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!