Kawartha Internet Users Group

Minutes of the Meeting April 10, 2003

Sites of the Month
1. Langa list (www.langa.com/)
2. Nexicom's DSL Phone number database www.nexicom.net/nexicomhighspeed/check.php
3. Free Quick Time for all PCs - allows watching new movies trailer: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
4. Switch to a Mac: http://www.apple.com/switch/press/
5. MacUserGroups
  http://www.mugcenter.com/
  http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/canadastore/
6. Bradford Robotic Telescope at www.telescope.org
7. JPL Solar system simulator at space.jpl.nasa.gov
Minutes
1. Members present:
  Garth Scarboroug,Grant Bjornson, Gail Elliott, Bruce Finlay, Evelyn Finlay, Karin Lowes, Terry McCartney, Al Crisp, Arthur Bowers, Beth MacLean, Brad Coumbs, Ferne Coumbs, Gunny Herkner, Wally Schneider, Karl Pakkala, Larry Muter, Bill Wiles, Roy Saunders, Laerne Sero, Chris Greaves, Bob Skelly, Al Wright, Anne Panter, Paul MacCauley
2. The meeting was held in the training room at Compu-Dynamix, Fenelon Falls, Thanks to Paul and Steve for hosting this. Thanks also to Michael Kay for bringing the laptop and projector from Millbrook, and to Nexicom for the use of this equipment.
3. Financial Report
  Current assets (bank account + term deposit + cash): $1387.65
4. Old Business
  1. Meeting Location
    Garth has checked with the Lions' Club in Bobcaygeon. We will continue to have the use of that facility on the second Thursday of each month. However, Paul has also offered to host alternate meetings at Compu-Dynamix.
    It was agreed to alternate between the two locations: even months at Fenelon Falls, odd months in Bobcaygeon.
  2. Steering Committee
    The following members have volunteered to form a steering committee: Garth Scarborough, Anne Panter, Paul MacCauley, Alvin Wright, Al Crisp.
    The first steering committee meeting will be at 7:00 pm Tuesday, April 22 at the Crisps', #2 Rocky Rd., Bobcaygeon
5. New Business
  1. Bill Van Kuik has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. Anne will send him a card on behalf of the group. His family has asked us not to send emails, as they can't check them regularly.
6. Demonstration
  Paul proceeded to assemble a computer - with a little "help" from the group, and while answering our questions. During the coffee break he installed the software, and, amazingly, the PC was up and running. The process took one hour, start to finish.
7. Around the Table
  1. Q: Carl installed ZoneAlarm, and found it wouldn't work on his system with two hard drives.
    
    A:You must make a change under Drives / Devices in the Control panel.
  2. Wally installed an upgrade from the free version of Zone Alarm to the paid version, then found he couldn't switch back, so had to unisnstall then reinstall the free version.
  3. Carl asked about programmes to houseclean and de-install software. For instance, Incredimail insinuates itself into many places in the computer. Window Washer was recommended.
  4. Q:(Larry) How can you save a Power Point presentations o it can be viewed by people without the software.
    
    A: If you have already saved it, people can view the .ppt file with Irfanview (it may need a plug-in, but it's free).
    When saving a Power Point presentation, save it with the viewer.
  5. Larry has found that you cannot uninstall Office 97 without the CD.
  6. Q: When Bob upgraded to Internet Explorer 6.0 he was unable to connect with the server.
    
    A:Nobody seemed to recommend version 6. It was suggested he try version 5.5. Alvin added that version 6.0 is listed as a "critical update" on the Microsoft site. Don't download it!
  7. Bill Wiles tried to update to version 6.1.Although the log show the update as successful, the automatic update insists on downloading it again.
    Microsoft Support told him to delete all traces of it from the temporary files folder.
  8. There was a discussion of 128-bit encryption. This is in newer browsers, but older version must have the 128-bit "patch" uploaded. This is a security feature, and is necessary if you do online banking, firearm registration, and (probably) for filing income tax returns.
  9. During the coffee break, Chris demonstrated the new Apple iMac, complete with movies and surround-sound! Chris sent this followup of Apple resource URLs and about viewing movies on a PC.
    
    Free Quick Time for all PCs - allows watching new movies trailer: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
    
    Switch to a Mac: http://www.apple.com/switch/press/
    
    MacUserGroups
    http://www.mugcenter.com/
    http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/canadastore/
  10. Mike announced that DSL (high-speed internet) is now available in Fenelon Falls, and will soon be available in Bobcaygeon. You can check at www.nexicom.net to see if it is available for your phone. If it is not, check later!
         The cost during their introductory promotion for a self-install is $24.95 / month for the first 3 months, then $39.95 a month. The full-install option is $39.95 from the beginning.
         Paul is doing installs; it takes about an hour.
         You need a network card in your computer, With the full install, Nexicom provides the network card. The DSL modem is provided by Nexicom, included in the monthly cost.
         You don't need to be a Nexicom long-distance customer.
  11. For areas not serviced by DSL or cable, the other high-speed option is sattelite (Ku band). There are drawbacks: the up-link is by telephone, so you still need a phone connection, and the time is limited (60 hrs / month)
    The alternative, a 2-way link set, is about $100 a month
  12. Another option is wireless: radio modems.
    These transmissions can be affected by heavy rain or snow (water interrupts the signal)
  13. Cable internet costs about $80 a month, because you must subscribe to cable TV in order to receive internet by cable.
  14. Roy recommends Langa list (www.langa.com/)
  15. Q:Bruce: when burning CDs, how can you regulate the volume so that all tracks have the same volume?
    A:Audio software lets you sample and set the volume levels before actually burning the CD.
  16. Q:Ev: How do you set the background colour on email?
    A:In Outlook Express, set the Format to Rich Text (html), then choose Format / Background / Colour from the menu bar.
  17. Q:Is it better to turn off a computer at night or leave it on all the time?
    A:It's personal preference. Here are some factors:
    Reasons to leave it on
    - save wear & tear on the fan
    - convenience
  18. Q:When is it safe to open attachments?
    A:Only when you are certain your virus files are up-to-date. Garth suggested opening all attachments with an on-line email (Hotmail, Yahoo) that has virus-checker on the server.
    Mike recommended Houscall (Trend) to scan your computer if you aren't sure your virus files are up to date.
  19. Q:Al: How do you copy from LPs to CDs.
    A:Wally uses Audio Grabber and feeds the audio from the amplifier into his sound card.
    XP Media player also works. Caution: Don't download the newer version of Media Player, as the copyright protection provisions may prevent some features.
    Paul recommended a full-featured sound card (eg. All in Wonder) for better quality results.
  20. Q:Gunny downloaded a programme to detect corrupted files. After installing the 9-MB download, he found he could only open programs which use the internet. Everything else pops up an "access denied" message.
    A:After some discussion, the best guess was that he had contracted a virus.
  21. Adam couldn't attend, but sent along a couple of astronomy sites:
    - Bradford Robotic Telescope at www.telescope.org
    - JPL Solar system simulator at space.jpl.nasa.gov

Next Meeting:
Thursday May 8,2003 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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