Most people who have a computer, or a cell phone, use the internet in some way. Most of us search for information on the “web” by using a search engine such as Google. It has become almost a knee-jerk reaction to go to Google to find out information, such as how to fix something, or to find out how old a celebrity is. Sometimes we want to know some history about a company or an individual. Often the search will take us to a page called Wikipedia, which can give up-to-date inf

If it is not a crime, it should be. It is not only deceptive, it is dangerous to millions of people, and it is quite believable. I found this scam on one of the news services that I receive every morning. It was mixed in with items that were probably “real” news: New information about the Epstein files; a major eatery that is closing 736 of its restaurants; Caribbean military commander who will retire; Kim Kardashian’s new lingerie look, the polar vortex, and so forth. The he

For The Madera Tribune Matilda Torres High School hosts 30 teams from California and Mexico on November 8-9, showcasing over 48 robots in two days of high-intensity matches at the 16th annual MadTown Throwdown. The 16th annual MadTown Throwdown robotics competition energized Matilda Torres High School on November 8 and 9, with 30 teams from across California and Mexico showcasing more than 48 robots in two days of high-intensity matches. World Champion MadTown Robotics Team 1

Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune File Photo Members of MadTown Robotics enter Fresno Yosemite International Airport while receiving a hero’s welcome after winning the program’s third World Championship in April. Three-time World Champions, MadTown Robotics and Madera Unified School District will host the 16th annual FIRST® Robotics Competition, “Madtown Throwdown” on Saturday and Sunday at Matilda Torres High School.  The free community event will welcome 30 robotics teams fro

Let me say at the outset that I hate smartphones. But, I’m not a complete technophobe. I’ve had computers for 45 or more years. My hybrid car probably has more embedded computers than I have functioning neurons in my brain. And when I get ready to forward this column to the newspaper, I’ll do so via email.  Moreover, I have a lifetime credential to teach “Computers and Related Technologies” at the college level, and did so from 1980 until 1984 when the DEC PDP-1170, which was

For The Madera Tribune Frank Bigelow, great Grandson of Harmon Bigelow, founder of the Ponderosa Telephone Company. I first met the Bigelows while working at Spring Valley School a long time ago. Jess Bigelow was a major patron of the school’s 4-H club and spent a lot of money buying their animals at the Madera and Chowchilla fairs. Of course it wasn’t long before I found out about the connection between the Bigelow family and the Ponderosa Telephone Company, and that is a hi

For The Madera Tribune Barnstormer leaves Madera. On March 29, 1912, hundreds of Maderans gathered at the city’s baseball park, where the National Guard Armory now stands, but they weren’t there to watch the Coyotes play ball. In the first place it was too early. No baseball team got up at 6:30 in the morning to play a game. What piqued the interest of this crowd was Madera’s first ever airplane landing and takeoff. D.E. Francis was coming to town. Francis, a professional bar