The Outer E Newsletter of the Channel Islands PC Users Group August 2005 Whole No. 221 d Vol. 20, No. 2 ISSN 1055-4399 g e

The Friendly Computer Club Helping Make Computers Friendly. On the Web at www.cipcug.org

Attendance at the COMMAND.COM July general meeting By Lois Evans de Violini 81 members and 2 guests We welcome 2 new members Though David Harris has stepped down from the Presidency, he remains as a valued member of our To Contact CIPCUG Steering Committee. We all owe him thanks and The Outer Edge...... (805) 485-7121 gratitude for his leadership for the last two year. General Information...... (805) 604-7538 Many other people who helped make the last two Mailing Address...P.O. Box 51354, Oxnard, CA years successful have remained to guide us. 93031-1354

Evans-de Violini These familiar faces include David Harris, the im- mediate Past-President and Publicity Chairman. His Volunteers needed coaching is most helpful and welcome. Craig Ladd continues as Vice- for Boys & Girls Club President and Program Chairman. If you have visited another computer The Boys & Girls Club has asked us if we club and heard a good speaker or know of a good speaker, tell Craig could help them mentor the children in their about it. Secretary, Martha Churchyard, treasurer, Art Lewis, member- Computer Lab between 4 and 6 p.m. one or ship chairman, Ken Church, Tech Support, Toby Scott , Web Page Edi- two days a week. tor and ISP Secretary, Helen Long are among the old faces who remain Volunteers will work only one day a as voting Board Members. week, two hours. You don’t have to be a te- chie just a computer user. Please call or e- There are also familiar faces and long-time volunteers not on the mail Past President David Harris (805-388- steering committee doing important jobs for the user group. Our legal 2522) or President Lois Evans de Violini advisor, John Stanton protocol officer, George Lakes, marketing (president @cipcug.org) with questions if director, Ron Pinkerton, SIG leaders, Garcia Marks, Michael Shalkey, you are interested. Toby Scott, and Bill Wayson. and our go-fer extraodinaire. Dick We promised to provide a mentor one Otterson. Larry Hudson who helps with the SIGs. John Weigle, the edi- day a week and we have never fulfilled that tor of our newsletter, The Outer Edge. . promise. Surely there are a few club mem- bers that can volunteer some time for this I welcome the important new faces like Mike Nichols, SIG Coordinator, important task. If several of you get together and Larry Hudson his helper. and rotate the job, it would be a snap. Please help your committee to live up to their prom- These are exciting and sometimes exasperating times for PC users. Our ise. machines are faster, cheaper, lighter, have more capacity, better pro- grams, and hook to the internet at speeds that support voice, and continued page - 7

August 2005 The Outer Edge Page 1

Root Channel Islands PC Users Group Directory CIPCUG mailing address: P.O. Box 51354, Oxnard, CA 93031-1354

Executive Board CIPCUG NEWS CIPCUG is a member of APCUG, (Elected officials) The Association of PC Users Groups Annual CIPCUG Financial Report 15 President……………Lois Evans de Violini …………….………[email protected] Benefits 19 Vice President/Program Chairman Coming CIPCUG events 3 ………………...Craig Ladd...….482-4344 Command.com 1 ………………[email protected] Editor’s corner 16 Secretary……………..Martha Churchyard The Outer Edge F1: Your help key 18 ……………………[email protected] Editor……………………..John Weigle Map, schedule 20 Treasurer…………….……....…Art Lewis P.O. Box 6536, Ventura CA 93006 Membership report 17 ………………….…[email protected] 485-7121………[email protected] The Outer Edge is published monthly by Channel Program: Cheryl Wester—Windows Membership Chairman.……...Ken Church Islands PC Users Group, an independent, nonprofit Mobile Devices 14 ....………………[email protected] corporation. Contents of The Outer Edge copyright Q&A, business meeting 4 SIG Coordinator………….…Mike Nichols 2001 ã by Channel Islands PC Users Group. …………………………[email protected] Permission for reproduction in whole or in part is Steering Committee 4 granted to other computer user groups for internal TOE contributors (2005) 16 Tech Support…………………..Toby Scott nonprofit use provided credit is given to The Outer Treasurer’s report 4 Web Page Editor……………..Helen Long Edge and the authors of the reproduced material. All other reproduction is prohibited without prior Web page news 12 …………………[email protected] Past President…………...…..David Harris written consent of Channel Islands PC Users Group. Opinions expressed in this journal are solely those ……...………[email protected] GENERAL of the authors or contributors, and do not necessarily represent those of Channel Islands PC Users Group, Back Up Storage Devices 9 Ex-officio members of Executive its officers or membership as a whole. The Penguin’s Lair: An Open Source information provided is believed to be correct and Committee useful; however, no warranty, express or implied, is Music Player - Multimedia Sys. 12 (Appointed Officials) made by Channel Islands PC Users Group, its Rick’s Rants: Hard Drives Driven Chief Protocol Officer……...George Lakes officers, editorial staff or contributors. This Hard & Hard Driving Computer 11 disclaimer extends to all losses, incidental or CIPCUG ISP Signups………...Helen Long consequential, resulting from the use or application Go-fer Extraodinaire……….Dick Otterson of the information provided. ADVERTISEMENTS Legal Adviser..……………..John Stanton Channel Islands PC Users Group does not endorse Librarian……………...... ………….Vacant or recommend any specific hardware or software Copy Court 15 products, dealers, distributors or manufacturers. All Ventura County Marketing Director………...Ron Pinkerton trademarked or registered trademarked names are Computers 13 Newsletter Editor…………....John Weigle acknowledged to be the property of their respective Program Chairman…………….Craig Ladd owners, and are used for editorial purposes only. Publicity Chairman………..…David Harris Advertising in The Outer Edge Advertising is accepted for computer-related materials, businesses and services only. Rates are Past Presidents for Camera-Ready copy (clear, clean black and white masters). Typesetting and graphics are Walt Yates...... 1987/1989 available at an additional fee. Lois Evans de Violini...... 1989/1991 Terry Lee...... 1991/1993 SIZE Cost/Issue Jerry McLoud...... 1993/1995 FULL-PAGE (9½”H x 7¼”W)...... $50.00 Robert Provart...... 1995/1997 HALF-PAGE (4½”H x 7¼”W) Toby Scott...... 1997/1999 or (9½”H x 3½”W )....…...... $30.00 George Lakes………………1999/2001 THIRD-PAGE (3”H x 7¼” W)………….$25.00 Andy Toth...... ….2001/2003 QUARTER-PAGE (4½”H x 3½W)...... $20.00 David Harris ………………2003-2005 BUSINESS CARD ad...... $15.00 (With the exception of the immediate past Discounts for multiple issues (3, 6, 9 and 12 president, past presidents are not members of the months) board.) Ad copy deadline is the 5th of the month of Life members publication. Frank Segesman* Make all checks payable to CIPCUG. Toby Scott Lois Evans de Violini

*Deceased

Page 2 The Outer Edge August 2005

Society news: Programs and SIGs Steve Bass on board for September 24. Second Wednesday: Toby Scott on Door prizes Programs HTML, CSS and Web design. The club door prizes for this month are: This month’s program will fea- Third Thursday: Open. Symantec Norton Ghost (v. 9.0), com- ture Marcy Gunn of Smart Comput- Fourth Thursday: plete package, 1 user, STD (Michael Shalkey prefers to have ing magazine. The meeting will be Symantec Norton System Works 2005, Internet connections so his SIGS are complete package, 1 user, STD, CD held on Aug. 27, at the Camarillo moving back to midweek, evenings. At MS Multimedia Keyboard / wheel Boys & Girls Club, 1500 Temple Toby’s Store. Check schedule below mouse - PS/2 OEM Ave. (northeast corner of Ponderosa for his date. (These are the same prizes as offered Dr. and Temple Ave.), Camarillo The Roundhouse Pizza place fol- last month because Rick got a good buy!) (see map on page 20). lowing regular Saturday meetings may Estimated retail value: $200. be in jeopardy of cancellation. Mi- We have two types of raffle tickets: The doors will open at 8:30 a.m., one for prizes offered by the presenter and and the Beginners SIG and Internet chael enjoys the Saturday date follow- ing the regular meetings, but he prefers one for club-provided prizes. The tickets SIG start at 8:45 a.m. to have Internet access. Roundtable for the presenter’s prizes are free and limited to one per member. She will have goodie bags for Pizza no longer provides an Internet everyone and will certainly unfold The tickets for the club-provided prizes Connection. Let us know what your are $1 each, $5 for six tickets, $10 for 13 the various magazines that provide wishes are and we shall try to accom- tickets and $20 for 26 tickets and are us with current up to the minute modate the majority. available to anyone. “hot” info on the latest and greatest gadgets and computer related prod- Consignment table ucts. Our consignment table was a disaster Here is the SIG schedule last month but we promise to have a big Coming Programs for August table this month and it will be manned this month by Dick Chaiclin. We would appre-

Sept. 24 Steve Bass of PC An- ciate it if some one else would volunteer to noyances: “How to Fix the Most Aug. 17 Third Wednesday: Toby rotate with Dick so that it doesn’t always Annoying Things About Your Per- Scott on HTML, CSS and Web design. fall on one persons shoulders. Please con- sonal Computer” and columnist for Aug. 18: Third Thursday: Michael tact Dick at [email protected] or any PC World Magazine. Shalkey - Where to find resources to officer. learn about your computer and how to Oct. 22 TBA use your programs. A look at using the Sep. 22 TBA Internet to LEARN tips and tricks for Meeting, SIG notices Nov. 19 Gene Barlow programs you use every day. Also a If you would like e-mail notices of look at the latest in computer threats regular meetings and SIGs, go to Dec. 27 TBA www.cipcug.org, where you’ll find a link and what you can do about them. on the home page to sign up. The URL is Aug. 29: Fourth Thursday: Bill Special Interest Groups http://cipcug.org/listserv.cfm. Unless otherwise noted, Special Wayson—We'll discuss Network News Interest Groups (SIGs) meet at Ventura and how to use a news reader. You will need your membership County Computers, 2175 Goodyear number, which is on your TOE mailing Ave., Unit 117, Ventura; phone 805- label, to complete the sign-up. 289-3960. From the 101 Freeway, exit at Telephone, take Telephone south to McGrath, turn left and go one block. Check the Web Turn right on Goodyear and then right Practice Safe Com- again into the second driveway. Unit www.cipcug.org 117 is the back, right corner of the For the puting industrial building. Unless otherwise noted, SIGs run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug / Sept. / Oct. The SIGs are sponsored by CIPCUG BACK UP and led by volunteer club members. SIG schedule. There is no charge for members to at- BACK UP tend. The general schedule follows: BACK UP

August 2005 The Outer Edge Page 3

Society news: Business meeting, Q&A Treasurer’s Report —— My CD drawer is cycling By Art Lewis [email protected] Open every 30 seconds. June 2005 Business Meeting 6/1/05 Through 6/30/05

Craig Ladd called the meeting to order, and the offi- INFLOWS cers gave reports which appear elsewhere in this newslet- ter. Helen Long mentioned the ISP has temporarily lost Advertising 20.00 one of the Oxnard phone numbers. 200-1000 is temporar- Coffee Income 3.28 ily out but should be in service soon. In the meantime Donation 4.50 Oxanrd ISP members can use 200-1010. We also pointed ISP Income 255.00 out that we now have off ramps both northbound on 101 New Members 70.00 and southbound on 101 at Lewis Rd. Fewer traffic lights Raffle 81.75 makes for less frustrationl Renewals 680.00

Q & A Session. TOTAL INFLOWS 1,114.53 Unless otherwise noted, questions were answered by Toby, a partner in Ventura County Computers and our technical advisor. Michael Shalkey handled the OUTFLOWS demonstrations projected on the screen. ISP Expense 424.00 Q: My CD drawer is cycling open every 30 seconds. Rent Paid 150.00 Toe 398.00 I think it started when I didn’t feed it the disk it was asking for. What can I do to stop this? TOTAL OUTFLOWS 972.00

A: It probably is broken. That is one of the things OVERALL TOTAL 142.53 that happens when they break. The CD drawer is probably the most fragile piece of hardware on the computer. No matter what you do, they don’t last Unrestricted Funds $4,118.57 very long - even Plextor, which is supposed to be the Restricted Funds $2,000.00 Cadillac of CD drives. Year To Date Income $14,449.22 Q: My Windows XP has dozens of log files, and all they seem to be is a record of something that was Year To Date Expenses $18,016.68 installed. Can I safely delete them?

(Continued on page 5) July Steering Committee Meeting By Martha Churchyard, secretary The CIPCUG Executive officers gave their usual reports, tridges, and Helen will post on the Board Meeting was held on July 26, which will appear in the TOE. web site the list of cartridges the 2005 at 7:00 pm at the home of company will take. George and Arline Lakes. The place that has been buy- ing the recyclable ink cartridges has David Harris has researched the Present: Ken Church, Dick cut the prices they pay, has not sent replacement amplifier for the sound Chaiclin, Martha Churchyard, Lois a check for cartridges shipped at system. His source at Guitar Center Evans, David Harris, Toby Scott, least 6 weeks ago, and is not return- recommends a Behringer PMX2000, Craig Ladd, George & Arline Lakes, ing phone calls. For the time being which they will sell for $274.92 and Art Lewis, and Helen Long. The we will continue to collect the car- Continued on page 7

Page 4 The Outer Edge August 2005

More on Q&A: Does MS offer videoconferencing?

Continued from page 4 that? because it gets an out of bounds A: Some of them you couldn’t get message. The only solution I know rid of if you tried. Some of the A: Unfortunately, probably the of is to get a program that was oldest ones are a record of where only way to get rid of it is to delete written for your . things were put when the computer all the references to your printer, Mike and I suggest Irfanview. It is was set up, and can’t be eliminated. and all the drivers, and let downloadable, free, and very fast, The easiest way to get rid of the Windows detect the printer and and does multiple images. ones you don’t need is to run Disk reinstall it. You’ve got a semaphore Cleanup. (Demonstrating) Start, All that’s mangled, and I don’t know Q: I have a comment regarding the Programs, Accessories, System any way to get rid of it. I don’t Caps Lock key. I recently learned Tools, Disk Cleanup. You are think Microsoft knows of a way - at that Microsoft has a function that better off to use the tools Windows least the people I’ve talked to there makes a squeak when the Caps creates to remove log files. One don’t know how. Lock is hit, and I find it very time when I didn’t know any better useful, because I hit it by mistake a I got really aggressive about Q: Every now and then when I shut lot. deleting log files, and my computer down Windows XP I get a wouldn’t boot. I know so much not message, something about “hidden A: It is in Accessibility Options in because I’m a genius but because I fax window not shutting down.” the Control Panel. . have made every mistake there is to The only fax I have is Microsoft’s (Demonstrating) You can set it to make, so I can tell you how not to that came with the computer. How squeak every time you hit the Cap do it. can I get rid of this? Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock keys. It can be handy if you Q: Last month we saw an A: Go to Start, Run, Msconfig. sometimes do that by mistake. impressive demonstration of (Demonstrating) and select the videoconferencing using a startup tab. In the list of startup Q: I have a hardware question: Macintosh. Does Windows offer a programs you will find your fax when does a user need a Pentium, similar function and how do they service somewhere, and just and when can they get by with a compare? uncheck it. Celeron chip?

A: Skype works very well. The Q: I work with Photo Deluxe 4, A: There is one other chip that we easiest ones are Yahoo Eyeball and recently I wanted to print should consider, and that is the Chat or Net Meeting Chat, but they multiple images of the same Centrino. It is a heavy-duty laptop require a very high screen refresh picture. Photo Deluxe has a processor. The Pentium 4 is rate, so they are jerkier. Skype is multiple images function, but when primarily for servers, and the smoother. I try to use that, I get a message Celeron is designed for that there is not enough space on workstations. When you work at You can use Skype instead of a the drive that contains your system home, if you primarily do one thing telephone. It works very well as folder to print a multiple image at a time, you have just one thing long as both parties are running document. I’m only printing two running at a time, a Celeron will do Skype. It is free, and uses both pictures and I think there’s plenty fine; at the same chip speed, it voice and video. Obviously, for of space on my hard drive. might even work better. Some of video you need a fairly fast the Celerons have larger caches connection at both ends. A: How old is that program? than some of the Pentiums (Searching web) It was written for nowadays. There are Intel Q: I had to unhook all the Windows 95 and 98, so it is 8 years motherboards that can handle, say, connections to my computer, and or so old. I think I know what the a 2.8 GB Celeron with 1 GB of after hooking them back up again, I issue is. At one time hard disks cache, or a 2.8 Pentium 4 with half kept getting “Found New were limited to 32 megabytes or so. a GB of cache; don’t ask me why, Hardware” message for my printer If you are using a hard drive that is but that’s the way some of them are from Windows. But the printer is larger than that, when the program configured. In single application working fine. How do I get rid of checks for disk space, it fails, (Continued on page 6)

August 2005 The Outer Edge Page 5

More Q&A: Pentium or Celeron Chip?

(Continued from page 5) up somewhat. But again, if you generally peaking, RAM wll only mode the Celeron, because it has a don’t find a way to speed up your help when you are RAM bound - larger cache, will probably hard drive, whatever gains you will what is called “threshing,” among outperform the Pentium 4 at the get from dual channels disappear. other things - so that things are same clock speed. Hyperthreading is really good at constantly being written to the hard optimizing input and output through drive that should have been in RAM. The main point is that everyone the processor, but most of what you As long as you have enough RAM to pretty well agrees that with the 32- are waiting for is still the hard drive. run everything in RAM, extra RAM bit chips there is not a lot to be And RAM is another bottleneck; for will not help, or not very much. gained with increased clock speed instance, if you have a 3GB unless you are a heavy-duty gamer, processor and RAM running at 800 Q: When I go to the Internet and use or doing massive compiling, real- MHz or so. If you speed up the the MapQuest site, the letters, the time video processing, or some other RAM, or the bus speed; all of those font size, are just huge. How can I heavily processor-intensive activity. are more important at today’s reduce the size? I use AOL Most of the speed gain and most of processor speeds. (Laughter). the work these days is being done to increase bus speed (the speed that Another factor is that they are not A: The solution is really very simple the various computer components ramping up the processor speeds like - get a real ISP. Or you could just talk to each other), increasing RAM the used to, because the use AOL to connect, and then speed, or hard drive and CD drive manufacturers are moving to 64-bit minimize it and use Firefox to speed. If the speed of the computing as fast as they can. We access the Internet. Just use a real components increases, it increases are approaching the end of the 32-bit browser. But it is easier to just get a the speed that you perceive the processor with the Pentium 4. I real ISP that uses a real browser to computer to run much more than if think AMD has even stopped begin with. Somewhere in the AOL you increase the processor speed. making 32-bit processors. software is a “style sheet” that For most users, a 2GB Celeron with configures this, and if you could find serial ATA drives will outperform a Q: How important is the amount of out where it is, you could fix it. But 3.4GB Pentium 4 with regular IDE RAM to your perceived speed? it is well hidden and AOL tech or ATA drives. Most of the time, support is notorious. By the way, in when the computer is slow, it is A: Until you use up all your RAM Internet Explorer, and other because you are waiting for for the operating system and browsers, you can enlarge the font something to come off the hard applications, increasing the RAM size temporarily. drive. It is not what they call will do nothing. What happens is, “processor bound.” You are not when you’ve got stuff open and Q: Is it possible to have Microsoft waiting for the processor; you are you’ve used up all of the physical Word and the Internet open at the waiting for the data to get to the RAM, the operating system takes same time? processor. If you increase the speed portions of the operating system and that the data gets to the processor, portions of programs that haven’t A: Yes, you can have two things everything goes much faster. been used recently, and caches them running at the same time. And the out to the hard drive, and pretends program windows are configurable Q: But if you regularly have 4 or 5 that it’s just very slow RAM. Once (demonstrating). You can resize applications open, you say that a it caches unused things out to the them with the mouse, move them Pentium 4 would be better? hard drive, then it can load new around, and put them side-by-side, processes and so forth. If you start like this. A: Yes, the later generation finding periods where everything Pentiums will have a multi-channel, gets very slow for about 5 or 6 Q: Another question about AOL - a and they can dedicate one channel to seconds and then speeds back up friend is dropping AOL and going to one task, and another channel to again, you will improve that by another ISP, and they want to another task, and it will speed things adding more of improvement? But Continued on page 8 copy

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Command.com continued from page 1 Steering CommitteeReport—Continued

video. But along with these ad- enough power to drive our big vances have come ad ware, spy ware speakers, and since we are only us- and root kits. These threats, which ing the system for voice, not music, didn’t exist when I was first President we don’t need the Yamaha’s extra of the group in 1989 & 1991, have features. Helen Long moved that we replaced viruses as the biggest men- proceed to purchase the Behringer ace to our computers today. And we amplifier, and Craig Ladd 2nd the could certainly do without them now. motion which was approved unani- But certain things remain the same, mously. as user group leaders we still want to Problems with the microphones and meet the needs of every member. Per- system setup were discussed. We haps this is impossible, but we will need a backup sound person in case only know if you let us, your steering David Minkin can’t come, and some committee, know what you need. Let simple idiot-proof written setup in- us know what you want from the structions. group, what you like and dislike Do we want to cancel the confer- about it. Remember, we exist to help ence room reservation at Round Ta- each other. ble Pizza? There doesn’t seem to be another place that is nearby, free, Cell phones have become a necessity and has space, food, and web access. for everyone, but they are annoying Round Table is a good place for a and disruptive to participants in a SIG because lunch is available. Af- group meeting. While the annoyance ter much discussion, it was agreed to is not great, it would be polite if eve- keep the reservation until October, ryone would turn off their cell phones and find topics that don’t need the during the Q&A session and while Internet. Digital photography was our speakers have the floor. I know the favorite. I’ve been guilty of forgetting mine The consignment table isn’t work- and been embarrassed when it ing well now that Andy is gone. It started ringing. Most annoying of all, needs a manager. Dick Chaiclin will is the receiver of the call answering supervise it next time, but doesn’t the call and talking on it in the meet- want to do it permanently. ing room. If you do receive a call by Art Lewis gave his reports. Arline mistake, leave the room and take you Westefer will review the club’s call outside where you will not con- books. Someone noted that revenues tinue the disturbance are down about $3000 from last See you at the meeting and bring year. Art distributed copies of the a friend. Tell others about the Chan- new May 28, 2005 ByLaws to the nel Islands PC User group and the Board, and gave the original signed great opportunity that awaits those ByLaws to the Secretary. who participate in this learning and Toby showed the Board a laptop helping experience.// computer case for the club laptop that VCC got a very good deal on. Helen Long moved that VCC be re- Lucky Winners Steering Committee imbursed $25 for the computer case, and Craig 2nd the motion, which Some of the lucky winners Steering Committee cont. from Page 4 passed unanimously.// from the July Meeting. Cheryl about $100 less than the Yamaha we wouldn’t part with any of her were looking at. The Behringer has goodies, but door prizes were B R I N G A available.! F R I E N D T O T H E N E X T M E E T I N G.

August 2005 The Outer Edge Page 7

More Q & A - What is an RSS feed?

Continued from page 6 haven’t found workarounds for index and look at the latest know how to copy their some of these problems. There headlines (demonstrating). You address book from AOL. They are ethical hackers who can figure have to subscribe to the RSS can’t find it in Windows out how the address book works, feed that you are interested in Explorer. and write a little application to and it will be automatically download the address book. I downloaded. If the site changes A: You won’t, but if you go to don’t know of one offhand; you all the time, like newspaper sites, the Tucows (or other download will have to do a Google search and you want to keep up with site) you will find an AOL to and see what you can find. them, it is a really good way to Windows address book Earthlink won’t do it because they do it, because all you see on the converter. There are several of want to make it more difficult for RSS feed is the changes. In them out there, shareware or you to leave. If you have a good- some views, it will give you the , but the shareware sized address book, printing it out dates of the changes. usually comes with a 30-day and re-entering it isn’t practical. free trial, and you are only Q: I have a question about AVG going to do it once. Q: What is an RSS feed? antivirus. Every time I update my virus definitions, I usually Q: I have a friend who uses A: It stands for Really Simple just download the priority Earthlink for e-mail and her Syndication feed. Does that make definitions, because the all the address book is kept on it clear? (Laughter) The RSS and recommended definitions are Earthlink. She wants to start Atom feed - they are two slightly rather large, and I am on a dial- using Outlook Express for different protocols - allow up connection. Am I taking a mail. Is there a way to transfer websites to compartmentalize the risk by not downloading all the her address book? data they put on the website to definitions? give each compartmental piece a A: Earthlink is an AOL headline and output it as news, A: Not on a dialup, no - wanna-be; they are not a virus like a headline in the newspaper. especially if you don’t open yet, but they are working on it. They put the most recent one on many e-mail attachments. You That’s one of the issues with top, and feed down, and usually have a slightly increased risk, but Earthlink - the (good) hackers have a cutoff date for how old you save time - it’s a trade-off.// haven’t found workarounds for they will let it get before they take some of these problems. There it off. It allows you to go into the are ethical hackers who can index and look at the latest figure out how the address headlines (demonstrating). You book works, and write a little have to subscribe to the RSS feed application to download the that you are interested in and it HAVE YOU address book. I don’t know of will be automatically one offhand; you will have to downloaded. If the site changes do a Google search and see all the time, like newspaper sites, RUN YOUR what you can find. Earthlink and you want to keep up with won’t do it because they want them, it is a really good way to do to make it more difficult for it, because all you see on the RSS you to leave. If you have a feed is the changes. In some SPY-WARE good-sized address book, views, it will give you the dates of printing it out and re-entering the changes. it isn’t practical. Q: I have a question about AVG PROGRAMS? Q: What is an RSS feed? antivirus. Every time I update my virus definitions, I usually just A: It stands for Really Simple download the priority definitions,

Page 8 The Outer Edge August 2005

Back Up Storage Devices Jim Thornton ([email protected]) One computer maintenance (Giga or one thousand MB). But their not use the empty storage space that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) provides. routine that most of us never think of limitations are it's a relatively slow Adelphia provides 150MB, Verizon 10MB, doing is backing up our irreplaceable process to backup files onto, even slower when attempting to find a etc. The advantage of storing your data at a files - our photographs, letters, physically different location is that in case spreadsheets, email addresses and previously backed up individual file, and since the tape uses the same of a fire or earthquake and your computer is messages, etc.- until after our first damaged or even destroyed,your backup hard drive crash then suddenly we physical means to store data as does the floppy diskette it too has a rela- data is still available from your ISP located discover that those files no longer tively short life. in a different city or state. exist. There are commercial busi- Now the non-magnetic optical In order to save time; you don't need nesses that will recover and return devices quickly overcome the short to backup everything on your computer, most of those "lost" files on a CD life expectances and smaller capaci- only those irreplaceable files. You can (compact disc) for a handsome fee of ties of the magnetic ones. The CD is easily reinstall your Windows operating $300 or more taking several days to a much superior storage device with a program from the original CD that came do it. Why didn't we backup those life expectance of 30 years while with your computer and the programs that files? The most common reason is Kodak estimates over 100 years when you separately purchased - Microsoft Of- fice, Symantec's Norton Anti-Virus, etc. that it's a time consuming and in- stored in the proper environment. You will quickly discover that doing a full volved process. There are various types of CDs, all holding about 650MB or about 450 backup is a very time consuming activity as Let's look at some of the de- well as requiring lots of storage devices - vices we can backup our files onto. 3½-inch floppy diskettes worth of data. There is a newer class of CDs floppy diskettes, CDs, etc. In the later ver- There are two common systems in sions of Windows, Microsoft provides a general usage today - magnetic and using an different method of storing the data - the DVD (Digital Versatile special folder on your hard drive titled My optical. The oldest is on a magnetic Disc or Digital Video Disc) which Documents where your created files are surface that includes floppy diskettes, comes in as many favors as does the located and an easy location to backup hard drives, etc., and the newer CD and can stored up to 17GB of from. technology is on a plastic CD typi- data. The CD-ROM and DVD-ROM Some computer experts suggest that cally using a laser beam. (Read Only Memory) cannot be writ- you should backup your irreplaceable files First, we'll review the magnetic ten to nor recorded on as the data has monthly. My preference is to backup those devices. Our old standby to backup been previously stamped or imprinted files monthly onto 3½-inch floppy diskettes files onto is the standard 3½-inch on to them. An example of a CD- and once a year transfer all of the data from the diskettes onto a single CD-R. The rea- 1.44MB (Mega or one million Bytes) ROM is your son I use diskettes is I assign a diskette per floppy diskette. But these small in- CD, and an example of a DVD-ROM is a com- subfolder. For example, all of my Excel expensive diskettes have several spreadsheets are located on a separate hard problems - they don't hold much in- mercial movie DVD like "Batman Begins". The CD-R drive from the operating system and divided formation and their life expectance is into subfolders. These subfolders are Fi- relatively short totally dependent on and the DVD-/+R (Recordable) is a CD that you can write to but only one nancial, Medical, Other, Shortwave, and usage ranging from two years if the time and is the best choice for making Travel. I use the same CD for all of my diskette is frequently used and up to a permanent backup as it has the long- files - Access, Eudora, Excel, JPG, MP3, ten years if safely stored away in a est life expectance. The CD-RW and Word, to compress the files as it involves special magnetic-free case. In addi- DVD-/+RW (ReWritable) is similar more time consuming and involved proc- tion, just think how many diskettes it to the CD-R and DVD-/+R except esses. Also, when I do my monthly backup, would take to backup a 120MB hard that they can be erased and reused up I only copy the files that have been changed drive. Let's look at several better to 1,000 times or more. since the previous backup. In backup lan- choices. Other backup devices including guage, this is called an incremental backup. If a file hasn't been changed in the last four There are several larger capac- the installation of a second hard drive months then I remove it from my hard drive ity floppy diskette-like devices - the in your computer on the premise that both as I still have the most current copy avail- 120MB 3M LS-120 diskette and the able from the appropriate subfolder backup 100MB, 250MB, 750MB, etc., Io- hard drives won't fail at the same time. There is special program called diskette. mega Zip and Jaz cartridges. All Did you know that Windows XP having the same life expectance limi- RAID (Redundant Array of Independ- ent Disks) that automatically and comes with its own backup program? We'll tations of the smaller 3½ -inch disk- continuously make a duplicate or a describe that program and other backup ette. mirror copy of the primary hard drive programs in future newsletters. // One of the earlier larger capac- onto the second drive, but is impracti- ity backup devices was the tape car- cal for the typical home computer BACK UP tridge and drive. The newer cartridges user. If your computer is on a home and drives can easily store over 200GB network, you can use a hard drive located in different computer to BACK UP backup to. Or even better yet, why

August 2005 The Outer Edge Page 9

AS YOU CAN SEE, OUR MEETINGS ARE VERY WELL ATTENDED

Toby’s Internet Sig 8:45 AM—9:30 AM You need to get there early to get a seat!

Joint meetings 9:30 AM

Page 10 The Outer Edge August 2005

Rick's rants Hard drives driven hard and hard driving computer techs.

Just as I think I might have a (or platters) go round 'n round while ment. (This is where you give a month with nothing to rant about the heads, suspended on little arms, credit card number and they send something always happens to get furiously skitter back and forth read- the drive out first and you return it in me going and this month was no ing magnetically positive and nega- the package provided.) That will be exception. Recently our head techni- tive charged particles on the disk. Or $25.00 for 2 day. I don’t want to cian left for greener pastures (and imagine these particles as a rods spend any money! Yes sir. I cannot more money) and guess who now lined up either vertical or horizontal. take your credit card info so some spends most of his time in the work- All your precious data and every- one will call you within 48 hours. OK, shop? Toby? Not! My partner never thing that makes a computer what it if that’s the way it is but it doesn’t met a computer he is all comes down to plus or mi- make any sense to me. I’m sorry sir. could recognize. The nuses, on or off. Stop apologizing damnit. Three days comment “They all look later and no phone call. I called and alike” comes up a lot in Needless to say this busy de- spoke to Mishmash this time and for conversation. No, our vice is susceptible to all sorts of stuff $25.00 they will send it out. No, I beloved Toby tries to that will interfere with its normal op- don’t want to spend $25.00. OK, it stay as far away from a erating life. What is that you say? I’m will take one week if the drive is in screwdriver as possi- glad you asked. The first and most stock. OK. A week later the package ble, for good reason. obvious is shock from sudden move- arrives and what does the drive have SMITH So it’s left up to yours ment. Have you ever watched the as it’s label. FACTORY REFUR- truly to pick up the slack and attempt UPS man unload his truck on a bad BISHED PRODUCT. Oh great, I to fix all the problems that come my day? Who knows how many times sent in a brand new drive. It costs way which leads me to this month's the box was dropped by the pimply- me $6.00 plus time and effort to re- story. faced stock clerk at COMP USA? turn a NEW product and I get this. The R/W heads ride on a cushion of How would you like to have this One of the most amazing and air about the width of a human hair drive installed in your computer? I overlooked components of a modern over disks spinning as 7200rpm. could get sued for selling used parts. day PC is what is referred to as the They don’t like being dropped but Now you know why we need to hard disk drive. This name evolved hold up surprisingly well anyway. make over $5.00 on the sale of an from I guess being the opposite of a The 2nd reason is, you guessed it, item. Being in this business isn’t al- “soft disk drive” of the somewhat SHOCK again! Electrical shock or ways fun and easy. antiquated 5 ¼ floppy disk, which another buzz word, dirty power. Eve- many of you old fogies have been rything runs on 12V DC so the Finally, to wrap up this story. around long enough to have used cleaner the power the smoother the We received a DELL computer that once upon a time. When I talk about operation. What really hurts these had been in a fire. It was scorched stuff like this to the young aspiring babies is a power drop or under- and smoke damaged and didn’t work computer techs they just give back a voltage. This can screw up your data too well. I took the hard drive out blank stare with the words, "Huh?" in a hurry. and it was an 80GB Seagate But I’m getting off track here. The ATA133 drive 7200rpm. It was “Hard Drive” is a wonder of electro- Now that you know all this stuff scorched and smelly so I cleaned it mechanical engineering, which by lets get back to the rant because I’m up a little and hooked it up and the design has stood the test of time and running out of precious print space. thing works great. I use it as a shop has not changed much in recent Since I am now in charge of returns drive. So as much as I want to bad years. Except for the cooling fans or RMA’s, I needed to warranty a mouth the company’s product sup- this is really the only constantly mov- Seagate 80GB 7200RPM SATA port policies they do make a good ing component in a PC. And as eve- NCQ hard drive. which failed upon drive. But next time I’ll just do it on ryone knows who has ever owned installation. These drives now have the web because companies don’t an automobile, anything that has an unprecedented warranty of 5 want to talk to their customers or moving parts will fail sooner or later. years. Pretty darn good if you ask even their resellers for that matter. If Most disk drives are rated for over me. I got a fellow named Hashish on you want confirmation of what I 100,000 hours of operation. That’s the phone who said I should just mean just ask ANDY TOTH about pretty good for any device. IF you warranty it on the web. Well, can I SOYO motherboards and listen to ever can take one apart without de- just do it now since I have you one his tales of woe.// stroying it and watch it work, the disk the line, OK. I want an advance ship-

August 2005 The Outer Edge Page 11

Society news: Web page On/Off ramps now available north & south bound 101 freeway at Temple Ave.!

A big hurrah! North and South SoursceForge is absolutely ruthless bound 101 freeway is now access now about killing anybody who does not available at Temple Ave. Cuts down on abide by their agreement and one of a lot of traffic lights get- their main concerns is no back ting between the freeway and The Boys & Girls doors. Club. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE! Get CIPCUG ISP lost in the habit of running your spy-ware one of it’s Oxnard Lines. tools every other week, especially, if The 200-1000 line is lost you insist on using MSIE as your LONG in limbo temporarily. browser. It has active-X which invites Fortunately we have an- spy ware to attach itself to your com- other line we can use. Just zap in 200- puter. Also, be sure your tools are up to 1010 and you are up and running. date. With all of the available programs Pictures from July may not be on the and URL sites available in today's web site by the time this comes out but I seem to have a few holes in this issue of marketplace, many of them are re- Toby recommended a freeware pro- the newsletter and will probably use quiring passwords. How in the gram called Keepass which can be some as space fillers. I have had a few world can you possible keep track of found at SourceForge.net. It works other things on my mind, like wearing all your passwords? This was men- well and is open source with no back John Weigle’s editors hat and find it tioned in the Q & A last month. doors reporting back to hackers. doesn’t fit too well.// The Penguin’s Lair An Open Source Music Player: X Multimedia System By Bill Wayson ats and gives you lots of goodies and about the player -- whether it is paused, eye candy to play with in the form of stopped, or playing; as well as the current [email protected] plugins and skins. song being played -- the elapsed or re- There are many Open Source music You can download XMMX maining play time and a spectral display players to choose from when running from the XMMX web site, but of the sound, which can be toggled be- Linux. Among them are AlsaPlayer chances are it is included on your tween an analyzer or oscilloscope dis- (www.alsaplayer.org), Linux distribution disks. It may very play, or off. To the right you can see the (amarok.kde.org), JuK well already be installed -- look for title and length of the song being played (developer.kde.org/~wheeler/juk.htm), it under a menu like Sound and as well as the artist playing. That is, you and Noatun (noatun.kde.org). One of Video or Multimedia. As you work will see this if you enter the information the oldest music players for Linux is your way through learning XMMS in yourself (right mouse click | XMMX, the X Multimedia System look through the informative RE- Editor) or. if playing CDs, get the infor- (www..org). It is still very ADME file which should be located mation from an Internet CDDB widely used, having been voted Favor- in an xmms directory under /usr/ (Compact Disc Data Base) such as ite Audio Tool by the readers of Linux share/doc/, /usr/share/doc/ freedb.org. If you configure the CD Journal (www.linuxjournal.com) for packages/, /usr/local/share/doc/, or player plugin to use freedb.org, and the the fifth year in a row in 2004. XMMX the XMMS web site. CD is in their , the CD informa- is a versatile, fun, simple, and easy to Once you find it, start XMMX. tion will be downloaded automatically use basic music player modeled after You'll be presented with a window when the CD starts playing while your (classic.winamp.com), a that looks somewhat like an audio PC is connected to the Internet. player for Microsoft Windows. component with buttons, sliders, and To the left are five letters — O, A, XMMX does a good job playing CDs a couple of display panels. In the I, D, and V — generally arranged - and music files of many different form- upper left you will see information Continued on page 13

Page 12 The Outer Edge August 2005

More on Penguin’s Lair

Penguins Lair continued from page 12 Vertically. Left clicking each letter either toggles a setting everything it can do can be accessed and done using a (D alternately doubles and halves the size) or opens up a mouse (other than when you have to type something in). But menu (O opens the Options menu). Read the README file it also comes preconfigured with a long list of and play around with these settings to learn more about their "keybindings" which allow you to control many aspects of function. the program using your PC's keyboard. so if you are a good Further down the player window you'll find volume typist, you could seamlessly control your listening experi- and balance sliders, an "EQ" button that opens up a graphic ence while writing your memoirs. equalizer, and a "PL" button that opens up the playlist edi- A lot of the fun of using XMMS is playing with it tor. Below that is a large slider where the sliders moves "-ability." If you are not familiar with skins, they are slowly left to right to indicate the position in the song that is all-in -one look-and-feel packages. That is, a skin changes currently playing. the way the display, with all its decorations, panels, buttons, Moving down you'll see standard control buttons -- and other components look. Change the skin, and the whole Previous track, Play, Pause, Stop, Next track, eject, shuffle, display looks different. Most Linux distributions include a and repeat. The eject button is a misnomer -- it does not variety of skins for XMMS, but many more are available at eject the CD (XMMS plays a lot more than just CDs). It the XMMS web site. Check them out -- a lot of work went brings up a file request dialog, showing files on your hard into some of them, and a lot of them are definitely cool. disk, allowing you to choose music files that you have You can even configure XMMS to use WinAmp skins and stored there to play. to pick out a new skin at random when playing a song. Right clicking your mouse in different parts of the Like I mentioned above, XMMS has been around a display will bring up a context sensitive menu. For example, long time -- since 1997 at least. As a result it is showing its if you do so in the upper left information panel you'll see age. XMMS is just a player and requires the user to organ- menu options that affect and control just that part of ize their music files. It is apparently difficult to add new XMMS. The various menus allow a considerable level of functionality, like new media formats like video, to XMMS. control over XMMS, and the Preferences menu provides a Newer media playing programs are more like media organ- great number of opportunities to personalize your XMMS izers. They not only play your media files but allow you to . setup. XMMS uses this graphical interface for control, and Continued on page 14

Ventura County Computers (805) 289-3960 www.vccomputers.com 2175 Goodyear Ave. #117 Ventura 93003 NEC Esai Says, Baby needs a new pair AccuSync 700 of wireless key- Color Monitor boards & mice. $99.00 Acer HP 310 WOW!!! Desktops & Digital Copier Brother HL-5140 1200dpi Laser Printer Notebooks 21PPM 2400X600 DPI Starting at $149.00 USB & PAR Interface $495.00 for $189.00 a PC and Logitech X-230 $595.00 for Lexmark X5150 Speakers a notebook! Print, Copy, & Scan $39.00

August 2005 The Outer Edge Page 13

Windows Mobile Devices PENGUINS LAIR By Cheryl Wester

More on Penguin’s Lair . Currently Cheryl Wester is a Continued from page 13 high school computer and math teacher in Corona, Calif. In this ca- organize your collections from pacity, I’ve successfully dealt with within the program itself. Therefore all types of personalities. She’s a an XMMS2 project is underway people-oriented individual, and has which aims to produce a completely done numerous presentations on rewritten XMMS2 program. It cur- Windows Mobile devices, Outlook, rently is in the development stage and Google to various computer and is not ready for general end clubs, including the APCUG confer- use. And the XMMS developers ence. strongly assert that XMMS will not At the present time, she also be abandoned anytime soon. See work part time for Mosaic and Mi- the XMMS web site for more infor- crosoft, training people on selling mation, especially if you are inter- Windows Mobile devices. She is a ested in contributing to the XMMS2 member of several different com- effort. puter clubs and prides herself on her Despite this, XMMS remains a organizational skills. She’s a detail- stable, versatile, and fun-to-use oriented person that meets all dead- player for your music collection, no lines in a timely manner matter (almost) what format your She will be talking about Win- music files are in. Even if your Linux dows Mobile devices. This includes distribution installs another pre- Pocket PCs, SmartPhones, and Port- ferred music player, check out Cheryl receiving her certificate of able Media Centers andwill show the XMMS. It should coexist with the appreciation. who, what, where, when, and why of other player with no problem, and these terrific devices. She brought you might have some fun. several attachments to show how Come by the Linux SIG on they can be used with a keyboard and Thursday, August 25th at 6:30 PM as a GPS system. at Ventura County Computers to She has been involved with these learn more about Linux and Open since they first came out five years Source Software, and schmooze ago. She often says that it is like a with other Linux users. If there is a microwave oven — if it were to die topic you'd like to see in the Pen- today, I would have a new one to- guin's Lair or discussed at the Linux night. SIG, drop me a line at I think everyone was impressed [email protected]. In the meantime, with her array of “trinkets” and her happy and safe computing to you knowledge of how to interact them all. See you all next month.// with each other and with her com- puter. If you missed this program you really missed a great presenta- tion.//

CIPCUG’S APOLOGIES! At the July meeting there was no con- signment table set up and we apologize. This was discussed at the Board Meet- ing and Dick Chaiclin has agreed to see HAVE YOU VOLUNTEERED that the table is set up and ready for business. He would appreciate someone else helping out as he cannot always be TO MENTOR A CLASS AT THE at the meetings, so we need a volunteer or two to help out. Please don’t be shy, BOYS & GIRLS CLUB YET? step right up and volunteer your time to the club.//

Page 14 The Outer Edge August 2005

CHANNEL ISLANDS PC USERS Major items of equipment acquired during the year GROUP were a replacement microphone, 2 Storage Cabinets, a P.O. Box 51354, Oxnard, CA 93031 second Projector and a second Computer. The total of these and several minor items was $3,331.71. Use of the storage cabinets eliminated the monthly storage ANNUAL REPORT expense.

FY 2004/2005 This report has been prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation, and is believed to fairly represent its financial condition as of June 30, 2005. CIPCUG books are available for inspection by members 2003/04 2004/05 on written request to the Treasurer. ASSETS Cash $ 9,686.03 $6,118.57 Arthur V. Lewis, Jr. Treasurer Equipment July 20, 2005 (depreciated value) $ 2,601.00 $4,966.00

Total Assets $12,287.03 $11,084.57

LIABILITIES Accounts Payable none none Contracts none none

Total Revenue $18,428.10 $15,781.72

Total Disbursements $18,657.92 $19,349.18

Cash Assets decreased $3,567.46, and Disbursements exceeded Revenues by the same amount, largely due to the items of equipment that were purchased during the year. Equipment (depreciated value) increased $2,365.00, and Total Assets decreased $1,202.46 during FY 2004/2005. The club has no liabilities and no long-term contracts.

Help your fellow members. Volunteer to lead a SIG. More details available from any officer at any meeting.

August 2005 The Outer Edge Page 15

Some of the July Photos Editor’s corner By Helen Long Me an Editor? What is this world coming to?

John Weigle has been enjoying an enforced vacation (in the hospi- tal). What’s the matter John, you couldn’t think of a better place to vacation? Your’s truly (Helen Long) is wearing the editors hat this Helen month and believe me John, you can have it back. I must apologize because, while I have Publisher, I have never really learned how to use it, and doing a 20 page newsletter with deadlines looming, really didn’t seem like a good time to learn. I hope every- one will be able to find the articles; especially the endings of articles. Sometimes the wrap didn’t work. I almost thought I should draw arrows but decided the rest of you should have a challenge too. If I ever volunteer to do this again, please; think about having me committed. John, I surely hope your recuperation goes by quickly and you will soon be able to take of the reins of Editor VERY soon. Please stay healthy!

2005 contributors to The Outer Edge Your name can appear here, too. Share your knowledge with other members by sending an article, letter or computer tip to [email protected].

Ken Church Stan Ranson Martha Churchyard Smart Computing Jerry Crocker Rick Smith Bob Elgines Jim Thornton (APCUG article) Bill Wayson David Harris John Weigle Larry Hudson Ira Wilsker Richard Johnson (APCUG article) (APCUG article) Kim Komando Two more door prize winners in the center and the Art Lewis top and bottom pictures are our able host and host- Helen Long ess setting up for the mid-meeting stampede! Tony Pizza

Page 16 The Outer Edge August 2005

Membership report:

Is it time to renew? July 2005 renewals: (Continued) By Ken Church Mbr# Last Name First Name Pd to Date email address: 1121T Treadwell William 200507 Welcome to the following new member: 0798 Vonwicklen Will 200507

Frank Estes 0812 White Norm 200507 1158 Woodruff Ayn 200507 Attendance at the July 2005 General meeting: 0005 Yates Walt 200507 81 Members 2 Guest August 2005 renewals: Total membership: 302 Mbr# Last Name First Name Pd to Date 1159 Allen Roy 200508 RENEWAL INFORMATION 0985 Bartels Pat 200508 The renewal/New Mbr dues are $25/$35 for single membership, 0488 Bressler Steve 200508 $30/$50 for two or more family membership. 0598 Brown Donald 200508 Please send your renewal payment to: 0599 Brown Mary 200508

CIPCUG MEMBERSHIP 00 27 Burger, M.D. William 200508 P.O. BOX 51354 1030 Cole Chuck 200508 OXNARD, CA 93031-1354 0729 Durocher Ernie 200508 Or bring your payment to the August Meeting at the 15002 Fiedler Art 200508 Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo. 8 0242 Hilley Charles 200508 June 2005 renewals: 0806 Hurme Seppo 200508 Mbr# Last Name First Name Pd to Date 0562 Johnson Harold 200508 0456 Dinsmore Bob 200506 0986 Kennedy, Jr. Robert 200508 0216 Thompson Bob 200506 0159 Knopf Jerry 200508 0368 Long Helen 200508 July 2005 renewals: 0867 Pryor Dorothy 200508 Mbr# Last Name First Name Pd to Date 0474 Pryor John 200508 0915 Clayton Phil 200507 0371 Rescoe Jim 200508 1155 Cronkite Bob 200507 1125 Robinson Bill 200508 1153 Krieger Bob 200507 0723 Smith Bernadine 200508 1068 Lindberg Carol 200507 0722 Smith Gary 200508 1149 Little Robert 200507 0803 Snyder Harlan 200508 0331 Livingstone Robert 200507 1111 Sperske Dineane 200508 1152 Malerba Bobbi 200507 0244 Zilm Charles 200508 1151 Myer Karen 200507

15067 Pearson Floyd 200507 Please address your letters to our P.O. Box with: 6 1156A Pocengal Louise 200507 CIPCUG MEMBERSHIP 1156 Pocengal Stanley 200507 or CIPCUG ISP 0358 Tanner Henry 200507 or 1150 Thomas Raymond 200507 CIPCUG Treasurer

And any others by name. We all share the one and only CIPCUG P.O. Box and addressing the first line will allow us to process your mail more efficiently.

August 2005 The Outer Edge Page 17

UTILITY PROGRAMS Norton Utilities DM, JT (and Anti Virus) PCAnywhere DM

WORD PROCESSING Microsoft Word BW, DM WordPerfect. DM

WINDOWS Windows 98, 95 DM, JM, MS (98) Windows Me JT Windows 2000 BDV Initials Name (805) BDV Bob de Violini [email protected]

F1—Your Help Key BR Bill Robinson 389-2997 (b) (Revised July 3, 2005) [email protected] BW Bart Wood 482-4993 (e) COMMUNICATIONS/INTERNET (GENERAL) Compuserve DM DM David Minkin 469-6970 (cell); 484-2974 World Wide Web DM (home); [email protected] or [email protected] Access BR

JM Jerry McLoud (818) 889-6176 (e) DOS RP

EDUCATIONAL / CHILDREN TZ JT Jim Thornton 987-1748 (d) [email protected] E-MAIL Eudora JT MS Michael Shalkey 483-9921 ext 142 (d) Outlook MS [email protected] Outlook Express BR Poco Email MS RP Robert Provart 498-8477 (b)

HARDWARE, UPGRADING JM TZ Trish Zakas 985-8519 (b)

GRAHICS PROGRAMS Phone: (d) = days; (e) = evenings; (b) = both IrfanView MS, JT Print Shop BR If you would like to volunteer to help others, please send your contact information and programs you’re willing to help on to . SPREADSHEETS Also, if you have a favorite help site on the Web, Microsoft Excel DM please forward that, too, so we can make a separate sec- Quattro Pro DM tion for Web-based help.

Practice safe computing: Back up Back up Back up (And then test the backup to be sure it worked)

Page 18 The Outer Edge August 2005

Why join Channel Islands PC Users Group (CIPCUG)?

P.O. Box 51354, Oxnard CA 93031. CIPCUG MEMBERSHIP

Don’t forget to include the $15 set-up APPLICATION Every month, members of the fee in your first sign-up check. You may Channel Islands PC Users Group have make payments in three-month, six- Amount enclosed: access to: month or annual increments. We also ______¨ The Outer Edge newsletter, give a 12-month subscription if prepaid which includes a list of in advance at the 11-month price of Please Print the following information: members willing to help other $165. Many of our club members are members electing to do this to keep Helen from Name: ¨ The general meeting, featuring a nagging them for money. Renewals can question-and-answer session also be mailed to Treasurer; just be sure ______and program on new software or to mention the dates that your check is hardware to cover. Address: ¨ Special Interest Groups — There is no program to install; you special meetings held several will use programs that are already on ______times a month on a variety of your computer. It’s simple to talk you topics through the set-up, but if you’re the least ¨ Door prizes at the regular bit timid about setting up your City: ______, meeting. computer, a club member will come to CA Other benefits include: your house and make the necessary ¨ Special user group discounts on arrangements. Our agreement will also ZIP Code: books and software give you a 5 MB Web page allowance. ¨ An Internet Service Provider at ______a large discount (see below). ¨ A chance to make friends with CIPCUG INTERNET SERVICE Phone no. (Home): ______TECH TEAM people who have similar Helen Long, 642-6521 interests [email protected] (Work): ______¨ The ability to put your David Minkin, 469-6970 (cell), 484- knowledge to good use by 2974 (home) helping other members. The [email protected] or E-mail address: whole concept of user groups is [email protected] members helping members. Bob Thompson 647-2287 [email protected] ______User level: Novice _____; Intermediate

Please clip last column and send _____; Advanced _____ with payment to CIPCUG-Membership, P.O. Box 51354, Oxnard, CA 93031- Can you help the club as a volunteer? If 1354. so, what would you be interested in Please make checks payable to working on? CIPCUG members are eligible to CIPCUG sign up for the group’s Internet Service Provider (ISP) at the low price of only Dues for new members $15 per month plus a $15 processing Individual member, $35. fee. Family membership (same To sign up, contact one of the club’s address), $50. Date ______techies (see below). Call one of them Renewals are $25 and $30 per year you may know or one in your area and respectively Member # ______they will be glad to provide you with the details necessary for signing up. Checks should be made payable to CIPCUG and forwarded to Treasurer, /o CIPCUG,

August 2005 The Outer Edge Page 19

| | NON-PROFIT Channel Islands PC U.S. POSTAGE PAID Users Group Inc. OXNARD. CA P.O.Box 51354 PERMIT NO. 1785 Oxnard, CA. 93031

DATED MATERIAL Please Do Not Delay

DUES REMINDER

If the number after your name is 0705, your membership dues are payable in July 2005.

August 2005 Meeting Of the Channel Islands PC Users Group

Saturday morning, Aug 27, at Boys & Girls Club, Ponderosa Drive and Temple Avenue, Camarillo, Calif.

Meeting Schedule: 8:30 a.m. Doors open 8:45-9:30 Beginners SIG, Internet SIG 9:30-10:30 Business meeting, Q&A 10:30-11:00 Break — Please contribute requested amounts for coffee and doughnuts 11:00-12:00 Program (Smart Computing) Drawing

Page 20 The Outer Edge August 2005