Increase Energy, Productivity and Stamina with an Adjustable Work Table

I'm reading on this website that physical inactivity - which would include sitting at a desk in front of a computer all day every day - is a contributing factor to many physical and mental health problems.  I know it has certainly been a contributing factor to weight gain for many people.  Gone are the days when daily activities were enough to keep people in shape.  Now we sit at a desk all day and have to go to the gym to stay in shape and healthy.  Or, and this is more likely, sit at a desk all day and talk about going to the gym.  Someday.

Here's an interesting idea to at least get people moving a bit- the Multi Table electronic desk. The height can be easily adjusted, lowering to just over 2 feet, and raising slightly lower than 4 feet, adjusting to individual needs and comfort.  People can raise the work surface and stand up periodically throughout the day, and still be able to continue working.  The website says that periodically standing during the day can significantly decrease health risks for both heart disease and cancers.  We're not even talking about working out or exercising here.  We're just talking about standing up periodically and working while standing instead of sitting in that same desk chair all day.

Would that be worth a try for these potential health benefits?

• Reduce cancer risks by 30%
• Reduce heart disease risks by 46%
• Increase energy, productivity and stamina
• Decrease back and neck pain
• Corrects posture to eliminate carpel tunnel issues
• Lose Weight. Standing burns twice as many calories as sitting

Companies need office furniture anyway.  I think it would be great if they provided something like this, giving employees the option of adjusting their work surfaces and positions throughout the day.  Not only would it be better for the employees' health, it would probably make them more productive, too.

What do you think?  Do you work sitting down all day?  Would you like one of these adjustable tables?  Me, I'm at home sitting on the couch (or the floor) working on my laptop all day and jumping up to do this, that, and the other thing all day, so I guess I'm standing periodically.  Truth be told, I'm doing all that other stuff before I finally manage to sit myself down at the computer to get something done, which is why I end up staying up so late, but that's beside the point.  If I was to work in an office all day, I'd want to be able to adjust my position throughout the day.  My neck and shoulders are starting to tighten up just thinking about sitting in one position all day - and all that other stuff that wouldn't get done without me.

Related articles

• Sitting for a Long Time May Damage Your Health
• Sitting Down All Day? Set a "Stand Up" Alarm
• Is a standing desk is right for me?

Vipre Antivirus

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of GFI for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I've been using Vipre Antivirus on my computer for a while now.  It was really easy to download and install right from their website.  Here's a screenshot from my computer while I was installing it:

There was a lot of helpful information as Vipre installed, and then it did a quick scan of my computer while i was installing.  I don't guess it found anything, because it said something like, "you rock." when it got done, and then I got to start using the software.

Along with installation comes the option to join ThreatNet, a worldwide network of thousands of VIPRE Antivirus, and VIPRE Internet Security users sharing and identifying potentially dangerous program files (both through manual submissions and automatically), resulting in the blocking of new malware almost as quickly as it is released into the wild.  Unknown risks can be automatically sent as soon as they are detected, allowing VIPRE to add them to definition updates and protect users from new malware.  I joined because I want to do everything in my power to stop viruses and malware before they cause problems.  Since I have no idea how or why they work, this at least is something I can do.

One of the things I like best about Vipre is the ability to schedule regular scans of my computer.  If I have to remember to scan every week - or however often I want my computer scanned - I probably won't do it, because I'm going to be busy using my computer for other things - and I usually remember about as soon as I shut the computer down for the night.  By scheduling it to scan automatically, I don't have to think about it again, but I know my computer is being checked for all the bad stuff.  Vipre is supposed to work without using a lot of system resources, so it's possible to scan the computer while also using it for other things.  I still like to set it up to scan overnight, at a time when I'm not using the computer, and I like that there's a box to check to shutdown computer after scan - so, just because I'm scanning at bedtime, that doesn't mean my computer has to run all night.

I have run a couple scans while I was using my computer for other things, and I really did not notice that it slowed my computer down.  I love that, because I've had other antivirus programs that pretty much made it impossible to do anything else while a scan was running - which is why I just started setting it up to scan when I was in bed.

Of course there's also the Active Protection which looks for and catches things in real time, which I think is the most important part of any anti-virus program.  If you're like me, you spend a lot of time online, interacting on facebook and other social media sites.  While there are a lot of positives, there are always risks that clicking the wrong link can invite a virus onto your computer.  I try to be really careful and don't click questionable links, but you can never be too careful, and it's so very important to have a program that is looking out for you. Vipre also comes with free US-based technical support.  You know what that means - when you call with a problem, you'll be able to understand what they're trying to tell you!

Be sure to check out Vipre for yourself.  You can find out all about the features and what it can do for you on the vipreantivirus.com website and http://www.facebook.com/GFIVIPREAntivirus.

Save Big on these Little Speakers

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Lenovo for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
 
OK, I really want these cute little Lenovo speakers.  I mean, they are adorable!  I know that's not the reason to get them, but sometimes I just can't help myself.  See what I mean?

These ultra-portable speakers are not only cute, but they promise to deliver a big sound.  The description says 4 watts of power for high-quality full sound. It's a 2 speaker system that includes a main speaker with built-in amplifiers and a sub-speaker.  They're great for attaching to your computer, smart phone, or MP3 player - because sometimes the built-in speakers just aren't good enough, and you don't always want to use headphones.  For instance, these speakers make it super easy to share YouTube videos or stream Netflix movies, and have enough sound for everybody.
 
We have some decent speakers we use for things like that, listening to cybercasts, etc., but they're a lot bigger, and we always have to dig them out of wherever they're stored when we want to use them.  These are small and made to be portable.  I could just keep them with my laptop so they'd be handy any time we need them.  The speaker wires spool for easy storage, and they're conveniently powered by USB.  The only thing I don't know is if they come with a store and carry bag to keep them protected in the laptop case.
 
They'd go perfectly with Jeffrey's red computer, too - and my friend Peggy's red computer, though they might look a bit funny, being so small next to her Big Red computer!   Through Monday May 21 they're even on sale for $11.99 (regular price $29.99) so now's a good time to grab the Lenovo speaker M0620 and start enjoying big sound from these stylish little speakers.
 

Are Your Computers Protected?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Norton Small Business by Symantec for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you've ever had a computer crash because of a virus, you know how important anti-virus software is.  And if you haven't - consider yourself very, very lucky, and get some anti-virus software on your computer immediately!  Or sooner.  We've had to start over several times because a stupid computer virus wiped out everything.  Why do these people do this, anyway?

As annoying as it can be for an individual like me, imagine how devastating a computer virus could be for a small business.  We lost personal files and some pictures. Most businesses nowadays rely heavily on technology to keep track of everything, from employee hours to customer orders.  A computer virus could wipe all that out, resulting in unhappy employees, unhappy customers, and many frustrated hours trying to recover everything.  That's why it's a really good idea for small businesses to get Norton Small Business by Symantec to protect themselves from the latest online threats.  There are several different products to choose from to get the right protection for the right cost.

We've used several different Norton products on our personal computers and always been very happy with them.  I think the viruses got us when we were running something else - all anti-virus programs are not created equal.   There are a couple new Norton options - Norton 360 and Norton Internet Security 2012 that just launched this past September.  It's definitely worth checking out to see which products will best keep you safe on the Internet.

You can also get 30% off Norton Small Business Products now so it's a really good time to buy and get all the office computers protected.  Or all your home computers, I suppose.  The small business products are for 5-10 computers, and we have about that many computers in our house!  How about you?  How could Norton products help you?  Which product do you think would be best for your needs?  I like the Norton 360 because it does everything - anti-virus, automatic back-up and access to your backups from any computer,  keeps your computer running at top speed, and lets you do your banking and online business worry-free.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

When is a Warranty not a Warranty?

When you get it with MSi - that's when!

One of the reasons Jeffrey decided to buy the computer he did was that it came with a 3 year warranty from MSI.  It also had a really good sound card and other things he needs for running sound and doing the things he needs to do.  Everything was fine until the latch that held his battery cover on broke - and then it didn't hold the battery in like it was supposed to.  So he called customer service to see if he could get it fixed.  First of all, they made him pay to send it in.  Then, after they had received the computer, they called several times telling him how much it was going to cost to get it fixed.  Ummm... warranty!?

After much discussion, he got them to agree to fix the problem at no charge, which they should have just done in the first place since the computer was under warranty.  But when he got it back, took it out of the box and turned it on, there was a crackle in the speakers that had not been there before.  He called MSI and reported the problem and finally got them to agree to pay to have it sent back to them so they could fix the problem.  Guess what?  They couldn't find the problem.  They couldn't even tell there was a problem.  So they sent it back without fixing it.  The crackle in the speakers?  Jeffrey booted the computer up, I bent down and heard the crackle they couldn't find within about 10 seconds!  Yep, their tech department over there at MSi is great!  Maybe they could fix a problem if only they could or would admit there actually is one.  Maybe.

So, the crackle didn't get fixed, and now the computer won't recognize any external sound things like headphones, microphones or speakers - so the crackle was probably the beginning of problems with the sound card.  I wonder if they'll actually fix it?

In the meantime, Jeffrey is having some other problems with the computer so he thought the easiest thing might be to wipe it clean and start all over.  The only problem - he can't re-install the operating stystem (Windows Vista) because it was stored/hidden on the hard drive.  But the hard drive was set up really strangely - partitioned into a C and a D drive, but the C drive where everything is usually installed was really, really small, and he was running out of room to install programs.  So he called MSi, talked to a tech, and was told how to remove the D partition so that he would just have one big hard drive.  The tech said that wouldn't hurt a thing.  Not a thing until he wants to re-install the operating system, because removing the partition wiped that out.  And, yes, he could get a disc from the people at MSi to re-install, but they expect him to pay $25 to get it plus shipping.   I can understand a nominal fee to cover the cost of the disc and the shipping, but that's just ridiculous.  He paid for the operating system when he bought the computer.  It already belongs to him.  And it's their tech's fault for telling him he could remove the partition without hurting anything.

The guy said he could send the operating system disc out at no charge, if it was within the first year.   Was there something special about this 3-year warranty that made it only nominally useful in the first year and then completely worthless for the remaining two years?  All I can say is that if you're thinking about buying a computer from MSi, don't count on decent customer service or for them to honor your warranty.  From what I can tell, they're incompetent crooks, who aren't willing to stand behind their product or take responsibility for their actions, and they definitely won't be getting any holiday invitations from this household!

*I linked to them multiple times with do follow links, hoping they'll notice and maybe be a bit ashamed.

Unlimited Online Backup for Less Than $5 per Month

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Carbonite for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you've ever had a computer crash and lost all your files, I'm sure you've learned your lesson and religiously back up all your files.  Right?

If you're anything like me, you think about backing up your files, but don't really do it regularly.  I just don't remember to do it.  I'm pretty obsessive about my photos, backing them up to my external hard drive and the hard drive downstairs and burning them to DVD when I finally have enough.  Then and only then do I delete them from the SD cards in the cameras.  When my computer crashed a few years ago, I would have lost quite a few photos if they hadn't still been on the camera cards.  The rest of my files though, some I have backed up and some I don't, and I'm not really sure which ones are which - and I just don't do it, instead of taking the time to figure it out.  I really need something that will make computer backup simple and easy.

For $59 a year, I'm thinking of trying Carbonite.  It's simple, secure online backup that backs up files automatically and continually in the background whenever your computer is connected to the internet.  I wouldn't even have to think about it, but my files would be safe just in case!  And, all my files would be accessible from any internet-connected computer or Smart Phone or iPad with the freeCarbonite app.  Right now they're offering a free 15-day trial, no credit card required, which would be a great way to try it out.  You can also get 2 months free when you decide to purchase - just use offer code BLOGAD.  Unlimited online backup - less than $5 per month.  Peace of mind - priceless!

Using Online Recipes

Image via Wikipedia

I love all the recipes available on the Internet!  What I need is a wireless monitor embedded in a cabinet door.  That way I could refer to the recipes I want to use without printing them out or, like I'm doing now, setting my laptop on my kitchen counter.  At least I have a laptop, and I can do that!  Some days I don't even think of that.  Instead I run back and forth from the kitchen to the living room to check the recipe. Not the most efficient, but I guess that's a form of exercise, right?

Speaking of exercise, this bending over to type a blog post while I've got my computer on the counter is working some muscles I don't usually work.  I can feel it tightening up my backside.  Maybe I should do this more often?  I could write blog posts, domain name availability, update website, and all manner of things while standing in my kitchen.  Of course, if I didn't set my laptop in front of my toaster oven, I'd be able to angle the screen back a bit more, and then I wouldn't have to bend over.  The thing with putting the laptop in the kitchen is that I have to keep it away from the sink where it might get wet and away from anything messy - which brings me back to how nice it would be to have a built-in monitor.  I suppose they do have those, but they cost more than I'd want to spend.

Oh well, maybe I should just do my cooking (I'm making this Sweet Potato Chicken Stew Recipe - looks good, doesn't it?) and then take my computer back into the living room to my nice, comfy couch...

New Year, New Computer

Now that I've got a new computer...  Oh, I didn't mention that I got a new computer?  Well, I did.  The old one was so slow, and the hard-drive was just so full.  I mean, what do you expect?  It was only 40GB.  At the time I got it, 4 years ago this summer, that seemed plenty big.  Nowadays the computers all come with 250GB hard-drives or bigger.  This one is 500GB.

Anyway, now that I've got a new, much faster, computer I can actually get things done, or so I'm hoping.  Blogging, photo editing, web product development, typing up minutes for the Library Board, downloading music from Amazon, whatever I need to do.  It's so much faster and easier.  Of course, I do need to take some time to organize and transfer all my files from the old computer.  I took care of my email and photos right away, but I have quite a few other files to go through.  Of course, I haven't needed those files in the last few weeks, so maybe I should just leave them on my portable hard-drive.  I'll probably just do that, but the problem is that I already copied most of them onto the portable hard-drive sometime, but I can't remember exactly when, and I'm not sure which files are on the hard-drive and which ones aren't - so I need to take some time to go through them.  Either that, or just copy all of the folders and deal with it later.  Then I could clean off the old computer and figure out what we want to do with it.  It will probably work a whole lot better if I take all the files off.  I might not even have to re-format the hard-drive to improve the functionality.

I really am enjoying having a computer that responds so much better and not having to worry about what I do with it or what I want to install for fear that I won't have enough hard-drive space.  I'm not ready to tackle a job with a San Francisco Web Development Agency, but I do need to update and re-design at least one website for our church, and I can play with some video editing, too.

While I'm at it, I think I'll download a new desktop wallpaper calendar from Smashing Magazine. These are so cool!  There are 65 free wallpapers to choose from for January, and I'm just having a really hard time choosing.  Actually, what I need to do is pick several and then have Cory show me how to get my computer to rotate through them all.  He told me he'd show me if I ever wanted to know.  Well, I want to know.

Come On, Come On, Come On

While I'm holed up in the basement, I'm trying to get some things accomplished.  I've been trying to go through some magazines and toss most of them out.  If Jeffrey had his way, I'd just toss them without looking through them, but I really want to go through them and pull out the things I'm interested in.  Yes, I know I've had them around for ages and lived just fine without knowing what was in there - but still!

I've already reduced an entire box of magazines to a stack of articles and recipes about the size of just one or two magazines.  I found this recipe for Cinnamon Swirl Bake in one of the magazines I went through, and I've made it twice since - so it's good I went through the magazines, right?  Today I started on another box and found that it was full of Kraft Food & Family magazines which are full of great-looking recipes.  Basically, I would be ripping the entire magazine out to save the recipes, and that doesn't really sound like I'd be accomplishing anything - except having a loose stack of recipes instead of having them neatly bound in a magazine.  So, I went to the Kraft Foods website and started looking up the recipes that looked good, and I added them to my Recipe Box there.  Well, I started adding them.  I've made it through one magazine so far. 

Part of it is that I'm finding a lot of recipes I'd like to try, making me wish I'd used those magazines more as they came in, but the other part is that either the Internet or my computer is so slow today.  Everything seems to take so much longer than it should, making it really hard to accomplish anything.

I am getting more and more frustrated with my computer every day.  Some days I'll type something and then sit there just waiting and watching what I just typed appear on the screen.  One.  Letter.  At.  A.  Time.  Arghhh!  All I can do is sit there and wait - 'come on, come on, come on, any day now!'  I think it's about time to clean it all off and start over again or find myself a new custom laptop so I can actually get some of the stuff done that I want to get done - without it taking all day.

Discharge The Battery

It hasn't been that long since I bought a new battery for my laptop.  I thought I got a pretty good deal on eBay.  It was definitely a better deal than buying it from Dell!

When I first got the battery, I could run my computer for 2-1/2 hours on battery power.  Then it was down to 2 hours, an hour and a half, an hour.  It just seemed that the battery should last longer than that.  Then last week I was using the computer on battery power when it told me, after about an hour, that I needed to plug my computer in or risk losing my work, and then it went to Stand-by like it's supposed to.  So, I plugged in and re-started.

I was happily surfing the net when I noticed the low battery indicator light was still flashing.  That's when I realized I had been using the computer for about 45 minutes, and I wasn't really plugged in.  I had plugged into a power strip, but the power strip wasn't turned on.  So, even though my power indicator told me that my my battery was out of power, it really wasn't.  Somehow it wasn't monitoring it properly.  I decided to just keep using the battery until it really died, to see how long it would last.  Altogether it ended up lasting over 2 hours before the computer completely shut down.

I was thinking I needed to find a way to re-set the power monitor so it would read my battery properly, but the next time I ran the computer on battery, it seemed to keep track of it just fine.  I guess completely discharging the battery did the re-setting for me.  Aren't electronics fun?  Several times in the past I ran the computer on battery after it told me it was low and went to Stand-by, but usually only for a couple minutes because I was afraid to let it go too long and completely die.  Obviously, that is exactly what it needed, so I'm going to have to make sure I discharge the battery completely every once in a while.

More Sites with Acer Aspire Laptop Giveways

Here are three more sites where you can enter to win an Acer Aspire laptop:

• Win a laptop at Petroville - I always wanted a Trapper Keeper, but a brand new computer would be better.
• Win a laptop at Busy Mom - this thin, lightweight computer with a long-lasting battery would be so useful.
• Win a laptop at Want Not - a PC that a Mac user is on the whole pleased with, and I think that's saying something!

I've been entering all of these, and now I will cross my fingers and cross my toes and hope I win!

Guest Post (and an HP Coupon, too)

The following is a guest post from my computer. Her name is Rosie:

---

Hi, I'm Anna's best friend. We're practically like conjoined twins - joined at the fingers and keyboard, we're so close. I've been a big part of her life for 3 years now. I've helped her design web pages and that 'award winning' school calendar she did all those years. Did I get credit for that? No, it was all her and Mary, but let me tell you - she could not have done it without me.

She tells me everything. Sure, she posts a lot of it on her blogs so the rest of you can read it, too, but just remember - she tells me first. And couldn't post it without ME! What do you call a blogger without a computer? Lost, completely lost. She'd be lost without me.

Like I said, we're best friends. That's why I'm not worried, even though she's been looking at this HP dv6z Artist Edition 2. Sure it's pretty, and I'm getting a little worn, but it is not my fault the letters are wearing off my keyboard. The N is practically gone! I choose to believe that we have a deeper relationship than that, and that Anna won't be swayed by a pretty face case. I can edit photos and videos and help her stay connected to her family and (other) friends just like this pretty computer. Also, I'm pretty sure she's planning to keep me around for a while, since she just bought me a new battery, and my service plan doesn't expire until next summer.

Her husband has been looking for a new computer. Maybe she was looking for him. Yeah, that's it. I've got nothing to worry about. Right?

---

Yep, that's my Rosie. I love her - we really do spend a lot of time together, and she's right, I'm not planning to trade her in any time soon. You, however, might be interested in this HP coupon code I promised:

Get $500 off instantly when you purchase an HP HDX 16t with $300 coupon code NBN3248 + $200 Instant Rebate.
Valid through 8/23 or while supplies last. Restrictions and exclusions apply.

Shh, don't tell Rosie, but this laptop's really nice looking, too. $500 savings! Perhaps you can use them to get a best friend of your own.

More Chances to Win a Laptop

There are several blogs hosting giveaways for a sweet Acer Aspire Timeline laptop. For best chances, I say visit and enter them all!

• Win a laptop at Scrutiny by the Masses - great review, too
• Win a laptop at Deb on the Rocks - her nocturnal kids sound like Cory, and I agree with youngest son - everything should be online!
• Win a laptop at Bacon is My Enemy - of course Paige should not have to watch movies at her desk, of course!
• Win a laptop at Owlhaven - amazing battery power on this thing!

OK, enough entries for now. I am going to eat chocolate cake. I'll enter and list the rest later.

Bad Program!

Before she left for work yesterday, Beth said her computer was messed up. Some antivirus program had suddenly appeared and started scanning her machine, telling her that she had all kinds of infections. After she left, I had to go into her room to leave some of her laundry on the bed, and her computer was repeatedly restarting itself - blue screen, restart, blue screen, restart... - so I turned it off. The weird thing was that, as I turned it off, I momentarily saw her desktop and running programs. That's not normal.

Last night I remembered that I wanted to turn the computer back on and see how it acted. It booted up, and immediately this program (Antivirus XP 2008) started up and started scanning, saying she had multiple infections. So I started searching for this program online and found that it is definitely a problem. It installs itself without permission, scans your system, and tells you that you have a bunch of fake security risks that can only be removed if you purchase a license to this program that you didn't ask for in the first place. Real nice, huh? It also won't let you uninstall it in the usual way. The blue screen thing? Fake. If you attempt to scan your computer with a real program, this one doesn't like it and tries to trick you into thinking your computer is really messed up. OK, if you have this stupid thing on your computer, it is really messed up. It really needs to go away.

I downloaded the latest version of Spybot Search & Destroy and ran that. The bad program repeatedly tried the blue screen thing while it was scanning, but Ctrl-Alt-Delete pulled it out of it. Spybot found the Antivirus XP 2008 as well as a whole bunch of other stuff, removed most things, and had to restart to remove the rest. So I restarted, Spybot scanned again, the antivirus thing tried the blue screen a couple times, but by the time Spybot was done it didn't list Antivirus XP 2008 in the list of things found. It was past my bedtime by then, so I'm still not sure if it worked. I hope so, because some of the directions for removing the stupid program are just too complicated.

The whole thing just makes me mad. Seriously people - spend your time and energy on creating a good program that people will want to buy instead of on figuring out how to trick them into needing your program, and having to pay you for it. That's just plain mean.

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Trials of Technology (Part 1)

Image via WikipediaI told you we recently got new cell phones. I'm really enjoying playing with it - adding music files, taking pictures, stuff like that. I'm not real big on actually making phone calls, but I guess it's nice to have the option, too.

Our new phones have Bluetooth capabilities, so we ordered some Bluetooth headsets from buy.com - $15 for two after rebate. And then, right after we ordered them, we found some actual Motorola ones for $4.99 after rebate, so Jeffrey bought those. We figured I could use one of the ones from buy.com with my laptop, maybe, and Tim's phone uses Bluetooth, too so maybe we can sell him one cheap.

I haven't tried setting up the headset yet, but last night I thought it would be nice to connect my phone and my laptop with Bluetooth, so I won't have to actually plug the cable in to transfer music and pictures. It should have been easy. It wasn't. I always thought my laptop had Bluetooth. I mean, the little blue indicator light is always on. I checked my help file to figure out how to do it. It said to go to Control Panel - Bluetooth Devices, and then follow through with some more directions. The only problem was, there was no Bluetooth Devices in my Control Panel - no Bluetooth anything.

Finally, I checked All Programs and found something that said Bluetooth. Double-clicking that installed a Bluetooth driver, I guess the one I thought was already installed. OK, getting somewhere. Once that was installed, I followed the Wizard through and thought I had it. Then I realized that I had connected my computer and my phone via Bluetooth, but it was only configured so that the laptop sees the phone as a modem and can use it to access the Internet by dial-up. Nothing for transferring files. Reading my help file further, I saw that there is supposed to be a check-box so I can let my phone find the computer instead of the other way around. Yeah, right. I searched and searched. NO check-box.

So, last night I wasn't reading blogs or commenting or dropping Entrecards, or even playing Scrabulous. No, I was trying to make my computer and my phone talk to one another without a cable, and I failed miserably. It's not even like it takes all that long to plug in the cable. I just thought having them connect via Bluetooth sounded so cool.

Wish me luck with the headset.

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Another Cable?

Have I mentioned how Jeffrey and his friend Don seem to have every cable known to man? At least that's what Don's wife and I think. Still, somehow, the two of them always seem to find a need for some kind of new cable. Who knew there were so many different kinds of cables, all with their own specific purposes? I can't really tell the difference, so if Jeffrey asks me to hand him a Cisco cable or an ethernet cable, I usually end up telling him he needs to get it himself. Actually, I stand there looking confused until he comes over and gets it himself.

Since I know he's going to buy new cables, even though I can't figure out why he needs them, I'm going to send him to DiabloCable.com to see what they have available. Computer cables, audio/video cables, network cables, they have them all. About those ethernet cables? I'm not sure what they do, but I like the purple one.

Cory's Computer has Moved

I was watching some show on HGTV (I think) this weekend. People wanted to sell their houses, and there was this mother/daughter team who would come in and tell them what they needed to change so the house would, hopefully, sell sooner. One family had the dad's office set up in the area that should have been the dining room. The mother and daughter told them that a buyer would be confused by that and that he should move his office furniture back upstairs and turn the dining room back into a dining room. So they did, moving the baby boy out of the nursery/TV room/home office they had upstairs and into the bedroom with his brother. I would have had the boys in the same room to start with, but it's not me. My two kids shared a room until we moved into this house. If they had been two girls or two boys, they probably would have had to share a room even longer than that. There's nothing that says a kid is entitled to his or her own room.

Anyway, not that we're thinking of selling our house, but since we're thinking of putting new tile in the kitchen and dining room, we did move the computer desk out of the dining room this weekend. Everything is going to have to be moved anyway, and Cory has been wanting to move 'his' computer into his room. It's been in the corner of the dining room for, well, ages, and it's really worked out well - except for the times we think we're talking to Cory but he's got his headphones on watching or listening to something online. Other times we think he's talking to us but he's actually talking to one of his friends. He wants to start a video log on YouTube so he thinks he'll be talking more when he's on the computer and figured it would be nicer for everyone if he wasn't just in the corner of the dining room. So, he cleaned up his room, he and his dad ran the network cable and put in the connector box, and they moved the computer and desk into his room.

It looks strange not having that desk in the corner now, but I'm definitely not confused what the room is for!? It's also strange not having Cory over in the corner where I can just talk to him whenever I want to, after getting his attention, of course. Now I have to go knock on his door and go into his room to talk to him. I'll have to be sure and keep an eye on his video log thing so I know what he's talking about in there!

Cat vs. Laptop

I just almost dropped my computer on the floor. That would not be a good thing - not at all. It's probably because it's not on my lap properly. Somebody's cat came and climbed into my lap, in between me and my computer. Instead of moving her off, I moved the laptop further away from me, leaving room for the cat. Do you know how hard it is to type over the top of a cat?

I told you she was spoiled.

Super Bowl Sunday

I don't watch football. I never really understood football. It's kind of like this:

A guy takes his blonde girlfriend to a football game for the first time. After the game he asked her how she liked the game.

"Oh, I really liked it," she said, "but I just couldn't understand though why they were killing each other for 25 cents."

"What do you mean?"

"All they kept screaming was: Get the quarter back! Get the quarter back!"

Really, I don't care, but we usually watch the Super Bowl - mostly for the commercials. My problem is that I'm so used to ignoring commercials or getting up to do something else, that I forget to watch the commercials even when I want to watch them. Luckily I have a son who understands this, and he sent me a link so I can watch the Super Bowl commercials on my computer whenever I want. He just sent this to me on Yahoo Messenger - all the way across the dining room from his computer to mine. Don't you love how we communicate in this house?

Build Your Own Computer

When Cory was little he once asked me when I was going to learn to work on the computer. It took me a while to figure out what he was talking about, because I was using the computer. We finally figured out that he wanted to know when I was going to take the computer apart and fix it or upgrade it - or whatever it was his dad was always doing. Jeffrey built our first computer by buying all the required parts and putting them together himself. He had to research what he wanted and buy all the separate parts, sometimes from different places. I think he enjoyed doing it, and I know it was cheaper than just going out and buying a computer. Since then he has built several more computers and upgraded others.

There have been a few problems when certain parts didn't like to work with other parts - like this motherboard doesn't like that video card and things like that. Buying pc kits, where all the computers parts are guaranteed to be compatible would certainly have saved a lot of headache. I'm not even sure this was an option when Jeffrey built that first computer. These kits come with complete instructions, and supposedly anyone who can use a screwdriver can do it. Instructions are in plain English with full illustrations, and if you get stuck, you can call someone for help. I'm not sure I'm ready to try, but wouldn't this be a great father/son activity? I think it's about time I ask Cory when he's going to learn to work on the computer.

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