The scannable read – writing for the Net

Contributed by Laurie Lee Dovey

Writing for the Internet requires special skills and techniques. Here are some tips for gaining – and keeping – readers' attention. 

The scannable read: an interesting concept that's critical for Internet writers to understand and use. Recent studies suggest Internet visitors don't read. They scan, skip, scroll, jump and click. If you want to catch them, you better give them what they want. FULL STORY.

The laptop at home and afield

By Jay Michael Strangis

Simplify your life, increase your productivity and run your world with only one computer 

Three years ago I set out to simplify my computer world. At the time I had a computer at home, a computer at the office and a laptop for my roadwork. Not so today. Though my system may not be perfect, it’s a far cry better than my old one. FULL STORY. 

Digital cameras? Not me, not yet

By Richard Grost

Digital cameras are changing the face of photography. Here, Richard Grost investigates some of the ins and outs of digital imaging – including his reasons for not making the jump 

Digital equipment – light and compact, no film, no processing, reusable storage cards, instant editing – already has changed photography as substantially as GORE-TEX has changed rain gear. Many OWAA members shoot digital regularly; some may use it exclusively. But not me. Not yet. FULL STORY.

New, online media forum

Contributed by Arnold M. Huberman

Public relations professionals and journalists are meeting in a new, online community. The Media Professionals Forum is open for free membership to anyone on the Internet

Do you enjoy discussing current events?  Have a tech question and want to solicit advice?  Or do you hanker for some spirited debate on journalistic ethics?  You might want to visit an online forum for media professionals where, with a few clicks of the mouse, you can survey the opinions of your colleagues. FULL STORY.

VIRUSES
Do you know that a computer virus can disable your entire computer and result in the loss of valuable information? Well, it doesn’t have to happen to you – as long as you’re careful. Never open an attachment if you’re not sure of the sender or the type of file. Investing in virus protection software for your computer is critical. You can check a specific disk or file before opening it or scan your computer’s hard drive each time you turn on your machine. Many options are available – Norton (www.norton.com) and McAfee (www.mcafee.com) are two reliable applications. Check out free and trial based virus protection programs at www.download.com. Also, read July’s Outdoors Unlimited article on viruses by OU editor Kevin Rhoades. 

Contributed by Katie McKalip

COMPUTER PROBLEMS?
Need some training with a new software program? Need help with your new Palm Pilot? You can get it all at www.itmoonlighter.com and its affiliated sites. It’s simple. Go the site, sign up for a free account, post your project and IT professionals will bid on the work. Decide whom you want to hire by reading each bid and bidders’ resumes. I received 15 bids for a project within four hours of posting. Pay via ITMoonlighter’s Safe Pay Billing Option, which protects your bank account and/or credit card information. I give this site a five-mouse rating – out of five possible mice.

Laurie Lee Dovey

BAD FLOPPY DISK?
How do you retrieve data from a corrupt floppy disk? Before seeking a professional’s assistance to open the disk, try this alternative. First, insert the bad floppy into the floppy drive, then right-click on the floppy icon in My Computer and choose the Copy Disk option. If you receive a failure notice the first time you do this, click Retry over and over and over. In most cases (sometimes after as many as 50-100 attempts), you will eventually be able to read the entire disk. When you're able to do this, replace the bad disk with a new, blank, formatted floppy and Windows will duplicate the original.

Contributed by www.lockergnome.com

WINDOWS' RECYCLE BIN 
Just deleted a file accidentally? Don't panic. If you’re using a Windows platform, it should be in your computer, as long as you haven’t emptied your Recycle Bin since you hit the delete key. Deleted files remain in the Recycle Bin until you tell your computer to empty it. The Recycle Bin is on your desktop. To find a deleted file, double click the Recycle Bin icon to open it. To see a simple listing of the files in the Recycle Bin, select View from the Menu Bar, and then select Details. This will change the screen view to a list of files in the Recycle Bin, including details like file name and original file location. If you click on any of those detail headers (such as date deleted), the list will sort in ascending or descending order. To restore the deleted file to its original location on your computer, click on it once to highlight it after locating it in the list. Select File from the Menu Bar and then select Restore. Make sure to note its location and the filename before restoring the file.

Laurie Lee Dovey

BLAST FREE OF THE DESK

The new RocketMouse frees your hand from the desk and lets you relax at your computer in comfort. This new product may relieve arm, wrist and back pain associated with poor posture and carpal tunnel syndrome. RocketMouse is ideal for Web browsing, laptop use and MORE.  

Contributed by Laurie Lee Dovey

CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS TACKLED BY OWAA MEMBER 
Take some time to investigate the Web site of OWAA member Bill Clede at www.clede.com. Journalist, law enforcement officer and NRA member Clede drafted OWAA’s first Code of Ethics, and he strives for informed accuracy in his writing. Topics covered on his site, with links to other sites, include the proliferation of spam e-mail, online gun control forums and privacy on the Internet.  

Katie McKalip

ORIGIN OF PHRASES
Knock on wood. Red letter day. The life of Riley. Ever wonder where or how these phrases originated? Now you can find out and use the information to spice up your copy. On the Origin of Phrases Web site, founded and run by Chuck Moreland, you’ll find a lengthy list of phrases with origins already identified. Peruse the list by clicking on the Phrases With Origins link and scrolling the list or using the index provided. If you have something to add to a phrase that already has the origin, you can submit your comments by e-mail. A list of phrases whose origins Mr. Moreland is seeking also is provided. If you have information about a phrase origin, Mr. Moreland is interested in hearing from you. Check out Origins of Phrases HERE.   

Laurie Lee Dovey

ADD HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE TO ARTICLES 
John M. Browing unveiled one of his most revolutionary gun designs in 1902 - the automatic shotgun. That same year, Willis Carrier invented the air conditioner, French physicist George Claude invented the neon light and James Mackenzie invented the polygraph machine (lie detector). Historical facts like these add life and perspective to an article. Find detailed timelines on inventions, technology and much more.

Laurie Lee Dovey

EMERGING NEWS ... 

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE ALLIANCE FORMED 
The new Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance was formed by the Boone and Crockett Club, Mule Deer Foundation and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, during a symposium convened in January 2002, to promote responsible and accurate communications regarding Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and to support strategies that effectively control it. The Alliance formed a clearinghouse Web site at www.cwd-info.org to provide wildlife management biologists, professional communicators and the public the information they need in a timely manner. Much of the information presented at the CWD Symposium will be available on the Web site.

William H. Geer

USFWS OFFERS RECREATION, CONSERVATION INFO 
Outdoor writers can access a clearinghouse of research and writing information at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Web page at www.fws.gov. The site includes wildlife habitat and conservation information on sports and recreation, landowner partnerships and grants, images and slides and a state-by-state listing of hunting and fishing seasons, licensing fees and regulations. Online databases offer more specific information. Especially helpful is the FWS newsroom at www.news.fws.gov, where listservs provide periodic updates on the region of your choice.

Jay Michael Strangis and Jennie Logsdon-Martin

INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES PROFILED ON NEW SITE   
Did you know that clothing, boats and other items used in the water can carry aquatic nuisance species from place to place? These “aquatic hitchhikers” can be released each time these items are passed from another stream or lake, causing drastic results. A new Web site, www.protectyourwaters.net, offers facts and recommendations on how to deal with invasive species.

William H. Geer

FIND GRANTS, NEWS AT NAT'L FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION SITE 
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation conserves healthy populations of fish, wildlife and plants; on land and in the sea; through creative and respectful partnerships, sustainable solutions and better education. Its recently-established Rich Guadagno Memorial Conservation Fund supports a variety of projects, such as scholarships for students with an interest in wildlife biology and special conservation projects that encourage wildlife and habitat protection. Read about the latest funding opportunities and conservations news HERE.

Katie McKalip

Questions/Comments: Let the editors know what you think of OWAA's Tech-E-Letter. Access our interactive feedback form.  

Editorial Guidelines for OWAA's E-Tech-Letter: OWAA welcomes your submissions of features (500 words or less), tips (150 words or less) and links (50 words or less). E-mail your articles or story ideas to Technology Committee Chair Betty Lou Fegely.   

Technology Committee:

Betty Lou Fegely, Bill Clede, William H. Geer, Bob Knopf, Dan Small, Jay Michael Strangis, Jennie Logsdon-Martin, John Hong, John Mahn, Karuna Eberl, Kevin Rhoades, Laurie Lee Dovey, Lou Bignami, Marianne Conrad Paton, Mike Furtman, Tim Christie, Walt Tegtmeier. 

OWAA Staff:

Executive Director, William H. Geer
Technology Newsletter Editor, Katie McKalip
Outdoors Unlimited Editor/OWAA Webmaster, Kevin Rhoades
Member Services Manager, Lisa Carter
Assistant Editor, Heather Muller
Administrative Assistant, Hailey Magsig

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