Conservatives Sleep Better?

According to an article in Psychology Today, a recent study found that Conservative politicians sleep better than their Liberal colleagues. The same study also indicated that liberals had more fanciful dreams than the conservatives.

Perhaps the Liberal side is kept awake by the fear of the next destruction of constitutional rights by the Bush Administration.

As if to prove it all, the last State of the Union Address for your enjoyment.

At the Movies

The Geekess and I went to the movies this weekend. It was her turn to pick and she picked a movie called "Bella". This is really a nice movie. Not fabulous, a little tear jerky, but a movie worth seeing.

No nudity, no profanity, not gun fights. Just a story of hope out of hopelessness, pretty good for the time of year.

Idiot Drivers

I know we shouldn't laugh at others, but...Ha Ha!



Those of you that drive the 405 will understand.

Email Security Part II

Everyone knows that you shouldn't open attachments from people you don't know. Well listen up, Geekettes: don't open attachments from people you do know! Unless you absolutely know your correspondent sent it to you, you are expecting it, and it is in an email that looks like it was actually written by the correspondent, don't open it.

In part one we talked about how chain emails are a real supermarket for spammers, giving them lists of actual email addresses, they also give them lists of people who know the people in the list. Get it, Aunt Emma sends you an email of cute little puppies peeing on a flower, along with 36 other people who also enjoy peeing puppies. A spammer gets a copy. Know your email and Aunt Emma's email and all of a sudden you get this:

"Dear Geekette,

I writed you today to tell you about a great picture I saw of buetiful girl undressed. Here it is, I think you will enjoyed this much and that it will make your manhood really raising,

Aunt Emma"

Now whats wrong with this email? Let me count the ways:

1. Aunt Emma is a PhD in English Literature.
2. Aunt Emma is generally opposed to undressed girls.
3. Aunt Emma is not normally know for discussions of raising manhood.

So what do you do? You say "naked women, whippie" click the attachment and ... your computer is now sending porn from Russia with love. You have been had. You might get a picture of buetifl girl undressed, the spammer gets your computer. Soon the Sheriff is at the door to seize your computer and you are wondering how to tell your wife about it all. Don't open attachments in emails. And don't think that a virus program will protect you. It will not. Nope, half the time a virus is just too new. But more about that in a later post. For now, just repeat after me:
Don't open attachments in emails.

Have you got that?

Get Yourself Elfed

If you haven't seen the elfyourself web site, you ought to visit it. You produce a really annoying, but kind of cute elf with up to four faces that you upload to the site. Everyone in your family will really be annoyed, or send elf cards of yourself or your office. Simple, and fun. The site is sponsored by Officemax. Even if you saw it last year, try it again this year.

elfyourself.com

Don Imus Returns

AP Photo
They call him a Shock Jock, in truth he is more a Satirist of American Politics, but what ever he is he is abrasive, sometimes foul mouthed and almost alway controversial. What ever he is, Don Imus is back on the radio. Imus was fired after decades of insulting politicians great and small when he used racially offensive words to describe the the Rutger's Girls Basketball team. He apologized to the team, but it wasn't enough for CBS Radio, and Imus was sacked.

Last Week the I-man returned to radio in a publicly attended broadcast from NYC on ABC Radio. Imus returns a kinder and more subdued commenter on America, with his old crew Chuck McCord and producer Bernard McGuirk as well as two new, and black cast members: Karith Foster and Tony Powell.

Imus is old as dirt, and his insight into American life is welcome back. The words he used to describe the Basketball team were harsh and uncalled for, but I hope the overall effect on the show is not to make Imus afraid to use his patented brand of humor. We need someone to call our politicians idiots, because so many of them are. Imus did it so effectively Time called him one of the 25 most influential Americans and he has performed for Presidents, often to their chagrin.

Welcome back Imus, hope you have the guts to be you. Imus will be heard in Southern California on KABC 790AM.

Missing CIA Torture Videos

The CIA says it has destroyed video's of the questioning of two suspects in a terrorist investigation. Just got rid of them. Worried that they would compromise agent's identities. No problem with the questioning you understand. Just a security problem.

Why aren't we outraged? What does it take to make us angry with our government. They lied to us going into a war. Lied...knew there were no weapons of mass destruction, said there were, invaded a country, killed hundreds of thousands and then said, opps, sorry. Now they say they destroyed a few tapes of interrogations.

I use to believe that we as a nation stood for something. I know Bush doesn't stand for anything but himself, but what about you and me? Is torture ok? Is it alright to lie because we lied before?

We are on a dangerous road. It could end with an America that we do not recognize.

I know that there are those that think it is wrong to criticize at this point in our War on Terror. I gotta tell you, I think it's wrong not to criticize.

The Geek

It's cold!

It's about 50 degrees in Southern California, and I feel like I'm going to freeze. Watching a movie that is set in the Upper Mid-West. I have really become a wimp.

The Holidays are Here.

The Holidays are here. Christmas, Hanukkah, Festevus whatever you celebrate. With any luck you will be visiting friends and family, enjoying a get together at your bosses house, that sort of thing. Which leads to the question, or dilemma of the Hostess Gift.

You are no doubt sort of aware that when you visit someone in their home you should bring a Hostess Gift. There are only a few exceptions; one night stands do not require a hostess gift, best friends often forgo them except on special occasions, and your parents don't expect one. I think a hostess gift for a Christmas get together is mandatory. Even a one night stand, bring a pizza or something.

There are two never miss hostess gifts: wine and flowers. Always appropriate, although the wine is a little tacky at an AA meeting. If you do chose wine, not the cheap stuff. You don't have to spend a fortune, just ask the wine department manager for a well formed wine for a gift. If he says Silver Oak, thank him and unless its for me, go somewhere you can afford.

I personally like a plant better than a flower. This time of year the Poinsettia is a big hit, but remember if you are visiting someone with cats, the poinsettia is poison. That may or may not rule it out, depending on how you feel about the cat.

Even nicer than wine or flowers is a gift that actually relates to the interests or needs of the host. If you are visiting me, for example, a copy of CS3 for the Mac would be very nice. Or a 17" Mac Book Pro. Either or both. If its your best friend golf buddy, bring them a few golf balls, or the wife a nice spa certificate. Be creative.

Anyway, the point is to give it a little thought. It's a nice thing to do and will make your visit memorable for your host. It doesn't cost a lot, and being known as considerate is not a bad thing.

You Can Become a Geek Too!

John, in Ohio writes:

"Tell me Grey Hair Geek, how can I become a Geek too, and speak with authority on topics concerning technology and the internet?"


Well John (if that's really your name) I have two basic recommendations. They are equally important, so pay attention.

First, and very important, be sure to read this blog daily. Everyday, don't miss a day. The Grey Hair Geek is here to help. Ask questions, don't be afraid. I would tell you that there is no such thing as a stupid question, but we both know that isn't true. Lets say, hey if you don't ask it how will I answer it. (Well I could just make it up, after all this isn't the New York Times is it, and if it's good enough for our political leaders, it's good enough for the Grey Hair Geek)

Now for the second suggestion. Podcasts.

Podcasts are like radio except you use iTunes or your computer to download them. You play them on your mp3 player (I would say iPod, but even a Zune plays them, you can even put them on a flash drive and plug them in some radios) then you listen to them whenever it is convenient. Like Tivo except free. FREE. Listen to technology podcasts.

The best podcast, by far, for the beginner is the Techguy podcast, which is done by Leo LaPorte. It is his radio show without the commercials. He takes calls and helps people with their technology issues. Heres a link to his podcast: http://twit.tv/ttg

Now listening to one is good, listen to one a day is even better. And here's the really great news, Leo does about 15 podcasts a week, all of them on his twit network. If you have iTunes (and if you don't why not, even just to manage music it is terrific) you just need to search for twit (stands for This Week in Technology) and subscribe to a hand full.

My favorite is TWIT with MacBreak a close second, but they are all well done. Leo really does have a manner of explaining things so that they seem to make sense.

I down load so many that I feel I can use the Carpool lane, after all Leo is in here with me. Unfortunately the California Highway Patrol does not agree.

Geekettes, spend so time with Leo, then branch out. Go slowly, be patient with yourself.

Golf Play Faster, Kinder Golf

The Grey Hair Geek loves GOLF almost as much as he loves his Mac. My mission is to insure that our time on the links are spent golfing, not waiting for the idiot 5some in front of you that keep driving back and forth across the green. Here is my attempt to help you, the none geek golfer sharpen your knowledge of the rules of golf.

Modern Manners

It can be hard to know how to react to people these days. No etiquette class in public schools you know. I recommend the following site for assistance.


VideoJug: How To Air Kiss

CompUSA to Close Stores

Last February CompUSA announced they were closing half of their retail outlets. This week, they have announced that the rest of their stores will be closing. This follows the closing of the Good Guys and a tough year for Best Buy the sometimes darling of the Big Box Electronic Stores. I will not miss CompUSA, but I do feel a little badly on their passing.

In years gone by I spent many happy hours there, looking at computers I couldn't afford, buying cables, data cards, hard drives and who knows how many other goodies. I could get advise--questionable as it might be--or just look. Unfortunately, in recent years the advise all but disappeared, prices no longer seemed competitive and the general level of attention to the consumer in store dropped.

Now the Geek remembers when computers were expensive and mysterious, so he is thinking about what really happened to CompUSA and a lot of other electronics retailers who are gone or, perhaps, going. Was it price? Was it service? Let me offer a theory.

Once upon a time, reader, there were places called "Downtown". All the stores were in separate buildings, and in different towns and cities there were different stores. There were few large parking lots and those that existed had attendants that took money from you so you might occupy a parking space.

In the winter it was cold and snowy and in the summer hot and sticky. The people who owned and ran the stores had real names, and ofter the stores were named after the people who ran them. It was not convenient to shop in their stores, you had to pay with cash and it could be difficult to find the exact thing you wanted.

One day a new kind of shopping area appeared, it was called the "Shopping Center" and it had lots of parking and the stores were all in one giant, really big building called a mall. Parking was free and the area between stores heated in winter and cooled in summer. Still people liked the Downtown, and the people who ran the stores downtown talked about service and friendliness and integrity.

Slowly, though, people learned that the Shopping Center often offered lower prices. Integrity was nice, but parking, prices, air conditioning, that was so nice. In the downtown merchants argued about subsidizing parking in the large city lots, while at malls merchants paid high rents that included free parking for their customers. Downtown merchants skimped on Christmas decorations, at the Mall, Santa came with elves and trains and all that was holiday.

Soon the merchants downtown started closing their businesses. Some went to the Malls, but most just closed and names of great stores disappeared from the land. Their owners refusing to grasp that merchandising must change with people's tastes.

Then came the big boxes. Not as convenient as the Malls, the big boxes offered huge selection. Good Guys and CompUSA offered so many items in their specialties that places like Radio Shack started to close. But what the Big Box merchants did not realize was that competing only on selection and price meant that customer loyalty--the thing that kept Downtown alive for decades, just didn't exist.

And soon their were On Line merchants. The Big Boxes laughed. They had large stock and you could hold things in your hand before you bought. You could take things home today. No one took the on line stores seriously. What is this Amazon thing anyway?

I think the demise of CompUSA is a message that the other Big Boxes and Mall owners need to hear. There is more than price and size. These alone will lead to change. Someone can always sell it cheaper or make it bigger. There is still service and real information. I refer you, with all my heart, to your nearest Apple Store. Go in and ask any employee about one of the items on sale. Ask about putting pictures on the internet. They will talk your ear off. Because there are enough sales people, and they have the permission of their management to serve the customer.

What did Circuit City do when their sales slumped? Announced they were cutting the number of employees at the stores. Go to Wal Mart and count the number of UNOPENED check-out stands.

The Internet can offer us selection and price, the merchant needs to find where it can compete and offer that is big, flashing letters. Service, advise and human touch do mean something.

Email Security, Part 1

The Geekess mentioned the other day that her Dad's computer seemed to be possessed. Because she suffers with me, and endless hours of Leo LaPorte on radio and Netcasts, the Geekess was well aware that Dad's computer was infected, probably with a virus or worm, since it seemed to be doing whatever it wanted to do, with no assistance from humans.

Now Dad loves to forward the latest email making the rounds, particularly those involving the latest internet warning about stolen kidneys, or tails of the eventual downfall of our society. He forwards these on to the family, usually with long lists of former receivers intact.

Such forwards are a great source of addresses of real people. Spammers love them, because, in general, each recipient is actually a person and MOST IMPORTANT each recipient actually opens emails passed on from other people.

If this is your habit, passing on these email, I beg you, at a minimum, strip all the incoming addresses off (you know the sender and all that he has shared the gem with) and type all the addresses you are sending it to in the bcc: header. At least then you are not sending a spammer list which just might wind up in the hands of a spammer, and just might wind up infecting YOUR computer when that spammer sends you an email with the latest rumor of the latest tax on email, $100 cookie recipe or outrage from Washington.

If you receive these kind of email I have a cruel suggestion. Don't pass them on. Even if it signifies that you don't love, respect or cherish the sender. The fact is, they don't love, respect or cherish you, sending you this form or potential spam. Thank them for thinking of you, explain the danger of that type of email (oh dear reader send them the link to this post!), let them know you cherish their letters and substantive emails, just not the ones with long lists of names attached.

More to come on this, Geeketts.