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I touched my first computer, an IBM 650, in 1961 in college. My first position was with an R&D Department using a paper tape 1620 system to develop FORTRAN programs for the design engineers. Took over a year to convince them to go to a card based system. This really improved development time. The 1620 was a fun machine. It was easy to code and a fairly stable machine. This led to job change to a major computer manufacturer in the Boston area doing compiler development for a high-end mainframe. Thirty years later this led to forced retirement as the company’s shift to PC sized machines failed.

What I really miss is assembly language coding, optimizing for performance. The compilers today are junk. The code generated is huge. That’s why I need a 4G quad core machine run simple applications at a reasonable speed.

I’m trying Office 2010 Beta, and yes the ribbons suck. I just may continue using Office 2000.

Al,
If all that is needed is a simple uncontrolled presentation of a series of photos, a simple animated gif should work.

I can also relate to this one:
[indent]Law 4: Show any handy IT skills at work, and your company’s IT department will start referring difficult coworkers to you.[/indent]
In ’75 or so, I built a SWTPc 6800 home system. About a year later we were getting IBM’s with Windows 3.1 at work. Because I had a “home PC”, fellow workers were coming to me with all sorts of questions. There were no IT departments in those days. We were given the PC’s w/documentation and that was it.
I still have that 6800 system which still works. I also have that first work IBM PC which still works.

Yeah, I know, but I put the link in for those who may not want to click on (or read) the mag article. No offense intended, sir…

The portable version can be found here: VLC Media Player Portable

From the information at Amazon, the upgrade is only a true upgrade to Vista. For we users of XP or another operating system:

“You’ll need to back up your current files and settings, perform a custom (clean) installation, and then reinstall your files, settings, and programs. “

As a follower of http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/ I would loose all my freebies and wait until they are offered again.

Al,
I have been using Grand Central for a couple of years now using a phone number in another state. It is a local call for my lady friend and Grand Central rings both my home phone and cell which are 3 states away. No long distance costs for her to call me.
For 14 months now I have been using MagicJack for all my long distance calls with any incoming calls fowarded to my landline. I like MagicJack as I have an inexpensive wireless phone attached to it so I can roam while making calls.
The landline is minimum service so that when power is out I still can connect to the outside world.
I’ll still look into those new Google Voice features. I should check my Grand Central in box for details.

I acquired a set of those that the top side white for printing. Looking at the other side, close to the inner writeable area, there is etched ‘CD-R’ followed by some product code numbers. See if you can find any info in the area.

Doc,
A great find. That USB2 to IDE adapter works fine. I ordered one and got it in 3 days. I have about 5 old PC boxes around just in case there is something on those HDs that I may need. Now all I need is the HD from each. The boxes will then be recycled and I gain storage space.
Thanks for the info on that small piece of hardware.

John
These updates were installed on my XP Home system and resulted in 2 issues.
Occassionaly a page could not be loaded, but a refresh resolved that.
The other problem is with only one (as far as I currently know) web page, http://www.classmates.com.
Whenever I attempt to go beyond the initial page I get a download request for a file instead of the link to page coming up. The web site works fine on another ME system.
I backed off the MS updates with no change. Then I did a system backup to before the updates and still the web page problem did not go away.
I then updated Java, just in case the site changed. The problem was still there.
I hope someone out there will come up with more info, perhaps a solution.

Does this took like it could help? From a recent post:
A FREE Copy Of Camtasia Studio 3

Cel
This issue with floating images/pictures/graphics has be around for a long while.
The easiest way I adapt to it is to always format the picture with picture absolute position, both horizontal and vertical, with respect to ‘page’.
I do not work with large documents so I am not concerned about having a picture follow a paragraph when text is inserted above it. I simply reposition the picture.
I do not use Word 2007 so you will have to locate the proper box to check. starting with Format/picture.
Try it.
Good luck.

I have recommended this before. Forget the computer. Get a DVR. Then you can easily convert directly for camera to DVD w/o editing and w/o using you PC. I have 3 DVR’s (all < $100 each) which replaced my VCR's as the recording quality is better.
I have converted camcorder tapes to DVD with no problems. Minimum editing can be done by using the DVR's pause control, positioning the tape and then continuing with recording. Look into this technique as it is quick and easy.

Ty,

The Olevia HD TV probably has vga input. Use that to connect the monitor output from the PC graphics card. The 1/8″ to dual rca {red and white} is then connected from the graphics card speaker output to the audio in plugs next to the vga socket on the TV. Config the TV for vga input and you should be up and running. This is fine if the monitor/tv is used only as a monitor or as a TV w/o the pc running as the pc

Pete,
Simply go to Radio Shack and get a 3.5 mm steteo to RCA phono jacks. About $6.00.
Then simply use your spare A/C cables.
I have a few for PC audio output, for MP3 output, for PC audio in, etc.

The only reference I found concerning the black and white condition can be found at:
http://www.techimo.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-102880.html%5B/url%5D

The reason that you are only getting a B&W picture is because the adapter that you are using is only connecting the luminence, and not the chrominance.