Using programs specific to Word Processing and simple writing

Posted on February 23, 2011 by tharrisfc

                     The basic purpose of the computer is to create a “virtual” workspace, for ideas, planning, communication, and records keeping. It comes with the essentials, but can be like an empty room. It is left to you to use your imagination, and decide on the room’s purpose and furnishing.  The best part of computers is that it stores all your thoughts from while in its “proposed idea” to its “completed form”. Many ideas have been expressed as starting on a napkin, etched in the snow or sand, and even structured in a mold of clay. All this starts an idea or thought that later becomes a project or task, to be shared with the world. With the computer, it can be in the form of that napkin, using the type of WordPad program that typically comes with any new computer. But to depend or expect an unlimited resource from such a basic program is more work than purchasing and understanding all the tools hidden in the background of programs designed specifically for the type of work you are focused on. After all, it would be an unlimited amount of napkins to draw up a skyscraper from start to finish, and storing it would be impractical if not a delicate project in itself.

                    When working with the WordPad program, I went to design a professional outline, and found working with the outline tools limited me to a simple version of building an outline (I could not indent from an alphabetical “A.” to a numerical “1.”, or even keep indenting my outline to “a.”, and was restricted to using one type of style, but I can choose from the styles). With many “perks” that come with a new computer, there is other documenting software available, few are free, and while others more called “Professional” gives you a 60 day trial period before needing to purchase the program for unlimited use and ownership. With Microsoft, that upscale version of WordPad is the Microsoft Works program. It is a combination of Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Database, and Organizer program, which is a simplified version of Microsoft’s Office Program. And still, it is upscale from the WordPad, giving me Templates of designs based on the type of project I wish to create.  But again, I am still limited to using the tool of formatting an outline, where indenting would automatically change alpha paragraphing to numeric subparagraphs. Maybe I am being fickle. After all, I can simply type in the outlined letters and numbers without giving it another thought.

                    Using the Word Processor from this Works Program is very much similar to a basic WordPad, but it offers those templates to start my out with a designed letter style already built in, which may either be considered a convenience or a model if I was to boldly make up the style myself.  Quite simply put, you can do everything you can with the WordPad, but when it comes to appearance, it is totally up to the user to work in all the details. On the other hand, using a program that designs and formats a style seems to make some feel they a re restricted to what is visible, without knowing that they can improvise, adjust, and alter the template, and then save it as their own styled template for future uses. I also suggest that anytime you get a chance, and while the program is open, be curious to what you can find be clicking through the menu bar, and see what is offered through each menu .  Then be curious and experiment with the icon tools bar to see what each tool does, and do this with a new page or file to experiment on, which you can save or discard when closing out the program. Just learn to be curious. In the Works Program, there is a Thesaurus, and offers the ability to insert other programs into the design of the program. The truth is, you could possibly figure a way to do all this with a WordPad, but that is you finding the ways and steps, and through this upscale program, it actually has a process built in, to let me click and take me through the steps to what I am trying to accomplish.

                    Never under-estimate other programs for sale by other businesses, since much of what is offered by the big named “Microsoft, Apple, Sunsystems, and IBM, are typically programs offered like a workshop for any projects that arise. There are specialized programs that offer forms and media types for the purpose you desire to strive for. I started this topic by comparing the computer like a big empty room; the programs become what will design and furnish that room. The concept here was to relate how you look at an empty room, and its potentials. Truly, the only resource not included on the computer is the potential and possibilities you possess. With that in mind, keep what you planned to do the biggest navigation tool you can own, and remember that until you find and own the right furnishings, to use what you have and “make do”. A bedroom might start out with occupying a cot to sleep on, while you imagine what it will someday be. In short, use what you have, to start, and get you ideas started, as if drawing the initial thought on that napkin. Much specialized software is like specializing in the field of carpentry. A general carpenter owns all types of tools for all possible tasks and projects that may arise, to build a structure from the ground up (and that might be the best concept for the big named companies).  Other carpenters “specialize” in cabinet making and restorations meaning their tools are specific toward focusing on designing cabinets at a smaller scale. The end result is what matters the most. The challenge is what you plan and can afford, after all, general carpenters have cabinet building experience as well.

                    There are online companies offering products that can be downloaded, and for a trial period, can be free for a time. Like swatches of fabric, you get to use these programs and explore their potential uses that may serve your purpose. For writers, there are specialized programs for playwrights and movie scriptwriting. For basic legal forms, there is a whole host of businesses offering forms for businesses and personal legal purposes to purchase (rarely are these found in trial period form, but are cheap enough to buy and explore).

                    The Office software, like general carpenters, are ready for what ever projects may arise, starting from a foundation to its final built structure. They all have programs for writing, spreadsheet, and data building; while others design publishing and website media. Once you own these tools, its becoming familiar with what they can do that takes time to experiment and be curious. In between projects, tasks, and personal themes, this is where you can start with a blank page, and just see what you can do (honestly, the gaming programs were designed to get you to practice hand and eye coordination, and to understand how to explore the menu bar, but there is more to explore and master). The Office programs all will get you through what you are striving for, and the designing of these various Office programs were to offer different approaches that attract many consumers to one type of software, while others go for the other manufacturer. Their biggest competition is user friendly software that also covers the ability for multipurpose activities, communication, and security.

                    Like each and every individual room, starting small is what we do to start getting use out of what we have. The biggest individual objective is to start getting your thoughts down, and to stay focused on those thoughts, so they don’t get away from you. To do this, forget all the noise available, and start typing. Then, like any real structure, go back, and specialize on the designing details. With that in mind, WordPad may be that “napkin” readily available, until you are able to get it down on the right paper (and there are many forms of papers out there, from simple to blueprint, graphics and design, and for arts of all fashions). It all starts with an idea, and the computer becomes your virtual and compact “workshop”. It still needs to be defined as simply “To Create”.

                    The biggest hurdle is not what you can get out of a computer and what it will allow you to do, instead, what you envision your project will finally appear, and then, find the tools (software) for the computer to get that project done. In short, even before turning on the machine, it’s up to you to have the idea to accomplish, from a simple email to express a celebration or occurrence, to architecting ideas to any and all that come across your page or final project.

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      From Scanners, cameras, other imaging devices, printers, and Bluetooth devices, drivers for those drivers need to be installed. After all, if a computer came with every single driver for every device you may or may not own, it would consume more space on your hard drive. So, drivers are downloaded, based on the accessory or device to be used on the computer.

 

            A driver basically gives your computer instructions on how to make the gears turn, ink cartridge colors mix, the characters print, and how to copy the images from the scanning lens. It is the mapping of everything mechanical, and how to mix different functions of the device. Since every device is different, a driver is needed for that different accessory, make and model, and type of device you are going to plug into the computer.

 

            That is the simplest definition I can give, without straying too far from the many reasons to go ahead and install the drivers your computer is asking you to download.

 

            Hope this helps

Posted on January 26, 2011 by tharrisfc | Leave a comment

Initial Word Concepts

Posted on January 2, 2011 by tharrisfc

            “Dear Dad, I am writing this letter slowly, because I know you don’t read fast.”

When it comes to writing documents, letters, stories, or articles, everything can be typed out on a WordPad program, an Office Document Program, and they even have specialized programs available for playwriting! Depending on what you are willing to spend, will depend on how many features are available for you to use. When it comes to the end result of appearance, any kind will do, but it may take more imagination and patients to get the same results.

            Every computer comes with some kind of word pad program. And because of this, I thought this would be the best program to start working with. The program can be found by clicking on start, and is commonly located in the Accessories folder. If you still do not find it, you can click on start, and from there (depending on what operating system your computer has running on it), click “run” (or in the search for programs and files block), and type in wordpad. If you still have problems, click on start, and then click on “Help and Support”. From there you can use the help center to locate the program.

            Since typing is something we all do when email and texting, I’ll just go into some quick concepts to consider.

Saving Your Work

            It is going to be hard to start finding the right words to say, or even carry on from where you start, so to have your work close without saving, especially when you are not finished with it, can be really frustrating to know you have to start over. So, no matter whether you plan to draw up a document, write a story, or simply write a letter, the first thing is to save the file before you even start. I typically make the file name with mm/dd/yy_filename format to show when I started it (and the filename is something in one or two words to identify it).

            Another good tip is after typing or reviewing each paragraph save the newly written paragraph. In the file menu, click save, or use the keyboard shortcut, by holding down the Ctrl key, while pressing the “S” key on the keyboard.  Ctrl+S will almost always tell your computer to save the file on almost every program.

Get Your Thoughts Typed 

            One exercise everyone learned when using a typewriter was to watch the page as you type, to catch the mistakes as you go. This way, you can correct a misspelling or word as it happens, and while there was space preceding the word. With the computer, it is just the opposite. You can focus on your thoughts, and even the keyboard, and type away. When reviewing your thought afterwords, you can make corrections, and add words or another sentence, and even a few sentences, with just placing the cursor where you need to add in. Even removing words and sentences is easily done by highlighting the beginning and end point to be erased, and then hit the “backspace” key on the keyboard. Making such huge corrections on the typewriter meant rewriting the whole page. Typically, people wrote out their thoughts, and then typed them.

Eliminate the Noise

            The older WordPad programs always opened with just enough tools to use (at the top, and below the Menu Bar), and any additions to you work, such as inserting pictures or even a letterhead, you would have to search and learn where they were in the Menu Bar; after your thoughts were down, of course. The newest versions actually open with these icon shortcuts of insertions you can use, but may become distracting while just starting. In the older versions you could right-click on the Menu Bar to find additional toolbar features. In the newer version of WordPad, if you click to the right of the Home and View tab, you can hide these additions, until later, and focus on collecting your thoughts. Sometimes, even when in the middle of your project, you look up, and you lose focus on what you are doing, and get curious to what a button or two does. I am the first to want you to be more curious about what is available, and always make time to experiment. This is alright in between breaks, or when you are learning about the features (and have time to do so), but again, not while in the middle of that though in progress. Thus, it is why I call it noise. The newer version purposely did it, because no one knew they were there on the older versions, and the programmer wanted it more noticeable. I guess, “Six of one, and half a dozen of the other” is fitting.

Learn Keyboard Shortcuts

            I already showed you Ctrl+S, as a “shortcut” to saving a file, and this works with almost any program. When working with many programs the following shortcuts will work on most programs, and almost any word documenting program, especially while typing away (you have to use these short cuts to turn on the features before you type, and use the function again to shutoff the feature):

  • Ctrl+B
    • If you are an experienced typist, you pretty much know what words or sentence you want to put emphasis on, so before you type it, use this  keyboard shortcut to turn on the “Bold” feature, and where you want it to stop typing bold, repeat the shortcut again.
  • Ctrl+I
    • Just like the “Bold” feature, this creates the next words and sentences in italics.
  • Ctrl+U
    • This shortcut will underline the next series of characters (and spacing), until you use the shortcut again to turn it off. So, remember to turn it off or everything will continue to be typed with a line underneath.

 

Keyboard Shortcuts for Sentences and Paragraphs (Using the mouse to highlight)

            Typically when reviewing your work, you might want to go back to a word, sentence, or paragraph, and enhance its meaning by making it bold, or in italics. You can use the mouse to highlight the characters you wish to change, and use the following keyboard shortcuts (which are also available by right clicking on the highlighted area (the mouse shortcuts). All shortcuts do the same function, and can be found in the edit menu. The reason why they are called “shortcuts” is so you don’t always have to go from keyboard to mouse, and through the steps of going up to the menu bar, and down the File or Edit menu. It is meant to be considered a process of convenience, eliminating a step, or focusing on one device at a time (keyboard vs. mouse):

  • Ctrl+C
    • Highlighting a word, or sentence, and using this shortcut, will allow you to paste it elsewhere. May come in handy for poetry, or when there is a line you wish to copy from one document and paste it in another.
  • Ctrl+X
    • Use this shortcut to cut a line, sentences, or paragraph, and move to another part of the body, or eliminate completely.
  • Ctrl+V
    • This shortcut is used when you click the cursor in the body of your document where you desire to paste what you had already copied or cut in the steps listed above this shortcut.

        From time to time, I have also found that the keyboard shortcuts will work, when other programs do not offer you these options (to cut, copy, or paste). There is a large amount of keyboard shortcuts, but if you type, these are the six common shortcuts you will use often, and with other programs. If you want to know more, and are using an office version of any program, go down the menu listings, and to the right of each function, the keyboard shortcuts are listed. Start mastering these shortcuts in your daily use of the computer, and then if you want to know more, you can always use the help box, or Google keyboard shortcuts.

Finishing With This Blog Concept

      Always reread your work. It made sense when you started, but throughout the process to completion, there may have been interruptions, or you may have decided to take breaks in between. You may also come up with something to add to it. And there is also having the opportunity to make sure it has the right feeling, theme, and positive result. In short, once you send it to someone else, it cannot be taken back.

      It is from here, you can check out the menu bar to include a theme, a simple picture, add headers and footers (Edit menu), and in the Toolbar (which you will have to right-click on the menu bar to bring back), there is an icon for spell check, to find errors you simply missed.

Posted in Computers and Technology, Word | Leave a comment

Making Something out of Nothing

Posted on December 18, 2010 by tharrisfc

      One of the hardest parts of a business plan is getting others to share the same focus, especially if your business plan was not initially designed for just one person. Choosing a special field to focus on actually limits the amount of people willing to participate. For me, the idea of building a small short session classroom to assist the general public with just getting started in computers and building personal projects with a computer was what sounded like that better mouse trap just waiting to be built.

            I really was not trying to be the tutor, teacher, or instructor, but actually involve others with that experience to draw out the guidelines and blocks of instruction towards building activities and network their ideas to other who had questions, from writing a letter, to including pictures and videos, and span out to every aspect of computing, to include networking, maintenance, and security. My individual role was to help find concepts to an easier grasp to build upon, until the understanding of any given step became real to the individual. To me, that is the in lining path to getting everybody to enjoy more out of their computers.

            It is not the easiest exercise to master, nor consider it a tool in getting the basic understanding of a computer. There is also finding key words and phrases that people can quickly comprehend, and in large masses. Even defining something that has already been defined is not always accepted. How would you define a computer? It has taken me time, but a concept definition is the ability “To Create”. Through every effort after plugging this machine in and turning it on, everything seems to become work. It definitely is not a solid state device. What really makes me work hard to find the right concept is that the individual seems to have more limits than what the computer has when it comes to making something out of nothing.

            I first started out trying to compare many programs with what has already been described as “the virtual world”. In a sense, many others do their best to compare real life and tangible objects with what can be drawn, coded, or written through the uses of a keyboard, mouse, and monitor screen. It takes us all some time to look at a certain item or area and see a potential use for it.  From a small piece of land, to a vacant building, we either see it as something not worth investing our time in, or we imagine what this space, place, or environment could possibly become. And imagination is one of the biggest resources that all posses, that is needed in using the computer, when it comes from starting something out of nothing.

            Whether we have seen others put it to practice, or basically get an initial concept of what it can be used for, we still do not include that imagination to give this whole thing a purpose. Many get the concept of email, surfing the web, and Instant messaging, but then it’s use becomes limited by the person own imagination. Some see it for storing pictures from a camera, or for watching movies in place of a DVD player and home entertainment center. But how about taking what you put on it and making a project with it. You use it to see and hear, or retrieve information, but what about you being inspired to give something back, share, or even contribute. I’m not even writing about replies or comments you can include with something already created, rather the intention of making something yourself, that you could and would love to share with family, friends, and strangers.

            Another concept, even I have had problems describing is the concept of using the computer, as much as the cell phone and any other organizer. In reality (of this virtual world), the phones, PDA’s, and the simple calculator are all sisters to one another. Still, people feel they need to make time to sit in front of the computer, rather than put it to use in their daily life, from organizing, to project building, and information gathering and organizing. For me, I just need a computer, and I can make calls(pc to phone does depend on the broadband of your network connection, along with the processor in the computer, but I still do it), email, mapping, records tracking, video making, and financial records keeping (my weakest point of putting this device into everyday practice). In professional Driving, a driver has to log every activity in four separate categories; Off Duty, Sleeper Birth, Driving, and On Duty-Not Driving. They do this in what is called a daily log. Their best suggestion to all is “log it as you go”. Anytime your activity changes from one category to another, draw a line and fill in the remarks as the change occurs (instead of waiting to sit somewhere and catch up on you log, like other paperwork). Truth be told, I have a Driver’s Daily Log program on my computer, and so the computer is used as it is needed, especially when my status changes.

            I have already written blogs on the power options available, rather than starting up and shutting down the computer between periods of when they are no longer in use. This blog covered Hibernation and Standby. And, at the end of the day, before I go to sleep, it is then when the computer is shut off. From when I awake and start the computer, and throughout my working day, the computer goes into Hibernation or Standby, holding windows last used open to return to when I power the computer back up. Even a quick note to be remembered means turning on, making that note, and then back to Hibernation or Standby, knowing it will be turned on soon.

            When it comes to making something out of nothing it includes a personal attitude (not shared outwardly, but towards yourself), of making that something out of nothing important, imperative, and just strictly a needed and growing routine. From the beginning of any activity or project, we all need to take a breath and feel if we are ready to start what we are about to embark upon, even just mowing the lawn or raking leaves. Other things we call chores, we actually build a routine around, and to think of using a computer with importance sounds more like a project than focusing on it becoming a chore. At the same time there is a certain amount of importance needed to gain momentum to anything, including using a computer. We are all reminded to brush our teeth after every meal, change your clothes and wash up, all relating to the importance of hygiene. To stay on top of any project, and to go from start to finish, you have to present using the computer with some kind of importance, whether in organizing daily agendas (along with reading your email), or building a project that can aspire to more than one project at a time. To stay focused on these projects, there has to be an instilled need to see it through, and make the time out of the time in between your real life activities. For instance, many of the blogs are written to fill in the time at Shipper and Receiver deliveries (while they are loading or unloading). Sometimes, that could only give me an hour, and in this case, I got most of the day; and to do more than just sit, wait, and watch television. I also have to make sure that my logs, paperwork, and most of my bills are recorded first, so there is a small amount of time to do this, strangely the same amount of time that would feel like it was dragging if I had just sat, wait, and watch television.

            Right now, besides blogging, I have two databases (work related) started, my daily paperwork all caught up (Daily Log included), my email has been reviewed, and a couple of quick thoughts shared on twitter; all of this chores. As far as making this the only time to do this, I naturally have been called to the shipper’s window four times, and have been to the truck twice. So like anything that involves computers and life, merge with the moment, instead of shouting that I am busy or in the middle of something…another concept based on life and its activities come first, and the computer only fills the time of waiting.

            Anything and everything being done in real life can be partly created on a computer, from planning your day, to mapping out where you are going, to keeping notes of things to do (or have been done). We do everything to structure our daily routines, and using a computer to document what we want to do, and what we have already done is just another possible tool to be used, and your way, in creating something out of nothing.

            In this upcoming year (2011), I am going to make an attempt to structuring this blog to create project that you can follow along with, and I’ll even give them a theme, a purpose (or meaning), and help build steps that you can follow along with. I’ve been contemplating on a project in writing, and it went from one personal purpose to sharing for another personal event, and now, to be used to helping explore what you can do, using someone else’s ideas. I hope it becomes something interesting to follow along with. Just keep in mind, my primary role in life is professional driving right now. So, if I can practice making this a chore, routine, and project, hopefully it will lead to you understanding that it started by making something out of nothing, using my tool to create, with the importance to see it through to completion. Those periods where it seemed to have stalled is because of the time of the year, and I’m probably wearing down the rubber on the tires of the truck. Be patient with me, from beginning to end, and use the remaining part of the year to take that breath, and conclude that in 2011, there is a project to do.

Posted in Computers and Technology | 4 Comments

I’ll Be Home for Christmas; If Only In My Dreams

Posted on December 18, 2010 by tharrisfc

      Transitioning into the Commercial Transportation industry was not easy. It’s not just a job or career, but a lifestyle. It truly as it’s good and bad, but it can be such a culture shock, if it is not something you are aspired to. Recently, I compared this to being like the last generation of the cowboys’ life, especially how I took on this profession. Where else can you wake up in a zip code you would have to look up, look around at different surroundings that you only stay a short time to enjoy, and consider this comfortable? If never been done, feelings of being a transient would definitely consume you.

            The way I started out was like how many new drivers start, and that is get into the truck, and drive to all parts of the country, provided there is a road to be traveled on. Its only through time, does a driver start deciding how far, and what type of work he desires to manage. Even in this period, it can be costly, since a driver may realize that this is not the life for them; and conclude the experience (although one well taken) was all for nothing.

            It’s not just the type of work, or how independent you really need to inherently be, but the life you literally walk away from. The work needs your focus to be in control, and the need to always improve and stay on top of “your game”. And, to be an over the road driver, it has to be the love for the scenery. As time passes, you take note to the people you deal with, and although it is business related, you eventually recognize that the only time they are not happy you came around is when you are late. They see you as you are, “a truck driver”. From there, they treat you the way you treat them (with exception for when you are late of course), and that transient feeling is the last thing they let you feel.

            Like everything that is good and evil, it takes time to make sense of it all. And, as long as you remain “over the road”, everything that you improve in this lifestyle becomes second nature, from sleeping, road conditions, weather, and most importantly, driving habits. With regards to that, the focus to always improve in what is slowly second nature is going to always be an ongoing responsibility, to prevent careless, reckless, and harmful   possibilities to yourself and others around you. Eventually, it all is about the professional work at hand, with a little personal feeling of being “right at home” with what you do on a daily basis.

            But the hardest part can be that lifestyle you drove away from, and especially during special events, anniversaries, and the holidays.

            Before I started out, I did already move away from family, but they thought I’d still be around to interact. We still do interact, but email, instant messages, and even home-made videos are limited to each individual’s desire, ability, and creativity. This isn’t just in truck driving, but in any demanding profession, and serving to protect this country is in my opinion an honorable profession. And, if there was one thing that we all share is, being away from those we love, and in some cases, those who love us more.

            So how does one do it? Why not just pack it all in and go back home? Some do. The rest find that importance it what they do. In the transportation world, that importance keeps the supplies of necessities and luxury flowing. The only other profession or service that still gets most of the “bad rap” is the United States Post Office. Face it, they don’t loss the bills on their trek, and when it is important, they still get blamed for being so slow. But that service has been around only second to do Unites States, the constitution, and all the other government agencies fall under, or just slightly above the birthing of circulating information, news, and communication.

            I chose to be out here, and as often as I truly am. It has “an ends to a means” for me, and a hope that time goes faster. Others in this profession strive to be part of family, and take advantage of going home to be counted and included. My fight has been the desire to learn all I can, put it to practice, and use this experience in the future, as I dream of returning to a world of knowing my neighbors, having friends, and seeing family. Even when it comes to writing these blogs, you really have to be in that moment, and is something hard to recall.

            How do you explain to those closest that you are doing this for a reason, when it only takes a loving niece to express her feelings that life is happening there, and you are not a part of it? Harder to feel when you realize that this expression may mean the world to her.

            Seasonal songs sometimes bring the best and worst feelings to occur for that moment. It does take time to make sense of it all. In many ways, my family upbringing has made me realize that even in some uncertain times, knowing where you came from is half the battle and fight to keep going forward. In that growth, a person builds an individuals own concepts, likes and dislikes, and in a whole, has an individual personality. It’s those memories that are the “popcorn trail” to where you are now. Even when somebody has passed away, if you recall the times of the past spent together, you can visualize that person’s features and personality. With a little effort and focus, those memories become real again. It is healthy to look back, for as long as the perception is only to feel what you have learned, and it makes you realize how good you stand right now, in your own body, as one’s own self.

            Those seasonal songs can also be healthy, and although there may be sadness, it can be perceived as the love you cannot share towards another, and even how much love they directed towards you. Not having what you wish for and feeling sad about it is not selfish, but a feeling of wanting to be somewhere else, or in a time when life was so much better than this moment. It just brings out the love, emotion, and thoughts of another time, and with so many other people.

            How does one make sense of it though? Finding unique ways of reaching out is one way, from greeting cards, to a quick call; or even finding the resources to making a request to the local radio station in their area, or even in just a simple blog. Giving it meaning to others would only be the second best gift. Yes, they may cry. But, you thought of them, from someplace unknown, you took the time to reach out. And in that moment, you are real to them again. As far as those “breadcrumbs’”, they play a huge part in those tears… a healthy part. Whether they actually make it worth everything in the world or simply get a kick out of the recognition, which is beyond your control. Just know, you found your way of being included during the time of the season, where people come together and share friendship, long to reach out to family.

            Much of what we do comes from inspiration, and sometimes has nothing to do with what you do daily. This blog came from the inspiration of a song, “I’ll be home for Christmas”, which sums up the whole reason of why this blog was written, with no real regards to Truck Driving or Computers. That song made me recall the voice of a little niece, that at one time, hurt so much when she remarked, “Where are you?!”. It was also in her mixed tone of annoyance, frustration, and that ultimate ingredient of missing someone so important in her complete picture of life; all of which hurt me so much. I knew there was a sense of abandonment there, and I was the guilty one.

            In my defense, I was only changing with the times, looking for that unknown direction to what was to be my goal in the future, and somehow, life pulled me away to where she could not see me anymore. I’m not sure if in that moment, I will ever see the forgiveness. By nature, I can be described as wanderer, a dreamer, and someone who just needed to find out what was out there in this great big world. Because of my pace and ability, I never found anyone who would dare follow me and my adventures, and looking back to only one woman who probably would have, I never thought of giving her a chance (no that woman was not my niece). In one form or another, I will see that moment in time, and find myself guilty in my niece’s eyes. For so many other relationships, I know I have broken bonds and feeling along the way.

            It’s been over one year since she asked me, “Where are you?”. Time is helping me let go of that moment. Somehow, I personally find sense in it, and hold and cherish it now. It screams out, “She loves me”. It is a breadcrumb counted, and now I can look on. I don’t know if she will ever find this blog, but it is there; something like a buried treasure. Importantly, at the time of writing this, so many fond memories (and breadcrumbs) came to life, and I found myself smiling. I may not be able to be there, or send out a card, or call the local radio station and make a request (but if I do, it would definitely be “I’ll be home for Christmas”), but I started that effort…in the form of this blog. And, whether she finds it or not, it is out there for her, and others, to dig up and take the time to read. What others do with it is up to them, but it is my hopes that they find a treasured breadcrumb in their life, and make this their treasure for someone special to them.

            Should this reach her, I’m going to try to make that request, but already I hope it can be done when school is out, hopefully home with your parents, because it may just bring out some tears. But if you never hear it, just know through this blog, your uncle reached out, and request a song that has meaning and silent hugs, specifically for you. For now, I wrote it, imagining it like a treasure to be found. Should you dig it up, it is my hopes that on this up and coming holiday, that very song is played (and at the right private time), and it played simply for you and from me.

            And should that question come up, it is my hopes that you make sense of it all, and in your own popcorn trail of memories find me there, and that I had never left you. In reality, another December 25th will come and go, and I’ll be in a 2005 Freightliner. But for a moment, and in a song to my niece, may you see it my way and know, “I’ll be home for Christmas; if only in my dreams”.

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Help Me See You At Night

Posted on December 12, 2010 by tharrisfc

        We all know that safety is talked about, and is talked about quite often in the workplace. All those safety suggestions usually form and become a policy or procedure, after an injury or death. Otherwise, we all take it for granted, when it is not work related, or has not been suggested.  Still there is a policy that I work with daily, relating to the truck in motion, which I have been only recently considering a personal practice, without a policy initiated, simply because it does something discuss to professional drivers driving, not walking around their working environments.

            Just out of common trial and experimentation, I got a few head band flashlights. They serve my purpose from time to time, the other times, they aren’t that bright enough, or are they. These tiny headband lights were for close to reach lighting, but they can be seen by others approaching you. It came to me, to make it a practice to wear the mini light on my cap, when at a shipper and receiver. It makes sense, because in some yards, the lighting does not cover every aspect of a trailer filled lot, and wearing a reflective vest only serves well when light reflects off of it. By having that light band on my cap catches others off guard, in the sense of, “What is that?”, “Where is that coming from?”  , and “I have never seen that there before!” When it comes to the usual yard jockey, running his role in his own domain, they tend to slow down, to figure out what is glowing.

            I also have a bigger Head worn light, with three setting, with much stronger lighting, but there will always be nothing more useful than a handheld flashlight, except, we turn those off when walking. The thing looks like a miners flashlight, but it works well enough to do the job of a hand flashlight, freeing your hands to work with, but one more thing…it gives others the opportunity to see me, especially when in between trailers.

            There is no fashion statement to be made, and it has only been worn as a new safety tool at the customer’s yards that I am contracted to. It comes off when at the truck stops, rest areas, and other public places, and normally stored away during the day. No one truly knows I wear this, unless we are delivering to the same customers.

            I started thinking about the nights’ travels, and how many disabled vehicles off the shoulder of the interstate, and realized, I only recognized (saw) one person working outside their disabled vehicle. I usually see the shadow of the vehicle, and if put out, the reflective triangles, but hardly ever know if the operator is in or out of the vehicle. As a practice, I change lanes to be furthest away from the parked vehicle, but still, no real visibility of where the operator is.

            Sometimes, there are routes that take me off to secondary roadways, and I recall seeing pedestrians as shadows, but never really saw them until right up close, because of the dark clothing they wore. I guess getting hit while walking, or replacing a flat tire doesn’t raise enough concern to the idea of a headband flashlight as a tool to include with the other road repair tools. I’d rather not wait for another safety note, policy, or law, be brought out, that tells you…others want to know you are there.

            Many accidents involving pedestrians are when the weather plays a role, such as snow, rain, or fog. Not one accident I have ever seen on the news ever said that the victim was wearing a reflective vest, carrying a lit flashlight, or anything else to make certain they could be seen. Maybe we don’t have to wait for it to be a law. Maybe, all we have to do is see an article, and feel the need to do whatever it takes to be seen at night, and consider it a plan to put into practice. After all, the writer of this blog don’t know anything about you, except that somebody close in your life needs you to be in good shape, from parent to sibling, and other relations, to neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Some stranger asked you to do it, if not for your own personal safety, then on behalf of those who do know and care about you. A stranger…who wants you to be seen…and for you to see your way home safely.

            The headband flashlights easily can be carried in the pockets of jackets, stored in a glove box or toolbox, and no one needs to know you use it when it is dark. There is only one catch though…you have to wear it, and have it on, for me to see you.

            Get home safe, tonight and every night, and let me help you, by knowing your there, so I can give you a safe path to your destination; especially if you are walking.

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Season Treasures of the Highway

Posted on December 5, 2010 by tharrisfc

This gallery contains 9 photos.

            I spend most of my writing on instructional, suggestive, and opinion articles. And, with the holiday spirit in the air, along with the snowfall, I found myself at the Warners Service Plaza, I-90 westbound, in New York, for a ten-Hour … Continue reading →

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Trip Planning Changes for the Long Haul – The Weather Report in my toolbox

Posted on December 4, 2010 by tharrisfc

        Without being too repetitive in my previous writings for Associated Content, one of the most useful information that a driver needs to exercise and depend upon is the weather reports, second to the Driver’s Map. Everything we do needs accurate and timely completion. For driver’s and estimated time of delivery is crucial, especially when the receiving customer depends on the load arriving, to continue the craft, production, or timely distribution of materials. With technology in the Corporate Business leading to communication with a Driver through the use of Satellite communication, a driver keeps in touch with the company about every aspects of the load, from pickup, in transit, and throughout the arrival to the delivery point.

            Driver’s are restricted, by law, of how long the can drive, so the longer the destination, the more periods of breaks needed makes the delivery done in segments. Besides construction, accidents, and unknown local activities and Town events, the one important piece of information that can delay a timely arrival is the weather. There are some predictability to the driver of what to expect, as the driver develops more experience out on the highways. Through time, they can associate the Months with what to expect in delays, for example, from September to June, school is in session, which means buses stopping in local areas between the hours of 6:00-9:00 AM and 2:30-6:00 PM (Driver’s opinions may vary). This sounds very obvious, but it is typically a “second thought” to the automobile driver. The truck driver finds this useful in planning how and when traveling and the need to monitor the time and duration of the trip.

            Without developing the need for information, a driver can get delayed by Sporting and Racing Events, Town Gatherings, and Show tours. But the driver can get some of this through radio stations prior to arriving through cities and suburban towns. Getting back to the “tools of the Trade”, and still repeating myself, besides the Map, the next useful tools the driver gains interest in is the weather and road construction. Construction is typically scheduled in advance, and information of appending construction can be obtained through newspaper, media, and online. It will slow the travel time, but it rarely is the time constraining cause for delay. But the weather, well, besides tornados, and flash flooding, the driver is finding fewer reasons not to be able to predict delay in travel based on the weather, and still needs to check the weather for constant changes as they approach different regions of the highway.

            Two most recent events have caused delays in travel for a mass amount of traffic, due to snow fall. The Valentine Snowfall of 2007, in North East Pennsylvania, holding drivers hostage for days on the interstate, and The 2010 December Snowfall in Buffalo, NY, not as bad, if you are stocked up to be comfortable on the Thruway…for up to twenty hours. Truly, we take the weather for granted, and rarely consider the weather for causing such delays.

            Getting weather predictions is not restricted to anyone who planning long travels, but it is the least found item on their “checklist” when planning a trip. Knowing the weather in advance can avoid being stuck somewhere, and depending on the size of some storms, it helps to seek an alternate direction to work around the approaching weather. It is also not thought of to use break periods for restrooms and meals, to include the weather report as part of that need for a break.

            Many lessons can be learned from the professional driver, who consumes seventy feet of space on that highway. One of those is what’s in his “Toolbox” to get the job done. Depending on the experience of the driver, don’t be surprised if they mentions the Weather report as one of the most used tool of the trade.

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Extreme Temperatures affects equipment

Posted on December 4, 2010 by tharrisfc

        Waking up to a truck’s interior at 32°, with the outside temperature at 27° requires time for the interior to warm up before expecting my computers to function without issues and danger to the parts. I typically tell people three guidelines when using mobile notebook and Laptops:

  • When coming from outside, where temperatures are extremely cold or hot, allow the computer to sit and reach the room temperature before turning it on to prevent condensation or lubricated parts to work properly.
  • When not in use, always store in a case or pouch, especially sitting in an automobile, to prevent moisture from corroding the circuit boards.
  • It is suggested to operate a computer in the temperature range of 50 and 90 degrees.

         There are three parts affected by extreme temperature, the battery, the cooling fan for the processor, and the processor itself. When operating a computer in the extreme cold the lithium battery may freeze, deterring it to provide its full potential power, and it will have problems charging properly. When in extreme heat, the processor (which normally runs hot will be running hotter than it was designed for, while the cooling fan will be constantly running at its fastest speed to constantly keep the processor cool. This wears or “ages” the motor and processor over time, which may lead to needing repairs sometime down the line.

        I just noticed that on certain models there are tell-tale signs to look for, such as the charging light, when you first plug in your laptop with a power pack. The charging light will blink, meaning that the sensor has noticed a charging issue to the battery. This may not be true for all computer models, but if you notice this, extreme cold may still be affecting the cells in the battery. Unplug the computer and bring the environment to the warmer temperature and wait about twenty minutes. If it continues to blink there simply might be problems with the battery, and it needs replacing.

        In short one last guideline I tell from time to time is if you feel cold or uncomfortably hot to just sit and work, it is most likely the laptop will feel the effects of the temperature as you do.

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Temporarily shut off The Computer

Posted on November 10, 2010 by tharrisfc

      It is one thing to propose the possibilities to how computers can enhance the lifestyle to the individual in any field; it’s another thing to actually apply it to a persons everyday life. Sure, cell phones and blackberry’s caught on as a “trend” and a way of life, but the desktop, laptop, notebook (now small enough to call a “Net book”) are still tools that can be used in a persons everyday planning, recording, and reviewing. It is so much more than just an internet tool.

            The biggest issue to address is how the average person views the use of the computer, as if it was either a toy, or work. I have seen individuals needing to “make time” to sit in front of their desktops, and push aside other activities; in a sense, making schedules of when to use the machine for emails and other projects. It’s more of a concept though, and right along the same lines of the cell phone, where one is hardly used as it could be, laws are introduced to fight the abuse of multitasking, when the need to focus on life’s activities need that much attention.

            When it came to truck driving, even I found it hard to get past the concept of introducing the work at hand on the machine, and include it in my everyday activities. I know many think it should only be on when it is in use. But completely shutting it down, using the shut off process, means it takes time to boot it back up, without experimenting with putting the computer in “Stand By” mode, or “Hibernation”.  A quick understanding to these two processes that we see when we go to actually shut off the computer is as follows:

  • Stand By: A mode to where the computer stops running the computer, and holds everything open, until such time as it is powered on again. This only shuts down the monitor (on laptops), and hard drive, and still uses battery or electrical power to keep programs that were running at their last place of activity. Keep in mind, it is handy to use, but it does not save information on its own, but only holds everything open until it is powered back on. It is still handy when the time it needs to be off is a very short duration. Should the power be lost (or the battery drains out), the start-up of the machine would go through the process of starting up (boot up).
  • Hibernation: This process also keeps all programs open, but saves information, and settings, and at the same time shuts down the computer. When powered up, it displays everything still opened, and is quickly ready to use.

 

Hibernation is one I favor during my days activities. It keeps everything I am working on where I left off, and without going through the process of waiting for the computer to completely boot up, and then, opening all my projects. It is quicker than booting up again, and marginally slower than using Stand By. Even with no power or battery strength, once it is plugged in and started, it would come out of hibernation.

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