"Jetson! What are You Doing?!! Goofing Off! Sir!!!" Mr.Spacely and George

Many Years ago my sister and I were in an electronics store playing with the latest invention the video phone. It allowed the caller to see the person on the other end. The picture was no bigger than a postage stamp and would refresh with a new image every 5-10 seconds. We spent most of the time making faces into it and then running to each other’s machine. At that moment I thought this is the future. This is it! Little did I know that is would fail as a product. Years and years later Google has made it very easy for anyone to have not just the same experience but a better one. Google has an add-on that makes your chat window into a video phone. Now before I go further I must say Google is not the first to do this. In fact Apple has had the iChat system for years but it is not always easy and it does require a bit of a setup. The Google version does need to be installed but it is simple. Once the application is downloaded it adds itself to your browser then when you open up Gmail it is another choice you have just like whether to email or chat with the person. You will of course need a webcam to make this happen and a PC. The apple addition will follow eventually. Many soldiers use this now so they can not only communicate with their families but seen as well. A video is far more comforting than just a voice. I recommend if you have a webcam and a PC you might as well give it a try.

“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” Robert Heinlein

On the way in to work I was listening to a podcast that was talking about the Zune. The talk was about discontinuing the product. The reason was simple that other companies have done it better like Apple and Sandisk. They had one other point. They said that Microsoft is not cool. Now I know I am a Mac guy so take it for what it’s worth but they are an enterprise software company. Just because something isn’t cool doesn’t mean it isn’t good. They produce some very good work software (pre-2007) but it isn’t sexy and music tends to be. Work stuff is supposed to be functional and efficient and Microsoft can come close to this mark. You may be asking yourself why am I writing about this I mean the Zune is not on anyone’s radar at this point. Well Microsoft has tried again to be cool with a new product. I am sorry to say it has failed, at least the coolness factor. The product is OK (it works). It is called Songsmith. Essentially you sing into the microphone of your computer and Songsmith will record “cool” beats and rhythms behind it. You can adjust tempo and all that other stuff that I frankly don’t understand about music. I personally cannot play a note but I do know I what I like. This product does not make it on my top ten. Now I may be biased so what I would like is others to watch the promo video and tell me what you think. Please leave a comment or email. You can also download and test the software out yourself.

Note: I used a quote from Robert Heinlein. As a geek he is required reading but if you have not ever tried his books you are missing out. Try his book Starship Troopers. It is nothing like the movie meaning it is really good.

“To paint comic books as childish and illiterate is lazy. A lot of comic books are very literate - unlike most films.” Alan Moore

So you have been taking all these digital photos of everything you can get your lens pointed at. Now what? They just sit on your computer not being displayed. Yes of course you could print them out and frame them but is there a more interesting way of displaying them. Enter Comic Life, a piece of software for Mac/PC that can create a comic book look for your photo. This program is just so easy to use. All you do is slide your photos into the provided panels and then create speech bubbles so you can create a story. Now you could do this in Microsoft Word as well but nowhere as easy. Also the templates and other extras make this program a lot of fun. I am using this to create a comic book themed cook book for home. Much of the program is automated so I can just start working versus having to set everything up, get frustrated, and then quit the project. The program offers a 30 day trial period so you can get a feel for it. The price is at the most $30 bucks. If you need a new way of making an invitation or would like a cool project to do with kids then give it a try. It is a lot of fun.

“Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.” Maya Angelou

A long time ago I setup a list of all the free software I recommended for students that was free. One of those programs was Avast which is a free antivirus program for PCs. Many people scoff at a free antivirus program because there has always been a sentiment that if it is free how good can it be? However this nice program in test after test has shown that it does a great job even when compared to any of the store bought ones. PC World magazine chose it as their top antivirus program. Avast is available for both XP and Vista. Also from many reviews I have found they talk about the fact that it does not try to take over the entire system and slow it down. This is always a big problem for some of them. Many make the computer so slow it feels unusable. I guess the thought is to make it so slow that you cannot use your computer and get into trouble. I will take Avast until there is something better. Give it a try.

Note: I am also a fan of AVG antivirus as well.

“Those who write clearly have readers, those who write obscurely have commentators.” Albert Camus

I have had a lot of posts using Blogger but I have never once written about Blogger the application. If you are looking to create a blog that is easy to manage you can’t beat Blogger. Many times I have a new idea and I want a website to go with it I will turn to Blogger to do a blog. The reason to do a blog in the first place is that it allows you to make a type of website easily. If you can email you can blog as well. Now there are many types of blogs from the person documenting their lives so their family can see what is going on to people writing how they feel on all sorts of subjects. There are blogs on political, cooking, funny, subjects plus any other thing you can think of. To create a blog go to Blogger and signup. Then just follow the instructions. They really are easy. When I teach the Blogger class students have a blog in just under 15 minutes. Think of it as your own personal soapbox. For those looking for a printout before they start you can use the sheet I use in class. If you have something to say either come to the next blogging class or head to Blogger and give it a try.

“You really can't beat that. Having some good friends and going out to eat some good barbecue.” Andrew Ray

So I am home and I am with a bunch of friends trying to decide where to eat. Nobody can remember all the places and we are just waiting for someone to make a decision. Enter Dine-o-Matic, my favorite widget. Widgets are small programs devoted to one specific action. Unfortunately they are only for the Mac operating system. Windows has something similar in the Vista OS. Dine-O-Matic is my personal favorite widget. You type in all the restaurants that you frequent and then choose the type of cuisine it is like Italian or Chinese. Once setup it is just a matter of clicking and it will randomly choose a place to go and show you with an accompanying picture specific to the cuisine. It is a beautiful design and simple and best of all it works. So if you have a hunger, indecision, and a Mac give it a try.

"Sometimes we have to be a little bit like a chameleon and change on the fly.”

The last browser is not well known. It is K-melon and it is opensource. This means that anyone can create new code or add parts to it. It is of course free like all the others. The feature list seems a bit like a combination of all the browsers. They picked what they thought were best and created them here in this browser. Because of this I don’t think I will run through the list but to see a list of features click here. Their website is not as flashy as the others but it gets the job done. Click here for the list of downloads. I recommend giving this one a try.

“Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is worst of all.” Brian Jackman

Today’s browser is Apple’s Safari. Now I have mentioned Safari before saying that it is Macintosh only and not available for windows but this has changed just recently. This browser is extremely easy to use. It is elegant and it makes sense when using it. I like the built in RSS feeds and the text enlargement buttons a lot. Also the auto fill features work perfectly. Now that all being said some web pages do not support Safari so that means you may have to switch occasionally to another browser. It is hard to know how fast the browser is in comparison because they all say they are the fastest. Watch the demo at the bottom right to see some of their options. The bottom line is that it is made by Apple and they have a real talent for creating simple to use applications without making it simplistic or a weaker version. Give it a try.

“I don't mind what language an opera is sung in so long as it is a language I don't understand.” Sir Edward Appleton

I have written here about browsers before. However I think the only thing I said was you may want to get another browser other than Internet Explorer. The reason most people use IE is that it comes with most computers out there. There are two reasons I can give for switching. The first is the same reason we don all drive the same car. Some are better than others on gas or they have better options. Browsers are the same way some are faster or have options that you may like more. The second reason is that if everyone drove the same type of car it would make a thief’s life very easy. This means that there are many different ways of getting around IE to deliver junk, pop-up ads and spyware. Now this is not to say that other browsers do not have problems because they all do but sometimes one can be safer or smarter. No matter what the best way it to test drive them. So for the rest of the week I will write about IE alternatives. I have already spoken about Firefox so I am skipping that one for now.

To begin, let’s look at Opera. This browser has been around for a very long time since 1994. It is a very fast browsers. When I say fast I mean the page loads very quickly. It has some key features that are very nice like tabbed browsing, an easy bittorrent client, speed dialing and content blockers. To read up on what all of these actually do click here for the tour of options. Use the demos at the end of each feature. They do a really nice job. Give this browser a try.

Note: Many people have two or three browsers for different purposes

“I heard that if you locked William Shakespeare in a room with a typewriter for long enough, he'd eventually write all the songs by the Monkeys”

Many people attend the classes and ask the same question “Do you teach typing?” My answer is that I teach about the keyboard and what it does but I do not teach typing. The reason is simple. My classes are only two hours and are independent of each other. So how does one learn typing or keyboarding as it is named now? There are books on the subject but personally prefer typing programs. Mavis Beacon has been the standard for a long time. You can usually find an older version for just under 10 dollars. Now, for kids, there was an older version of Mavis teaches typing but I like the looks of Spongebob Squarepants teaches typing. The tag line is that any barnclehead can learn to type. Essentially a fairly popular cartoon character teaches typing using traditional techniques and games to reinforce the learning. Also, here at the Providence Public Library, we us Type to Learn. This is another kid oriented typing program. It works well and teaches a bit of history. If you want to speed up I recommend giving one of these programs a try but no matter what you choose you must devote the time to it. It took me about 6 months to get to 30 words per minute.

Note: I will try to find some free versions and post them in a couple of weeks.

“Create your own visual style... let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.” Orson Welles

So it is finally official you cannot stand the basic set of fonts that came with your computer and you need something really different for a project, then it is time to head to 1001fonts. To begin what is a font? A font is a set of instructions for your computer that tells it how to write in a specific style. Two of the most famous fonts are Arial and Times New Roman. Years ago we were having a Halloween party and we wanted the invitations to look like ransom notes. To do so I checked on the net for ransom note font and tons of results came up. Once I found one I downloaded it to the computer and then unzipped it. Many files come compressed to speed up downloading so many times you will have to use a free program like 7-zip to unpack it. Then I clicked on the start button and the control panels. Finally I dragged the font file I had to the font folder and watched it install itself. Once that was done I closed everything and opened Microsoft Word and changed the font from Times New Roman to Ransom note. Now when I start typing it looks like a ransom not or whatever font I set it to. 1001 fonts has a ton of different fonts and styles but if this explanation confused you use their help section and it should answer all the questions you have. If you need a fresh look to your writing then give it a try.

“In the circle in which I travel, a dumb man is more dangerous than a hundred rats.” Joe Valachi

Sometimes I am looking for a discussion on particular tech subject. Now I am not looking for dry details but a fairly lively discussion with real opinions. I sometimes turn to Lab Rats. They are two guys who sit down and record episodes on certain specific subjects. They go from the basics to an advanced level and they bring you along with them. When you go to their site you need to pick a show and then pick a format. I find the flash versions are the easiest. I recently watched an interesting discussion of all the different platforms and which one is best. They talked about Windows, Linux, and Macintosh and I must say they were very careful in this episode not too throw their biases too much around. The only let down is the advertisements but they are quick and go to support the shows. Also I really like the little pop up add-ins that show up on the screen with a "pop".If you are confused on a subject give it a try.

“Of course [I believe in aliens]. Are you so arrogant as to believe we are alone in this universe?” Tom Cruise

Have you answered all the big question like are we alone in the Universe? I haven't either but I have been helping to find the answer to the question by donating my computers processing power when it is unused. There has been a program called SETI@home for years. Essentially you install a small program that downloads small bits of unused research data and uses your computer when it sits idle to complete the research. The SETI program has been looking for radio transmissions from space and they try to sort through all the noise and junk that roams through the galaxy. However if aliens are not your thing to help out with there is a list ranging from global warming research to curing diseases. All the research is done using the BOINC network. If you would like to help the planet in one way or another give it a try.

“Cursive writing does not mean what I think it does” Nancy Cartwright

I remember practicing my penmanship in school for years and now all I ever do is type. I realized how I miss the look of my writing and the feel of it. However if I started using a pen again I would be at a loss without spell check. I definitely need that. Some of you have told me about that one. Is there a way to get the best of both worlds? The answer is yes and it is inexpensive. It is called the Fontifier. It is very easy to do. Print out their template and hand write in your version of the letters and numbers. Then scan it in and upload it to the site. You can preview your handwriting font before you buy it for $9.00. Finally you download your new font and install it. Then you can type and write at the same time. I like this a lot. To see some example click here. If you do not want to waste all your practice on your penmanship then give this a try.

“If life gives you a bowl of lemons, go find an annoying guy with paper cuts”

This post is fairly specific to Adobe Photoshop Elements users. Here at Providence Public Library we are upgrading out Photoshop software on the computers that I teach at. As I have been using the software in getting ready to teach it for the public I kept having a really annoying problem. Essentially if you put in a disk, flash drive, or a CD that contains photos then a program called Adobe Photo Downloader pops up. It is supposed to be helpful and load all my pics into the system. I always try to quit and it keeps popping up. I checked online and it seems all the version of Elements has the same new feature and it is annoying! Everyone who has this is looking for a remedy. Thankfully Adobe has a nice instructional page that tells you how to disable it. So if you are having the same problem give this a try.

“There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.” T.S. Eliot

Since I started the weeks post reviewing a book about a music player I thought it is only fair to speak about music that is open to any player that can play a MP3. Unfortunately the atmosphere today with music companies and pirated music sites has left the consumer to think that all music found on the internet is illegal. This is major misconception. One of my students had asked whether her son was going to get in trouble because of the music he had downloaded. The answer can be confusing. If he downloaded it from a network that shares illegal music like Limewire then possibly. If the son paid for the music using a service like Rhapsody or iTunes then no. However there are other legal and free choices that are open to anyone as well. I recommend stopping off at CNET's music site. They have categorized all the music to find what you are looking for easier. Some of the music will have either a listen button or a download button. If it has the download button then you may bring it into your computer and play as much as you would like. The reason for the free downloads are simple. The music is put up by the artist and they choose whether or not to have free downloads. They want you to hear their great hits and go buy the album. The nice thing here is that it is a mix. Not just mainstream but someone who has a sound studio in their basement but makes spectacular music. I was extremely happy to find a download from a geek artist called Barcelona. Whatever your tastes give it a try!

“Radio is the theater of the mind; television is the theater of the mindless” Steve Allen

Information is everywhere and it is increasingly harder to stay on top of topics. I rely heavily on podcasts. What are podcasts? Think recorded radio broadcasts that anyone with a computer can create. Because it is so open you have amateurs to professionals creating stuff to listen to. You can find podcasts on every subject from the informative to the equivalent of vegging out. I listen to about eight a day. How do I get these wonders of modern science you ask? You have several choices of software. I use iTunes because I find it easy to use and sign up for new podcasts. Two other programs are ipodder for Windows or Juice for Mac. They are actually the same program under different names. The rest of the week I will highlight some places to find new podcasts and I want to share some of my favorites. Also the Providence Public Library has some Podcasts. I am working on putting new ones up but it is low on the list at the moment. Oh! The best part of Podcasts is not only are they informative and fun but they are free. Give it a try!

“When the music changes, so does the dance”

This one is not just for Macs. Even though I find iTunes a good piece of software I do find some features missing. If need more for your music try Beatunes. It is an application for both PC and Mac that gives you features like library inspection, or knowing each song's tempo. If you want to analyze your music, then this is for you. You can download a trial for a week and then they want you to pay for it, around $20 bucks. The second part of this post is about problems with an iPod. Sometimes you will need to replace a battery or fix a screen. I have done a little of this from text instructions but I would have liked a video to watch first to know what to expect before cracking the case. These video are neat and clean and easy to understand. Before throwing an expensive gadget away check the site and maybe it can be saved. Give it a try.

People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like. Abraham Lincoln

Many people leave their computer just the way they received it. I always need to fiddle with everything. As I go through different windows on the Mac I realize each folder has its own needs. What am I talking about you ask? Well if a folder has pictures in it I would like to see a preview of the picture to save me time or if I have trouble reading things, they should be printed in a larger text size. This is easy to do. Click on view and then view options. You can increase the icon size so they are easily distinguishable or increase the text size. If you are a neat freak try snap to grid to force your icons into position. Item info is nice if you like to see how large a file is or what dimensions a picture is all the time. If you have a lot of pictures outside of iPhoto then choose icon preview to see icon sized pictures. Lastly you can quickly organize your icons by having them sorted by name, size or whatever you feel like. One mistake I made when changing this stuff is that I forget about the choice at the top that says all windows or this window. Make sure you choose the one you want. If you want to change all at once choose "all windows". Give it a try.

“Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things they make it easier to do don't need to be done.” Andy Rooney

More Mac today! Lets look at the system preferences by clicking the button on the dock at the bottom of the screen. Click on the Dashboard & Expose button to see your options. Many people don't use this but it is a favorite of mine. You will notice around the small screen a bunch of minus symbols. Click on any of these and a list will pull down, then choose all windows. Now what the heck does this do? Well, if you bring your mouse to the same corner that we changed it, it will shrink your current window and show all the other windows that are open at the same time. You can now click on any of the windows to see it in actual size. This is a great way of juggling many open applications and windows like jumping from Safari to iPhoto or whatever. The other choice is desktop. I usually put this one in the bottom right on my computer but put it wherever it is convenient. This is a quick way to get to your desktop when you have a bunch of stuff you are working on. Give it a try.