Microsoft Home Magazine contributors

There certainly are times I disconnect completely. But technology is so integral to so much I do, it's safe to say — technology is my life. The most important part — both for work and leisure — is connecting with others. Either through plain old e-mail, VoIP, Instant messaging, or by sharing photos. Technology has also totally altered my work. Research is right at my fingertips, and writing and editing no longer feel like such solitary tasks when colleagues are virtually a click away.

If I didn't have my computer I don't know where I'd be. Not a day goes by when I don't use my computer to write an article, research an upcoming story, send e-mail, listen to music or just surf the Internet for anything from cool recipes and tips for healthy eating, to movie reviews and entertainment gossip. The computer is my work station, entertainment centre and communication device all rolled into one.

One lazy weekday I ordered a pizza online and realized how my computer is as essential as my kitchen sink. Using my computer I purchase flowers, research wine, buy groceries and book vacations. I do all of my banking on the web and manage the household accounting though Money and Excel. As a freelancer, my computer is not only a working tool but also my career centre. I search job boards, message forums and host my own website. My computer helps me be creative, independent and allows me to manage my life, both in work and fun, on my own time and terms.

I love to share. Whether forwarding a local news story to a friend in Australia or streaming home videos through the living room television, I share through technology to stay connected.My wife and I keep our five children — and an ever increasing stable of pets — organized through a shared calendar that keeps track of homework assignments, chores, play dates, swimming lessons and everything else. Our five computers, two printers, MediaSmart TV and Home Server help us work and play from home in a way that would not have been possible a few years ago.It may sound as if technology has invaded our home. But we have invited it in and embraced the benefits.It doesn’t take a power failure for us to turn it all off, and we do so regularly. We love being outdoors or sitting around the dining room table telling stories and playing board games. Of course, we also love sharing our experiences...

The personal and professional independence I enjoy would be unthinkable without modern technology. I use my computer and the Internet to research news and information, communicate with friends and clients, write and edit copy, e-mail work and invoices to clients, and buy books and jazz music. I’m proud to be associated with Microsoft Home Magazine, and I hope you, the readers, find the journal’s ideas and advice as helpful and inspiring as I do.

Natalie Bahadur is a Toronto-based writer and editor, specializing in writing about two of her favourite things: food and home décor. She has a love-hate relationship with her computer, but can't imagine life without it. When she's not hard at work at her computer, she's at play, using it for everything from booking airline tickets online to researching new books for her book club.

Gail Balfour is a Toronto-based freelance journalist specializing in technology, health, lifestyle and business. She is also editor of womenshealthmatters.ca, a consumer web site based at Women's College Hospital, and former editor of ComputerWorld Canada magazine. Gail graduated with honours from the journalism program at Humber College, and holds a certificate in television operation & production.

Over the past nine years, freelance writer Gabrielle Bauer has contributed numerous health and parenting articles to such magazines as Chatelaine, Canadian Living, Today's Parent, Reader's Digest and Saturday Night. She has also written two memoirs, Tokyo, My Everest (1995) and Waltzing The Tango (2001). A two-time National Magazine Award winner, Gabrielle lives in Toronto with her husband, stepson and two children.

Rehana Begg is a writer and editor. Although she's inseparable from her computer, addicted to e-mail and delights in food, her coveted recipes are stacked on bookshelves in her kitchen.

Erin Bell got her start as an editorial intern at Saturday Night magazine and since then has written extensively about consumer technology and video games for publications including 2 magazine, the Globe & Mail, CBC.ca, PC World Canada and CommonSenseMedia.org. She is the editor of Gamezebo.com, the world's first web site devoted entirely to casual games. She lives in Toronto.

Georgie Binks is a freelance writer living in Toronto who has written for Chatelaine, Homemaker's Magazine, Glow magazine and all four Toronto newspapers. As a former CBC radio and TV reporter and editor, she also writes a column on gender for CBC.ca.

Ilona Biro has worked as a freelance journalist in London, England, Mexico City and Toronto. In recent years, she's written on everything from labour issues to the origins of klezmer music for a number of Canadian newspapers and magazines. Her book, A Parent's Guide to Toronto (Parents Guide Press, 2002) published in November of 2002.

Mary Teresa Bitti and Alexandra Lopez-Pacheco are freelance writers and co-founders of communications firm Words Matter.
http://www.wordsmatteronline.com

Gerry Blackwell has been writing about the business — and fun — of computers for 20 years, trying to make it intelligible and enjoyable for ordinary folk. His work has appeared in Canadian and U.S. publications including The Globe and Mail, Canadian Business, Financial Post, Toronto Star and Profit. He is also the digital imaging columnist for Here's How! magazine.

Anne Bokma is an award-winning writer and editor whose favourite assignments are those that focus on health and family life. After working as a magazine editor for 20 years (most recently as editor and associate publisher of Healthy Woman magazine), she now works from home as a freelance writer for a variety of business and consumer magazines including Homemakers, MoneySense and Canadian Family. She lives in Hamilton, Ont., with her husband and two daughters.

Helen Bradley is an expatriate Australian lifestyle journalist. Her work appears in magazines as diverse as HUB: Digital Living, PC Magazine, Get Creative and The Sydney Morning Herald. She moves effortlessly between the real and digital worlds and is as comfortable creating digital art as she is getting covered in paint and ink. She blogs at www.projectwoman.com/blogger.html

During his 12-year career, award-winning freelance writer Allan Britnell has covered many subjects, and done everything from learning how to drive a 1912 Model T Ford to asking far too many questions about septic systems. He lives in Toronto with his wife and two young daughters.

John Bugailiskis is a writer and editor in Oakville, Ont., who reports on technology trends.

A Canadian professional photographer and contributor to several photographic magazines, Peter K. Burian is the author of a new book, Mastering Digital Photography and Imaging (Sybex Books). He is also co-author of the best-selling book, National Geographic Photography Field Guide.

Heather Camlot is a Toronto-based freelance writer who covers a variety of topics including technology, digital crafts, health, entertainment, travel and fashion.

Camilla Cornell is a freelance writer, two-time National Magazine Award winner and mother of two living in Toronto. She admits to being a bit of a Luddite when it comes to computers. “If it’s not easy, I can’t be bothered,” she says. “Fortunately, technology has come down to my aptitude level.”

André Demers is a Montreal-based writer and web designer who specializes in computers, photography and everything web-related. When he's not watching hockey games or wrestling with his two boys, André manages Level 111, a web design company he co-founded in 1997.

Jane Doucet has worked at FLARE, Chatelaine, Elm Street, Owl Canadian Family and Maclean's. She is now a freelance editor and writer living Halifax. Her articles have appeared in Canadian Living, The Health Journal, Gardening Life, Today's Parent, The Globe and Mail and the National Post.

Suzanne Ellis is a Toronto-based web editor and writer. A graduate of Ryerson's journalism program, she got her start as a summer reporter for The Toronto Sun, covering news as well as freelancing for their weekend magazine.

Cheryl Embrett is a Toronto-based writer/editor who specializes in health and wellness. She is the former associate editor of Homemaker's Magazine, and has also worked as an editor at Canadian Living and Healthwatch. She's determined to master computer technology before her 2½-year-old daughter, Scotia, beats her to it.

Kathy English is a freelance writer from Oakville, Ont., who specializes in writing about user-friendly technology, family matters, women's wellness, books and the media. She is a former professor of print journalism at Ryerson University and was the founding editor-in-chief of MochaSofa.ca and Canoe.ca's Lifewise. She was a feature writer for the Toronto Star and has written for numerous Canadian newspapers and magazines.

Freelance writer and self-proclaimed technology junkie, Liz Eustace has a passion for cooking, gardening and entertaining at her Toronto home. Constantly searching for ways to find a work-life balance, Liz relies on her computer to keep organized and informed, making difficult tasks simpler and quicker to tackle.

Liza Finlay is a Toronto-based freelance writer who contributes regularly to Style at Home, TV Guide, Today's Parent, Canadian Living and Fashion magazines. An online shopper herself, Liza was happy to write about the myriad ways parents can influence teens to become smart surfers.

Lorraine Flanigan is a Master Gardener and writer whose articles have appeared in Canadian Living, Ontario Gardener and MochaSofa.ca. Editor of Trellis, the newsletter of the Toronto Botanical Garden and Online Editor of the Canadian Gardening website, Lorraine also writes a monthly gardening column for the Town Crier newspaper in Toronto.

Jennifer Foster is a freelance editor and writer who has done work for Chatelaine, Maclean's, Elevate, the Canadian Securities Institute, Today's Parent, the Art Gallery of Ontario and Yorkdale Shopping Centre. She has a journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnic University and is an Internet junkie who keeps connected to the "outside" world via her computer. She lives in Toronto with her husband and their pre-schooler son, Darius.

Anne Garber is managing director of www.evalu8.org, an online resource for travel, food, entertainment and book news and reviews, based in Vancouver. She has two grown children.John T.D. Keyes, former editor of TV Guide and Vancouver magazine, now freelances for publications such as the The Globe and Mail, the Georgia Straight and BC Business.Together the two specialize in food and travel journalism in print and online.

Madeleine Greey is a cookbook author, food writer and nutrition columnist with Today’s Parent magazine. She got her first computer in 1984 just as she was learning to cook. Ever since, her words and culinary creations have merged in a digital world that’s constantly evolving. Who would have known that her CD-ROMs on Chinese cooking (circa 1991) would seem downright prehistoric today?

Nestor Gula is the editor and founder of Metalcraft. He has been the editor of Toronto Computes and Zdorov! and has worked and written for many magazines, including Canadian Home Workshop, Saturday Night, Canadian Business and Beckets Hockey Monthly. He lives in Toronto with his wife and child and travels as frequently as possible.

Maureen Halushak is a graduate of Queen's and Ryerson universities. She is currently employed as a researcher at a major women's publication and has also written many articles on the financial services industry.

Jane Harris writes about business, entrepreneurs, technology and family life. Publications she has written for include Home Business Report, Price Costco Connection, Alberta Views and Alberta Venture. Technology makes her business and personal life manageable by allowing her to communicate with clients, family and friends in the same neighbourhood or on the other side of the globe!

For the past 15 years, Susanne Hasulo has written for and edited publications covering subjects such as health, home improvement, business and web-based technologies. Susanne is a former writer for the Hospital for Sick Children's About Kids Health web site and former managing editor of Information Highways magazine. Susanne is the editor of IN Burlington magazine and the soon-to-be-launched IN Oakville magazine.

Yuki Hayashi is a freelance writer and editor whose work appears regularly in Style At Home, Canadian Family, Flare and other magazines, as well as The Globe and Mail and National Post newspapers.

Gracey Hitchcock writes a monthly fashion column for the Women's Post. She is a former founding editor of Vogue Russia and feature writer for Russian Elle and The Moscow Times. Gracey is also a contributor to NUVO Magazine and the new British magazine DAY4. She has lugged her laptop from Montreal to Moscow and is always on the lookout for a chicer way to use technology.

Catherine Hume is a Toronto-based freelance writer. In addition to penning articles for Green Teacher magazine and the Parkdale Liberty paper, Catherine is a singer-songwriter who has released two independent recordings of her songs.

Toronto-based freelance writer Kama Lee Jackson has worked as Managing Editor for two national trade publications, as an Internet News Producer and Editor, and as a writer for a national television news program.

Paula Frances Jones is an experienced and enthusiastic independent scrapbook consultant, designer, instructor and published freelance writer. She is the scrapbook consultant for Fujifilm Canada and Lexmark Canada and is owner of Tchawright Designs. She lives north of Toronto with her husband, five children and 40+ completed scrapbook albums.

As a writer, my computer is my trusted partner, helping to shape and develop the words that form my livelihood. It allows me to effortlessly jot down my jumbled ideas, rearrange them and turn them into an article — something I could never do with a typewriter. I am able to do my job better by being able to communicate with writers and editors across Canada and around the world — right away. At the same time, I know when to turn it off. Technology does not rule my life, but I think it has a healthy balance there — I like to know that I have the potential to use it in so many different ways.

Frank Lenk has been writing about computers and electronic entertainment since the days of the Apple II and the original IBM PC. He contributes to numerous periodicals and has written several books on computing topics, including Music Online, the first Canadian guide to desktop audio. He also speaks on computing and computer gaming, and has been widely seen on television, including Canada AM and CBC NewsWorld.

Maureen Littlejohn is a Toronto-based, award-winning journalist whose work has appeared on web sites and in magazines and newspapers. Although she started her career in the Stone Age, she made the switch from manual typewriter to laptop with minimal pain and now loves the concept of a paperless office. When not researching stories, she’s networking with friends old and new on the Internet, and can’t believe she ever survived without a computer.

Paul Lima is a Toronto-based freelance writer. He covers technology, small business and arts issues for a number of newspapers, magazines and websites.

Mary Teresa Bitti and Alexandra Lopez-Pacheco are freelance writers and co-founders of communications firm Words Matter.
http://www.wordsmatteronline.com

Charlotte K. Lowrie is the managing editor of editorial content for MSN Photos. Her writing and photography have been published in magazines, including Quill (Society of Professional Journalists), Walking and Texas Highways, and newspapers, including the Dallas Morning News.

Diana Luciani is a freelance writer who lives northwest of Toronto. Since writing "How to buy a desk chair," she promises to invest in a healthier lifestyle by purchasing an ergonomic chair for her home office.

Aside from working as G4TechTV co-producer and co-host on Call for Help (a daily one-hour TV show) and Gadgets & Gizmos, Amber leads new business development with design group Arktyp. She also produces a weekly web/tech news video show online called commandN and a weekly podcast called Inside the Net. Amber spent three years in San Francisco and one year in Boston working in the technology industry at design firm Razorfish and software company HigherMarkets. Amber has a post-graduate Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of King's College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dalhousie University.

Wayne MacPhail has been a print and online journalist for 25 years. He has taught online writing and is currently the web development co-coordinator at Centennial College in Toronto.

A Toronto-based freelance writer, Leah is a former speechwriter and event producer who contributes to print and online publications, and has also been known to do a little ad copy. When not hanging out with her husband and two daughters, Leah can most likely be found in front of her computer.

Charles Mandel is a freelance journalist who specializes in technology. He is the Canadian correspondent for Wired News, a regular contributor to Canadian Business, and writes regularly for The Globe and Mail and the Ottawa Citizen, among others. He is the former Chief Literary Correspondent for the Calgary Herald and the former visual arts critic for the Edmonton Journal.

Leslee Mason is a writer, editor and reluctant crafter. She prefers the easy cleanup of computer crafts to the messier traditional kind.

Stephanie McGrath is a writer whose work has appeared in the Toronto Sun and on Canoe.ca. She currently works for a news website and is becoming inspired by Microsoft Home Magazine to do more things with her computer.

Sandy McMurray specializes in Technology in Plain Language. His website is TechStuff.ca.

Liz Metcalfe is a Toronto-based journalist and Web maven who has been working in online media since 1988. Beginning her career as a reporter and then an online editor at The Gazette in Montreal, Liz has created content strategies for such portals as Canada.com, Yahoo Canada, and AOL Canada. When not writing, editing or negotiating content deals, Liz can be found updating her Media Gleaner blog or carving the back roads of Ontario on her Kawasaki ZX-7R.

Alyson Munroe is a freelance writer living in Vancouver. Most recently, she has worked as director of online content for U8TV.com and director of content and partner solutions for Excite Canada. She's also worked in the United Kingdom for BBC Education and Sky Sports. She has an Honours Bachelor of Journalism degree from University of King's College in Halifax, N.S.

It's a rare day in my house when the computer is not turned on — even before I started working from home. From the moment I purchased my first computer for university and had to check out everything it could do, I was hooked. I use it to keep in touch with my friends and family through messenger and e-mail, write, listen to music and keep organized through my endless lists. I use the Internet to order books, buy concert tickets, check out what movies are playing and read the newspaper and online magazines. Using my computer has become a normal part of my everyday life.

Jennifer O'Connor is a Toronto-based freelance writer and researcher who has covered topics ranging from health to technology to business. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications, including enRoute, Homemakers, Green Living, the National Post and the Toronto Star.

Doug O'Neill has scribbled away over the years for a slew of publications and websites ranging from Canadian Living and Homemakers to Toronto Life and TV GUIDE.When not crafting service bits, O'Neill likes to write about animals. He once interviewed a live pig for Toronto Life and most recently wrote about horses for InsideEntertainment magazine.

Sharon Oosthoek is a Toronto-based journalist. As the mother of two very busy boys, she's interested in computing only when it makes her life easier.

Donna Paris is the senior editor of Canadian Living magazine's Family and Community section. She lives in Toronto with her family.

Christine Pilkington is a project manager for Blast Radius, an interactive services company specializing in strategy, technology and design. A technology writer and instructor, Christine can be found online at www.christinepilkington.com.

Laura Pratt is a Toronto-based freelance writer who struggles regularly with the challenge of how to best use technology to alleviate the "hard parts" of raising her four children. She is still waiting for someone to invent a device that simultaneously oversees homework, changes a diaper and projects giant purple dinosaurs onto a wide-screen TV.

Janna Rosenstein is a freelance writer who covers topics ranging from health to entertainment to décor. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including NYTimes.com, Time Out New York and iVillage.com. Janna lives in Toronto with her husband and daughter.

Marc Saltzman has reported on the burgeoning high-tech industry since 1996.
Along with his weekly syndicated columns with Gannett News Service, USAToday.com, Sympatico MSN and CNN.com, Marc currently contributes to more than 50 prominent publications including Microsoft Home, Toronto Star, National Post, Movie Entertainment and the Costco Connection. He also hosts G3 on Global TV, two radio shows in Canada and is a regular on CNN and CNN Radio as a consumer tech expert.

Michele Sponagle has written on a wide variety of subjects for some of Canada's leading publications. The Hamilton, Ont., native started her career in journalism at Maclean's magazine. Over the last 15 years, she has contributed regularly to The Globe and Mail, Flare, Elm Street, Canadian Living, Chatelaine and the Toronto Star. Her favourite topics include entertainment, lifestyle, health, travel, technology and trends.

Sheryl Steinberg is a Toronto-based writer and communications consultant who has worked in the tech industry for more than a decade. Her work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Style at Home, Chatelaine, National Post and Edmonton Journal.

Julie Stoyka can't paint. She can't draw... but put her in front of a computer and she becomes an artist. As the craft stylist for Microsoft Home Magazine, Julie loves trying new paper and printable products with easy-to-use software. Her monthly craft contributions to Microsoft Home Magazine are pure and easy FUN...even for people who are all thumbs.

When she's not trying to improve her personal picture-taking efforts, Astrid Van Den Broek works as a freelance writer in Toronto. Her work has appeared in Chatelaine, Today's Parent, Homemakers, TV Guide, glow and other magazines.

Fiona Wagner is a freelance writer and researcher who has a love-hate relationship with her computer. When she’s not running after her two young children or researching obscure trivia on the Internet, she can be found writing about everything from personal finance to green living. She lives with her family in Georgetown, Ont.

Deena Waisberg is a Toronto-based freelance writer, who spends too much time at her computer. She has written for a variety of newspapers and magazines including: The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Click: Smart Living, Elle Canada, Style at Home and Profit.

Andy Walker is one of North America's top technology journalists. He is the former co-host of TV tech show Call for Help and appears weekly on CP24's HomePage. He is also the author of the Absolute Beginners Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware and Viruses and Microsoft Windows Vista Help Desk. Andy's tech help web site is at www.cyberwalker.com.

Cindy Waxer is a Toronto-based writer who specializes in business and technology. She has written and reported for a variety of publications including TIME Canada, Business 2.0, Computerworld, The Globe and Mail and Report On Business Magazine. When not penning feature stories, she serves as a freelance producer for CTV's television morning show Canada AM.

Nancy Won is a fashion and lifestyle writer in Toronto. She has written for various publications such as Elle Canada, Toronto Life and Food & Drink. She is fashion editor of Green Living Magazine and a fashion and beauty columnist for MSN.ca. Nancy likes late breakfasts, silk scarves and Sofia Coppola. Also cake.

Catherine Wood is a writer and news broadcaster living in Montreal. Since having a child in 2000, she's been striving to balance work and family. Away from the microphone or laptop, Catherine can be found tip-toeing through a LEGO minefield or extracting carrot muffins from the DVD player.

From the day she discovered Frogger in 1985, Rebecca Zamon has always gotten along with computers. A freelance writer and editor in Toronto, Rebecca bemoans her loss of penmanship, but wouldn't want to imagine writing, researching, getting the news or keeping in touch with friends without her trusty laptop. When not staring into a glowing screen, Rebecca can be found reading in parks, travelling to faraway lands or attempting to ski down mountains.