I had to take an important trip to the mainland during the time I would usually write this column, but rather than skip a month, I thought I'd share two things with you that I believe you'll benefit from reading and hopefully enjoy. I've also included part of a column I wrote for our user group, last fall, about High Definition TV and Digital TV which you may find useful.

First, as all of you I'm sure are aware, "Phishing" has continued to grow by leaps and bounds and the most notorious of them continues to be the so-called "Nigerian 419 Scam."

I read the most incredible article regarding this scam by following a link in a newsletter I get from Data Doctors, two "techies" who have a radio show in Arizonia I listen to on the ‘net. This article is from the New Yorker Magazine web page and IMHO, is a must-read for everyone who uses the ‘net or just sends and receives e-mail!

It is a real life drama that tells about how a psychotherapist got caught up in a Nigerian e-mail scam. This man was a respected pillar of the community, well off financially, with a wonderful family, so how could someone like this get involved in such an obviously bogus scheme?

OK, now I have your attention, here is the link to the whole article from www.newyorker.com.

My second item of interest concerns Windows Vista, the next version of the Windows family which now it seems, won't be available until early 2007. I have been beta testing it for quite awhile and like some of it, but not all of it. :)

One of the things I do like is the way it looks, or it's "skins" to use the tech term. As it happens, this feature of VISTA is available right now in the form of a transformation pack, a free download from:

www.softpedia.com

If you're curious about how VISTA will look on your computer, give the pack a try. As always, be sure to read and follow all the instructions, first.

Finally, here is the TV info I mentioned:

If you are like me, you have probably wondered about the terms widely tossed around these days; High Definition TV and Digital TV. Let me leave the tech stuff for later; first, lets look at what kinds of TV sets are out there right now.

The kind most of us have, I suspect, is called "direct view" - the image is displayed directly from a picture tube (CRT) behind the glass- same as the big, heavy PC monitors many folks continue to use. Size-wise they go to about 40" and some models now come with digital technology.

Projection TVs offer bigger screen sizes. Rear projection sets range from 40-inch up to 80-inch screen sizes with widescreens ideal for HDTV and for widescreen DVDs. Front projection systems, like those on aircraft, project images on a separate video screen of up to 100 inches.

Many new technologies including Digital Light Processing (DLP), Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) and Digital Light Amplification (DLA) are on the newer projection sets. In addition to spectacular pictures, these technologies allow for much thinner and lighter sets.

Plasma displays (PDP) and Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) are exceptionally thin (4" – 6") and can be hung on a wall like a picture frame or placed on a table. There are even flat screen wireless TVs that allow users to move the set from room to room. Some of the newer media oriented tablet-type laptops work this way. Both plasma and LCD have sharp, clear pictures. Until recently plasma screens were the only choice in very large flat panels, but LCD TVs have caught up and now come in 40-inch widescreens and larger.

So, what kind of TV set should I buy?

Obviously, it depends on individual budgets, and personal preferences.

Direct view sets are still the most popular offering a great picture and the lowest prices. For larger screen sizes you'll need front or rear projection, and if you want to hang it on the wall, you'll need LCD or plasma. With an HDTV signal, any one will give a terrific picture.

Finally, for the techie stuff: what is Digital Display Technology? The terms "Digital Television" (DTV) and "High Definition Television" (HDTV) are often used interchangeably, but they are NOT the same thing. Digital Television refers to a TV signal that is transmitted digitally as opposed to an analog signal. Digital Television can be broadcast in several different formats. Of these formats, two are considered to be "high definition". The term high definition implies that the resolution of the digital television signal is very high. For example, the 1080i standard is considered high definition and has a resolution approximately twice that of regular, analog NTSC television.

In the past most TVs have employed traditional analog displays, but with its advanced capabilities and lifelike video, Digital Display Technology (DDT) is beginning to replace analog. Digital displays work like this: video and audio signals are converted into computer code, creating very clear video and sound. The new technology enables wide screen and wall mountable flat panel TVs, more compact projection TVs and computer monitor screens with picture quality five or more times as good as analog sets. That's pretty impressive!

Why would I want a digital display on my television set? A digital display dramatically enhances the clarity and brightness of the TV screen. If you have watched TV on your computer, you know what I mean. You get distortion-free images, especially at the corners and edges of the screen. Digital displays look lots better in both darkened and well-lit rooms. No doubt about it, a digital display set receiving an HDTV signal delivers the best picture available today.

So, is my current TV set obsolete? Heck no! Most traditional direct view TV sets, still provide good value and good picture quality even while new display types are emerging.

Bottom line: I'm still in the wait and see mode, specially with regard to the price! You'll note that there are many variations depending on the size, type and of course, where you buy. I suspect there will also be a number of new variations before we all have to switch over, so I intend to keep looking for awhile.

That's it for now. Until next time, have fun with computers and electronics.

Aloha, Lou