April 2016 The Outer Edge Page 1
The Whole No. 343 Outer ISSN 1055-4399 Edge
April 2016 Vol. 29, No. 8 Newsletter of the Channel Islands PC Users Group, The Friendly Computer Club Helping Make Computers Friendly. On the Web at www.cipcug.org
COMMAND.COM Attendance at the By Lisa Toth, president March general meeting: 46 members and guests. aster was a lovely day in Victorville. We enjoyed it with We welcome two new members. Andy’s mom and sister. I hope all our members also had a good day. The program by Norbert “Bob” Gostischa, entitled E“TECHNOLOGY FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE” was very entertaining. Bob gives talks about Avast all over the country and on How to contact us cruise ships. What a way to get a vacation! It was a very pleasant The Outer Edge presentation with lots of humor and great information. ……………[email protected] Hmmmm. Hey, Andy, what could we work up as a presentation to General Info (Ventura County Computers)...... 805-289-3960 travel the world? Mailing Address: P.O. Box 51354, I’m currently reviewing the RoboForm program Bart offered last Oxnard, CA 93031-1354 month. I ran into a glitch about setting up a password, but Email addresses for board members are it wasn’t the program’s fault It was, as usual, the operator. on page 2 After some consternation, maybe a little unladylike lan- On the Web: cipcug.org guage, and research on the site, I got it untangled and am On Facebook: Facebook.com/groups/cipcug poking around in the software. It looks like a great pro- gram so far, and I have installed it on my phone and iPad. Still have to learn how to make it work on those devices. Inside Toth It is such a vast program with so many features I am not Facebook seminar explains how and why to advertise on the site. sure I can learn it all in one month. I’m working on it though. — Page 11 Speaking of consternation, my email program stopped letting me Is it better to buy a computer or build it click on links in the message. I even emailed Toby ’cuz he uses Win- yourself? It depends on the individual, but dows Live, too. This went on for a few days. I eventually tried other here’s what to look for whichever you do. email programs and had the same issue. I found I could click on email — Page 14 links and on everything except Internet links, including graphics. Final- USB is changing and the changes should ly, I did what I should have done as soon as there was a problem. I simplify our computing lives. turned the computer off, left it for a while, and after I restarted it, eve- — Page 16 rything was back to normal! Free, open source software available for I know this! Sometimes pages or programs get a glitch. The best many tasks. — Page 17 (Continued on page 3)
Page 2 The Outer Edge April 2016 Channel Islands Root Directory PC Users Group CIPCUG mailing address: CIPCUG NEWS P.O. Box 51354, Oxnard, CA Benefits ...... 19 93031-1354 Board meeting minutes…………...10 CIPCUG sponsors ...... 15 Coming CIPCUG events ...... 3 Executive Committee (Elected members of Board of Directors) Contributors to TOE ...... 12 President………...... Lisa Toth Command.com ...... 1 .……………………[email protected] Editor’s corner ...... 3 Vice President/Program Chairman Map to meeting place ...... 20 ………………..………………..Craig Ladd Membership report ...... 12 ………………[email protected] Program: Technology from a Secretary…………….…….Bob Dinsmore Different Perspective ...... 7 ……………………[email protected] Recent items from our Treasurer……..…….……....…Andy Toth The Outer Edge Facebook page ...... 18 …………………[email protected] Editor……………………..John Weigle SIG and Q&A sessions ...... 4 Immediate Past President P.O. Box 6536, Ventura CA 93006 …………………...... Sandy Tsutsui-Trujillo 485-7121………[email protected] GENERAL Building or buying a new The Outer Edge is published monthly by Channel (Appointed members Islands PC Users Group (CIPCUG), P.O. Box 51354, computer in 2016 ...... 14 of Board of Directors) Oxnard, Calif. 93031-1354. an independent, nonprofit Facebook seminar explains Technical Adviser……….………..Toby Scott corporation. Contents of The Outer Edge copyright business uses...... 11 Web Page Editor….……………....Andy Toth 2001 by Channel Islands PC Users Group. Open source software ...... 17 ……………………[email protected] Permission for reproduction in whole or in part is Tips for safe computing ...... 18 TOE editor.…….………….…….John Weigle granted to other computer user groups for internal nonprofit use provided credit is given to The Outer USB changes on the way ...... 16 …………………………[email protected] Edge and the authors of the reproduced material. All Web help sites ...... 18 Membership Chairman.………....Ken Church other reproduction is prohibited without prior written …………….………[email protected] consent of Channel Islands PC Users Group. ADVERTISEMENTS Reviews chairman………………Bart Koslow Opinions expressed in this journal are solely those of ……….….…………………[email protected] the authors or contributors, and do not necessarily Creative Technology ...... 15 represent those of Channel Islands PC Users Group, Members’ classified ads ...... 15 Ex-officio members of Board of Directors its officers or membership as a whole. The O’Reilly ...... 15 CIPCUG ISP Signups……..……..Andy Totht information provided is believed to be correct and Ventura County Computers ...... 16 0 Sound Equipment Technicians useful; however, no warranty, express or implied, is made by Channel Islands PC Users Group, its officers, ...………….….Curt Davison and Tom Murray Program Chairman……………..…Craig Ladd editorial staff or contributors. This disclaimer extends to all losses, incidental or consequential, resulting from Publicity Chairman...…………..…Rick Curry the use or application of the information provided. SIG coordinator…..…………....Larry Hudson Channel Islands PC Users Group does not endorse or recommend any specific hardware or software products, Past Presidents dealers, distributors or manufacturers. All trademarked Walt Yates…………………………….…1987-1989 or registered trademarked names are acknowledged to Lois Evans de Violini…………………...1989-1991 be the property of their respective owners, and are used Terry Lee…………………………….…..1991-1993 for editorial purposes only. Jerry McLoud…………………….……...1993-1995 Robert Provart………………….………..1995-1997 Advertising in The Outer Edge Toby Scott…………………………….…1997-1999 Advertising is accepted for computer-related AWARDS George Lakes …………………………...1999-2001 materials, businesses and services only. Rates are 2004 APCUG: Large groups first Andy Toth……………………………….2001-2003 for Camera-Ready copy (clear, clean black and place for website. David Harris………………….………….2003-2005 white masters). Typesetting and graphics are Lois Evans de Violini………………….2005-2007 2006 Southwest User Group available at an additional fee. Paul Westefer…………………………...2007-2009 Conference: second place in both Rick Curry……………………………….2009-2011 SIZE Cost/Issue the newsletter and Web site James Brown………………………….…2011-2013 FULL-PAGE (9½”H x 7¼”W)...... $50.00 contests. Sandy Tsutsui-Trujillo………………….2013-2015 HALF-PAGE (4½”H x 7¼”W) (With the exception of the immediate past president, 2011 APCUG first place in the or (9½”H x 3½”W )....…...... $30.00 past presidents are not board members.) THIRD-PAGE (3”H x 7¼” W)………….$25.00 newsletter contest (medium QUARTER-PAGE (4½”H x 3½W)...... $20.00 groups). Life members BUSINESS CARD ad...... $15.00 2012 APCUG first place in the Frank Segesman* Discounts for multiple issues (3, 6, 9 and 12 Toby Scott newsletter contest (medium months) Lois Evans de Violini Ad copy deadline is the 5th of the month of groups). . Art Lewis* publication. Helen Long Make all checks payable to CIPCUG. *Deceased Members’ classified ads are free but are limited to 105 characters, including spaces.
April 2016 The Outer Edge Page 3 CIPCUG news and events Starting in June, you’ll Coming CIPCUG events see fewer capital letters Speaker to discuss ou’re going to see more changes in TOE starting in June, although they won’t be as dramatic as becoming an electronic publication. As many of technology, learning you know, I spent my working career on a Ynewspaper. When I prepared a style sheet for TOE, I decid- Programs ed to follow the Associated Press Stylebook so I wouldn’t Patrice Wheeler of California State University at Northridge have to remember one style at work and a different one for will discuss devices and technological advances that can help stu- TOE. dents and others who are challenged by classrooms at our April 23 Editor’s The AP has announced two changes of meeting at the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club, 1500 Temple Ave. corner particular interest to me as TOE editor. Start- (Ponderosa Drive and Temple Avenue), Camarillo (see the map ing June 1, when the next printed version of on page 20). the stylebook is issued, AP is lowercasing Barring problems, the doors will open at 8 a.m., and the meet- Internet and Web after capitalizing them for ing will start at 8:45 a.m. with the pre-meeting SIG. The business as long as I can remember. There are some meeting will start at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Q&A session at 10 exceptions to the current Web rule, however. a.m., coffee break at 10:30 a.m. and the program at 11 a.m. Dates of other coming meetings: Weigle The current styles are: “Web Short form of World Wide Web, it May 28: Bob Crum will discuss “The Joys (and shortcuts) of is a service, or set of standards, that enables Computer Editing Photographs!” He will show how a photojour- the publishing of multimedia documents on the Internet. nalist for print and the Internet does photo editing right from a The Web is not the same as the Internet, but is a subset; “raw” image to computer editing with Adobe’s Lightroom and other applications, such as e-mail, exist on the Internet. ... Photoshop Elements. “(Also, website, webcam, webcast and webmaster. But June 25 as a short form and in terms with separate words, the Web, July 23 Web page and Web feed.)” Aug. 27 A new entry and an amended entry cover other technolo- Sept. 24 gy terms, although the two topics have seldom, if ever, been Oct. 22 mentioned in TOE: Nov. 19 (third Saturday) “dashcam (new entry, one word) Dec. 17 (third Saturday) “IM: abbreviation for instant message; sometimes used (Continued on page 4) as a verb: IM’ing, IM’d. Acceptable on second reference for instant messaging. (changes verb forms from IMing, IMed for consistency with OK'd and similar constructions.)” Aren’t style issues grand? Door prizes — John Weigle, editor We have two types of raffle tickets: one for prizes offered by the presenter and one for club-provided prizes. The tickets for the presenter’s prizes are free and limited to one per member. The tickets for the club-provided prizes are $1 each, $5 for six tickets, $10 for 13 tickets, $15 for 20 tickets and $20 for 27 tickets More Command.com ... and are available to anyone. Those who can’t stay until the drawing may sign their tickets and give the person selling the (Continued from page 1) tickets a list of the prizes they would like in the order they’d pick thing to do is save if you can and then shut down the them. Winners’ prizes will be held until the next meeting. program or the computer. In my case, shutting down Consignment table the program had not worked. I have no idea why this happened. I even thought about taking the computer A consignment table is set up at every meeting. Anyone can buy, but only members can sell. into the shop and paying the guys to find the problem. The club gets 10 percent of the sales price. Sold items must Had I done this they would not have found a problem be picked up at the end of the day’s meeting. as it would have been working fine! Sometimes we Any items not picked up will become the property of CIPCUG forget to look at the forest as we are too busy looking and will be subject to disposal at the club’s discretion. at the tree in front of us. CIPCUG is not responsible in any way for items bought or 'til next time, Lisa Toth sold at the table. Each item is sold as-is unless otherwise stated.
Page 4 The Outer Edge April 2016
CIPCUG news and events
SIG, Q&A
SIG board and mouse or a Bluetooth key- Michael Shalkey: Firefox has op- board and mouse. tions to view, import and export book- Toby Scott and Michael Shalkey marks. Use Alt+B to open the entire list presented the SIG. Unless otherwise Browser problems; importing and of bookmarks. You can back up book- noted, Scott answered the questions and exporting bookmarks marks or create an HTML list that can Shalkey handled the computer duties. Q: I was having problems getting Firefox to run a couple of days ago. be read in any browser. Compute Stick Also, is there a way to save book- Toby Scott: To move them to Opera, Michael Shalkey displayed a com- marks to another browser? go to import HTML. puter on a USB stick that has an Atom A: I urge everyone to have more Michael Shalkey: You can use the processor 2 Gigs of RAM, a 32-Gig than one browser in case your main HTML list as your home page if you solid state drive You browser fails or won’t load a website. If want immediate access to all your book- can put an SD card in you have Windows 10, you have two marks. it. It turns your big browsers, Internet Explorer and Edge, Most browsers allow the import and screen into a monitor although Internet Explorer is hidden. export of bookmarks: for a Windows 10 com- Install Firefox, Chrome or Opera or all Firefox: Go to the Bookmarks tab, puter. You can use it to of them as a lifeline if your primary click on Show All Bookmarks, and click access Netflix and sim- browser is infected. My primary brows- on Import and Backup, where you’ll ilar sites and watch er is Firefox, and I block Flash and simi- find options to Backup, Restore, Import sports events and other lar programs. If I need to go to a site Bookmarks from HTML, Export Book- programs. I could use it while traveling that uses Flash, I copy and paste the marks to HTML, and Import Data from and plug it into the hotel/motel TV. URL into Chrome. Another Browser. They cost about $100. This one made by Michael Shalkey: Be careful of ads Chrome: Open the hamburger menu Lenovo. Intel and other companies also that pop up and say you need a program. (three horizontal bars), select Book- make them. It’s not an essential tool that Generally, they’re scams. I have a friend marks > Bookmark Manager and click solves a problem that nothing else does. who rolled his mouse over something on the Organize menu, where you’ll find He said the device is a solution for and a voice started saying he needed options to Import bookmarks from people who can’t get Netflix or similar some program. He almost bought it and HTML file, and Export bookmarks to services any other way or just want a stopped as he was about to type the last HTML file. computer in the living room. It would number of his credit card in the form. Opera: Click on the Opera menu and also be a solution for visitors who want- Toby Scott: The sidebar on the right then on More Tools > Import Book- ed access to a computer and you don’t of most commercial sites can be danger- marks want them to use your computer. It ous. Those items are often ads that are Internet Explorer: Go to File > Im- plugs into any HDMI port. If you can from another site, which has paid for the port and export in IE 11. Instructions for buy it for $100, you’re essentially get- space to place ads from other servers other versions can be found at https:// ting Windows 10 for free. There is no there. The owner of the page you’re kb.iu.edu/d/ahau Ethernet jack as it accesses the Internet looking at has no control over what ads You can tell Firefox to never acti- wirelessly. It is a real computer. go there. (Continued on page 5) You can use it with a wireless key-
More on coming events ...
(Continued from page 3) 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Ventura County except those during the meeting. Anyone SIGs Computers, 2175 Goodyear Ave., Unit interested in leading a SIG or who has Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are 117, Ventura; phone 289-3960. From the suggestions for one should tell any board sponsored by CIPCUG and, when of- 101 Freeway, exit at Telephone, take member. fered, are led by volunteer club Telephone south to McGrath, turn left The pre-meeting SIGs are at 8:45 members. The SIGs are free to CIPCUG and go one block. Turn right on a.m. at the Boys & Girls Club. members. Goodyear and right again into the Other than those presented during second driveway. Unit 117 is the back, Be sure to check the calendar on the regular meeting, the SIGs run from right corner of the building. cipcug.org for updates on event pro- At the moment, no SIGs are offered grams, dates and times.
April 2016 The Outer Edge Page 5 CIPCUG news and events
(Continued from page 4) This month’s topics Q&A vate Flash. SIG Home groups in Windows 10 In Windows 10, go to Settings > Compute Stick Dividing screens Notifications and Actions, where you’ll Browser problems; importing and Printing Web pages find a number of possible actions and a exporting bookmarks Downloading to iPod problem way to turn off all or some notifications, Windows 10 Verizon and Frontier turn system icons on and off and more. Outlook problems iTunes Windows 10 Limiting access to computer Phone wants my location Q: Do you still like Windows 10 as Printing problems; Malwarebytes. Free photo filters much as you did at first? Windows 10 and legacy pro- HP Assistant A: Yes. It has a lot better granular grams Backup drive is full support, which gives you more options Editing PDFs for certain actions. Outlook problems Outlook users to store mail. Editing PDFs Q: I’m trying to print an Outlook Q: Is there a way to edit PDFs message and the printer list shows sever- Printing problems; Malwarebytes. (Portable Document Files) that I’ve al printers, but I have only two, and one Q: I have two questions. I have Win- scanned? of them is at the bottom of the list. Is dows 10 and am having trouble printing A: Michael Shalkey: You would there a way to change the order? I have Outlook messages. I can’t print the en- need OCR (optical character recogni- Windows 7 Pro. tire message. tion) software. A: You can’t rearrange the list, My other question is about Malware- Toby Scott: If you can get the file to which is sorted alphabetically by de- bytes. I installed it and keep getting pop- open in a photo editing program, you fault. If you’re not using certain printers, ups to go for the upgraded, paid version. should be able to write on it. That solu- you can go to Control Panel > Devices A: Michael Shalkey: On Malware- tion doesn’t work with pseudo forms, and Printers and remove them. Windows bytes, uninstall it and reinstall. Be care- however. There are three types of PDF 10 remembers the last printer you used ful to say you want the free version, not files. Some don’t allow any changes, for each program and defaults to that the the free trial. Read every screen very some let you cut and paste but not input next time you print from the program. carefully. anything, and some have sections you You need to know that so you don’t On the printer issue, one option is to can type into. To create those, you need accidentally use a printer you don’t shrink to fit. Use that, and you should the full Adobe Acrobat program, not just want. In earlier versions of Windows, get the entire message. the reader. you set a default printer. I had a number of people last month who had the default paper for their print- If you create the document in Word, Limiting access to computer ers changed for some reason. One per- you can save it as an RTF (Rich Text Q: I have someone who comes in to son had printed one 5-by-7-inch picture, Format), which you can open in almost the office after hours to print or send and that became the default. We could- anything. specific emails. I want to limit the user n’t figure out why it changed. Michael Shalkey: I did a SIG on this to a specific program and certain mes- Toby Scott: He might be printing on about five years ago that’s available at sages. Is that possible? the memo size or some other odd size http://www.cipcug.org/sig/pdf/pdf.html. A: Create a login and user for the paper. You can work on the document in person. Right click on folders you want LibreOffice and create fields that can be Windows 10 and legacy programs the person to use, go to security and filled out. (A Web search after the meet- Q: I’ve resisted going to Windows select the limits you want. Make this ing found an article that says Foxit 10 but have decided to make the change account a regular user, not an adminis- Reader allows editing. Another source after April 15 (the questioner volunteers trator. said that Word 2013 and later allow ed- to prepare tax forms for low-income (The questioner says he wants the iting PDFs. — Editor) person to be able to email PDFs or print people). I’m concerned about some lega- them but not see any other messages in cy programs and whether they’ll work in Q&A Outlook.) Windows 10. One of them is Quick- Unless otherwise noted, Toby Scott You can limit the user to Outlook, Books 2009. I tried Windows 10 a while answered the questions, and Michael but you can’t limit the messages they back, and some of my legacy programs Shalkey handled the computer duties. can see in Outlook. You can limit their wouldn’t work. Home groups in Windows 10 access to email accounts. A: Some earlier versions of Quick- Q: I’m working with Windows 10 Q: What about storing them in the Books don’t install easily, but there are and established home groups so my wife usually workarounds. I don’t know cloud? (Continued on page 6) about QuickBooks 2009. A: He’s asking about the .PST file
Page 6 The Outer Edge April 2016 CIPCUG news and events
(Continued from page 5) companies. Understand, however, that possible to use a 5-year-old machine. and I can easily share files. Every few many companies don’t want to provide We have a customer who is still using months her security settings change, and phone support. Windows 98 on his main computer. The I have to reset them. Why would that Toby Scott: The search engine rou- other irony is that Apple has never sold happen? lette is really, really tricky. Michael and 600 million of any of its products. A: They shouldn’t change. If one of I rail at you about being careful, but Michael Shalkey: That’s why Apple the computers has Windows 10 Home, we’ve both made mistakes and gone to has more cash in the bank than any oth- you can set up a Home group. places we didn’t want to. er company in the world. Q: I tried that, but the numbers don’t Printing Web pages Verizon and Frontier work. Q: Often when I go to a website and Michael Shalkey: Frontier has A: Get out of the Home group on find something I want to print. Print bought Verizon wireline and Internet one of the computers. Get the number preview tells me it will be 10 pages, but, service in California, Texas and Florida. for the other computer and join that I get only a small part of what I want. The effects on customers are still un- group. The key is to create the group on A: Some sites don’t let you print clear. The transition is supposed to be one computer and join the group on the everything in an article unless you’re a on April 1. Verizon is going to concen- other computer. Creating a group on paid subscriber. Newspapers, especially, trate on wireless services. We still don’t each computer doesn’t work. are doing that, because it costs money to know what effects that will have on us- Dividing screens have editors and reporters gather infor- ers. Q: I have Google on the left hand mation, write articles and post them. All Audience comment: I still have an side of my screen and the Yahoo news those people expect to be paid for their old Pac Bell account that is slow but page on the rest of the screen. About a work, and because many people are cheap. My guess is that accounts will month and a half ago, something abandoning print media and getting in- pretty much stay the same. Verizon is changed it so about one-third of the formation from the Web, more and more going strictly cellular. page is Google and the rest is the origi- are charging for their online content. If iTunes nal screen. I’m using Firefox. they don’t do that, they go out of busi- Q: I imported music from iTunes on A: Michael Shalkey: You did some- ness, as many print venues have. You my MacBook to a Galaxy phone and thing accidentally to create a sidebar. can’t think of them as bad guys and pi- now I can’t find my music on the Mac- Use Alt+F and turn off the sidebar. If rates and greedy because they‘re trying Book. you look closely, you might see an X to to survive. At some point, the best stuff Michael Shalkey: It sounds like it close it. (The questioner doesn’t want to on the Internet is paid for because peo- might be a hard drive issue. (Questioner close it entirely; he wants access to the ple think the information is valuable. I says she just got a new hard drive.) Google search.) You want a toolbar up was a paid subscriber for years for Some updates create problems. Try go- there. Turn off the sidebar and keep the SourceForge when it was a safe site to ing to a Mac store, which should be able toolbar. You don’t really even need to download software from, but I stopped to help you. (Questioner says they give do that. You can change your default paying when it went to the dark side. you only 15 minutes.) When you go to search engine to Google and use the Downloading to iPod problem the Apple store, don’t go into a long address bar for searches. Q: I have an iPod 6.1 and wanted to description. Say something like “here’s Toby Scott: Yahoo has My Yahoo, download an audible.com book. It says I my MacBook. Music gone. Fix it.” which I’ve used as my home page for need a new one. Is there a fix? Audience comment: I keep my mu- more than 10 years. (Michael did not A: Michael Shalkey: What it is ask- sic on my computer. I don’t let iTunes speak kindly about Yahoo.) ing for is to upgrade the operating sys- be anything except what gets the music Michael Shalkey: You have to watch tem of the iPod. Yours won’t handle the to the device. when you’re doing searches for (1) what newer versions, which are needed for Michael Shalkey: You’ll never get is asked for and (2) what the search re- the newer versions of the audible app. iTunes on an Android device. sults show. Many people don’t realize There is no work-around. You need to Audience comment: The nearest that the first listings in many search re- buy a new iPod . Apple Genius Bar right now is in Simi sults are paid ads. For example, search- Toby Scott: It’s ironic that Phil Valley. ing for a phone number for HP brings Schiller, Apple’s vice president of Phone wants my location up several listings of companies that worldwide marketing, said recently, Q: I keep getting pop-ups on the service or offer support for HP products “There are over 600 million PCs in use phone that say Google wants my loca- but that are not HP sites. Look at the today that are over five years old. This tion. URLs in the results to be sure the site is is really sad, it really is.” A: Michael Shalkey: Location is an HP site and not something else. He doesn’t mention that Apple forc- probably turned off. Gethuman.com lets users search for es its customers to buy new computers (Continued on page 7) customer service numbers for many more often than that and makes it im-
April 2016 The Outer Edge Page 7
CIPCUG news and events
Program Speaker offers different view of technology
By John Weigle Gostischa said that when he is host of Identity theft [email protected] an event at his home, he has a basket at Discussing identity theft, he said that sing humor, serious warnings the front door and tells everyone to put when T-Mobile was hacked, it offered and common sense, Bob their smartphones and tablets in it be- two years of free Experian credit watch. Gostischa, the speaker at our cause they’re come to visit. People who What they didn’t say was that T-Mobile March meeting, discussed are there just to use his Wi-Fi can go and Experian are parts of the same com- U home and use their own, he said. “Now pany. “One part of the company gets “Technology from a Different Perspec- tive.” we actually have visits that are meaning- hacked, and the other part is going to Humorous photos and cartoons ful visits,” he added. make sure you’re safe,” he commented. demonstrated some of the differences Today’s “exercise” (texting) works on “It almost sounds like Uncle Sam.” between today’s youths and most mem- the brain, thumbs and fingers, “and the Life Lock, which advertises heavily, bers of the audience. rest of the body leaves something to be doesn’t really do much to keep identities He noted that people today spend so desired,” he said. from being stolen because nobody can do much time looking at smartphones and Turning more serious, Gostischa, that. The company also doesn’t do much tablets that they often don’t know what’s whose presentations are paid for by to help those whose information has been going on around them. His pictures in- Avast, which makes security software, stolen, he said. Basically, its customers cluded a couple in a restaurant texting said that no anti-virus program is perfect. are buying an insurance policy to help each other rather than talking to each oth- The viruses come first, and the protection pay for the costs of straightening things er; a Thanksgiving dinner at which every- comes after anti-virus writers can exam- out. The company recently paid $100 one was using a smartphone, tablet or ine the new code and update the anti- million to the FTC because what it adver- other device, and a baby playing with a virus software. Computer users must be tises and what you get are two different smartphone. Customer service techs are careful about what they do and not expect things, he said. getting younger and younger, he said, software to protect them from every Scams and phishing adding, “If I have a problem with my threat all the time. Scams and phishing attempts are com- smartphone, it’s my grandson that takes He introduced the cause of many tech- mon, he said. “We run into them almost care of it.” nology problems, PEBKAC, which stands daily.” He showed another picture of how for Problem Exists Between Keyboard Good spam filters eliminate lots of bathrooms have changed. They used to be and Chair. “You are your biggest problem scams, but users still must be careful of marked Men and Women; now they’re when it comes to the infection of your clicking on links in emails, on websites Men, Women and Selfies, he said. computers,” he said. (Continued on page 8) More on Q&A ...
(Continued from page 6) keeps telling me “HP Assistant important A: Michal Shalkey: You have too Toby Scott: It could be an app that’s action needed.” (There was some confu- many backups. Delete the oldest ones, running and is asking for it. A weather sion because Toby and Michael thought using the “manage space” option of Win- app, for instance, needs to know where the questioner said she had an XP com- dows Backup. you are to give you your local weather. puter. That part of the discussion is not Q: Do you recommend I upgrade to Free photo filters included here.) It asks if I want to change Windows 10? Michael Shalkey: Google bought the something. I have Windows 7. Michael Shalkey: You don’t need to if Nik collection of filters and is offering it A: It might be a message that the up- you’re happy with what you have. for free at https://www.google.com/ grade is needed for the Windows 10 up- Toby Scott: Microsoft says it will end nikcollection/. The filters create many grade. Go ahead and let it update. support for Windows 7 in 2020. If you effects. Backup drive is full expect to have the same computer then, I would update to Windows 10. July 29 of HP Assistant Q: I have a backup, and it says the this year is supposed to be the end of the Q: HP Assistant on my HP computer drive is full. free Windows 10 upgrade. Page 8 The Outer Edge April 2016 CIPCUG news and events
(Continued from page 7) get money out of it?” Carbonite basically backs up data, and in pop-up ads, he emphasized. If Victims of identity theft, he said, although backups of software are availa- there is a descriptive link (one that should report it to www.idtheftcenter.org ble for an additional charge. doesn’t show a URL but just says click and https://www.identitytheft.gov or Who are you dealing with? here or something similar), you can deter- https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/ Internet users often assume that peo- mine the URL by hovering your mouse identity-theft. ple they’re talking to are really who they over the link, he said. Users who click He recommended getting free credit say they are, but that’s not always true, such links and provide the information reports every quarter by using Equifax in Gostischa said. asked for give crooks enough information January, Experian in May and Trans- Social engineering is a common way to empty their bank accounts. Legitimate Union in December. By law, everyone is that crooks use to try to get people to do companies that contact you will say to allowed one free report from each compa- something that will infect their computer, sign in to your account, not “click on this ny each year. he said. One scam says Bill Gates will put link.” CryptoLocker and its variants $5,000 in your account if you will share Gostischa also added that no matter CryptoLocker and its variants are an- the message. what a message on the Internet says, Bill other threat, Gostischa said. Hollywood He also urged users not to like posts Gates will not put money in your account Presbyterian Medical Center was infected on Facebook unless they’re from people if you share a post. And Microsoft will and had no choice but to pay $37,000 for they know from face-to-face contact. never call you to say it has discovered a the key to unencrypt its files. Cryp- Given the dangers, people should be virus on your computer and will, for a toLocker and its variants encode all the quite careful about giving out personal charge, remove it for you. Besides taking files on the infected computer and can information or making appointments to your money, the callers will usually add also branch out to any devices attached to meet each other, he warned. “These peo- malware to your computer while pretend- the computer — hard drives, flash drives, ple are out for money,” he added. ing to fix it. If you get such calls, just and networks, Gostischa said. Owners of Another precaution is to be sure both hang up, he said. “I personally like to infected computers get a message that sides of a texting conversation are talking keep them on the phone for an hour and a demands a ransom payment within a few about the same thing, a point he illustrat- half and waste their time,” he added. days and a warning that the key to open ed with this joke: Eight clues suggest that your identity the files expires in a short time, and once “On a cold winter morning, while her has been stolen, Gostischa said: it’s gone the files can’t be unencrypted. husband is away on business, a wife has a ● Bank withdrawals you didn’t make. The only real defense — short of nev- problem at home and sends a text mes- ● Bills that you expect don’t arrive. er going to the Internet or connecting to sage to her husband: ‘Windows frozen, ● Merchants aren’t taking your any other device — is regular image won’t open.’ checks. backups, Gostischa said. He uses the “Husband texts back: ‘Gently pour ● You get calls from debt collectors Windows backup tools every Sunday, but some lukewarm water over it, and gently about loans you never made. third-party programs are also available. tap the edges with a hammer.’ ● Your credit reports have unfamiliar An image backup copies everything on “Five minutes later, wife texts back: charges and loans. the drive, including the operating system, ‘Computer really busted now.’ ” ● You receive bills from health pro- programs, data, music, pictures, prefer- On another matter, he emphasized, viders for visits you never made and doc- ences and the registry. “When you make Facebook friends, tors you never heard of. He suggested making regular image you’re sharing your information and your ● You can’t get health insurance be- backups on an external hard drive and, friends’.” cause of illnesses you don’t have. when the backup is completed, unplug- Free programs recommended ● You get an IRS notice that you filed ging the drive from the computer and the Gostischa recommended several free more than one tax return. wall power so it can’t be infected before programs that he said everyone should One solution if you have all the credit the next backup. have. He lists a batch of others at you currently need, he said, is to freeze A new variant encrypts the Master http:goo.gl/5v4sIQ, which has the links to your credit. That prevents anyone from Boot Record, he said. all the programs, some of which are also opening new accounts or getting new So far, CryptoLocker malware has not on the CIPCUG flash drive. The entire loans in your name. (Of course, if you been written for Apple and Linux sys- list in is a separate box on the next page. apply for credit, you’ll have to remember tems, but that will change, Gostischa pre- Some of his general comments on the to unfreeze the accounts until your re- dicted. programs follow: quest is granted or denied.) You can do The biggest loss from CryptoLocker Unchecky unchecks what you don’t that through any of the credit bureaus for attacks is the user’s personal information want checked when you install programs $5, he said. because, even though it’s time- or updates. He said users should never Crooks, he said, “may still steal your consuming, the operating system and pro- identity, but what good is it if they can’t grams can be installed on a new drive. (Continued on page 9)
April 2016 The Outer Edge Page 9 CIPCUG news and events
(Continued from page 8) a computer down, but other anti-malware es. use a standard installation because it’s not programs are not a problem, he said. Gostischa has arranged a 50 percent clear what’s being installed. Using the CCleaner empties the recycle bin and discount price for the paid version for custom installation lets users pick and deletes some other things. He said that those who enter “bobsfriends” when or- choose what gets installed. leaving the default setting for registry dering it at https://www.winpatrol.com. Malwarebytes should be used as an cleaning should not create any problems. Click on the hamburger menu (three hori- adjunct to any anti-virus program, he Users can make a computer unbootable zontal bars) to see all the company’s said. Malwarebytes does not detect virus- by editing the registry. Cleaning the reg- products. es but other forms of malware, including istry does not noticeably speed up a com- Although Avast has a password man- potentially unwanted programs that pig- puter, he said. ager (Avast Passwords at https:// gyback on some programs. Users should WinPatrol monitors changes to com- www.avast.com/passwords), Gostischa not have more than one anti-virus pro- puters, especially the installation of new uses LastPass as his main password man- gram because they can conflict and slow programs. It also monitors registry chang- (Continued on page 10)
stalled on that new computer. Other Free Software to consider: Recommended SlimComputer — Free. Helps identi- Free Imaging Software for creating fy software that comes pre-installed on a System Image Backups: 1-Click Restore, software new computer. free, http://www.keriver.com/ Gostischa recommended several free Ninite — Makes adding new pro- oneclick_free.html; Drive Image XML, programs that he said everyone should grams to your new computer a breeze. http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/ have. He lists a batch of others at Unlocker — Helps bypass “Program Hard-Disk-Utils/DriveImage- http:goo.gl/5v4sIQ, which has the links is in use” message when trying to unin- XML.shtml; and Clonezilla, http:// to all the programs, some of which are stall a program. clonezilla.org/downloads.php. also on the CIPCUG flash drive. The Recuva — Helps recover something Prevent CryptoLocker from in- entire list follows: you deleted in -error. stalling: http://www.foolishit.com/vb6- These are the programs recommended Classic Shell — If you’re using Win- projects/cryptoprevent/ at the meeting: dows 8.1 and want your Start Menu back, Should I Remove it — http:// Unchecky — To help prevent in- this is what you need. www.shouldiremoveit.com/download- stalling unwanted add-ons. VLC Media Player — An excellent thankyou.aspx?download=1 Avast! Free — To keep you safe on Media Player that also gives you back the Herd Protect — http:// the Internet and protect your computer. ability to Play DVDs in Win. 8.1 www.herdprotect.com/downloads.aspx MCShield — To protect you from Paint.net — An excellent Graphics (BootSafe) — An easy way to get to infections on USB drives. program. Photoshop for the average user Safe Mode: https://goo.gl/RXgKCO Malwarebytes Free — An excellent and, it’s totally free. Windows 8 App Remover — http:// companion for Avast! Nitro PDF Reader — Safer than Ado- sourceforge.net/projects/ Ccleaner — To clean up leftovers be. It’s free and also allows you to create windows8appremover/ when visiting the Web and using your PDF files. Free Firewall programs: Comodo programs. CutePDF — Convert most items into Firewall — http://www.comodo.com/ LastPass — A password manager that a PDF file via a printer driver. home/internet-security/firewall.php; lets you create, manage and safely store Cloud Storage — Storage on remote TinyWall 2.1 — For Win Vista, Win7 your passwords. servers for pictures, files, videos, etc. and Win8: http://tinywall.pados.hu/ WinPatrol — To alert you of unex- (Google Drive, Sky Drive, Dropbox, AdwCleaner is a tool that deletes pected changes to your computer. Amazon, Box, etc.) Adwares (software ads), PUP/LPI Glasswire — Although it was on his A productivity suite — If you can’t (Potentially Undesirable Program), list, Gostischa said this program is for the afford Microsoft’s Office, try Kingsoft Toolbars, Hijacker (hijack of the true paranoid. It shows all the activity of Office, OpenOffice or LibreOffice. browser’s homepage). Download link: your firewall, monitors network activity 7Zip — A compression tool to work http://general-changelog-team.fr/fr/ and reveals hosts that are known threats, with zip, rar, iso and most other com- downloads/finish/20-outils-de-xplode/2- unexpected network system file changes, pressed files. adwcleaner. unusual application changes, ARP spoof- Driver Booster — Free. An excellent FileHippo.com — Update checker ing, and DNS changes. Its website is utility to keep your drivers updated. helps you keep your installed programs https://www.glasswire.com/ EaseUS Todo Backup — Free. An up-to-date. These are the other items listed on the excellent program to create reliable back- Online virus/malware checkers used website mentioned above: ups including Image backups. to double check when you suspect a false PC Decrapifier — Helps you delete The following are listed on website as positive (links on the site). all the useless programs that come prein-
Page 10 The Outer Edge April 2016 Cipcug news and events March Board meeting minutes
The CIPCUG Board of Directors arrangements for us charged to members receiving a paper Secretary meeting was held following the regular to update the CIP- copy of TOE be sync’d up with their an- club meeting at the Boys & Girls Club of CUG signature card nual dues payment to avoid the need to Camarillo, 1500 Temple Ave., Camarillo, at the bank. keep a duplicate record separate from on March 26, 2016. New Business when members’ dues are due. The meeting was called to order by Lisa expressed con- For those who have already paid their Lisa Toth, president, at 12:15 p.m.. cern after reading $30 to receive a paper copy of the TOE In attendance were Lisa Toth, presi- over our rental agree- in the mail,when their membership is up dent; Craig Ladd, vice president; Andy ment for the coming for renewal, a fee of $3 per month will be Toth, treasurer; Bob Dinsmore, secretary, added to their dues renewal for the por- Dinsmore year that the use of John Weigle, TOE editor; Ken Church, the kitchen facilities tion of the next year that would not be membership chairman; Sandy Tsutsui- was not expressly covered by the earlier $30 annual paper Trujillo, immediate past president; Lois spoken to in the agreement. We want to TOE fee that they had already paid. Evans de Violini, past president; and To- make sure that our use of these facilities As an example: by Scott, past president and technical during the club meetings will continue. ● A sample member’s annual dues adviser. Toby said that the Boys & Girls Club are paid up and will not be due until July Old Business had given us our own locked cupboard to 2016. Craig reminded everyone that we use in the kitchen so it probably is includ- ● In March 2016 they paid $30 to still need to update the CIPCUG signa- ed, but it would be a good idea to verify. continue receiving a paper copy of TOE ture card at the bank. He is the only club Lisa will call and verify that the con- at their home each month for the next officer on the record. It was decided that tinued use of the kitchen is included and year. Lisa, Andy, Bob and John should also be following that verification she will sign ● When their dues are due in July on the card. the rental agreement and send it in. 2016 they would pay the normal dues Lisa will contact the bank to make Bob moved that the $30 annual fee (Continued on page 11)
More on program ...
(Continued from page 9) An Avast anti-theft protection is also lems if a computer that has been running ager, he said. Having two password man- available that sends a message to the for some time starts doing strange things agers provides a backup if one fails or is computer’s owner when the device is is to shut it down, disconnect it from the not available and is not dangerous. Be activated and lets the owners set off a wall (if you have a laptop, remove the sure to write down the password for the loud siren when they get the message. battery if you can), and let it sit for a password manager because it can’t be The siren is also a good way to find the while. Then connect power and turn the recovered, he warned. Password manag- device if you’ve misplaced it. computer back on. The same technique ers store their data on the cloud. Another feature lets users kill the de- works for routers, he said. Changing default passwords on mo- vice, but be sure it’s stolen before using After the presentation, Toby Scott dems and routers is also good protection, it, he said, because the action can’t be shared one of his favorite social network he said. reversed. Another Avast product, Secure jokes: Avast also makes anti-virus and anti- Me, lets users create a virtual private net- “The Internet, where men are men, malware programs for phones and tablets, work (VPN) when using public Wi-Fi. women are men and children are FBI he said, emphasizing “They’re not toys. Gostischa also emphasized that any- agents.” They are miniature computers, and my thing you put on the Internet is no longer smartphone is actually smarter than my private. On the Web Tell Avast what you thought of the laptop.” The younger generation uses He also said he believes Apple could presentation: roberts@avast,com only these devices, which contain vast have helped the FBI hack the smartphone Bob’s email: [email protected] amounts of data. used by San Bernardino terrorists because Portions of his presentation, but not He also urged anyone looking for he’s never known a coder who didn’t the PowerPoint part: http:goo.gl/5v4sIQ. apps for such devices to buy them only build in backdoors to programs. from the recognized app stores. Don’t This site has links to download the soft- Rebooting solves problems buy apps that the writer says aren’t in the ware he recommended. A potential solution for many prob- stores “because they don’t like us.”
April 2016 The Outer Edge Page 11 General news and commentary Facebook seminar explains business uses
By John Weigle er, described the differences between per- “Once you start a Facebook page, we [email protected] sonal and business pages. Business pages take care of the rest” so it can be viewed ’m a general Facebook user. can have more friends than personal pag- on all devices that can reach the Internet, Why am I seeing ads on my es and offer more tools to create and tar- she explained. Facebook page from compa- get ads for a business. Nonprofit groups, The world has gone mobile, and peo- nies I never dealt with?” such as service clubs, hobby clubs and ple are checking Facebook pages on “I“I’m a business owner. How do I get youth sports teams, can establish business smartphones and tablets, in addition to my ads out to people I don’t know but pages, she said. The person in the group laptop and desktop computers. Page own- who could be potential customers?” who runs the business page must also ers can, of course, see their pages on the Facebook is presenting seminars have a personal page. same devices and can post to them and throughout the country, working with Businesses should consider business use Facebook tools to learn how many legislators who want to encourage small pages because 50 million small business people are visiting their page, where businesses in their districts that answer use Facebook, 153 million people in the they’re from, their gender and their age, both those questions. United States visit Facebook daily, and among other things. Page owners can also California Assembly member Jacqui 93 million visit Instagram, which is see when their pages have the heaviest Irwin, whose district includes several owned by Facebook, she said. Facebook traffic and can prepare posts at any time Ventura County communities, joined with can target a business’s potential custom- and set the date and time they should be the Camarillo, Conejo Valley, Moorpark, ers in several ways. posted. Port Hueneme and Oxnard chambers of Users can target adds to existing cus- Martinez said the prices for the ads commerce to bring one of the presenta- tomers by preparing spreadsheets or CSV are determined by a method similar to an tions to Camarillo on March 11. The au- (comma separated values) files of cus- auction. The businesses list the amount of dience filled the permanent seats in the tomers’ names. Facebook can search money they want to pay, and the offers City Council chambers and spilled over through users’ profiles and find custom- are compared to those of other businesses on to stand-alone chairs brought in as the ers who have provided enough infor- of the same type. That means that a small crowd grew. One of the Facebook crew mation to be identified. More important, plumber won’t be competing with a major members said after the meeting that this businesses can search for people who movie studio for placement. turnout was a small one in comparison to match certain demographics, interests and To be successful, businesses must others. The events usually attract hun- locations. The owners choose the catego- consider content of the page they estab- dreds of people in much larger venues. ries they want to target, set their budget lish; targeting (what kind of people do The workshops — “Facebook for amounts (you didn’t think this service they want and why?); and ads (their con- Business” — are primarily aimed at busi- was free, did you?) and the amount of tent and looks; text, still pictures and vid- ness owners and those in charge of the time the ads should run. eos can all be used in ads). online presence for businesses — but is Facebook does not share the names of Especially on business pages, she interesting to those who use only Face- your customers with anyone else, nor said, it’s important to get the key message book personal pages. does it tell you the names of the people in the first three lines of a post because Ana Martinez, the Facebook present- who receive the targeted ads, Martinez readers must click on “more” to see any- said. (Continued on page 13) More on board minutes ...
(Continued from page 10) sync the charges a member would NOT ity to view TOE using a slower Internet amount, which would carry them to July be assessed $33. They would only be connection when they did not necessarily 2017, plus $3 per month (or $12 addition- assessed the $30 maximum annual fee. want to download a copy for themselves. al) to extend their mailed paper copy of Toby seconded the motion and, fol- The board felt that this would be a TOE four additional months to July 2017 lowing a brief discussion to clarify, the good thing. Toby and John will test the as well. The intent is to synchronize eve- motion passed unanimously. program. rything to timing of a member’s annual Toby shared that Lois has a program Being no further business to discuss, membership renewal. that can compress the size of a PDF file the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m. ● To further clarify, the maximum by 90 percent to 10 percent of its original Respectfully submitted, additional charge is still $30. On the rare size, creating a Read-Only copy of the Bob Dinsmore occasion that it would be 11 months to file. This would facilitate members’ abil- Board secretary
Page 12 The Outer Edge April 2016 CIPCUG news and events
Membership report March 2016 renewals payment due: Mbr# Last Name First Pd to Name Is it time to renew? 0054T Erickson Elden 201603 By Ken Church 0917 Johnson Barbara 201603 email address: [email protected] 0138 Lakes Arline 201603 1184 Murray Tom 201603 Welcome New Members: Angelica Lei 0430 Volpe Victor 201603 Ted Williams 1050 Wennerholm Ernest 201603
Attendance at the March 2016 general 0771 Zuromski Alexandra 201603
meeting: CHURCH 46 members and guests (who signed April 2016 renewals payment due: in) Mbr# Last Name First Name Pd to Total membership: 161 0688 Arriola Kirby 201604 0776 Darnielle Jack 201604 MEMBER RENEWAL INFORMATION 1174A de Violini Robert 201604 $30 for single membership, 0916 Jensen Ted 201604 $35 for two or more family membership. 0830 Kiceniuk Taras 201604 1254 Mappin Jr. Gene 201604 NEW MEMBER INFORMATION 1084 Martinez Sam 201604 $40 first year for single membership, Nidever 1246 Veronika 201604 $55 first year for two or more family member- ship in same household. 0142 Peck Darrell 201604 0216 Thompson Bob 201604 Please send your payment to: 0777 Williams Shirley 201604 0966 Wright Margaret 201604 CIPCUG MEMBERSHIP 0967 Wright Ward 201604 P.O. BOX 51354 OXNARD, CA 93031-1354
Or bring your payment to the members sign-in table for the April 23, 2016, meeting. 2016 contributors to TOE We need and appreciate your support. (DATED INFORMATION AS OF 03/26/2016) Your name can appear Bart Koslow here, too. Share your Andy Toth February 2016 renewals payment due: knowledge with other Lisa Toth members by sending an John Weigle Mbr# Last Name First Pd to article, letter or tip to Name [email protected]. APCUG CIPCUG MEMBERS Sandy Berger 0692 Maidel Mark 201602 Ken Church George Harding 1183 Norbutas John 201602 Rick Curry Larry McJunkin Bob Dinsmore Bob Rankin
April 2016 The Outer Edge Page 13
General news and commentary More on Facebook business uses ... (Continued from page 11) business website to provide information can get help from several sources, she thing after those lines and aren’t likely to on users who visit the site through a Fa- said: online chats, email and the commu- do so unless you’ve captured their atten- cebook ad or page, thus providing more nity. Facebook offers tools to build ads. tion. All posts should be short, simple information about potential customers. On the Web: and to the point, she said. Businesses that create business pages https://www.facebook.com/business Facebook provides code to add to on Facebook and spend at least $1 on ads https://business.instagram.com/
Q&A reminder: Please wait for the microphone to ask, answer or comment on a question so the information 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 14 The Outer Edge April 2016 General news and commentary Building or buying a computer in 2016
By Bart Koslow ilar non-proprietary hardware. memory on the motherboard. Before you [email protected] Build or buy. There are many things purchase memory, read the manual to you should know before you proceed. I find out which memory is supported by hether you buy or build a usually do not buy state of the art because the motherboard. Then go to the mother- new computer, there are a of the expense and because today’s state board manufacturer’s website and find number of important of the art is passé in six to 12 months. out which manufacturer’s memory has things to know to obtain W Instead, I look for the best price/ been tested and recommended by the the best computer for the money you performance ratio that will fit my pocket motherboard manufacturer. If you buy wish to spend. Is it better to build or buy book without making too many compro- other memory, make sure you can return a new computer? Most people will opt for mises. it or exchange it in the event it does not buying a new desktop or laptop for the work properly in your motherboard. convenience of not having to build, par- CPU ticularly if they are not technologically or Whether you build or buy, the CPU is Drives: go for solid state mechanically oriented. There are others the most important part of any computer Most store computers come with the who could easily build one if they had the and is the part you should decide upon older spinning drives. At present, if you courage. There are many websites where first. In the past, I have used AMD CPUs desire one with a Solid State Drive (SSD) you can find detailed instructions on as they were cheaper for similar perfor- you will find them only in more expen- building a computer. If you are a comput- mance. This is no longer the case except sive store computers at a cost that may er club member, help and advice are al- for budget PCs, so I am now switching to not suit you. I highly recommend that ways available if you have difficulty. So Intel CPUs. I believe the added cost is you include an SSD for the boot drive why not try? justified by their better performance, (the one that contains he operating sys- I have always felt it is better to build making them a better value. I look for the tem) in your next computer. SSDs are one. Why? When I build, I get exactly fastest CPU at a reasonable price. There much faster, more durable, quieter, and what I want and do not pay for what I do are hundreds of CPUs with similar names smaller. Though they’re more expensive, not desire. I often use some drives, key- available in a bewildering variety. Com- prices are dropping rapidly. If you buy a boards, monitors, cases, DVD burners, pare CPUs. How? Just do a search for computer that does not come with an etc. from an earlier computer, saving CPU speed comparison and you will find SSD, you can have the spinning drive money, but still obtaining the best com- https://www.cpubenchmark.net, where replaced with an SSD or added afterward, puter for the money. you may compare the comparative speeds depending on space available. In the very Name brand computers have draw- and costs of any CPU. near future, SSDs will be the primary backs. You have to take what you get, Memory drive in all computers. Most SSDs still even though the computer may not have Next, you want to decide on what use a SATA 3 interface. SATA 3 is lim- all the things you would like, and you memory capacity, type and speed you ited in speed and is rapidly being re- may get items you do not need. They do wish. If you are buying, compare wheth- placed by M.2 SSD drives, which can run not come with the usual (at this time) er you are getting 4GB, 8GB, or more. SSDs at much faster speeds. There are Windows 10 operating system disk. If When building you should be looking at two kinds of M.2 drives — PCI-E and you have a major problem, instead of the newer DDR4 memory at speeds of SATA. The PCI-E interface is faster, as reloading Windows and retaining all of 2133mhz or more, In either case, I sug- the SATA 3.0 spec is limited to 600MB/s your program connections you may have gest not less than 8GB. I will be adding maximum speed, while PCI-E Generation to start all over again, adding all the pro- 16GB at a minimum speed of 2133mhz 1 is capable of up to 1000MB/s. Genera- grams, etc. that you installed after buying or more depending on pricing. In most tion 2 is capable of up to 2000MB/s. the computer — not a pleasant prospect. cases, the amount of memory is more There is also a newer PCI-E Gen 3 tech- At present, you may download a bootable important than the speed. What is dual nology that is becoming more common copy of Windows 10 from Microsoft, channel memory? For example, instead with speeds of up to 4000MB/s. which will solve this problem. Name of buying a recommended minimum one Motherboard brand computers often have little room 8GB module you buy two 4GB modules If building, next and very important is for expansion in the event you wish to which work in tandem and supposedly the motherboard. Today you should look add drives, internal cards or memory. The run 20 percent faster. The price is the for a motherboard that supports your motherboards and other hardware may be same. When you buy the memory mod- CPU, and dual channel 2133mhz or proprietary, which means you must go ules, make sure you buy heat spreaders more, DDR4 memory. I prefer a full back to the manufacturer if you have a (for a few dollars) for each module if ATX motherboard rather than a mini or problem or need a replacement, and the they do not come with the modules. They (Continued on page 15) replacement may cost you more than sim- should be installed before you place the April 2016 The Outer Edge Page 15
General news and commentary
(Continued from page 14) Members’ unused, in opened box with micro as it has more slots, both bus and memory, and often all accessories. $20. more built-in capabilities. Some motherboards also have built-in classified ads 3. D-Link DIR-655 “XTREME graphics. The downside is that these may use some of the CPU N GIGABIT ROUTER” still in For sale shrink-wrapped box. $30. power. The upside is that it is cheaper than buying a separate graphics card. I prefer the separate card since you usually get Contact Richard Quint, [email protected] better performance, and prices are very low today. The mother- 1. Canon LiDE 30 scanner. board should support two to four SATA 3 drives that run at a USB supplies data and pow- maximum of 600 MB/s, at least two PCI-E devices (hard drives, er. $10 DVD, CD drives) and at least eight USB ports half of which 2. D-Link ADSL2+ modem should be USB 3.0 or 3.1. Buy a quality motherboard. Before you buy your motherboard, go to the manufacturer’s site and make sure the CPU and memory you intend to buy is compati- The Outer Edge is printed and prepared for mailing by: ble with that motherboard. Computer case Your computer case is significant. Almost all cases support both AMD and Intel motherboards. You want an ATX case that has room for expansion. I suggest at least two 5¼-inch external bays, one or more external 3½-inch bays and three or more internal 3½-inch bays for hard drives. My Antec case has eight bays with front panel USB 2.0 connections and holds a standard size ATX motherboard. It has a large (and quiet) 120 mm fan and places for two more 80 mm fans, which I installed to keep the motherboard and CPU cool. Incidentally, air flow of the fans should be in from the bottom front of your case to out at the top rear. A nice feature of the case is the two hand remova- ble screws that enable removing all the case covers without using a screwdriver or nut driver. I never stand my case on the carpet if there is some air cir- Use discount code USRG culation from under the case or from the bottom front, which and get 20 percent off passes may be blocked. I place a 1-inch-by-8-inch board (or two 1-inch to O'Reilly conferences includ- -by-4-inches board) on the carpet and stand the case upon it. ing OSCON, Strata + Hadoop You should make sure you have a power supply with ample World, Velocity, O'Reilly Soft- wattage. Otherwise, you may have problems that are due to ware Architecture and more. insufficient power. I use a heavy duty 600 watt ATX power supply with a quiet 140 mm or larger fan, which complies with the newer power saving requirements. Graphics cards Graphics cards are becoming much cheaper. PCI-Express CIPCUG sponsors motherboards support dual (two) linked graphics cards, either NVidia SLI or ATI Crossfire. Make sure if you buy dual cards ● American Graphics Institute (AGI) — Classroom in a that they match SLI or Crossfire, and are supported by your Book training -- various subjects. www.agitraining.com motherboard. The dual cards are powerful and extremely fast. ● Focal Press — photography and media books — Good if you are a gamer, but much too rich for me. If you buy 25 percent discount. www.focal press.com one card, it does not matter if it is an ATI or an NVidia card. ● No Starch Press — computer books — 30 per- You do want a card that has both a digital DVI (or DVD) output cent discount to members with the code CIPCUG15 — and HDMI output. Most still have a VGA output as well. Look www.nostarch.com . for at least 1 GB of DDR4 memory on the graphics card. Since I ● O’Reilly Media — computer books — 50 percent am not a gamer, I buy a low cost video card. to 60 percent discount to members. www.oreilly.com ● Peachpit Press — computer and technology Items to save from the old computer books. 35 percent discount to members. I transfer from my old computer DVD burners, a fax/ www.peachpit.com modem, a mouse, a keyboard, a printer, a scanner, and a moni- ● Webucator — Online, self-paced computer train- tor. I still use the fax/modem to send and receive faxes. I install ing courses. Free to members. Contact re- (Continued on page 16) [email protected] for voucher.
Page 16 The Outer Edge April 2016 General news and commentary USB is changing as technology advances
By Bart Koslow 10Gbps. This will cut data transfer times hard drive will all use one type of cable [email protected] in half. USB 3.1 gen 2 will provide up to The USB-C connector supports and will SB-C? USB 3.1 generation 1 100 watts of power for compatible devic- replace DisplayPort, HDMI, power, and 2? The USB interface is es. USB 2.0 provides up to 2.5 watts, USB, and VGA cables. This includes all changing. It is becoming which can power only small devices like the multiple USB cable types now being more versatile, faster, smaller cellphones and tablets. You will get fast- used. U er charging speeds for all your mobile Instead you will be using USB-C and easier to use. Always interested in new computer developments, I decided devices and laptops, and you will be able cables. You will no longer have to carry to check out these latest developments. to deliver power in either direction using AC adapters. All your devices will be USB long ago replaced the old serial, a USB-C cable, which means you can charged and powered using USB-C. USB parallel, and other computer ports. Now use a fully powered device to recharge -C connectors are not only smaller. They it is set to replace many more types of another device. are the same at each end and are symmet- connectors and ports and add functionali- USB-C, more properly known as rical in cross section so you will not be ty. USB 3.1 Type-C, is a new, smaller in- required to turn them around or rotate USB 2.0 (maximum speed 480Mbps) dustry standard cable and connector type them to connect to a USB-C slot. and USB 3.0 (now called USB 3.1 gen 1) that will be used for multiple purposes. You will have to buy new cables, but are being replaced by USB 3.1 gen 2. All of your devices will use this cable think of the many types of cables you USB 3.1 gen 2 doubles the data transfer type. A USB-C cable will be used for will no longer need and the huge im- speed from USB 3.1 gen 1 from 5Gbps to power, video, data, and audio. Your com- provement in facility and speed these puter, laptop, mobile phone, and USB new standards will provide. More on buying or building ...
(Continued from page 15) native resolution. In that case, you may Printers, scanners and more an internal card reader with a USB 3.0 have to add or change the graphics card. You still need a printer, and I need a connection in a 3½-inch external bay. Do Many manufacturers consider it OK if the scanner for copying and faxing. The not forget your Windows 10 operating LCD has eight or fewer bad pixels. If you choices are innumerable. I like and use a system license. get one or more, especially in the middle black and white laser printer for the bulk Monitor of your screen, you may not like it, or of my printing. It looks better, is cheaper What about the monitor? I have a 23- you may not like the monitor in general to run, and like the Energizer bunny just inch Acer LCD monitor, and am very once you try it out. That is why I would runs and runs and runs. If you buy a laser happy with it. In my book, bigger is bet- only buy an LCD monitor locally, where printer watch out for the ones that need ter. There are a number of things you I have a return privilege for any reason. drum replacements in addition to toner should be aware of when buying an LCD Some monitors can swivel vertically, cartridge replacements after a certain monitor. Do not buy an LCD monitor which gives you a longer page view. volume of use. You will end up paying unless it has a digital connection either Some LCD monitors come with a digital more than the original printer cost. If you DVI or HDMI, or both, as the apparent cable, but many do not. You must have require color printing there are many resolution is much better using the digital the correct digital cable for the monitor, inkjet and color laser printers available, connection. It will probably still have an and LCD monitors do vary. Go to or you may buy an all-in-one inkjet that analog VGA connection as well. All LCD www.datapro.net/techinfo/dvi_info.html combines printing, copying, scanning, monitors have a native resolution, which for a lucid guide to the Digital Video and faxing. I leave the choices to you. is usually the one advertised. Important! Interface and which cable to use in each If you have a little adventure in your Your video card must support the native situation. You will find buying cables is soul, you can build a new computer and resolution of the monitor for best results. much cheaper online. The $6 cable is just obtain help from fellow computer club An older computer may not support a as good as the MONSTER $141 one, so members. If not, you know what to look new LCD monitor in digital mode at its don’t get ripped off. for. In any event, happy computing.
Help us grow. Recruit new members. Invite guests to meetings.
And we thank those of you have already recruited new members.
April 2016 The Outer Edge Page 17 General news and commentary Open source software offers many choices
By Geof Goodrum -dimensional paper folding. It can repro- winPenPack suites do not require any Potomac Area Technology and duce every operation in the Yoshizawa- installation, do not leave their files or Computer Society Randlett system, with the exception of settings on the host computer, and can be January 2016 Issue, PATACS Posts inflating (there still is a workaround to easily transferred to another computer www.patacs.org fold a water bomb with it). through any external device, such as a linux (at) patacs.org The finished works can be exported to removable hard disk drive or a USB flash Double Commander — v0.6.6. 3D files, animated GIF files or PDF doc- drive. http://doublecmd.sourceforge.net/. Free uments containing auto-generated folding All you have to do is connect a USB GNU General Public License source code instructions for the model in a somewhat flash drive to any free USB port on your with executables for Microsoft Windows, human-readable form. host PC, and you will have your collec- Apple OS X and GNU/Linux by Please note that this program was tion of pre-configured and ready-to-use Alexx2000. Double Commander is a created mainly for fun and still is a work programs instantly available, grouped in cross platform open source file manager in progress. If you encounter a bug or categories and executable through a user- with two panels side by side. It is inspired have a suggestion, please post it on the friendly menu interface similar to the by Total Commander and features some discussion forum. Start Menu, the winPenPack Menu. It new ideas: Newest features: will be exactly as if you are working on Unicode support A more intelligent PDF generation your own PC, with Web browsers, email All operations work in background Export as self-displaying origami: an clients, image and drawing editors, chat Multi-rename tool origami file wrapped in a portable, mini- clients, multimedia tools, PC mainte- Tabbed interface malistic viewer nance and security tools, school and de- Custom columns Difficulty level calculator velopment tools, etc. Everything you Internal text editor (F4) with syntax CTM export now works with textures need, completely free! All these features highlighting [Screenshots at http://sourceforge.net/ make winPenPack extremely useful in Built-in file viewer (F3) to view files projects/origamieditor3d/] any situation. of in hex, binary or text format SmallBASIC — v0.12.1. http:// Depending on your USB flash drive Archives are handled like subdirecto- smallbasic.sourceforge.net/. Free GNU capacity, you can choose between ries. You can easily copy files to and General Public License source code with winPenPack Essential and winPenPack from archives. Supported archive types: executables for Microsoft Windows, Ap- Full, containing a collection of the best ZIP, TAR GZ, TGZ, LZMA and also ple OS X, Google Android and GNU/ Open Source software available on the BZ2, RPM, CPIO, DEB, RAR. Linux by Nicholas Christopoulos and Internet, modified to achieve perfect soft- Extended search function with full Chris Warren-Smith. SmallBASIC is a ware portability and divided into catego- text search in any files fast and easy-to-learn BASIC program- ries: Graphics, Multimedia, Internet, Of- Configurable button bar to start exter- ming language interpreter ideal for every- fice, System, Security and Utilities. You nal programs or internal menu commands day calculations, scripts and prototypes. can also create your own winPenPack Total Commander WCX, WDX and [Screenshots at http:// Personal by following our Tutorial, an WLX plugin support smallbasic.sourceforge.net/?q=node/835] option that allows you to integrate into File operations logging winPenPack — v4.3. http:// the winPenPack package your favorite [Screenshots at http:// www.winpenpack.com/en/news.php. Free software programs, and to customize wPP doublecmd.sourceforge.net/ Open Source licensed executables for to suit your needs. static_gallery_mirror/] Microsoft Windows by various authors. [Screenshot at http:// Kernel Source — v4.3. http:// winPenPack is an open source software www.winpenpack.com/en/page.php? www.kernel.org/. Free GNU General environment comprising several portable 10#5] Public License source code for GNU/ applications grouped into suites (portable Linux by Linus Torvalds et al. applications are applications that are Origami Editor 3D — v1.2.7. http:// modified to be executed directly from a sourceforge.net/projects/ USB flash drive, without prior installa- Find us on the Web at http:// origamieditor3d/. Free GNU General tion). With winPenPack, any USB flash www.cipcug.org and on our Public License source code with executa- drive ceases to be a simple data storage Facebook page at http:// bles for Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X device and becomes a self-contained en- www.facebook.com/groups/ and GNU/Linux by Attila Bágyoni. Ori- vironment, within which programs and cipcug. gami Editor 3D is a lightweight applica- files are homogeneously integrated. tion for modeling the mechanism of three Portable applications included in the
Page 18 The Outer Edge April 2016
CIPCUG news and events / General news and commentary Recent headlines from our Facebook page
(https://www.facebook.com/groups/cipcug) Apple No headline, but an interesting post from Ventura County Microsoft and Canonical partner to bring Ubuntu to Win- Computers about a CryptoLocker-type virus that didn’t en- dows 10 crypt files but just changed their extensions True tales from tech support: The funniest ‘issues’ ever Buy Raspberry Pi 3 board and 16GB, MicroSD card solved (10class), with NOOBS Review (Microsoft Store) Google Nik Collection Skype is getting Cortana and crazy bot messaging U.S. indicts 7 Iranians in cyberattacks on banks and a dam SoundCloud starts subscription plan, taking on Spotify and Content Insider #453 — VR film
Trust Manager and ware infestation. Tips for safe computing check “Don’t allow Other programs non-PDF files to Unless the upgrades are listed as solv- run.” ing security issues, most programs can These items come up regularly during Flash generally be updated or not, depending on our meetings, so to keep them available Update at https://get.adobe.com/ your feelings. they’re listed here as a regular feature. flashplayer. Uncheck the optional offer Drivers — the software that runs Updates: Security holes and the regu- for other programs. Some experts recom- hardware — don’t need to be updated lar release of new malware require that mend deleting Flash. Others are more unless you’re having problems with a your operating system and anti-malware lenient, saying that many Web sites de- specific device or the manufacturer programs be updated regularly. Let what- pend on it for video, animation and other strongly recommends them. The most ever version of Windows you use and special effects. On many sites, you won’t common spyware comes with Driver Up- your anti-malware programs update them- care, but on some you might want the dater, Driver Detective, and other brands selves automatically. Accept updates for special effects. that claim to “constantly look for new Acrobat Reader, Flash and Java, but be Java drivers for your hardware.” Don’t update sure the “you need to update” messages Update at https://java.com/en/ drivers to attempt to solve problems like are valid. The best approach is to visit the download. Then open Control Panel > general slowness, freezing or slow Inter- following sites to be sure you’re not get- Java. Click on Advanced, scroll down to net speed. ting hacked versions of the programs: the bottom and check “Suppress sponsor Email: Don’t open generic links or Acrobat Reader offers when installing or updating Java.” unexpected attachments you receive in https://get.adobe.com/reader. Uncheck email. If you’re not positive that the link Web browsers the optional offer on the website unless is good, don’t open it. The same is true of Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, you really do want what’s offered (as a attachments. They should not be opened Opera and others must be kept up to date general rule, you don’t want it). When the in generic messages (“Hey, you’ve got to (they usually update themselves automati- program is installed, go to Edit > Prefer- see this,” for instance). The links and cally). Programs that regularly go to the ences > Turn off Java Script. Then go to attachments can be sources of malware. Internet must be updated to prevent mal-
PCMag: www.pcmag.com PC Pitstop: www.pcpitstop.com Web help sites PC World: www.pcworld.com Recalled products: www.recalls.gov (Updated 4-5-2016) SANS Institute — Computer Security Education and Information Android phones: howtogeek.com/163624/welcome-to-android-a- Security Training: www.sans.org beginners-guide-to-getting-started-with-android/ Spyware Warrior: www.spywarewarrior.com Battery information: batteryuniversity.com User Group Relations (Gene Barlow): www.ugr.com DSL reports: www.dslreports.com Ventura County Computers (Rick and Toby’s shop): Steve Gibson: www.grc.com www.vccomputers.com Kim Komando: www.komando.com Virus Bulletin: www.virusbtn.com/index Leo Laporte: techguylabs.com; www.leoville.com (among oth- Windows Secrets: www.windowssecrets.com ers) If you have a favorite help site on the Web, please forward it, Linux distributions: www.DistroWatch.com so we can expand the section. If you find a link that doesn’t work, Microsoft: www.microsoft.com please tell us that, too. OnGuard Online: www.onguardonline.gov
April 2016 The Outer Edge Page 19
Why join Channel Islands PC Users Group (CIPCUG)?
Discounts on books and software. Dues for new members Every month, members of the The opportunity to get free soft- Individual member, $40. Channel Islands PC Users Group have ware and books to review in TOE. Family membership (same address), access to: A flash drive containing many $55. The Outer Edge newsletter. useful freeware programs. Renewals are $30 and $35 per year The general meeting, featuring a A chance to make friends with respectively. question-and-answer session and people who have similar interests. TOE subscription only (in the U.S.), program on software or hardware. The ability to put your knowledge $30. Special Interest Groups. The SIG to good use by helping other. The Printed versions of TOE cost an ad- at the meeting covers tablets, concept of user groups is members ditional $30 and the regular dues. smartphones and other devices in addi- helping members. CIPCUG E-MAIL ADDRESS tion to computers. Please clip the coupon and send with Members who would like to have an Door prizes and a raffle at the payment to CIPCUG Membership, P.O. email address through CIPCUG in the regular meeting. Box 51354, Oxnard, CA 93031-1354. form of [email protected] may Other benefits include: Make checks payable to CIPCUG. 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.
Amount enclosed: ______
Please Print the following information:
Name: ______
Address: ______
For CIPCUG use: City: ______, Date ______
State:______ZIP Code: ______Member # ______
Phone (Home): ______(Work): ______
E-mail address: ______
User level: Novice ____; Intermediate _____;
Advanced _____
Page 20 The Outer Edge April 2016 Channel Islands PC Users Group Inc. P.O.Box 51354 Oxnard, CA: 93031
DATED MATERIAL Please Do Not Delay
DUES REMINDER If the code above your name is 2016 APRIL, your dues are payable this month.
April 2016 meeting of the Channel Islands PC Users Group
The map shows Saturday morning, April 23, 2016, 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 SIG (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 Devices and technology that help people learn Noon Drawing