I will be leaving for Atlanta in a couple of days to attend a four day Internet Marketing workshop. I’ll be taking a lot of notes and will try to share some of what I learn when I get back.

As well, my computer club is finally taking off this year. People are getting more involved and are helping one another rather than just asking their questions and then leaving. They bring laptops or use the computers at the community centre, we talk about everything from email, to google earth, to blogging. A few of the guys have started their own websites and are trying their hand at affiliate marketing. One of them is retired and his enthusiasm is great to see.

I’d like to take this opportunity to send get well wishes to one of my loyal readers. Robert is always taking the time to write encouraging comments and I’d wondered why I hadn’t heard from him lately. Turns out he’s had pneumonia, although it is now finally on the mend. So Robert, all of us here at Creative Home Computing are sending prayers for your quick recovery. I hope you feel better very soon.

Many computer users are familiar with Windows, but how many have ever tried the Paint program that’s included? I run a drop-in computer club at the local community center and often people don’t even realize there is a Windows Paint program. My daughter uses it to do simple graphics editing. It can be fun even for children learning to draw on the computer.

If you’ve never done anything with your Paint program, why not try drawing a house?  Practice with as many of the included drawing tools as you can. Our computer club had great fun creating their digital homes. It isn’t as easy as it sounds, but is great mouse practice and your pictures can be printed out afterwards. An extra tip: click the ‘Undo’ button on the toolbar to erase your last action.

Try some of the following ideas in Paint:

• Add text and create a basic picture story for children.
• Under ‘File’, choose ’set as wallpaper’ and you’ll see your drawing every time you turn on your computer.
• Import a photo into paint and then crop it.
• Use the magnifier tool and the pencil to change small details.
• Crop a picture by clicking the ’select’ tool (it looks like a rectangle) and then drag it over the area you want to select.
• Try to resize, stretch, rotate, and copy your graphic.
• Change the colors on your picture.

What else can you do with the Paint program? I’d love to hear about what you create. Why not print it off and post it on your fridge for the kids to see?  Send me a copy and I’ll post it here on the blog for everyone to admire (family friendly graphics only, please).

Technorati Tags: Windows Paint, using the Paint program

Thanks to our new reader, Chandra, I’ve got another website for you to check out. Filled with resources that you can print out on your computer and use for craft projects and scrapbooking,  Printables is aptly named.

As you’ll notice, the site hasn’t been updated since 2005, so some of the links may be broken. But there are so many good websites mentioned that I wanted to include it anyway.

I’ve spent the last while reading one of the links, called Jacob Tyler’s Journey, about the short life of a critically ill child, told through the eyes of his mother. It’s so well written and left me in tears. If you’ve ever thought about journaling your life, you’ll want to for sure after reading this.

Technorati Tags: printable art, journaling, scrapbooking

Okay, have you guessed what I bought? Yes, it was a new little netbook. And not just any netbook, but an Asus. I was told they are a good brand and so far I am very pleased. The keyboard is big enough to type on and the screen is nice and clear. It has a GB of memory and 160GB of hard drive space. That’s as powerful as my desktop computer! All in a little case that I could carry in my purse.

At the end of this paragraph is a link to the netbook so you can see for yourself and I have to tell you it’s an affiliate link, so if you buy one too I get a small commission. You pay the same price either way and I’m not following you around ready to pounce like some of the computer stores I’ve been to.  If you get one, be sure to tell me how you like it and what color you got. I went with black, but there are a lot of different colors to choose from. ASUS Eee PC 1000HA Netbook

Asus Netbook

Technorati Tags: Asus Netbook

I did it! I went and bought myself a new little  ——-.

No, I think I’ll keep you guessing for a day first. I like gadgets, non-techie ones, that is. So this is a non-techie gadget I can take anywhere, use anytime, looks great, it’s easy, and it wasn’t very expensive – well, more than a dinner at a restaurant, but comparatively speaking – I was a good shopper indeed.

It’s not too big and not too small,
Just the perfect size is all.
I’ve looked for months to find a deal,
With the perfect look and feel.

There was just one left at my local store,
I checked around, there were no more.
So I made a decision on the spot,
Would I risk not buying? I sure would not!

I’m no Doctor Suess as you can see
But I enjoy being geeky old me.
Now if you can guess what I just bought
I might get you one – but probably not!

See if you can guess and I’ll tell you tomorrow!