You -- and everyone else reading this -- need to throw away your SD memory card, and buy one with a built in USB connector. No more wires, no more disks; just pull the thing out of your camera and stick it straight into your computer.
Update: Someone pointed out that I didn't actually answer your question. The answer is, no, you do not need any special software. Most cameras come with a wire to connect your camera to your computer, which makes your camera show up as a hard drive (on Windows, click "start | my computer" then select your camera's drive letter)
If that doesn't work, get an external card reader. If you need help with that, ask someone at CompUSA.
I've liked this guy since 6th grade. We were together for four years but broke up cuz I went to a different school (only 40 minutes away).
I still love him, but a couple months ago I told him we were over.
How do i tell him that i want to get back together, without looking like the complete idiot that I am?
Abby 17 years old female Wisconsin
Dear Abby, (heh)
You didn't break up because of the other school. You broke up because you'd been dating since you were 13, and it's time to move on.
You can just tell him you want to get back together. And he'll be cool with it. But after a couple of weeks, you'll remember just why you broke up with him in the first place, and you'll be bored. And then you'll feel really bad, and you'll ask me how to break up with the same guy twice.
You could take my word for it, but you shouldn't -- it's a lesson you need to learn on your own. So take him back.
If your websites never took off, what do you think you'd be doing for a living right now?
Brandon 26 years old
Brandon,
Before my websites took off, I was a freelance programmer. So I'd probably still be doing that, working on new businesses in my spare time. Or I'd be working for a small Internet startup, which is kind of like having a job and your own business at the same time.
But the real question is, what would I be doing for a living if my first business didn't fail? Little known fact: My first business was "PK Productions," a rap & hip hop music production facility in Maryland, where I grew up.
I'd produced a few songs and moved to NYC for the upgraded music scene. After a year, I accepted the fact that the most success I ever had in the music business was being able to invite this totally hot girl to a Will Smith record release party. I got to pretend that I was a big-shot music guy, but I think it was more obvious to her that my calling should be something in computers, and I never saw her again.
I'm in college, but can't seem to get interested in what I'm being taught. So I just don't care really anymore.
That said, I smell success with what I'm really interested in -- Internet marketing, videos, blogs, and so on. It it foolish to feel I can be successful in the Internet business? What does it take to become an Internet success?
Let me know if I'm where you were when you started AdBrite. I dream of it happening to me!
Collin 26 years old Dallas, Texas
Collin,
You've done the hard part -- found your passion.
There are a lot more people interested in the Internet business these days, than when I got started my first business in 1999 -- but people who founded Internet companies in 1995 were saying the same thing about me. So, while there are more people competing for Internet success, there's more opportunity than there ever was. We've barely scratched the surface of this technology. We're still in the stone ages.
So ask yourself two questions:
What can you do, that people would pay for? People who are successful in anything, are experts in something. If you're not yet an expert in anything relating to your passion, you're studying the wrong thing in school. Stop immediately and DIVE IN to something you love.
Are you willing to do what it takes, to get what you want? There's not an entrepreneur alive who hasn't fantasized about having a 9-to-5 job. You'll have to make sacrifices in every part of your life, with the knowledge that 9 out of 10 businesses fail within the first couple of years. Could you pick up and try again?
To answer your question about me, each of my businesses was built off a previous business. My first step was choosing to be a freelance programmer. That was two years (and two jobs) after college. Five businesses later, AdBrite was founded.
I'm 31 and doing what I love, which is what I consider to be success. But living in Silicon Valley (moved here 2 years ago from NYC), it's pretty easy to feel small-time unless you've got 10,000 employees, a business that changed the world, and a billion in the bank.
So I'm working on it, and if you're up for the challenge, so should you!!
However, at your age, you'll fall in love with the first guy you have sex with. The good news, if he's roughly your age, he'll be in love too. So enjoy!
I'm a single mom. I've got two kids with another on the way.
I need to get back on the right track, but I've got almost no support from my family. I want to go back in school, but I don't even know where to begin. :(
What's your advice?
Anne 22 years old California
Anne, Anne, Anne...
You're a mess. But your life doesn't have to be. You just need to find your passion, then you'll have direction. "Going back to school" isn't the answer.
Some people know what their passion is. Unfortunately, you do not. But I'm going to help you find it.
Here's what you do:
Ask yourself, if you could do ANYTHING in the world, what would it be? What's the ultimate fantasy that you'll probably never actually achieve, but would be awesome? Rock star? Movie starlet? Teacher? Birthday party clown? Brad Pitt's wife? That's the "WHAT."
Now ask yourself, "WHY?"
For example, my "WHAT" was "be a rock star heavy metal drummer!" Upon further analysis, my "WHY" was "I want to do something creative. I want freedom. I want to affect lots of people."
As it turns out, there were about a million different more tangible things I could do, that would satisfy my "WHY." That's why I became a freelance web programmer: creativity, freedom, and the opportunity to reach the masses.
What's your "WHAT?" What's your "WHY?" You'll be surprised how easy it is to satisfy your WHY, once you've figured out what it is.
Pud
ps- I'm still gonna be a famous heavy metal drummer. just you wait. :)
What's better, Cingular or Verizon? All my friends seem to have Verizon, but only Cingular has the new Apple iPhone.
Luv, Hattie 24 year old female Hollister, California
Hattie,
The Apple iPhone is indeed awesome and lots of people will switch to Cingular for it. But unfortunately, the first version will not support Cingular's high-speed network. So stick with Verizon (and their fast "v-cast" network), then wait for iPhone's second-generation model before switching.
Love your great website! I'm going to be taking the MCAT in April and wanted to know how to get motivated to study. Becoming a doctor has been a dream of mine, but I just cant bring myself to sit down and study.
Help!
Shah 20 years old New York, NY
Shah,
Ever think about why people go to the gym to work out? It's not because of the fancy weights. It's not because they prefer a treadmill to real jogging. It's because everyone at the gym is working out -- it's the only thing to do there.
Go to a library, same concept.
And if you find yourself getting distracted by all the books (dare yourself to sit near the music, business, or human sexuality sections...), ask your doctor about adult A.D.D. medication.
It's time to apply to college and I'm interested in both computers and neuroscience. I don't want to be doing monkey work for the rest of my life, but I also don't want to be a lab rat either...
What should I apply for?
Bob 18 years old Toronto, Canada
Bob,
Computers.
It's more exciting, more flexible, you're more likely to make a breakthrough (easier breakthroughs) , more money, less blood, and lower likelihood of accidentally killing people.
My girlfriend gets really jealous when I talk to my ex-girlfriend over email, MySpace, etc. The thing is, I have no intention of cheating on her! But still, my girlfriend doesn't trust me at all.
How can I prove to her that she is, and always will be, the only woman in my life? I want her to know she's the only one.
Thanks Pud.
Steven 22 years old White Plains, New York
Steven,
No, the answer isn't "marry her." Then she'll just be a jealous wife.
Fortunately, the answer is much simpler than that.
All you need to do, is say nice things about her to your friends, while she's around. Specifically, work into casual conversation with your friends about how your girlfriend is "the only one," how great/funny/smart/pretty she is, and so on.
Make sure she's present and listening while you talk her up.
The reason this is so effective, is because it paints a picture for her of how you act when she's not around. Specifically, the picture says you're not cheating on her -- rather, you go around saying great things and thinking great thoughts!
Set up a dinner amongst your friends, invite your girl, publically praise her, and enjoy her newfound trust. Pud
There's no better way to learn about yourself, than by analyzing what you do while drunk.
Remember that alcohol does not make you do things you don't want to do. To the contrary -- it makes you more likely to do the things you really want to do. Sometimes that's good, sometimes it's bad.
So clearly, you leave you friends because you want to leave your friends. Therefore, the real question is, "what would you rather be doing?"
Next time, do that instead -- and be pleasantly surprised.
How do you get over the fact that people who lie, cheat, and steal get break after break -- all the while leaving broken hearts and bitter feelings in their path?
Alley 25 years old Neodesha, Kansas
Alley,
Most people who seem on top of the world, had to step on some heads to get there.
Pud is an expert in many things including money, sex, business, arts, music, food, fashion, technology, nightlife, travel -- almost everything except sports.
