I made it through another hohday
shopping season successfully and without
breaking the bank or the world coming
to an end. During December, the Internet
community and software developers had
a very busy time with a couple of dozen
very important security updates trying
to stay ahead of hackers, scammers and
identity predators. I was very concerned that even though I always have my computer
set to download updates automatically as they become available, not all did so and re
quired me to stay on top of this by manually searching the most important ones. Thank
goodness for the people at Secunia PSI (Personal Software Inspector) who constantly
ensured I was aware of unpatched software.
The worst offenders were the same old crowd, like Adobe products, which are a key
loophole that is routinely exploited by the bad guys. I also stepped up the frequency
with which I perform computer security scans with my Norton antivirus, Malware-
bytes, Spybot and Advanced System Care, which is a PC performance toolbox of sorts.
A proper geek cannot become too confident or lazy at this time of year. I consider all
these software updates as being critical protection prior to going online to shop and
disclosing my credit card number. It is very important that when searching for updates,
you download not only the important or critical updates but also all the optional ones.
I received many great discounts from my favorite, trusted online stores that flooded
my inbox and Facebook page with discounts because I had preregistered in advance of
Thanksgiving. Tliat gave me their preferred, valued customer status, and they offered
me many unadvertised, sharply reduced discounts with free shipping to my front door.
This month, for those of you who purchased new computers, laptops and tablets with
brand new operating systems, like Windows 8,1 am publishing some helpful links here
to help you get acquainted with your new toys.
Now that you’ve bought the new Microsoft Windows 8 computer/software, here is
a great link to PC World with tutorials on how to master it. You will find many tips on
working with and understanding this new operating system at http://www.pcworld.
com/search?query=learn+how+to+use+windows+8, plus you can also check out this
link from CNET.com which can be read at http://howto.cnet.com/8301-l 1310_39-
57529213-285/complete-guide-to-using-windows-8-roundup/.
See the eight worst Windows 8 irritations and how to fix them at http://wvw.
pcworld.com/article/2013667/8-worst-windows-8-irritations-and-how-to-fix-them.
html#tk.nl_pwr.
The iPad Academy will help you master the Apple iPad. You can get valuable iPad
tips and tutorials. Find easy-to-follow instructions for making the most of the iPad,
apps and accessories. Learn how to turn your iPad into a practical and purposeful tool
at http://ipadacademy.com/.
Become a Skype power user with our seven must-know secrets at http://www.
pcworld.com/article/2013598/become-a-skype-power-user-with-our-7-must-know-
secrets.html#tk.nl_pcwbus.
If you’ve tried your hand at shopping online, but still worry that you may not be safe,
here is a great recent article that should help you understand what you need to know
first: http://www.pcworld.eom/article/2018995/safe-online-shopping-10-tips-to-avoid-
getting-burned.html#tk.nl_today. I apologize for not publishing this one in December,
but it was not available at the time of my writing that article.
Review: Microsoft Office 2013 features new look and prices at http://www.pcworld.
com/article/2017550/review-microsoft-office-2013-features-new-look-prices.html#tk.
nLpcwbus.
If you did not buy a new computer and feel your current PC is slow, or it keeps telling
you that your computer is low on memory and you want to know why, you can visit the
friendly super geeks at CNET.com where many of us go for free professional answers.
They recently published some great answers and suggestions for this issue, which you
can read at http://forums.cnet.eom/7723-19411_102-579093/your-computer-is-low-
on-memory-but-why/?tag=nl.e497&s_cid=e497.
Now to a different subject. Many of you may have met me during the PKS Christmas
Flotilla or at the PKS Christmas Parade taking photos for our town’s Facebook page. All
of the photos I took on those two events were placed on the site by Town Clerk Scott
Sherrill for your enjoyment and can be viewed by visiting https://www.facebook.com/
TownOfPineKnollShores.
Wishing you all a very happy, safe and successful New Year!
Ride Across America for OWLS
That’s just what avid cyclist Paul Rudershausen, a research assistant at the Center
for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST), is doing this winter. Paul lived his
dream of taking a bike tour across America back in 2009, when he rode across the
northern corridor of the USA and decided to do it to benefit the Outer Banks Wild
life Shelter. He had ridden across Canada many years before that, and he said of his
trip across Canada that people kept asking him if he was doing it for a cause, which
got him thinking, “Why not?” Once again he has decided, “Why not?” OWLS asks
that you join in cheering Paul on in his quest to traverse the southern corridor of
the USA, raising much needed money for OWLS-Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter of
Newport, NC, in Pedal4Wildhfe II.
“When he brought us the idea to “Ride Across America for OWLS” the first time,
we had no idea that it would evolve into such an exciting and monumental event
for the shelter,” stated Trish Slape, executive director for OWLS. “We saw it not
only as a great fundraising opportunity, but as a great outreach opportunity as well.
Here’s a chance for us to spread our message across the country as well as across the
biking community. It’s just a very exciting opportunity for us, and we thank Paul
for opening the door!” Now, faced with the opportunity to have Paul ride across
America for the shelter yet again, she stated, “Paul’s first ride was so exciting. Fol
lowing his blog really made you feel like you were right there with him, so we are
very excited to be a part of this phenomenal event again. We are honored that Paul
has included us in this great undertaking of his!”
Paul will be posting almost daily updates on his blog www.pedal4wildlifeblog.
blogspot.com, which was created during his first transcontinental ride. His blog will
be linked to www.owlsonline.org, the website for Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter, so
you can learn more about his cause. His trip is scheduled to kick off the last week of
December from Morro Bay, California. He plans to visit many breathtaking places
throughout Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee and, of course,
North Carolina.
Paul has provided assistance to OWLS in many different ways over the last few
years, from repairing and maintaining cages to supplying them with fish caught
during many of his research trips off the coast. Now, he continues his phenomenal
support to give yet again to the shelter and support what it does. He is covering
his expenses for the trip out of pocket, so all donations and sponsorships collected
will go straight to the shelter. The focus of the trip will be to raise money to re
model and expand the current pelican habitat to house the ever-increasing num
ber of pelicans that come in each year, with any excess funds going towards the
care of the animals that OWLS treats on a daily basis. There are many ways for you
to become involved in Paul’s ride across America. Go to www.pedal4wildlifeblog.
blogspot.com to keep tabs on his progress by checking out his photos and reading
the blog of his trip. You can also check the OWLS website www.owlsonline.org to
see how to make an individual contribution or to spotlight your company by spon
soring a leg of his trip.
I'kalli CjxvCci tct
PHYSICAL THERAPY • OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
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4010 Bridges St. Ext. Morehead City • 252-726-0031 • www,crystalbluffs.com
■ i ditiia lUiio OH I u
January 2013 I The Shoreline 9
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By Dan Law