Update of Bill Gates / Paul Allen picture

This is pretty  awesome. Bill G. and Paul Allen got together this week to recreate a classic Microsoft photo they took 32 years ago. 

More here: http://www.geekwire.com/2013/bill-gates-paul-allen-reprise-classic-microsoft-photo-decades/

Regina Brett on Typing

"Smartphones could spell the end for typing as we know it"
 Regina Brett wrote in the March 20 Plain Dealer.
Regina calls it exactly the way I see it.  She ponders the merits of touch typing that we learned when we were in school and how that is not valued any longer.  Then she remarks that, lik me, she is not able to text with her thumbs as the young people of today can do.

Interesting observations!


http://www.cleveland.com/brett/blog/index.ssf/2013/03/smartphones_could_spell_the_en.html

Computer Scam - beware

Local computer users have been receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be from Microsoft or a large computer company offering to help you with your computer.  Please do not talk to these callers - it is a scam.

For more information see this Plain Dealer story  http://www.cleveland.com/consumeraffairs/index.ssf/2013/03/three_calls_you_should_never_t.html

Windows 8 Resources

The links to the resources we mentioned at the Windows 8 program can be found here:
http://www.lccug.memberlodge.com/weblinks#Windows8
they include the link to the YouTube videos I suggested

FYI - The speaker I used during program was the HDMX Jam Wireless Portable Speaker.  http://www.hmdxaudio.com/products/jam-wireless-portable-speaker.html 

Windows 8 Links

The links that were referred to at the March 12  meeting can be found at the members' page at http://www.lccug.memberlodge.com/weblinks .  At the top of that page is a link to the Windows 8 section near the bottom.  The links to the YouTubes Sandee selected on learning to use Windows 8 are at the very bottom there.

Links from January Meeting

We reviewed websites that are posted on the member's page "Presentation Weblinks and Useful Info" section of the club's Member's Page.  You can go directly there by using this link:
     http://www.lccug.memberlodge.com/weblinks

You will find links from other LCCUG presentations at that webpage.  You will also find information posted by Micky.  This is information that he is frequently is asked about.  This is a great resource and you will find it useful to be familiar with the kinds of things that can be found here.

The favorite links that we looked at during the Janaury meeting can be found there at the link in red named 01/08/2013 presentation web sites  or you can go directly there by using this link:
http://justpaste.it/lccug_websites  .

Update to Windows 8 Deadline

the following is an email sent out to all members on January 20:

Windows 8 Pro upgrade pricing will jump from $40 to $200 on Feb. 1

Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system is about to become a lot more expensive. An upgrade of Windows 8 Pro will go from costing $40 in a promotional offer to a much more expensive $200 at the beginning of February.

While the price of Pro jumps up considerably, Microsoft will offer an upgrade to a more basic version of Windows 8 for $120. That’s still quite a bit more money than the $40 offer — and you get less features.

Read more at http://venturebeat.com/2013/01/18/windows-8-pro-upgrade-pricing/#Wxpxb8y3gjGx18Ic.99 

So should you upgrade?  

Here is an excellent article on making that decision:

http://www.zdnet.com/how-to-decide-should-you-upgrade-to-windows-8-7000008186/

In that article David Gewirtz of Zdnetcom  gives some basic reasons on why you should upgrade now or should you  wait.  He considers which operating system you are currently using and gives you good suggestions on how to decide.

I found it particularly useful to read what he said about Windows XP:

I'll put this quite simply: if you're running an XP machine and you're reading email or browsing the Web, you need to upgrade immediately. XP is enormously vulnerable to exploits, you can't run Internet Explorer later than IE8, and your PC is a calamity waiting to happen.

So you should upgrade to either Windows 7 or Windows 8. Period. Now, as it happens, it's probably actually a better choice to upgrade to Windows 8. First, again, you can get the Windows 8 Pro upgrade for only $39.99 and any Windows 7 upgrade will cost you more.

The upgrade link is at:  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/buy  

Remember if you buy it now, you don’t have to install it till later if you prefer to wait.

Reminder if you have a new computer purchased between June 2 and January 31, that had windows 7 PC you are eligible  to upgrade to Windows 8 for $15, you need to register before the end of the month.
(Read more at the venturebeat.com  link above._) 

Also useful might be this free ebook from Microsoft that you can download called  Introducing Windows 8: An Overview for IT Professionals.  http://tinyurl.com/ccoy84g

Should you upgrade to Windows 8?

I thought this story about upgrading to Windows 8 to be very helpful
http://www.zdnet.com/how-to-decide-should-you-upgrade-to-windows-8-7000008186/

David Gewirtz of Zdnetcom  gives some basic reasons on why you should upgrade now or should you  wait.  He considers which operating system you are currently using and gives you good suggestions on how to decide.

I found it particularly useful to read what he said about Windows XP:

I'll put this quite simply: if you're running an XP machine and you're reading email or browsing the Web, you need to upgrade immediately. XP is enormously vulnerable to exploits, you can't run Internet Explorer later than IE8, and your PC is a calamity waiting to happen.

So you should upgrade to either Windows 7 or Windows 8. Period. Now, as it happens, it's probably actually a better choice to upgrade to Windows 8. First, again, you can get the Windows 8 Pro upgrade for only $39.99 and any Windows 7 upgrade will cost you more.

Food for thought!

sandee

Antivirus Makers Must change their Strategy

The New York Times has an interesting article called "Outmaneuvered at Their Own Game, Antivirus Makers Struggle to Adapt".  This article explains how current antivirus makers can't keep ahead of the  viruses being written today.  The antivirus companies are trying to go in a different direction in order to survive.  Interesting reading.

http://tinyurl.com/atqgbof

TVs and Computers - How it's changing

Here is the link to the power point I used at the November 13 meeting.  It is saved as a PDF and hopefully everyone can access it.    TVs and Computers is a big subject that is changing faster than we can get a handle on it.  Hopefully this presentation will give it some clarity.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BxVp1c6R1nzhV2ZwRzNiWFBQYnc

email me if you have questions   president@lccug.com.

October 2012 Meeting - Smart Phones & Tablets

Eric Barnett gave a great presentation at the Tuesday meeting.  A copy of his presentation (including the YouTubes he referred to) can be found @ ....
http://prezi.com/-9eod0qzgmoc/android-vs-iphone/?res_nr=10&sis=2738818155

I put together a list of websites with more information about comparing Android and iPhone smart phones.  It also includes several websites that compare iPads and Kindle Fires.  The website that Eric mentioned with information on comparing laptops is also listed. Check these out @...
http://d.me/lccug/Oct2012

Make Use of Guides

Below you will find over 50 high quality guides covering wide variety of topics. From a dummy guide to build your own computer to an easy encryption guide. All free. Enjoy! Share them with everyone! 

To download them you just need a password. Simply subscribe to the MakeUseOf Newsletter using your email below to get it. The password will be instantly emailed to you once you have confirmed your subscription. 

(That's not all! You will also get access to MakeUseOf Cheat Sheets) 


http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/download

How to get Windows 8

You'll find the $39.99 offer for Windows 8 at:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/Press/2012/Jun12/06-01MSWindowsPR.aspx

I've you're buying a new computer you can get Windows 8 for even less. Here are the details:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/microsoft-outlines-revenue-recognition-for-the-windows-upgrade-offer-156276065.html

Information shared by 7-10-12 meeting presenter, Bob Gostischa

AVAST - Online Security Presentation

To learn more about avast! Antivirus, simply go to: http://www.avast.com
To download any of Avast's Software, simply go to:  http://www.avast.com/download-software

To take advantage of the special 40% discount on the paid versions that I offered during the presentation, simply go to:   http://Coupon_Security_Buy_Links-Bob.html

If you where lucky enough to win the Avast Rescue CD,  you can download instructions for it's use from: http://goo.gl/qd1CQ    If you didn't win, and are interested in the product, it can also be downloaded from there.

Instructions to successfully install avast! 7:
01. Download  to a folder you can find or to your Desktop the product avast!7 Free:
       setup_av_free.exe  (Do Not Run at this time)

02. Download the REMOVAL TOOL for your current Anti Virus Program by following the Guide offered here:
       How do I remove old third-party antivirus software before installing avast!?
       Click on this link, find your current Antivirus Program and follow their instructions.     
      
 The removal tool for avast! Antivirus (should you ever need it) : http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

03. Once these 2 programs are saved to your computer in a folder that you can locate or,
       to the desktop and, you can easily identify these 2 files, DISCONNECT FROM THE INTERNET
04. Go to the Control Panel > Select add/remove >  (Programs and Features in Windows 7)
       select your current antivirus program and select uninstall. (Allow it to uninstall all features of the program)

05. Reboot your system.

06. Run the removal tool for your old Anti Virus Program saved in step #2

07. When the tool finishes running, again Reboot your system and Reconnect your Internet connection.

08. Install avast!7 Free by running the program downloaded in step #1

09. Shut down your system -- wait 10 seconds -- Start your computer.

10. Avast!6 Free will now be installed and will update it's virus database.

11. Register your new avast!7 Free product by selecting the Register Now button.
       If you need more help, get it from here: http://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus.php


12. Once this is done, you'll be ready to enjoy the new product as much as I already have for many years.

The links to the other 4 programs I mentioned at the end of the presentation can be found at:
     Malware Bytes Anti Malware (MBAM) : http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
     Ccleaner : http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/
     CcEnhancer: http://www.techspot.com/downloads/5014-ccleaner-enhancer-ccenhancer.html
     WinPatrol : http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html

Click here to access this document online.
If you found this presentation helpful, please let your friends in other clubs know that it's
available totally free of charge and without any strings attached.

See where I've done Presentations lately: (and pictures from his presentation to LCCUG)
http://bob3160.blogspot.com/

Thanks for having me at your meeting.  If you're truly ambitious, letting my boss Jana at Avast know what you thought of the presentation would also be nice. ( If you didn't like it, it's still OK to let her know that too. )

You can write her at tomasikova@avast.com. Please put Bob's avast! Security Seminar in the Subject line.    (Attach a CC to me: bob3160@gmail.com  Thanks)


Have a great day,
Bob  Norbert (Bob) Gostischa
505-250-1089

Free ebooks from Microsoft Press!!

Microsoft Press offers books designed for the different ways you learn.  They cover a range of Microsoft technologies from  Windows Service to Office 2010, Security and programing.  Many of the free ebooks available are offered in three formats:  PDF, Mobi (Kindle) and ePub.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2012/05/04/free-ebooks-great-content-from-microsoft-press-that-won-t-cost-you-a-penny.aspx

or

http://goo.gl/Xb2qJ

LCCUG Picnic - August 5 - Lakeview Park

Annual LCCUG Picnic

1-5pm 

West Shelter Lakeview Park

2pm speaker from the Parks System

July 13-14 Convention in Canton

A great opportunity to network and learn more about Computers!

APCUG Convention July 13 - 14  in Canton  http://camug2012.apcug.org/

Registration   http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2813048905/efbnen

Tentative schedule   http://camug2012.apcug.org/schedule.htm

Free Area Concerts & Festivals 2012

I gathered a list of links to free events to attend this summer in our area.  I would like to share it here.  If you know of any similar events, leave a comment.

Vermilion : Concerts in the Park   --   7 pm every Sunday starting in July.

https://sites.google.com/site/vermilionohiochamberofcommerce/concerts-in-the-park

Also in downtown Vermilion
3rd Thursday, Music, Flowers and a Sunset
May 17th-September 20^th   6pm-Sunset

This webpage Includes Music Under the Stars Sunday evenings at Lakeview Park in Lorain

And Sunday evenings on Mill Hollow 2012 Summer Concert Series Vermilion

Many other Lorain County Parks events are  listed there as well:

http://www.metroparks.cc/events.php

LORAIN - At the Black River Landing in Lorain there will be Labatt Blue Black River Concerts twice a month all summer from  8-11pm

                http://www.lorainportauthority.com/labatt_blue_black_river_concert_series

I am also adding a link to  Nature Boat rides offered at the Landings …the only thing on this list that costs money:

http://www.lorainportauthority.com/calendar

downtown Elyria, in  Ely Park on Thursdays 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. throughout the summer. . Bring your lawn chair, lunch, sit back, listen and ENJOY!

http://www.cityofelyria.org/department/parks/summer-concert-series/

Oberlin 2012 Summer Concert Series Tappan Square Clark Bandstand Fridays
 June 29 – August 3 7pm

http://www.oberlin.org/pdf/2012-summer-concert-flyer.pdf

new in Downtown Amherst this year - Walkin' on Wednesdays

Second Wednesday of Each Month, June through September

Enjoy family-friendly entertainment while strolling the streets of the historic district. Shops, restaurants and businesses will be open late! Plus its FREE!

A list of Lorain County Festivals is maintained by LorainCounty.com at

http://www.loraincounty.com/Festivals/

DNS Malware Problem to check on

Web could vanish for hordes of people in July, FBI warns

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57418276-83/web-could-vanish-for-hordes-of-people-in-july-fbi-warns/

If your computer is infected with the DNSChanger virus, your summertime Internet activities will be seriously curtailed -- as in buh-bye. But a special Web site can help you fix the problem.

by Edward Moyer  April 21, 2012 5:30 AM PDT

The FBI is warning that hundreds of thousands of people could lose their Internet connections come July, unless they take steps to diagnose and disinfect their computers.

The problem is related to malware called DNSChanger that was first discovered way back in 2007 and that has infected millions of computers worldwide.

In simple terms, when you type a Web address into your browser, your computer contacts DNS (or Domain Name System) servers to find out the numerical Internet Protocol (IP) address of the site you're trying to reach, and then it takes you there. DNSChanger fiddled with an infected machine's settings and directed it to rogue servers set up by a crime ring -- servers that handed out addresses to whatever sites the ring chose.

As a U.S attorney said in an FBI press release, the crooks "were international cyberbandits who hijacked millions of computers at will and rerouted them to Internet Web sites and advertisements of their own choosing -- collecting millions in undeserved commissions for all the hijacked computer clicks and Internet ads they fraudulently engineered."

Late last year, however, the FBI disrupted the ring and seized the rogue servers. And since so many infected computers relied on the servers to reach the Internet, the agency opted not to shut them down and instead converted them to legitimate DNS machines.

Running the machines costs the government money, though,so they're being switched off in July. If your computer is infected with DNSChanger then, the Web -- for you -- will no longer exist.

The DNSChanger Working Group (DCWG), the body set up to oversee the servers, has created a Web site to help you diagnose your machine and, if necessary, remove DNSChanger. You can check it out atwww.dcwg.org. And it's probably not a bad idea to do so sometime before, say, July 8 (the DCWG says the servers will be shut down the following day).

Learn to help Index the 1940 Census

The 1940 U.S. federal census will be released via free ditial images Monday, April 2, by the National Archives and Records Aministration.  This census includes the names people who made up the "Greatest Generation".

The Lorain County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will welcome guest speakers Dorothy Titera and Rae Ann Houshton of Family Search on April 9 at the North Ridgeville branch library to discuss and show how easy it is to participate via home computers in the indexing project of the 1940 U.S. Census.

The women also will demonstrate indexing proujects of thousands of other genealogy based records stored on microfilm in Salt Lake City.  As records are indexed they are made available as free digitized images at FamilySearch.org.  Members of the Lorain County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Soc iety will be among the volunteers participating in the indexing project. 

The public is invited to attend this free program. . Membership in the genealogical society is not required to attend.  Social time begins at 6:30 pm with the program and meeting beginning at 7 pm

The library is at 5700 Bainbridge Rd, N. Ridgeville

For more information, call Jean at 440-949-5167 or Pete at 440-967-8002.

Investigating Online

Occasionally, I like to explore these kinds of websites.
Once and awhile I want to "check up on a person" and other times I want to see what is online ab out myself.

http://websearch.about.com/od/peoplesearch/tp/peoplesearch.htm

After seeing what is out there about yourself, you might want to try to remove it.  Here is a site with information on that  http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2011/10/18/call-kurtis-how-do-i-get-my-personal-info-removed-online64970/

This recent story in the Plain Dealer talks about Zillow and Trulia websites with real estate informtion.
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/03/real_estate_companies_are_tryi.html

Take a closer look at a neighborhood
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/neighborhoods/crime-rates/
http://spotcrime.com/

Be your own detective for local information:
http://www.loraincounty.com/probate/

http://www.loraincounty.com/clerk/

http://www.loraincounty.com/auditor/register/ 

Interesting summary of how information is accumulated
http://abine.com/people_guide.php

http://www.pcworld.com/article/227461/why_is_people_search_so_lame.html

Search Social Networks
http://www.brighthub.com/internet/google/articles/116670.aspx

How do the Information brokers get our information?
http://timesleader.com/stories/FTC-seeks-law-to-shed-more-light-on-data-brokers,129841


Popular People search websites
http://pipl.com/
http://www.spokeo.com/

do you have a site you have used?  Leave a comment to share it....

sandee

Ebooks and ereaders

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

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

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 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

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

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:

1. the Aviation Weather Center (for in-flight advisory information and pre-flight weather information including pilot reports)
2. the Climate Prediction Center (long-range seasonal outlooks up to 13 months into the future)
3. Environmental Modeling Center (the source for numerical weather prediction models)
4. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (location for finding current analysis and forecast weather maps)
5. Tropical Prediction Center (also better known as the National Hurricane Center - providing advisories on tropical storms and hurricanes)
6. 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)
7. Space Weather Prediction Center (for alerts on geomagnetic storms, solar radiation storms and radio frequency blackouts).
8. 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

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

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

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

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!

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"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links from last meeting

http://craigslist.com

http://freecycle.org

http://paperbackswap.com

Twitter with Sandee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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...

More Tutorial/Learning Websites

Be a Life-long Learner:

In the August LCCUG Newsletter, I wrote about free learning opportunities.
I have since found a collections of tutorial websites that are very extensive:

The Big List of Sites that Teach you how to do Stuff:
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/tutorial_sites.php

F.Y.I.

The specific ones I mentioned in the club newsletter were"

E-learning for Me
http://www.e4meohio.org

Learning Express Library - practice tests and computer training
http://www.oplin.org/tests

Learn Anything: 100 Places to Find Free Webinars and Tutorials
http://www.collegeathome.com/blog/2008/06/17/learn-anything-100-places-to-find-free-webinars-and-tutorials/

Virtual University
http://vu.org

Freerice.com

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...

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

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

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

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



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

Use it or Lose It

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

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!

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

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

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