NWA-PCUG Newsletter Articles 2004

NWA- PCUG
The Northwest Arkansas Personal Computer
User Group

Newsletter Articles



2004


Jan thru Mar - 04

Apr thru Jun - 04

Jul thru Sep - 04

Oct thru Dec - 04









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October thru December - 2004

December - 2004
  • Discounts Offer
  • Internet Help
    Many technical help and price comparison links.
  • President's Corner - by David Hinds, President
    Take the Mini Survey to tell the officers what meeting programs you would like to see in 2005
  • Vice President's Report - by Bill Moeller, Vice President
    Recap of November meeting program: Digital Photography: What's New For Christmas This Year
  • Still in Doubt - Windows XP Service Pack 2 - by Ira Wilsker
    More trials and tribulations installing SP2 from a pro
  • 10 Commandments For Happy Windows Computer Owners - by Robert Spotswood
    How To Reduce Your Computer Headaches
  • Help! My Computer Is Down And I Can't Get It Up - by Ira Wilsker
    That famous blue screen of death, but don't worry, WinRescue to the rescue
  • Will Santa Bring Orcs and Aliens To Your Door? - by Timothy Everingham
    Games on your list this year, anyone?
  • Just in From APCUG
    CompUSA is now an Annual Sponsor of APCUG! and is inviting members of APCUG to join the festivities at CompUSA nationwide for a PC Users exclusive holiday celebration. Also, get 10% off purchase of many parts.
  • The Deals Column - by Bob Click, The Dealsguy
      More on Bob's Weather Station
      More Interesting shows Bob's "worked"
      Explosive Information (exploding batteries in cell phones and laptops)
      A Great Freebie When Traveling (with Microtel Inns and Suites)
      Don't Lose Track of Time (Maximus Software Ltd)
      Bring It Back, Please. Ever deleted pictures from memory prior to transferring them to the pc? or formatted a card in the camera? Get Flash File Recovery
  • Sidebar -
    Season's Greetings and A Prosperous New Year to You And Yours!
  • November - 2004
  • Internet Help
    Many technical help and price comparison links.
  • Global Positioning System--or Where Exactly Are You Now? - by Joe Schmitt
    A three article discussion on the how, where, what, when, or anything else you may want to know about GPS.
  • Browser Power - by Vinny LaBash
    Many things you probably didn't know about your browser.
  • The New, the Best, and the Worst - by Pim Borman
    Alternatives to Microsoft software.
  • The Deals Column - by Bob Click, The Dealsguy
      A little bit of history on this 10 yea r anniversary.
      Lets Understand the Darn Weather Better.
      Your Badge Says It All.
  • Sidebar -
    Vote For 2005 Officers at This Meeting! ATTEND! and VOTE!
  • October - 2004
  • Internet Help
    Many technical help and price comparison links.
  • President's Corner - by David Hinds, President
    Recap Setember meeting Q&A program.
  • IconLover 2.0 - by John Clark, WebMaster
    Take just about any Windows graphic format and turn it into an icon.
  • Keep Your Cool - Your PC Cool, That is... - by Ira Wilsker
    Heat is one of the primary causes of premature computer and component failure. Today's microprocessors, video cards, hard drives, CD and DVD burners, memory, and other components produce much more heat than their earlier brethren.
  • Cyber Security Challenge to Media & Civic Groups - by Ira Wilsker
    No more 'if only we knew about it earlier.' Now I am giving the local media, civic groups, computer clubs, professional associations, schools at all levels, and colleges ample advance notice that National Cyber Security Day will again occur on October 31.
  • Help! I've Been Hijacked - by Sherry Zorzi
    First it was viruses, worms, and spam. Then came Trojans spyware, and pop-ups. The newest scourge plaguing internet surfers is browser hijackers.
  • How & When To Enable XP Firewall - by Linda Gonse
    Most users are aware of a need for an antivirus program and a firewall in order to be protected from regular, daily Internet threats.
  • High Tech Resolutions - by Sherry Zorzi
    We make New Year's Resolutions about everything else, this year why not add a few good resolutions about your cyber-life before Cyber Security Day on October 31?
  • Help or Nuisance? - by Linda Gonze
    Smart Tags: What They Are and How To Use Them.
  • Hoaxes, Chain Letters, Sob Stories. Check 'em Out. Don't Forward Email Hoaxes! - by Gabe Goldberg
    Check 'em Out! Don't forward! 'Nuff said.
  • Problems With XP SP2 - by Bettie Cummings Cook
    We're mostly aware of the debate over whether or not to install Windows XP Service Pack 2. The update has some bugs that cause problems in some software.
  • The Deals Column - by Bob Click, The Dealsguy
      Florida Hurricanes got real close.
      Costly Celebration! Home Depot's 25th anniversaary.
      Correction. PopFile not an antivirus.
      Fundraiser - T-shirts at good prices.
      Another Fundraiser - make money with absolutely no investment! (Yeah, sure)
  • Sidebar - A Reminder From David Hinds
      October 23rd meeting: a raffle of a CD Stamper Pro CD labeling system & a pack of 300 labels, and a LexMark Z-25 Printer. Be sure to attend!
      Nov 6th Board meeting - main subject is planning meeting programs for 2005
      Nov 20th meeting: 2005 officer election.

  • July thru September - 2004

    September - 2004
  • Internet Help
    Many technical help and price comparison links.
  • Vice President's Report - by Bill Moeller, Vice President
    A Comprehensive Recap of August meeting on Photography 101 presentation.
  • Letters To "Late Nite" - by Marty Shinko
    Questions answered regarding getting a virus from a Web page and "stacking the deck" against getting one.
  • Identity Theft/Fraud Alert - by Karl Goller
    "As a recent victim of "Identity Theft," I would like to share what I have learned for your protection from also becoming a victim and thereby saving yourself a lot of grief and even some money."
  • How To Recognize A Fake eBay Message - by Robert Simanski
    See an actual fake message and learn how to spot and deal with it.
  • Can You Really Buy Popular "Software At Rock Bottom Prices" Online? - by Linda Gonse
    Have you received email messages similar to: Unbeatable software deals? Amazing prices on software? Take 95% discounts on Adobe, Microsoft, Corel....? or Get software at rock bottom prices? If so, read on.
  • Software Development Cycle - by David Lubar
    A little bit of humor that sometimes resembles the truth.
  • Online And In Person - by Billy Mabray
    Are you spending so much time online that you are becoming an isolated loner? Probably not. Evidence shows that people are connecting more now than ever before.
  • The Deals Column - by Bob Click, The Dealsguy
      Working The American Water Works Assn. Show
      I Was Impressed
      News From Binary
      Death2Spam
      Let This Do The Checking For You.
      Nab That Spam
  • The Perfect Backup Approach - by Gene Barlow, User Group Relations
    NOTE: This article is not in hardcopy newsletter.

    With some old and new approaches and software, Gene tries another attempt at getting us to backup our data before we wish we had.
  • Sidebar - Ever Wonder About Country Codes? - by Dale Oliver, Past President
    Go to: http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/fields/2154.html for a listing of all Internet address country codes, and as a huge bonus, view all kinds of really fascinating information for any country, such as population, age, size, major industries, temperatures, terrain, elevation extremes, natural resources, land use, natural hazards, environment current issues, and much much more.

  • August - 2004
  • Internet Help
    Many technical help and price comparison links.
  • President's Corner - by David Hinds, President
    Recap of July meeting on Ron Grigg's Wireless presentation.
  • How Many Ways To Break A Dollar? - by John Clark, WebMaster
    How about 292 ways? See them all.
  • Times, They Are A-Changing - by Dale Oliver, Past President
    Circumstances surrounding Comdex cancellation
  • Get Rid Of Spyware & Popups - by Ira Wilsker
    The most irritating facets of web surfing next to spam mail and viruses.
  • How Does One Track The Origin Of Spam? - by John Brewer
    Spammers are most ingenuous in hiding their origins. Witness a recent legal investigation.
  • Computer Power Protection - by Ira Wilsker
    Among other things, summer brings on increased stress on our computers that must be protected.
  • Viruses, Worms, & Other Security Issues - by Sue Crane
    Security! Hackers, viruses and phishing are on the rise. Good firewalls and anti-virus programs and practices better be also!
  • The Deals Column - by Bob Click, The Dealsguy
      Conventions we worked.
      Quick Reply For Your E-mail.
      Get Panda Free!
      News From Aladdin.
  • Sidebar - Having Trouble Running Older Programs in XP? - by Bill Shook (submitted by Patti McAlister)
    XP anticipated this problem and included a built-in solution, called Compatibility.

  • July - 2004
  • Internet Help
    Many technical help and price comparison links.
  • Wither The Yellow Box? - by Moe Norris
    "Eastman Kodak Company shifts its focus from film and film-based products to digital equipment and processes!"
  • Anniversary of Computer Viruses - No Cause For Celebration - by Beverly Rosenbaum
    "Over several decades, viruses and worms have grown from academic exercises to online threats, wreaking havoc on millions of computers worldwide."
  • Internet Annoyances - by Sherry Zorzi
    "The Internet is full of creepy crawly beasties. Spam, popups, hoaxes, cookies, spyware - what are these critters and how do I tame them???"
  • Comdex is Cancelled - by Bill Shook
    Comdex cancelled or postponed until 2005? Depends on where you read.
  • Comdex is History - by Steve Bass
    "Comdex was inflated, owners were arrogant, and since 1998, it was clear the show was destined to fall into the bit bucket."
  • Bass's Computing Factoids - by Steve Bass
    "Several unrelated items not long enough for an article"
  • Use Run Commands For Fast Access - by Linda Gonse
    "Did you know that the Run command is the Swiss Army knife of Windows' built-in apps?"
  • A Few "Did You Know's" - by Bill Shook
  • The Deals Column - by Bob Click, The Dealsguy
      Some Rebates Aren't So Bad
      Ain't Technology Grand?
      Last Minute Changes
      A Nice Tool For Teaching About Computers: "Personal Computer Training Station"
      Opt Out Of Spyware
      Accidentally Deleted Those Pictures?: "Zero Assumption Digital Image Recovery"
  • SideBar: Did You Try To Attend The June Meeting On Saturday The 19th? - by Bill Shook
    Don't read that part of the newsletter, huh?
  • April thru June - 2004

    June - 2004
  • Internet Help
    Many technical help and price comparison links.
    NEW this month is Help on just about anything related to XP operating system: http://www.kellys-korner.com
  • Windows XP Help - by Dale Oliver, Past President.
    Go to the above mentioned kellys-korner.com link and find help broken down into two major categories: "Support and Fixes and Troubleshooting", which are further broken down into many sub-sections covering just about anything.
  • Discount Offers From APCUG - by Judy Tayour, APCUG Benefits & Services Committee.
      1) Thanks to Sherry Zorzi, our new APCUG Region 8 Advisor for this freebie from Microsoft - Visual Basic.NET
      2) PC Annoyances for under $8.00!! from Steve Bass, author and Amazon.com.
  • Don't Be a Victim of Health Scare Stories - by Alicia King Padgett.
    Health scare artists are utilizing the Internet to terrorize the public. Before you decide to believe or, worse forward e-mail with serious health claims, do a little checking.
  • E-mail is 32 Years Old - by Jim Smith.
    In March email was 32 years old and wouldn't you know it, there are those that want to abuse it. Here are some of the abuses eveyone ought to know.
  • Do You Use One Space or Two Spaces at the End of a Sentence? - by June Hall.
    It was two in the early days with the typwriter and Monospaced type, but like most things, times have changed.
  • The Intel PC User Group Website - by Steve Peyrot.
    "A portal to a wealth of information", developed for use by PC User Groups.
  • Digital Photography & Printing - by Charlotte Semple and Charles Mahan.
    How to get the most out of a digital camera (or how to buy one) and how to share and display great digital Photos
  • More on the Web.
  • (Note this item is NOT in the hardcopy newsletter.)
    Gene Barlow, formerly with PowerQuest, has provided an article "Deleting Information From Hard Drives" and offers a few programs, at user group discount rates, to assist our efforts. It is located at: http://pcgroup.nwark.com/secure64.htm
  • The Deals Column - by Bob Click, The Dealsguy
      Because of great feedback, Bob starts this month with more about interesting trade shows he and his wife have worked.
      Reminder On Great Software Deals - Diskeeper Pro Editiion 8.0.
      We All Like Freebies - The Rochester Computer Society Monitor.
      Help For Your E-mail - MailWasher
  • SideBar: XP Emergency Startup Diskette - by Bill Shook
    Put three little system files on a diskette and following a crash, bootup directly into Windows with your programs and data like they were when you left them (or rather I guess they left you)
  • May - 2004
  • Internet Help
    Many technical help and price comparison links.
  • April Program Recap - by David Hinds, President.
    Ron Grigg on Wireless Home Networking.
  • May meeting topic - Digital Photography: Resolving Resolution - by Bill Moeller, Vice President.
    Taking Some of The Mystery Out of Digital Photography.
  • Under Attack by Cyber Worms - by Ira Wilsker, APCUG Board of Directors.
    You may have noticed the recent increased onslaught of worms and viruses, such as Netsky, MyDoom, Bagel/Beagle, and then some.
  • No More Video Tape - by Timothy Everingham.
    Implications of Video Cameras Becoming Tapeless.
  • Picture and Video Files: Size Matters - by Timothy Everingham.
    Even though there are those trying to sell us something by telling us size matters, in regards to the size of picture, graphics, and video files, size DOES matter!
  • Virus Attacks Continue at Record Rate - by Ira Wilsker, APCUG Board of Directors.
    The number of attempted computer attacks from viruses, worms, and Trojans has increased to a record level. According to antivirus software publisher Panda Software, the average daily number of new viruses and variants appearing for the week ending April 16 was 122 a day!
  • Getting to Know Google - by Billy Mabray.
    Whether you consciously choose it or not, your Web search engine is probably Google (http://www.google.com).
  • Google Web Features - by Pat McAlister, Secretary.
    Features as shown on Goggle web site. Click on hot links for descriptions.
  • The Deals Column - by Bob Click, The Dealsguy.
      Getting My Money's Worth - continuing story on AARP tax service.
      Lots of Interest on Trade Shows.
      Still Good - MediaFour and Aladdin's SpamCatcher.
      Last Chance, But Act Now - for User Group discounts on PowerQuest products.
  • SideBar: Don't Forget System Restore - by Charlie Paschal
    Don't let that virus you cleaned up from return!
  • April - 2004
  • Internet Help
    Many technical help and price comparison links
  • March Program Recap -- (Q)uestion & (A)nswer - by David Hinds, President
    A lively discussion on subjects such as converting VHS tapes to CDs or DVDs, startup disk for XP, reformatting hard drives required changing jumpers and SFC (System File Checker).
  • Computer Viruses & Spam Ruled in 2003 -- Be Prepared! - by Ira Wilsker, APCUG
    "Through awareness of what happened last year, we may be better prepared to deal with what we may encounter in 2004."
  • Hi! I'm From the Government and I'm Here to Help Your Computer - by Ira Wilsker, APCUG
    "Regardless of how much we feel the government should be involved in our personal computing, there is an increasing amount of influence government agencies are having in our routine computer utilization."
  • Learn XP the Easy Way - by Thornton Jacobs
    Thornton identifies several books that might help take some of the stress and strain in switching over to the XP operating system.
  • Accessibility for Everyone - by Billy Mabray
    "Accessibility should be about all of us - example: The internet can be a frustrating place when you have poor eyesight, etc. One of the biggest complaints is that text is too small....."
  • To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade - by Timothy Everingham
    That is the question. This age old question is becoming more complicated to answer. Begin by determining what your present and future needs and wants are going to be. Nobody said it's going to be easy.
  • Ergonomic Gizmos - by John Chait
    How do you use your laptop? Consider laptop position, whether you are an occasional or full time user.
  • The Deals Column - by Bob Click, The Dealsguy
      Working the Lotusphere show at Walt Disney World in Florida.
      Document Delivery Anyone?
      Update on Last Month's Column (re: Diskeeper.)
      Actually FREE for Anyone (AARP volunteer tax service is not for just AARP members).
      Check This Deal from MediaFour (XPlay for using iPod with Windows and MacDrive for PC users.)
      Can That Spam! (Aladdin Software SpamCatcher.)
  • Things to Ponder! - by Anonymous
    Smile!
  • THIS Explains Everything! - by Anonymous
    Once more!
  • SideBar: Photography or Camera (Digital?) RoundTable
    A new roundtable for THOSE NEW TO CAMERAS. No question too basic! Attend following the regular saturday meetings!
  • January thru March - 2004

    March - 2004
  • Internet Help
    Many technical help and price comparison links
  • February Program Recap -- Digital Photography - by Bill Moeller, Vice President
    Where from? Where To? Bill provides the convergent history of computing and photography, with much detail and projections.
  • O'Reilly Books
    O'Reilly is putting together an Excel Annoyances and a PC Hardware Annoyances books and want our help in sending in those things that bug us on these subjects.
  • IRS Again Offers Free Online Filing Service - by Ira Wilsker, APCUG
    What could be better than FREE? Maybe you'll qualify for at least one of the 15 online providers of free filing services. Check it out.
  • Accessories for That New Digital Camera - by Ira Wilsker, APCUG
    Cases, floppy discs, mini-CD-R discs, memory, software, batteries, etc.
  • Online information for the Elderly & the Disabled - by Steve Rosenthal
    Of major interest to EVERYONE approaching retirement, Social Security, and/or who is permanently disabled for any reason.
  • Is That a PC in Your Pocket/Purse? - by Lee Schwab
    The many features of the Pocket PC. Organize and simply your life with a Pocket PC.
  • What is Your Resolution? - by George McGinnis
    This pertains to CRT monitor resolutions, not New Years' resolutions, nor even LCD monitor resolutions. What is yours? and what would you like it to be? and is it safe?
  • Get Out a Clean Sheet of Paper - by Walter Ivey
    Test your anti-virus software with this simple sample one-line text file.
  • The Deals Column - by Bob Click, The Dealsguy
      This is no Hoax!
      Why pay for income tax preparation!!
      How's your credit these days?
      Free phone calls -- yup, all over the globe.
      This one does it better -- Diskeeper Professional Edition 8.0 with Undelete Home Edition.
      Get out of here you #@&% spies! -- Spyware Blaster.
  • SideBar: Clarification of "Get Out a Clean Sheet of Paper" article
    Depending on how anti-virus program is set, different results can be noticed.
  • February - 2004
  • Internet Help
    Many technical help and price comparison links, including ten (10) new this month!
  • January Program Recap -- Create Your Own PDF Files - by John Clark, WebMaster
    Create a PDF file from virtually any type of file so that the reader can read it with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader without the program that originally created the file.
  • Still Annoyed with Your PC? Keep Fighting Back! - by Steve Bass
    Steve tackles another handfill of his most irritating annoyances.
  • Courting Disaster? - by Ed Maxey
    Are you running Windows XP? Do you have a backup? An interesting solution using a USB 2.0 drive.
  • New Year's Computing Resolutions - by Ira Wilsker
    Among them are Backup Backup Backup and Practice Safe Hex.
  • Essentials For That New Computer - by Ira Wilsker
    A few essential tips for that new computer to reduce problems later. Among them is installing Windows Update and an Antivirus program.
  • Users Still Need To Know More About Popular New DVD Technology - by Linda Gonse
    What to look for in a DVD writer and how to record DVDs.
  • Internet Comparison Shopping - by Jerry Wonderly
    A current list of comparison shopping sites for online shopping.
    Humor from The LangaList Newsletters
  • The Deals Column - by Bob Click, The Dealsguy
      The Beginning of the end - lack of new content availability.
      Interesting Trade Show - "International Training and Simulator Association."
      A Ho-Hum Column.
      Dear IRS, Please take it easy on me - Yeah Right! - TaxAct software.
      Free Antivirus Software - AVG by Grisoft.
  • SideBar - Misc
      Internet Help Links Update - Updated with 10 new links from "Internet Comparison Shopping" article (see beginning item above, "Internet Help")
      An Interesting Site - The St Louis 1904 World's Fair - http://www.crawforddirect.com/worldfairtour.htm
  • January - 2004
  • Internet Help
    Many technical help and price comparison links
  • President's Column - by David Hinds, President
    Meeting topics for the new year 2004. We need your input!
  • Cooking On The Web - by Art Wilsker, APCUG
    Whether looking for novel way to re-serve holiday leftovers or a new meal, the internet is a valuable resource - Yahoo cooking directory lists over 3000 websites with thousands for related topics.
  • Above The Clouds With Centrino - by Christopher Sarson
    Spend a few minutes enjoying the many advantages of Intel's new technology chip, the Centrino.
  • Sounds, Images, & Numbers - by Grant Wales
    A guide to become a bit more familiar with the quantitative measures of data needed to support visual and sonic presentations.
  • The Post Office Does e-Postage - by Mac McWethy
    Thinking of trying e-Postage? Read this first!
  • May Your Holidays Be Filled With Polygons - by Timothy Everingham
    An overview in some detail of the largest release of games for computers and video consoles of the entire year.
  • Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8 - by Maureen Shannon
    A totally new look from past versions, but still easy to work with and with more powerful tools and a more professional design.
  • The Deals Column - by Bob Click, The Dealsguy
      Update on being burned by cell phones.
      Fight Fire With Fire - stopping the receipt of credit card solicitations.
      They're the Losers - two vendors promising deals have not delivered yet.
      A Browser that Works Good - A lot to like about Mozilla?
      Wow - Calls All Over For FREE - make telephone calls all over the world?
      Affordable Legal Help - other benefits to AARP members.
      What's in Your House? - make a personal inventory...just in case.
  • SideBar - Grandma's On The Net!
    Grandma used to make us cherry pies and call us on the phone and we miss her homemade biscuits ...because Grandma's surfin' the net. (written by just another old Grandma.)

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