C C C C N E W S L E T T E R
CENTRAL COAST COMPUTER CLUB
Santa Maria, California
VOLUME XXI: NUMBER 1 JANUARY, 2006
Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at the Knollwood
Village Clubhouse 4012 S. Bradley Dr., Santa Maria.
General meeting at 7:00 PM. System Special Interest Group session is at
5:45pm. Guests are welcome.
Check out our web site: http//member.apcug.org/fourseas for the latest
program schedule information.
Membership is $15 for twelve months for individuals, $20 for families.
For this you receive: Monthly newsletters, EXTRA4C E-mail Messages,
Help-line support, Monthly presentations, Valuable door prizes, Question
and answer sessions.
NEXT MEETING: January 17, 2006 KNOLLWOOD VILLAGE 4012 S. BRADLEY
PRESENTATION: The January meeting will be a Questions and Answer Session
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| CONTENTS |
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(1) OFFICERS, HELPLINES, S.I.G.S
(2) PRESIDENT'S CORNER Ray Isenson
(3) EDITOR'S COMMENTS Dick Trissel
(4) WEB WANDERINGS
(5) SYSTEMS S.I.G. Dick Trissel
(6) ADDENDUM TO TAXACT 2005 TREATISE Ray Isenson
(7) REPLACING A HARD DRIVE Kim Komando
(8) EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES Kim Komando
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OFFICERS HELPLINES
President Juno
Ray Isenson 937-6938 Dick Trissel 937-7572
risenson@juno.com rtrissel@juno.com
Vice President Windows 95/98/ME/XP & VoiceControl
Spence Stimler 938-0217 Amy Malicki 925-5780
SPENCE923@msn.com savvyforseniors@juno.com
Secretary Hardware and Windows XP
Barbara Godwin 934-9885 Ray Isenson 937-6938
yung.bag@verizon.net risenson@juno.com
Treasurer AOL
Gerry Miller 934-1396 Frank Maciel 922-2318
2741 Banyan Way frm8198@aol.com
Santa Maria CA 93455
gandamiller@verizon.net
Publicity Visual Basic and Genealogy
Bill Corning 934-0775 Gerald Miller 934-1396
foster95@juno.com gandamiller@verizon.net
Newsletter Editor Help With Any Problem
Dick Trissel 937-7572 Ray Isenson 937-6938
rtrissel@juno.com risenson@juno.com
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (S.I.G.)
Systems (5:45pm)
Dick Trissel
rtrissel@juno.com
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CCCC Page 2 January 2006
PRESIDENT'S CORNER by Ray Isenson
Thank you all, I think(?), for handing the club's gavel to me for calendar
year 2006. As your new president I wish all of you, your families and the
fortunes of our User Group a happy, healthy, developing year. For my part,
I promise you that I'll do my very best to lead the group through an
interesting, learning, growing experience.
Please, on my accord, make every effort to attend the January meeting. The
technical session will be one of the "Question and Answer" sessions that, in
the past, has been able to resolve many of our computer related
difficulties.
However, before it begins I plan to hold a "Town Hall" meeting. Through open
discussion I want to learn, from each of you, what you want from the group.
I'd like to know, for example, how important is, or is not, matters like the
coffee break. Do you want to see it continued? What if, if any, value does
the door prize afford? Does the possibility of winning one of the prizes
bring you to a meeting? Would a different type of prize be better? Can you
suggest other activities that would make the meetings more attractive; more
valuable?
In a different vein, although not to many PC vendors or software vendors can
or seem to want to get to Santa Maria to present their wares at one of our
general meetings, I know from past experience that they will respond to
requests for samples of their ware. In exchange for our presenting their
product from what they call "presentation in a box" or publishing an
intelligent review in our newspaper, they will typically furnish one or more
copies of their product as door prizes. Would you be willing to prepare for
and make the presentation?
Finally, and please believe me, I want to know what you, the members want.
Again, please join us on the evening of the 17th of January ready to help us
off to a great New Year!
[Editor's Note: The 2006 membership dues are due to the treasurer (Gerry
Miller) by the end of the January meeting--see address above.]
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CCCC Page 3 January 2006
EDITOR'S COMMENTS by Dick Trissel
What a party! Thanks to all the people that set up the room and cleaned up
afterward. There was an abundance of great food and drink for the potluck.
And it seemed like every member there won a door prize. Spence had around
forty prizes at the start for winners to select from--some really nice
items.
It's now official--we have a full compliment of CCCC officers:
President: Ray Isenson
Vice-president: Spence Stimler
Treasurer: Gerry Miller
Secretary: Barbara Godwin
Sound familiar? Yep, it's the same people we've had for years, only with a
little switching around a little reconstituting.
Bill Corning has volunteered again to be publicity chairman. Vic McLaughlin
is still 50/50 chairman. Yours truly is still going to do the newsletter
until I can find a replacement (I've been looking for 4 years). And I'll
still have the Systems S.I.G. However, for a while it will be in the main
room instead of the poolroom.
OK! It's that time on the calendar. Not only is it a new year, it's time
for CCCC members to renew their membership. It's still $15 for a single,
and $20 for a family. This has got to be one of the best deals in town.
Send your check to the treasurer:
Gerry Miller
2741 Banyan Way
Santa Maria CA 93455
or bring the money to the January meeting.
A word about the January so called presentation--actually it is a Question
and Answer Session which we've had before with success. The object is to
attempt to find answers to specfic computer problems members are having--
much like the S.I.G. sessions. It would be very helpful if your problem is
written down and handed to the moderator before the meeting. And have the
problem described in as much detail as possible. For example, state the
operating system, the program or hardware involved, what has already been
done to solve the problem, and any error messages about the problem.
By having it written down, if the problem can't be solved on the spot, maybe
the solution can be investigated at a later time, or posted as an EXTRA4C
item. So, include your name and e-mail address.
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CCCC Page 4 January 2006
WEB WANDERINGS
THUMB-SIZED SOFTWARE
You probably have a USB thumb drive to carry around your files. These little
gadgets are hot sellers because they're so handy.
But did you know that you can do so much more than store documents on them?
They're also perfect for running programs. But the programs have to be
specifically created for thumb drives.
Have you ever been confronted with this horror? You sit down at a friend's
computer only to find that Firefox isn't installed? Well, put it on your
thumb drive. Then you'll always have it at your fingertips, along with your
bookmarks.
But the good stuff doesn't end there. You'll find a portable version of
OpenOffice.org, the Microsoft Office competitor. And check out the Freeware
section for HTML editors, media players, picture viewers, and more.
www.theinfobox.com/index.php/Portable_USB_Apps
TOP SCIENCE PUZZLERS
Are you interested in the future of science? I sure am. We can expect
phenomenal advances in our lifetimes.
I like to know what scientists are focusing on - the areas where there will
be the most advances. A special 125th Anniversary edition of Science
magazine explores the top 125 questions facing scientists today.
On the Science Web site, you can read about the top 25 scientific puzzles
for the next 25 years.
I'm sure you'll find the topics both enlightening and fascinating. But if
you feel that the editors missed something, sound off in the forum.
Contribute your thoughts or read those of other visitors.
www.sciencemag.org/sciext/125th
WHAT'S A WIKI?
In addition to a Cool Site, you may also learn a new computer term: wiki. If
you use Wikipedia, you may be familiar with the term already.
Wiki is just a funny name for a collaborative Web page. Information is
posted to the page, and then others can add to it or edit it.
The possibilities of a wiki are endless. Some people use them to collaborate
on projects. Other people use them for sharing. But you may find a better
use. You'll never know until you try!
Creating a wiki is a lot of work. But PBWiki takes care of most of it for
you. Once you sign up, you can begin. Add text and pictures to your page.
Then share it with family or friends and let the fun start.
www.pbwiki.com
GREEN STAMPS ARE BACK
I'm sure plenty of you fondly remember green stamps. Grocery stores would
give you a certain number of stamps based on how much you spent. You'd paste
them into a special little book. Later, you'd redeem them for rewards.
Well, they're back! Visit Greenpoints to learn more. Once you sign up, you
can start earning rewards at a variety of retailers. And not just grocery
stores, either. There are a number of online merchants that participate.
Don't forget to browse the rewards! You'll be amazed at what you'll find.
www.greenpoints.com
YOU'LL REALLY DIG THIS
I often feel like an archaeologist when I surf the net. Always on the
lookout for something interesting, I have to sift through a lot of digital
dirt.
So it should come as no surprise that archaeology fascinates me. I would
love to go on a real dig. And nothing would be better than working at a site
from the era of the ancient Greeks.
Well, I've found a way to join these two interests: a virtual archaeological
dig! Archaeology magazine is hosting a virtual dig of Sagalassos. This
Turkish city is referred to as City in the Clouds.
Check out the Find of the Week to see what's being unearthed. Or read the
field notes to get a better idea of the archaeological process.
I'm about ready to trade my keyboard and mouse for a pick and a brush.
Anyone with me on this?
www.archaeology.org/interactive/sagalassos
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CCCC Page 5 January 2006
SYSTEMS S.I.G. by Dick Trissel
The January Systems Special Interest Group (SIG) will be in the main room,
not the poolroom. We'll probably continue to meet there for a while.
As those of you that attend regularly know, the SIG is a very informal
meeting. In case you missed my comments in the Editor's Comments section,
I'm going to repeat the suggestion to make problem solving a little easier.
It would be very helpful if your problem is written down and handed to me
before the meeting. And have the problem described in as much detail as
possible. For example, state the operating system, the program or hardware
involved, what has already been done to solve the problem, and any error
messages about the problem.
I get several calls each week from members having computer problems. I'd
like to make a suggestion. When you call, follow the guidelines listed
above in terms of having as much detail as possible about the problem. And
if it is a follow-up several days or a week later, don't expect me to
remember your specific problem. Like I said, I get many calls and can't
keep everyone's straight--I know, it's an age thing .
I don't know if it is a good thing or a bad thing that these days it is
almost imperative that everyone have a computer. There just seems to be
some people that shouldn't have a computer. It frustrates them because they
can't or won't learn how to maintain their computers. And, they can
actually cause problems for others when they don't properly maintain their
computer security.
I don't have a solution to this problem. Basic computer classes (preferably
in the home) would be a possible solution, but I don't know anyone in this
area that does that. And it probably would be very expensive. Hancock
Junior College has computer classes, but they seem to be for learning
applications--Office, Word, Excel, programming, etc. Those people that have
talked to me that have taken classes there say it hasn't help them learn
about maintaining their computer.
People like to compare owning a computer to owning a car--why can't I just
do with my car and get in a drive it away? But they forget the periodic
maintenance a car requires-tuneups, tires, batteries, oil changes--all
things they expect to pay someone to do unless they learn to do it
themselves. And like computers, the cars have become too complex for the
old time home mechanic (I know, I used to be one). So, I guess it is learn
about your computer, or be prepared to pay someone to fix it.
I love it when a computer owner complains that his computer is running
horribly slow, and says he needs a new one. I guess he does the same thing
with his car. Maybe both the car and the computer need to have the junk
removed. At least with a computer, unless there's a hardware failure, you
can re-install the system and be right back where you were when you bought
the computer and found it adequate for your needs.
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CCCC Page 6 January 2006
ADDENDUM TO TAXACT 2005 TREATISE by Ray Isenson
For any reasonably competent PC user, capable of following on-screen
instructions, the FREE TaxAct Online 2005 Standard Edition should be more
than adequate for the preparation of his or her Individual Federal Income
Tax Return. Simply entering one's personal information such as name, Social
Security Number, address, and the like, followed by the sums and sources of
income in response to specific questions posed by the tax program can result
in one or more printed copies of the return and the e-filing of the return
to the IRS.
If a $12.95 state tax return is downloaded from TaxAct, information and data
for it will be transferred from the Federal return without intervention by
the taxpayer. E-filing of the State return will be done for an additional
$7.95.
Alternatively, TaxAct Online 2005 State, fully integrated with TaxAct Online
Standard, can be purchased for a total of $12.95. However, those of us who
live in California, by accessing www.ftb.ca.gov, can prepare on line and e-
file the State return free of any charge; for the least expensive path to
preparing and submitting the annual tax returns.
In either case, where money is owed to the taxing authority, a small form,
1040V or 540V is prepared showing the taxpayer's identification and the
amount owed and mailing instructions. If the taxpayer is owed money, it will
be automatically sent to the address of the payer or to a bank or credit
union account identified by the taxpayer during the course of preparation of
the document.
Be aware, neither the Tax Act Online Standard nor the Franchise Tax Boards
program is downloaded to the computer. The user must be online (connected to
the WEB) while the data are being entered. Clearly the online programs can't
practically be used if one's Internet Service Provider has a tight monthly
time limit or is inordinately slow. But even then one isn't totally
precluded from using this minimum cost procedure as it is possible to do the
return in a number of sessions. The programs will pick up right where you
left off when you log in later, after a deliberate or unintentional break!
My preferred TaxAct offering, for several reasons, is the 2005 Ultimate
Bundle that we (CCCC members) can get for $16. First, once having downloaded
the federal and state programs I can use each multiple times; allowing me to
prepare returns for other family members, for example.
Next, my experience has been that the built in help files are more adequate
than in the Standard Editions, allowing me to more quickly gain access to
sought information. (Although the same information is typically available on
the WEB with a bit of searching).
Third, I have the luxury of having the federal and state and those "frills"
described above, for only $3.05 more than the State program ($12.95) alone.
For whatever it's worth it's been my custom for the many years since e-
filing was offered to pay the additional $7.95, in order to e-file the state
return as well as the federal return. . Think of all the postage I avoid,
all of the time not spent waiting in line to get to the postal clerk and the
assurance that the IRS and FTB will actually receive my returns and tell me
so in a matter of hours.
Finally, for those who think the task is beyond them: Many of you know that
for the past few years I've been teaching folks, just like the members of
CCCC in terms of PC ability and tax knowledge, to prepare income tax returns
for Seniors as part of an AARP/IRS program. The total supervised, hands-on
training takes about 8 hours; scattered over a few weeks. Not one of those
trainees has ever said at the end of the training, "This is too much for
me"! The point is that it's the computer programs that have to have the
smarts, the computer operator need only answer the questions.
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CCCC Page 7 January 2006
REPLACING A HARD DRIVE
from Komando newsletter
Q. I am replacing my son's hard drive, which crashed. Do I need to use a
startup disk? Or do I use the Windows XP Home disc? Also, will Microsoft
allow me to re-install the same copy of XP? I thought that it was good for
only one installation.
A. Sorry to hear that your son's hard drive went south. I hope he didn't
lose much data.
It sounds like you're in pretty good shape, technically. When you install
the hard drive, be sure to set the jumper. That's the little piece of metal
that goes over two rods on the back of the hard drive. The hard drive's
instructions will describe that. You can also use cable select, instead of
a jumper. The instructions should cover that, too.
You should not need a startup disk with XP. The computer is probably set up
to boot off of the CD. Put the XP CD in the drive and start the computer.
The disc should give you installation instructions.
If the computer does not boot off the CD, the boot order probably has to be
changed. That is done in the BIOS (basic input/output system). Check your
manual for setup instructions. Assuming the boot order is OK, the BIOS will
recognize the new drive. Windows will install there.
Your other question concerns activation. All copies of Windows XP must be
activated by Microsoft. This generally is done via the Internet. If you fail
to activate Windows, it will stop working after 30 days. If the copy of XP
is the same one that was previously installed on your son's computer, there
should be no problem.
Here's how activation, and subsequent re-installations of Windows, work.
When XP was activated initially, it made a record of 10 hardware
characteristics. Each characteristic is assigned one point, except for the
network adapter. That gets three points. So, a total of 12 points is
assigned.
When you change components, re-activation is not required so long as seven
points remain in place. In other words, if you swapped out the
microprocessor, re-activation would not be required. The microprocessor gets
only one point. So you would still have 11 points in place. Again, only
seven would be required. The record of components is kept on the hard
drive.
In addition, the activation process produced an Installation ID. That is
derived from the Product Key and a value, called a hash, distilled from the
hardware information. So every computer would have a unique Installation ID,
which Microsoft stores.
Because your son's hard drive is gone, so is the activation record. So
you'll have to re-activate. That is most easily done over the Internet,
though you can do it by phone if necessary.
Still, your Installation ID should be good. Re-activation should be a
breeze. I once re-formatted my hard drive, knocking out the activation
record. I re-activated over the Internet. The process was quick and
painless.
Copyright 2005 WestStar TalkRadio Network. Reprinted with permission. No
further republication or redistribution is permitted without the written
consent of WestStar TalkRadio Network. Visit Kim Komando and sign up for her
free e-mail newsletters at: www.komando.com
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CCCC Page 8 January 2006
EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES
from Komando newsletter
Q. I want to start backing up my data. I'm considering an external drive.
But they are much more expensive than internal drives. I hear I could use an
internal drive externally. Is this true? How does it work?
A. You can, indeed. External drives are handy for backing up data. But
you're right-they're more expensive than internal drives. However, you can
easily construct an external drive, using internal equipment.
First, you should buy your hard drive. I don't know what your size
requirements are, but I'd go big. Better too much space than not enough. I
saw a 200-gigabyte drive advertised last week for $50, after rebate. That's
hard to beat!
Next, you will need a drive enclosure. You can spend as little as $30, or
you can spend more than twice that. It depends on the features. Decide how
you want to connect the drive. You'll have the option of FireWire or USB
connections. Base the decision on your computer's ports. Some enclosures
will have both. There's no point in paying extra for connections you don't
need.
Also, some enclosures will accommodate CD drives in addition to hard drives.
Again, don't pay extra for something you won't use. The enclosure will
include instructions for putting everything together. Generally, you attach
the hard drive to the enclosure with screws. A couple of cords are connected
to the back of the hard drive. One goes to a power source. The other is used
to transfer the data. Close the case and plug it into the computer.
You will have to set the jumper on the back of the drive. That is a piece of
metal that fits over pins. Use the setting recommended by the enclosure
manufacturer. The jumper assures that the drive works properly with the
primary hard drive. Now you will have a spiffy new external drive. But this
is missing one thing pre-built ones may have: synchronization software.
You can use Windows Backup to back up your files. Often, it isn't installed
with Windows. But it should be available to you. For more information, visit
my site:
http://www.komando.com/tips_show.asp?showID=5141
If you need a more sophisticated solution, use Microsoft's Synctoy. It is
one of the PowerToys Microsoft developed for Windows XP. You can download it
for free:
http://tinyurl.com/7pdrq
It is also worth noting that, if size is important, you can use a Notebook
hard drive. There are enclosures specially suited for these small hard
drives. But expect to pay a premium for the difference in size.
Copyright 2005 WestStar TalkRadio Network. Reprinted with permission. No
further republication or redistribution is permitted without the written
consent of WestStar TalkRadio Network. Visit Kim Komando and sign up for her
free e-mail newsletters at: www.komando.com
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