Issue #21 Computer Tips & Tricks

I have a feeling that this weeks issue is way overdue, after all the tool we all use everyday is right in front of us...the computer! I know that not everyone is an expert on computers, and in fact very few people have probably taken more than just your basic intro to computers type class. So hopefully, some of the information I'm going to talk about now will help a lot of you out.

In the field of UFOlogy, probably the two most used programs on computers, no matter what kind of computer or operating system you use, would be a graphics program for images, and  a word processing program for reports and articles. Between these two functions, it should be relatively easy to prepare a quality presentation, with seamless quality in between pictures, documents, and video. How you ask? Simple, just follow these steps.

Of course users of Powerpoint already know that it is super-simple to create a stunning presentation. But suppose you are someone with limited knowledge of computer programs, and you really don't have the time to learn all the quirks and nuances, don't panic! There is another way to do it all while you learn Powerpoint.

The first step to creating a seamless presentation, or organizing that report or article, is to put all the documents and images that pertain to it in one file. Make sure to name that file appropriately so you can find it quickly, such as; "Pyramid Presentation 01", or "SLO UFO". Once you have the file created, you want to rename all the "objects", or "files" in that particular file with the name of that file first, followed by a sequential number. For example; sloufo 01, sloufo02, sloufo03, etc.

The next step is a little trickier. With your documents in either Word or PDF format, you might want to either save a copy as a .jpeg, or scan the document as an image if your using it in a presentation. Once everything in your file is in .jpeg format, it is easy to go through each image using only your right or left arrow keys. For the best quality image during your presentation, you want to "Maximize" the window. For Windows users you can simply press "F11" to toggle between maximized or normal windows. It also helps if you have your menu bar on the bottom set to "Auto Hide". For Mac and Apple users, your green "+" button on the left will toggle your window size, and the arrows in the top right corner will toggle the fullscreen function.

Another key thing to remember whenever you are saving your files, no matter what you are using them for, is that not everyone has the hottest, coolest version of your software! Always save your work in the format you use normally, and in the oldest version of your software that you can. That way it will be accessible to everyone!

Remember: "If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail." Test everything in your presentation, in all different formats, BEFORE YOU ARE ON THE SPOT! " You don't want anyone to focus on anything other than the information you are trying to convey!

I hope some of these tips are useful for everyone, and stay tuned for more in future installments!

Issue #20 The Grid: The Tool We Can't Afford To Lose

George Noory And I At Contact In the Desert

While at the "Contact In the Desert" event I had the pleasure of meeting George Noory of "Coast To Coast A.M." fame. Yes, I discussed the SLO UFO with him and his producer Tom Danheiser, but more importantly was a message that George shared with everyone in attendance at the luncheon.

That issue is our existing, aged, power grid. It's something that we all rely on. Without the power availability to everyone, our technological society would be at a standstill. Yet, amazingly our grid is open and vulnerable to catastrophic failure. A solar flare such as we just avoided a few months ago, could wipe out every electronic device on the planet, and our power grid, and it would take us years to rebuild it. In the meantime, 95% of the population would perish due to lack of water, food, and everything else that we have come to depend on in the technological age. So what can we do about it?

Everyone needs to write their local Senators, and Representatives. Do not write to one outside of your district, because it will be filtered out, and they will never see it. You must address the issue of insulating our grid now. The cost to do this would be between 1.5 and 3 Billion dollars. The cost of having to rebuild our infrastructure should it fail would be astronomical by comparison, and the consequences unthinkable. This is an issue of utmost importance to us all. If the power goes, so do we! A simple investment now, could prevent disaster in the future.

Needless to say, if we lose our infrastructure, there would not be any more issues of "The Field Investigator's Tool Box", so please...write that letter now, and come back for another issue next week!