A Tale of Two Weddings

In the next six months, my son, daughter, and
grandson are all getting married. Our family is
spread across Ontario and the United States,
so I'm thankful to be living in the computer
generation. Wedding plans without the
advantage of the Internet and email would
be a long, difficult process.

To get my point across, let's visit the homes
of Miss Modern and Miss Pre-Computer as
they prepare for their special days:

Miss Modern has an idea of the venue she
would like for her wedding and spends an
evening researching on the Internet. She
looks at pictures of different halls, along
with prices, menus, and features
included. After deciding on three
possibilities, she emails to ask if they
would be available on the wedding date.
One hall is booked, so Miss M. and her
fiance will go to see both halls and make
a final decision. Communication and menu
changes are done by email.

Miss M. designs a database for her guest
list. Additions and changes are easily made.
Invitations are created using special
wedding software and elegant blank cards.
Easy, attractive and inexpensive.

Again using the database and a signature
font, Miss M. creates mailing labels (using
transparent labels) for 200 people in less
than an hour. To create personalized reply
cards, she uses mail merge and the computer
inserts names on each card.

A relative in another country would like
photos of the couple for a special wedding
gift. Using a digital camera, the photos
are taken and emailed in plenty of time
for the gift to be made.

There are constant questions from the
guests about accommodation nearby, what
is everyone wearing, what do the young
couple need? Emails answer many of the
questions and guests are given a website
for the bridal registry. Items still needed
are listed here, can be purchased without
leaving home and will be delivered to the
reception. This is a big help to people
coming from a distance.

Miss Modern relaxes while she and her
future husband look at honeymoon spots
- on the Internet of course!

Miss Pre- Computer, on the other hand,
has had a headache for days. Too many
things to do and not enough time.
After weekends spent looking at
various halls, she and her fiance can't
take it any longer and book the next
one they visit.

The guest list has been typed out, but
some important people were missed and
there are duplicates on the list. Miss
Pre-C is not a fast typist when she's
stressed, so has to re-do the 200 guest
list a number of times before it's right.

Her days are constantly interrupted by
phone calls from guests with questions
about the wedding. The long distance
bill is growing every day.

A friend recommends a good printer
for invitations, but he is out of town,
and another search begins.
The invitations are beautiful, so
Miss Pre-C begins addressing the
200 envelopes. Never praised for
her handwriting, the last of the
envelopes is barely readable. She
decides to try again tomorrow.

Relatives need pictures of the couple
for a special gift. The photos are
mailed and after frantic calls to the
post office, are finally delivered, too
late to use.

More long distance calls so gifts aren't
duplicated.

A frantic call from Gramma at the border.
Customs officials are questioning her and
are taking apart the gifts. Through her
tears, Gramma explains that the 50 items
had been individually wrapped.

Miss Pre-C takes a deep breath and
considers eloping.

P.S. If you still need convincing, my son
met his future bride on the Internet!

Creative Home Computing is a unique online resource, providing the help and ideas to use computers confidently and creatively and have fun in the process. Regardless of your age or skill level, computer literacy will enlarge your world.

Projects - Hints - Products
"It's Never Too Late 2 Learn"
www.creativehomecomputing.com

cleaning team near Mundelein ..

In The News:

Google Salesforce system breach exposes business data while scammers use incident to target users with fake security calls and phishing attempts.

Google announces Pixel 10 lineup with Tensor G5 chip and Gemini Nano AI, introducing Magic Cue, Pro Res Zoom up to 100x and satellite emergency support features.

C San Diego study reveals 86% of school safety companies monitor students 24/7 on personal devices, raising privacy concerns.

Users can now add their favorite outlets' coverage to the Top Stories section of Google search results by utilizing the 'preferred sources' feature. With just a few clicks, you can add Fox News.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS shows an unexpected frontal glow that Harvard's Avi Loeb says cannot be explained by sunlight reflection or standard cometary outgassing.

Receiving order confirmations for purchases you never made could mean your email address is being exploited in fraud operations targeting multiple retailers.

First wireless brain implant works with Apple's official protocol, enabling hands-free control of iPhones, iPads and Vision Pro through thought alone.

Data brokers sell personal details that scammers use to target retirement funds through fake financial advisor calls and convincing phishing attempts

Ten innovative tech solutions from gait sensors to smart pill dispensers help adults 65+ track fall risks and prevent injuries before they happen.

Meta AI internal documents revealed chatbots were allowed to flirt with children and engage in romantic conversations until the company was exposed by Reuters.

ChatGPT will avoid giving direct mental health advice under new OpenAI rules following instances where the AI model provided harmful or misleading responses.

Your phone tracks you in more ways than that little GPS icon suggests. Here’s how to find and clear hidden location logs on iPhone and Android.

Authorities in France and the Netherlands have been notified. Meanwhile, impacted customers are being told to stay alert.

Apple just rolled out a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature to specific models, following a recent victory in a legal dispute.

Kidney dialysis provider DaVita experienced a ransomware breach by the Interlock gang affecting 916,000 people in the second-largest U.S. healthcare attack of 2025.

A Chinese-made Unitree R1 robot walked Manhattan streets and shopped for shoes as part of KraneShares' $28 million AI robotics fund promotion campaign.

The ShinyHunters cybercriminal group breached Google's Salesforce system through vishing attacks, stealing business contact details and customer data.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Researchers turn 4.5 trillion discarded cigarette butts annually into sustainable road construction material, reducing litter and improving asphalt performance.

A security flaw in Google Workspace's Gemini AI enables cybercriminals to manipulate email summaries with invisible commands that bypass current protections.

Dubai's Woohoo restaurant features Chef Aiman, an AI system that reduces kitchen waste by creating new dishes from discarded ingredients and trimmings.

A Texas autonomous trucking pilot uses Bot Auto's Level 4 driverless trucks to transport freight between San Antonio, Dallas and Houston for a door manufacturer.

Bank phishing emails mimic legitimate security alerts from trusted companies to trick users into clicking dangerous links that can compromise accounts and install malware.

The tricky part is that most of us don't check our 401(k) accounts all that often, which makes it harder to spot unusual charges. And that gives cybercriminals the upper hand.

A Tale of Two Weddings

Marriage & Wedding