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Hitting the road in an RV, safe and insured

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(NC)—Across the country, the Victoria Day long-weekend tends to be the official launch of summer. It’s the time of year when everyone throws off their winter coats and quickly dons shorts and tees, even if Environment Canada warns of -5 C with blowing snow. Regardless, Canadians everywhere are itching to get outside and get away.

For a growing number of Canadians, that means hitting the road in a recreational vehicle. There’s a wide assortment to choose from these days – everything from expensive bus-like motor-homes, to towable travel trailers, to camper vans, to relatively inexpensive pop-up camping trailers. Recreational vehicles are growing in popularity mainly because they’re fun, and provide a greater sense of freedom and adventure compared to standard holiday trips.

Although you don’t need a special license to drive most recreational vehicles, it isn’t the same as driving the family car. The experts at Desjardins General Insurance Group advise the following:

• Be cautious and allow more time to brake, change lanes, turn and merge into traffic

• Be sure your vehicle can handle the trailer you are towing. Most SUVs, light-duty trucks and full and mid-size family cars can pull an RV trailer, but be sure to check the maximum weight and factor in any of your belongings inside the trailer.

• Use the right trailer hitch, connect brake and signal lights and make sure they are synchronized with your vehicle.

• Be aware of the height of your vehicle. You wouldn’t want to ruin your vacation by getting your RV stuck or damaged by a tree branch or sign.

• If you’ve never pulled a trailer before, you’ll probably find that backing up is the biggest challenge. If possible, get some practice with the help of someone experienced with trailers before heading out on your holiday. And always ask someone to stand outside the vehicle when reversing to avoid any obstacles not seen in your mirrors.

Whether you own or rent your mobile vacation home, it is important to make sure you have adequate insurance coverage before heading out into traffic, according to the Desjardins General Insurance Group advisors.

They suggest that you contact your insurance company with all the details well in advance of your vacation. Recreational vehicles are manufactured by many different companies with a wide assortment of extras and options, all of which should be taken into account in the insurance coverage.

Basically, your RV insurance policy protects you from financial and other losses that may result in the event of an accident or other unforeseen event. It will typically cover three main areas: damage to your vehicle and trailer including your personal property in the unit, public liability and medical coverage.

With the proper insurance coverage, and a sensible, safety-first approach to driving, an RV holiday on the open road could provide a wonderful adventure and memories that last a lifetime. For more RV insurance information and for a quote, visit Desjardins General Insurance at www.desjardinsgeneralinsurance.com.

www.newscanada.com

New White Rock Museum fires up the past

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Story and photos: Ursula Maxwell-Lewis

While wind and rain battered the coast, I took refuge in the White Rock Museum & Archives. The historic 1913 train station on Marine Drive underwent a $1.4 million renovation last year giving the landmark building a new lease on life.

A spacious gift shop in the building breezeway separates the temperature-controlled archives and offices in the east of the building from the collections hall and main storage on the west side.  Tourism and traffic flow steadily past on the building’s north side. An elegant promenade protected by railings from the still operational railway tracks flank the south side. Whitecaps thrash the bay and beach beyond – a distinct contrast to the expansive beach revealed when the tide recedes.

Hugh Ellenwood is Archives Manager, a position previously held by his mother, Lorraine Ellenwood, author of the local history book, “Years of Promise”.

Clearly, his work rewards and fascinates him.  I ask what question he hears most at the museum. Unhesitatingly he replies; “Do you want this shoebox [of old papers]?”The answer, he says, is always, “YES!”

“We want White Rock-related letters, pictures, and memorabilia that people have had stored in the basement for years,” he says. “The 40’s, 50’s and 60’s are of particular interest. We want to know the truth about what life was really like then.”

Ellenwood offers some advice about storing treasured documents. Electronic filing is important, he says, but paper is still by far the best.  Remember to store papers in acid-free envelopes and boxes, away from sunlight, and in a stable environment such as a cool closet. “People should scan old photos, but always keep the originals,” he advises.

Jasmine Moore, Collections and Exhibits Coordinator, is justifiably proud of her current exhibit:  Emergency and Everyday Assistance: A History of Fire Rescue in White Rock. Produced in partnership with White Rock Fire Rescue, the comprehensive displays chronicle the critical role White Rock Fire Department has played over the years. The interactive floor images will delight children – and their parents.

In 1918, fire threatened White Rock Elementary School and in 1935, fire claimed the Legion that was located on the pier at the time. The Campbell River Company mill burned twice – once when the wharf caught fire, and later in the 1940’s when two boys playing in the abandoned kiln finished the job. In 1956 the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans hit the headlines when their building facing the museum went up in flames.

The operational cherry red fire truck parked in the gallery began its career as a 1925 Studebaker. No doubt, it starred in many of the above dramas.

Part of the west wing houses the 1913 Great Northern Railway ticket and signal office.  Countless visitors have felt transported back in time by the sound of the approaching train, warning signals clanging, the clickety clack of ticker tape, and the familiar warm wood surroundings.

White Rock Museum & Archives is located at 14970 Marine Drive. Comprehensive on-line resources: www.WhiteRockMuseum.BC.CA

Vintage Sewing Machine Table

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Vintage Sewing Machine Table


  I sat pondering a vintage sewing machine table… it was obvious the table had seen better days. Made of solid wood, a flip top, to double the size and a small drawer in front the table had good bones, “What could it be used for”? I sat rubbing my hand along the top when approached by a lovely lady who proceeded to tell me a story.

She had come into the store that day to see if anyone had bought her old sewing table.

Her fiancé bought her the sewing machine in 1949, so she could sew her wedding dress. She used the machine for years, finally the old machine gave up the ghost and the table sat in the garage, a dropping of point for paint tins, tools and the odd beverage. Laughing she thought the table overpriced, because, after all, there was no sewing machine and what could that old table be used for!

Listening to the sewing cabinet’s wonderful history, I knew its purpose. Thanking her for the story, I bought the table.

Anxious to give this vintage sewing table new purpose, I started working immediately. Using Howard’s Restor-a-Finish and 000 extra fine Bulldog steel wool, I began gently rubbing with the grain, removing stains, paint rings & water marks. Using a soft cloth, I then used Howard’s Restor-a-Shine, after a couple of hours the vintage table took on new life.

Where the machine had folded into the table was a tray, removing the layers of dust and oil from the old sewing machine, I placed a 12 inch black plastic basket, the kind purchased at the dollar store, it became a new home for cords, manuals and accessories.

I placed my restored vintage sewing table in a nook, to add visual interest I paired it with a vintage table lamp and an old wood folding chair to complete the new laptop desk in the family room.

Quick Tip: Placing a lamp and chair at a small table in unused corners of a room can become an ideal place to write a thank-you card, a practical lap top desk, or a crafting table; creating a new dimension to any room.

Stay tuned… continuing to love your space.

Roxanne Griese is an Artist; Design and organizing are her passions, to see more articles and artwork visit, www.artbyroxanne.ca


A new chapter for Surrey librarian

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By Ursula Maxwell-Lewis

Melanie Houlden became Surrey’s Chief Librarian in January this year.

An exciting new chapter of this single mom’s career, the challenges clearly inspire her.

Working her way through college, volunteering at local libraries, tackling part-time positions within the system, she has earned her distinguished byline.

Over coffee at Surrey City Centre Library she tells me: “We want to make sure this is a real place for people to come together to learn new things – not just in this library, but in all Surrey’s libraries. We’ve moved away from a role of passively dispensing books.”

Indicating the growing Surrey library system’s role as a hub of social activities, arts, culture and literary workshops, she reflects on the critical role played in integrating new Canadians into our society.

“We particularly pride ourselves in shepherding parents and children into Canadians norms. It’s a role we’re happy to embrace,” she says as a young South Asian mom wheels by with a two-year-old. “Helping prepare little one ones for school is especially important,” she says.

The Gordon Smith art commissioned for the library entrance and coffee area, she points out, introduces the public to work that might only be available in expensive restaurants, galleries or offices. “It’s a philosophy encouraged citywide,” she points out.

“Technology? It’s a struggle for everyone. Who knows what it will look like in 5 or 10 years,” she says. In her opinion, Surrey is a leader in offering research, homework and e-book capabilities for all ages. “School support programs for kids are key,” she says. With a daughter of her own, she understands the challenges local and immigrant parents face. Libraries are now offering broader, and more comprehensive support than ever. Surrey’s new chief librarian takes that challenge very seriously.

The full interview with Melanie Houlden is at  www.youtube.com/user/YouTravel1

27 YEARS SERVING SENIORS OF B.C.

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Starting with the Community Resource Directories For Seniors, with Al and Mary-Lou (deceased) Bishoff, and Wally Coombs in production, this changed to The Advancing Years newspaper which lasted for a 1 year term and then was sold to Joel and Darlene Rickard of Kelowna. From there the Newspaper became The Seniors Choice with Wally Coombs doing the production. After approximately 2 years The Choice was taken over by Wally and then it became known as Today’s Senior. This continued for 11 years when at that time Sharon Robinson, of Surrey, purchased the paper with Wally as Publisher and Editor.

Mildred McDonald was an original columnist starting with The Advancing Years and continued on  through the years with the changes of name and owners, until February of 2012 when she retired at 95 years of age with Today’s Senior. Another original columnist was Weir Muir (deceased) who continued until his death in 2011.

During this time period the main facture who kept the newspaper going was our main salesperson, Phyllis Langston. She was, and is, a top salesperson with many connections from past sales positions. This is the main reason Today’s Senior has become so successful.

“Staying Healthy, Inside Out”

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By Frederick and Christine Cheng, Pharmacists

Eating is definitely one of the joys of life.  This shouldn’t have to change as we age, but our bodies and physiology are continually changing with time.  Such changes mean that the internal machinery we’ve relied on all our lives to digest and process foods will likely change for the worse… but no need to fret!   There are great ways to maintain and augment the health of your digestive system to ensure proper digestion and absorption of nutrients.

We cannot stop the fact that, as we age, our tastebuds lose sensitivity, our digestive enzyme production decreases, our guts become more leaky, and diminishes in ability to absorb nutrients.  We can, however, supplement the body with natural building blocks to maximize the digestive system’s regenerative potential.

Of course, appropriate and adequate nutrition is an underlying assumption before moving on to supplementation; you must take care to have a well-rounded, nutritious, low-fat diet.  A major challenge is to ensure we get enough high-quality protein from day to day.  Health Canada recommends an RDA of 0.80g/kg/day (which works out to be about 35g for a 100lb adult).  You can easily get this amount in, eg., 1 cup (140g) of stewed chicken (40g protein), half a chicken breast (25g protein), a 125g fillet of sole (30g protein), or 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese (28g protein).  If you can’t manage that, then try a healthy protein supplement such as the water-soluble, hemp-heart derived OMEGA-PRO protein powder (in REGULAR or BLUEBERRY), which is 60% protein and gives you all the benefits of hemp hearts as well.

There are some very interesting amino-acids that benefit gut health.  L-GLUTAMINE is available in capsule or powder form, and is naturally found in abundance in skeletal muscle, the lung, liver, brain, and gut tissues.  Skeletal muscle acts mainly as the storage depot for L-glutamine, while the absorptive cells (“enterocytes”) of the small intestinal walls are the most active consumers of it.  In fact, enterocytes have the ability to directly absorb L-glutamine rather than waiting for it to be delivered via the bloodstream.   L-glutamine is also involved in controlling the permeability of the intestine in preventing unwanted leakage of large proteins and bacteria into the bloodstream, thereby indirectly helping with immune function.  N-ACETYL-GLUCOSAMINE supplementation can further benefit small intestine health due to its involvement in mucous production in the gut.

Since the aging process results in a decrease of chemicals and enzymes used in digestion, supplementation may become necessary in many people.   BIO-GEST, and DIPAN-9 contain differing assortments of digestive enzymes for proper digestion of protein and carbohydrates as well as emulsification of fats.  Lactose-free formulations are available for those who are lactose-intolerant.   A  broad-spectrum and high CFU probiotic such as ACIDOPHILUS ULTRA is extremely helpful in sustaining healthy bacteria levels, thereby maintaining bowel movements while boosting immunity.   Restoring your digestion not only maintains adequate nutrient intake and prevent malnutrition and weight-loss, but will also alleviate certain symptoms such as gas, bloating, cramping, and heartburn.

It’s never too late to get healthy, stay healthy, and feel healthy, from inside out!

(Christine and Fred Cheng are a sister-brother pharmacist team at their unique family-owned and operated Pharmasave in Cloverdale, BC.  They specialize in natural remedies and compounding for both human and veterinarian use.  They would love to hear from you! www.cloverdalepharmasave.com. Of course, before you begin any activity program or try any OTC supplementation, check with your physician and pharmacist.)

Write As I Please

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by Mel Kositsky

He is a man of many words and much music.

Mike Higgins refuses to age and is spending his golden years doing what he loves best – performing. He loves being in front of a receptive audience as an MC or band leader and still gets a kick out of playing his drums.

He has been doing shows such as a tribute to Rosemary Clooney, Oktoberfest, “spooky” music for a Halloween show, jazz concerts and performing at weddings and celebrations of life. He takes his shows to senior centres, retirement homes and restaurants throughout the Lower Mainland.

He will be performing on Mother’s Day in May at The Cellar in Vancouver, a famous jazz hangout. With him that day will be singer Lorraine Foster, who sang with the legendary Dal Richards for many years.

Higgins currently has two bands on the go – “Just Friends” and “Gracie and the Guys”. It is something he just loves to do.

“But it is getting hard competing with these one-man bands for shows at seniors centres,” he said.

Higgins likes meeting new people. In order to better communicate with his audiences he likes to get to the venue where he will be performing a little early “and mix with the people in the room”.

Originally from London, England, he came to Vancouver in 1957 from Montreal. He has performed just about everywhere from cruise ships to strip clubs and calls himself “a semi-casual musician”.

He joined the Musicians Federation Local 145 and is very proud of the award presented to him for 25 years of service. He played at such Vancouver venues as The Commodore, Quadra Club and pick up bands for weddings, anniversaries and other affairs.

Warned early in life to never quit his day job just for music, he had a varied career over the years, working for The Bay, Sears, and was the manager at Langley Mall for many years. Not surprising, he has even played Santa Claus.

During his career he has met such outstanding musicians as Dal Richards, Buddy Rich and Kenny Coleman, and reminisces about meeting Carol Channing in Palm Springs.

If you need a band to perform for any occasion or just want to find out where he is performing next, you can contact Mike at mikephiggins@yahoo.com or call him at 604.220.4004.

 

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It was a wonderful afternoon of music and entertainment on Sunday, Feb. 12 as the local Filipino community and friends came out to support a fund raiser for victims of the typhoon, landslides and flash floods last December in their home country. The benefit concert even attracted the new Philippines Consul-General, who is based in Vancouver.

Organized by Dong Edmilao and his wife Linda, both active seniors at St. Joseph’s Parish, the variety show and mini buffet raised funds that will be sent to the Philippines through the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. You can still donate through the church or check www.devp.org/en/international/philippines.

 

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Harness racing continues at Fraser Downs in Cloverdale throughout the spring with live racing on Friday nights and Sunday afternoon.

With the better weather, the thoroughbred horses are now in training at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver in preparation for the season opener on Saturday, April 14. The 71-day meet goes until Sunday, October 14.

Highlight of the season will be the $200,000 BC Derby on Sept. 9. Five other stakes races will be contested that day offering total purse money of more than $700,000, making it the richest day in BC racing history.

Computer Chat – Keith Richards

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Anyone prone to prognostication should reflect on the fall’s warnings about the winter of 11-12. Because it is a La Ninny (oops, La Niña) year, we were urged to prepare for bone-chilling temps and snow-shovelling-induced back pain. (See AccuWeather.com Winter 2011-2012 Forecast: Another Brutal One, October 13). Somewhere, no doubt, the winter was worse than normal, but I don’t remember (maybe that’s the problem right there) seeing many reports of said suffering—in BC or elsewhere in North America. Europe endured a bad dose for a while, but overall, did those dire warnings come true?

We often report predictions and trends in the world of computers / high tech. Our guesses are about as accurate as the long-range weather estimates. Like feckless meteorologists, we don’t let past performance daunt our delving into divination, especially when we’re trying to predict what Apple Inc. is up to. Will we see the iPad 3 this month? Will the iPad 2 still be available as a cheaper alternative? Will there be a mini-iPad in 2012? And will the long awaited iPhone 5 be born at last? Despite loads of rumours, there were no official announcements to mull as this epistle went to press.

Like many of you, we purchased an iPad 2 at the end of the year, and we’re delighted with it. How much better can the iPad 3 be? For starters, we can anticipate a faster, more capable “brand spanking new” quad-core ARM processor, the Apple A6. There’s also evidence that iP3 will come equipped with Retina Display providing double the clarity and brightness of what’s already very good on the iP2. Some pundits predict a camera as good as the one on the iPhone 4S. Don’t figure the iP3 to be thinner and lighter than its predecessor, however. Expect a larger battery to power the extra features. And, always, get ready for the unexpected!

We do know, however, that Apple has released the developers’ version of its next OS for the Mac—OS 10.8. Note, ‘Mac’ has been dropped from the package name. Now it’s just OS X, version 10.8. Those wondering what the Mothership was going to do as it runs out of names of big cats associated with the first seven iterations of Mac OS X (Cheetah, Puma, Jaguar, Panther, Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Lion) will be amused (bemused, perhaps) to see that 10.8 is codenamed “Mountain Lion.” Hmmm, we thought a ‘puma’ was a ‘mountain lion,’ aka ‘cougar,’ and sometimes even a ‘panther.’ Apple code namers should get out in the wilderness more and talk to us old-timers! What happened to Canadian Lynx or Bobcat or Ocelot? All too small for such a grandiose vision, we suppose.

Insiders suggest that Mountain Lion will be released to the masses this summer. Initial probing of the developers’ release  shows that it continues Lion’s trend towards further integration with iOS5, Apple’s operating system for iPhones, iPods, and iPads. Whether there will also be a radically new iMac released along with it is sheer speculation at the moment. If you want to monitor this development, we recommend MacWorld’s website.

Last December, in TechRepublic (online), Jack Wallen describes “10 technologies that are just plain broken.” He includes QuickBooks, Flash, Web browsers, Outlook, Predictive typing, Consumer-grade antivirus, and multi-touch desktop computers (like HP’s, where a vertical monitor can be touched like a tablet). “What we need,” Warren gripes, is a desktop “with a built-in multi-touch display on a horizontal surface. This position would be far more natural and ergonomic than any other and would really help make multi-touch feasible and desirable. But for now, multi-touch on the desktop is nothing more than a gimmick.”

So, lets poke through the bones and entrails scattered in the mud: is that a new “desktop Mac” whose  multi-touch display can slide from vertical into a horizontal or slightly angled position— a built-in, not 7- inch, but 27-inch, fancier, more capable iPad-like device running Mountain Lion? Oh, and will it employ HTML 5 instead of Flash, need no anti-virus software (unless you’re running Windows), and provide a newer, better version of Safari than we’ve ever seen?

If we’re right, how well will that sell?

Write As I Please

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By Mel Kositsky

This month starts a new era in my life as a regular columnist for Today’s Senior. Probably because I now admit I have become one.

Experts say “Life Begins At 60”. I hope they are right because I have a lot of living to do and I hope you will join me each month as to explore issues and topics facing our aging population.

By way of self-introduction (many longtime Langley and Cloverdale residents may know me), I have been in this area since 1976 after coming back here from my first real newspaper job at the Medicine Hat News.

Or perhaps you may have followed my career in the local media and then local government as a Langley Township Councillor. As an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association, it has given me a well-rounded background and a greater understanding of communities and people in all the areas Today’s Senior is read. (And of course you can now follow us on the Internet too. Have you checked out our website?).

But most of all the column will feature the fun part of community life that many of our active seniors are involved with. Retirement can bring on many new challenges but there is no need to stay at home worrying about them. And many people are working way past 65 and still enjoying their jobs. How good is that?

There is so much going on in our communities that often those stories are not written about because they are not considered “news”. I always felt good news is just as important as bad or “hard” news. And in this day of multimedia, 24-hour television, radio and internet services, this column will leave that action to the political bloggers and broadcasters.

Call me old-fashioned but lots of people still like to read and talk about what their neighbours are up to. They like to keep in touch with old friends and acquaintances. They enjoy reading about their activities and maybe once in a while they can get out and join them.

Today’s Senior is also going to profile community builders – people who are still very active in the community and have a wonderful story to tell.

For those of you who enjoyed watching the high level curling at the Langley Events Centre in January, there is more to come soon. While it will not be the world caliber curlers of the Continental Cup, it will feature great competition.

The Abbotsford Curling Club will be hosting the 2012 Canadian Senior Championships from March 17 to 25. Volunteers are needed to help put on the event and registrations are now being accepted at the club. Contact Barb Sinclair at 604.852.9002 or send an email to milt_sinclair@telus.net.

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Tickets are now on sale for the 10th annual Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards to be held Friday, March 2 at the Ramada Inn plaza and conference centre on Highway One in east Abbotsford. The event involves the four communities of Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Mission.

Do you know anyone who embraces diversity? Nominations are now being accepted in a number of categories. For more information about the event contact 604.302.9707 or email amelia@crosspointcommunications.ca.

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So that’s what I will be doing here each month. Filling in our readers about special events, awards, ideas and suggestions. That is your role too. I need you to be an inter-active reader. You can follow me on Twitter @MelKositsky, on Facebook,  or/and send in your ideas or comments to: Write As I Please column c/o:  todayssenior@shaw.ca.

 

Computer Chat

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by Keith Richardson

Writing in mid January, I’m aware of how easily we can be lulled into complacency by apparent trends, and very wary of most predictions about what’s “just around the corner.” Last fall’s predictions of a harsh winter seemed rather wrong until last month’s snowstorms crippled the Valley only to be followed by cold as bitter as prognosticators’ gizzards. And then what happened? Well, you know (and I, stuck in January, don’t).

There’s a striking similarity with technology forecasts. Every January, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the major players making computers, TVs, smart phones, accessories and apps display their latest wares and try to cajole all who’ll listen into acquiring their magical products ASAP. Not a lot different from January’s Spring fashion shows. And how many of us have any sense that we need those new clothes?

Each CES fires a few hits and a lot more misses. Back in 2010, the buzz was all about the “new” HDTVs—LED and 3D models. While LEDs have become affordable, “older” plasma screens are still selling well—at amazingly reduced prices. The 3D phenomenon appears to have fizzled, but may return with vigour  in a couple of years as Asian tech makers refine their “glasses-free” systems.

Experts tell us to expect 55-inch, super-thin OLED [oh-lead] technology to grab a toehold this year. OLED TVs use organic light-emitting diodes instead of liquid crystals or plasma displays. More exciting for me is the likely arrival of “smarter,” voice- controlled sets and greater streamed content that will alter our whole notion of “tele-vision.”

Manufacturers are determined to get us to adopt smarter phones. Apple continues to be a major player in this picture, but may become less of a leader this year although many observers are reluctant to bet against Steve’s successors and the iPhone 5. We’re waiting to see if the Samsung Galaxy Note—a cross between a smartphone and a tablet— takes off.

Netbook computers have yielded to tablets, with the iPad leading the way. It hadn’t even been released at CES 2010; already we’re preparing for iPad 3! While other tablet brands fall by the wayside, we’re hearing that the ’Pad will be challenged this year by non-Apple “Ultrabooks,” (ultra-thin, ultra-light, ultra-powerful laptops) imitators, oddly enough, of Apple’s well-established MacBook Air laptops. Will Ub’s succeed where netbooks did not?

If this print media column is your first exposure to this stuff, you are really behind the news curve. Between the deadline for a print article and the time you read it, so much happens that anything it reports, from a news perspective, is “old news.” (We love oxymorons!) So what is the value of a column of this ilk? To remind, provoke, bring attention to issues, share readers’ feedback, perhaps. To accompany an advertisement that identifies at least one person you can call for help with one small part of your tech needs. (And, unfortunately, an “Apple-only resource” at that; thanks anyway to the PC folks who do call.)

It’s especially ironic that you’re reading this on Today’s Senior’s website. While it’s great that TS has a website that permits extended versions (like this paragraph) of the print version of this column, it’s unfortunate that the website is neither interactive, nor permitting of updates to articles once they’ve been submitted. On the other hand, however, one advantage is that linking from this website to other websites you can consult is much easier than it is from the print edition!

With that in mind, here are a few other websites that I recommend:

TechRepublic Blogs (http://www.techrepublic.com/blogs): find out  “Why Android tablets failed: A postmortem”;

“10 things you should do when you get a new Windows laptop”;

“Tablets: What Amazon and Apple know that all the CES tablet peddlers (sic) are still missing”; and many other interesting articles.

If you’re a Mac user, there are many useful websites available, but our all-time favourite is MacWorld
(http://www.macworld.com/). This link will show you a list of “Latest Stories” as well as many other special links that will provide you with oodles of useful information.

What can we do to keep up with the incredible (literally, for many) pace of change—of equipment, trends, and opportunities afforded us? First, don’t assume that everything “new” will succeed. Second, don’t wait too long before upgrading your existing hardware and software. Third, look for reliable online sources of information, analysis, and opinion about what’s happening and where we’re headed. I’m not sure these points are correctly ordered or that there isn’t some contradiction within them. More importantly, what do you think?