Outlook dot com?

Folks, two good things to pass along to you today.

* Upgrade Your Hotmail To Outlook.com

“If you are a Microsoft Office user, I am sure you have heard of Microsoft Outlook.  Well today I learned that Microsoft has launched a preview of their new webmail service called Outlook.com.  As a matter of fact if you have a Hotmail account you can get started today using Outlook.com. If you’re a Hotmail […]” Read more..

(And here is a review (with screenshots) http://reviews.cnet.com/e-mail/microsoft-outlook-com-e/4505-3536_7-35404526.html)

* Flex The Muscle of Gmail’s Search Options

“Have you ever noticed that when you use a computer, a software application or just about any tech related device, you only scratch of the surface on how to use these technologies? What I have found, from experience working as a former IT professional and helping others, is that people want to only know the […]” Read more..

* Seems I can download an app if I want to watch the Olympics on my smartphone (or tablet).

Even though I have a nice, four inch screen on my HTC.. I think I’ll pass on that one.. Even if it lowers my “cool”-ness quotient.

Today’s quote: “Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” ~ Mario Andretti

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Kabo wants me to call…

You may not believe me when I tell you this, but..

I have never met, or spoken to, anyone named “Kabo”..

There is much I could say here.

But I think all I am going to say today is, I would have to have my head examined if I considered opening this.

‘Cuz, ya’ know, there has kinda been this email Rule, like, from the very beginning? It goes: If You Don’t Recognize The Sender, Delete It Immediately And Unopened.

And there’s darned good reasons for that Rule: scuzball scammers like this spammer.

Don’t be a victim. Exercise good, healthy, “paranoid common sense” on the Internet. Protecting yourself is your responsibility – not some mythical Internet Police Good Guy force… (Hate to tell you, but there is no such thing.)

Today’s quote:“Continuous, unflagging effort, persistence and determination will win. Let not the man be discouraged who has these.” ~ James Whitcomb Riley

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

What? Another Poll? (And, Nude Olympics)

I thought the Grand Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games was, well… nevermind. I am curious what you all think.

Thank you for your participation.

(Call me a grouchy old curmudgeon if you like, but I will not be watching one minute of the Olympics. I could not possibly care less about them. That’s been true for several decades now..)

Here is the Friday Fun video (a day late):

Today’s quote: “Crystallize your goals. Make a plan for achieving them and set yourself a deadline. Then, with supreme confidence, determination and disregard for obstacles and other people’s criticisms, carry out your plan.” ~ Paul J. Meyer

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Attention Apple Users (And More)

Those of you out there who are iPeople are probably aware that there is a new cat on the scene — OS X 10.8 (code name “Mountain Lion”). Here is some important information to know about Apple’s latest operating system.

Don’t upgrade to OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion before reading this

“It’s tempting to install OS X 10.8 “Mountain Lion” immediately, but to avoid a costly mistake you need to thoroughly check all of your productivity apps to make sure that they’re compatible.” Read more..

New Mac Trojan installs silently, no password required

“A new Mac OS X Trojan referred to as OSX/Crisis silently infects OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and OS X 10.7 Lion. The threat was created in a way that is intended to make reverse engineering more difficult, an added extra that is more common with Windows malware than it is with Mac malware.” Read more..

[note: Just because they say this item is not yet floating around the web does not mean you can not think about having AV (aka “antivirus”) on your devices..]

Important advice there.

In other news: Microsoft says something out loud that should have been said long ago…

Microsoft: Update Java or kill it

“Microsoft is offering advice on how to protect yourself from Java-based malware. The instructions are simple: either update it, disable it, or just uninstall it completely.” Read more..

My advice on that is: uninstall it. If it should prove that some application (aka “program”) you have needs Java to run.. seriously consider uninstalling that, too.

If you are an Über Geek: please participate in my latest poll and help resolve the most pressing question of our time. Star Trek’s Best Captain (Debate Settled)
(And thanks to those of you who have already joined in.)

Another reading reco: Can Microsoft be right about tablets and Apple, Amazon, and Google be wrong?

“If you haven’t realized it yet, Microsoft is trying to do something different in tablets. But, the strategy has three big question marks.” Read more..

(If you’re wondering.. the likelihood is that my first tablet – if I ever go that route – would be a Surface. [I do much more than look at YouTube, is why.])

Today’s quote: “An invincible determination can accomplish almost anything and in this lies the great distinction between great men and little men.” ~ Thomas Fuller

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Star Trek’s Best Captain (Debate Settled)

I believe it is Cosmic Law (or perhaps it’s genetic) that to be a real, honest-to-goodness Techno-Geek, you have to also be a Star Trek fan.

I do not, however, believe that attending Trekkie conventions is considered mandatory. I think doing so merely earns you Merit badges.
(I could be wrong about that.. It might indeed be mandatory.. But, I have never been to one.)

I further believe that you cannot be a real, honest-to-goodness Star Trek fan unless you have given serious consideration to which of the Star Trek series is the best of the bunch.

For some, age may be a factor in determining this vital decision. I say this because I am old enough to remember the days when there was only one Star Trek (which is now known as the “original Star Trek“). It was my “first exposure”. For me, all the other Star Trek‘s were “sequels”. Follow-ons. Pretenders to the throne. (think Weekend At Bernie’s 3.)

When a new Star Trek came out, the natural question was, could it measure up? Could it be as good as the “original”??? Translated into English, this meant (essentially) how did the captain compare to Captain Kirk?
(And.. could it even be named Star Trek without Spock in it?! )

Because James Tiberius Kirk (“Jim” to his friends) was The Man.

(Now, you guys and gals don’t have to write me letters about what I say next, I am simply writing a personal opinion here. One fella’s point of view. No big deal. Really!)

I also believe that Weird Al got it right in his White And Nerdy. For most of us Geeks (um.. oops.. I meant “Star Trek fans”) the only series worthy of being a contender for “better than the original” was Next Generation, and that is only because it had the one captain who gives Kirk a real run for his money: Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

Q: Who’s the better captain – Kirk or Picard?
A: Captain Archer.

I bet I caught a few of you by surprise there.

And, you don’t have to write to tell me that Enterprise was canceled after only 4 seasons. Or that Scott Bakula’s Captain Archer ranks lowest of all the Captains in most opinion polls. Or that most people would rather have Will Riker as their Captain.. I know that. I myself gave up and stopped watching Enterprise before the first season even ended. But, just humor me a moment.

I just finished – thanks to steadfast determination, and dedication – watching my annual Summer Movie Marathon, which this year meant watching all 97 Star Trek Enterprise episodes on Netflix. I decided to give the series a second chance. And I am glad I did. Because I did not like it so much the first go around, and now I do. (Particularly: Commander Shran and Dr. Flox.)

Here’s why I put Archer as my answer to the Captains Debate: of all the Captains, he is the one most like me. (Personality wise.)

But I do not deny that the true, universal, answer is Captain Kirk. Because he is the Captain I most want to be like. (When I grow I up.)

… him, or James Bond.
(Sean Connery.)
(Of course.)

Have a great Wednesday everybody!

(Ha! I should have known. The very first “vote” was for Picard!)

Today’s quote: “The first sign of maturity is the discovery that the volume knob also turns to the left.” ~ Jerry M. Wright

Real Geeks Star Trek fans: Also on Netflix is a short film by William Shatner titled The Captains. He goes around and interviews the actors who played Captain of a starship in the Star Trek sci-fi series.

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

The Internet Defense League

& A Major Bummer – Micro Center Closed! (News)

I have told you that people are waking up to the fact that the Internet is broken, and seriously abused. Here is what may be some good news (for a change).

Mozilla, EFF Help Launch Internet Defense League, a Bat Signal for the Internet”

“A group of civil-liberties organizations, software companies and popular Web sites are launching a new effort called the Internet Defense League that aims to “help Internet users, organizations, and companies fight back whenever online rights are threatened.” Inspired by the collaborative fight against the SOPA bill earlier this year, the new organization counts Mozilla, the EFF, WordPress and Reddit among its charter members.” Read more..

Yes. If you see the “cat signal” shining up onto a cloud, it will be your signal to write a protest letter to your Congressperson.

;-)

Update: I just received an email notifying me that the Santa Clara Micro Center Store (by far and away my fave tech store) closed (without warning) today. No clearance sale either. For the 411, click here..

Apparently, the rent became too high. I sincerely hope that the people involved can resolve this, and prevent this disaster. Please!

Pretty please with sugar on top! Stop the loss of this vital resource!

While I am loathe to promote Facebook in any way, I have been told that the head honchos at Micro Center are monitoring the Micro Center Facebook page. So if you have a FB account, you can leave your comments/pleas there, and be heard. http://www.facebook.com/microcenter

Please excuse me.. I have to go cry now.

Today’s quote: “Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we’re looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn’t test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power.” ~ P. J. O’Rourke

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Sunday Beauty #95

Folks, here is another interesting image for your Sunday.

Click on image to see more from this artist

“Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) in aloe”, by Derek Keats, courtesy of Flickr Commons

Today’s quote: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” ~ Steve Jobs

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.