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Microsoft "fixes" Internet Explorer

Microsoft is urging its users to download a cumulative software patch that corrects at least three major security issues in its standard Web browser, Internet Explorer.

If you're not sure if you should perform this update, check the July 2004 Windows Security Update page by clicking here. Hopefully if you use a PC, you are familiar with the update process, but if not, it's pretty easy to do. Just find Windows Update under the Start menu, and follow the directions.

How many friends is too many?

A couple of friends have been in a heated debate off and on during the last few months regarding Friendster. The bad news is there hasn't been a resolution yet, but the good news is they are both glad to see Alf back on TV.

How to use your cellphone

Some people walk around with a cellphone like it is the actual meaning of life. "Cellphone, please tell me again your perspective of good versus evil." Oh wait, maybe the person was just talking to their philosophy classmate.

Anyway, I've come up with some simple tips that probably most of you won't agree with, but I think it would make the world much more livable.

Latest 'Star Wars' installment has a name

By now you've heard, but to reiterate, George Lucas announced that "Revenge of the Sith" will be the title of the third and last movie of the prequel series.

Of course, we still have until May 19 until the movie comes out, but hey, it has a title, so Star Wars fans everywhere are rejoicing. What, you're not a Star Wars fan? Are you sure you really even exist?

First book draft finished

For those interested, I completed the rough draft of my book last night. Thankfully, the ending makes sense, although there is plenty of editing left to do. Once I get through that first round, I plan to post some samples on this site, as well as asking a few people to read through the manuscript.

Also, I'm in the process of finding a literary agent, who will then help me select the correct book publisher. There are a lot of options, so hopefully my research will pay off. I'll furnish more information from time to time as I figure out exactly what to do with the book.

From the Archive

It's March, which means it's time for basketball

You'll notice that I haven't been writing much, for a few good reasons. At work, we've been pretty busy, and we just moved into a different office. In my spare time, I've been devoting most of my time sending out book queries and proposals and also working on my girlfriend's school's website.

But let's face it: The important thing happening right now is men's college basketball. Who will win their conference tournaments? Which teams will make it to the Big Dance? What team will win it all?

There are two important links you need at this stage:

Target sued because of bad website

In case you missed it, the National Federation of the Blind recently won a reasonably large lawsuit against Target, claiming that Target.com did not meet minimal standards for people using screen access technology. While I normally side with the little guy over big corporations, there are a number of ridiculous things involved with this ruling, so I'll try to point out each one individually.

Is it wrong to download songs for free from the Internet?

Even though there's a growing number of websites that allow visitors to pay chump change for a song from your favorite artist, many people are still using free sites as their main way to obtain songs.

This question was posed to the Good Advice Committee, which is comprised of five individuals (including me) who well aware of the numerous dilemnas posed by today's technology. The GAC will tackle online ethical situations in upcoming editions.

Baltimore indie bookstore carrying 'Corporate Ties'

The Book Escape in Federal Hill is now carrying Corporate Ties. I just noticed online that this store is selling a copy of The Developers for $5. That's a great deal (although I won't get a penny if someone purchases it).

Voting and commenting on search results: Good or bad?

Google has created a lot of neat stuff lately. OK, the company has created a lot of neat stuff for the past few years, including, most recently, a new web browser. But please, download Chrome on your own time, because I want to talk about Google's bread and butter: the search.

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