The Road Ahead

We live in an area that has begun to use Green
Bins for household waste. Our regular garbage
is picked up every other week and the only
weekly garbage collection is our green plastic
bins, to be filled with leftover food products
and other organic waste.

When the program first started, I was sure
we could never change our ways, but before
long, depositing bones and leftover food in
the bin became automatic.

Why am I telling you this? Because using the
computer will also become easy for you the
more you try. Sure, the learning curve is
steeper than remembering which container
to use for which type of garbage, but the
idea is the same. Every time you perform a
function or solve a problem on your computer,
it will be easier than the time before.

This week, I read a book written by Bill Gates
in 1996 titled 'The Road Ahead'. Gates said,
"Computers frighten almost everyone
(everyone but children), before they learn to
use them. When people spend more time with
computers, they understand them better.
You can start by playing computer games or
doing other simple things. Once you start
using them, I think you'll like them."

With the Internet, we can keep in touch with
old friends and make new ones; have virtual
experiences of flying an airplane, driving a
car, even dissecting a toad. Pilots and doctors
practice their work without worrying about
accidents. Every school can have a wonderful
library thanks to the Internet.

Gates saw then how much our world would
change because of computers. Banking and
shopping online, distance learning, the ability
to telecommute and work from home - all of
these grew as software became better and
more powerful.

Gates talked about his own futuristic house.
Anyone in the house wore an electronic pin that
told the house who and where you were. When
it got dark, the pin would turn on lights nearby
and turn them off when you went away. Music
would play near you and the phone ring nearby
only if the call was for you. A home control
console activated choices of lighting, music,
and temperature. That was in 1996, so who
knows what his home is like now!

The book ended with a cartoon showing a mutt
using a computer and saying "On the Internet,
nobody know's you're a dog." How true - on
the Internet, we are all on equal ground.

When in my 40's, the university library where I worked was computerized. The thought of using those machines at my age was so intimidating that I moved to another department. I transferred back a year later, determined to learn.

To my surprise, computers were easier to use than I imagined, and so enjoyable that I went back to school full-time.

(c) Carol Bremner 2003
cabremner@creativehomecomputing.com
project s - hints - products
www.creativehomecomputing.com

---

Google News Updated : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:54:08 GMT O's bats get revenge vs. Rangers - MLB.com Seattle Post Intelligencer O's bats get revenge vs. Rangers MLB.com - 1 hour ago By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com BALTIMORE -- Call it a down payment towards payback. The Orioles earned a small measure of revenge against the Rangers on Friday, courtesy of an 10-4 victory that was all but decided by the fourth inning. O's pound Rangers Sports Network Orioles score 8 off Padilla, beat Rangers 10-4 The Associated Press Rotoworld.com - TexasRangers.com - United Press International - Dallas Morning News all 147 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:43:39 GMT Federer One Away From Another Wimbledon Title - New York Times Federer One Away From Another Wimbledon Title New York Times - 5 hours ago By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY For the third straight year, the men’s final will be between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. And the women’s final will be the latest family affair between Venus Williams and her sister Serena. Federer, Nadal to meet for Wimbledon men's title Los Angeles Times Federer aims to keep winning in Nadal battle Financial Times Sports Network - ESPN - Bloomberg - FOXSports.com all 3,443 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:30:13 GMT Botswana urges region not to recognize Mugabe's re-election - Xinhua Times Online Botswana urges region not to recognize Mugabe's re-election Xinhua - 2 hours ago JOHANNESBURG, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's government urged its neighbors Friday not to recognize Robert Mugabe's re-election, reiterating calls for Zimbabwe to be suspended from a regional bloc. African Union Weakened by Summit Inaction on Zimbabwe Voice of America West condemns Mugabe, ignores other Africa despots The Associated Press Telegraph.co.uk - Times Online - AFP - USA Today all 4,688 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:05:14 GMT 'Gonzo' diverting rehash of what a long, strange trip it's been - San Jose Mercury News 'Gonzo' diverting rehash of what a long, strange trip it's been San Jose Mercury News - 6 hours ago By Glenn Whipp With two volumes of letters, a handful of biographies, three previous documentary movies, two feature films and a comic strip character, not to mention a writing career spent mostly in the first person, is there anything that hasn't been ... The perfect subject for 'Gonzo' Seattle Post Intelligencer Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson Chicago Sun-Times Washington Post - TIME - Los Angeles Times - USA Today all 160 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:10:38 GMT Reaction to the death of Jesse Helms - The Associated Press Canada.com Reaction to the death of Jesse Helms The Associated Press - 2 hours ago Reaction to the death of former North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms, who died on the Fourth of July at age 86: "Jesse Helms was a kind, decent, and humble man and a passionate defender of what he called "the Miracle of America. Video: A Look Back At Jesse Helms CBS Former Senator Jesse Helms dead at 86 Boston Globe AFP - RedOrbit - Salt Lake Tribune - Journal and Courier all 1,804 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:51:11 GMT RPT-China, Taiwan airlines to see lift from new flights - Reuters WELT ONLINE RPT-China, Taiwan airlines to see lift from new flights Reuters - 8 hours ago By Joseph Chaney TAIPEI, June 29 (Reuters) - Direct weekend flights between China and Taiwan starting this week are likely to give a boost to carriers on both sides of the Taiwan Strait at the expense of Hong Kong, but probably not until all ... China resumes direct flights to Taiwan after 60 years guardian.co.uk China-Taiwan direct: Readers react BBC News AFP - International Herald Tribune - Hindu - Voice of America all 852 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:46:40 GMT On Independence Day, Think Fireworks Safety First - Washington Post Seattle Post Intelligencer On Independence Day, Think Fireworks Safety First Washington Post - 1 hour ago By Dennis Thompson FRIDAY, July 4 (HealthDay News) -- Fireworks can be breathtaking spectacles, creating glittering showers of sparks and earth-rumbling booms that thrill people for miles around. 2006: 11 dead, 9200 fireworks injuries United Press International Burned by fireworks? Here's what to do Seattle Post Intelligencer Bell Gardens Sun - NorthEscambia.com - Register Herald - Chester DailyLocal.com all 22 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:19:24 GMT Clickbank Content Work From Home

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

How to Get the Case Off Your PC!

This is the first step to servicing, upgrading or removing... Read More

HIPPA Goes Mobile and Wireless for Hospitals and First Responders

It appears we need to further streamline health care and... Read More

Best DVDs for Your Personal DVD Player

When bought personal DVD player, the very next thing to... Read More

Expansion Cards Part 2: AGP

Expansion Cards Part 2: AGPThe first in this series of... Read More

Surge Protector: A Simple Mechanism Description

A surge protector [AKA surge suppressor] is an electrical plug-in... Read More

Testing Diode -The Accurate Way on How to Test Semiconductor Diode Using Multimeter

Testing diodes is different from testing a resistor because you... Read More

5 Tips For Buying The Right Laptop Computer

It's easy to be intimidated by all the laptop models... Read More

Your Printer Is Out Of Ink -- Now What?

We've all been there. You're in the middle of printing... Read More

Setting up a Network -- Wired or Wireless?

To Wire or Not to Wire Wireless networks... Read More

Alternatives to Tape Backup

You may ask, isn't tape an anachronism in the age... Read More

How to Purchase a Flat Panel TV

When purchasing a flat panel TV, there are a few... Read More

Bluetooth Can Be Cracked!

Nothing is completely safe today. Adobe has recently released a... Read More

Inexpensive Radius Server Gives Wireless Networks The Security They Need

Many small businesses have considered connecting computers and other devices... Read More

How To Purchase A Quality Laptop Computers Case

So you finally have that new laptop you have been... Read More

How to Add or Remove an IDE ROM drive

CD ROMS - If you're adding or removing an internal... Read More

Building A PC

Many people simply go to the retail store and get... Read More

What Can You Do With A Mac Mini?

If you have not seen the newest addition to the... Read More

Batteries for Your Laptop

With technology advancing more every day, electronics have become smaller... Read More

How To Save Big Bucks On A Laptop Computer

If you're a bargain shopper looking to get the most... Read More

USB Hubs and Ports Explained

The USB standard has become the universal means of connection... Read More

Digital Camera Prints - Getting the Most for Your Money

Digital cameras have really taken off in popularity in recent... Read More

Adding Serial Ports to a Computer with Only USB Ports

So you bought a new computer but you don't have... Read More

Getting to Know Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers were born in the 1980s, replacing the popular... Read More

Buying a Refurbished Dell Laptop

Dell offers a full line of refurbished laptops on their... Read More

Review of Popular Wireless Headphones

Just about everyone would I agree, I think, that wires... Read More