Computer Q A Adobe Illustrator Demo Adobe PhotoShop Demo

Volume XX, Issue XIII. “The All Types of Computers” Club January, 2004 We meet at the Simi Valley Public Library, January 8th and January 28th 7:30 pm. Meetings are for beginners through advanced computer users and are free and open to the public. For info.email: mailto:info@svcug.org, or website: http://www.svcug.org. Thursday, January 8th, 7:30 pm Wednesday, January 28th, 7:30 pm Computer Q & A by Dennis Atherton Computer Q & A by Dennis Atherton Adobe PhotoShop Demo by Marika Panczel Part III Adobe Illustrator Demo by Rich Lawrence Part II Working with Type Build Illustrations from Basic Shapes Rich Lawrence at the 2003. December meeting - Adobe Illustrator Demo Refreshments, Raffle, and Special User Group Prices will be offered at the meetings. For further details of next meeting presentations, check the website http://www.svcug.org, or your eMail. Please, send eMail to info@svcug.org if you haven’t been receiving email announcements How To Save Your Win98 (And Other) Updates Offline Fred Langa's newsletter, 3/20/2003 ever you want---on your hard drive, on a CD or whatever-- for safekeeping and later use. This process works for ANY version of Windows, by the way: You really never have to download any patch or update more than once. By grabbing it once, by the foregoing method, you can install it any number of times from your local copy without ever having to download the same code again. (The re-download of tens or hundreds of megabytes of patches and updates may not be a big deal if you're on a very fast connection, but it's a huge deal with dialup, ISDN, and slower forms of cable and DSL.) Microsoft assures us that they will no longer support Windows 98 after January 16, 2004. For those still wanting to use it beyond that date, it would be wise to save all Windows 98 updates offline. Fred Langa tells us how. There's no single patch with all Win98 updates in it, but there's a way to get all the separate patches, including some "cumulative" patches that combine several (but not all) patches into one larger download. You can use Windows Update to see what's already installed on your system ("View Installation History"); use this list to choose the patches you want for a fresh, stand-alone copy of the update item(s) to be saved locally. Then you can reinstall them any time you want, right from your own hard drive. (Or CD, or whatever.) It's easy--- actually much easier than it used to be: Go to Windows Update; select "Personalize" from "Other Options" in the left menu, and activate the "Display the link to the Windows Catalog" option, if you have not already done so. The Catalog will appear in the "See Also" menu on the left. You can then use the Catalog to pull down whatever Updates and Drivers you want. (It also gives you an easy way to see what you've already downloaded.) Items you select go onto a "download basket" from which you can retrieve and place them where Free Password Managers From Langa, 12/14/2003 Hi Fred, I have come across a fantastic Open Source/ freeware for Password Management tool and would like to share it with you and fellow readers. The program is Oubliette, has a very clean interface and the author has thrown in a ton of options. You really need to check it out! http:// www.tranglos.com Regards, Andrew Oubliette? What a name! [From French, oubliez, forget + ette = small: ej] The download page for the software is at http://www.tranglos.com/free/index.html, and you also can access it through the SourceForge listing at http:// sourceforge.net/projects/oubliette/ It uses strong encryption via Blowfish or Idea to lock up whatever you'd like to keep safe from prying eyes: "passwords, credit card numbers, and other small, secret pieces of information." As an Open Source project, it's free, and you can examine the source code if you wish to ensure there are no hidden back doors, spyware, or whatnot. Note that it's *not* also a form-filler, as Roboform is (http:// www.roboform.com ). Oubliette will store your passwords and other info safely; Roboform will do that, but also automatically use the data to fill in forms, if you wish it to. Either way, having your passwords safely stored in encrypted files is infinitely better than using open files--- or even sticky notes attached to the PC, as many people use! As I was finishing writing this item, a related note dropped into my mailbox: Dear Fred, You have given space to a program called Roboform in several recent olumns. I'd like to offer another program I found to be superb for equal service, Memo-Keys. It's available as a freebie for restricted use. The registered copy is under $30.00. It can handle large blocks of copy as well as single character files. The full program can handle up to 468 files. It resides in the tray and comes up instantly for additions and changes. I have used it for over a year and it has performed flawlessly. I currently store about 130 files for daily use single words to six line paragraphs. It's available from http:/ /www.interlogic-concept.com/ --Marshall L. Faber HotSpots Many LangaList readers have Hotspots site set as their home page so they start each day with a site that meets the HotSpots criteria: "The Best, Most Interesting, Most Useful, and Strangest Sites the Web Has To Offer!" It consists of "very cool stuff - ideas and concepts that would normally remain obscure. However, sometimes the HotSpots sites struggle with a sudden deluge of visitors. But most work fine. Continued on page 3 Page 2 • January, 2004 • Simi Valley Computer User Group • Continued from page 2 Often, the HotSpots listings run in mini-themes--- cool html, freeware libraries, creative site navigation methods, and so on. A recent batch of HotSpots pages had an unusually high percentage of animations and video clips, for example: - Cheap! http://www.robotstore.com/ 10bots.asp - Tons of free goodies. http:// osswin.sourceforge.net/ - Impressive!. http://jpbrown.i8.com/ cubesolver.html - Silly, but some truth. http:// www.smartassguide.com/usa.html - Well slap me silly. http:// www.operationslaps.com/ - Is this for real? http:// www.thereverend.com/ brick_testament/ - Clever, and with a point. http:// www.themeatrix.com/ - No thumbs, but pretty smart. http:// www.sciencemag.org/feature/data/ crow/weirmovie.mov - Surprise! http://cryptome.org/iraqmig.htm - Get another floppy... http:// www.w3schools.com/ downloadwww.htm - Odd site. http://www.mouser.org/ - Too good http://users.pandora.be/ noben/ManZonderKop/ tafelvoetbal.wmv - Almost a great idea. http:// www.spinelessbooks.com/2002/palindrome/ - Six minutes of insanity. http:// w w w . i f i l m . c o m / filmdetail?ifilmid=1362253 But it's different every day. Stop by http://www.browsertune.com/flanga/ hotspots.htm -- Check it out for yourself! pens at the help desk is http:// www.techcomedy.com Thanks, David. The TechComedy site is funny--- some of the items there are 100% real, while others are staged. I think the real stuff is actually more interesting, and sobering too, for those who have never been on the support end of a tech support call. Yes, some support techs are rude, clueless, and so on--- but even the great techs have to deal with an amazing amount of abuse from customers who sometimes shouldn't even be in the same room as a PC. Watch the clips and listen to the recordings of actual tech support calls. Some will make you grimace. But most will make you laugh! pened onto this information. http:// www.roboform.com/removeable.html showed how to put the info from RoboForm's data files onto a removable USB drive. RoboForm automatically detects the drive when I plug it in, and I yank it out for added security after I'm finished logging in, or whatever. I thought the added security was pretty cool, and since I had just gotten one of those little "thumb" drives, I HAD to play with it. ---Dan From Fred: Those little USB drives are great, and the price is dropping fast, too. (See http://langa.com/u/1z.htm ) They're already downright cheap in the smaller capacities, and I have my eye on the larger ones--- say, around a GB or so. When those prices drop a bit further, I'll be able to store a compressed daily backup of "My Documents" safely encrypted on a keychain device. Talk about portable data! And Roboform is a wonder. There's a "Lite" version for free, and an inexpensive Pro version (that's what I use). It automatically fills forms; generates, remembers, and fills in your logins and passwords for you; and even stores freeform notes--- all safely encrypted. Highly recommended. See http://search.atomz.com/search/ ?sp-q=roboform&sp-a=0008002asp00000000 submitted by Emerald Jones mail to: ejones@vcnet.com RoboForm + USB Flash Drive From Langalist 12/11/2003 Reader Dan Cross made an interesting find that might interest you on two counts: (1) if you have, or might get as a gift, one of those little USB-based solid state "flash drives" or "thumb drives"; or (2) if you're interested in a spyware-free secure passwordkeeper, e-wallet, and form filler. Hi Fred, A while ago, on your advice, I started using RoboForm, and I have found it to be a wonderful tool. I was wandering around the RoboForm web site one day and hap- From "Neat Net Tricks" AUTOMATIC DATE. The keyboard combo Shift+Alt+D inserts the current date in MS Word. If you don't like the date's format, select a different one with Insert|Date and Time and, if you'd like to make that permanent, click on the Default button while changing it.. OFFICE DOWNLOADS. If you use Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and/or Word, you might like to check out the free downloads at http://www.theofficeexperts.com/ downloads.htm submitted by Emerald Jones mail to: ejones@vcnet.com Just For Grins From Reader David Burrows: The site http://deadtroll.com is hysterical. I've worked in internet tech support for over two years, and that sketch is so right on target. Another sight that goes further into what hap- • Simi Valley Computer User Group • January, 2004 • Page 3 Workaround for Scroll Bar Scamper by Emerald Jones mail to: ejones@vcnet.com Because I'm a responsible 'putor person (and because Dennis Atherton spent hours downloading and installing neglected MS updates onto my system some months ago), I've consistently and promptly installed all patches when notified by the MS Update site. These patches seemed to work invisibly, flawlessly: until a patch was released for Internet Explorer 6, known as Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 SP1 (KB824145). Shortly after it was installed, my scroll bar misbehaved. Previously, I could scroll the screen by clicking the vertical scroll bar (one click, one screen). It seems this new "feature" causes the screen to advance TWO screens per click. I didn't associate this scroll scamper with the IE6 patch until I read about it in Fred Langa's newsletter 2003-12-04. He says: The vertical scroll bar--- sometimes called the "elevator" bar--- is now distance sensitive. If you click near the slider, you'll scroll up or down one screen, as before. If you click far away from the slider, you'll advance two screens. However, this scroll scamper is not universal. The change does not affect all vertical scroll bars in all applications. Now you have to remember which ones work which way. Fiddling around precisely placing the cursor is annoying and doesn't appear to consistently advance the image one screen at a time---assuming you're using an application that is affected by this feature. A week later, a Langa reader reminded us of a little used MS shortcut:-- one from the past. It's particularly useful when you're reading a long article online. To move down one screen, use Ctrl + spacebar. To move up one screen, use Shift + spacebar. This appears to work in all applications. Yes, you have to put a hand on the keyboard. I find I scroll on the keyboard with my left hand, while maintaining hand-on-mouse with my right hand. Easier than rubbing your head while patting your stomach. Sharp allows files to be read on phones By Staff, CNETAsia Thursday, December 11 2003 7:44 AM Sharp has developed a way for cellphones to display business documents and graphics. The technology allows users to view Adobe Acrobat, and Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint files on the tiny LCD screens used by cellphones. In order to read the text, the technology allows the user to zoom in onto the files. Sharp said it worked with Canadian company BitFlash to develop the Electronic Document Display System which consists of a Mobile Phone Graphics Rendering Technology and an Electronic Document Conversion Server that converts and trims the size of document files. The ability to zoom in and out of documents is based on an international XML standard called SVG-T (Scalable Vector Graphics-Tiny). While many display technologies rely on using dots to make up an image, SVGT composes images by specifying a series of lines and shapes (vectors). This approach enables smooth rendering regardless of the size or resolution of the LCD screen. The rendering software will be embedded in the new Vodafone V601SH Mobile Phone by Sharp sold in Japan. Dennis Atherton conducting the Computer Q&A session at the 2003.Dec. meeting Page 4 • January, 2004 • Simi Valley Computer User Group • Computers - from the Very Beginning - Monitors By Charlie Paschal Editor/Publisher, Palmetto Personal Computer Club, Columbia, SC; Columnist, The (Columbia) State newspaper, SC Just as understanding computer memory can be confusing, so can understanding a computer display, one of the most important parts of a computer. The display, which also can be called a monitor, is connected to a computer by a cable that attaches to a video card inside a computer. Troubles with a display can be traced to the cable, the card inside the computer, software that drives the card, the display itself or some piece of equipment nearby. Monitors can be found in various sizes and shapes but even the best of monitors can be made to look bad if any of the other parts and pieces are not working correctly or of poor quality. A monitor is only as good as the video card in your computer and the software that runs that video card and monitor. Let's focus first on the monitor. Of all the parts and pieces that make up a computer system, the monitor is one part that you shouldn't scrimp on. If you plan to have a computer for a long time, then buck up and spend the money for a good one. Although you may buy a new computer, you can always use your old monitor on it -- especially if you buy a good quality monitor. In that purchase, there's a lot to consider. Although you can find monitors less than 17 inches in size, I don't recommend buying one. Since some very cheap systems come with smaller monitors, it's something you should guard against when looking at buying a system that comes with a monitor. Resolution and dot pitch are very important when it comes to monitors. A computer screen is made up of dots and these are measured in dot pitch. In this case, you always go with the lowest number, with a cutoff of 28 dot pitch. Anything larger than that will give you a grainy display. More expensive models come with a dot pitch of 24. Resolution is another measure of a monitor. Common resolutions include 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 and 1280x1024. Even if your monitor can do higher resolutions, if your video card can't, then you won't be able to use them. Why should you care about resolution? By using higher resolutions, you can fit more on your screen. A Web page viewed at 640x480 displays very little information. By boosting your resolution to 800x600 or 1024x768, you can fit more pixels on the screen, thus increasing your viewing area. Another feature to check before buying a monitor is its refresh rate. Although many makers claim their monitors are able to display higher resolutions, these are often delivered at a rate lower than 72Hrz, meaning that your eyes will see flicker. This is hard on your eyes and will make your eyes tire quicker than a higher refresh rate. In today's world, the hot item is a "flat panel" LCD monitor; but, just because it's hot and the salesmen are pushing it, doesn't mean you should buy it. Although many of us lust after a flat panel, there are drawbacks: * Small type often doesn't look good on one. If you're considering one, be sure to look at some small type faces in the store before you buy it. If a salesperson is handy, get them to start Wordpad (or Word) and make the type nine- or 10 point. Be sure to check around the edges of the LCD to see if the image blurs on either side. * Often, an LCD is "fixed" to a certain resolution, such as 1024x768. Be sure that you like the way icons and type appears on screen before buying. If the type is too small (or too large), try another resolution. If the type appears jagged or blurry, then the LCD might look best at one resolution. * Color is not rendered sharply by less expensive flat panels. If it's a bargain basement flat panel, the color on a normal CRT probably will be better. The availability of these flat panels mean that the CRT monitors -- the old style larger monitors -- are getting less expensive. About a year ago, I purchased a 21-inch Sony (almost top of the line) for less than $500 off the Internet. It has beautiful color, is capable of rendering higher resolutions at a high refresh rate. The push to flat panels also has opened up a huge market for used monitors since many people are replacing the older CRTs with this new style of monitor. Because of this, I've found used 17inch monitors for less than $80 and 19inch monitors for about $125. Bottom line: A good rule of thumb for monitors is at least a 1024x768 resolution at 72Hrz, no dot pitch larger than 26 and no smaller than 17 inches. Unless you've got a space problem (CRTs are much larger than flat panel monitors), I'd stick with CRT monitors rather than a flat panel, which will cost less in the future as manufactures ramp up production of them. You can bet on that. NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING Small member ads are free for members. (business card size) 1/4 page - $25/mo; 1/2 page - $50/month; full page - $100/month. Please, send your artwork to the editorial office mailto:marika@ez2.net by the 10th of each month to be appearing in the next month’s issue. • Simi Valley Computer User Group • January, 2004 • Page 5 January's Agenda This is the next-to-the-last meeting of the famous Pasadena User Group Steve Bass mailto:stevebass@earthlink.net Chris -- most of you subscribe to his wildly successful Lockergnome newsletter series, and many of you have seen him during his equally successful run on TechTV. Here's your chance to see him live. First you'll see a few of Chris's hilarious TechTV out-takes, followed by some of his favorite tips and shareware, and finally hear him talk about his book and the upcoming Gnomedex (perhaps in Pasadena). Meeting Logistics Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2004 Time: Doors open 6:00pm Meeting: 7:00-9:00pm Admission: $5.00/non-members; no new memberships accepted. Where: Eliot Middle School Auditorium 2184 North Lake Ave, corner Calavaras, in Altadena Map: < http://snipurl.com/eliotmap > Agenda: < http://snurl.com/p_agenda > Parking: Park on the street or Eliot's lot. Use the Boston Street entrance, the first driveway off of Lake. See < http://snurl.com/ Eliotparking > January 7, 2004 PIBMUG Agenda (meeting logistics below) NOTE: This is the last PIBMUG meeting with vendor presentations and will be a longer than usual meeting. I'm guessing it'll end about 9:30pm. Besides cramming in three terrific presentations, I'll also talk briefly about February's meeting. ** Member Giveaway: The usual array of software. ** Bass Book Signing: I have 50 copies of PC Annoyances and I'll be at a table in the lobby. Books are $18, tax included. (Cash only, please, no checks or credit cards.) I'll autograph every book. SMALL PRINT If you want to trade your PIBMUG membership refund for This E-letter may be forwarded or reproduced for nona book, drop me a quick note. (If you've already been in commercial use, either in part or in its entirety, provided the touch, we've got you on a list--no need to respond again.) following is included: * This message is brought to you by the ** Goofy Stuff: I have some very special videos to make you Pasadena IBM Users Group, an announcement-only mail list. LOL. Replies go to Steve Bass. ** X1: Here's something back for you: Remember Magellan? * Steve's new book: PC Annoyances http://snurl.com/anIt was a terrific DOS search, cum-file manager, cum-viewer noyances program from the 90s? It's back-I saw it at Comdex--and * Subscribe to PC World's Steve Bass' Home Office it's faster, better, and slicker. We'll see a 30 minute demo of Newsletter: http://snurl.com/signup the product--and you'll have a chance to buy it at discount. submitted by Barbara Cott (Grab a trial copy at x1.com so you'll have a better undermail to: datherton@affinitygroup.com standing of what the program does.) ** Guidance Software: In 2002, you saw a demo about computer forensics and the feedback was 100% positive. Here's a new take on it: Industrial esName: pionage, employee misconduct, and inAddress: tellectual property theft happens evPhone: erywhere, maybe even in your business. Expert Rich Cummings, ManType of computer(s) used: ager of Security Engineering at Guidance, will explain how forensic softSpecial Interests: ware works and show us how he actually acquires evidence. You'll also learn how to safeguard the integrity $13.00 for 6 months $24.00 for 1 year of suspect digital information in case it's needed as evidence, and how to Make checks payable to “SVCUG”. properly handle the discovery of workMail to: place related computer crimes. What Mike Portanova, PO Box 472 AGOURA, CA 91301 or Rich says will shock you! < http:// Bring to: a meeting www.encase.com > ** Chris Pirillo: I know you've heard of Membership Registration Page 6 • January, 2004 • Simi Valley Computer User Group • President’s Corner By Barbara Cott, SVCUG President barbaracott@dslextreme.com We were supposed to hold elections at the December meeting,, but they have been moved to January. We elect a President and Secretary one year, the following year we elect a Vice President and Treasurer. We will open nominations at the January 8th meeting and the election will be on January 28th. The term of office is for two years for each office and shall start on February 1st. I’ve copied these duties for our elected positions from our Bylaws, for your information. President: Preside at SVCUG meetings. Serves as an ex-officio member of all SVCUG committees, except the nominating committee and the election committee. Countersign checks for the SVCUG, together with one of the following: Treasurer, Vice President, or Secretary. Appoint chairpersons for standing committees, or delegate such authority to another officer. Vice President: Become President in case of resignation or permanent disability of the President, and assume all of the duties of the president in his or her absence. Assist the President in the discharge of his or her duties. Secretary: Keep accurate records of SVCUG meetings. Submit written minutes of the meetings to the Executive Committee. Maintain a record and store copies of SVCUG correspondence. Treasurer: Serve as custodian of all funds of the SVCUG. Establish an account in the name of the SVCUG in a bank approved by the Executive Committee. Receive dues payments from members, provide receipts, and maintain records of dues payments. Disburse funds for payment of SVCUG bills on checks authorized by one of the following: President, Vice President, or Secretary. Keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements, and report to the SVCUG and to the Executive Committee monthly. Initiate volume purchases of materials for the benefit of the SVCUG membership when directed to do so by the Executive Committee. January Meeting SVCUG members Marika Panczel and Rich Lawrence continue their graphic design demonstrations. Marika’s PhotoShop demo is on Thursday, January 8th and Rich’s Illustrator demo is on Wednesday, January 28th. There is so much to learn about Adobe’s PhotoShop and Illustrator. They are planning to show us more about how to use the most important parts of this software. Further details about their demos are in this newsletter. Marika produces the SVCUG newsletter editor now and is currently a freelance graphic designer. She creates the Simi Valley newsletter in Pagemaker but uses PhotoShop for other projects. Rich designs the Simi Valley Cajun/Creole Festival flyers posted everywhere in Simi in the spring. About Steve Bass Pasadena IBM Users Group After 22 years of running the Pasadena IBM Users Group, Steve Bass is retiring and retiring the Users Group. The last meeting will be in February, 2004. Southern California Regional User Group He started our SCRUGS group a few years ago. It is the Southern California Regional User Group leaders, in association with APCUG, which is the worldwide group. PCWorld Magazine Articles Steve Bass is a long-time popular staff writer at PC World Magazine. This is a link to a list of recent columns: http:// www.pcworld.com/howto/locations/0,loc,54,00.asp Online Entertainment > Home Office: Best Time Wasters Test your sense of smell, flex your reflexes, stay awake in meetings. (24-Dec-2003) Online Privacy > Home Office: Learn (Almost) Anything About Anybody But protect details about yourself from others trying to dig up dirt on you. (23-Dec-2003) Electronics > Home Office: More Nifty Gifts for Your Home Office Fast battery rechargers, TV phones, and a shameless plug for my book. (17-Dec-2003) Peripherals > Home Office: Nifty Gifts for Home or Office Trackball fanatics, wireless headsets, squirrel par course. (10-Dec-2003) Microsoft Office > Home Office: Office 2003 Is Here, Plus the New ExplorerPlus What we liked and didn’t about Microsoft’s latest efforts. (26-Nov-2003) Electronics > Home Office: Hot Products for a Cool Home Office Get a load of these six geek-tested gizmos that make my PC work a breeze. (25-Nov-2003) • Simi Valley Computer User Group • January, 2004 • Page 7 Steve’s email: steve_bass@pcworld.com O’Reilly Books PC Annoyances October 2003 This easy to read, accessible book from PC World expert Steve Bass covers the waterfront of PC gripes and gremlins, with fixes for everything from Windows glitches to browsers that won’t browse. These tips and tricks are served up in bite-sized portions for quick reading and even quicker fixing. Plus, you get access to more than one hundred utilities that will help you squash bugs, enhance your email, untangle a system snarl, and much more. Let’s Talk Computers Radio Show John C. Dvorak and Steve Bass Tackle Common Home User Issues Based on Their Best-Selling Books “Online! The Book” and “PC Annoyances” Press release http://www.marketwire.com/mw/ release_html_b1?release_id=61413 Listen to Streaming media http://www.lets-talkcomputers.net/asx/2004/01_jan/01-03-04/010304b8.asx Speaking of Radio Shows Let’s Talk Computers http://www.lets-talk-computers.com/ Let’s Talk Computers is now heard WorldWide. Interviews are updated weekly. Now you can hear Let’s Talk Computers at any time, from anywhere in the world, over the Internet, using RealAudio. You can listen in to the “insider” conversations, covering the latest innovations, hardware, and software and how they affect you. Upcoming Interviews January 10 2004 - Mobile Processors * AMD (NYSE:AMD) designs and produces microprocessors, Flash memory devices and system-on-chip solutions for the computer, communications and consumer electronics industries. AMD is dedicated to helping its customers deliver standards-based, customer-focused solutions for technology users, ranging from enterprises to government agencies and individual consumers. Founded in 1969, AMD is a Standard & Poor’s 500 company with global operations and manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia. In September AMD introduced the first ever Windows®-compatible 64-bit PC processor— stay tuned to hear from Martin Booth of AMD for another widely anticipated release. January 10 2004 - Anti-Virus Products * Eset is a privately held software development and research company focused on developing innovative anti-virus software systems. Their NOD32 anti-virus program has evolved from that development process to be consistently rated as one of the best anti-virus products. In fact, NOD32 holds more Virus Bulletin 100% Awards than any other product available. CEO and President Anton Zajac gives an overview of viruses over the past year and discusses the heuristic technology that recognizes and neutralizes most new viruses before the bulletins are even released for them. Let’s Talk Computers ® ranks as one of the longest running radio computer talk shows, distributing up-to-the minute computer information since 1989. Produced in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, it is broadcast via radio in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Texas and New Mexico and on the world wide web via the Internet. Hosts Alan Ashendorf and Sandra Ashendorf interview representatives from the computer industry about products and industry trends. Guests have included representatives from Adobe, Microsoft, Novell, IBM, Lotus, “PC World”, Seagate, Citrix, Compuserve, Computer Associates, Corel, Symantec, “MarketWire”, Ziff-Davis and a host of other companies. If you can’t receive Let’s Talk Computers ® in your area, contact the program manager, Jim McClurg, about broadcasting the show on a radio station in your area. He can be reached via email, or by paper mail at Let’s Talk Computers, 488 Saddle Drive, Nashville, TN 37221. The Tech Guy on KFI Starting Saturday, January 3, Leo Laporte is the new tech guy on KFI. He’s been helping people buy and use technology for over 20 years, first in print with magazines like Infoworld and MacUser, then on radio with John C. Dvorak in 1991, and on TV with Ziff-Davis in 1994. For the last six years he’s been hosting two daily live television shows on TechTV: Call for Help and The Screen Savers He’ll be using a weblog as a way to provide more details about the things they talk about on the show. Check back here for links, elaborations, clarifications, and yes, even corrections. You’ll also find a special section of the Leoville Message Boards dedicated to the radio show. You’ll find more information about Leo, his books and TV shows on his web site, Leoville. Leo will be talking with you every Saturday and Sunday from now on, Noon-3p on 640 KFI! Next week: Get the latest news from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. He will be broadcasting live from the show floor, noon-3p, Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11. Page 8 • January, 2004 • Simi Valley Computer User Group • Jeff Levy on Computers This new talk radio show airs live every Saturday from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM and every Sunday from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM Pacific Standard Time. Its format is a combination of Q & A, interviews, weekly lessons and information sharing on the power of the PC. Most of the program is devoted to listeners who call in to ask questions about their computers and to solve technical problems. Jeff walks them through do-ityourself repair steps, giving easy to follow instructions every time. There are also interviews with people who’ve made a difference by using new technology. He has been working with computers since the mid-1970s and he really has an understanding of computers in terms of what they do and just how they do it. Right-click any lesson of the information presented in the “lessons” section http:// www.jefflevy.com/ to save it to your computer, or click on File and then on Print if you want a printed copy of any lesson. Check him out on KNX 1070 http://www.knx1070.com/ on your AM dial or Live on the Internet. The Computer & Technology Show With Marc & Mark If working with computers has you confused, frustrated, and ready to unplug them from the outlet, tune in to The Computer and Technology Show with Marc and Mark hosted by Marc Cohen & Mark Oleesky every Saturday on KABC TalkRadio, 9am 11am. They’ll answer all your computer questions and explain the latest gizmos and gadgets being introduced in the market place, including weekly DVD movie releases and up-and-coming consumer websites. If you’re already computer-savvy, Marc & Mark have suggestions for purchasing software (including educational and anti-virus software and fun stuff like games) and can recommend techniques in making your PC, Mac, laptop, digital camera devices and Palm Pilots run more efficiently. The Computer and Technology Show with Marc and Mark is a resource for discovering Internet sites, electronic and computer buys of the week, and for grasping the mechanics of operating computer-related equipment. Unlike the handbooks and directions that come with computers and hardware, Marc & Mark speak “human” language to their listeners and prevent them from getting their “wires crossed” in more ways than one. Click here to Listen Live to 790 KABC through the internet! http://www.kabc.com/listenlive.asp (This site is being rebuilt at press time, but will be working in a few days) Tune in on Saturdays, 9:00AM - 11:00AM Building an Illustration Demo on January 28th by Rich Lawrence The last Illustrator demo showed how to work with text and place it on a curve. This demo will show how to build illustrations from basic shapes. Combining basic shapes to form illustrations. · · · · · · · Review of basic setup Shape tools Scale, Skew, and Rotate Blends (again) Clip with mask Combining shapes Transparency Try Total Recorder High Criteria Inc, a world leader in computer audio recording systems, announced the immediate availability of new versions of its flagship product, Total Recorder. The Standard Edition, Professional Edition and the Developer Edition have all been upgraded to Version 4.4. Total Recorder V4.4 offers a number of new features including support for Windows Media Audio (.wma) files. This new support allows users to record into .wma format or playback .wma files. The V4.4 release also includes the ability to Normalize .mp3 files. The Professional Edition V4.4 also introduces the ability to edit .wma files and a new “fade-in” “fade-out” recording effect Users wanting to work with .wma files must have Windows Media player V9.0 or higher installed, or they must install a support package made available by Microsoft. Total Recorder Developer Edition has also been updated to the V4.4 level. This new Developer Edition release includes all of the features and functionality that are available in Total Recorder Professional Edition. All Total Recorder V4.4 Editions are immediately available and may be downloaded for evaluation and purchased from the High Criteria Web Site at www.highcriteria.com. See you at the meeting and the swapmeet. Barbara • Simi Valley Computer User Group • January, 2004 • Page 9 Local Computer User Groups Appleholics Anonymous Chuck Baca 805-650-7503 / Tony Pizza 805-482-3453 2nd Sat 9:30 am 3169 Telegraph Road. Ventura Conejo Valley Genealogical Society Albert Richardson, Chairman (NEW) (805) 492-2029 mailto:bf140@gte.net CVMUG (Mac club) Susie Herrera 805-484-2259 mailto:sherrera@vcnet.com General Meetings are: 1st Thursday of each month at the Cowan Conference Center, Camarillo Airport, 550 Airport Way at 7 p.m. 1st Wednesday of each month at the Meadows Elementary School in Thousand Oaks, 2000 La Granada at 7 p.m. Our novice group meets during the school year on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Monte Vista Middle School, 888 Lantana, Camarillo at 7 p.m. In the library. Our intermediate group meets the 4th Monday of the month at 7 p.m. During the school year - it’s at Monte Vista in the library. During the summer, (June, July and August) we meet at the Cowan Conference Center. Commodore 64/128 Users Rolf Miller: 805-643-6666 General Meetings: 1st Sat., 10 am Cal Fed Bank, 430 Arneill Road, Camarillo Tech Meeting: 2nd Sat, 10 am Boys-Girls Club, 126 E. 7th Street, Oxnard Channel Islands PC Group David Harris - President; .president@cipcug.org Website: http://www.cipcug.org General Meeting: 1st Sat, 9 am Camarillo Airport OS/2 Corner: 2nd Sat, 9:30 am 805-604-7538 Website: http://www.cipcug.org General Meeting: 1st Sat, 9 am Camarillo Airport OS/2 Corner: 2nd Sat, 9:30 am Channel Island Linux User Grouop 1st and 3rd Friday, 6 pm Ventura County Community College New Science Building, Room 231 (SCI 231) Contact Bob Thompson mailto:bobnmerilyn@alum.mit.edu http://trixie.kosman.via.ayuda.com/cilug/ Gold Coast CUE of Ventura County Tim Rainville, 805-525-3873 Days vary, 4 pm Camarillo area or local school mailto:rainvilt@vcss.k12.ca.us Leisure Village Club Neil Iven, 805-383-0016 mailto:lniven1@juno.com 1st Friday, 10am Camarillo / 1st Monday, MAC group 2nd Friday, Communications 3rd Wednesday, Novice Simi Conejo Linux User Group Website: http://Valleywww.psilord.com/sclug Meets every other Saturday at 6 pm InstallFests start at 2 p.m Simi Valley YMCA mailto: sclug@sclug.org. MacValley Users Group Daphne Gruberman (818) 998-7025 1st Wednesday Wilkinson Senior Center 8956 Vanalden Street, Northridge Simi Valley Computer User Group Barbara Cott 805-2181-0909 mailto:barbaracott@dslextreme.com Website: http://www.svcug.org Main meeting: 2nd Thurs 7:30 pm Hardware/Software Meeting: 4th Wed, 7:30 pm Simi Valley Library Thousand Oaks Personal Computer Club Karen Warren - President president@topcc,org 805-497-9612 Website:http://topcc.org 4th Thurs: 6:30pm Jan-Oct 3rd Thurs: 6:30 Nov-Dec Goebbel Sr Ctr or T.O. Library TUGNET Website: http://www.tugnet.org meets every Tues, 7pm Granada Pavilion 11128 Balboa, Granada Hills. Ventura Beginners PC Users’ Group Howard Wilson 805-647-0360 3rd Sat, 10 am Club House BenaVentura Mobile Home Estate, 11407 Darling Road NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING Small member ads are free for members. (business card size) 1/4 page - $25/mo; 1/2 page - $50/month; full page - $100/month. Please, send your artwork to the editorial office mailto:marika@ez2.net by the 10th of each month to be appearing in the next month’s issue. Page 10 • January, 2004 • Simi Valley Computer User Group • Need Help? Dennis Atherton hardware-Windows9X,ME,NT,2K,XP Networks - home and business mailto: datherton@affinitygroup.com Steve Carter OS/2 - mailto: scarter@vcnet.com 805-598-8455 til 9 pm Barbara Cott desktop publishing, Excel, Photoshop, web pages mailto:barbara@dslextreme.com 805-581-2495 Howard Engel Word 6, programming in PASCALorADA mailto:engelh@adelphia.com 805-523-7602 9 am - 10 pm Will Fiske Win95/3.11/3.1, DOS 6.2 and down to 5 mailto: wfiske@netzero.net after 6 pm; 805-492-4214 Gordon Huff modems, Telix, FDISK mailto: wa6fmx@worldnet.att.net 805-499-3494 Mike Portanova Recording off the internet, Photo retouching -mailto:NOVANIKON@aol.com Dee Tillman Office 97Word & Excel,WordPerfect, Commodore, Apple mailto: dtillman@juno.com 805-526-1395 after 4 Gaylord Trubey DOS internet, WIN 3.x, WIN 95, software hardware mailto: gaylordt@juno.com 805-526-2077 Dick Uhlman Most DOS operations; Windows operations v3.0 to XP Most utilities, for DOS & Windows; WinWord and Excel, most versions. Internet access and searching; Hardware upgrades mailto: duhlman@sbcglobal.net 805-583-2174 & 805-583-2804 5pm - 8pm Karleen Volz BASIC questions, DOS WIN 3.11, WIN 95 WIN NT, basic hardware questions mailto: kvolz@juno.com 7pm - 9:30pm & weekends Open letter to Simi Valley Computer User Group members Dear members! Our Newsletter is an open forum for you to voice your opinion, experience and knowledge. This letter is a reminder to take advantage of this opportunity and become a contributing writer on subjects like: • reviews on hardware, software and books • tips and techniques you would like to share • computer related personal experience • Questions & Answers Please, send your writings (about 300 words or less) to the editorial office marika@ez2.net by the 10 of each month to be appearing in the next month’s issue. Thank you, Marika Panczel, Newsletter editor th Simi Valley Computer User Group is a non-profit special interest group for the benefit of anyone interested in learning more about computers and how to use them. Meetings are held twice a month. The General Meeting meets at 7:30 pm on the second Thursday of each month, the Hardware / Software Meeting is held at the same time on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The meetings are held at the Simi Valley Public Library, in the Community Room. If you need further information about the meetings, call Barbara Cott at 805-218-0909, mailto:barbaracott@dslextreme.com. Further information can be found at http://www.svcug.org or send email to: mailto:info@svcug.org. Visitors are welcome to come and see what our group is all about without obligation to join. However, if you find our meetings to be beneficial to you, we hope you will join and support our group. Dues are $24 per year or $13 for 6 months. It has to say this: Simi Valley Computer User Group (SVCUG), consisting of its officers and membership, is notaffiliated with any computer hardware or software manufacturers. Articles contained in this publication may not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SVCUG. SVCUG makes no warranty of the suitability or inability to use any product or service. • Simi Valley Computer User Group • January, 2004 • Page 11 Local Computer Shows Marketpro http://www.marketpro.com/pages/west/ 12/21/2003, 01/11/04 Oxnard, California, Oxnard Community Center 10am - 5pm. To get to the swapmeet at the Oxnard Community Center: Take Hwy. 101 to Vineyard exit. Turn West to 'H' St. 'H' St. changes into Hobson Way. The Community Center is located at 800 Hobson between 8th & 9th Sts. User Group Officers Megashows 12/13-14/2003 (Sat/Sun) 10am-5pm RESEDA, CA Reseda High School http://www.megashow.com/computer/schedule.html President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Barbara Cott Howard Engel Mike Portanova Marika Panczel mailto:barbara@dslextreme.com mailto:engelh@adelphia.com mailto:novanikon@aol.com mailto:marika@ez2.net Simi Valley Computer User Group 2718 Kadota Street Simi Valley, CA 93063 January Meetings Thursday, January 8th Computer Q&A by Dennis Atherton Adobe Photoshop Demo by Marika Panczel Wednesday, January 28th Adobe Illustrator Demo by Rich Lawrence