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Castellini on Computers Free Weekly
Email Newsletter
February 13, 2008
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
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In this week's
issue. . .
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*** 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
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We
hate to sound like a broken record, but the show just keeps getting
better. If you aren't tuning in live, you are missing a lot. We were
even able to take a call last week live on the air.
Because
it is Valentine's Day tomorrow, we won't be doing a live show (our
wives may look down upon that kind of thing), but we will be back again
next Thursday night.
Also, next Thursday, we will be doing our
live radio appearance on Grand Junction's public radio station, KAFM.
Locally, you can tune in on 88.1 FM from Noon-1:00pm or via the web at
www.KAFMradio.org |
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Email your
questions to us and we will answer them live on the air or on
our daily website updates!
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Custom
Computer Help from Rick and Adam
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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
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Tip of the Week
3 Important Features of HelpMeRick.com - Video Tip
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We launched this new version of HelpMeRick.com almost two years
ago. In addition to the more consistent design, easier management for
us, awesome search capabilities and a host of other features that work
great, there are three features that we hope you all use and use often.
Feature 1 - Read More
Remember to click the "Read more" link at the bottom of many of our
front page stories. If you aren't clicking that link, not only are you
missing the meat of the article, but you are also missing the ability
to use the next two features.
Feature 2 - Printer Friendly
Clicking this link pulls up a new web page showing only our logo and
the article you were reading in a format that will fit on your printed
page without any of the sidebar information on our site. It's fast and
works much better than just printing from within the site.
Feature 3 - Stumble
Adam and I love to use the "Stumble Upon" toolbar. Seeing that
someone developed this wonderful tool for our content management
system, we installed it. When you click "Stumble" at the bottom of any
of our tips or entries, you will be instantly transported to a random
tip or entry on our site. Give it a try...not only is it fun, but you
just might learn something along the way.
To see these features in action, watch the short 2 minute video at HelpMeRick.com. |
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Geek
Speek |
Yahoo!
has been in the news a lot this week as Microsoft attempted a hostile
takeover and Google jumped in to try to prevent the deal.
It was enough to make tech stocks exciting again for a few days. In the
end the deal was rejected, but a lot of market and news watchers are
still asking. "What's the big deal about Yahoo!"
Yahoo, like Google began as an advertiser supported search engine.
Google learned from Yahoo's weaknesses and quickly overtook them
in popularity.
Even though Google appeared to be putting Yahoo out of business, Yahoo
fought back by focusing on providing content as much as searching for
it.
Yahoo.com now has one of the better online email services, great news and media content and an excellent portal service.
While Google may be more of a household name, Yahoo is an excellent site that deserves to be discovered by every Internet user.
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Yahoo!
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Computer
News...and comment
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Picasa for Mac due this year
Excellent news for all you Mac users, your days with the clumsy file
system of iPhoto are numbered. For the first time, Mac users will be
able to enjoy a superior product that began on a PC platform.
Keep an eye on HelpMeRick.com. When Picasa for Mac becomes available, we will plaster it all over the site.
AOL innovates with stale idea
Whenever a new idea takes hold, you can count on AOL to come along two
or three years later with their own version and expect the world to get excited.
This week AOL and Microsoft each announced plans to develop a mobile
platform to compete with Google's Android platform which is already in
beta stages.
AOL is entering new territory though as their system will be open
source. We suspect that Time Warner hopes that the move will lure
Google into buying the dying AOL.
US Hospitals begin Wiihabilitation
Nintendo sent out a storm of press releases this week
that got all of the tech news blogs reporting on the trend of hospitals
using the Nintendo Wii game system for rehabilitation of patients.
The Wii is unique in that that controller is operated by physical
movements that simulate the actions of the characters or sport being
played in the game.
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Poll
Results
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Do you read political news and blogs online?
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Next
week's poll:
Would you consider buying a non-windows computer?
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Yes 57%
No 43%
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Adam's Comments
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Text messaging is the most underrated technology available today.
Kids get it, but I don't think that most grownups understand the power of text messaging.
Text messaging, or texting for short, is similar to sending a short email message between two phones. It is quick and discreet.
I will illustrate with the following script for a reader's theater
presentation. Feel free to print this out and act it out with a friend.
Situation #1: Text message recipient is in a meeting while sender is shopping.
RECIPIENT'S PHONE BUZZES OR CHIMES AS TEXT MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE SCREEN.
FRIEND: Are you busy?
You look at the screen of your phone and read the message but wait to
respond at a time when you won't be rude or draw attention to yourself.
YOU: Yes, I'm in a meeting
FRIEND: Ok call me when you are done.
A few minutes later when it's convenient again....
YOU: Will do.
Situation #2: You
don't believe in text messaging because, if you have something to say,
you will just call. You are still in the same meeting.
RING RING RING RING (to the tune of Camptown Races)
The meeting comes to a sudden and obnoxious pause as everyone looks around for the idiot who left his/her cell phone on.
You try to hit the ignore button but accidentally hit answer instead. You don't want to be rude so you whisper...
YOU: Hey, can I call you back, I'm in a meeting.
FRIEND: Ya sorry, I just wanted to see if you wanted to go to lunch.
YOU: Ya, that sounds cool, I will call you back later.
FRIEND: OK... Real quick, do you know when you will be done?
YOU: No, it shouldn't be much longer. I will just have to call you back.
FRIEND: OK, do you think I have time to stop at the bank?
YOU: Probably, I have to do. I will cal you back.
FRIEND: OK, sorry to bother you, bye.
By now everyone in the meeting is giving you the death stare for interrupting the meeting.
Text messages are better than phone calls for messages like:
"Call me when you get a chance"
"Don't forget to stop at the bank on the way home"
"Avoid 5th today, there is a lot of construction"
"Are you feeling better today?"
"Have you left yet?"
"You busy?"
- And any number of other messages that don't require the greetings and
small talk associated with a typical phone call. Text messages are to
phone calls and email and phone calls what walkie talkies are to
telegraphs.
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Email of the week
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Hello
Rick,Suggestion for new blog. "I am looking for"
where people could describe a program they need, and others could answer. Maybe
you have this. If you do incorporate it, pls let me know, I don't check your
site very often, and your new phone show is on too late for me.
Tom
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Hello Tom,
We
are deeply disappointed that you don't check the site very often.
However, it is your loss because we post up great content that makes
all computer users smarter more efficient computer users every single
day. In fact, I guarantee that folks who visit our
site daily have 68% less problems with their computers than those who
don't visit our site. I like your idea, however,
about a "I am looking for" blog. However, it has been done with great
success already at www.freecycle.org, craigslist.com, and eBay.com. Thanks for writing, and I hop you change your mind about visiting our site more often.
Good luck.
Rick PS. Our show can't be too late for anyone, because you visit our web site and listen to any of our new shows at ANY
time that is convenient to you. Even better, you can download the show
and copy it to your MP3 player or CD and listen to it whenever and
wherever you want.
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Castellini
on Computers & HelpMeRick.com ©2008
Rick Castellini and Adam Cochran
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