Cell Phones and Obnoxious People

The other day I was riding the bus and a man was talking on his cellphone at the top of his voice. A dear sweet little old lady (someone's loving grandmother) asked him to please not be so loud. The conversation went something like this:

Sweet Lady: "Please, sir, could you be quieter. I don't want to hear your conversation."

Loud Mouth: "Huh?"

Sweet Lady: "I'm asking you to not be so loud on the bus."

Loud Mouth: "I can be as loud as I want. Who are you to tell me how loud I can be."

Sweet Lady: "I am asking you nicely to stop shouting into your phone on the bus."

The loud mouth wasn't getting anywhere with her and it was messing with his conversation so he hung up and glared at the lady for the rest of the trip saying things like...

"Thinks she can tell me the #@(#* how I can talk. Who is she? Mutter, mutter, mutter...etc."

It made me more conscious that day of my own cellphone usage and location of usage. I have sworn off cellphone conversations in public places that are confined in space (busses, restaurants, etc). When I'm walking down the street or in a park I might still talk on the phone but I'm going to be more aware of how much of an annoyance I am presenting to the people around me. After all, just because I can talk on the phone anywhere doesn't mean I should.

Keyboard won't work on my laptop

On Tue, Jan 4, 2011 at 12:37 PM, Leese wrote:

Hey Ed, I am sick of having a sore wrist, bad neck from bad position of laptop…need to get an external keyboard, mousepad set up on laptop so as to stop hurting myself. I have just plugged in a mouse (USB connection and it works …just that easy!) and I have two old keyboards here to choose from but the connection aint USB. They are round with 6 pins and a larger protrusion….do they make adapters that turn it into a USB connection? I tried to find info on line, but had a hard time finding anything directly about my laptop and don’t know that I need a docking station….perhaps just a connector/adapter…thoughts? L

Dear Leese,

Well, they probably make an adapter that costs $150 bucks that will let you use the old keyboards or you could get a USB keyboard for $30 or less. Here's a Microsoft Curve Keyboard for under $20 that uses USB connection...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Microsoft+-+Comfort+Curve+Keyboard+2000/8934718.p?id=1217030529445&skuId=8934718

If you're running low on USB connections on your laptop...you could also get a USB hub. Here are a few ideas...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-1926553408108093139&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=USB+Hub&sc=Global&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960

Logitech Mouse

Your question:
I have a Logitech optic mouse I lost the install CD where would you find the install program its a M-BJ58 model Logitech web site does not even list that one its about a 2000 model ?

My answer:
You should be able to plug that puppy in and have it work without any additional drivers (most of the time the drivers just slow down your system anyway). I only see that they don't support the model anymore on the site. There is one document that refers to your model but it only says it supports both USB and PS/2 connection types (big help). If there are any custom buttons try looking at the mouse settings once you plug it in. Sometimes they adjust based on the mouse you plug into the system.

Gift Ideas

Every year I post my Holiday Gift List. These are things that are sure to please any guy who has an interest in technology. Sorry ladies, I still have trouble coming up with good technology presents for women. However, the iPod's or the Flat Panel HDTV's might be appropriate. Guys, whatever you do don't buy her an iRobot. Unless you want a very cold shoulder. That is a present for YOU since your place always needs vacuuming. My ex-wife said it best guys "nothing that plugs in for a present that shows you really care. Try the jewelry store instead of the computer store. Unless she is truly excited by plug-in devices".

Nexxtech Ultimate Portable Speaker $19.99 at Circuit City. I love this thing. I use it for my car radio so I can play my iPod on the road. It's small and has a really big sound. It hooks up to every device imagineable. I had to buy it when I saw it so don't send me one for Christmas ;o)

iRobot Roomba $119.96 at Circuit City is an incredible robotic vacuum cleaner.

Vonage Digital Phone System Wiring solution for your entire house. With Rebate it pays you 1 cent ($149.99 purchase price). Need I say more ;o)

Vonage wireless router $34.99 with $70 rebate pays you $35.01. Really what are you waiting for?

Vonage Digital phone System costs $69.99 and gives a $70 rebate pays you 1 cent again!!!!

Laptop Coolers $34.99-$39.99 shows you care. For those overheating laptops that you can't really use on your lap unless you want to feel singed.

Kill A Watt and Kill A WattEZ by P3 International $49.99 monitor your electrical equipment and find where your power is going. This helps point out where all your electrical power is going.

iPod Shuffles and other mini-MP3 players are now as low as $47.99

19" LCD HDTV Flat Panels are going for as low as $299. I live in NYC so I'm always looking for more compact TVs. No room for the wall of TV.

26" LCD HDTV Flat Panels are going for as low as $499. I'm tempted this year.