A new tie or a new ‘toy’, um... tool? Get dad a gift he will enjoy...
by Steve Sherman
With casual attire becoming more common at work these days and the formality of suits required more infrequent, most guys only need a few for special occasions. Most of us like them far better when they’re hanging in the closet not in use. Giving dad a tie for “dad’s day” year after year (after year, after year) is a tradition that I’m glad to see go. Show Dad you care with a gift he truly likes. Shiny new power tools usually delight dads like shiny new toys please a kid. Tools that multi-task with different attachments are hot this year. New power tools feature the latest innovations and high-tech options that dads love – all the bells and whistles make them great “guy gadgets.” Sure, it may look like a regular old hammer, but there’s more to them than a rubber-gripped handle and a metal head. Estwing’s Sure Strike hammers and Stanley’s Anti-Vibe hammers are both great options to replace dad’s worn-out model. If dad’s do-it-yourself projects are limited by access to electrical outlets, expand his horizons with a new set of cordless tools. A cordless drill and saw combo kit offers a fantastic set of high-grade tools from trusted brand names. If dad is dangerously unhandy with repairs around the house, consider a new weedeater or edger that could make yard chores a lot easier. Dad’s old grill might still work okay but imagine his pride cooking out on a brand new fancy model loaded with all the frills and
extras he will love showing off, and may never use. You can’t beat the taste of a charcoal grilled steak on some special nights, but you also can’t beat the ease of use a propane grill provides – Add the snappy cleanup and it’s a winner that will please dad any old day. Your local hardware store has lots of fishing and camping equipment, kayaks and kayaking gear for outdoorsy dads that conjures up more future fun than a tie can ever provide. Don’t know what he needs? Too many choices? A thoughtful card and gift certificate will let him choose what he needs or what he wants that he doubts he’ll ever need. Priced from inexpensive to gifts that are quite nice, your local hardware store is full of gift ideas guaranteed to make your dad smile! Steve Sherman is a Store Manager at Canyon Lake ACE Hardware. He’s donating the ties he has to the Smithsonian Institute for their “Why Do Men Have to Wear This” exhibit. For more information, call 830-964-2797. Wimberley Ace
Canyon Lake Ace
Phone: 830-964-2797 1150 FM 2673 Canyon Lake, TX 78133 www.CanyonLakeAce.com
Phone: 512-847-2356 14307 Ranch Road 12 Wimberley, TX 78676 www.WimberleyAce.com
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Improve your computer monitor performance
by Gary Poss A more comfortable font size will reduce Here are a few do-it-yourself calibration tips that will make your monitor’s colors better and will make looking at your com- eyestrain. However, if you have to increase the text size a lot, it might be a problem with puter screen more comfortable. Both Windows and OS X have built-in monitor calibration the way your monitor is physically placed (or tools. Before you start, find the settings button on your monitor consider a larger monitor). To reduce eyestrain, your monitor should (one of the physical buttons along the front or bottom of the display). Use the menu to restore the settings to factory defaults. In be about an arm’s length away from you. Adjust the monitor so Windows, go to the Control Panel and search “Calibrate Display.” that the top of the screen is at or just below your eye level. Make This will bring up the Color Management tool (in XP, select the sure you position the monitor away from any glare that could be Color Management icon). Click “Change System Defaults” and reflecting off of it. The ideal position for your monitor is directly then choose “Calibrate Display.” You can change gamma, con- in front of you. You want to be able to see any part of your screen trast, brightness, and color settings. Search the Internet for defini- without moving your head or neck too much. tions and examples. Gary Poss, the creative owner of Creative Consulting, provides PC On a Mac, go to the Apple menu and select System Preferand Macintosh hardware, software, and service support. For more ences. Choose Display, then the Color tab. Choose Calibration to information, call Gary at 830-708-9866 or email him at gary@ adjust. gvtc.com First, set your screen resolution so it matches the native resolution of your monitor. In Windows, go to Start>>Control Panel>>Adjust resolution. Move the resolution slider up and hit Apply. The ideal resolution for most monitors is the highest setting available. Adjust the slider for a look that is better for your PC & MAC Consulting & Repair eyes. For the Mac, go to Apple>>System Preferences>>Displays. Select a new resolution to see how it looks. GARY POSS ~ OWNER Now that your resolution is correct, let’s change the text size. In Windows, go to Control Panel>>Appearance and Personal 830-708-9866 ization>>Personalization>>Adjust Font Size. For Macs, go to Gary@GVTC.com Apple>>System Preferences>>Universal Preferences>>Seeing. Canyon Lake Views 25 June 2013
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