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The Monthly Edition Of The k-Byte Newsletter |
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| V. 27, No. 8, August 2010 | Users Helping Users |
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The Monthly Edition Of The k-Byte Newsletter |
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| V. 27, No. 8, August 2010 | Users Helping Users |
Contents
Meeting Previews on Page 6
August: No Meeting
September: Digital Gadgets: From Blackberry to MP3 and More
Quote of the Month
Minorities are individuals or groups especially qualified. The masses are the collection of people not specially qualified.
José Ortega y Gasset [1930]
by Nancy DeMarte, Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc., http://www.spcug.org, ndemarte(at)verizon.net. Published in the Sarasota PC Monitor, the newsletter of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc.
Now that Microsoft Office 2007 is gaining popularity, compatibility issues between some Office 2007 programs and older versions of the same programs are frustrating a lot of computer
users. "I can't open attached documents anymore," is a common complaint. So what is the problem? The Office 2007 versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint use a new file format called XML (extensible markup language), rather than the binary format of older Office versions. XML has been around since the 1990's in the technology world as an "open," sharable file format used mainly by corporate IT specialists in different industries to open and read each other's software applications. Microsoft began to support this format in Office 2000, but did not actually introduce it as the standard file format language until Office Suite 2007.
XML seems to have several advantages. First, it reduces the risk of information lost from corrupted files. Using Word as an illustration, XML stores the various parts of a document file, such as the format, graphics, and text, separately within the file package, using the ZIP compression technology. If one part of the file, such as a diagram, becomes corrupt, the rest of the document can still be opened. The older binary format prevented access to the whole file if only a portion was corrupt. Furthermore, the compression of Office 2007 files results in much smaller file sizes than older versions, thereby saving disk storage space.
The XML format is also more secure. Unlike older Office programs, the 2007 versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint do not by default open files that contain "macros," which are mini-programs within files that perform frequently-used tasks when activated, but have been known to harbor viruses. Macros are still available in Word 2007, but the user must give permission for this kind of file to open. Office 2007 files which contain macros and are attached to emails also alert the user by the distinctive file extension, .docm, rather than the normal Word 2007 document extension, .docx.
Compatibility Solutions for Office 2003 Users:
So how can you who use Office 2003 successfully open files which were created in Office 2007? The answer is easy: by downloading and installing the "Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint File Formats," (filename FileFormatConverters.exe). It was published in January 2010, and, although a fairly large download at 37 MB, can solve your problem by allowing you to open Office 2007 files and work with them, minus some new features. To see the details about this pack and which versions of Office and operating systems it supports, type "Microsoft Compatibility Pack" into Google or any search engine, which will reveal the link to the correct download and details page on the Microsoft website. More information about this pack can be found in MS article #924074.
Those who do not use MS Office programs but would still like to be able to open Office 2007 files; can download the Microsoft Office Word Viewer, Excel Viewer, and/or PowerPoint Viewer. The Compatibility pack can be used in conjunction with these viewers.
Compatibility Information for Office 2007 Users:
Let us say you are now using Office 2007, but have many old files which were created in version 2003 or before. You have a few interesting options for dealing with compatibility issues. Even though you quickly realize that older files will open in your new version, it is wise to learn how to manage and save these files. Microsoft includes three features included within Office 2007 programs which can be of help.
1. Compatibility Mode: When in Word 2007, you can open any Word 1997-2003 file. Automatically, the file opens in "Compatibility Mode," the name of which appears next to the file name in the title bar. What you may not know is that the new features available in Office 2007 do not work
while you are in Compatibility Mode. Examples of these in Word include certain fonts, special text effects, SmartArt graphics, and new formatting styles. In PowerPoint, you will lose the ability to access symbols, text effects such as shadow and glow, and multiple columns of text. In Excel, features like Function AutoComplete, cube functions, improved filtering, and new formatting styles will be unavailable.
If you know that you will be sharing files with other people who do not have Office 2007, you may decide to forgo the upgrades for the convenience of compatibility. You might, however, decide to convert some old files to the new XML Office 2007 format for access to the new features.
2. Convert: There are two relatively easy ways to convert an older Office file to Office 2007 format: using the Convert tool or the Save As command. To access the Convert tool, with your older file open in Compatibility Mode, click the Office button - Convert - OK. This will immediately reduce the file size and give you access to all the new features of the program you are using. Once an Office 2003 file is converted to 2007, it is no longer available in the original format.
To use the Save As option, with Word as an example, click the Office button - Save As, name the file, click the arrow next to the File Type box and choose the top file type on the list, "Word Document," and click Save. Now your old document, with the extension .doc, has been saved as a Word 2007 document, .docx, sporting the XML file format, a smaller file size, and all its new features. Besides, you still have the original Office 97-2003 file saved unless you agreed to overwrite it. If you plan to change all your old files to the 2007 version or another file type, you can set the program to save everything in this file type. Click the Office button, then the Word Options, Excel Options, or PowerPoint Options button at the bottom of the window. Click Save in the left panel, then in the box next to "Save files in this format," select the file type you want from the drop down list.
3. Compatibility checker: If you have decided to create a file in Office 2007 but intend to save it as a 97-2003 file, you will lose some of the formatting or other features. To find out which features in your current Office 2007 document, spreadsheet, or presentation are not supported by earlier versions of the program, click the Office button - Prepare - Run Compatibility Checker. A small window will appear listing the unsupported features in that file and ways to handle them. In this window you can set the checker to run every time you attempt to save an Office 2007 file in 97-2003 format.
The level of compatibility you choose for your files depends on your need to share them with other computer users, compared with your desire to experience the new features in Office 2007. You may be willing to sacrifice upgraded features in order to communicate more smoothly, or you may decide you prefer the upgrades in the new version. If you choose the latter, you might suggest to your email partners that they install the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack. In either case, knowing why compatibility is more of an issue than it was in the past and what the options are for handling it will make you a better computer user. Plus, this will give us all time to get ready for Office 2010, now in Beta and soon to be released.
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. If you have questions about a submission, please contact the editor for information.
Copyright and Trademark Information
k-Byte is copyrighted ©2010 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 MAC, Apple Computer and other trademarks occasionally mentioned in k-Byte are registered trademarks of International Business Machines, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Corporation, Microsoft, Dell Inc., Apple Computer 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 personal computers using any operating system: Windows, Linux or MAC, and digital hardware (such as music/video players, smart phones, etc.). Its purpose is to provide an educational and scientific forum of mutual benefit for members of the community regardless of knowledge level. FRPCUG holds a monthly meeting and conducts various special interest groups (SIGs) and seminars. Members have voting privileges, subscription to the 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
Tradition was preserved—and enhanced—at the July General Forum meeting of the Front Range PC Users Group.
As it has for many years, the annual Hardware/Software ZOO happened at the July meeting.
The ZOO is actually a remarkable event, with a wide variety of hardware and software on display. Members (and visitors) can wander informally from one demonstration to another and watch and ask questions.
This year the demonstrations included:
No one brought an iPhone or a Droid® phone—perhaps next year.
Everyone present had a thoroughly good time—so much so that we ran overtime, although the Senior Center staff was very forgiving.
For those members unable to attend this year, mark your 2011 calendar NOW so that you won't miss next year's event. And, it is not too soon to think about what YOU will demonstrate next year!
by Berry F. Phillips, Computer Club of Oklahoma City, http://www.ccokc.org, bfpdata(at)1access.net. Published in The Monitor, the newsletter of the Computer Club of Oklahoma City.
SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, is an exploratory science that searches for evidence of life in the universe. The current understanding of life's origin on Earth suggests that given a suitable environment and sufficient time, life will develop on other planets. Of course, whether evolution will give rise to intelligent, technological civilizations is open to speculation. SETI has developed signal-processing technology to detect alien civilizations which may offer our best opportunity for discovering extraterrestrial life in the near future.
From 1994 - 2004, SETI was funded entirely from individuals and grants from private foundations. In 2005, a NASA grant was awarded for work on signal detection for the Allen Telescope Array. Donations and non-governmental grants still comprise the vast majority of funding.
The Allen Telescope Array (ATA) is a "Large Number of Small Dishes" (LNSD) array now operational and was designed to be highly effective for simultaneous surveys of conventional radio astronomy projects and search for extraterrestrial intelligence observations. The first phase of the ATA now operational was funded by Paul Allen, the cofounder of Microsoft, which has 42 antennas approximately twenty foot in diameter. The Allen Array is located at Hatfield Creek Observatory and is a joint project of the SETI Institute and the Radio Astronomy Lab of the University of California Berkeley. Additional phases projected, depending on funding, will eventually be developed to 350 dishes greatly expanding research capabilities. The ATA will then be able to monitor a very wide range of radio frequencies larger than any other single radio telescope or radio telescope array.
SETI@home was launched in May 1999 to analyze radio telescope signals. A giant virtual super computer composed of hundreds of thousands of Internet-connected computers harnessing their spare power, via a screensaver, was created in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. You can use your computer in this exciting research and join some 5.2 million users worldwide by downloading http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/.
In 1977, Contact (a motion picture), starring Jodie Foster, was based on a book by Carl Sagan that his wife finished after his death. Contact was based on SETI research. SETI Institute supports the Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe. The center directed, by Dr. Frank Drake, brings together leading researchers in a field often called "astrobiology," the study of life in the universe. "Our team focuses on a wide set of disciplines ranging from observing and modeling the precursors of life in the depths of outer space to studies of Earth, where we are attempting to learn more about how life began and how it may diverse forms have survived and evolved." How did life begin on Earth? How many stars have planets and how many of these planets might support life? Scientists in the SETI Institute's Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe explores these and other fundamental questions through various projects and research into a field often known as astrobiology.
While no evidence to date has been received of an advanced civilization, research at SETI is intensifying due to continued technological developments. In 1982, in the motion picture ET, The Extra-Terrestrial, directed by Steven Spielberg, we learned that ET phones home. When ET phones, SETI will be listening!
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August General Forum Meeting
We will meet at the Fort Collins Senior Center on: |
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| No Meeting | |
To check on FRPCUG events in 2010 using a familiar graphical calendar format, connect to the 2010 Graphical Events Calendar
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September General Forum Meeting
We will meet at the Fort Collins Senior Center on: |
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Tuesday |
Date
Sepember 7th |
Time
7:00 PM |
| Meeting Agenda | |
| Time | Topic |
| 7:00 to 7:15 | Announcements and raffle |
| 7:15 to 7:45 | Open Forum |
| 7:45 to 7:55 | Break |
| 7:55 to 9:00 | Digital Gadgets |
See you at the meetings!
Get full membership benefits. If you are not a current member, download and complete a Membership Application. Mail the completed application and your payment to the address listed, or better yet, bring the application to the next meeting.
There will be no meeting in August. The Senior Center will be closed for annual maintenance.
In today's world, there is an astonishing and perhaps even overwhelming array of digital gadgets available to spend money on: Blackberry, Droid, iPad, iPhone, MP3 and so on. Be sure you spend some time at the September General Forum meeting before you spend your money. You will learn at least a little about some of those devices.
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.
For a view of all FRPCUG activities in 2010, in a traditional graphical calendar format, connect to the Graphical Events Calendar
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Calendars created with HTML Calendar Maker Pro
by Mike Kearns, Computer Club of Green Valley, AZ, http://gvcc.apcug.org/, bmkearns1(at)yahoo.com. Published in Green Bytes, the newsletter of the Computer Club of Green Valley, AZ.
Using free Skype software on your computer allows you to make calls over the internet to others who have the service. It's easy to download and works with most, if not all, computers. Try this great way to keep in contact with your kids, grandchildren, siblings and close friends.
You need three things to make it happen:
When you download the program you will be asked what Skype name you wish to use. You can choose any name you want. If you pick an unusual name, it is a good idea to let your Skype friends know, because Skype offers a directory to locate their users all over the world.
When you attempt the first contact with another Skype user, the person receiving the call has the option of accepting or rejecting the call. If you attempt to contact someone who doesn't know you, they can reject your call, similar to a spam blocker.
The web cam gives a nice picture of the person to whom you are talking on the screen. Quick movements can distort the picture for a few seconds while the web cam is adjusting.
Skype includes a small window of each party at the bottom of the screens so you know what the other person is viewing. The quality of the picture is better if both parties have a good high-speed connection. Going from a dial-up connection to a high-speed connection can cause distortion in the video and also slows down the interaction.
It is best to set up a time with the person you will be calling so they have their Skype program open and ready to accept the video call. The person you are calling also has the option to accept the call with or without video. Once you are connected, you can talk as long as you want--there is no charge. You can make adjustments to see the person on full screen or half screen. I find that the image gets a little distorted on full screen, but overall it is still a good picture.
Another neat feature permits you to move a Netbook or laptop with the built-in camera around the room to show the person different items of interest in your home. The new, small Netbooks are especially useful because they are so portable and lightweight.
Skype can also be used as your telephone service by clicking on their Shop button. You set up a credit-card account with Skype to pay for the calls. Then you can make a phone call to a person's land line and talk to them through your computer.
I have noticed a few people using the new Netbooks as both a phone and video-calling service. They weigh only two pounds, and many women can carry them in their purse. With Skype you can make phone calls anywhere in the world, and the cost per minute will vary depending on where you are calling. I understand that overseas phone calls are very reasonable.
Keep in mind that Skype is not designed to be a replacement for your ordinary home phone since you would not have your computer on all the time. Also, be aware that you cannot use Skype for emergency calling such as 911.
Photo Gallery
This month's featured photographer:
Joannah Merriman using a Canon PowerShot S230 camera.
Manarola Village, Cinque Terra
Camera Settings:
Mode = Manual, F Number = 7.10, Exposure time = 1/250 seconds, Focal Length = 5.41 mm
ISO = 200, White Balance = Auto, Scene Capture Type = Standard
Copyright © 2010 by Joannah Merriman. All rights reserved. Send requests for copies/reprint permissions to kbyte(at)frpcug.org
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 members and forwards them to us for publication.
Pamela invites members to ask their questions at http://tinyurl.com/ask-pamela. More often than not you will receive and answer within 24 hours.
We Want Speed!
In this world of fast computers with large hard drives and an enormous amount of RAM (random access memory) there is nothing worse than waiting for a webpage to load! Many times an error message appears that tells you that "Internet Explorer has stopped working and the program will now close!" or the text that you are typing into the browser bar or search engine "hangs!" How annoying is that? Well there is a reason for this "slow down" and it is not the fault of your computer or your Internet Provider if your computer has sufficient memory, hard drive capacity and you are connected to high speed internet.
The problem is caused by a number of "Add-Ons" that have been downloaded and enabled with or without your knowledge. An "Add-On" is a piece of software that is supposed to enhance your browsing experience. In many cases it slows down your browsing speed and you sometimes do not realize how much until you turn them off. Not every "Add-On" causes your browser to slow down or display an error message and you may need some of them to enhance your browsing experience but usually you can do without them.
Try disabling all of them and then turn them on, one by one, to see which "Add-On" is the culprit. The only one I have enabled is Adobe Systems Shockwave Flash Object that assists me when viewing a PDF file. All the others on the list are disabled.
With Internet Explorer 8 open access the Add-On list by following the steps below:
Repeat the steps above for each Add-On on the list and then click CLOSE. You can change your settings at any time by reversing the above steps.
SPEED AT LAST!
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FRPCUG CONTACTS
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Telephone Area Code 970
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| Title | Name | Work Phone | Home Phone | |
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FRPCUG Officers |
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| President | Mike Morris | 461-2002 | twriterext(at)gmail.com | |
| Vice President | Mike Loughlin | 416-5824 | mlough(at)frii.com | |
| Treasurer | Chris Ingham | 226-9055 | chris.ingham(at)hotmail.com | |
| Secretary | Chuck McJilton | 493-2987 | cdmcjs(at)gmail.com | |
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k-Byte Staff |
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| Editor-in-Chief | Mike Morris | 461-2002 | twriterext(at)gmail.com | |
| Features Editor | Mike Morris | 461-2002 | twriterext(at)gmail.com | |
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Other Contacts |
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| Membership Coordinator | Jack Linder | 663-2151 | jack(at)frpcug.org | |
| Technology SIG Leader | Chuck McJilton | 491-1011 | 493-2987 | cdmcjs(at)gmail.com |
| Digital Imaging SIG Leader | Mike Morris | 461-2002 | twriterext(at)gmail.com | |
| Publicity | Mike Morris | 461-2002 | twriterext(at)gmail.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 | |||
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.
