How Networks Work

I saw this book while browsing the library shelves. It’s called How Networks Work, by Frank Derfler, Jr., and Les Freed. It’s a great book!

I run my home network. We have so many computers in the house that the computer maintenance keeps me very busy. But I have to admit, when I am doing network stuff, I’m flying by the seat of my pants. A lot of my efforts are mostly trial and error.

So when I saw this book, I thought it would help me understand the in’s and out’s of what I am doing. It’s a good book because it’s written very simply, with lots of pictures and disgrams. The first half of the book is about the history of the network, which is really the history of telecommunications (starting with the telegraph and going through time). I found it to be interesting (and very educational), but it does take a long time to get to the part about how networks really work. I have found myself a little impatient at times while reading it. Sure, the wireless mysterious air tools of telegraphy can be fascinating but I really expected to crack open the book and learn all about networking from the start!

Nonetheless, I recommend this book! If you’re needing some education, need to figure out the concept behind your own network, or are simply curious, this is for you. It’s very comprehensive but extremely readable. Thumbs up!

It’s found at Amazon.com, but your local library may also have it.

A Little About Vista 64-bit

Vista is the first Windows operating system to be 64-bit. A “bit” is bascially a data unit. Most Windows machines have 32-bit (32-bit processors, and 32-bit operating systems to make full use of the processors). But as we use computers to manage more and more data and manage it all simultaneously, the 64-bit processor was made. However, most computers didn’t make good use of these processors, because they ran 32-bit operating systems.

Enter the 64-bit operating system. Here’s a good summary from the Microsoft site:

Today, 64-bit processors have become the standard for systems ranging from the most scalable servers to desktop PCs. The way to take full advantage of these systems is with 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows products.

The 64-bit systems offer direct access to more virtual and physical memory than 32-bit systems and process more data per clock cycle, enabling more scalable, higher performing computing solutions. There are two 64-bit Windows platforms: x64-based and Itanium-based.

And this tidbit from Wikipedia:

64-bit processors calculate particular tasks (such as factorials of large figures) twice as fast as working in 32-bit environments (given example is derived from comparison between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Calculator; noticeable for factorial of say 100,000). This gives a general feeling of theoretical possibilities of 64-bit optimized applications.

By now you may be wondering why I am mentioning all this. I personally don’t see any reason to be on the “cutting edge” of everything (and the cutting edge changes, what, every month or two? Remember when magnets used to be the cutting edge?!). However, 64-bit machines are becoming the new standard. It would be of good use to start to learn about them; before long, you’ll probably be looking at machines that have them.

That’s an old Mac from the 80s. Believe it or not, I still own one, and it still works!

In a very simplistic way, I think about 32-bit and 64-bit in this way:

A juggler has two arms. He can juggle up to 3 balls. Think of it as if the two arms are the 32-bit machine. He can juggle three balls with his 32-bit machine. But start adding more balls, and he will start to drop some. It will be more than he can manage.

Suddenly, the juggler sprouted two more arms, for a total of four arms. Think of this as he is now a 64-bit machine. He can now juggle twice as many balls efficiently and simultaneously.

That’s how I explain 32-bit and 64-bit to my kids. It’s a very simple description, but I think it helps them understand.

We are using computers to do more and more things now. Thirty years ago, it was mere word processing and calculating. Today, we watch video, make video, listen and create music, manage and edit images, connect to the Internet, and so much more. 64-bit enables the computer to manage a lot of multi-tasking without straining the hardware components.

But like I said, operating systems were still stuck in 32-bit mode. Even if you had a 64-bit processor in your computer, if you had a 32-bit operating system, half of the processor’s capabilities were left unused.

Vista has changed this. Vista has two versions– 32-bit and 64-bit. I have computers with both the 32-bit and 64-bit. And there is a noticeable change, definitely.

This is all on my mind, because I’ve been discovering that the 64-bit, while not noticeably different on the outside, is very different as I manage my software. Last week, I wanted to use Windows Movie Maker to edit a video I made with my Samsung camcorder. I’d downloaded the Samsung software and codecs for Windows Media Player, and was able to view my raw videos with WMP. However, I could not get the raw video to play in the Windows Movie Maker. It was driving me beserk! I’d downloaded, tried, and uninstalled about a dozen different codec packages to get it to play. (A codec is short for compressor/decompressor; a codec is like a little translator package that tells your computer how to communicate with the software you want to use).

I could NOT get the Movie Maker to work. I first thought the issue was with Vista (some things are still incompatible with Vista, like my Konica laser printer). But the Windows Movie Maker worked just fine with the Samsung files on my laptop that has Vista. Finally, it dawned on me– I was downloading codecs designed for 32-bit software. I have a 64-bit operating system; no wonder nothing was working! I had to find out the hard way that my choices are limited and may be difficult to locate. Software manufacturers really aren’t making a whole lot of stuff for 64-bit systems yet. So a lot of my old software won’t work on this new machine.. BUT…

1.) Software makers are starting to come around. A year or so ago, there was no firewall or anti-virus that would work with Vista 64-bit. Now, both AVG and Comodo (two free programs that I use) have it.

2.) My Vista machine has some compatibility software that enables me to use both 32-bit software and 64-bit software (most of the time). This does cause my computer to work harder, and some programs (like the ULead Video Editing Studio) run painfully slow.

So my points in all this? You’re going to be coming across these new 64-bit machines very soon, as they are becoming standard. The next Windows operating system (code named Windows 7) is going to be 64-bit. And Vista already is. I have seen several computers on sale in stores with 64-bit software. Know what you are getting into when you’re out shopping. Just as you had to learn about “hard drive,” “RAM,” and “modem,” you’ll have to learn about processors and “bit” capability. If you realize what you’re getting into now, the changeover will be much easier later.

Once more people start buying more 64-bit machines (and we will once such machines become a more popular standard), the software makers will accomodate it. The 64-bit machine and operating systems are here to stay. I am glad, as I think they perform better and run faster.

My Totally Cool Thanksgiving Gift

My family exchanges gifts for Thanksgiving Day. Guess what I got for Thanksgiving?

THIS!!!!

Isn’t it terrific?!

It is the Apple Aluminum Keyboard. It’s BEAUTIFUL. It doesn’t “match” my black PC, but I really dont care. This is the coolest and easiest to use keyboard I have ever had. I just love it!

I have a PC, Windows Vista, but the Apple keyboard works just fine. There are a few fancy media buttons above the FN keys that don’t work for me, but that’s it. Everything else is compatible. The only thing I regret is not having a “mute” key. I use that all the time. But I may be able to find a software program and download it, to resolve that problem.

The keys are very thin and light. They are lighter then Scrabble tiles. I am used to pounding on the Acer keyboard that came with the PC (which wasn’t a bad keyboard; it was probably the best PC keyboard I’ve ever had, next to this Apple). But I’d had my eye on this Apple for a while. It’s a little pricey, at $50. BUT I work at my computer all day long (it’s my business). I have become very fussy about my keyboards and mouses, since I use them incessantly all day.

I am pleased with the Apple. I wondered if it was going to be compatible with my Vista machine, and I am very happy to see that it is. Yay!

Using the Internet for Genealogy Research

My grandmother was a genealogist. She had hundreds of folders, books, newsletters, papers, and more all crammed with genealogy information. I guess I got the bug from her. As a kid, she took me along with her on all her cemetery research exploits. I find myself doing the same thing with my own kids. Unfortunately, some of her research only goes so far back. She just didn’t have access to records to continue the lineage.

The Internet has changed all that– boy, has it changed all that! Thanks to the Internet, I’ve been able to trace some of my ancestry as far back as the 900s! And I discovered that I am a direct descendant of a Matflower Compact signer. That’s something I know my grandmother would have liked to have known. I’m sorry she died before I could tell her.

I’ll share with you some of the best resources I’ve found online for my genealogy search. I haven’t spent one cent in doing so; I know Ancestry.com charges fees (what is it now, $100 a year?), but there are loads of other sites out there that offer you information for free, if you are willing to do a little legwork. (Just to let you know, everything I mention here is absolutely FREE unless otherwise mentioned.)

First thing before you get too deep into research– you need to keep records. I used to write everything down, but that became very messy. I now use free software, called Personal Ancestral File (PAF). It’s offered free by the Latter Day Saints site. They also have a searchable database where you can search for your ancestors. It’s limited somewhat, and I found numerous errors in my ancestral information (someone had last names mixed up, which could lead a person on a goose chase).

If you like to write things down, there are some free family tree documents you can print out, at Family Tree Templates.

About.com has a good genealogy site to get you started. There are some good links to sites that you may find very useful.

Cyndi’s List is probably the most famous genealogy portal. She links to dozens of ancestry sites. There’s a lot there to find.

U.S. National Archives. This is a huge site. They have a section devoted to genealogy with loads of links and articles. Exprect to spend half your lifetime here, lol.

The U.S. Census Bureau. It’s not exactly the most user-friendly place, but everything is there.

Census Online. You can search the site by state and by year. They also enable you to search a few countries.

Ellis Island online. This is a site I found rather sketchy in information. The records keepers at Ellis Island cared little for accuracy or family names. We’ve all heard the stories about the records keepers designating names like “Shumacher” because a man said his occupation was making shoes (even though his last name was really Fischer or something). Also, I found absolutely nothing at the site to help me, because all my ancestors came to America in the 1600s and 1700s, centuries before Ellis Island took in immigrants. But if you have ancestors from Europe who came the U.S. sometime after 1890s, this site may help. ALWAYS get confirmation on your research, though.

Vital Records. The government has loads of information about registered births, deaths, Social Security, marriages, divorces, taxation, and census information. Check out this site, which is searchable by state.

USGenWeb Project. Huge. You can search by state.

DAR. This stands for the Daughters of the American Revolution, and they have lots of information on American patriots and servicemen. You can join the group, too, for added benefits.

Cemeteries online. I don’t have a link because there are millions of cemeteries, everywhere. Sometimes a Google/Yahoo search for your ancestor’s last name and place or residence is enough to find his/her burial place. I have been to dozens of cemeteries where I’ve located mt ancestors. Here’s another tip: take photos of the headstones when you visit. You can upload them into your genealogy program or online. And don’t underestimate the amazing record-keeping of cemeteries. If you can pinpoint an ancestor’s location, you can probably find relations nearby in the cemeteries. Some cemeteries have websites with photos. New York State has a huge database of cemeteries, organized by county. Here’s a brief list:

New York State’s Official Division of Cemeteries
New York State Association of Cemeteries
New York State Department of Health
NYGenWeb Cemetery Database
Interment.net

(Note: Now just because I’m listing New York State links, doesn’t mean you can’t visit them! If you click “HOME” on some sites, it will take you to the home page where you can search extensively by state or keywords.The nice thing about genealogy research is that you can dig deeper and deeper and perhaps find some important information or clues.)

For New Yorkers, there’s a nice database here called the NYGenWeb. It has a lot of links and other places to search, also. There’s also the New York State Library system, which has a lot to look into. If you’re looking into Cayuga County, the county has one of the BEST sites I’ve ever seen, The Cayuga County NYGenWeb Project. Some of the links may give you leads for other areas.

New York State is a good place to start genealogy searches. Why? Because just about everybody who moved east to west passed through New York. Everyone I meet always says they have a relation or ancestor in New York! New York, with the lowlands of the Mohawk Valley and then the Erie Canal, was the only way to get east to west for hundreds of years. People couldn’t cross the Adirondacks, Alleghenies, or the Appalachians, and New York State has a natural strip– a low area in the valleys– where people and their goods could pass through. Many genealogists have found my own blog, New York Traveler.net to be a helpful resource for their searches, because I have blogged about history, visited cemeteries and landmarks, and have mentioned various New Yorkers. So maybe that will help.

Here’s a very extensive site called Ray’s Place. He has a ton of information and links about New England, and an excellent site relating to New York’s Local History.

Other useful links I have found:
RootsWeb
GenCircles.com
Geneaolgy Links.net
Genealogy Today
Ancestor Hunt
ProGenealogists
JewishGen.com is affiliated with the Museum of Jewish History.
Genealogy.com
Genealogy.com also has a good forum where you can search for names and browse discussions. I have found some good information there (and a few mong-lost cousins!) The forum is the GenForum.
GenGateway
Olive Tree Geneaology (yes, they spelled it that way)
DMOZ has a page on genealogy (but they spelled it wrong, too)

I hope this helps! Remember to keep records, take photos, and verify as much information as you can. Your grandkids and great-grandkids will appreciate it. Happy hunting!

The Christmas for Payatas Fund

One thing about the Internet is that it has certainly brought us all closer together. I love learning about all the wonderful things in the world– the art, the cultures, the food, the people. It’s a real thrill and a terrific education!

But the Internet has also made known the plight of the world’s poorest people. And the great thing about the Internet in this regard is that we can change things. Ever hear of the organization Christmas For Payatas? I know I have a lot of Filipino readers here, so I’m sure you are aware of these children of the Philippines, living in the most deplorable conditions.

The landfill in Payatas, The Philippines, is notoriously known the world over as Smokey Mountain. For over 35 years, the smoking dump site has grown to become a stark and heart-tugging reminder of the desperate onditions of humanity.

On a daily basis, children pick through newly arrived garbage to
collect material to sell. The earnings made by one child are not enough to even buy food for the day. Hence, entire families are forced to climb the mountain each day, hoping to earn enough to feed everyone. Children as young as four years old are forced to work in this daily struggle for survival.

In response to the plight of these children, Totedaddy.com is working with Lighthouse Center For Children Foundation to bring a little cheer to the children this Christmas.

Totedaddy.com has kicked off with a cash sponsorship of USD 10,000 to enable the children to celebrate Christmas. FusionExcel International has also pitched in a USD 5,000 in cash sponsorship. The money raised will help fund the projects already in place, and help fund additional projects aimed at providing better housing, and a means of livelihood for the Payatas community.

It is hoped that by creating better awareness to the plight of these children, more support can be garnered towards their betterment. Together we can bury poverty!

There’s a video that gives a visual example of the plight of these children.

The http://www.christmasforpayatas.com organization is asking for help. There are already many peoplw who support this cause– sports people, celebrities, politicians, and etc– but we know that it is the consistent efforts of ordinary people who really make the difference. Please check out the website and consider making a donation. See this site, Christmas For Payatas, for more details.

Finding Reliable Medical Information Online

I have used regular Google searches, looking for medical information, and HOH BOY have I gotten some really kooky stuff. You really can’t rely on internet searches for medical information, unless you want a good laugh. And the stuff I do find, it’s hard to find because it’s mixed in with all the other kooky stuff. So check out this website: Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Merck has been around a long time, and they’ve published books on medical information, too. They have some really cool stuff there, stuff for good health, anatomy, learning about various disorders, and a good search engine for searching the site. This is one to bookmark.

Computer Hard Drive Space: No Truth in Advertising

I recently purchased an Acer Aspire Desktop with AMD Phenom™ X3 Triple-Core Processor 8400 (Model: AX3200-U3600A). I’m finding it a terrific computer, except for a few important things.

For one, the Acer is advertised as having 320GB hard drive space. I bought the machine mostly for that reason- because I use my computer for my business, I need a ton of space. Well, when I checked the stats at home, I see that I REALLY only have 110GB hard drive space. The rest is partioned off, storing the Windows Vista Operating System Restore. Grrr!I was steamed.

Secondly, when I went to create Recovery Disks for the Operating System, it won’t do it. The Recovery process (Acer’s “Empower”) goes through a half-hour of burning the first DVD, then it quits and tells me “Error 204. You must use a CD/DVD disk.” DUH! I was! Brand new DVDs disks, actually. I wasted three of them, trying to get the Recovery process to work. DVDs aren’t cheap. [Update: there was something wrong with the hard drive. BestBuy replaced the computer and the Recovery process works now]

So I am disgruntled about these things so far. I really want my 320GB hard drive space. I supose I could reformat the whole shebang, but I can’t because I can’t get the Vista OS to copy. And do you have any idea how much Vista costs?

I think computer manufacturers and retailers need some lessons in truth in advertising. This isn’t some cute wine of the month club purchase– I spent good money for a very good machine; I’m kind of disappointed that I’m not getting what I thought was advertised.

As for me, I guess I’m going to have to do some research on how to eliminate the data in the partition drive (the partition holding the Recovery information) so that I can actually USE it. If you’re a geek and you have any tips, please leave them!

A Cool Site For Us Forgetful Folks

I found a really neat website called ReSnooze. It looks pretty neat for those of us who are, um, forgetful, sometimes. I have a big problem with forgetting things. And NO it’s not OLD AGE! I have so much stuff crammed in my little ol’ head that it sometimes goes irretrievably spilling out! lol. My kids love to send me IMs, and they sometimes send them with important news, like “remember to schedule that orthodontic appointment!!!” or “You need to buy a playstation 3 game for cousin’s birthday!” Well, needless to say, I rarely remember these IM messages. “EMAIL ME, kids!” I say. They’re getting pretty good at it.

I do sometimes email myself with important messages. But the problem is that the email is usually sent right away, and is received into my Inbox, where I sometimes, uh, FORGET that it’s there. So I find ReSnooze appealing.

It’s a free little online application. You enter in your email address, your message, and how often you want to be reminded. ReSnooze’s policy says they don’t share your email address with anyone. And it looks like the program is free to use (although I think there is a paid version coming up). There’s an informative viral video about ReSnooze:

It’s another very convenient way to get reminders. Check it out if you are inclined.

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