Ask Joe

Create Your Own Custom Digital Photo Book

2005-04-18T17:15:00.000-04:00

So, you have a great new digital camera and scanner and your hard drive is beginning to fill up with images, but no one ever gets to see them. Why not create a custom coffee-table book and show off your collection?

To create a custom book you can use an online photo service. All you need is some digital images and time (plus a little creativity). Each service requires that you start with a minimum of 20 images.

I recommend starting with 60-80 images to give you different layout options. But be prepared to wait. Uploading that many images could take about an hour–even on a high-speed connection.

Once the images are uploaded, use the templates provided to lay out your book, choose the cover photo, compose a title, and decide the order of the images. After completing the layout, you pay for the book (or books if you choose multiple copies) and choose the recipients.

The books are printed automatically almost as soon as you’ve completed the order. Companies promise delivery of your book within days and the project is saved in your online account should you decide you’d like to go back and order more.

Online Service Companies

There are quite a few services available to consumers on the Internet. The companies I looked at were Shutterfly, Kodak Easy Share Gallery, My Publisher, and Snapfish. Of these services I completed and ordered books from Shutterfly and Kodak Easy Share Gallery.

Shutterfly

Of all the services I sampled Shutterfly was the best. The final product looks great. The images are bright and colorful, and the paper stock used is good quality. Using this service was easy. There are options for auto-layout or you can manually lay out the book page by page. I opted for auto-layout and made changes to fit my needs and taste.

Nine page styles, including “Wedding,” “Baby,” and “Kid,” and a variety of layouts allow up to six pictures per page. What I thought was lacking was the ability to change text fonts or have full pages of text.

Price: $29.99 for ten double-sided pages. Each additional page: $1.99. Check the site for specials –there often seems to be a sale or discount on various services.

Kodak Easy Share Gallery (Formerly Ofoto)

I’ve used Ofoto in the past and have always been happy with the print quality.

Using Kodak's Easy Share Gallery wasn’t quite as easy as Shutterfly, but it wasn’t difficult. The experience I had was similar to Shutterfly except I thought the auto-layout was not as good. So I ended up choosing to manually lay out the entire book.

Again, I had a choice of styles and page layouts. The Easy Share Gallery did have a text page option, which is a nice touch for those wishing to make a family history book.

Price: $29.99-$39.99 (depending on cover material) for ten double-sided pages. Each additional page: $1.99. Again, as with Shutterfly, check the site for specials–it often posts coupon codes for discounts on various services.

The Others

Other services with similar products include MyPublisher and Snapfish. Both of these services seem to be inferior to the two mentioned above. MyPublisher requires you to download software that is a little cumbersome for the beginner to use, and Snapfish has never been known to produce great looking prints.

Create Your Shutterfly Photo Book in 10 Easy Steps

After opening a free Shutterfly account and uploading some images, you can create your book. Just follow these simple steps:

Choose your Photo Book.
Hardcover
Softcover
Choose a color.
Choose a style.
Pick from one of the nine themes, including classic, casual, or elegant.
Select the pictures to be used.
You will choose from photos you have uploaded to your Shutterfly account.
Choose the cover image and enter a title.
Set up the book.
Choose how many pictures you would like on each page of your Photo Book. You can have 1, 2, 4, or a mixed number.
Edit the pages and enter captions.
Preview the book.
Select recipients.
Finalize the order.

Interesting Use of Google Maps

2005-04-11T07:53:00.000-04:00

Google has recently added satellite images to their search services, one site has collected some of the better images and created a tour: http://www.shreddies.org/gmaps/. Check it out, it's pretty cool.

Windows ClearType

2005-04-06T11:18:00.000-04:00

It amazes me how most people are afraid to change things in their personal preferences and settings when using computers. I guess they are afraid to break it. DON'T BE!

By taking 3 easy steps Windows XP users can see things more clearly. ClearType makes fonts look smoother and easier to read on your screen—especially if you have an LCD Monitor. CRT monitors will see some improvement though not as much as LCDs but it should still be done.

Here is a link to the directions on the Micorosoft website.

PostSecret

2005-04-04T20:56:00.000-04:00

A friend shared a link with me recently—it was PostSecret. I really enjoyed the site so I thought I'd pass along the link.

It seems as a society we are becoming more and more voyeuristic. Reality TV, Blogs, Podcasts, they're all a way for us to look into someone else private life. The idea behind PostSecret is like that. Visitors are invited to anonymously contribute their secrets to PostSecret. Each secret can be a regret, hope, ,experience, unseen kindness, belief, fear, betrayal, desire, feeling, confession, or childhood humiliation. The secrets are shared on 4-inch by 6-inch postcards and mailed to the site.

Enjoy.

The Choice Between LCD and CRT Monitors

2005-04-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Why choose LCD over CRT Monitors?

As technology improves and prices come down, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors are rapidly been replacing CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors on desktops around the world. It was first thought that LCD sales would surpass CRT sales for the first time in 2003. Though that didn’t happen in then it was reported to be true for the first time in the third quarter of 2004 according to Display Search, a flat panel display market research and consulting company.

There are several pros and cons to consider, and a few items will be considered in this column, such as: Price, Size, Image Quality, Energy Consumption, Health and Comfort, and Response Times.

Price

The price of LCD monitors is much lower than a few years (or even months) ago, but still far exceeds the price of a comparable CRT monitor. For example, in early 2003, a Viewsonic VA-720 17” LCD monitor cost $600. That the same model now sells for less than $300. A significant price drop, but in comparison a 17” Viewsonic CRT monitor can currently be purchased for less than $100. The ratio of prices may have narrowed from about 5:1 to 3:1, but the aging technology of the CRT still allows it to be offered at a lower price.

Size

One reason that LCDs have gained in popularity is because of their small foot print. The overall size and weight of CRT monitors is much greater than LCD monitors. CRTs share the same image processing technology with tube televisions, and therefore share the same bulky style of housing. For example, Acer’s Website lists a 19” LCD monitor as having a depth of a mere 6.9” (including the base) and a weight of 12.1 pounds. A 19” Acer CRT is significantly larger with a depth of 16.86” and a hefty weight of 46.31 pounds.

Desktop real estate is precious, and an LCD will require only a fraction of the depth that a CRT does. And, if there isn’t even enough room on your desk for a slim LCD monitor, the low weight makes them perfectly adaptable to be hung on the wall.

Image Quality

Image quality is generally considered to be better on an LCD, as each pixel is generated by a specific set of transistors in the screen, which produces a crisp image. However, some features that fall under the general heading of image quality might not favor an LCD, including viewing angle, brightness, and contrast.

Early LCD monitors had a fairly narrow viewing angle that made clearly seeing the screen from anywhere but directly in front of it difficult. This has vastly improved, but LCDs still can’t rival the viewing angle of CRTs which provide the same picture quality regardless of the angle. A monitor with a maximum vertical viewing angle of 120 degrees should not be hard to find at this point, with many monitors now being able to provide an even greater angle.

Brightness is an area that LCD monitors have the edge over CRTs, but it varies widely from unit to unit. The standard measure for brightness is referred to as “nits”, which have units of cd/m2 (candelas per square meter), where a higher number is better. Most LCDs currently available will provide a brightness specification of approximately 250 cd/m2 or better. As a comparison, the typical CRT monitor provides half the brightness of an LCD, as confirmed at Viewsonic’s Monitor University.

Contrast is similar to brightness in the fact that it varies widely from unit to unit. All LCD screens get their brightness from backlighting behind the actual LCD films. This light has the tendency to wash out the colors and provide a close approximation on most colors. The contrast ratio of a LCD flat panel is the rating of how distinguishable various shades of color are. The higher the contrast ratio of the screen, the better the color representation is by the monitor. Contrast ratios are one aspect of image quality where CRTs still have a slight advantage; but, you will find that LCDs with a contrast ratio of 400:1 or better, will give you an excellent image.

Energy Consumption

LCD monitors definitely hold the edge over CRT monitors when it comes to being energy efficient. The huge tube in a CRT monitor is the source of most of its energy consumption, and a comparably sized LCD may use just a fraction of the electricity. Taking a look at an average 19” LCD monitor shows that it consumes 48 Watts during normal operation, which is less than your typical light bulb. In contrast, a 19” CRT such as this one from Viewsonic may draw up to 160 Watts. This could translate to noticeable savings on your electric bill.

Health and Comfort

The main benefit that LCDs have when is the reduced strain on your eyes. The reduced glare on the screen’s surface, and the elimination of a typical CRT’s “refresh”, can prevent your eyes from getting tired from extended use. A CRT monitor redraws the image on the entire screen as it refreshes, whereas an LCD monitor only changes the necessary pixels during a refresh.

There may also be the unquantifiable effect of reduced electromagnetic emissions on LCD monitors. The exact impact of electromagnetic emissions may not be fully understood, but in general less is considered to better. And, your back will appreciate an LCD when it comes time to move, as the example above shows a 19” LCD monitor weighs about ¼ as much as its CRT counterpart.

Response Times

LCD monitor response times have greatly improved over the past few years, and many LCDs are now fast enough to consider for serious 3D gaming. A few years ago a typical response time on an LCD may have been anywhere from 30 to 50 milliseconds, and today these numbers can get down into the single digits, with anything 25 milliseconds or less being quite common (lower is definitely better). Typical response times of 16ms to 25ms are what can be expected in most LCDs available today.

Final Words

In addition to some of the positives mentioned, many LCD monitors now incorporate other features to make them more practical and even fun. LCD monitors can now be found with integrated USB hubs, stereo speakers, and TV tuners, and for the right price HDTV is even an option.

LCD monitors will continue to replace CRTs as they become less expensive and the many benefits are realized by consumers.

I don't talk about Macs enough

2005-03-24T16:06:00.000-05:00

I feel like I need to clear the air a bit with my Mac friends. Many of them accuse me of being anit-Mac or Pro-Microsoft. The fact of the matter is I was a serious Mac Addict until about 5 years ago. Then some things changed --mainly OS9 to OS X.

I never really had a chance to get used to OS X. I used it while it was in beta, then during that time I switched jobs. With that switch I found I needed a PC at home rather than the Mac because of the nature of the Web programming I was doing.

Well, I've been considering getting a Mac again recently. I'm not sure if or when I will, or even what I'll get, but I'll be sure to keep up with it here on this blog.

With all of that out of the way, the real reason I wanted to talk about Macs was because I feel like Mac users need a WARNING! Many Mac addicts operate under the assumption that they are immune from the daily attacks that PC users find themselves subjected to. That simply is not the case. Macs, for the most part, have been safe but I wouldn't attribute that to any kind of immmunity. Instead I'd say that they've been lucky because most virus writers (or script kiddies) are looking for the big score. Yes, I said "Virus Writers" and not "Hackers". I don't think Hackers are always bad, but that should be taken up in another entry.

I'm not saying that this report is right and Mac users everywhere should panic. I just think it's time for them to wake up and be aware of what could possibly come as cheaper Macs (the Mac mini) become more commonplace.

Windows AntiSpyware

2005-03-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

I’m beginning to lose count of how many times I mention adware and spyware in this column. Everyone with a computer should know by now they need to prevent this unwanted privacy-invading software.

Well, good news for Windows users. Microsoft is getting into the game and the hope is that they will make it part of Windows Update. You’ll have to download it yourself for now from the Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) site.

Microsoft wasted little time releasing the new software after buying anti-spyware vendor Giant Software Company back in mid-December. Microsoft is also offering a new tool to remove malicious programs.

Spyware/adware refers to programs that perform certain tasks on your computer, typically without your consent. This may include giving you advertising or collecting personal information about you.

To the Rescue

Windows AntiSpyware is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed. This helps reduce negative effects caused by spyware, including slow PC performance, annoying pop-up ads, unwanted changes to Internet settings, and unauthorized use of your private information. Continuous protection improves Internet-browsing safety by guarding over 50 ways spyware can enter your PC.

Windows AntiSpyware is available for most Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows 2003 Server installations. In addition to using standard anti-spyware definition files, Windows AntiSpyware also uses "SpyNet" to gather information on new threats as they spread across the Internet.

SpyNet’s Role

SpyNet is a voluntary worldwide community of Windows AntiSpyware users who play a key role in determining which suspicious programs are classified as spyware. Any user can choose to join SpyNet and report potential spyware to Microsoft.

Users participating in the global SpyNet network help to discover new threats quickly so everyone is better protected. Signatures are created for programs that are identified as spyware and made available to all users.

This Microsoft download is the first time many users will see the "Validate Windows" option. The validation process "enables you to verify that your copy of Windows is genuine," and while doing so is optional at this time, it is expected that Microsoft will eventually require this validation for all computers.

You may choose not to validate your Windows and still obtain your requested download. However, validating now will enable faster access to the Download Center in the future when validation may be required. After successful validation, a Microsoft Windows Download Key will be stored on your system for future use.

If you are wondering how this program compares to packages like Ad Aware and SpyBot Search and Destroy, early results are good. Windows AntiSpyware seems to be catching all the right things, and is even outperforming the others in some cases.

So jump online and download your free copy if you haven’t done so already.

Stop Hackers!

2005-02-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Just about everyone with a computer connected to the Internet is concerned about hackers, privacy, and security. If you aren’t, you should be.

I constantly answer questions about Spyware/Adware removal, firewalls, and anti-virus protection, so I thought it would be a good idea to put together a list of things every user can, and should, do.

If you are not using a router with built-in firewall protection, get a software firewall program. A firewall won't only stop hackers trying to get in but will also halt suspicious programs already on your PC from trying to send information out over the Internet. One I always recommend is ZoneAlarm. It is a free utility from Zone Labs, available at www.zonelabs.com.

If you have a broadband connection or a home network, make sure your modem or router (a common piece of networking gear) is equipped with a feature called NAT, or Network Address Translation.

This technology makes it harder for criminals on the Internet to find your computers. Even if you have NAT, however, it is still a good idea to have a software firewall program, because NAT doesn't block every attack.

The Cure for Viruses

You must run a strong anti-virus program, and keep it updated, even if updates cost money. I recommend Norton Anti-Virus. It's very effective, and its automatic update system is one of the best ever tested.

Stop Spyware/Adware

Since anti-virus programs don't attack Spyware, you will need to run, and keep updating, a separate piece of software called an anti-Spyware program. I recommend Spy Sweeper from Webroot software, at http://www.webroot.com/, or Adaware from Lavasoft, at http://www.lavasoftusa.com/.

Like an anti-virus program, it not only detects and removes Spyware already on your PC but also watches for, and blocks, new Spyware.

Don’t Get Caught by the ‘Phishermen’

Phishing attacks use “spoofed” e-mails and fraudulent websites designed to fool recipients into divulging personal financial data such as credit card numbers, account usernames and passwords, social security numbers, etc.

By hijacking the trusted brands of well-known banks, online retailers, and credit card companies, phishers are able to convince up to 5 percent of recipients to respond to them.

Get Anti-Spam Protection

I know of no anti-spam software that is perfect, but one of the best is MailFrontier Desktop, available at www.mailfrontier.com. MailFrontier Desktop provides the best anti-spam and anti-phishing solution for the individual user.

If you're really fed up, you can turn on the "challenge" feature in this program, which forces unknown senders to pass a simple test that baffles the mass-mailing software spammers use.

Browse the Web Safely

If you are leery of Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser, which has a history of security breaches, you may want to try an alternative. I recommend Mozilla Firefox, which is free at http://www.mozilla.org/. It's not only more secure but also more modern and advanced, with tabbed browsing, which allows multiple pages to be open on one screen, and a better pop-up ad blocker than the one Microsoft recently added to its browser.

Be Careful

Don’t download software from the Web unless you know what it is and that you want and need it. If a website says you need some special plug-in to view things, be very wary. Common viewer software, like that from Real Networks, Apple, or Macromedia, should be obtained from those companies' official websites.

Stay Current

You should install Microsoft's new SP2 update, which improves Windows. And you should install all the "critical updates" Microsoft issues for Windows.

Cutting the Cord

2005-01-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

In November, I discussed wireless routers and how you can free yourself of cables with a wireless device. This opened a flood of questions to my inbox asking if there was a way to cut the cord even further.

The Problem

Home offices have become cluttered. There is a maze of wires from computers to peripherals everywhere. There are cords from the printer, the scanner, monitor, mouse, and keyboard. There are cords everywhere you look. They attach to the power outlets in the wall and they attach to the computer.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough! It would take two NASA scientists three days to untangle the mess of cords around most desks.

The Solution –Bluetooth

There is another way. We don’t have to put up with the tangle of cords any longer. The solution is Bluetooth wireless technology. You can pair your computer with Bluetooth enabled wireless devices such as a keyboard, mouse, or printer and enjoy the freedom of a life without cables.
There is one catch. Your computer must be Bluetooth compatible. Don’t worry, this part is easy. Many new computers, both PCs and Macs, are now coming with Bluetooth built-in.

The good news is, if you don’t have a new Bluetooth-compatible computer, it is very easy to install. You can get a device (a small dongle) that plugs into a USB port that acts as your Bluetooth antenna. Once plugged in, simply install any software that came with the device and you’re ready to go.

What Is It and How Does It Work?

Bluetooth is a standard developed by a group of electronics manufacturers that allows any type of electronic equipment —from computers and cell phones to keyboards and headphones —to make its own connections without wires, cables or any direct action from a user.

Bluetooth is a radio-frequency standard. Bluetooth communicates on a frequency of 2.45 gigahertz, which has been set aside by international agreement for the use of industrial, scientific, and medical devices.

Bluetooth is intended to get around the problems that come with both infrared and cable synchronizing systems. The hardware vendors, which include Siemens, Intel, Toshiba, Motorola and Ericsson, have developed a specification for a very small radio module to be built into computer, telephone, and entertainment equipment. From the user's point of view, there are three important features to Bluetooth:

It is wireless. When you travel, you don't have to worry about keeping track of a briefcase full of cables to attach all of your components, and you can design your office without wondering where all the wires will go.
It is inexpensive.
You don't have to think about it. Bluetooth doesn't require you to do anything special to make it work. The devices find one another and strike up a conversation without any user input at all.

So to get rid of all those cords all you need to do is get two Bluetooth devices in the same room and allow them to talk to each other.

2004’s Hottest Video Games

2004-12-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

With the holidays approaching, parents and grandparents are faced with the daunting task of trying to buy that cool, yet appropriate, gift. This year you no longer need to stress over the decision. I’ve assembled a list of this season’s hottest video games. How’s that for cool?

By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll have the kids and grandkids convinced you know as much about the hottest games on the shelves as they do.

With so many good games out there, selecting the best of the best was no easy task. But after careful consideration, I’ve decided on the top choices among recently released titles.

This Season’s Titles

Activision is showcasing a video game line-up that is sure to bring holiday cheer to every member of the family. Games based on high-profile movies include DreamWorks’ Shrek 2; DreamWorks’ Shark Tale; and Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, and Nickelodeon Movies’ highly anticipated Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Activision also offers popular titles such as id Software’s Doom3, The Creative Assembly’s Rome: Total War, Tony Hawk’s Underground 2, Call of Duty: Finest Hour, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, and X-Men Legends.

Atari’s line-up this season includes Unreal Tournament 2004, Godzilla: Save The Earth, Roller Coaster Tycoon 3, Sid Meier’s Pirates!, In-Fisherman, Axis & Allies, Scrabble, plus two retro gaming packages sure to blow away any old school gamers: The Atari Flashback and Anthology.

EA Sports has all of your sports games covered with popular franchises like Madden NFL 2005, MVP Baseball 2004, NHL 2005, NBA LIVE 2005, NCAA Football 2005, and NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup.

My Top Picks

Must-Have Games for the PC

Battlefield Vietnam, Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon, Call of Duty, City of Heroes, Far Cry, Ground Control II: Operation Exodus, Doom 3, and Unreal Tournament 2004.
The last two—Doom 3 and Unreal Tournament—are my favorites, but parents and grandparents be warned they are both intended for mature audiences because of the level of violence.

The Unreal Tournament series has helped define the multiplayer shooter. With the release of the 2004 version, the finetuning continues—Epic Games has introduced new elements and reinstated some old favorites.

The Onslaught mode is the clear favorite. Its mechanics are perhaps the most sensibly designed in the genre, giving you access to the controls of the 12 air and ground vehicles. With the popular mission-based Assault mode returning to join eight other game types, you’ll find more to do in Unreal Tournament 2004 than in any two or three other titles.

The highly anticipated release of Doom3 isn’t a sequel so much as it is a reenvisioning of the original 1993 classic: a teleportation experiment on a Martian military base goes awry, unleashing an army of undead creatures from hell. The photo- realistic images and real-time shadowing add an element of survival horror that the cartoonish graphics of the original could never hope to achieve.

The only thing scarier than the game’s demonic enemies are the system requirements: to play this game in its full, maxed-out glory, you’ll need a high-end PC with a bleeding-edge graphics card—potentially $500 for the card alone.

Doom3 has been taken to a whole new level and the Doom Universe is mind-boggling.

Xbox Favorites

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, Colin McRae Rally 04, Deus Ex: Invisible War, ESPN NFL 2K5, Grand Theft Auto double pack, Madden NFL 2005, and MLB SlugFest: Loaded.

Pushing the limits of the Xbox hardware is Halo2. This title expands on everything that made the original game great, plus it adds a wealth of technological and game play advances.

Graphics are significantly improved; the AI (artificial intelligence) is enhanced; destructible and interactive environments, plus an advanced real-time lighting engine are just a small part of Halo 2’s evolution of design and technology. Every improvement in Halo 2 is designed to takegame play to a new level, and in the end, tell a better story.

PlayStation 2 Favorites

Champions of Norrath, ESPN NFL 2K5, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly, Madden NFL 2005, Manhunt, Maximo vs. Army of Zin, Shark Tale, and the Mega Man Anniversary Collection.

In addition to serving up the same great presentation and game play the Madden series is known for, the 2005 edition adds an explosive new feature on defense: the Hit Stick. This is similar to using the huge cross-checks in EA’s popular NHL Hockey games. Hit the right thumb pad as you approach the ball carrier, and your player will lower his shoulder pads and go for the knockout.

You’re also given more control of your defensive strategy before the snap; you can make individual changes such as sending a linebacker on a blitz or moving a safety up into a flat zone. Be quick about it, though, the offensive team won’t wait for you to run through a series of adjustments.

True Madden diehards can opt for the more expensive Collector’s Edition (a PS2 exclusive), which includes trivia challenges; video features; and three earlier, fully playable iterations for old-school gridiron action.

DreamWorks’ Shark Tale allows gamers to experience the fun and adventure of the DreamWorks’ movie by assuming the role of Oscar, a fast-talking little fish working his way up the food chain, who becomes an unlikely hero as he searches for an easy path to fame and fortune.

Players undertake more than 25 adventure-packed missions set in their favorite film locations and new environments exclusive to the game.

Shark Tale does not quite play like a full-fledged game; it is more a collection of mini-games. I would recommend it for kids who love the movie or enjoy the short mini-games.

A Retro Gamer’s Dream

With the Atari Flashback Classic Game Console, you can play 20 of the most popular video games of the ‘80s. The games were groundbreaking back then, and are still as fun as ever. The flashback includes 15 Classic Atari 2600 Games and 5 Advanced 7800 Games. Bounce off the walls in Breakout. Shoot through the chaos of Centipede. Hit hyperspace at just the right time in Asteroids. Do it all again, with legendary games that set the standard for video game consoles. This one is definitely at the top of my list.

Game Ratings

Before picking up any of these titles, be sure to check the box for the game’s rating by The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The ESRB rating system helps consumers choose the games that are right for their families. The ESRB has rated more than 10,000 games since 1994, and more than 350 publishers have submitted products to the ESRB for ratings.

Wireless Routers

2004-11-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Last month I talked about firewalls and in the article I mentioned that many home devices such as routers have built-in firewalls. One of the devices gaining in popularity is the wireless router.

What Is It?

A wireless router allows sharing of a single Internet connection and other resources with Ethernet-wired and wireless clients. It also gives us the benefit of a built-in firewall. These devices are generally used to share your high-speed cable or DSL connections with other computers in your home.

How Does It Work?

802.11b is the IEEE standard for WLAN (wireless local area networks). It is most commonly referred to as “Wi-Fi,” or if you are on a Mac, it’s Apple’s Airport.

802.11b networks can achieve a maximum data rate of 11 Mbps at distances up to approximately 300 feet. 802.11b is the set of protocols that allows a wireless router to talk with wireless devices. With a wireless access point (or wireless router) and a computer or other device with wireless capabilities, you would be able to send data between the devices or anything connected to the network–all without the need for a network jack and cable.

Freedom

For a geek (or any geek at heart), nothing beats grabbing a laptop or other wireless-enabled device and heading out to show off how you can be connected to the world without being tangled up by wires.

When I feel the need to get outdoors but still have too much work to do (for example, writing this column which is already a day late), I grab my favorite frosty beverage and head outside to my deck where I can sit in peace and discuss the joys of wireless networking.

It’s great being able to be connected to the Internet while not having to be tangled up in a maze of wires. I can sit outside (or anywhere in and around my house) and still be connected to my home network and the Internet.

Security

Yes, there are security risks. As with any network or computer connected to the Internet, you are open to “attacks.” But if executed correctly, there isn’t much to worry about. Let’s not forget there are security benefits as well.

The best thing to do to keep your network secure is to take the steps outlined in your owner’s manual. If you fail to secure the network, anyone with a wireless device could potentially use your bandwidth or gain access to the files located on any devices connected to your network.

These steps include:

Enabling WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol)
Changing the default user name and password
Changing the SSID
Setting up the MAC Address Filtering
Don’t worry, these are quick and easy steps and will be outlined in your owner’s manual, or available on the manufacturer’s website.

What Do I Need?

It’s simple. All you need is the wireless router, a wireless-enabled device such as a laptop, Pocket PC, or other enabled appliance, and some time to set things up. Trust me on this one–it’s much easier to set up a wireless router than to run wires through your house (and certainly less expensive than having someone else do it).

My favorite brands for home wireless devices are Linksys and D-Link. I’ve used both and can vouch for their reliability and ease of use.

Firewalls

2004-10-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Security…everyone is concerned about it. What can you do?

If you’re connected to the Internet, then it’s simple. You should run a firewall.

A firewall is a system designed to protect a computer network from unauthorized access, especially via the Internet. It is a system, or combination of systems, that enforces a boundary between two or more networks. So basically, a firewall is a barrier to keep destructive forces away from your computer and files.

What the Firewall Does

The firewall is simply a program or piece of hardware that filters the information coming through the network. Let’s say you’re connected to a corporate network like the one here at Erickson. There may be rules set on the firewall that say, out of the 500 computers inside this company, only one is permitted to receive public FTP (file transfer protocol) traffic, allowing FTP connections only to that one computer and preventing them on all others.

A company can set up rules like this for FTP servers, Web servers, Telnet servers, and so on. In addition, the company can control how employees connect to websites, whether files are allowed to leave the company over the network, and so on.

The same principles apply to the home user. You may decide to run a Web server on that high speed connection of yours. If you do, a firewall is a must. Just like in the corporate network you can direct the right kind of traffic to the right place.

Protection From Hackers

There are many ways crafty hackers can gain access or abuse unprotected computers:

Remote login
Application
SMTP session
Operating system
Denial of service
E-mail bombs
Macros
Viruses
Spam
Redirect bombs
Source routing

You can stop hackers cold in their tracks. A properly configured firewall will block these attempts without any problem.

Complicated? Not Really

I know all of this sounds very complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. There are several very good consumer options available that don’t break the bank, or take a whiz kid to install.

Hardware firewalls are incredibly secure and not very expensive. Home versions that include a router, a firewall, and an Ethernet hub for broadband connections can be found for well under $100. Another option is a software firewall. It can be installed on a computer in your home that has an Internet connection.

If you are running either Windows XP, or Mac OS X, there are even built-in firewalls –simply type Firewall into the help search on either system. From your search results you will find instructions to activate it.

Senoir Health Sites

2004-09-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

In this column I generally address issues concerning your computer’s health. But did you know that there are many things you can do with your computer to keep yourself happy and healthy?

For example, last month I talked about online gaming—something that definitely keeps me happy—but what about keeping physically fit?

With an Internet connection it is easy to gain access to any kind of information you want. Typically, some of the most overlooked websites have been health sites. But that’s changing.

Visits to health and medical websites are up. According to Hitwise, which monitors Internet use, 27 percent of Internet users clicked on to a health site in May, compared with 19 percent one year ago.

Surveys show that consumers are doing a pretty good job of finding credible health information on the Web, but there is a lot more that goes ignored.

Here is a list of some excellent health sites that often get overlooked.

www.MedlinePlus.gov
This site is full of useful and credible information. It is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and its National Library of Medicine. The site is the world’s largest medical library.
www.YourDiseaseRisk.Harvard.edu
This site helps assess risks for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and osteoporosis. The risk assessment questionnaires were designed and reviewed by experts at the Harvard School of Public Health.
www.MayoClinic.com
“Reliable information for a healthier life” is the tagline on this site produced by the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. The site is a smorgesboard of timely health-related topics, quizzes you can take, health tips, recipes, free e-newsletter, and “Ask a Specialist.”
www.HealthWeb.org
A one-stop shop for non-commercial health sites, HealthWeb.org is sponsored by the National Library of Medicine. If a site appears in the list on this site you know that it has been evaluated by one of more than two dozen medical libraries that support the site.

In addition to the site listed here, there are hundreds of other useful health sites on the Web. Many provide valuable information, while others may have information that is unreliable or misleading.

If you find one you like, be sure to evaluate its content and credibility. The National Cancer Institute offers a short guide on how to do this at their Website.

Ready to Have Some Fun?

2004-08-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Over the past few months I’ve shown you how to help keep your computer happy and healthy. Now that all that work is done—and your computer thanks you for it— it’s time to have some fun!

Not Just for Kids

There are 82.5 million people who frequently enjoy online gaming, and 17 percent of these people are over the age of 55. Many older Americans are finding their way into online gaming, and they are meeting new people and having lots of fun. Roger of Connecticut says, “I find that gaming can be for people of all ages and that it’s really cool to show the younger players that gaming doesn't practice age discrimination.”

I often play a game online with Roger called “Unreal Tournament.” His zany antics and funny screen name first led me to believe that he was a teenager. Roger handed me many defeats and I admit that I felt much better knowing I wasn’t getting beaten by a teenager. The two of us have become great online gaming buddies and that is one of the reasons many people begin playing online in the first place.

Types of Games

Some of the most popular games on the Internet are your old favorites adapted to the Web. Gin, poker, spades and bridge are just a few of the thousands of games on the Internet that you can play with friends, family, or with complete strangers sitting in front of their computers in Tangiers.

Where to Play?

There are many ways to get online and play games. Some store-bought games include free online gaming features built in. Some games are subscription based, and many are available free over the Web. These sites include the MSN gaming zone, Yahoo games, and POGO by Electronic Arts. Any of these services will have thousands of people just like you playing online at any given time.

More About the Culture

If you are interested in learning about the experiences of online gamers, Dorothy Rosencrans has written a book called, Playing Around:My Adventures on the Zone.Com.

There are millions of people on the Web playing games. One example is Ruth Lyon, a 66-year-old retired nurse in Michigan. Every night instead of watching re-runs on television, she sits down in front of her computer for a few hours to play euchre with her son in California and her daughter in Ohio. Ruth also finds online gaming a convenient way to meet interesting people, and make new friends. “It’s amazing how many older people are doing this,” she says.

I Hope to See You Online!

So now that your computer is purring along and you are looking for more to do than just sending e-mail to family and friends, why not put it to work gaming online? Log on to one of the many online gaming sites or get out there to your local software vendor and pick up that game that all the kids are looking at on the shelf. Then, show them how it’s done.

Reinventing the Printing Press for the 21 st Century

2004-07-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Weblogs and “Blogging”

Some of the most popular online activities are data gathering, research, “blogging,” and Web surfing to explore new and different sites. We are all familiar with using the Web to gather information about products and services so we can make informed decisions. Businesses use the Internet to do research for work, students use it to do research for school, and we’ve all done some Web surfing.

However, blogging may be a new term unless you are doing it. Blog is a shortened version of “weblog.” Weblogs are personal journals kept online by groups like Slashdot.org. They are freeform journals about nearly any topic imaginable. There are Web sites packed with links and ideas and users making arguments that used to solely belong to the established news outlets. If a topic exists, there is probably a blog out there to cover it.

Blogs Are Personal

They accomplish things that the Web magazine sites can not. Most of them are alive with the temperament of the writer. Their personal touch is much more in tune with our current sensibilities than were the opinionated magazines and newspapers of old. Readers know that the large news sources are no more inherently trustworthy than a lone blogger who has earned the reader's respect. Just because a large news organization has a grand-sounding name and a large staff, it does not mean that they are above reproach. The recent Jayson Blair scandal at the New York Times is an example that comes to mind.

Reinventing Publishing

For as long as journalism has existed, writers of whatever kind have had one route to readers: They needed an editor and a publisher. Blogging has changed all of that. It has unleashed a publishing revolution more profound than anything since the printing press. You no longer need an agent, a publisher, or even paper! All you need is an idea, a computer and access to the internet.

It’s Free!

Think about it. You can visit www.Blogger.com (where this blog is published) and establish an online presence. Then publish your thoughts, get feedback from readers, and interact with people from all parts of the world –for free. Why not take those daily musings and sell your first book through print-on-demand technology direct from your Web site? Why should established writers go to newspapers and magazines to get an essay published, when they can simply write it themselves, convert it (using free Adobe Acrobat™ software) into a PDF file, and charge a few bucks per download? Blogging could be to words what file sharing was to music. Give it a try and let me know how it’s going.

“Burn, Baby, Burn”

2004-06-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Do you want to make a back-up, or “burn” a copy of your important documents? Have you ever wanted to put your digital photos on a disk to share with your friends and family? Are you worried about security and want to back up your hard drive? Would you like to get rid of all those floppy disks you have lying around?

You can now copy hundreds of megabytes of data onto a single Compact Disc (CD) or Digital Video Disc (DVD), and it is a lot easier than you think. New CD and DVD writing drives and software are getting more affordable.

Advantages of CD-RW (Rewritable)

CD-RW drives retain two distinct advantages over even the highest-end DVD multiformat drives. First and most importantly, they cost significantly less. The second advantage is speed—CD-RW drives can record on CD-R media at 52X and rewrite on CD-RW at 32X, while state-of-the-art DVD drives max out at 40X and 24X, respectively. This means that CD-Rs can be up to twice as fast as DVDRs.

Advantages of DVDs

Being able to record DVDs on a personal computer has some distinct advantages. DVD media can hold more than seven times the information of a standard compact disc.

DVDs look identical to the CD, and are single- or double-sided. Each side may contain a second layer that further extends the storage capacity of the disc. Current DVD standards have settled on a format allowing up to 4.7 gigabytes of data storage per side (single layer).

Recordable DVDs match this storage size, but differ in terms of how they go about achieving it. The two forms of recordable DVD media currently available are called DVD+RW (DVD "plus" RW) and DVD-RW (DVD "dash" RW). Multi-format DVD burners are your best defense against confusing recordable media standards.

Burning Speeds

CD-burners feature three numbers, each of which is followed by an "X." These numbers represent the write, rewrite, and read speeds (in that order). So, a 24X10X40X burner writes data at a speed of 24X, rewrites data at a speed of 10X, and reads data at a speed of 40X.

DVD recording speed terminology differs significantly from CD speed ratings. A CD recorder burning at 1x is recording data at .15 MBps. DVDs also use an "x" speed rating with 1x being equal to 1.39 MBps. Currently the top speed for DVD burners is 8X.

Which to Choose

The typical CD-RW or DVD-R drive connects to your computer using the IDE channel on your motherboard. This means it's installed inside your PC's case.

You also have three other options available for connecting a drive to your computer externally: USB, FireWire, and SCSI.

You don't have to open your computer's case to install a USB burner. It plugs directly into the USB slot on the back or front of your PC. FireWire and SCSI require either a FireWire card or a SCSI card installed if the ports aren't available on your computer.

Despite the continuing surge in DVD drive sales, I think that fast, inexpensive CD-RW burners have some life left in them—at least until the price of DVD burners and media comes down. If you're not ready to take on the exorbitant price of burning DVDs, don't buy a DVD burner. A cheap and speedy CD-RW is still the best deal around.

Hijacked Browsers

2004-05-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Recently I have received numerous e-mails regarding “Hijacked Browsers.” Users open their Web browser of choice and are taken to pages they never requested. Pop-up windows open and there is seemingly nothing they can do about it, even resetting the Home Page in the browser settings is useless. It is usually at this point when I recommend installing and running software to remove the culprit. What is the cause of these troubles? Spyware.

The Problem

Spyware is a general term used to describe a program that surreptitiously monitors your actions. While they are sometimes sinister, like a remote control program used by a hacker, software companies have been known to use spyware to gather data about customers. The practice is generally frowned upon. Similar to spyware, is software known as "adware". It is a hidden software program that transmits user information via the Internet to advertisers in exchange for free downloaded software. While not necessarily malicious, adware is considered to go beyond the reasonable advertising that one might expect from freeware or shareware. Typically a separate program that is installed at the same time as a shareware or similar program, adware will usually continue to generate advertising even when the user is not running the originally desired program. In addition to spying on you and putting security and privacy at risk, these programs can affect the performance of your PC causing it to become sluggish and consume your Internet bandwidth.

So what can you do to protect yourself?

There are several things you should do to keep your computer and personal information safe.

The first and most important thing to do is to read agreements for software you download and install. Often Spyware comes bundled with other applications such as file-sharing software or free screensavers. Many of us are eager for the new software and get excited, causing us to click the “I Agree” button without reading. Then we end up with something we didn’t bargain for.
The second thing you should do is run a pop-up blocker. My favorite is the Google Toolbar. In addition to some other great features it blocks pop-up ads and will only allow pop-up windows that you request. You can download it for free from Google at http://toolbar.google.com/.
The third thing anyone concerned with Adware and/or Spyware should do is to install and run software to clean it off of your computer. There are 3 that I recommend and have used personally: Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/), Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/) and Spysweeper (http://www.webroot.com/).
Finally, just as I mentioned in a previous article about Internet security and viruses, we should all be protected by a firewall. That article was published in January of this year and is still available online.

If you pay attention to your software agreements and follow these steps, Spyware should become a managable concern.

What is Broadband and do I really need it?

2004-04-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

There is a dizzying array of ways to connect to the Internet these days. From the tried and true 56k modem to the prohibitively expensive satellite uplink, we keep searching for more and faster ways to surf the web.

The three most common ways to cruise the information superhighway are dial-up modems, DSL (digital subscriber line), and now Broadband.

First, some definitions:

Modem - A device for transmitting usually digital data over telephone wires by modulating the data into an audio signal to send it and demodulating an audio signal into data to receive it. You connect to the Internet through your modem.
Bandwidth - The amount of data that can be passed along a communications channel in a given period of time.
Broadband - A transmission medium capable of supporting a wide range of frequencies, typically from audio up to video frequencies.
DSL – Digital subscriber line. A type of modem.
Dial-up – A connection to a data network over a standard phone line.
56k Modem – The standard computer modem that you plug a phone line into. The modem transfers data at 56 kilobits per second, or 56,000 bits per second.

The basic modem that comes with almost all new computers is called a dial-up, or 56kbps modem. It is the oldest type of the three and the slowest. You connect this modem to the Internet by plugging a regular phone line into the port in the back of the modem.

DSL—Little Work, Lots of Speed

The DSL modem works on the same line as the 56 kbps modem, but it uses a larger portion of the bandwidth. A DSL modem is normally provided free when you buy DSL service from your phone provider.

DSL modems typically don’t need any additional wiring; they use the phone lines you already have. While DSL service is normally about three times faster than regular dial-up, it gets slower the farther away you are from the provider’s central office.

Cable—The Ferrari of Modems

Cable modems are the Internet connection provided by a cable TV operator, typically with at least 1.5 Mbits (1.5 million bits) per second of download bandwidth. A cable modem can be used to achieve extremely fast access to the World Wide Web (50-100 times faster than modems that work over normal telephone lines).

Unlike the typical cable system—where TV signals can only be broadcast to the home—information is transmitted in both directions. Cable modems require a little more set-up time—an external modem is connected to your computer via a special cable called a CAT-5, or Ethernet cable.

Most people use a 56kbps modem to connect to the Internet. This speed is fine for reading e-mails and online news. But you need higher speeds to download large files, like video or audio clips. For example, on some news websites you can view video broadcasts like you would see on your television. With a dial-up modem, downloading this file can take minutes to hours, but with cable or DSL, it will take only seconds.

“Cookies” Are Not Just for Dipping in Milk

2004-03-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

At some point in your navigation of the World Wide Web you have encountered sites that ask or sometimes even require you to accept a cookie from them. You probably said to yourself “I like cookies, but what the heck are they talking about?” Well, sit back with a glass of milk, a couple of Oreo cookies , and dig into this month's column.

Cookies are files containing data passed from websites, so that websites can communicate with this file when the same user returns. A cookie can be useful in many ways and saves you time when visiting websites (for example, it can be used to store your name and preferences for websites).

The web server records this information in a text file and stores this file on the web surfer's (that's you) hard drive. When you access the same website again, the server looks for the cookie and configures itself based on the information provided. A website only has access to cookie files that it has written. It cannot read cookies from other sites and cookies cannot contain malicious code.

The cookie file was first developed to help sites with the transaction process of the web. Without a cookie file, websites are not able to track a single user's path through a website; thus, a transaction that requires multiple pages (as most do) would simply not be workable.

Cookies perform many useful functions. Without them you wouldn't be able to use the shopping carts that you find on so many web sites, or you wouldn't be able to have a site remember your user name the next time you visited. Some sites use cookies to remember personal preferences. For example, I am planning to use cookies to add features to Erickson's website, like remembering personal preferences in text size, color, and so on.

Cookies and your privacy

Cookie files raise some issues with respect to privacy. Not knowing what is in a file stored on your computer causes concern with most web denizens. I'm sure many of you have heard that cookies are tracking your every move from site to site, violating your privacy. However, as I mentioned earlier, cookies can only be read by the server that wrote them.

Generally, advertisers use cookies to target specific advertisements to users and not to invade your privacy. Many websites serve up banner advertising from a central location –this is how the one web server can read and track cookies from different places.

In reality, the cookie was written from the same location, since many sites might use the same banner ad host. The information is then read from the cookies and used to send you more specific advertising.

Allow Cookies or Not?

I say allow them. Of course I am a web developer, so you would expect that to be my answer, right? The truth is I like the functionality that cookies add and I believe that they enhance the web surfing experience. If and when you'd like to remove or block cookies, those are easy settings to change.

What is a search engine and how do I use one?

2004-02-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

One of the best ways to find relevant information on the world wide web is with the use of search engines. Search engines are huge indexes that attempt to include each word from every page on the web in their databases. Due to the enormous and ever-growing quantity of web pages, this task becomes nearly impossible.

In order for search engines to compile and organize this huge amount of data, they make use of various computer programs called robots, spiders, and crawlers. These tools trace words or hyperlinks (those underlined colored bits of text that direct you somewhere else when you click on them) across the web.

While these programs cruise from one site to the next, they index Web documents and send the results back to a database. When a user enters a search term, an enormous database is checked and the results are then listed by their relevance.

Because there is so much information available on the web, these results may amount to several thousand listings. This is not a problem if what you are looking for shows up among the first 30 or so hits; however, when this is not the case, most users give up.

So how can you find the information you are looking for in the first 30 links? Follow these tips:

Be specific
Don't be afraid to tell a search engine exactly what you are looking for.
For example, if you want information about Windows XP bugs, search for "Windows XP bugs," not "Windows." Or even better, search for exactly what the problem is: "I can't install a USB device in Windows 98." You will be surprised at how often this works.

Use the plus symbol (+) to add to your search
Sometimes, you want to make sure that a search engine finds pages that have all the words you enter, not just some of them. The + symbol lets you do this. For example , imagine you want to find pages that have references to both President Bush and Saddam Hussein on the same page. You could search this way: Bush + Hussein. Only pages that contain both words would appear in your results.

The + symbol is especially helpful when you do a search and then find yourself overwhelmed with information. Imagine that you wanted to reserve a camping space in California 's Yosemite National Park. You might start out simply searching like this: Yosemite. If so, chances are you will probably get too many off-target results. Instead, try searching for all the words you know must appear on the type of page you are looking for: Yosemite + camping + reservations.

Use the minus symbol (-) to subtract from your search
Sometimes, you want a search engine to find pages that have one word on them, but not another word. The - symbol lets you do this. For example, imagine you want information about President Clinton, but don't want to be overwhelmed by pages relating to the Monica Lewinsky scandal. You could search this way: Clinton - Lewinsky. This tells the search engine to find pages that mention " Clinton " and then to remove any that include any mention of "Lewinsky."

Using quotation marks (“ ”)
Now that you know how to add and subtract terms, we can move on to multiplication. As in normal math, multiplying terms through a "phrase search" can be a much better way to get the answers you are looking for. For example, remember above when we wanted pages about reserving a campsite in Yosemite? We entered: Yosemite +camping +reservations. That brings back pages that have all those words on them, but there's no guarantee that the words may be near each other on the page.

You could get a page that mentions Yosemite in the opening paragraph, but then later talks about getting camping reservations in the Grand Canyon. All the words you added together would appear on this page, but it still might not be what you are looking for. Doing a phrase search avoids this problem. This is where you tell a search engine to give you pages where the terms appear in exactly the order you specify. You do this by putting quotation marks around the phrase, like this: “ Yosemite camping reservations.”

These tips should put you on the track to finding any information you are looking for on the world wide web. As your searching on the web continues you will find that certain search engines excel at certain things, such as searching for online shopping or people searching. Don't be afraid to try them all out to find the one that suits your particular interests.
Some of the more popular search engines:

System Maintenance

2004-01-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

Since the Tribune ran the first “Ask Joe” column, I have received many e-mails with questions about basic system maintenance. Like frequent oil changes for your car there are a few things you can do to keep your system running smooth.

Here are some basic tips to keep in mind to keep that computer running smooth.

Out of the box:

So you just got a new computer…now what? My first suggestion is to place your computer in an environmentally stable location. That is, away from extreme heat or cold.

Try not to place it too close to your kitchen so you don't get oil build-up around your hardware.

It is important that the system have good air flow around it. Try not to cram your computer between the wall and your desk…overheating is a common problem with today's faster chips and bigger video cards.

Connecting the wires:

Be aware of your power supply. Don't connect all of your plugs straight into the wall outlet. Lightning and power surges can cause serious damage to your monitor, computer, and peripherals. Instead, buy a good back-up power supply. Normally, APC (www.apc.com) is what I use, but if you are on a tight budget, a power strip with warranty will do.

Don't be afraid to look inside:

Become acquainted with your hardware. Find out where your hard drive, memory, and CPU (central processing unit) are located. If 14-year-olds, who don't know what an amortized loan is, can configure and tweak their computers, you can too!

Once it's running:

Maintain good filing practices. Always save files in “ My Documents” …not in the C: directory. Try to put your pictures in one place, correspondence in another, etc. If you are running Windows XP, it will try to keep you organized by defaulting to the “My Documents” folder when you save files.

Anti-virus:

We talked about this in the November issue. Before you pop in your friend's CD or floppy disk, make sure your computer has an active anti-virus program like Norton or McAfee. Either of these will most likely be preinstalled in your computer. Pay your annual fee and keep your anti-virus program updated. Don't let this slip or you could lose all of your files to something as simple as an infected e-mail.

Clean up:

Keep the system clean inside and out. Keep your files cleaned up and your hardware too. For the exterior, never use a vacuum cleaner to clean your hardware. You could “fry” some circuits with the static electricity. Your local computer store has cleaning supplies, even little vacuum cleaners just for computers.

Your monitor is one of the most important components of your computer, and keeping it clean is a snap if you follow a few rules. You can use household glass cleaner for the screen, but spray the cleaner on a paper towel and then wipe the screen. This will prevent drips from getting down into the monitor itself.

Use the same method to clean the dust off the top and to keep the vents clear. Clogged or blocked vents can cause a monitor to overheat and may even cause it to catch fire.

To keep the hard drive clean, you should regularly empty the cache and recycle bin, and run the disk defragmenter, which can be found by following this path: Start/Programs/Accessories/Systemtools.

Digital Photos

2003-12-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

How do I tell if a camera is a good one?

Generally speaking if you stick with the name brands that have traditionally made cameras you will be safe. Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Minolta, Kodak, and Fuji all have nice models. I would recommend checking the consumer magazines, manufacturers' web sites, and product reviews for more information.

What is a mega pixel and why does it keep calling me?

First you need to know what a pixel is… A pixel is the smallest unit of a digital image or sensor. If you've ever put your eye up to a computer monitor or TV screen, you've probably noticed the image is made up of tiny little dots –those are pixels. A mega pixel is 1 million pixels. I don't know why they keep calling you.

How many mega pixels do I need?

Anything over 3 mega pixels will give you the resolution of 35mm film when printed at 8 x 10 inches.

What do I do with the pictures once they're in the camera?

Once the images are in the camera they are stored on a memory card. You will need to transfer these images to your computer's hard drive or you can take the card to many camera shops for printing. Check your camera's owner's manual for instructions on transferring the files from the camera to the computer. You may also want to invest in a card reader for your PC. They are inexpensive and easy to use. Instead of plugging your camera into your PC every time you need to transfer, you simply eject the memory card from your camera and insert it in the card reader.

How do I get real pictures made?

There are many reasonably priced high-quality photo printers available today. You could print your images on one of these printers. Another option is to transfer files via the web to a service bureau or take a disk or memory card to the local Wal-Mart or camera shop for printing.

Where can I get tips on buying/using a digital camera?

Consumer magazines frequently have reviews and recommendations or you can check the web. Some good sites are cnet.com, photo.net, steves-digicams.com, and dpreview.com.

List processing services, via web, snail mail, and drop-off:

Wal-Mart, Target, Ritz, Ofoto.com, Shutterfly.com and many local camera retailers.

Another option is to use a digital image frame. You can plug a memory card into this type of frame and display images that way. Many new TV sets also have memory card slots and will also display images.

It's hard to imagine that hundreds of your photographs could be contained in a camera that is the size of the palm of your hand. Since we covered the use and science of digital cameras in a previous issue here were going to ask Joe what are the best ways to get your pictures from 1's and 0s inside your digital camera to actual prints.

Digital photographs give you loads of options for their processing and display.

Computer Viruses and Worms

2003-11-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to “Ask Joe,” the Erickson Tribune's new monthly advice column featuring Joe Fino, Erickson's webmaster and computer advice specialist. Joe will answer your computer-related questions, so if you are having trouble setting up an e-mail account, fixing an error, or even attaching a new pair of speakers, don't hesitate to ask Joe.

What is a virus and what can I do to protect my computer from viruses?

If you have been watching the news in the last few months, you have probably heard of the “Blaster,” “I love you,” or “Code Red” viruses. While it is uncommon for a home pc (personal computer) user to get any of these, you can protect yourself or clean up your pc if it is infected.

First, let's go over a couple of definitions.

A virus is a tiny computer program written with the express purpose of copying itself. A virus will attempt to spread to other computers if it can. A virus can damage hardware, software, or stored information.

A worm is a form of a virus that generally spreads without any action from the computer user. A worm usually infects computer networks and can consume memory or clog up the lines of communication between the computers, causing them to stop responding.

To protect your pc, the first thing you have to do is never open up any unsolicited e-mail attachments. If you do not know what it is, delete it! You should also run up-to-date anti-virus software and keep up with the latest updates for your operating system (Windows or Mac OS).

If your pc already has a virus, and you are not running anti-virus software, it is time to make the purchase. Even if your computer is not responding at all, most anti-virus software will allow you to run the CD (computer disk). Just put the CD in your drive and restart the computer—it should scan your system and diagnose the problem for you. If the anti-virus software is up to date, it will detect and “cure” any viruses you might have.

Symantec makes some of the best anti-virus software in the business; you can find them on the web at http://www.symantec.com/.

For a free online virus scanner that will tell you if your pc is infected, visit http://www.housecall.antivirus.com/.