Microsoft Guide for Aging Computer Users

I was browsing through older posts at Aging In Place Technology Watch, shown under my links listing, and found Laurie's October 6, 2008 post: http://www.ageinplacetech.com/content/microsoft-guide-aging-computer-users.

As I am aging, and finding myself looking for more accessibility options, I decided to follow the link in her post to the Microsoft page. Once there, the following statement, at the top of the page, intrigued me enough that I had to read they whole thing:

Baby boomers can use Microsoft Windows XP to customize their computers and counter the effects of age-related difficulties with vision, hearing, and dexterity.

I enjoyed the illustrations, by Brian Basset, that were next to each section also.

All seniors/boomers, using Microsoft XP or Vista, should check this out, as the more we age the more likely these tips can help us. I also recommend subscribing to the Aging in Place Technology Watch RSS feed, for more information on aging and technology, not only for yourself, but for others in your life.

Crazy Doodle

I was playing around at a creative writing site, <http://writingfix.com/right_brain/Serendipitous_Crazy_Illustration1.htm>, and created the this doodle from the prompt that was generated.

Recording Internet Radio - Podcasts - Media Players

Just some quick information:

Last night I was at a dinner for Boca Raton Computer Society, Inc. (BRCS) and a couple of us started talking about recording internet radio broadcasts from Argentina, also during the discussion the idea of podcasts of the same shows, as well as media players, came up. Below is what I could find with some real quick searches on Google and Ask.com, for some free and or inexpensive solutions:

Recording internet radio links: (found at ask.com by searching for "how do i record internet radio broadcasts?"

http://radio.about.com/od/recordstreamingaudio/a/blrecordinghub.htm

http://www.cnet.com/1990-7899_1-6306524-1.html

Podcasts from Argentina:

I do not speak the language so I do not know how much this link to a search on ask.com will do, but give it a try:

http://www.ask.com/web?qsrc=2106&o=ffx&l=dir&q=how+do+i+find+podcasts+from+Argentina+radio+stations%3F&adt=0

Free Media Players:

VLC Media Player

Link to it's site: http://www.videolan.org/

Gizmo's Freeware Review (Media Players):

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-windows-media-player-replacement.htm

These should get you started, if you are interested. Check them out and enjoy yourself.

A Free PDF Writer Tool

I needed a PDF virtual print driver for my Vista Home Premium personal laptop, so rather than just downloading the new version of PDF Creator, the tool I have used for years on my xp machines, I decided to see what else might be available.
During my research I came across the Best Free PDF Writer post at http://www.techsupportalert.com. After reading this post, I decided to try Bullzip PDF Printer, see http://www.bullzip.com/products/pdf/info.php for more information.
Some of the key features, according to the post, Last Update: Mon, 04/13/2009 - 15:24 — dave007, are quoted below:

Key features of Bullzip PDF Printer include:
The ability to password protect your pdf files (only PrimoPDF and PDFCreator also had this ability)
The ability use either 40 or 128 bit encryption on the file (only PDFCreator also had this ability)
The ability to add a watermark (PDF Creator had a limited ability to add watermarks)
The ability to append or prepend files (PrimoPDF and PDFCreator also had this ability)
The ability to choose different levels of output quality (All but CutePDF and TinyPDF had this ability)
The ability to add/change metadata (PrimoPDF and PDFCreator also had this ability)

So far I really like this, though I have not had time to really check out all the features.
If you are looking for a good free PDF writing tool, I suggest you check this one out.
Let me know what you think of it, should you decide to try it.