Presentation on Backing up your Computer

At our February 11 meeting we had a presentation on backing up your computer.  Our presenter, Gene Barlow, was in Utah and shared with us some useful information on this important topic.  You can find a lot of that information here:     http://www.ugr.com/nl0713.html

The program that Gene recommended, Acronic Backup, is one that  that Sandee and Micky have experience with and can also recommend.

LCCUG members have an opportunity to buy Acronis BackUp at 50% off for the next 30 days.  The form to use is here....    https://www.dropbox.com/s/wopkqog8seeunn7/UGR.pdf

Let us know if you have any questions.

info@lccug.com

Steps to thwart ID Thieves

from January 11, 2014 Plain Dealer - Teresa Dixon Murray

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/01/after_the_latest_information_b.html#incart_river

Teresa lists 39 ways to protect your ID from Theft. compiled from  the ITRC, the FTC and her own experiences. Some of them are long-standing advice; some may surprise you.
Good info - check it out.

Bruce Bishop's Drones

Bruce Bishop

I've had so many people asking about getting photos I have shot with the drone that I need a way to make it easy for people to get them. We started a gallery at the Chronicle. All you have to do is go to this link and select any photo or photos that you like and download them. I maintain all rights but you are free to use them for prints, screen savers, or wallpaper. They are mostly all sized to print really good 11x14, some are odd sizes and might require a different mat or frame. I'll be adding more later.

Bruce also has a lot of his photos on his Facebook page.

Amazing pictures taken from his drone!

Windows 8.1 Update

Here is a useful article to get us excited about Windows 8.1:

"How to spend your first hour with Windows 8.1   from Windows Secrets"

https://windowssecrets.com/top-story/how-to-spend-your-first-hour-with-windows-8-1/

Special Film Showing

Former LCCUG member, Keith Kuhn, has made a film that will be shown at the Lorain Palace Theatre on September 14, 2013 at 7pm.....

Read all about it:

http://www.morningjournal.com/lifestyle/20130829/local-producers-experiment-heads-to-the-lorain-palace-big-screen

At the March meeting, our webmaster, Richard Barnett's son gave us a great presentation on online music.  Assisted by Georgina Karim, they explored the major options available to users today.

The presentation is available here:  http://prezi.com/hr9luod7r3bv/all-about-online-music/

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