August 2007
Sigh! Back to "regular" Calgary weather - Brrrrr!! I was just loving those hot days! I can't believe that it's August already, and the "back to school" season is creeping up on us.
But fun doesn't stop when summer ends - enter the Bright Ideas Zone, starting in September! Our newest event is all about mixing work with play - we hope you'll join us for laughter, creativity, and business building.
And speaking of "back to school", don't forget to check out the latest seminar and workshop schedules for fall.
If you're still not quite ready to go back to work, though, check out this month's Tech Tip, pretend it's still hot outside, and get those summer vacation photographs singing and dancing! Happy August!
Diane Henders
If you've got Windows XP or Vista, you own a little-known tool that makes super-cool slide show videos out of your photographs and/or video clips. Windows Movie Maker lets you select photos and/or videos, and put them together in a slide show, complete with music, fancy slide transitions, title pages, and special effects.
Depending on what version of Windows you have, you may find Movie Maker in various locations, but click on the Start button, then All Programs, and then Accessories, and start looking. Some versions of Windows list Movie Maker directly under Accessories; others store it under Communications or Entertainment.
Once you start up the program, you can import photos, audio, and videos. Drag photos, effects, and transitions into the Storyboard view, then add music and control how long each slide or transition displays in the Timeline view. When you're done making your movie, you can save it to a file, send it by email, or burn it onto a DVD and play it in any DVD player. One small caveat - Vista users may find unusual bugs in the program, at least until Microsoft releases a service pack.
Just start playing - you'll be amazed at what you can create! Can you say... Christmas gifts?
Do you have tech questions? Every time you send in a question, your name will be entered to win a free copy of "Tech Tips for Non-Techies". The next draw date is September 30/07. And in October, each of your contributions will be entered win a 1 GB USB pen drive or a multimedia headset!
Be ready to laugh, play, meet new people, promote your business, find your creative side, and brainstorm innovative solutions to your challenges! When you enter the Bright Ideas Zone, anything can happen! More information...
If you're a Bright Ideas Client, you're invited to attend the September 20 Bright Ideas Zone at no charge! (But please pre-register so we can bring enough toys for everybody!) Clients: Register Now.
Newsletter Subscribers, we appreciate you, too! You're invited to attend the September 20 Bright Ideas Zone for only $15 - a 60% savings offered to subscribers only. Subscribers: Register Now.
General public registration is $35. If you're not currently a subscriber, subscribe now to save 60% on admission. If you prefer not to subscribe to the newsletter, please register online at the general public price.
Fall Workshop and Seminar Schedule is Available
If you like advance notice about workshops and seminars, please visit our Events page - the fall lineup is all there for September, October, and November.
Keep checking back - we're adding new events all the time!
Win a 1 GB USB pen drive, or a multimedia headset
In October 2007, this newsletter will be 1 year old, and we want to give someone a gift! If you've contributed a tech question or a restaurant recommendation since November 2006, you'll automatically be entered to win.
If you haven't contributed yet, there's still time. Every tech question or restaurant recommendation will still be entered to win the quarterly book prize, and in October 2007, all contributors will be entered in a draw for either a 1 GB USB pen drive, or a multimedia headset with microphone - your choice.
The convenience of wireless networks is amazing - how wonderful to take the laptop out on the back deck, and work away while enjoying the great outdoors! Home wireless networks are becoming so common that in almost any residential neighbourhood, you can fire up your laptop and it will detect a handful of them.
Amazingly, any time you do this, you'll find at least one or two networks that are unsecured. Why? Because it's easy to go out and buy a wireless router, plug it in, and connect to it without changing any of the default settings.
Unfortunately, the default settings for wireless routers are available to the world from the manufacturers' websites, so their passwords are common knowledge. That means that your neighbours (or worse, hackers) can park on your street and access your wireless network - or even take it over and lock you out!
Read the complete article
Culina - 9914-89 Ave, Edmonton (780) 437-5588
The Sales Diva, Kim Duke, writes "One of my absolute favorite places to go have breakfast and brainstorming in Edmonton is Culina on 9914-89 Ave. They serve "food with a twist" (which of course this Sales Diva loves!) Their "bacon and eggs" special is a mushroom frittata with pulled pork roast and potatoes...YUM!"
So if you're in Edmonton, check it out - if the Sales Diva loves it, it's gotta be good! (I have to recommend her e-newsletter, too - if you're looking for sassy, savvy sales tips, you can't beat the Sales Diva!)
Submit a Recommendation and Win
What's your favourite haunt? Every time you send in a recommendation, your name will be entered to win a free copy of "Tech Tips for Non-Techies". The next draw date is September 30/07. And in October, each of your contributions will be entered win a 1 GB USB pen drive or a multimedia headset!
Photo of the Month: Wild Thing
The Western Wood Lilies were blooming a few weeks ago - who knew wild flowers could be so spectacular!
Bright
Ideas Personalized Learning
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(403) 692-2255 - www.BrightIdeasWeb.biz
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