June 2015 The Outer Edge Page 1 The Outer E Whole No. 336 ISSN 1055-4399 d June 2015 Vol. 28, No. 11 g e
TheThe Friendly Friendly Computer Computer Club Club Helping Helping Make Make Computers Computers F Friendly.riendly. On On the the Web Web at at www.cipcug.org www.cipcug.org
COMMAND.COM Attendance at the May general meeting: 57 members and guests. We welcome two new members. ay gray, June gloom. Who can complain? I certainly won’t. At least there is some moisture in the air! I heard there is an El How to contact us Niño forming and that is why there is record rainfall in Texas. The Outer Edge Later this year, we may see similar rainfall here! Hooray! MAnyway, elections were held in May, and the winners are by acclamation: ……………[email protected] General Info (Ventura County Yours truly, President Lisa Toth Computers)...... 805 289 3960 Vice President Craig Ladd Mailing Address: P.O. Box 51354, Secretary Bob Dinsmore Oxnard, CA 93031 1354 Treasurer Andy Toth Email addresses for board members are Sandy Tsutsui Trujillo becomes the immediate past president. on page 2 Their terms begin this month. On the Web: cipcug.org Other members of the board fill appointed positions. On Facebook: Facebook.com/groups/cipcug I’m happy appointed positions will remain as before. I’ve long held the position that the job of president is the easiest position in an organization. It is the rest of the board and the appointed members who do the heavy lifting. I Candidates elected am always grateful for the core of people who keep an organization going. May’s presentation was great. I learned about OneNote and Here maps and by acclamation have downloaded them to my iPad. I found I had OneNote on my computer The following slate of officers was already but did not know it. elected by acclamation at the May Now I just need to read the transcript to remember the ins and outs of how meeting: to use these applications. I urge members to attend the meetings, where you can get your questions President: Lisa Toth answered in the Q&A and learn something new in the presentation each Vice President: Craig Ladd month. Not to mention we always have great prizes in the raffles. Secretary: Bob Dinsmore ’til July, Treasurer: Andy Toth Lisa Toth Sandy Tsutsui Trujillo becomes the immediate past president. Their terms begin this month. Late news: Reserving Windows 10 — page 16 Other members of the board fill ap pointed positions.
Page 2 The Outer Edge June 2015 Channel Islands Root Directory PC Users Group CIPCUG mailing address: CIPCUG NEWS P.O. Box 51354, Oxnard, CA Benefits ...... 19 93031-1354 CIPCUG sponsors ...... 11 Coming CIPCUG events ...... 3 Contributors to TOE ...... 12 Executive Committee (Elected members of Board of Directors) Command.com ...... 1 President………...... Lisa Toth Editor’s corner ...... 3 .……………………[email protected] Election results ...... 1 Vice President/Program Chairman Map, schedule ...... 20 ………………..………………..Craig Ladd Membership report ...... 12 ………………[email protected] New CIPCUG flash drives Secretary…………….…….Bob Dinsmore available ...... 3 Treasurer……..…….……....…Andy Toth PC tune up scheduled in August .... 10 Immediate Past President The Outer Edge Program: OneNote ...... 8 …………………...... Sandy Tsutsui Trujillo Editor……………………..John Weigle Q&A sessions ...... 4 P.O. Box 6536, Ventura CA 93006 Recent items from our 485 7121………[email protected] Facebook page ...... 18 (Appointed members of Board of Directors) Technical Adviser……….………..Toby Scott The Outer Edge is published monthly by Channel GENERAL Web Page Editor….……………....Andy Toth Islands PC Users Group (CIPCUG), P.O. Box 51354, Are you safe from a cyber Oxnard, Calif. 93031 1354. an independent, nonprofit ……………………[email protected] corporation. Contents of The Outer Edge copyright attack?...... 13 TOE editor.…….………….…….John Weigle 2001 by Channel Islands PC Users Group. Interesting Internet sites ...... 17 …………………………[email protected] Permission for reproduction in whole or in part is Penguin’s Lair: Converting old Membership Chairman.………....Ken Church granted to other computer user groups for internal documents ...... 15 …………….………[email protected] nonprofit use provided credit is given to The Outer Technology trends for 2015 Edge and the authors of the reproduced material. All Reviews chairman………………Bart Koslow other reproduction is prohibited without prior written from CES ...... 16 ……….….………………….. [email protected] consent of Channel Islands PC Users Group. Watch your computer screen Ex-officio members of Board of Directors Opinions expressed in this journal are solely those of on TV ...... 14 CIPCUG ISP Signups……..……..Andy Totht the authors or contributors, and do not necessarily Web help sites ...... 18 Sound Equipment Technicians represent those of Channel Islands PC Users Group, Why I prefer True Image to its officers or membership as a whole. The ...………….….Curt Davison and Tom Murray information provided is believed to be correct and Windows Backup...... 9 Program Chairman……………..…Craig Ladd useful; however, no warranty, express or implied, is Why Microsoft wants us to Publicity Chairman...…………..…Rick Curry made by Channel Islands PC Users Group, its officers, register for Windows 10 ...... 16 SIG coordinator…..…………....Larry Hudson editorial staff or contributors. This disclaimer extends to all losses, incidental or consequential, resulting from Past Presidents the use or application of the information provided. ADVERTISEMENTS Channel Islands PC Users Group does not endorse or Creative Technology ...... 11 Walt Yates…………………………….…1987 1989 Lois Evans de Violini…………………...1989 1991 recommend any specific hardware or software products, dealers, distributors or manufacturers. All trademarked Members’ classified ads ...... 11 Terry Lee…………………………….…..1991 1993 or registered trademarked names are acknowledged to O’Reilly ...... 11 Jerry McLoud…………………….……...1993 1995 Ventura County Computers ...... 10 be the property of their respective owners, and are used Robert Provart………………….………..1995 1997 for editorial purposes only. Toby Scott…………………………….…1997 1999 George Lakes …………………………...1999 2001 Andy Toth……………………………….2001 2003 Advertising in The Outer Edge AWARDS David Harris………………….………….2003 2005 Advertising is accepted for computer related materials, businesses and services only. Rates are 2004 APCUG: Large groups first Lois Evans de Violin…………………….2005 2007 Paul Westefer…………………………...2007 2009 for Camera Ready copy (clear, clean black and place for website. Rick Curry……………………………….2009 2011 white masters). Typesetting and graphics are 2006 Southwest User Group James Brown………………………….…2011 2013 available at an additional fee. Conference: second place in both Sandy Tsutsui Trujillo………………….2j013 2015 SIZE Cost/Issue the newsletter and Web site (With the exception of the immediate past president, past presidents are not board members.) FULL PAGE (9½”H x 7¼”W)...... $50.00 contests. HALF PAGE (4½”H x 7¼”W) 2011 APCUG first place in the Life members or (9½”H x 3½”W )....…...... $30.00 newsletter contest (medium Frank Segesman* THIRD PAGE (3”H x 7¼” W)………….$25.00 QUARTER PAGE (4½”H x 3½W)...... $20.00 groups). Toby Scott Lois Evans de Violini BUSINESS CARD ad...... $15.00 2012 APCUG first place in the Art Lewis* Discounts for multiple issues (3, 6, 9 and 12 newsletter contest (medium Helen Long months) groups). *Deceased Ad copy deadline is the 5th of the month of publication. . Make all checks payable to CIPCUG .
Members’ classified ads are free but are limited to 105 characters, including spaces.
June 2015 The Outer Edge Page 3 CIPCUG news and events A lot of help has gone Coming events without recognition This month’s program e’ve had a lot of help setting up the tables will be announced and chairs at the start of the meetings and taking them down at the end, and I don’t Programs W want to leave the helpers unacknowledged. No program had been announced for the June 27 meeting by Unfortunately, I don’t have the names of those who have TOE’s deadline, so watch the website at cipcug.org for details. pitched in during the past several meetings to do a lot of The meeting will be at the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club, 1500 heavy lifting. Your work is greatly appreciated, even if we Temple Ave. (Ponderosa Drive and Temple Avenue), Camarillo forget to mention it while you’re doing it. (see the map on page 20). A different matter about the meeting room is not so Barring problems, the doors will open at 8 a.m., and the meet pleasant. After every meeting, it seems, we ing will start at 8:45 a.m., with the pre meeting SIGs (Internet and Editor’s find coffee cups that have been pushed under connectivity, and possibly Android devices and their apps). The corner chairs and left for others to pick up. Please business meeting will start at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Q&A pick up your own trash, whatever it is. session at 10 a.m., coffee break at 10:30 a.m. and the program at There’s no reason other members should have 11 a.m. to do it for you. Dates of other coming meetings: New officers July 25 Congratulations to our new officers. It Aug. 22: PC tune up by Ventura County Computers Weigle looked for a while like we might be trying to Sept. 26 survive without a president, secretary or treas Oct. 24 urer — an effort that no doubt would have failed quickly. Nov. 21 (third Saturday) In most years, we simply re elect the incumbents — Dec. 19 (third Saturday) except the president, who is limited to one two year term — SIGs but that wasn’t possible this year because Treasurer Art Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are sponsored by CIPCUG and Lewis died, and Secretary, Dianne Mortensen Henderson led by volunteer club members. The SIGs are free to CIPCUG moved out of the county. Thank you, Lisa Toth, Andy Toth members. and Bob Dinsmore, who stepped up to become our new Other than those presented during the regular meeting, the president, treasurer and secretary, respectively. SIGs run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Ventura County Computers, As Lisa said at the last meting, we hope everyone else 2175 Goodyear Ave., Unit 117, Ventura; phone 289 3960. From who volunteers for a variety of jobs will continue to serve with the new board to keep things running smoothly. From (Continued on page 4) the outside, CIPCUG seems to run itself, but, of course, that’s not the case. Without our volunteers, we’d have no Door prizes programs, no door prizes, no programs, no TOE and no We have two types of raffle tickets: one for prizes offered by members. Think about it. Anyone who wants to help in any the presenter and one for club provided prizes. The tickets for the way please tell a board member. I’m sure we can find some presenter’s prizes are free and limited to one per member. useful work for you. The tickets for the club provided prizes are $1 each, $5 for six — John Weigle, editor tickets, $10 for 13 tickets, $15 for 20 tickets and $20 for 27 tickets and are available to anyone. Those who can’t stay until the drawing may sign their tickets and give the person selling the tickets a list of the prizes they would like in the order they’d pick New CIPCUG flash drives available them. Winners’ prizes will be held until the next meeting. The latest version of the CIPCUG flash drive — on cap Consignment table less, 32 GB, Kingston flash drives — is still available for A consignment table is set up at every meeting. Anyone can $25 each. buy, but only members can sell. The drives provide a small boost to the CIPCUG treas The club gets 10 percent of the sales price. Sold items must ury and give the buyers an array of free software chosen be picked up at the end of the day’s meeting. carefully by Toby Scott and others without the need to visit Any items not picked up will become the property of CIPCUG lots of sites and download the programs. and will be subject to disposal at the club’s discretion. As before, they can be updated periodically for a dona CIPCUG is not responsible in any way for items bought or tion of $1. sold at the table. Each item is sold as is unless otherwise stated.
Page 4 The Outer Edge June 2015 CIPCUG news and events Q&A SIG provides lots of Android devices information
SIG required a log in, which my Roku you, don’t use the program. doesn’t do. There are lots of games for Android Michael Shalkey presented the SIG Toby Scott: You also need universal devices. This one — Nun Attack –Run on Android devices and apps. plug and play for Chromecast. Some and Gun (https://play.google.com/store/ Updating Chrome older routers don’t have that. I got a apps/details? Q: I’m just starting with an Android little play router and have two at home. id=com.frimastudio.RunAndGun&hl=en device and have an old version of My old U.S. Robotics access point ) — sounds strange but was recom Chrome. How do I get the latest ver doesn’t have plug and play so I can’t use mended to me by a Jesuit priest. It’s sion? it for Chromecast. You need plug and free, and the nuns must kill evil beings. I A: It should come as an automatic play for most of the casting systems to can pay for better weapons in this and update when the phone is connected to work. You’ll need to know how to get many other games, and this is where you the Internet. To save money, I try to into your router and turn it on. have to watch what youngsters are doing always work on Wi Fi, not on the cell Increasing battery life with games. You can run up bills of phone plan, so I can avoid charges. I Q: What can I do to increase my hundreds of dollars by buying “power also have a femtocell, which I can con phone’s battery life? ups.” Candy Crush has lots of those. nect to my Internet. It’s like having your A: Turn down the brightness on the Hold the button on the bottom of the own cell tower in your home, but you screen in Settings. Determine what’s phone to see what’s running and then must have fast Internet service for it to running in the background and turn off swipe apps off the edge of the phone to work . (UPDATE: At work on Tuesday, the apps you’re not using. Hold down stop them. someone asked the same question, but the button on the bottom to bring up a Audience comment: The X at the the answer for them was “you can’t” list of what’s running. I like Advanced bottom right of the phone kills all apps because their phone was so old no ver Task Killer (https://play.google.com/ that are running. sion of Chrome for Android was availa store/apps/details? Anti-virus for phone ble for it. When you connect to the Play id=com.rechild.advancedtaskkiller&hl= Michael Shalkey: I was asked about anti store to get any app, it automatically en), which lets me stop apps easily. virus programs at the last meeting. I prefer shows you only the apps your device Google +, GPS and some others are run Lookout (https://play.google.com/store/apps/ can run.) ning. If you’re using Advanced Task details?id=com.lookout&hl=en). Chromecast Killer and get a message that says When you download apps be sure to Q: If I’m in a hotel, can I use “Phone gets slow? Clean it now!” ignore get them from the approved places — Chromecast? It’s a dongle to plug into it. It’s an ad that’s a result of my using iTunes for iPhones and Google Play for the TV. the free version. Any program that’s free Androids — rather than other sites. A: Yes, but take your own router. I has a cost of some kind. If the ad annoys got a little router. I was at a hotel, and it (Continued on page 5) More on coming events ...
(Continued from page 3) day): Internet and Connectivity SIG any questions regarding Linux distribu the 101 Freeway, exit at Telephone, take (Toby Scott) and, possibly, Apps for tions and using Linux and other open Telephone south to McGrath, turn left Tablets and Smartphones (Michael source applications. and go one block. Turn right on Shalkey), 8:45 a.m. July Goodyear and right again into the The June and July schedules: Saturday, July 25: Pre meeting second driveway. Unit 117 is the back, June SIGs on Internet and Connectivity and; right corner of the building. Saturday, June 23: Pre meeting possibly Tablet and Smartphone apps at The pre meeting SIGs are at 8:45 SIGs on the Internet and Connectivity 8:45 a.m. a.m. at the Boys & Girls Club. and possibly Tablet and Smartphone Tuesday, July 28: Linux SIG. The general schedule: Apps at 8:45 a.m. Moderator Bill Wayson. Topic TBA. Fourth Tuesday (June 23, July 28, Tuesday, June 27: Linux SIG. Be sure to check the calendar on Aug. 25, Sept. 22, Oct. 27, Nov. 24, and Topic: We can talk about file conver cipcug.org for updates on event pro- Dec. 22): Linux. sion, and as always, will try to answer grams, dates and times. Fourth Saturday (or regular meeting June 2015 The Outer Edge Page 5 CIPCUG news and events
(Continued from page 4) Phone problems Apps in the stores are checked by the This month’s topics Q & A stores to be sure they aren’t malware. SIG Deleting email messages One problem is that the stores don’t nec Updating Chrome Messages on Android tablet essarily see updates that developers push Chromecast IE warnings about Flash out, so there’s no guarantee that updates Increasing battery life Junk mail; Word manuscripts are safe. Lookout scans updates that are Anti virus for phone Working with drives, partitions automatically downloaded before it al Finding new versions of programs SSDs and reactivating Windows lows installations. Here maps Deleting phone icons Windows update problems Finding new versions of programs How much space do apps take? System Mechanic ad in TOE Q: I have a computer question. Chromecast app Free equivalent of PhotoShop What’s the best site to go to to deter Netflix mine the latest versions of programs? A: Michael Shalkey: Why do you want to? (Questioner says to keep them ating system goes to the Internet and is Deleting phone icons up to date.) If a program is doing every subject to attack. When Microsoft stops Michael Shalkey: You can delete thing you need and want, and you’re not supporting an operating system, it’s time icons by moving them to the trash can. If having problems with it, why do you to upgrade. you have duplicate icons, dragging one want to take a chance with a new ver Toby Scott: I’ve mentioned this be of them to the trash can eliminates just sion? The new versions often just add fore, but it’s time to say it again. On the icon, not the program. If there is features you don’t want or need that take computers, we worry about malware only one icon, dragging it to the trash up more space on your drive. I don’t attacks on Windows. The Apple people can eliminates the program, too. know of any sites that keep track of all said Macs were much safer, but the real On some phones, you can’t delete the versions of all programs, but you can reason they weren’t being attacked was apps – bloatware and other bad names always check the developers’ sites for that Macs had a much smaller market that the company that made the phone individual programs. share than Windows, so malware writers (or the wireless carrier) installed. Q: I’ve updated Firefox and am hav went for the largest target. Now, the Toby Scott: If you’re thinking of ing problems with it. Apple phones are being attacked be using Windows 10, the latest build al A: Michael Shalkey: My comments cause they have a large share of the mar lows a new install of the operating sys don’t apply to browsers like Firefox and ket, and the Windows phones aren’t tem, keeping all of your data and set Chrome because they automatically up having problems because they have a tings, but it will get rid of the crap that’s date, and you can’t stop them from do much smaller market share. been installed. ing that. Here maps How much space do apps take? Audience comment: Yes, you can, Michael Shalkey: Here (https:// Q: How do you know how much but I don’t recommend it. On the play.google.com/store/apps/details? space you have on your phone? “hamburger menu — three horizontal id=com.here.app.maps&hl=en) is a map A: Go to Settings > App Manager, lines representing bun, meat, and bun — program. You can download all the which gives you the total amount of go to Tools > Options > Advanced, maps for an entire country or just a state space and the available space. The list where you’ll find options for updates: and use them offline. I have the maps ings for the Apps show how big they “Automatically install updates and turn on the phone’s GPS function, are. You can install apps on an SD card (recommended; improved security),” which shows my location and gives di to gain space, but you have to do it when “Check for updates but let me choose rections using the downloaded maps. you install. I’m a couple of years behind whether to install them,” and “Never This also means the information is avail on my phone, but I don’t care. check for updates (not recommended able even if no cellphone signal is avail Chromecast app security risk).” able. Q: I saw a Chromecast app. What Michael Shalkey: Keep watching for Here maps are also available for tab would I use it for? Firefox updates. Very often, when lets. I think the app is available on all A: It doesn’t do anything unless you browsers are updated, they’re patching platforms. It allows searches for specific have Chromecast to use the app. You security holes. Also as shown during addresses. To get the traffic updates, you can cast tabs on browsers to your TV this question the next update to Firefox have to be on the Internet because they with the combination of Chromecast and will fix the problem with the last update. are real time data. its app. Chromecast is wireless. I take Audience comment: Why doesn’t the Toby Scott: If it’s on a Windows my router with me when we go to a ho argument you use on other updates ap phone and is online, it warns you to take tel or watch someone’s home or animals ply to Windows XP? a different route if traffic conditions are A: It goes to the Internet. Your oper bad on your regular route. (Continued on page 6)
Page 6 The Outer Edge June 2015 CIPCUG news and events
The screen capture shows how to import Yahoo mail to Gmail.
(Continued from page 5) fast enough, creating a variety of prob that’s a compelling reason is up to you. lems. Competitors took over a lot of IE warnings about Flash and then just use their Internet. I can put their accounts. Now Yahoo probably has Q: I have Internet Explorer and keep Netflix shows and movies on the big too much infrastructure, but a lot of it is getting a little white line that asks when screen with it. old. I’m guessing that the messages are I do a search if I want to allow once or Phone problems coming back because you get switched all the time. How do I stop that? Q: I have a Noki a Windows phone from one server to another. That’s not A: That’s almost certainly a message and I don’t always get the ring. What’s the only issue Yahoo mail has. concerning Flash. Because it’s a possi the problem? Q: You mentioned once about being ble security problem, all of the browsers Toby Scott: That’s generally a prob able to get Yahoo mail with Gmail. have some kind of restrictions on Flash. lem with the service provider, not your A: You can check your Yahoo mail They’ll all periodically hit you with such phone. If you happen to make your con in other accounts. messages. You want to be very careful nection just as you move from one cell A: Michael Shalkey: Go to Gmail, about letting Flash files and other script tower to another, you can lose the con click on the gear on the right, click on ing languages on to your computer. nection. Verizon works better than settings, click on Accounts and Import, Q: So if it’s bad and you say allow AT&T around here, it seems. where you can set it up to forward your once, you’re still screwed? Q: I don’t hear the ringing, but the Yahoo mail to your Gmail inbox (see A: Yes. I’m on some Microsoft fo calls do get through. illustration above). rums, and if those people recommend a A: In that case, maybe we’re just not Messages on Android tablet tool, I’ll go get it and let the script run. I patient enough. Q: I have an Android 4 tablet and get won’t necessarily let it run the next time Netflix about 25 emails per day. Is there a way I I visit the site. You have to be the No. 1 Q: How do I get Netflix to a big can select all of them and delete them? anti virus protection for your computer screen? I have HBO through Time I’m using Outlook. and not just depend on anti malware Warner. How can I get HBO Go from A: Audience comment: Highlight programs. If an anti virus program the tablet to the big screen? them all and press delete. warns you about something, and you say Michael Shalkey: HBO Go and Net Toby Scott: That works on comput run it anyway, you’re the one who let flix both have apps on the Chromecast. ers with keyboards, but it’s not easy to your machine get infected. Buy a Chromecast stick ($35) and you do on a phone or tablet. Junk mail; Word manuscripts can do it. One way to cut down some messages Comment: Regarding junk mail: I set is to do what I did. I have an account on up Yahoo for my buying online messag Q&A my phone that gets practically no mes es and Gmail for the rest. You know that sages. I have rules that forward messag most of the messages from shopping Unless otherwise noted, Toby Scott es from my wife, Rick and Michael to online are junk. Those messages just sit answered the questions and Michael my phone. I don’t give the address to there. Shalkey handled the computer duties. anyone else. It’s easy to set up an email Q: I have a problem with manu Deleting email messages account on the Web. scripts in Word. Is there a good book to Q: I’m using Yahoo email. When I Why delete Web mail messages? help with it? I’d love to get some tem delete messages, they delete and all of a Q: If you have Web based email plates (to a question from Michael sudden they come back. How do I get accounts is there any compelling reason Shalkey). I can’t get manuscripts out of rid of them? to ever delete messages? Word all by their lonesome. A: Keep killing them until they don’t A: If you have lots of messages A: Let’s discuss Word formats and come back. Yahoo was once poised to mixed in with spam, and you’re trying to text. If you open a Word document in become the major mail server for the find a message you got a week or two (Continued on page 7) Internet. It didn’t build infrastructure ago, it would be harder to do. Whether
June 2015 The Outer Edge Page 7 CIPCUG news and events
(Continued from page 6) Michael Shalkey: Generally, if you having two reboot failures. When I re Notepad or other text editor, it will be show a list of all your drives in Disk booted, it went to safe mode. hard to read because there will be a lot Manager, disk 0 (zero) is the one that A: Something gets stuck in electron of what looks like garble. That’s what you boot from. You don’t want to play ic memory that’s slow to clear. records the format commands. If you with that unless you’re absolutely cer Michael Shalkey: Unplug it and then copy and paste a Word document into a tain you know what you’re doing. You hold the power switch on for 30 sec text editor, all the format material goes do not want to delete everything on the onds. away and all that’s left is plain text. boot drive. Partitioning on any drive can Q: After you’ve unplugged it? Some template sources: be tricky and dangerous. If you’re not A: Yes. If you watch when you do http://gradstudies.csusb.edu/ booting from a drive, you don’t need its that, you’ll see the light come on and the thesisProjectDissertation/ C: drive or the recovery partition. The fans will start to turn. You’re clearing formattingManuscript/templates.html is need to partition drives has lessened everything by doing that. a template from the CSU San Bernardi with the development of solid state System Mechanic ad in TOE no. drives because they’re so fast and the Q: I noticed the Ventura County http://templates.openoffice.org/en/ disadvantage of wear leveling that could Computers ad in TOE on removing Sys template/book manuscript template is accompany multiple partitions. Every tem Mechanic. How does one enter the the OpenOffice template thing gets different with SSDs and Win contest? office.microsoft.com/en us/ dows 8. It’s easier to have two drives: a A: Just bring the computer in, and templates/book manuscript solid state for the operating system and ask Rick to remove it. TC010083016.aspx is for Microsoft other software and a spinning drive for Bart Koslow likes System Mechanic, Word data. Before you do anything, back the and Rick doesn’t. I’ve said before that Working with drives, partitions disk up. (Editor’s note: Be careful if programs that change the registry and Q: When you get a new computer, you’re partitioning a drive, no matter say they can fix all kinds of problems the hard drive shows a C: drive and a what it’s labeled. My computer has sev will either work, or at least not create recovery drive, which might or might eral drives, and Disk Manager shows an more problems, or will really mess not have a letter designation. If I up older spinning drive that was the boot things up. This year, we’ve had 8 10 grade from Windows 7 to Windows 8, drive as Disk 0 and my solid state drive, computers come in that had System Me does the recovery drive get changed? which is now my boot drive, as Disk 1. chanic on them and wouldn’t work. Bart A: Yes. The installation of a new The description of Disk 1 shows a Sys would argue that System Mechanic operating system should put the new tem Reserved drive and the C: drive.) probably didn’t create the problems but files in the recovery area. It will not SSDs and reactivating Windows was put on the machine to try to fix ex change with just an update. Q: I’m going to get a solid state isting problems, and he’s right. There Q: If I install third party software, it drive. I want to clone the operating sys are advantages and disadvantages to creates a restore point. Is that on the D: tem from the spinning disc to the SSD. almost everything. drive? Will I have to reactivate Windows? Bart Koslow: The big thing is that A: No. It’s on C: A: Michael Shalkey: It depends on lots of programs can cause problems. Q: There’s also a boot sector. Does the software you’re cloning with as a You must do regular backups — I’d say that get changed with an update? What start. Usually, you’re OK. I love Acronis every week — and keep a series of the if I upgrade to a new version of Win True Image to clone the drive to an ex backups because you might have to go dows? ternal hard drive. Whatever you do, back back several backups to fix a problem. A: An update won’t change the boot up the disk first, just in case something Michael Shalkey: Also, once you sector. A Windows upgrade will change goes wrong. You can restore the drive to have a backup, be sure you know how to the boot sector. a disc that is the same size or bigger restore your image backup. Q: If I format the drive, does the D: than your old drive, but you can’t restore Toby Scott: You will usually be of drive (in this case, a partition on the C: it to a smaller drive, even if space is fered a chance to create a restore disk, drive) go away? available. Worst case scenario, you will and you should do so. A: It depends on how your do it. have to “reactivate” Windows online or Michael Shalkey: You need to create You can format the C: drive and rein even on the phone, but that just means the Windows disc because you don’t get stall an operating system in that parti calling an 800 number and reading some one anymore when you buy a new com tion. numbers to Microsoft activation service. puter. Q: I took an old drive out of a com Windows update problems Free equivalent of PhotoShop puter to move to a new computer, and I Q: l’m running Windows 7, and re Q: Is there a free program that is the want to empty as much of it as I can. cently it downloaded 30 updates. It equivalent of PhotoShop? A: Then what you’re talking about choked on the third one, and I finally (Continued on page 8) makes sense. unplugged it and let it sit overnight after
Page 8 The Outer Edge June 2015 CIPCUG news and events OneNote serves as a computerized memory
By John Weigle [email protected] neNote is the perfect place to keep all that information you want to remember and find O easily when you need it, Toby Scott said at the May meeting. “It still is the greatest piece of soft ware ever written,” Scott said, even though at first it doesn’t seem like much. Because it’s “ideal for storing random data,” and because we all have a lot of that, “the longer you use it, the more val uable they (the OneNote entries) are.” “It’s a hugely useful program, but it’s only useful if you use it,” Scott added. OneNote started as a paid part of Mi crosoft Office, but it is now a free tool available for Windows, Macs, iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android. It can be This is a OneNote screen shot from http:// downloaded at https://www.onenote.com. www.gottabemobile.com/2009/07/13/installing the office 2010 technical The link is at the top right corner of the preview/. page. OneNote is designed to resemble unusual computing problems. But that’s can be password protected and shared school notebooks on your computer and just one possibility, he said. When he was with other people. in the cloud. It’s set up in three organiza planning a trip to Utah, he stored Web Asked how OneNote and Evernote tional trees, documents, sections and pag pages and other information about the compare, Scott said that Evernote was es, and that layout makes it easy to store state, including places he might want to developed as a free alternative to One material by topics. But its search engine visit. When you copy text or pictures Note, which cost about $150 when it was is so good that users can put material any from a website and paste it into OneNote, first released. Scott said it’s best to use where in the program, and it will be easy it automatically adds a link back to the one or the other, but not both, because to find, he said. source. The link is clickable, so it’s easy they can’t open each other’s files. Scott recommends keeping the note to return to original information sources. Although Scott knew about OneNote, books in Microsoft’s OneDrive so they’ll Users can add material to OneNote he didn’t start using it until a speaker at be available on any device wherever you with copy and paste, drag and drop and an Intel conference used it to find an an are. Among other things, he keeps articles “send to.” Tools for Firefox and Chrome swer to an attendee’s question. The and websites that he finds on how to fix browsers let users save full Web pages to speaker didn’t recall the answer but had it OneNote. Users can insert Excel spread stored in OneNote and found it easily. sheets and PowerPoint presentations or When most of those attending asked More on Q&A ... links to them in the program. about the program he used to find the OneNote has optical character recog answer, the speaker quickly wrapped up (Continued from page 7) nition abilities so its search function can his Intel presentation and demonstrated A: No. GIMP is probably the most find text in pictures and graphics. Scott OneNote, calling it “the only way to keep popular open source photo editor. There demonstrated that by taking a screen shot track of all this stuff.” are other free photo editing programs of a DOS screen, putting it in OneNote Asked how OneNote compares to (IrfanView, PhotoScape, Paint.Net, Pi and searching for a word that was in the Dropbox, Scott said they’re entirely dif casa and Serif Photo Plus Starter Edi graphic. The word was highlighted each ferent. OneNote is a program, while tion), but none is the equivalent of Pho time it appeared. Dropbox is a cloud storage system like toShop. (Editor’s note: This site reviews Skype calls can also be recorded and Microsoft’s OneDrive and Google’s several programs and some online sites: saved in OneNote, as can emails. Tem Google drive. Don’t confuse the storage http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/ plates for other Office programs work in media with the program that stores the best free photo editing software.) OneNote. Notebooks, sections and pages (Continued on page 9)
June 2015 The Outer Edge Page 9 CIPCUG news and events Why I prefer- True Image to Windows Backup
By Bart Koslow ur tech people have been tell ing us that Windows Backup does everything that Acronis O True Image does. This is not correct as I will enumerate below. First, and maybe the most important, is that to restore a Windows backup when This is a screen capture of Acronis True Image. Users can choose what you cannot boot your computer you drive to back up and where to put the backup. MUST have a Windows installation disk. Most commercial computers do not come • Acronis compresses your backup • Acronis has a non stop (continuous with a Windows installation disk, which file to take less space than a standard backup in the background) feature. makes your Windows backup useless. Windows file. • Acronis will sync your files on all • Acronis has Universal restore to • Acronis can capture only changes of your devices. You can have the same easily move your system from any PC to made after an initial image backup, and data — documents, photos, videos, etc. any PC — no matter what make or model save time and storage space. — on all of your computers and mobile you use. • Acronis can encrypt your backups devices with iOS and Android operating • Acronis can back up your entire automatically for privacy. systems. Your data is within easy reach disk image to the cloud (continuously in • Acronis can keep history of up to 20 anywhere and anytime. the background, if desired) — and then last system states to roll back to different restore it in a snap whenever you need it. points in time whenever you need. (Continued on page 10) More on OneNote ...
(Continued from page 8) cloud storage sites. Because of size limits, username and password still cannot get to data, he advised. however, some people might find it easier your data. Another person asked about calendars to store photos in one location, music and An audience member asked if it’s in One Note. OneNote has a weak calen video in another and other data in a third. possible to stop Android devices from dar function, Scott said, but you can’t That all depends on how much data is backing up photos before she gets a store a calendar in it that provides repeat involved, he explained. chance to delete ones she doesn’t want. ing events and similar tools. There are If a device that has OneDrive access The answer is to go to the Photo App in third party templates that work quite well. — such as a laptop — is lost or stolen, settings and change the auto backup set Many are for special situations, so you Scott said, he can go to OneDrive and tings. need to figure out what you need. Calen block its access to the device. At the An audience member noted that a dars are persnickety, he added. OneDrive website login screen, highlight spreadsheet that was cut and pasted into For things like calendars, mail and the device, and click on Remove PC. OneNote loses its functionality. contacts, “you pretty much have to settle Users should also enable two factor iden Another member of the audience on one platform, he said, and he prefers tification so that any new device that logs asked if there’s a good tutorial for One Outlook, also part of Microsoft Office. into your OneDrive has to be authenticat Note. Scott said there are many videos on People can use the cloud to synchro ed by entering a code that Microsoft YouTube and written material on other nize or back up various devices, but they sends to your primary device, he added. sites, but they’re not needed. The best don’t need to store everything in several In this way, a hacker who discovers your way to learn OneNote is to start using it.
Page 10 The Outer Edge June 2015 CIPCUG news and events PC tune up scheduled in August
Another PC tune up is scheduled for done the work. major overhaul, because of both the time the August meeting, courtesy of Ventura “Bring your PC and your questions or limits and the fact that Smith will not County Computers. The event is an concerns and get professional help for a bring a truckload of parts. nounced in the advertisement on this minimal cost,” Smith said. The idea is to track down and fix page. “Invite a friend to join the club that comparatively simple problems during The price is yet to be determined. day and they will get to have their PC the meeting and recommend a visit to Sign ups will be necessary because service for no charge as a bonus for join VCC for issues that can’t be solved at the there is limited time — the length of the ing CIPCUG.” tune up. Among other things, the techni meeting — to do the work. In the past, The tune ups are not the place to ask cians will track down reasons for a slow Rick Smith and Michael Shalkey have for a new computer to be built or for a computer and recommend changes.
More on True Image ...
(Continued from page 9) ty. Image 2015. There is no contest. Acronis • Acronis has Android and iOS apps • Acronis is a lot easier to use than is vastly superior in almost every way. to use True Image . the Windows Backup Program We have two more copies of True Image that will be in the raffle for June • Acronis will migrate your system • Acronis provides support that Win and July. Remember! The most important from a hard disk to a Solid State Drive dows does not. • thing you can do to protect your comput Acronis has a drive cleaner to wipe I do not claim to be an expert on Win er is to perform regular image backups, your drive. dows Backup and Restore, but I know and Acronis if far and away the best way • Acronis has a system cleanup utili that it does not compare to Acronis True to do it.
(805) 289 -3960 June 2015 The Outer Edge Page 11
CIPCUG news and events Treasurer’s report for May Members’ By Andy Toth classified ads
For sale INCOME Contact Richard Quint, Donation $ 11.00 [email protected] Membership Income 565.00 1. Canon LiDE 30 scanner. Raffle 99.00 USB supplies data and pow Software Sales 25.00 er. $10 TOTAL INCOME 700.00 2. D Link ADSL2+ modem unused, in opened box with EXPENSES all accessories. $20. Coffee Doughnuts Expense 10.00 3. D Link DIR 655 “XTREME P.O. Box Rental 31.00 N GIGABIT ROUTER” still in shrink wrapped box. $30. Rent Paid 200.00 Web Domain And Hosting 235.00 TOTAL EXPENSES 476.00
OVERALL TOTAL 224.00
Balance 05/31/2015 9,038.89
Thanks for dropping by The Outer Edge is printed and prepared for mailing by:
We had five guests at the last meeting. Denis Faning Roger Houston Emerald Jones Barbara Cott Dave Swain
CIPCUG sponsors ● American Graphics Institute (AGI) — Classroom in a Book training various subjects. www.agitraining.com ● Focal Press — photography and media books — 25 percent discount. www.focal press.com ● No Starch Press — computer books — 30 percent discount to members with the code CIP CUG15 — ww.nostarch.com . ● O’Reilly Media — computer books — 50 percent to 60 percent discount to members. www.oreilly.com ● Peachpit Press — computer and technolo gy books. 35 percent discount to members. www.peachpit.com ● Webucator — Online, self paced computer training courses. Free to members. Contact re [email protected] for voucher.
Page 12 The Outer Edge June 2015 CIPCUG news and events
Membership report: May 2015 renewals payment due: Is it time to renew? Mbr# Last Name First Pd to Name By Ken Church email address: [email protected] 0207 Birkenshaw JJ 201505
0774 Hoffman LaVern 201505 Welcome new members: CHURCH Michele Burger and Bill Hinds 0335 Hudson Larry 201505 1228 Hynes Bob 201505 Attendance at the May 2015 general meeting: 57 members and guests (who signed in) 1047 Norton Henry 201505
Total membership: 165 0454 Provenza Richard 201505 0697 Widney Fred 201505 MEMBER RENEWAL INFORMATION $30 for single membership, $35 for two or more family membership. June 2015 renewals payment due: Mbr# Last Name First Pd to NEW MEMBER INFORMATION Name $40 first year for single membership, 1240 Bowman Steve 201506 $55 first year for two or more family member ship in same household. 0456 Dinsmore Bob 201506 1118 Haggard Roy 201506 Please send your payment to: 1247 Jay John 201506 CIPCUG MEMBERSHIP 0469 Magallanes CB 201506 P.O. BOX 51354 OXNARD, CA 93031-1354 0580 McCoy John 201506
Or bring your payment to the members sign in 0929 McCoy Tim 201506 table for the June 27, 2015 Meeting. 0146 Minkin David 201506 1231 Ortiz Henry 201506 We need and appreciate your support. 0593 Shalkey Mike 201506 (DATED INFORMATION AS OF 05/23/2015) 0478 Stallman Betty 201506
April 2015 renewals payment due: 1083 Stoutz Hank 201506
Mbr# Last Name First Pd to Name 2015 contributors to TOE 0776 Darnielle Jack 201504 Your name can appear here, Rick Smith too. Share your knowledge with Andy Toth 0965 Kreitzer Shlomo 201504 other members by sending an Lisa Toth 1084 Martinez Sam 201504 article, a letter or a computer tip Bill Wayson to [email protected]. John Weigle 0873 Pass Jim 201504 CIPCUG MEMBERS APCUG James Brown Sandy Berger 0142 Peck Darrell 201504 Ken Church Steve Costello Bart Koslow Nancy DeMarte Art Lewis Diane Fahlbusch David Minkin Lou Torraca John Norbutas June 2015 The Outer Edge Page 13
General news and commentary Are you safe from a cyber attack?
By Lou Torraca mail, open network shares, infected web directly. Whatever notification or service President, The TUG-MOAA User Group, sites, exploitation, or via back doors left offering was referenced in the email, if Hawaii behind by the Code Red II virus. The valid, will be available via regular log on. [email protected] group of people behind the Nimda virus “• Never open the attachments. www.the-tug.org and the theft of billions of dollars are Typically, retailers will not send emails Around Hawaii - Oceanic Time Warner unknown. The event greatly damaged the with attachments. If there is any doubt, Cable's Community Website world’s financial sector and economy. contact the retailer directly and ask http://www.aroundhawaii.com/lifestyle/ There are numerous places you can whether the email with the attachment computers/ review various ways to protect yourself, was sent from them. e.g. my last column listed free programs • always enjoy reading the “what “ Do not give out personal infor- you can download to block viruses and happened in history” emails I get mation over the phone or in an email malware. One government agency that about once a month, so I was re unless completely sure . Social engineer has excellent advice is Homeland Securi minded that September had a pro ing is a process of deceiving individuals ty. Links to Department of Homeland Ifound effect on the way we treat our per into providing personal information to Security articles on security can be found sonal technology. seemingly trusted agents who turn out to at can be found at http://www.dhs.gov/ be malicious actors. If contacted over the topic/cybersecurity. phone by someone claiming to be a retail What you need to know er or collection agency, do not give out This information is taken from the your personal information. Ask them to site: provide you their name and a call back “The Department of Homeland Secu number. Just because they may have rity plays an some of your information does not mean important role they are legitimate! in countering “Other practical tips to protect your threats to our self from cyber attacks: cyber net “• Set secure passwords and don’t Hacker work. We aim share them with anyone. Avoid using On Sept. 18, 2001, a new virus at to secure the common words, phrases, or personal in tacked United States operating systems. federal civil formation and update regularly. The worm was given the name Nimda, ian networks, “• Keep your operating system, and it was an advanced version of Code cyberspace browser, anti virus and other critical soft Red II. Some might say that the Code and critical infrastructure that are essen ware up to date. Security updates and Red viruses were created in preparation tial to our lives and work. patches are available for free from major for the much larger Nimda attack, which “DHS’s National Cybersecurity and companies. was executed the week following the at Communications Integration Center “• Verify the authenticity of requests tacks on the World Trade Center and Pen (NCCIC) is a 24 7 center responsible for from companies or individuals by con tagon. Due to the release date of the virus, the production of a common operating tacting them directly. If you are asked to members of the American government picture for cyber and communications provide personal information via email, speculated on a link between the cyber across the federal, state, and local govern you can independently contact the com attacks and Al Qaeda, but this theory end ment, intelligence and law enforcement pany directly to verify this request. ed up proving unfounded. The American communities and the private sector. • media did not report much on the virus “ Pay close attention to website because of the terrorist attacks. “Next steps URLs. Pay attention to the URLs of web Multiple propagation vectors allowed “The following preventative strategies sites you visit. Malicious websites some Nimda to become the Internet’s most are intended to help our public and pri times use a variation in common spelling widespread and dangerous virus. It took vate partners proactively look for emails or a different domain (for example, .com only 22 minutes for the worm to rip attempting to deceive users into “clicking instead of .net) to deceive unsuspecting through the American financial sector, the link” or opening attachments to seem computer users. ... causing over $3 billion in damage. The ingly real websites: “Tips Nimda virus was so effective because it “• Never click on links in emails . If “Most people use passwords that are used five different infection vectors. Peo you do think the email is legitimate, based on personal information and are whether from a third party retailer or pri ple could, and still can, get the virus via e (Continued on page 14) mary retailer, go to the site and log on
Page 14 The Outer Edge June 2015 General news and commentary Watch your computer screen on TV
By Bart Koslow er and TV are on. Do not despair. Win Again, this did the job for me, and I now t is easy to set up a connection from dows does not automatically recognize an had a mirror image of my computer your computer to your TV by using HDMI second screen. You have to tweak screen on the TV. If this does not work an HDMI cable. I will show you Windows to make it send a signal from for you, try selecting “Extend the Moni how I set up a wired HDMI connec the HDMI output on your computer. tor.” You may have to do some fiddling Ition to watch my computer screen on my Go to Control Panel > Display > Ad around with the resolution and your Mul big TV, while controlling the content just Resolution. You will see that the win tiple Displays selection, but at some point from my computer. dow shows there are two displays. One of you should see the computer screen pop You must have an HDMI output on them will be disabled. The window will up on your TV. your computer. In my case, the old video have selections for Display, Resolution, Make sure you do not have your card I had installed had an unused HDMI Orientation, Multiple Displays, and De sound muted, adjust the volume to a com output in addition to DVI and VGA. If tect and Identify. Under Display, select fortable level, and you are ready. Open you do not have an HDMI output, it is a your TV. If the Apply box appears during your Web browser and select a video simple matter to install a new video card any operation, select it once you have from YouTube or another site. It should that has one. Of course, you will need an what you want. You may have to use the appear on your TV screen and your TV. HDMI cable long enough to reach from Detect and Identify boxes to know which (If you had selected “Extend the Monitor” your computer to your TV. screen you are viewing and to make Win instead of “Duplicate these displays,” The next step is to hook up the HDMI dows “see” the second screen. You may grab the title bar with your mouse and cable to your computer and TV. Make a have to adjust the Resolution for the TV move it right off the screen As it moves note of which HDMI input you connect to screen to obtain the full computer screen off the computer screen, it should appear on your TV. You will then use your re across the TV. In my case, I used the on the TV screen) .Now play the content mote to select the matching computer maximum resolution for the TV, and it you want on your computer watching it input. In all likelihood you will see a worked perfectly. I did not change the on your TV, select Full Screen, sit back blank TV screen when both your comput computer resolution. Under Multiple Dis and enjoy. You now have a “smart” TV, plays select “Duplicate these displays.” or if you already have one, a smarter TV. More on cyber attacks….
(Continued from page 13) bers, special characters, and both lower easy to remember. However, that also case and capital letters. Change the same makes it easier for an attacker to guess or example we used above to “Il!2pBb.” and ‘crack’ them. see how much more complicated it has “Although intentionally misspelling a become just by adding numbers and spe word (‘daytt’ instead of ‘date’) may offer cial characters.” some protection against dictionary at The website (http://www.dhs.gov) tacks, an even better method is to rely on also has links to other pages that have a series of words and use memory tech good advice regarding security, as well as niques, or mnemonics, to help you re other pertinent issues; I suggest you take member how to decode it. a look. “For example, instead of the pass That’s it for now, be safe out there. word ‘hoops,’ use ‘IlTpbb’ for ‘[I] [l]ike Follow the above advice, but save time to [T]o [p]lay [b]asket[b]all.’ Using both layer of obscurity. Your best defense, have some fun too. lowercase and capital letters adds another though, is to use a combination of num Aloha, Lou
If you ever wonder why items like this appear in TOE, it’s because we always lack short items — 100 to 200 words. It’s easy to find long articles — APCUG sends us several every month, and they’re all much longer than what’s needed for these spaces at the bottom of a page. Do you have something short to offer: a tip on some program you use, a brief letter, something you’d like the group to consider or a recommendation for some fantastic software you’ve discovered? If so, please send them to the editor at [email protected]. Thanks..
June 2015 The Outer Edge Page 15 CGeneral news and commentary Converting old documents By Bill Wayson try again or simply choose the All Files back many years (WriteNow, anyone?). [email protected] option right at the top. Word will general You could also use the appropriate gen recently was asked for advice on ly recognize the file’s WordPerfect for eral type options at the top of the list converting old WordPerfect docu mat and do a good job of formatting it. (Text documents, Spreadsheets, etc.). Or ments to Microsoft Word. I had an Touch the document up as necessary, and just let LibreOffice figure out the file type initial answer, which I will get to then use Word’s Save As option to save it by choosing All Files. The lists of recog Ilater. I have since looked further into the as a Word document, again using the file nized spreadsheet and drawing file for problem and found a type drop down. Do remember to change mats are equally impressive, and several Penguin’s few ways one can con the name of the file so as not to overwrite presentation formats can be handled, as Lair vert old files to current the original. This same technique may be can other file types. If you have really old formats. used for other types of office documents, documents, LibreOffice may be your best The first requirement like spreadsheets. choice as a conversion program. for conversion is to be Another option is to use a conversion Converting old files is a problem able to get to the docu program. This may be the only option if many, if not most, computer users have. ment on your computer. the destination program does not recog You knew when you installed that new This may actually be an nize the older file format. Depending on program that you really needed to convert issue if the document is your needs (e.g. original program and your old documents right away, but told on a floppy disc, espe destination program), a Web search will yourself that you'd get to later. Now provide many hits and lots of advice, es many years or decades have passed, and Wayson cially a 5¼ inch disc. But how to do this is a pecially if you have special needs, like conversion is not so straightforward. As subject for another article — we will as your WordPerfect document contains long as you can open your old file on a sume here that you can access your old equations or cross references to foot computer, you have every reason to be files, but you can no longer run the pro notes. Some of the tips look good, but in lieve that you’ll be able to relatively suc gram that created the file. The simplest general, the conversion programs must be cessfully convert it to something modern. way to convert old files may be to use the bought, and they do not always work ex If you have questions or would like to program you want to convert them to. In tremely well. But an interesting and free learn more about Linux and FOSS, come many cases the new program can directly conversion program can be found in Li to the June Linux SIG meeting on Tues read files in older formats. For instance, if breOffice, open source software that is day, the 23rd, at 6:30 p.m. at Ventura you want to convert a WordPerfect file to available for Windows and other plat County Computers in Ventura. We can Word, you can use Word’s Open dialog. forms. LibreOffice will recognize and talk about file conversion, and as always, In Word 2007, the dialog box has a file open files an a very large number of older will try to answer any questions regarding type drop down to the right of the File formats. Use it the same way I described Linux distributions and using Linux and name field. Click on it to expand it and above with Word. Use the file type drop other open source applications. See the look for a couple of WordPerfect options down in the Open dialog to choose a spe CIPCUG website for more information. near the bottom. Unfortunately, these cific file format (again, keep in mind the If you have a question or topic you work only if you gave your WordPerfect required file extension). The number of would like the Lair or Linux SIG to cov files a DOC or WP extension. If you did recognized file formats is quite large, er, drop me a line at bway not, you could change the extension and much larger than that of Word. And many [email protected]. Until next month, happy of the formats are quite esoteric or go computing.
Q&A reminder: Please wait for the microphone to ask, answer or comment on a question so the in formation can be recorded for use in TOE. When you get the microphone, hold it close to your mouth all the time you’re talking .
Page 16 The Outer Edge June 2015 General news and commentary Why Microsoft wants us to ‘reserve’ Windows 10
By Toby Scott Internet to slow to a crawl. Microsoft is planning on having a n June 1, Microsoft started So, if you plan on installing Windows billion users running Windows 10 within telling Windows 7 and 8 users 10 when it comes out, be sure to sign up 3 years. That’s a large number and a sig that they could “reserve” their for the reservation. You won’t be happy nificant portion of the world’s population. copy of Windows 10, with if you don’t. Some CIPCUG users may wonder if O Some of you may not receive a reser they should install Windows 10 immedi links to complete the reservation. Most of us wondered why we needed to reserve a vation. That's because it was sent out as a ately or wait for the dust to settle. Proba copy, but after checking what Microsoft Windows update. Windows 10 is only bly most Windows 7 users should wait. is attempting to do, it all makes sense available to Windows 7 and 8 users who There are enough differences between 7 Windows 10 will be available to in are fully up to date with fully updated and 10 that it may well pay to have all the stall on July 29, as widely expected. The Windows 7.1 or 8.1 versions. If you YouTube help videos out before upgrad download will be 3 gigabytes, which aren’t completely updated, you cannot ing. For Windows 8 users, I don’t think would tie up any home users’ Internet install Windows 10. So, if you aren’t re there is any reason not to upgrade. Mi connection for a day or so. To update ceiving the invitation and you want to chael and I have been beta testing several computers in a home would take upgrade to Windows 10 right away, be (“technical preview” in Microsoft’s jar several days and would render the system sure to manually open Windows Update gon) Windows 10 since October. We both so slow that everyone would scream. and force all updates. If you have quite a had several incidents with hardware not Microsoft has modularized the instal few updates, you’ll need to do it several working or non functioning features early lation into packages, some of which are times as there are quite a few security on, but those have been blessedly re ready now. So, a “reservation” really updates to updates to updates. If you moved. means that you will slowly begin down don’t have the first update, the second The last several versions have been loading bits of Windows 10 in the back can’t install, without the second, the third quite smooth. With the huge numbers of ground, without ruining your online expe cannot install, etc. Continue to do manual beta testers, Windows 10 should be pretty rience. On July 29, you will download the updates until the program says there are much ready to go. Both Michael and I final bits needed to install Windows 10 no more updates. If you have previously really like it and are planning on full up and be ready to go. hidden an update you didn’t want to in grades of all our devices on July 29. The Windows 10 upgrade will be the stall, you’re probably going to have to put Don’t forget that the offer of a free largest Internet project ever attempted — it back into the upgrade process and in upgrade to Windows 10 expires one year and by a wide margin. While attempting stall it. after it becomes available, or July 29, to have millions of users download the If you previously saw the reservation 2016. entire Windows 10 package would have notice but cannot find it now, there's a After that, an upgrade is going to cost created problems for users, it would have link in the System Tray. The icon looks something around $100 — Microsoft been completely impossible for Microsoft like the four Windows flags and when hasn’t released official prices for that yet, as well. No one has the bandwidth to han you hover the mouse over it, you’ll see but an upgrade from Windows 10 Home dle that much simultaneous activity. It “Get Windows 10.” Clicking on that will to 10 Pro will cost $99, so most are ex probably would have saturated most ISP bring up the reservation window to start pecting the upgrade price after a year to networks as well and caused the entire the process. be somewhere in the same ballpark. Technology trends for 2015 from CES
Sandy Berger the trends that you can expect to see af Lowes’ Iris home connectivity devices, CompuKISS fecting your life soon. especially the one that turns the water off Sberger (at) compukiss.com Connected home when a leak is detected. I, personally, am www.compukiss.com We now have the knowledge to con not much interested in an Internet very year at CES, which many nect just about everything to the Internet, connected toothbrush (Kolibree), but I know as the Consumer Elec and we saw a wide variety of ways to do think it is a great tool for teaching kids to tronics Show, thousands of new that. While I, personally, might not be brush their teeth properly. I loved the products are exhibited, and ready to put Internet connected door TempTraq bandage for babies and chil Emajor trends start to appear. This year locks (Kwikset, Schlage, and others) on dren that monitors their temperature and was no different. Here are just a few of my home, I would love to have some of (Continued on page 17)
June 2015 The Outer Edge Page 17
General news and commentary Interesting Internet finds cover many topics By Steve Costello should connect a PC to your TV, too. The ttcshel Editor, Boca Raton Computer Society, post also has advice to hook it up and byville.wordpress.com/2014/11/13/no Florida control the PC. you are not a microsoft employee and December 2014 and January 2015 issues, ● How to Connect Two Computers or no i dont have a virus you definitely Boca Bits Laptops Wirelessly called the wrong people/ www.brcs.org http://www.online tech tips.com/ Have you ever gotten or heard about editor (at) brcs.org) computer tips/how to connect two fake Microsoft calls, and wonder what n the course of going through the computers or laptops wirelessly/ actually happens during one of those more than 300 RSS feeds, I often Do you occasionally need to transfer calls? Well this post tells all about one of run across things that I think might files between two PCs but don’t have a these calls by using a virtual computer be of interest to other user group wireless Internet connection at the time? and keeping the caller on the line, record Imembers. Here are some items I found This post from Online Tech Tips, tells ing what happens. interesting in November and December. you how to set up an ad hoc wireless ● An Introduction and a Quick Guide ● Five Places to Find New Uses for network for MS Windows or OS X, with to Sandboxie Old Smartphones and Tablets some caveats about security and operabil http://www.techsupportalert.com/ http://www.techsupportalert.com/ ity. content/introduction and quick guide content/five places find new uses old ● 8 Reasons Email is Wonderful sandboxie.htm smartphones and tablets.htm https://askleo.com/8 reasons email is You have probably heard Sandboxie If you get new smartphones or tablets wonderful/ mentioned at the Freeware SIG, or a gen this holiday season, check out the links in With Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, eral meeting. If you use Microsoft Win this post from Gizmo’s freeware blog for and so many other ways of communi dows, using Sandboxie is recommended. ways to reuse the old ones, instead of just cating, some people forget about email This post tells what Sandboxie is and getting rid of them. and consider it dead. Leo debunks the does, as well as a quick guide to using ● Why You Should Connect a PC to idea that email is dead and gives good Sandboxie. Your TV (Don’t Worry; It’s Easy!) reasons why email is wonderful, all of ● How to Use Skype on Android For http://www.howtogeek.com/200557/ which I agree with, by the way. Beginners why you should connect a pc to your tv ● No, you are not a Microsoft em http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/use dont worry its easy/ ployee, no I don’t have a virus and by the skype android beginners/ OK, you have a Roku, or a way, you are definitely talking to the I have found that a lot of Android Chromecast, or some other streaming wrong people users don't know they can get Skype on device. HowToGeek explains why you http:// (Continued on page 18) More on trends ...
(Continued from page 16) 3-D Printing hold off until much later in the year be sends it to your cell phone. I was also They continue to find uses and new fore you take the plunge. pretty impressed with the light bulbs that materials that can be used with these Automated vehicles play stereo music (Sengled). printers. Specialized filaments let you Cars were everywhere at CES this Wearable tech and health print in materials that look and feel like year. They have plenty of connectivity Watches, pins, and wristbands that bamboo, copper, and brass. Whether you and helpful additions like parking assist. count your steps and monitor your sleep want to print a shower head or a cup for The Volkswagen Golf Touch has three were everywhere at CES this year. Many your tea, you can do it with a 3 D printer. display screens that you can control by of these devices even coach you to 4K Ultra TVs moving your hand in the air. achieve your goals. Expect to see more Do you really need a TV that gives It can also park itself right on its and more of this technology this year. you more resolution and better color than charging pad and it’s available now for Drones your current HDTV? No, you probably about $35,000. There were over a hundred different don’t need one, but when you see them This year more of the devices we saw types of Drones. Everyone is looking for you will want one. Even though prices at the show were already available or will uses for these flying wonders that fit into have already plummeted, standards are be on the market soon. So expect the our everyday world. still being set and there are several com electronic stores to be filled to the brim peting technologies, so you may want to with new devices in the next year.
Page 18 The Outer Edge June 2015
CIPCUG news and events / General news and commentary
PC Pitstop: www.pcpitstop.com Web help sites PC World: www.pcworld.com (Updated 2-2-2015) Recalled products: www.recalls.gov Android phones: howtogeek.com/163624/ SANS Institute — Computer Security Education welcome to android a beginners guide to getting and Information Security Training: www.sans.org started with android/ Spyware Warrior: www.spywarewarrior.com Battery information: batteryuniversity.com User Group Relations (Gene Barlow): DSL reports: www.dslreports.com www.ugr.com Steve Gibson: www.grc.com Ventura County Computers (Rick and Toby’s Kim Komando: www.komando.com shop): www.vccomputers.com Leo Laporte: www.leoville.com; Virus Bulletin: www.virusbtn.com/index techguylabs.com/ (among others) Windows Secrets: www.windowssecrets.com Jeff Levy: www.jefflevy.com Linux distributions: www.DistroWatch.com If you have a favorite help site on the Web, Microsoft: www.microsoft.com please forward it, so we can expand the section. OnGuard Online: www.onguardonline.gov If you find a link that doesn’t work, please tell us PCMag: www.pcmag.com that, too. Recent items from More interesting sites ... (Continued from page 17) their smartphone/tablet. If you are one of these Android users, our Facebook page check out this post from MakeUseOf. ● All the Wget Commands You Should Know Here are some recent headlines from our Facebook http://www.labnol.org/software/wget command page: examples/28750/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/cipcug) Do you remember Wget? This post has 20 examples of us Google’s new ‘My Account’ lets you tweak privacy ing the utility. and security settings Wikipedia says: “GNU Wget (or just Wget, formerly Is this Get Windows 10 icon legitimate (Ask Leo) Geturl) is a computer program that retrieves content from Web Microsoft explains what you’ll lose by upgrading to servers, and is part of the GNU Project. Windows 10 “Its features include recursive download, conversion of Top 8 stunning revelations from the ‘Internet links for offline viewing of local HTML, and support for prox Trends Report’ ies. It appeared in 1996, coinciding with the boom of popularity of the Web, causing its wide use among Unix users and distri Southwest Technology Computer Conference: En bution with most major Linux distributions. Written in portable hance your life with technology C, Wget can be easily installed on any Unix like system and Join APCUG in Vegas for our Computer and Tech has been ported to many environments, including Microsoft nology Conference Windows, Mac OS X, OpenVMS, HP UX, MorphOS and Welcome to Project Jacquard AmigaOS.” Really, a $9 computer? ● Android 5.0 Lollipop Review: An Ambitious Start Down How a packet sniffer reveals local net traffic Android’s New Path (Windows Secrets) http://www.greenbot.com/article/2850968/android 50 Official Microsoft blog lays out Windows 10 upgrade lollipop review an ambitious start down androids new paths and scenarios path.html If you have been hearing about Android 5.0 Lollipop, but Windows update for business is better, says Mi have not been able to get it yet, read this post to learn what it is crosoft all about, and what it means to you. Content Insider #3990: Video uprising Most Fridays, more interesting finds will be posted on the Computers, Microsoft HoloLens demo onstage at BUILD 2015 Technology, and User Groups Blog: http://ctublog.sefcug.com/tag/interesting internet finds/ The posts are under Creative Commons licensing .
June 2015 The Outer Edge Page 19
Why join Channel Islands PC Users Group (CIPCUG)?
Other benefits include: Box 51354, Oxnard, CA 93031 1354. Every month, members of the ♦ Special discounts on books and Make checks payable to CIPCUG. Channel Islands PC Users Group have software. Dues for new members access to: ♦ The opportunity to get free soft Individual member, $40. ♦ The Outer Edge newsletter. ware and books to review in TOE. Family membership (same address), ♦ The general meeting, featuring a ♦ A flash drive containing many $55. question and answer session and useful freeware programs. Renewals are $30 and $35 per year program on software or hardware. ♦ A chance to make friends with respectively. ♦ Special Interest Groups. The al people who have similar interests. TOE subscription only (in the U.S.), ternative devices SIG (tablets, ♦ The ability to put your knowledge $20. smartphones, etc.) is held before the to good use by helping other. The CIPCUG E-MAIL ADDRESS regular meeting. The Linux SIG meets concept of user groups is members Members who would like to have an on a different day. helping members. email address through CIPCUG in the ♦ Door prizes and raffle at the Please clip the coupon and send with form of [email protected] may regular meeting. payment to CIPCUG Membership, P.O. obtain one for $20 per year.
CIPCUG MEMBERSHIP Can you help the club as a volunteer? If so, what would you APPLICATION be interested in working on? Please list below or on a sepa rate sheet if necessary.
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June 2015 meeting of the Channel Islands PC Users Group
The map shows Saturday morning, June 27, 2015, at the the easiest route Boys & Girls Club, 1500 Temple Ave. to the Boys & (Ponderosa Drive and Temple Avenue), Girls Club, but if Camarillo. you prefer, you can take the Meeting schedule: Carmen Drive 8:00 a.m. Doors open offramp to 8:45 SIGs (Internet and connectivity; Tablet and phone apps) Ponderosa Drive, 9:30 Business meeting which leads to 10:00 Q&A session Temple Avenue. 10:30 Break 11:00 Program: TBA Drawing