TED Talks

One of the greatest things about this computer age we are now living is the ease with which we can all learn about new and exciting things.  TEDTalks is a series of 18-minute presentations by some of the smartest and talented people on the planet.  From their web site ---- "TEDTalks began as a simple attempt to share what happens at TED with the world. Under the moniker "ideas worth spreading," talks were released online. They rapidly attracted a global audience in the millions."

These enlightening presentations will knock your socks off!  There are now over 500 available for viewing and there is "something for everyone".

Here are three of my favourites:
Micro Sculpture
Swimming the North Pole
Dirty Jobs

Check 'em out.

Shameless Self-Promotion

After writing that previous blog about the benefits of using Linux I've come to the realization that not many people are going to take my advice.  That's perfectly understandable for a couple of good reasons.  Linux for the desktop has made tremendous advances in "ease of installation" and in "user friendliness" in the past few years.  The reality is that not many people want to take the time to learn something new when they are happy with what they have.

Should you be happy with your W-Doze operating system?  When you went to the local retailer and bought that desktop or laptop it came with Doze already installed - but you paid for it.  If you bought the same set-up with no operating system installed you could have saved over $100.00 and installed Linux for free.  When W-Doze comes out with a new version you will need to upgrade your system to stay current - again for a price.  Linux distro upgrades are free - and are released much more frequently.  Oh yeah - you'll need to pay for anti-virus software for that Doze machine - unless you want to go through the headaches and cost of having someone replace or clean up your hard drive.

What can you do on Doze that you cannot do on Linux?  Not much!  There are software games that will only run in Doze.  That's about it.  If you're like me and mainly use your pc for music and video, internet, email, graphics and office applications - Linux beats Doze.  It's faster!  No more viruses - and never crashes.

Still sceptical?  Here's where the SSP comes in.  For $40.00 I will install Linux on your laptop or desktop.  I will make it a dual-boot system whereby you can boot up into Doze or Linux.  I offer same-day service and free e-mail consulting to help you get started.  For good performance your machine should be less than 3 years old and some older machines may benefit from additional memory.  If additional ram is needed - I will install it for free -   you just pay for the memory chips.  Any questions: email me with "Linux" in the subject line.    RAKEMUP@YAHOO.COM

Tongue-in-Cheek (or not?)

Things I've discovered in 61 years that you might consider ---

1- If you want someone to be your friend, get them to do something for you.  (Yes, I said it correctly.)  After they do you a favour they will realize that you now owe them.

2- Be who you are and say what you feel ... because those that matter won't mind ... and those that mind .. don't matter.

3- When you're screwing up and nobody says anything to you any more, that means they've given up on you.

4- To handle yourself, use your head.  To handle others, use your heart


We're putting the band back together - but my guitar has coloured buttons - and no strings.

And --  for my tombstone:  "I spent all my money on beer and women  .... the rest of it I wasted!" - Steve Forde (from the song Beer and Women)

Linux

USING LINUX FOR THE DESKTOP IS THE BEST ADVICE REFERENCE COMPUTERS THAT YOU WILL EVER RECEIVE. i.e. It's free - no more viruses or worms on your pc - It hardly ever crashes (I've had my pc go for months without having to reboot). You will be able to copy cd's and dvd's faster, etc.  You can install Linux alongside Windows and decide which system to boot up when you turn the pc on.  A little time with linux and you will never look back.  A good site to read more about Linux for the desktop is: "Bruno's All Things Linux" -----read the "Tips for Linux Explorers" section. Print it out if necessary. If you still have questions --- send them to me.  Another helpful site for getting started is LinuxClues.com.  Here is a rather lengthy article giving 20 reasons to use Linux.  Linux is available in many different distributions.  Linux Mint is a good one to try out first.  It's easy to use and will work on older pc's.  Later you may want to download and try Mandriva or Ubuntu.

In the market for a printer?   Laser printers are fast and a hellofa lot cheaper to operate than an inkjet. If you must have color prints take your pictures (on a usb memory stick)  to Target, Walmart, Sam's Club, or just about any drugstore.  Black and white laser printers have really come down in price lately.  Best Buy has the Brother-HL2140 for $69.99. The cartridge is another $53.99 - but will last a long, long time.

More E-Mail Tips

Make folders in your email entitled:

• 1-readlater   the "1-" will make this your top-most folder
  
• tips
• keep
• family
  
• friends (make sub-folders under this one with the names of people that e-mail you on a regular basis)
• bills & money
• for sale
• hobbies
  
• jokes
  

Then make filters which will automatically move incoming mail to the correct folder, for example:  if subject contains the word "tip" then move message to the "tips" folder - or if from contains "Ralph" then move message to the "friends" folder.

Using the draft functionality is a great way to keep notes that you need to keep handy and refer to often. Just compose a new message and save it as a draft.  I also send a note to myself containing information I want to keep handy.  I keep this note in my inbox - and edit it with more information all the time.  (this sure beats having sticky notes all over your monitor and desk).

Hot Tips

If you've been thinking about XM/Sirius radio for your car or home, now is the time to try it out.  Call now and ask about their 5 months for $20 promotion.  There is no start-up fee.  Just be sure to call them back and cancel or re-negotiate a new price before the 5 months is up.  Here's the number - 1-800-998-7900.

In a previous post I recommended Google Reader.  Google Reader used to be just an online RSS reader. You'd subscribe by copying and pasting a site's RSS feed URL into Google Reader's "Add a subscription" box. And you still can. But starting yesterday, you can add any URL - even if it's not an RSS feed, and even if the site itself doesn't publish an RSS feed. If Google Reader doesn't recognize a URL as RSS, a dialog box will offer to "create a feed for you." Just click "Create a feed," and now Google Reader will monitor the page. If the page changes, a link to that page will show up in Google Reader as if a new RSS item had been posted. They'll even show you a preview "snippet" of the page, just as they do with real RSS posts. This is great news for people who use Google Reader, and a real incentive for those who don't to start.

IBC 2010

The winners of the 2010 International Blues Challenge band competition are:
Winner - Grady Champion (Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola)
Second Place -- Karen Lovely Band (Cascade Blues Association)
Third Place - Cheryl Renee and Them Bones (Cincy Blues Society) Winner of the Solo/Duo Competition was Matt Anderson (harvest Jazz & Blues)

Once again these performers and others just knocked my socks off.  Among the memorable acts that did not make the finals were a band from India (Soulmate) and a band comprised of two 14-year olds from Colorado (Young Austin Band)  I can't wait until 2011! See pictures of some of the contestants at the end of my blog page.