Intel has some positive news to report this week. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/techinvestor/earnings/2009-10-13-intel_N.htm

Intel is selling chips because people are buying computers, computers equipped with the latest in productivity software for home and office.

There’s never been better deals for computers and never a better time to brush up on your computer skills. Visit us at www.videoprofessor.com to see what’s new and how we can teach you.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

Dear Wife....I'm sending you this email to bring up to date on the events of our family. I tried to talk to you while you were on your computer, but you just kept telling me that you would BRB.....whatever that means. So, I decided to send you this email.
John Jr. cut his first tooth today. He's the one you bounce on your knee while typing. Remember how he giggles when he hears the Ut Oh sound? Sorry about him dropping his peanut butter sandwich on your keyboard. Is it working okay since I cleaned it up for you? Can you read the letters I tried to paint back on your keyboard? Most of them had been rubbed off.
Susie had her first date Saturday night. She had a good time and said to thank you for letting them use your car. She put the keys back on the key rack underneath the cobwebs where she found them. Do you realize that she wears the same size clothes as you do? In case you've forgotten her, she's the one who has you raise your feet when she's running the sweeper.
Tim is playing football. He looks forward to going to school now that he has a sport to play. He wanted to know if you would come to one of his games if we bought you a laptop to bring along? Do you remember him? He's the one who empties your porta potty for you.
Lets see.....since the last time I wrote you (3 months ago), the refrigerator had to be replaced, your mother and dad painted the room where your computer is (hope you like the color), the church has a new pastor, the President has been impeached, and oh yes..... I have a new job.
Well, I think that's about it. I'll email you again in about 3 months. You take care of yourself honey. We all "miss" you very much and will see you the next time the power goes off!
Love, Your Husband
The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

Check out this article from PC Magazine.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2353967,00.asp

Way to go FBI! Note that this gang was working not only here but as far away as Egypt!

A reminder to make sure the security software on your computer is up to date. Make sure when you're using WiFi sites at coffee shops or airports etc, that they're either secure sites or your laptop is keyword encrypted.

Be alert for people watching you when you're entering your passwords in public places. It's easy for someone to simply use their cellphone camera to video you.

Want to know more? Check out our "Protect Yourself Online" tutorial at www.videoprofessor.com.

Why? Because you can't be too safe these days.

Vicki Davis
Media Director
Video Professor, Inc.

Off the top of your head you know 19 different keystroke symbols far more clever than
:-)

Of course there’s a lot more to computing skills, especially the one’s needed in the work place these days. To learn truly useful skills, visit Video Professor at www.videoprofessor.com.

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

You may have read that GM’s experiment selling cars on eBay didn’t turn out so well.

That said, did you know that according to research, the average American household has $3600 worth of “stuff” hanging around gathering dust that others want to buy?

Given the choice, what would you choose? Clutter or…….CASH?

If the answer is cash, visit us at www.videoprofessor.com to learn more about our hugely popular eBay(R) lessons.

As John says in his commercials, we can’t promise to make you a millionaire selling an attic full of baseball cards, but maybe we can help you put some cash in your pocket.

Marc Stith
Vice-President of E-Commerce
Video Professor, Inc.

Are computers male or female? Let’s find out from both sides of the argument.

1. Men say:
No one but their creator understands their internal logic
2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else
3. Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long term memory for possible later review
4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheck on accessories for it.
Women say:
1. In order to do anything with them, you have to turn them on.
2. They have a lot of data but still can't think for themselves
3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE the problem
4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that if you had waited a little longer you could have gotten a better model.
The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

At Video Professor we do everything we can to provide the best customer service possible. Should you ever have a question about your order or your lessons we make it simple.

Just log on to www.letvideoprofessorhelp.com or call toll-free at 800-500-1183.

Anne Deeb
Escalated Customer Assurance
Video Professor, Inc.

A family event had us travelling while our favorite team was playing. (Texas Longhorns) We did DVR the game but of course, wanted live action reports as much as we could get.

So my daughter, PDA in hand, followed game updates via Twitter from reporters and friends at the game.

No one likes back-seat drivers, but having a back-seat play by play announcers was very cool.

PDA’s and other digital devices are pretty handy. Check out our Digital Devices Made Ease tutorial from Video Professor by visiting www.videoprofessor.com

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

We use these pages to talk about how our Video Professor Lessons can really make a difference when it comes to computer learning.

But rather than us say it, we want to share this review with you.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Video-Professor-Reviews&id=2907027

Dave Laughlin
Senior Vice-President of Marketing
Video Professor, Inc.

I stopped at a florist shop after work to pick up roses for my wife. As the clerk was putting the finishing touches on the bouquet, a young man burst through the door, breathlessly requesting a dozen red roses.
"I'm sorry," the clerk said. "This man just ordered our last bunch." The desperate customer turned to me and begged, "May I please have those roses?"
"What happened?" I asked. "Did you forget your wedding anniversary?"
"It's even worse than that," he confided. "I crashed my wife's hard drive!"
The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.
(Thanks to www.basicjokes.com)

A couple of weekends ago I ran into an old friend at a college football game. He also happens to be a United States Senator!

My daughter was kind enough to take a picture of us together. She then e-mailed me the picture later, which I e-mailed to a photo shop for pick-up later. (My printer was getting low on color ink)

Now the picture is hanging on my office wall. Took a day.

It made me stop and think how just a short a time ago, how much longer that whole process would have been starting with getting the film developed!

Today it’s pretty much as easy as snap, send, print. Well, maybe not so easy for some folks. If you’re in that group, check us out at www.videoprofessor.com and see how we can teach you to do some pretty wonderful things with your computer.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

NASA reports that the next commander of the International Station will be using Twitter to share his experiences.

Astronaut Jeff Williams will also blog and upload short video clips to give you a glimpse of what life is like orbiting the earth. Should be very interesting.

His Twitter name by the way is @astro_jeff. Follow his Tweets at tp://www.twitter.com/Astro_Jeff and read his blog at http://blogs.nasa.gov/cm/blog/2089. starting Sept 30 when he blasts off.

Of course, all this can be done on earth too, if you know how. For a down to earth way to learn, visit us at www.videoprofessor.com.

Marc Stith
Vice-President of E-Commerce
Video Professor, Inc.

Fall is here and so are fall colors. Here in the Rockies the Aspens are about to turn a brilliant gold and because of the rain the color season is expected to last longer than usual.

Folks in the Northeast enjoy one of the great fall foliage shows on the planet.

It’s a great time to pull out your digital camera and start shooting. Maybe one of your pictures will end up on a local television website!

Maybe. Have you seen some of the pictures other folks shoot and wonder, ‘How did they do that?” It’s hard to take a bad picture with today’s cameras, but with a little know-how you can turn out some real masterpieces.

Check out our Digital Photography tutorial at www.videoprofessor.com. Then capture the magic of fall.

Chip Hopkins
Production Director
Video Professor, Inc.

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a lot more offers from folks like the Executive Secretary for the Grand Exalted Poo-Bah of A-Papa-Moo-Mow-Mow. You know the pitch, usually from Nigeria, but a growing number from Russia and China where a person needs your help in moving millions of dollars from there to here.

For your efforts you will be handsomely rewarded. I know what you’re thinking. “I’d never fall for that!” Guess what? Lots of people do and lose tens of thousands of dollars.

It’s one reason our Protect Yourself Online tutorial is good to have in your arsenal to protect you and your family online. Produced in association with noted cybercrime expert and author Jayne Hitchcock, it’s loaded with safety tips and advice to keep you safe on line.

Check it out at www.videoprofessor.com.

Cindy Reif
Director-Core Marketing
Video Professor, Inc.

A true story. (We think)
So a customer calls their computer vendor for tech support…

Tech support: "Now, press the up arrow."
Customer: "I don't see any up arrow."
Tech support: "It's above the rest of the arrows on your keyboard."
Customer: "All I see above the arrows is an 'I' with a funny little hat on it."
Tech support: "Press that!"
(Thanks to www.rinkworks.com)

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

Do you operate a small business? Budgets are tight, right? You wish you had the resources bigger companies have to protect important data on your office computers.

AP writer Lolita C. Baldor notes that cyber crooks are targeting small and medium sized businesses that don’t have the same resources larger companies do.

Easy pickin’s, at least that’s what cyber crooks consider your business to be.

You can fight back and affordably.

Check out our Protect Yourself Online Tutorial from Video Professor. (www.videoprofessor.com) We produced the lesson with noted Cybercrime expert and author Jayne Hitchcock. It’s full of “news you can use” to keep your office computer safe.

An ounce of digital protection is worth, well, the safety of your business records.

Marc Stith
Vice-President of E-Commerce
Video Professor, Inc.

We were at the Texas-Wyoming football game this past weekend in Laramie, Wyoming. I quickly noticed the significant number of fans working their PDA’s, checking on news related to the game we were watching and of course following action around the country.

My daughter was even Twittering with a sports reporter from the Austin-American Statesman during the game.

Yes we tailgated before and after the game, but we also had our fingers working tiny keyboards to truly follow what we were also watching on the field.

Digital devices like PDA’s are very powerful, very helpful and above all, very easy to use. Check out our “Digital Devices Made Easy” tutorial by visiting us at www.videoprofessor.com.

See you at the game.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

Ok, PC software instruction has been our digital bread and butter since day 1. But we’re adding to our library of lessons that also work on Mac!

Check out this list of offerings:
Learn eBay®
eBay® Advanced
Photoshop® CS3 Basic
Photoshop® CS3 Advanced
Online Travel
Learn Digital Devices
HTML

Mac and VP, might be better than Mac and cheese! Check us out at www.videoprofessor.com.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

Read a release from the IRS about how keeping good records now reduces stress at tax time.

Duh.

Rather than a shoebox full of receipts all jumbled up, how about scanning all pertinent documents you’ll need at tax time and store them digitally? Keep copies on CD-ROM and keep in a safe place.

Track other expenses using Excel® spreadsheets. There are numerous financial tracking programs out there just as effective.

Sound complicated? Not in the least if you know how. Visit us at www.videoprofessor.com now, to make sure you don’t have to visit the taxman later.

Cindy Reiff
Director-Core Marketing
Video Professor, Inc.

What’s wrong with this picture? On the way to the airport I hear news stories about how people are cutting back on traveling, going the “Staycation” route instead. You know, staying home.

Then I get to the airport and it’s impossible to find a parking spot. For those of you folks who know DIA, there’s a very affordable (and popular) economy lot called Pikes Peak. When it’s full you go to a lot named Mt. Elbert, which is in Kansas, or at least feels like it is.

Here’s the real deal. Never, ever, have they’re been travel bargains like there are today. Destinations like ‘Vegas are incredibly affordable. When JetBlue put out their offer for unlimited travel for a month for $599 it sold out instantly.

But wait, there’s more! The Internet is chock full of travel deals, to just about everywhere. Check out our Online Travel tutorial at www.videoprofessor.com. You’ll be amazed at what you don’t know about planning affordable and fun travel.

What are you waiting for? Log on, learn, then take off!

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

A true (maybe) story, passed on from IT department to IT department.

“We have a service contract at a local college. I got a call one day from someone who said that their Mac IIsi was having a problem. Upon questioning him, he said that whenever he typed on the keyboard, the image on the monitor was shaking. All sorts of monitor problems ran through my mind. I asked him if it was only when he typed and he replied yes. Well, since it was a contract, I figured we'd better go see what was happening. My tech called me about ten minutes after arriving and reported that the problem was not the computer, but his desk. The desk vibrated every time he typed on his keyboard. I am still shaking my head on this one. The sad thing is that this guy has "Dr." in front of his name and is a professor at a major college.”

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

We have nothing against actress Jessica Biel. Not only is she easy on the eyes, she’s quite talented.

Brad Pitt, wreaking havoc in the new Quentin Tarrantino movie can also wreak havoc on your hard drive.

Say what?

Cyber crooks use the names of popular stars so when you Google or Bing them, there’s a one in five chance you could end up at a site full of malware or identity theft programs.

So either search for Jessica or Brad at your own risk, or check out our “Protect Yourself Online” tutorial at www.videoprofessor.com.

Enjoy the stars and keep your computer safe at the same time.

We’re just a click away to show you how.

Marc Stith
Vice-President of E-Commerce
Video Professor, Inc.

Did you see the report about why people get lost in the woods or a desert? Humans have a tendency to walk in circles, even though we think we’re walking straight.

We can’t help you in the woods, but sure hate it when people compute in circles. They take hours to do things that can be done in minutes.

Time is money these days, and everyone is short of both. Spend less time on individual projects and you can take on more projects. It’s the kind of thing noticed at review time.

Need help? Visit us at www.videoprofessor.com and start learning today. I know it works because I produced the very 1st Video Professor lesson 22 years ago and my team has done everyone since.

Chip Hopkins
Production Director
Video Professor, Inc.

If you’ve just purchased a new computer, the question always comes up, what to do with the old one?

A child’s bedroom is always a good idea. Just make sure you know where and when they go on the Internet. (Check out our Protect Yourself Online Tutorial)

Re-cycling is another good way to go.

May we suggest parking it in your kitchen? Why you say?

It’s a great tool for keeping your kitchen organized, as in recipes, shopping lists, food budgets etc.

It’s amazing what you can do with Word or Excel, using and merging the programs as needed.

Handy? You bet. Need some help getting the most out of your kitchen computer? Visit us at www.videoprofessor.com. We can’t cook, but we can help you cook and keep track of what it costs you to cook.

Vicki Davis
Media Director
Video Professor, Inc.

Another awful cyber bully story out of Missouri. You can read about it via this link.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20090818/US.Cyberbullying.Missouri/

Video Professor’s “Protect Yourself Online” tutorial can help your family deal with this sort of thing. We worked on the lesson set with cyber crime expert and author Jayne Hitchcock.

Thankfully government is starting to step up, and step into the mess, putting new laws on the books that do nothing to take away our 1st Amendment rights but start protecting the innocent.

Learn more about our “Protect Yourself Online” tutorial at www.videoprofessor.com.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

(We’ve never been able to convince marketing to produce a tutorial so here’s a freebie for you)
Q: My Etch-a-Sketch has a distorted display.
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: My Etch-a-Sketch has all of these funny little lines all over the screen.
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I turn my Etch-a-Sketch off?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: What's the shortcut for UNDO?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I create a new document window?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I EXIT?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: What is the proper procedure for rebooting my Etch-a-Sketch?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I delete a document on my Etch-a-Sketch?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I save my Etch-a-Sketch document?
A: Don't shake it!

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

Anyone these days not worried about the family budget? For many folks, there just don’t seem to be enough dollars to go around.

A way to get a handle on things is to monitor where every dollar, yes, every dollar you spend goes. A good way to do that is to maintain an expense spread sheet using Excel.®

Excel, for a lot of folks, is daunting. Well, it doesn’t have to be. With Video Professor’s Excel tutorial you’ll be tracking expenses in no time.

Numbers don’t lie, and if you take a few minutes to track where your dollars are going, it’s the best way to figure out ways to eliminate the little things that add up to a big chunk of your budget.

You don’t have to stop having fun, but tracking where your dollars are going is a good way to manage what you have.

Check out all the ways your computer can help you cope with today’s economy by visiting www.videoprofessor.com.

Marc Stith
Vice-President of E-Commerce
Video Professor, Inc.

If your life remotely involves crunching numbers, Quicken® is must-learn computing. Our production team just finished work on Quicken 2009.

Somethings just keep on getting better, and you can count on Video Professor to keep up, so you can keep up with the latest and the greatest.

See what’s new anytime at www.videoprofessor.com.

Dave Laughlin
Senior Vice-President of Marketing
Video Professor, Inc.

For those that are heading off to college this next semester, you should learn how to use eBay! For one, you can get lots of great deals on things for your college dorm, such as a TV, a cool rug, a floor lap, dishes, wall art, or maybe splurge on a Wii Fit (with all that fast food, this might come in handy). Another great side to eBay, is you can also sell stuff like CD’s, DVD’s, video games, electronics, books, clothes, furniture, jewelry… anything sitting around that you haven’t used in more than a year you should try and sell on eBay and make a little extra spending money.

To learn eBay, order a tutorial from the Video Professor www.videoprofessor.com.

Marc Stith
VP-EComm
Video Professor, Inc.

My boyfriend and I met online and we’d been dating for over a year. I introduced Hans to my uncle, who was fascinated by the fact that we met over the Internet. He asked Hans what kind of line he had used to pick me up.

Ever the geek, Hans naïvely replied, “Comcast.”

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

GM and eBay(R) are partnering to sell cars in California. The program involves 225 dealers in California, and is all part of GM’s turnaround plan.

Buying and selling cars on eBay is nothing new, but when a major automaker thinks it’ worth a shot, you know the power of eBay.

All this comes as no surprise to us as our “How to Buy and Sell on eBay” tutorial is one of our most popular lessons.

The great thing about eBay is, anyone can run their own business, part-time or full-time.

What are you waiting for? Check it out a www.videoprofessor.com.

Cindy Reiff
Director-Core Marketing
Video Professor, Inc.

The Twitter® crash reminds all of us to make sure the security software security on our computer is always updated, don’t open strange e-mails and avoid clicking on links you’re not sure of.

Check out Video Professor’s ‘Protect Yourself Online Tutorial” produced in association with cyber crime expert and author Jayne Hitchcock at www.videoprofessor.com.

Keep you, your family and computer safe online.

Marc Stith
Vice President of E-Commerce
Video Professor, Inc.

For those that are heading off to college (or enrolled in an online program) this next semester, it is crucial that you know Microsoft Word®. Take advantage of the little time you have left, to spend a little time getting to know the software. Writing papers is a guaranteed task that students will have to partake in all throughout college life. The beauty of a program such as Microsoft Word is it helps you prepare and perfect your papers! How wonderful is that? In the newest version, Microsoft Word 2007®, when writing research papers there is a bibliography feature that does your citations and references for you! Not only that, but when reviewing your paper (or a friends) you can track any changes or revisions that you make to a paper, so that you know where changes have been made.

Set a nice foundation for your collegiate experience, and order a Microsoft Word 2007 tutorial from the Video Professor www.videoprofessor.com. You’ll save time, energy, and it will be well worth the small investment for your future.

September Oswald
Executive Assistant
Video Professor, Inc.

One of the staff calls and says they’re having laptop problems. A tech concluded the machine needed to be brought in for service.

The tech advised the employee to unplug the power cord and bring it up for a look-see.

A few minutes later the employee arrived with the power cord.

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc

Ok, it’s official, football season is here. I know because I just joined a fantasy league. This one is for college football and its origins are what peaked my interest to join.

The league covers:

1. Texas
2. Oklahoma State
3. Oklahoma
4. Nebraska
5. Michigan
6. Penn State
7. Houston

The league started out as a simple Excel® spreadsheet, which was e-mailed to members to track and follow. As it became popular with the members, it then evolved into a website.

We can teach you both skills here at Video Professor with our “What you see is what you do method of learning.

So if you’re organizing a fantasy football league, or anything else involving computing, visit us at www.videoprofessor.com

Who is my team? Let’s leave it at “Hook’em!”

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

I was reading a piece by Cliff Edwards in the current issue of BusinessWeek and he led off with “As we enter the fourth decade of the personal computer revolution….” It gave me pause.

Back in the day I started out in the computer business manufacturing machines which were distributed through the mom and pop stores prevalent in the 80’s.

Complicated manuals led to us producing the first video lesson for MS-DOS and Video Professor was born in 1987.

Since then we’ve taught over 20 million of you how to work with the most popular programs and even expanded into how to do business on the Internet via eBay.

Four decades. Wow. You can count on us to be around for many more years to come. Visit us at www.videoprofessor.com to see what we can teach you about what you don’t know.

John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
Video Professor, Inc.

While my wife and I were in Atlanta last week, my daughter was vacationing in Canada. While away, her friend came over to check on her pets and discovered a water leak. We were able to reach our handyman who quickly got the problem fixed.

But here’s a post from my daughter’s blog about how we communicated between Georgia and Manitoba.

“The funniest part about finding out about the mini flood in the house was that my mom sent me a message on Facebook, my dad sent me an email, and my sister was providing updates via direct tweets on Twitter. They definitely used all forms of digital technology to get the info to me, I just got them all hours after they sent them when I found Wifi in Dauphin.”

Today computing technology of course, is also helpful for more than a flooded kitchen.

Learn all about it at www.videoprofessor.com. Try our product.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

1) It sounds like a rocket launch, but you’re actually “dialing in” to the internet each day.
2) Are you hand writing accounting transactions in pencil on ledgers?
3) Is there a typewriter in your office?
4) Does your printer have the paper that you have to rip the sides off?
5) Are you using a flip-phone versus a Smartphone?
6) Are you more familiar with a projector with paper slides, or a PowerPoint® presentation?
7) Do you play “Oregon Trail” on your lunch hour?
8) Or maybe it’s your Walkman you’re jamming out to?
9) Do you use floppy disks (if they even sell them anymore)?

Whatever your “old school ways” might be, perhaps you or the business owner needs to get with The Video Professor. Go to www.videoprofessor.com to get with the times!

September Oswald
Executive Assistant
Video Professor, Inc.

1. Why was there a bug in the computer? It was looking for a byte to eat!
2. Computers can make very fast, very accurate mistakes.
3. If at first you don’t succeed, re-boot.
4. The meek may indeed inherit the earth, but the folks with the big processors will run it.
5. Money isn’t everything but it sure buys you a great computer.

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

I’ve noticed more than a few friends and family members who, after enjoying the basic “point and shoot” digital photography which all but guarantees good pictures, stepping up to some pretty fancy SLR Digital Cameras.

SLR, or “Single Lens Reflex” technology has been around since the early days of film. In skilled hands, some breath-taking photography is possible. Motor driver had you going through film by the bagful.

But SLR technology had made the transition to digital just nicely and with memory cards holding thousands of pictures, a new generation of artists is developing their skills.

Of course, all the editing is done on a computer instead of a darkroom.

Check out our Digital Photography tutorial at www.videoprofessor.com. There may be an artist inside you haven’t met yet.

Chip Hopkins
Production Director
Video Professor, Inc.

I had the pleasure to shoot some promotional spots for a new show on ESPN2 called SportsNation. It’s hosted by two great anchors, Colin Cowherd and Michelle Beadle. SportsNation airs weekdays at 4pm eastern.

The show is the next leap forward in involving you the fan in the sports stories of the day. You can take part in interactive polls, “call in” by e-mail or Twitter or even Skype.

All computing skills we teach here at Video Professor. Check us out at www.videoprofessor.com, then tune into SportsNation.

It’s all about you.

John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
Video Professor, Inc.

Here are several examples of what he may write to help you resolve your computer problems.

If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port, and the bus is interrupted as a very last resort, and the address of the memory makes your floppy disk abort, then the socket packet pocket has an error to report!

If your cursor finds a menu item followed by a dash, and the double-clicking icon puts your window in the trash, And your data is corrupted 'cause the index doesn't hash, then your situation's hopeless, and your system's gonna crash!

If the above doesn't help with your computer troubles, perhaps this will.

If the label on the cable on the table at your house, says the network is connected to the button on your mouse, but your packets want to tunnel on another protocol, that's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall.

And your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss so your icons in the window are as wavy as a souse, Then you may as well reboot and go out with a bang, 'cause as sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang!

When the copy of your floppy's getting sloppy on the disk, And the microcode instructions cause unnecessary risk, then you have to flash your memory and you'll want to RAM your ROM. Quickly turn off the computer and be sure to tell your mom!

Thankfully Dr. Seuss stayed with kids’ stuff. If it’s computer stuff you’re interested in, visit us at www.videoprofessor.com!

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

Our friends at Microsoft® provided a sneak peak of Windows 2010 this week. Included of course will be newly minted versions of Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint plus all the other goodies that have made Windows a mainstay in the office and at home.

Change is good.

We here at Video Professor have been keeping up with change, so you can keep up. When Windows 2010 launches, we’ll have a lesson to help you navigate all that is new.

Visit us anytime at www.videoprofessor.com.

Chip Hopkins
Director of Production
Video Professor, Inc.

The eBay® marketplace has changed this year, to encourage an easier shopping and selling experience on the internet. Through my research, the improvements the interested eBay user should know about are as follows. Now, the shopping experience is much more visual. Items for sale are displayed in ways that will draw more attention to a buyer, such as a “New Item Page”, and “New Product Pages”. Also, a “FAQ” section has been added, with the hope to answer buyer’s questions before having to contact the seller through the “ask a question” option. Finally there’s “eBay Resolutions”. eBay is going to get more involved with issues such as the buyer not receiving their product on time, or at all, etc. Usually, buyers and sellers will have direct communication. Now, buyers have the choice to call eBay directly.

Exciting changes for people like me that enjoying buying and selling on eBay! If you are interested in learning how to use eBay, go to www.videoprofessor.com, and check out Learn eBay, or Learn eBay advanced.

September Oswald
Executive Assistant
Video Professor, Inc.

I came across this terrific website: www.wechoosethemoon.org.

It will allow you to “follow” the Apollo 11 Moon Mission that resulted in the first humans to land on the moon 40 years ago.

There was no Internet back then to follow the mission. Heck, the computers onboard the Apollo Spacecraft had the power of a Commodore 64. (Google that one!)

But that early technology laid the groundwork for what we take for granted today.

So log on and step back in time.

What will the future bring in computing? Who knows? Whatever it is, we’ll likely have a lesson for it. Visit us anytime at www.videoprofessor.com

Vicki Davis
Director of Media
Video Professor, Inc.

We have designed a brief checklist to determine if you are an addict. Do you:
1) Have twitches of the hand when you walk by your terminal?
2) Check e-mail more than five times a day?
3) Spend more time on Facebook® than eating or sleeping?
4) Surf aimlessly with no direction, if only to be online?
5) Leave your name and information at countless sites if only to hope you'll receive a reply one day from a company you'll never do business with anyway?
6) Log on before important personal habits, such as meal preparation, hygiene or bodily functions?
7) Have red, swollen eyes that hang halfway out of your head then Twitter your friends about it?
8) Spend hours online on a holiday from work, where you'd usually be griping about your carpal tunnel syndrome?
9) See smoke arising from your computer or WebTV box?
10) All of the above?

We know of no cure but wanted to share the symptoms with you anyways.

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

(Thanks to jokesandhumor.com)

I use Microsoft Outlook® on my home computer, as it is much easier to use than using my Gmail Account as far as organizing my emails into folders and then I can also sync my address book and calendar to my Smartphone (everything is in one place). I have set up my Outlook, so that all of my emails from my Gmail account, come through my Outlook program. And to take it a step further, I put all my personal appointments and addresses into Outlook, so that I can sync all of that information to my Smartphone (cell phone, calendar, and address book – all in one place).

Recently, we moved into a new house and ordered a new Internet provider. My Internet has been down at home for two weeks, so I have been without Outlook on my home computer for two weeks. My life is a mess. All of my appointments I have been attempting to remember in my head (yes, I’ve missed one or two), and I have several new contacts to add to my address book (I stay exceptionally on top of this… I may even be a bit compulsive, but hey, I am very organized).

We have our Internet provider coming out on Monday, July 13th – can’t wait! My life will be back on track.

Get your life on track! Check out Video Professor’s Microsoft Outlook® and Digital Devices Made Easy tutorials at www.videoprofessor.com.

September Oswald
Executive Assistant
Video Professor, Inc.

30 years ago Sony launched a revolutionary new product called the Walkman. It was a portable music device not much bigger than the audio music cassette it played. It came with a tiny headset, not ear buds.

Just imagine. You could take your music with you! Often a dozen tunes or more. Pretty cool stuff for 1979. Later incarnations were bigger because they played a CD.

Fast forward to today’s machines aka PDA’s or MP3 players etc and there is no tape. Just a hard drive capable of carrying thousands of songs and videos. Some even make phone calls.

Recently on a flight, I saw someone with one of those original Walkman players. Maybe he was on his way to donate it to the Smithsonian. Or maybe he just wasn’t ready to move on with more than a dozen tunes.

Proof that not everyone is comfortable or understands the power of today's digital devices.

Check out our Digital Devices Made Easy tutorial by visiting www.videoprofessor.com.

Dave Laughlin
Senior Vice-President of Marketing
Video Professor, Inc.

1 to change the light bulb and to post that the light bulb has been changed.

14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light bulb could have been changed differently.

7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs.

27 to point out spelling/grammar errors in posts about changing light bulbs.

53 to flame the spell checkers.

41 to correct spelling/grammar flames
6 to argue over whether it's "lightbulb" or "light bulb" ...

2 industry professionals to inform the group that the proper term is "lamp."

15 know-it-alls who claim *they* were in the industry, and that "light bulb" is perfectly correct.

156 to email the participant's ISPs complaining that they are in violation of their "acceptable use policy.
"
109 to post that this group is not about light bulbs and to please take this discussion to a lightbulb group.

203 to demand that cross posting to hardware forum, off-topic forum, and lightbulb group about changing light bulbs be stopped.

111 to defend the posting to this group saying that we all use light bulbs and therefore the posts *are* relevant to this group.

306 to debate which method of changing light bulbs is superior, where to buy the best light bulbs, what brand of light bulbs work best for this technique and what brands are faulty.

27 to post URL's where one can see examples of different light bulbs.

14 to post that the URL's were posted incorrectly and then post the corrected URL's.

3 to post about links they found from the URL's that are relevant to this group which makes light bulbs relevant to this group.

33 to link all posts to date, quote them in their entirety including all headers and signatures, and add "Me too."

12 to post to the group that they will no longer post because they cannot handle the light bulb controversy.

19 to quote the "Me too's" to say "Me three.
"
4 to suggest that posters request the light bulb FAQ
44 to ask what is a "FAQ.
"
4 to say "didn't we go through this already a short time ago?"

143 to say "do a Google search on light bulbs before posting questions about light bulbs."

1 Facebook lurker to respond to the original post 6 months from now and start it all over again....

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

“To err is human...to blame your computer for your mistakes is even more human, its downright natural.”-Author unknown.

If this is your mantra, perhaps it’s time to visit www.videoprofessor.com.

Computers are supposed to reduce mistakes. The key is knowing how to operate them.

Vicki Davis
Media Director
Video Professor, Inc.

Video Professor recently completed a side by study of accounting students at Cal State Fresno. One group learned Quicken with Video Professor Online. The other used a traditional classroom instructor.

Results? Students using Video Professor learned as well, if not better than the traditional classroom instructor.

Over in Tanzania, working with Video Professor working with Global Outreach, is teaching grade-school students the computing skills they need to communicate with the world around them.

So the chances are very good Video Professor will be able to teach you just about anything you need to know about computing.

Visit www.videoprofessor.com to see what kids in Tanzania to Cal State Fresno already know.

Video Professor works.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

We’ve told you so many times here about where there’s an opportunity, however sick, scammers will try and scam you.

The death of Michael Jackson is no exception. Reading in USA today I saw that one scam is an e-mail promising an “exclusive youtube video” of the last work of Michael Jackson. When you click on the link two things happen: No video and a malicious program steals the password to your computer.

One top domain registration company reports getting 7500 requests for site names using some combination of Michael Jackson. By contrast, Farrah Fawcett only got a hundred.

MJ means money for scammers.

Beware of websites or e-mails that promise exclusive access to pictures or videos. You’re better to simply check the myriad of legit sites already providing the real thing, even better you don’t risk getting ripped off doing so.

For more ways to protect your self online from the scummy of scammers, check out our “Protect Yourself Online” tutorial at www.videoprofessor.com.

We worked on the lesson with noted author and cybercrime expert Jayne Hitchcock.

You lock your door at night don't you? Do the same with your computer.

Chip Hopkins
Production Director
Video Professor, Inc.

True story out of Austin, TX.

The exasperated help-line caller said she couldn't get her new Dell computer to turn on. Jay Ablinger, a Dell Computer Corp. technician, made sure the computer was plugged in and then asked the woman what happened when she pushed the power button.

"I've pushed and pushed on this foot pedal and nothing happens," the woman replied. "Foot pedal?" the technician asked. "Yes," the woman said, "this little white foot pedal with the on switch." The "foot pedal," it turned out, was the computer's mouse, a hand-operated device that helps to control the computer's operation.

We have much work yet to do.

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

Had an interesting customer case who told us our Windows Vista lesson wouldn’t work on his computer. Simply a complaint we rarely get.

We were able to get a picture of the customer’s computer, which is about 10 years old and incapable of running Windows Vista, nor a lesson to teach it.

Looks Windows 98 might have been a better fit for the customer in question.

So before ordering, double check exactly what software you have on your machine and chances are we’ll have a lesson to teach you how to use it.

In this case, there’s a big difference between 1999 and 2009.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

I'm using Microsoft's new search site Bing.com. I like it so far, if for no other reason than the interesting photo they update each day on the landing page.

Google is both noun and verb. Bing is still just a noun. I still say I use Bing, not "I Binged it today." Maybe it makes be a Binger.

But I like its search functions and features, especially for video and images.

It's all part of the Internet now known as Web 2.0 with 3.0 coming soon.

It's what we teach at Video Professor. Check us out at www.videoprofessor.com

Just read about an Arizona man who got conned via an e-mail scam. He’s out $30,000. The victim, (no need to mention his name) is an electronics engineer, proof that anyone can be conned.

It started out as always with an e-mail. A man claimed he and his mother were refugees Zimbabwe. They just needed some help moving millions of dollars for which he’d be rewarded for his help. It went so far as the man traveling to Africa after months of back and forth e-mails to verify what they were claiming in person.

He ended up being kidnapped and tortured, all documented by police in South Africa.

Tortured and conned out of 30 grand and it started out with a simple e-mail.

Be wary of all e-mails, and when the claim seems too good to be true, it ALWAYS is.

Check out our Protect Yourself Online tutorial by visiting Video Professor at www.videoprofessor.com.

Cindy Reiff
Director-Core Media
Video Professor, Inc.

We’ve been posting lots of info about various scams making their way around the ‘Net these days. As we’ve told you before, tough economic times bring out the best and the worst in people.

First of all, the President hasn’t even signed the legislation yet, but already some people are getting e-mails and other offers offering the deals. Of course, they also ask for lots of personal information like social security numbers etc.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has detailed info at www.cars.gov in case you have any questions.

For info about online scams and protecting your family, visit us at www.videoprofessor.com and check out our Protect Yourself Online Tutorial. You’ll be glad you did.

Vicki Davis
Media Director
Video Professor, Inc.

“One time a guy was on a school computer when a girl approached him. She asked what he was doing. He said he was checking his mail. She looked at the Gmail login screen and hesitated. Then she said, "Wow, all this time I thought it was called E-mail."

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

Kodak has announced it’s stopping production of its legendary Kodachrome film. The reason is simple. No one is buying film anymore. Even Paul Simon can't save Kodachrome.

Cameras are digital. You likely have one. Are you getting the most click for your buck?

If not, check out our Digital Photography Tutorial from Video Professor at www.videoprofessor.com.

Marc Stith
Vice-President/E-Commerce
Video Professor, Inc.

About the only news coming out of Iran is by Twitter. The government can kick out traditional media, but they can’t kick out computer technology, at least not completely.

Twitter came of age this past week. It can be used for more than telling your friends you just bought a latte.

The whole world is watching via 140 character messages.

How important are computing skills? Just ask the people fighting for freedom in Iran.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, inc.

Just read this article in USA Today.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/11/swine.flu.who/index.html

It’s worth reading.

We’re never amazed at the ways crooks use the latest “thing” like Twitter to make a buck. In these cases it’s a Win-Lose situation, with you the loser. These crooks are based everywhere from China to Russia.

When we developed our “Protect Yourself Online” tutorial, we worked with noted and respected cybercrime expert Jayne Hitchcock. Jayne is a regular speaker to groups including the FBI and Department of Defense. She knows her stuff; it’s why we worked with her.

Learn more about it at http://www.videoprofessor.com/products/internet/protect-yourself-online.html.

Marc Stith
Vice-President/E-Commerce
Video Professor, Inc.

You wake up at 3 a.m. to go to the bathroom and stop to check your e-mail on the way back to bed. Then double check on your iPhone you keep under the pillow.

You get a tattoo that reads "Try my Product.”

You name your children John, Bill and Steve. Even if they’re girls.

You’re broadband conks out and you go into mourning.

You check your kids, but not your laptop on flights.

You decide to work on your master’s degree for the free Internet access.

You laugh at people without PDA’s.

You start using smiley's in your snail mail.

You start to twitch if you don’t check your Blackberry for e-mails every 30 minutes.

You remember your ISP number, but not your phone number.

You Twitter all your friends that you just got a Twitter message from your favorite movie star that he/she just went to Starbucks.

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

Wow, you just get used to your cell phone and a new one comes out.

You gotta love PDA's. Well you don't have to love them but they sure are handy.

Mystified by the world of PDA's and other digital devices?

Visit us at www.videoprofessor.com. We can help.

Chip Hopkins
Director of Production
Video Professor, Inc.

Do you Twitter? Can you share news via mini-blogs of 140 characters of less? Twitter is the hot new thing on Web 2.0.

As usual, cyber bad guys and gals have taken notice.

So if you receive Twitters with links etc that you may not recognize, don’t click on them. I’m reading more and more about people trying to “twick” you with tweets.

Tweet away, but always verify.

Want to learn more about keeping you and your family safe from cyber crooks? Check out our Protect Yourself Online Tutorial at www.videoprofessor.com.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

Every office, big and small, has a “Go to” person when it comes to computing. The person you go to when you need help with any number of office productivity programs like Windows, Excel, PowerPoint and many more.

You go, they show, you go back to work. The “show” part is the key element of Video Professor lessons. Our “What you see is what you do” method of learning has worked for 22 years and over 10 million customers.

Now back to those “Go to” people in your office. Who do you think gets noticed more at review time?

Think about it, better yet, visit us at www.videoprofessor.com.

Marc Stith
Vice-President of E-Commerce
Video Professor, Inc.

It’s amazing what you can find on the Internet these days. We came across this interesting article about tracking penguin poop using satellites.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/02/penguin.satellite.images/

Scientists have figured out it’s easier to find what penguins “leave behind” than the actual critters themselves. Where there’s poop, there’s penguins.

Other than that we found this story on a computer, and you can bet some pretty high tech computers are involved in all the imaging. We here at Video Professor don’t have a lesson on all this, at least not yet.

But you have to admit it’s interesting as heck!

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

Microsoft just launched its new search engine, Bing.com. Guess who they’re gong after? Yep, the search engine that has already achieved that rare status of being both noun and verb.

I tried it and like it. A lot actually.

Will it succeed? That’s up to you.

Regardless, just more power at your fingertips when you get on the Internet.

If you’re new to the ‘Net or anything else on your computer, we’re here to help and just a click away at www.videoprofessor.com.

Cindy Reiff
Director of Core Marketing
Video Professor, Inc.

President Obama has launched a new initiative to get our students into computing. What? I bet you think kids are all computer wizards.

Not quite. Sending a text message doesn’t mean computer literacy. Not even close.

Did you know that 60 million Americans have little or no access to computing? There’s work to be done and the President realizes it.

He’s also put a premium on Cyber Security.

Visit us at www.videoprofessor.com for all your computer literacy needs. Let’s join the President in creating a nation of nerds!

John W. Scherer
CEO and Founder
Video Professor, Inc.

I just read a story about a suburb of Raleigh, NC who needs to save money. Mayor Keith Weatherly of Apex, NC is going to start posting city notices online instead of paying to have them posted in the local paper.

These notices can be important in any community and include tax notices, government meetings and much more.

If your city still has a newspaper, you may still have to look online for important information about you and the city you live in.

Good time to brush up on your Internet skills, how to conduct search and have favorites pages etc.

We can help here at Video Professor. Visit us at www.videoprofessor.com.

Marc Stith
Vice-President of E-Commerce
Video Professor, Inc.

Like you, I took a bunch of pictures over the Memorial Day weekend. I’ve had great fun with them, putting some on a thumb drive to update the content of a digital picture frame, and posting others on social websites.

My favorite is creating panorama shots, even better than a lot of today’s digital cameras allow you to do automatically. Mountain ranges, ocean scenes etc make the best subjects.

You do it through a process called stitching.

The digital pictures you take on vacation, or family events etc are only as good as what you can do with them afterwards.

Check out our Digital Photography tutorial at www.videoprofessor.com. Make your digital pics be all they can be for you and everyone you want to share them with.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

10. "Honey, why is an 18-wheeler from Amazon.com backing into our driveway?"

9. One Secret Service agent is sitting on your head while another is slapping cuffs on you.

8. Apparently, your flame war with DonCorleone@mafia.com is about to turn ugly.

7. When you log on, your computer says "You've got lawsuits!"

6. You're suddenly getting more Spam than the Hormel outlet store.

5. Sotheby's says the Rembrandt is yours and that you now owe them $71,000,000 and change. The IRS is on Line 2.

4. You now have 130,000 ClubTop5 subscriptions and the list moderator is on the cover of Business Week.

3. Terse "Knock it off, Oedipus" e-mail from your Mom.

2. Your wife calls you at the office to report that your mail-order bride, has arrived. Her lawyer is on Line 2.

1. "The resistance welcomes your involvement. Your contact information has been forwarded to a local insurgent who will bring supplies and reinforcements to you immediately." The FBI is on Line 2.

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.
(Thanks to ahajokes.com)

Just look at your computer keyboard. Especially between the keys. That’s what I did today and it was a stunner.

How many people at your house share the same computer keyboard?

With worries about the H1N1 Virus, one place that is full of germs is your computer keyboard.

We’re not pitching any lessons here, just advising you to take a few minutes with an antiseptic wetwipe and a compressed air can and keep your keyboard cleaned on a regular basis.

Blow out the dust, debris and other germ carrying stuff from between the keys and gently wipe the top of them.

Do it often. Staying healthy is as simple as washing your hands and your keyboard.

Cindy Reiff
Director of Core Marketing
Video Professor, Inc.

Sure hope not. We’ve blogged here before about the great deals available for travel, deals that make up for the tough economic times.

Amtrak for example is cutting fairs by 25% on some eastern routes. (I just traveled Amtrak and it was an absolute delight)

Resorts, hotels and airlines are all offering great deals.

The best place to find them is online.

Video Professor can help. Check out our “Online Travel” tutorial at www.videoprofessor.com and get traveling! Vacations are far more fun than Staycations.

You just need to know where to find the deals.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

The Identity Theft Resource Center ( http://www.identitytheftresourcecenter.org/ ) reports identity theft is up a whopping 50% from 2007 to 2008.

Uncertain economic times are likely to maintain that pace, if not increase it. Online crooks read the headlines too and see opportunity.

We can’t stress enough how careful you have to be when you’re online and who you share information with.

When was the last time you checked your security software on your computer? Double check and think how secure your passwords are.

Cyber crooks are having a field day on social network sites. Yes, they’re great fun if you are careful who you hook up with online. It doesn’t take much personal info for a crook to steal your identity.

Want to learn more? Check out our Protect Yourself Online tutorial. We produced it along with noted cybercrime expert and author Jayne Hitchcock. Check it out at www.videoprofessor.com.

Marc Stith
Vice-President of E-Commerce
Video Professor, Inc.

A little computer humor for you this Wednesday.
My kids love surfing the Web, and they keep track of their passwords by writing them on Post-it notes. I noticed their Disney password was "MickeyMinnieGoofyPluto," and so I asked why it was so long.

"Because," my son explained, "they say it has to have at least four characters."

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

I just got a circular in the mail advertising summer course work at a local community college. In these uncertain times, no doubt many people will take the opportunity to advance their education, or improve job skills including computing.

The school offered many of the same computer courses we offer here at Video Professor and we have no doubt they’re excellent. One class for Microsoft Word® met over two Tuesday evenings for 3 hours each and cost $175. Many other similar courses we’re offered as well.

But what if three hours on a Tuesday evening isn’t practical for you? Maybe your free time is a Saturday morning instead.

It’s why over 10 million people have chosen Video Professor as the best option to classroom instruction to learn the computing skills essential to being competitive in today’s job market. You learn at your own pace and schedule.

We don’t claim to be better, just another option to learn and isn’t learning what it’s really all about?

Visit us at www.videoprofessor.com to see all we have to offer in case three hours on a Tuesday evening doesn’t work for you.

Cindy Reiff
Director-Core Marketing
Video Professor, Inc.

I’ve been fascinated by the coverage of the current Shuttle Mission to repair and upgrade the 19 year old Hubble Space Telescope.

We’ve come a long way since those early Mercury Missions in the 60’s. It’s important to keep in mind that the Shuttle fleet will stop flying no later than 2011, having been developed in the early 1980’s.

When the space program first started everything was essentially done using slide rules. (Google that!) The Apollo Program that got us to the moon used computers with the processing power of the Commodore 64. (Google that too!)

Today in space, like here on earth, it never ceases to amaze about the progress in computing and what machines and PDA’s can do here at home or 350 miles above earth.

Programs for computers have evolved just as quickly and so have the Video Professor lessons and the way you can learn from them. When the Shuttle first started flying our lessons were on VHS tapes. We evolved to our still popular CD-ROM lessons and now VP Online where you simply log on and begin learning from some 60 lessons.

Progress is great and we’re keeping pace with it. Visit us at www.videoprofessor.com so you can keep pace too.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

Are you on Facebook, or MySpace or the myriad of other social and networking sites that are so much a part of Web 2.0?

They can be a great way to catch up with old friends. Personally FaceBook is my favorite. For business contacts, new and old, I prefer Linked.com.

But do you know everyone you meet on these sites? Are their motives for networking the same, or different than yours?

Scammers are always looking for ways to rip you off and social networking is just the latest.

As President Reagan famously said, “Trust but verify.”

Check out our “Protect Yourself Online Tutorial” we produced with the help of noted cybercrime expert and author Jayne Hitchcock.

Log on to www.videoprofessor.com to learn how you can both trust AND verify.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

Have you noticed your local newscast using something called “Skype?” Oprah uses it all the time too. So can you to talk to friends and family. (Just make sure you comb your hair before Skyping with grandma.)

All you need is a webcam and a high speed connection along with the folks you’re Skyping with.

No we don’t have a lesson on Skyping. We don’t need to because it’s so easy to make these video phone calls.

What you do need to know is all the things you can do with your computer, the Internet and digital devices like webcams. That where we come in. So log in!

Check all you can learn from Video Professor at www.videoprofessor.com.

Chip Hopkins
Director of Production
Video Professor, Inc.

We ran across this story about a guy who runs an Internet business. His wife knew he was taking his work home when he asked her to scratch his back for him.

Instead of telling her to move lower, he told her to “scroll down!”

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

In an economy with few dollars lying around, there remains big competition especially in the laptop and notebook field.

It might be worth a look as value and choice may not be this strong for some time.

Of course, it all depends on computing power and the kind of software you can run on these new and compact along with more powerful than ever machines.

Regardless of what’s on board, if you buy a new machine make it a point to visit us a www.videoprofessor.com to learn what you need to know.

Cindy Reiff
Director-Core Marketing
Video Professor, Inc.

If there is anything I’m uncomfortable with on Facebook is the huge number of “Take this test to see what movie star you’d be” or the like.

If you’re a Facebook user you know what I’m talking about. Personally I avoid them. Just read an article at www.pcmag.com about a scheme where someone asks you to click on a site called "fbaction.net".

Like most online scams, it looks real but is anything but. Once you click, your own log-in information is compromised which makes it possible for everyone on your friends list to get spammed.

Online crooks are very clever, and when something new comes along, they’re first to capitalize on it. It’s one of the reasons we produced our ‘Protect Yourself Online” tutorial from Video Professor. Check it out a www.videoprofessor.com.

Learn as you do, and keep in mind an ounce or e-prevention is worth a pound of cure. Be careful out there.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

Scammers read the headlines just like you do. All the news about the Swine Flu situation has them seeing dollar signs with you the target to get the dollars from.

Where you see news, they see opportunity.

Be prepared for e-mails pitching “Survival” guides, or trying to sell you face masks or rubber gloves. All have one goal in common: Getting private information, credit card numbers etc.

Online scammers don’t change, only their pitch. Don’t be fooled.

Want to learn more about protecting yourself online? Visit us at www.videoprofessor.com.

Marc Stith
Vice-President of E-Commerce
Video Professor, Inc.

You’re headed to the airport. Weather is bad, or you’re simply running late. How about your flight?

Or is grandma is coming to visit? It’s a long drive to the airport. Best to check her flight is on time before you leave. Why wait if you don’t have to?

Not that long ago it meant a call to the airline, being put on hold, blah blah blah.

Now you just log on and check for yourself. I usually use my PDA to check if flights are on time.

Sure saves time and frustration. It’s the stuff you learn when you use Video Professor as your source for computer learning.

Check us out at www.videoprofessor.com. Whether you use our CD-ROM lessons or VP Online, it’s a great and proven way to learn. 10 million people already have.

Chip Hopkins
Director of Production
Video Professor, Inc.

• You turn off your computer and get an awful empty feeling, as if you just pulled the plug on a loved one.

• You decide to stay in college for an additional year or two, just for the free internet access.

• You start using smileys :-) in your snail mail.

• You can't correspond with your mother because she doesn't have a computer.

• When your email box shows "no new messages" you feel really depressed.

• You don't know the gender of your three closest friends because they have non-descript screen name and you never bothered to ask.

• Your family always knows where you are.

• Your sink is a mess but your computer is spotless.

• In real life conversations, you don't laugh, you just say "LOL, LOL"

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

I was flipping channels over the weekend and came across one of my favorite movies, “Big” starring Tom Hanks. It’s the story of a young kid who ends up becoming a grown-up working for a toy company through a magical game at a carnival.

During the movie, Tom’s character is working on a new interactive comic book for kids using a computer. Keep in mind this movie was made in 1988. I got a kick when I saw him insert a floppy disk into his computer drive.

21 years later a few things have indeed changed. Back in 1988 Video Professor was in its first year of business. Our lessons were available on VHS tapes. We later moved on to our still popular CD-ROM lessons and the popularity of our VP Online learning grows each day.

If it’s new and involves the latest productivity software for home and office, chances are we have a lesson to help you. (Sorry, no floppies) Check us out at www.videoprofessor.com.

Cindy Reiff
Director of Core Marketing
Video Professor, Inc.

For whatever reason, my local internet provider has had a couple of outages the past couple of weeks. Both twice in the early morning when I really need it most before going to work.

No problem. I just checked e-mails and key websites with my PDA, aka Digital Device.

More and more people use them. For me they’re a life-safer. I need to be connected 24-7. It’s my business.

Wondering about Digital Devices? Check out our tutorial and learn all about them by visiting www.videoprofessor.com

Marc Stith
Vice-President of E-Commerce
Video Professor, Inc.

Signs you’re hooked on your computer.

• You check online to see if it’s raining.
• You can’t remember where the mailbox is where you live.
• You’re on Facebook with a fellow worker every day, but haven’t talked to them in months even though their cube is right next to you.
• Your computer is located in the bathroom which has a microwave.
• Book? What’s a book?
• You watch your kid graduate from high school via streaming video.
• You spend more time caring for your FooPet then your real one.
• You’re reading this Wiki.

The IT Gang
Video Professor, Inc.

Tough economic times are big business for bad people. Scammers are out in force. Your inbox is likely to be flooded by e-mails supposedly from your bank requesting some “account verification” or the IRS about a “tax rebate.”

Beware of any suspicious e-mail that includes links to websites. Do not click on the link. The old adage also applies, “If it’s too good to be true, it usually is.”

Nobody makes 200 grand a month working from home a few hours a day.

Check out our “Protect Yourself Online” tutorial from Video Professor by visiting www.videoprofessor.com.

It’s spring time and scammers are springing up everywhere including your inbox.

Brian Olson
Vice-President of Public Affairs
Video Professor, Inc.

I’m writing this as it snows like crazy here at Video Professor’s corporate offices in Lakewood.

When I was producing the first video lessons for the company over 21 years ago, there were few options for instant updates on weather. Weather radios and radio stations were about it.

You had to wait for newscasts, and forget about newspapers.

Now you just log on to sites like weather.com and the latest weather info for where you are, or where you’re heading, is available instantly.

The Internet is a great thing. If you know all it can do for you. Need help? Visit us at www.videoprofessor.com and start learning.

Chip Hopkins
Director of Production
Video Professor, Inc.