Articles written by Ed Welch

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About me - Ed Welch

I've been blessed to work in creative pursuits most of my life, including higher education marketing/PR, journalism and broadcasting.

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Computers & Technology > Operating Systems Deciding when to upgrade to Windows Vista: 1 of 11

As I look into my Windows Vista desktop my view is a bit hazy right now. If you're considering an upgrade to Vista or looking at a new PC right now, read this first. My experiences in buying computers since the late 1980s haven't been the best. First there was the 8088 powered PC that ran on DOS and had a "whopping" 20 MB ha...
Politics, News & Issues > Trash & Recycling Recycling: Are we doing enough?: 2 of 12

"Being Green" not so new "Being Green" and "carbon footprints" are top buzz phrases these days as we focus on our environment. As the population grows, we should be concerned about what we're doing to the world around us. It may be hard for some to believe that our grandparents and great-grandparents were "green" also in man...
Hobbies & Games > Model Building & Radio Control Trains and railroading: 2 of 6

In this rapidly changing world of gizmos and gadgets with the power of supercomputers, the appeal of trains survives. Model railroading is a hobby that can be as low-tech or high-tech as you want, and it's something that family and friends can work on together. Ever since I got my first model train set as an eight-year-old, ...
Autos > Fuel Economy Improving the fuel economy of your car: 7 of 16

As gasoline prices continue to skyrocket, motorists are still spending lots of "idle time" in their cars, trucks and SUVs. The web site Fueleconomy.gov reports that approximately 15 percent of the energy from the fuel in your tank actually moves your car down the road or run accessories such as air-conditioning. The rest is ...
Autos > Driving & Safety Whatever happened to driving etiquette?: 6 of 13

Civility Behind the Wheel, or "they're honking, but I don't think it's because they love Jesus. I can be fairly easy-going, but there are moments that test my demeanor. Interstate highways are a prime example. They can get us there the fastest, but the same design that frees us from stoplights and numerous intersections can ...
Computers & Technology > Phone Buying Tips Reasons for using prepaid cellphone service: 2 of 4

Is prepaid wireless right for you? If you're like most people, having a cell phone is no longer considered a luxury. I can no longer imagine life before cell phones. Even if I ditched mine, what options remain for keeping in touch? The answer comes as soon as I walk by an empty spot where a pay phone used to be located. Busi...
Autos > Fuel Economy The benefits of cars that don't use fuel: 2 of 4

The latest fuel price hike scare presents another opportunity for us motorists to re-think our car-centric lifestyle. Quite a few years ago one of the major automakers (I think it was General Motors) had an advertising slogan "It's not just your car, it's your freedom." That line pretty much sums up our feelings about our ca...
Health & Fitness > Exercise (Other) Working out doesn't always require gym membership: 15 of 25

Those of us in the U.S. and other affluent countries are getting soft. Just look at photos from your grandparents' day and see how fewer fat people there are. That's because most of them were engaged in physical labor. Lack of modern appliances in the home and more people involved in agriculture were prime reasons people kep...
Hobbies & Games > Hobbies & Games (Other) Woodworking: An introduction: 2 of 3

Woodn't it be therapeutic? Woodworking fun There's nothing quite as relaxing and rewarding as taking a few pieces of wood and creating something useful, such as a bench, desk or table. These pieces have a natural simplicity and beauty far superior to a hunk of pressed sawdust. Over the years I have built boats, birdhouses, b...
Autos > Driving & Safety Driver safety: Elderly drivers and re-tests: 16 of 23

Re-testing worth the inconvenience When it comes to safe driving, there is a huge blind spot that hasn't been addressed one that ensures the continuation of carnage. Safety consciousness has hit new extremes in contemporary American society. Our automakers strive to make motor vehicles safer by integrating air bags, collisio...