| V. 29, No. 2, February 2012 | Users Helping Users |
| V. 29, No. 2, February 2012 | Users Helping Users |
This Month:
by Wil Wakely, Seniors Computer Group, http://www.SCGsd.org, wilw31 (at) gmail.com. Originally published in Bits and Bytes, the newsletter of the Seniors Computer Group.
Choosing a computer used to be relatively easy: Do you want a desktop with a tower or a flat unit that fits under your monitor? This is no longer true. Now we have a plethora of choices: Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Tablet, Smart Phone, and smart e-Book Reader. Perhaps I have missed a late comer; if so, forgive me. Let's review the features, pros and cons of each.
Desktop
For a fixed location, non-portable computer a Desktop is the best choice. It is the least expensive computer and can be easily customized to whatever your computing needs might be. It is a necessity for gamers and heavy-duty computing such as photo and video processing, CAD (computer-aided design), and data processing. There are wide choices of software and hardware which results in lower costs and greater availability of these items. Larger displays, multiple ones if desired, are available along with specialty multi-function keyboards and a variety of mice, all of which can be easily attached. More powerful computer chips, memory chips, video processors, large, multiple hard drives and powerful wireless adaptors are choices only available with Desktops.
The choice between proprietary brands such as Dell or HP vs. a "plain vanilla" custom machine depends upon your budget and how much technical support you may need.
Laptop
Portable laptop computers come in a variety of sizes, prices and features. Many of the more expensive ones rival some Desktop machines in capability. The display screens are smaller than Desktops and the keyboards with the integrated touchpad mouse are not as user friendly as those on Desktops. Newer models have built-in Wi-Fi for connection to the Internet, whereas older models required a USB Wi-Fi adapter. Most Laptops have a built-in video camera for video messaging with friends via Skype. For equivalent features, Laptops are always more expensive than Desktops as are any repairs or upgrades. However, if portability of a powerful computer is a requirement, a Laptop is a good choice. An auxiliary USB external hard drive or large thumb drive (flash drive) is useful for backup and storage for Laptops.
Notebook
The Notebook is just a smaller, lighter version of a Laptop with a smaller screen and keyboard. It is not recommended for heavy duty use, but is fine for travel and is less expensive than Laptops, Tablets or Smart Phones. Most of the Laptop features are also found in Notebooks. Some Notebooks come with electronic memory instead of hard drives. This memory is faster and lighter, but holds much less data than hard drives. The Chrome by Google is a Notebook that utilizes the Cloud for much of its power and capability.
Tablet
A Tablet has no external keyboard, but the screen is touch sensitive so a virtual keyboard on the screen is provided instead. However, the touch-screen eliminates much of the standard keyboard activity. The availability of software for Tablets is growing rapidly, but there is nowhere near the number of titles available for the computers described above. For casual use, Tablets are fine for email, Web browsing, limited word processing and spreadsheet work. Most Tablets are less expensive than Laptops, but often cost more than Notebooks. Tablets also have e-Book reading capability. They have no hard drive but Cloud storage via the Internet somewhat replaces this function. The iPad by Apple seems to be the leader in Tablets, but many competitors are coming on-line with similar features at lower prices.
Smart Phone
There are two major varieties of Smart Phones: iPhone and Android. The iPhone is a proprietary operating system by Apple and is more expensive than other Smart Phones, but is claimed to be more user friendly. The Android phone is an "open source" operating system developed by Google and as such has many more Apps, (software applications). The major drawback to these phones is the small display screen. They have touch screens in lieu of a keyboard. However, they are cell phones, which none of the above are. They are also connected to the Internet for email and Web browsing and can play music and video. The phones can be quite inexpensive because the carriers (Verizon, ATT, etc.) require signing a two year contract for the reduced cost. Breaking the contract early can be very expensive. There is a basic cost for the phone service and an equivalent monthly charge for Internet service. There also can be an additional service charge for data usage. Look for unlimited data-use contracts, if available.
Smart e-Book
Older e-Book readers were just that—monochrome digital book readers, e.g., early models of the Amazon Kindle. Newer Readers such as the Amazon Fire and Barns & Noble Nook have full color touch screens with Wi-Fi along with their e-Book reader function. The Fire also has free Internet connectivity via Sprint. So the e-Books are now competing with the Tablets, having similar features but with a display size intermediate between Tablets and Smart Phones. Look for e-Book Readers to become even smarter in the near future.
So what's next? I predict expanded speech recognition and generation will soon be incorporated in most computers, as an alternate to touch-screen, mouse and keyboard. A larger selection of Apps will become available as software programmers jump on this lucrative bandwagon. Faster Internet connections are already available in selected locations and will come to your area soon. Look for LTE, 4G, 5G and even faster connections. Better displays that don't wash out in sunlight are being developed and we should see them soon. Lower prices and enhanced features due to competition favor the consumer and should happen very quickly. Decisions, decisions . . . .
Stay tuned!
This Month:
The February meeting topic, Cleaning Your Computer, is a follow-on to the January topic. You can, if you take proper precautions, vacuum the inside of a desktop computer. But should you physically clean inside a laptop computer? If so, how do you safely do so? How do you effectively remove unused or unwanted software (from any computer)? These issues and more will be covered.
For more computer horrors, connect to http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/11/13/ventblockers/
Next Month:
At The March meeting you will have the opportunity to learn about two different topics. The first topic is a brief discussion of what you need to do to challenge an invalid PayPal© transaction.
The second topic will give you some insight in how your computer can be used for video entertainment. Selected video streaming services will be reviewed. Most people think of YouTube when "video streaming" is mentioned. 
Today, however, there are many other similar and/or competing services—some of the more well-known names are Netflix© for movies and Hulu© for TV. Amazon is also in this market, starting at the beginning of 2011, and Wal Mart started a service about mid-2011. 
There are services that provide free access to videos and services that charge a fee (and some services provide both choices, with more content available with the subscriptions). You CAN (yes, you really can) have fun with your computer!
[Logos copyrighted by their respective owners]
Reviewed by Jon Jones, North Coast MAC Users Group, http://www.ncmug.org. Originally published in ncmugshots, the newsletter of the North Coast MAC Users Group. Reprinted with permission.
Product: iPad 2
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Price: $499—$829 (depending upon model)
Rating: Sweet!
Apple's iPad—you've probably heard of it. Currently in its 2nd generation, it's fair to say that for a number of reasons, the iPad really is a "gamechanging device" in mobile computing. And I am reminding myself that I make that statement between hearty mouthfuls of crow. I wasn't initially attracted to the iPad, and couldn't really see how I could justify owning one. Although I am a longtime iPhone owner and iOS enthusiast, I had close to zero personal experience with the iPad and failed to appreciate what its design and features could offer.
When display mirroring was included as part of the stock features of the iPad 2, it was suddenly evident to me how it might benefit my job involving iOS content development and promotional production. The iPad 2 quickly topped my shortlist of acquisitions, and I've never regretted it.
Immediately upon handling the iPad 2, I was impressed by its design, speed, and ease of use. Already familiar with iOS, I had no problem learning how to use the iPad, and because I've already got a sizable cache of iOS apps that I use with my iPhone, I was happy to note that the iPad easily runs almost all of them with no problem at all. In many cases, the apps actually become more engaging when used on the bigger screen of the iPad.
It is a very solidly built device that feels even heavier to hold than one would expect from such a thin frame. But it's not uncomfortably heavy, and its sparse external buttons and switches seem to be logically laid out for convenient access and ease of use. The stock iPad 2 comes with a basic set of apps that serve to demonstrate the core of the device's key features: Calendar, Contacts, Notes, Maps, Videos, a Youtube video player, iTunes app for purchasing music and audiobooks, an App Store app, Game Center, Face Time, a Camera app (for still photos and video capture through either the front or rear facing camera, mobile Safari browser app, Mail, Photos, and an iPod app for audio playback. While Apple notes on their website that the iBooks is also included as a built-in app, I did not find this to be the case, but instead, found the app as a freely downloadable item from the iTunes App Store. The same was true for "Find My iPad" device geo-location mechanism, which requires the "Find My iPhone" app, freely accessible via the iTunes App Store.
Of course, anyone familiar with iOS probably knows that the potential for their experiences are certainly not limited to the built-in apps. The iTunes App Store inarguably hosts the widest range of apps available for iOS devices through a seemingly limitless selection of apps suitable for almost any computing function you can think of. Many of those apps are free while many others boast a modestly low cost of entry towards a surprising range of functionality. (This is not to suggest that the roads of the iTunes App Store are lined with gold. Shop wisely to separate the wheat from the chaff.)
Among the most noteworthy differences between the iPad 2 and its first generation predecessor are the front and rear facing cameras. These were a highly anticipated feature for iPad enthusiasts, but have been met with a lukewarm reception. The rear-facing camera is capable of very modest imaging and 720p video while front-facing camera captures VGA stills and video. These are great for video chat (for which the iPad 2 is especially qualified), but for more ambitious imaging needs, these cameras just aren't that great.
If you are considering the purchase of an iPad, I've put together a bit of information that might help you more effectively consider which model may best suit your needs:
Selecting the iPad model that is right for you may be a bit more complicated than what is commonly the case when purchasing consumer oriented Apple products. The iPad 2 is available in 18 models, and it may help to consider their differences, and how they will meet your iPad computing expectations.
The 18 models of the iPad 2 can be broken down into 4 simple categories:
Color: This is the simplest of distinctions. The iPad 2 is available in either black or white, corresponding to the color of the front facing frame that surrounds the iPad screen.
Capacity: The iPad 2 is available in 16, 32, and 64 gigabyte capacities. This refers to the amount of storage space available on the device, which will determine how much data can be stored on it at any given time. This data includes the iOS operating system as well as apps, app supporting data, documents, photos, video files, e-books, music from your iTunes library or other multimedia content. Even the lowest capacity model has enough space for a great many apps, but when you begin adding a lot of multimedia content, such as music, photos, and especially video files, extra capacity starts disappearing pretty quickly. If you intend to store a lot of multimedia content on your iPad, be sure to consider your data storage needs.
Connectivity: The iPad 2 is available with two types of connectivity options; the Wi-Fi model, or the more costly, but perhaps more capable Wi-Fi + 3G. The model that best suits you might be determined by considering your anticipated iPad computing environment.
While the iPad 2 certainly does require connection to a network or the internet in order to function—a good deal of it's functionality, as well as that of a great many apps do require such access in order to synchronize data, send and receive information or to access content. If using a Wi-Fi only model, such network or internet access is only accommodated when the user is operating within an accessible Wi-Fi hotspot, such as their wireless home network, coffee shops, hotels, airports, 
or countless other hotspot locations. But, depending upon your location, you might find that such wireless hotspots can be few and far between, and when computing on the go, consistent connectivity is rarely an option (without the aid of perhaps a 3rd party device such as a Verizon Mi-Fi, cellphone data tethering, or similar options). If you are a frequent traveler but find that you don't often have convenient access to wireless hotspots, than you may want to consider the Wi-Fi + 3G.
The Wi-Fi + 3G models afford all the same connectivity options available in the Wi-Fi only iPad, but also includes the added option of connecting to a cellular network for access to the internet or online data while on the go. These models feature built-in hardware that includes Assisted GPS for accessing location-based services and information, as well as dedicated 3G cellular connection components intended to access a dedicated cellular network. Carrier: Speaking of "dedicated cellular network", when choosing a Wi-Fi + 3G model iPad 2, you've also got to make a decision about which carrier network you'd like to access when using a 3G data plan. In the U.S., current options for 2G iPad connectivity include AT&T and Verizon. Each carrier provides their own iPad data plan options with varying pricing structures, including price points, data caps, and potential overage charges. One of the most convenient benefits of these data plans is that they are non-contractual, meaning that they don't require a 2-year contractual commitment. Nor do they impose activation or cancellation fees. These plans are month-to-month and can be cancelled at any time. It is important to note, however that these models are not 3G network flexible. Due to the specifics of their internal hardware, they are designed to work exclusively with their designated carrier. You will not be able to arbitrarily switch carriers with your iPad 2. It may therefore be a good idea to decide beforehand which carrier will provide the best service for you, based on geographical coverage, rate plans, customer loyalty, etc. If you plan to travel outside of the U.S., be aware that the CDMA chipset with which the Verizon iPad connects via 3G will find extremely limited connectivity options in other areas of the world, limiting the user to Wi-Fi-only connections. The GSM protocols built-into the AT&T model iPad utilizes connectivity standards that are common across the globe, making it a more practical choice for international travelers.
Additionally, when choosing your 3G data plan, consider your data needs appropriately, so that you aren't faced with unanticipated overage charges. A common mistake that mobile users often make is exercising poor awareness of their mobile data activities, thinking that such activity is limited to accessing email or using a mobile browser. But a great many apps also exchange data, often continuously and in the background, so the user may frequently be unaware of how quickly they are approaching their monthly data limits.
Learning Resources: So now let's say you've just purchased your new iPad 2, and are surprised to find that the box contains very little by way of product usability information. Sure, the iPad may be one of the most "intuitive" technology devices ever created, but certainly there's more to it than what the sparse included reading material may suggest. Well, it never hurts to just dig right in and start exploring all the hidden secrets awaiting you within the iOS. But if you want to know more, here are a few resources I recommend:
Apple's iPad Guided Tours: Apple hosts a series of video guided tours featuring key iPad functions, some built-in apps, as well as a few of the premium apps Apple created for iOS, including Garageband and iMovie. These guided tours can be found at http://www.apple.com/ipad/guided-tours/.
iPad Today: One of the more recent additions to the TWIT Network's expansive array of podcasts, iPad Today is a weekly video and audio show hosted by Leo Laporte and Sarah Lane, who highlight current hot apps, iPad accessories and news items about the iPad and iOS. iPad Today can be streamed via the web and downloaded through a podcast feed through iTunes.
Daily App Show: This is a daily video podcast that demonstrates mobile apps, most of which are iOS specific. The Daily App Show be subscribed to and downloaded through iTunes.
App Judgement: This is a twice-weekly video podcast on the Revision3 network. The hosts of App Judgement review and discuss mobile apps, accessories and breaking news pertaining to iOS, Android, mobile phones and tablets, including the iPad. App Judgement can be subscribed to and downloaded through iTunes.
With the continuing growth of the iPad market, more great resources will continue to emerge to offer tips, insights, and more to help you get the most out of using your iPad.
Enjoy.
Do you want to know more about the information touched on in this article? I've made a series of videos pertaining to my experiences with my iPad 2. You can find them on Youtube at bit.ly/ooOp2K (Unboxing and First Impressions), bit.ly/nOHeSr (Followup Impressions), and bit.ly/nqJUXm (Choosing Your iPad).
More iPad oriented videos will be forthcoming, so be sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel to stay updated.
Reviewed by Mike Morris and Bert Broekstra, Front Range PC Users Group (FRPCUG), http://www.frpcug.org.
Peter Krogh, 2009, 496 pages. O'Reilly Media, Sebastopol, CA, http://shop.oreilly.com/product/9780596523589.do. Print ISBN: 978-0-596-52357-2 or ISBN 10: 0-596-52357-2
Rating: Fourteener (connect to http://www.frpcug.org/reviews.html for rating descriptions. This review is also available on that web page).
This book is eligible for the User Group discount from O'Reilly
In the interest of full disclosure:
In his Introduction, the author, Peter Krogh states that "This book is written for people who are serious about their photographs." He also says "The approach described in this book is not for the casual photographer." Once you start reading the book, the full implications of that statement become clear.
The book is an extraordinary source of information on how to manage many digital photographs—or any "digital assets," including audio and video files, which he mentions only briefly. This is not a book about photo editing—by Photoshop or any other photo editing software application (although he talks about Non-destructive, or Parametric Image Editing in chapter 2).
The key elements of this book, in our opinion, are:
In fact, "workflow" is the primary lesson we obtained from this book. Each of us established different workflows to suit our needs, but both were based on careful study of the author's recommendations. For example, my colleague uses the raw format a great deal, whereas I do not (yet). I developed one workflow for the scans of many very old family photographs, and a different workflow for my iown photos. The family photograph workflow includes metadata entry to capture as much information as possible about the people and places in those photos. Sadly, many of the people and places in those old photos are no longer identifiable—an excellent demonstration of why Krogh's management techniques are so important.
Metadata, usually defined as "data about data," is fundamental to managing digital photos. Krogh's discussion of this topic was the best we have seen anywhere. He talks about ". . . broad classes (of metadata) . . . mostly measured in how much effort it takes to create the information." That was very important lesson for both my old family photo scans and my own photos. For example, I established a Baseline metadata template that I apply to all of the scans and a different Baseline metadata template that I apply to my photos. In either case, that takes very little effort. Then I add image specific metadata that takes more time.
The use of metadata makes it unnecessary to try to squeeze descriptive information into the file name. The author states emphatically that "The file name does not have to carry important content information about the file." That turns out to be more difficult to understand than you might think. I had to send detailed instructions on how to access the metadata to family members with whom I have shared those old photos. In several cases I even had to recommend a (free) software application that they could use for that purpose. Those family members were expecting to see a description of the photo's content in the file name (an expectation shared, I suspect, by the overwhelming majority of casual photographers).
In his discussion of "The Fine Art of File Naming," the author describes a file naming approach for both the camera original files and what he calls "derivatives (edited photos)." You may not need as many derivatives as the author (unless you are a professional photographer), but his approach (perhaps modified, as I did, to suit your needs) will work equally well for the serious amateur photographer.
Naming a file is not however, the starting point for managing digital photos. That starting point is when you download the photos from your camera(s) to your computer. In Chapter 7, Ingestion Workflow, the author describes a process that includes applying a unique name (in place of the usual combination of letters and numbers), applying "bulk" metadata, backing up the photos, and other tasks.
One criticism of this book, and it is a mild criticism, is that it took me some time, moving back and forth between chapters 3, 4 and 7 (and, to a lesser extent, Chapter 8, Working Files Management) to gain enough of an understanding of Krogh's concepts so that I could adapt them to my less complex needs.
For example, my folder structure for the old family photo scans is very simple—just one folder. However, for my photos, I create a new folder for every photo "event." I define a photo "event" as any occasion where I take photos. It could be a family get-together, a trip into the mountains or just any time I use my camera. Within each of those events I create 4 subfolders: Camera Originals, Working, Archive, Delivery. While it is not necessary to describe in detail in this review the differences between those folders, it is worth noting that I evolved that structure after reading The DAM Book and evaluating the author's recommendations. It is also worth noting that the Camera Originals are just exactly that. They contain no edits and no metadata. That is my preference.
There is much more to this book. Chapter 5 talks about image storage hardware and Chapter 6 talks about backup software and backup strategies. There are chapters on cataloging software and cataloging strategies. The final chapter talks about "Data Migration," which covers how to move many previously unorganized photos into an organized file structure, how to move photos from one storage medium to another and a section on converting film to digital files.
This book is a "must-have" for anyone with more than a passing interest in digital photography. It is an excellent book.
by Dee-Ann LeBlanc, Linux.com, https://www.linux.com/learn/new-user-guides/23169-give-linux-a-try>. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
Have you ever wanted to try Linux without having to make the commitment of installing it on your laptop or desktop? Believe it or not, giving Linux a try without installing is a snap thanks to the concept of the bootable distribution.
Bootable distributions come on CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. The idea is that you place the disk into the drive of your desktop or laptop and then reboot the computer. As long as your computer is configured to boot from a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM when it's rebooted with a bootable disk in its drive, you then answer just a few questions (for example, what language do you want to use?) before your computer boots into a fully functional Linux desktop.
Don't worry, only a bootable CD-ROM or DVD-ROM can take over during the boot process (if you have just any old CD in the drive when you boot, you won't get any errors). Also, if you insert a bootable disk into the drive while the computer is already running it won't try to reboot things.
You configure your computer to boot from a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM in its BIOS. If you've ever watched your computer boot, you might have noticed that early on there's a chance to press a key (often a function key or the Del key) to configure something. That something is the BIOS.
The BIOS is what runs your computer from the moment you turn on the power until it hands the job off to the boot loader. The boot loader then hands the reins over to the operating system, and soon you're logging in and getting to work.
All of the distributions discussed in Linux Migration Guide: Choosing a Linux Distribution to Replace Your Windows Desktop" offer bootable versions for those who just want to try them:
Visit GNOME and KDE for more info on desktops and downloading and burning distribution CD and DVD images.*
Some great uses for bootable Linux distributions include:
*[Editor's note: see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNOME and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KDE for more information.]
by Pamela Tabak, http://www.computertutorinc.net, pamela(at)computertutorinc.net
Find Hidden Desktop Themes in Windows 7
I am sure that you know that there are many downloadable Desktop Themes available from the internet but did you know that there are more desktop themes hidden in your Windows 7 operating system?
When you setup your Windows 7 operating system and stated that you were a resident of the USA or Canada, the operating system hid the other international desktop themes but I have found an easy way to locate them so that you have more choices at your fingertips.
This month's featured photographer:
Bert Broekstra using a Nikon D7000 camera
Red Tail Hawk
Camera Settings:
Mode = Auto/Aperture priority, F Number = 5.60, Exposure time = 1/250 seconds, Focal Length = 130.00 mm., ISO = 100,
White Balance = Manual/Cloudy weather, Scene Capture Type = Landscape.
Copyright © 2012 by Bert Broekstra. All rights reserved. Send requests for copies/reprint permissions to kbyte(at)frpcug.org.
Using Windows Task Manager to Get Out of Potential Harmful Situations
by Terry MacLennan, Sauk Computer Users Group, IL, http://www.saukcomputerusergroup.org, wcseniorcenter (at) gmail.com. Originally published in The Computer Connection, the newsletter of the Sauk Computer Users Group.
There is an easy method of getting your computer out of two situations of potential harm. To do this, we will use the operating system's built-in program called the Task Manager.
The first situation is when you have too many programs running at one time and the computer locks up. This lockup can also be caused by a single program that for one Reason or another, fails to run properly. Reaching over and hitting the power button may seem to be your only option but there is a much better choice.
The second situation occurs when you are on a webpage and one of those realistic looking but totally phony "security alerts" pops up on your monitor screen warning you of imminent danger of viruses and other malware that "it" has detected on your computer. These scare popups trick many naive people into clicking on them only to find out that now their computer truly is infected and control has been lost. You are totally helpless when you have clicked on one of these so-called "security" scam programs.
You absolutely must not click anywhere on these pop-ups including buttons that say something to the effect of "No Thanks," "Decline" or even "Continue Unprotected." But, instead of clicking one of those, you may decide, almost instinctively, to click the "X" in the corner of the pop-up box. Doing any of these actions is almost like turning your house alarm off, opening the door and saying "come on in" to the masked bandit standing outside. Paying the "bandits" for their "security program" which is holding your computer hostage is an extremely poor choice. Do you really want to pay the thieves with your credit card and its number?
But you are now stuck in a situation where you may try to click off the web page by clicking on its "X" in the upper right hand corner. But you soon find out that that won't work as you first need to close the window (the pop-up in this case) that is on top.
Hard shutting down the computer by using the power button may seem to be your only option but again there is a better alternative.
Your best friend in both situations is the Task Manager. To open this built-in program, press and hold the CTRL and ALT keys with your left hand, then tap the DEL key with your right hand.
In Win XP, this will automatically open the Task Manager while with Windows 7 it will take you to a page with a list of options. Click the bottom option and it will open the Task Manager which looks nearly identical to the XP one. From here, everything is the same for both systems.
Along the top edge of the Task Manager is a row of tabs. Click the Applications tab, if it doesn't happen to automatically be on that tab. When you have opened it up, you will see a listing of all the programs and web pages that are running.
If your computer is locked up, look for any programs that are "Not responding." Click the program one time to highlight it then click on End Task at the bottom. This should close the nonresponsive program and free your computer.
If the computer remains locked up, use the same method to close all of the remaining Programs that are running then shut down as you would normally. Everything should be back to normal when you reboot the computer.
A hard shutdown with the power button is absolutely the last resort as this could potentially damage files.
To close a web page with the dangerous fake security warning pop-ups, use the same method by highlighting the web page in the list then clicking End Task. This will safely shut down the web page with its pop-up without installing the malware "security program."
| This Month: | ||
| Tuesday | February 7th | 7:00 PM |
| Meeting Agenda | |
| Time | Topic |
| 7:00 to 7:15 | Announcements and Raffles |
| 7:15 to 7:45 | Open Forum |
| 7:45 to 7:55 | Break |
| 7:55 to 9:00 | Cleaning Your Computer |
| Next Month: | ||
| Tuesday | March 6th | 7:00 PM |
| Meeting Agenda | |
| Time | Topic |
| 7:00 to 7:15 | Announcements and Raffles |
| 7:15 to 7:45 | Open Forum |
| 7:45 to 7:55 | Break |
| 7:55 to 9:00 | PayPal/Video Streaming |
|
Check for other FRPCUG events in 2012 at the:
Annual Events Calendar |
Learn what the full FRPCUG Membership Benefits offer you. Then download and complete a Membership Application. Mail the completed application and your payment to the address listed on page 17, or better yet, bring the application to the next meeting.
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 Senior Center room AC1. For more information, connect to http://www.frpcug.org/sigactivities.html.
Shop Talk
One-on-one assistance. Drop in to the Senior Center on any Saturday (holidays excepted) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. For more information, connect to http://frpcug.org/shop_talk.html.
Technology SIG
The Technology SIG provides advanced 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, connect to http://www.frpcug.org/sigactivities.html.
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 Conference Room of the Fort Collins Senior Center.
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Calendars created with HTML Calendar Maker Pro
FRPCUG is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit computer society, incorporated with the State of Colorado and open to anyone interested in personal computers using any operating system (Windows, Linux, MAC, Android); and digital hardware (such as tablets, music/video players, smart phones, etc.). Its purpose is to provide an educational 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.
Directions to the Meetings
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. It is on the north side of the Raintree Shopping Center, and just west of the bank building at the corner of Shields and Raintree (see map at right).
Check the marquee at the main entrance for directions to the specific meeting room (usually Multi-Purpose Room 3—MP3)
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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 to the editor or submit on a CD. If you have questions about a submission, please contact the editor for information.
Copyright and Trademark Information
k-Byte is copyrighted © 2012 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 (or a link to the publication) in which the article appears is 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 contact the editor 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 Corporation, Dell Inc., Apple Computer Inc. or their owners respectively. Neither FRPCUG nor its newsletter k-Byte are connected 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 from or expected by FRPCUG from such activities. 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.
Masthead credits:
Photograph: Summer Sunrise on Longs Peak, copyright © 2011 by Mike Morris
Drawing: Jim Bragonier using GIMP
