KawarthaNet User Group: August 2005

Attendance:
Wally Schneider, Beth Steinbeck, Jean Ferguson, Larry Muter, Bob Skelly, Al Wright, Bob Stevenson, Niesje Groenendyk, Joe Groenendyk, Norm Bailey, Anne Panter
Minutes of last meeting:
online
Financial report
(not included in online minutes)
Four cheques left for Settlers' Village: $50 each, for Aug. 2005 - July 2006.
New Business:
1. Internet at Settlers' Village
  Beth has determined that high-speed internet is available for Settlers' Village phone area. However, if the phone is commercial, rather than residential, the cost would be considerably higher. Anne will check with John Tremblay, treasurer of the Village.
2. Summer meeetings
  July meeting was cancelled.
  Mike Ricks has offered to do a demo of graphs in Micrsosoft Works Spreadsheet for September meeting.
'Round the Table
1. Display problems
  
  Q:Larry's display has been acting up...the monitor makes a "popping" noise, then the display enlarges, so the task bar disappears. This lasts just a few minutes, then restores to the proper size.
  
  A: If no new programs have been installed, and the problem happens in random programs, it's probably a hardware problem (video card)
2. Outlook Express Error
  
  Q: Outlook Express won't open... it just brings up a blue screen.
  
  A: If there is an error message, you may be able to look it up on the Microsoft Site (www.microsoft.com) or on www.modemhelp.net. Otherwise, try re-installing it. Go to Control Panel / Add or Remove Programs / Add or Remove Windows Components
3. Emailing Excel files
  
  Q: I sent an Excel file to a friend, but he can't open it.
  
  A: He won't be able to read it unless he has a copy of Excel or a compatable spreadsheet program. (Sometimes even an older copy of Excel won't open files created by later versions). If he has a spreadsheet program (eg. Works, QuattroPro, Lotus 123) you may be able to export the file to that format. Otherwise, try exporting to .RTF or text format. Another alternative is to save the file (eg. print screen) as a graphic (eg. jpg) or a .pdf, however these don't allow for changes.
4. Nexicom Email Manager
  
  Nexicom has addded this new feature to their web site. You can use it to delete large messages from your in-box on the server (ie. so you don't download them to your computer). However, people have encountered problems with messages not being deleted. Beth will report the problem to Nexicom.
  
  (A simpler way to delete unwanted emails: use Poptray, free at www.poptray.org/)
5. Outlook Express
  
  Q:I clicked on "Send", but the program did both a Send and Receive.
  
  A:No explanation for this, however you can encounter problems if using Outlook Express (ie. POP3) and Webmail (online email) at the same time.
6. Java plug-ins
  
  Q: Some web sites pop up a message "Java TM... update recommended". What is this?
  
  A: Java is a plug-in ("helper program") which enables graphics and animation on a web site. You will need to update it to see those features on the web site.
7. Pop-up filters
  
  "Avast" is a handy program to prevent pop-ups.
  Note: Avant Browser is a free browser (alternative to Internet Explorer)
8. Spyware
  
  A reminder to run a "malware" program regularly, and to keep it up-to-date. Suggested programs: AdAware, SpyBot. Microsoft also has a "Malware" program which is included in XP updates.
9. Anti-Virus Programs
  - Staples has a special deal on Norton 2005: mail-in coupons for the full value, with proof of ownership of an earlier version. (ie. cost is just pst + gst). Norton also catches spyware.
  - Microsoft Anti-virus program is now bundled (free) with XP
10. Retrieving old programs
  
     Q: I bought a new computer, and had the programs from the old one moved to the new hard drive. However, some won't install, and I don't have the original media (disk or CD).
  
     A: If the installation aborts with an error message, you may be able to solve the problem by looking up the error message online.
  
     Also, many older programs are now available for free as "abandoned ware". Google "abandonware" to find these web sites.
11. www.intellicast.com
  
  A weather radar site, with animations showing weather systems moving across the country (US only).
12. Deleting shortcuts
  
  Q: I want to delete a shortcut from my desktop. How can I be sure I'm not deleting the actual program?
  
  A: The Shortcut icon is very similar to the Folder icon, but has a tiny arrow in the lower left corner. However, to be sure, delete the file from within Windows Explorer. Move to the Desktop folder, and click on View/Details. The "Type" column will specify File Folder or Shortcut.
13. Flytecomm.comm
  
  ...a web site for tracking progress of air traffic in North America. Specify the airline, start and end location and time, or flight number, to track the progress in real-time.
14. maps.google.ca "Satellite" button
  
  ...shows a satellite photo of any specified address. Magnification (zoom) depends on the location (more detail in urban than rural addresses)

Next Meeting
Tuesday, September 13, 2005, 7:00 pm
Compu-Dynamix, Fenelon Falls