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Rick

Digital Camera Burst or Continuous modes

Burst ModeIt's fun for me to share my limited knowledge with people to help them get just a little more out of technology. I had the opportunity today to help a basketball mom learn how to use the continuous mode (burst mode) with her new digital camera. One of the great complaints about digital cameras is their slow shutter response. Fortunately, most digital cameras have improved that feature. One feature that many digital cameras have that can help you get the perfect shot is the continuous shooting mode or burst mode. This mode allows you to hold down the shutter of your camera and have it take a rapid fire of photos. This is known as burst or continuous shooting and it allows you to take 2-3 pictures each second!

Things we say for our health

Today I visited a client who listens to the show regularly, or so she said.

I was there because the computer was running very slow and locked up often. On her computer were three programs (or groups of programs).

1. AOL

2. AOL Security Center (AOL's antivirus, antispyware and popup blocker)

3. Norton System Works

"I know you guys say not to use these programs but my son said I need them, he works for a big computer company in California."

As I explained that her problems were caused by AOL, AOL Security Center and Norton she said, "I knew you were going to tell me that I shouldn't be using those programs but…"

Zune no big woop

I didn't get home until late last night so I am writing two articles tonight. Even though I am home even later than I was last night.

Yesterday while I was at Target and Best Buy I had a chance to look at the new Microsoft Zune MP3 player. I was not impressed. As I played with the device I had to wonder if I was even supposed to be impressed. I mean it comes in three colors – white, black and brown. No electronic device has come in brown since the 70s and that was because the 60s used up all of the colored inks and everything in the 70s had to be brown.

I am not a huge fan of the iPod, but at least it's elegant. The Zune is a nogahide (fake vinyl leather that they make couches and coats out of) iPod. It tried to be sleek and elegant but it comes out looking like the fancy Kia next to a Mercedes.

These computer oldies are OUT!

I've kept this bottled up for at least two years, and now I'm going to let it out and would love to hear your comments. Computers have been in the home on a large scale for about twelve years now and certain aspects of computing just don't work in today's' tech world. Here is my list of what no longer works:

Anything less than 1024 X 768 resolution. Even many productivity programs require this minimum resolution today. If the print seems small to you at this resolution, there are ways to have the better resolution and bigger text.

Geek Squad Story

Two stories from one day of work. Those of you who know me know that I don't 'slam' other people or businesses. I only relay information that I view as important to save technology consumers money, time and frustration. Here are two actual stories that were relayed to me today about Best Buy's Geek Squad:

Story #1

A new customer of mine informed me that she hired the Geek Squad to come to her house to setup a home network. Their advertised rate for such a service is $159 minimum. The 'professional' who showed up spent nearly seven hours at the customer's house and when he left, the network was not completed and the customer told that it couldn't be done. To the Geek Squad's credit, they didn't charge the customer. 

Quick access to your favorite web sites

No matter what web browser you use, you can create quick access to your favorite web sites by creating a desktop icon. Here's how:

  1. Open your web browser
  2. Navigate to the web site you want to access quickly (like this site)
  3. Click the little icon next to the address in the address bar and drag it to your desktop 

That's it! Now you can double-click on the icon you just made to reach your the web sites you visit the most faster.

Google – more than just a great search

Why is Google's stock always so high? How can a company be worth so much if all they do is help people find web sites? Where do they make their money?

Before you dismiss Google as just a search engine or over-priced stock, take a look at the hidden features they offer.

Google offers so many services for free that many experts have theorized that Google may one day replace libraries, phone companies, operating systems, Internet browsers, phone books, calendars and reminders, email, television and even paper.

Internet Explorer 7 Keyboard shortcuts

General shortcuts
table with 2 columns and 9 rows
Turn Full Screen Mode on or off 
F11 

Cycle through the Address Bar, Refresh button, Search Box, and
items on a web page  

TAB  

Find a word or phrase on a page 

CTRL+F 

Open the current webpage in a new window  

CTRL+N  

Print the page  

CTRL+P  

Select all items on the page  

CTRL+A  

Zoom in  

CTRL+PLUS  

Zoom out  

CTRL+MINUS