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Saturday, November 06, 2004

Latest Mac OS X upgrade from Apple

I loaded this, relatively small (14 MB), update last night to no ill effects. I haven't noticed any cosmetic changes, either.

The 10.3.6 Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther" and is recommended for all users.

Key enhancements include:

  • improved file sharing for Mac (AFP), UNIX (NFS) and PC (SMB/CIFS) networks
  • more reliable network automounts and launch of network applications
  • improved OpenGL technology and updated ATI and NVIDIA graphic drivers
  • additional FireWire audio and USB device compatibility
  • updated Calculator, DVD Player, Image Capture, and Safari applications
  • improved compatibility for third party applications
  • previous standalone security updates
For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n300080 For detailed information on Security Updates, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61798

Friday, November 05, 2004

Career-Op: A "Doing Day" ... with MP3 Podcast

Career-Op: A "Doing Day"
by Douglas E. Welch, ComputorEdge Magazine

Over the past several weeks I have been writing a lot about thinking…thinking about your purpose, your future and your goals. While thinking is certainly important, all of your good ideas might just go to waste if you don’t combine that thinking with a little bit of doing. Your thinking has probably generated a host of to-do items and ideas for larger projects. Now is the time put some of those ideas into motion.

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Wednesday, November 03, 2004

From WelchWrite News...

If you are not a subscriber to WelchWrite News, here is this month's column. Have you thought about replacing your Windows 98 computer?

Time to retire

As we head into the holiday season, you might want to think about giving yourself the present of a new computer. This is especially true if you are still using Windows 98 (or (gasp) Windows 95) or Mac OS 9. the time has come to retire these older systems and start fresh with a new computer that can better deal with the software, and security threats, of the next 5 years.

I know, some of you will say, "But my computer works fine. Why should I get rid of it?" Here are a couple of solid reasons.

  1. Microsoft's support for Windows 95, 98, NT and 2000 is rapidly disappearing. Support for 98 was suppossed to have been discontinued this year, but Microsoft gave everyone a 1 year extension. If you have problems with these older versions of Windows, there will be no official place to turn for help.
  2. Certain spyware programs and viruses can damage Win 98 so badly that, even after successfully removing the infection, the machine must be reformatted and Windows re-installed from scratch.
  3. Fixes and upgrades designed to plug security holes will no longer be released for older versions of Windows. This means that even when a security problem is discovered, there will be no way to fix it.
  4. More and more software will require Windows XP in order to run. As software manufacturers make continued use of the special features of Windows XP, software will cease to function under older versions of Windows.
  5. A new computer today, rated at 1 gigahertz or above, with generous levels of memory (512 MB), large hard drive (20-40 GB) and a CD or DVD writer, can be expected to last for 4-5 years. The days of immediate obsolesence in computers are (thankfully) gone. Any system with the above specifications will serve you well down the road. Secondly, computers are now cheaper than they have ever been. Watch for specials at your favorite computer retailer.

Make your New Year a happy one. Treat yourself to a new computer. It will simplify your computing life and prepare you for a fun and productive future!

Career-Op: End game...from the archives with MP3 Podcast

Career-Op: End game
by Douglas E. Welch, ComputorEdge Magazine

Regardless of what type of high-tech job you may have, you will eventually have to deal with an important career question – your final career goal. High-tech workers start in all different areas, programming, support, networking, but as your career progresses you will be moved closer and closer to some eventual decision. Do you follow a management track? Do you want to continue in a hands-on technical role? You might even decide to move outside the typical corporate environment and work for yourself. Regardless of the choice, you will either make these decisions for yourself or someone will make them for you. This is why it is so important to look towards the "end game" of your career, even if you are years, if not decades, away.

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Hugh Macleod on How to Be Creative via ChangeThis.com

I think I have posted a link to this information before, but now ChangeThis.com has dressed it up in a nice package like all the "manifestos" they publish. There is some great stuff in here.

6.05 Hugh Macleod on How to Be Creative

6.05

"The idea doesn't have to be big. It just has to change the world," so says HUGH MACLEOD, creator of Gaping Void and author of the manifesto "How To Be Creative."

If you've ever struggled to ignite your creative spark, you'll love this one.

http://changethis.com/6.HowToBeCreative

[ChangeThis Newsletter]

Tuesday, November 02, 2004

WEb: Podstar links to Career-Op Podcast

Podstar has a link to my latest Career-Op Podcast, Off the edge. (see below).

Many thanks for the link!

Connections and elections

Sorry for the quiet period this weekend. I lost my cable modem connection late Saturday night and just regained it a few moments ago. You really don't know how much you use something until it is gone.

Polling here in my little Van Nuys neighborhood was easy this morning. Neither my wife, nor I had to wait at all to cast our ballots. After all the reports from elsewhere in the country, state and county, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.

Thank goodness for the relatively dense polling places here in the Valley.