Helpful Support

Readers of this column have asked me why I chose to use a dialup connection instead of something faster. My answer was that it was an economic decision, but all has changed recently. I found a dsl service that compared favorably to the subscriptions I had, so I made the switch last month. And that switch may—or may not affect readers of this column. Until now, I have focused on websites that are accessible to anyone at any speed. And with my faster connection, I bring you site reviews that may leave present dialup customers wanting a faster connection. I’ll do my best to maintain a balance so that dialup users don’t feel totally left out of the ever-changing Internet environment.

Google Maps . Everyone is talking about Google Maps these days. And Google has much to brag about, in my estimation. Instead of plodding my way through that “other online map service,” I used Google Maps recently to find my way to a location in LaPorte following the back roads. I had the choice of looking at a regular, plotted map or a topographical, satellite view of the route. Pretty neat. The two views gave me something solid, in context, to make my way to my destination easily. Between Google Maps and a cell phone, there is no need for anyone to lose their way along the highways and byways. There is much to explore at the site, from familiar neighborhoods to more global views. Once you use Google Maps, most likely you won’t want to return to “that other online map service.”

Windows One Care . Microsoft is testing a new product that supposedly will be built in to its next upgrade of Windows (after XP). For a limited time, those interested in the beta version can sign up to give it a try. The program is supposed to supply an automatic computer maintenance/fixing/bug removal/optimizer so that we users no longer have to worry about scheduling our defrags (you DO defrag your hard drive weekly, don’t you?); or uploading updates for spyware, adware, malware, etc. All the regular computer maintenance that people tend to ignore will be done by this program. Or at least, that’s the general plan. I signed up to be a beta user and I believe the program will be available in a few weeks. I’ll let you know in a future column what I think of it. Or, go ahead and get yourself on the list of beta-users. You’ll need an MSN Passport account—if you have an Hotmail account, then you already have that account.

Patrick Crispen’s Powerpoint Tutorials . I get Patrick Crispen’s version of the Internet Tourbus/Netsquirrel weekly as an e-newsletter. It gives me lots of good, easy-to-digest technical information about using computers. Patrick has put together a large series of free tutorials that may be of interest to you. Some of these include instructions for taming Adobe Reader, Real Player, and Internet Explorer—tweaking them to your liking and making them run faster. Other tutorials include Advanced Searching Tips, Guidelines for Good Web Design, Troubleshooting for a Healthy Computer, and many more. The tutorials offer an alternative to using instructional books, and they’re free. In future columns, I’ll tell you about more free tutorials that you can find on the Internet.

Back By Popular Demand

Occasionally, this column gets letters asking for websites having to do with forecasting the future. Put all those letters together in a year’s time and I consider it “popular demand.” Since we’re nearing the end of the year and many people want to know ahead of time what the next year will bring them, I’ve collected an assortment of websites where they can glance into the future. I cannot attest to the accuracy of the information at these sites, so I absolve myself right now of any future blame. However, I’ll be glad to take the credit if your future reading turns out to be accurate.

Astrodienst. This is a generous website that provides you with a choice of personal daily horoscopes, a six-month (transit) forecast, and compatibility charts among other choices. When professional astrologers recommend this site, you know that you’re getting the real deal. Robert Hand’s “Planets in Transit” is used for the narratives you’ll find at the forecasts link. You’ll find Hand’s book, along with Liz Greene’s, on many a professional astrologer’s bookshelf. Much of the information, including the option to create charts, is free. Of course, you’ll find special deals that cost some money if you are not satisfied with the free information.

Destiny Cards . Destiny Card creator Robert L. Camp has devised a system of divination that might be called unique. It’s nothing like Tarot, and to understand it fully, you’ll have to get his books. But, if you want to take it at face value without trying to figure out his scheme, then go ahead. You will get a yearly, a 52-day cycle, and a daily card reading for free. Several years ago Camp offered a free download from his website so that you did not have to log on each day to read your card. Apparently, he stopped that. I downloaded his “mini-card program” and it’s still on my hard drive. Is it accurate? Well, sometimes I think it is, and other days, it has no relevance. But then, I don’t pay close enough attention, I confess. As with any of these divination systems, one has to truly believe in them—perhaps self-fulfilling prophecy.

Numerology. If you believe in the power of numbers, or in the belief that every letter has a unique vibration, then most likely you have already dabbled in numerology. This website gives you the opportunity to download a free program so that you can do your own calculations for either the Chaldean or Pythagorean systems. The program comes with reports.

ConsciousOne. If you have a high speed connection, soothing music will greet you at the site. On the left-hand menu, there is a box that says “Healing Cards.” This will take you to a page with Doreen Virtue’s popular Angel Healing cards are, and where you can give yourself an online reading. Look around the website. You may find other things of interest to you. Just be sure you get the spelling of c-o-n-s-c-i-o-u-s correct.

Triple Goddess Cards . Another place to get a free reading. This time, the deck is based on Tarot and rather than “choosing” your cards, the computer automatically chooses for you. Consider it synchronicity. Now, just because the cards have “goddess” in the title does not necessarily mean that only women can access the cards.