*CyberCoyote - December 20, 2007*

NEWS, NOTES and NOTICES

*Next meeting*
Yes, we will be meeting next week. 2:00 PM on the 27th.

*Classes*
Computer Kindergarten, Photo Editing and WiFi Networking classes are scheduled for January
http://cybercoyote.org/classes/classes.shtml

*Recycle*
We now recycle computers and other electronics (except TV's) at Happy Trails. The collection box is in the Pony Express Room, which is behind the HTCA Office and across from DRC. It is open during regular office hours. A list of items that will be accepted is posted there and at bulletin boards around the resort.

TIPS, TOPICS and TWEAKS

*Travel Talk*
David Pogue has been trying out the current crop of portable GPS units. See which one would work best for you.
http://cybercoyote.org/links/130.html

*Buying Gadgets Online*
Or offline for that matter. :-) The New York Times has hints on finding the right model at the right price.
http://cybercoyote.org/links/131.html

*HP Laptop Vulnerability*
This is a serious problem. A large number of HP Laptops have a gaping security hole. There is a temporary fix, which I'd advise you to apply if you do much web surfing.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=745 -- the problem
http://cybercoyote.org/links/135.html -- affected models, and the patch

*Bugged by De Bugs*
Are you bugged by runtime error messages that ask if you want to debug? What you can do to stop them.
http://cybercoyote.org/links/133.html

*Inside Windows 7 -- what we know so far*
The amusing metaphor below is part of an entertaining speculation about the next version of Windows. ["Skinnable" describes a UI (user interface) with easily changed appearance, and Windows Vista was called Longhorn while under development.]

We were told the same thing about Vista, back in the earliest days of Longhorn, before the UI eventually underwent more cosmetic surgery than Michael Jackson (and, some say, ended up just as unstable). Once again, the task of making the UI skinnable fell to third-party companies.

http://cybercoyote.org/links/132.html -- by David Flynn, APC Magazine

ODDS and ENDS

*Photo enhancement gone bad*
Check out this ancient giant. Credulity rules. (Take Chuck's next class and you could become notorious too.)
http://cybercoyote.org/links/134.html

*Magic Image*
Do you see the teapot? No? Get up close to the screen (6 inches or so), stare straight through it as if it's a dirty window. Slowly move your head back and forth about an inch or so. Be patient, it will probably take a while to see it. You can lean back after you do. And don't worry about the physics and quantum mechanics while you're peering. :-)
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071216.html

*Sumo Pandas*
It's wrestling, but these twins don't work too hard at it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufFT2BWh3BQ

*That's all, folks.*

Reader Options and Other Information:
• Don't reply to this message. It was sent by a computer and she
   is a non-sentient being. Contact the Web Wrangler instead. ;-)
   http://cybercoyote.org/webwrangler.html
• Email Options: subscribe, unsubscribe or...
   http://cybercoyote.org/news/coyote.shtml
• Skip the email and get the web feed instead. :-)
   http://cybercoyote.org/news/feed-episodic.shtml    
• Read CyberCoyote (back issues too) on the Web:
   http://cybercoyote.org/news/news.shtml
• Use of info from this newsletter signifies that you
   fully agree with our terms and conditions.
   http://cybercoyote.org/disclaim.shtml