It can be a daunting challenge when it is time to buy a computer. So many numbers and acronyms can confuse the typical customer. Do you need an Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160/1.8 GHz or an AMD Athlon X2 BE-2300/1.9 GHz? More GHz is good right? How many MB of DDR RAM do you need? Reading the specifications can be daunting to most people, but it is your path to getting the computer you need.
Apr
21
On April 17, 2008, I was invited to give a talk about home recording and promoting your music online at the Governor’s Square branch of the Montgomery Public Library. Several people showed up, including local rap artists Queazy and Lil Chappy. A great discussion came out of this talk and I am posting the notes my presentation here. Thanks to librarian Kim Wilson-Owen for hosting this discussion. Read the rest of this entry »
Feb
24
One of the most used applications on the home computer is the word processor. Writing letters, school projects, faxes and other typed documents makes the word processor an essential piece of software on every home computer. Most computers no longer ship with an installed word processor or come with a 90 day preview that expires. This leaves the average home user without a way to type a letter or resumé. With an office suite running easily over one hundred dollars, this puts a premium on a new computer purchase for which most people do not account. Fortunately, there are several options that are free for the end user that will replace expensive Word Processors and Office Suites like Microsoft Office and Corel WordPerfect.
Feb
18
Historically teens have congregated in places they can call their own. From the drive-ins of the 50s to the food courts of the 80s and 90s, these have been places of refuge from parents where kids can meet their friends and make new friends. As internet usage increased has had more of an impact on people’s lives, these social gatherings morphed into virtual gathering places online called social networking sites.The largest of these are MySpace and Facebook, with other large and popular sites like Digg and YouTube integrating social networking functionality. With the expansion and high profile of these social networking sites, the inevitable backlash has begun. Stories of child predators, stalkers and teen misbehavior linked to these sites have been in the news. Legislators have called for regulation of these sites and parents have wondered if they should allow their children to participate in online social networking. In truth these sites, if used with a little caution, are harmless and even useful. By teaching children and teenagers the same skills and caution you would before leaving them at the mall, you can make their Online Social Networking a safer and more useful experience.