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The Monthly Edition Of The k-Byte Newsletter |
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| v. 26, n. 3, March 2009 | Users Helping Users | ||
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The Monthly Edition Of The k-Byte Newsletter |
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| v. 26, n. 3, March 2009 | Users Helping Users | ||
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Contents 1 Idle Computers Help Researchers Study Disease-Causing Proteins - Linda Gonse 2 About k-Byte 3 A Message about Computer Security to Everyone - Mike Morris 6 Calendar of Events 7 The Two Month Activities Calendar 9 Photo Gallery 10 Tip of the Month - 5 Rules for Great Kid Photos - Kim Kommando 12 Directions and Map to Meeting Place 12 FRPCUG Contacts Meeting Previews on Page 6:
 Quote of the Month Political language . . . is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind. George Orwell [1946] Idle Computers Help Researchers Study Disease-Causing Proteins by Linda Gonse, Orange County PC Users Group, http://www.orcopug.org, editor(at)orcopug.org. Reprinted with permission. Folding-at-Home is the name of a Stanford University project whose purpose is to help humanity by studying "folding" and "misfolding" of proteins. These proteins are believed to cause diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), Mad Cow or Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis (BSE), and its human form Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). If you leave your PC on all the time consider installing software that can use the idle CPU time to crunch Work Units (WU) to help researchers find cures for these diseases. Companies such as Dell, Apple, Intel and Google have endorsed this project. There are no monetary compensations-only an opportunity to be part of a great team working to find a cure for complex diseases. If you've ever downloaded and installed a screensaver, or instant messenger, you have all the skills and knowledge you need to "fold" (proteins) and join the fight to find a cure for many complex diseases. Windows users can run version 5 as a graphical client or screensaver. The graphic version runs in the background, uses very little resources, and releases them when you need to use them. There are also versions for Macintosh and Linux and SP3. For more information about folding, go to this URL: http://folding.stanford.edu/. To download the program and get started go to http://folding.stanford.edu/English/Download Will F@H reduce the security of my computer? The Folding@home client and distributed computing service is no less safe than other programs that you can download from the internet and run on your computer. Because security of the FAH client is very important to the Pande Group, they have designed the FAH to be as secure as feasible through encrypted downloads/uploads, file checksums, etc. FAH should not reduce the security of your computer. Can't they just use a Supercomputer? F@H is more than twice as powerful as the world's current most powerful supercomputer, in terms of operations per second. Even then, the project is still restricted by the power available to it and needs all the extra silicon it can get. Won't running my computer at full usage all the time damage it? Modern computer chips are precision instruments; they are designed to be able to operate continuously at full speed without degrading. A typical example of this would be the humble web server. These serve thousands, maybe tens of thousands of connections a minute and are fully loaded for long periods at a time, yet hardly ever fail due to hardware faults. But, isn't it true you can't solve something like this without lab work? This is correct; however Folding@Home uses independently tested and proven techniques to advance and work alongside the work done in laboratories across the planet.  Published monthly, k-Byte is the official newsletter of the Front Range Personal Computer Users Group (FRPCUG): our mailing address is PMB 152, 305 W. Magnolia, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. Opinions expressed in k-Byte are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the group or its members. Publication of information in k-Byte constitutes no guarantee of accuracy. Use of any information found in this publication is at the sole risk of the user. Neither k-Byte, nor its officers, nor its editors or contributors assume any liability for damages resulting from use of information in this publication. Submissions Articles, letters and short items of interest on computer-related topics are welcome and encouraged. All items submitted for publication are subject to editing. Send your contribution to the editor via e-mail attachment or submit on disk. If you have questions about a submission, please contact the editor for information. Copyright and Trademark Information k-Byte is copyrighted ©2009 by the Front Range Personal Computer Users Group. The k-Byte logo and the Front Range PC Users Group logo are Trademarked by the Front Range PC Users Group. Unless otherwise noted, other nonprofit users groups may reprint or quote from any articles appearing in k-Byte without prior permission, provided that: a) proper author and publication credits are given; b) that a copy of the publication in which the article appears is sent at no cost to k-Byte at the above mailing address, or emailed to contact(at)frpcug.org; and c) any additional instructions/restrictions contained in the article are followed. User groups wishing to exchange newsletters with FRPCUG are invited to send a copy of their newsletter together with an exchange request. Disclaimer IBM PC, OS/2, Compaq, HP, Dell, UNIX, Windows and other trademarks occasionally mentioned in k-Byte are registered trademarks of International Business Machines, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Corporation, Microsoft, Dell Inc., or their owners respectively. Neither FRPCUG nor its newsletter k-Byte are connected in any way with any manufacturer or seller. Acceptance by FRPCUG of donated products or services from suppliers, or inclusion of a supplier in the FRPCUG Partner list does not imply that any continuing financial support is received or expected by FRPCUG. Nor do such activities imply an endorsement of either the supplier or product or service. Such information is made available to members as a service. Use of any product or supplier found in this publication, or any FRPCUG publication, is at the sole risk of the user. About FRPCUG FRPCUG is an independent nonprofit computer society, so incorporated with the State of Colorado and open to anyone interested in Windows, or UNIX/LINUX microcomputers. Its purpose is to provide an educational and scientific forum of mutual benefit for members of the micro-computer community. FRPCUG holds a monthly meeting and conducts various special interest groups (SIGs) and seminars. Members have voting privileges, subscription to k-Byte newsletter, and access to SIGs and selected seminars. Annual dues are $25 for individual/family membership ($20 for students) and $50 for corporate/group membership. by Mike Morris, Front Range PC Users Group, http://www.frpcug.org. As a member of the Front Range PC Users Group, I participate in weekly free help sessions for the local community, and I teach or help teach several computer classes offered through the local Senior Center. These activities provide many opportunities to talk to computer users of all knowledge levels. I am continually astonished at the number of computer users (those using one of the Microsoft Windows operating systems) that don't keep their computer security software up to date. I am not sure why this happens, and I wouldn't care if the results affected only those users that did not maintain those updates. Unfortunately, in today's world, one computer with malware (malicious software) can infect many other computers through internet usage. One recently published study claims that the US has replaced China as the leading source of malware. My request to those of you who conscientiously maintain their software is to pass this article on to all other computer users. Perhaps, in the current economic environment, people are unwilling to spend the money on the subscriptions needed to keep the security software databases up to date. Whether that is true or not, it is important to note that there are reliable, effective and free computer security software applications available. And free means the program is free and the updates are free. Are you thinking "you get what you pay for"? The implication of that question is that the free software is not likely to be any good. If you are thinking that thought, then consider this: the problem of malicious software has become so pervasive that individuals and organizations have developed free, high quality, computer security applications to encourage their use and help reduce the impact of the problem. The availability of free and effective computer security software means that there is no need to operate a computer--and no excuse, for any user, for operating a computer--without up to date security software. For the home user, the free security software offers the same protection as the security software that requires payment (or at least sufficient protection). The difference is usually in the supplemental features. For example, many (but not all) free programs do not include automatic updates. OK, that means a little (very little) extra work for the home computer user. The security software that you pay for offers many automatic features, leaving the user with a "set it and forget it" option. But that only works if you continue to pay for the subscriptions that provide the database (and program) updates, and use the updates. If, for whatever reason, you decide not to renew those subscriptions, then it is time to change your security software to one of the free versions--and to use it! Every computer user has an obligation, in my opinion, to help prevent the spread of malicious software. Here are some suggestions and recommendations on how to do just that. Part 1: The steps needed (in my opinion) to change a virus protection software application. Changing a virus protection program is a 4 (possibly 5) step process. Recommended applications are provided later in this article 1. Download, but do NOT install the new virus protection program. Then disconnect from the internet (unplug a cable if necessary). 2. Uninstall the existing virus protection program using the Add/Remove Programs feature of the Control Panel (two virus protection programs on the same computer will create conflicts). When you double click on Add/Remove Programs, it will take a moment for the list to be displayed. Find your current virus protection program in the list. Click on it, then on the Change/Remove button that is displayed. You may be asked to confirm your decision--if so, click on Yes. Follow any additional instructions that are displayed. 3. Find the downloaded new virus protection program on your computer, and start the installation by double clicking on it. Follow any additional instructions that are displayed. If the installation instructions include a default selection to update the database when the installation is complete, I suggest you deselect that choice, and wait until after you run the first scan (if possible) before updating the database. At this point, you can re-connect to the internet, but I suggest you wait until after the first scan, unless you need to update the database before running that first scan. 4. After the installation is complete, run a complete scan--this could take awhile (several hours, depending on the settings and the amount of information on your computer). This is important, especially if it has been awhile since you last updated the virus database on your computer. You may need to update the database for the new program (that possible 5th step) before you can run the scan. I also recommend people backup (at least) the data on their computers before making significant changes to programs. If you have important information on your computer (that could include work related information and, especially, personal financial information), copy those files to a flash drive, or an external hard drive, or even burn those files to a CD before making any changes. Backup is another important task for computer users, and will be the subject of a future article. Part 2: Recommended software applications and instructions for obtaining them. Here are some software recommendations for you based on my experience, and experience of other members of the Front Range PC Users Group. These recommended programs are usually problem free. However, there is always the chance of a download problem, installation problem or operating conflict (please see the disclaimer at the end of this article). I suggest you contact your local computer users group (connect to http://cdb.apcug.org/loclist.asp for a list of users groups), should you need help with this task--or any other computer issue. The following information contains step-by-step instructions for locating and downloading the recommended applications, based on the web sites as of February 2009. The objective of these detailed instructions is to make it as easy as possible for everyone-regardless of knowledge level-to find and use this software. I am familiar with 2 free virus protection programs that are reliable and effective (I am sure there are more). One of these programs is the free version of Avast!, which includes an automatic database update feature.  • Connect to http://www.avast.com to locate the program. • On the home page, at the top right, is a tab called Free Software. Click on that tab. • Then click on the Download button under HOME EDITION. • Click on Download Now (you may need to scroll down the page a little to see that button), and, when the new window is displayed, again on Download Now. • You will be asked whether you want to open the file (setupeng.exe) or save it. • Click on "Save File". The installation file will be downloaded to your computer. It is a large file, so if you have dial-up internet access, select a time for the download that will not interfere with your other tasks. • Once the download is complete, double click on the file to start the installation. Both the Home Edition of Avast and the updates are free. With Avast, you have to register--and receive a license key--before you can use the program, so do so and then disconnect from the internet immediately (to protect your computer). Wait about 10-15 minutes, then reconnect to the internet and check your email for the license key. Enter the license key immediately. Do NOT stay connected to the internet until you have the new virus protection program installed and working. The license key must be renewed annually. Free tech support is available from the Avast forums at http://forum.avast.com.  Another free virus protection program is AVG Free. It also takes several steps to find and download this program, but there is no license key required. • Start by connecting to http://free.avg.com/download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition. • Scroll down the page until you see the "Download" buttons. Note that this web page provides a comparison of the features in the free and paid versions. Note also that, while the free version does not include free tech support, there is free tech support available through the AVG forums http://freeforum.avg.com/. • Click on the "Download" button in the AVG Free column. • When the new web page is displayed, click on the "Download Now" button (at the left side of the page). • Another web page is displayed with another "Download Now" button. • Click on that button. • You will be asked whether you want to open the file (avg_free_stf_en_8_233a1415.exe) or save it. • Click on "Save File". The installation file will be downloaded to your computer. It is a large file, so if you have dial-up internet access, select a time for the download that will not interfere with your other tasks. • Once the download is complete, double click on the file to start the installation. Once you have the new virus protection program working, I strongly suggest you download and install (and use) two additional programs. These two programs are useful for maintaining computer health, and are especially helpful if it has been awhile since the previous virus protection program was updated One is from an organization called Malwarebytes, and is called Anti-Malware. I have this program installed on both of my computers. This program finds problems other programs don't find, and, in my experience, it does not conflict with other security software.  • Connect to http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php to find the program. • Click on the green "Download Now" button at the left side of the page. • Another web page is displayed with another "Download Now" button. • Click on that button. • You will be asked whether you want to open the file (mbam-setup.exe) or save it. • Click on "Save File". The installation file will be downloaded to your computer. The Malwarebytes program is free, as are the updates (there is non-free version that has more features, but for home use the free version is sufficient). Once downloaded and installed (start the installation by double clicking on the downloaded file), I strongly suggest you run a complete scan (which will take awhile). Run at least a quick scan immediately, and then the complete scan later if necessary. If any problems are found, use the "Remove" button to get rid of them. The second program I recommend is called Spybot Search and Destroy. It is free, as are the updates, and it find problems some virus protection programs (and possibly the Malwarebytes program) do not find. I use it (as do other members of the Computer Users Group), and have done so for a long time without any conflicts with other programs.  • Connect to http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html to find the program. • Click on the icon next to Spybot Search and Destroy in the right panel of the window that is displayed. • Then click on the Download icon at the right side of the download panel in the new page that is displayed. • That takes you to a list of "mirrors," which are download locations. You can select any one of the choices, although you can save a step if you use one of the Safer Networking choices. • Click on any one of the blue "Download here" buttons. • A new web page will be displayed with another "Download" or "Download Now" button. • Click on the Download button or icon. • You will be asked if you want save or open the file (spybotsd162.exe). • Select "Save File" to start the download. After the download is complete, double click on the downloaded file to start the installation. Once the installation is complete, you will need to update the database and then run a scan. The scan will take awhile, perhaps 30 minutes or more, depending on how much information is on your computer. After the scan is complete, if anything is identified, click on the "Fix problems" button. Once you have these programs installed, and have run the initial scans, and have removed any problems, life will be a little less complex. Only periodic scans and updates are necessary to keep your computer healthy. Those updates, however, are crucial, and updates for the free Spybot and Anti-Malware programs cannot be automatically scheduled. If you use the internet frequently, and especially if you have a broadband internet connection, I strongly suggest you perform those updates and scans once a week. The software is free, but you must use it to keep your computer free of malware! And--this is also very important--don't forget to update the Windows operating system. Many of the Windows updates are security updates. Microsoft usually issues updates on Tuesday of each week (known in the industry as "Patch Tuesday"). Include that update in your schedule. The access to the Windows Update feature is through Start/Programs (or All Programs), then click on Windows Update. Disclaimer The author of this article has used his best efforts in preparing this article. The author and Front Range PC Users Group make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this article and specifically disclaim any implied warranties or fitness for a particular purpose. The accuracy and completeness of the information provided herein and the opinions stated herein are not guaranteed or warranted to produce any particular results, and the advice and procedures contained herein may not be suitable for every individual. Neither the author nor Front Range PC Users Group nor its officers shall be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. Graphical Events Calendar March General Forum Meeting We will meet at the Fort Collins Senior Center on Tuesday, March 3rd 7:00 PM Meeting Agenda: 7:00 to 7:15 Announcements 7:15 to 8:00 Open Forum 8:00 to 8:15 Break 8:15 to 9:00 Backup Techniques and Tools April General Forum Meeting We will meet at the Fort Collins Senior Center on Tuesday, April 7th 7:00 PM Meeting Agenda: 7:00 to 7:15 Announcements 7:15 to 8:00 Open Forum 8:00 to 8:15 Break 8:15 to 9:00 Optical Scanners & OCR See you at the meetings! Get full membership benefits. If you are not a current member, download an application from http://www.frpcug.org/memberap.htm Future General Forum Meeting Notes The topic for March is "Backup Techniques and Tools." This presentation will also address harddrive and registry maintenance prior to the backup procedure, and the issue of moving system software and data to new hardware. The April meeting topic is Optical Scanners and OCR (Optical Character Recognition). There is a perception that scanners can only be used for graphics. It is true that scanners are the key tool needed to convert old photos to digital files. Copy machines scan text documents, of course, but scanning text documents with optical character recognition technology creates digital text, not graphics files. Plan to attend the April meeting for insights into how these technologies work, and how they can make life a little easier. Future SIG's, Seminars, and Other Meetings Digital Imaging SIG The Digital Imaging SIG is a forum for discussion of digital imaging hardware and software. The meetings are held every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Senior Center Lobby. The meeting format is informal, using the Shop Talk sessions as a basis. For more information, contact Mike Morris at twriterext(at)gmail.com. New Technology SIG The New Technology SIG provides advance support for all PC related operating system and telecommunication issues. The meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the third Thursday of each month at Bluebird Manufacturing Inc., 1421 Webster Avenue, in Fort Collins. For more information, contact Chuck McJilton at 970-493-2987. Shop Talk One-on-one assistance. Drop in to the Senior Center lobby on any Saturday (holidays excepted) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Board Meeting FRPCUG's executive board meets on Wednesday of the week following the General Forum meeting. All members are welcome and are encouraged to attend. These meetings are held at 7:00 PM in the Staff Board Room of the Fort Collins Senior Center. March 2009 3 FRPCUG General Forum Meeting 7:00 PM 7 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 10 Digital Imaging SIG Meeting 7:00 PM 11 FRPCUG Board Meeting 7:00 PM 14 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 19 New Technology SIG Meeting 7:00 PM 21 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 28 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM April 2009 4 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 7 FRPCUG General Forum Meeting 7:00 PM 11 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 14 Digital Imaging SIG Meeting 7:00 PM 15 FRPCUG Board Meeting 7:00 PM 16 New Technology SIG Meeting 7:00 PM 18 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM 25 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
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Photo Gallery This month's featured photographer: Paul Ostrof using a Leica D-LUX2 camera Mode = Auto F number = 5.60 Exposure Time = 1/800 seconds ISO = 100 Focal Length = 14.40 mm. Scene Capture Type = Standard White Balance = Auto Blue Sky, Big Waves Copyright © 2009 by Paul Ostroff. All rights reserved. Send requests for copies/reprint permissions to kbyte(at)frpcug.org |
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5 Rules for Great Kid Photos by Kim Kommando, http://www.komando.com, Copyright 2009 WestStar TalkRadio Network. All rights reserved. Everyone loves to photograph children as they grow up and experience life. But photographing children can pose interesting challenges. You'll want interesting, true-to-life pictures. But trying for perfection will frustrate you and your subjects. Instead, try these easy-to-use rules. They'll really make your kid photos shine. 1. Get on their level Don't be afraid to take pictures from your knees. A picture taken from this height is much more natural. Their faces will be much more lifelike. Try to get down to your children's eye level. That way you won't get pictures of them straining to look up. Plus, you'll get better backgrounds. A picture of your child and the floor can be pretty bland. 2. Use natural light Many of us overuse our camera's flash. It has its purpose. But it can make faces look flat and pale. Light really makes the photo. And nature sometimes offers the best solution. During the day, open windows and doors to let natural light inside. You'll get more realistic pictures. Your subjects will appear brighter and more alive. If you can, get outside. Winter weather may feel oppressive at times. But it makes for great photos. Mildly overcast skies can diffuse the natural light. This will help reduce shadows. You'll be less likely to get those raccoon eyes. Plus, your kids are less likely to squint or look down. 3. Try out different modes Your digital camera probably has several different color modes. Try taking pictures in black and white or sepia. This can give your pictures a specific mood. Your camera should also have several light settings. Some will be for low or high light environments. Others can be for night shots or backlit subjects. Experiment until you get an effect you like. 4. Photograph life Group shots or posed portraits have their place. Adults may easily stand around for these kinds of pictures. But kids are rarely that still. Your most memorable pictures will include children at play. The spontaneity of shots like these tells the best stories. Have your camera ready. And watch for situations that bring out your child's personality. Capture them doing the things they love to do most. 5. Edit your photos You can work wonders with good photo-editing software. Remove red-eye and correct photos that appear tinted. Or, brighten photos that look too dark. Cropping is an easy and effective tool. Use it to remove unwanted elements at the edge of your shot. Try singling out specific parts of a photo. This can turn a dull photo into something dramatic. I have free photo-editing tools for: Beginners: PhotoPlus 6 http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/PhotoPlus/default.asp Intermediate users: Paint.NET (requires the .NET framework) http://www.getpaint.net/index.html Advanced users: GIMP http://www.gimp.org/ Be a photographic rebel Follow these simple rules and you'll take some great kid photos. But remember that photography is an art. Breaking the rules in creative ways may net some spectacular results. Copyright 2008 WestStar TalkRadio Network. All rights reserved. Subscribe to Kim Komando's free e-mail newsletters at: http://www.komando.com.  The Fort Collins Senior Center The Fort Collins Senior Center is located at 1200 Raintree Drive. This site is situated at the northwest corner of the Shields and Raintree Drive intersection, on the north side of the Raintree Shopping Center, and just west of the bank building on the corner of Shields and Raintree (see map at right). Check the marquee at the main entrance for directions to the specific meeting room. |
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| FRPCUG CONTACTS | ||||
| Telephone Area Code 970 | ||||
| FRPCUG Officers | Name | Work | Home | |
| President | Rick Mattingly | 613-8968 | rickmatt(at)q.com | |
| Vice President | Don Anderson | 498-3534 | 482-0943 | doande(at)gmail.com |
| Treasurer | Virginia Febinger | 498-2127 | gingercln(at)comcast.net | |
| Secretary | Jim Bragonier | 484-9061 | james.bragonier(at)comcast.net | |
| k-Byte Staff | ||||
| Editor-in-Chief | Mike Morris | 461-2002 | twriterext(at)gmail.com | |
| Features Editor | Mike Morris | |||
| Other Contacts | ||||
| Membership Coordinator | Jack Linder | 663-2151 | jack(at)frpcug.org | |
| New Technology SIG Leader | Chuck McJilton | 493-2987 | cdmcjs(at)gmail.com | |
| Digital Imaging SIG Leader | Mike Morris | |||
| Publicity | Mike Morris | 461-2002 | twriterext(at)gmail.com | |
| Door Prize Coordinator | John Goldey | 221-0877 | johngoldey(at)juno.com | |
| FRPCUG Fax Line | 493-1408 | |||
| FRPCUG Home Page w/E-Mail | http://www.frpcug.org | |||
| FRPCUG Officer E-Mail | board(at)frpcug.org | |||
| Library Request E-Mail | library(at)frpcug.org | |||
| Membership in the Front Range PC Users Group is $25 per year for individuals and $50 per year for companies. | ||||
| Mail your completed application and payment to: | ||||
| FRPCUG | ||||
| PMB 152 | ||||
| 305 W. Magnolia | ||||
| Fort Collins CO 80521 | ||||
| or join in person at the monthly meeting on the first Tuesday of each month. | ||||
