A R T I C L E S
In this section of the site I delve a little more deeply into that which interests me. The subject of these articles is not limited to one aspect of computing, in fact it isn't limited to computers, though that is my main interest at present. I also place no restrictions on format. The few pieces here are instructional pieces related to computing. However, in the future I reserve the right to post commentaries, critiques, editorials, instruction manuals or anything else that suits me. Anything which is genuinely interesting has its place here, regardless of content or format. In fact, I invite submissions as well. If it is interesting (to me), I'll publish it here.

WESTERN WILDFIRES
IMAGES OF THE OCTOBER 2003 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BRUSH FIRES
A picture is worth a thousand words, but a few paragraphs of explanation help to drive home the impact portrayed in these NASA images of the October 2003 wildfires that swept through Southern california almost two years ago. Over nineteen months after the fires went out, only about half the victims of the October wildfires have replaced their destroyed homes. Many hundreds of residents are still living in temporary housing, and many others have simply moved on, unable to overcome the problems of rebuilding caused by being under-insured or uninsured. The landscape is regenerating remarkably quickly, helped along by torrential rains during the winter and spring of 2004/2005, but at this rate it will take many years for lives to get back to normal.
- Posted August 26, 2005

THIRTY YEARS
SAVING SCOTTERPOPS
In the summer of 1973, thirty years ago this past Saturday, September 13th, I was a skinny, lost kid searching for a way to get through what lay ahead. The problem was, I had absolutely no idea what was before me. Like so many young people even today, I was lost, with no hope. Looking back, now knowing what I do about how I got "lost" and just how "lost" I was, I am dumbfounded that somehow, impossibly, I was found. I owe a finders fee to Carol, my wife of thirty years.
- Posted September 15, 2003

WINDOWS XP AND CHOICES
MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP · THE DUMBING DOWN OF WINDOWS
While everyone appreciates the efforts of engineers and others to fashion more user friendly products, there is a not so fine line which when crossed, clearly indicates that those same engineers have a low opinion of our fundamental capabilities. Windows XP is the company's most ambitious project to date. That simple fact should not be taken lightly when assessing this operating system for personal use. Microsoft is capable of impressive feats of software engineering, and Windows XP, based on Windows 2000, is a graphic example of that ability.
- Posted August 28, 2001

THE MICROSOFT LAWSUIT
ON THE ANTITRUST ACTION AGAINST MICROSOFT
It was a crucial time in history. Clearly, monumental decisions were about to be made that could significantly impact the world's economy for the foreseeable future and arguably, even our social structure -- how we communicate and develop our productivity. How then, did Microsoft handle the suit brought against them by the Department of Justice and nineteen states?
- Posted August 10, 2001

WIN9X REGISTRY GUIDE
HOW TO BACKUP AND RESTORE YOUR WIN9X REGISTRY
Much of what you'll come across here at POPS' deals with either enhancing the productivity of, or how to fix something that's gone amiss with your personal computer. Probably the single most important skill you need before you avail yourself of any of the programs, tips, repairs or instructions available here, is the ability to easily and quickly backup and restore your Registry. This article not only details how this is done in Windows 95 and 98, it offers you the tools to make the task easier in Windows 95.
- Posted February 10, 2002

GUI GUIDE
CUSTOMIZING THE APPEARANCE OF YOUR WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Why is the customized, personalized appearance of my graphical user environment so very pleasing? It's almost an obsession for me; when I complete a clean installation of an operating system, I can't begin to use the computer until I've done at least some customizing. This article shows those of you with similar interests just how I make those changes.
- Posted February 10, 2001

DUAL BOOTING WINDOWS
DUAL BOOTING WINDOWS 2000 AND/OR LINUX WITH OTHER WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEMS
Are you a Windows user? What's your preference? Windows 95, Windows 98, or maybe you're a stodgy old-timer still using Windows 3.1. Perhaps you've grown familiar with the environment and are hesitant to change in spite of the good things you've heard and read about Windows 2000 and Linux. Well loosen up and read how easy it is to set up a dual boot, or even a triple boot system.
- Posted December 15, 2001

BUILD YOUR OWN COMPUTER
HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN COMPUTER FROM SCRATCH
Do you have computer envy? Do you sometimes wonder how Geeks do it? You give them a pile of parts that might as well be asphalt roofing shingles with tiny gold hieroglyphic squiggles all over it, and they hand you back a living, breathing computer. Well, as it happens there is no magic, if you know the special secret. Yes, you read that right; there is a special trick, a technique that only Geeks know about, and I'll tell you all about it.
- Posted June 20, 2000