Tech tip: Upgrade your memory

Wah, my computer is slow! This could be from a couple problems (in order of likelihood): 1) You've loaded up your computer with garbage and malware, 2) You don't have enough RAM, or 3) Your computer is an ancient piece of garbage.

If you've been keeping up with our tech tips and practicing safe computing, Number 1 shouldn't be a problem. That leaves skimpy RAM or an aged computer as your problem. We're going to deal with RAM today.

Step 1. Figure out how much RAM you have. I suggest 2 GB of RAM for a Windows machine. That's fine for everyday computing. You can get away with less, but RAM is pretty cheap these days. You can find out how much RAM you have by clicking on your Start menu and going to Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools and clicking on "System Information." Need some RAM? Go to the next step.

Step 2. Go to Crucial.com. See the Crucial Memory Advisor tool? Plug in your computer's manufacturer, product line and model number. When you click on the "FIND IT" button the tool will give you options. I've found it easiest to ignore what's in your computer and just buy a kit of 2 sticks of RAM. It shouldn't cost you more than about $20 to $50. A 2 GB kit for my Thinkpad costs a paltry $26.

Step 3. Get your computer's owner's manual. If you threw it out, go to your manufacturer's web site and download a copy. Somewhere in there will be instructions specific to your computer for upgrading its RAM.

Step 4. Upgrade your RAM per the instructions. Trust me, it's a relatively simple procedure.

Step 5. Throw your old RAM in your junk drawer and enjoy computing with fewer slow downs.

If you're afraid of your computer you can always pay someone to upgrade it for you, but keep in mind that you won't get away with a measly $25 expense.

The Voting Ostrich: Stuff you don't want to know about

Remember way back when when I posted the Stuff you don't need to know about tech tip? Well, it occurs to me that there's an even greater category, stuff you don't want to know about.

What don't you want to know about? Oh, all kinds of stuff.

Shot like a dog. Remember Mayor Calvo? Local SWAT decided that he had some pot. Yeah, the mayor. They got a no-knock warrant, raided his house and shot both of his black labs.

"The cops then handcuffed Calvo and his mother-in-law and interrogated them for hours, while the dogs’ bodies laid in pools of blood nearby," writes Thomas Firey.

No arrests were made. Oh, and it turns out that the police did not have a no-knock warrant. Oops.

I listened incredulously to local opinion about the botched raid. Everyone thought it was a horrible thing, but thank God it was a one time thing that happened somewhere else! I asked Gary if he knew whether shooting dogs is a fairly standard procedure or not. A call to our local police and DA's offices might shed some light on this.

As soon as I said that, I told him not to bother. A week from now, I promised, no one will care. And you know what? I was right. You really don't want to know about this. It might cause you to ask questions about how we enforce our laws. Worse, it might highlight a tension between our civil liberties and the War on Drugs. Much better to not know.

Asleep at the wheel and the evils of the free market. We all now know that our economic woes are the result of regulators being asleep at the wheel and a free market run amok. Case closed! We just need to get rid of the Bush Administration and regulate more.

Naturally, reality is more complex -- and troubling. But you don't want to know about it. If you did, you might start asking questions.

Like why does Robert Rubin (former Secretary of the Treasury in the Clinton Administration) get a free pass for his involvement in the financial collapse? After all, as Timothy Noah writes in a Slate article "as a consequence of Rubin's obstruction and inaction, the market for one particular derivative—credit-default swaps—grew like a noxious weed." Noah goes on to detail other contributions Rubin made to our current crisis in that article.

Don't worry yourself -- I know why Rubin gets a free pass. He worked for the Clinton Administration. We already figured out that it's easier to blame all our woes on Republicans. Ergo, we've addressed the problem by getting rid of the Republicans.

It's easier to say we just need more regulation and less Republicans. Mission accomplished! See? Much better not to know.

Security theater. Enjoying the show? For some reason, our government decided to invest money and effort into convincing idiots that the government is on top of things. Security expert Bruce Schneier coined the term "security theater" to describe this nonsense.

Some people -- Schneier included -- have pointed out that there are times when security theater can have benefits. But let's look at some of the harmless BS we've accomplished with security theater:

* James Robinson is a retired brigadier general and a commercial pilot. The TSA -- the TSA! -- certified him to carry a weapon into the cockpit. But, for some reason, he's on the terrorist watch list. He must go through a special screening before boarding the plane that he will pilot while armed.

* Security subjected an 86-year old man, to all kinds of searches and questioning because of a threatening-looking item he was carrying. What was this old man, a former Governor of South Dakota carrying? The Medal of Honor he earned in WWII. He also had a nail file and a drilled out dummy bullet, so you know, he was asking for it.

* The TSA took a five-year old boy into custody because he shared a name with someone on the no-fly list. Funny stuff, eh? Here's the report.

Why do I say this is harmless? Because it is, sorta. Sure, it's embarrassing and shameful, but at least no one's life was endangered in the above examples.

But when the TSA isn't busy yoinking feeding tubes and interrogating five-year olds, they do some pretty hard-core security stuff behind the scenes, right? Right. Like losing an unknown number of TSA uniforms and security passes. I bet no bad guy wants those!

But listen, you don't want to know about this stuff. It's upsetting. I recommend getting all worked up about this for five minutes and then forgetting about it. It's better not to know.

Minnesota Land of 1000 votes

I used to follow the politics of the day with great regularity. Being informed was an obsession of mine for years. In the last few years though I confess I don’t like having my blood pressure raised to the extent necessary to keep following. I do try to stay informed though by listening to WSBA in the morning between 6am and 9am and then I have the rest of the day to try to calm down. Having said that, I could not help but pay attention to the disputed election in Minnesota.

Al Franken will probably win but let’s face it...that was a foregone conclusion. It seems elections run that way now. Without throwing the conspiracy theories around I had some thoughts about it. Now I spent many years of my youth in Philadelphia. My dad was a cop in that city during the race riots of the late 60’s and early 70’s. He and a guy named Rizzo did not get along. Pop thought Hizonor was crooked. I only give that background info to suggest that I am not naïve about election rigging. Voting early and often is what happens.

So why then is the Minnesota election so interesting? Have rural states elections been pristine for so long? Probably not. The degree of larceny has generally been relatively low if only because of the smaller populations. But since 2000 we see an increase in the importance of heretofore unimportant states. Karl Rove and company worked this like a symphony conductor in 2004. Now of course the former ‘silent majority’ conservatives have adopted part of the other team’s playbook where you die for every inch of ground. Formerly unimportant states are now... important. It seems to me that the election shenanigans of the big cities like Philadelphia, NYC, Chicago, etc are moving to the burbs just like the rest of the country.

However larceny on this scale and in plain view of everyone is what we need to be vigilant against. We used to have the illusion that the Midwest, Bible Belt, and other areas, had relatively honest elections that would generally offset those practices in urban America. But it seems that perception and veneer is officially over. In Minnesota someone accurately foresaw Franken losing if they adopted the Georgia plan and had a run off hence the court route. I think courts will be more and more involved in elections and that is a bad thing. Let’s face it if the election process is no longer sacrosanct (even if that is only a perception and not reality) can our system continue to work? How can the folks have faith in their “elected officials” and system of government if we can’t have faith in the process that puts them there?

Welcome Joe DeCree

Please welcome Joe DeCree as a new blog poster to this site. Joe is a gifted writer and thinker with a vast experience in the military, and business. He will be posting along with myself, and Jay. Stay tuned!

Article on Press Bailout I was referring to in my "Hibernation Post."

Please check on this article on possible newspaper bailout in Bristol, CT . I referenced it in my "Hibernation Post":

Government aid could save U.S. newspapers, spark debate (Reuters)

More Random Thoughts!

I promised some random thoughts, interesting or not, so here are a few more observations:

We didn't sell out on my old show when we went 6-9. It was economics. The radio industry sucks right now, but unlike so many others, the bailout money doesn't seem to be coming to help us. We have to cut back, take losses, streamline, do with less, and generally re-invent some things. In my case, that means adapting to a new time and expanding what the original show was by becoming more concise with valuable information, and more variety. Two of my colleagues lost their jobs because of this effort while I kept mine, so I take this morning drive opportunity seriously knowing that in my business, any day could be my last. For those of you who actually listen, WSBA has allowed me to have a free reign in that process. Anyway, I am rather enjoying trying to provide a different kind of vehicle for news and views.

Should Maybe Senator Roland Burris of Illinois be allowed to be seated in the Senate this week? If you go by the law, the answer is , Yes. If you use perception, the feedback is a resounding NO for Governor Blagoyavich's choice. Frankly, isn't this just Illinois-type politics with just a little bit more gall and brashness than usual?

State Senator Bobby Rush, an black man from Illinois, indicated last week that Barack Obama's former senate seat needs to be filled by a Black man. In this time of post-racial America, isn't that a bit of hippocracy at least, and at most racism. Wow, whatever happened to "a person shoulod be judged by content of character; not color of skin"? Mr. Rush went on to note that there would be a senate without any black members if the replacement for Obama, Mr. Burris, is not sent to D.C. What a problem? Can you imagine if we were to have a vacancy here in PA, and Governor Rendell was compelled to choose a white man because a white man had occupied that seat. Anyone say "racism?" Oh, I forgot, racism ony runs one way, though. All else is just getting even, right?

Other thoughts:

Is failing still ok in this country?

Maybe the government should have bailed out the "Big Four" in Detroit. That's GM, Ford, Chrysler, and the Detroit Lions (0-16 in the NFL; I knew they could do it.) in case you are wondering.

Does anyone know what the "G" commercial on tv with Muhammad Ali, Derek Jeter, and the mimes is all about? I haven't gotten it yet.

I saw the "Almost" commercial with the lonely elderly lady sitting by herself, and the voice in the background telling us that "someone almost brought her food; almost visited; almost took her to the doctor, and so on." It occurred to me that most people are very charitable and help others on their own. Do we really need the Ad-Council laying the daily guilt trip on us? Knock it off!

Lest you think I am cold-hearted, I really enjoyed driving kettle workers out and back to their sites during the holiday season. (One of the reasons I was remiss in my blogging responsibilities. I'm sure there is a commercial out there showing a blogger waiting in a rocking chair with a pc in front of him , and a voice somberly intoning, "Today, he almost received a blog from Sutton....") Anyway, I met so many joyful people who in many cases didn't have much in tangible wealth, but were incredibly rich in happiness. The stories we shared, and friendships we built were ones I will continue to try and cultivate, learny by, and remember.

Meeting the Glen Rock Carolers on their 161st Anniversary at sunrise Christmas morning is one of the simplest, most awesome Christmases my wife and I have ever had. The silence and beauty of meeting with others around a tree at 6 in the morning is an experience each of you should try some Christmas.

Burl Ives singing anything about Christmas still sucks.

My New Year's Eve present is news that I have bone on bone in my right knee, and torn cartilage as well. I've got to get a knee replacement, because my quality of life since the auto accident in April has disintegrated gradually. I'm losing weight, so I can get the replacement, and feel better in late January or early February. Happy New Year, huh? Anyone ever have one of those things? I guess I'm about to find out.

My wife and I broke down and got a 32" Flat Screen tv and a Wii. Picture looks better and Wii is addictive.

Jay's salads (I said I'm losing weight.) over at Jay's WOW Cafe and Wingery are the best around, especially with grilled chicken.

Emceeing the opening night of Christmas Magic at Rocky Ridge Park this year was one of the neatest things I've ever had the chance to do. Asking 250 little children and adults to countdown and help perform magic by pointing at trees, then seeing 400,000 lights come on in six different locations was cool.

I wish you all a Happy New Year, and hope to be more than just "an almost blogger."

Back from hibernation--Reflections on the holiday--Random thoughts!

Sorry I have been in hibernation, but I just needed to spend time with my wife, check out some medical things and enjoy the holidays. The following is simply a set of random ramblings with no particular ending, and a built-in invitation to respond or not.

First of all, I am still planning on blogging, though admittedly I am not very good at it. I know I lack the wit and insight of many of you, but I will make an effort to comment on the passing parade and ultimate circus.

On the "bailout mentality" now being debated in the country, I wonder what it does in continuing the idea that individual independence, free enterprise, and capitalism lie somewhere at the core of our country's success. What entities and institutions in our country are so important and intertwined with our system that they should be bailed out by we the taxpayers, and our irresponsible and generally dishonest representatives called the Congress, and government in general.

Let's see, so far we have bailed out financial institutions, now part of the car industry, and what next? Who else is so important they cannot fail? Retailers are starting to make some noise, but I was more intrigued by one of the great ironies I read the other day that I would share with you here.

Seems there is a problem with newspapers in this country; they're losing a ton of money, and they owe great debts. Bristol , Connecticut , incidentally the home of ESPN, is one of those cities trying to keep two newspapers going. It also seems Connecticut lawmaker Frank Nicastro sees saving the local newspaper as his duty. But others think he and his colleagues are setting a worrisome precedent for government involvement in the U.S. press.

Nicastro represents Connecticut's 79th assembly district, which includes Bristol, a city of about 61,000 people outside Hartford, the state capital. Its paper, The Bristol Press, may fold within days, along with The Herald in nearby New Britain.

That is because publisher Journal Register, in danger of being crushed under hundreds of millions of dollars of debt, says it cannot afford to keep them open anymore. Can the New York Times and The Chicago Tribune be far behind?

Nicastro and fellow legislators want the papers to survive, and petitioned the state government to do something about it. "The media is a vitally important part of America," he said, particularly local papers that cover news ignored by big papers and television and radio stations.

Here's the rub; freedom and the press to be separate from government and to be the watchdog on the government for the people. The ultimate irony, huh? The very group that needs to be vigilant in searching for truth on our behalf now needs money from the very group they oversee to keep doing their job. So how vigilant will they remain, and how investigative will they be in their reporting when it turns out to be the literary equivalent of biting the hand that feeds it? It is an amazing irony to me, and I am sure to many.

I guess the scariest part, if it would happen is that again it takes from the individual and bestows yet more power on a group of representatives who confiscate the individuals money to do it. Who wants to get off that merry-go-round first?

So, maybe sometime soon, we'll have the American version of Pravda, or maybe we will let failing businesses fail, and use good old American ingenuity to find a way to re-invent the newspaper industry.

Seems there is a

Source: Robert MacMillan, "Tax breaks (not bailouts) for newspapers"

Link to his blog at Reuters.