If you’re not quite sure what an operating system is, envision it as the producer of the show on your computer screen – coordinating all the hardware and software in a hopefully seamless fashion. Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, you really should “pay attention to that man behind the curtain.” Continue reading →

When the SaddleBrooke Computer Club Board of Directors convened for our monthly business meeting, I was innocently seated in the rearmost chair. As our discussion turned to a proposal that we provide a monthly contribution for publication in the Saddlebag Notes, all heads quickly nodded in agreement to the notion that this would be a fine idea.

When the question arose as to who would be a likely author, all heads turned in unison in my direction. I’m still trying to decide if this is part of a plot to encourage my absence at further meetings – or not.

So, I’ll give this a shot. Computers have been a hobby and a diversion for me, not a profession. I hope this will turn out to be both useful and entertaining. Most of the material will be from me, with some help by other members.

Continue reading →

The Computer Curmudgeon column first appeared in September of 2009 in response to a request from the editor of SaddleBag Notes for a monthly computer related commentary.

While I’ve been using computers since the Commodore 64 was the hot new computer (1982 !), this is my first excursion to publishing online. It’s a delight to have Richard to all the heavy lifting done with this blog before I was invited to join the party.

Once I get more familiar with the idiosyncrasies of WordPress, I will be posting the older columns in sequence. Once all of these are accounted for, additions to this section of Tools, Toys and Technology will appear about a month after the have appeared in the SaddleBag Notes. Time permitting; I hope to have some additional items to share here.