Google Earth Great Teaching Tool

The song lyrics, “he’s got the whole world in his hands” become a virtual reality with Google Earth! I’ve been using it since 2006 when it was called Earth Viewer. It’s quite amazing to be able to ‘fly’ to any spot in the world and get hi-resolution imagery on your computer/projector screen. It’s almost like being there, believe me.

You can add many layers to the virtual map such as terrain, roads, 3D buildings and images. It’s getting better and better with the addition of 3D renderings of The Grand Canyon, Eiffel Tower, Red Square and many more. You have to see them to appreciate them. Here’s an example of how Downtown Tucson, AZ looks with the 3D buildings layer turned on:

Downtown Tucson in 3D

It’s a very simple program to use and the best part is that it’s a free download available for Windows and Mac. Here’s how to install it: 

1. Visit http://earth.google.com/ to download the program free.

2. Complete install and you are set.

3. Visit the brief video tutorials site that helps you get going. Here’s a sample:

That’s it! You can really use this as a teaching tool to transport your class to the destination on the globe you may be talking about, including Antarctica! I use it all the time, even more so now that it’s available for the iPhone & iTouch. See it in action as it zooms in to Pueblo:

Forget my hands, now I can have the whole world in my pocket!

Lute Olson Retires

Coach O' & Coach O

I have been following University of Arizona Basketball since 1988, when that famous W-I-L-D CATS jingle was being played everywhere! Remember that? (If not, here it is)

It sure makes the winter go by faster here in Tucson with the Cats playing. It’s probably the best sports entertainment we have in town next to Spring Training. Everything else is a drive up I-10 in Phoenix.

Names like Elliott, Kerr, Bibby, Stoudamire, Simon, Jefferson, Arenas and on and on have been fun to watch. We’ve been spoiled for quite some time and it’s all thanks to Lute. In his words, it is time for the ‘next generation of basketball.’ 

The news yesterday was that he was planning to step down from coaching and sure enough it is official today that he will retire from coaching at the University of Arizona for health issues. It’s been a nice run for him and he leaves a program that is well recognized in Division I Basketball. These will be no easy shoes to fill.

Here’s what was reported on ESPN:

This will be an attractive job opening and the U of A will bring a top-notch, young coach to start a new era in Arizona Basketball.

Thanks for the memories LUUUUUUUUUUTE!

Side Note: The picture above is of Pueblo’s Baskeball Coach Barry O’Rourke and Lute Olson during one of the many Summer Camps held here in Tucson. Photo was taken in the late 1980’s.

Underwater Robot By Amateur Radio Club

Had a chance to see Pueblo’s Amateur Radio Club test their underwater robot today. (Robot Unnamed) They tested its underwater video camera, underwater light and motors to begin learning maneuvering procedures for the remote vehicle in preparation for a competition that will take place next summer. You will notice the robot is painted Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. Check it out for yourself:

 

As soon as the specifications for next year’s competition scenario, they will begin construction of the real robot to be entered into national and international competition next June. Here’s some pictures: 

      

(Click to make bigger)

Buffalo Wild Wings

Address: Irvington & I-19

Time to get there: 8 min.

Website: http://www.buffalowildwings.com/

View Entire Menu

Just went today to this new location and 2nd in Tucson. I really enjoy the HDTV’s everywhere environment. Feels like I’m at home watching TV and having lunch with some friends. I think I counted 48 TV’s of all sizes and definitions.

I had the lunch special of 10 wings – 10 wedges – in 10 minutes for $5.99 plus a Cherry Coke.  You can choose from their many flavors and spicy levels of traditional or boneless wings. I had the Mild Boneless with Ranch and were very good. Not the best I’ve had, since that honor belongs to Buffalo Bells on 6th & Ajo. I was pleased with the taste of both the wings and fries. Service was friendly and speedy. We will definitely come back to this place.

Buffalo Wild Wings Bar

We counted more than 50 TV

Been to Buffalo Wild Wings? What do you recommend? Leave a comment below…

Anti-Virus Programs & Why You Need Them

If you are a Windows user, you should be concerned about you computer catching a virus, and I don’t mean the flu. I am talking about those nasty programs that clog your system down to a crawl, that pop up window after window non-stop, or even worse, that uses your computer as a spamming machine to the rest of the Internet. So what can you do to protect yourself from these ugly critters?

My Apple Fanboy friend would say, “Just get a MAC and you don’t have to worry about viruses.” In part, he is correct to a certain extent. However, most users own PCs and have Windows operating systems.

Nowadays the definition is blurry between a virus, malware and spyware program. The makers of anti-virus software have their work cutout when trying to protect you. The bad programs have gotten nastier, harder to remove and cause havoc once you get them. So I will mention some general things you can do to help protect yourself.

Useful advice not to get viruses in the first place

For many people the main reason to use a computer is to get things done. They have no desire to know how a computer works or how to fix it. So they use the computer, the Internet and email to accomplish specific tasks. If you fall into this category, please listen to the following tips to avoid the dreaded malicious viruses. These points mainly involve changing one’s behavior:

1. EMAIL: Never open an attachment (pictures, documents, spreadsheets, files, etc) that you weren’t expecting. Even if it comes from a friend or someone you know. It’s always best to ask the sender if they did intent to send you something.
2. EMAIL: Never click on a link in email. Again the same concept applies as with attachments, if you’re not expecting it, then question why you got it. This is a favorite way for Phishing scams to collect your personal data.
3. WEBSITES: Be careful of the websites you visit. Those that offer FREE downloads are especially suspect. You know you’ve been to them. The sites that offer free desktop backgrounds, free screensavers, free clipart, free software, and free mp3s. Now, I am not saying that ALL these sites are malicious, just be careful. It is better to stick to well known websites.
4. PROGRAMS: Again be very careful when installing programs you have downloaded from the internet. Make sure they come from a reputable source.
5. ROUTER/FIREWALL: At home, make sure you have a router between your computer and the Internet. Most new routers are firewalls that will prevent unsolicited traffic from getting to your computer. These pieces of hardware are very inexpensive and will hugely increase your protection. Even if you only have one computer, make sure you get a router. At work, hopefully your IT Department knows what they’re doing and has all the computers behind firewalls.

Software to help bolster your defense

I know the natural tendency is to click on those cool little links that you’re friend sent you. You may find it hard to resist opening an attachment that promises is the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen before.

So for you folks, I offer some picks on Anti-Virus software that will help you in your quest to remain virus free.

I personally use AVAST. They have a free version for home use. This piece of software is lightweight and does the job. It updates everyday with new virus definitions to keep you current. I would recommend you try it. Another free program that gets good reviews is AVG Antivirus. I have never tried this one, but it comes highly recommended from experts in the field.  There are a few good paid applications such as NOD32 and Kaspersky Anti-Virus that get high marks from reviewers as well.

There are many others, especially the Big Two, McAfee and Norton. I used Norton in the past but it is bloated and you have to keep paying every year to keep the program updated. My recommendations are save your money and get yourself one of the two free ones I mentioned.

As for Malware/Spyware protection I would recommend Spybot – Search and Destroy. In this category there are many programs that will help you eliminate the nasties. Take a look at Malware.org for helpful resources.

If you’re infected, just bite the bullet!

Just Bite The Bullet

Is you’re computer already compromised? No matter what programs you use to try to fix the problem, you can never be sure that everything bad has been removed. Your only safe way to know your system is truly safe is to reinstall the operating system. Use the discs that came with your computer to restore it. Doing so will put your computer back to the way it came from the factory. Don’t forget to back up your personal files (or you should already have them backed up).

After you restore your system, start practicing the safe habits described above.

Be safe in your Internet journeys…

Apple TV Impressions From A Non-Apple Fanboy Perspective

For awhile now I have had the idea to see my movies, pictures and music from one central location that would connect to my big screen TV and home theater system. I figured I would rip my movies so the kids could watch them without having to handle the DVDs and scratch them all up. My wife would be able to listen to her music on our stereo system while doing house chores and not have to be changing CDs every time. We could show our pictures to family and friends when they came over to the house without having to connect a laptop to the TV every time. What a concept, a device that does all of this with ease of setup, no hassles. High on the list of importance was this device has to be easy for the kids or wife to operate.

I had looked up various methods of accomplishing this with Windows Media Center, Media Extenders, Software, all kinds of hacks that would deliver on the promise of consolidation. However, none of these options was easy to setup, or required too much work for someone that might not know too much about technologies.

A friend of mine and my brother, that happen to be Apple Fanboys, had told me I should get an AppleTV. That this was the device I was looking for and that it would do the things I described. Well after several months of not wanting to give in, I finally bought the AppleTV. I’ve now been using it for several weeks. I want to share my thoughts and impressions on this wonderful device.

Impressions of the installation

The AppleTV has a very nice form factor. It is square, about the size of school book, but half as thick. It looks very elegant and does not take up much room on your entertainment center. (You got to give it to Apple; they put a lot of thought into the product design.)

The connections are very straight forward and easy to hook up to the TV and stereo. It took me about 2 minutes after I rolled the big screen TV to reach the back of it.

After turning on the power it boots up and shows a welcome screen. You then connect it to your home network over a wired or wireless connection. (This sounds complicated but it’s not.) I connected mine through a wireless connection. All you need is the network name and your password. Then, you take a code that the AppleTV gives you and enter it into you iTunes account on your computer. After that, the AppleTV starts synchronizing with your computer. It’s that easy.

Let the fun begin

Now that it’s all set up, you can begin having fun. First of all, you get access to the iTunes store through the AppleTV.

MOVIES – You can:

1.      Watch the movies you own that you have ripped to iTunes

2.      Watch movie trailers of upcoming movies.

3.      Rent movies in Standard definition or High definition

4.      Buy movies instead of renting them

MUSIC / AUDIO – You can:

1.      Listen to your music library in iTunes

2.      Buy music directly from the iTunes store

3.      Listen to Podcasts (or watch Video podcasts)

OTHER – You can:

1.      Look at your pictures that are on your computer

2.      Look at pictures that are on Flickr and MobileMe

3.      Watch YouTube videos

So far, I haven’t rented any movies with this. I’ve seen a couple of movie previews and they look good on my TV.

My favorite features so far…

My wife started using the music library right off the bat. This is saying a lot, since I had not had a chance to teach her how to use it. She really likes being able to listen to the music from the home stereo.

My kids like being able to pick the movie they feel like watching and have it playing without having to mess with DVDs.

I have really enjoyed watching YouTube videos and pictures from Flickr, especially the ones from my friends and family. Last weekend we were able to show some pictures to our family on the big screen without any hassles and had background music playing with the slideshow to boot. Totally awesome!

I would definitely recommend getting one of these if you are like me and trying to have easy access to your media from one place that is easy to use, easy to keep synchronized, and easy to manage.

Couple of things to keep in mind

I regret getting the 40GB AppleTV. It just isn’t enough space for my media. This is not a problem since AppleTV will stream the files from your computer. But it’s much nicer to have them on the hard drive that comes on the device. Apple sells a 160GB model; I should have got this one instead. I have checked on the Internet for ways of expanding the capacity, but have not found a way that doesn’t involve hacking it.

Overall, I am happy with my purchase of the AppleTV. (I hope I don’t end up being a Fanboy. Is this a bad thing?)

The Ultimate Steal

Office Ultimate

Are you a senior getting ready to go to college? Do you use Microsoft Office to do your school work? Then you should check out the following for a great opportunity to purchase an expensive software package for a very reasonable price:

The UltimateSteal offer is for MS Office Ultimate 2007 full version.

It includes:

1. Word 2007
2. Excel 2007
3. PowerPoint 2007
4. Outlook 2007
5. OneNote 2007
6. Groove 2007
7. Publisher 2007
8. Access 2007
9. InfoPath 2007
10. Accounting Express 2007

Check out the website for their terms and conditions. This package sells at Amazon for $480.

TEACHERS: Please let your students know about this if you think it is useful.