A Little About Me and My Changed Blog Perspective

As promised, I am devoting more time to my blog. Although I do not have a following or many views, I consider keeping this promise as remaining true to myself. You may have noticed that my first posts jumped around. An earlier post dealt with my entry into social media. I admit I knew nothing at first, and my blog posts show I was just floundering in the sea with no direction or purpose. As I gain more experience and knowledge, I have noticed that at times social media can be chaotic, but also has a focus.

Blogs and other social media are often specific, but can also be general. Some examples; family and friends, funny photos, business information, arts and crafts, inspirational, etc. and I mustn’t forget ‘You Tube’ with video in many categories. There is also the promotional part of numbers. The numbers of followers, page clicks, SEO influence rating, likes, shares, and more.

The Dreaded Internet Troll ~ by Garron Longfield

Of course, there is the seedy side. Our friends the trolls, chaos lovers, hackers, virus generators, and assorted others that seem to be a little out of phase with reality. Yes, they do make the experience ‘interesting’ and at the same time frustrating. It is easier to understand when one views this negative aspect as; people who live in a bubble called the twilight zone and others who are just outright criminals. Pepper that with the few egomaniacs that believe they are never wrong and tend to twist a word or sentence to reinforce their beliefs.  Most of the time it is taken out of context and the logic flawed. 

I will start by mentioning that my blog will become more focused, but still retain the flexibility to journey into other categories. Why? I do not promote this blog and am not concerned with the popularity numbers and potential income that focusing on ‘what is popular’ would create. If just one person discovers a different perspective or alternative to consider, then I have accomplished a remarkable goal that money cannot replace. Many have told me over the years that when they thought they understood me; the rules seemed to change. This led to many calling me unusual or different, and they just couldn't figure me out.

I have had many diverse jobs, experiences and schooling in my life. Analyzing and researching my failures, successes and acquired knowledge to understand and also discover why something worked or didn't  There are many variables that can affect the outcome of a decision. I do not have a PhD or renowned reputation. These are the people I research for their knowledge to support and add to MY knowledge, experiences and perspectives. However, there are great people that did not have extensive schooling either, and influenced the beliefs and perspectives of many. Benjamin Franklin (diplomat, politician, scientist, philosopher, etc.) and Thomas Edison an inventor who did not invent the light bulb, but improved it (inventions include phonograph, movies, etc.) are just two examples that achieved notoriety by utilizing the accepted knowledge and developing it with a different perspective.

   

Therefore, in my blog, I do not have the answers, but maybe I can present some alternative ideas and share experiences. Hopefully, to make the viewer say, “H-m, I never thought of that.” This blog has become my diary to help and remind me. However, I choose to share it with the desire that it may help another.   

The Final Computer Countdown

It has been awhile since my last post. Many things have happened and I have learned much during that time. I will try to cover them in future posts. However, I will finish my computer saga and hopefully all is now well.

I finally completed the recovery of my computer. It was working like a new machine, awesome, and then; another cloud suddenly appeared. Odd how things can be great and then problems suddenly arise out of nowhere. Not one or two, but it seems it comes in large groups. I used to have three computers with different Windows software. I now have one. First the oldest one went ‘kaput’ and soon afterwards the second one. All that time spent for nothing. In spite of this, I had learned much and applied this to upgrading my last resort, the laptop.  I now had a working idea of what was needed and what was an unnecessary burden on my limited laptop.

I carefully wiped off the accumulated dust. It is Windows 7, but I had not used it in years. Well, not much work to get up and running, I thought. Wow, was I wrong, it was completely out of date. The first thing I did was to update everything. The Microsoft website was some help but limited. I do not care for Internet Explorer. It is flashy, but filled with many security loopholes. It seems Microsoft loves resource eating bells and whistles over basic real world functionality. I tried Google Chrome. It does have a language translating application which is helpful, but the user interface is a bit hard to get used to.

I kept Google but decided on Mozilla Firefox as my default browser. This was a fortunate decision as previously mentioned, they have a tool to help a person upgrade other software, such as Java and updated security measures. With all the deleting and upgrading of software, my registry was a confusing mess to my computer and it moved like a slug. I wanted a free application that would help. It had to be good and simple. I am not a computer savvy person and did not want to hit the clean button, only to discover that my computer was inoperable.  The CCleaner free download was the choice and has performed well.

Finally, Windows 7 comes with installed security software that is basically useless. My previous purchased security software was not installing. Most security companies are so paranoid that someone may install the software and they would miss out on additional income. After many tries with customer service I gave up and found something just as good for free.  The free software detects 90% of viruses and provides other security measures. No security software is perfect, but it worked so well I eventually paid for the premium upgrade.  The free AVG anti-virus download is strong basic protection.

Well my laptop is working great and fully functional. I hope it lasts while I save up for an 'Alien' computer. A power house and lean, mean, fighting machine, Yes! 

The Computer Experience Continues

"Computer chips" courtesy of PDPhoto.org /public domain

My knowledge and experience continue to grow. It is slow and frustrating at times, but recovering from the computer crash is expanding my understanding of hardware, software, drivers, apps and more. I even risked an exploration into the inside of the computer. Once a person figures out how to get into the case, without inadvertently loosening a device, it becomes a surreal world of wires, boards, cards, chips and fans. Luckily, Dell provided a diagram and instructions for my machine which I downloaded on my laptop.   

So why take the chance. In the last article, I mentioned that after taking my computer to a service center after the first crash, I had only two speakers working. My surround sound was useless. This last crash resulted in the speakers suddenly disappearing completely. They worked for awhile and then I heard a pop and nothing. The Windows device manager could not find a driver. Running the troubleshooter was little help. It was almost the same as talking to a service tech. Check to make sure speakers are plugged in (duh). Make sure drivers are enabled in device manager, improving but not the help I needed.  

I decided to run the Direct X diagnostic tool. The tool is not obvious, and you must hit start, find run in your menu and type in dxdiag to access it. It suggested removing and reinstalling my sound card. H-m-m, now this is something to try. Actually, it wasn’t as difficult as I first thought. However, that was not the problem. I did double-check the device manager page and the drivers. Wait, I should check to make sure the speakers are plugged in. I gave up hope of trying to retrieve my sound.    

During the chaos of trying to upgrade to Windows 7, Internet Explorer was giving problems. The tech suggested downloading Firefox. This was a blessing in disguise. One day Mozilla Firefox suggested their site that checks plug-ins. It found that my Java program was obsolete and created an unstable platform.  What the heck is a Java program? It is basically a programming language and computer platform that is used for many applications and also the Internet.

Java offers a free upgrade. However, they suggest uninstalling the old Java before installing the update. This would delete the original program permanently. Making it nearly impossible to find, and I saved everything to an external hard drive (HDD). I had nothing to lose and went for it.   

I now have sound and more. The 5.1 surround sound with all the extras has returned. With the upgrades and changes, my XP is performing well and I notice better performance and extras that I never had before the crash. However, my next challenge is to get my DVD player to play movies and load games. It does the first install game disc fine, the second freezes the computer. This may take some time. :-(   

A Computer Calamity

"My little world" courtesy of PDPhoto.org / public domain

I have somewhat recovered from my recent computer crash and have learned a few things the hard way.  A computer to some is much like a car. You never miss it until it is gone.  As with most things, many feel that everything is fine and things happen to other people but not us, right? Surprise, welcome to the wake- up call.

A few years ago my computer crashed and I took it to a store to be serviced. However, the problem was not fixed and it crashed again in less than a month. Also, they had lost the Windows disc and I never replaced it. The original OEM (original equipment manufacturer) told me to push certain keys and the system would flash from the hard drive. It worked.  It did not work like the day I bought it but was sufficient. For example; I did not have surround sound speakers. However, I did have stereo speakers. 

For a few years the system was acceptable and then the nightmare began. I did not heed warnings to back-up my important files on DVD or external drive or create a recovery disk.  The computer crashed and I recovered the original set up. No problem, except it was out of date. All my files and updates were gone.  The operating system was service pack 2 (SP2) and everything was dependent on SP3.  I slowly reloaded files, updates and drivers that would not work.
 

Okay, easy fix, go to Microsoft (MS) and download SP3. However, it would not download and after consulting with telephone techs, I discovered that support for SP2 stopped in 2010 and SP3 would cost $99 dollars.  Later I discovered that SP3 support ends in 2014. Here is the catch, support is also sales and suggested that a windows 7 upgrade was the answer for a few dollars more. They assured me my computer was compatible after running tests.

After many days and hours trying support tech suggestions, surfing the web, numerous downloads, and more, I still do not have windows 7 installed (which I purchased). I had a constant error code that they seemed to know nothing about and after I searched the web for a possible answer, I discovered it was a frequent problem with upgrades, especially for my operating system (OS). The diverse support suggestions and computer control trials have degraded my system further. 

In conclusion, I own windows 7 (not installed) and my system is adequate (although no audio driver and other minor problems). I have backed up my system and upgraded most apps. Luckily theWindows 7 purchase allowed me to download SP3. I will cross my fingers for 2 years. I am in the process of looking for a new OEM computer.

 With my recent calamity, I have discovered that most store bought computers offer limited upgrades and support. They offer few upgrades, if any, and they usually do not apply to your configuration. Also, watch for changes in your order. Example, I ordered Windows 7 pro premium and discovered afterwards, the order stated; Windows 7 premium media edition. Media edition offers very few upgrades. Going to the original parts hardware or software manufacture for upgrades produces little results.  Most suggest contacting the computer OEM. Their software upgrades do not work with parts supplied to OEM’s. 

  I guess the idea is to make the computer obsolete in a few years so the consumer will buy another one. H-m-m-m, sounds good to me, but what about customer service? Oh yeah, buy the extended warranty for tech and customer support (LOL). They will read off a basic troubleshooting list that is supplied in your purchase and suggest that it is something you are doing wrong. I had one support person admit that I seemed to know more about the system than he did. Wow! problem solved, it was me the whole time. I guess I feel better.

 

                 Testing the Waters of Social Networking

They say it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks and many times this holds true. However, I decided to test the social networking waters. At first it was very confusing and I decided that you have to start somewhere. For months I experimented and tried to fathom all the different rules and applications. As you probaly noticed, I am still treading water and the learning experience continues to evolve. But, I have made progress.


 I have some old cantankerous friends that think I am crazy to pursue this. Yet they all own cell phones, with texting and other apps. I have to smile when I mention the hypocrisy in there beliefs and the excuses they present. "Oh I need this for my job" or "I have this in case of emergencies" also "I only have this in case my children try to get in touch". 


How does one explain the old driver in front of you, sitting at a stop sign while traffic backs up, only to realize that they are indexing? Oh, they are probably checking to make sure there are no family emergencies. On the other hand, the younger generation abuses this also. I remember a young employee that constantly stopped working and focused on the cell phone. It became a problem and I finally asked what the problem was. They replied that it was family trying to get in touch. 


Why are you texting and not using the phone I asked? Well they like to text was the reply. I curiously grabbed the phone and read the important message. "I am sitting at home and bored so  what  are you doing?" I did not realize it was a dire call for help. :-). I told the worker to reply that they were supposed to be working and to turn the cell phone off. The young worker looked at me wild eyed and replied "What if someone wants to get a hold of me? "Well I am sure they can wait until you get home and log unto Facebook or chat."


 On the flip side, it does have advantages. It brings lost or distant friends together, promotes a cooperating comaderie between people of similar pursuits and beliefs. It seems that social networking is here to stay and although there are many positives, we must also endure the negatives. Therefore, my quest continues, to learn and become proficient, in the well known secrets of social networking.


    

A Tribute to the Bee Gees and the Disco Era

On May 20, 2012,  headlines announced the death of Robin Gibb, 62  and his long struggle with cancer. The death of Maurice in 2003 and Andy in 1998 makes Barry Gibb, the last of the ‘Brothers Gibb’ known as the Bee Gees. Andy Gibb was the youngest brother, although not one of the Bee Gees, he performed with them in many concerts. 

Additionally, with the recent death of the 'disco queen' Donna Summer, it seems the disco era  is slowly slipping onto the dusty shelves of memory.    

Mention disco and the first three things that come to mind are the Bee Gees, “Saturday Night Fever”, and John Travolta. However, the Bee Gees wrote and produced for many well-known artists. Robin Gibb became a solo artist twice, briefly in the late 60’s and years later, after Maurice’s death. Maurice was the ‘techno’ person of the group. Robin was a driving force in the early years with his vibrato tone. Later, when the group evolved into an R&B style, Barry’s falsetto voice became their signature. Nevertheless, the three-part harmony was always present. The brothers blended their unique talents to become icons in the music world. 
             

The Bee Gees hold the honor of ushering in the disco era. They had some early success in the 60's and were considered a 'Beatle' type band. The song "I Started A Joke" was a success and anything but a joke, utilizing Robin's amazing vibrato. The Bee Gees later released "How Can You Mend A broken Heart." (a memorable love ballad). I must admit that I did not know the group at this time, heavy metal and guitar rock, was the thing.

The 70's was a chaotic time, and people needed an outlet. Dancing was the answer. The Bee Gees, along with the movie "Saturday Night Fever," jump started an era were disco music reigned supreme and spread across continents. John Travolta danced his way to fame. But, could he do the 'mechanical man' (robot)? 

This was the epitome of their success. Songs such as "How Deep Is Your Love," "Stayin' Alive," "Jive Talkin," and "Night Fever" become overnight successes.  Many, including myself, wanted to be a John Travolta. Their music made the movie a reality. It had a rhythm that made one feel good, and motivated my decision to join the dance craze.

We can look at the younger generation and think they act crazy. However, take a moment and remember the times of strobe lights, spinning disco balls and people bouncing, cavorting madly to a hard-driving beat, such as "Disco Inferno",  twirling insanely to "The Hustle" or a romantic dance to "How Deep is Your Love". Ah Yes, those were the days. An era when memories were made.

Some Simple Car Care Tips

Well, I am changing my focus again. My years of experience as a mechanic, has found that most car problems could have been prevented with some simple maintenance. The owners just didn't know or realize that a problem was in the making. 



Source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain) 





For most people a car is a major investment and an important part of their life. Technology and innovation have made vehicles very dependable. Nevertheless, things break or just wear out, and many who have had road breakdowns, know the hassle and expense it brings. It seems to happen at the worst possible time and place. Is it some cruel twist of fate? How many times have you asked yourself, why did this happen to me? My years as an ASE certified mechanic, has shown that many times a vehicle gives warning signs of potential failure.

 

Know your car:

According to the Car Care Council, proper maintenance begins with knowing your car (2008). Recently, I stopped at a gas station and noticed a driver preparing to remove the radiator cap. Running over to warn of the danger; the driver gave me an odd look and remarked, "What are you talking about? My last car died because of no oil, and I am checking the oil." This may seem unbelievable, but I have experienced many similar cases. Therefore, a great start is the owner's manual. It contains information on what to check, the location of components, and a brief description of how to do it. 

  

Trust your senses:

People naturally become familiar with their vehicle without realizing it consciously. Be aware of your senses, sight, smell, hearing, and touch. I cannot count the times; cars were towed in because the serpentine belt failed. When the customer was asked if they heard a squealing sound, their reply was, "Yes, but it always stopped after a few minutes" Here are a few more common examples;   

• · You smell a sweet musty odor in the car.  (leaking heater core)  
• · The brake pedal goes close to the floor or vibrates.  (brake problems)   
• · Tires look nearly flat or no tread on one side. (increased chance of flat)    
• · Starting the car, you hear a click and a moment of hesitation before it starts. (starter, battery or charging problems)                             

Look for warning signs:

While you are under the hood checking fluid levels, take a moment and visually check the engine and components. The idea here is to spot a potential problem before it becomes one. I noticed a stranded couple and someone trying to give them a jump-start, without success. The battery terminals resembled fluffy green snowballs and after cleaning them, jump-starting the battery worked. Therefore, a few minutes of inspection, can save hours of frustration later.   

• · Hoses that have a bulge spot, swollen near clamps, cracking, or leaking.(future hose problems)  
• · Belts that are frayed, torn, or missing chunks of rubber.  (future broken belt)  
• ·The battery terminals show signs of corrosion (green or white build-up) or are loose.  (starting, charging,and/or battery problems) 

 Are these problems that happen to others?   Too often drivers notice these warning signs and choose to ignore them. Later, to be caught in a difficult position and a large bill. Although, these are basic tips, the Car Care Council offers a free informative guide that can help to develop a better understanding of your vehicle.

Source: Car Care Council

ASE certified mechanic and experience 

                                                    

The  Education Debate Continues 

It seems the debate on education reform continues and my blog has focused on education. A news article recently reported Obama's rebuke to Santorum's charge of educational snobbery by the President. http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-rebukes-santorum-education-snob-charge-points-policy-235651619.html This happens to relate to my previous posts. 

Many have an experienced trying to find a job and discover that they need to pass a technical or community college offered training course, before being considered. Even with an Associate degree and related experience, it is becoming harder for people to aquire a job. The days of GED or high school diploma requirements for a job are becoming few. 

The economy has been enduring a long recession and many companies have resorted to fewer employees with more and diverse responsibilities. Requiring greater experience and/or education.  Obama made many good points, and Santorum remarked, that the President is a snob, intent on pushing people to college and is short sighted.   

 This ongoing debate proves that the old strandards of education have been sufficient. However, the rules and society have changed, and reform is needed.

Education Act Waivers; Is Obama Wrong?

                                                 
      I will sidetrack my marketing articles to post an opinion on Obama's education waiver. Since it does go along with my Febuary 1, post on education reform.

Source: Wikipedia commons, public domain

On February 9, the Associated Press announced President Barrack Obama would grant 10 states waivers from requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This has stirred much controversy, and many question his decision. Will this destroy the education act? Was the president right in what he did? I ask myself, is all the controversy and opposition warranted? This is not what Obama needs in an election year.

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) established standards, to hold states accountable for the quality of education for all students. The act sets increases on progress until 2014, when all students must pass the exams. Fortunately, it has made schools concentrate on their job, providing a quality education to all. On the other hand, the expectations are very rigid and hard to achieve. Many good schools are showing failing numbers. This has a tendency for schools to focus on the numbers, teaching students to memorize specific information for tests. Many parents will agree that knowing and understanding the material, means more than memorizing to pass a test.  Society has shown their concern for better education, enrolling their children in private schools that concentrate on the student learning environment and less on the numbers.

There is widespread agreement between politicians that the law is successful, but needs fixing. In 2007, the bill was up for renewal. Congress continues to show no signs of addressing this. The President is taking a bold step forward to improve the original program that Congress has ignored for too long and this is commendable. On the other hand, why did it take the president all these years and finally on an election year? This can only help the opposition. 

  

As a result, many have voiced concerns that  Obama has gone too far by dodging Congress. However, according to the Department of Education, to create flexibility they have the right to present waivers to focus on student learning. These waivers give state educators flexibility on some of the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. The main objective of the law does not change but evolves. Before a state receives a waiver it must present a comprehensive plan designed to improve education for all students, increase equality, and close achievement gaps. Barack Obama utilized the opportunity available to address an issue that politicians have ignored. Many people will view this as a desperate move for votes. The issue is important, but the timing is wrong. Addressing major issues during his term, presents a positive statement that the election year decisions lack.    

 Sources:

Ben Feller, Kimberly Hefling. Yahoo News. http://news.yahoo.com/apnewsbreak-official-10-states-ed-waiver-110202341.html

U.S. Department of Education. "No Child Left Behind." http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml

              

Education and the curriculum 

People naturally thirst for knowledge, wanting to know how things exist and why they happen. Knowledge and education have evolved with civilization. It may be accurate to say that this is a contributing factor to the advancement of society. For generations, education has remained divided between the deprived masses and select elite. Most of the disadvantaged went through an apprenticeship to acquire a certain skill. On the other hand, the elite had access to institutions or groups that taught higher order thinking skills and knowledge.

In the early twentieth century, a realization emerged; a change was needed from the 1800’s style of the one room schoolhouse education of basic reading, “riting”, and “rithmetic” (3 r’s), to a planned teaching system. This educational plan, or curriculum, emphasized minimum standards for a structured and test oriented learning environment. As a result, a student is considered an empty vessel and fed specific information supplied from a textbook.  Followed by, quizzes and tests continually given to evaluate the level of knowledge. For example, some schoolchildren can recall dates of America’s wars, or the Louisiana Purchase . However, ask the meaning of American  manifest destiny and most will be lost. Many agree the traditional curriculum promotes children to memorize basic facts for tests and their retention rate is low or non-existent. Despite this, the structured curriculum was adequate for many years. 

After the sixties, many studies were done to evaluate human learning processes and student development. From these studies came suggestions to change the accepted curriculum and facilitate novel learning techniques. At the same time, society was starting to realize the value of a superior education, and more high school graduates enrolled in colleges. A few of the prestigious colleges developed new curriculums to meet the demands of a changing environment and a graduate from an innovative college was highly respected. The majority of high school graduates found themselves poorly trained and ill prepared for college. Consequently, there have been changes over the years; by many schools, although most are small and minor adjustments.

In the mid 80’s companies, wanted skilled and adaptable workers and technology was growing rapidly. This created much controversy on the quality of education in America and confidence in school training. Many professionals agree that the American educational curriculum is inferior to the majority of European countries.

The early 90’s experienced a tremendous change in innovation. Technology, globalization, and new discoveries of our knowledge of the world have changed societies perception of what is needed in today’s students. Traditional education styles have not evolved enough to keep pace with a dynamic environment.

As a result, the core education (grades K-12) of individuals is not adequate for the unique global and technological environment and change is needed. Reform in education requires societies’ commitment to learning by creating a diverse and adaptable curriculum, blending traditional and new learning styles.