Memories of Those Who Make Us Who We Are

Once again a month of posting helpful information on technology is ended. And once again I will depart from the usual to talk about an unrelated topic.

Life is filled with those who shape us. Some may know that they are shaping you by their actions. Such as a teacher or business mentor. Part of what they are trying to do in their attempt to succeed is to help you improve yourself. But sometimes the most important ones are those who are just there and teach you by example.

Today, July 31 is the 96 anniversary of the date of the birth of my Fraternal Grandfather, Wilmer B. Atkinson. He had just turned 48 the year I was born, which is ironic since next month I will turn 48. While not trying he shaped part of the person I have become. In my eyes he was always a kind and wise man. And from stories I have heard about him, it was the way he was. I was lucky to have him in my life for 22 years although I wish it were much more. He taught me more just by being the man that he was, than anyone thing he may have showed me.

What are the most important things in life? It’s not money and success. Those things may satisfy you, but will they make you happy. Enjoy life perhaps, but probably not truly happy. It’s friends and family that will make you truly happy. Enjoy them while you have them. I lost my father, two friends and an Uncle this year and everyday I miss them.

A friend of mine, Michael Angelo Caruso, wrote in his blog at http://www.carusoblog.typepad.com/ that his mentor died and the impact that his mentor had on his life. It reinforced my beliefs about family and friends.
On this last day of July, take a few moments pick up the telephone and call a friend or relative. You’ll never know when the last time will be that you have a chance to talk with them. You owe it to yourself and they will enjoy the conversation with you. They are a part of who you are.

Accidental Discoveries can become Big Inventions

Note: This site has been relocated to SMBTechTips.com

Sometimes when trying to do one thing another completely different item will turn up. Here are 10 accidental discoveries that many of us would not want to do without.

One day in the 1940’s while George de Mestral, a Swiss inventor, was walking his dog he noticed that his pants got covered with cockleburs. When he looked them under a microscope he discover their natural hook-like shape. Even though He recognized the potential for a new fastener it took him eight years to finally have two strips of nylon fabric, one like the burrs containing small hooks, and the other like his pants, with soft loops. Pressing the two strips together formed a strong bond. But it could be easily separated, lightweight, durable, and washable. Velcro.

In 1905 Frank Epperson was just a young lad of eleven. One evening Frank mixed himself a drink of soda water powder and water stirring it with a stirring stick. This was a popular drink in 1905. Before he got around to drinking it he was called away leaving the drink on the back porch. The next morning he discovered that with the cold night the mixture was frozen with the stirring stick making a nice handle. Eighteen years later Frank remembered the incident and started producing a product he called Epsicles, in seven flavors. That name didn’t stick but the Popsicle was born.

In 1970, Spencer Silver, who worked in a 3M research lab was trying to develop a strong adhesive. It looked as if he had developed a failure. The adhesive stuck, but then it easily unstuck. Four years later when a colleague singing in the church choir was while using markers that kept falling out of the a hymn book decided to coated them with Spencer’s glue. They stayed in place but came off easily without damaging the pages. The nuisance of just about every office was born. The Post-it note.

Dr, Harry Coover was trying to develop an optically clear plastic for gun sights. The product was too sticky to be used. In fact he once ruined a pair of very expensive glass lens when he stuck them together in the glue. But he finally realized he might have a marketable item. Superglue.

In 1903 French Scientist was working in his lab when he accidentally knocked a glass flask to the floor. He heard it break, but when he went to clean it up he was amazed to find that the broken pieces had held together. The flask had held liquid plastic. The liquid plastic had evaporated but a thin coat was left behind, that held the glass together. He discovered Safety Glass.

German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was studying the stream of electrons known as cathode rays. Wanting to know whether the rays were escaping from the glass tube and covered it with black paper. He noticed a glow in the laboratory a few feet away. He discovered that these rays penetrated solids and could record images of human skeletons on photographic negatives. Doctors soon adopted as a standard medical tool X-Rays.

3M seem to be the place of accidental discoveries. Patsy Sherman in 1953 was trying to develop a rubber material that would deteriorate when coming in contact with aircraft fuel. An assistant spilled the compounds on her new tennis shoes. The compound could not be removed. Three years later after improving the compound liquid repellency marketed Scotchguard.

Pure rubber is not very nice. It easily rots, smells terrible, gets too sticky when warm and too rigid when cold. But Charles Goodyear continued to try to resolve the natural problems of rubber so that it could be used. He tried boiling it with a number of items such as magnesia, lime, bronze powder and nitric acid, but nothing seemed to work. Finally he tried it with sulphur, but he accidentally dropped the mixture onto a hot stove. The process of treating rubber with sulphur with great heat improved the strength and resilience, reduced its stickiness and stopped it from smelling. The process is Vulcanized Rubber.

Jacques Brandenberger, a Swiss chemist, in 1908 was trying to create a stain proof tablecloth. He coated the cloth with a thin layer of viscose. The coated tablecloth didn’t sell, but he realized that the coating was airtight and waterproof and could be used to package food. This was the beginning of Cellophane.

Alexander Fleming was researching the flu. He noticed that one of the Petri dishes had become contaminated with mould. He found that the intruder was killing off the Staphylococcus bug. What he had accidentally discovered was Penicillin.

© 2006 Steven G. Atkinson – All rights reserved – tt4sb.com

The Death of the CRT

Is the CRT dead?  The Cathrode Ray Tube has been around for more years than many of us, infact more than twice the years of some of us.  It has been used for televisons, video monitors and computer display terminals.

But now, Apple computer has declared that the CRT is dead.  In fact it has been all but dead for a couple of years, where the only system that had one from Apple was on the educational eMac.

Now Apple has stopped making the eMac as well and have announced a new $899 iMac for education.

CRT’s visual performance is comparable to LCDs, but suffer from much larger physical size and power draw.  They also don’t make it easy to carry from one location to another.  The educational market is one place where moving systems is common.

LCDs have another added value.  They use less energy than CRTs.  They also generate less heat than CRT, which takes less Air-Conditioning to cool the office.

As the price of LCD and plasma screens decrease, CRT’s may also become a thing of the past in the home Video market place as well.

Emergency Alerts – Coming Soon to a Cellphone Near You

In 1951, President Harry Truman created the nation’s Emergency alert system. This system required radio stations to broadcast only on certain frequencies during emergencies. That evolved into the test on TV and radio stations the famous: “This is a test of the emergency broadcast system. This is only a test.”

New technology advancements as well as natural disasters, such as the Katrina Hurricane and terrorist threats, 9-11, has allowed the government has developed a new emergency alert system.

The plan, still in the beginning stages, will allow the government to send warnings of national emergencies on wireless phones, Web sites and hand-held computers. The system was demonstrated on July 12, 2006 at a public television station in suburban Virginia.

The plan calls for only the president to be able to order a national emergency alert. The system as established 1951 and until now was designed to warn Americans of a nuclear attack. President Bush last month ordered Homeland Security to extend the alert “for situations of war, terrorist attack, natural disaster or other hazards to public safety and well-being.”

The idea is being supported by The Association of Public Television Stations. Public TV stations have so far raised $1.1 billion – a third of it from the federal government – to convert antiquated technology at its 176 stations to digital systems that can transmit the alerts, APTS President John Lawson said.

“Anything that can receive a text message will receive the alert,” Homeland Security Department spokesman Aaron Walker said on Tuesday July 11, 2006. “We find that the new digital system is more secure, it’s faster and it enables us to reach a wide array of citizens and alert them to pending disasters.”

Overall, the new warning system is expected to cost $5.5 million to test and deploy nationally and $1 million annually to maintain, Walker said.

There are sure to be some question involving the rights of the citizens to be able to not get these alerts. As well as having strict control and security measures in place so that the public won’t be spammed with an alert of the day. However used correctly, it may serve an as a critical link for safety during a national or even a local crisis.

© 2006 Steven G. Atkinson – All rights reserved – tt4sb.com

MySpace, now number 1

Internet tracking firm Hitswise announced on July 11 that for the week ending July 8, 2006 MySpace.com ranked as the number 1 visited web site in America.  My Space accounted for 4.46 percent of the US traffic.  It moved past Yahoo mail for the first time and outpaced the home pages for Yahoo, Google and Microsoft Hotmail.

Is it time that you start using MySpace?  If you are marketing to the youth of America the answer may be yes.  MySpace is a social networking web site that teens of America love to hangout.  Many musical acts have a MySpace profile to help promote their albums.  Many put their tour schedules on MySpace to promote concerts.

MySpace has gotten bad press about Internet predators stalking teens on the site, but that can happen no matter where teens spend their time.  When malls were the hangouts for teens, it was also the hangout for those who preyed on the teens.

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. to help built up their Internet presence purchase the site for 580 million a year ago.

Getting a presence on MySpace is easy.  Go to myspace.com and hit the sign up button.  This brings up a signup page where you can enter your information for a free account.

Microsoft has ended support on some older Windows versions.

Do you still use Window 98 (either the standard version or Special Edition) or ME? On July 11, 2006 Microsoft ended support on these operating systems. Users of those versions will no longer have the protection of software fixes issued by Microsoft. If there are any previously unknown flaws in these operating systems and hackers begin attacking them, Microsoft will do nothing to fix them. Many of the anti-spyware, anti-virus and software firewall programs have never run on these systems or have already phased out support.

Then again Windows 98 and ME users already have a minor degree of security through obscurity. Most of the malicious code created today will not run properly on those systems.

It was estimated that at the beginning of 2006, 13% of the people using Windows still were using one of these no longer supported versions. Marketing research firm IDC estimates that about 48 million computers were still running licensed versions of Windows 98, and 25 million were running Windows ME.

The same Marketing firm estimates that by the end of 2006 only 6% of the Windows users will still be using one of these versions. They don’t think that the end of Microsoft support will be the reason that they change systems. Many of these systems are older than six years and people will be replacing them anyway, due to computer failure or needing to upgrade to run some newer programs.

But there will always be laggards that won’t change systems until the last blinking light on the systems finally blinks out.

Then again Windows 98 and ME users already have a minor degree of security through obscurity. Most of the malicious code created today will not run properly on those systems.

If you are using Window XP with Service Pack 1 (SP1) you need to remember the date October 10, 2006. This is the date that Microsoft will end technical support and stop developing patches for this version. An October/November 2005 survey of large enterprises found 39 percent of American users had not upgraded to SP2. SP2 for Windows XP came out in September of 2004. Microsoft has a published policy that states support for a service pack ends 12 months after the successor of that service pack is released, although the company may extend support for 24 months.

It may be large businesses most affected by the cut off. Individuals, small and medium-sized businesses may have already been upgraded. SP2 was set up to be sent via automatic updates and Microsoft encourages use of that feature.

Information on the repeal of an old Telephone Usage Tax

On May 25, 2006 The US Department of Treasury announced that a 3% Federal Excise Tax (FET) on long-distance telephone calls, in one form or another for most of the time since 1898 has been repealed.  It was created to pay for the cost of the Spanish-American war. It was considered a luxury tax since only the wealthy had telephone service and could afford long-distance calls.

What caused this action?  The tax was based on the way that long-distance telephone calls were made in 1965, this being a model that based the cost of the call on distance.  Since the early 90’s most carriers stopped using that model.  Some Enterprise Businesses have requested refunds for the tax and in Federal Courts the IRS have lost nearly all of the lawsuits. The one that they did win was overruled in appeals.

This means that all users of long-distance services will be entitled refunds. Everyone, no matter whether it’s a residential account or a business account.  It also includes cellphone accounts.  There will continue to be a 3% FET on local service, although there are moves to have this repealed as well.

Telecommunication carriers have been the tax collectors, but don’t go to them for the refund.  The only thing they can do for you are to issue reprints of bills.  By the time of your July invoice, the one usually received in August, they are required to discontinue collecting the tax.

Refunds will be issued by the IRS.  Their plan is have it accomplished as part of your 2006 tax filings. Residential users will have the option of taking a “safe haven” amount still to be determined by the IRS.  They can also calculate their refund from bills issued after February 28, 2003.  This date was determined due to Statues of Limitations of three years.

Businesses have only one option. They will be required to do the calculations for the exact amount paid and enter it on the tax form.  This is the information, as I understand it at mid June 2006.  There are still things to be determined and information may change.

Some businesses may have already filed with the IRS for refunds.  This has been happening for quite a few years generally by larger enterprises.  If your filing was before March 1, 2003 it will still be addressed.  If the filing was after that date, the IRS will disregard those filings and you will need to file for the refund through the Tax form.

Golf tips – Number 2 technology related

This tip has very little to do with technology, although number 2 does have some slight elements.  This isn’t mine I found it spmeplace on line, but i thought it rather funny and since here in Maryland where I live I have a feeling that many will be trying to get out early today to get in a round.  The weather is great today, not too hot.  A great summer day.

The 10 Commandments of Golf Etiquette

Even if you are not a golf pro, being on your best behavior on the course will make you shine like a true sports star. As with any sport, there are a few rules of etiquette golfers should follow.

Rule Number One:
Be on time. Most courses require tee time appointments. Make sure to arrive at the course about 30 minutes before your tee off. This will give you time to park, get your clubs, take care of cart rental and warm up.

Rule Number Two:
Obey the dress code. If you don’t know the dress code, make a phone call and ask. Some courses prohibit jeans. Some forbid shorts. Some require golf shoes without spikes. If you carry a cell phone, ask if they are allowed before you hit the course. While it is easy enough to change your ringer to silent or vibrate, answering your cell phone still requires you to talk – in some cases loudly. Leave it behind if you can.

Rule Number Three:
Set an order of play before you begin. Use the old coin toss method or simply decide, but have a plan.

Rule Number Four:
Be quiet and still when a golfer in your group in a group that is very close by is preparing to hit, especially when they are putting. Don’t cloud the golfer’s line of vision.

Rule Number Five:
Watch where you hit! Don’t swing if you run the risk of hitting a fellow golfer with an erratic ball. Likewise, don’t hit until you know your ball won’t drop down into the group playing in front of you. While you may think it’s common sense that players won’t stand directly behind you when you’re preparing to swing, check – just to be sure.

Rule Number Six:
Be protective. Protect the greens by replacing your divots and repairing all ball marks. Don’t disturb sand traps any more than necessary and remember to rake them smooth before you leave. Here’s another tip: exit a sand trap on the shallow side to avoid creating more damage to the trap.

Rule Number Seven:
Follow cart rules. If you are driving a cart, know the rules for the course. Carts may be prohibited on wet, rainy days. Some courses require carts to stay on designated paths. Always keep your cart a good distance from greens and tees and never park in another golfer’s way.

Rule Number Eight:
No matter what movies or television shows portray, business deals are rarely cinched on the golf course. It’s not easy to talk business on the course because the game requires concentration. Don’t break a golfer’s concentration on the game by trying to secure a business deal.
In another matter, it is recommended that any betting on the game of golf be kept nominal, or as a “friendly” bet. Anything larger creates stress and animosity – which is far against the goal of the game.

Rule Number Nine:
Here’s a tip: If you are using a caddy or assistant offered by the course, remember to tip. Ask a “regular” at the course what the norm is and tip that amount.

Rule Number Ten:
Have fun and enjoy the sport!

10 Hi-Tech Tips to consider

Small businesses need to take advantage of advances in technology. Technology can be used to increase productivity and reduce costs. It may be remote working or just the availably of instant communications. Just be prepared some of these may also place you in greater dependence of providers of hi-tech products and services to help them keep connected. Use these 10 tips to help you stay connected:

1) Broadband – Everyday more resources are becoming available on the World Wide Web. This Web Log is just one example. A Broadband connection keeps you from waiting on slow page downloads. It is important for the office, but depending on your business, having it at home may be just as important.

2) Internet banking – Nearly all banks now offer a way to do your banking on the Internet. Transfer money between accounts or check balances. These are all less time consuming then going to your neighborhood bank. You can use it to make payments and accept on-line payments as while.

3) Internet PR – With the advent of the concept of keywords used by search engines, the possible need for an Internet PR firm may be helpful to have those looking for services that you provide to be sent to your website and not another’s.

4) Internet telephony or VoIP – The nature of voice
Communications is changing. Many VoIP providers are offering long distance calls for nearly nothing. It’s just a matter of converting the analog audio signals to digital data and using the Internet connection. However you do need to keep an eye on the services, what today may be free may cost tomorrow, due to changes in the telecommunication environment and other requirements.

5) Online networking – The Internet has made it easy to network with like-minded business people. There may be nothing better than the face-to-face meeting, but the Internet can be used to quickly obtain potential leads and other information. It’s a good place to help build solid business relationships.

6) On-demand software – Small business owners work from many locations. Software once was delivered on a desk or CD. Now updates can be downloaded from the Internet. Even the software itself can be. Some can even be downloaded and used free of charge. You can store data in on-line secured storage for access no matter where you may be.

7) Podcasting – Do you spend a significant amount of time commuting, running, or in the gym? It could be time to make use of that time by listening to podcasts. The term podcast refers to both the content (i.e. multimedia files such as MP3 music files) and delivery mechanism (via Internet to mobile device such as iPod or PC). You can use Podcasts as a great way to learn or a way of communicating with your prospects and customers.

8) Really Simple Syndication (RSS) – Thousands of pages of valuable news, views, tips and tricks are published everyday. Instead of having to remember your favorite website for information, you can gave them deliver the information to you. That’s what RSS feeds achieve. All you need is a newsreader.

9) Smartphones – This is an electronic handheld device that integrates mobile phone, personal organizer and Internet access tools into one. While often more expensive than traditional cellphones, they do offer flexibility. These could save you a lot of time by allowing you to be available while not in the office.

10) Wi-Fi connects you on the move – Many of the same reason you need Broadband you may also need Wi-Fi. If your office is equipped with a Wi-Fi connection, it’s just a matter of firing up your laptop and you can begin work. Or you may have a vendor coming from miles away and he has a Wi-Fi connected laptop. He can get online and receive the information you may need immediately instead of waiting. Also for small fee, even at time for free, you may be able to do work from major coffee shops and other meeting places.

© 2006 Steven G. Atkinson – All rights reserved – tt4sb.com