FONTS and Dingbats, OH MY!

I found this site while looking for some free fonts FontFreak.com. They have a decent selection of free fonts to download. They'll even let you download all of them in a zip file for a small fee. Otherwise you just browse their site for the ones you want and download them individually.

One handy thing about fonts is you can use fancy fonts to create graphics that you normally might be able to create. There are fonts called Dingbats which are basically little pictures and symbols. I've used Dingbats when creating CD covers. There's one called Electronics that has the CD symbols that you see on commercial CD covers.

Anyhow, I put my newly acquired fonts in my "C:\WINDOWS\FONTS" folder. Opened my favorite graphics program to start using my new fonts. My graphics program did not recognize them.

GOOGLE to the rescue. Found plenty of pages about FONT INSTALLATION, even one from Microsoft(Link). It's really not that difficult. You can follow the directions from Microsoft(Link) or you can do it my way.

HOW TO INSTALL FONTS
(WINDOWS XP)

Go to you favorite font site, FontFreak.com for instance.

Create a two folders on your DESKTOP call one Zipped Fonts the other New Fonts.

Download the FONTS that strike your fancy. Save them to the Zipped Fonts Folder.

Unzip all of the files into the New Fonts folder. Once that's done we can install them. The files with the "TTF" extension are the font files. Anything, that does not have the "TTF" extension can be deleted.

Now, this is how I install my FONTS.

Click on "START" then "RUN".
Type "FONTS" into the box and click "OK"
The Windows Fonts Viewer will appear.
Click on "FILE" and then "Install New Font..."
Browse to the folder on your desktop named "New Fonts".
Click "Select All" and then click "OK".
Your New Fonts are now installed.

Now you can use them in your favorite graphics programs or office suite. Have Fun!

Google Browser Sync

I've never been a regular Firefox user. Recently though I've been using it more. One of the great things about the Firefox Browser is that it allows you to use extensions. Usually they add some extra feature to the browser.

Our friends at Google have released an extension that Synchs your bookmarks.

I use a computer at work and one at home and I'm always running into problems finding my bookmarks. Either I'm at home and they are at work or vice versa. Either way it gets confusing.

With the new "Google Browser Sync" extension those days are over.

Go to this page click on "Install Now" and you are ready to go after a restart of the browser (Close it and then reopen it) and a short set up. You can even import your Internet Explorer "Favorites".

You will need a Google Account to use this. If you need an invite send an email to info@talktechwithcti.com and I'll send you an invitation.
Check it out at the following link:
Google Browser Sync

EMAIL WORM (New Graphic Site)

I'd like to share an email I got from a friend.

There is an email going around with the subject "New Graphics Site". It is spreading fast as about 100 people I know have gotten it just today. If you get an email with that in the subject line delete it quickly and DO NOT OPEN IT! This is a new virus I have been told.

As is my habit I checked the story out. And it turns out to be true. (psst if you don't use Snopes.com, you should) There is a Yahoo Worm going around that is titled "New Graphic Site". Yahoo claims to have fixed the problem. But you should still delete any e-mails from av3@yahoo.com. Here's the SNOPES article if you want to know more.
Urban Legends Reference Pages: Computers (New Graphic Site)

As always UPDATE your ANTI-VIRUS NOW! Keep your eyes open and remember to delete any suspicious emails.

Missing In Action

Because of other obligations we were not able to be on the air today. We are providing support for the Midwest Qualifier of the Optimist International Golf Championship. It's a great event and it's always a lot of fun to be a part of. Computer Techniques, Inc. has created some awesome software for the leaderboard. You can even see the scores live on the Internet HERE. Terry Wright coordinates the event which brings in people from all over Illinois. The event is hosted at the Piper Glen Golf Course.

I'd like to congratulate our elected officials for supporting the “Let Them Rest in Peace Act” that the Governor has recently signed into law. This new law makes it ILLEGAL for people to protest within 200 feet of a funeral or memorial service. WHY should we NEED this LAW? Because of organizations like the Westboro Baptist Church that use the Funerals of soldiers to push there agenda. When I first heard about this it SICKENED me! As a veteran myself I can not tell you how offensive these people are to the values that I hold dear. Even if I wasn't a veteran I would find these people and there actions DISGUSTING! Luckily there are people who are willing to stand up for the families of these fallen soldiers. They are called the Patriot Guard Riders. Whether you support the war or not, the majority of people realize that these families should be able to grieve there losses without having to deal with the likes of these zealots. That's were the Patriot Guard Riders come in. They take time from their own families to make sure that families of these soldiers can grieve in peace. They shield the families from the protestors and do so in a way that is peacful and respectful of the families and their communities. Check out the Patriot Guard Riders web site for more information. OK, I'm done, but this is one of those things that has been bothering me and I had to share.

Another story I've been folowing is the Net Neutrality Bill that failed in the House. There's a lot of talk about Net Neutrality at the moment. And to most it just looks like the BIG communications companies VS. the BIG Internet Companies. Basically it boils down to the BIG Communications companies want the BIG Internet Companies to PAY EXTRA to have their content delivered. Even though we pay for our Internet access and they pay for their Internet access already. The BIG communications companies want us to pay again. Net Neutrality is to protect Internet companies from being forced out of business because they are not being treated equally by all providers. If your curious how your representatives voted check HERE. You can also find out more about Net Neutrality on Google News. Check out all of the information available let me know what you think.

We'll hopefully be back in the studio next Tuesday morning for Talk Tech with CTI. Tune in Tuesday mornings at 9:00am Central to WTIM NewsTalk 97.3 for Talk Tech with CTI. Or listen to us on the Internet at TalkTechwithCTI.com/Live

Thanks for Stopping By..

Man, I never know where to begin. But, look out when I get on a roll. I can Ramble. Tuesday we talked about a cool service called Pandora. If you love to listen to music while you are working at your computer then this is the place to go. Ever since I read about it and gave it a shot it's been hard not to go there and listen. It's addictive. Pop in your favorite Band, Artist or Song and the player starts playing something by that criteria. Then it starts throwing songs at you that fit the characteristics of what you chose. I'm a HUGE Gov't Mule fan. So, of course, I used "Gov't Mule" as my starting point. I was thrilled when "Little Toy Brain" a song off of Gov't Mule's latest studio album started playing. Awesome! Great start. Next song comes up and it's pretty good never heard of the band though. Give it a thumbs up. So then the next song. Well I didn't care much for it so, I gave it a thumbs down. As you listen and rate the music it changes the station to conform to your taste. Best part you are not stuck in a particular genre. Find the music that fits the mood or your style. Lot's of fun. Check it out at www.pandora.com. For all of you Stephen King fans out there especially those, like me, that LOVED the Dark Tower Series of books. Great News! Stephen King is working with Marvel to create a Graphic Novel based on the Dark Tower Series. YEEEE HAAAW! Can't wait... Check my story out by Clicking Here
I know, I know, GEEEEK! Guilty as charged. Try it... You just might like it. Well Thanks for Stopping By... Come back anytime.