SPAUG Newsletter November 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Notes from the Prez
by Jim Dinkey
This month's column is a collage of different items:
AOL, in version 9, under some circumstances not uniform, causes a popup to appear at every instance when attempting to use the local printer. It is very annoying to have to repeatedly tell AOL to print on your local printer. I have been bitten by this syndrome myself, and thus make the offer that if you are willing to dump AOL, the Saturday Clinic will accomplish the task of removing AOL and help you shift to a new ISP setup.
Actually, if you have had enough of AOL, the proper way is to set yourself up with a domain for a month and also set up your new e-mail account and then, after you have told all of your correspondents of your new domain name, let the AOL account go. Then there is no discontinuity. You will probably leave the spammers behind.
Even if you don't involve the Saturday Morning Clinic, the above is the proper way to migrate away from one ISP to its replacement.
The implications of .NET (a.k.a. Microsoft Passport):
Microsoft has been pushing and, indeed, has almost required that users join their .NET environment - yet many don't know the implications of joining and what it does for you. Theoretically, it allows you to deal with vendors by referring to the Passport information and not having to input your credit card information each time. But do you trust Microsoft? I don't. Prior to this discussion a reference disclosed that:
After some hair-raising security breaches, an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/2001/11/08/sinrod.htm), tough talk with the European Union, and a small dose of reality, Microsoft backed off. (ISBN 0-7645-3748-2) Page 42.
The constant hounding of users to join .NET is indicative of how Microsoft wants to control both you and your computer - and I suggest that you not succumb.
If you are being bombarded into signing up, remove the .NET references in Windows Update and set the profile accordingly. Don't allow .NET to start up in MSCONFIG and remove it with Add/Remove.
If you feel that you want to go ahead and sign up or want to change it, you can follow the detailed explanations in the pages following the above reference.
A note about the general structure of the computers that we are seeing in the Saturday morning Clinic:
When a computer leaves, if possible, it has the following:
- A check of the hard disk drive integrity.
- Cleanup of the registry (Systemworks).
- MailWasher with SpamCop activated.
- Zone Alarm if being used with dialup connection.
- Hardware interface if on broadband.
- Norton Anti-Virus automatically updating daily.
- Updating all Microsoft Security patches.
- Updating all Microsoft software patches.
- Setting of automatic update.
- Installation of backup procedures to protect data.
- Resolution of any outstanding issues that the user desires.
- Installation of Spybot Search and Destroy - a BOT killer.
Note that the computer does not have to have crashed to have the above TLC applied to it, but that you merely want to avoid problems.
There are three books that have been found to be quite useful when dealing with your computers. I recommend you purchase them:
- Windows XP Annoyances, David A. Karp, O'Reilly ISBN 0-596-00416-8, $29.95. A comprehensive tweaking 'How to'. ($22.46)
- Windows XP All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies (9 books in one), Woody Leonhard, Hungry Minds, $29.99, ISBN: 0-7645-1548-9. ($22.49)
- Windows XP Timesaving Techniques for Dummies, Leonhard, Hungry Minds, Over 79 timesavers, $24.99, ISBN 0-7645-3748-2. ($18.74)
Note: the price at the end of each selection is the current price offered by the book selling consortium accessed by www.alibris.com.
www.woodyswatch.com/index.asp is the home page for the last two books above. He also has newsletters (complimentary) on various subjects such as Windows, e-mail, and Office.
If someone wants to act as coordinator/buyer, I should think that allowing SPAUG members to order in bulk would make a very nice Christmas service for the members.
Tips and Tricks:
- The best way to order DSL is to not approach the phone company but to go directly to the ISP of your choice electronically in the initial contact. Signing up electronically means that you will almost invariably garner a 'deal' and allow the ISP to avoid having a person input all of the routine information. The key is to have your ISP totally responsible for the chain from ISP down to your router in your home. If the ISP can't make it through the chain, let them deal with the various vendors in the chain. Further, you don't have the time or expertise or test equipment to see which vendor in the chain has a problem. Leave it to the professionals.
Once you have your deal set up, you will have an order number which will get you good live support personnel.
- MailWasher cannot perform if you fail to turn on the ability of MailWasher to check the national database of spam sites. Go to TOOLS/OPTIONS and check the box "Check the origin of the e-mail". The effectiveness will be gratifying.
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General Meeting Notes
by Stan Hutchings
Administrivia
- Elections were held. The proposed slate was announced (same people as served last year volunteered to run for election again this year). There was a request for further nominations, none were proposed. There was a motion to close, seconded and passed by acclamation. The proposed slate of officers was elected by acclamation, no objections or exceptions were made.
- There will be a Holiday Party Tuesday 9 December from 6 pm at the Elks Lodge.
CrossTalk/Random Access
- Viruses are a major threat. Be sure to keep your AV application updated. Use ZoneAlarm or other firewall. In addition, a hardware firewall such as a router is recommended for anyone with a fast always-on connection. Use Spybot Search and Destroy periodically to clean out the spybots and other malware. Be sure to check for updates before running it.
- Some actions, especially in WinNT, Win2000 Pro and WinXP, require "administrative privileges". You should give yourself these privileges by opening Control Panel - Accounts - Administrative Tools (or similar). The default password is admin.
Presentation
John Buck demonstrated some of the capabilites of XnView, available on the club CD
Stan Hutchings demonstrated some of the capabilites of OpenOffice.org, also available on the club CD
Bob Shipley of NASA Ames spoke on the history of computers as used with flight simulators. He showed pictures of the various flight trainers from the early mechanical/pneumatic models (such as the Link trainer) to the modern electronic simulators that are almost like the real thing.
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Planning Meeting Notes
by John Sleeman
- The November Planning Meeting was held at Bev Altman's home. Present were Jim Dinkey, John Buck, John Sleeman, and Bev Altman.
- December's Planning Meeting will be held at Jim Dinkey's home on December 17, and all members are invited to attend.
- The SPAUG Christmas Party will be at the Elks Lodge, Tuesday December 9th, 6 pm. Members are cordially invited to come and socialize. The cost of the meal is $10 each, and attendees are encouraged to bring a gift to exchange, value under $10. We discussed what entertainment to have and decided to try a simpler format, with no music, or possibly just playing CDs.
- Speakers were discussed. It was noted that our regular annual speaker on the present and future of PCs, Hank Skawinski, will be the presenter for December, on Wednesday 10th. It was also pointed out that Hank is moving his place of business at the end of January from his present location, to his home address. Possible speakers for next year were discussed briefly.
- The dinner before the December 10 general meeting will be held at 4290 Bistro, the restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Cabaņa Palo Alto, across from the Elks' Lodge, at 4290 El Camino Real.
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Reset Epson Print Cartridges at Home
by Jim Dinkey
I do enjoy my Epson printer, which is now my standard around here. After I bought the printer I found that I, too, was not getting full use of the cartridge in that about a third of the ink was not being utilized before Epson turned off the cartridge. And I could not refill the cartridge. I have finally found a tool that will allow me to reset the chip on the cartridge so I can get all of the original ink out and that will also permit me to refill the cartridge, a useful option since I find the cartridges are quite expensive.
So here is the pitch: as a service to SPAUG members, I will order for you at $20 each, a device that will allow you to reset your Epson cartridges. Basically it is a battery, set of pins, a LED for indicating success and some electronics. Those of you who give me an order by return e-mail within the next three days will probably have it waiting for you at the next SPAUG meeting.
Read the news story at Yahoo
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