KSFO's Web Wanderer

The Links for December 12, 1998

Digital Television Consumer Information: Bob O'Donnell said he'd send me this link while on-air last week, and here it is. It has very up to date information on Digital TV (Dated Nov 1998). This site discusses:

1. Why change today's TV system to DTV?
2. What is DTV?
3. How does DTV provide these improvements?
4. How will DTV be provided by broadcasters during the transition?
5. When will broadcasters begin providing DTV service?
6. Will DTV operate for the same hours and reach as far as existing local TV service?
7. Do I need a new TV set to receive DTV?
8. Will the new DTV sets be expensive?
9. Do I need an outside antenna to receive DTV? Is the antenna I use for existing TV reception good enough?
10. Will I be able to receive existing TV programming on my DTV set?
11. Will cable systems carry local DTV signals?
12. Some cable systems are offering digital services. Does this mean that these cable systems will provide DTV signals just like broadcasters?
13. Will there be any HDTV cable programming available?
14. Will I be able to receive satellite TV services, including new HDTV programming, on my DTV set?
15. Where can I get more information about any of these questions and issues?

It looks like it covers everything - from how the transition will occur, to how it will work with other technologies (cable, digital cable, satellite, HDTV). Very informative.

Great find. Thanks, Bob!

The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson
Bob, the Old Fogey, suggested this site.

This is perfect for both history, or current events buffs. As Bob says "While the House Judiciary Committee wrangles over what to do about President Clinton, now might be a good time to review the major precedent for the current inquiry, The Impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. Johnson, a Democrat who served as the 17th president following Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, upset radical Republicans in Congress with his lenient Reconstruction policies following the Civil War."

The House of Representatives voted articles of impeachment against him and he was tried before the Senate, where he was acquitted by one vote.

Reviewing this site will really give you perspective on the current news on impeachment. Give it a review this weekend, and impress your co-workers on Monday.

Great site. Thanks, Bob, you Old Fogey, you!

Click & Learn
Nerdly Nullman found this excellent tool to learn about computers.

Nerdly says "Click & Learn is a complete illustrated guide to PC hardware with 255 pages of course material for self-study or remote instruction sub-divided into 28 illustrated modules.

The author, Michael B. Karbo, has written 17 books distributed by IDG Books in Denmark and translated into 9 other languages. He is also know for his TV programs called "Omkring PC'en" (Around the PC). Click & Learn is a collection all the materials he's produced over the years; all of it about the PC - its hardware, architecture and so on. In Denmark Click & Learn is widely used in schools.

The target audience appears to be new to moderately experienced computer people. This is NOT a reference for geeks - but perfect for normal people who want to learn what the PC terms mean.

Great site, Nerdly - thanks a lot!

Drivers for Windows
Taxi Mike ran across this driver site while reading some posts. He says "It's supposed to specialize in drivers for companies gone belly-up. I looked for Syquest and sure 'nuff, they got em."

I was in a computer chat or two this week, and found Windrivers was mentioned often.

The next time you're messing with old hardware, and need to grab a driver for a piece of hardware which is no longer supported, check out this site.

Thanks, Taxi Mike. It's a great resource!

"Santa" Christmas Site
Bob, the Old Fogey found this Christmas site for the kids.

He says "Here's a holiday Web site claiming up front to be "non-commercial" and promising only to spread "the spirit of Christmas and community on the Internet."

This site offers emails and newsletters from Santa Claus, holiday trivia games, voting for favorite Christmas tunes and a chance to share traditions and recipes from around the world. This site is an annual holiday volunteer project put on by Fabrik Communications Inc. for their employees, encouraging their creative and technical staff to "share their talents for others to enjoy."

The site includes reindeer games, trivia and concentration quizzes to test your Christmas knowledge, as well as the inside scoop on how Santa harnesses the laws of physics to complete his trip around the world each year.

Fun stuff - you kids will love it. Check it out.

Thanks, Bob. You may be an Old Fogey, but you have the heart of a kid.

"Serious" Christmas Site
Keven in Hayward submitted this page.

It's not a Santa Site - it involves the "true meaning" of Christmas.

Site is a slow-loader, but has good images and text for serious reflection.

Napa Steve's Real Quickies

Napa Steve is THE MAN when it comes to finding Real Audio and Real Video sites, his finds are now a regular feature of the Web Wanderer's Report. Every week, Napa Steve will try to find one or two hot Real sites. This week he gives us two hot ones

Star Wars Episode One
Napa Steve is a devoted Star Wars fan. He found this site - generally good, and it contains the trailer for the upcoming Episode 1, in Real Video and other formats.

Some Star Wars fans paid $9 or so to get into a movie to see the trailer when it first opened, then left the movie. You can view it now, for free, in the comfort of your own home.

Check it out.

Late Show with David Letterman
Steve says "his site features the best of both worlds - Letterman and Real Video!"

A must visit for Letterman fans. Check it out.; It looks like it covers everything - from how the transition will occur, to how it will work with other technologies (cable, digital cable, satellite, HDTV). Very informative.; Great find. Thanks, Bob!
The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson: Bob, the Old Fogey, suggested this site.; This is perfect for both history, or current events buffs. As Bob says "While the House Judiciary Committee wrangles over what to do about President Clinton, now might be a good time to review the major precedent for the current inquiry, The Impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. Johnson, a Democrat who served as the 17th president following Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, upset radical Republicans in Congress with his lenient Reconstruction policies following the Civil War."; The House of Representatives voted articles of impeachment against him and he was tried before the Senate, where he was acquitted by one vote.; Reviewing this site will really give you perspective on the current news on impeachment. Give it a review this weekend, and impress your co-workers on Monday.; Great site. Thanks, Bob, you Old Fogey, you!
Click & Learn: Nerdly Nullman found this excellent tool to learn about computers.; Nerdly says "Click & Learn is a complete illustrated guide to PC hardware with 255 pages of course material for self-study or remote instruction sub-divided into 28 illustrated modules.; The author, Michael B. Karbo, has written 17 books distributed by IDG Books in Denmark and translated into 9 other languages. He is also know for his TV programs called "Omkring PC'en" (Around the PC). Click & Learn is a collection all the materials he's produced over the years; all of it about the PC - its hardware, architecture and so on. In Denmark Click & Learn is widely used in schools.; The target audience appears to be new to moderately experienced computer people. This is NOT a reference for geeks - but perfect for normal people who want to learn what the PC terms mean.; Great site, Nerdly - thanks a lot!
Drivers for Windows: Taxi Mike ran across this driver site while reading some posts. He says "It's supposed to specialize in drivers for companies gone belly-up. I looked for Syquest and sure 'nuff, they got em."; I was in a computer chat or two this week, and found Windrivers was mentioned often.; The next time you're messing with old hardware, and need to grab a driver for a piece of hardware which is no longer supported, check out this site.; Thanks, Taxi Mike. It's a great resource!
"Santa" Christmas Site: Bob, the Old Fogey found this Christmas site for the kids.; He says "Here's a holiday Web site claiming up front to be "non-commercial" and promising only to spread "the spirit of Christmas and community on the Internet."; This site offers emails and newsletters from Santa Claus, holiday trivia games, voting for favorite Christmas tunes and a chance to share traditions and recipes from around the world. This site is an annual holiday volunteer project put on by Fabrik Communications Inc. for their employees, encouraging their creative and technical staff to "share their talents for others to enjoy."; The site includes reindeer games, trivia and concentration quizzes to test your Christmas knowledge, as well as the inside scoop on how Santa harnesses the laws of physics to complete his trip around the world each year.; Fun stuff - you kids will love it. Check it out.; Thanks, Bob. You may be an Old Fogey, but you have the heart of a kid.
"Serious" Christmas Site: Keven in Hayward submitted this page.; It's not a Santa Site - it involves the "true meaning" of Christmas.; Site is a slow-loader, but has good images and text for serious reflection.

Napa Steve's Real Quickies

Napa Steve is THE MAN when it comes to finding Real Audio and Real Video sites, his finds are now a regular feature of the Web Wanderer's Report. Every week, Napa Steve will try to find one or two hot Real sites. This week he gives us two hot ones
Star Wars Episode One: Napa Steve is a devoted Star Wars fan. He found this site - generally good, and it contains the trailer for the upcoming Episode 1, in Real Video and other formats.; Some Star Wars fans paid $9 or so to get into a movie to see the trailer when it first opened, then left the movie. You can view it now, for free, in the comfort of your own home.; Check it out.
Late Show with David Letterman: Steve says "his site features the best of both worlds - Letterman and Real Video!"; A must visit for Letterman fans. Check it out.

KSFO's Web Wanderer

The Links for December 12, 1998

Napa Steve's Real Quickies