December 23, 2006

New Search Option from Google

Try SearchMash.com

It is interesting, you can hide details, just type and a new search starts and common results like images, blogs, and wiki articles are automatically included in the side bar.

Windows Anti-Virus Rec's

WindowsOneCare.com from Microsoft - easiest

Nod32 - http://www.eset.com - more nerdy

Digital Photo Classes Offered Again

Windows on Feb 3 and Mac on Feb 10-- see blurb below for details:

Digital Photography Workflow Introduction
or
What do I do, now that I have all these digital pictures?

Description: Learn how to use your digital camera in your work and at
home or traveling. Learn how to optimize your photos so that they
achieve their full potential.

This class covers the basics of photography and how to set up a
digital work-flow that works for you, the digital photography
amateur. Camera/computer connections, file organization, archiving,
optimizing, printing and sharing are all addressed.

Bring your camera, cables, memory cards, laptop and everything that
came with the camera. This class is a great choice for beginner to
intermediate digital photographers. You must take some photographs
before the class! There is a basic outline at the bottom of this
message.

The class will be intimate, laid back, and non-competitive. It will
be at my home/office and we will moving around the house and yard for
lectures, hands-on computer work and photography.

Limit of 6 participants so please register early!
Windows Users: Dates/Times: Saturday, Feb. 3 2006 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (one hour
for lunch)

Mac Users: Dates/Times: Saturday, Feb. 10, 2006 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (one hour
for lunch)

Note: if you want to take the class but this date does not work for
you, give us some date suggestions that do work. We may be able to
add a session.

Cost: $80.00, includes a.m. and p.m. snacks

Requirements: Digital Camera, Laptop Computer (or a desktop you can
carry!), at least 10 photographs on your memory card (they don't have
to be great ones, in fact the more problems the better), all
connection cables and software previously installed. Call me if you
want help with this before the class.

Optional Follow-up Opportunity: After the class, on a mutually
convenient date and time, get personal one-on-one help with a photo
shoot of your choice. We will work together to evaluate, catalog,
optimize, organize and prepare for sharing your shoot. $50/hr

How to Register: Send a check for the full amount or I can send you a
PayPal invoice that you can pay on-line with a credit card. Call or
email if you want the PayPal invoice.

Mailing Address for payment and the Feb 10 class:

TeachTech Inc. - Steve Gandy
12635 Flagg Dr.
Lafayette, CO 80026
phone: 303.359.9836

steve@stevegandy.com photography.stevegandy.com
---
Outline:
Photography Basics
-image, size, quality, white balance
-composition
-exposure
-focus
-lighting

Unloading the camera
-cables etc.
-connecting the camera vs. using a card reader
-using the camera's software vs. using the computer's operating system
-formatting the card vs. deleting the photos for next time
-finding the pictures once you have unloaded them to the computer


Organizing the picture files
-using the computer's operating system vs. specific software products
-using good names
-renaming the pictures
-organization system choices

Archiving the picture files
-using web resources
-burning to CD/DVDs
-general backup strategies and options

Optimizing the pictures
-correcting colors and light balances
-cropping and re-sizing
-software tools available

printing and sharing the pictures
-internet choices and websites
-creating local websites for sharing
-email
-local printing
-printing yourself

October 31, 2006

iPhoto Reminders Posted

I created a 5 page iPhoto Reminders document for a training that I am delivering soon and I thought some others might be interested...

It is a help for the "less than intuitive" features that have to do with the organizational aspects of iPhoto. It is intended for new users of iPhoto. It is not supposed to be inclusive but rather just a set of reminders. There may be a sister document posted dealing with the photo editing features later.

You can find it at the TeachTech web site: stevegandy.com/teachtech/TeachTech_Info.html

October 12, 2006

Tiger Update 10.4.8 is Good

The newest update from Apple is good and you can absolutely install it. As always do so after a fresh restart, current backup and repairing permisssions. And if you have multiple Macs be sure to forego syncing, backups etc. until all the machines are updated.

Give me a call if you need help with this.

August 24, 2006

G4 iBook and PowerBook batteries being recalled

See this page: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml06/06245.html

It lists battery serial numbers that are affected. If you have a G4 laptop you should check this out immediately.

August 13, 2006

New Phishing E-mail Messages with a Twist

There is a new phishing e-mail scam that has a new twist. We all know not to click any links in e-mail messages that look like they are from your bank, eBay, PayPal, credit card company or other entities that have your personal data. ALWAYS type the address yourself before visiting these web sites. Don't even click the link if you are sure it is from the actual company, it's a bad habit.

But now we're seeing a new twist. They don't ask you to click anything but instruct the reader to call on the phone...so it looks more legitimate. It could be easier to give your information to a "representative" of the company over the phone. Be aware!

I have one of these messages in my inbox and will report on how they act when I get them on the phone.

August 02, 2006

New Security Update from Apple

Security Update 2006-004: This update hasn't been reported to cause any difficulties.

July 20, 2006

More News Items

Firefox: Many are using the free Mozilla Firefox web browser and for good reasons. It is an excellent choice and has many "enhancements". For Windows users it is an absolute must for security reasons and I'm continually amazed that many haven't heard of it yet. Please help spread the word to your Windows using friends. You can find Firefox at: www.mozilla.com/firefox/
Many of the add-ons like the built-in weather forecasts and other helper programs are available at: addons.mozilla.org/firefox/

McAfee SiteAdvisor: One that is not available directly from Firefox is McAfee SiteAdvisor, this tool gives you a small color coded "heads-up" about whether the web page you are visiting is ranked as a safe location or a malicious one. I'm finding it very helpful. Find it here: www.siteadvisor.com

Toolbars: Google and Yahoo booth offer specialized toolbars that add personal aids like access to mail, auto fill-in, highlighting and other cool features. Google's toolbar: toolbar.google.com Yahoo's toolbar: toolbar.yahoo.com/firefox/

Google HomePage: Speaking of Google. The next time you search there, click the link called Personalized Home. You can set your Google page to display all kinds of helpful and fun items from solitaire games to traffic alerts.

Simple Technology Choices is On-line

Our new site that reviews the easiest to use technology choices is online and almost ready. So far the reviews for cell phones are posted. Digital camera reviews will be next.

This site hosts reviews and recommendations for powerful technology choices like phones, cell phones, cameras, music players, and software that are the easiest and most intuitive for people to use.

Technology should make human interaction more natural and easy with the tools we use but often the opposite is true. So which one should we buy? Simple Technology Choices will bring you the information you need to make the right choice.

Check it out and let me know what you think: www.SimpleTechnologyChoices.com

Laptop Security Tip

Do you travel with your laptop? Even if just to work and back? If so, you know that you are running the risk of it being stolen. That would be bad enough but what if the thief also got all your passwords? For the bank, your email etc. There are a couple of easy settings to make your Mac to require your master password to "un-lock" the other passwords even if it was grabbed off your desk while you were working. They will require you to enter the password a bit more often (after the computer sleeps or restarts) but it might be worth it.

Give me a call if you'd like to secure your computer a bit more securely. We can take care of it in 15 minutes over the phone.

April 10, 2006

Mac OS X update 10.4.6 Notes

Apparently there is a warning for users that employ iSync for phones and PDA's. Please read the instructions here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303411 and here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303419before doing this update.

The iSync software is replaced and Apple wants to make sure you don't lose your data or ability to sync your devices.

If you'd like help with this update, just call.

March 02, 2006

Mac OS X Security Issues

The recent popularity of Macintosh and other factors have shown that there are some security risks involved with using this computer platform. Windows users have -many- more problems but we should all:

-Keep a virus protection software up to date. Especially if we share Microsoft Office files with colleagues

-Install all the latest security updates and system updates when they appear in our Software Update program. I usually advise waiting a week after they appear. If you don't get a warning from me or other support people about the update, go ahead and let it install.

-There is a setting for users of the Safari web browser that should be set:'
--open Safari preferences - Safari Menu > Preferences
--In the General pane, UN-check "Open 'safe' files after downloading" - Apparently, they are not always "safe"

-Malicious software or Macintosh basically has to ask for your password to proceed. So be wary of the password prompt if you don't know what caused it to appear. It is normal to get the prompt when you are installing software of course.