New PhoneBlogz Post

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New PhoneBlogz Post

A new audio message has been left. CLICK HERE to download it or listen here:
Read more!

Google Goofs!

Did anyone notice this mistake today: Google Blames Human Error for Malware Warning Mistake? I sure did! I did a simple search for Byerly's grocery store in the Twin Cities, and every single website listed had the disclaimer that it might harm my computer. WOW! I took a picture (see below), but I did NOT "follow through". I still don't know what cakes cost, and do they deliver! I need to know before tomorrow, when my parents celebrate their 68th anniversary. I can't be there, but hopefully a cake WILL be. SO - I'm glad to see it was all a mistake - and I don't care if it was caused by humans or machines! I'm glad to know, though, that Google wasn't hacked. After all, if Google falls, that's over half the Internet world at risk! Well, that's the way it seems these days. Every software tool I take up turns out to be a Google-purchase before too long. Where does their money come from? The problem is, I LIKE what they come up with, and their choices of what-to-buy/support. It just becomes a little scary when one company starts to rule the world, even if it's only software and waves. I spent time exploring their offer to customize my searches, and save them for me. However, under the circumstances, they did not seem so trustworthy! I'll pass that opportunity by also. SO - one simple slip-up, and I and who-knows-how-many-others have had a nasty wake-up call: Google's goofs are costly - in trust, and in faith (what's the difference? Humm - that question belongs to a different blog...


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BRRRR!

"Even hardy Minnesotans buckled to the cold, calling off a Minneapolis holiday parade Sunday that is automatically canceled if the wind chill dips below minus 20."Here's more: Bitter, cold winds Makes you wonder: why would anyone go to Minnesota in the winter? Here's what the airport info shows: MSP. Well, I'll let you know what it's like soon...
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October

I'm getting ready to spend a couple of weeks in Minnesota, where I've heard the temperature got as low as 17 below. BRRRR! To get in the mood, I checked out my nephew's blog, THIS APARTMENT LIFE, and came across his posting on The Unspoken Dread of Minnesotans. In it, he posts a picture I like, and a piece by Eric Satie.

Well, what better way to get in the mood than to hear a little MP3. Here goes:


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Clipmarks

One of the fun things about having a new computer is that I can customize it to my heart's content. I don't have to worry about size or space limitations. Right now, I seem to have all the power, landscaping, and building materials to "build" whatever kind of "house" I want here on the web. So, I've downloaded the Firefox browser, and added several tools to it, just as I had before. But now, however, I've been exploring what other tools might be useful. The one I came upon today was Clipmarks.

Clipmarks allow you to select portions of a page, for printing or emailing or even blogging. Here's a short video to show how it's done:



I haven't even begun to use it, but it sounds like such a great idea, I thought I'd pass it along immediately. I'll let you know what I think of it in a few...
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Dell XPS

My Sony Vaio has finally bit the dust. Actually, the hinges gave out (sounds like some people I know). So, for one who travels a lot, this is the kiss of death. On the last trip I was afraid to open or close it. Here at home, it collects dust, grit, and grime (?) from being open all the time. I should really be thankful for this opportunity to buy a new computer. The sound system was atrocious, I could not play DVDs (and hence could not add recent software), could not burn DVDs (and therefore could not transfer or make backups of photos) and, well, it just wasn't up to snuff.

A new computer buying opportunity raised for me, once again, the issue of Mac vs. PC. I have wanted to own a Mac for many years now, and I spent an exciting hour at Foothill College bookstore admiring the Mac. It is so beautiful, and it's a dream to operate. How could one not buy it?

The problem is two-fold: cash and investments. After deciding to take some more time to think things over, we went to Costco for some groceries. While there, I checked out their computers once again. The decision had already been made to buy a small, light-weight computer. I checked out what they had, and found the Dell XPS was priced at $1109 for 4 GB/320 GB, compared to the 13-inch Mac at $1500 for 250GB. If you include the cost of replacing my PC software (my investments), the Dell was probably $4000 cheaper in cash, and perhaps another $1000 in investment. Sigh. For that kind of money, I can go to Europe - and take my 4 lb "Mini" (as I've christened her).

When I went to look for a backpack, to carry my new computer, I found a beautiful sky blue Cadence bag by Kelty, makers of "outdoor tech for urban and on-the-trail pursuits". This, my friends, is my consolation prize, for giving up my dream of owning a Mac (at least for now) - a backpack, a Dell, and a trip to Spain or Scotland. Hope I've chosen well!

By the way, thanks again to cousin Kaarin who gave me the Sony so many years ago. Loaded with Adobe software (Dreamweaver, Flash, and Photoshop), she started me on this path of artistic pursuit. With the money I saved buying Dell, I can upgrade to CSS 4 (software I can share with our desktop). Looks like I'm all set for another quarter of classes! Now if I could just decide what I want to take...
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