Kawartha Internet Users Group

Minutes of the Meeting February 13, 2003

Sites of the Month
1. www.driverguide.com - find specific drivers
2. www.nero.com - write CDs
Minutes
1. 13 Members present:
  Garth Scarborough, Bruce Finlay, Evelyn Finlay, Karin Lowes, Gail Elliott, Chris Greaves, Paul McCauley, Steve Kyle, Norm Bailey, Larry Muter, Al Wright, Anne Panter, Mike Kay
2. Thanks to Paul & Steve for hosting this meeting in their classroom at Compu-Dynamix
3. Thanks to Michael Kay for bringing the laptop and projector from Millbrook, and to Nexicom for the use of this equipment.
4. Garth presented the financial report.
  As Theresa has not been able to make the last few meetings, she has asked to be relieved as Treasurer. Also, we need to update the signing authorizations at the bank. Al Wright agreed to be the third signator.(Currently Theresa, Anne & Garth). Cheques require two of the three.
5. Garth suggested that the mandate of the group be revisited, as many circumstances have changed since we first started in 1996. In particular, should we consider community projects, and / or advocacy (eg. for broadband access). He asked if people would give this some thought and bring their ideas to the next meeting.
  Some suggestions made at this meeting:
  •sponsor a series of specific computer lessons at the meetings
  •a web cam on the water towers
6. We need suggestions for themes and demos for future meetings, so that we can plan them in advance. Again, please bring your ideas to the next meeting.
  Some suggestions were:
  •a travel agent demonstrating online travel planning
  •online banking
  •building web pages
  •burning CDs
  •scanning photos (for printing or email)
  •Windows XP
  •high-speed internet alternatives (Mike Kay)
  •build a computer from scratch (Steve & Paul)
  •a "swap" meeting (buy, sell, trade - and clean your basement!)
7. Steve recommended a good book for beginners: "Computer Friendly", from The Leader Co. Inc, Brampton 1-800-661-6867
8. Garth suggested that Compu-Dynamix post notices about their upcoming seminars on kawartha-online.
  The following seminars are planned:
  •word processing
  •spreadsheets
  •web site design using "Swish"
  •basic beginner's 2-hr seminar
  •searching the internet
9. Paul was asked about Netscape 7. He has found it works well, but cautioned against downloading Netscape 6. It has too many problems.
10. Windows XP
  Paul highly recommends Windows XP, but had some suggestions about using it
  - XP does not support older DOS programs, and some Windows 95 applications are "doubtful". It does handle all Microsoft Windows 98 applications.
  - XP requires a minimum 300MH CPU and 64MB RAM. Unlike Windows 98, which "levels off" after 256MB RAM, XP uses as much memory as it is given - ie. the more RAM you have, the faster it is.
  - XP upgrades from Windows 98 don't work as well as complete new installs. If you buy an upgrade package you can do a complete new install, you just need to have the disk from the previous version to put in at the prompt.(ie. If you have any version of Windows, don't buy a full package, buy an upgrade). Then completely format your drive, install XP, and re-install all your software.
  - XP uses NTFS filing system. It works with FAT32, but is better with NTFS
  - You can partition your drive (or have multiple drives) and dual boot with XP and Windows 98 etc.
11. Paul showed how to back up your address book in Outlook Express: click on File / Export and save the file to a floppy. To restore, put in the floppy and click on File / Import.
12. Paul demonstrated how to burn a CD
  - The demonstration used Nero (www.nero.com). If you have XP, you don't need special software. You can copy / paste files to the CD, then choose "Write" to burn the CD.
  - If writing to a CD, copy all the files first, then write the image. Once you have "finalized" you can't add more (CD's can be written only once). However, you can open the programme, copy some files, and as long as you keep it open, go back later and add more... as long as you haven't "finalized" (actually written to the CD).
  - Music files to be played on a regular CD player must be in .wav format. MP3 files can be played on a computer, or a special MP3 player, or newer CD players.MP3 format is a compressed .wav file, so are much smaller (by a factor of 10) ie. you can store 10 times as many mp3s as .wav files on a CD.
  - CD-R media can be used only once. CD-RW can be erased and re-used, like "floppies". However, CD-RWs are magnetically encrypted, and cannot be read by all computers.They are good for backup
  - If you are having trouble copying from your CD drive to your CD-RW drive, try copying the data first to your hard driver, then from there to the CD-RW. (You'll need enough hard drive space.)
13. Paul suggested we alternate meetings between Bobcaygeon (Lions' Hall) and Fenelon Falls (Compu-Dynamix). This might attract more members from the Fenelon area. This can be voted on at the next meeting.
Next Meeting:
Thursday March 13,2003 7:00 pm
Lions Hall (Old Fire hall)
Main Street - Bobcaygeon
All welcome

***NOTE*** any errors or omissions to minutes to be mentioned at the next meeting.

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