Soundboard March 2002

Mark Your Calendar -- COMING EVENTS!

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Heritage Hall

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2002

10:00 - 11:30 am

"Surf's Up"

Ken Pelletier and Joel Abramson will ask the audience to give their favorite web sites so that all can see, visit and enjoy

Jean Van Loon will set up the PC to play music from one or more of her favorite sites to play in the background.

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CLARIFICATION

To clear up some small area of confusion we would like to reiterate that the only events of the Computer Club, which are open to all villagers who are not members, are the Monthly Meeting and the Open Houses. All other events such as classes, SIGs, etc. require that the attendees be members of the club.

"The Web" has accumulated an assortment of computer accessories that are no longer needed. Following the April General Meeting, these items will be on display in "The Web" for your perusal. These items are there for the taking. Anything left over will be discarded. The items include mice, keyboards, speakers, laser printer, and more. Attend the meeting and help yourself to anything you need.

This past month the Genealogy and the Computer clubs have entered into a joint venture, each paying half the cost of a subscription to Ancestry.com. This enables Genealogy and Computer club members to search the various databases available at Ancestry.com, such as the 1900 census, numerous surname databases, and others. These club members may avail themselves of this opportunity during "Open House" on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 3 pm. There will be a member of the genealogy club in attendance to assist.

In February, the Computer and the Brush & Pencil clubs cooperated in an experiment. A two-session demonstration was provided by the Graphic/Web SIG members, Ken Pelletier, Magdeline Shuster, Barbara Adamchak, and Ronnie Kamphausen. Nine members of the Brush & Pencil attended and were surprised and delighted to find that the computer with the proper software can be a tool that the artist can use to delight his or her audience. During the second session, attendees had the opportunity to try their skills. A couple of them completed a quite satisfactory rendering considering they were not computer skilled. During the March General Meeting Magdeline Shuster demonstrated the results that can be gleaned from computer artistry.

A repeat of this demonstration will be done in April or May if there is sufficient interest. This session would include Brush & Pencil members as well as Computer Club members. Let us know if you are interested.

(quote from Fred Dales at Microsoft Corp. in Redmond, WA.)

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SOCCERSAVER

Looking for some low-key sporting action, but don't have tickets to the local game? SoccerSaver is a screen saver that turns your screen into a soccer field with 3D players. You can change the players' outfits and choose which teams you want to play against each other. Options let you change the appearance of the playing field by adding lines, bumps, or a mowing pattern. You can also project a message on the field, with adjustable fonts, alignments, and brightness.

Version: 3.2
File Size: 651 KB
Price: Demo; $10 to keep
Operating System(s): Windows 9.x

Download SoccerSaver now at:

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,15880,tk,hsx,00.asp

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HINTS, POINTERS, AND TIPS O' THE TRADE

When your dabbling in multimedia files on the Web, you're bound to run into some file formats that are unfamiliar. Sometimes they will automatically launch a media player, other times they will play dead. It's helpful to have a reference chart to see what's what: http://www.terena.nl/libr/gnrt/appendix/formats.html

Like the laminated conference-room board it gets its name from, an electronic whiteboard is used for collaborating on documents. Electronic whiteboards are programs that allow multiple users teleconferencing at their own computers to draw and write comments on the same document, at the same time.

A standard developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to define how computers write and read characters. The ASCII (pronounced "askee") set of 128 characters includes letters, numbers, punctuation, and control codes (such as a character that marks the end of a line). Each letter or other character is represented by a number: an uppercase A, for example, is the number 65, and a lowercase z is the number 122. Most operating systems use the ASCII standard, except for Windows NT, which uses the suitably larger and newer Unicode standard.

A play on the word Internet, an intranet is a restricted-access network that works like the Web, but isn't on it. Usually owned and managed by a corporation, an intranet enables a company to share its resources with its employees without confidential information being made available to everyone with Internet access.

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS

Crammer v3.0.0.11 [762k] W9x/2k/XP ; FREE

What Crammer actually does is teach you foreign words in several different languages. You can even add your own words and create and edit dictionaries. If you'd like to use the Pro version with more options, you'll need to register.

http://www.korzh.com/crammer/

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BEST CAR RACING GAMES

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/collection/0,collid,824,tk,picks,00.asp

Time for a little road rage: Get even with @3%&*! drivers with these racing simulations.

1. Midtown Madness

2. Space Haste

3. Dirt Bike 3D v1.5

4. Super 1 Karting

5. Driver

6. Wacky Wheels

7. Star Wars Episode I: Racer

8. Carmageddon TDR 2000

9. Bikez II v1.21

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RECIPES AND OTHER GOOD STUFF

The Kraft foods web site at www.kraftfoods.com has a lot of great recipe ideas. They also let you choose by ingredients, nutrition goals, seasonal favorites, classic recipes, tips and techniques. Take a look and see if you like it.

When printing a multi-page document, most Microsoft(r) programs will default so that the first page is at the bottom of the stack and the last page is at the top. Next time, try reversing the printing order so that the document prints out correctly. Here are the steps:

* Choose "FILE" and "PRINT".

* Click on the button marked "OPTIONS" located at the bottom left of the print screen.

* At the top of this page, you'll find a list of print options. Check the box for "REVERSE PRINT ORDER".

* Click "PRINT". From: "HP DESKGRAM"

* "A friend is someone who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."

* "True friends are like perfect diamonds, precious & rare."

* "Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow; don't walk behind me, I may not lead; just walk beside me and be my friend."

In Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, open the Favorites menu with ALT + A and then choose the first letter of a favorite you're searching for. If there are more than one beginning with that letter, when you reach the desired favorite, ENTER will open.

Your place to find great clips, photos, sounds, and Web animations is at http://dgl.microsoft.com/

March brings a holiday mood to Design Gallery Live with Easter and St. Patrick's Day clips. Also find photos about money matters. Preview an entire collection before you download it.

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PRINTING LABELS

SenLab v.1 [526k] W9x/2k/XP FREE

http://www.sente.co.uk/senlab01page.htm

This program is made specifically for printing labels, and it gets the job done quickly and easily. It turns any list of addresses from a text file into printable labels - just like that. If you want labels and you want them now without a lot of "extras," then give this a shot. If you can get your data (addresses, sequences or whatever) into a .txt file with the content of each label separated by a blank line, then you can use this software.

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TOP 10 DIGITAL CAMERAS

From the April 2002 issue of PC World magazine - Posted Monday, February 25, 2002

A simple point-and-shoot model from Toshiba joins the ranks of under-$500 winners. One new digital camera makes the chart this month: Toshiba's $279 PDR-M25 hits number four. This simple point-and-shoot model produces fairly sharp images. However, its shutter button, zoom, and other functions seemed slow to react. The Kodak DX3700 just missed the chart. Its battery life was the longest we've seen, but it took dark and off-color photos. Also falling short is Konica's tiny KD-300Z. It fits anywhere, but its battery lasted a mere 90 shots in our tests. Canon discontinued several of its cameras this month to make way for new models.

This link takes you to a comparison chart:

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,81989,pg,2,00.asp

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Never under any circumstances take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

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ANTI-VIRUS NEWS

Dangerous Yarner worm could delete your Windows files; By Robert Vamosi; ZDNet Reviews; February 19, 2002

http://techupdate.zdnet.com/techupdate/stories/main/0,14179,2848635,00.html

Yarner (w32.yarner.a@mm) appears to be a newsletter about Trojan horses from a legitimate security site but is actually a dangerous worm. It uses its own e-mail engine to send copies of itself to others. Once executed, the worm deletes the Windows directory on infected computers. At present, the infections are limited to Germany; however, a new variation could be produced in English or any other language. Because of the dangerous potential of this worm, Yarner ranks a 7 on the ZDNet Virus Meter.

Contact your antivirus vendor to obtain the most current antivirus signature files that include Yarner. Almost all the antivirus software companies have updated their signature files to include this worm. This will stop the infection upon contact and in some cases will remove an active infection from your system.

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You need only two tools: WD-40 and duct tape.

If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40.

If it moves and shouldn't, use the tape.

www.octanecreative.com

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A Warm Welcome

TO OUR NEW MEMBERS:

Robert Bowolick

George & Miriam Davy

Gail Ford

Teresa Marcucilli

Stephen Nikituk

Herb & Helen Slutsky

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S.O.S. - HVCC Help Line:

Ken Pelletier 264-2310 Bob Greene 264-9747

Several members have volunteered to assist in the help duties and are available between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. They have specified the particular areas in which they are experienced. Give them an opportunity to assist you with your problems.

AutoCAD	Ken Pelletier	264-2310
Digital Camera	Joe Franzino	264-2922
MS Word	Arnold Deutchman	267-7355
	Joe Franzino	264-2922
Print Shop Pro	Ken Pelletier	264-2310
Publishing	Joe Franzino	264-2922
Quicken	Ken Pelletier	264-2310
	Arnold Sail	264-2540
Scanning	Joe Franzino	264-2922
WordPerfect	Jean Van Loon	267-5397

All help personnel are volunteers who will try to walk you through a computer problem that you may be experiencing. If that does not resolve the problem, it is suggested that you bring the specifics of your problem to our Open House (Tues. & Thur., 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.). Members are encouraged to offer volunteer assistance when they are able. If none of these suggestions fixes the problem, your only recourse is to seek professional help. It is not the Club's policy to recommend professional computer technicians. Usually the best technical help will come from the manufacturer of your computer and you may even be under a warrantee program.

Computing Basics II

LIMIT 8 STUDENTS

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY

April 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12

9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Six Sessions: $20.00

Description: Review the fundamentals of Computing Basics I; Advanced document configuration; change fonts; move, delete, and format text; add color; print preview; print properties; the HELP function; Learn about MY COMPUTER; troubleshoot problems; maintenance.

Prerequisite: - Personal computer with Windows 95, 98, ME, or XP, and Completion of Computing Basics I.

Computing Basics I

LIMIT 8 STUDENTS

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAYS

April 8, 10,11, 15, 17 18

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Six Sessions: $20.00

Goal: To learn what a computer is and to learn the basics needed to successfully operate it.

Description: Identify computer components including HARDWARE parts; efficient use of the MOUSE; the KEYBOARD; SOFTWARE programs that are installed to perform desired functions, e.g., word processing, spreadsheets; become familiar with the installed operating system and learn the basics needed for effective use; create and save text.

Prerequisite: - Personal computer with Windows 95, 98, Me or XP

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Internet Basics

LIMIT 20 STUDENTS

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY

April 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26

9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Six Sessions: $20.00

Goal: To learn how to access the World Wide Web and e-mail.

Description: Learn how to "dialup" to an ISP and to launch the particular software you have on your computer (MS Internet Explorer, Netscape or AOL)

Prerequisites: Completion of Computing Basics I or have equivalent working knowledge; personal computer with Windows 95, 98, Me, XP or Mac.

Please check the Bulletin or Flyers at The Web or the HVCC Web Site for course descriptions, class costs, changes, or updates to this course schedule

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Don't forget to visit the Computer Club Web Page often: you will find calendars listing club events, the Soundboard, and other Club links.

THE SOUNDBOARD

Mark Your Calendar -- COMING EVENTS!

A Warm Welcome

TO OUR NEW MEMBERS:

Computing Basics I

Internet Basics

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To view the Monthly Calendar click here

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