The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Another day spent on the computer trail

Today I went to the Apple store in Tukwila, Wash., to see what could be done about reducing the eye strain I'm experiencing from my i-Mac.

The mac "genius" made my I-Mac screen a medium to medium-dark blue. He also said not to use the computer in front of a window and to buy a glare protector for $35 that you apply over the screen.

The plain, darker screen color seems to be helping.

I may try dimming the lights in my office as well to reduce glare.

I was really tempted to buy the least expensive Apple laptop to use in my travels, but I just can't stand the thought of having another computer that will cause me serious eye strain.

I'm also working on figuring out how to edit video on my new i-Mac. I have a Panasonic mini-DVD camcorder that I bought about three years ago. Unfortunately, the information the camera puts on the DVD is analog.

I knew when I bought my i-Mac that it wouldn't read the files from my camcorder and that I'd need to find a "work-around."

The Apple store gave me a credit for the USB cable they sold me earlier because it didn't work with the analog converter I'd purchased from Fry's Electronics.

The Mac genius I worked with send me down to the Panasonic warehouse in  Kent to get the right cable.

Fortunately, I got there just before they closed the door for the day. I was able to get the cable. I appreciate the Panasonic employee who helped me when he could have walked out the door instead.

Thanks also to the Mac genius for pointing me the right way. I hope to be editing a movie of my wonderful grandchildren tomorrow.

I was disappointed to learn in all of this that the quality of my movies will decrease using the converter. I hadn't planned to upgrade my camcorder for a while, but I may need to do that sooner rather than later.

I'll be making the decision tomorrow about the laptop. A Sony model I saw at Office Depot is about an inch bigger than the HP I reported on yesterday. It cost $50 more but has more omph than the HP, so it may be the best choice.

Should I buy this laptop?

After shopping around, I think the HP Pavilion DV2718US Widescreen Notebook might be a good choice for me. It has:

• 3 GB memory; HP Quick-Play
• 14.1 inch WXGA BrightView LCD screen
• AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-62 2.1 GHz
• 1 MB L2 cache
  
• 1600 MHz FSB
• 160 GB 5400-rpm hard drive
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• LightScribe SuperMulti DVD drive
• 802.11 b/g wireless LAN; Ethernet
• 3 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire, 1 S-video
• 5-in-1 memory card reader
• Weight, 5.25 pounds

Office Depot sells this computer for $649.99.

When I tried to compare prices on the Internet, I couldn’t find anyone selling this computer but Office Depot. Maybe this model is one that Hewlett Packard makes for Office Depot only.

Interesting.

I’m certainly learning about this techie stuff.

Copyright 2008, Rita R. Robison,  Consumer Specialist

Laptop quest continues

Today I went on a price-comparison shopping spree for a new PC laptop.

It’s amazing. There're so many PC laptops to choose from.

I found some good prices at Office Depot. They just received some new models, so several sale prices looked good on older stock. I liked the HP Pavilion DV2718US: 14.1-inch screen, 3 GB of memory, and 5.25 pounds for $649.99. The smaller size would be good to carry through airports when I’m also lugging my camera, video camera, and tripod.

Home Depot also had:

• Sony VAIO VGN-FZ22OU/B: 15.4-inch screen, 2 GB of memory, and 5.75 pounds for $749.99.

• Gateway T-6321: 14.1 Inch screen, 3 GB of memory, and 5 pounds for $579.99.

Unfortunately I can’t use my 20 percent off Office Depot coupon on electronic equipment.

Best Buy had a good selection, but their prices were generally higher. I liked:

• Gateway T-1628: 14.1-inch screen, 3 GB of memory, and 5.5 pounds for $599.99.

• Dell 11525-100B: 15.4-inch screen, 2 GB of memory, and 6.5 pounds for $499.99.

Costco was a disappointment. I bought a membership in January when I was mulling over buying a desktop. Their PCs lost out as I was swept away by an iMac.

The only laptop I saw at Costco that I would work was: HP DV6753CL: 15.4 inch screen, 2 GB of memory, and 6.14 pounds for $799.97.

I considered several Toshibas, but then ruled them out. I’m not as familiar with the brand, and one shopper I talked with said he had a bad experience with one.

I received good customer service at all three stores. Salesmen took the time to point out features and answer my questions.

At Office Depot, the salesman wouldn’t take a couple of the laptops out of the security devices so that I could test the weight. However, he said I could come back in the evening when the store had fewer customers. Someone could help me then.

I can see why Consumer Reports said to go to the store and try out the keyboards and evaluate the screens. It would be disappointing to order one off the Internet and find you didn’t like the touch of the keyboard or the brightness of the screen.

What has your experience been buying a laptop from a retail store in your area? Were you satisfied? Disappointed? Upset?

Tomorrow I’ll check the Internet to compare prices on these models.

How has your experience been shopping online? Any great companies? Any poor ones?

Copyright 2008, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Do you like your PC laptop?

When I made the decision recently to update my computer, I bought an i-Mac. I decided on the desktop model because I was concerned about misplacing my computer and losing all my valuable consumer research and writing – not to mention my two screenplays, one play, and about two dozen short stories.

I really like my i-Mac. It meets my needs as a blogger very well. I want to do clips for YouTube, and I’m looking forward to editing video on it.

I travel several times a year and occasionally might want to go to the coffee shop and work on an article. Since you can get a PC laptop for $600 to $800, I thought I might buy one.

I’ve just started to do the research.

I’ve found the following articles:

• The Best Laptops Under $1000 -- PC World

• Before You Choose a Notebook PC -- About.com

• Laptop Reviews -- Viewpoints

• Product Reviews -- CNET.com

• Back-to-College Laptop-Buying Tips -- Consumer Reports

Do you have a PC laptop? What do you like about it? Did you make a good decision? What features do you like? Do you hate your PC laptop? Why? Did you buy on the Internet? Did it help you get a good price? What information helped you the most?

Let me know what’s working for you.

I’ll keep you posted on how the research is going.

Celebrating the planet with gusto

Every year, people in Olympia, Wash., gather to celebrate the goodness of the earth and bring attention to the plight of species at risk.

The city hosts a glorious parade called the Procession of the Species.

A group of citizens in Olympia was looking for a way to recognize Earth Day’s 25th Anniversary and to mark action in Congress to renew the Endangered Species Act in 1995. They created a community celebration now attended by thousands of people every year.

More than 100 volunteers take on the various jobs needed to make the procession happen.

A studio opens before the parade where people can make huge puppets, floats, masks, headdresses, and banners. Recycled materials and arts and crafts supplies are available. Workshops are offered.

In addition to costumes representing species, musical and dance groups join the fun. Participants and spectators are encouraged to bring two cans of food for the local food bank.

The Procession of the Species has grown from 800 people participating in the parade to more than 2,500.

For today’s parade, we had good weather. Thank goodness. Lately in Olympia it’s been rain, rain, rain.

See The Olympian article, "Species Take to the Street for Procession," for a report on the parade. A video clip is included.

For details, see Process of the Species — Celebration.

If you’d like to start a procession in your community, see Start a New Procession.

New retirement ideas shake old beliefs

Baby boomers are changing the way we look at retirement, and they’ll be living a lifestyle quite different in their older years than their parents.

Michael Stein, certified financial planner and author of the book “The Prosperous Retirement – Guide to the New Reality,” told me in an interview that the rules of retirement have changed.

People are living longer, and they’re healthier and more vigorous in old age. The idea of a retirement as a prolonged period of “unemployment” is no longer acceptable for most Americans, either economically or socially.

Stein believes retirement is made up of three stages:

• “Go-go” phase. People are very active, and many people will continue working part time, perhaps switching to work that is more fulfilling. 

• “Slow-go” phase. People start slowing down. This phase generally beings when retirees reach their mid-70s, and it lasts for about 10 years. Homes may be downsized, and a quieter and less expensive life-style begins. 

• “No-go” phase. Failing health makes medical treatment and nursing home care likely.

In his book, Stein discusses how to figure how much your retirement is likely to cost year-by-year and how to make a guess about your longevity and the rate of inflation. You’ll also need to determine what your capital base might consist of, and how you could use your capital to provide the cash flow you need.  He also covers investments, insurance, and estate planning.

To carry out your retirement, Stein suggests you have a financial team made up of a certified financial planner, an estate-planning attorney, a tax adviser, an insurance adviser, and an investment adviser.

“A fantastic opportunity is in front of millions of Americans,” Stein said.  “They can seize the opportunity of an active retirement."

Read the fine print, even on a coupon

When a friend and I made arrangements to meet for dinner last week, we decided we’d check our coupons and see if we could save money on the outing.

After our review, we selected a local restaurant that offered a $10 coupon. This wasn’t as good as buy one meal, get one free, but the restaurant was nice and we decided it was good enough.

When we ordered and presented the coupon, the waitress pointed out that we each needed to order a drink for the coupon to be effective: Order two meals, two drinks, get $10 off. Fair enough. I ordered tea like my friend.

When the bill was presented, we received only $5 off. Why, we asked the waitress. I had ordered a crab melt sandwich, which was on the Vegetarian/Light Fare section of the menu. I hadn’t ordered an entrée like my friend.

We sighed and paid the bill, leaving the standard 15 percent tip because my friend had worked as a waitress and my daughter had friends who worked as servers, so it’s what we always do.

We were chatting for a few more minutes before we were ready to go, and the manager came over. She asked if everything was all right.

No, we said. We were upset about the misunderstanding about the coupon. The manager asked if we wanted the coupon back to use it again. My friend said no. She wouldn’t be coming back before April 30, when the coupon expired. I said, yes. I might use it.

The manager said we could have the $10 coupon back, but she'd take away the $5 credit we'd received. We sighed again.

In thinking it over, the manager should have given us $10 off our bill for the coupon. It was the waitress’s job to point out that ordering a Vegetarian/Light Fare selection didn’t meet the terms of the coupon. I could have ordered an entrée.

The lesson? Read the fine print, even on a coupon.

See the Web site of the Coupon Information Corp. for details on how to use coupons.

Do you need TV Turnoff Week?

Baby boomers spend 2.83 hours a day watching TV. And they spend 2.69 hours a day online.

What’s wrong with watching television or spending time online?

Excessive screen time can lead to:

• Lack of time to spend with family and friends. Excessive screen time limits communication and bonding.

• Obesity. Excessive screen time increases body-mass index.

• Increased risk of diabetes. The average time spent watching television is strongly associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

• Addiction to TV. Some people watch more TV than they want to, but find they’re unable to reduce their viewing.

• Increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Adults between 40 and 60 who watched a lot of TV are more likely to have Alzheimer's when they reached 70 or older.

• An altered emotional state. Television induces an emotional state described as relaxed, drowsy, and passive.

• Less time to spend on important activities. People have less time to engage in community activities.

Understanding the negative consequences of watching too much television and engaging in too much computer time can help you and your family make changes. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

• Limit screen time. Plan a schedule for yourself or with your family in advance for days and time TV can be watched and the computer can be used. Turn off the TV during meals.

• Know what your children are viewing. Make sure the programs your children are watching are age appropriate.

• Get up and get active. Engage in sports, recreational activity, and work around the house and yard. If you have children or elderly parents who are active, encourage them to join in these activities with you. Walk and bike often.

• Plan adventures. Play board games or go to the library, the park, a museum, or the zoo.

Nation TV Turn Off Week is April 21 through 27. For more information, visit the Web site of the Center for Screen-Time Awareness.

Copyright 2008, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Happy Earth Day!

It’s amazing since Earth Day was created 38 years ago that we’ve continued to do so much destruction to the environmental. But with global climate change upon us, many people are now paying attention to environmental issues.

I enjoyed the Green Festival in Seattle recently. It gave me hope that we can get started on a more environmentally friendly and people-affirming path.

My favorite speaker was David Korten, author of the book “The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community.”

“We’ve been told the world we long for isn’t possible,” Korten said at the festival.

He doesn’t agree. Korten said we’re undertaking an enormous societal shift, a great turning. He calls it earth community, where partnerships, community, and justice prevail.

Korten is cofounder and board chair of the Positive Futures Network, which publishes “Yes! A Journal of Positive Futures.”

See my post, "Moving from empires to life-centered, egalitarian, sustainable societies," for details.

Frances Moore Lappe, author of “Diet for a Small Planet” and 15 other books, spoke at the festival about shedding ideas such as waste is the norm.

Lappe believes we need a living democracy and working for a healthy environment and sustainable living is part of it.

Lappe and her daughter Anna Lappe lead the Small Planet Institute, a network for research and education on democracy.

See my post, "Lappe fears for the future; urges a living democracy," for further information.

Amy Goodman, host of the independent news media program Democracy Now!, told stories at the festival about grassroots activists who have challenged the government and succeeded.

Amy and her brother David have written a book, “Standing Up to the Madness: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times,” which describes these success stories.

My post, "Goodman blasts Bush; praises those who stand up," offers more information on her comments.

Videos of these presentations will be on the Coop America Web site about May 1.

See my post, "Green Web sites to help you green your life," for a list of green Web sites to help you.

If you need ideas on Earth Day activities, see earthdaynetwork.

Drinking small amounts of alcohol linked to breast cancer

A new study reports that drinking small amounts of alcohol may increase the risk of breast cancer.

A 51 percent increased risk of breast cancer was seen in women who had three or more glasses of alcohol a day, while a 32 percent increased risk was reported for women who drank one to two drinks a day. A 7 percent increased risk occurred in woman who drank less than one glass a day.

The researchers found that the risk was similar whether the women studied drank primarily beer, wine, or spirits.

The National Cancer Institute studied more than 184,000 postmenopausal women for an average of seven years. The head of the research team was Dr. Jasmine Lew.

See the link above for information on what the researchers think may be the mechanisms involved causing the association between drinking alcohol and breast cancer. The link also has details on a second study that looked at other possible mechanisms.