Archive for May 2005

If you own the first edition, you won’t experience déjà vu while reading the second edition. The new one has many changes that you won’t recognize it. Whether you’re a power PC user or a casual one, you will benefit from the book. Because of the wide array of topics covered, I can’t imagine many geeks who know all of these tips. Sure, you can find ‘em all someplace on the Internet, but finding time for that kind of searching would prove challenging.

Instead of calling tech support and staying on hold or going to Google, check PC Annoyances for the answers. It’s impossible to have the answers to all the problems you encounter on a PC, but Bass touches on a bit of everything. If you don’t find the answer in the book, you might find enough clues to shorten your search.

GMail joins the book and its tips immediately pay off. Other than the usual Microsoft applications, get stress-busters for fixing annoyances related to music, video, CD, and general email. Mozilla, Firefox, and Thunderbird don’t make the cut this time. However, we know how the publishing industry struggles to keep up with tech changes. The book lists a few Netscape-related tips and what you can do in Netscape usually works in any Mozilla product since they’re based on the same “bones.”

How many times have you come across an interesting URL in a book that was a mile long and took several attempts to get it right? Bass takes care of that by using a URL shortening service making it easier and quicker to get the right URL on the first try. He provides links to software, humorous sites, and resources. After fighting a round with your PC, wouldn’t taking a break by going to a funny resource release a few tense muscles? It does for me.

His software recommendations include free and fee-based products. I recognize many of the programs and own some. Based on my experience, he provides excellent recommendations, so you can trust that he isn’t looking to pump up his stock with any of the companies. Most, if not all, of the programs come with a trial period, so you can play with them and see if they meet your needs. If not, uninstall and no harm done. If so, then thank Mr. Bass.

While writing this review, I am trying to avoid sounding like a replayed record of my first review. Most of the original review applies except the book has more pages. The only complaint I have lies with the warning boxes. They’re dark blue with black text. Not easy to read.

Bass writes likes someone who has battled with the annoyance and shares the solution. It’s conversational, enjoyable, and easy reading. You don’t have to worry about insults from those who think they’re the sultan of computers. Instead, Bass makes you feel better with his “buddy-style” advice. Thanks, Steve.

Title: PC Annoyances: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things about Your Personal Computer, Windows, and More, Second Edition
Author: Steve Bass
Publisher: O’Reilly & Associates
ISBN: 0596008821
Date: May 2005
Format: Paperback
Pages: 252
Price: Cover: USD$19.95 Amazon: $13.77
CDN$: 19.57
UK£: 12.25

April 25 was TV turnoff week. Currently, I’m on hour one of JavaScript turnoff week. I hope it won’t last the whole week because surfing without JavaScript has instantly turned tedious. Why is JavaScript turned off? Because of the Firefox security advisory. Until the the problems go away, Mozilla recommends turning off JavaScript and disabling the browser’s software installation feature. To do this, click Tools, Options, and deselect “Allow web sites to install software” found in the Web Features menu OR deleting all of the allowed sites.

First “I miss JavaScript” encounter. Gmail. I have to use the basic HTML view. If I select messages to trash or move to another folder, instead of selecting them, choosing the action, and it happens. I have to click the Go button. The basic interface isn’t as smooth as the standard. When I want to select all unread items, I can’t. The option went bye-bye.

Next, I go to another web-based email account and I can’t do anything. I selected junk to delete, but the emailbox just stares like a deer caught in the headlights. Gave up.

Decided to go see what the latest free jewelry item is on the stage. Didn’t like it and looked to see how much time was left as new items appear every 15 minutes or when the stock sells out. Uh-oh. No countdown. Also, when 15 minutes are up, the jewelry item sits still, not going anywhere until I hit reload to see the next item. Damned that JavaScript.

That’s the pain of keeping safe for you. I have faith the Mozilla crew resolves the problems quicky.

Ha. Now I can’t post this entry until I turn JavaScript back on. Boy, that didn’t last long.

I can’t help but say, “Old computer books never die, they just become collectible” (or “they get recycled.” Dust off those computer books tells of collectors and rare book dealers become important artifacts as computers are “fundamental agents of change in our society.”

Intel bid 10 grand for a 1965 edition of Electronics magazine that features Intel’s founder discussing transistors.

I did keep one book from the 1982 called Kids and the Apple. I first learned programming (BASIC) with that book. It’s well done and I’m no pack rat. Obviously, it’s not a collector’s item based on the prices shown. Computer books have a lousy resale value. So a person holding on to such books is a packrat, still uses an old computer or whatever the book covers, saves them for historical value, or think it’s a great book.

In fact, I am trying to get rid of my collection of John Willis’ Theatre World. I was passionate about musical theatre till about my mid- to late-20s. I still enjoy it and have them on DVDs. But I never have time to enjoy the collection and rather reclaim the space. Haven’t had much luck in finding sellers that will pay a pretty dollar for ‘em. I did sell a few in eBay. Got more than a shelf’s worth looking for a new home.

I have to share an awesome Mother’s Day card I got from my sister. My kids and hubby gave me wonderful cards. My sister’s takes the cake in originality, humor and fits me to a tee.

The cover has a mom sleeping on the sofa in her robe. Dad and kids have their mouths wide up in shock. “OH, NO!!!” appears on top.

Open the card and it says, “The server’s down!”

I wish I had thought of that and submitted it to the greeting card companies.

This year’s Mother’s Day has been lovely. We had lunch and also celebrated the baby’s 2nd birthday. I hope Moms, Grandmas, caretakers, and everyone who takes care of kids has had a delightful day. I finally got the long-elusive iPod. I’m blessed with a wonderful family.

One awesome Smart Chix asked if I would write an article. It’s an honor she asked, and I gladly agreed. Looking for a Web host is challenging, I know because I’ve been there a few times. I hope my experience helps those of you looking. Welcome to Ask 2 Smart Chix! Searching for Mr. (Pardon, Mrs. and Ms., too) Good Host.

Free jewelry, no catch—pay for shipping

Absynthe Muse and FundsforWriters.com have teamed to provide a mentoring program for connecting young adult writers ages 13 through 22 with experienced and approved adult writers. The writer’s interest can be in any area of writing.

I’m hoping my daughter will join. She says she wants to be a writer and got frustrated because not enough people would comment on her writing in her blog. I’ve tried to explain to her that it takes a while to build up an audience. A few friends from AbosluteWrite took the time to provide feedback, though. Thanks goes to them for helping out.

A colleague who does work for a nonprofit organization contacted me asking if I could do research on the success rate of personalized direct mail letters (Dear Joe) versus generically addressed letters (Dear Friend). Surprisingly, I didn’t find as many statistics as expected, but I found information stating that personalized letters outperform generic letters.

The Digital Printing Council conducted a survey and the results showed “tailored direct mail pieces increase response rates by more than 500 percent over a basic, non-personalized piece.”

Gotmarketing (pdf file) reports that “personalizing an email marketing campaign can improve response rates by
45 percent.” This one defines customized content and the customer’s purchase history as personalization.

ClickZ shares data from a study that “found personalization was the most important factor when contributors determine which charity or fundraising direct mail they open at 62 percent.” Second place? Timing at 59 percent.

It may cost more to personalize the campaign, but the response rate more than makes up the difference than taking the cheap, generic route. When I see mail addressed to “Resident,” I promptly throw it in the trash or recycling pile.

More resouces:
“Personalized donor letters always outperform generic ‘Dear Friend’ appeals. Donors deserve ‘special’ treatment and appeals should reinforce the positive relationship you’ve already established.” From FundClass.

Mal Warwick & Associates, Inc. learned “personal attention makes a big difference. The old cliche is true: people give money to people, not organizations. The more personal the contact, the more effective your fundraising will be.”

P.S. In honor of today’s date, I just have to write this. This post is dated 05/05/05 at 05:55. Also, Happy Cinco de Mayo.

If you get RSS feeds on a mobile device, then you’ll want to get your Traffic Conditions Data data by modifying the feed. The instructions on the site clearly explain how to fix it. I substituted my zip code for the 14607 and I changed the 4 to a 5 for the level of magnification because Paul’s commute goes beyond 10 miles.

John updated his entry so you can create your own link by entering the information into the location, radius, and severity fields at the end of the entry. [ Link: the guy behind Call to Action ]

Lots of definitions of RSS have floated around, but none quite hit a chord like the one from Bill Flitter of Pheedo.

“RSS is Santa Claus content, delivered to you by the postal carrier, via your own personal remote control ordering system.”

Quote pointed out by Bryan and seen at marketingstudies.net, and originally found at Church of the Customer. Tells ya something about word of mouth, don’t it?

Some book reviewers say that when they don’t like a book, they simply don’t review it. I’d love to take the easy way out, but when I think about it from a reader’s perspective… I want to know when a book sucks. I recently had to give low ratings to a book. I posted it on Amazon and no where else. More people find the book on Amazon than on my site or other places where I post reviews.

For one book, I contacted the author and explained why I couldn’t give it good reviews. I didn’t write about it since I believed my association with an organization would bias my review more than usual. The author understood my views and let me know he plans to modify future editions based on some of the things I mentioned, but not the key areas. So it’s unlikely I’ll review the second edition.

From the minute you decide to be a writer, you can count on negative feedback, or at least, areas needing improvement. A couple of people might tell you I take feedback personally, but that’s not the case. Some folks don’t know how to provide feedback and make it sound personal rather than an honest criticism for improving the content.

When I edit, I try to keep in mind what it’s like to be the author receiving the feedback and word it in a way that helps rather than hurt. Some people nitpick because they refuse to allow any content go through the process error-free. Nitpickers also do this because it affirms they know everything.

Working with someone for the first time makes the process harder. That person doesn’t know how well (or not) you take feedback. Some tiptoe around it, provide straightforward comments, or slam it.

Writing easily challenges a person’s confidence. One minute, articles get raves and the next, no one accepts it. My self-confidence has been all over the place, but I think we all go through it no matter our career of choice.