Replies

1. 
   Lataxe | Dec 06, 2006 11:21pm | #1

   Bob,

   I echo your Fine Sentiments.  Having just received the FWW DVD containing many articles and tips condensed from 30 years of the magazine, it reminds me of what an excellent institution the Taunton Press is.

   It's not an exageration to say that they taught me woodworking, as may be the case for thousands of others who have no access to a woodworking classroom or other educational facility of the conventional kind.  Even now the aforementioned DVD and the website, particularly Knots and its denizens, are providing a ton of knowledge to support my current personal venture into the world of handtools.

   A Very Merry Christmas to all at FWW and to all Knots members, from:

   A grateful Lataxe 

1. 
   xmike | Dec 07, 2006 03:36am | #2

   I third the motion!  Years ago I loved Fine Woodworking, and had 5 years of the magazine stacked about my workshop.  Too many moves later, they are long gone - however, I've started another stack that is about a year's worth - it'll grow.

   Mike D :)

   P.S.  I still love the magazine, but I also love this web-site.  Very user friendly.

2. 
   mapleman | Dec 07, 2006 07:11am | #3

   Taxe old boy,

   Sorry to hijack the thread, but can you tell me if the new DVD has any of the info that the old DVD has, or is it all new/different than the first one? Can't find an answer to that question and I'd hate to spend the $100 only to find it's all the info I have in the first version.

   Thanks,

   Lee

1. 
   Lataxe | Dec 07, 2006 09:05pm | #4

   Lee,

   Unfortunately I don't have their first DVD to make the comparison.  I knew that a new one would appear, so was too mean to buy the old one - on the assumption that there would be repetition.

   Perhaps Taunton will be the honest tradesman if you ask them the question direct?  In fact, if the 1st DVD does contain entirely seprate stuff from the old one, I would be wiling to buy. On the other hand, if not then people like you should be offered an ugrade for a nominal fee.

   NB I do have one little complaint about the DVD - its native resolution of 800 X 600 pixels.  They advise that one should set one's computer screen resolution to match but this still looks a bit poor on my modern 1920 X 1200 screen.  800 X 600 seems a bit of a low resolution in this day and age.

   Another small point: they have password-protected the PDFs that contain the articles, presumably to prevent their access by anything other than their DVD program.  If this is meant to prevent the DVD data being copied then this old computer security person must inform them that the whole caboodle is easily copied, so why pw-protect the PDFs?

   I hasten to add that I have merely copied mine to the hard disc, so it runs faster and I have a backup.  A less scrupulous person might be tempted to give a copy to all his mates.

   But I digress.

   Lataxe

1. 
   Bogart | Dec 07, 2006 09:33pm | #5

   I to enjoyed the first DVD. I have a complaint & I was wondering if this bothers anyone else. I wanted to sign up for FWW.com. I do not put a credit card on the internet as of yet. I called FWW and was told the only way to get FWW.com was through the internet. Can I be the only person this old fashioned? Your thoughts will be welcomed.

1. 
   Lataxe | Dec 08, 2006 01:42am | #7

   B,

   You're right to be wary of putting sensitive information such as a credit card number on the Internet; but it is safe to do so - as long as reasonable security precautions are taken.  Security needs to be applied at both ends and in the middle of any message containing sensitive information like a credit card number. 

   Taunton will use a secure transaction method to encrypt data flowing between you and them.  They will (hopefully) control access to the information at their end (just as they should were you to phone or write them with that same information).

   Some organisations use the credit card number for one transaction only then delete it.  Others store it securely. 

   The advantage of the first method is that the number cannot be subsequently stolen from them, as they do not have it.  The 2nd method means you never have to transmit them the credit card number after the first time. 

   If they do keep your number, they have to protect it from external hacking of their database; from someone impersonating you (eg by giving you a unique password to identify yourself); but also from access by unauthorised internal personnel.

   Whichever method Taunton uses, you can be fairly sure they do it assiduously.  Were their security to be breached and it became common knowledge, their reputation would be shot and their business would suffer badly. 

   The standard methods for protecting both the transmission of sensitive data and its storage are pretty tight, these days.  You can be confident that Taunton will do its part.

   The highest risk is likely to be at your end of the transaction, unless you have good security running on your computer.  Many people don't and may have picked up malware, such as a trojan horse or keylogger, that is invisibly picking up and transmitting their sensitive data to a bad person. 

   Bad people are intrested in your personal data and any financial data such as credit card numbers, passwords to bank accounts and so forth.  Identity theft, often using poorly protected home PCs connected to the Internet, is one of the fastest growing areas of crime.

   Every PC should have at least: a firewall; a virus checking service; a spyware detection service.  These things will exclude malware or find and eradicate it if it has already infected your PC. 

   There are lots of good security programs about.  I like those from ZoneAlarm and from PC Tools but there are loads of others.  Just beware of those that are "bloatware" with a tendency to stop your PC working as you want it to, with no clue as to how to safely change the security settings that may be causing the problem.

   Lataxe

2. 
   JLMCDANIEL | Dec 08, 2006 03:32am | #8

   People worry to much about putting credit cards on line. When you get your bill, check it . If there is fraudulent charges call the CC company and report it. You do not have to pay for it. It is the responsibility of the merchant to validate a card, if he doesn't he eats the charges. Someone getting you CC number is not Identity theft and if you report it to the CC company will have no effect on your credit rating.

   Jack

2. 
   mapleman | Dec 07, 2006 09:38pm | #6

   Lataxe,

   I did post that question here to taunton, but didn't get a response. I'm sure they just didn't see the question. I beleive they would be honest enough to give a true answer. By the way, I believe the first DVD is discontinued, so you may have to find one on the used circuit.

   Thanks,

   Lee

2. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Dec 08, 2006 04:44am | #9

   I did have, or maybe I should I say HAD an intent with starting this post; the purpose being to thank everyone for their help, say Merry Christmas to everyone and thank Fine Woodworking.  All in the spirit of the holidays.  

   I guess I missed it and should have posted this at Thanksgiving.

   Regards,

       Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   Kidderville, NH

    

    

   Use whatever tool needed to Git 'r Done!