February 2012 Newsletter

January 2012 Newsletter

December 2011 skipped

November 2011 Newsletter

October 2011 Newsletter

1.  You probably don't think of General Motors as a technologically nimble company. But deep in the G.M. archipelago of cars, parts and wholly owned subsidiaries there sits a  technological gem: OnStar.  Now, OnStar is available as a rearview mirror that goes on almost every car, not just those from GM.  You can buy OnStar, and have it installed for example, at Best Buy, for $374.  It is called OnStar FMV.  The replacement mirror looks good, with just a few buttons on the mirror frame that allow you to communicate with OnStar.  OnStar is a seamless brew of cellular, Bluetooth, GPS, microphone, speakers and human operators.  Its feature list includes both safety and convenience elements. For example, if you crash, sensors wirelessly alert a 24-hour call center staffed by 2,000 OnStar operators. They immediately talk to you over the built-in speaker. If you don't respond, or if you say something like, "My legs are broken in six places," they automatically send an ambulance. They know exactly where to send it; they can see where you are, and they know what kind of car you're driving.  David Pogue of the New York Times has tested OnStar FMV, installed on a Toyota Camry.  He highly recommends it.  If you have interest you should read his article at:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/01/technology/personaltech/onstar-fmv-offers-premium-but-costly-service.html?emc=eta1

September 2011 Newsletter

5.  Is a library without any paper books still a library?  Drexel University in Philadelphia just opened a new library with 170 million electronic items and not a single bound item.  Stanford University removed all but 10,000 printed items from its new engineering library that opened last year.  The University of Texas at San Antonio engineering library removed all printed documents in exchange for all electronic material when it opened in 2010.  The question being asked is "When all its books disappear, does a library lose its definition?" http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2079800,00.html?artId=2079800?contType=article?chn=us

6.  Imagine a doctors office without filing cabinets and clipboards.  Doctors would see patients, write records, prescribe medication, file insurance claims, order lab tests and schedule future appointments with the touch or swipe of a finger on a tablet computer.  If the US government has its way you could soon be seeing this in your doctors office.  The US Department of Health and Human Services has just certified the first electronic health records platform.  It is approved to run only on the Apple iPad.  Drchrono is the health care iPad application that won the certification.  Doctors who adopt it's use become eligible for up to $44,000 in federal incentives.  There may be a large number to sign up as four out of five doctors recently surveyed by a health marketing company said they plan to purchase an iPad in the next year.  http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/07/29/072911-biz-drchrono/ 

7.  Over the last several months there has been a fascinating battle for ownership of technology patents, focused on mobile devices and computing, with most of the major players in that space engaged.  Technology patents have become the ammunition regularly used in corporate efforts to control space in the marketplace.  The players with the most ammunition often win.  There have been many news reports and articles published as this battle unfolded.  When combined these articles would make an excellent case study at any major business school.
This drama began in 2009 when the huge Canadian firm, Northern Telecommunications Networks (Nortel), filed for liquidation after previously declaring bankruptcy.  The last remaining Nortel assets were 6,000 telecommunications patents.  On April 4, 2011, in an unsolicited bid, called a stalking horse bid, Google bid $900 million for the patents.  The Canadian courts monitoring the Nortel liquidation decided not to accept Google's bid as final until they conducted a bidding auction for the patents.  Other players asked to participate.  The approved bidders were Google (bidding under the name Ranger), Apple, Intel (who in the middle of the bidding joined Google in Ranger), Norpax (an affiliate of RPX Corporation) and a consortium called Rockstar Bidco that included RIM (the Blackberry manufacturer), EMC, Ericsson, Sony and Microsoft.
The bidding started.  Norpax did not bid in round three and was removed.  In the fifth round Rockstar Bidco did not bid.  This resulted in just three bidders - Google, Apple and Intel.  Apple then decided to stake Rockstar Bidco and bid under that consortium name.  This is when Intel joined Google in Ranger.  The bidding continued until in the 19th round, Apple in partnership with Rockstar bid $4.5 billion.  Ranger (Google + Intel) did not bid.  The consortium of Apple, Microsoft, RIM, EMC, Ericsson and Sony was declared the winner of the 6,000 Nortel patents.  The deal was approved at the end of July by both Canadian and US courts.
Why would Microsoft want to participate in this patent bidding war?  Although all of the bidders have business in the mobile device market there are only two major players who develop operating systems (OS) for mobile devices (think smartphones and tablet computers) - Apple, with iOS and Google, with Android.  Microsoft attempted to enter this market space  last year with their Windows Mobile OS and was quickly driven into extinction by devices running Google's Android OS.  Now, Microsoft is on the verge of releasing their first devices running the all new Windows Phone 7.  Google does not charge its OEM partners that manufacture hardware running the Android OS.  Microsoft has sued several of these Google partners to charge patent fees (for patents Microsoft already owns) for patent violations in Google's Android OS.  Google would have been much better able to protect itself and it's OEM partners had Google won the 6,000 Nortel patents.  Now Apple + Microsoft, and their partners, own the patents and are in a much better position to defeat Google in court.  The cost to win this position - $4.5 billion.  Won't the coming battle be interesting?      
follow-up article       http://m.mercurynews.com/sjm/db-259613/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=wcsqY0fZ

JUNE 8 2011

1.  Have you ever had a document file, video file, music file or picture file that you wanted to convert to another file format?  How do you do that?  Where is a website that can help me?  How much will it cost?  Rick Dusine has come upon a jewel of a site that can convert these file - for FREE.  You should try this out and maybe bookmark it for future use.  http://www.online-convert.com/
 

2.  Every one of us has seen someone do something with technology and say, "I didn't know that!". Well now you will know.  David Pogue of the New York Times wrote the article at this link.  It covers ideas for Cell Phones, Cameras, Smart Phones, the Web, Editing Text and special tricks for Windows and Mac users.  For example:  When typing a URL on the address bar of Internet Explorer you don't need to type the http:// and just tap Ctrl+Enter instead of typing .com.  Tap Ctrl+Shift+Enter for .org.  Here is the link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/technology/personaltech/19pogue.html?-r=1&emc=eta1

3.  In a second article under the heading, "I didn't know that!", David Pogue provides more ideas, tips and shortcuts under headings for Screenshots, E-mail, Editing Text, iPhone, other Cell Phones, the Web and Computers.  For example, if you have a file that is too big to transmit as an e-mail attachment you can use a free intermediary parking space at yousendit.com or transferbigfiles.com to get your file on the way.  Read all the other good ideas at:  http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/25-more-tech-tips-and-tricks/?emc=eta1

4.  In 2008 David Pogue published a similar list of good ideas, tips and shortcuts.  Here is a link to that article:  http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/tech-tips-for-the-basic-computer-user/?emc=eta1

5.  You may want to reconsider that earlier decision you made not to buy a new e-book reader and keep purchasing books printed on paper.  Since April 2011, Amazon, the worlds largest bookseller reports that it is selling more e-books than paper books - specifically, 105 electronic books for every 100 paper books.  This milestone was reached sooner than anyone, including Amazon projected.  Here is an article on the subject:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/technology/20amazon.html?emc=eta1

6.  When we were younger we paid for purchases at a store cash register ("point of sale") with cash or by writing a check.  Later individual store brand credit cards were added.  Next came national credit cards followed by national debit cards.  Coming on fast is payment with your smart phone or cell phone.  How that phone transaction is handled, processed and billed is still being debated because a lot of players have money in the game.  Be assured, point of sale payment using your phone is coming.  It is already being widely used in Asia.  If you want to understand some of the technology and the financial issues of this debate here are two articles that will give you some of that information:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/27/technology/27google.html?emc=eta1
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/24/technology/24pay.html?emc=eta1

MAY 11 2011

April  13 2011
 

1.  On March 30th Google announced that it will build an ultra high-speed Internet network in Kansas City, KS in a test aimed at demonstrating new uses of the Internet at speeds 100 times faster than existing technologies.  Kansas City was selected from more than 1,100 cities of between 50,000 and 500,000 residents that applied to Google's request for interested cities.  The jump from dial-up to today's broadband has led to streaming online video, digital music and video conferencing over the Web.  Google wants to demonstrate how faster access can lead to even more innovative Internet services, such as live 3-D video lectures and streaming medical imagery.  Kansas City consumers will be able to buy the service from Google and other providers that will be licensed to sell the service.  Have you got any thoughts of services that could become available with Internet connections 100 times faster than today?

2.  The computer manufacturer Acer has a new laptop offering called Iconia that is one of the most bizarre products to ever make it to production.  The Iconia, when closed, looks like a laptop.  When opened, however, it is actually two 14-inch touchscreens joined in a hinge.  Open this link and you can see the Iconia and read about it.  Interesting.  http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/acers-iconia-is-the-craziest-laptop-of-all-time/?emc=eta1

3.  We are all "retired" so we have lots of time to do many of the things that we have been meaning to do all during our working lives.  One of those things is to compile a complete inventory of all the things we own and keep it up to date and safe.  Such an inventory can be invaluable for insurance purposes and for our families when we pass away.  Today there are a number of  computer applications, called "apps", that run on PC's, Mac's, smart phones, and tablet devices, that can assists you in building and maintaining such an inventory.  Here is an article from the NY Times that summarizes a number of these apps.  

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/garden/31hometech.html?emc=eta1

Mar 9 2011

1:  The speaker at our Branch 90 monthly luncheon in February was Pierre Vachon, a senior engineer at Cisco, who spoke about Cloud Computing.  I have had some very positive feedback about his presentation.  Any of our Computer Club members who have comments or questions should bring these up in our discussion.  Here is a NY Times article with some suggestions for data storage in the cloud.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/technology/personaltech/27basics.html?emc=eta1

2:  On February 22, 2011, Microsoft released the first major update for their newest operating system, Windows 7.  The update, Windows 7 SP1, is a free download that should automatically load on your Windows 7 PC if you subscribe to automatic updates.  If you have not received SP1 go to the Windows Update site and download and install the update.  http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/2011/02/windows-7-sp1-set-to-land-toda.html?referrer=emaillink

3:  On February 24, 2011, Apple announced a refresh upgrade of its MacBook Pro line of laptops.  The upgrade includes a faster processor, more powerful graphics, a built-in HD camera and, most interestingly, a new port for a new technology that Apple calls "Thunderbolt".  Thunderbolt is the implementation of a joint effort between Intel and Apple to create a new high speed data and display port that would be adaptable to existing connection standards.  The performance specs of Thunderbolt are striking: At 10 Gbps, it's twice as fast as USB 3.0, 12 times as fast as FireWire 800 and 20 times faster than USB 2.0.  A Thunderbolt connection can transfer a full-length high-definition movie in 30 seconds.  The MacBook Pros are the first computers to feature the technology, but it will roll out across other manufacturers and other devices during the next year.  http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/apple-announces-new-macbook-pros/?emc=eta1

4:  We are at the leading edge of a rapidly growing group of graying population.  As the huge bubble of baby boomers move into their 60's the purchasing power of this growing group is finely getting the attention of many industries.  The movies are one.  Suddenly in the last few months an older audience has made a startling reassertion of its movie multiplex power. "True Grit," "The King's Speech," "The Fighter," "Black Swan" - all movies in contention for a clutch of Oscars last Sunday - have all been surprise hits at the box office.  Their drive to the top has been propelled by movie goers older than 50.  Hollywood has noticed.  Here is a NY Times article about our power:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/26/business/media/26moviegoers.html?emc=eta1  M.I.T. researchers have designed a suit called Agnes to help product designers and marketers better understand older adults and create innovative products for them.  This study is most interesting.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/06/business/06aging.html?emc=eta1

5:  IBM's computer named Watson won the Jeopardy contest against the two top human players in the games history.  What does this kind of computer power mean for our future or our grandchildren's future?

6:  The DVR rocked the world of television by letting viewers skip commercials and build their own home viewing schedules. Now a handful of Web services and applications are starting to do much the same thing to online publishers.  While making your life easier, these applications are driving discussions with publishers who want to make sure their income is protected as content in what they publish is altered.  Interesting,  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/technology/01read.html?emc=eta1

Feb 9 2011

1.  The ABC television program "Jeopardy" will feature a three day contest between the two highest dollar winners in Jeopardy history and a new IBM computer named "Watson", after IBM founder Thomas J. Watson.  The Watson computer is powered by 10 racks of IBM servers, running the Linux operating system and the size of 10 refrigerators.  . It is not connected to the Internet but has digested encyclopedias, dictionaries, books, news, movie scripts and more and has access, in it's internal storage, to the equivalent of 200 million pages of information.  Watson knows how to answer in the form of a question, a requirement of Jeopardy contestants.  The broadcast will be on Monday - Wednesday, February 14-16, at 7:00-7:30 PM on ABC.  You can read about it at:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/13/AR2011011300871.html?referrer=emailarticle

Watson has a website at http://ibmwatson.com that includes a number of interesting videos explaining the development, manufacture and training of a computer that can listen to a spoken question, determine what is required, search for the answer, formulate the response, decide to buzz in and be first to indicate being first with an answer and then respond correctly, by voice.

2.  You may have a pile of remote controls to operate TV, amplifier, DVD player, CD player, cable or satellite box, etc.  You already may have, or be considering, one of the universal remotes that are available.  Here is an article to bring you up to speed on this subject.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/garden/20hometech.html?-r=1&adxnnl=1&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1295744410-yX/+pK3+fK0b7Qsum/u2pg

3.  Distracted driving seems to be an ever growing problem with the increased use of electronic devices, especially mobile telephones.  There are efforts underway to develop solutions that will prevent drivers from using devices that will distract them without denying use by passengers or in emergencies.  Read about it:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/technology/21distracted.html?emc=eta1

4.  Some students returning to class have been carrying brand-new Apple iPads in their backpacks, given not by their parents but by their schools.  A growing number of schools across the nation are embracing the iPad as the latest tool to teach their students.  Your grandchildren or great grandchildren may be among these students so you need to know how these new tablet computers are being used.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/05/education/05tablets.html?emc=eta1

6.  Amazon is one of the world's largest and most successful retailers.  The online retailer has quietly patented a way for people to return gifts before they receive them, allowing consumers to keep an online list of lousy gift-givers whose choices would be vetted by the intended recipient before anything ships.  Now, instead of returning that lousy gift you can exchange it for something else before Amazon ever ships the lousy gift to you.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/26/AR2010122601836.html?referrer=emailarticle

7.  On January 19^th, Starbucks began accepting payment by scanning the screen on the smartphone of the customer.  The service opened in 6800 Starbucks stores and an additional 1000 outlets in Target stores.  Computer technology makes your life easier again.  http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/2011/01/starbucks-mobile-payments-debu.html?wpisrc=nl-tech

 Jan 12 2011

1:  Many of us of the age to be a SIR member approach new technology with care.  We are often slow to adopt these new technologies despite the fact that they are proven, safe, free or inexpensive, and already widely in use by people younger than us.  Here are 10 things you can do to improve your technological life.  Each suggestion tells "Why" you should do it and "How" to get it done.  They all are easy and (mostly) free.  Altogether, they should take about two hours.  If you do them, those two hours will pay off handsomely in both increased free time and diminished anxiety and frustration. You can do it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/technology/personaltech/30basics.html?-r=1&emc=eta1

2:  We are discussing technology at the beginning of a new year, a time when list of the "best of" the last year are published.  Here is a list of the Best Ideas of the 2010, from the NY Times technology editor.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/technology/personaltech/30pogue.html?emc=eta1

3:  Ok, but what technology ideas should we be looking for in the new year, 2011?  Time Magazine has published some ideas that include new tablet computers, next generation operating systems, superphones, etc.  Here are Time's thoughts.

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,2039783,00.html?artId=2039783?contType=article?chn=bizTech

4:  You bought a new computer.  Before you donate the old one to the Good Will how do you make sure that all your data is removed from the computer?  Here is how.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/26/AR2010122600009.html?referrer=emailarticle

5:  Now that you have dealt with your old computer, you can move on to the new computer.  Be it a new Windows or Apple machine, how do you remove "junk" software that the manufacturer or dealer installed on your new computer?  How do you update the software you want to retain?  Here's how.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/23/AR2010122302059.html?referrer=emailarticle

6:  More and more, we're using browser-based services instead of traditional software, and storing documents, photos, and other data online rather than on our own computer hard disks.  It's a red-hot trend known as cloud computing.  Google, one of the strongest supporters of cloud computing has already introduced a web browser named Chrome.  Now Google is introducing a new operating system (OS), named Chrome OS, that is further focused on using the cloud.  Here is a Time article that will give you a good background on cloud computing and Google's Chrome OS.

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,2039282,00.html?artId=2039282?contType=article?chn=bizTech

8:  Signs you're an old fogey: You still watch movies on a VCR, you listen to vinyl records, you shoot photos on film and you enjoy using e-mail.  Today, people are more often communicating using faster and easier methods like chat and text messaging instead of e-mail and even phone calls.  Your children and grandchildren are regularly communicating in these ways.  Don't get left behind - read the article at this link and after that reconsider the first item in this message about adopting new technology.  Here's the link.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/technology/21email.html?emc=eta1

 DEC 8 MEET   2010

1.  All of us were teenagers to young adults during the 1950's.  All of us regularly read Playboy Magazine, for the articles of course.  Now you can buy digital versions of every Playboy issue, from the first in 1953 through 2009, pre installed on a portable hard drive.  Each month's copy of Playboy is displayed in its entirety - including the advertisements that ran in each issue.  The entire set is browsable and searchable.  The Playboy content takes up only 20GB of the 250GB portable drive so there is lots of room for future updates and backups you want to store.  See, now you have a reason to buy that drive for backups.  The cost?  Just $300.  http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/every-playboy-issue-no-brown-wrapper-required/?emc=eta1

2.  The San Francisco Chronicle (11/30/2010) reports that, as a result of capable cell phones and pressure from children and grandchildren, more and more seniors are sending text messages.  Text messages are short written messages sent from one mobile phone to another.  They are an excellent way to communicate.  In the United States, in June 2010 alone, there were 173.2 billion text messages sent.  Don't miss out on text messaging - it's fun.  http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/11/30/BU8G1GJ1A4.DTL

3.  Now that the crazy Black Friday shopping day has passed Time Magazine has published a few tips for getting Black Friday-like savings, minus the frenzy.  These tips are easy to understand and do with the bottom line that you will save money and have fun doing the shopping that we all do at this time of year.  Read the short article at:  http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,2033538,00.html?artId=2033538?contType=article?chn=bizTech

4.  If you have an e-reader for electronic books you probably already know that in addition to e-books that you buy (for less than paper books) there are also a number of sources of free e-books to add to your library.  One such source is Project Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.org).  Free books are in the public domain, usually are older and often are classics.  Now it appears that some public domain books are being sold by Amazon, for its e-reader the Kindle, while the same e-books are available for free from Gutenberg.     http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/2010/11/amazon-charges-kindle-users-fo.html?referrer=emaillink

5.  The phone book - or at least the residential white pages - is going the way of the rotary telephone and the phone booth. Not to mention vinyl records, typewriters and tape recorders.  Verizon, the largest provider of landline phones in the Washington region, is asking state regulators for permission to stop delivering the residential white pages in Virginia and Maryland.  Verizon and AT&T, the nation's two dominant landline carriers, say that most people search for numbers online and store frequently used numbers in their cellphones rather look than look them up in the white pages.  On line sources and a CD ROM directory will be available.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/16/AR2010111605653.html?referrer=emailarticle

6.  The Washington Post's consumer technology expert tells you nine technology things to add to your wishlist - and one that's a waste of money.  Make your holidays even happier.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/15/AR2010111502156.html?referrer=emailarticle

7.  Skipping a collage class or sleeping through a lecture is something most of us know something about.  Here is an article you may want to print out and share with your college bound grandchildren.  Technology now is used in the classroom to check attendance and compute grades with records of student answers to questions asked in class.  Bottom line - you better show up for class and know your material when you do.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/16/education/16clickers.html?emc=eta1

 Nov 10 meet

should we move to 3rd wed for meet

1.  Just in case you want to video call your grandma to say hello when you finally reach the peak of Mount Everest, you're in luck!  Now 3G mobile phone service has reached the top of Everest.  Yes, we can hear you now, even from way up there.  A Nepalese telecom group Ncell, a subsidiary of Swedish phone giant TeliaSonera, says people can make voice and video calls and surf the Internet on their mobile phones, thanks to a high-speed phone base station at an altitude of 17,000 feet near Gorakshep village in the Everest region.  Previously, climbers had to rely on satellite phone calls to brag about their ascent.

2.  Have you ever wanted to be able to accept credit card payment when you sell some item or have a garage sale or an estate sale?  Now you can, with no contract, set up fee, monthly charge, no minimum amounts and no fees.  Here are two links:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/technology/personaltech/30pogue.html?-r=1&emc=eta1

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2010-10-22-squareapp22-ST-N.htm?csp=usat.me

3.  Question: Is it possible to print documents on both sides of the paper with an inkjet printer, or do I need a laser printer?  If so, how do I do it?

Answer: The ability to automatically print on both sides of the paper (also called duplex printing or double-sided printing) usually depends on the printer and its capabilities, but many inkjet models can handle the job. Check the printer's manual or manufacturer's Web site for specific information and instructions.

If the printer does not support automatic double-sided printing, it can be done manually without special equipment. Just print the odd-numbered pages of a document first, flip the pages over, reload the paper into the printer and print the even-numbered pages.

Depending on the printer, you may need to experiment, especially if the machine shoots out pages face-up and in reverse order. In this case, try setting the odd-numbered pages in normal order before you flip the stack and print out the even-numbered pages in reverse order.

Like other printer manufacturers, Hewlett-Packard has a guide to manual two-sided printing on its Web site at http://h71028.www7.hp.com/hho/cache/548309-0-0-225-121.html.  If a document has a lot of large graphics, pictures and other ink-hogging elements, you may want to use slightly thicker paper or print in a low-ink draft mode to help prevent saturation, wrinkling and smudging. Waiting for each side to dry before printing the other side can also help prevent frustration.

4.  What is too much PC?  A PC World reader spent $2000 on a new PC and asked if he had spent too much.  Here is the answer:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/22/AR2010102203900.html?referrer=emailarticle

5.  According to TIME Magazine, Apple appears to be headed in a completely new direction with the October 20^th announcement of the new MacBook Air.  All solid state flash storage instead of a hard drive, multi-touch glass track pad instead of touch screen, long battery life, very light yet a full keyboard.  Interesting!  http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,2027526,00.html?artId=2027526?contType=article?chn=bizTech

6.  Is your once-speedy PC taking many minutes to boot up, days to display the printer menu and what seems like eons to get to a Web site?  Well, limber up your sluggish PC.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/technology/personaltech/28basics.html?emc=eta1

7.  The next mobile phone you get will surely be a "Smart Phone".   You have a number of choices - an Apple iPhone, several models using the Google Android operating system, several from HP Palm using Web OS, several RIM Blackberry models, and now, the brand new Microsoft Windows Phone 7.  Here is a review of this newest entry into this market.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/technology/personaltech/28pogue.html?emc=eta1

8.  All versions of Windows contain a utility called Task Manager that can be used to force an exit from a program that is not performing properly.  Task Manager is called up by pressing three keys at the same time - Control, Alt, Delete.  Unfortunately, even Task Manager doesn't always work and advises "the Program is Not Responding."  Now there is a free, small executable file, ProcessKO, which will work.   http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/20/AR2010102007076.html?referrer=emailarticle

9.  Here is an excellent article that list the "25 Worst High-Tech Habits and How to Fix Them".  Every SIR member who has a computer should read this item and take whatever corrective action is recommended if you have any of these worst habits.  Here is the link:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/31/AR2010103105286.html?referrer=emailarticle

October 13 meet

1.  A PC World Magazine article, reprinted by the Washington Post, "12 Ways the Tech Industry Is Screwing You (and How to Fight Back)" is full of interesting suggestions and subjects for discussion.  Here is the link:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/06/AR2010090604358.html?referrer=emailarticle

2.  Computers once filled entire rooms, then sat in the closet, moved to our desks, and now nestle in our pockets.  Soon, the computer may become invisible to us, hiding away in everyday objects.  Read all about it:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/weekinreview/05markoff.html?emc=eta1

3.  Will the software I now run on my Windows XP computer work on a new Windows 7 computer that I plan to buy?  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/27/AR2010082702798.html?referrer=emailarticle

4.  If you buy a new Windows PC or upgrade to a current version of Internet Explorer you may find that your default search software is now set to be Microsoft BING.  If this happens, and you want to turn off BING and set some other software, like Google, to be your search engine, you will want to follow the steps in this article:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/09/AR2010090900205.html?referrer=emailarticle

5.  Every day more readers are shifting to electronic books (called e-books), e-magazines and e-newspapers.  What hardware will prevail to support this new technology trend?  Will it be dedicated readers like Amazon's Kindle, the Sony Reader, the Nook, etc. or will it be tablet computers like the Apple iPad and the plethora of tablets that are due to flood the market over the coming months?  Here is a projection of what will happen: http://eu.techcrunch.com/2010/09/03/e-readers-are-dead-meat-in-the-face-of-the-ipad-and-samsung-tab/  Other studies, focused on textbooks reach interesting and similar conclusions at:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/19/magazine/19Essays-textbooks-t.html?-r=1&emc=eta1

6.  Each one of us should have a current will.  If you don't have one, get this fixed TODAY.  In an effort to save cost to produce a will you may consider using one of the numerous will making software programs available.  A look at wills produced by four of the leading software programs - Quicken Willmaker Plus 2011, Legacywrighter, Legalzoom and Buildawill - shows that it is a good idea to have the software generated will reviewed by a good estate attorney.  Here are the details:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/your-money/11money.html

7.  Application programs, called "apps", that launch specific tasks, activities or services without having to use a Web browser - are revolutionizing the way people interact with the Internet.   Millions of developers worldwide are trying to cash in.  Most of these apps run on the numerous portable devices - smart phones, tablet computers, netbooks, laptops, etc. - that are becoming more popular every day.  As an example, there are 259,000 different apps currently available in the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad users, with 512 new apps submitted to the store every day.  Global app business revenue is expected to grow from $4.1 billion in 2009 to $17.5 in 2012 with apps downloaded growing from 7 billion in 2009 to 50 billion in 2012.  Want to know more?  Read it here:  http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/13/BUHT1FBTSJ.DTL

8.  Microsoft has mandated that computer manufacturers stop offering "factory downgrades" for new computer sales, thus ending the reign of Windows XP and making Windows 7 the operating system (OS) of choice.  Dell became the first, but not the last manufacturer, to bid adieu to Windows XP when it stopped offering that OS in late September.

9.  What might the WEB know about you?  Open the link below, select the appropriate tab (name, e-mail, phone) , enter the information for you or someone else and click "SEARCH".  This is but one tool being used today by marketing and sales people to learn about customers and clients.  Have fun!  http://www.spokeo.com/name?g=name-gs-spokeo01&gclid=CIjzgLnTnaQCFQlm7AodjFNqEA

             September 8 meet

1.  Google shook up the data world when it offered Gmail with gigabytes of free storage to every user instead of a few megabytes.  Now Google does it again, offering free telephone calls to any number in the U.S. and Canada and very low rates, often 2 cents a minute, to international numbers.  The free service is Google Voice.  We'll discuss it.  http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/google-shakes-it-up-again-with-free-phone-calls/?emc=eta1

2.  TIME Magazine just published a list of 2010's best websites. From the helpful to the distracting, the big hitters to the unknowns, TIME offers a road map to the best of the Web.  Also see the second list of sites for mobile devices.  Both lists are full of real gems and worth paging through the descriptions one at a time.  Go to the link, then click the "Next" button to page through descriptions of the sites.  Also look for the link to the mobile sites list.  http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2012721-2012728,00.html?xid=newsletter-daily?artId=2012721?contType=article?chn=specials

3.  If you are buying a new High Definition TV (HDTV) what are the things you should be looking for?  Should you buy a plasma set, an LED set or an LCD set?  Why?  This article will help.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/19/AR2010081907133.html?referrer=emailarticle

4.  What is a Hard Drive Crash?  Do they still happen?  Read all about it.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/20/AR2010082003383.html?referrer=emailarticle

5.  Instead of filling cars with lots of new electronics that will grow outdated, the Mercedes designed Smart USA car will be using the Apple iPhone and its applications for its electronic wizardry.  It's even adding some unique touches.  "We're bringing high-tech telematics (GPS system, Internet radio, Bluetooth calling, etc.) into the vehicle using the iPhone as the platform," says spokesman Rick Bourgoise.

Case in point:  The Smart people have an iPhone application to guide you to your Smart car in a crowded parking lot.  Sure, the little car stands out anyway.  But this is a handy idea that would be great for any car.  It's called "Car Finder" and it works like this:  The iPhone marks the vehicle location via GPS automatically as soon as the phone is lifted from the cradle.  The phone will then pinpoint the car's location on a map when you return.  With Apple's iPhone apparently here to stay, Smart has also developed a dashboard mount for the iPhone.

"In terms of uniqueness, we're claiming to be one of the first automotive brands to develop its own iPhone drive app.  The developers from Mercedes-Benz R&D North America worked closely with Apple to create the app."

6.  Each fall new classes enter college for the first time.  The class of 2014 is entering this fall.  Several universities and collages publish information to their staff's so the "old" university professors and staff clearly understand the backgrounds of the new entering students.  Remember, most members of the class 2014 were born in 1992.  As an example, the class of 2014, won't understand that you are asking for the time by pointing to your wrist.  They don't wear watches because they tell time from their cell phone screens.  Bloit College (Wisconsin) calls this information the "Mindset List."  Enjoy their whole list here:  http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2014.php  How old have we become?

7.  We have all become more likely to carry our mobile phone whenever we travel.  If you travel abroad and are not careful you can end up with a huge cell phone bill when you return home.  Here are some helpful ideas on how to avoid that large phone bill.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/travel/01prac.html?-r=1&emc=eta1

8.  Why are HP and Dell fighting so hard to buy 3Par?  The fight may be over by the time our Computer Club meets but the question is still valid.  Here is the status today.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/technology/28storage.html?th&emc=th

     August 11 meet

We will go around the table for discussion of appropriate computer/technology subjects and questions of interest to each of our members.  To that end I have included some subjects below that I have found or were suggested by members.  Where appropriate I have included an Internet link to an article on the subject that you may want to click to read additional detail on the subject.

1.  Here is a portable projector, the size of two chocolate bars, which can be attached to your laptop or smart phone with the supplied cables to project a 60 inch display of your pictures or full length feature movie.  http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/26/a-portable-movie-theater/?emc=eta1

2.  India has shown a $35 tablet computer for spreading technology to students and teachers.  If you visit the link be sure to watch the short video.  http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/23/india.thirty.five.dollar.laptop/index.html?hpt=T2

3.  Microsoft has retired Windows 2000 and Windows XP (through SP-2).  If you want to keep running them you are on your own - no more software fixes or technical support from Microsoft.  http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/2010/07/microsoft-retires-windows-2000.html?referrer=emaillink

4.  Most of us check Snopes.com on occasion to confirm the rumors that show up in our e-mail, particularly before we forward such information to others.  Here is an interview of the Snopes founder by David Pogue, the technology editor of the New York Times.  This is worth your time to read.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/technology/personaltech/15pogue-email.html?-r=1&emc=eta1

5.  Amazon.com announced that it is now selling more electronic books (e-books) than hard cover books.  Technology continues to change the way we live our lives.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/20/technology/20kindle.html?emc=eta1

6.  Here is an interesting opinion of how the U.S. Postal Service might save itself as technology changes the mix of information on paper and electronic transmission.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/22/AR2010072204241.html?referrer=emailarticle

7.  Nuance, the company that makes Dragon NaturallySpeaking for Windows, is in a pretty sweet position:  It's essentially a monopoly.  One by one, its competitors in the speech-recognition business have either left the market (Philips), gone out of business (Lernout & Hauspie) or turned over its product to Nuance (I.B.M.).  Even the sole Mac speech-recognition program, MacSpeech Dictate, can no longer be considered a kind of rival; Nuance bought it this year.  Here is an article about their newest upgrade that, in the $100 Home version, you might want to consider.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/technology/personaltech/29pogue.html?emc=eta1

8.  We SIR members and our spouses continue to live to older and older age in part because of the healthy eating we do at our monthly Computer Club meeting at IHOP.  As we age it is beneficial for us to maintain our independence and not have to move into an assisted living facility or a nursing home.  Maintaining that independence can be helped if our adult children can be kept informed that we are healthy and up and about in our normal living.  The article at the link is about technology that is available today to assists us in addressing the concerns of our adult children for our well being.  Worth the read.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/garden/29parents.html?emc=eta1