Commentary

Texas Consumer Complaint Center can help you

Q. I remember reading about an organization at the University of Houston Law Center that can help with consumer problems. Can you please give me its name?

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Another free Office alternative

Over the years, I have written about several free alternatives to Microsoft Office. Many of my students cannot afford the roughly $100-plus that it costs for a student version of Microsoft Office, and a lot of senior citizens, small businesses and individuals that I work with cannot afford the $250-plus for a commercial version of Microsoft Office.

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Google privacy policy asks if you want to be tracked

In the past few days, there has been some controversy in the media and on the blogs about Google’s new privacy policy, Google overriding the Safari browser’s “do not track” feature, and other potential privacy issues. While many Internet users are aware that the “free” online services such as Google and Yahoo!

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SpiriTed coming to area congregation

If your heart, to be merry, needs a medicine as the Scripture promises, then organizers in Southeast Texas might just have the perfect prescription for you. Promised in exchange for only 59 minutes of your time is the opportunity to laugh, cry, giggle, think a bit, smile, nod, agree, wonder, realize, chuckler, muse, and even poke your neighbor in the ribs. You are also invited to clap your hands, stomp your feet, and then just laugh some more.

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Do not use security deposit for last month’s rent

Q. My apartment lease was up in December. Since that time, we have had a month-to-month agreement. I am now moving out. I gave proper notice. I am afraid my landlord will not return my security deposit. Can I require the landlord to use my security deposit for the last month’s rent?

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You can get a ticket for that

Q. I was walking along a street when a police officer told me to walk on the other side, or he would give me a ticket. Can a police officer actually write a ticket for walking on the wrong side of the street when there are no sidewalks?

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Undelete or unerase accidently deleted files with Recuva

I plead guilty. I admit that I have sometimes deleted files that I should not have deleted. Often, I realize the mistake fairly quickly, but sometimes I am unaware of my error for several days. Since its earliest days, Windows has had a trashcan or “Recycle Bin” where deleted files are stored until the trashcan is emptied.

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Words fitly spoken

We all know the old adage, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Not true, in my opinion. Words can indeed be very hurtful and long remembered. I have counseled with adults in many situations who remember word for word things said to them as a mere child. Some very young children can clearly recite something that a parent or other supposedly loving adult said to them when they were younger than school age.

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Fun with digital images on JibJab

This past week, three of my family members had birthdays. Rather than send them traditional paper birthday cards, or canned e-cards, I decided to do something a little different. I created a series of humorous musical videos using their faces in the videos. Some of the videos I e-mailed directly, while others were posted on Facebook as a public celebration of their birthdays. The Web site that I used to create these videos is JibJab (jibjab.com).

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