Archives at Zinester: Castellini on Computers Weekly Newsletter - 11-14-07. Castellini on Computers Weekly Email Newsletter. Hardware & Software

Castellini on Computers Free Weekly Email Newsletter November 14, 2007 Hear (and see) our show LIVE Every Thursday night at 9:30 PM MST or Visit HelpMeRick.com ANY time to download or hear any of our shows. Spelling and punctuation guaranteed to be at least 78 percent accurate
In this week's issue. . .
* Tip of the Week * Geek Speek of the Week - (Simple definition of common computer terms) * Computer News...and comment * Last week's Poll results * Adam's Comments - Stuff from the digital world that is rolling around in Adam's head. * Email of the week
We are sending this newsletter out in a rush this week so that we can get the word out about this week's show. The Holiday season begins next week and you may need some help deciding which tech gadgets make the best gifts. When it comes to experience with consumer technology, no one has as much day-to-day experience as we do. We don't do "in depth" reviews for a few days, then write about it. We are in the homes and businesses of people every day who actually depend on technology and have real world experience with the products we talk about. We get our opinions about technology from our customers and clients who actually put technology to real world tests in their jobs and leisure. It is not unusual for us to discover a new product or from an opinion about a product based on what we see our clients using. Every week as we see dozens of computers, media players, external peripherals, etc. and we base our opinions and reviews of these products on the experiences our clients have with them. Our reviews and opinions are often unpopular with brand loyalists, but we approach technology from the everyday user point of view. If you are not a technology expert or a lover of digital devices, but you think that life might be a little better with a digital camera, media player, laptop, etc. Give us a call, write us an email or chat with us during the show and we will tell you what we know. Much of our newsletter problems have also been resolved. Make sure you add the following address to your accepted or non-spam list (without the spaces and use @ symbol instead of the word 'at') so that the email will get through to you: response26262629 at zinester.com.
Email your questions to us and we will answer them live on the air or on our daily website updates!	Custom Computer Help from Rick and Adam
	We have been posting a new how-to video every week since November and the feedback has been tremendous. Now YOU have the opportunity to get your own customized video tutorial about a topic that you are having trouble with or just want to learn. To learn more, visit: www.HelpMeRick.com/videohelp
Tip of the Week Microsoft Excel tip that will change your life - Video Tip
View the Video Here If this tip doesn't change your life, it can change your cube mates life or someone's life who uses Excel a lot. This short (4 minute) video demonstrates the power of knowing how to quickly navigate around a spreadsheet without using the vertical or horizontal scroll bars. Even if you don't use Excel, watch the video...it is like a magic show you might see in Las Vegas.
Geek Speek	Google is so much more than just a search engine. They are a company with a single mission - to archive the world's information. Everything is considered information. When you look at Yahoo's homepage vs. Google's home page, you will notice one thing that Google has that Yahoo doesn't - white space. Rather than boasting about all of the various services that they have to offer, Google likes to hide their features, software and services. Here is a direct link to everything that Google has to offer. That may seem like a lot, but there is more... Google Labs is where Google hides all of their experimental services. This is where power features like Google Earth and Google Docs get their start. WARNING! Following any link in this Geek Speek will initiate a time machine. Hours will magically pass by as your browse through the various features found within each link.
*Google Labs*

Computer News...and comment
White House ordered to save all email Monday a federal judge ordered the White House to save all emails. Federal law prohibits the destruction of all communication but emails have not been archived since 2003. New Zune hits the market Microsoft released its second generation of Zune media player this week. The Zune now comes in three flavors - a small solid state 4 or 8 GB, the standard 30 GB model and a new 80 gig model that is a little more sleek. The new 80 gig and solid state drives have a few new features and sport a new design, but one of the coolest upgrades is in the software. The Zune software now supports podcasts. Photoshop Express beta draws near Digital photography blogs everywhere are reporting that Adobe will be releasing a beta of Photoshop Express before the end of the year. Photoshop Express is a powerful web-based program that offers photo editing tools to Internet users of all platforms and operating systems. While the program is not expected to be as powerful as the boxed versions of Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, Adobe is totally aware of the competition from similar sites Picnik and Splashup. Blockbuster still doesn't understand video business You would think that Blockbuster would be keen on what it takes to run a video rental business but, like many once-great businesses, Blockbuster doesn't know how to adapt to the digital age. Netflix, RedBox and video on demand services are quickly cutting in on Blockbuster's market. What do these businesses offer that cause them to be such steep competition? 1. Video rental without leaving home 2. Ease of rental 3. Little or no late fee What does Blockbuster propose to do to compete? They are planning to add kiosks in their own stores where people can download movies to their media players (probably not iPods though). Of course Apple users can already to this from home through the iTunes store and if you are a non-ipod user, you can rip the movies from DVD or download them from a number of other services straight from home at your computer. Why would you go to Blockbuster to get something that you can do from home? It is a lot like going to Wal-mart to use the pay phone when you have a cell phone in your pocket.
Poll Results	Do you own any Google stock?
Next week's poll: Will you shop online for holiday gifts this year?	Ye$ - 3% No - 67% Not yet - 5% I don't play the stock market - 26%

Adam's Comments
I am not a jewelry person, but I love nice watches. If I were rich, there are only two articles of clothing that I would not buy at a mall. I would get a couple $2000 suits and a really nice watch. Watches have been a fascination for as long as I can remember. I can't really spot expensive shoes and I can't tell the difference between a $100 meal and Olive Garden, but I know a nice suit and a nice watch when I see them. I am always on the lookout for the ultimate watch. When it comes to watches, I don't go for simple and elegant. I prefer almost obnoxious with lots of complications. The perfect watch goes beyond the standard face dial. It must be amusing and create a conversation. In my quest to discover the perfect watch, I have never been quite sure what the perfect watch would look like. Until this week. hD3 Complications understands me. This company puts out the kind of watches that I would design. Especially the Bi-axial or Vulcania and the ThreeMinds. Price: "Over $300,000" I will stick with my Big Lots calculator watch for now.
Email of the week
Hi Rick, It's quick and to the point; Java; when it "updates" can I uninstall the previous installations? the only reason I ask is this; When Java performs an update, the update file size is usually larger than the Original file, so, I wonder, is this "update" the original Java runtime environment AND update? or JUST the update? ( I have almost 400 MB worth of Java R.T.E. and Updates ) WOW!! Thanx! Mike ---------------- Hi Mike, Java updates are quite large, relatively speaking. However, 400mb on a 40GB or larger hard drive, shouldn't be anything to worry about in the long run. The short answer is "yes", you can delete the previous versions of Java after updating to a new one. However, the long answer is that if you delete previous versions some older programs or Internet applications may stop working because they utilize the older version of Java. Unless you are in dire need of disk space, I would ignore the older versions and just leave them be. Thanks for writing. Rick
Castellini on Computers & HelpMeRick.com ©2007 Rick Castellini and Adam Cochran