Chi Wah's Software Recommendations!

To ASB

Here is a quick email for your Blog

Best Free Software  - These tips are for Windows PCs but they may be available for a MAC too.

Dropbox - I have only been using this a couple of weeks but I love it - 

Best thing it works well and its free!! You install it on your own computer, then define a particular folder as your 'dropbox'. Anything you save there automatically gets backed up online, with a full version history (yes-if you accidentally delete a file or overwrite it you can get it back). And, if you install Dropbox on another computer, you can share your 'dropbox' folder between the two computers. So it's easy to share work between two machines - no more carrying USB keys around or losing your hard work if your PC dies. Your files stay on your PC(s) and online.You can also access all your files via the dropbox webpage from any PC. You can also shares files with friends by placing the files in a public folder or a picture folder. No more sending huge attachments via email.
Dropbox is free for up to 2GB of files. 

Use the following link - to get a bit more extra space plus a I get some free space too 

https://www.getdropbox.com/referrals/NTE4NDI3Mjk5

PDF- Converter -CuteFTP

Recommended by Dr Barrick - http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp

Creates a new "printer" on your PC - print to CuteFTP and it creates a pdf file - you may need this for uploading assignments to IQWeb

UBit Menu - if you hate the new ribbon menu on the Office 2007 (most people do) get this

it creates a menu tab that replicates the old menus from Office XP - click on the Menu and its like having an old friend back.

The rest of the interface stays the same. It may save you time if you are used to using the old office menus. 

Phone Calls

Skype - free calls to other Skype users around the world - enough said!!

Magic Jack -  USB stick that you can plug your phone in - gives you free calls in the USA free for $40 for the first year (buying the Jack) and $20 for following years. You need a high speed DSL internet link for this to work and your PC must be on all the time - it may or may not work for you, depends a lot on your PC setup but it could save you lots of money by allowing you to ditch your land-line. Buy it from Walmart, Staples or Radio Shack - If it doesn't work well just take it back to the shop. 

Free Greek Vocab program - there are lots out there but this one works well

QuickMem Greek - www.HeadThirst.com

Greek word lists from Bruce Metzger's Lexical Aids for Students of New Testament Greek

Other useful Free PC software (you can google these to find the links)

Firewall for PC - Zonealarm

Virus checker - AVG Anti Virus

Free Microsoft Office replacement - Open Office 

Anti spyware - Adaware and Spybot both of which have free versions to work beside AVG 

Email - Eudora or Mozilla Thunderbird (used both and they both work great if you have more than one email account)

regards

Chi

A day at Huntington Library (& Gardens)

To ASB

One of the best place to visit is Huntington Gardens

You can get free tickets on-line and over the phone (be quick they go

fast) for the 1st Thursday of each month, see:

http://www.huntington.org/huntingtonlibrary_02.aspx?id=844

Apply at 9am on the first day of the month for the free tickets.

*There is lots to do there and its great for old and young alike

A few Highlights

The Chinese Garden - even for my family who have seen many Chinese

gardens before this is fantastic

The Cactus Garden - this managed to entertain my Mum and Sister for an

hour - plus the Children have fun looking for Lizards

Children Area - the Children will get wet so bring a change of clothes

pictures attached

God Bless

Chi

Seminary Scholarship from Logos

To enter for this $1000 seminary scholarship from Logos - all you have to do is watch a 15 minute intro video about their software and fill in your details.

http://www.SeminaryScholarship.com

The Museum of Jurassic Technology

Another one from the Stiles

If you are looking for a free date idea, the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City is free and open Thursday – Sunday with limited hours.  The Museum is quite odd and includes objects of scientific interest and other strange items.  It is free with a small suggested donation.  They have a tea room upstairs with tea and cookies and a room where films are shown.  Again, it is a strange museum, but it is interesting and a fun free date idea. 

Here is the website:

http://www.mjt.org/intro/genborch.htm

Hike to the Hollywood sign

Ken & Jayme Stiles sent this in:

An enjoyable free family outing is hiking to the Hollywood sign. The perfect time to go is right after it has rained because the visibility is much better (although you can hike it any time). Drive to the Griffith Park Observatory and park for free on the curbside of the mountain near the Observatory. Get there early to avoid parking frustrations. The hike starts just opposite the Observatory. While there are many different hikes to the Hollywood sign, the one that starts at the Observatory is a well-maintained dirt trail and boasts beautiful views of Los Angeles. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the ocean. Hike to the top of Dante's Peak, where you will see a sign that says "Dante's Peak" with many picnic tables and benches to eat a picnic lunch. It is about 3 miles roundtrip, and is a moderately easy hike for the average person.

Here is a website with more details: http://www.localhikes.com/hikes/mounthollywood_4472.asp

palm springs aerial tramway

Here's a great day out!

Taking the aerial tram to the top of the mountain makes for a wonderfully cool place to walk and breathe the mountain air. Some semi made-up trails for less adventurous walkers (not for strollers) and wilderness trails for the more ambitious.

An amazing place also to dine for a special occasion...

Tickets about $23 per person (children under 3 free)

Ride and dine for $35 after 3pm

Parking free.

A picnic not a bad idea otherwise as the food & drinks on top is rather pricey.

http://www.pstramway.com/

Switzer picnic area and trail to Switzer Falls

Need a place to go in the heat? Switzer Falls picnic area and trail are perfect. The picnic area that you drive down to is quite deep in a canyon, and the beautiful hills on either side provide shade in the canyon much of the day. When the sun is directly up, the huge oak and alder trees provide the needed shade still, making this a relatively cool, and wonderfully quiet spot to hang out in. If there is water flowing, the tiny river makes it even more fun for families, with lots of shallow areas and small pools.

For the hikers what follows is an extract from http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Switzer_4472.asp 

This is a relatively easy hike into one of the loveliest sections of the San Gabriel mountains. The hike meanders back and across the stream running down the spectacular Arroyo Seco Canyon. The stream is lined with oaks and alder, with the water cascading over granite into mirror-like pools. The hike travels high above the 50 foot high Switzer falls, then drops back to the stream, where hikers can double back to stand at the base of the falls. After seeing the falls, travel down stream to the intersection with Bear Canyon, and travel up this spectacularly wild, steep walled canyon for another half mile or so to enjoy its wonders. More adventuresome hikes can continue up Bear Canyon for 2 miles to Bear Camp

TO PARK - you will need a day pass, which you can buy for about $5 (Annual passes are about $30)

You can get one from:

Sports Chalet

1 Sport Chalet Dr

La Canada Fltrdg, CA 91011

(818) 949-5300

Warnings: The road may be closed in winter. Check with Caltrans

for the condition of the Angeles Crest Highway (just enter the number 2)

The gate at the top of the road down to the picnic area carries a sign saying closed at 4:30pm (I've never seen it closed, but you never know!)

Have fun!

T