Another Phony Story

Those folks at Apple...they just make fine 'stuff'. Ok, yesterday a phone was just a phone, yes? To make and receive calls? Well, get out of the way because that is so YESTERDAY....I'm sayin' the IPHONE is here...big time.

A phone today can be so much more and for NOT a lot more money. It should still keep us in touch with folks we need to be in touch with....but it is also an information device and an entertainment device.

Don't like the way things are going? You may was well try and turn back time and the tide. Like it or not phones will be mini computers that can 'sing' us to sleep or tell us what's at the movies down the block. It is dangerous to not know what these technological devices are all about. The danger that we'll become 'old' in our thinking and the world will pass us by.

I say it's exciting. And you know, it still has an ON/OFF button.

This is getting Sooooo Old!

Yeah, I know. Age. It's tough to talk about. But we had this discussion in a previous post and it bears repeating, as a good 'rule of thumb' often does.

Computers, like out pets, age at a different rate than people do. Duh! You've noticed, right? While with our dogs and cats we allow 7 years to one to determine their age in the pet life cycle, with computers its more like 15 to 1. That is to say, a one year old computer is a 'teenager' and a 5 year old computer is passing mid seventies, virtually.

With our pets, no matter HOW much we love them, we begin to examine what is humane for their own good when considering those 'vet' bills; same is true for a PC. Though they can like pets, be born with 'genetic irregularities' that cause them to go 'terminal' early, this 15 to one rule of thumb rule works well in evaluating the computer life cycle. Sure, sometimes they live to be '100', but that is as rare with PCs as it is with people and pets.

It's useful to have this 'age calculator' when facing a PC replacement and if it makes sense to consider 'major surgery', or do we just 'put it down' mercifully. Never and easy decision, but you're the one in charge. Knowledge is power. Make good decisions. Call me when you need me and for the rest of the time 'Good luck with that'.

What? Left overs? Again?

PC World confirms what most of us have always known...that those warnings from the printer software that we are 'OUT of INK' are usually bogus...that we may in fact have anywhere from 8-45% of the usable ink in a cartridge left over. It ain't right...it ain't fair, but those dudes who make 'em are in charge. Hey, some printers won't even let you go on till you buy and replace a new cartridge...Extortion! And it doesn't matter that you buy refillables....same problem.
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What's a body to do? Well, for one, don't 'change over' just because they say you're low on ink...wait till your print quality suffers.


Beyond that everything you might to is too much of a hassle. Yeah, I know...you'd hoped there was an INK magic wand....sorry. The good news is that newer printers have become somewhat better at ink utilization...but with printer manufacturers making ALL their money on ink, we consumers are sort of down the ole ink well.

Get Some Class, Will you? Part II

With the thought being that many may well receive either a computer or a digital camera (or BOTH!) thru the Holidays I'd like to offer a special class in Mid-January geared toward helping folks put their camera to use; then, get the pictures from the camera to their computer, perform minor editing and attach pictures to e-mails. It's a pretty basic class so no special skills are needed...just a will to learn.

If you're interested please call Mark at 503-530-6623 or e-mail to
markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net and ask for the full class outline & pricing. I'll only be taking a limited number of students for this class, so contact me NOW, before I run out of space.

Getting Digital Cameras to Work with Computers 101...a four hour class, taught/split between two days.

IPhone...Do you Phone?

Ok, so I'm a gadget hound; and someone precious to me KNEW I lusted over the 'new' IPhone from Apple...and got it for me.

Is it the greatest? Maybe. I sure am having fun with it though. But if you JUST want a cell phone then this may not be for you. What I'm saying is it DOES require enthusiasm to learn how to use all its bells and whistles.

I mean, I like having my addresses and appointments with me, synced back and forth with my laptop...now I don't need the laptop with me every freaking moment. But knowing the stock market at this moment? Like it but don't NEED it. Having the music from my ITunes/IPod with me all the time on my phone? Well, I don't want to waste precious battery life on music when after all...it's a phone.

Ok, I'm making it sound like I don't love it. That is so NOT true. I do. But as I said from the get-go I'm a gadget nut. I WANT all the stuff I don't need. Voice recorder? Got it. Surf the net on my phone? You bet. Map Quest on my phone? Uh huh...you can't do that? Google Talk Instant Messaging, Google EARTH, Spanish lessons, 158,000 Recipes for what's for dinner...I mean how could anyone live without this STUFF? I want more STUFF in my life.

Ok so you can't do all this on your phone? So call me from your 'weak' phone and I'll tell you all about it. Make you a great deal on my old Verizon basic phone...

How's your OUTLOOK, Group....?

It's amazing how often I get asked by folks using Microsoft's e-mail program, OUTLOOK: "I regularly send an e-mail to the same group of co-workers (or family)...How do I send the same E-Mail to a particular GROUP of people without having to put in their addresses each time?" No really, I get asked this...Ok, almost never...but here it is anyway.

To create a distribution list using names in the Address Book
First OPEN Microsoft Outlook, then

1. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Distribution List.
2. In the Name box, type a name.
3. Click Select Members.
4. In the Show names from the list, click the address book that contains the e-mail addresses you want in your distribution list.
5. In the Type name or select from list box, type a name you want to include. In the list below, select the name, and then click Members. Do this for each person you want to add to the distribution list, and then click OK.

If you want to add a longer description of the distribution list, click the Notes tab, and then type the text.

The distribution list is saved in your Contacts folder by the name you give it.

There, that was HELPful, wasn't it?

I can't get no.....no no no.....

I wish I could say I've satisfied EVERY customer who's come to me with a problem; I wish I could say it without lying.

Truth is, I do alright...but 'alright', doesn't make me as happy as perfection would. I hate...I mean I HATE...leaving a job without the work done right, complete and to everyone's satisfaction. Folks have an expectation when they engage me that I'll satisfy them ... It's a realistic expectation, and I try hard...so very hard to exceed that expectation.

But if/when I don't make the grade (and don't get me wrong, it doesn't happen often) I WON'T ever, ever take a dime for my time. You have a right to have your expectations met. My customers can rest easy knowing I'm going to bust my ... my jewels ... to make them glad they called.

Better than anything ... yes, better than my fee....is hearing you say "Thanks. You made my day" whenever I've completed a job. I work hard trying to make friends out of customers; to get them back to seeing how computing can be fun again.

Put me to work for you. I bet you'll be pleased you did.

Look up in the sky...Was that a Comment?...or..."How to leave a comment at a blog site"

Some of my no-nonsense readers have been so kind as to speak up and say that this blogging thing is cool, 'But how do I leave a comment!' Well to me it all seemed so intuitive and easy. Then I tried again tonight and now I feel your pain.

To post a comment at the end of an article look for the small selectable print that says Comment . Click it to open a new window.
There will be a spot at the lower right to click 'Anonymous'; after selecting that you can fill in your comment. Be cordial and friendly, but brutally honest. And type in your name or whatever nick name you like, so I know which voodoo doll to stick pins in.

Glad just to be Alive

Yes I know...this is a site about computers. But, every once in a while I wake up just DAMN glad to be alive. And its times like this I think to myself, what can I share with my readers that is NO cost and kinda fun. YES...I really do think that...don't try and say I don't really....cause I DO.

And the link tied to the heading of this post is just such a share. My father, a member of the early HUMAN Potential Movement, was fond of telling people when asked that he thought of himself as an Portrait ART teacher, helping people to paint better pictures of themselves. I've always liked that thought.

So this POST is a diversion....a fun little opportunity to experiment with YOUR artistic talents, always remembering: 'If it worked for Jackson Pollock why not ME?'

Click on http://www.jacksonpollock.org/ Then....
Have fun, live long and prosper.

Oh PS....What made me feel so good? Somebody left a word of encouragement in the comments. See? With life, it's the LITTLE things....

APPLY Yourself!

NET Appliances? What are those?

Only need internet/e-mail access? You're positively, absolutely sure? Then maybe a really light, really small/portable laptop with wireless capabilities is for you...I've been getting asked about 'em a bit lately.

8" to 10" screens (we're talkin' SMALL), small batteries and small hard disks make these babies lighter than your average laptop. And though they won't be replacing your 'day-job' computer anytime soon, they just might be right for Aunt Minnie or your second travel unit.

Lenovo's S10 should be checked out. click on this subjects heading above for a link to a post site with more detailed info...if this is something YOU'VE been looking for.

And they told you size doesn't matter....

Check out http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4620 if this type of PC interests you...

Searching MY Blog...Whadya GOT here, anyway?

You can search my blog for articles on stuff you may be seeking...did you know that? See the seach blog window towards the upper left of the Window? no, NOT THERE! Scroll to the very top of the posts and look at the left...YEAH....THERE!

Just type in the things that interest you relating to computers and see if I've written anything about it. Given enough time, I'll have one or more articles on ALL subjects relating to Mac's and PC's. After your search, just articles with the keywords you've typed in should appear.

Want to see ALL the posts again? Just search again with the window empty and it'll bring 'em all back. Just like magic.

Why Blog?

So you've wondered, perhaps, WHY do people blog? Or even WHAT is the BIG deal about blogging? Watch this short video and see!

Fancy a Lap Dance?

I often get asked what my favorite laptop is. What? Nobody ever asks you?

Lenovo has been getting the nod for several years now. Never heard of 'em? Where have you been? Lenovo was once upon a time IBM's laptop, before they sold the division to the company that has always made them. IBM is STILL who answers the phone when you call for service. Like just about ALL service centers the person saying 'IBM' may say it with an accent, but hey..so what?

Lenovo is the choice of PC Magazine's readers, too (right after Apple's notebook line). Lenovo consistently scores high for reliability, technical support and low incidence of repairs, when weighted against other PC type laptops.

What do I look for in a Laptop? Way at the top is low weight. I ACTUALLY carry mine from place to place. So, there goes the gorgeous 17" screen, in favor of a very acceptable 14" one. I'd rather squint then lug, and those big screens are outrageously heavy...not to mention more susceptible to damage. Size DOES matter and small is better/lighter.

Additionally I look for long battery life. I have often selected a battery upgrade at purchase, taking a 9 cell or better. And RAM? Only a chump buys less than 2 gigebytes anymore...3 would be 'mo' bedda'. The size of your hard drive depends on your needs. Storing lots of music, photos and/or programs? Then go 160 GB or bigger. And yes, buying a 7,200 RPM hard disk WILL make things run faster.

Want to save money? Save it on software. You can get open source office suite software for free that will read and write Microsoft Office formatted files. Checkout www.openoffice.org. There is no substitute for Microsoft's OUTLOOK if you want a great e-mail handler, scheduler, calendar program. I buy it separate and save several hundred.

Hey, listen...if you don't agree with my picks or have favorites of your own then leave me a comment.


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...Get the Picture?

Staying with the theme of getting pictures from a digital camera ON to your Computer, and then organizing and editing the images...Picasa comes to mind.

Picasa is a free program (from the people who bring you Google). It downloads on to your computer and facilitates the picture handling process. There are some EXCELLENT online videos that walk you thru the process and I'll post them really soon.

There are MANY ways to handle pictures, but Picasa is pretty cool. Additionally, if you have a google/gmail account (also free) Google gives you space to store pictures online and share them with friends and family. How cool is THAT?

Want a short course on how to use PICASA? Just play the video below. For those of us with weak eyesight there is a small box to the right of the speaker icon at the lower right of the Video window that will let you 'blow it up' to full size. Enjoy!

Morning at the Oasis - Digital Cams

I think I've mentioned before how the Oasis Center, Macy's Bldg. 4th Floor, Downtown PDX, is a great resource for folks over 50 who wish to hone computer skills. For very little bread you can take a class, or just float in and use the 9 Windows XP or 9 Windows Vista computers available in the lab. Pretty neat.

But what ALSO seems to be pretty neat is the number of ladies and gents who line up to learn how to use digital cameras with their PC's. This is perhaps the most popular class I've offered there and it just gets better each time we offer it.

Folks have these cameras but little to NO idea how to take pictures (or even know that they can take movies, too, with the same camera); and once they DO take one, how to edit it and attach it to an email of make a slide show of photos.

Call me, or Oasis (503) 241-3059 and ask how you can get on the list for this fun class.

Feeling a little Green around the....?

So these days it seems folks are upgrading to newer computer gear and the question becomes "That do I do with my 'old' one (your old one being that machine you bought 5 short years ago!).

Well, there are going to be fewer and fewer choices soon, as Portland shifts it's recycling attention to deal with the mountains of old computer gear building up at landfills.

Thank god for FREE GEEKS, and others like them that handle hi tech waste and reduce it to its lowest common denominator, or better yet, recondition it and find it a new home. The Free Geeks folks (1731 SE 10th Ave, Portland, OR) ask only a small donation and that you drop your equipment of during normal working hours, M-Sat.

You MAY wish to remove certain components you could be using with your NEW computer, such as hard drive, CD/DVD drive and the like...but either way, isn't it nice to know your old gear will be handled in an environmentally sensitive manner? We think it is.

So...need help removing components to save? What? You thought we were going to pass up a chance to pitch our services? Call US and ask for a free estimate for decommissioning your old machine. After all, at the very least you don't want those pictures of the kids out there for some new user of your old stuff to be gawking at...I mean, I know they're cute, but.....

You've Got Mail!

Well, a few weeks ago I taught a class of enthusiastic E-Mailers covering different ways to 'Do Mail'. With E-Mail now the number one use of computers and by FAR the largest communication vehicle on the planet (Bigger than TV, radio, phone or postal mail), it seemed to make sense to teach to the needs.

People wanted to know things like:

• How do I access and make changes in my electronic address book?
• How do I permanently delete mail, or move it to a new 'folder'?
• What's the fastest way to add a contact to my address book who JUST sent me an E-Mail?
• I see a calendar here...how can I use it to help me remember appointments and important dates?
• Do I need to pay for Hi-Speed AND AOL? (No, by the way...you sure don't!)
• How do I move my mail and address book from one E-Mail program to another?
• How do I sign up for an additional FREE E-Mail account(s)?
• How do I deal with attachments? Add a picture or file to my E-Mail
• Send one E-mail to many people at once.
• What is an E-Mail address book GROUP?
  

I can't tell you how fun it is to answer questions like these and have people leave happy. I can't tell you that is, unless you e-mail me or call me. Maybe there is something you've wanted to do with E-Mail, or that digital camera or.... We can help with that. Call or write us.