I’m Older Than Dirt (+ Sunday Beauty #52) (+ more)
Kinda hard to believe I have been posting a pretty picture on Sundays for a year now. (It seems to be a feature that has “caught on”.) Does anyone here remember the very first one? If you do, I’m mighty pleased you’ve stuck around.. And for those who don’t, let’s take a look back, shall we? See where it all started.
I think this is it.. (and it turns out, I posted a few before I thought of numbering them..)
Obersee (Königssee) by Andim. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Count how many of the following you remember: (No, I did not create this..)
- Blackjack chewing gum
- Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water
- Candy cigarettes
- Soda pop machines that dispensed bottles
- Coffee shops with tableside jukeboxes
- Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers
- Party lines
- Newsreels before the movie
- P.F. Flyers
- Butch wax
- Telephone numbers with a word prefix (Olive -6933)
- Peashooters
- Howdy Doody
- 45 records
- S&H Green Stamps
- Hi-fi’s
- Metal ice trays with lever
- Mimeograph paper
- Blue flashbulbs
- Beanie and Cecil
- Roller skate keys
- Cork popguns
- Drive-ins
- Studebakers
- Wash tub wringers
If you remembered 0-5 = You’re still young
If you remembered 6-10 = You are getting older
If you remembered 11-15 = Don’t tell your age
If you remembered 16-25 = You’re older than dirt!
And, thus, today’s title.
(I am “too young” to have seen #’s 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, & 25.)
Unrelated#2: I know they are not for everyone.. but when I was younger (and seem to have had more spare time), I could not get to enough airshows. Nowadays, I have to settle for videos like this one. The best of 2010?
Today’s free download: IObit Toolbox is a free, portable software that system administrators and computer geeks will take along to solve PC problems anytime and anywhere. With more than 20 dedicated tools, IObit Toolbox allows you to display/diagnose PC information, enhance PC security, optimize PC performance and repairing PC problems. In a word, it offers an easy way for PC admins to monitor and manage computers.
Today’s quote: “The only exercise some people get is jumping to conclusions, running down their friends, side-stepping responsibility, and pushing their luck!” ~ Unknown
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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7 features to boost your productivity in Windows 7
Windows 7 has many new features that can speed up your work. Some are obvious, but others are more like ‘hidden jewels’. Tony Bradley’s article over on ComputerWorld is a great place for you to find out about 7 of these new efficiency-boosters and learn good advice for best using them.
Here is the direct link: Windows 7 efficiency tips “Master these features to boost your productivity in Windows 7.”
Or.. you can click on the sections of interest..
- Get the most out of Jump Lists
- Beef up context menus
- Enable AHCI
- Navigate with the Aero interface
- Organize your files with libraries
- Use keyboard shortcuts
- Windows search trumps all
Raise your Geek Quotient, click a link or two!
Related: And for those of you who aren’t interested in these – because you are still using Windows XP – see, It is time to face facts and finally dump Windows XP
“I have been saying this for a while now; but, sometimes people want to know what other professionals are saying..“
Unrelated: (But hopefully fun) I have been meaning to mention this for some time now, and perhaps it is no longer relevant, but I have been hearing from many, many places that it has been hot and humid and insufferable. Quite different from here, where we have had days that did not break 70° (though today is nice and warm) and I thought I was going to get jobbed out of summer…
Today’s quote: “If it weren’t for the fact that the TV set and the refrigerator are so far apart, some of us wouldn’t get any exercise at all.” ~ Joey Adams
Have a great weekend, everybody!
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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Adventures In Tech Support (Friday Fun)
A reader sent me this collection of “tech support stories” (aka “clueless user stories”). I suspect they will make you smile… unless you work at a Help Desk…
TECH SUPPORT
Tech Support: What kind of computer do you have?
Customer: A white one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can’t get my DVD out !!!
Tech Support: Have you tried pushing the button?
Customer: Yes, I’m sure it’s really stuck.
Tech Support: That doesn’t sound good; I’ll make a note.
Customer: No, wait a minute, I hadn’t inserted it
yet. It’s still on my desk . . . sorry. Thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tech Support: Click on the ‘MY COMPUTER’ icon on the
left of the screen.
Customer: Your left or my left?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tech Support: Hello. How may I help you?
Customer: Hi .. . . I can’t print.
Tech Support: Would you click on ‘START’ for me and . . ….
Customer: Listen pal; don’t start getting technical on
me. I’m not Billy Gates!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Customer: Good afternoon, this is Martha. I can’t
print. Every time I try, it says . . . ‘CAN’T FIND PRINTER’. I even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says it can’t find it!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Customer: I have problems printing in red.
Tech Support: Do you have a color printer?
Customer: Aaaah . . . . . . . . . . thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tech Support: What’s on your monitor now, ma’am?
Customer: A teddy bear that my boyfriend bought for
me at the 7-11 store.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Tech Support: Are you sure your keyboard is plugged
into the computer?
Customer: No. I can’t get behind the computer.
Tech Support: Pick up your keyboard and take ten
steps backwards.
Customer: Okay.
Tech Support: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes.
Tech Support: That means the keyboard is not plugged
in. Is there another keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there’s another one here. Wait a
moment please. . . . . . … Ah, that one does work.
Thanks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tech Support: Your password is the small letter ‘a’ as in
apple, a capital letter ‘V’ as in Victor, and the number ‘7’.
Customer: Is that ‘7’ in capital letters?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Customer: I can’t get on the internet.
Tech Support: Are you absolutely sure you used the
correct password?
Customer: Yes, I’m sure. I saw my co-worker do it.
Tech Support: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five dots.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tech Support: What anti-virus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Tech Support: That’s not an anti-virus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry . . . Internet Explorer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Customer: I have a huge problem! My friend has
placed a screen saver on my computer . . . but,
every time I move my mouse, it disappears.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tech Support: How may I help you?
Customer: I’m writing my first email.
Tech Support: OK, and what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter ‘a’ in the address,
but how do I get the little circle around it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A woman customer called the Canon help desk because
she had a problem with her printer..
Tech Support: Are you running it under windows?
Customer: No, my desk is next to the door, but that
is a good point. The man sitting next to me is by
a window, and his printer is working fine!
And last, but not least . . .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tech Support: Okay Bob, press the control and escape
keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the
middle of the screen.. Now, type the letter ‘P’ to bring
up the Program Manager.
Customer: I don’t have a ‘P’.
Tech Support: On your keyboard, Bob.
Customer: What do you mean ?
Tech Support: ‘P’ . . . on your keyboard, Bob.
Customer: I AM NOT GOING TO DO THAT!!!
…………………………………………
It is summertime, and it is Friday. Not a bad combo, eh? Enjoy, everybody. And let’s be safe out there.
(And thank you, Dear Reader [you know who you are].)
Today’s quote: “Pride that dines on vanity, sups on contempt.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
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Considering A Tablet?
Folks, two very good reads for you today. The first puts into print my “spiel” when I am asked about tablets (such as the iPad), and also explains why I do not own one (yet). The second explains not only the “state of IT”, but also, indirectly, perhaps, the state of our nation..?
(If you are an ‘IT type’, or are thinking about working in IT, then the article is [IMHO] a ‘must read’. Perhaps a reader or two has been effected by this change..?)
• Tablets are for people who hate computers
“Tablets may be stealing some of the thunder from traditional PC sales, but that doesn’t mean they’re for everyone. If you’re already proficient with a PC, you may be disappointed by a tablet.” Read more..
• The future of IT will be reduced to three kinds of jobs The IT profession and the IT job market are in the midst of seismic changes that are going to shift the focus to three types of jobs.
“There’s a general anxiety that has settled over much of the IT profession in recent years. It’s a stark contrast to the situation just over a decade ago. At the end of the 1990s, IT pros were the belles of the ball..” Read more..
Since it has been a while..:
Today’s quote: “Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.” ~ Buddha
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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A Quick Word About Torrents & DRM-free Music
I received a note from a reader that got me a bit hot under the collar for a moment. It was in regards to a comment I made in yesterday’s Internet radio article (see, Music Radio For Your Phone (or Blackberry)(or PC)) .. specifically, “no, I do not purchase tunes“.
The writer presumed that indicated that I am like everyone else in the free world (apparently) and used a “file sharing” program (commonly called “Torrents”) and they inquired as to which one I liked best and recommend… uTorrent? eDonkey? LimeWire?
My first thought was, clearly they are new to the site. My second was a realization that I have not mentioned this in some time now. Perhaps the time is right to say it again.
- I cannot tell you the exact number of times, but I can tell you the percentage is quite high, that when I am called in to remove a “virus”, I will find a “file sharing program” installed on that machine. Cyber criminals like to plant trojans in files, and then “seed” the torrent sites with them. And they lose no sleep.. as you are trying to get something for nothing yourself.
- “File sharing” is (in my mind, anyway) synonymous with “stealing”. I don’t steal.
So there you have it: it’s risky and “quasi-legal” (at best). I don’t do it. And anyone who asks me about torrents will get a copy of this article. (Can you guess? I do not recommend it?)
So where do I get my songs? (aka “today’s free download:”) Well, I “digitized” my records and tapes using a “Y” cable (to my stereo)($3) and the editing program Audacity (free).
“Audacity is an open source audio editor that is available for several platforms (including Windows, Mac, and Linux/Unix). It is one of the most popular free audio editors in use today mainly due to its excellent set of tools. As well being compatible with MP3, WAV, AIFF, and OGG file formats you can use Audacity to record live audio, and convert analog audio such as tapes.”
But if I had it to do over again, I would get a USB turntable.
Alternatively, I would use a legal music service. And, I would buy the DRM-free versions of the songs. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I will point you to an article, titled: Buy Music Unfettered by Digital Rights Management
“Competition is now wide open for these interoperable music files. Besides iTunes, millions of DRM-free files are available from Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, Zune, eMusic, and others. But each store has its own benefits and limitations: price, file quality, selection, and other quirks. Here’s how they all stack up in the DRM-free download world.” Read more..
I know. 99% of you are LMAO-ing. What?! Buy music???!!!
Yes.
Pay for it if you want it. The fact that “everyone is doing it” (torrents/file “sharing”) does not make it right.
Related: How To Digitize Your Old (Analog) Movies, Music, and Photos
Today’s quote: “Character is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that’s right is to get by, and the only thing that’s wrong is to get caught. ~ J.C. Watts”
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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Music Radio For Your Phone (or Blackberry)(or PC)
Loyal readers know that some time ago now, I acquired one of those new-fangled Android “smart” phones. And (they) probably saw my recent mention that I was giving the new (to the USA) Spotify online music service a tryout as well.
image source = engadget.com
By definition, smart phones are more than just phones – they are cameras (movie cameras, even) and, with Internet access, web surfers and music players and GPS navigators and more. They can be mini televisions, and we can watch Netflix.. etc., etc., etc..
I was hoping that Spotify would give my ‘droid added music “streaming” ability – and it would, if I sign up for a premium service level (otherwise, it is PC only). Currently, though, I am not enough of a ‘music person’ (too busy) to justify a monthly fee for music access for my phone, though I can say that my early perusals of Spotify’s “library” lead me to think music lovers will find it a true bargain..
Currently, I plug in my headphones, and use the ‘droid’s FM Radio feature and tune in my fave local stations; or play some songs that I have loaded onto my memory chip (no, I do not purchase tunes). I have the Pandora app, but have found I never use it.. but here are some free music alternatives for you smart phone/Blackberry/iPhone owners:
[note: these can be used on your PC as well.]
• Pandora Radio
“Pandora radio is the personalized internet radio service that helps you find new music based on your old and current favorites. ”
• FlyCast
“FlyCast is the mobile broadcast network that gives you what you really want – choice. Choose what you want from the best music in all genres, talk radio, …
• Slacker Personal Radio
“Slacker Personal Radio is the easiest way to create free radio stations. Listen anywhere to free personalized Internet radio stations playing your favorite music.”
• Spotify (currently “invite only”)(Go there and sign up to receive an invite..)
Also, I have heard raves about XM Radio (Sirius), which requires a subscription.
I am sure there are other music services out there in Internet Land, and I hope music lovers will write in with their faves/reco’s. What music apps do you use?
Today’s reading:
• Netflix betting on subscriber fallout in Q3, everyone over it in Q4
“Netflix posted solid Q2 earnings on Monday, but naturally, all of the attention was focused on the recent price hikes. Nevertheless, Netflix execs feel confident that all the complaining is just hype.” Read more..
• Great Instructional Videos to Learn the Basics of Windows 7
“I am always on the hunt for instructional material for people that use their computers in their homes..” Read more..
Today’s quote: “Jumping for joy is good exercise.” ~ Unknown
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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Apple’s New “Lion”, and More for Your Monday
Apple announced that it had 1 million downloads of its newest operating system, OS X 10.7 codename “Lion”, on its first day of availability. Available through the Mac App Store for $29.99, Apple says people are buying Lion faster than any other OS release in Apple’s history.
Microsoft could take a lesson from this (IMHO). Not from adding a feature or two and a dozen tweaks and calling it a new version (with a new name), but to get a clue about their archaic pricing structure. If I could get Windows 7 Home upgrade licenses for $30 – $40, I would buy a dozen of them today.
I am not an iFanatic, and do not know any more about Apple machines than what I have to as a Technician living in Appleland (aka ‘silicon valley’) — yes, I fix Macs. But I don’t use them. I haven’t powered up my “Tiger” machine in.. oh, let’s call it 2 years. And, so far, I do not own any iGadgets either.
With that said, I have looked at various “reviews” and it seems to me that the main thing Lion gives you (new) is direct integration with the iStore, and touchscreen ‘gestures’.
Hmmm… I don’t want either of those things.
It kind of looks to me like Apple is “blending” their operating systems for their gadgets into their desktop OS. (People are accusing Windows 8 of this same kind of thing..)
It also has something called “natural scrolling”, which apparently nobody likes.
I will say, it is kind of hard finding less-than-enthusiastic reviews.. ahem. Such as this one: Here Are 12 Amazing Hidden Features In Mac OS X Lion
“Lion touts more than 250 new features, but Apple only advertises a few of them. We picked out some of the best tips for customizing and making the most of Lion. Read more..
I dare you to look at those, and then I ask you think about the definition of the word “amazing”, and then find any correlation. (And note that one of the ‘tips’ is how to turn off natural scrolling..)
I was kind of surprised that some of the ‘features’ are only now available…
I had questions if improved 64-bit capability would make Lion “faster” than Snow Leopard, so I found this article interesting (though, it is way too early to really tell): Snow Leopard vs. Lion: Performance head-to-head
Since we had the 27-inch iMac on hand, we thought we’d see if OS X Lion introduced any performance changes. Read more..
(And for those considering “upgrading” to Lion, I would suggest reading the comments, too.)
As I said earlier, I am not an “Apple guy”, and I do not have any ‘hands on’ experience with Lion. So I am not going to presume to advise you Apple users on whether to upgrade to Lion or not. I will only offer (repeat, really) my ‘general policy’ which goes — yes, you want to keep all your software up to date with the newest versions; but, you do not want version 1.0 of anything.
A seeming contradiction.
I – myself – would wait a bit on Lion. Until the first patches have been released. Then I would upgrade. And learn the new “productivity enhancements” like “spaces”. Maybe (probably) even buy a “gestures” mouse.
If you are at all curious about Apple’s new operating system, (“The World’s Most Advanced Operating System”) the place to start is to take a look at the official Apple page, here.
Today’s reading reco: Four Things Google Plus Could Do To Fix Google Plus
(There are “big” issues here.. I urge a read.)
“Saturday’s Google Plus user account deletion purge plunged the new social network into a crisis of user trust: the community wants it fixed.” Read more..
“Google+ is not warning users before deleting user accounts, and some people have reported being locked out of all Google services, including docs and Gmail.”
~
Today’s quote: “Joy is a flower that blooms when you do.” ~ Unknown
Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.
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• About Tech Paul
I am a Retired computer & network technician. I used to think the machines were pretty cool. Now I don’t.
They’re anything but.
I regularly posted how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice here starting in 2007. (Use the Search tool to find answers. But be aware, many are rather dated.) Sometimes I answered (your) specific questions in an article if I believed the answer was generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see was my own, typos and all. There always is/was an implied “IMHO” in what you see here.
Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.
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