It’s common nowadays to see people sitting in a park and computing, or at their local Starbucks, tapping away on their keyboards. At home, people are taking advantage of the freedom from cables and wires that a wireless network brings.

But along with that freedom come dangers. After all, wireless is really just radio waves, which don’t just go between your laptop and your network, they go all over the place, just waiting to be plucked from the ether by someone with just the right device and bad intentions.

This Special Report covers home users. Small Businesses face increased risks that come with an increased number of users with increased access to the businesses’ hardware.

The dangers fall into 2 categories – Data Security and Bandwidth Stealing both of which can be solved with the same steps.

At first there was only one provision for restricting wireless access, WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy). WEP, however, has many vulnerabilities

Now there’s also WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), which is newer technology and more secure, if you follow the basic steps.

As with almost any technology, the landscape is always changing. New security systems challenge the hackers. They respond with new hacks, which are respsponded to with new security. It’s a never-ending dance.

However, by taking the following simple steps you will greatly reduce your vulnerability, at least for now. Consult the documentation that came with your wireless network hardware and software to see exactly how to implement these steps.

1. Don’t use the default Administrator Password

   This is the most-often ignored and most basic step. Your Wireless Access Point is shipped with either a default administrative password, or no password at all. Be sure to change this before you you use your WAP for the first time. It should be a password that you will not forget, but would not be easy to guess.

   One easy trick is to substitute numbers for letters, for instance the number 3 for the letter E, and the number 7 for the letter T. So the word “gadget” becomes gadg37. Of course you will want a longer password, because the longer the password, the harder to crack. And remember to use boh UPPER and lower case.

   Most of the default administrative passwords are well known to the hackers. After all, all they would have to do is check the default password on THEIR wireless devices!

2. Replace your default WAP’s SSID

   Your Wireless Access Point will have an SSID – a “name” that was given to it at the factory, typically “Linksys” or “default.” Obviously, these are well known in the hacker community, and the fact that most wireless networks have never had this ID changed makes them more vulnerable.

3. Stop Broadcasting Your SSID!

   By their very nature, wireless networks broadcast their availability so that wireless cards in devices can find them. But just because it broadcasts it’s presence does NOT mean it has to also broadcast it’s SSID. For a hacker to connect to your network, he has to know your SSID. There’s no sense in just giving it to him!

4. Encrypt your transmissions

   Right out of the box, your wireless network will send your data completely unencrypted. That means that hackers can capture your data and easily read it. Older networking hardware uses WEP 128-bit encryption when enabled, but newer WPA encryption, now built into most hardware is far superior. It should be required on all your wireless computers and devices.

   WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) encryption, which includes both scrambling and authentication is much more secure than WEP.

   All your wireless computers should use MAC Addressing
   MAC (Media Accessing Control NOT a MacIntosh computer) is an unique hardware address you should assign to your wireless computers so that your Wireless Access Point will only allow these specific computers to connect to your wireless network.

   To find your computer’s MAC address, click Start>>Run. In the Open box, type CMD and click OK. At the prompt, type IPCONFIG /ALL and press Enter. Scroll down and write down what is listed as “Physical Address.” It will be something like 00-00-00-00-00-00.

   Enter this address in your router’s management program. This won’t keep determined hackers out, but it makes things more difficult. It might be enough to encourage them to go elsewhere.

5. Keep your network and computers updated

   As with any software, your Wireless Access Point manufacturer will update the drivers and software to close vulnerabilities and improve performance. By keeping up to date you can stay ahead of the hackers.

6. Can you use secure connections?

   Nowadays may ISPs will provide SSL and other secure services. Check with your ISP and use these services where available.

7. Keep your Operating System and Security Software up to date and patched

   Your security software includes anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-adware and anti-Browser Helper Object software up to date, as well as keeping your Operating Software patched.

8. Remember that public hotspots are NOT Secure

   Whenever you are using a public hotspot, be aware that you are extra vulnerable. Try to NOT do your banking or other critical computing at public hotspots. You are much better off connecting over a dialup connection than in an insecure environment.

© Steve Freedman, Archer Strategic Alliances, 2005 All Rights Reserved

We have heard of VoIP. We know what it is. But why should we switch from our Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to VoIP? Why should we join the many major corporations clamouring to transform their business needs to VoIP? Why should we jump on the bandwagon of the many households who are confidently switching to VoIP?

The answers all come down to the many benefits that VoIP offers. The advantages of VoIP have been proven time and time again. The most appealing of all the benefits is that it is cost efficient. VoIP transfers voice into digital data over the Internet. As the data is smaller compared to a standard electric unit, users save on valuable bandwidth. Ever wondered how you could be hooked up to a computer sending messages all across the globe, but yet not having to pay long distance charges? That’s how VoIP works. Just think, you will never have to pay for long distance calls ever again!

It does not matter if you plan to use VoIP for your business or for your personal use at home, it is just plain cheaper. Costs for both local and long distance calls can be minimised through VoIP. Many VoIP service providers offer plans that enable you to make unlimited local as well as long distance calls. Check with your provider to ascertain the extent of the coverage of calling areas. With VoIP in your homes, there will be no need for additional phone jacks and wires, just add on to your system, thus saving you money.

Not only will VoIP save you telephone costs, it also integrates all your telephone needs with your computer applications like e-mail, fax, video-phone, and web conferencing. By combining all these into one basic application, you will save on energy and money. Not only that, allowing you to access all the other programs at the same time will provide for greater freedom. This way, even a homeowner will find it simple to utilise all these different products.

Imagine being able to use your own telephone number anywhere that you can access an Internet connection, even overseas. Yes, with VoIP that is now possible. A perfect solution for those always on the move and for those who travel frequently. With VoIP you can cut down on your cell phone expenses. All you need to do is to take your telephone adapter with you anywhere you go. As long as there is a high Internet speed, you can take phone calls on your regular telephone number. This means that you can even take calls while staying overseas or even while going camping. Talk about tremendous flexibility!

Another benefit that comes from using VoIP is the option that allows you to pick your own area code. This is especially good news for those who have family and friends living in a particular area out of state. If you choose your friends’ area code, you are giving them the fantastic opportunity of being able to call you whenever they want to without having to pay for long distance charges. All their calls will be charged as local calls. Again, check with your VoIP providers. Some might even extend this service to other countries. Now wouldn’t this be a blessing if you have friends and family all around the globe?

Remember all the extra features that you have to pay for with PSTN phone services? Voice Mail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, Call Return, Call Block, Do Not Disturb – all these features now come under one package with VoIP. As all the features between VoIP and the Internet are incorporated, you have greater access and control over all your VoIP phone features through the Internet. No more paying for extras.

VoIP is the answer to all our telecommunication needs. The world is making the switch to VoIP. The question is, when will you join this revolution?

About the Author

Juzaily Ramli is the co-owner of http://www.voip-revolution-info-site.com site, a site dedicated to everything regarding VoIP. Find out how VoIP has represented the most significant paradigm shift since the invention of the telephone in the whole history of modern communications.

VoIP allows users to make phone calls using their high-speed
Internet connection. This translates into free, or very low
cost long-distance calling. Because VoIP uses the power of
the Internet, traditional phone companies are left
completely out of the loop. Of course, now that the idea of
VoIP is catching on more and more, traditional phone
companies are developing and offering their own VoIP options
so as not to be left out. From the consumer’s point of view,
this competition is keeping options open and pricing low.
For businesses, this is particularly good news, since many
VoIP providers will want the business of business–this is a
huge market, which providers are aware, of, so the savvy
businessperson will take advantage of this, conduct thorough
research, and seek out the best possible option to meet the
company’s needs.

What are the Pros to Using VoIP?

Cost is a number one factor. If your business does a high
volume of long distance calling, this can be an extremely
affordable way to go. Another positive is that the future of
long distance calling is VoIP. As time passes, more and more
options will be available and the market will become even
more competitive. It is also easy to use, although a
business set-up will be more complicated than a home set-up.

What are the Cons?

One disadvantage that many users report is that there tends
to be an “echo” when using VoIP. How much of a disadvantage
this is may depend on the user. There can also be a slight
lag at the beginning of the conversation.

Another potential disadvantage is that the technology is
fairly new. As VoIP becomes standard, improvements will take
place. In the meantime, it is up to each business to
determine if this is a way to go.

Also, because VoIP operates through your Internet
connection, should you lose Internet service for whatever
reason or power, you will not have phone access until the
service or power is restored.

Is VoIP Right for my Business?

As with any business decision, you should examine your needs
and available services before making a purchasing decision.
VoIP may produce substantial savings, but it could also
produce substantial headaches. Whether or not your company
can navigate potential glitches with minimal interruption is
something you need to determine. Many traditional service
providers offer competitive pricing, and the security of the
existing structure may not be worth the potential problems
with VoIP. It is also necessary to price and compare the
technical requirements; will your existing structure support
VoIP, or will the investment in technology offset the
potential savings?

VoIP Business Options

On the bright side, because VoIP is a growing service, many
companies provide business solutions and the offers and
pricing are competitive. One thing to consider as you
compare options is contract terms. Because the technology is
expanding, it is wise to avoid any long- term contract, as a
better option may come along in the meantime. A variety of
companies offer business solutions. The following list is
just a few:

Sprint:
http://www.sprint.com/business/products/categories/voip.jsp

Lingo:
http://www.lingo.com/voip/business/unlimited_internet_phone_
service.jsp

Quest:
http://www.qwest.com/largebusiness/products/voip/

Pipex: http://www.pipex.net/products/voip/

How to Get Set Up for VoIP The technology required will
depend on the service you choose. There are three types of
VoIP methods.

ATA stands for analog telephone adaptor. It connects
to your computer or Internet connection and uses regular
phone.

IP phones are special phones that look like
traditional phones, but they connect with an Ethernet
connector.

Computer-to-computer is an easy way to use VoIP and
long distance calls are free; you only pay for the software.
While this method can work in a business setting, it may not
be the best solution, even though it is very cost effective.

VoIP requires a high-speed Internet connection, and for
business purposes, your set-up needs to be able to handle
the additional use that VoIP incurs. Essentially, there is
no “one size fits all” set-up guide for business VoIP
options. The service you choose and your company’s
individual requirements will determine what you will need.

Andrew Kelly is a Technology Consultant who helps keep businesses at the leading edge of technology.

For more great tips and resources on everything VoIP visit:
VoIP Solutions For Your Business

As more people acquire laptops and begin making use of public Wi-Fi hotspots, hackers are able to easily exploit vast security vulnerabilities inherent in most public hotspot deployments. What follows are four specific security vulnerabilities along with our “best practice” recommendations to overcome them.

Security Threat #1: The Evil Twin

An “evil twin” can be a laptop in a hacker’s backpack set-up to trick users into logging onto the Internet via their “rogue” connection by mimicking the legitimate hotspot’s network name and login page (where applicable). Once logged on, the hacker can create fake login prompts for popular email and banking applications thereby stealing the user’s most valued login credentials.

What can be done to guard against such attacks? Look for connections that offer an SSL-encrypted login page (evidenced by https versus http in the address bar and a lock in the lower right hand corner of your web browser) that has been verified as authentic by public authorities such as Thawte or Versign. 82nd Street Wireless offers such a secure connection.

Security Threat #2: Unencrypted Wireless Data

Most public Wi-Fi hotspots disable wireless data encryption standards such as WEP and WPA as one user’s “secret key” can be used by a hacker to decrypt the entire network’s traffic thus making such keys both ineffective and unnecessarily complex for public deployments. What this means is that a hacker can view your data (email and web pages) as they travel through the air between your laptop and the wireless router using command line utilities found in certain operating systems.

The solution is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) which creates a secure encrypted connection between your laptop and the VPN server. You can find such solutions at 82nd Street Wireless.

Security Threat #3: Inappropriate Configuration of Wireless Network Settings

Wireless local area networks were designed so that computers sharing the network could easily access and share data amongst themselves. As such, in many public hotspot deployments, a hacker can obtain direct access to your computer unless you configure your wireless network settings as follows: turn your firewall on, disable file sharing and turn ad-hoc mode off. Those setting can be found in Windows XP via Start > Settings > Network Connections > Wireless Network Connection.

82nd Street Wireless automatically disables others from accessing your device via what is referred to as “client isolation”.

Security Threat #4: Operating System Vulnerabilities

As hackers are well know for exploiting operating system vulnerabilities, you’ll want to stay on top of both operating system updates and anti-virus updates which fortunately can be automated through the “automatic update” feature offered by the major brands in both product categories.

By employing the afore-mentioned security tips, your data will stay out of the unscrupulous hands of hackers while you continue to enjoy the benefits of public wireless Internet at your favorite Wi-Fi hotspot location.

About the author: Wade McMunn is President of Wireless Internet Provider – 82nd Street Wireless @ http://www.wirelessinternetprovider.net

Can you imagine what it would be like to be able to stay in touch, anywhere, anytime? That is the major selling point of companies providing worldwide Internet access. Their goal is to keep the world in touch. The world has become a much smaller place, and businesses have expanded. Personal relationships often span the globe, instead of just the country. Worldwide travel is very common, and people want to be able to access their email, contact friends and family, and conduct business no matter what country they are currently in, even if they can’t speak the language or remember the name of the city!

There are many companies offering different types of worldwide Internet service. There is service for the business professional, who travels a lot. There is also prepaid ISPs, who offer worldwide access for occasional users. This is perfect if you are traveling out of the country and want to stay in contact with loved ones. Whatever kind of International Internet access you need, there is a company that will tailor a program for your needs.

These Internet service providers have technology for dialup, toll-free, wi-fi, broadband, etc. Whatever kind of service you need, they have. They also provide service that works with your email provider and current operating system. You can use this type of Internet access with your PC, Mac, mobile phone, or PDA. Versatility is the key.

There are also payment options to suit every budget. You can pay as you go, with your monthly invoice billed to your credit card, bank account, or online account. You can purchase prepaid time that is valid for an entire year and is good in over 115 countries, where you can access it with the same username and password. You can purchase yearly service for one lump sum. Many of these ISPs offer discounts for referrals, too. So you can spread the word to friends and business associates and get paid for doing it.

The perks with these companies are numerous. They offer 24×7x365 toll-free support in case you have a problem. Many offer warranties, and even secure VPN access if you need it. Most will let you manage your account entirely online, receiving statements and making changes to your account at any time. Some even offer valuable business tools such as emergency backup of important information. If you have a business or personal nee, chances are one of these services can help you manage it and make it simpler.

The best way to find worldwide Internet access that is right for you is to look online and talk with other people who have similar services. Many of these companies are rated online, so you can do some research about which one is best for you.

Bob Hett makes it easy to find the Internet Service information you are looking for. Get the answers that you are seeking by visiting http://www.internetservicecenter.info

The move to Voice over Internet Protocol (or VoIP) has grown in popularity so to have the security issues that surround VoIP systems.

Security issues are now a major concern of companies thinking about changing to a VoIP system.

Vunerability to attack

VoIP is internet based and this creates the problem of being open to all the attacks that are associated with this method of communication.

It opens up the telephone network to attacks from hackers, who could infiltrate and listen to phone conversations and steal confidential data, and Spammers have the opportunity to target a system with denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.

Before making the move to VoIP, companies need to thoroughly acquaint themselves with the security issues surrounding this new technology and plan protection in advance.

VoIP networks are threatened with the same security risks as traditional IP data networks and similar meashures need to be taken to add protection and security.

Protecting a VoIP System,

Companies should adopt a multi layer security strategy to secure their VoIP systems.

This can be done by dividing the network into secure zones adding protection with firewalls and intrusion prevention techniques.

A company should in fact secure the network itself by putting in place layers of security to protect at all levels including:

Telephones, conversations, computers, and servers.

A specific method of authentication (encryption) should be standard as to should control access ( by passwords and firewalls)

Companies should always look to encrypt data sent for confidentiality, and use call software to establish a tracking of calls for all employees, to create accountability of information sent.

Internal Security

A potential breach in security that many companies ignore at their peril is internal traffic flowing over a VoIP system.

It is critical this is addressed and secured as well.

An increasing number of workers use voIP to communicate with company staff from wireless phones or soft phones and this creates a serious potential security problem.

Therefore companies should look to encrypt voIP traffic moving internally over a corporate network to prevent attacks from within the company itself.

The increasing use of desktop-based soft phones to make and receive VOIP-based telephone calls creates a breach in firewall security that of course can be exploited by unscrupulous employees.

The best way to address this problem as we have said, is to restrict access to the network.

In addition, make sure all inbound VOIP traffic that flows through a firewall is routed through a gateway server, thus eliminating a direct connection to the Internet and all the security issues this entails.

Securing a VoIP System.

Many corporate users are discouraged from using VoIP systems as they feel they are not secure however, this is the same as saying it is not safe to use a computer connected to the internet, it can be secured its up to companies and individuals to do so

Securing VoIP systems is like securing any IP network.

Just as you protect your PC with virus software, firewalls etc so to should you protect a VoIP system with similar meashures.

VoIP can and is secure, providing adequate steps are taken.

Security is a network issue as well

Security is not a server issue it’s a network issue and companies can achieve security by placing the above measures in place to make their VoIP system secure just as they do with an IP network.

Further FREE information on voip security cheap and free calls including articles, features and offers please visit our website:

Source: http://www.net-planet.org

Voice over IP (VoIP) technology, or IP telephony, is simply a system for transmitting telephone calls over data networks, such as the ones that make up the Internet.

The efficiency, flexibility and cost savings of VoIP will be taken advantage of by a growing number of personal and corporate users.

In this report we will look at the history, growth, flexibility and advantages of VoIP based systems over traditional public switched networks, (PSDN)

Let’s look at why VoIP will change the way we communicate forever.

The Disadvantages Of Traditional PSDN Networks

With PSDN calls are made using circuit switching techniques.

PSDN simply means that an individual call uses a dedicated path for the total duration of the call.

During a telephone conversation of this nature only about 50% of the bandwidth is used at any given time.

The reason for this is a call consists normally of two people, one person listens and one person talks, which reduces the bandwidth.

This is further reduced as there are natural pauses in conversation such as pauses between words, people thinking, pauses for breath etc. The connection is of course reliable for voice transmission, but its drawback is that, it is very inefficient in its use of bandwidth.

This has kept telephone costs relatively high until now, but VoIP provides the solution:

A more efficient use of bandwidth.

The Advantages Of VoIP

Voice over IP, (VoIP), is a way of converting the analogue signals when using a phone, to a digital format (across a network) and then back into analogue when it reaches the receiver.

In a VoIP network, digitized voice data is highly compressed and carried in packets over the IP network.

Using the same bandwidth, a VoIP network can carry many times the number of voice calls as a switched circuit PSDN network.

The net result of this obvious.

VoIP can result in huge savings on the amount of physical resources required to communicate by voice over long distances. It does so by providing a far more efficient use of bandwidth, one of the fundamental drawbacks of traditional telephone networks.

There is of course, much more to VoIP than just sending the packets over the Internet.

There is an agreed protocol for how computers find each other and how information is exchanged in order to allow packets to flow between users, there is also an agreed format, (called payload format), which covers the content of media packets.

VoIP A Total Global Telephony Solution

VoIP allows us to use a single high-speed Internet connection not just for voice but, video, and data communications.

This is known as convergence and is one of the primary drivers for corporate interest in the technology.

The benefits of convergence are obvious:

By using a single data network for all communications, it is possible to reduce overall costs of communication for users.

A VoIP service provider can be located anywhere in the world; a person with Internet access is not geographically restricted in their selection of VoiP service providers.

Lower costs for you and everyone

This competition enables low communication costs for anyone no matter where they are in the world.

For more FREE Information on voip sip and cheap and free phone calls visit our website for free articles downloads, news and magazines:

http://www.net-planet.org

One of the common problems among internet users is testing their
internet connection to pinpoint the exact problem. There is a big number of internet users who use DSL, and cable modem service.

You set us your connection the way your ISP (internet service provider)instruct you to. Sometimes, it doesn’t work for numerous reasons.

You service is not ready, your hardware in not connected properly, or your ISP is having problems.

Whatever the cause of the problem maybe, there are some diagnostic tools you can use in Windows XP, in order to identify the problem.

If you are not exact in your diagnostic, you will get a good idea at least.

Before we get to the diagnostic tools, let us discuss what is involved in an internet connection.

The information travels over the internet to your computer through your ISP service. This is done through a High speed modem then to a network card installed in your computer.

Your computer is called a host, your service provider will give
you the DNS IP address, and you get your login and password. That is all what you have from your ISP.

Sometimes, your internet connection fails, and you want to find
out the problem. You may be able to fix it, or at least get some
information about the problem to advise your isp for help.

You will start by accessing the command prompt by going in sequence to:

Start menu, program, accessories, then command prompt. A window
will open where you type commands from the prompt.

At the command prompt, you type: IPCONFIG. This command will give you the active network connection on your computer. Here is an example:

PPP adapter Copy :

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.239.158.45
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 68.239.158.45

The above output was produced when I ran the Ipconfig command on my own computer running Window XP OS, and A DSL connection. The IP address is my computer address assigned by the ISP.

Please note, you can add an option to this command, in order to get more detailed information about your connection. Here is the output, when I ran the same command with the
“all” option.

Ipconfig /ALL

PPP adapter Copy :

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 68.239.158.45
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 68.239.158.45
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 151.198.0.39
151.197.0.39
NetBIOS over TCP/IP. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Notice now, the output includes the phisycal address of the network interface card installed in my computer. Also, you see the DNS IP addresses. With the above information, I didn’t have any problems.

Supposed ,I disconnect my DSL connection and ran the command again, this is the new result:

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

Notice in this case, where I disconnected my connection, you don’t get a DNS server. This tells you that I am not connected to the internet.

Also, notice the IP address starts with 192.168, which is the default address whenever your computer is not connected to the internet.

Another command is the ping command. It will allow to check if a computer is connected to the network and ready to communicate, whether intranet,
or internet.

Once you run it,it will sent a packet to the computer specified and gives the time it took for the packet to travel. This is an a output when I tried to ping www.yahoo.com:

C:>ping www.yahoo.com

Pinging www.yahoo.akadns.net [216.109.118.66] with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 216.109.118.66: bytes=32 time=35ms TTL=55
Reply from 216.109.118.66: bytes=32 time=39ms TTL=55

Ping statistics for 216.109.118.66:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 35ms, Maximum = 39ms, Average = 38ms.

That shows that the host was reachable, and connected to the internet.

A very important command is the Nslookup. This will let you check if DNS (domain name server) is working properly. The function of the DNS server is to translate ip addresses to domain name of the networked computer. Here is an example:

C:> nslookup www.yahoo.com
Server: home5.bellatlantic.net
Address: 151.198.0.39

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: www.yahoo.akadns.net
Addresses: 216.109.118.67
Aliases: www.yahoo.com

So, you enter the name after Nslookup, it will give you IP addresses and vice versa.

In summary, there more commands in Windows Xp, but using the three above commands should give you a good idea about your internet connection problems. You can find where the problem is occurring. Is it your machine, or the ISP.

Thanks,
George Chamoun

For tips about your Windows XP computer, visit our new website:
http://www.ResolveWindowsXpProblems.com

Wow! After only two classes, I can play games on the computer. Soon I won’t ever have to leave home again. I’m going to learn to bank, order groceries, get health information, and send correspondence via the Internet. It’s a whole new way of traveling. No more paved highways for me, only information highways. No more buying gasoline. All I have to do is pay my electric bill and phone bill. The home shopping channel is lucky I even turn it on anymore. I don’t need any new clothes at home. I don’t need any make-up, sunscreen, jewelry, pots or pans. I just pop those frozen dinners into the microwave, pay the grandchild to program it for me and I’m on my way to double solitaire.

I remember when each household had one black telephone with a rotary dial. Nothing was push button then. People got their exercise doing their housework and their yard work. Doesn’t that just blow your mind? I remember when each household was happy to have one television set instead of just one radio for entertainment. We all watched “I Love Lucy” on Monday night and no one fought about it. We even walked across the room to change the channel or adjust the volume. Remote controls are a curse. People sit on the couch and panic if they can’t find the main control that controls all the others. It controls the VCR, the DVD player, the stereo sound system, the main TV and the picture in a picture.

I work with a very nice lady about my age. Her family does not even own a television set, on purpose. I think that there is some kind of law against that. I’m not going to turn her in though, because her family reads a lot and they don’t seem to know that they are deprived.

Granny Marge has just published her second humor book, Granny’s journal: That Little Old lady Is Back, following closely on the heels of her first book, Have I Ever Told You How Much I Hate People? Written by Two Little Old Ladies With No Friends. A library director in a small town in the Northwest, Marge has been writing all her life and published her first book at age 61. She has been a newspaper correspondent and writes a column for her local paper, The West End News, called Excerpts from Granny’s Journal. Marge has five children, fourteen grandchildren and two children’s books ready to publish geared to ages four, five and six. Marge was born in los Angeles in 1944 and when she grows up she wants to be…..

As the low-pressure area stalls off the coast of Los Angeles we are watching Southern California turn into a giant lake. Neighborhoods in the low-lying areas are starting to look more like ponds. A couple of burned out fire areas are under flood watches and some have already seen small mudslides, hopefully they will get a break from the rain, but with the circular storm it simply drops all that water, then goes out to the ocean to pick up more. The storm is fairly large with outer bands from San Luis Obispo, to Las Vegas to Tijuana Mexico.

Mudslides and the Malibu Landslides are known hazards of Southern California, especially in El Nino years, but we are not even in the El Nino time of year and this isn’t and El Nino year anyway. In California your home is more likely to be destroyed by a mudslide than an Earthquake. Speaking of which will all this water weight and storm surges, full moon, some seismologists are worried about a possible Earthquake.

Will the Los Angeles basin have severe flooding like last year? Will more luxury homes fall from the cliffs? Will we be watching weeping but warned homeowners of the hazards from horrific habitual flooding in the future? Everyone knows about the terrible traffic, but adding the torrential to the tragedy is trying people’s patience and perseverance. Think on this.