VISIT YOUR WEB SITE AT
Monthly Magazine of The Boca Raton Computer Society, Inc.
Volume 14, Number 6
WWW.BRCS.ORG
June 2006
Next General Meeting Wednesday, June 21, 7:30 P.M. Pre-meeting Q & A’s Start 6:15 PM
June Meeting Features The Art and Science of
GENEALOGY by Marv and Natalie Hamburg
Summer SIG Closing Dates Page 23 Surviving The Crash Page 8
LOGO CONTEST
We are seeking to improve our Logo for BRCS. Please enter our LOGO contest. If your LOGO is chosen you will win a year's free Membership in BRCS. E-mail LOGOs to brcs@bobbalogh.com. Contest ends July, 2006.
System Restore; Rewind Button for Your PC - Page 10 I Can’t Believe I Did That! Page 17
Membership News - 3; Deals Guy - 5; Meet a BRCS Member - 10; ComputerTutor - 11; Window Pains -12; Palm Shores Web Exchange - 13; Fixing Windows - 14; ruXperienced - 15; ; Chapter News - 18; Help Line - 22; Directions To SIG's - 23; SIGs Calendar - 26
If you find mistakes in this newsletter, please consider they are here for a purpose; we publish something for everyone, and some people are always looking for mistakes!
Boca Raton Computer Society, Inc
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS
Bob Balogh 561-374-9287 Oscar Segal 561-499-9873 Lorraine Krupowies 561-734-5985 Bill Marcuse 561-637-3803 Win Baumel Jerry Rutstein Richard Miller Gerald Dinerman Jerry Bartzoff President brcs@bobbalogh.com Vice President oscar@brcs.org Treasurer LMK1@prodigy.net Secretary wmarcuse@brcs.org 561-637-4840 winb1@brcs.org marrut@brcs.org 561-393-5813 rmiller@genesis-one.com 561-736-5601 gerald@dinerman.com 561-499-5150 bartzoff@brcs.org
DIRECTORS
Boca Bits is published monthly by the Boca Raton Computer Society, Inc. (BRCS) P.O. Box 273421, Boca Raton, FL 33427-3421. The BRCS is an independent, not-for-profit user group and is not affiliated in any way with any vendor or equipment manufacturer. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the Boca Raton Computer Society, the Boca Bits editorial staff, or the individual authors or contributors. This disclaimer extends to all losses, incidental or consequential, from the use or inability to use any and all information in any issue of this publication. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the opinions expressed in any article or column are those of the individual author(s) and do not represent an official position of, or endorsement by, the Boca Raton Computer Society. Advertising appears in Boca Bits as prepared by individual advertisers. The Boca Raton Computer Society does not endorse the products, services, or companies so advertised. Copyright © 1999 by the Boca Raton Computer Society. All rights reserved. Articles without additional copyright notices may be reprinted in whole or in part by other non-profit computer user groups for internal, non-profit use, provided credit is given to Boca Bits and to the authors of the reproduced material. All other reproduction without the prior written permission of the Boca Raton Computer Society is prohibited.
Submission Format
Any word processor or text editor capable of producing straight ASCII text files may be used to write your article. We'll make it as easy as possible for you, just don't do any formatting like use of the Tab key, Italics, Bold, etc. Use the Enter key on your keyboard just to separate paragraphs. If you would like to include your formatting, please send a second file that can be used as a reference. Include your name and telephone number so we can contact you if we have questions.
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
Gleneagles 561-499-5150 Huntington Lakes 561-495-1743 Century Village West Palm Shores 561-742-8176 Vizcaya 561-865-1253 Kings Point Cascade Lakes Jerry Bartzoff bartzoff@brcs.org Lou Strumlauf lstrumlauf@juno.com Bernie Semell 561-451-1371 Joe Bendersky jbendersky@yahoo.com Jerry Naditch gnaditch@ieee.org Jerry Frank jerryphyllisf@adelphia.net Gerald “Jerry” Dinerman gerald@dinerman.com
Transmission: Please send your advertising copy by e-mail to marrut@brcs.org, or via postal
mail to: 6361 Via Venetia North, Delray Beach, FL 33484.
Deadline: Deadline for each issue is 12:00 p.m. on the Saturday following the General Meeting. Advertising Rates
Ad copy would be preferred in either FrameMaker format, or in scannable camera-ready copy. Business cards, line art, or halftone/line art combination original art is acceptable. Size of Ad
Full Page (7 x 9.25") Half Page (7 x 4.25") Quarter Page (3.4 x 4.25") Business Card (3.4 x 2") 1 $ 90 $ 60 $ 40 $ 20
Number of Issues
3 6 $ 250 $ 150 $ 100 $ 50 $475 $260 $200 $90
12 $900 $500 $360 $160
Hunters Run
Joan Soble
joansob@aol.com
FACILITIES
C.P.A. for BRCS 241-1040 Facilities Coordinator Len Geronemus, P.A No Listing Open
Rates are for CAMERA-READY COPY and must be pre-paid. Non-commercial classified ads for computer-related merchandise are published, subject to space availability, at no charge to Boca Raton Computer Society members.
Boca Bits Staff
Editor
Oscar Segal oscar@brcs.org Nathan Maryn nmaryn@comcast.net Jerry Rutstein marrut@brcs.org
Help-Line Coordinator Bill Marcuse 561-637-3803 wmarcuse@brcs.org Internet Connection Web Master Bob Wagner 561-451-0364
Associate Editor Steve Costello
brcssefc@earthlink.net
Advertising Coordinator Photography Proofreaders
Jerry Bartzoff Jerry Flomen
Charles Burnaford charlesb255@bellsouth.net Jerry Bartzoff bartzoff@brcs.org
Graphics Editor
Gerald “Jerry” Dinerman gerald@dinerman.com
Position Open
Bartzoff @brcs.org jakeflo@yahoo.com
Assistant Web Master
Contributing Editors
Lee Reynolds Bob Balogh Ron Hirsch Bob Click leetutor@earthlink.net help@bobbalogh.com rbhirsch1h4i3r9s@adelphia.net Greater Orlando Comp. User’s Group
Membership Coordinator Charles Burnaford charlesb255@bellsouth.net Membership Assistant Member Services Public Relations 561-496-1733 SIG Coordinator Arthur Walter alwcsipsa@webtv.net Sy Cook sycook@msn.com Mort Mazor mmazor1@hotmail.com Pamela Tabak computertutor@brcs.org Marty Greenlinger Win Baumel winb1@msn.com
Gen’l Meeting Coord.
561-638-5483
marty897@yahoo.com
Program Coordinator 561-637-4840
Wyatt Bell Richard V. Sandell Mark Lautenschlager Wayne S. Ackley Norman D. Olson Bob Hubbell Glenn Stocking Richard Miller
07/1983 - 01/1984 01/1984 - 01/1987 01/1987 - 01/1990 01/1990 - 05/1990 05/1990 - 01/1992 01/1992 - 01/1993 01/1993 - 01/1995 01/1995 - 01/1997
Mel Macy Richard Miller Larry French Bob Hirshan Larry French (Acting Pres) Oscar Segal Bob Balogh - Current
01/1997 - 01/1999 01/1999 - 01/2000 01/2000 - 01/2001 01/2001 - 02/2001 01/2001 - 01/2002 01/2002 - 01/2006 02/2006
Boca Bits
June 2006
Membership News & Views
Welcome to New Members
May 2006
Edward Botos Irving Fox Audrey Goldstein Robert Gonzalez Solomon Lerner Herbert Levine Wayne Lotoza Jacky Matilus Eric Montague George & Karol Rubenstein Gina Tayern Susan Weinstock Gilda Weiss
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Expiring Memberships
Continued
Murray Silverberg Ernest Simon Leonard Solomon Richard Sorrento Kathy Stegman Moe Stern Leon & Iris Tanenbaum Harvey Tasch Gerald M. Tholl Sydney Tillman Frank Trachtman Marvin Waghelstein Jacob Wexler Eleanor Widmer
Membership Renewals
May 2006
Bruno Chiesa Sophie & Irwin Cozier Katalin Deri Larry Diou Robert J Eisenberg Lila Goldman Irwin Lebow Gerald Lindstrom Marcia Meckler Effraim Milce Stacey Nelson Carmen Resto Donna Rocchi Stuart Rosenberg Edward C Ross Jeanne L. Sandak Ben Sherb Shirley Tilchen Lawrence VanBuskirk
Expired Memberships
as of May 1, 2006
Nora Bernfeld Vincent Cheeseman Anthony Crisalli Richard G. Hagman Margot Halpern Hirsh Jacobson Marvin Lazarowitz Tony Mangiaracina Norman Mehr Ralph Nierenberg Sheva & YisraelMeir Rock Edith Shulman Ava Sobel Dorothy Velkovitz
Expiring Memberships
as of June 1, 2006
Renee Abrams Eli Abramson Jerry Bartzoff Milton Bassin Dr. Charles Bender Morris Bernstein Milton Beyer William W. Blair Alvin Borkin Bernice Cohen Sy Cook Frank Damiana Astrid Diaz Bobbie Duker Herbert Feld Fred Ferber Paul Firestein Harvey Firestone Jerry Flomen Estelle Frichner Elias Goldstein Howard Grossman Allan Guttman Richard & Judy Herman Daniel Hodas Abraham Irwin Carl Isbitts David Izen David Kish Bert Kurtz Sidney Lances Murray Lebwohl LH (Les) Libenson Jose Lopez Tricia Luckey Wally Lynwood Marvin Malin Gerald Marshall Mort Mazor William McKibben Herbert Mennen Marilyn Miller Gail Neer Margo & Jack Ozer Lloyd Powell Arnold Reed Edwin C. Rothstein Jack Rothstein Abraham Sandberg Edwin Sandler Norman Schenker Brenda Sepulveda Please address items having to do with memberships to the following address: membership@brcs.org For items having to do with the website, please address your emails to: webmaster@brcs.org For items having to do with Boca Bits: newsletter@brcs.org
May High Bidder for the Office 2003 Auction: CONGRATULATIONS
Ashan Brand
Boca Raton Resident BRCS Member
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Boca Bits
June 2006
Boca Raton Computer Society
Bob Balogh, President
Wow, it is absolutely amazing when you look at BRCS from afar. First off we have a membership that is enormously diverse. We have retired dentists and judges, electricians and construction workers, IBMers and novice computer people, doctors and teachers, black, white, asians and hispanics - we fit into all the boxes that have made America great. We have it all. BRCS and diversity in all areas go hand in hand. We are what our former President Oscar Segal tagged, "Members helping Members." It is a joy to serve as your President. To date we have received five (5) entries for our Logo Contest. C'mon, I know we can do better. Let's get in more entries and demonstrate that we can create our new Logo from within our own organization. How about our Editor of Boca Bits? All seem to be receiving our magazine in a timely manner. It is no easy task. At the same time Jerry Bartzoff, our newly appointed member of the Board of Directors is working with Director Jerry Rutstein to come up with a solution to the quality of the pictures in our magazine as well as establishing a program to make certain delivery is made in a timely manner. No easy task. There is no doubt they will be successful. Meanwhile Jerry Dinerman and his committee are working quite hard on a Special Event for BRCS to take place sometime during next season. How about a Saturday Special Program at the South County Building or an event to take the place of our regular meeting? Stay tuned and you will be happily surprised. Charles Burnaford is wearing two hats for BRCS. He is doing a wonderful job as our Membership Coordinator. Again not an easy task and one whose work is never made apparent to the membership at large. Additionally Charles is serving as our Webmaster for the BRCS site. He has already made some major changes and more on on the way. Be certain to visit it at www.brcs.org frequently as all information regarding SIGs are posted. In the event one is cancelled you will see it on our site. Be certain to check our site the day of or the day prior to the SIG you will be attending. We also have a new Associate Editor for Boca Bits Steve Costello. Hopefully this will relieve some pressure from Oscar as well as bring us some fresh ideas and approaches. Due to Steve's efforts the Broward County Computer User Group won the states' award for best Newsletter. We look forward to Steve helping us improve Boca Bits in the coming months. In conclusion we welcome Hunters Run as our latest chapter in BRCS. If you are a member of a community that has a computer club please check to see how your club can become an affiliate member of BRCS. The benefits are outstanding.
Percy PC Plus
COMPUTER REPAIRS HARDWARE UPGRADES
DSL SHARING SETUP VIRUS REMOVALS
Palm Beach County We Come ToYou!
Check our web site for the latest updates
http://www.brcs.org
Phones: 561-483-4378 e-mail: PercyPC@aol.com
PERCY ALEXANDER
Boca Bits
June 2006
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The Deals Guy
by Bob (The Cheapskate) Click
Greater Orlando Computer User’s Group I worked the National Sign Association show and it was interesting. Most of the outdoor electronic signs were using very bright LEDs that are easily seen, even in bright sunlight. The LED's brightness can be adjusted either automatically or manually. The one I saw up close was composed of modules 19 inches square that can be easily changed to repair it. If a hurricane is approaching it is easy to dismantle the modules and safely store them (if your storage survives). It was a large show. There were many types of giant printers, and other machines that would stamp out all kinds of parts for signs. Memphis PC Users Group Inc. has a great newsletter thanks to the Editor Jin Yang. An interesting article in the January 2006 issue caught my eye called "A Letter from China", by Judith Bogan, working in Shanghai, China. There are other interesting articles, but look for that issue on their newsletter archive page. I have developed other health problems (numbing toes among other things), but I have a lot packed in the column for you this month so you don't need my health problems. I edited much of the wording out so I suggest you check for more product information on the Web sites. Remember I have not tried them and know nothing about these products but thought they were interesting. Be sure to check their privacy statements, if they have one. Also, I need more opinions on my using these announcements in the column.
Games Anyone?
TameStorm Games unveiled the newest version of 'Filler'. The inner structure of the game reveals features of puzzles and strategies combined, so they have a few games to put on the same list. What you are to do here is to occupy half, or the majority of, the flowers on the field. The field is a meticulously crafted meadow picture, in which flowers are fresh and live and their petals still remember the touch of an artist's brush. You always start a game from the left side. The computer always starts from the right one. You always make the first move. The game field has flowers with coins, which you need to seize. The more coins you have, the more bonuses you can buy. If you have gathered enough money, you can repaint flowers in the color of your zone, randomize unoccupied space, and make your opponent miss one turn and more. Two modes of the game are available: classic puzzle and advanced puzzle. In advanced puzzle mode you will see black flowers that you can't seize. Filler Features at a Glance (Full Version): - Unlimited game play time; - 100 layouts of the field and 100 levels in advanced game; - 100 levels in classic game; - 11 special bonuses; - Interesting game for your children; - Graphics designed by masters of Russian Khokhloma painting; - Splendid relaxing game.
Deals Guy, Continued Page 6
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Deals Guy, Continued Page 5
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June 2006
Pricing and Availability Filler 1.2 runs under Windows98/ME/2000/XP and costs $14.95 (USD). TameStorm Games offers user group members 15% discount. Use the coupon code TAME-HQBL-FILL on the order page. Additional information on Filler, as well as its evaluation version with 30 minutes of the game play and several locked levels is available as a free download at: . Product page link: Web:
Get Modern With eBook
Smart eBook Maker for Richer Content and Stronger Copyright Protection eBook Maestro released an update to its fully featured e-book compiler eBook Maestro 1.50. eBook Maestro is a robust compiler that makes rich standalone e-books out of HTML pages, multimedia files and scripts. The program now supports all popular multimedia formats and helps embed flash, shockwave, and other visual elements into a single executable. eBook Maestro offers various means of content protection from disabling cut-and-paste and printout to on-line registration and limited use for unregistered copies. In response to copyright concerns, we provide multi-level protection of e-book contents. Not only can you effectively limit the use of a publication, but also protect its content against changes. Besides making e-books, it provides rich features for multimedia presentations, ezines, offline web sites, training and educational courses, advertisement and promotion letters, and other kinds of publications. Pricing and Availability eBook Maestro v1.50 runs under Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP. A standard version of the product is available at $35.95 USD for a single user license. A professional version with extended support for commercial epublishing is priced at $69.95 USD for the same single user license. eBook Maestro with core functionality is also available as a freeware. eBook Maestro STANDARD and eBook Maestro PRO are offered at a 40% discount. Discount coupon "C2044NN1449" is redeemable at . The trial versions of eBook Maestro STANDARD and eBook Maestro PRO, and the freeware version of eBook Maestro FREE are available for download at . Product page link:
Get Rid of Those Duplicate Files
We are the producer of NoClone, a file utility which uncovers true duplicate files and recovers valuable disk space. Reasonable Software House is offering a 20% discount to user group members on NoClone, a file utility which uncovers true duplicate files and recovers valuable disk space. To get the discount, follow this link: . Don't buy a new hard drive, buy NoClone. Uncover duplicate files; recover valuable disk space. Information at Reasonable Software House (a Monthly Service) An online permission-based newsletter management system called Reasonable Spread, also from Reasonable Software House, can help with your newsletter management. By using Reasonable Spread, you can communicate with your members by sending newsletter/latest news/announcements. Or it can be used as an electronic publishing tool by sending users news and articles written by group president or members. For the free trial: To order at 20% discount: Phone: +852 35204490 Fax: +852 35204492 Mobile: +852 92276779. Address: Suite 332, InnoCentre, 72 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
More Product Announcements
Almeza Research has released MultiSet 2.0 and Captain Tray 6.0. MultiSet is a solution to the problem of automatic program installation. MultiSet has been created to free you from routine work such as program installations. All you have to do is install the application only once on your PC and MultiSet will record all your actions. MultiSet will install all the applications you need automat-
Boca Bits
June 2006
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ically, either on your original computer or on a new one; it's ideal for rebuilding your systems quickly! MultiSet automatically starts the installation procedure, takes care of all necessary buttons, like "Next", "I agree", and "Finish". This installation robot will specify the path for the installation and automatically configure all attending settings. All registration codes and license keys will also be entered in a self-acting mode. Once you have done it, you can playback the whole process and create your installation CD/DVD disc! Website and Info: Get 50% discount (MSRP $44.95, although I am unsure about that MSRP) Captain Tray Pro: Turn system tray into your PC central command center. Captain Tray Pro is a tiny software application that makes a difference when it comes to organizing favorite programs, customizing the system tray and creating shortcuts for instantaneously minimizing windows, changing captions and doing a number of other tasks. Essentially, any user who invests an hour into investigating this tool is likely to completely abandon the traditional way of endless window browsing and using the Start menu to open documents and launch applications. Many users need several applications running simultaneously. Some of those applications are used quite frequently, others only when they are needed. So the Windows taskbar can get fully packed and everything seems to be necessary, and you have no desire to close any programs. Some applications can be minimized to the system tray, but what shall we do about 'Notepad', 'Calculator', 'Microsoft Word', 'Microsoft Excel' and our other favorite programs? Captain Tray Pro is there to help you. Here are two other products with a discount.
Program: Captain Tray Pro
Website and Info: 50% discount URL: Product: Time Assist Pro (A project manager) Web: 50% Discount link: That's it for this month. Meet me here again next month if your editor permits. Be sure to check for new announcement pages on my Web site. This column is written to make user group members aware of special offers or freebies I have found or arranged, and my comments should not be interpreted to encourage, or discourage, the purchase of any products, no matter how enthused I might sound. Bob (The Cheapskate) Click . Visit my Web site at .
SAVE UP TO 70% ON TONER AND INKJET CARTRIDGES
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2621 N. Federal Highway Boca Raton, FL 33431 (561)-394-4072
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Boca Bits
June 2006
HOW TO SURVIVE THE CRASH Part Two of Two
by Ron Hirsch, BRCS Member & Contributing Editor Contact RON at: rbhirsch1h4i3r9s@adelphia.net This a continuation of the 2 part series started last month
HOW DOES ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE WORK?
True image has a very straightforward interface, and in my view is the best program of its type out there. Most users will never have to open/read the PDF manual that's available for it. Its competition was Drive Image, and Norton Ghost. It beat them hands down. Symantec bought out Drive Image (and Partition Magic) when it purchased PowerQuest. It then upgraded Drive Image a bit, and renamed it Norton Ghost, replacing its own program. But True Image is still superior, and furthermore, I avoid all products offered by Symantec - I've had just too many problems with their products. And, tech support by Acronis wins hands down over Symantec. True Image can generate the image of your system drive without shutting down, and booting into a DOS or other mode. Prior to this, all such programs could not create an image of the system's C drive, while Windows was running. But of course, you can't restore the system's C drive from Windows, as that drive partition is essentially wiped clean prior to the restoration. So, True Image lets you create a boot CD. To use this CD, you just put it into your CD drive, and allow the machine to boot from that. The machine boots up, and brings you to a "DOS" style graphics window, which displays the full program and its capabilities. You select what it is you are restoring to, and where the image is located, and let the program do its thing. Acronis True Image will recognize any USB drives you have connected to your system. So, if that's where you stored the image, just select that drive and file, and True Image will restore it exactly as it was.
USING TRUE IMAGE FOR A PLAIN "BACKUP"
Acronis True Image has a very nice feature built into it, which allows the user to pick and choose from the many thousands of files which are contained in the image. Let's assume that you have created an image of a drive partition. And a month from now, somehow some important files on that partition are missing, corrupted, or whatever. You can use a utility built into the program to create a "virtual drive" on your machine which will contain all the fileson the imaged drive. That drive will be given a drive letter, and present itself as a tree of folders and files. You can then browse that tree, find the file/folder/whatever that you want, and copy it to your regular hard drive, your USB drive, or any medium that you want. Any file operation that you can do in Windows Explorer (or any file manger), can be accomplished here. After that is done. Just reboot back into your "normal" Windows mode, and the files in question are now available to you from their new location.
BACKUPS OF THE PAST
Depending upon how long you've been into computers, you may or may not remember the days of the tape backups. I do, and I have a carton filled with tapes produced by tape drives in many machines of the past. These tapes will shortly all be destroyed. The tape drives were molasses. Most of them ran at about 8 MB/ minute. But the hard drives were much smaller back then. However, it still took hours to back up drive partitions. That wasn't the worst of it. Tapes are read serially - that is, to get to something at the end of the tape, you had to fast forward, much like a VCR. First, you had to locate the file index on the tape to give you the listing of files there. And that could take a long time to happen. Then the tape had to be searched for the file you wanted. I remember once taking 20 minutes to recover a 2 KB file. Of course, to recover a file from a hard drive, the read head just jumps right to that file location, and this takes seconds. As I noted above, external USB drives are a panacea for many of the tasks that were difficult to do in the past. If you don't have an external USB drive, I would strongly suggest that you consider getting one.
Boca Bits
June 2006
OTHER POSSIBLE SURVIVAL TOOLS
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There are other potential survival tools for archiving your data, and helping to recover from "disasters", which I'll briefly mention below. 1. Go Back - Symantec's Norton GoBack 4.0 allows you to easily undo PC problems. Restore your PC to a healthy state by going back minutes, hours, or even days (depending on available disk space). Also you can use Norton GoBack to restore files that have been deleted or modified, and to try new software safely. Unfortunately, my history with GoBack is not good. I had it installed on a computer some years back. I have a close friend who uses it successfully. Unfortunately, it gave me severe problems, and almost wiped out the machine I had it on. So I uninstalled it. And now, since it's a Symantec product, I definitely don't recommend it 2. Zip Drives - These can be effective media to store and archive important data. However, they have limited capacity when compared to USB hard drives. But, they do offer the opportunity to move "stuff" to other machines, assuming that a compatible ZIP drive is installed there. After all the problems I've had in the past with Iomega's JAZ drives, and also compatibility of their 250 MB ZIP drive with their 100 MB ZIPS disks, I stay away from this choice. The Iomga JAZ drives, which were quirky 1 GB and 2 GB replaceable media drives were always trouble prone devices. I have 3 such drives, and probably 20 or so cartridges for them in a box. They were pulled from some of my older systems a few years ago, and the drives and cartridges are awaiting disposal. Iomega had some nice external drives in its early days in years past. But these days, I stay away from their products. 3. Flash Drives - These are the little lipstick sized solid state drives that are now flooding the market, with larger sizes and cheaper prices. I recently purchased a 2 GB unit, which, after all the rebates, cost me $60 (at Circuit City). These just plug into a USB port, and XP immediately recognizes them. They require no power supply, other than what comes in via the USB port, and show up as a drive letter on your computer. Reading and writing to them is the same as doing this to/from any drive on your machine. And they are readily portable to use on another machine to transfer files back and forth. These flash drives are very similar in structure to the memory cards that are used in Digital cameras. They are being mass-produced in large quantities these days, and the pricing structure has been dropping steadily, and will probably continue to do so. These are definitely something for everyone to have.
IN CONCLUSION
There are two facets to having computer system problems. The first is the preservation of your files and data, which of course is independent of any specific computer itself. If you have all these files, you can get back into operation on any computer system, be it a new one, or a repaired older one. The second facet is the preservation of your original computer's environment, which is the hardware and software you use. Using software such as Acronis True Image, you can recover from even a total hard drive failure. Replacing the system hard drive in such a machine, and then restoring a saved drive image, can get you back into business quickly. Remember however - you should not restore an image of a system drive from one machine to a different machine, as all the system and Registry files will not necessarily be the same, and the machine will not function properly. But if you just replace a failed hard drive in a given machine, you can restore the image you may have saved, as it's still the same computer, even if the drive is a different size or brand. And, as I noted earlier, you can always set up a virtual disk to recover desired personal files from an image, and put them onto any machine and any drive, using Acronis True Image's utility which creates a virtual drive. You can visit Acronis at http://www.acronis.com. Good luck in your activities to insure against the day of the crash.
Check our web site for the latest updates at http://www.brcs.org
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meet a
Boca Bits
June 2006
BRCS member
by Mort Mazor mmazor1@hotmail.com
A series of profiles about rank and file members of BRCS, the hardware and software they use. Lou Strumlauf's first love is tennis. However a few years ago he was talked into getting a computer and immediately became hooked. He says that he is only on his PC one hour a day, but his wife Annette says it is more likely four. The truth is probably somewhere in between. He is currently using a Dell 3000 PC and a Lexmark X83 all in one printer. A short stay in the Navy during WWII, off to school under the GI Bill, and then a career in the Postal Service where he worked as an Industrial Engineer and Economic Analyst. After his retirement in 1983, he moved from his home in Douglaston, NY directly to Huntington Lakes ready to begin a new life in "playland." Not willing to let the next guy do it, he got involved in his condo, serving as the Rules Committee Chairman and also a very vocal member of the Budget Committee. As an avid tennis player he also got involved in the formation of the Huntington Lakes Tennis Club, becoming their 2nd President, and founder of the
Lou Strumlauf
So. Palm Beach County Senior Tennis League, which promotes inter-condo play, and which is still thriving after 20 years. After a few years, he and Annette joined the Gleneagles Tennis Club, and a short time later he became part of a group of founders of a soft court Country Club Tennis League. The league has grown to be the largest Senior Tennis League in the country, with approximately 4000 players. Lou was the league's 2nd President and he has continued his activity on the Board of Directors until this year. Lou is currently the President and Webmaster of the Huntington Lakes Computer Club. He and Annette are avid Bridge players, with a little canasta thrown in to spice things up. His 2 sons, Steven and Edward, along with his 2 daughters-inlaw and 4 grandchildren and his wife of 56 years, Annette, have made him a very proud man. When you want something done, they say you should ask a busy person, but please don't ask Lou now - he has enough on his plate.
System Restore; A Rewind Button For Your PC
From Smart Computing, June 2006 o Vol.17 Issue 6 Uh-oh. You installed a new device, driver, or program, and now your PC is running poorly. You've tried various fixes, such as Add Or Remove Programs or Device Driver Rollback in Windows XP, but you've still come to a dead-end. It's time to turn around and use a tool that Microsoft introduced when it released Windows Me: System Restore. System Restore lets you restore your computer to a previous state-that is, a state that existed before you began encountering your current problem. Run into trouble, and you can revert to an earlier state without losing personal files (recent or otherwise), including word-processing documents, email messages, and bookmarked Web pages. As you use your PC, Windows monitors changes to your system and application-related files and regularly creates what it refers to as restore points. To do this, it monitors all partitions and drives, as well as driver and application installations. During every 24 hours (in WinXP) or 10 hours (in WinMe) of computer use or
System Restore, Continued Page 21
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Pamela Tabak receives numerous computer-related questions via e-mail, and during classroom presentations. She selects those she feels are of common interest to most BRCS members and forwards them to us for publication here in Boca Bits. QUESTION: How can I avoid including my original message when replying to an email in Outlook Express. ANSWER: With Outlook Express Open: "Click on TOOLS "Select OPTIONS "Click on the SEND TAB "UNCHECK "Include message in reply" "Click OK Your message will not appear on your email. ______________________________________________________________________________________ QUESTION: When I log on I keep getting a message that my system in low on virtual memory paging file. The error message states the following: "Windows is increasing the size of your virtual memory file. During this process memory request for some applications may be denied." I seem to have a great deal of space on my computer can you please let me know what should be done." ANSWER: This issue may occur if there is not sufficient memory on the computer, and when the current virtual memory settings are not set high enough. To work around this issue, you can adjust the virtual memory setting. Follow the steps that are appropriate for Windows XP operating system. Microsoft Windows XP "Click Start, and then click Control Panel "Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System "On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings "On the Advanced tab, under Virtual memory, click Change "Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file that you want to change "Under Paging file size for selected drive, click to select the System managed size check box, and then click Set "Click OK three times "When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes ______________________________________________________________________________________ QUESTION: How do I get the photographs of my items onto my eBay description page after I have emailed them to myself from Picasa? ANSWER: You will need to RIGHT click on the attachment (each photo) and then SAVE them in your "My Pictures" Folder with a name that will identify them for future use. When it is time to place the picture on your eBay page, just BROWSE to find it in you're "My Pictures" folder then upload it to eBay when they ask you for the picture file on the "sell your item form." Pamela invites members to e-mail computer-based questions to computertutor@brcs.org. More often than not you will receive an answer within 24 hours.
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Boca Bits
June 2006
Window Pains
by Bob Balogh, President, BRCS
Don't forget to visit my BRSC Web Site for tutorials on E-mail, the Internet and an assortment of helpful "freeware" downloads. Just go to : http://bobbalogh.com/brcssiggroup.html If there is any specific topic you would like to see added to these tutorials why not e-mail me at help@bobbalogh.com and I will add a tutorial on that topic for all. Many of us have often asked why they can't send certain files or folders as attachments to their e-mails. They are told that the file is too large. In case you didn't know all ISP's limit the size of attachments you can send with an e-mail. Check with you own ISP for the limit. That the "Bad "News. The "Good News" is there are a couple of ways around that problem. The most obvious is to "compress" your files by turning them into Zip Files. The problem is you must either have a Zip program or an Operating System that has one. Windows XP has a Zip program as part of the OS. Although I personally prefer Win Zip. Zip files can be found on many different sites around the Internet. You may have seen one of these files and downloaded it, but when attempting to run the file it does nothing. First of all, zip files (often called archives) are single files that can contain one or more compressed files. The compression aspect of zip files really means a lot. Downloading large documents on the Internet can be a real pain when you are stuck with a dialup connection. A zip file, however, can greatly decrease the size of the download, and this makes it easier to e-mail to people or even post on the Web. Zip files are distributed on countless software Web sites because the format keeps the size practical and it provides one simple install file. n order to open these archives (or create your own), you will need a compression utility. The most popular application for compression to date has to be WinZip. A whole batch of other zip utilities have appeared as well, including free programs such as ZipGenius and UltimateZip. This all brings a new meaning to examining your zipper. If you still find that you can't e-mail an item because it is too large you can use an Internet site to mail it for you. Share 2 Net located at http://www.share2net.com/ will permit you to Upload a file and e-mail it for you. You can also utilize the services of You Send It. This site is found at http://www.yousendit.com/ . Just copy either of these sites into your Address box in your Browser and you will be able to send that which was previously too large for your ISP to handle. At last month's SIG I demonstrated how you can create a Log on your Desktop that will permit you to keep on-going notes if you are in need of a record when dealing with any company or problem. The Log when opened will show the date and time prior SAVE TIME - SAVE MONEY to your making an entry. This will allow you BUY NEW OR RECYCLE instant recall when dealing with a problem with anyone as to when, where and what was said or agreed upon. Just open Notepad and type ".LOG," without the quotes. Don't forget to insert the dot or period before the word LOG or it will not work. Press enter and the then Save as, give it a name and save it to your Desktop. Every time you open it you will see the date and time prior to your making an entry. Try it - you'll like it. I guarantee it.
INK & TONER CARTRIDGES
SAVE 30-50%
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Boca Bits
June 2006
Palm Shores
Get Your Own Tech News
13
Web Site Exchange
By Joe Bendersky
Those of us who use the Internet have favorite web sites. Since there are millions of sites and the number is growing every second, we can?t know all of them. The goal of this exchange is to share some of our favorite sites. If you e-mail your favorites to me (jbendersky@yahoo.com) I will publish them in Boca Bits and Shorelines and give you credi
www.diggit.com. You can read your news from 14 different tech categories. This Blog site employs non-hierarchical editorial control. With digg, users submit stories for review, but rather than allowing an editor to decide which stories go on the homepage, the users do by the number of hits this story gets prior to reaching the “front page”. You can review the comments made about this article and add you own comments.
Need Relief from Carpal Tunnel Pain?
www.ctsplace.com. This place is a clearinghouse of information with links to numerous other sites for descriptions, treatments, and support for this common ailment.
Remember 9/11 — A Different View
http://camazotz.com/wtc/1.html This site was submitted by Larry Jablon. Here you will find some awesome 9/11 photos. There are 28 photos in all so keep hitting next. When you get to photo 20 click more for 8 more. Hit end for some text. Photos were taken from Brooklyn through a window.
Travel Guides.
www.freetravelguides.com.This site is a book of the most relevant search engines, directories, newsgroups and free travel guides on the WWW. You can find the Web tourism boards (TB) of more than 400 countries, states, provinces or cities and the most useful sites to find deals and plan your next trip.
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June 2006
When you right click the Start button in Win9x and WinME, among the options on the context menu that scrolls out should be those for Open and Explore. These provide you with a couple of conWindows is broken, and cannot get up! For tips, techniques, and general advice on fixing the most venient ways to edit the Start Menu. However, common problems with Windows 9x and ME. Point you might someday see those two options as your Browser at this: unavailabe, because they are "greyed out." What http://home.earthlink.net/~leetutor/FixWin/ happened? It happens because of your use of TweakUI, which is a free Microsoft "Powertoy" that was available starting with Win95. The most current version of TweakUI for Win9x/ME is available here: http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/downloads/PowerToys/Networking/ NTTweakUI.aspOne of the uses for TweakUI is the ability to hide drives. If you upgraded from Win95 to Win98, for some reason or other Microsoft makes unavailable the options of Open and Explore on the Start button context menu. You can easily correct the problem by using TweakUI to show those hidden drives again. (The Win98 version of TweakUI is on the Win98 installation CD-ROM in a folder \tools\reskit\powertoy. You can install it by right clicking the file Lee Reynolds tweakui.inf and selecting Install from the context menu that scrolls out). Once installed, the TweakUI powertoy is available through the Control Panel: click the Start button, click Settings, Control Panel, and then double click TweakUI. Now click on the My Computer tab, and put back any check mark next to drives that are currently unchecked. (Windows will still display only those drives you actually have on your computer.) Then click Close and reboot the pc. You should now be able to choose Open or Explore on the right click menu of the Start button.
Windows
Lee Reynolds’s
Fixing
GREYED OUT OPEN/EXPLORE ON START BUTTON RIGHT CLICK
WINDOWS 9X BOOTS TO DOS MODE
Some time you might encounter this problem: you boot your Windows 95 or Windows 98 computer, and rather than getting into Windows, it boots to what is called "DOS mode." You are given a black screen where you type in DOS commands. If this happens to you, the first thing to try is to type the command EXIT at the DOS prompt. This might take you back into Windows. If it doesn't, or if the next time you boot you get another DOS mode prompt, there is another thing to try. First, suppose that you have been able to get into Windows. If you have set "show all files" and have not selected "hide file extensions for known file types" on the View tab of the Folder Options dialog box (on the Tools menu of Windows Explorer), then in Windows Explorer you will be able to see the hidden file called MSDOS.SYS in the root of your C: drive. Right click it, select properties, then turn off the Read-only and Hidden file attributes. Now you can edit it in Notepad. If you cannot get into Windows, then you will need to edit the file in DOS mode, using the MS-DOS EDIT.COM utility. First, get to the root of the C: drive and turn off the Read-only and Hidden file attributes with these commands: cd\attrib -h -r msdos.sys Now you can edit the file by: \windows\command\edit msdos.sys The Edit.com DOS utility is fairly similar to the Windows Accessory Notepad.exe, except that you cannot use your mouse to save a file, exit the program, etc. Instead you must use your keyboard. You get to the file Save option and the Exit program option by holding down the key and the F key simultaneously to pull down the File menu. So whichever of these you are using, you must now do this: you need to add a statement in the [Options] section of this file that reads BootGUI = 1After you close the file and exit Notepad/Edit, turn the Read-only
Boca Bits
June 2006
and Hidden file attributes of MSDOS.SYS back on. (In Windows, you can use Windows Explorer and the Properties window of MSDOS.SYS that you get to by right clicking the file name and selecting Properties from the context menu.) If you are doing it in MS-DOS mode, then the command is: attrib +h +r msdos.sys Re-boot and you should now get to Windows rather than DOS mode. The BootGUI = 1 statement can be translated as "Boot to the Graphical User Interface (Windows) is Yes." (A value of zero is equivalent to "No", so it causes the computer to boot to the non-GUI mode, namely DOS.)
15
ru XP erienced?
by Lee Reynolds, Member, BRCS
Yes, the title of this column is a play on the old song by Jimi Hendrix. But in this case, what is being asked is this: do you know everything you need or want to know about Windows XP? If not, then join me in learning all about it together. Like to see the total collection of these tips on the web? Point your browser at this: http://home.earthlink.net/lreynol929/ruXP/index.html
XP view you get to Display by first clicking Appearance and Themes), clicking the Desktop tab, clicking Customize Desktop, and finally clicking Clean Desktop Now. Further details on using the Desktop Cleanup Wizard are given here: http://support.microsoft.com/ default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306542 HOW TO: Use the Desktop Cleanup Wizard in Windows XPYou may decide to disable this feature. If so, this article describes the method: http://support.microsoft.com/ default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320154 HOW TO: Disable the Automatic Desktop Cleanup Feature in Windows XP Once again, after getting to the Desktop tab in Control Panel (as described above), you do this: click Customize Desktop to open the Desktop Items dialog box, click to remove the checkmark next to Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days, then click OK twice to exit the dialog boxes.
WINDOWS XP ADVANCED OPTIONS MENU
In Windows 9x and ME, if you continually depressed the F8 Function key (or in WinME, held down the Ctrl Key) as your computer booted up, you would arrive at what was called the Windows Startup Menu. In this way, you could boot to Safe mode, as that was one of the options on the menu. Depending upon the version of the OS, you could also choose other options, such as Logged, or Stepby-step confirmation, or Command Prompt. In Windows XP, what corresponds to the Startup Menu is called the Advanced Options Menu. You reach it by continually depressing the F8 key as the computer boots up. The options you can see on this menu are described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: http://support.microsoft.com/ default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315222 A Description of the Safe Mode Boot Options in Windows XP Safe Mode uses a minimal set of device drivers and services to start Windows, so that often such a condition as a corrupted device driver which keeps you from booting normally into Windows will be bypassed, and then you might be able to do some troubleshooting of the problem and take corrective actions.
ruXPerienced, Continued Page 16
DESKTOP CLEANUP WIZARD
A new feature of Windows XP that previous versions did not have is called the Desktop Cleanup Wizard. A description of it can be found in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: http://support.microsoft.com/ default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;293154 A Description of the Desktop Cleanup Wizard It runs a scheduled task every day to check whether a period of 60 days has gone by. When 60 days have elapsed it will run a wizard (step by step process with dialog boxes that you must record your answers in and click on the Next button to proceed to the next step). The wizard checks for "unused shortcuts" on your Desktop, which it defines as any one which has not been used in the last 60 days, and if any are found, provides a way to remove these shortcuts by moving them into a folder on the Desktop called Unused Desktop Shortcuts. You can also run the Cleanup wizard manually by clicking the Start button, then the Control Panel entry on the Start Menu, then double clicking Display (if you are using the Classic view of Control Panel; under the
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ruXPerienced, From Page 15
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http://support.microsoft.com/ default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421 HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP You must be logged on as an Administrator to take ownership. If you're running Windows XP Home Edition, you must first start in Safe Mode and log in as an Administrator. Otherwise, you won't be able to access the Security tab of a file or folder's Property page. Also Simple File Sharing must be disabled. (Other articles in this series detail how to boot to Safe Mode and disable Simple File Sharing.) In order to take ownership of a folder, start up My Computer or Windows Explorer, right click the folder, and then choose Properties from the Context Menu that scrolls out. Click the Security tab of the Property page that opens, and click OK on any Security message that appears. Click the Advanced button, then click the Owner tab. In the Name list, click whatever is appropriate to the case: your user name, Administrator if you are logged in as Administrator, or the Administrators group. If you want to take ownership of the folder, click to put a check mark next to Replace owner on subcontainers and objects. Click OK. A message appears: You do not have permission to read the contents of directory . Do you want to replace the directory permissions with permissions granting you Full Control? All permissions will be replaced if you press Yes. Click Yes. Then click OK and reapply any permissions or security settings you want for the folder and its contents. The method for taking ownership of a file is quite similar to the case for a folder. Again you must be logged on as an Administrator. Right click the file you want to take ownership of, and click Properties from the Context Menu that scrolls out. Click the Security tab, click OK on any Security message that appears, click the Advanced button, and then click the Owner tab. In the Name list click the appropriate item (as above, for folders.) Now you can reapply any permissions and security settings you want to the file.
Safe Mode with Networking is like Safe Mode, except it also includes the drivers needed to load networking. Safe Mode with Command Prompt is like Safe Mode, except that the Command Prompt (Cmd.exe) will be started rather than Windows Explorer as the Windows shell. Enable VGA Mode will start Windows XP in 640x480 resolution on your display; it can be useful if the display driver has been configured for a setting that the monitor does not support. Last Known Good Configuration will start Windows by using a previous good configuration of system files, registry settings, and drivers. If you have updated a device driver and then find that your computer cannot boot normally immediately afterward, this option would restore the previous working configuration. Enable Boot Logging will save a log of the events occurring during boot in a file called Ntbtlog.txt in the Windows folder. Inspection of this log may be of help in troubleshooting a problem with normal booting. Directory Service Restore Mode, which is valid only for Windows-based domain controllers, performs a directory service repair. Debugging Mode allows debugging information to be sent over a serial cable to another computer which is running a debugger. Start Windows Normally starts up Windows in its normal mode. Reboot will restart the computer. Return to OS Choices Menu will return you to that menu if your computer is configured for booting more than one operating system.
OWNERSHIP AND RESTRICTIONS
If you have ever had a corrupted user profile and then had to create a new account, when you tried to access the folders or files used by the old account in order to transfer them to the new one, you might have encountered a problem: Windows won't let you. Or, you might have had to reinstall XP over itself and establish new accounts. Even if all names, passwords, and settings are identical to the previous ones, you will not be able to access the old ones because each account is given a new SID (Security ID) and Windows compares the SIDs and not the account names. If you take ownership of the old folders or files, as explained in the following article from the Microsoft Knowledge Base, you should be able to access them:
FOR BRCS E-MAIL HELP
Call Arthur Walter during the hours from 9 AM to 5 PM at 561-638-3673.
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Ask Jack!
From time-to-time we will publish some of the questions Jack Matisoff comes across while helping computer users.
increasing, it may be time to think of replacing that HD. Just make sure you have back-ups updated. Some users may be using purchased software that includes these procedures, but this should generally answer your question. There are some programs that monitor and report possible problems, but I am not familiar with them. I have never had occasion to use them. I just want to advise everyone to do their scheduled maintenance on a regular basis. (for comments/suggestions, please write to Jack at mati14@juno.com)
QUESTION: How can I keep my Hard Drive in good shape? ANSWER: Hard drives don't last forever. They can break or otherwise wear out just like any other mechanical item that is in constant use. They can also develop problems having to do with how data's stored on them. So, as with any devise, good maintenance procedures are necessary. Hard Drive maintenance, Chkdsk and Defrag, should be included with previous recommendations and performed, perhaps monthly. In XP, you can click My Computer, Right click your HD (probably C:) click Properties, click Tools and you will see options to Error Check, to Defrag or Backup your HD. Error Check and Defrag both help to keep the HD healthy. Chkdsk is the main built-in diagnostic in Windows XP. You can also run it from the DOS command line, but it's easier to open up My Computer as I have detailed above. When you select Error Check, you'll be given two additional options: "Automatically find and fix file system errors" and "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors." I suggest checking both. But the program won't start up right away because other files may be open. So you will see a message asking whether you want to run it next time Windows restarts. Click "yes" and restart your computer. It could take an hour or so, according to the size of your HD to do the job. Defrag may also takes a long time, so it is best to execute them when you are not planning to use the computer. Just let each option run. Error Check does a couple of things: It checks and or corrects the file system that the computer uses to find files and folders, making sure that they are no longer scattered in noncontiguous fragments over the disk surface. It will place different parts of a file together for more efficient operation. It can also try to repair bad spots that could cause mis-reading. If it can't repair them, it will mark them as bad so that they cannot be used. If Chkdsk finds a couple errors, that is not a cause for concern, but if the number of errors found keep
I Can’t Believe I Did That!
Sometimes you do something you absolutely know not to do, but you do it anyway. Why is that? I wasn’t like this when I was forty!
We all know by now that it is important to backup. I know that you do it religiously, and so do I. Yup! It was somewhere around 10 PM after a long session at the computer and I was tired. Time to quit. I don't have an "automatic" backup so I decided it was time (the truth is I had not done a backup in about two weeks). Since there was a lot of old stuff on the backup drive - actually an accumulation over several months - that I really did not need anymore, I decided it would be nice to delete all the old stuff and backup to a clean drive. I use an external USB drive for backup. My internal drive was 40 gig. So I deleted all the old stuff from the backup drive. Then I started backing up from the internal drive. Then I went to bed because the backup session would probably last 3 hours (like the last time). Like most of us “seniors” I got up around 3 PM and decided as long as I was already up, I should check the computerr and turn it off because it had no doubt finished backing up by this time. THE DRIVE HAD CRASHED! Go To Page 21
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ChapterNews
Jerry Bartzoff, President
http://www.gleneaglescomputer.org
Minutes of Meeting May 15, 2006
Richard Miller was our guest speaker on Spring Cleaning your computer. He began by stressing that Hard Drive failure was the most prevalent problem of todays computers and showed a very small external Backup USB drive. Keeping your Backup on a device away from the system important for safekeeping of data should the entire computer fail. Purchased for about $100 he suggests a notebook size drive as it Oscar at thesmaller, lighter weight and is much December session with more than store, session will plug into at the December as attendees. easier to handle and or two dozen USB any current system. It is important not erase prior versions when doing a partial or full backup. Richard demonstrated how to maintain your Hard Drive using XP Scan Disk and Defrag. He suggests you delete Temporary Internet files and reduce future space by re-setting to 4-5 MB maximum temp storage. Cookies are very small files and should be left on your system as it makes it easier to log onto web sites including your IDs and Passwords. History logs are valuable to see where youve been, but can be eliminated periodically as individual choice. Your Favorites list can be edited from time to time to eliminate un-needed items. To speed up the loading of Windows XP, go to Control Panel /Administrative Tools / Computer Management which has an Event Viewer that creates a boot log (system) which reports boot up errors. Copy and paste any error into Google to find out what causes it. Each error causes the Boot sequence to run it over and over (up to 5 times) causing long boot-up delays. Memory chips have become less expensive and current programs have become more memory intensive. Result is the need for minimum of 256 MB and probably 512 MB -1 Gig for best operating of forthcoming VISTA from Microsoft. Since VISTA has been delayed (unknown release date) manufacturers may have over produced computers and should offer some excellent hardware buys for the holiday season. If you buy a new system this year, be sure to invest in enough Memory, Hard Drive
space, Graphics boards etc. to accommodate VISTA, IE 7, Office 2007 and/or other software coming out, as each will be very large systems resource users, compared to current sizes. Make sure you maintain restore points before adding new software. A trial version of Instant Restore Zip can be downloaded from the Genesis-one web site under BRCS link. When installed, clicking the Icon makes a restore point instantly of your registry settings assuring you can go-back if necessary. Users of Adelphia Broadband now have their Freedom Package of Anti Virus, Anti Pop-up, Anti Spam, and Firewall available FREE. You need to remove Norton, AVG, McAfee stuff before installing from Adelphia, as only one Firewall will run at a time. This was our last meeting until September but our website and committees will continue to function all summer. Photos of East course construction and interesting community news items are and will continue to be posted at www.gleneaglescomputer.org. We were pleased to have Lou Strumlauf, President of the Huntington Lakes Computer Club Chapter visit with us to hear Richard Miller and our SINCERE THANKS to Richard for a wonderful presentation. Have a great summer!
Kings Point Computer Club
Jerry Frank, President
Minutes of Meeting May 2, 2006
President, Jerry Frank opened the meeting by greeting members. He announced that the "end of year" get-together was successful, 21 members and spouses attended. Next season, we will have our "end of year" luncheon sometime in March so that everyone will have a chance to attend. A topic on everyone's mind is the re-construction of K.P. after Wilma; Jerry spoke about the progress so far. Bella May, Treasurer, gave a financial statement, as we do at the end of each season, reporting that we
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ChapterNews
are solvent. Sixty-five members and guests attended this meeting. The chuck-a-buck had 2 winners. Some members noted they don't receive our minutes or notices. We will attempt to send individual notices. Everyone who doesn't receive notices, please, check your "junk mail;" many times notices are seen as junk mail. Harold Grubert, V.P.'s program for this day "Answers to Questions From Members" was informative and instructive. It dealt mainly with new computer users who have problems knowing how to maneuver their computer. The inside of a computer was illustrated to show where "chips" are located. Harold advises never to go for "cheapie" upgrades. Make sure you know what your computer has, the model and serial numbers and how much power your machine runs on. Dave Waterman, Computer Maven stated, "not every upgrade can be used for every computer they must be compatible. A question and answer session followed this program. Harold's offer to members only please, for a copy of the program from this meeting is available as a download by request. Always use the format Harold requests when writing. Harold's e-mail address has changed, if you weren't at this meeting, you can call a friend or me for his address. Harold advises that this program is a good one for computer beginners. Jerry spoke of the merits of joint membership with K.P.C.C. and the Boca Raton Computer Society, stating many pluses including Special Interest Groups, BRCS' dial-up internet service, in FL only at this time, for times of outages. Their "OUT OF THE BOX" S.I.G. is specifically for new users of computers it literally takes you from opening the box onward. Dave Waterman, Computer Maven discussed programming your computer to do tasks on a regular daily, weekly or monthly basis and at specific times. His instruction included a demonstration which included but was not limited to; disc-cleaning, virus protection, spy ware and more, was of great interest. Dave reminds us that in order for your computer to do these tasks, you must remember to have the computer turned "ON." This is the last meeting for the 05-06 season. I look forward to seeing everyone in September. Respectfully submitted, Phyllis Frank, Secretary, K.P.C.C
Meeting of May 15, 2006 .
The Cascade Lakes Chapter held their final meeting of the 2005/2006 season on Monday 05/15/2006. Due to the vast mix of knowledge of computer users in our group, we asked Jerry Floman, SIG Leader of the Boca Raton Computer Society, to do a presentation for our novice members. His topics included, "when to buy a replacement computer", "what to buy for a first time computer user", and the ease of "assembling your first computer." Jerry also shared some interesting statistics regarding the rankings of computers. After Jerry's program there was a lively and informative exchange of questions and answers between Jerry and our members. Regular, monthly meetings have now been suspended for the summer months. Depending on the demand over the summer, we will determine whether to continue our basic and intermediate computer classes. We do have a "Signature Animation" class scheduled for the beginning of July, which will be presented by Stanley Warshaw. Submitted by Ira Kistenberg
Lou Strumlauf, President
Minutes of Meeting May 11, 2006
If you've ever been a program Chairman of a club, having to decide what Speaker to chose for the next meeting can be quite a dilemma . You want to be sure that the one that you choose won't bomb and that the club's members will enjoy the presentation. There is always an amount of apprehensiveness involved. That apprehensiveness is removed from
tHuntington Lakes, Continued Page 20
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Huntington Lakes, From Page 19
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ChapterNews
the equation when you decide to have Bob Balogh as your presenter. Bob's presentation at our club on 5/11 was pure joy. His topic was "the price is right," and he covered many of his favorite freeware programs, such as Irfanview, and he also showed us how to install a calendar on our desktop using Rainlendar and also the advantages of installing Google tool bar on our computers. When I came home from the meeting I installed all 3 on my computer. It is hard for me to remember all the wonderful "stuff" he showed us because he segued from one program to another without stopping to take a breath. Our members were also "breathless", and they thoroughly enjoyed the program. Normally our May meetings attract perhaps 25 members. Knowing that Bob was going to be the presenter, there were at least 50 in attendance. The next time Bob is at our place I will have to remember to get more donuts to serve. We ran out early in the meeting. Our members were advised that our plans for next season include the purchase of a laptop and a projector and hands-on remedial lessons at workshop sessions in between our regular meetings. The feedback from our members so far seems very favorable. There will be a meeting on June 8th, and then our regular meetings will be discontinued during July and August. Have a great summer and keep on top of our club happenings even if you are away, by logging on to our Web-site at www.hlcompclub.homestead.com. Lou Strumlauf, president
COMPUTER CLUB
Joan Soble, President
The Hunters Run Computer Club, after two remaining workshops, will have completed a most successful year. Eleven workshops and 6 general meetings provided a wealth of learning and computer enjoyment to 228 members, our largest enrollment. Notable changes on the way promise a banner year for 2006-7. After the retirement of our beloved past president, Marvin Hagen (shown below with Pamela Tabak), Joan Soble was elected to the post.
The following Chapters are not meeting during the summer; will resume in the fall.
Gleneagles Cascade Lakes Kings Point Century Village Huntington Lakes (last meeting in june)
Two significant resolutions were passed by the board first, to create a second vice president, the two posts to be filled by Hal Levine and Herb Glanz. ...and second, a very exciting development, to create a staff position of Director of Education, to be filled by none other than your own Pamela Tabak. She will be in charge of all speakers and topics and will also fulfill the role of Webmaster. Our last meeting of the year, on Tuesday, April 11, featured Bob Balogh. Bob was nothing less than terrific! BRCS can be proud to have a president with the knowledge and charisma that Bob brings to the podium. Our congratulations to him and to the society for such a wise choice.
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June 2006
System Restore, From Page 10
21
24 hours of calendar time, System Restore automatically creates a restore point, even if you haven't made any system changes. For example, if you shut down your computer and don't turn it on for three days, System Restore will create a restore point the next time you boot up. In addition, each time you install a program from a CD or other media, the tool creates a restore point. This also occurs when you install an app via downloaded software. So, even if you're using WinXP's Automatic Updates feature, System Restore will create a restore point once the updates begin the installation process. Plus, you can create your own restore points using the System Restore Wizard.
CRASHED! From Page 17
BRCS INTERNET LOGGING OFF INFORMATION
We have learned that some users are not aware of the proper procedure for exiting the BRCS Internet Connection after use.
That can sometimes result in unnecessary busy signals for other users. Please use the following procedure when logging off the BRCS Internet service: 1. When you are connected to the Internet, a small symbol representing two computers is visible in System Tray in the lower right-hand corner of your screen (Figure 1, below).
The drive was wiped out. Nothing that we tried could retrieve the info that I happily thought was being backed up. Question: Why did the drive fail during that precise moment in time after more that two years of faithful operation? Murphy’s Law; tempt fate and it will bite you! However . . . because of dumb luck, for some unexplained reason, I had partitioned the external drive and some older material was saved to the second partition that was not used for backup. Nothing had made it over to the backup section, but a lot of the old stuff on section two was useable towards at least partial recovery. I dumped the bad drive and re-installed new drives. I now have two 200-gig drives and a 100-gig external drive. Backups are now made daily to both the internal backup drive and also to the external drive. And as for deleting old backed up data . . .
Figure 1. You Are Logged ON 2. When you are finished, and exit the Internet, the BRCS log-on page disappears and you are returned to your Desktop. BUT THE CONNECTION IS STILL ACTIVE. . . until you right-click on the computer symbol and left-click on Disconnect on the popup.
You can believe I won’t do that again!
3. A true disconnect looks like Figure 2, below. Note that the double-computer symbol has beenremoved from the Task Bar.
BRCS INTERNET SERVICE ONLY
Call Bob Wagner
Bob is the contact person for help ONLY with the Boca Raton Computer Society Internet Service. Phone him during the hours from 9 AM to 5 PM at 561-451-0364.
Figure 2. You Are Logged OFF
PLEASE HELP KEEP YOUR INTERNET SERVICE RUNNING SMOOTHLY BY REMEMBERING TO LOG OFF IN THIS PROPER MANNER.
22
Boca Bits
June 2006
Computer Magazines at Great Prices
1 YEAR 2 YEARS 3 YEARS Computer Games $10.95 $20.95 $29.95 Computer Gaming World $14.95 $28.95 $41.95 Computer Shopper $16.97 $32.95 $47.95 Dr. Dobbs Journal $15.95 Mac World $12.95 Mac Home Journal $15.97 $29.97 NA Mac Addict $10.97 $19.97 $28.97 Microsoft Sys. Journal $21.95 $39.95 PC Magazine $25.97 $48.95 $68.95 PC World $16.95 PC Gamer $12.95 $23.95 $33.95 Maximum PC $9.95 $18.95 $27.95 Wired $6.00 $12.00 $17.00 Videomaker $11.95 $21.95 These prices are for new subscriptions and renewals. All orders must be accompanied by a check, cash or money order made payable to Herb Goodman, and mailed to: Herb Goodman, 8295 SunlakeDr. Boca Raton, Fl. 33496 Telephone: 561-488-4465 email: hgoodman@prodigy.net
HELP-LINE
FOR BRCS MEMBERS
HELP-LINE is for BRCS members who need answers to technical questions but cannot wait for the monthly meetings. HelpLine volunteers offer their time to assist BRCS Members only! If you call a volunteer long distance, and the call must be returned at a later time, the call may be returned collect. Note that some volunteers will answer questions only by e-mail. If you would like to become a Help-Line volunteer, notify an official at a general meeting.
PALM CorelDraw Dial-Up Networking DOS eBay PowerPoint HTML Microsoft Outlook Frontpage E-mail Eudora Excel Hardware HTML Internet Explorer Juno MS Access Netscape Navigator Outlook Express Paint Shop Pro Scanners WinFax Windows 98, ME, XP Windows 2000 Prof. WordPerfect Win WordPerfect 9 Mel Macy (E-Mail only) .............macy@brcs.org Bob Davidoff........ srobert@dental-implants.com Bil Marcuse ......................... wmarcuse@brcs.org James Joyce (Weekends) ............... 954-428-7106 Pamela Tabak ................computertutor@brcs.org Pamela Tabak ................computertutor@brcs.org Pamela Tabak ................computertutor@brcs.org Pamela Tabak ................computertutor@brcs.org Pamela Tabak ................computertutor@brcs.org Bob Balogh........................help@bobbalogh.com Henry Lifton (before 10 pm)......... 561-487-4009 Pamela Tabak ..... computertutor3@bellsouth.net Ray Sollberger............................... 561-487-2854 Bob Davidoff........ srobert@dental-implants.com James H. ............................... easyhtml@aol.com Henry Lifton (before 10 pm)......... 561-487-4009 Jack Matisoff (early PM)................561-495-1743; ................................................ mati14@juno.com Position open Alan Sherman (6-8 pm)................. 561-994-2359 Bil Marcuse ......................... wmarcuse@brcs.org Murray Apfel......................mapfel@adelphia.net Oscar Segal.................................... 561-499-9873 ..................................................... oscar@brcs.org Bob Davidoff........ srobert@dental-implants.com Henry Lifton (before 10 pm)......... 561-487-4009 Bob Davidoff........ srobert@dental-implants.com Henry Lifton (before 10 pm)......... 561-487-4009 Bob Davidoff........ srobert@dental-implants.com
Please allow 10 to 12 weeks for your magazines to start. For renewals you must supply an address label from your present subscription to ensure the correct start of your renewal. As an extra service I will mail a renewal notice to every subscriber three months prior to their expriration date. Note: In the last few years, many computer magazine subscribers have used my services for the over 300 titles I carry, also at excellent Prices. With almost everyone having e-mail, they have just emailed me for a price and I sent them the price, also via email.
Need Help At Home Or On The Internet?
The following club members make house calls to assist with any problems you might have with your PC or laptop. They have different skill levels, areas of expertise, and will charge different prices. Call for pricing and / or making an appointment.
954-427-4634 561-374-9287 help@bobbalogh.com Bob Dobski 561-265-0437 Larry Elman 561-901-6720 lbaldeagle@aol.com Herb Goodman 561-488-4465 hgoodman@prodigy.net Bob Hale 561-963-6076 bobhale@adelphia.net Steve Martin 954-498-1102 essm@mediaone.net Richard Miller 561-393-5813 Les Nearier 954-973-8272 Lee Reynolds 954-972-4961 Ellen Rosenheck 954-481-3667 Ellen Ross - repairandtutor@bigfoot.com. Ray Sollberger 561-487-2854 Pamela Tabak computertutor@brcs.org Charles Basch Bob Balogh
NOTE: The area codes listed may not be needed if you are located within that calling area.
PLEASE REMEMBER:
WHEN YOU CALL THE HELP-LINE, THE PEOPLE WHO ANSWER ARE VOLUNTEERS. PLEASE TREAT THEM COURTEOUSLY. ASK IF THIS IS A GOOD TIME, AND SCHEDULE A CONVENIENT TIME IF IT ISN'T. HELPLINE CONTACTS ARE NOT PAID EMPLOYEES, BUT FELLOW CLUB MEMBERS WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO TRY TO ASSIST YOU. PLEASE INTERACT WITH THEM AS SUCH.
Check our web site for the latest updates
at http://www.brcs.org
Boca Bits
June 2006
23
Directions to SIG’S and Meeting Locations
MEETING TIMES & LOCATIONS Board Meeting 2nd Monday, 7:30 p.m. at Patch Reef Park. General Membership Meeting 3nd Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. South County Civic Center. Q & A Tables start at 6:30 PM. DIRECTIONS TO MEETING LOCATIONS Directions to Patch Reef Park Exit I-95 at Yamato Road. Go West to second left turn after Military Trail (approximately 1/4 mile). Patch Reef Park is on the South side of Yamato Road. Directions to South County Civic Center On Jog Road, four or five blocks South of Linton Boulevard (opposite the Morikami Japanese Gardens). SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS The following SIGs meet in Sheriff’s Office, 345 S. Congress Ave., Delray Beach, room 219 Hardware, Paint Shop Pro, Windows XP, Home Videos, & Novice SIG. The following SIGs meet in room 108 Advanced Mutual Fund Investing The following SIG meets at Patch Reef Park Digital Cameras Exit I-95 at Yamato Road. Go West to second left turn after Military Trail (approximately 1/4 mile). Patch Reef Park is on the South side of Yamato Road. The following SIGs meet in other locations
Out-of-The-Box
Special Interest Groups
Advanced Mutual Fund Investing Purpose: Advanced research of mutual funds market. Contact: Murray Apfel: mapfel@adelphia.net Gary Elsner: GElsner@AnalyticFinancial Solutions.com; Paul Siesser /Art Glassman. Meets: Fourth Tuesday, 7:00 PM Novice & Intermediate Users Purpose: Computer Questions & Answers. Contact: Pamela Tabak computertutor@brcs.org Bob Balogh brcs@bobbalogh.com Meets: Third Tuesday, 7:00 to 9:00 PM Hardware Purpose: Discussions & hands-on hardware demos. Contact: Ray Sollberger (561) 487-2854 Meets: Fourth Tuesday, 7:00 to 10: 00 PM Paint Shop Pro Purpose: Tutorials for beginners and professionals. Contact: Murray Apfel mapfel@adelphia.net Meets: Second Tuesday, 7:00 PM Windows XP Purpose: Using windows XP for pros and beginners. Contact: Richard Miller (561) 393-5813 Meets: Second Thursday, 7:00 PM Digital Photography Purpose: Getting the most out of Digital Cameras. Contact: Gerald Dinerman 736-5601; Marvin Wolf (637-9592) meets: Suspended ‘till the fall. Home Videos Purpose: Planning & Creating Home Videos. Contact: Oscar Segal (561) 499-9873 Meets: Suspended ‘till the fall. Out-of-The-Box Purpose: Introduction to computer principles; The basics - Mostly for beggining users. Contact: Jerry Flomen, 495-6465; or Philip Fine, 499-9357 Meets: Second Thursday, 1PM
Coco Wood Clubhouse, 6269 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach (across from Home Depot).
SUMMER SIG CLOSINGS
THE FOLOWING SIGS ARE CLOSED DURING JULY & AUGUST LOOK FOR FALL RE-OPENING DATES IN THE AUGUST ISSUE
Digital Photography SIG Home Video SIG
24
FOR WINDOWS 95/98/ME
Boca Bits
June 2006
BRCS Internet Setup Instructions
From the Desktop: 1. For Win 98 a. Double-click on "My Computer." b. Double-click on the "Dial-Up Network" Folder. 2. For Win ME a. Select "Start." b. Left-click "Settings." c. Left-click "Dial-Up Networking." NOTE: If Dial-Up Network folder does not appear on the screen then stop and read instruction in "Note #1," below. 3. Once "Dial-Up Networking" screen appears, doubleclick on the "Make New Connection" folder. 4. In the "Make New Connection" dialog box, replace "My Connection" to read "BRCS." 5. Select a modem from the popup list. If you are using this modem for another Internet Service Provider, skip this step and continue with Step 6, below. NOTE: If you do not have a modem installed and connected to telephone line, then you cannot continue beyond this point. 6. Left-click on "Configure." 7. Select the appropriate "Port" to read as Com1 or Com 2. 8. Select "Speed" to read as (57600), then click "OK". 9. Click on "Next." to continue. 10. Select the phone number appropriate for your area from the list on bottom of page 25. NOTE: If the telephone call requires you to dial "1" prior to dialing the above numbers, then place "1" before the telephone number. 11. Click on "Next" to continue. 12. Read the screen instruction and then click on "Finish". 13. Now place the mouse cursor/pointer on BRCS icon by and press the right mouse button and left-click on "Properties". 14. Under BRCS Properties dialog box then left-click on "Server types" tab. 15. Ensure that the following appears under "Server types:" a. Type of Dial-Up Server reads as "PPP: Windows 95, Windows NT 3.5" for Windows 95, or "PPP: Intera. Use IP Header compression. b. Use default gateway on remote network. 19.Continue to left -click “OK” until you are back to the “Dial up Networking” window. 20. In the Dial-Up Networking window, right-click on the BRCS icon. 21. Left-click on "Create Shortcut" to put the BRCS icon on the desktop. When the "Create Shortcut" dialog box appears, left-click "Yes". 22. Close out the "Dial-Up Networking" window to get back to the desktop screen. 23. For clarity, we suggest you change the "Shortcut to BRCS" icon on your desktop to read "BRCS ISP Connection." To connect to the BRCS Internet Service 1. Double left-click on BRCS ISP Connection icon on the desktop. 2. When the "Connect To" dialog box appears, enter (in lower case) the following information: a. "Log On Name (account name)" b. "Password" that you must had registered for BRCS Internet Service at a regular BRCS General Meeting. 3. After the connection is made, close the Internet Connection window and start your Internet Browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape. NOTE #1: for missing "Dial-Up Networking" folder (assuming you have a modem): a. Left-click the "Start" button. a. Select "Settings"/ "Control Panel"/ "Add/Remove Programs." c. Select "Windows Setup" d. Click on "Communications" e. Click on "Dial-up Networking" and mark sure a check mark is entered. f. Windows will attempt to install the needed drivers providing you will have your operating system installation CDs ready. g. After "Dial-Up Network” is installed return to step 2 above.
PRINTING
Boca Bits
June 2006
25
BRCS Internet Setup Instructions Continued
FOR WINDOWS XP
1. From the Control panel, left-click "Classic View." 2.Left-click "Network Connections." 3. Left-click on "Create a New Connection." 4. Left-click "Next." 5. Select "Connect to the Internet." Click "Next." 6. Select " Setup my connection manually." Click "Next." 7. Select "Connect using dial-up modem." Click "Next." 8. Select the modem that will be used, if more than one listed. Click "Next." 9. For the "ISP Name," type BRCS, Click "Next." 10. Enter telephone number appropriate for your area from the list located on bottom of page 25. Click "Next." 11. Under "Account Information," enter "User Name" (your Logon Name), "Password" and "Confirm Password." 12. Select "Use this account name." Deselect "Make this the default internet connection. Select "Turn on Instant Connection Firewall." Click "Next." 13. "Completing New Connection Wizard," Select "Add a shortcut to the desktop connection on my desktop." Click "Finish." 14. Left-click on "Connect to BRCS" on desktop, Click "Properties", Click "Options." 15. De-select "Include Windows Logon Domain." 16. Click on "Networking" tab. 17. Select "PPP: Windows 95/98/NT4/2000 Internet." 18. Select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)." Click "Properties." 19. Select "Obtain an IP Address Automatically." 20.Ensure that "Use the following DNS server addresses" is NOT selected. 21. Both "Preferred DNS Server" and "Alternate DNS Server" should be grayed out. 22. Click "Advanced," Select "Use Default Gateway," Select "Use IP Header Compression. 23. Click "OK" buttons until you are back to the "Connect to BRCS" Icon on the desktop. 24. Close all open windows. To Connect, Double-click on the BRCS icon. Enter (in lower case) your "User Name" (Logon Name) and "Password" that you used during this setup. Select "Save Password."
Installation Instructions for setting up Outlook Express, Version 6, as your Internet Mail Program.
Open Outlook Express. Left-click "Tools" and then "Accounts." Left-click on the "Mail" tab in "Internet Accounts" Left-click on "Mail." The Internet Connection Wizard dialog box will appear. Type in your full name in the white dialog box. Left-click "Next." 6. Put in your e-mail address in the dialog box. left-click "Next". 7. You will be asked for E-mail server names in the dialog box by making sure that incoming mail server is stating "POP3," then fill in the dialog boxes for Incoming mail (POP3) server as "mail.brcs.org" and for an SMTP server as "smtp.daltechnologies.com" then click "Next" 8. In the "Properties" window, left-click on "Servers" tab. 9. Then the Internet Connect Wizard Internet Mail Logon dialog box will appear asking for your account name such as "jjsmith" and your password such as "jjsbrcs," for an example. You will be asked if you want the computer to save your password information (you can say Yes or No). 10. Left-click "Next," then left-click "Finish." Note: If you have an Outlook Express Version other than version 6, refer to the BRCS WEb Site. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
To re-enable sending email from BRCS Internet connection with Outlook Express, follow these setup instructions:
Open Outlook Express 1. Click "Tools" 2. Click "Accounts" 3. Click Tab "Mail" 4. Click "BRCS" 5. Click "Properties" 6. Click "Server" 7. Change Outgoing Mail (SMTP): Delete: smtp.ashlandaccess.net Add: smtp.daltechnologies.com 8. Click "Apply" 9. Click "OK" 10. Click "Close"
NOTE: After the connection is made, close the Internet Connection window and start your Internet Browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape.
BRCS FLORIDA ISP NUMBERS.
AREA SERVED Miami/North Miami Beach North Dade County Ft. Lauderdale Pompano Beach Deerfield Beach Boca Raton Delray Beach Boynton Beach West Palm Beach PHONE NUMBER 305-537-0091 305-760-0074 954-334-0001 954-867-0009 954-333-0046 208-0000 455-9000 327-0000 253-9004
26
SUNDAY
BOCA BITS ACTIVITIES CALENDAR
JUNE 2006
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1
2
3
4
5
6
7Digital Photography 8
closed: Will resume in the Fall
Out of The Box 1PM to 3 PM Windows XP
9
10
11
12
Board 7:30 PM
13
Paintshop Pro 7:00 PM
14
15
Home Videos closed:
16
17
will resume in
September
18
19
20Novice SIG
7:00 PM
21
22
Q & A - 6:30 PM General Meeting 7:30 PM
23
24
25
26
4th Tuesday
28
29
30
Hardware SIG
room 219 7:00 PM
AND
Advanced Mutual Fund Investing room 108 7:00 PM
JULY 2006
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1
2
3
4
5Digital Photography 6
closed: Will resume in the Fall
7
8
9
10
Board 7:30 PM
11
Paintshop Pro 7:00 PM
12
13
Out of The Box 1PM to 3 PM Windows XP
14
15
16
17
18Novice SIG
7:00 PM
19
Q & A - 6:15 PM General Meeting 7:30 PM
20 21 Home Videos
closed:
22
will resume in
September
23
24
25
4th Tuesday room 219 7:00 PM
AND
26
27
28
29
Hardware SIG
30
31
Advanced Mutual Fund Investing room 108 7:00 PM
Member of The Florida Association of Computer User groups
Boca Raton Computer Society, Inc., P.O. Box 273421, Boca Raton, FL 33427-3421
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Single Membership $35.00
First Name Address City State
Family Membership $45.00 only one e-mail per family
Last Name Home Phone ( ) Work Phone ( ) My E-Mail Address
Zip
Sign-on Name
Includes 24 hours per day, 7 days per week Internet access Password
(4-8 characters, alpha/numeric, must be in lower case)
(4-10 characters, alpha/numeric, must be in lower case)
We depend upon volunteers to maintain the quality and efficiency of the organization. Your participation will not only help the club, but help you become more proficient on the computer. Please let us know your fields of interest. 1._______________ 2.________________ 3._________________ 4._________________
Community Computer clubs that you belong to: Alternate Address (for our Snowbirds)
Do you want your newsletter, Boca Bits, mailed to another address for part of the year? If yes, complete the following
Address City State
Home Phone Dates: From Zip
mm/dd/yr
Through
mm/dd/yr
For office use only Membership Number________ Renewal Date___/____/____ Check No.______ Recommended By __________________
About The Boca Raton Computer Society . . .
Since 1983, members of the PC User Group of Boca Raton, now the Boca Raton Computer Society, Inc. have been helping one another use and learn about computers. We have nearly 1000 members, including computer professionals, business owners, home users, and novices. We welcome hundreds of visitors to our meetings each year. Network with others who share your interests! General Meetings (Open to the Public) General meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road in Delray Beach. The Civic Center is on the east side of Jog Road, between Clint Moore Rd. and Linton Blvd., opposite Morikami Park. At 6:30 p.m. several QUESTION and ANSWER sessions are held to offer assistance to those seeking help with various computer topics. These sessions are staffed by club members. The formal meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Most meetings feature presentations by outside speakers including Microsoft, IBM, Adobe, Corel, etc. The Board of Directors meets on the second Monday of each month, at 7:30 p.m., at Patch Reef Park on Yamato Road, just west of Military Trail, in Boca Raton. Members are welcome to attend. Services BRCS members receive our monthly newsletter, Boca Bits, which provides information about meetings, SIGS, and includes articles by prominent writers about current computer-related topics. Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are smaller meetings which explore specific topics in greater depth, such as Graphics, Hardware, Software, Windows, Scanners, e-mail and Internet, to name a few. Although we support the sharing of Public-domain and user-supported software, the BRCS strongly opposes the illegal distribution of copyrighted software. From time to time, the BRCS arranges group purchase discounts on major hardware and software items. Dues (U.S. address only) All memberships include the monthly newsletter, Help Lines, attendance to SIG meetings, Internet access and more. Dues are $35 per year for regular membership. Family membership is $45 per year. All memberships now include 24-hour / 7day Internet service. Dues may be paid at the general meetings or mailed to the address listed below.
GENERAL MEETING SITE
Linton South County Civic Center Morikami Park
95
Congress
Jog Road
Clint Moore Yamato
Member of The Florida Association of Computer User groups
Visit the Boca Raton Computer Society’s Web Page on the Internet
http://www.brcs.org
Boca Raton Computer Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 273421 Boca Raton, FL 33427-3421
NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION
CHECK THE LABEL FOR YOUR MEMBER NUMBER AND EXPIRATION DATE
U.S. POSTAGE PAID BOCA RATON FL PERMIT NO. 783
Military