Jewish World Review Jan. 14, 2005 / 4 Shevat 5765


New Year's resolutions, belated

By Mark Kellner

http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com | I know, we're days into the New Year, but it's still possible to set a new and better course for the days ahead. Like the diet I plan to start. Tomorrow.


It might be easier for some of us to exercise more discipline regarding our computers. It's on my list of to-dos. Now, some specific steps - and product recommendations:


CHANGE BROWSERS FOR THE BETTER: A few months ago, I wrote approvingly of Firefox, a new Web browser that is more secure (in many respects) than Microsoft's Internet Explorer. I like Firefox because it offers access to most commercial (i.e., secure) Web sites, including my bank's, that are sometimes difficult with Safari, the leading Mac browser, or with some other PC-based alternatives.


Coupled with the greater security is a nicer interface, the ability to customize Firefox with assorted themes and plug-ins gives users a great deal at a fantastic price: free. Details are at http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/, and it's worth investigating.


However, I must report less satisfaction with Firefox's e-mail doppelganger, Thunderbird. This program is very good in a lot of ways, but I find that I've maxed out some of its capabilities and finding work-arounds is difficult. I'd suggest approaching Thunderbird with caution, therefore.

Donate to JWR


BETTER SECURITY FOR MY PC: Installing anti-virus software should be automatic by now (in fact, the latest updates to Microsoft Windows, Service Pack 2, makes it so), and updating that virus protection is something you should watch for at least once a week.


But beyond this, you need to watch things such as password control for your PC - to keep children away from sensitive files, like checking account registers - and for your wireless router, to keep poachers away from your high-speed Internet connection. A firewall, software or hardware-based, would be a good idea to also keep people from tunneling into your computer.


Speaking of the kids, I'll repeat something I've said before: Parents need to be parents, aware of what their children are doing online and where they're going. America Online offers what may be the best parental controls for any Internet service provider anywhere; but whatever route you choose, it's important to stay on top of what your children are doing.


The Norton line of anti-virus and security products from Symantec (www.symantec.com) remain a favorite of mine, and are available for Macs and PCs. They deserve your investigation.


USE AVAILABLE TOOLS MORE: There are things such as Instant Messaging and various search tools (for the Web and for computers) that can make my job easier, and probably yours too. Many are bundled with the operating systems we use every day, both Windows and Mac. Others are either free or low cost. My resolution is to check out what my computer (or computer maker) has to offer before looking for a high-priced solution.


What this means for any user, including this one, is that it's useful to get to know as much as possible about our computers - in knowledge is power. Get a book, take a class, scour the Internet, read a good magazine such as PC World, MacAddict or others. Investing a little time and effort will pay off great dividends.


REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN: Here's another resolution offered here before, but it still holds. It's important to get up from the computer every once in a while, get out into some fresh air, and experience more of life than just what's on your screen. I'm going to do more of that this year, and I hope you do, too.

Find this column useful? Why not sign-up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.


JWR contributor Mark Kellner has reported on technology for industry newspapers and magazines since 1983, and has been the computer columnist for The Washington Times since 1991.Comment by clicking here.

Sidekick II a star, other items for new year
Virtual service calls available
Small biz gets tech hookup to fed deals
Jingle Bells, or ring tones, etc.
Smithsonian's Hand-Held Tour Guide an iPAQ
iMAC G5, Emachines is runner-up
Three 'cult' items: two good, one bad
Charity finds a United 'E-Way'
NetObjects Fusion A Useful Web Site Builder
eMachines Model Offers Performance
Second thoughts
Adobe updates its easy photo fix
Recording radio
Myths die hard, even for ‘insiders’

Apple's iMac, better still

Free software worth something
A TV Board For Your PC
Raising the 'dead' and the dusty
Promise of VoIP not yet total
When ideas and policy collide at work
Why not take the easy way out?
One to buy, one to skip
In Israel, high tech goes on the road
Right out of the box, little Sony camera impresses
Useful little things
Epson printer does far more than just print
Does Gmail hit the spot?
Independence Day Thoughts on computing
Still more about online e-mail
Your vacation e-mail options
Mr. Reagan's Computing Legacy
Following your heart
Power Mac G5: A powerful tool
Opera: This browser sings
Motion's new tablet a step up
Fuji's S20PRO is for you — maybe
Last week's small revolution
More small wonders bring delight, challenge
Livin' large, livin' cordless
Small wonders: Gadgets good and bad
The right tool for the right job
Office 2004 for Mac is coming
Good Computer Info? It's In Print
'Office' suite good for price
The Delightful Deja Vu of the iPod Mini
Another check creation option
Blocking pop-up ads
Apple's super-cool iBOOK G4
MSN, the AOL alternative?
It's Konfabu-lous (and other Mac joys)
The world on my wrist, courtesy MSN
Treo 600 is great business tool
How to make good computer choices this year
The year behind, the one ahead
Last minute gifts, and other thoughts
Something special in the air, again
Veterans Admin plans computer revolution
More holiday gifts
Holiday Shopping Ideas (One of a Series)
Now, Mr. Gates Joins War on Spam
Stopping "Phishers" From Scamming You
Staying safe online
Franklin Covey Brings Order to Outlook
Upgrades: Should you do it?
Time to dump Ma Bell?
Palm T3 widens users' options
Electronic reading
Lessons from a hurricane
Can the PC and phone really merge?
The case of the curious keyboard
The season ahead
New keyboard adds flair to motion tablet
Upgrade path smoothes a bit
Dreamweaver, make me a web
Experiments in upgrading
A tale of two headsets
A declaration of Mac-dependence
Fuji's Fine FinePix S602Zoom
In search of good Mac apps
Little gadgets make computing easier
Adobe Acrobat 6.0 scores
Toshiba's Twisting Tablet PC
HP printer a steady worker
iTunes store, Mailblocks are cool online services
Palm's objects of D-Zire
Gateway's Tablet a winner
Outlook 2003 beta: A promising program
Tungsten's handy "Dubya"
Lexmark's winning all-in-one
Wireless ways
Long distance tech support does trick
Tablet Planner software a hit
Up and down the road with Joyride
Clarion's "AutoPC" is no "Joyride"
Apple's Keynote is PowerPoint for less
Moving adventures
Traveling companions
HP's Compaq Tablet PC a winner
The war on spam continues
Browser for Mac users has good start
New Adobe software organizes photos
Techno-war
The year the PC grew up
PC meets philately: one hit, one miss
Digital Nikon camera a winner, at a price
Honey, they shrunk the COMDEX
Last-minute ideas
Microsoft's Tablet PC has promise, problems
Upgrade with a plan
Palm's New Tungsten PDA Shows Its Mettle
Nobody asked me, but ...
Love, in Quicktime
T-Mobile's sidekick a good partner
Put on a (happy, unwrinkled, tanned, whatever) face
Apple software upgrade very useful
I came, I saw, iPod
How's that? A tech critic reflects, briefly
Satellite radio gets favorable reception
HP's desktop printing marve
Mac satisfaction --- and some really good software
Off to college ... with eMachines
Have PC, must travel
After Shot manages your digital camera images
X200: Mobile worker's fantasy
Beware: Consumers face a fee for printing own checks

© 2004 News World Communications, Inc. Reprinted with permission of The Washington Times. Visit the paper at http://www.washingtontimes.com