Tech talk tidbits

By Robert DeLaurentis
South Coast Beacon

It seems like lists and the holiday season go together like Christmas and fruitcake. Gift lists, party lists, packing lists, decorating lists, to-do lists, list lists. Life keeps getting busier, time gets shorter, and we try to pack as much into the year as we can.

Tech Talk is no different. While looking over my list of upcoming topics, I noted several items that may not deserve an entire column, but are still worth mentioning before the shopping season winds down. So, with that in mind, here are a few tech tidbits baked into one piece:

The Canon ZR60 (and ZR65) digital video camcorders are fantastic values. These models are probably about to be phased out, so they are selling at a discount. Do not let their low price fool you into thinking these cameras are past it. Their features rival cameras that cost twice as much as recently as eighteen months ago. I spotted the ZR60 in Costco bundled with an accessory kit for about $400, it is even less at Amazon.

The Apple iPod has been highly praised by everyone, everywhere, as the finest portable music player ever made. But here is a new twist: color iPods. And not just any old paint, but one of the best quality finishes I have ever seen. ColorWare (colorwarepc.com) sells painted iPods in several colors, or they will paint the one you already own. Hold on, it gets even better: they also work their magic on iBooks and PowerBooks. The service is expensive, but style often garners premium prices.

If you know someone who has every single gadget in the world, here is one that just might surprise him or her: a laser-sighted thermometer. It looks like a laser pointer, but aim and click and it displays the temperature of the target. The miniTemp gauge is just one of the many items from the folks at www.thinkgeek.com.

Not long ago I mentioned that Apple’s iChat software and iSight camera turned a Mac into the best videophone in the world. But if you do not have a Mac handy, check out Beamer at www.vialta.com. There are several Beamer devices, including one that turns any TV into a videophone. What makes them special is their modest price and simple design: you do not need to be a genius to use them.

Now there are four fewer items on my “to write list.”

Happy holidays!

Robert DeLaurentis is a free-lance writer and senior editor at MacFixIt. He can be reached at www.robertdelaurentis.com.

Fire Department tips for safe holiday season



By Samaia Hernandez

South Coast Beacon

Southern California is still recovering from the devastating fires we recently faced. It is especially important now and always to be overly cautious. Festivities may call for the use of fireplaces, heavy cooking, heaters, extra electricity, festive lights and Christmas trees, so read on about ways to prevent common household fires this season.

Captain Diondray Wiley of Santa Barbara County Fire Station 17 offered several tips on staying safe this holiday season.

To combat the winter cold, many people use their fireplaces during the holiday season. If it has been a while since you last used your fireplace, have a chimney inspector come out and make sure your flue is open.

Wiley suggests: “It is particularly important to stick to kindling to start fireplaces. Do not use newspapers — they may cause carbon buildup. If you do decide to use a starter kit, do not use more than one.”

Do not use gasoline or other flammable liquids to stoke the fireplace. “Last shift we had a structure fire that involved three women and two men who were a little drunk. They used gasoline to stoke the fire, and the fumes caused a flash fire,” Wiley said.

He also cautions residents to leave at least three feet around portable heaters. Do not set a Christmas tree near a heat source, nor use it as firewood. “If using a gas furnace that hasn’t been fired up in a while first have the Gas Company inspect it for free,” Wiley said.

With gas furnaces, another way to be safe he said is to pay attention to the color of the flame. “If it is a bright orange, it isn’t burning properly,’’ he said.

To avoid electrical problems, be sure to use a multi plug surge protector. Check for broken bulbs and wires when decorating with holiday lights, and turn them off while the household is sleeping.

A general tip that applies daily is to never leave cooking food unattended. Wiley said food cooking on a stove is a frequent fire starter. If a grease fire flares up while cooking, “Just put the top on, and turn the fire off. It is common for people to put water on it, or transport it outside, but that is not something you want to do,” he said.

While celebrating this holiday season, be sure to be overly cautious when alcohol is involved. “A lot of (calls) we go on are alcohol related. It is important to drink (only) in moderation, and be extra aware if alcohol is involved. I don’t want to be preachy, but much could be prevented if people’s vision wasn’t clouded by alcohol,” Wiley said.