LCCUG

PayPal a Good Choice

2012-01-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

I thought this was worth making note of:

Money Matters

Published: Friday, July 29, 2011, 2:00 PM

By Teresa Dixon Murray, The Plain Dealer

Q: What is your take on PayPal? Is it safe? A good idea? K.C., Chagrin Falls

A: I happen to like PayPal a lot. Any time an online merchant accepts payments via PayPal, I choose that option.

Merchants that use PayPal pay a fee for every deposit -- which of course they pass along to you and me. But I'd much rather provide my credit card information to one entity -- a pretty reputable one -- than every little mom-and-pop shop that may operate out of someone's basement.

I personally have been using PayPal for more than 10 years and have never had a problem.

I have used PayPal for quite awhile myself and I'm glad to see it is a consumer's choice.

sandee

Job site for the over 50

2011-12-13T05:01:00.001-08:00

The Plain Dealer reports that a new online job service caters to people 50 and older. The site, nifty50.com, lets employers and job seekers search according to txperience, skills, education and more. The site makes the case that baby boomers can be the most seasoned, stable employees. Employers can list jobs for free. job-seekers pay $9.95 per month.

Nothing But Software in the Plain dealer

2011-12-09T13:50:00.001-08:00

Space Bound is the parent company for a local business that has been a friend to LCCUG for many years.

Here is a story from thenSunday, December 04, 2011, Plain Dealer by Marcia Pledger.

By Marcia Pledger, The Plain Dealer

http://blog.cleveland.com/business_impact/print.html?entry=/2011/12/naming_a_website_shouldnt_be_t.html

Here you can read about the company that we have known as Most Significant Bits and Nothing but Software. They started in Avon and their offices and warehouse is now in Lagrange Ohio.

If you sign up for the email announcements you will quickly learn of their best deals: http://www.nothingbutsoftware.com/subscribe.asp.

They also have another service at http://bargainstation.com with lots of special pricing and free shipping.

E-reader News

2011-11-09T17:30:00.000-08:00

Nook and library ebook.
At a recent meeting I mentioned that I knew of a tutorial that to help one use library ebooks on the nook. Here it is...
http://beingruth.com/tutorial-library-books-nook-overdrive/

The Kindle and library ebooks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mgKbyhuqxuU
that is a nice video tutorial on using the kindle with library ebooks.

If anyone has questions about ebook readers and the like, I'd be glad to be of help Just let me know

sandee

News and sports moving at the speed of Tweet: Ted Diadiun

2011-10-25T05:18:00.001-07:00

I enjoyed this article from the October 02, 2011 Plain Dealer. I thought it was a good illustration of how social media works today.

"When star running back Peyton Hillis showed up for work last Sunday morning with a bad case of strep throat and was told to go home, the Cleveland Browns did not announce the news to the world. In fact, they didn't announce it at all.

So how did the world find out about it before Hillis even cleared the premises? Here's how:

Plain Dealer videographer David I. Andersen arrived at Cleveland Browns Stadium at around 10:30 a.m. On his way up the tunnel, he saw Hillis walking toward him in street clothes, listing to one side and looking mighty peaked. Andersen watched Hillis get into his car and drive off, then called Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot on her cellphone. From her car in the stadium parking lot, she sent out a Tweet -- a 140-character message blast -- that quickly arrived in the computers and cellphones of her 19,000 Twitter followers. And Browns fans around the world were immediately clued in that Hillis would probably be MIA that day.

The whole thing took all of about two minutes.

In another part of town, as they say, Plain Dealer Managing Editor Thom Fladung had a ringside seat to, as he called it, "the power of social media and how news travels in the digital age."

Fladung was in the Galleria, enjoying some pregame festivities, when suddenly cellphones started going off all over the place and a murmur rippled through the crowd.

People stopped what they were doing and spread the news, then made calls of their own . . . some to their fantasy football websites to get Hillis out of their lineups, some to their bookies to get down a bet. I checked in with a friend who has been known to take a bet or two, and he said the line swung four points Sunday morning after the news was out -- the Browns went from two-point favorites to two-point underdogs.

News like that doesn't remain exclusively ours for long, as other media quickly snag it and send out reports of their own. In the old newspaper days, a scoop could last a day, or at least until TV and radio reporters could read it on the air. Now, scoops might last only minutes, but that doesn't reduce the satisfaction of being first.

Andersen had that in mind when he decided to call Cabot rather than just tweeting it himself.

"I've got about 70 followers, and Mary Kay and Tony [Grossi, our other Browns beat reporter] have thousands," he said.

He laughed at his sudden burst of popularity. "Later, Mary Kay tweeted a follow and credited '@clevideos' which is my professional Twitter name," he said. "In the span of about two minutes, I got 15 new followers."

Twitter is a relatively new resource -- our sportswriters have been using it for only the last couple of years -- but it is threatening to take over their lives. Sports fans can be ravenous for news about their teams, and every beat reporter is trying to be first, if only by minutes, with what has become a constant flow of information.

"You think about it when you're driving, when you're in the grocery store, even when you're sleeping," said Cabot. "It has completely changed the game for sportswriting. It's really accelerated what we do. Everything is lightning-quick and nonstop."

Cabot and Grossi split the responsibilities on the Browns beat. On game days, in addition to their regular coverage responsibilities, they also divide the real-time stuff: Grossi concentrates on blogging, while Cabot does most of the tweeting. On a typical NFL Sunday, she sends out 30 or more Tweets.

Both attend to their Twitter audiences during the week (Cabot is @marykaycabot; Grossi is @tonygrossi), which brings with it a certain level of fame that even their regular television appearances don't produce:

"When the Browns played in Chicago during the preseason, I had just sent out a Tweet and was walking down the street," said Cabot. "This guy was walking toward me looking at his cellphone. He looked up and saw me, held up his phone and said, 'Hey! Is this you?!' He was reading the Tweet I'd just sent."

Cabot says she has to fight the urge to Tweet news immediately as she's driving. "When [former Browns quarterback] Jake Delhomme came to Cleveland in 2010 for a visit before he signed, I got the tip while I was driving my son to baseball practice," she said with a laugh. "I handed him the phone and shouted, 'Tweet this out right now!' He was startled, but he did it."

So really, it was then-13-year-old Chris Murman -- not Cabot -- who broke that story.

You read it here first.

Diadiun is The Plain Dealer's reader representative."

Update on ebooks - Library Books and the Kindle

2011-10-25T05:18:00.000-07:00

Several months ago I spoke the LCCUG about ebooks. At the time I mentioned that Amazon's Kindle couldn't be used with the ebooks that can be checked out from Libraries like the Nook could.

As of September 23 that has changed. You can now use Kindle to read ebooks from the Libraries through the Overdrive Company that provides this service to Libraries for its patrons to use.

I used the presentation recently and updated - check it out at:

http://goo.gl/Zypys

Lorain County Shred It Day

2011-09-16T06:41:00.001-07:00

Lorain County Waste Management will be holding a free Lorain County Shred Day on Saturday, September 24 at the Lorain County Recycling Center at 540 S. Abbe Rd in Elyria.

For more information check out their press release http://www.loraincounty.us/getdoc/83197fa9-5cea-416e-8108-b41b05556a14/Solid-Waste-District-Announces-County-Wide-Shred.aspx

or call 440-329-5440

QR Codes?

2011-09-13T19:32:00.000-07:00

In the September newsletter I wrote about QR codes (Quick Response Codes). LCCUG has one(on the left here) that will take you to our webpage.

This is the "coming thing" for those with smart phones and portable tablets.

Now when you see one, you'll know what they are about

At this website there is a nice brief video that shows you how they can work: http://www.commoncraft.com/video/qr-codes

Sorry, Wrong In-Box

2011-09-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/01/opinion/sorry-wrong-in-box.html

NY Times, Op-Ed Columnist, Frank Bruni has a great column that was published on August 31, 2011. He wrote about needing to know if someone prefer's calls to their cell phone or text messages or would they rather get an email - and if so to which account should you use.

With so many communication choices now days, it is hard to know what to use. Frank's column sums it up.

Free Computers and Internet Access

2011-08-23T06:34:00.000-07:00

There is another chance to take advantage of free computer training through the Connect Your Community computer-training program.

The free session begins August 29 across Lorain County. Upon completion of the training, eligible attendees receive a free or discounted refurbished computer.

“The Connect Your Community program offers free computer training, tech-support and high-speed internet service, where available for eligible residents in Lorain County,” said Tim Howard supervisor of the Lorain Connect Your Community program.

The program is open to all Lorain County residents who currently lack ability to access high-speed Internet service.

For more information, or to register for the August 29 session, call (440)366-7292 or visit www.lorainccc.edu/connect.

Free Computer Computer Program Successfull

2011-08-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

The Connect Your Community Program

The Lorain County Board of Commissioners and the Solid Waste Management District are pleased to announce the District's involvement with Lorain County Community College, RET-3 Job Corp and Connect Your Community in a new national program. The program offers free refurbished computers to qualified applicants within Lorain County.

The applicant must complete an approximately 25 hour free computer course which offers basic computer and internet instruction. The purpose of the class offers individuals an opportunity to get life skills on the computer, instruction on high speed internet and how to do basic research on the internet. Upon completion, the individual can get their free desktop computer.

On December 21, 2010 the first group to complete the curriculum attended an event at Lorain County Community College to kick off the first 181 computers distributed in Lorain County. This new campaign anticipates distributing 1,750 refurbished computers in Lorain County by May of 2012. The program is currently administered in Lorain & Cuyahoga Counties through Connect Your Community, a division of the Cleveland Housing Network.
(from the Lorain County Solid Waste Management newsletter http://www.loraincounty.us/solidwaste.aspx

For more information about participating in the classes check http://www.lorainccc.edu/community+services/connect+your+community
or call 440-366-7292

NASA Plum Brooke Update

2011-08-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

The August Newsletter article on p. 9 called "More about Plum Brook" cut off the phone number that you can call to get a free copy of the DVD, Of Ashes and Atoms.

This is how it should have read at the end of that article:

The DVD, Of Ashes and Atoms: A Documentary on the NASA Plum Brook Reactor Facility (NASA SP-2005-4605) is available for free if you call and request a copy.

There is also a book called NASA’s Nuclear Frontier, that may be available, as well.
call - NASA Info Center 202-358-0000

Compute the cost of Driving

2011-05-31T08:22:00.000-07:00

We know that the cost of gas is high. Have you actually calculated what it costs to drive your car now?

At the Government website http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ I looked up my year and make and model of car and looked up the average numbers of miles my car gets per gallon. (I know I could calculate that number myself by monitoring the miles I get on a tankful, but this was easier).

Then this website takes the average cost per mile for my model car and computes what it costs to drive a mile This can be very enlightening!

This site also links to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/gasprices/states/index.shtml which lets you see the current cost of gas around the country and in several gas stations near any city of your choosing.

Use this government website to help you decide when you are going make that car trip or run an extra errand.

Free computer classes & computer

2011-05-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

"Connect your Community" is a program that offers free computer classes and assistance with Internet access to Lorain County residents. The federally funded program has been established to facilitate access to broadband service by underserved populations to assist with educational and employment opportunities.

http://www.lorainccc.edu/Community+Services/Connect+your+Community/

Once you complete the classes you are eligible to receive a refurbished computer and Financial Assistance for Internet Access.

The classes are held in locations throughout the county.

Check this out and tell a friend!\

Secure Facebook

2011-04-29T20:31:00.000-07:00

When you do anything on the Internet via a secure connection, you’ll notice that your address bar at the top of your browser says “https:” – the “s”, standing for “secure”, obviously. Well, did you know that there’s a way you can browse Facebook with a secure connection, too?

First, log into your Facebook account, and click Account>Account Settings, which is located to the far right of the page.

On the next page, under Account Security, click Change and put a check mark in the box next to Browse Facebook on a secure connection (https) whenever possible. Here, you can also choose to have an e-mail sent to you if your Facebook account is accessed from another computer. Click Save when you’re done.

Now you browse Facebook with a secure connection, thus ensuring your safety as you browse status your friends updates and pictures.

Plum Brook

2011-04-29T20:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/about/testfacilities/plumbrook.html

The April 26 tour of NASA Plum Brook Station was a fascinating learning experience. We were only able to tour one building but a great experience.

Ebooks from the library on the Kindle

2011-04-21T08:47:00.001-07:00

When I spoke about eBook readers recently, I said I thought the Kindle was the perfect ebook reader. My only reservation was that it could not be used to read ebooks that you can borrow from the public library service (Overdrive).

Amazon and Overdrive just released this information:

"Want to check out e-books from the library and read them on your Kindle? That will be possible later this year as Amazon announced Wednesday that it would join a library loan program for electronic books. More than 11,000 libraries in the United States participate in this electronic-book-loaning program, managed by a company called OverDrive."

For more information: http://tinyurl.com/3tn563d

Kindle EReader will start working with Library Ebooks

2011-04-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

Yeah!

"Want to check out e-books from the library and read them on your Kindle? That will be possible later this year as Amazon announced Wednesday that it would join a library loan program for electronic books. More than 11,000 libraries in the United States participate in this electronic-book-loaning program, managed by a company called OverDrive."

http://tinyurl.com/3tn563d

Twitter Help

2011-04-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

The presentation on social Networking is posted at our website
http://lccug.com/nlinks.html at the web page it is listed under Helpful Information --> Newest Information --> Social Networking and You

Here are some websites that will give you more information about using Twitter.

http://support.twitter.com/groups/31-twitter-basics Twitter Basics – mini tutorials

http://discover.twitter.com/

http://laughingsquid.com/twitter-in-plain-english-a-how-to-tutorial-for-twitter/

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Twitter How to use twitter

http://news.cnet.com/newbies-guide-to-twitter/ newbies guide

Ebook Week March 6 - 12, 2011

2011-03-08T08:22:00.000-08:00

Read an Ebook week!

http://www.ebookweek.com/

Check out the official website for information on getting free ebooks from participating websites this week!!

Story about Mark McKinley

2011-02-24T18:30:00.000-08:00

The Febraruy 20, 2011 Morning Journal has a nice full page artice about our January 11 presentation with meterologist Mark McKinley. The article mentions under the photo that he was making his presentation to the LCCUG.

The rest of the article reports on the content of the talk he gave our group that night and a sidebar gives the links he showed us that evening.

Read the article here http://tinyurl.com/4akgm4o

On February 26, the Journal had an editorial (A-4) "Thanks to Oberlin's FAA meterorologists for making skies safer to fly". Nice tribute to the work done by Mark and his fellow meteorologists!
http://morningjournal.com/articles/2011/02/26/opinion/mj4162328.txt

Ebooks and ereaders

2011-02-22T10:48:00.000-08:00

Links about ebook readers
from the February 22, 2011 presentation

ebooks4lccug.pbworks.com

http://www.lccug.memberlodge.com/weblinks Click on ebook presentation

Any ebook/ereader questions
president@lccug.com

Send any questions to president@lccug.com

APCUG’s Annual Photo Contest for 2011

2011-02-06T20:31:00.000-08:00

the APCUG (Association of PC Users Group) is sponsoring an upcoming photo contest.

Get your camera ready, the annual APCUG Photo contest will soon be announced. Somewhere inside of all of us is a creative genius just waiting for the chance to grab the spotlight……and we want you to have that chance. There will be multiple chances to win….including……professional judging and our own “Photo Idol” chosen from the ‘best of the best’, so grab those cameras and start shooting! Announcement coming soon!

Watch here for more details!

Net Neutrality

2011-01-30T13:58:00.000-08:00

Have you been hearing about net neutrality and wondering what it is all about.

This webpage Who Can Be Against Net Neutrality, Privacy Rules?
will help. It offers information on connectivity speeds worldwide and privacy concerns.

Cleveland Plain Dealer Photo Contest

2011-01-30T13:46:00.000-08:00

2011 Fourth Annual Plain Dealer Travel Photos Contest

Photographers, who must be at least 18 and residents of Ohio, have until Friday, Feb. 25, to submit their entries. Up to three photos in each category may be entered.

Photos will be judged using several criteria, including originality, creativity, composition and photography skill, said Bill Gugliotta, the Plain Dealer's director of photography, who will supervise the judging.

For more details http://www.cleveland.com/travelcontest/

Last year's winning photos were a diverse group -- including a serene scene of a bamboo raft on the Li River in China, two men playing chess at The Arcade in downtown Cleveland and a gleaming Brooklyn Bridge at night. Winning photographers included a doctor, a teacher and several college students studying abroad.

The winning photos from 2010 can be found http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2010/04/photography_contest_winners_ar.html

Test My ISP

2011-01-26T17:07:00.000-08:00

Participate in a test project and earn a modem.

“ FCC's "Test My ISP" campaign to get a very detailed view of what broadband speeds/latencies/jitters/dropouts/etc that users across America are getting. They'll use this information to set new requirements for ISPs, both in marketing (advertising speeds as "UP TO" ) and in products (so far as I know).

Basically, sign up, and if you are one of the 10,000 chosen, they will ship you a "White Box" router (they said the term "Black Box" was already taken by the airlines lol) designed by a company called SamKnows and actually made by NetGear. This will NOT monitor your traffic or collect ANY data that you transfer! You plug this into your modem like you would any other router/switch, and then plug your actual router/switch into it. “ ( http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/30024-42-campaign-test )

For more information:

http://stopthecap.com/2011/01/18/calling-all-test-my-isp-participants-and-those-who-want-to-be/

Weather Links from Mark McKinley, FAA

2011-01-17T13:44:00.000-08:00

Web links from our January 11, 2011 meeting on weather:

The National Weather Service - http://www.weather.gov

(From there click on the map over northern Ohio and that will bring you to the website for one of the 122 Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) around the nation and from there you can click on the map over the location of interest and obtain a seven day forecast.
Digital forecast images are available from those WFO websites such that you can see variations in the forecast fields of high/low and 3-hourly temperatures, relative humidity and dewpoint, wind speed, wind direction, wind gusts, snowfall in six-hourly increments, precipitation (liquid) amounts, cloud cover, and probability of precipitation from place to place. That information can be viewed by click on the maps under the National Digital Forecast Database banner.)

An alternate to the above that allows viewing of the forecast area boundaries - http://www.srh.noaa.gov
(the additional tabs on the top of the page will permit viewing of the Center Weather Service Unit and River Forecast Center websites)

The National Centers for Environmental Prediction - http://www.ncep.noaa.gov

This NCEP web location has links for the following:

the Aviation Weather Center (for in-flight advisory information and pre-flight weather information including pilot reports)
the Climate Prediction Center (long-range seasonal outlooks up to 13 months into the future)
Environmental Modeling Center (the source for numerical weather prediction models)
Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (location for finding current analysis and forecast weather maps)
Tropical Prediction Center (also better known as the National Hurricane Center - providing advisories on tropical storms and hurricanes)
Ocean Prediction Center (tells you how large ocean waves should be, should you being cruising the high seas or you just wish to see how the weather map looks on the other side of the world)
Space Weather Prediction Center (for alerts on geomagnetic storms, solar radiation storms and radio frequency blackouts).
Storm Prediction Center (for Severe Thunderstorm Watch and Tornado Watch information as well as convective outlooks as well as having a nice national radar mosaic and information on wild fire potential).

Satellite imagery can be found via the National Environmental Satellite Data Information Service
http://www.goes.noaa.gov

Radar - http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ridge/

Historical information is archived at the National Climatic Data Center - http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov

Camera Club in Oberlin

2011-01-17T13:19:00.000-08:00

Camera Club is a group of photographers who exachanges ideas, experiences and discuss topics presented by teachers and professionals.

The Firelands Association for the Visual Arts Group is open to experienced photographers and those wanting to learn. Camera Club is open to ages 13 and older and meets from 6:30 to 8pm the first and Third Tuesday of the month at 39 S. Main St. A six-month membership is $35.

(Morning Journal 1.17.11 - B2).

Download music free - Lorain Public Library System Offers Free Downloadable Music From Its Website

2011-01-15T19:46:00.000-08:00

If you have a library card from the Lorain Public Library System, you are able to take advantage of a new service that recently became available. Music lovers are now able download music for free from Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists.

Called Freegal, this new service will allow Lorain Public Library System to increase the size and diversity of its music collection by offering access to hundreds of thousands of songs.

Under the terms of the agreement, library patrons who have a library card issued by the Lorain Public Library System can download three Sony Music tracks in the MP3 format weekly at no direct cost. To use the Freegal service, go to the Lorain Public Library System’s website at www.lorainpubliclibrary.org and click on the Freegal button.

“Sony Music has an incredibly expansive and popular catalog and we are really excited to partner with them on this, a very important product for libraries,” said Brian Downing, co-founder of Library Ideas.

The Lorain Public Library System provides library service through its Main Library in Lorain, the South Lorain Branch, Avon Branch, Columbia Branch, Domonkas Branch in Sheffield Lake, North Ridgeville Branch and the Bookmobile.

New Promising things from Microsoft

2010-06-14T20:35:00.000-07:00

The flipside: Five things Microsoft is doing right in 2010

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=5016&tag=nl.e101

Tech Sanity Check
by Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief

The article discusses how these Microsoft applications have it right:

Office Web Apps
Automatic Mobile sync
Free antivirus and malware protection
Outlook 2010
SharePoint

Top-10-resources-for-computer-troubleshooting-advice-remote-help

2010-02-05T17:05:00.000-08:00

MakeUseOf presents to you a list of websites and forums where people are willing to help you get your computer fixed.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-10-resources-for-computer-troubleshooting-advice-remote-help/

Free Microsoft Help!

2010-01-29T17:44:00.000-08:00

A reminder from APCUG -
Did you know that Microsoft in the US will give free 7 by 24 support if you computer becomes infected with malwareyou. You just need to call 1-866-pcsafety (yes more that 7 numbers but you will remember the number that way).

http://blog.mir.net/2010/01/free-support-for-virus-malware-and.html

Windows 7 & Vista "God Mode"

2010-01-16T11:17:00.000-08:00

Here is a tip on CNET:

Create a new folder (desktop is fine) and then rename it exactly the following --

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

After renaming, double-click on the folder and it will open to reveal one-stop shopping for access all of the operating system's control panels from within a single folder!

NOTE: Works on 32-bit Vista and Windows 7 but is said to crash 64-bit versions.

Original CNET story:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10423985-56.html--

Got a new computer? Install these nine programs right away

2010-01-12T08:25:00.000-08:00

Start your new PC off right with high-rated free software.

New computer? Feed it a healthy diet of powerful software.

By Chris Gaylord Staff Writer for The Christian Science Monitor / January 7, 2010

http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Tech-Culture/2010/0107/Got-a-new-computer-Install-these-nine-programs-right-away

2010-01-01T06:24:00.000-08:00

ReadWriteWeb has some great suggestions: "8 Things Every Geek Needs to Do Before 2010". You don't need to consider yourself a "Geek" to take advantage of these good reminders!!!

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/8_things_every_geek_needs_to_do_before_2010.php

Setting up a New PC

2010-01-01T06:22:00.000-08:00

PC Magazines article: Make the Most of Your New PC has good suggestions.

"Unlike most electronic devices, which you can plug in and use instantly, PCs—particularly those with Windows—need some adjustment before they're ready for everyday use."

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2337550,00.asp

Technology predictions 2010

2010-01-01T06:17:00.000-08:00

The Technobabble Blog has put together a collection of technology predicitons for 2010 from IDC, Gartner, Screen Digest, Elemental Links, Freeform Dynamics, Quocirca, Interpret, CCS Insight, RedMonk, Juniper Research, Interpret, IDEAS International.

http://technobabble2dot0.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/technology-predictions-2010/

10 Obsolete technologies to kill in 2010

2009-12-26T14:44:00.001-08:00

Here in Mike Elgan's column in Computerworld - he discusses 10 dumb technologies we should all get rid of in 2010:

I agree 100%! check it out..

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/12/24/urnidgns002570F3005978D8852576960057B8CB.DTL

10 Greatest Open Source Software Of 2009

2009-12-26T14:03:00.000-08:00

Here is a good looking list of recommended software - free and open source...

http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/10-greatest-open-source-software-of-2009.html

It includes a Inkscape, a graphics vector program, MIRO for Internet TV, GNU cash for financial management and several old favorites!

15 Free Programs recommended by MakeUseOf

2009-11-21T09:36:00.000-08:00

MakeUseOf.com recommends these 15 Must-have Free software programs for your PC . After reviewing thousands of free software programs theis is the list of 15 absolute must-have tools for every day tasks that they have come up with.

Essential programs and they're FREE - our favorite kind.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/roundup-15-free-must-install-programs-for-your-new-pc/

Sandee

Help the Libraries - Now or Never

2009-06-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

Please call or email the governor and our state legislators today! In the next few days they will be voting on a budget that could reduce library budgets by 50%.

The libraries have always been a friend of LCCUG - please do what you can to help!

Sandee Ruth

6/24/09

June 9 Meeting announcements

2009-06-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

June 9 Meeting Announcements

LCCUG Picnic July 26, 2009 Days Dam 1 - 5
We will raffle the old "Hall" computer

Motherboard: Gigabyte 7VRXP rev 2.0
CPU: AMD Athlon XP 1900+ (1.61 GHz)
Hard Drive: 60 GB
Video card: Nvidia Riva TNT2 model 64 AGP (32 MB RAM)
Memory: 256 MB DDR 266 (PC2100) (two more RAM slots open on motherboard)
CD Burner: TDK CDRW
OS: Windows XP SP3; Ubuntu Linux (dual boot setup)

Reminder - the current newsletter is available at http://www.lccug.com/newsletters/200906.pdf

LCCUG Membership page is at http://lccug.memberlodge.com/

Sandee will do Google at Lorain Library June 10 - at 2pm

see schedule of Library Programs -

Saturday, June 13 – Electronics Collection Day II
From 9 AM to 3 PM – Wellington Township Garage, 105 Maple Street, Wellington, Ohio 44090
Drop Off used personal computers and related items, cell phones, small office equipment,
And household televisions, audio equipment, and microwaves

About E-scrap
http://www.loraincounty.us/getdoc/8083e8a4-5d32-4ced-af5f-f5d7538bc109/E-scrap-02-09.aspx

Schedule of Upcoming Recycling days
http://www.loraincounty.us/getdoc/7d5d4a32-9a6b-47b1-be31-0513227b1e1c/LCSWMD-General-Schedule-of-Collection-Events-2009.aspx

May 12, 2009 Meeting

2009-05-13T12:48:00.000-07:00

Links from last meeting

http://craigslist.com

http://freecycle.org

http://paperbackswap.com

Twitter with Sandee

2009-05-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to the outline of the Twitter talk I gave at the April 28, 2009 meeting. There are links here that you can follow to review what was said.

http://exploretwitter.pbworks.com/

Sandee

Picnic Plans - save the date

2009-04-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

Note the new location:

We have reserved the Days Dam (Lorain Metro Park) for Sunday, July 26, 2009 for 1 - 5 pm .

Directions:
http://www.loraincountymetroparks.com/maps/br_directions.htm

More details as the time gets closer.

Ohio Midwest Regional Meeting

2009-04-14T13:27:00.000-07:00

The Annual APCUG Association of Computer User Groups will be held at the Ohio Midwest Regional in Neward, Ohio, on August 28, 29, & 30.

Initial information can be found here:
http://reports.apcug.org/2009q2/3.htm

For more information keep checking here:
http://ohiomidwest.apcug.org/

Conficker Virus/ worm

2009-04-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a test to see if you have the infection:

http://www.confickerworkinggroup.org/infection_test/cfeyechart.html

Here is information on removing it if you do
http://www.nowpublic.com/tech-biz/conficker-c-worm-its-not-over-yet-testing-and-removal-tool

Here is an update as of April 10, 2009 to check out what is happening and what to do:
http://blogs.pcmag.com/securitywatch/2009/04/conficker_awakens_mutates_hust.php

sandee

2009-01-21T23:00:00.000-08:00

E-CHECK IS RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH A NEW CELL PHONE RECYCLING PROGRAM

E-Check adds yet another motorist convenience— recycling old cell phones and helping the environment

TWINSBURG, OH – January 14, 2009 – Northeast Ohioans now have a convenient place to take their old cell phones that might otherwise end up in local landfills. E-Check is rolling out a new cell phone recycling program. The program is another step towards E-Check’s goal of improving the environment— and it’s free and open to everyone.

Cell phones can be recycled at any of the 23 northeast Ohio E-Check stations. It’s especially convenient for motorists during their routine E-Check, but anyone can do it. Recycling is easy— simply put your phone in a postage-paid envelope provided by E-Check and place it in the station drop box or mailbox. As a token of thanks, motorists will receive a 15-minute long distance phone card for every phone recycled.

"By offering the cell phone recycling program, E-Check is providing people another opportunity to contribute to a greener environment," said Bob Hodanbosi, chief of the Division of Air Pollution Control at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

The cell phones collected at Ohio E-Check stations will be salvaged or properly recycled so they don’t end up in a local landfill.

The cell phone recycling program is the latest in a stream of new customer conveniences from Ohio E-Check. Last fall, E-Check launched a program that replaces faulty or missing gas caps free of charge, helping many motorists pass their E-Check on the spot and immediately improving air quality.

"I believe many customers will welcome and appreciate another easy, free, convenient way to make a positive impact in our community," said Prentiss Taylor, general manager at Envirotest Systems, the company who manages the E-Check stations on behalf of Ohio EPA.

http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dapc/CellPhoneRecycling.pdf

Scamfinder

2008-12-09T13:12:00.000-08:00

Scamfinder is a tool to learn about the most common scams against individuals and businesses. It is updated as new scams appear.

The site was compiled by Sheryl Harris, consumer affairs reporter for The Plain Dealer, Ohio's largest newspaper. It was designed by Felesia McDonald and William Neff.

You can read Sheryl's columns online. If you have a question about a scam or you suspect you were the victim of a scam you don't see in Scamfinder, e-mail Sheryl.

Wurlitzer Organs in NE Ohio

2008-12-08T08:52:00.000-08:00

The Plain Dealer had a story on Wurlitzer organs on December 4. http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/stories/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1228383050108270.xml&coll=2

It seemed very relevant after our meeting on November 25 with David Kennett.

There was also a sidebar that mentioned these local Wurlitzers:

Where they are....

During the silent-film era, movie houses were equipped with theater pipe organs - giant pneumatic contraptions that accompanied the action. They were usually Wurlitzers. Here are public places where the organs can be seen and heard:

Akron Civic Auditorium, Wurlitzer
Canton Palace Theatre, Kilgen
Grays Armory in Cleveland, Wurlitzer
Lorain Palace Theatre, Wurlitzer
Masonic Auditorium in Cleveland, Wurlitzer
Palace Theatre in Cleveland, Kimball

Test your Phishing Knowledge

2008-12-03T10:08:00.000-08:00

SonicWall is providing a online test that shows you several emails and asks you to identify them as legitimate or Phishing scam, afterwards you can see why you were right or wrong for each one. here's the link: http://www.sonicwall.com/phishing/index.html

Recycling in Oberlin this weekend

2008-11-10T09:43:00.000-08:00

ServiceMaster to recycle electronics

Monday, November 10, 2008

ServiceMaster franchises will sponsor a computer and electronics recycling drive Friday and Saturday .

Old computers, monitors, keyboards, cable boxes, extension cords and wires, and old telephones, cell phones and battery backups will be accepted.

Items may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at ServiceMaster by Corbett, 60 Shiawassee Ave., Fairlawn, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at ServiceMaster for Quality, 8805 East Ave., Mentor, and ServiceMaster by Horton, 305 Artino St., Oberlin.

For more information, call 866-796-3937 (Lake County); 440-774-2117 (Lorain County); or 330-864-7300 (Akron).

Plain Dealer 11/10/08

LCCUG Animoto Video

2008-09-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

Go to the bottom of the page to see the Animoto slide show I made for LCCUG.
These are easy and fun to make. Picking the music is the hardest part!!

Make your own at http://animoto.com It's free, easy and fun.

What do you think about VISTA?

2008-09-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

I hear many people who are quick to mention the horror stories that they have heard about Windows VISTA operating system. Some of it seems to be appropriate, but I think a lot of it has grown out of proportion.

So we have the Mojave Experiment. A group of computer users test a "new" operating system named Mojave and give their opinions.
http://www.mojaveexperiment.com/html/?fbid=cKALn#

Very interesting!

Online EBooks

2008-08-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a great place to start looking for free eBooks.

The Internet Public Library has links to most of the big collections here:

http://www.ipl.org/div/subject/browse/hum60.60.00

HERE IS ANOTHER:

Here are the 20 Best Websites to Download Free Ebooks from Hongkiat.com

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/20-best-websites-to-download-free-e-books/

Keep checking here for more - I will be adding to this...

Freerice.com

2007-12-12T21:47:00.000-08:00

Freerice.com

"What if just knowing what a word meant could help feed hungry people around the world? Well, at FreeRice, it does... the totals have grown exponentially."-The Washington Post

Update!!! The amount donated for each correct answer was increased from 10 grains of rice to 20 grains on 28th November!!! :D And they have an "Option" tab now! You can now set it so that FreeRice will remember your vocabulary level and the amount youve donated whenever you leave the site!:)

Started October 7, 2007
Nov 3, 2007 72 members
Nov 5 142 members
Nov 8 489
Nov 9 986
Nov 12 4100 members

Grains of rice donated
1 November 2007 52,142,290
7 December 2007 287,247,740

Reminder that the level of difficulty adjusts with how many vcabulary words you miss… until you find a good level for yourself.

The ads at the bottom pay for the rice donated to the United Nations.

Join the fun and help feed the world’s hungry!

Answers.com -- continued...

2007-09-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

I demonstrated the usefulness of the website http://answers.com at the September 11 meeting.

Here is demonstration movies:
http://www.answers.com/main/flash_demo.jsp

Here is a 2 page pdf handout called QuickFacts that you may want to printout:
http://www.answers.com/resources/AnswersQuickFacts5-17-07.pdf

And here is some of the add-ons available to make Answers.com more useful:
http://www.answers.com/main/product_info.jsp

I also wanted to point out that when you do a search in GOOGLE - you can get the defnition of your terms by clicking on the word definition in the top right blue bar. That link used to take you to your "word" at dictionary.com and now it takes you to your word in answers.com. It looks like it is getting placed in more and more prominent places!!

Fun - Useful - Interesting Websites

2007-08-24T08:21:00.001-07:00

A remember that you can get the list of websites we looked at at the August 14 meeting here http://websites4us.pbwiki.com

If you find any of the links not working let me know OR if you would like to add a favorite website - let me know lccug1@gmail.com

I just added an interesting collection of websites to our webpage: websites4us.pbwiki.com

Top 100 Classic Web Sites from PC Magazine

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2168282,00.asp

Another Free "office" Suite

2007-08-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Wired's Blog, Compiler is one of many websites announcing that Google has begun to distribute the free software package, StarOffice. Evidently, this is meant to compete with Microsoft. This article reports that the main difference between StarOffice and OpenOffice is that the former includes proprietary clip art graphics, fonts, and templates as well as some additional Microsoft Office conversion tools.

StarOffice supports most Microsoft Office formats, though not the new OOXML formats included in Office 2007.

You can read more here...
http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/08/google-pack-off.html

sandee

Shift Happens

2007-05-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

Things are changing faster than we can understand it.... amazing...

http://www.slideshare.net/jbrenmanJbrenman's Slidespace

Use it or Lose It

2007-04-22T00:54:00.001-07:00

Use it or loose it
Below are the links that were referred to in the May LCCCUG newsletter, President's Column:

Newsweek magazine (3/26/07) cover story, “Health: Can Exercise make you Smarter”.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17662246/site/newsweek/
or http://tinyurl.com/ynrzmt

New York Times (3/30/07): "Video Games Conquer Retirees"
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/30/arts/30seni.html?ex=1332907200&en=071aee3567f7bb9b&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
or http://tinyurl.com/ypu3ho

Nelson/Net Surveys (2004) "Middle Age Females Play more Games Online than Teen Males..."
http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=291
or http://tinyurl.com/2kb5x6
Positscience (3/27/07) "Exercising your brain power.."
http://www.positscience.com/newsroom/news/news/032707.php
or http://tinyurl.com/32qpd7

There are many websites that we can go to for these kinds of games:
http://popgames.com/ (Bejeweled, Bookworm, Chuzzle, etc)
http://pogo.com/ demonstrated by Judy Koch
http://sharpbrains.com/ Your Brain Fitness center
http://positscience.com/ The Brain Fitness Program
http://kappapuzzles.com/ Recommended by the American Alzheimer’s Association
http://cognitivelabs.com “A game a day keeps your brain OK”

Hikmat Chedid at LCCC recycles computers

2007-02-28T10:12:00.000-08:00

Here is an interesting story that ran in the (Lorain) Morning Journal on February 12, 2007. Professor Chedid has spoken at an LCCUG meeting in the past and was a fascinating speaker. Read about his recycling project here:

http://www.morningjournal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17839929&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6

or

http://tinyurl.com/2yctl7

Paint Shop Pro X - sale!

2007-02-28T10:10:00.001-08:00

Paint Shop Pro is a GREAT tool for editing photos! Less expensive than Photoshop, this program is one that we teach in the computer lab at St Joseph's Learning Center. It is reviewed in the current club newsletter by former LCCUG president Cathy Ratcliff.

Right now Version X is available at Nothing But Software's website for $28.49. Version XI is latest version available for around $99.00 but you can't beat this price for the slightly older version, if you don't have it yet at all. I'm not sure how long this sale will last.
http://tinyurl.com/34fhdk

You can avoid shipping and handling if you arrange to pick it up at the Avon location. Email me if you would like to know how to do that. mailto: sandee29@gmail.com

What's Cool with IE 7

2007-02-08T17:14:00.000-08:00

The new Microsoft browser, Internet Explorer 7, will arrive on your computer through automatic updates if you have them turned on. Otherwise you can get the download from:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/default.mspx
or
http://tinyurl.com/3242ra

Here is an article from Microsoft about 5 ways Internet Explorer 7 helps you get more done.

http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/stayconnected/ie7.mspx?pf=true
or
http://tinyurl.com/395eoh

The article explains how you can:

1. Find what you need more quickly with tabbed browsing
2. Eliminate printing mishaps with advanced printing features
3. Search the Web directly from the IE7 toolbar
4. Save time with improved RSS Feed support
5. Stop being bait with the new Phishing Filter

New: Daylight Savings Time

2007-02-08T16:02:00.000-08:00

Microsoft Products & Daylight Savings Time

Did you know Daylight Savings Time is moving up three weeks beginning this year? Apparently in August of 2005, the U.S. Congress passed the Energy Policy Act, which changes both the move-up and move-back times.

Microsoft has posted a bulletin about when the new time change will take effect (second Sunday in March), which Microsoft products will be affected, and in what way. Here’s the link: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/timezone/dst2007.mspx

from Microsoft’s Mindshare January Newsletter

The Journal writes about member and LCCUG.

2007-01-09T13:46:00.000-08:00

The January 7 issue of the (Lorain) Morning Journal had a nice story about our youngest member, Quincy Blake who did a presentation at our December 12 Christmas party.

Nice recognition for Quincy and LCCUG.

You can read the story here http://tinyurl.com/ylthhv in case you missed it (section E1).

Nothing But Software...

2007-01-04T16:41:00.000-08:00

NothingButSoftware (aka Most Significant Bits) has been a store that LCCUG members have dealt with for many years.

SpaceBound is the parent company of NothingbutSoftware.com, XSdepot.com, and their soon to-be-launched BargainStation.com. Currently on Colorado Avenue in Avon, they are building a
large new building in LaGrange. The recent Morning Journal story will be of interest us .....

http://tinyurl.com/y2ckhw

Check out their website: http://nothingbutsoftware.com/

Diabetes and Health Wesbites

2006-12-05T07:53:00.000-08:00

The website Sandee showed during the November 28th meeting for good general medical information is Consumer Health Complete (Ebsco) at www.oplin.org/health --

This site will ask for your zip code (or possibly any Ohio library card). Then you have access to a wealth of information including full text medical books, journal articles, pamphlets, medical dictionaries, drug and herb information, and current health news.

Here is a link to the Risk Test that Kathy Northeim had us take is online at:
www.diabetes.org/risk-test.jsp

The Websites that Kathy suggested are:

Where to go for help
American Association of Diabetes Educators
1-800-338-3633 or www.diabeteseducator.org
Find the name of an educator and resources in your community
to help you learn about diabetes.

American Diabetes Association
1-800-DIABETES or www.diabetes.org
Ask for information about diabetes care.

American Dietetic Association
1-800-877-1600 or www.eatright.org
Find a dietitian to help you and your loved ones eat healthy foods.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
1-800-JDF-CURE or www.jdrf.org
Find out about type 1 diabetes.

National Diabetes Education Program
1-800-438-5383 or www.ndep.nih.gov
Call or visit the website for information about diabetes prevention and control.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
1-800-860-8747 or www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov
Find out more about diabetes self-care.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of Diabetes Translation
1-877-232-3422 or www.cdc.gov/diabetes
Click on “State-based Programs” for information on government contacts in your state.

from
NIH Publication No. 04-5485

Online Shopping Resources

2006-12-04T21:01:00.000-08:00

The Orange County Library System in Orlando, Florida has created a great collection of useful information called Online Shopping Resources:

http://www.ocls.info/Virtual/Galleries/Holidays/online_shopping.asp?bhcp=1

Included here are sections on these topics:

Materials & Resources, Last Minute Gifts, Shopping Safety Tips, General Online Shopping Links, Directories, Price Comparison, Specialty, E-Cards, Electronics, and Coupons & Gift Certificates

check it out!

Protecting your Computer

2006-10-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

This subject is so important and I still find people who have not taken all the important steps that one should to protect their computer.

Here is a powerpoint that was created by a Librarian to guide the people he works through what is involved in protecting their computer.
http://www.oplin.org/presentations/fourthings.ppt

I thought this had some valuable information here and some really good links to other resources.

Internet Explorer updated to version 7

2006-10-22T13:14:00.000-07:00

Internet Explorer version 7 (or IE7) is being released now. According this this article:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie7/automaticupdates/ those of us who have Microsoft's "automatic updates" turned on as recommended, will be receiving it automatically.

I am always eager to try a new program but there are reports that it won't work with some programs and websites that I use regularly. I am interesting in hearing from anyone's experiences with this new version.

Here are some more comments about this new version for those interested:
http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/ie7_preview_1.asp

Of course, there is always Firefox http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ or one of the other alternative browsers if IE7 has problems.

Welcome!

2006-10-21T16:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the new LCCUG weblog.

Watch here for posts of news, tips, and announcements.

Add your comments to any posting.

sandee ruth