NEW FAQs:

"I received an email stating that I have
been infected and am sending out infected emails.
Should I order/use/install the attached software?"

This is my new pet peeve.

First of all, NO. DON'T DO THIS!

You should always consider the source of software
you are installing, and this is especially true
for antivirus software.

This type of email is usually generated in two
different ways.

One is generated by offending computer
viruses to trick you into installing the virus or
trojan horse. Both are bad for your system.

The other represents a marketer using less than
safe methods for distributing his product.
This is like buying milk from a guy at the
last intersection that previously was selling
flowers that no one in their right mind would
give away. The reason is the same; you
don't know where that software has been.
I don't trust my systems to them and I
recommend that you don't either.

Be safe out there.

  ¶ 6:00 PM

 

NEW GADGETS:
"DVD Video Recorders"

DVD Video Recorders

Info from Panasonic

It's time. The new DVD Video Recorders have finally
freed us from the bondage of decaying VHS tape.

The prices are still pretty high ($700-800 and higher),
but they afford us the opportunity to rescue those
wedding and birthday and even bachelor party videos
that are slowly fading on the shelf.

Each blank DVD-R disk is just a few dollars, but can
record up to 4 hrs of video depending on the compression
level. The current technology uses MPEG-2, but the
new MPEG-4 compression is being developed for these
consumer electronics too.

If you have too many tapes in your library, here is
a way to reduce the storage space and more safely
preserve you precious recording for posterity.

  ¶ 5:00 PM

 

HOME NETWORKING

Who needs a firewall?

Maybe, you do. A firewall is a software or
hardware product that will provide rules
for traffic in and out of your home network.

This is a fancy way of saying, a firewall is what
keeps the world off of your computer when you
are connected to the public Internet.

We see all kinds of ads for firewall programs,
but in general I don't recommend them.
Your single computer connected to the Internet
is very unlikely to be targeted because your IP
address changes every time you log on.

The nature of your everyday DSL account is that
of a wandering Bedouin. A cyber criminal would
not know where you would pop up next.

(If you have a non-changing, static IP address,
this is very different. In that case, I heartily
recommend a strong firewall.)

Secondly, firewall software is ever present on
your system. It slows down everything you do
and sometimes restricts normal usage out of
its confusion.

A better solution is to install a DSL Router
with firewall software built-in. It would
let your computer be a productivity tool,
and allows the router to handle security and
Internet access.

Every network is different, and this configuration
may not meet your needs. If you your network
raises performance or security concerns
we would be happy to counsel you or discuss
your plans.

  ¶ 4:00 PM

 

ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT:
"AtlanTIX"

http://www.atlantatheaters.org/we_provide/atlantix.asp

I confess that I agree with the ancient bard,
himself, "The play's the thing."

http://www.eamesharlan.org/tptt/hamlet22.html#6465

(William Shakespeare, in "Hamlet" Act II, Scene II)

I really enjoy the theater. This summer I
was blessed to fulfill a lifelong goal to
see a play on Broadway. (It was wonderful
and I encourage you all to go.
http://www.broadway.com/template_5.asp )

While there I encountered the perfect solution
to last minute show plans. It was called the
TIXtent or TicketTent. In short, it allowed
me to walk up and pay half price for shows
available today. It was easy and afforded
last minute plans; perfect for a tourist like me.

Now we have that kind of resource here in Atlanta!
It is called AtlanTIX and is a same-day walk-up
ticket purchasing business. Because we aren't
as show driven as Broadway in New York, they
also offer many local museum tickets as well.

I know it's odd recommending a real world
item that you cannot use online, but the online
reference will tell you what is playing.
I hope that the option of same-day purchase will
make your last-minute entertainment more fun.

Enjoy the show!

  ¶ 3:00 PM

 

--dedicated to the glory of God--

Matthew 6:34

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry
about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

  ¶ 2:00 PM