TechGuru Inbox
Answers to your Tech Questions
E-mail: techguru@sree.net
CHARITIES
Q: Is there a place on the Web I can learn more about charities
and if they are worth giving money to?
A: Yes, here are two good sites to get you started.
Give.org - http://www.give.org
- The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance has a site
which provides reports on the activities of charities, tips
on wise giving and a chance to lodge a complaint against a charity
for mismanagement.
Guidestar.org - http://www.guidestar.org
- The National Database of Nonprofit Organizations has free
data on more than 850,000 charities and is a tremendous resource.
FIREWALLS
Q: I just got a cable modem. Do I need to install a firewall?
A: Absolutely. If you have a cable modem or DSL connection,
you should install a firewall to prevent hackers from accessing
you computer (if you are on a dial-up connection, you don't
nee to do this).
There are some good, free firewalls you can download and install.
The best one is Zone Alarm from http://www.zonealarm.com.
Here are two good sites that explain firewalls: FirewallGuide.com
and HowStuffWorks.com
- Firewalls.
COMPUTERS
& SENIORS
Q: Can you recommend some sites for seniors who are new to
computers?
A: Sure, this is a question is get often and something I
will address on the air in the weeks ahead.
First, here's a book you may want to get: "Grandpa &
the Computer" By James W. Hart
available through http://www.newmediapublishing.com
http://newmediapublishing.com/j_hart/body_j_hart.html
(you can also read a sample chapter)
And
here are some links:
http://www.seniornet.org
(look for "computers" section)
http://www.seniorindian.com/computers.htm
http://www.csuchico.edu/~csu/seniors/computing2.html
COOKIES!
Q. Where can I learn more about Internet cookies?
A. Cookies
are little text files that allow Web sites you visit to remember
that your PC has visited them. They are automatically downloaded
and are what make online shopping carts work. Another example
of how they are used: If you register once on the New York Times
Web site, it will remember you and store your login information,
so that you do not need to re-login every time you visit.
To
learn more about the controversy surrounding cookies, here are
two sites:
CookieCentral.com
- informaiton about privacy issues
Junkbusters.com - how
to block cookies, banner ads and more
As
with all technology, the more you learn, the better off you
are -- and learning more about cookies will be a big help.
DRUG
LOOKUP
Q. Where can I find out more about a drug my son has been prescribed?
A. Here are two good sites:
RxList.com - search
for information on more than 4,500 drugs (plus 3,000 listings
in Spanish)
WebMD.com
- information on drugs and herbs
Please keep in mind that the Web is NOT a substitute for talking
things through with a doctor.
LEARNING
MORE ABOUT COMPUTERS
Q: I recently bought a computer for the first time and am frustrated
by it. It makes me feel dumb. Can you recommend good sites I
can use to learn more about computers?
A: Congrats on getting a computer, but don't let it make
you feel dumb. Remember
my mantra -- computers are DUMB, not users. Spending time learning
more about how they work will make your computing life much
easier.
One place to learn more about computers is one of my favorite
sites, HowStuffWorks.com.
See the computers section: http://www.howstuffworks.com/category.htm?cat=Comp
Or
see WhatIs.com at http://www.whatis.com
-- the "computing fundamentals" section.
A
good online dictionary of computer terms is Webopedia.com,
at http://www.webopedia.com
DYSLEXIA
HELP
Q: My son, who is in the sixth grade, has recently been diagnosed
with dyslexia. Are there ways technology can help him cope with
this condition, especially with dictation software for his writing?
A: Technology can help in two ways.
1. By helping you understand more about dyslexia.
Sites for parents and teachers:
