C C C C N E W S L E T T E R
CENTRAL COAST COMPUTER CLUB
Santa Maria, California
VOLUME XX: NUMBER 10 OCTOBER, 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,
Help-line support, Monthly presentations, Valuable door prizes, Question
and answer sessions.
NEXT MEETING: October 18, 2005 KNOLLWOOD VILLAGE 4012 S. BRADLEY
PRESENTATION: The October presentation will be The Geek Squad
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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) BATTERY LIFE
(7) GUEST ACCOUNT Kim Komando
(8) REDUCING HARD DRIVE WEAR
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OFFICERS HELPLINES
President Juno
Spence Stimler 938-0217 Dick Trissel 937-7572
SPENCE923@msn.com rtrissel@juno.com
Vice President Windows 95/98/ME/XP & VoiceControl
Bill Corning 934-0775 Amy Malicki 925-5780
foster95@juno.com savvyforseniors@juno.com
Acting 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
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 Ray Isenson 937-6938
foster95@juno.com risenson@juno.com
Newsletter Editor
Dick Trissel 937-7572
rtrissel@juno.com
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (S.I.G.s)
Systems (5:45pm) Application Problems & Solutions (6:00pm)
Dick Trissel Making a Slideshow
rtrissel@juno.com Amy Malicki
savvyforseniors@juno.com
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CCCC Page 2 October 2005
PRESIDENT'S CORNER by Spence Stimler
Our total attendance for the September meeting was slightly over 35.
Probably most computer clubs would consider 35 to be a good turnout. For
our group it's about 1/3 of our total membership. At our staff meetings we
are constantly trying to seek ways to increase the turnout. It gets to the
point where we might as well consider our meetings as one of an
entertainment committee. I know many members attend to learn something. I
know that was my primary purpose when I first joined and it still is. It
seems like others attend to be entertained. I had one member ask me what
the program was going to be for October. I got the impression that if it
wasn't something he was interested in, he wouldn't attend.
I make a joke out of getting complete silence by asking for somebody to
volunteer for an office or take on a task, but it really isn't funny. I
can't even make eye contact with most of the members when asking for a
volunteer. We haven't been able to even get ideas of what subjects you
would like, let alone suggestions of how we might fulfill them.
A few years back I listened to Gil Smith beg for somebody to take over as
president. Fortunately Charles. Barney came through and served for three
years. I've put in two years and this is it for me. As stated before I
will continue as a liaison between CCCC and Knollwood Village. If we don't
come up with a new slate of officers CCCC will be reduced to a couple of
SIGs. That is, as long as we have dedicated people like Dick Trissel and
Amy Malicki to conduct them. Dick often says that we should be thinking of
what we would do if he should step out the door and get hit by a truck.
Which one of you will step forward to fill his shoes? It's dangerous to the
future of any club to be anchored in just a few people.
That's it for pontification. If you think CCCC is important to you, then
you need to think seriously about what you can do to keep it rolling along.
The guy or gal next to you isn't going to do it, so it is up to you.
It is imperative that we determine how many club members are planning to buy
the 2005 TaxAct program at a reduced price using the club's discount. A
poll will be taken at the October meeting. If you can't make the meeting
and are interested in TaxAct, please let us know with an e-mail to Ray
Isenson (risenson@juno.com).
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CCCC Page 3 October 2005
EDITOR'S COMMENTS by Dick Trissel
The article below is an excerpt from a much longer document available at the
referenced LockerGnome newsletter Web site. As you read this, bear in mind
that Windows Vista is due out about this time next year. It is to be in
seven editions:
STARTER EDITION: A stripped down version only capable of running three
concurrent applications (windows).
HOME BASIC EDITION: Like Windows XP Home Edition.
HOME PREMIUM EDITION: This will most likely become the next "standard OS" in
place of Windows XP Home.
PROFESSIONAL EDITION: Not like today's Windows XP Professional. This version
is really aimed at business users.
SMALL BUSINESS EDITION: Adds specific features to appeal to their respective
markets such as a networked backup solution.
ENTERPRISE EDITION: Like SMALL BUSINESS EDITION and will include Virtual PC
and Volume Encryption.
ULTIMATE EDITION: A mix of the HOME PREMIUM EDITION & PROFESSIONAL EDITION.
Just imagine what the price structure is going to be on this mess.
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Microsoft Windows Officially Labeled Broken
from LockerGnome newsletter 26 Sep 2005
http://channels.lockergnome.com/windows/archives/
20050926_microsoft_windows_officially_labeled_broken.phtml
You know, it's not often that we get to stand up and say 'I was right all
along.' The things we predict aren't always happy things, such as the
current case of Windows. But at least I can celebrate the fact that what I
have been saying for the last two years is true: Vista has been written as a
tight kernel with plugins in the Unix/Linux tradition.
The sad news is that Microsoft has officially admitted that the old code
base of Windows is so flawed that it can't be fixed and it can't be used as
a basis for upcoming operating systems (yes, I mean Vista). So it threw out
the old code and rewrote main parts from scratch. No wonder it took what
will be 6 years! The upcoming release of Vista won't have all the bells and
whistles originally planned for it, but those can be added as time goes on
(plugins, remember?).
Windows is broken and Microsoft has admitted it. In an unprecedented attempt
to explain its Longhorn problems and how it abandoned its traditional way of
working, the normally secretive software giant has given unparalleled access
to The Wall Street Journal, even revealing how Vice President Jim Allchin,
personally broke the bad news to Bill Gates.
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CCCC Page 4 October 2005
WEB WANDERINGS
FUN (AND FREE!) GAMES
Busted! I caught one of my employees playing computer games the other day.
But I wasn't angry - instead, I thanked him for tipping me off to Miniclip.
Miniclip has over 100 free games. Some of them are challenging or just plain
silly. Others are irreverent, but they're not mean-spirited. They'll give
you a good laugh.
My favorite game is Flashman, which is really just Pac Man. You might call
that boring, but I call it old-school fun!
You can play the games online or download them to play later. You can even
put them on your Web site, if you have one. Flash and Shockwave are
required. You'll be directed to download the free players if you don't have
them.
http://www.miniclip.com/Downloads.htm
GROW YOUR FAMILY TREE
The Internet is a favorite tool for genealogical enthusiasts. There are
countless genealogical Web sites on the Internet. But it would be difficult
to search them all.
So if you're looking for a good place to find information about your family
tree, try Family Search.
Family Search will comb vital records, the Social Security Death Index and
other Web sites. It will even perform international searches.
This is a great start to find out more about your family. Then when your
kids start asking about your family history, you'll have something to show
them.
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp
KNOW THE TIME
People from all over the world send in pictures of the time. The photo
changes every minute of the day. It could be 3:02 written in olives or a
bunch of humans illustrating 11:11.
You can sit and watch the time tick by and be amused all day. If you have an
interesting way to illustrate the time, send in a picture!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend! And if you don't get our free News of the
Day, you can get that tomorrow! It's my free e-mail that includes links to
stories, virus alerts, new products and more designed to keep you up-to-
date. Sign up now by sending one e-mail to dailynews@komando.com
http://www.humanclock.com
FREE MUSIC
Digital music players like the iPod are great. Some can hold a month's worth
of songs or more.
Unfortunately, they don't come loaded with songs. You have to find music to
put on your player. And filling one of these things can be a costly
proposition.
Well, why not just download some free tunes? No, I'm not talking about
stealing music. Visit the Internet Archive's Live Music Archive. It's a
great way to find new music.
The volume of music won't rival some online stores, but it's impressive
nonetheless. The artists have agreed to let you download their work, so
you're not breaking any laws.
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree.php
GOT SECRETS?
The secrets I hide are business plans and my financial records. How do I
keep them under wraps? I encrypt the files on my computer. With modern, 128-
bit encryption, nobody will be "browsing" my files anytime soon.
You probably also have secrets. Well, just use Cryptainer to keep prying
eyes out of your files. This free program installs in seconds.
Then, you can lock up to 25 megabytes of data in your virtual vault. If you
need more space, create additional vaults. Just don't forget your password
or you'll be locked out, too!
Cryptainer works on machines running Windows 95 and later. There's also a
mobile version for thumb drives.
http://www.cypherix.co.uk/cryptainerle/
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CCCC Page 5 October 2005
SYSTEMS S.I.G. by Dick Trissel
One of the questions asked in the September Systems SIG was "Can I get a
virus with a dialup connection?" The answer is yes. Anytime you are
connected to the Internet you are vulnerable--especially if you stay on for
an extended period of time. You are less vulnerable with many short
sessions, rather than one long session. This is because your IP address is
different every time you go on the Internet.
That lead to a question about firewalls. The free ZAlabs Zonealarm program
is recommended--go to Google and type zonealarm.
A question was asked, why does a computer have slow access to CDs and run
programs slowly? When the user was asked if there were a lot of icons
showing in the systray, the answer was yes. Each of those icons represents
a running program and demands memory. The solution choices are: reduce the
number of programs getting started at bootup, or increase computer memory
(RAM). Without sufficient memory, the computer is forced to run from
"virtual memory"--from the hard drive, which is much slower than RAM. The
programs starting at bootup are controlled with check marks on the programs
listed in: Start / Run / msconfig / Startup. This has been covered many
times in the past sessions.
Another person says his Internet Explorer browser shows a blank screen.
This is probably because his IE properties has "About:Blank" selected. To
change this, start IE, click on Tools, click Internet Options. Then, either
type in the URL address you want to start in, or choose Default. Also,
another option is when on a Web site that you want as the default address,
go to the Internet Options and choose Current (thank you Charles Barney for
that suggestion).
We had to cut the SIG short, so a couple of questions were asked later. One
was about changing the partition structure of a hard drive, and adding
another operating system. The recommendation is to consult with ABRO
computers about them doing the job--they are very reliable and inexpensive.
They have the facilities to backup your current configuration before making
changes. However, be sure to have in mind exactly what you want.
We are going to spend a little time at each Systems SIG discussing Windows
Explorer. This is probably the most important program in your computer, and
the least understood. The request was made to explain again how to control
how Windows Explorer is opened from a shortcut. Here are the steps to
create a Windows Explorer shortcut on your desktop to open Explorer at the
C:\ folder.
Right click Start and Click Explore.
Open the Windows folder and find Explorer.exe.
Right click the file Explorer.exe (NOT Explorer.scf).
Click Create Shortcut (The shortcut will be created at the bottom of the
file list).
Drag the shortcut file to the Desktop.
Right click the Explorer shortcut and Click Properties.
Edit the Target: window entry by adding the characters [space]/e,C:\
The /e, parameter is to open in the expanded view with Folders showing.
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e,C:\
To open in a folder in C:, add the folder name, for example Documents.
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e,C:\Documents
To open a subfolder in Documents (MyStuff), add the subfolder name.
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e,C:\Documents\MyStuff
Also, down arrow the Run: window and choose Maximized, click Apply and OK.
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CCCC Page 6 October 2005
BATTERY LIFE
What do the iPod, Sony PSP and Motorola RAZR have in common? Sure, they're
ultra-cool gadgets. But they, and their lesser-cool brethren, also rely on
rechargeable batteries.
Batteries don't rank high on anyone's list of hot tech topics. But without
them, screens go dark, calls drop and tunes die.
Today, lithium-ion (Li-Ion) is the battery of choice. Other types you may
see are nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH). Here are
five things to remember about batteries:
1. Consider conditioning
Lithium-ion batteries typically arrive in a partially charged state. Most
manufacturers will tell you to completely charge them before use. Otherwise,
they don't need to be conditioned.
Nickel-based batteries require conditioning. They must be completely charged
and discharged several times before initial use. Otherwise, they won't
function to their full potential. Check your manual.
2. Charge them properly
Batteries can be troublesome. They lose their capacity over time. Further,
they have a limited number of charge cycles.
You can prolong the lifespan. Failing to properly condition nickel- based
batteries could lead to the formation of crystals. That can cause memory
problems, in which batteries won't hold a full charge.
With lithium-ion batteries, partial charges and discharges are best on a
regular basis. These batteries do not develop memory problems.
However, lithium-ion batteries contain a fuel gauge that must be reset
periodically. The fuel gauge measures the charge left in a battery. A gauge
that is not reset periodically could become inaccurate. This can be critical
in laptops, because their power management may rely on the gauge. Completely
discharge lithium-ion batteries about once a month to reset the gauge.
Fuel gauges should not be a problem with nickel-based batteries, assuming
they are discharged and charged regularly.
3. Store them correctly
It's best to use your batteries regularly. But sometimes you have to store
them. And you guessed it - storage poses problems. Don't store batteries
completely discharged. A 50 percent charge is optimum.
If you store them for six months or longer, re-condition nickel-based
batteries. This will help regain lost capacity. Simply charge lithium- ion
batteries before use.
4. Batteries don't last forever
It's a fact of life. No matter how well you care for a battery, it will
eventually die.
You'll have many options when you buy a replacement battery. Third- party
replacements are available online. Prices are often a fraction of
manufacturers' prices. Sellers might also boast improved performance.
Fight your frugal urges. Manufacturers test their batteries to ensure a good
fit. They also test the batteries rigorously for safety. If something goes
wrong - really wrong - with a third-party replacement, you've probably
voided your gadget's warranty.
And please, dispose of your batteries correctly. They contain hazardous
chemicals not suitable for landfills. Many electronics retailers have in-
store collection points.
5. Batteries are about to get exciting
Advancements are on the horizon for batteries. And they're exciting.
Toshiba recently announced a rapid-charge battery. This lithium-ion battery
achieves 80 percent of its charge in just one minute. A few more minutes,
and it's fully charged.
Additionally, the battery is smaller, less susceptible to extreme
temperatures, and boasts a longer lifespan. It will debut in 2006, primarily
for automotive purposes. Expect adaptations for personal technology use.
Fuel cell batteries are also coming for gadgets. Several companies are
developing them. Fuel cell batteries aren't recharged, per se. Instead,
they're refilled with a chemical such as methanol.
This means instantaneous power. The chemical reacts with air to produce
power. Fuel cells have roughly 50 times the power potential of comparably
sized lithium-ion batteries.
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CCCC Page 7 October 2005
GUEST ACCOUNT by Kim Komando
Q. Kim, I was wondering: Can a person get to my personal stuff while using
my computer to check his or her e-mail?
A. This is one of my personal pet peeves. My laptop sits on my desk in my
family room. Yet, certain family members who come over will sit down in
front of it and just start typing away, all without asking my permission.
Well, they used to do this.
Even though I asked them not to do this, they still did, claiming, "Sorry, I
forgot to ask." So, I set up a password-protected screen saver. I'll tell
you how to do that in a moment. Since I have mine set to show pictures of my
family, my laptop screen turns into a digital picture frame.
When people borrow your computer to check e-mail, they can browse through
all your files and folders. They can browse your desktop search results.
They can go places online you would never go. They can change your settings,
or download garbage or worse.
There are a couple ways that you can handle this. Let's start with setting
up a password-protected screen saver. It's a simple way to have the
computer, not you, deny access. Following are the instructions for Windows
XP:
First, press the Windows key (next to Ctrl) and the letter D. That will
close all windows and leave you at the desktop.
Right-click an empty area of the desktop. Select Properties and then, the
Screen Saver tab. Under Screen Saver, click the down arrow and select any
entry other than (None).
Use the Wait box to decide how long the computer must be idle before the
screen saver runs. You don't want it coming on every time you pause in a
document! Place a checkmark next to "On resume, password protect" (XP
Professional) or "On resume, display Welcome screen" (XP Home). Click
Apply>>OK.
When people move the mouse or touch the keyboard, they'll be prompted for a
password. So you must have one to make this work. If you don't have one,
click Start>>Control Panel. Double-click User Accounts. Click your account.
Click "Create a password." Enter the password twice. Click Create Password.
All versions of Windows offer a password-protected screen saver. Pre-XP
versions are similar to XP.
Another way to handle this in XP is to use a Guest account. That account
bars access to your personal files. Guest is a pre-built restricted account,
but it's usually hidden. To activate the Guest account, click Start>>Control
Panel. Double-click User Accounts. You'll see your account and the Guest
account. Click the Guest account. Then click "Turn on the guest account."
Now you can switch between accounts if others need your computer. To make
the switch, first click Start>>Log Off. Then you'll get the option to Switch
User or Log Off. If you choose Switch User, you'll remain logged on. That
means the programs and documents you're working on will stay open.
Meanwhile, the Guest account can be used. Although your programs and
documents are running, they are invisible. The Guest account cannot access
them. Afterward, you can resume your work undisturbed. Just use Switch User
again.
If you choose Log Off initially, your programs and documents will be closed.
Then the Guest account can be used. This is not as convenient, but it
requires less memory.
To make all of this work, you will need a password. Otherwise, the guest
will be able to enter your account at will. To create a password, click
Start>>Control Panel. Double-click User Accounts. Click on your account
name. Click "Change my password." You'll first be prompted for your old
password. If you've never created a password, leave it blank. Then enter a
new password. You can also enter a password hint in case you forget your
password.
The Guest account does not have access to others' user folders. Those
include My Documents, Desktop, Start Menu, Favorites and Cookies. So keep
your private documents and information in those folders. The Guest account
cannot change its account type or password. The latter is academic; a Guest
password is irrelevant.
A person using Guest account can go online. But downloads are not permitted.
A Guest account also can be set up on Windows 2000. The procedure is
similar.
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 October 2005
REDUCING HARD DRIVE WEAR from LangaList newsletter
Q. Where does the wear occur on a hard drive? Obviously, bearings will wear
over time (that awful and dreaded sound), but do the sensors at the end of
the arms actually touch the disk surface? If so, are they in constant
surface contact or touching the surface only when reading the disk?
A. Most of the normal wear is on the drive bearings. They're *always* in use
whenever the motor's spinning, even if the rest of the drive is idle. That's
why letting the drive "spin down" (stop rotation) during periods of idleness
can extend the drive's life. Just as important, or perhaps even more so in
the aggregate sense (with hundreds of millions of drives in use worldwide),
it saves energy to let an idle drive shut off.
It's different for the drive heads. The head positioning mechanism is active
every time the head must "seek" data somewhere on the drive. But when the
drive is spinning, there's normally no contact at all between the drive
heads themselves and the surface of the magnetic platters: The heads are
designed to harness aerodynamic forces to "fly" (literally!) on a cushion of
air a tiny distance just above the disk surface. As long as your drive is
working correctly, the acts of reading and writing data, per se, won't wear
out the recording surface, at least not in any way that matters in human
scales and time frames.
But there *can* be contact between the heads and the platters. Sometimes,
it's intentional: Some drive makers designate "landing zones" on the hard
drive where no data is stored, and where it's OK for the heads to come to
rest on the platter's surface. These landing zones are where the heads are
parked when the drive is off. Other makers raise the heads and lock them in
place; still others do both, parking the heads in a raised position, but
over a safe area.
A "head crash" happens when the drive is in operation and something causes
the heads to descend through the air cushion and actually contact the data-
carrying surface of the platter. This usually damages the magnetic coating
that encodes the ones and zeros of the disk's data; if the damage is severe
enough, the data in the damaged section may be lost forever. The most common
causes of true head crashes are a physical blow or impact, a rapid rotation
or twist that makes the drive's platters try to act as a gyroscope, and
electrical problems. Spontaneous head crashes, caused by failures in the
drive itself, are rather rare.
Assuming a drive isn't abused, its bearings will suffer the most wear,
followed by the positioning mechanism for the heads. Imminent bearing
failure is often heralded by a grinding or scraping noise, especially at
startup or when the system is cold. A head-positioning problem is sometimes
accompanied by the soft sighing sound of repeated head seeks, over and over
and over (although this can be caused by repairable "soft" errors in the
recorded data, too).
So, given all that, how do you maximize drive life? I've set my desktop PC's
drive to spin down after 15 minutes of inactivity; and my laptop drives to
spin down after 5 minutes (the latter, shorter time to save battery power as
much as to save wear and tear on the drive). I set my auto-save intervals
(e.g. in Word) to be *less* than the spin-down time so that if I'm working
with live, disk-based data or documents, the drive will stay active and
spinning; trying for a "steady state" that reduces mechanical stresses. But
if I'm away from the system or doing something that doesn't engage the hard
drive very often, then the drive can spin down to save energy and wear.
Even so, all mechanical systems will eventually wear out; even the ones that
are totally babied. Given that no drive lasts forever, I operate on the
assumption that my data is more valuable than my physical drives, so I do
let the drives self-maintain (backups, scans, etc) on a regular and frequent
basis. Yes, running a backup and scan will ever so slightly reduce the life
of the drive, but the drive may wear out or fail anyway, no matter what you
do, so it's better to be prepared for that day, and to have safe, secure,
known-good, malware-free backups on hand.
So, as with so many things, it's really up to you. You need to strike a
balance between shutting down enough to prevent needless wear and energy
consumption, but also to keep the system running enough to perform a
reasonable amount of maintenance, security scans, and backups. You don't
want needless wear on the drive, but you also don't want to be caught
unprepared if your drive decides that today's the day to stop spinning!
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