C C C C N E W S L E T T E R
CENTRAL COAST COMPUTER CLUB
Santa Maria, California
VOLUME XX: NUMBER 3 MARCH, 2005
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. Special Interest Groups sessions are at
5:45pm and 6:00pm. 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,
Access to the clubs software library, Disk of the month (usually for $1),
Help-line support, Monthly presentations, Valuable door prizes, Question
and answer sessions.
NEXT MEETING: MARCH 15, 2005 KNOLLWOOD VILLAGE 4012 S. BRADLEY
PRESENTATION: The March presentation will be Pat Keith (Computer Works)
on USB (Uninterruptible Power Supplies) and New Local ISP.
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| CONTENTS |
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(1) OFFICERS, HELPLINES, S.I.G.S
(2) PRESIDENT'S CORNER Spence Stimler
(3) EDITOR'S COMMENTS Dick Trissel
(4) WEB WANDERINGS
(5) SYSTEMS S.I.G. Dick Trissel
(6) FIREWALLS, SPYWARE PROTECTION, AND ANTI-VIRUSES
(7) REVIEW: pdFactory Ray Isenson
(8) WHEN A ZOMBIE ISN'T Kim Komando
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OFFICERS HELPLINES
President Juno
Spence Stimler 938-0217 Gilbert Smith 925-3743
SPENCE923@msn.com colgil1@juno.com
Vice President Windows 95/98/ME/XP & VoiceControl
Bill Corning 934-0775 Amy Malicki 925-5780
foster95@juno.com savvyforseniors@juno.com
Secretary Hardware and Windows XP
Dorothy Raupp Ray Isenson 937-6938
dort32Raupp@AOL.com 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
Disk Librarian Visual Basic and Genealogy
Sharon Allen 928-2209 Gerald Miller 934-1396
sallen4060@aol.com gandamiller@verizon.net
Publicity Help With Any Problem
Bill Corning 934-0775 Fred Adams 934-1128
foster95@juno.com fredeadams@verizon.net
Newsletter Editor
Dick Trissel 937-7572
rtrissel@juno.com
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (S.I.G.s)
Systems (5:45pm) Word & Windows (6:00pm)
Dick Trissel Amy Malicki
rtrissel@juno.com savvyforseniors@juno.com
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CCCC Page 2 March 2005
PRESIDENT'S CORNER by Spence Stimler
As of February 18, 2005 we have a total of 82 signed up members. There are
a few old-timers who have not renewed their memberships and a committee has
been formed to contact them regarding their renewal intentions.
Forty five were in attendance and we had one visitor at our January
meeting: Chris Christenson, and two new members: Peter Stonehewer and Luis
Segui. We want to extend a warm welcome and invite them to participate in
our activities in future sessions.
Door prize winners for February were: Maureen Morrow, CD sleeve protectors;
Bernie Benninger, DVD+R; Charles Currey. Slim Jewel Cases; Laudell Ludwig,
Ream of Paper; Allan Alderson, Business Card CD; Paul Highfill, Tool Kit;
and Ray Shafer, CD-Rs. Please remember that only paid up members are
included in the drawing. If you haven't renewed yet, this might be a good
incentive to do so.
For our March meeting, we will have Pat Keith of Computer Works discussing
a variety of subjects including the need for Uninterruptible Power
Supplies. He will bring some very illustrative examples with him to show
the damage that power surges can cause. Also on the table will be his
announcement of his new ISP offering, and of course he will try to answer
hardware and software problems. Come prepared. I'm sure it will be a very
interesting and instructive session.
I knew in advance that our Secretary, Dorothy Raupp, would be absent and
intentionally omitted a report of the Jan. minutes. In her absence, our
past Secretary, Barbara Godwin, took the minutes of our February meeting.
Perhaps it is old age or a one track mind but in not asking for a reading
of the January Minutes I didn't ask for a Treasurer's Report either. You
can be assured that both reports will be given at our March meeting.
Lastly, I have been shamelessly promoting my book, "No Silver Spoon", which
has just been published. And since I have your attention, I'll do it
again. It's available from me personally for only ten dollars. Go to the
publisher's website: www.tigresspress.com for a review and excerpt from the
first chapter.
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CCCC Page 3 March 2005
EDITOR'S COMMENTS by Dick Trissel
Over the past few months we've gotten many new members. As the CCCC
newsletter editor I think it is time again to review what publications we
provide.
The monthly CCCC newsletter is sent out by e-mail on the second Tuesday of
each month. It is usually about 500 lines broken up into about eight
sections--unpaginated. It can be read and printed as a text file. Or, it
can be read with a browser. Also, you can go to the CCCC Website at
http://member.apcug.org/fourseas where the newsletters for the last several
years are available to copy. The current month is posted a few days prior
to the sending by e-mail.
We publish a bulletin by e-mail about twice a week. It's called EXTRA4C.
The content is usually notices and technical articles on just about every
computer subject. These bulletins go out to about 135 current and past
CCCC members plus a few others.
There has been a suggestion that the three years of EXTRA4Cs be published
on a CD. That has been done. Anyone wanting a copy, let me know. The
cost is one blank CD-R disc. The disc contains a complete chronological
contents text file so that a search can be made on any particular subject.
The members attending the February meeting saw the PowerPoint slide
presentation by Gil Vela on home networking. Anyone wanting a copy of the
700KB slide show file can get a copy from me--just send me an e-mail and
tell me if you want it sent e-mail, on floppy, or CD.
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CCCC Page 4 March 2005
WEB WANDERINGS
FIND WI-FI HOTSPOTS
The days of tethering ourselves to gadgets are ending. Wireless
communication devices seem to be everywhere. They're on the stage,
in the store and on the street.
Finding Wi-Fi gadgets is easy, but finding Wi-Fi hotspots can
be challenging.
Don't waste another minute. Bookmark today's Cool Site to locate
hotspots worldwide. JiWire can find sites by name, address, type,
provider and more. Or be picky and only search free sites offering
802.11g connections.
JiWire is just another cool reason to keep my Cool Sites coming!
http://www.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm
LONDON BRIDGE IS FALLING
Had a rough day at the office? You're normally peppy, but today
you'd like to see something implode?
Gads, don't cause a scene. Instead, channel your frustrations at
Implosion World, where "Demolition comes alive."
Let's be clear; I don't wish anybody hurt. You're viewing legitimate
construction (destruction?) projects from the demolition industry.
Watch stadiums, bridges and hotels meet their Maker in slow motion.
You've got to check this Web site out--it's a blast.
http://www.implosionworld.com
EXPLORATORIUM
For three years, Project Origins explored the origin of matter, life
and the universe. Now, you're invited to view the results via
interactive media.
Poke around space centers, jungle labs and polar stations. Watch a
space suit being built or zoom around a weightless room. What fun!
Extreme locations include Belize, the South Pole, and outer space.
You'll be surprised at what you'll learn.
Can we predict changes in our lifetime using jungle biodiversity?
How do Antarctic fish stay fresh--not frozen--in 28-degree water?
Is there life on other planets?
Play the clips and demystify the mysterious!
http://www.exploratorium.edu/origins/index.html
DEFINING THE TIMES
Photojournalists reveal our world as it is, and not necessarily
as we wish it.
Every hour at the 10 x 10 Web site, 10 rows of 10 photographs are
freshly posted. These images are gleaned from Reuters World News, BBC
World Edition and the New York Times International News. Subjects are
generally of a global nature.
Click on any photo in the grid. Watch it swoop front and center,
accompanied by a relevant headline and related stories. If you prefer,
scroll down the right-hand border to reveal a text description.
Personally, I found words unnecessary--the images say it all.
At 10 x 10, the photos of countries you've never visited and people
you've never met will touch your heart.
http://www.tenbyten.org
OLD CARS NOSTALGIA
If you know a car buff, this site will blow them away! It's thick with
slick bench seats and "three-on-the-tree" shifters.
The Old Car Manual Project posts automotive ads, brochures and manuals
from decades ago. A nice touch is the thumbnail photo grid. It helps
you locate cars by year or make.
Though not all-inclusive, what's here is gold. If you pull a Thelma and
Louise and drive a '66 T-Bird off a cliff, you may have to settle for a
'67 manual. But if you need a 1938 Pontiac owner's manual in Spanish,
just click!
http://www.tocmp.com/
TRACE YOUR TREE
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has long been a source
for researching family history. But did you know the LDS church also
offers resources online?
Their FamilySearch program is a free download to help you record,
manage, and share genealogical information. You can store, link and
display relationships in a variety of ways. For example, a family view
shows spouse and children. A pedigree view shows grandparents
and great-grandparents.
You only have to type basic info once on a record screen. The program
takes care of future usage. Also, you can share your information with
other researchers by creating a GEDCOM file. And while you're at it,
why not add digitized pictures, video clips and sound files? It will
make for great conversation during holiday and Christmas get-togethers!
http://snipurl.com/34hu
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CCCC Page 5 March 2005
SYSTEMS S.I.G. by Dick Trissel
In spite of the threatening rain we had another big attendance at the
February Systems S.I.G. One question had to do with an e-mail problem. A
few of a person's outgoing e-mail bounced because of unrecognized
addresses. Since it was only some sent e-mail that bounced, I suspect his
addressbook got damaged in a transfer from one ISP to another.
We had quite a long discussion of that favorite topic--viruses and other
malware. As usual, the broadband users are more vulnerable to computer
viruses, trojan horses, spyware and adware. This is because they are
connected to the Internet for long periods of time with the same IP
(Internet Protocol) address--long enough for bad guys to recognize and use
it.
Dialup Internet users get a different IP address every time they bring up
their Internet browser (Internet Explorer, etc.). Obviously, if a dialup
user hangs on the Internet for long periods of time, he is as vulnerable as
the broadband user. My practice is to go to the Web sites of interest, do
a File / Save, log off, and read the Web pages offline. Sometimes it is
necessary to re-display the pages from the Temporary Internet Files folder.
That is in C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files in Windows 98. You'll have
to search for the active TIF folder in XP--there are several of TIF
folders.
A brief description of computer "malware" is needed here. There are
effectively five kinds:
Viruses--programs planted in your computer to cause damage to either
software or hardware, just to be mean.
Trojan horses--similar to viruses, but different in the way they are put in
your computer.
Spyware--programs put in your computer for the purpose of stealing
information.
Adware--programs in your computer that attempt to entice you to go to a Web
site in an attempt to steal information.
Popups--much like Adware trying to entice you to click on an ad.
How does malware get into your computer? It can be downloaded into your
computer while you are connected to the Internet. It can come in on e-mail
attachments, but only if you open the attachment. Usually, these will be
executable files like .exe, .zip, etc. They say there is even some bad
stuff can come in just by reading an e-mail, but I question that. See the
article in this newsletter "FIREWALLS, SPYWARE PROTECTION, AND ANTI-
VIRUSES" for information on malware protection.
Another favorite subject is ISPs (Internet Service Providers). Of course
there are the two local broadband providers--Verizon DSL and Comcast Cable.
But for several years there has been no local dialup Internet provider.
That has recently changed with the ComputerWorks provided ISP ZZlink
(www.zzlink.com). You'll hear more about it at the March CCCC meeting.
For those people that don't need a local ISP I strongly recommend Juno and
Netzero. (And no, I don't own shares in United Online). There are free
versions of both that are supported with an advertising banner and popups.
I use both and don't find the ads bothersome. The popups go away with a
click. The Netzero banner is fixed at the top of the screen. The Juno
banner floats to wherever you want it. The free versions can be augmented
with "Megamail" ($10/YEAR). The Juno Megamail allows direct-dial e-mail
access (no Internet access). Both give the user 250MB of e-mail storage
(2MB otherwise).
There are Juno and Netzero pay versions that don't have ads (supposedly).
The Juno service ranges from $4.95 to $14.95 per month depending on what
extras you want. Netzero ranges from $9.95 to $14.95. I use Juno
$4.95/month and the free with Megamail ($10/YEAR). My recommendations are
free Juno with Megamail and free Netzero--that's what I use mostly. Hey,
you can't beat the price. It costs nothing to try them.
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CCCC Page 6 March 2005
FIREWALLS, SPYWARE PROTECTION, AND ANTI-VIRUSES
from an e-mail newsletter
The above are three separate types of programs to protect you against
distinctly different threats. There can be a lot of confusion between
these three items and how they differ, and how the protection against them
differs.
Those who have been dealing with these programs know that they can range
from being a nuisance to unfolding complete disaster, the differences are
easily discernable. But to a new user, it can boggle the mind and, at the
very least, frighten to some degree. Usually the outcome of this is
overkill.
There is an excellent site that new users can peruse at their own pace and
learn everything they may wish to know. How Stuff Works
(www.howstuffworks.com) will explain all three of the items mentioned above
in much more detail than will be gone into here.
DO NOT BE AFRAID! Fear is, of course, the goal of the morons that are
utilizing these nuisances. You should be able to use your computer in an
enjoyable and relaxed mode.
As mentioned many times, employ a firewall, spyware protection, and virus
protection. There is some confusion as to the difference between all of
these "protections" and how many of each should be employed on computers.
First, read the information on each of these items at How Stuff Works. Then
begin the process of deciding what will work best for your needs.
The firewall that Microsoft supplies is certainly adequate, but I strongly
recommend that you purchase a more robust firewall marketed by Computer
Associates, Zonelabs (ZoneAlarm), Norton/Symantec, or others. Put ONE
firewall product on your machine, not six.
Next is the evil spyware/malware! Of course, it is not all evil. Some of
it may even be beneficial to you, but you should make that decision - not
some faceless person behind a desk.
There are malicious programs that will take over search bars, address bars,
and are just plain intrusive and deserve to be removed from your computer.
There are a myriad of products out there and you can do a search and see
which one does the job for you. Again, don't forget the How Stuff Works
site to learn all there is to learn. You can use the Microsoft AntiSpyware
Beta with Ad-Aware SE as a backup. You can also have SpywareBlaster
installed to prevent the spyware from getting installed in the first place.
Last, but most certainly not least, are viruses. Again, read all you can
at How Stuff Works so that you have a good understanding of what a virus
can and will do to your computer and to the computers that yours may
interact with. Then investigate and install a good, thorough anti-virus
program. Do a search and read what others say regarding their experiences
with different programs and choose the one that seems to get the best
grades.
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CCCC Page 7 March 2005
Review: pdFactory; an economical path to Portable Document Format (.pdf)
by Ray Isenson
The industry and government standards for preparing documents that could be
read by anyone, no matter what computer operating system the reader has, is
.pdf (Portable Document Format). The sole requirement is that the reader
have installed a copy of the free, readily available Adobe Reader. From
the point of view of the industry or governmental user the format offers
some advantages over and above that simply of readability. A key feature
is that in the general case the documents are not easily altered by the
recipient. Thus a degree of security is built into the format. Further,
because .pdf is widely used, almost all publishers welcome documents in the
format.
Those features that appeal to government and industry offer an equal
potential to any individual preparing a document for which security and
readability are prime considerations.
Consider, for example, that you want to prepare a Will or an Irrevocable
Trust. Further, you would like to distribute copies to certain other
individuals; say, for comments. The copies can be emailed using the .pdf
format, and can be received and printed out by the recipients, but they
cannot be altered. But, again, the recipient will not be restricted by his
or her choice of operating system; Widows, Apple/Mac or one of the systems
used in main frame computers.
The document needn't be one of the legal forms suggested above. Let's say
you have in mind pulling together a narrative history of your family. And
you want to distribute copies to all those who might be interested today or
in the future. Or, you have it in mind to finally get on with that book
you've always wanted to write. You don't have to concern yourself with
whether the publisher can accept a document written in the word processing
software you happen to have. Use the .pdf format and you can be sure of
its acceptability.
All this is fine and good except that a copy of Adobe Acrobat 6 or 7, the
current versions to produce .pdf documents will set you back about $299
plus shipping, handling and taxes. Adobe Acrobat is a superb program but
contains a number of features that will not be of value to a casual user.
And even in today's economy that sum may be a bit much for your special
limited use. Fortunately, more economical software, although lacking some
of the elegance of the Adobe program, is available to convert any printable
material to the .pdf format. Two such programs are pdfFactory and
pdfFactory Pro. Any document that you might send to your printer can be
sent, first, to one of those programs to be converted to a .pdf format.
Having been converted it can be saved, printed in the new format, emailed
or faxed.
These programs, published by FinePrint Software, a San Francisco based
organization, have been available since 2001. The basic program,
pdfFactory, selling for $49.95, offers most of the features used by an
organization or an individual. With this program any Windows application
having printing capabilities can be converted to a .pdf format. Documents
can be combined, blank pages inserted, or unwanted pages deleted from the
source document. The resulting document can be saved, printed and or
emailed with just a key click! The program is very simple to use. Once it
is installed it appears to the computer as another printer. Thus, with the
source document having been prepared in some other word processing program
tha is open, the user clicks on the print command and, in the window that
appears, selects as the preferred printer, pdfFactory. That does the job.
After a short delay the converted document appears on the screen.
PdfFactory Pro is designed for the user who requires security on documents
such as contracts or copywritten material. It has added security options
including 40 and 128 bit encryption and password protection for opening
documents. This program sells for $99.95.
A trial copy of either program can be downloaded from www.fineprint.com.
They are unlimited in use but an imprint on each page denotes the fact that
the trial version is being used. If there's any doubt about the value of
these programs a quick try is strongly recommended. Purchase of a copy of
the current version 2.53, can be made from the same Internet site.
FinePrint Software, lllc
16 Napier Lane, San Francisco, CA. 94133
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CCCC Page 8 March 2005
WHEN A ZOMBIE ISN'T from Komando newsletter
Q. Help Kim! I'm a zombie! I know, because I occasionally get returned
e-mail from people to whom I've never written. Sometimes the rejections
are because of attached viruses. My computer is updated. I have Norton
AntiVirus and anti-spyware programs. Nothing can find this problem. Can
you help me out?
A. Sure. Your scanning programs don't find anything because there is
nothing to find. Your computer is not a zombie.
I covered the returned e-mail situation recently. A listener thought
she might have a stalker. Your problem is similar, even though you
think your computer is a zombie.
Let me explain zombies first. Big-time spammers do not send spam from
their own machines. They place programs on unprotected machines owned
by others. They use networks of these compromised machines to send
bursts of e-mail.
Such machines are called zombies. Using zombies makes the spammers much
harder to catch.
Were your machine compromised, you would not be getting the returned
e-mails. The bad guys would not want to tip you off. The e-mail sent
from zombies has fraudulent return addresses. If it cannot be
delivered, it simply dies.
So why are you getting returned spam? It's the same situation as
the listener who thought she had a stalker. A worm infected someone's
computer. It harvested all the e-mail addresses and made them available
to a spammer. Yours was included. This is an automated program, so it
simply picked one address for returns. You're the lucky guy.
What can you do about this? The spam is probably going out to lots
of people with your return address. So you may get angry e-mails.
If so, send them this explanation. And you might also want to change
your e-mail address.
When you set up that new e-mail address, pick one that is longer
than eight characters and include some symbols. Research has shown
that spammers' automated programs which generate e-mail addresses
are less likely to come up with those rather than, say, something
like john@isp.com.
Finally, if you wanted to and had the time, you could notify the ISP
of the computer that is sending out the spam. While you cannot find the
person, you can locate the ISP. That information is contained in the
e-mail headers. I have steps on how to do this on my Web site. So,
rather than hogging up your inbox with that here, click the link below
to read it all on my Web site:
http://www.komando.com/tips_show.asp?showID=4483
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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