The Computer Next Door

Out, Out, Damn SPAM!

SPAM, or unsolicited junk e-mail (as opposed to unappetizing canned meat) is surely one of the worst  scourges of the wired world.  Everybody with an e-mail account is well-acquainted with SPAM.  Sadly, people fall victim to SPAM cons on a regular basis.

The "CAN SPAM" Act of 2003 (the full name is "Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing" Act)  was intended to stop or prevent unsolicited emails. It has not - although it has made them illegal.

SPAM isn't a minor problem - a great many of  SPAMMers are actually cybercriminals of some stripe -  trying to get you to do something – whether to go to a Website, buy a stock, or set up a home-based business - so they can steal your money in some way shape or form.

So, what can you do to fight SPAM?

Short of becoming a member of congress, there are really only four different ways to deal with SPAM:

1. You can protect your e-mail address, so it has less chance of getting distributed to SPAMMers.
2. You can filter incoming SPAM messages.
3. You can delete SPAM.
4. You can report SPAM

PROTECT

This one is on you.  Change how you use your e-mail, and who has access to it:

• Don't give out your e-mail address any more than you you really need to. (For example, refrain from signing up for e-mail newsletters willy nilly).
• Read the PRIVACY policy on the Website you’re shopping on.  If they look like they're going to play volley ball with your e-mail - don't shop there.  Go somewhere else.
• Some internet service providers (e.g., Earthlink) will let you set up  "temporary" or "anonymous" e-mail names when you shop online.  When you're done using them, simply delete them.

FILTER

Most e-mail software packages have different settings that allow you to "train" your software to recognize SPAM. At this point, however, you probably need Anti-SPAM (or SPAM filter) software.  This may come as part of an Internet Security software package.

The Gold standard in security software has always been Norton line of products from Symantec, but there are many other options - most available to try for free for 15 to 30 days you buy.

In order for any filtering software to work, however, you need to train it.  You need to "flag" what is a good message and what is a junk message.  And for that to work, you really need to keep track of your legitimate e-newsletters and things you've signed up for.

I have been using a program called Spamfire on my Macintosh for several months now. My inbox used to be a mess - with literally hundreds of junk e-mails going into it every day.  Now, all those messages go into a "junk" folder, and only a handful make it to my inbox.  Spam software isn't 100% perfect - but it sure as heck helps.

DELETE

You really should go through your email folders (inbox folder, junk folder, etc.) at least once a day and clean everything up.  I usually do scan my "junk" folder just to make sure a good message (or two) hasn't ended up there, but then I "Select all" and hit the delete button.  Feels good.

REPORT IT

This is not going to get you very far very fast, but you should know that you can do it! 

SPAM filter packages usually have some sort of “reporting” mechanism that allows you to report something that’s particularly bothersome to you. Let them take that on - just hit the button.

Of course, you can also make the FTC's life more fun by reporting SPAM to them.

They've set up a FTC - SPAM site  for consumers where you can learn more about SPAM and report it to your heart's content.   

How To Buy A TV

Everyone has a television. It used to be simple to buy one. Not any more. Do you buy ED or HD? LCD or Plasma? Or even DLP? No one answer works for everyone. First thing you should do is make a list:

Budget
Room size
Screen size
Use

From there you can start making sense of the alphabet soup swimming in your brain. These days HD is the way to go. Much of the broadcast industry has embraced High Definition. And it's becoming more and more available. Soon everything will be high def. Once you've seen the extremely crisp HD picture, "true to life" will no longer be a cliche.

Whether you choose an LCD or a plasma you'll have a great picture. But as of this writing screens larger than 45" are less expensive in plasma. That could change tomorrow. (If it does we'lll keep you posted). Plasmas also have deeper blacks and a better viewing angle. Which means that you don't have to be sitting straight in front of the set to enjoy the action.

On the other hand, if you or your kids intend to play hours of play station, the LCD is a better choice. In early versions the plasmas were vulnerable to burn-in from repeated or stagnant graphics. Translation: If the same picture stayed on for too long a time, it'd remain in a ghostly version on your set. There's been much improvement in this area with the use of built in screen-savers.

Monitors are measured diagonally across the screen. Plasmas start at 32" and rise to 63". Most common sizes these days are 42" and 50" with 55" and 60" rapidly gaining ground due to dropping prices. Most screens smaller than 42" use LCD Panel technology, and models larger than 60" are typically rear-projection televisions. LCDs typically start at 13".

Usually smaller screens can be viewed from 6 to 10 feet. 42" and above require anywhere from 10 to 16 feet.

Some of the most popular plasma brands are Panasonic, Pioneer, Hitachi. While Sony, and Sharp lead the LCD market.

In terms of budget think $1200 and up for big screens. And while you're at it, remember that to enjoy a new high def set you'll also want to have sound as good as your picture.

That could mean a new home theatre system (receiver, speakers, subwoofer) if the TV's built in speakers aren't your ideal. Add to that the cost of wall-mounting or possibly a new piece of furniture to house a mammoth set. And if all this seems a bit much, remember how much it costs to go the movies. You could save a small fortune popping your own pop corn at home and putting your feet up in your living room.

The World is Changing

There was a time when keeping up with the Jones’ meant buying the latest car, clothes or boat.  Today it’s computers, hi-definition television, digital cameras, TiVo, PDAs , smart phones and iPods.  So keeping up with the guy next door now means trying to keep up with all the latest technical trends (whether you buy them or not).

But here’s the problem as we see it: most people we know are overwhelmed by technology. (Dazed and confused might be more like it).  And we’re not just talking about our older friends, family, or neighbors.

If you’re technically savvy, working in a high-tech job, or born after 1980, of course this doesn’t apply to you.

But if you’re not, you know what we mean.

Have you ever sat down at your computer with a new piece of software and weren’t sure where to get started? Or looked at the rows of digital cameras in the electronics store and felt overwhelmed?  Or weren’t sure even who to ask about how to hook up your home-based network?

Read on…

This is not a  blog for  “Dummies” per se (we would NEVER use that term for you!) just a resource for the under served.  Which is, by our reckoning, about 85% of the American public.

And who are we, you may ask?

We’re Meryl and Linda. Long-time friends and colleagues, who have known each other for 30 years, and had long-standing careers in television (Linda) and software and digital media (Meryl). As much as we've learned over the years, we still can get confused. Sad but true. Not every piece of hardware is user friendly. And not every piece of software comes with good documentation.

So, we’re going to share Stories (of technology encounters), propose  Strategies (for getting where you need to go) and offer up Resources (where to go for help) in the hopes that you will do the same and let us know what worked for you.

Here’s to conquering the Digital Divide!