From time to time we may find ourselves online so long that we can easily forget which Web site has some information that we want to go back and check. Awhile back I wrote an article about Amazon’s A9 Web service that you could use to track your Web surfing, but alas, A9 faded away last year.
I recently got an e-mail from GTP listener Becky who was looking for an alternative this particular A9 feature and she sent me several options that I will mention in the next edition of the podcast. However, even though A9 is no more, Google is filling the void.
Starting today, Google will provide Web history services in conjunction with their Google Toolbar. Google Web History (http://google.com/history) will work in conjunction with their PageRank service so you will need to install the Google Toolbar, then enable the PageRank function to be able to review your Web surfing activities.
As with the A9 service you will have the ability to “pause” the Web History function, remove items from your Web History, bookmark sites and it will include your Google searches. The Web History feature can only be accessed by logging in with your Google account information.
Google Toolbar is available for Windows, Mac and Linux and can be used on FireFox and Internet Explorer.
Apple has released Security Update 2007-004, so you should make sure you run software update to get it installed on your system.
The update is 16.7MB in size and corrects 25 security issues in Mac OS X. You can download and install the update by running Software Update or downloading it from the Apple Support page at http://apple.com/support/downloads.
Don’t forget to go into the Disk Utility and run Repair Permissions before and after installing the update.
If you use Microsoft Windows as your operating system, you need to ensure that you run Windows Update as soon as possible.
Yesterday (4/10/2007), Microsoft released four software updates to address security issues in Windows; all four are classified as critical updates. This is in addition to a critical update released earlier this month addressing another critical security issue.
You can get the updates by going to http://update.microsoft.com. Keep in mind that you must use Internet Explorer to access the updates on this site. You may be prompted to install an ActiveX control (a small software program) when you first arrive at the site; ensure that it is signed by Microsoft then install it. You then have the option to select Express or Custom install; Express will get you the critical updates.
You can also keep up with the latest Microsoft updates by setting your computer up to receive them automatically.
To turn on the Windows “Automatic Updates” feature, click on Start –> Settings –> Control Panel –> Security Center. Change the Automatic Updates Setting to “On”. You can also help protect your system by making sure you are using the Firewall and the Virus Protection options in this section as well.
If you use the Automatic Update feature, you will see a yellow shield in the system tray (next to the clock) when there are updates available. To install the updates, simply click on the shield.
Don’t forget, you should also be using an antivirus software program on your system, make sure you keep this software up to date and run a full scan of your hard drive(s) on a weekly basis. If you don’t have anti-virus software get it immediately. There is free antivirus software included in the Google Pack, it can be downloaded from http://pack.google.com.
Since I’m unable to produce detailed show notes (similar to the ones I put together for the first few episodes), I have been trying to find a way to provide a cleaner way for GTP listeners to print out the posts that correspond with each episode of the podcast.
I am pleased to announce that with each post on the site, you can now click the “Print This Post” link to get to a printable copy of the text, including the complete Web address (URL) of the post, and any URL’s that are included within the post.
I recently received an e-mail from Nathan letting me know about a neat Web service that genealogists might find useful, called Backpack.
Backpack is basically a Web site where you can store notes and to-do lists free of charge. There are also paid upgrade options available that include the ability to add images and files, additional Web pages and calendar functions. I have used Backpack in the past and found it very useful.
Your free Backpack account includes the ability to create 5 Web pages where you can create lists and keep your research notes. You can take a Backpack tour and sign up for your free account at http://www.backpackit.com/tour.
The same company that created Backpack, 37 Signals, has also created an online contact management system called Highrise. A free Highrise account will allow you to maintain contact information, notes and even tasks for 250 people.
You can also get a paid subscription that allows you to add more contacts and some other options like Secure Socket Layer (SSL) connectivity. While it’s probably not the intent of the site, this could be a cool way to maintain information on your ancestors along with the options of creating to-do lists and research tasks.
Google has added two new applications to their (Win XP & Vista) Google Pack of software goodies. You now get Norton Security Scan software for antivirus protection, and Spyware Doctor (Starter Edition) in addition to:
The problem with this is that he didn’t actually own the historical documents that he sold - he stole them from the National Archives.
Denning McTague, a hopefully former intern at the National Archives, allegedly stole about 165 Civil War documents - including the War Department’s announcement of President Lincoln’s death, and placed the items on the auction site eBay.
According to An Associated Press report on the incident, Mr. McTague has been able to help officials recover “most” of the items which included:
“…telegrams concerning troops’ weaponry, the Lincoln death announcement sent to soldiers, and a letter from famed Confederate cavalryman James Ewell Brown “Jeb” Stuart, prosecutors said.”
Mr. McTague’s lawyer says his client plans to plead guilty to the charges.
There’s an interesting opinion published in the New York Times regarding the (under) funding of the National Archives.
The piece, titled History Lessens, is written by David Khan, author of The Codebreakers; in it he asks:
“Why does this matter? Because the National Archives does more than display the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. From its astonishing riches emerge not only the records of one’s immigrant grandparents but the documents and images that produce books and telecasts about this country. Without the services of the archives, the nation risks amnesia and loses direction.”
As part of a collaborative effort with Lisa Cooke, the GTP has teamed up with the Genealogy Gems Podcast to bring you information on the YouTube video Web site.
I forgot to mention in the podcast that the Windows Movie Maker software can be found in Windows by clicking:
Start –> Programs –> Accessories –> Windows Movie Maker
I’m excited to let you know that the next edition of the podcast (Episode 009) is part of a collaborative effort between the GTP, and Lisa Cooke and her podcast, the Genealogy Gems Podcast (GGP).
This week, both Lisa and I will cover the YouTube video Web site on our shows and provide some guidance on how you can use it in your genealogical research. On Episode 04 of the GGP, Lisa has covered how you might find videos related to your research. I will be covering some of the technical details on how to use the site in the next edition of the show which will be out on Monday.
In support of these shows I have created a GTP Tech Tip on using the free Movie Maker software included with Windows XP. The GTP Tech Tips files are in .pdf format and can be downloaded and printed out so you can use it as a reference. I will also post a link to this file on the Tutorials page.
