2009 and is downloaded from an email
that looks like it is from CNN. If you open the mail and click a link to
one of the stories, it will ask you to install a flash update and when you
click OK the virus is loaded on to your machine. It disables your current
virus protection and constantly warns you that you have hundreds of viruses
on your machine. It keeps prompting you to buy the full version.


Read more:
http://lnxwalt.wordpress.com/2008/08/10/antivirus-xp-2008-malware-wave-conti

Whoa! Is that a scanner in your keyboard?

Here's rare news of a new product worthy of your attention. In a world of cluttered desks, KeyScan, a developer of hardware and software scanning solutions, unveils the only computer keyboard with built-in full-page color scanner.

It converts a scan to a searachable pdf, even multi-page pdf files, or Word, just to name two options, and the document is ready to email or save. What's amazing to me is that you don't have to touch anything or issue any commands: Just insert the photo or document into the keyboard slot and watch it work.

The KS810 keyboard-scanner carries an suggested retail price of $159 and comes bundled with KeyScan’s exclusive NoTouch-AutoScan software.

The KeyScan KS810 integrated keyboard and sheet-feed scanner occupies the same footprint as a standard keyboard. It quickly and easily scans black-and-white and color documents from business cards up to 8½"x30". It takes about five seconds to scan a full-page, 300dpi, grayscale document.

You can watch a brief demo on YouTube here.

Can you still find a Windows XP computer?

I've learned that HP and other computer makers might be pre-loading the old Windows XP on the Vista machines they are selling. Why? Well, people don't want Vista, and Microsoft told vendors they had to stop selling XP after June 30th. HP can't sell computers people don't want.... so, technically, they're not selling it, just hiding it within the system.

The researchers at InfoPackets report:
"Microsoft has told HP they won't be able to do that after January 2009, but HP is already discussing how to push that deadline back with Microsoft. Feedback from HP customers reveals that they hadn't had the time to do full compatibility testing of all their business applications with Vista and the high time and monetary costs of rebuilding system images wasn't worth it, especially in this economy.

HP isn't the only one bursting Microsoft's bubble. Microsoft Watch recently reported on the dismal pronouncement on the state of Vista adoption among top businesses. The really bad news for Microsoft is the number of business PCs running Windows XP increased from 2007 to 2008 -- three times the increase in the percentage of PCs running Windows Vista. The majority of businesses waiting for Vista migrated to XP instead.

One recent survey shows that by the end of 2008, the majority of businesses will have 9 percent of the PCs running Vista, increasing to 28 percent in 2010. Microsoft needs to realize that Windows Vista is a lame duck and their recently unveiled $300 million ad campaign crafted to instill confidence in the flailing operating system probably won't achieve the desired results.

Granted Windows Vista isn't going to cause a computer to explode, but hardware requirements, compatibility, and the User Account Control do absolutely nothing to help its reputation. Negative perceptions holding Vista adoption back have only gotten worse."

So even tho all the computers we see in stores are Vista, if you call the firm, you may find out how to run XP instead of Vista on your new purchase if you plan to buy in the remaining months of 2008.

Are your mousing days over?

BBC photo: The world's first computer mouse:

At least 40 percent of my clients use a traditional old handheld mouse with their computer. Even though its far less efficient than having a pinting device on the keyboard, such as a touchpad, so you don't have to reach for the wired mouse. Others moved to a wireless version, losing the cord, but sometimes losing the mouse too, right into the trash can, and changing batteries every few months.





For all those who say they can't use a touchpad, or don't want to learn a different mouse, you're about to be tested. Many new devices control the computer much like a pen in hand - you point, click, or swipe your hand in front of the screen. Other new devices work through voice commands, such as: File, Open, budget... The typical touchpad, on most laptops, is similar, but you learn to gently swipe with just a slight motion to move across the screen.


















Now comes news from the BBC today that the 40-year old mouse is on the way to the glue factory. No one would ever guess that new computer games would create such a craze that people now jump around the house and use, not a mouse, but a pointing device, to engage in computer games, exercise, and sports.

Did you read about Readius?

How cool is this? A 7/06/08 New York Times article cites the upcoming competitor for Amazon's ebook reader. It's the "size of a standard cellphone. Flip it open, though, and a screen tucked within the housing opens to a 5-inch diagonal display. The screen looks just like a liquid crystal display, but can bend so flexibly that it can wrap around a finger."

For the full story, read the Times article or learn more from the Readius' maker Philips Polymer Vision.
If you haven't purchased a Kindle yet, even at the new lower price of $359, you might want to hold on to your money and see what other bright ideas come along.

Cross-posted on Release Your Writing blog

Can you take a "Tech-No" vacation?

Budget Travel has an article featuring vacation destinations where you can really unplug. Could you do it?

Could you go to The Running-R Ranch in Texas, where there is no internet access, and no cell phone towers?

Would you pay $150+/night at the Sheraton Chicago if they confiscate your Blackberry? Trade up to a paper walking map of Chicago and sign up for their 48-hour Blackberry Detox Challenge.

The Canadian Spa Eastman, an hour from Montreal advertises unplugging as part of their philosophy. Cell phones? Leave 'em at home.


The Tassajara Zen M0untain Center in Carmel Valley has only one public phone, no cell phone reception, and no Internet connection. In fact, don't plan on bringing any gadgets that require charging: Only a few of the cabins have the electricity you'll need to stay in touch. Even more discouraging for tech addicts, the center charges $10 an hour to recharge devices. So how will you fill up all the time you'll be saving by not answering emails? Take a relaxing soak in the bathhouse with water from a local hot spring, or sign up for a retreat covering such subjects as yoga, gardening, and cooking. Failing that, you can just hang out and do nothing: The Tassajara Zen Mountain Center is a functioning monastery for serious students of Buddhism, with free meditation instruction at 4 P.M. daily, but you're free to do as you please.

If you go -- send me a postcard!!