X-mas present

I got a Roomba for Christmas.

If you've never seen a Roomba, it's one of those little vacuuming robots. Very cool! It does carpeted floors, tile, and hardwood floors.

Here's the model I got:




This is what the older one looks like - I knew someone who had one of these and being the technophile that I am, I have wanted one for a while:





I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday break!

My Spring 2008 schedule...

For those of you looking to avoid me or take another class with me, here are the courses I am scheduled to teach in Spring 2008:

Paterson Campus:
CIS 101 04: Computer Concepts and Applications
CIS 106 E1: Introduction to Windows
CIS 127 E1: Microcomputer Software III
CIS 152 01: Internet/E-Commerce Technologies
CIS 273 E1: Web Graphics
CIS 295 04: Capstone Project

Wanaque Campus:
CIS 101 A1: Computer Concepts and Applications
CIS 125 A1: Microcomputer Software I

I may also have CIS 106 01, but that is still up in the air.

Inexpensive Laptop at Staples this week

Staples has a very nice deal on a laptop this week. It's $429 after rebate, with a free inkjet printer.

Staples Ad

Laptop Deal

Regular Film...a thing of the past?

In local news...

All Stop & Shop supermarkets have stopped accepting "regular" film! I was kind of amused at this. I remember growing up that most shopping areas had little drive up photo booths, and they disappeared...now even supermarkets don't take film!

I wonder if there will be a day where you will have to work hard to get real film developed.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,5143,695216981,00.html

Processes

If you've ever taken a look at your Task Manager program and said "Why are there 20 things running, I am not even doing anything", there could be a few reasons for it.

One reason is that even as it appears that nothing is happening, there are a lot of background jobs (or processes) being run - for example, there is a program keeping your Internet running, another likely monitoring for viruses, etc.

However, there are other times that you end up with processes that just take up RAM and are not necessary.

The site ProcessLibrary will tell you exactly what those processes are, if you put in the name, whether it is necessary, and perhaps most importantly, if it's spyware or a virus.

http://www.processlibrary.com/

CompUSA gone...for good, this time

Back in March, CompUSA closed the doors to over half their stores (including Totowa, NJ).

It didn't save them. CompUSA has been sold to a liquidator, who is going to close the stores down and sell off their inventory.

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_7688164

Public Webcams...by accident

This was a bigger story a few years back, but it's still very applicable.

People buy Web cams that will allow them to put them on the Web. As with many computer issues, people want ease of use and ignore security.

On the second page of this article (click "Continue"), Scott Bradner shows you some of the Google search strings that can show Web cams. Some are surely left public for a reason...but others just show stuff you'd assume people didn't intend to leave public.

http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2005/011705bradner.html

Scholarship Opportunity for PCCC students

I just received this over email:

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The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is open to any student who is currently attending a community college and planning to transfer to a four-year college/university in fall 2008. All candidates must be nominated by their community college. The foundation will not solicit or accept applications directly from students. Two (2) students can be nominated by their college.

At a minimum, to be eligible, students (candidates) must:

Be a current student at an accredited US community college or two year institution with sophomore status by December 31, 2007, or a recent graduate (since spring 2003).
Plan to enroll full-time in a baccalaureate program at an accredited college or university in fall 2008.
Have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.50 or better on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent).
Be nominated by his or her two-year institution.
Have unmet financial need.
Not previously nominated for a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Program scholarship.
The award amount will be variable up to a maximum of $30,000 annually to fund tuition, and fees for the remainder of the scholar’s undergraduate degree. The deadline for applying is January 25, 2008.

Please refer students to Professor Martin Bookbinder in room A109.

Thank you.

Free fake phone number

Ever want to talk to someone on the phone, but not give out your phone number? Many people had the same thought when they were selling things online.

There is a place that lets you get a free "virtual phone number" - one that you can dispose of immediately...or after a week.

The Web site is www.numbr.com. It's a trustworthy service, and definitely a good idea if you have any need to remain anonymous.