C C C C N E W S L E T T E R
CENTRAL COAST COMPUTER CLUB
Santa Maria, California
VOLUME XVI: NUMBER 9 SEPTEMBER, 2001
NEXT MEETING: SEPTEMBER 18, 2001 7:00PM KNOLLWOOD VILLAGE 4012 S. BRADLEY
PRESENTATION: Linda Bennett, local computer technician and web designer
will speak on Internet security for the personal user.
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| CONTENTS |
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(1) Officers, Helplines, S.I.G.s
(2) President's Corner Charles Barney
(3) Editor's Comments Dick Trissel
(4) Security Settings Marty Sems
(5) System Print Dick Trissel
(6) Web Wanderings Gil Smith
(7) August Internet S.I.G. Dick Trissel
(8) Review: DriveCopy 4.0 Ray Isenson
(9) Open A File With Different Programs/Mouse Repairs
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Officers Helplines
President Juno
Charles Barney 937-1240 Gilbert Smith 925-3743
cbarney@lightspeed.net Gs5081@aol.com
Vice President Windows 95/98/ME & Voice Control
Phil Grycel 937-1805 Amy Malicki 925-5780
feliksy@juno.com amymal@juno.com
Secretary Hardware & DOS
Barbara Godwin 934-9885 Ray Isenson 937-6938
yung.bag@verizon.net risenson@juno.com
Treasurer AOL
Gerald Miller 934-1396 Frank Maciel 922-2318
2741 Banyan Way frm8198@aol.com
Santa Maria CA 93455
gmiller33@excite.com
Librarian Help With Any Problem
Sharon Allen 928-2209 Dick Savage 928-4932
sallen4060@aol.com rsavage65@hotmail.com
Publicity Help With Any Problem
Bill Corning 934-0775 Fred Adams 934-1128
foster95@juno.com fred421@earthlink.net
Newsletter Editor Visual Basic
Dick Trissel 937-7572 Gerald Miller
rtrissel@juno.com Gmiller33@excite.com
Program Chairman AOL
Ray Isenson 937-6938 Frank Maciel 922-2318
risenson@juno.com frm8198@aol.com
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Windows 95/98/ME Internet
Amy Malicki Dick Trissel
amymal@juno.com rtrissel@juno.com
CCCC Membership is $15 for twelve months ($20 family). For this you
receive:
Monthly newsletter
Access to the clubs software library
Disk of the month (usually for $1)
Helpline support
Monthly presentation
Valuable door prizes
Question and answer sessions
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CCCC Page 2 September 2001
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
by Charles Barney
The official count at the August 21st meeting was 66 persons, which is a
nice number for the available room we have at the clubhouse. Among the
attendees were new joiners Barbara Bearnth and Cliff Rush to whom we extend
a hearty 4C's welcome! It is our sincere hope that you will feel right at
home with our group and benefit from your active participation in the
club's functions.
I don't normally ask for volunteers from among the membership unless there
is a real need, but folks, I could use some help here! The need we have
right now is for a club greeter, which we have been without for several
months now. I have tried to fill in the gaps by catching the newcomers who
wander in the front door on meeting nights and help get them oriented, but
I often get distracted with other duties and miss some of them. A greeter
would stay near the back of the main room (could still listen to the SIGs)
but would be on the lookout for the new folks. I know that if there wasn't
someone friendly to greet me the first night I attended a meeting, I may
not have come back. It's an important function of our club. So, there must
be some generous souls out there among you who could give a little time to
serve as greeter. I do not want to stick any one person with the job
indefinitely, so if a few of you volunteer and trade off that would be
great. Please think about it and let me know if you would like to help.
Either by phone or email (listed on the front of this newsletter) or tell
me at the next meeting. I do thank you!
Our own hard-working Amy Malicki pulled double duty by conducting her
regular SIG and then also giving us the main presentation for the evening.
Her topic was the Video Professor for Windows 98 instructional CD-ROM. For
those who are motivated to learn at home with a self-paced learning
program, this software seems ideally suited. The interactive multi-media CD
presents the material concisely and in an unintimidating fashion. If anyone
who is interested but didn't catch the address, you can take a look at
http://www.videoprofessor.com/.
Would you believe that everyone was present whom the door prize program
picked? Must have been a first! The winners and their selected prizes were
as follows:
Frank Lemmon - Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus program,
Marshall Wiley - Sierra Sports Trophy Bass fishing simulation, Harry Clark
- MGI Photosuite 4, Ray Shafer - PowerQuest Partition Magic 6.0 and Mike
Reineke - Microsoft T-Shirt.
We, the elected staff, make an effort to get guest speakers that are
interesting to the members and provide information that they can apply in
their own personal computing. The topic of our September 18th speaker is no
exception. Linda Bennett, local computer technician and web designer will
address the membership on the topic of Internet Security for the Personal
User. I know that I, for one, will be taking notes! I'll see you Tuesday
night. - Charles
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CCCC Page 3 September 2001
EDITOR'S COMMENTS
by Dick Trissel
In my experience as S.I.G. moderator and recipient of several help calls a
month, I've noticed many Windows users are woefully ignorant of the use of
the Windows operating system's most powerful utility--EXPLORER. Not
Internet Explorer--Windows Explorer. Some don't recognize it as they
invoke it from the My Computer Desktop Icon with a right click/Explore; or
the right click/Start/Explore--same thing--Windows Explorer.
The Windows95 and Windows98 Secrets books devote 68 pages to just the
rudimentary use of My Computer and Explorer. I know not everyone owns one
of these books or an equivalent, but the Windows95 Secrets book is
available on loan from the Orcutt and Santa Maria Libraries. It also is
available from the club's library. I currently have it checked out, but
will gladly make it available on request. The Windows98 Explorer is the
same as the Windows95 Explorer if you also have Internet Explorer 4 or
higher installed.
To assist in making the use of Explorer more available, I wrote a series of
articles for our newsletter. These are available at our Web site:
http://member/apcug.org/fourseas
on the Newsletter pages for the months of June, July, August and September
2000.
In these articles I touched on some of the little known features of
Explorer. There are many more as you can discover if you play around with
it.
Why take the time and trouble to learn Explorer? Because you need it to
manage your computer's files and folders. And, much as some of you would
like to not have to mess with these operations, it's part of using a
Windows computer, period!
Those of you that attend the Internet S.I.G. each month (especially since
we now have a computer for demonstrations) know how most of the discussions
ultimately resort to the use of Explorer.
Take the time to learn Windows Explorer. It's not really difficult. I
guarantee you won't regret it.
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CCCC Page 4 September 2001
From Smart Computing Magazine:
Security Settings - Browser & Windows Tips
Contributed by Charles Barney
If we lived in the real world the way we should live in the computing
realm, we would make the late, reclusive tycoon Howard Hughes seem
gregarious. We would only allow certain trusted individuals in our homes
and then only through one guarded door. We would make each visitor empty
his pockets to show he's not carrying anything nasty and then force him to
undergo a disinfection procedure. Even after all that, we wouldn't deign to
speak with our annoyed and ruffled guest without a medical doctor and a
bodyguard standing by, both ready to pounce at the slightest hint of
danger.
Of course this sounds paranoid, but it's a good analogy to the precautions
you should take with your computer. Besides using an updated antivirus
utility and, if you have a broadband Internet connection, such as a cable
modem or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), a firewall, you should also take a
virtual walk through your digital castle and lock a few doors and windows.
Crackers (malicious hackers) and virus creators continually find new ways
to tunnel into PCs, but there's no point in making it easy for them. We'll
explain how to adjust some settings in Internet Explorer, Netscape, and
Windows to cut down on the risks of uninvited enemies bearing "gifts."
Disarming Scripting
JavaScripts and ActiveX controls were originally intended to make your
computing experience better by automating tasks or adding interactive
content to Web pages. However, too many baddies misuse them to try and
control or disrupt PCs, so it's best to disable them if possible.
In Internet Explorer 5.5, for example, click Tools and Internet Options.
Click the Security Tab and Custom Level. In the ActiveX Controls And Plug-
ins section, click Disable under the Run ActiveX Control And Plug-ins and
Script ActiveX Control Marked Safe For Scripting entries. Do the same in
the Scripting section: click Disable under Active Scripting and Scripting
Of Java Applets. You can also set these to Prompt instead of Disable if you
would rather make decisions when the time comes, instead of dismissing
scripts and ActiveX controls out of hand.
It's probably not necessary to disable Java entirely, but you can do so
under Microsoft VM's Java Permissions. We recommend the High Safety
setting, though. Another Java-disabling step is to click the Advanced tab
and uncheck JIT Compiler For Virtual Machine Enabled (Requires Restart).
Click Apply, OK, and reboot your computer. In Netscape 6, click Edit,
Preferences, and Advanced. Click to uncheck the three Enable JavaScript
entries.
Becoming Selfish
If you aren't running two or more computers on a network, and you never use
LapLink or Direct Cable Connection to sync up your notebook and PC over a
cable, you probably should turn off Windows 95/98 or Windows Me's File And
Print Sharing.
As the name indicates, File And Print Sharing lets one computer access
another's files or use its printer. That can be handy, but it's also like
leaving your house keys in the lock.
Click Start, Settings, and Control Panel, double-click Network, and click
the File And Print Sharing button. Click the appropriate boxes if they have
check marks in them to deselect them. When both are unchecked, click OK
twice. Insert your Windows CD-ROM if you're prompted to.
If you need to exchange files among your PCs someday, or print across a
network, you can always temporarily re-enable File And Print Sharing and
disable it again when you're done. Unplug the power on your broadband
router while you do this to reduce your PCs' vulnerability.
Drawing The Line
The tradeoff with these or any security measure is that while they may keep
your computer safer, they also make it harder to use. Think about how
important (or unimportant) the data you've stored on your PC is, as well as
how much effort it would take for you to restore a previous system state or
reinstall everything after reformatting the hard drive. If some security
measures will cost you enough cumulative frustration that they outweigh the
time and effort you would spend fixing damage from a cracker or virus, you
might make an informed decision to ignore them.
by Marty Sems
Reprinted with permission from Smart Computing Magazine
For subscription information, call (800) 733-3809
Web site: http://www.smartcomputing.com
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CCCC Page 5 September 2001
SYSTEM PRINT
by Dick Trissel
Here's a useful trick to obtain system information to help solve hardware
problems. Go to My Computer/Properties/Device Manager. In the lower right
corner is a Print button--press it. Select "All devices and System
Summary" and check the Print to File option. When you press OK, you can
select the file and path for the print file (xxx.prn).
I recommend setting your default printer to Generic before you do this so
the print file can be read with Notepad without any embedded printer codes.
Be sure to set you default printer back to your regular printer.
If this technique doesn't work the first time, keep trying--it took me
three attempts before I finally got it, but I'm a little slow.
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CCCC Page 6 September 2001
WEB WANDERINGS
by Gil Smith
WORD SPY
How about a Word Spy? Well, here's a site that'll keep you up to date on
the latest "recently coined words, existing words that have enjoyed a
recent renaissance, and older words that are now being used in new ways.
http://www.logophilia.com/wordspy/
STUPID SITES
Do you like those annoying dancing sites? You know, like the ones with
dancing hamsters, frogs, politicians, etc? Well, if you do, check out this
site. They have an index that'll help you waste hours of your time and
bandwidth.
http://www.dancearound.com/
HISTORY LESSON
What happened on this date in history? or on your birthdate? If you have
ever wondered about these questions, head to this site. You'll be
surprised by all the happenings on any date in history. (Note - you may
need to scroll down to find your birthday).
http://www.datesinhistory.com/
BIZARRE!
You want to try some really funstuff? Check out this site. They'll show
you how to use water to crumple a tin can and how to make a popping bubble
gum wrapper cap. Really!
http://freeweb.pdq.net/headstrong/control.htm
REPAIR SHOP
Need to repair an appliance? Check out this one. They have all the
advice, tips, and parts you'll need. Lots of Preventive Maintenance tips
too. You know the old saying - an ounce of prevention . . . . etc.
http://www.repairclinic.com
VIRUS HOAXES
You have just been sent an e-mail with a virus warning. Do you just send
it along to everyone you know? Check these sites first to make sure you're
not just wasting bandwidth. It's bad enough to get a "real virus" without
having to be concerned about getting a false warning that has just been
forwarded on and on and on. When I get a "forwarded" message, especially
one which includes an attachment, I will usually just delete it.
http://www.sumantec.com/ns-search/avcenter/hoax.html
OR
http://www.urbanlegends.com/
OR
http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/science/urbanlegends/library/blhoax.htm
GREAT MOVIE REVIEWS
Have you ever seen a movie that you thought was great but that your local
movie critic hated? Well, I may have found the perfect way for you to get
your movie reviews.
This web site takes the opinions of dozens of different movie critics
across the country and generates a score for a particular movie. That way,
you don't skip a movie just because your local critic hated it or go to a
lousy one because you read a good review. With this site, you get an
average score from lots of different critics, so you get a better idea of
whether the movie is worth going to see.
http://www.metacritic.com/
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CCCC Page 7 September 2001
AUGUST INTERNET S.I.G.
by Dick Trissel
With 30 attendees we started off with a discussion of modem technology and
a presentation of modem management. First were definitions of terms:
MODEM MOdulation/DEModulation to put digital onto analog phone lines.
DTE Data Terminal Equipment--a computer acting as a source of data.
DCE Data Communication Equipment--a modem, dialup, DSL, or Cable.
UART Universal Asynchronous Receive/Transmit to change parallel bits
(a byte) into serial bits and vice-versa.
WinModem A simple modem that uses the computer CPU to simulate the UART
functions (can only be used with Windows--not DOS).
Terminal Program (Hyperterminal) used to emulate a simple DTE.
There are several ways to access the installed modem properties. Here are
three:
1. Start/Settings/Control Panel/Modems for option tabs General and
Diagnostics.
2. My Computer/Properties/Device Manager/Modem/Properties for option tabs
General, Modem, Connection, Forwarding, Driver and Resources.
3. My Computer/Open/Dial-Up Networking/Open, choose a
connectiod/Properties, and in the Connect Using section /Configure for
option tabs General, Connection, Options and Forwarding.
So, what good is all this capability? Here are a few option tab items to
inspect:
General--Properties--Maximum Speed (should be 115200)
Speaker Volume--set maximum
Diagnostics--More Info to test modem and get modem name and type
Connection/Advanced--Extra Settings to modify modem initialization string
Set and view modem log (Windows\modemname.log)
Modem--set port speed (should be 115200)
Driver--Modem driver file
Play around in these areas if you want to learn how to manage your modem
and maybe solve a modem/connection problem.
There was a mention of preventing programs from starting up at
startup/restart time. Besides using Start/Run/Msconfig/Startup, there's a
free 118Kb program called startstop.exe at http://www.tfi-
technology.co/downloads.htm. It will allow you to set programs to start,
not start, or ask you at each startup. At the home page
http://www.pacs-portal.com.uk/startup_index.htm
there's an index to most of the files you will see in your startup list
with an explanation of what they are and suggested settings.
There was another mention of programs to stop "pop-up" and "pop-under"
windows in your browser. One can be found at
http://www.panicware.com/downloads/PopUpStopper24.exe (363Kb).
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CCCC Page 8 September 2001
Review: DRIVECOPY V4.0
by Ray Isenson
There's no question about it! Because of the incredibly large increase in
almost all program sizes, whether they be operating systems or common
applications such as word processors or browsers, one continually has to
buy a new computer with more capacity or, with minimal requisite mechanical
ability, upgrade the old machine. To make the task somewhat easier, the
manufacturers of hard drives typically furnish with each new drive, on a
small floppy disk, software to assist in the installation task. While
these programs generally are adequate for a user with some computer
experience, to do the job of copying all of the files from an old drive to
a newer, larger drive, they tend to lack flexibility if anything more than
simply copying is desired. And they tend to have characteristics that are
unique to the hard drives made by the manufacturer who furnished the
software.
DriveCopy, a classical utility by PowerQuest (publishers of Partition Magic
and other disk management programs), for some time has been offering
software that makes the upgrade task comfortably simple for almost anyone.
It is designed to work with drives made by almost any manfacturer, whether
IDE or SCSI. And it is independent of the operating system; whether
Microsoft, Linux or IBM's O/S. In addition to being able to copy all files
from a source to a target drive, DriveCopy offers the freedom to be
selective in copying the material should that be desired.
Thus, where the older (the source) drive has data that isn't desired on
the target drive, it needn't be copied. While not as powerful as
PartitionMagic, DriveCopy does allow the user a limited capability to
adjust partition sizes, affording the ability to do some customization.
The newest version of DriveCopy (version 4.0) retains all the flexibility
of the earlier ones but adds some important new capabilities. First, and
this matter will be clarified later, the DriveCopy program can be run
directly from the CD disk on which it is delivered, thus simplifying the
task for the user who isn't overly comfortable working with floppy disks.
Next, version 4.0 will support hard drives of up to an 80 GByte capacity.
As to some of the retained features, it will function under all versions of
Windows, any version of Microsoft DOS starting with 5.0 and under IBM's
OS/2. The computer's CPU can be as old as an Intel 386SX or as new as they
come.
The box in which the software arrives contains the CD, an excellent manual
and an approximately 16 X 19 inch spreadsheet that details the 10 steps
required, from installing the software and hardware to removing the old
drive to finish the upgrade. The manual follows along with the spreadsheet
and the presentations seen on the computer's monitor as the installation
proceeds. At each point the manual tells what should have been seen on the
screen and what will follow next.
If the user is satisfied to follow the "normal" procedure, he or she starts
by booting the computer, putting the CD disk into its drive, following a
single instruction to install the software and then shuts down the
computer. In accord with the guidance, the new hard drive is set up to be
the "slave" and physically installed and connected to the computer. The
computer is powered up again. Following easy understood instructions the
BIOS is modified to recognize the new drive and the machine restarts and
goes right into the DriveCopy program.
There may be special situations where a more advanced user wants to take
tighter control of the process. For example, the user might, for some
reason, want the new drive to be the master and the source drive the slave.
In those cases, programming on the CD ROM disk allows the user to create
two floppy disks. One of these is a special boot disk and the other
contains elements of the DRIVECOPY program. Files on these floppies allow
installation quite similar to that described above; although a bit more
laborious.
DriveCopy is a program well worth having in your library if there's any
chance of an upgrade in the foreseeable future. User group members may
purchase DriveCopy v4.0 at a special price of $25 by ordering from the
secure web site at http://www.ugr.com/order. Indicate the special price
code of UGEVAL01 with your order.
DRIVECOPY v4.0, PowerQuest Corp., PO Box 1911, Orem, UT 84097
Phone: 801-437-8900 Special UG price $25.00
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CCCC Page 9 September 2001
OPENING A REGISTERED FILE WITH A DIFFERENT PROGRAM
Many programs register the file extensions they use for their files.
Microsoft Word, for example, registers .DOC as the default file extension
for Word files. When you double-click a file with a .DOC extension, the
file automatically opens in Word.
Sometimes, however, you want to open the file in a program other than the
one it's registered to. You can do this quickly by selecting the file in
Windows Explorer, then pressing and holding the Shift key while you right-
click the file, select Open With from the context menu and choose the
program you want.
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MOUSE REPAIRS
If you have a mouse that is lacking the right mouse button or if the
button is on the blink, then you can hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys
at the same time while dragging and dropping with the left mouse button.
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