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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

Find your favorite meaningful (or meaningless) quotes

They say a random quote is like reading obituaries from an 18th century newspaper on the other side of the world. The information is worthwhile to someone, but probably not the person actually reading it.

All right, so I made that up, but regardless, meaningful, unique quotes can be difficult to come by, unless you are perusing Food for Thought. The site is billed as "A Collection of Heretical Notions and Wretched Adages compiled by Jack Tourette."

WINNER

Sorry, it's me, not you.

There was a note on my door last Friday from UPS, saying I had a package waiting for me. Luckily, on UPS' Web site, you can see where the package is coming from. Unfortunately, it said somewhere unfamiliar in Massachusetts, so I had no clue what it was.

Today, I arrived home to find the package. In it was an official Major League Baseball 2004 All-Star Game T-shirt.

The ultimate hiking companion

There are a few things necessary when starting out on a long hike, regardless of the weather. You need a good pair of shoes, possibly boots. You need something to drink, most likely water. And finally, you need a peanut butter and pickle sandwich. Even the folks at the New York Times realize this!

Publisher List

As a knockoff of my literary agent list, I have decided to supply you with the short list of publishers I have contacted for my latest book venture. After querying agencies for a few months, I started contacting more mid-range publishers with the hopes of avoiding agencies altogether. This is not to say that bypassing an agent is beneficial to everyone; I think it's worthwhile in my case for a few reasons:

Katie Richardson, Buzz Magazine

... it doesn't take a super sci-fi buff to see the potential implications of an Internet superpower and the American government operating out of people's homes hand in hand. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Imagine having a serious love jones while trying to begin a new chapter in the world of technology. With the recent Internet chatter that has been surfacing about larger, more powerful Internet companies the book's message appears to be eerily relevant.

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