The Refresh Orlando Heirs

Remember that neat little wrist watch Dick Tracy used? You know, the one that had the phone, TV, etc all built in. And it told time, too. Way back when Dick Tracy first appeared, a watch like that was nothing more than a wistful look into the technology of the future. At the time, I’m sure that it was widely thought that technology would never get so advanced that a simple little wristwatch could actually provide all those functions.

Of course, that fanciful future is the here and now. Along with tremendous gains in the size, speed and power of computing devices, a strange and wonderful thing is happening… A sort of revolution is taking place, something called Technological Convergence. You see, a TV used to be just a TV, something that you watched television shows on. A telephone was something that, for a hefty monthly fee to Ma Bell, you could use to speak to friends and family all over the world. And a wristwatch, well, was something that told you the time.

Over the past few years, and seemingly growing momentum recently, these standalone devices that once served only a single, simple function are now beginning to be multi-purposed. TV sets can now be enabled to surf the net, phones can be used to get and send email, and watches can be used as Instant Messaging devices. The most obvious advancement in the technological merging arena is the cell phone. A simple cell phone, with the right services attached, can display movies, music, email, web, act as a personal calendar and much more. It is amazing to think that just a few years ago a cell phone was just a phone. Another example is the PlayStation 2 gaming console. It is a CD player, DVD player and an Internet device all in one.

If you are inclined to think that all this ‘convergence’ is some amazing stuff, I agree, but remember: this is just the beginning. I recently heard of a company making a refrigerator that knows when you are running low on milk. That would be great, except I think I’ll wait for the model that lets the grocery store know I need milk and automatically places the order for me.

We are still a far cry from having wireless internet-accessible chips implanted in our brains. In terms of technology, that is, perhaps not in terms of time.

Mike Bryant has worked as a professional software developer for over ten years. A born entrepreneur, he currently owns Centrant, LLC, a software consulting firm specializing in custom software for small businesses. He currently resides in Jackson, Kentucky with his wife, two kids, and five computers. For more information, please visit www.MikeBryant.com

Celebrating is a skill that adults with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) are often short on. They tend to have a negative image of themselves. Their own internal gremlin keeps reminding them of their failures and unrealized dreams and “the others” in the outside world often remind them when they don’t live up to expectations.

Here are six tips for Celebrating with ADD.

1. Celebrate failure

People with ADD often take failure personally as proof of their own stupidity. Getting it wrong is the first step to getting it right. Understand what went wrong and plan how to do it differently so it doesn’t happen again.

Thomas Edison made more than 1000 attempts (failures) before he made a successful light bulb. He made careful notes of each trial so he wouldn’t repeat a failing design.

2. Celebrate small steps forward

We work for rewards. People with ADD have difficulty staying focused on big projects because the reward seems so far away and imaginary. Recognize and reward each small step forward to have that feeling of satisfaction often.

3. Celebrate little things

You got to an appointment on time; pat yourself on the back. Share your success with someone who will celebrate with you. You remembered to return the books to the library with only one reminder. Think about how you did it. Plan to do it again and give three cheers.

4. Train a friend to celebrate with you

Other people usually do not understand how difficult small steps are for people with ADD; they may belittle your efforts to manage yourself. Choose friends who will understand what ADD means and train them to celebrate with you.

5. Laugh often

Laughing makes us feel good. No surprise! A hearty laugh boosts serotonin, the feel good neurotransmitter. You can laugh at your little mess-ups: the spilled milk and keys forgotten; it puts them in a lighter perspective.

You don’t need to have something funny to laugh at; there are now laughing clubs where you can laugh in company. It’s great for the immune system too.

6. Have an Unbirthday party

Why wait for birthdays to have a party? Getting friends together helps strengthen relationships and provides a chance for networking. If planning parties is too much for you, get a friend to help.

Sarah Jane Keyser worked for many years with computers as programmer, analyst, and user trainer, but her struggle with inattentive ADD kept getting in the way of her plans and dreams. Once ADD was identified and the great need that coaching filled, she added ADD Coach training (ADDCoach Academy) to complete her preparation for a new career as ADD Coach.

Learn more about ADHD at http://www.CoachingKeytoADD.com or sign up for Zebra Stripes, a free E-zine for ADHD at http://www.coachingkeytoadd.com/newsletter/newsarchive.html

It was late, I had put off going to the Software Convention till the last minute. I just had to watch my favorite show on TV,
“S-Files”. Its that episode where the Computer Salespeople all turn into Pod People and ,,,,well never mind. Its really scary!
So I’m driving down the lonely one lane road from my house to the Convention. Its dark and the shadows are creepy, I’ll never watch S-Files again, I swear!

I pull into the parking lot, the convention is being held in the old YMCA. Geez, its dark, only 1 parking lot light and its flickering on and off. As I walk up to the entrance, I remember the old story about how, back in the Dot.Com days, when they tanked, the building was used as a makeshift morgue, to hold all the bodies of the CEO’s who committed suicide.

I get this really creepy feeling on the back of my neck as I go in,,,,oh, its just a Linux software salesman at the first booth. Is it my imagination or are his eyes glowing?

I head to the registration desk to get a program. I see the place is kinda empty, guess cause its so late. Well, I’m here to see who is offering the latest demos and what kind of freebies I can score.
The front booths are usually the big sellers and they never give away freebies or demos. So I head to the back, hmmm, the lights back here are terrible! Here’s a booth, Anti-Spyware 4 U.

The salesman shuffles up to me and says “Please take a demo of our new product”. I look at it, it says this is the latest greatest software to combat Spyware. I take the CD out of the plain paper cover and look at the Logo. Its just a plain shiny cd? Wow I can see myself in it I remark. “We spared no expense” a voice says behind me, making me jump. I didn’t even know he was behind me. Wait, I should have seen him behind me in the reflection off the CD.

I gotta be imagining things I say to myself. I ask the salesman for a brochure about their other products and as he hands it to me, our fingers brush each others. Jeez! His fingers are as cold as ice! Well, he is a salesman after all.

I thank him and head off to the other booths, seeing that I’ve gotten here too late after all, everybody is leaving. I decide to swing by the refreshments table to see if I can at least get a drink and some cookies. It sure is dark in here I think again as I come up to the table. As I scan the table, a little old lady comes up and asks me if Id like any milk and cookies. Yes Mam I reply. She hands me a little plate with cookies and paper cup of something white. I assume its milk, but its so dark in here! And there seems to be a fog or steam on the surface of the milk. Well beggars cant be choosers I think to myself as I thank her. She gives me a freaky cackling laugh as I turn away, stunned I turn back around and to my Horror, there is no-one there! Where in blazes did she go ?

I’m outta here my mind screams to me as I head for the door at a ever faster walk. In a minute I’m in my car with the doors locked and the engine warming up. Whew, That was the strangest Convention I’ve ever seen.

All the way home I’ve got a death grip on the wheel, just waiting for something to jump out of the shadows. Like a IBM salesman, now that would be scary!

If only I had known the other horrors that awaited me!

I breathe a sigh of relief as I close and lock the living room door behind me. Still shaking my head I head over to my Puter to try out this latest and greatest Anti-Spyware Software. As it boots, I get a message to disable my own Anti-Spyware program. I thing this odd, but I remember reading somewhere online that some programs can conflict with others so I comply. After a few seconds I get a message that the new Program is installed and it needs to connect to get possible updates.

So I get online and let it do its thing. A reboot is needed it says, OK so I reboot. The Puter comes up and I get online to check out the latest results of the Mullet contest. what’s this ? This isn’t my Homepage, it’s a site where you can ,,,Holy Hand Grenades! Its Porn! I close the Browser and man alive, I’m beset by about a dozen popups offering me things that, well, no decent person would want. I’m figuring now that I’ve been had by this Anti-Spyware CD. I do a Restore and get back to my Online Mullet competition site. Then I remember that I need to transfer some money in my savings to my checking account. So I head to the Bank site and take care of it. I must be tired, the puter seems slow to me. I check my mail and the wait to login is frustrating. I decide to call it a night. I’ll take care of it tomorrow.

After a tossing and turning night and dreams of my Puter melting, the new day dawns. With a cup of coffee I head to the Puter to see who won the Mullet Contest. The boot takes forever and the login freezes the first time so I have to power off and back on again. I’m really mad by now. I’ve been had by some sleazy software company! I finally get online but the Mullet competition site wont load. I cant tell if it’s the Puter or maybe the online connection. As it dawns on me that I’m gonna have to take it in for service, I hope I’ve got some extra in my savings to cover it. I head to the Bank site but it wont load either. Then I notice the Hard Disk light blinking away. I’m not doing anything at the time so it shouldn’t be accessing anything. Cursing, I turn the Puter off and pick up the phone to call the bank. I get a live person after waiting only 5 minutes so I figure the day may be improving. I give her my account info and she comes back saying “I show that account being closed last night after all money was withdrawn”! . There must be a mistake I say, she checks it again and says its true. The money in the account was transferred to a Bank she has never heard of in ,,,,Transylvania of all places. As I hang up in shock, I could have sworn I heard her laughing just like the old lady at the convention did last night.

I figure I better head to the Police Station to get some help. In a Panic I head for town. As I make the last turn into town, I glance towards the location of the YMCA, where all this started, only to see its not there! Its burned to the ground! Stunned, I stop in the street and get out. Nothing but ashes. The Man in the car behind me gets out and asks me if I’m ok. I mumble I’m lucky to be alive, I could have died in there last night. Puzzled the man says, but the YMCA burned down 2 nights ago!
As I get back into the car, I glance at the spot on the seat where I put the CD and the Pamphlet. Gone. Just a little pile of dust.
At the Police station, a sergeant takes down my story and informs me I’ve been the victim of online Identity theft. As I’m leaving, A couple of kids run by, in costumes, yelling “Happy Halloween”

Are you scared ? You should be!

About the Author: Doug Woodall has a web site at http://www.spywarebiz.com
There he provides free information and recommended products to combat Spyware.
His Website is recognized by Learning Fountain and ISafe
Doug’s Articles have earned him Trusted Author Status at ImpactArticles.com
He is a member of the IWA (International Webmasters Association)
Article edited for proper content by Wendy McCallum
Permission to copy ok as long as about author info remains with article.

For years any electric train was powered by a DC system. The major problem was you just couldn’t run more than one train on the same track unless your layout was massive and you built in control blocks with several people controlling those blocks. You had no control over the engine except for the control of the transformer or rectifier.

Recently a new system has been introduced that revolutionized the control of trains on a layout. We are going to look at the HO system and DCC control versus the DC system.

First a layout does not have to be huge to be able to control a locomotive or several locomotives at the same time. DCC introduced the decoder which is a mini chip and circuit board that is programmable. They can be very small that will fit into an “n” gauge locomotive or reasonably sized to fit any larger locomotive.

The decoder introduced a means to program a locomotive and be able to operate that locomotive independently from any other locomotive on the track. For example, you are able to lash together a set of four F3 diesel engines and run them as a unit. You can also program a set of steam engines to do the same or run them independently.

The DCC system allows the operator to run locomotives at a very low and realistic speed. The power distribution through the decoder is refined by the circuitry and PC. You will find the locomotives respond better and speed is attained in a controlled fashion. You may also control the lights in the locomotive by turning them off and on and if there is a Mars light you can have it on or off.

There are also sound systems with a decoder as part of the sound circuitry. However that is a different subject to be discussed in a later article.

The hand held controller/program unit allows you to either run several engines together as a unit. Also, if we have two steam engines running slightly different than each other the controller allows for that since it has two separate controllers built in. You set the speed of one and then match that speed with the other controller so they are going at the same speed.

The most engines we have tried to run on my friends layout was seven engines. One set was a lash up of four locomotives, another was a lash of two locomotives and one single locomotives. This was a mix of two sets of diesels and one articulated steam engine.

By monitoring the engines and setting each combination or single engine to be traveling at the same speed allows for continuous running with out incident.

You just can’t do this with any success with the DC system of operation. There are too many variables to deal with the DC operation versus the DCC operation.

There is a cost for decoders which are not necessarily cheap. The initial cost of the system that is built in to the layout is also costly. However, I feel it is worth it since you can do so many more things with DCC. There are several manufactures of these products and the prices very. The best way to find the best buys is through surfing the WEB for a retailer who can give you the best price.

Joy Ball has been involved in the restoration and maintenance of a variety of Brass Model Locomotives. Through her years of expertise, Mrs. Ball has perfected the art of train restoration often spending countless hours preserving vintage Brass Locomotive to the running condition of even the newest Brass Model Replicas. It should be noted that the above article was written by Joy’s husband Michael Ball. Receive her free newsletter at http://www.brasslocomotiveworks.com.

If you think of intrusion detection as you would for intrusions into your home, you will find that once someone ‘breaks in’ they have destroyed much of your hard work, both physically and emotionally. They have done damage and invaded your space. Effectively detecting whether or not these ‘break ins’ are happening is very important for your business. Effective intrusion detection can protect confidentiality, integrity and availability resources.

You have two choices here. You can go with manual intrusion detection or automated. In manual, you will need to perform searches to exam log files or look for other signs that someone has gotten in. But, with automated intrusion detection, the system will take care of the work for you allowing for a more complete exam as well as one that can be counted on and done on a timely basis. They can be host based or network based. Automated systems are generally called IDS’s.

When something is found by the IDS, it will alert you that a possible intrusion has occurred. This can be done through sending an email alert, by logging relevant information or even by contacting via mobile phone or pager. It will be up to you to determine what has happened and how it happened though. Usually, intrusion detection does not prevent intrusion, nor does it fix any problems that arise due to it. But, effective intrusion detection is still necessary and relying on an automated system will make sure you are up to date as needed.

There are also many information portals now devoted to the subject and we recommend reading about it at one of these. Try googling for “intrusion detection” and you will be surprised by the abundance of information on the subject. Alternatively you may try looking on Yahoo, MSN or even a decent directory site, all are good sources of this information.

for more information please see www.intrusion-detection-shack.co.uk

As a computer troubleshooter and repair person, I see all kinds of
problems and possibilities. From the quick fix or answer to the
complicated repair, from the problem computer to the occasional
tweak another computer needs - it pays to know a good and
reliable technician to help you.

Lately there have been programs in which online support is offered.
This can be good or bad. The good is there are various programs
you can choose from, and the bad is you might choose poorly and
get stuck with a worthless plan - which in the long run will cost
you more in time and money. Sometimes online support is a much
more economical choice in getting help and support - because you
can avoid an up-front service charge from a hands-on repair shop
and often get enough information to fix something yourself. It won’t
work in all cases, but perhaps it will save you some money in many
cases.

One online support company, for which I am a technician, at
http://sisugal.supportfreaks.com is a good example of a program
run correctly. People can ask a question and if it can be answered
fairly quickly, there is no fee - this can include support via email,
or chat, or phone. By chat or email, you can assess the technician’s
capability before you end up requesting help from him/her. You
will have the opportunity to fund your support account - and then
use it any time you need - no monthly requirements or outlay.
There are over 1000 techies knowledgeable in nearly any capacity
dealing with computers, the Internet, peripherals, etc.

I question the concept of monthly fees for support - because there
are normally many months in which no support is needed. Yes, some
will use their accounts to ask frivolous questions they would never
pay to ask, but only to use up their monthly credits. Still others will
just let the monthly credits go to waste - like so many other plans
that get forgotten but are still paid into monthly.

If you have a truly problem computer that acts up on a regular basis,
then a monthly paid plan might be effective - depending on the
type of problem and whether the monthly allotment will be enough.
If you are still paying for extra support, it might make more sense to
purchase an account that has credits you can use at any time, and can
add funds to at anytime.

This is a similar concept to service plans on appliances - do you
really get your money’s worth on those plans? If the appliance isn’t
well made, you are better off with a service plan. If it is well made,
a service plan isn’t necessary. A little assurance by having some
funds in a service account for when needed makes more sense.

Figure out how reliable or unreliable your computer is, and you will
figure out the best plan you should have. Don’t jump on the
bandwagon of anything which, with hype, promises you riches and
gives you services and such that you really don’t need. If you have
to pay for something you don’t need, rethink your game plan. There
are other options out there. A monthly outlay of money may very
well just be going to waste. Would you rather spend $30/month or
more for a plan that gives you the same service as a $30 account
you can use anytime you want, and fund into it for extra services
if needed? Think about it - concerning your computer - which plan
makes more sense?

About the Author

Pauliina Roe is a hands-on computer troubleshooter/repairperson in
the Denver area, and also troubleshoots online and over the phone.
If you need computer support, give us a call if in the Denver area -
Leading Edge Solutions at 303-224-0797 (ask for Kevin) or try out
the support online at http://sisugal.supportfreaks.com

After teaching chair yoga for several years Liz Franklin can testify that it appropriate for almost anyone, even if they are feeling the effects of aging or have physical limitations. It is not for hard-bodied 20-somethings that can twist themselves into poses that look impossible – the only prerequisite is that you can sit in a chair, including a wheelchair.

What better way to illustrate how chair yoga has benefited those unable to attend a traditional yoga class than to tell it in their own words?

Hi! I’m Anne Sanders. I am 49 years old, and have worked at Hallmark Cards for 20 years. I have had seven surgeries in the past three years due to an accident, and found myself in a place where I had become immobile and was losing flexibility. My surgery also included knee replacement, which I thought for sure meant I could not do yoga, but I was wrong!

I started doing chair yoga almost exactly 2 years ago. I thought you would have to be limber and athletic to do even chair yoga. Liz quickly helped me understand that this was not the case. She is a great teacher and really works hard to make each class very personal. She sets a peaceful tone to the class with her careful selection of relaxing music. That peace pervades the practice and I find that I take that calm state home with me when I leave class. I have developed lasting friendships with the others in the class. Liz has also helped me design my own “yoga break” that I can do at my desk to relieve stress at work. My carpal tunnel syndrome has also improved, and I believe I have increased my range of motion.

There are so many reasons why I love chair yoga, but I only have room to share a few here with you. I love how it makes both my mind and body feel. I love to come to class each week! The classes are set in a calm, relaxing, non-competitive atmosphere.

Mark Franklin enjoys telling people about Liz Franklin’s Yoga In Chairs(r) because he knows it is helping people live healthier, happier, and longer lives. If you want to find out about her special style of chair yoga, visit http://www.yogainchairs.com.

Spy ware is a software program that watches what a user does on his computer. This program sends the information it has gathered on the users activities to a hacker over the internet. The information of the websites a user visits is collected and sent to advertisement agencies. More malicious spy ware can record all the keys that have been typed by the user. This method is used to gain passwords and credit card numbers of the user. Advertisement goals are furthered by Pop-Up advertisement and routing of HTTP requests to advertising sites.

How is your computer infected?
In most cases it is installed by the user.

• The user is a victim of social engineering. He/she is deceived by an explanation of some problem or vulnerability with their computer system. What follows is the user accepting the software to correct this vulnerability. In reality the user installs the spy ware.

• Some users are more informed. Spy ware is ‘made known’ and propagated as an anti-spy ware program. It is also bundled along with legitimate software so that users are tricked into installing the spy ware without even knowing of it. Some instances of these are Web Accelerator software,P2P softwares like Bonzi buddy, File trading programs, Music softwares and some shareware software.

• Internet users can be tricked into making unwanted installations. The internet web browser prevents unwanted downloads or installations. It pop up window appears with buttons “YES” and “NO”. No matter what choice the user makes the program downloads and then manipulates the security of the browser for spy ware activity.

Security holes in browser and other softwares

• Users navigate web pages on the internet. In case the user navigates a web page by a spy ware author, a part of the web page code attacks the weakness in the browser and forces the download and installation of spy ware. The user is just a bystander to the attack. Common browser exploits target vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer and Microsoft Java Run time Environment.

• Browser Helper Objects are an attachment to the browser. These are toolbars or attachments to redirect traffic. In a few cases these browser helper objects have been worms or viruses. W32.Spybot worm installs spy ware that pops up pornographic ads on the screen of the infected system.

• Trojans and worms are created to cause security holes in the softwares and operating systems. Advanced keyloggers that can send out information of every key typed can be installed through Trojans. This helps hackers get usernames and passwords. These are downloaded through open ports on the system and auto executes to install spy ware software as a part of its program.

Prevention and Removal of Spy Ware
Prevention of spy ware is simple

• Ensure that your operating system and application software is patched and protected against known security vulnerabilities. Look up Microsoft website and run the windows update to install patches that are marked critical

• Read the End Users License agreement carefully. There might be information that states that certain information is forwarded to its home site and provides the reasons for the same. Check online to find reviews on the software and information being forwarded to the home site before installing the software.

• Look up the email help center to configure your system such that it cannot install programs automatically.

• Use professional software for proactively blocking ad ware and spy ware threats. Download ad ware and spy ware removers. Ad-Ad ware from Lavasoft and Spybot are two softwares that have received good reviews. There are many other softwares, before buying them it would advisable to look for its reviews on the net or ask some one who is knowledgeable in this area if they would recommend the anti-spy ware software you want to buy. Free spyware detection and free spyware removal software may contain spyware so beware of such products.

Scrapbook journaling is one of the primary components that sets a scrapbook apart from a plain photo album. Pictures by themselves tell a certain amount of the “story” behind the pictures, but journaling can bring the pictures to life.

What is journaling?…

It’s very simple actually. Depending on how involved you want to get, it can be a simple statement of facts about an event or as heartfelt as a love letter.

When you think about it, the true purpose of scrapbooking is to serve as a sort of family history and while books full of pictures are nice, it’s even nicer to have the memories to go along with them. Plus, how are your great, great grandchildren going to know how much you enjoyed your trip to the Grand Canyon, if you don’t provide them with the nitty-gritty details?

The key to successful scrapbook journaling is to keep a good record of your events.

So, next time you go to a birthday party or a family reunion, keep the Five W’s in mind and jot down a few notes to keep the memories fresh in your mind.

Who: Who is in the pictures? Who is taking the pictures? How are they related to each other?

What: What is happening in the pictures? Is it your child’s first birthday, a wedding or an Easter egg hunt?

When: When was the photo taken? At the very least, try to include the month and the year, but if it is detailing a birthday celebration, include the specific date. You’d be surprised how the details get lost in the shuffle 100 years down the road.

Where: Where is the event taking place?

Why: Why is this event taking place?

Now, scrapbook journaling is not always about “just the facts”. It’s also important to convey your feelings about the event when scrapbooking…

How did you feel when your husband proposed?

How you felt when you children were born?

How proud you felt when your son/daughter graduated?

These are just a few examples. If you’re willing to pour your heart out onto paper, you can use your scrapbook as a bonafide journal/diary.

Happy Scrapping!

Michelle has been scrapbooking for over five years and is the owner of Choubox Scrapbook Design (http://www.creative-scrapbook-layouts.com). Choubox is your source for pre-made scrapbook layouts, quality scrapbook supplies and valuable information on how to start scrapbooking.