Living a Digital Lifestyle Newsletter - April 25, 2009

LIVING A DIGITAL LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Volume 1, Issue 52 April 25, 2009

Today's issue will be tips and articles all courtesy of Kim Komando. You can go to her website here. There will be several links that you can click on for yourself, to take you to different articles. I may include those articles in this newsletter, but then again, I may not. If I don't then you can follow the links yourself. If you happen upon a link that is closed to you, then that means you have to be a Kim's Club member to get access to that information. You can become a member very easily and the information is on the site. (By Kim Komando)

SEARCH GOOGLE IMAGES BY COLOR

What do you do when you are looking for certain images online? You probably use Google. Well, the image search just got a little better.

Google's Image Search is a quick, easy way to find photos and pictures online. It works much like a regular Google search. The only difference is it returns only photos.

Recently, the whole process was improved . It has just added a color selection tool. Start by doing an image search. After the results are returned, you can narrow them by color. Just click the color selection tool and select your color. Only images that match your color will be shown.

Remember, many images are copyrighted. Among other things, this means that you cannot use them without the express permission of the owners.

Speaking of Google, ever wonder what it's like working there? I have a short video that provides an insider's peek. Click here to watch it. I'll be waiting right here in your in-box when you finish.

Calling all bird lovers

I suppose it's human nature to envy birds. After all, who wouldn't love the gift of flight?

I'm fascinated by birds, particularly birds of prey like the bald eagle. And many of my readers and listeners seem to share my fascination.

A couple of months back, I featured the BioDiversity Research Institute's Webcams. And a few weeks ago, I showcased another eagle Webcam in California.

Since then, I've received links to a couple more bird cams. So, this is the perfect time to see how our little eaglets are doing!

The Hancock Wildlife Foundation has Webcams on three nests. One of those nests is also available at the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.'s site. Its view is better than the Hancock camera's.

You will see baby eaglets on these Webcams. But you may need to watch a while to catch a glimpse of them!

TO VISIT TODAY'S COOL SITE, GO HERE:
Hancock - www.hancockwildlifechannel.org
CBC - www.cbc.ca

A firewall for 64-bit Windows

Q. I just bought a Toshiba laptop with Vista Home Premium. When I start it, a balloon warns that Zone Alarm is off. I have the Zone Alarm "Z" icon in the lower right corner. But right-clicking does not bring up the familiar menu. I tried to open ZoneAlarm via the Start/All Programs menu, but nothing happens. I am totally frustrated.
-Gustavo in Miami, listening on WIOD 610 AM

A. I have been recommending the ZoneAlarm firewall for years. It has always done a fine job of protecting computers. And you can't beat the price-free.

However, the free firewall is becoming less usable. True, it's still available, but only for 32-bit versions of Windows. Today, at least in stores, the 64-bit version of Windows predominates.

Since your computer is new, you might have the 64-bit version. But, before we go any further, double-check that. Click Start>>Control Panel. Double-click System. Under System, check "System type." That will show either 32-bit or 64-bit.

If you have a 32-bit system, ZoneAlarm should work. Check that Windows Firewall is disabled. To do that, click Start>>Control Panel. Double-click Windows Firewall. If Windows Firewall is enabled, click "Change settings." Click Off>>OK.

One way or another, you'll get a firewall! Just follow my lead.

ANOTHER SCAM FOR YOU TO AVOID

Linda wrote in from Rogers, AR. She catches my show on KFAY 1030 AM. She is looking for some ways to make money at home. She's heard quite a bit about the Google Home Business Kit. She would like more information, along with my opinion of it.

Google has a lot of cool services, Linda. But it doesn't offer a work-from-home kit. The sites promoting these kits simply capitalize on Google's name. That should be your first clue that something is wrong. The sites are full of unsubstantiated claims. They don't say what's in the kit. Nor do they tell you what type of work you would be doing. That is another hallmark of a scam.

I have a pretty good idea of what's in the kit. It will help you set up a site to sell the kit to more people. You may pay $30 for the kit. Or, you may only pay a few dollars for shipping and handling. Either way, you're enrolled in a monthly subscription. Good luck trying to cancel that!

I would stay away from this one. There are much better ways to make money from home.

Want to work from home? Start a blog or open an online store. Or, there are sites where you can sell your photos, crafts and music. Visit my Money Center to get started.

This isn't the only online scam going, of course. I have some great tips that will protect you from other scams:

• Watch out for sweetheart scams
• Avoiding the latest threats and scams
• Give to a charity, not a scammer

HAS 802.11 FINALLY BEEN FINALIZED?

Christy wrote from Columbia, MO, where she listens to the show on podcast. Christy is getting ready to install a wireless network at home. She has some questions about networking gear. She wants to know if 802.11n has been finalized. She doesn't want to run into any compatibility problems.

First, 802.11n is a wireless network protocol. Companies that make the gear follow general guidelines. These make sure that gear from one company works with the gear made by another.

But 802.11n has not yet been standardized. It probably won't be until early next year. There have been several drafts of 802.11n. The current draft is 8.0.

Should you buy 802.11n gear? Yes! But let me qualify that. Only buy 802.11n draft 2.0 gear certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Certified gear will work together, regardless of manufacturer. There could be compatibility problems with future versions of 802.11n gear. But firmware updates should fix any problems.

I often get taken to task when I recommend 802.11n. One of my smart and attractive readers is quick to point one thing out. Using 802.11n gear won't boost your Internet speed. That's true, of course. Your modem controls that. However, it certainly will speed up transfers over your home network! Besides, it makes sense to use the latest and greatest technology when possible.

Setting up a home network can be a real chore. But I have plenty of help to get you up and going. Don't miss these great tips on my site:

• Buying a wireless router
• Lock out Wi-Fi intruders
• Understanding networking equipment

Finally, once you have a wireless network set up, lock it down. I have the step-by-step directions free for the taking on my site. Just click here.

Copyright 2009 WestStar TalkRadio Network. Reprinted with permission. No further republication or redistribution is permitted without the written consent of WestStar TalkRadio Network. Visit Kim Komando and sign up for her free e-mail newsletters at: www.komando.com

That's all for today's edition, folks.

Until next time -

Digitally yours,

Andrea