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

professional maid services Northbrook ..

In The News:

A third-party dental marketing agency's unsecured database exposed millions of patient profiles with personal information that could be exploited for identity theft and insurance fraud.

New York-based Aircela unveils refrigerator-size device that converts air and water into fossil-free gasoline, with initial deployments planned for 2025.

Your home address is easily accessible on people finder sites, putting you at risk for stalking and identity theft, but data removal services can help protect your personal information.

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

Robot combat evolves at Unitree's Iron Fist King event as G1 robots face off in China, featuring knockouts, precise strikes and agile machines that can perform side flips.

Take control of your digital privacy with actionable tips like Facebook privacy checkup, location tracking management and data removal services to protect your personal information.

Smart TVs and streaming devices manufactured in China are being compromised by BadBox 2.0 malware before users even power them on; infections have been detected in 222 countries.

The lightweight, 15-pound Tenniix tennis robot mimics pro playing styles like Nadal and Federer, using AI trained on 8,000 hours of professional tennis data.

Oak Ridge's uranium enrichment facility supports America's AI ambitions amid concerns that China's aggressive nuclear reactor construction could give it an edge in powering data centers.

Facebook scam ads now leverage AI and deepfakes to create convincing celebrity endorsements, targeting specific demographics with sophisticated schemes.

Apple unveils iOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe and iPadOS 26 with translucent Liquid Glass design at WWDC 2025, featuring ChatGPT integration as competitors advance rapidly.

The Atom Touch prosthetic arm combines an AI neural interface with EMG sensors, allowing amputees to control individual fingers with precision at an affordable $25,000.

Aspen officials aim to have crews on the scene within five minutes — something they say would be nearly impossible without precise location data the AI technology gives.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says iPads are usually secure, but hackers can access them. Spot warning signs early to protect your data.

Tech expert Kurt Knutsson reveals how to easily move photos and videos off your iPhone or Android to securely protect your favorite moments.

The Social Security Administration is launching digital SSN access this summer. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you learn how to use it and protect your identity.

Glide underwater with CudaJet and make the ocean your playground. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses the redesigned tech that might be your next big thrilling adventure.

Protect yourself from login alert scams with five security steps, including avoiding suspicious links, checking account activity and enabling two-factor authentication

Skip the usual Father's Day gifts with personalized ideas for tech enthusiasts, home brewers, pool owners, seniors, outdoor lovers and privacy-conscious dads.

DMV text scam alert: Fraudsters impersonating motor vehicle departments nationwide are sending threatening messages about unpaid tickets and tolls to steal your information.

Fox News' AI Newsletter brings you the latest on this rapidly evolving technology.

E-BAR, MIT's mobile robot, provides physical support for seniors with handlebars that follow from behind, helping prevent falls while maintaining dignity for aging adults.

AI is changing everything – now, we can even use it to generate video. I tried OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo – here's how they measure up against each other.

Five simple phone setting tweaks that make your device work harder for you, from automatic text message deletion to scheduled focus modes.

Android users can save time with 10 simple automations, including automatic battery saver mode, location-based Wi-Fi settings and scheduled "Do Not Disturb" mode.

A Tale of Two Weddings

Marriage & Wedding