TechnologyIQ

While the technology keeps running, I am down with a bad cold that is making me write nothing but gibberish and drink copious amounts of orange juice. (WEAK SMILE) More posts and podcasts by the end of the week. Really! I promise. (Shouting over shoulder) "Honey, where's my warm sweater and slippers?" Later

As you have probably already heard, the Federal Government has changed the start and end dates for Daylight Savings Time. Most computers will need a small update to correctly adjust for these new dates. Apple has released their update for Mac OS X today. You can download this using Apple's built-in Software Update service. The Daylight Saving Time Update for Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server addresses recent changes in the way Daylight Saving Time will be observed in the U.S. and Canada beginning in March 2007 and includes the latest time zone information for the rest of the world. For more information about this update, see http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305056 Windows update information can be found in February 2007 cumulative time zone update for Microsoft Windows operating systems Tags : apple, mac, macintosh, macosx, update, daylight, savings, time, us, usa, software

Listen to Computing to the Everyman - Part 2 - The Least You Should Know Support TechnologyIQ: iTunes Review | Digg.com | Podcast Alley | Reader/Listener Line @ 206-338-5832 We live in a high-tech world these days, whether we like it or not. That said, you don't need to know "everything" about your technology, but you should know "something." Below I have listed some information and a series of skills that you should know in order to allow yourself to be productive with your computer. If you find that you are missing one or two of these items, let's get together to complete your technology education so you can start doing even greater things with your computer. System Speed of Computer Amount of Memory Amount of Hard Disk Space Version of Windows or Mac OS X Important user names and passwords Applications Know how to create a new, blank document Open an existing document Save a document Save as... (and why you might want to do that) Kn...

I discovered this book through a presentation from Tech Nation with Dr. Moira Gunn , delivered via IT Conversations . She interviews one of the authors Curt Carlson, CEO of SRI International, one of the co-authors. It is well worth a listen and a read. From Amazon.com.... “Innovation—mystery or mastery? For Carlson and Wilmot, the answer is definitely the latter. Following the example of Deming’s approach to quality—another of those magically powerful substances—they lay out a thoughtful, practical methodology for managing innovation projects through to successful outcomes. Sure, in that one percent inspiration there may be the occasional moment of mystery, but for those of us operating in the ninety-nine percent perspiration part of the field, it’s terrific to finally get a great user’s manual.” —Goeffrey Moore, author of Dealing with Darwin: How Great Companies Innovate at Every Phase of Their Evolution"

I haven't had enough free time to put together any Vista screencasts, but I was lucky enough to find these Vista demonstrations from istartedsomething.com. They don't have sound, but they do provide a nice visual overview of the new features found in Windows Vista. Windows Vista screencasts - istartedsomething Here’s several Windows Vista screencasts focusing on various important new features: Aero Glass, file management, guided help, tablet PC functionality, sidebar, improved search indexing and Media Center. These are just a taste of some of the new features you will find in Windows Vista. These screencast was done in quite a hurry, so I apologise for the lack of depth and variety, had a bit more time so there’s a bit of variety now. (Via istartedsomething .) Technorati Tags: howto , how-to , tutorial , technology , windows , microsoft , vista , screencast

This Slashdot story points up a vulnerability that some people might have left exposed on their home routers from companies like Linksys, D-Link and NetGear. Whenever I set up a router, I make sure to reset the default password for that router. This is the password that allows you to setup and change settings within the router, not the password you might use to connect to your wireless network. That said, some of you might still be using the default password. An exploit has been discovered that allows a malicious web page to access your router setup information, if it still uses the default password, and change settings within the router. Not a good thing. If you are wondering if your router still has its factory default password, drop me an email at techiq@welchwrite.com and I can give you some instructions that will allow you to test for it. Drive-By Pharming Attack Could Hit Home Networks Rob wrote in with a link to a CBR Online article discussing drive-by pharming, a new exploitat...

A neat, little web-based tool that allows you to resize pictures and download the resized image. I can imagine using this on a machine, not my own, which might not have Photoshop or other graphics tool. It also has a quick "Avatar" tool for making graphics for web forums and social networking sites, which require certain sizes in order to work. Technorati Tags: make , technology , computers , free , photo , photography , web , tool , service

Update: 2/14/07 10:30 pm): High-quality audio is now available for your listening pleasure if you couldn't make it to the LIVE reading. Listen to Love Letters from History - A LIVE Valentine's Day Reading

Update: 2/14/07 10:30 pm): High-quality audio is now available for your listening pleasure if you couldn't make it to the LIVE reading. Listen to Love Letters from History - A LIVE Valentine's Day Reading ( I like to use technology to do neat things, as well as the typical word processing and browsing the web. Here is something a bit more creative. -- Douglas) Join us for a LIVE reading of Love Letters from History this Valentine's Day at Talkshoe.com . We will have a series of letters available for reading and you can call in and read LIVE along with our cast of players. A LIVE Reading of Love Letters from History Wednesday, February 14, 2007 @ 9 PM EST/6 PM PST Download the script to follow along or read a selection Want to join us online, read this post for a guide on How to Join Our LIVE Shows for FREE Previous WelchWrite Specials: A LIVE Reading of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol Technorati Tags: podcast , podcasting , events , technology , computers , high-te...

Valentine's Day 2007 Originally uploaded by dewelch . Valentine's Day is an interesting day for me. These are two gifts from my son, Joseph, that he made in his weekly after school art class. As you can see from the writing on one of them, Valentine's Day is also my birthday. Today marks my 43rd year on this planet. Since my birthday falls on a holiday, I am expected to give gifts, as well as receive them and it makes it very difficult to go out for dinner or hold any sort of party, as all the other couples are busy with their own celebrations. That said, tonight some friends are coming over to produce a LIVE reading of Love Letters from History (more info below), so, while it won't be a huge party (I'm not that fond of birthday parties anyway) it will be a nice evening among friends doing something we all enjoy. Join us, online tonight, starting at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST. Again, full information in how to listen or join in is in a post below. Happy Valentine...

by Douglas E. Welch , techiq@welchwrite.com Reader/Listener Line 206-338-5832 Listen to Computing for the Everyman - Part 1 - Introduction Support TechnologyIQ: iTunes Review | Digg.com | Podcast Alley | Reader/Listener Line @ 206-338-5832 Whenever I am talking to the average, non-geeky, computer user I often hear complaints about how complex, how confusing and how aggravating computers can be. Along with that, people are scared...scared of losing their data, scared of damaging their computer and scared of pulling their hair out. (SMILE) It doesn't have to be this way nor should it. One of the first things I try to do with anyone I work with is to put them at ease. I assure them that, short of attacking their computer with a baseball bat (which I have known a writer to do after one too many crashes), there is little they can do to hurt their computer. I encourage them to play with their computer, trying out its functions on small, non-critical projects, like a letter to a friend...

Update: 0208/07 1030 PM PST: Audio is now available. Listen to this seminar Tonight we talked about Gmail, Google Docs and a host of other Internet and computer topics. Do you have a question or comment about tonight's seminar? Click the Comments link below and let us know. I'll do my best to address the questions here and, possibly, in a future meeting. For sites mentioned at the meeting, visit the TechIQ Bookmarks and Favorites

Update: (2/8/07, 8:37 pm): Hmmm...maybe not so much...yet. It seems that the open signup is appearing to some users, but not others. In the meantime, if you want a Google account, email techiq@welchwrite.com and I will send you an invite to Gmail, making the who issue moot. Finally! Now you don't need to get an invite from a friend or co-worker. Get yourself to http://gmail.com and cook yourself up a fresh new email address. With all the changes going on in the ISP (Internet Service Provider) business and everyone forcing their users to use a new email address, why not sign up for Gmail and have an address that will last forever (or at least until Google goes bankrupt. (SM ILE). Even better, you can get your Gmail on your cell phone and there's even a podcast which can tell you how to get the most out of all of its features..the Gmail podcast , written and hosted by my fellow Friends in Tech member, Chuck Tomasi . Google Opens Gmail To All Reader Russian Art Buyer lets us kno...

I received another package from InBubbleWrap today and it reminded me that I wanted to tell you about this great web site. Each day, they hold a free contest to win a book (usually business-related) that they have found to be excellent. Once you set up a free account, you can return each day to read about the book being offered and enter the contest. They also have an RSS feed that allows you to monitor each day's offers. What could be simpler. The book that arrived today is "Treat Your Customers" by Bob Miglani I have now won about 5 books from InBubbleWrap and even when I don't win I get introduced to a host of new books each month. Many of these find their way into my "Books to Read" list in my journal, to be found at the local library or bookstore. Free is one of my favorite words (SMILE), with books being a close second, so this site is a daily stop on my Internet travels. From the InBubbleWrap web site... 1. What is inBubbleWrap? Well to make a lon...

I came across this neat program, Scratch , created by the LIfelong Kindergarten Group at MIT. It allows kids (and silly adults, like me) to create multimedia presentations and games while also teaching them computer programming as they go. Check out this neat video showing some of its features.

Randall Street S.A.F.E Collection Center 11025 Randall St. Sun Valley, CA 91352 Map and Info in PDF Format Other S.A.F.E Centers I finally got my act together this morning, gathered up all my eWaste, packed them into my Element and headed off to the industrial heartland of the San Fernando Valley -- Sun Valley. It is here that the City of Los Angeles has a permanent drop-off site for eWaste and Hazardous Waste. The picture above shows the entrance to the location. They were unwilling to let me take photos within the drop-off itself. The Collection Center was well-organized and not very busy at 1030 AM on a Saturday. Their hours of operation are Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Rain cancels the drop-off. My load contained 3 old PCs, my venerable Apple LaserWriter Pro 600 that finally died after 15+ years of service, a bag of batteries, a fax machine and a computer monitor I no longer needed. I hate to throw anything away, but these PCs wouldn't even run one of t...

This interesting new service passed through my RSS feeds today. I make a point to check out anything that might be moderately useful or even just interesting. Jott allows you to call a phone number and speak up to 15 seconds of any message you like. This message is then transcribed and emailed to you. My initial test worked well, with 100% recognition of a 10-12 word sentence. I sometimes make audio notes to myself using my phone, but I think this would be a bit more useful, as I can easily cut and paste the message into a to-do item when I get home, instead of typing it in myself. Will the wonders of the Internet ever cease? I certainly hope not! Link: Jott Source: Leave yourself a (text) message with Jott Want to send yourself a note? A reminder? An idea? Just pick up your cell phone and dial Jott. The service not only forwards recorded messages to you via e-mail, it also transcribes them into text. (Via Lifehacker .) Technorati Tags: technology , software , computers , email , high-...