What's Your Version?
Do you have the latest (best?) version of your software? Often times
with upgrades and service packs, it's easy to get lost or left behind.
At the same time, with Internet delivery, it's becoming easier and easier
to upgrade. Many of the upgrades that are available are free if
downloaded over the Internet as well.
Here is a list of some of the major software products and the latest
version available:
Operating Systems:
Microsoft
Windows 98 (Y2K Update Available)
Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4
Microsoft says Windows 2000 will be released sometime in '99.
Apple
Mac OS 8.5.1 (notice the .1 - free download at the Apple website)
Internet Programs
Netscape Communicator 4.5
AOL 4.0
Eudora Pro 4.1 (4.2 should be out soon)
MS Internet Explorer 5.0
Outlook Express 5.0
MS Outlook 98 (free upgrade from 97)
Opera 3.51 (www.operasoftware.com)
Quicktime 3.0
RealPlayer G2 Update 1
DreamWeaver 2.0
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0
Other Software
Office 97 Service Release 2
Office 2000 should be coming out sometime in the next few months.
Quicken 99
Lotus SmartSuite Millennium Edition
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 9
Adobe PhotoShop 5.0
Adobe Illustrator 8.0
ACT! 4.0 (PC) ACT! 2.8 (Mac)
Norton Utilities 4.0
In addition to the above titles, you should always make sure you have the
most up-to-date version of your anti-virus software.
Some of the upgrades, like Netscape Communicator and IE 5 are free while
others you must pay for. Many of the upgrades are available over the
web. For those that aren't free, you pay with a credit card. Of course,
you can also find most of these upgrades in your local computer superstore
as well.
If you plan to download a program update, make sure you have either lots
of time or a fast Internet connection.
Web Site Reviews
SierraHome Gardening
http://www.sierra.com/sierrahome/gardening/
It's spring! Time to get out of the house and enjoy the warm, sunny
weather. For those of you who love gardening, or who want to start a
garden, this is the site that need. Use its plant encyclopedia to look up
the plant of your choice by plant type, bloom season, flower color,
sunlight condition, or zone (climate).
Check with the Ortho problem solver to find the answer to your gardening
problems or to learn the proper care. There is a Landscaping Calculator to
help you estimate the cost for your new project, too. This web site also
has links to other useful gardening-related web sites so even if they
don't have your answer, you can probably find it somewhere. No more
wandering around in the gardening stores! Let's get it started.
Bob Vila Home Site
http://www.bobvila.com/
On TV he's Tim "the Tool Man" Taylor's rival but in real life,
he's THE home improvement king. If you're thinking of doing some
work around your home, or even of expanding your home as a
do-it-yourselfer, you'll want to visit this site. As Bob himself says,
"You can count on my homesite to be the most comprehensive and timely
resource for home repair, renovation and design information."
Step-by-step instructions take you through several projects, including
getting the right permits before you start digging or hammering. You
can also visit the Ask Bob area to find answers to questions others have
asked or to ask your own or post your question to a bulletin board to get
input from other do-it-yourselfers. Get the information you need to
do the job right. Update
Last month we told you about the Virus Hoaxes circulating on the Internet
and how you should check out the facts before sending the word on to
"Everyone you know" (as the hoax often states). But there
is a virus, called Melissa, that is a real problem and has hit big
corporations like Intel and Microsoft. Notice however, that the
virus notice messages telling people to forward the message to everyone
they know immediately were missing. Instead they usually pointed the
reader to a web site where additional information about this could be
learned. Visit http://www.avertlabs.com/
to learn more. |
AAAHHHHHHH!
You've waited until the last possible moment and now it's time to do your
taxes. But your tax accountant is swamped and not answering her
phone. What do you do?
The IRS is making huge inroads towards eliminating the mountains of
paperwork and at the same time becoming more available to us common folk
via the Internet. Visit them at http://www.irs.treas.gov/
for your "digital daily welcome" - are they really becoming
friendlier?
You can get information on filing taxes electronically, download the forms
you need if you're going the paper route, ask questions, find answers, and
get tips on just about anything pertaining to taxes.
There are lots of other web sites full of tips and information about
filling out taxes as well. If you use Quicken and/or Turbo Tax,
visit Quicken's Tax page (http://www.quicken.com/taxes)
for tips and tax news. Netscape also has a tax information page with links
and downloadable forms at: http://www.netscape.com/finance/taxes/index.html
If you've pulled out most of your hair already and certainly don't want to
go through all that again, consider these software programs to help you do
your taxes next year (but don't wait until next year to get them!):
Quicken and Turbo Tax (http://www.intuit.com)
TaxACT (http://www.taxact.com/)
Kiplinger TaxCut (http://www.taxcut.com/)
Sample Selection of Books Available from the (http://www.educyber.com/books.html):
-Tuesdays with Morrie
-The Greatest Generation
-Apache The Definitive Guide
-Red Hat 5.2 (Linux)
-The Y2K Survival Guide
-Windows 98 for Dummies
-Sam's Teach Yourself Access 97 in 10 Minutes
-Frontpage 98: The Complete Reference
-The Imac for Dummies
-Childproof Internet : A Parent's Guide to Safe and Secure Online Access
Educyber, in association with Amazon.com, provides a huge selection of
books. Visit and order today. The
Ergonomics of Computing Sore after a hard day's
computing? Sure your backside may be spending too much time glued to your
seat, but there may be other causes as well. . . causes you should
be paying attention to as they may be affecting your health.
Is your neck sore? Stop and consider how you face your
monitor. Are you looking up or down? The ideal position is
having the top of the screen at eye level (slightly lower for
bifocal-wearers). Is the screen tiltable? If it's a little
low, tilt it up at a slight angle so you don't have to try to scrunch down
to see it clearly.
Does your back bother you? What kind of chair are you sitting
in? Your chair should firmly support your lower back and be easily
adjustable if others use the same computer. The ideal posture is
sitting up straight with your feet on the floor and 90 degree angles at
the waist and knees. You should also have lots of leg room.
Don't try to work on a computer where you have to lean forward because
there's no leg space.
Arm or hand problems? How are you accessing the keyboard and
mouse? Your arms should, ideally, be parallel to the floor and in a
relaxed position for using the keyboard. Your wrists should be
straight. If you bend your elbows at angles less than 90 degrees so
your hands can reach the keyboard, see if you can use or install a drawer
under the desktop for your keyboard.
If you use the mouse for an extended period of time, make sure that your
arm is not extended straight out. If there isn't room for a mouse
next to the keyboard, consider using a trackball. It takes a little
getting used to but those who use them become reasonably proficient in a
day or two.
It's easy to feel tied to the computer, especially when you've got a big
deadline looming, but taking breaks are important. Take a 10 - 15
minute break every two hours. Here are a few break ideas:
1. Stretch your body.
2. Walk around your building or floor.
3. Touch your toes.
4. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. If you're high up, take
the stairs one way and the elevator the other.
Get your blood flowing again to clear your head and help your body
relax.
If you just can't get away from your desk, try some desk exercises.
Don't know what to do? Visit HealthyWay Magazine at:
http://www1.bc.sympatico.ca/healthyway/HEALTHYWAY/feature29f.html
to get some ideas of ways to exercising while at your desk.
This website also provides some useful De-Stressors to help you release
and relax while working through the day. |
