Contest - Earth Hour - March 31 and Earth Day - April 22, 2012

Earth Hour (March 31) and Earth Day (April 22)

Read what you can do: Making the world a greener place, one PC at a time .

A couple of months ago, I decided to give iolo's System Mechanic(R) a try. My laptop computer, after three years of 8-14 hours of daily use was sloth slow! Something had to be done. Right then.

I didn't want to bother trying to understand, and comprehend, technical help provided by my extended warranty. Nor did I wish to drive into Spokane and leave it with Best Buy's Geek Squad, (20+ miles from Rockford where I live) even though a maintenance plan I bought two years ago covers three computers and would have covered all charges. I simply could not be without it for who knows how long.

So, with great trepidation, I inserted the iolo software disc, pressed start at the menu, and let System Mechanic(R) install, and take charge.

I knew it was going to take quite a while, since I'd performed only minimal "clean up" maintenance; check disk, defrag, those kinds of simple tasks. I delete (daily) Internet history, because I know how that slows things down.

However, I wasn't prepared for the simple choices System Mechanic presented. A wonderful plus, IMO.

First I let it back up the registry, since I know that's important, and the program informed me it had never been done. It scanned, and found nearly 1,000 registry problems! No wonder things had gotten sluggish!

Next, I let it delete 100 MB of unnecessary clutter. And then, selected "check for redundant programs," guessing there were plenty of those. There were, and I chose to let them be removed.

I had the program do a rescan. I really appreciate being able to made decisions about what steps to let software perform! For instance, I choose not to remove e-mail attachments, because I accept some news, such as city council minutes, via attachments.

Before I'd installed iolo System Mechanic software, I had my Windows 7 built-in "System restore point," create a Restore Point, something I never skip when making changes to my computer.

I also made a Backup copy on an external hard drive, another routine precaution I perform frequently. You might say I'm paranoid about losing computer files. You'd be right. I am! I've been writing on a computer since 1980, and I have copies of every word -- including the three regional Montana history books I published.

However, back to what I think of System Mechanic.

It took quite a while to download updated drivers, but by 9:30 that evening, that task completed. I created another Restore Point (which takes maybe a minute or two.)

To make this long story short, System Mechanic installed the latest drivers I needed, detected and fixed errors on the system drive, and did several other task. What I hadn't anticipated was the amount of time I'd be without use of my laptop while it was doing those tasks, and also realigning 210,987 misaligned files!

I had neglected important maintenence chores since day one! The software program worked non-stop all through that night, and took until well after noon the next day before my laptop worked as smoothly as it did the day I unpacked it!

I set the program so I have a visual overall health meter on my desktop. About twice a month, I let System Mechanic do whatever needs to be done to keep it running smoothly, like it should.

Now, regular maintenance takes less than an hour, saves energy, and gives me confidence that my laptop will give me good service for many more years.

iolo sends newsletters, so now I also know I'm helping to make the world greener, and that is an added plus.

If you want to do likewise, send me an email, Subject: "Letters-to-the-Editor." (Editor TNPW e-Newscast <mailto:newstnpw@air-pipe.com%3E).

I'll give the first four people who write and tell why they want iolo System Software(R) a free copy (Winner selects iolo's System Mechanic(R) from Instant download to receive a FREE Licensed product Key; or winner selects a new boxed iolo's System Mechanic(R) sent via UPSP.)

Go Green!

"Re-Entry: Surviving Life After The War," by Michelle Matthews

"Re-Entry: Surviving Life After The War," by Michelle Matthews, http://reentrybook.com/ is a book every American should read to gain insight into the challenges returning service men and women are coping with today.

Matthews is currently a Captain in the Missouri National Guard, and Director of Training and Education at Crime Victim Advocacy Center. She holds a Masters degree in Communications, from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and a Bachelors degree in Psychology, from St. Louis University.

Dr. Jake Dingman Invites Community Input for Principal Search, March 27, 2012

Dr. Jake Dingman, new Palouse School Superintendent, invites community input regarding the principal search.

Please join him Tuesday, March 27, at 6:30 P.M. in the Palouse School Library.

Also, don’t forget the meet and greet tonight with new supt. Dr. Jake Dingman, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm in the Palouse school library.

North Palouse Food Bank Needs Donations

PLEASE HELP!

NORTH PALOUSE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK

Needs to replenish their shelves

BREAKFAST CEREAL

PEANUT BUTTER

YOU CAN DROP THE ITEMS OFF AT FAIRFIELD CITY HALL OR AT THE HARDWARE STORE IN FAIRFIELD, WASHINGTON

Is it a Spam FWD or not? Check it Out!

Frustrated with receiving FWD messages and not knowing whether or not they are or contain spam, virus, or a worm?

Bookmark the following resources that provide reliable information, on spam, worms and virus, and use them to check out FWDs

• Truth or Fiction  Scroll down and use its search option.
• HoaxSlayer is another.
• Norton by Symantec also provides most active threats.
• Snopes provides realiable information.

Norton also provides an excellent cimetime frontline blog, Adam Palmer on Frontline Cybercrime, where you'll find a wealth of information to help keep your online presence safe, and avoid pitfalls that can snare the uninformed and unwary.

Alway, always, always when sending email to multiple recipients use Bcc (blind carbon copy) so you don't broadcast the email addresses. Each recipient will receive their email -- without everyone else's email address. Use net courtesy diligently.

Freeman FFA Parliamentary Procedure Team To Compete Again

The new Freeman FFA Parliamentary Procedure team competed for the first time at the Sub-District Leadership competition on March 7th.

The team members are: Hunter Beaulaurier, Haley Burke, Nicole Westberg, Katie Vold, Whitney Naber, Grace Rudy, Robin Faulk-ner, and Brett Sinden.

They took a knowledge test, solved a team problem using proper parliamentary procedure and answered knowledge questions from a panel of judges.

This team will compete again on March 28, 2012 at the District com-petition, for a spot in the State contest.

Today's Constituents Enjoy Unprecedented Golden Opportunity

Today, staying informed about issues and pending legislation is easier than ever before in history, thanks to the Internet. However, to know the latest, don't just rely on elected officials websites. Subscribe to their newsletters and take advantage of their social media, such as Facebook and Twitter news feeds.

For example, the latest newsletter sent out by Congresswoman, Cathy McMorris, brings readers uptodate on her views and actions, " ... about the North Spokane Freeway – and our efforts to gain funding for the Freeway at the state and federal levels." For up-to-the-minute information, "For daily updates, subscribe to my Facebook and Twitter news feeds."

United States Senator Maria Cantwell

United States Senator Patty Murray, (if it brings you to her newsletter subscription form, scroll to the bottom and click the link to her home page.)

Subscribe to newsletter from Joe Schmick, State Representative, 9th Legislative District.

Today, research on the Internet lets constituents keep abreast of issues important to them. Appreciate this golden opportunity that previous generations didn't have, and probably never even dreamed of having.

Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins, by Diane Diekman

Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins, by Diane Diekman.

The University of Illinois Press published Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins and reissued, in soft cover, Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story. In addition to Amazon.com and bookstores, you'll also find them here along with details, Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins and also here with details, Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story .

Diekman is scheduled at several upcoming March events:

• Saturday, March 17 -- A CUP OF JAVA in Marty Robbins Plaza at 7003 N 58th Avenue in Glendale, Arizona. Plans are for a Marty Robbins tribute band to perform. Details later.
• Wednesday, March 28 -- Diane Diekman will be a guest on the Eddie Stubbs show on WSM Radio at 8:00 PM.
• Saturday, March 31-- 12:30 at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Diekman will talk about and read from Twentieth Century Drifter. Joe Babcock is organizing music by several of Marty's band members. Jim Glaser and Ronny Robbins are expected to be there. The show will be followed by a book signing at 2:00 p.m.

Spam -- the universal fear of all computer users today -- is ever present in our daily lives. Whether you email, blog, use social networking or the Internet, your computer is subject to Spam.

A recent article in iolo UpToSpeed  DIY Computer Tips offers nine easy to follow tips on reducing spam threats.

A premier company that creates and markets PC maintenance and protection software, iolo offers a free newsletter subscription link to UpToSpeed Computer Tips in the website's top right hand corner.