Don't Be Afraid to Cross the Technology Road...Get to the Other Side with 2 Smart Chix!
I've been hearing so much lately about women having no place in podcasting that I finally got tired of it. What's a tekkie chik to do? Kim Kommando, where are you when I need you??????
Having worked in a school district as a computer technician before, I've seen first hand what kids can do to computers. Hey, I'm not saying kids are bad (well, not all of them anyway) but I am saying that I have noticed that in a lot of cases, the kids know more than the adult who is supposed to be monitoring their computer activities. You know I'm telling the truth....I was so frustrated, that I told the other smart chik, my mom Gwen, than I thought kids should have to get a permit to surf the 'net just like they have to get a permit to drive. They should have to know certain facts about computers and how to "drive" one and should be required to take a test before getting the mouse connected.....I'M SERIOUS!!!!!!
I'm certainly not blaming it all on the kids, either. If you're an adult who allows a kid access to your computer, you need to take some responsibility for what they're doing. For God's sake, don't go buy your kid a computer of his or her own and let them put it in their room....if you expect to ever see them again...If you think I'm about to stomp on their right to privacy, you're damn right I am. A computer is NOT a cheap piece of equipment and as the adult who paid for it, you have every right to ensure the integrity of your purchase by keeping an eye on what gets downloaded to it. I can't believe you'd just toss the car keys to your kid and say "Have a good time" without knowing he or she has had driver's ed, or you yourself have taught them something about the responsibility of driving a car. Why treat a computer any differently?
Actually, I'm thinking of offering a class in Computer Parenting for parents AND kids. If you want a preview of what I think should be part of it, don't miss Views from the Coop Online this Friday, December 30!
I can't tell you how many times I hear from people wanting to know if they can really make FREE long distance phone calls via their computer. Well, the answer is "Absolutely!" Kristi and I decided to discuss the options you have using VoIP (Voice over IP) services to do just that. If you want to know what you need to join the growing VoIP population, listen to our podcast! Remember, you can catch our online show live every Friday morning at 9:30am CST and you can also listen to a streaming version of Views from the Coop on CoolCast!Thanks to Fritz 'n Jean, George 'n Joyce, Jorge, Katheryn & Kim for joining Kristi and me online. We had a great discussion about choosing the right digital camera. I'd especially like to thank Fritz. He's been fooling around with digital cameras for about 6 years now and he had a lot of great advice for what to consider when you're ready to choose a digital camera for yourself. Keep reading to see the resources we recommend for helping you make your choice!
If you're curious about how digital cameras work, you can visit How Stuff Works online for a simple explanation.
If you're looking for tips choosing, you can read one of my past Just Ask columns or you can check out the advice on PC World online.
If you're interested in reading about the difference between SLR (Single-lens-reflex) camera and EVF (Electronic view finder) cameras and which one is best for you, read this article by Aimee Baldridge, Senior Editor of CNET Reviews.
If you want to review the types of digital camera memory are available, visit pcphotoreview.com and read the Introduction to Digital Camera Memory.
If you want to compare the cameras that are out there, you can visit the online Digital Camera Comparison Guide and select the features you want to find out the camera that has them! Once you've chosen a few, compare them side-by-side using the Side-by-Side Comparison.
If you've recently purchased a digital camera and are having unresolved issues with the store where you purchased it or the manufacturer, visit the Better Business Bureau online and file a complaint. NOTE: You must make all reasonable attempts to work with the merchant/manufacuterer first! Make sure you document your efforts to solve the problem.
If you have resources of your own that we can add to this list, please leave a comment and share them!
Kristi, an avowed TiVo fan and avid Survivor watcher, got me so excited about TiVo that I almost considered getting "wired" for TV reception at Sunnyside Farm...but then it's been so nice without it for the last 9 years (and THAT'S an entirely different story...).
[And the Views continue...]
Wow! We had a great discussion in the virtual Coop on Friday! Fritz & Jean from Reeds Spring, Dottye from St. James and Mary from Bland all added their views to mine & Kristi's regarding how their reading/writing habits have changed since they've been using computers and the Internet.
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After a shaky start (Kristi couldn't hear me) we ended up having a great, interactive show in our "virtual" Coop. We want to send out a BIG THANKS to our audience, which included participants Beulah from Texas, Katheryn from St. Louis, Fritz from Reeds Spring and Mary from Bland as well as locals, Gwen (my wonderful mom) and Dottye from St. James. The topic was a timely one, Online Shopping, and if you missed it, you can listen here by clicking the title of the podcast or going to our bio page on CoolCast Radio to check the times we'll be on.
[And the Views continue...]
