To Bing or To Google?

Do you follow David Pogue in The New York Times? His articles are very informative, while taking a light approach to technology. (We saw him at a concert last week. He's a local.) Today's article, Bing, the Imitator, Often Goes Google One Better focuses on Bing, Microsoft's new search mechanism, which as the title claims, may not only rival Google, but actually surpass it! Something new to try. Have you experimented with it yet?








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Mom
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Limit the Information You Share Online: Facebook, LinkedIn, and Elsewhere

In today's world, where so many of us share limitless details online about our lives, identity theft is a very real concern.

These two articles might convince you to rethink some of the information you choose to share online:

How I'm going to use social networking to steal your identity! by Ron Shulkin (www.examiner.com)

and

The New York Times article, Typing In an E-Mail Address, and Giving Up Your Friends’ as Well, by Alina Tugend.

Take a moment to review your profiles on Facebook, LinkedIn and elsewhere, and consider scaling back your personal information. Personally, I opt for the bare minimum, which is probably still more than necessary. Google your name, your spouse's name and child's name; you may be surprised by what you find. The Internet is here to stay, and so are the many skilled hackers ready to grab what you are willing to provide. Spend some time tightening your privacy settings.









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Heading Abroad Soon?

A recent article in The New York Times, Cum Laude in Evading Bandits, by Nicholas D. Kristof, offers some thoughtful travel advice for the novice or seasoned traveler. You will inevitably rethink your safety and security plan once you or a friend are victimized while traveling abroad. Take precautions in advance of finding yourself in a precarious situation. Make it a memorable trip for all the right reasons!









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Mom
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Creatively Approaching Your Job Search

While these may be challenging times to search for your first job right out of college, a little creativity and a lot of networking will go a long way in heading you down the right path. Take a moment to read this article from The New York Times, All Is Not Lost for the Class of 2009, by Eilene Zimmerman. For those of you seeking a summer job, many of these suggestions similarly apply.

At the completion of the article, click on More Articles in Job Market, for a number of additional worthwhile topics. In particular, consider reading Steve Lohr’s article With Finance Disgraced, Which Career Will Be King? While these may be uncertain times, the more information you arm yourself with, strategically you will be in a better position to maneuver your way through the current job market. And most importantly, stay focused and optimistic. Consider every opportunity that presents itself.


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Mom

A Traditional Passover Treat: Matzo Brei

It is a busy holiday week for many, with Passover beginning at sundown this evening, and Good Friday and Easter Sunday on the horizon. These holidays coincide with the beginning of spring, with much anticipation, symbolism and unique rituals. And as my friend Barbara and I have been discussing on our walks, there are many similarities between these different holidays.

Today's recipe for matzo brei is a personal Passover favorite. As a child, my grandmother and mother often prepared matzo brei. It was not reserved specifically for the Passover holiday, but enjoyed year round. My kids especially enjoy my mother's crispy recipe. We are convinced that her electric frying pan is the key to the crispness. Regardless, we never met a matzo brei that we didn't enjoy. It's also the perfect way to use up any leftover matzo when the holiday nears its end. For those who may not be familiar, matzo brei is sort of a cross between French toast and an omelet, substituting broken pieces of matzo for the slices of bread.

A number of years ago, an article in The New York Times alerted us to the best restaurants for matzo brei in NYC. Only in New York! One of the top recommendations was the Edison Cafe, also known as the Polish Tea Room. Located in the heart of the theatre district in Manhattan, this restaurant is rich with history and stuck in a delightful time warp. The Edison was a family favorite, yet we had never tried their matzo brei. So, off we went. There is no question that it deserves the kudos. It is not only delicious, but the presentation is impressive!

The difference between the Edison's matzo brei and the more traditional recipe has to do with the fact that the Edison serves it as a solid pancake. The more traditional recipe scrambles the eggs and matzo mixture in a pan until crisp. So began my hunt to find a recipe duplicating the Edison’s delicacy. Martha Stewart provides a few matzo brei recipes on her site. This particular recipe is quite comparable to the one at the Edison Cafe. Give it a try. It's easy to make and delicious.

Incidentally, matzo brei can be served savory with salt, pepper, onions and similar additions, or sweet, enjoyed with a sprinkling of sugar, honey or syrup.

Let me know if you try making this recipe and any personal favorite ways for serving this holiday dish.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Seder, a happy Passover, and joyful Easter!




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Mom

The Microsoft Worm Continues to Spread: Is your computer safe?

Since October, reports of the latest Microsoft worm have been flooding the news. Yet in recent weeks this worm has become larger than life, infecting both business and personal computers. The Scientific American Blog estimates that upwards of 10 million Windows PC users have been infected with the malware. For more information about this latest worm, read The New York Times article by John Markoff, Worm Infects Millions of Computers Worldwide. You may not even realize that your computer has contacted the virus.

Be sure you are receiving the most recent Microsoft security patches. An automatic update is the easiest and wisest way to stay current with Microsoft's patches and security alerts.