THE SOUNDBOARD
KEEPING
PACE IN CYBERSPACE
Heritage Village Computer Club http://www.hvcomputerclub.org
Monthly Meeting
Heritage Hall
Wednesday, October 8, 2003
10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
"Approaches to Backing
Up Your Hard Drive"
Presented by Gene Barlow
EVERYONE WELCOME,
BRING A FRIEND
UPDATED INFORMATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2003:
Users of Windows 2000 and Windows XP are reporting problems getting connected or staying connected to the Internet. They may get a message stating, "Remote Procedure Call (RPC) terminated unexpectedly".
Microsoft has identified a security issue affecting Windows NT 4, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 users, and has a patch available at Windows Update.
This patch is NOT for Windows 98x or earlier.
You can help protect your computer by installing this security update from Microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-039.asp
The patch released September 10th, MS03-039, supersedes bulletin MS03-026, which in July first warned of the vulnerability MSBlast exploited. The vulnerability revealed September 10th is similar in nature and in its potential for damage, but it affects the RPC function differently.
If you are using Windows XP: to remain online long enough to download and install this patch, we recommend you enable Windows XP's firewall.
Then go to Windows Update and install any and all critical updates.
If you're using a DUN (“Dial Up Networking”) connection: while disconnected from the Internet:
- Go to Start > Settings > Network Connections
-
Right click on your DUN and choose Properties
- Under the Advanced tab place a check mark next to "Protect my computer and network ..."
- OK your way out and connect to the Internet.
Symantec Anti-Virus has identified a worm that will exploit this "Buffer Overrun in RPC Interface" flaw. Please visit their web site for more information on the worm, and how to remove it from your computer.
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.blaster.worm.htm
WINNERS:
At the general meeting in August, the Drawing Prizes were a $50 Gift Certificate to Thatcher's (won by George Adamchak) and a Canon Color printer (won by M. Corbett).
WEBSITE HELP WANTED
BOB MEICEL, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SOUTHBURY LIBRARY has asked members of the Computer Club if there is anyone interested in maintaining the Southbury Library Website. Interested Members should contact him at 264-7888 or bob12c@earthlink.net.
BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS AT THE
FAIR!
The ambulance association is holding an "Ambulance Fair" at the Activities Bldg. - HH & Patio on Oct. 18th from 9a.m. till 3p.m. There will be displays, exhibits, refreshment and villagers may get their blood pressure checked with a new monitor acquired recently for the ambulance.
OFFICERS TO BE NOMINATED
The Nominating Committee, announced at the September meeting, will present a slate of officers and directors for consideration by the membership at the October meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor at this time. Should nominations occur from the floor then a ballot has to be mailed to all members with the returns announced at the December meeting.
An important key to safe computing is to never
use software from unknown sources.
Malicious users often use "Trojan Horses" to deliver harmful
software onto unwary users' computers.
A Trojan Horse is a piece of software that appears to do something
useful, but which actually performs hidden, usually damaging, action on the
user's computer. For example, a
malicious user might develop a game program and distribute it via a web
site, that deliberately erases files on the user's computer while it runs.
Another Trojan horse mechanism that is
frequently used is to send malicious software to users via e-mail, claiming
that it is a product upgrade from a software vendor. Recently, several people have done this, sending e-mails that
contain software attachments to wide audiences on the Internet. The e-mails claim that the attachments are
product upgrades from Microsoft or other software vendors, but in fact they are
harmful software that may damage the user's software and files when they run
the attachments.
· MICROSOFT only distributes software on
physical media like CD ROMs and floppy disks.
· MICROSOFT distributes upgrades via the
Internet.
· MICROSOFT software will be available via the
web site, http://www.microsoft.com, or
through http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.asp?.
· MICROSOFT occasionally sends e-mail to
customers to inform them that upgrades are available. However, the e-mail will only provide links
to the download sites and will never attach the software itself to the
e-mail. The links will always lead to
either the web site or the FTP site, never to a third-party site.
· MICROSOFT always uses Authenticode to
digitally sign products and allow you to ensure that they have not been
tampered with.
If you receive an e-mail that claims to contain software from Microsoft, do not run the attachment. The safest course of action is to delete the mail altogether. If you would like to take additional action, report the e-mail to the sender's Internet Service Provider. Most ISPs provide an "abuse" user ID for this purpose.
IS YOUR SYSTEM SECURE?
Suppose you have a home office with DSL or cable modem broadband access and a wireless network. You use spam filters, regularly update your virus protection software, and even have a firewall to protect your network. Does that mean you're safe from spammers? Not necessarily. There are a lot of infected computers out there. Spammers are constantly disguising their tools and rotating locations. In this Internet climate, you should always be vigilant.
Stay current with all available vendor security patches, especially for your operating system and browser; security experts say that you can avoid most network intrusions by installing updates when they become available. I visit http://www.microsoft.com regularly for “critical updates”. As always, be extremely cautious about opening e-mail file attachments. If you use a file sharing application (such as KAZAA), you're playing with fire--be extra cautious when downloading files, and limit the directories you share.
GOT TOO MUCH CREDIT CARD DEBT??
If you carry a
balance on your credit card(s) and your credit rating is solid, you may be able
to negotiate a lower interest rate from the credit card company and it may be
easier than you thought. Sometimes it
only requires asking the question. By
calling the toll-free number on the back of the credit card and asking the
customer service representative (“CSR”), you may be offered special deals, too. The CSR may be able to see your account and
know that you are a customer in good standing.
Sometimes, you might just tell the CSR that you have received better
offers from other credit card companies for a lower annual percentage rate and
you'd rather get a lower rate on this existing account than cancel it and
switch companies. Firmness, politeness,
and clarity while explaining that you are serious about switching companies may
do the trick. Patience may eventually
pay off if you are denied on your first request. Try again in a few weeks.
If you still don’t get a lower deal on your interest rates, perhaps it
is time to shop around for a better opportunity. However, many cards offer great low interest rates for a few
introductory months but raise them again to a higher rate than you
anticipated. Always read that fine
print. This story is on one of my
favorite websites.
Free weekly tips are brought to you by ihatefinancialplanning.com, a web site for everyone who
loves money but hates to plan. Explore
topics, ask questions, find answers, set goals, get organized, run numbers and
take control. All while having fun!
WORDTRACKER Wordtracker compiles a database of terms that people search for (KEYWORDS). You enter some keywords, and it tells you how often people search for them, and also how many competing sites use those keywords. It finds all keyword combinations that bear any relation to your business or service and how popular these keywords really are. Then, for each major search engine, it shows the chances of making the top 10. This is a nifty tool for those of you making your own web pages. It allows you to choose the words to incorporate into your own web pages that will help people to find your site.http://www.wordtracker.com
JAPANESE
MAPS
If you have any interest in Japan, maps, and ancient documents, this web site may be what you are looking for. There are about 209 or more maps of Japan, beginning as thumbnails (very tiny linkable graphics). Once you click on a graphic, it expands to a larger size and gives you choices of further enlargement by zoom, descriptions of what you are looking at, and printing the map. More are expected to be added in the future. This collection of historical Japanese maps are stored in the East Asian Library at the University of California and were only available to a few who received permission to handle them.
MUSIC
EDITING APPLICATIONS
ZDNET.COM’S
Jason Parker,
Contributing Editor, ZDNet Downloads, has some suggestions for you and the
three applications links, below, are for the downloads.
Here are three audio-editing apps to use for
playing with sounds and making great mix CDs.
Audacity, which works for both PC and Mac,
lets you import and edit WAV, MP3, and Ogg files. You can also arrange selected parts of your sound files by
cutting-and-pasting and add plug-in effects to your projects. (Free/Windows)
Cool Edit 2000, the most popular sound editor of the group,
provides a slew of effects to use on your sound files. It also offers visual-editing capabilities
and sound-analysis features. The only
drawback to this great program is that you can only save sound files that are
60 seconds or less if you don't register the app. (Shareware/Windows)
GoldWave comes with several effects along with 3-D
graphical representations of your clips for easier editing. You can also use this app to take the pops
and clicks out of old recordings and to convert between different types of
sound files. (Shareware/Windows)
Sound-editing apps have plenty of uses, both
professional and personal. Try these
programs, and see how much more control you'll have over all your audio
projects.
NEW HP DEVICE CONVERTS VHS
TO DVD
DVD Movie
Writer dc3000 is designed to make going digital easier.
Melissa Perenson, PCWorld.com
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
“A device to convert those stacks of cherished but now rarely watched videotapes to DVD is a highlight of the dozens of new Hewlett-Packard (“HP”) products announced this week.
The $399 DVD Movie Writer dc3000 is among the 158 new products launched by HP. All of the consumer devices, which include cameras, printers, and scanners, were unveiled in New York on Monday by HP CEO Carly Fiorina.
The dc3000 is not the only product on the market that will help you convert your analog memories into a digital format, but it is the first to combine analog video inputs with a DVD+R/RW burner into a single, external device. Plug the unit into your PC's USB 2.0 port, install the intuitive software, and you're ready to start preserving those precious family movies and TV favorites and moving them into the 21st century.”
Read more of Melissa’s article at this URL:
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,111999,tk,wb081803x,00.asp
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD: http://hvcomputerclub.org/officers.html
SOUNDBOARD CONTRIBUTIONS: theweb@snet.net
CLASSES, MEETINGS, EVENTS: http://www.supercalendar.com/view.php?a=893
HELPERS:
AutoCAD.... Ken Pelletier................ 264-2310 Digital
Camera........ Joe Franzino.......... 264-2922
MS Word.... Arnold Deutchman...... 267-7355 MS Word................. Joe
Franzino.......... 264-2922
MS Excel.... Diana Scott.................. 264-2134 Paint
Shop Pro........ Ken Pelletier.......... 264-2310
Publishing.. Joe Franzino................ 264-2922 Quicken................... Arnold Sail............. 264-2540
Scanning.... Joe Franzino................ 264-2922 WordPerfect........... Jean Van Loon....... 267-5397