CyberCoyote - October 1, 2008

NEWS and NOTES

HTCC Meetings

The HTCC season starts a little early this year. George Jester has been working hard to line up our program for the season. Meetings will all be at 2:00 PM in NC-2 on Thursdays. Our first meeting will be on 10/9.

LifeLock Presentation

Updated: This presentation has been moved out from 10/16 to Thursday, 11/13. Still at 2:00 PM.

TECH TOPICS

Heads-up: start thinking 64-bits

A 64-bit CPU running 64-bit Vista would be your best bet if you're thinking about a new computer in the next year or so. Either that, or wait a while for Windows 7. Stick with me while I try to make this simple. :-)

The next version of Windows -- called Windows 7 for now -- will likely be out about a year from now. It will not be a major advance; it will merely be what Vista should have been. 64-bit will be standard, but 32-bit will be available. [more]

[Updated to reflect new information] Most PCs built in the last 10 years were based on 32-bit CPUs. That means they can only use 4 GB of memory. That combination is fine for most XP uses, it's a bit wimpy for Vista, and it will be less adequate for Windows 7 with the other new technologies that are coming along.

The 64-bit system has matured in 2008. Most current 32-bit software will run on 64-bit systems. If I needed a new PC now, I'd get one with a dual-core, 64-bit CPU and 8 GB of memory. A 64-bit system like that would run Vista just fine, and I'd end up with a fine Windows 7 system if I decided to upgrade Windows later. [more on 32-/64-bit][more yet]

Greener printing

I rarely need to print documents, and I haven't used carbon paper for years. :-) Of course it's computers that make this possible. But when you do need to print something there are ways to save paper and ink (which still costs more than gasoline). You'll find several green printing tips at "Lifehacker" blog.

FREE PHOTO SOFTWARE

Picasa 3

Google recently updated Picasa to Version 3 (Beta). Picasa makes it easy to find, edit, and share your photos online. Darv Meler provided a tip about Picasa 3 earlier, and says that Larry Stanford found it does some important new things, and is easier to use. You can find out what's new and what's changed in Version 3 here. I wouldn't worry about the "Beta" designation. :-)

Microsoft AutoCollage

Picasa has a collage tool, but Microsoft AutoCollage does all the hard work for you. Just point it at a group of pictures and let it create your work of art. :-) [description]

Panoramic image stitcher

Microsoft's Image Composite Editor stitches together multiple images taken from a fixed spot to create a seamless panorama. Capture grand vistas that ordinary photos simply can't convey. This easy to use program does most of the work for you. [more] Image Composite Editor requires .NET 2.0.

SECURITY

My new antivirus/antimalware pick

Sunbelt Software's new VIPRE combines antivirus and antimalware scanning protection. It was designed from the ground up to minimize the drain on system resources. I evaluated the beta version for several months, and have now adopted it for all of my computers. Sunbelt released VIPRE in August. [review]

This padlock is not secure

Several years ago, We rented some cabins in Minnesota for a family vacation. Our eight year old grandson spotted a big spider in his cabin, and exclaimed, "This place is not secure." Not surprising, given his precocious vocabulary. :-)

The padlock in your browser is not "secure" either. That icon only shows that the site uses encryption, which is also indicated by "https" in the address. Yes, it's encrypted, but it could just as well be a website that will quietly rip you off. :o) The new Firefox 3 Site Identification Button is a more reliable indicator of security, or lack thereof.

ODDS and ENDS

Guess where they're from.

How well can you spot an accent? The Language Trainers Group videoed a bunch of English-speaking people on the street. See if you can guess where they're from. I would have done well, except that a few Americans didn't sound American to me.

Streets of Seattle

A word to the wise: don't cross the street when there's a new moon. Look close and you'll see there was a skif of snow in Seattle when this picture was taken. :-)

Uzbekian Towing Service

Polution is not their only problem! [video]

Tumblin' Tumbleweeds

From down under. [video]

That's all, folks.