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Richard Rider Rant
Internet Library Computers? Better to Contract It Out.
By Richard Rider

One of the modern day rationales for bigger, more expensive public libraries is free Internet computers. Supposedly vast numbers of San Diegans lack Internet access. Maybe that was true 10 years ago – but not today. It’s sad to see library lovers flailing around for such silly reasons to justify not only maintaining but expanding public libraries.

Today, computers are a cheap commodity. A netbook computer can be purchased new for under $300. Fully functioning used desktop systems on CraigsList can go for under $100 -- about the price of one expensive video game for a PlayStation III.

Advisor Eval
Map/Navigation Software: DeLorme vs. Microsoft
Drive smarter with guidance from PC-based software
By John L. Hawkins, HawkTrek

I take many road trips, often on routes I haven't traveled, to places I haven't been, and often in a large motor home. Many trips are for business, so I need to get to the right place at the right time. I rely on a computer to plan the trip, then drive the trip. Little GPS receivers are cute, cheap, helpful -- but limited. But fortunately, my vehicle has plenty of space for a laptop that is visible to the driver. So I drive with computer-based, GPS-controlled map/navigation software running on a big computer screen.

There are two major software products in this category, Microsoft Streets and Trips, and DeLorme Street Atlas USA, and I think one strongly out-classes the other. Here's what and why...

Boomer Years
My Close Encounters with Bill Gates
Bill's retirement brings memories of my experiences with him.
By John L. Hawkins

Bill Gates got involved with microcomputer software in 1975. My first use of Microsoft software was in 1978, and my first personal brush with Bill was in 1981.

During Microsoft's most influential period, the '80s and '90s, I had a variety of face-to-face Bill Gates experiences. Here are some of my Boomer Years stories.

Bill Gates, pioneer

Bill Gates article
John, I enjoyed your article. Please keep it up. Michael Callan
Search Engine Optimization - SEO Webpage Basics

Once people have a website, they start to realize the importance of search engine optimization. Why? Because without it, you just have a website, and what good is a website if you don't get lots of targeted traffic looking for products and services which you provide.

SEO Basics
Any idea of how much each of these categories are weighted with regards to search engine ranking effects? Like are the title tags and permalinks a lot more important than the other areas? -Jack

Technology.Advisor.com
Big Picture on the Go

No more small screen viewing here! iWear (from Vuzix, formerly Icuiti) projects a virtual 44" screen creating a movie theatre experience that fits in the palm of your hand and weighs in at four ounces! Now you can watch your favorite shows up close and personal.

HawkTrek
How Much Longer Can We Travel for Business?

I want to travel safely. I bet you do too. What does this require? No ice picks, no lighters, no baseball bats -- no problem. I don't want to be on a plane with possible weapons. No toothpaste, no deodorant, no double lattes? They could be ways to smuggle explosive ingredients on board, though (thankfully) it has never happened. But what about gear with batteries?

Airlines and batteries
It is a great point that you make on here about batteries and the insulation issue, especially on airplanes. Airlines should put more consideration into this, thanks for the info.

Technology.Advisor.com
Linksys Wireless-G Music Bridge Closes the Home Audio Connection Gap
ADVISOR REVIEW
John L. Hawkins

My wish seemed so easy to fulfill. I have a wonderful collection of digital music on my home PC. I want to listen to the music on my home stereo, but it's in another room. A simple wish, but for a long time, there was no easy way to do it.

Question on a Wired Connection
I purchased the Cisco Music Bridge and found your artical very informative. But... (there is always one)... you didn't mention anything about how to hook the bridge up to the PC with a wired...

HawkTrek
Does the bizarre end of Microsoft Windows XP mean the end of useful PCs?

Windows XP is gone, but Windows Vista is not an acceptable replacement. Windows 7 is Vista improved, not bad, but still large, slow, and quite expensive. For what benefit, really? Is Microsoft's forced death of XP also ending the era of useful Windows PCs?

I thought what happened in Vegas stayed in Vegas
John, It was fun to see your response and your follow-up post. This prompted a entry on my blog too. Thanks, James

Richard Rider Rant
To my library-loving critics

My column in North County Times questioning the ancillary functions of public libraries brought a storm of protest from library lovers. Well, a squall at least.
http://nctimes.com/articles/2008/05/29/opinion/rider/doc483ee3f9b66bd295...

What struck me about the criticism is that many of these supposedly well-educated folks apparently read no further than the headline before firing away in the online comments section. Either that, or their vaunted reading comprehension remains at third-grade level.

HawkTrek
How I escaped from Windows Vista

I have a new/old laptop computer and I love it -- finally -- because I dumped Microsoft Windows Vista.

In June 2007 I got a new Lenovo ThinkPad T61 with Windows Vista. I expected to be thrilled with my new laptop, but instead, it was horrible. Whatever I tried to do, the new computer fought me -- and usually, it won. By "do" I mean basic stuff: save a file, connect to my office network and the Internet, turn on, turn off, copy some files. It's MY computer -- shouldn't I be allowed to do these things? Nope, not without lots of effort, wasted time, and sometimes, complete failure.

HP not having support?
Funny... I swore just a few months ago I would never again buy an HP printer because they removed all of their Windows 98 drivers from their web site. Hello, HP! There are still a ton of people (...

Technology.Advisor.com
Keep in Touch: Setting Up a Webcam
Use your computer and a webcam to video chat with family and friends, whether they're next door, or on the other side of the world.
By Anton Anderson, Productivity Consulting founder and senior partner

Keeping in touch face-to-face with family, co-workers and friends is not easy. So we often fall back on communicating by phone and e-mail. But there's a better way: video chat. It's easy and virtually free!

HawkTrek
How To Buy Cheaper Laptop Batteries -- and Why

A laptop computer is wonderful, but more expensive than a desktop computer -- to buy, and to keep running. A laptop's battery wears out, providing less and less power, and replacing the battery is amazingly costly. But does it have to be?

For more than decade, I've been an IBM ThinkPad user. Period. When I try to use another brand of laptop/notebook, I get annoyed immediately at the poor keyboard and lack of TrackPoint.

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On the other hand ... you have different fingers.