Hi Everyone!
Welcome to
April's Newsletter. Once again, there's a lot to cover in this issue,
so let's get going!
- CONFLICKER VIRUS (Worm) WARNING !
- Photo of the Month: Reddish Egret
- Photography News
- Computer Help: Staying "Connected" This summer
- Computer Tip: Computer Tasks Before You Head North
Many of you have probably heard about the "Conficker" worm. This worm can take control of unsuspecting PCs running Microsoft's Windows operating system. Tied together into a "botnet," these PCs can be directed to send spam, carry out identity-theft scams and bring down Web sites by flooding them with traffic.
Conficker spreads without human involvement, moving from PC to PC by exploiting a security hole in Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)'s Windows operating system. In October, Microsoft issued a software update, called a "patch," to protect PCs from the vulnerability, but not everyone applied the patch.
As always, to stay protected, keep your antivirus software up-to-date. Those of you using AVG should have version 8.5 on your computer. To find your version, double click on the AVG icon on your desktop, then click HELP in the top of the next window. Click About AVG. You'll see a version listed there. If it is anything less than version 8.5xxxx (x being more numbers), you can download a new free version at free.avg.com. Of course, if you need help, please contact me to schedule an appointment.
You should also keep the Windows Updates current on your computer.
One of the many things Conflicker does is block your ability to go to the Microsoft web site, so that's a good way to test your computer for the infection. Simply go to www.microsoft.com. If you can view the home page, and some of the other pages, you're probably just fine. If you do suspect you might be infected, please call Action One Computer (239-498-0480) to have your computer tested.
PHOTO OF THE MONTH:
Reddish Egret - White Phase
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
March 2009
Reddish Egrets have a red head/neck with a dark body
in their adult plumage. This reddish egret, though fully white, is easily
identified because of the pink and black beak.
Visit my photography blog for more Photos of the Month
The next Side Street Artists art fair is Saturday, April 4, from 10 am - 5 pm at the Bonita Shores Club just off Bonita Beach Road. For more information about this show, including examples of ALL our artist's work and show location maps, be sure to visit the Side Street Artists web site. These shows are indoors, so they are held rain or shine.
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This show will feature many types of unique artworks such as glass art, pottery, paintings, fiber art, photography and jewelry, all handcrafted by local Southwest Florida Artists, such as: Marion Crawford, handmade Ukranian egg artist; Mary Hertogs' watercolor and acrylic paintings, Melinda Russek, who creates art from found and recycled objects; Joan Shapiro, award-winning Asian and contemporary pottery artist; Jennifer Hopkins of Maidenshade, who designs & creates amazing and unique lampshades and lights; Michele Anvary, who creates handmade, frameable art cards; Matthew Milligan, a remarkable 13-year-old local outdoor photographer; Sondra Slone's lovely painted glass dinnerware; and Ginny Mintz, who handcrafts wire-wrapped and silver jewelry.
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I'm very proud to announce that this show will host a raffle to benefit the Leggett Shoe Foundation. The raffle will feature art work from many of the local artists who will be at this show, including fused glass, jewelry, photography, pottery and mixed media art.
The Leggett Shoe Foundation is the Bonita Springs Chapter of Shoes That Fit, a national charity that provides underprivileged local school children with shoes, clothing and school supplies. This is a wonderful local foundation, founded by a local Bonita Springs artist, Pat Leggett, and her husband, Tom.
All proceeds from all fundraising go completely to the kids; there are no administrative fees. Currently, the Leggett Shoe Foundation is supporting six local Bonita Springs and Estero schools, having donated over 25,000 articles of clothing and 1,750 pairs of shoes to date to needy school children at these schools.
This show promises to be the best one yet! Again, I'm in awe at the amazing talent that lives right here in Southwest Florida. Please help me support them - and our local school children - by attending Saturday's show!
For myself, I am (finally!) selling my new DVD, Footprints Along The Way, hot off the M.E. Parker presses
last month. This DVD has over 350 of my photographs from
all across America, set to music and motion.
From waterfalls to glacier, whales to alligators, owls to puffins, and deserts to beaches, this DVD offers a colorful journey through some of this nation's most diverse and unique ecosystems. Visit humpback whales breaching off Alaska's Barren Islands. Explore autumn splendor across the Pocono, Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains. Wind down wild trails from Alaska to Florida and watch the blush of earth tones stain the Arizona desert at sunset.
I've been hard at work on this DVD for months now. I hope you'll come by and watch a demo of it at the show. Stay tuned for a short clip of it on my photography web.
Again, this show is Saturday, April 4, from 10 am - 5 pm at the Bonita Shores Club just off Bonita Beach Road. For more information about this show, including examples of ALL our artist's work and show location maps, be sure to visit the Side Street Artists web site.
As many of you know, I have been offering my computer and photography tutoring services remotely. This is a great way to continue lessons with me when you're up north. It's a simple process - all you need at your end is Windows XP or Vista, a high speed internet connection - and to download and install a small piece of software. I guide you through that part.
Once our two computers are connected, we can work together over the phone and on the screen. I can see your screen and even move your mouse, which allows me to help you learn as if I was sitting right next to you.
I'm really excited to be able to continue to offer this service to you! Not only will it mean more access to me during the summer months when many of you are up north, but it will also mean that I can meet with you (remotely) much more quickly and efficiently during the winter months when our calendars do not fit well.
If you are interested in this service with me, you will need to set up an appointment. Send an email or give me a call and we will stay in touch via REMOTE this summer!
Also, for those of you headed north soon, Dave at Action One Computers offers quick turn-around times for computer repairs during the summer. Many of my clients don't have a reputable computer repair shop up north and are at a loss when their computer's break or act up. Dave will have you ship the computer down to him (many of my clients choose to expedite shipping) and Dave is typically able to get things back up and running (or at least give you a diagnosis and estimate) quickly. Then, depending on the repair, he's able to ship it back to you however quickly you need it. If you have any questions about this, please keep Action One's number handy (239-498-2855). If you lose it, don't hesitate to give me a call and I'll help you get connected with Dave.
COMPUTER TIP: COMPUTER TASKS BEFORE YOU HEAD NORTH
Once again, this is the time of year when many of my clients are preparing to return to their northern homes. Some of you take your computers back and forth, and some have a computer in each location, so they leave their Florida computer behind. Here are a few (recycled) tips to keep your computer safe and sound during such a transition.
UPDATE ANTIVIRUS PROTECTION
Any time you're away from your computer - even for a few days - the first thing you should do when you start the computer back up is update your antivirus protection! If a virus has been released in the time your computer has been off, you won't be protected. It only takes a few minutes, so that should be your first task - update your antivirus software!
UNPLUG ALL THE CABLES
If you leave your computer in Florida, be sure to unplug ALL the cables. Unplug not only the power cord, but also the phone line or high speed internet cable. If there are big power surges or spikes - and this is Florida...we always have those in the summer - dangerous voltage can travel up those cables. Be safe - unplug!
LABEL THE CABLES
If you're taking your computer up north with you, you might think about putting labels on the cables before you unplug them. I simply number some little pieces of paper and tape them onto the cable. Then draw yourself a diagram of the computer with the numbers pointing to the ports you unplugged from. It sure saves a lot of head scratching when you get home!
SWITCH BETWEEN PRINTERS
If you have a different printer in each location, it's easy to switch between them. Simply connect the cable to the current printer when you get there and turn both the computer and printer on. The computer may recognize the printer as a new one if you plugged the cable into a different port. Not a problem! Next, click START, then PRINTERS and FAXES. Check the model number of your current printer, then RIGHT CLICK the corresponding icon. LEFT click "SET AS DEFAULT". Close the window and you're all set to print.
BRING THE CDs
Don't forget to take the original CDs that came with your computer with you when you move between locations. If anything should ever happen to your computer, a repair shop might need those CDs to make the computer work again.
BACK UP
Back up your data! If you don't back up your data (documents, photos, music, address books, etc.) now, you might want to think about learning how to do that now. Computers can break, be lost or stolen. In many cases, data cannot be recovered. A backup is good insurance!
And of course, as always, stay diligent in your protection against spyware and viruses. Those threats remain the biggest cause of computer damage and loss of data.
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I'm always looking for new topics to cover that interest YOU, the reader! If you have ideas, just click to send me an email, or give me a call at (239) 498-0480.
Well, that wraps up
another issue of my newsletter. Don't forget to mark your
calendars for the Side Street Artists art show this Saturday,
April 4! I hope to see you there!
Until next month,
thanks for reading!
M.E.
Parker
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