SPAUG Newsletter November 2001
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Notes from the Prez
by Jim Dinkey
This month is the yearly elections and so the following slate is presented:
- Publicity - Marvin Kraft
- Newsletter co-Editor - Mildred Kohn
- Newsletter Editor - John Buck
- Co-Publisher - Yuko Maye
- Publisher - Susan Mueller
- Co-Webmaster - John Sleeman
- Co-Webmaster - Stan Hutchings
- Membership - Bev Altman
- Accountant - Arlan Kertz
- Treasurer - Nat Landes
- Secretary - Maurice Green
- Vice-President - Dick Delp
- President - Jim Dinkey
Further news is that the SPAUG CD is now ready for its unveiling at the Wednesday November 28 meeting (our last for the year).
Elsewhere in this newsletter are the details on the SPAUG Late 2001 CD which has about 620 MB of data. It is NOT merely a rehash of the first two, but includes both of them and a whole new set of goodies not before presented. Merely the savings in download time makes the CD worth it and the preselection of programs by an experienced committee makes it worthwhile. Thanks to Stan Hutchings, John Buck and John Sleeman. It is their cooperation that makes for a good product. The index is on the CD.
The Holiday dinner party will be at the Elks Lodge on Tuesday, December 11 at 6 p.m. Bring an under $5 exchange gift. Still working on whatever else would be interesting. Cost will be $10.
Nancy DeBiccari, our speaker for the November meeting, will review her operations as General Manager of the Santa Clara Micro Center computer store.
[ TOP ]
Planning Meeting Notes 7 November 2001
by Stan Hutchings
Members present: Jim Dinkey, Nat Landes, John Sleeman, Bev Altman, John Buck, Susan Mueller, Mildred Kohn, Robert Mitchell, Dick Delp, Stan Hutchings
A Christmas party is proposed for Tuesday 11 December at the Elks Lodge. There will be an under-$5 gift exchange.
The October PrintScreen did not get delivered to many members. Apparently there was a Post Office goof. Susan will submit a complaint. Susan will send email to the spaug-list a few day after each mailing to let members know the PrintScreen is on its way.
The club PC battery needs replacement; it only lasts a few minutes now. It will cost $180.
February speaker is arranged. Jim will give the January presentation on how to correct the problems in Win98 - it would be good to videotape. The November meeting is Nancy DeBiccari from MicroCenter.
The Late2001 club CD is just about ready. Nat suggested identifying programs as freeware/shareware for easy decision to use or not. We need to demo some useful but unknown utilities.
Nat says we have about $6600 in the bank. Perhaps the Christmas social can be partially underwritten by the club?
The CD needs a Table of Contents with a short description of each application.
Bev says the membership is stable, neither increasing nor decreasing. The sign-in is going OK. Better separation of guests and members would be helpful. She sends email and phones when a member needs to renew their membership. There is also a mark at their sign-in box.
There will be no December Newsletter. There will be Planning meetings Wednesday 5 December (at Jim Dinkey's house) and also Wednesday 2 January.
[ TOP ]
General Meeting Notes - 31 October 2001
by Stan Hutchings
Announcements
- the year-end CD is ready, it is almost full, chock-full of good stuff.
- elections are next month.
Random Access
- what happens when you empty the recycle bin? Where to the files go? Is there a way to recover them?
- how do you transfer your IE Favorites and Netscape Bookmarks, e-mail addresses, and e-mail messages when you get a new computer? Check out "Back up your e-mail files, too", in the Sept 2000 Print Screen.
- the Norton Utilities Waste bin needs to be emptied as well as the Windows Recycle Bin. Here's some advice on the Norton Utilities: do not install WinDoctor, CrashGuard, nor any other applications; instead, run the program you need from the CD itself.
- in Windows 98, you can right-click and drag to put icons into the system tray. Left click is not allowed.
- MSCONFIG and StartUpCop will allow you to control which programs start or run at boot-up.
- End-it-all (EndItAll version 2) will close all running programs, except those required to run Windows. This is handy when you are installing a new application and it suggests you close all open applications. You can close applications one-by-one by using Alt-F4.
- you can use Windows to find files with specific text in them. Use Start-Find-Files or folder…, and then under the Name and Location tab, specify the text you want to find in the Containing text: box, and limit the search to the expected folder(s). You should also limit the search by date under the Date tab, and under Advanced tab, specify the file type (e.g., Microsoft Word), if possible. A full search could take a long time.
- is there a program that emulates the CD drive, so you can put the CD on your hard drive and run it as if it's on your CD drive? Some programs will only look for the CD, and will not look on the hard drive.
- the January program will be given by Jim Dinkey, and it will be how to cure problems in Windows 98. He will talk about things like RegClean, ScanDisk, and the Norton System Utilities.
- If you're tired of messages from Microsoft about critical updates, best thing is to change the scheduled look-up. The default is every 5 minutes; better is weekly. Or you can remove it using the Start - Settings - Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs. You can also use MSCONFIG to remove it from Startup.
- It's a good idea to do Print Preview before printing. Sometimes there are extra lines that could be removed to fit the document onto fewer pages, and avoid just a few lines on the last page. Changing font size and/or margins can also compress a document.
- Is there a good printer repair shop? [link]
- DataKeeper is bundled with DriveImage, it allows continuous backup for data files.
Presentation
Gene and Linda Barlow from PowerQuest gave an educational presentation on how and why to partition your hard drive. The presentation, if you missed it or want to review some points, is at www.ugr.com/products.html. Some of the main points are:
Upgrade your Hard Drive
- If your drive is less than 8 GB or more than 80% full, you need to upgrade. Use Drive Copy to bring the whole old drive to the new drive. www.driveservice.com has hard drive evaluations; look here before buying.
Organize your Hard Drive
- You should use FAT32; if you're not, convert to it.
- Keep FAT32 partition under 8 GB for most efficient use of sectors
- Set up multiple partitions, no more than 4 Primary in the first 8 GB; these are for operating systems only (no other applications or data), then several logical drives, one or more for applications, one or more for data, one for Swap File, one or more for backup.
- Move applications and data from the Primary using the COA2 (Change of Address ver 2) available from www.pcmag.com/utilities. Follow the directions carefully.
Use Multiple Operating Systems
- In subsequent Primary partitions, new OS's can be added. Use Boot Magic to switch from one OS to the other; only one can be active at a time.
- When you migrate to a new OS, you can either start fresh with a clean load of OS and applications (into an empty program partition), or copy the old OS to a new partition and perform an upgrade (which carries along all the junk accumulated).
Protect your Hard Drive
- You can use Drive Copy to back up your hard drive to another hard drive, or to another partition on your current hard drive.
Secure your Hard Drive
- When getting rid of your old computer, make sure all data is removed from the hard drive. PowerQuest has products to help.
[ TOP ]
Rankings of Computer Brands
by CU Sid Owen
I recently asked you all "How do you rank, in descending quality sequence, the name brand computer manufacturers - Compaq, Dell, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Sony?"
In your responses to that question, Dell was the brand most discussed. It had the most favorable comments, but also the most unfavorable. Gateway was not far behind but also with some detractors. Hewlett-Packard, Skawinsky, Compaq, and IBM trailed off in that order, with only two mentions of IBM. There was one mention each for Micron and E-Machine. And Macintosh got a mention. Is Windows XP the best thing that could happen to Macintosh sales?
Mention was made of the magazine PC World as a useful aid in selecting brands since each month it compares brands in many ways. It is useful, but your submitted comments are better. I subscribe to PC World but I know better than to completely trust it. Publications don't criticize their advertisers very much. A relative of mine lost his reviewing job by refusing to rank a Microsoft product as the best of two.
Concerning Dell, I am personally biased. My family has been using them for years. There are currently four Dells in active use in my immediate family. The computers range in age from two to about eight years old and we are delighted with them. There have been few problems, but a monitor failure once resulted in a new monitor delivered the next morning.
Again, there is no correct answer for everyone. They must be selected to fit requirements of the using individual. Your answers to me included many useful pieces of useful information that other people in our group might use. So, printed below are all of your answers, edited only slightly to depersonalize them and to correct errors obvious to me.
Rankings of Brands:
- I'd recommend Dell 2:1 over the others. I use an IBM Aptiva. It was a good value. It hasn't broken down in 2 years. So, I'd make them 2 (but I recommend Dell to my family).
- I did an analysis several years ago on the best desktop and laptop computers for my company and based on price and service we chose Dell. We are very happy with that decision. We buy three years on-site service for $99 and they are very responsive when components fail. Since computer components do fail, I think one of the most important features is after sales service. You may want to do as I did and call the different vendor's support line to see how well they respond. Explain that you are considering buying their computer and you are testing their support and give them a hypothetical problem. One of the most important metrics is how long does it take for you to talk to a live person. You should also go to the companies' bulletin boards and see what users are saying. There will always be unhappy customers but you can get an overall feel of what problems users are facing. I have bought several Dells for my family and friends and they are also satisfied. Another plus for Dell is if you buy over the Internet you don't pay California sales tax. I bought a refurbished HP for my father and he has been happy with it. The one brand I would steer clear of (and I really hate to say so) is Compaq. I have personally had a bad experience with hours (no exaggeration) on hold for support. At least two of my friends have also had a bad experience with Compaq.
-
- Micron PC,
- Dell,
- IBM
- On computers themselves, the custom built machines from Hank or any else like that would be the best, because you can put the components you want into it. If you go with the big boys, I would choose Dell or even HP machines. Also, machines from E-Machines would be ok too. I set up one of those machines on Saturday, a week ago. This machine had a Celeron 900 megahertz machine it. That model had small case, but they do have machines with Pentium III or I think Pentium 4 also. I am thinking of a Macintosh.
- I rank them HP, Dell, Gateway ... (I don't have experience with the others.)
- The quality of the PC's you mention is a tough answer because the difference between each is really small. Dell and Gateway will build to order if you have some hotsy totsy specs you want to fulfill. I have friends who have each, no special specs and are very happy. I have used Compaq and HP Pavilion with enormous success.
- When I replace my current machine in a year or so, I will seriously consider Gateway largely because they have a retail sales and service outlet within walking distance—if they're still there in a year. I have a Micron P2 now and have liked it a lot and they sell inexpensive memory modules. I've also been impressed by Hank's knowledge and product quality and local accessibility. So I guess I'd go Gateway, then Skawinsky, then Dell.
- for what it's worth. I too am not intending to upgrade to XP from WIN98 until I get a new machine. I'm also wanting to buy a name brand Desktop PC or one of Hank's custom machines. I'm just waiting, on his advice, for XP to mature to the first "service pak" to fix initial bugs. I'd also desire for Intel to introduce a 0.13-micron version of their P4 (vs. 0.18 now ...like they did for the P3) for lower power/heat/cooling/quiet. I've heard "next year". Be sure your new PC uses the newer 478 socket for the CPU.
- I am using a Gateway at work with a 200 MHz processor (old). It works fine. My wife's company has been using HP for years with no hardware problems (few if any). At my previous job, the new president moved us to Dells. There was a failure in every shipment. Even with a service contract, I spent much time on the phone going through hoops until Dell agrees that they would send out the technician. It would have been cost effective to replace keyboards, modems, etc. on our own! My Brother in Law works for Catholic HealthCare West at St. Joseph's Hospital in Stockton. They used to use Gateway and were happy. When they joined CHW, they bought Dells via CHW and started having the need for tech support early in the life of the computer. Most manufacturers offer models using the Intel and the AMD chip. I don't know which is best.
- For my next laptop, (if I get one) I will consider IBM only. For a desktop, I don't think there is much to choose among them. My experience with a Compaq has resulted in one component failure in 2½ years; but it was an expensive failure because Compaq uses so many proprietary components that one is locked in to buy only from them at a significant premium. Check a recent PC World magazine for their ratings.
- I'm also wanting to buy a name brand Desktop PC or one of Hank's custom machines. I'm just waiting, on his advice, for XP to mature to the first "service pak" to fix initial bugs. I'd also desire for Intel to introduce a 0.13-micron version of their P4 (vs. 0.18 now ...like they did for the P3) for lower power/heat/cooling/quiet. I've heard "next year". Be sure your PC uses the newer 478 socket for the CPU.
- This changes with model/year/month/user's applications and requirements. The current computers are overpowered for most home uses; an older (and much cheaper) quality PC would probably be more than enough for most people. However, PCWorld and other magazines rate new computers (and peripherals) monthly in several categories - pick up the current month issue, or www.pcworld.com.
[ TOP ]
ISP Recommendation
by CU Sid Owen
I recently asked you all "What in your opinion is the best ISP (that is likely to stay in business) for private individuals"? This is a frequent question I get from seniors who want to go on line.
Earthlink is the obvious favorite as you can see from the replies printed below. However, my request for recommendations was prompted by three of my clients who had significant recent trouble with Earthlink. Earthlink support for little problems is so-so, but if you have a significant technical problem, they just hang up. It happened so regularly that I wonder if it is company policy. We once worked with 7 technicians to solve a problem - most just hung up when files had to be located and relocated, even though I have plenty experience doing that.
There is no right answer for this question - it depends on individual circumstances. Your individual answers to me might be useful to various members of the group. Consequently, printed below are your entire answers, edited only slightly to depersonalize them and to correct non-technical errors that are obvious to me:
- Earthlink seems to be a good choice at least for 56K, some like the bundling that AOL offers thru both its own ISP service and thru other ISPs, and then of course there's always MSN.
- ATT@HOME combines speed and ISP services for 1 MB bandwidth - at least in-bound.
- 1) Earthlink,
2) SV-PAL
- I'd go with Earthlink. DSLreports.com has lots of advice and opinion on this matter.
- I use Earthlink for Dialup right now and I think it is a fine service.
- For seniors who need training wheels, AOL will certainly stay in business. I would recommend another choice, such as Earthlink, for anyone who is sufficiently computer-literate to use a word processor or a spreadsheet, or who can manipulate a graphics program well enough to touch up a photo or make a tee shirt transfer. My analog ISP was acquired; then the acquirer was in turn acquired. So I can't make a recommendation based on personal experience.
- I don't know who the "best" ISP is but I know who the most popular ISP is and that is AOL. I've planned for years to switch because they are the most costly but haven't gotten around to it. With AOL, at least I get a connection every time I dial in. My father doesn't pay for Internet access at all. He uses the free ISP's like netzero and bluelight. Even though he gets annoying popups, he's very satisfied.
- I think AOL is most likely to stay in business since they are the largest.
- I use AT&T and have for 6 years. It has been VERY reliable. And I have a second line. I like it just fine.
- I use @home.com cable modem for an ISP. I'm pretty satisfied with @home, except that their service stinks. I had a problem with Netscape e-mail (which they don't support) but was cut off on three tries in the switch to 2nd level expertise. My daughter in Sunnyvale lost a week of e-mail when they failed to bill her and thereby cut off her service. She got back on, but the letter she sent to @home had to be written on asbestos (it can shred but not make white powder. ;-) ) So I'd say their web page service is excellent, their e-mail server is slow, and their service is unreliable. But I'll keep them.
[ TOP ]
Is DSL Viable?
by CU Sid Owen
I recently asked you all "Is DSL viable yet? I personally must either get that or a second phone line soon."
Clearly, there is no absolute answer - it depends on your location relative to the DSL "home office," and on availability among other things. The answer will have to be individually determined. Your answers to me included many bits of useful information that are not easily summarized, but which might be useful to you.
Consequently, printed below your entire answers, edited only slightly to depersonalize them and to correct errors obvious to me (and my spelling and grammar checker):
- I checked DSL and cable 1-1/2 years ago and chose cable (ATT@HOME). I have been very happy with it, if it's available in your area. The fuss over ATT selling off part of their broadband service hasn't had any effect ... yet, and they've increased their price twice in the past year after a very good intro price that help for three months.
I've been using DSL from Pacific Bell for a couple of years and I'd say it's definitely viable. I've not always been totally happy with the response time of their mail servers, but it has gotten much better lately.
- YES!
- I have heard bad stories from my son in Los Altos Hills. But I have interviewed CEO's all over the valley for my newspaper stories on this subject. The bottom line seems to be how close you are to the DSL "home office". DSL is valid if you are 12,000-16,000 feet away. Remember a mile is a little over 5,000 feet. The closer the better so there is no one right answer here.
- I've been using DSL from Pacific Bell for a couple of years and I'd say it's definitely viable. I've not always been totally happy with the response time of their mail servers, but it has gotten much better lately.
- Yes, viable, if you can get it. There are distance limits. Visit DSLreports.com (http://www.dslreports.com/) - the place for BROADBAND information and discussion.
- We have ATT cable at home because DSL is not available in my neighborhood.(My neighbor has it. We can walk to the Telco bldg.) Availability is more or less at the whim of PacBell.
The cable was wonderful at first. When some problems came up, their tech help proved to be trashmasters. If you are using Win 2000, make sure you are the administrator or equiv when changing setting to set up your cable or DSL access. Let me know what you get and how it installs. We have heard horror stories about DSL and Cable. We are thinking about Sprint-via antenna. In the meantime, I'm happy with text based e-mail using SVPAL.org They also offer PPP (windows browsers) at 65 dollars per year. They have local phone lines in SJ, SC, Mountain View.
If you go for a second phone, think about a cell phone. Installation of a landline is costly. You can use the cell while on line. IF ambitious, you can forward your phone to the cell for incoming while on line. ATT and Verizon have decent long distance plans that can be cost effective, too.
- I have several friends and associates who use DSL and are very happy. However, the guaranteed speed varies greatly depending on your distance from the switch. For example, at my home I can only get 144kps so I haven't bothered to sign up. With several providers filing for bankruptcy, I would tend to go with a company I think will be around a while.
- I have been using DSL from Pacific Bell Internet (pbi) since last October.
At first it was very good. Beginning in February, it became unreliable.
Inability to connect; dropped connections; occasional very slow connection. It was most frustrating. But when it worked, it was a pleasure. Last month, I got some attention. Three different technicians came to the house: One from pbi's contractor for installation; one from pbi; and one from Pacific Bell itself. All reported no problems. Each could connect immediately; each reported a speed between 500,000 and 700,000 bits/second. The last one, the Pac Bell one, and the only one who was authorized to climb a telephone pole, did climb the pole and "tightened the connection."
Since then, DSL works well again for me. There is hardly ever a dropped connection. And I am getting above 500,000 bits/second, too.
- I have DSL from AOL. It cost $20/mo. extra. When setting it up I got immediate help when calling their technical assistance.
- I don't have DSL yet. My area is up toward the hills and is on the slow end of the service.
If you do get a second line, make sure you get it to work with 56k or you will be stuck with slow poke 28.8.This is what happened to our second line. We got our second line for our fax machine and also the modem to get it off the main line. I have been using the main line for the modem because our second line won't go past 28.8. This is nasty. Every time we talk to phone company about this, we get run around. Our neighbor across the street has a second line for her fax machine and modem and it works fine up to 50k. Dealing with the Phone Company isn't pretty.
My brother now has Earthlink DSL in Menlo Park, and is happy with it. He had Northpoint service before that when they pulled the plug without notification. In his case, he had to use a second dedicated line for the DSL service to work in Menlo Park.
[ TOP ]
http://www.pa-spaug.org/News01/News0111.htm