And now, a word from our sponsor

Okay, sorry for this, but there is a great little property for sale at Ocean Point in East Boothbay, Maine. This is an area in which we have vacationed for 36 summers now, and it is a little bit of paradise. It is a wonderful family community. Please check it out. If not you, maybe someone you know might be interested.

This property includes a cabin that is nestled on a lot more than 3/4 of an acre in size in a very quiet and private part of Ocean Point. The spot is right in the heart of OP, very close to Shore Road, Grimes Cove, the OP Casino, ball field, and tennis courts, and a short 5 minute walk to the Ocean Point Inn and the community dock. Join in all the activities sponsored by the Ocean Point Colony Trust or retreat to your own little bit of heaven in this adorable cabin. This cabin was completely renovated and refurbished in the Summer of 2007. One bedroom with queen-sized bed and a full-sized baby crib, and plenty of room to relax inside or out, combine to make this the perfect getaway for Mom, Dad, and Baby! High speed internet, Cable TV, and digital phone are all available from Time Warner Cable at this site at their prevailing rates.

The lot was once made up of 3 distinct lots that have since been combined into one. Each of the 3 lots was .26 acres. The cabin and the brand new septic system are both wholly contained on the westernmost of the 3 lots, leaving the other 2 contiguous lots as more than a half acre building lot. If a new home were to be built on that half acre, the cabin might possibly be used as a studio or bunkhouse, subject to the town zoning laws.

We believe the true value of this property is in its potential to be the site of a new year-round home that can be built by the purchasers. The heavily wooded lot has been thinned and trimmed and has taken on a completely different look from what it was when we bought it. It is now easier to see the ocean and visualize a location for a new home. Finally, just this summer we had a new septic system installed. We are still on town seasonal water, but there is plenty of room for a well.

Pictures of the property can be viewed at http://our4sons.com/Cabin%20in%20the%20Pines/cabin_in_the_pines_details.htm

Additional contact information is also available at that web site.

MSE - Microsoft Security Essentials - GET ON BOARD!

Here is more affirmation that my recommendation for Microsoft Security Essentials is a sound one. If you are not using MSE, I suggest you convert now. If you are using a fee-based antivirus product, start saving money. MSE is free. If you are using my old recommended product, AVG Free, I can assure you that MSE works better, has less overhead, and will not pressure you to upgrade to a fee version, as AVG does.

The following is just the header info from an article in the Windows Secrets Newsletter.

Security Essentials test drive — month 6

By Fred Langa After half a year of real-life testing, Microsoft's Security Essentials anti-malware application is batting 1.000. All nine test computers — a mix of Windows 7, Vista and XP systems (including two portables with 20,000 miles of travel) — remain malware- and virus-free.

Windows Updates and MSRT

I noticed that I had 8 updates applied to my system overnight, and included was the monthly version of Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT). Windows Update is a little different in Windows 7. It has a new look and is done outside of Internet Explorer. This is what my history looks like for last night (click for larger image):

 

As has become my custom, I ran a standalone Full Scan of MSRT. You can do this by clicking on START/RUN/MRT/OK. (yes, MRT is correct. Don't ask me why!)

Be sure that the MSRT window indicates that it is the September 2010 version (in the upper right corner of the window). My full scan ran for over 3 hours, but didn't keep me from running other things and I feel good afterwards for having run it. I consider it a worthwhile monthly exercise.

Google Chrome

I have made no secret of the fact that I am a big Google fan. However, I continue to be disappointed in their browser offering, Google Chrome. I have downloaded the latest version, 6.0.472.55 beta, and find that it STILL does not offer a left side of the screen sidebar display of Favorites or Bookmarks, as does every other browser I have ever tried. I don't understand why they don't, and find the product unusable - to me anyway - without that capability.

Today I have uninstalled it, as I have every other earlier version I tried. Get with it Google!