Staying virtually healthy

We occasionally talk about how important it is to protect your computer from
viruses, trojan horses and worms and subsequently get a lot of questions about
which applications are the best.  Here's our short list.

Norton Antivirus from
Symantec ($50)

My personal favorite.  I've always had good luck with this product; no
quirky problems associated with installing or using it.

McAfee Virusscan
from Network Associates ($35)

Some quirkiness.  It's cheaper though, and many use it without having the
issues I've had!

AVG
Anti-Virus from GriSOFT (Free)

This is the freebie Corey's mentioned several times.  I've never used it,
but Corey says it's a fine product.

Telemarketing, Shmelemarketing

Am I nuts? I thought the First Amendment predated telephones. Would someone please tell me what law here would abridge a person's right to speech? And tell me again about my right to peaceful enjoyment, please!

If you want to call me, establish a relationship with me through direct
marketing, traditional media advertising or by stumbling into me at Wellman's. 
For the most part, if I'm in the market for aluminum siding, I'll Google "aluminum siding"
-- or hang out at Wellman's if I want more drinking buddies.

What's probably
more troubling are all the deceptive practices I see day-to-day.  Masking or dressing up "caller ID" and "last call return" data
just so they can fool me into answering the phone, or preventing me from
identifying them.  How about the ones who say they work for your local
cable company?  Or advertising a new notebook computer for only $799, then
show in small print "After Rebate".  Don't get me started on the whole
"after rebate" scam.  Then there's the "free" scam.  Wake up people. 
It isn't free if you have to spend money to get it!

(steps down off his soap
box)

Saving Iowa's One-Room Schoolhouses

The Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance is presenting a two-day conference at the Spencer school admin offices (23 E 7th St) Oct. 3 & 4, where several speakers will be on hand for presentations, including a cartoonist/author and a university professor. A tour of museum schools in Clay, Dickinson and Buena Vista counties will be held Saturday.

For details, email Bill Sherman or call (800) 434-2039.