KawarthaNet User Group: April 2004

Attendance:
Gord Bentley, Norm Bailey, Al Wright, Larry Muter, Bob Chaplin, June Johnston, Jerry Crawford, Bill VanKuik, Don Williams, Anne Panter

Thanks to Bob Chaplin for bringing the projector & laptop.
Minutes of last meeting:
Not available.
Financial Report:
Anne. (Not included in online minutes)
Round the Table:
- Disconnects
  Q:Member experiencing frequent disconnects on dial-up connection. He had been away for the winter, and had left the computer plugged in and modem physically connected to the phone line.
  
  A:The problem could be damage to the modem from power surges. Recommend using a surge protector with a phone jack. Also, to protect both computer and modem, disconnect both the power cord and phone cord from wall outlets during thunderstorms, or when you will be away for an extended time.
- Email attachments: sending & receiving
  Q:Member is using Hotmail. Attachments are not arriving, and attachments sent (and forwarded) are not being received by the recipient.
  
  A:This one had us stumped! Recipients could have their email programs set to not open attachments, but if they are receiving attachments from other people, that isn't the problem.
  We were unable to get online to walk through the Hotmail attachment process. (Norm: remind us to do that at the next meeting!)
- Email attachments: saving
  
  In Outlook Express Preview pane (View/ Layout / Show Preview Pane / Beside Messages) right-click on the paper clip icon. The list of attachments will appear in the pop-up window. Highlight (left click) the desired attachment file. This brings up a window titled Save Attachment As. Choose the directory and file name. Do not change the extension (last 3 characters after the dot) or you won't be able to open the file.
- Adjusting / arranging windows
  
      To move windows on the screen, use the blue title line as a "handle": left-click on it, and hold the mouse button down as you move the window.
      To resize windows, move the mouse pointer over the window frame. When the pointer changes to a two-way arrow, left-click and hold the mouse as you resize the window on that edge.
  
      A double arrow (>>) at the edge of a window indicates there is more information that can't be seen (eg. more icons). To view the rest, click (right or left) on the >>.
- Defrag
  
  Q: Is it a good idea to defrag in safe mode? Why? How?
  
  A:      Defragmenting is necessary because programs tend to write information in the first available space on the drive. As data is deleted, space becomes available. Data is then written in that space, and, if it won't fit, continued in another spot. After a while, data is scattered over the drive, and the computer slows down as programs follow pointers from one bit of data to another.
       Defragmenting involves reading each bit of information then rewriting it in sequence. It is important to have no other programs running at the same time: if data on the hard drive is changing as the defrag program is running, the program is interrupted and must go back to that bit of data. By running in "safe mode" you reduce the number of "background programs" to a minimum.
       To boot in "safe mode" restart the computer, and immediately hit the "Delete" key. This brings up a menu from which you can choose safe mode. After you defrag, restart the computer normally.
- Spyware
  
  Q: We have talked before about spyware, and were told to bring up Task Manager (cntl-alt-del) and cancel (End Task) any programs that shouldn't be running. How can you tell what should be there?
  
  A:First, run AdAware or Spybot to get rid of any spyware. Then check the Start menu to see what programs are automatically started, and remove anything you don't want there. Finally, reboot, and immediately run task manager. Make a note of what's there. If anything else shows up later, you should be able to safely cancel it.
  Do be aware that there will be valid programs there. For instance, if you have been on the internet (dial-up) you will see RNAAPP. However, if you do delete something necessary, don't worry: you are only cancelling a running program, not deleting it from your hard drive. You can bring it back by restarting the program, or re-booting.
- Temporary files
  
  Q: What temp files can safely be deleted?
  
  A: Many programs create temporary files, then fail to "houseclean" and delete them on exit. This can happen when a program abnormally terminates, or if the computer is not shut down properly. Also, many programs deliberately keep backup files in case of abends.
  
      You can delete these files in Windows Explorer, but be careful to only delete those you are certain about. Programs have different naming conventions for temp files (eg. .tmp, .XX~) or may put temp files into temp folders. Also, be careful not to delete the Windows cache file: a very big temp file that is necessary for Windows to run!
  
      There are freeware utilities which will find and delete these files for you. eg. Empty Temp Folders at http://www.danish-shareware.dk/soft/emptemp/
  
       Browsers (eg. Netscape and Internet Explorer) also keep temporary files so that you can view them later. Rather than reloading a page from the internet, the browser can just reshow the page saved on your hard drive from the last time you were there.
      You can delete these files in Internet Explorer (Tools / Internet Options / Delete Files / Delete all offline content). You can also choose to delete cookies. If you do so, this will delete all "remembered passwords" for sites you have visited.
- Screen Capture
  
  Member recommends "Snag It" http://www.techsmith.com/products/snagit/default.asp to capture a screen as a graphic (eg. to email it to someone for help with a problem).
  
  Another method to capture a screen is to hit the "Print Screen" key on the keyboard. This copies the current screen to the clipboard. You can then open a graphics program (eg. Irfanview), Paste the image, and save it (or email it).
- How much power does a computer use?
  
  Depending on the age of the computer, probably not much. Newer computers have energy-saving features: eg. you can have the monitor switch to low power when not in use. So it's just the fan that is using power when the computer is left on unused.
  
  However, there are good reasons to turn off the computer when not in use. eg. to prevent unauthorized access of your internet connection. Also, shtutting down will "houseclean" any leftover running processes which tend to slow down your computer.
- How to deleting items from Favourites
  
  Click on menu item Favourites / Organize Favourites. Highlight (left click) the files to delete then right-click the Delete button.
- Diskless computers
  
  Q: Many new computers no longer have A-drives (ie. for 3.5 diskettes). How do you use older programs and backups?
  
  A: One suggestion is to get an external drive. Alternatively: back up all your diskettes to CD!
- Huge photos
  
  Q:     Member was emailed a photo which was too big to see on one screen
  
  A:     Open the file in a graphics programme (eg. Irfanview) and resize it to screen size (eg. 640 - 480).
  
       Standard screen resolution is 72 dots per inch (dpi). Standard printer resolution is 300 dpi. If you are taking a picture (or scanning) for email or viewing on a computer, use the lowest resolution (about 100 dpi). Only use the higher resolution for printing.
  
       Always check the file size before sending a picture by email. It shouldn't be more than 100k.
Coffee Break
(Thanks to Bill VanKuik for doing the honours, and for cleaning up the kitchen afterwards!)
Prize Draw
Congratulations to this month's winner: Norm Bailey. The prize was photo paper.

Next Meeting

Thursday May 13, Compu-Dynamix, Fenelon Falls