This month I'm going to try to get you all involved in deciding how to set up a Media Computer for SPAUG.
All of us have media that we can't easily view any more because it and the necessary hardware have become obsolete. I have bunches of slides, super 8 mm. film, and some VCR tapes getting obsolete on the shelf.
The Planning Committee has proposed using this as a training and educational opportunity for SPAUG members via a SIG (Special Interest Group) on Multimedia which is composed of Audio and Visual working and converting.
I envision picking a subject such as vinyl conversion for a SIG meeting, assuring we have the equipment and software we need, and then getting together and demonstrating so all of us can learn how to do that particular conversion, and then going on to the next topic.
The Audio capability we are proposing would be the conversion of vinyl (33s, 45s, 78s and whatever) to some modern format (probably CDs or DVDs).
The Video portion would include but not be limited to the conversion of slides, film, and movie camera work through the computer to a form that would be current and available for the future.
It takes a computer with a lot of horsepower and key software (assume mucho $) to do most of the conversions and editing necessary. For example, Maximum PC, in their January 2006 issue on page 74, has set forth a "S1 Digital Media Center" for the paltry sum of $2500 and that does not include the software necessary or additional hardware such as slide scanners. On the software side, what packages would you consider it desirable and what would be the cost?
When it's not required for a SIG or SPAUG event, I envision the media computer traveling from person to person for an agreed-upon amount of time, with the intention of getting jobs done fast enough that it is soon available for the next person. Then again, if the computer merely was used as a training aid, each interested member could set up his own computer such that he could use it to complete his tasks.
That's the proposal. To help it materialize, please let the Planning Committee know, in writing (email counts), about:
what you would like to see accomplished, e.g., slides, video, audio or vinyl conversion,
how much and what kind of hardware and software you think would be needed, how much it might cost, where we might be able to get it, etc, —please be as specific as possible.
how much (time, primarily) you would be willing to invest in this endeavor.
by Stan Hutchings
A 24 MB MP3 recording of the General Meeting was available; see Jim Dinkey or Stan Hutchings if you want a copy - it's still on the Club Computer.
Administrivia
The Holiday Social will be next Tuesday starting about 6 pm at the Elks Lodge, $10, bring an (optional) exchange present. There will be entertainment.
CrossTalk/Random Access
Problem: Email with images as attachments are not opening; all that shows are red X's.
It could be your email settings are not allowing the images to be opened. Right-clicd and allow image to open. In Outlook Express, you can click View - Blocked images to see the images. Jim recommends the problem be referred to Expert's Exchange. You can sign up for free and get 50 points; this lets you ask one question a month. But for $50 you get unlimited questions.
Question: how do you see the header information in Thunderbird? That's the "blah blah blah" in Eudora, or the right-click - Options - Internet Headers in Outlook. Here's how: Double-click the e-mail you want to view the headers on. Click on the View drop-down menu and select Headers and then select All. This will show the headers for any message you view. A quick, simple google search for thunderbird view internet header gave many returns with similar informatio.
Problem: I've filled up my C: drive, and need to give it more space. The D: drive has plenty of space. Can I move applications from C: to D:? How can I shift space from D: to C:?
Partition Magic or other partition editors will allow you to re-size partitions. That's probably the easiest solution. One member thinks there is a program as part of WinXP that will do that, but he doesn't remember the name. Jim suggests put the Windows XP CD in (if you don't have a disk, borrow a copy from someone - you don't need the code, you just run the application), and use the third option, do additional operations. On the menu, use the Settings Control Wizard. Follow the prompts. Another option is to get a new hard drive, and transfer the C: partition using a partition copy software application, like Ghost, Acronis or Disk Image. One other option is to use Window's or third-party disk cleanup utility. If you need help, make an appointment for the Clinic
Problem: my computer boots with the NumLock in the setting I don't want. How do I change it?
This is a BIOS issue; get into the BIOS prior to boot up, and find the NumLock setting. If you still have trouble, contact you computer's manufacturer.
Useful PING addresses: 207.217.126.81 or 207.217.77.82. To use, Start - Run ping [number]. If you have Internet connection, you'll get a reply back for each of the four packets sent; if you get a timeout message, you're not connected to the Internet.
Problem: trying to use my cellphone to connect used to work, but hasn't recently. Anyone know why?
Verizon has probably plugged that hole. You'll have to pay for your access like everyone else.
Problem: trying to get digital photos downloaded from my camera to my Win98 computer. The software doesn't seem to work.
Check the manufacturer's website for an updated application. Make sure to get the proper download for your camera model. Win98 is not a good choice for downloading images, it may not support USB satisfactorily; WinXP does much better. Also, a program like Picassa might help. You might try adding new hardware from the Control Panel. Insert the CD when asked, and follow the prompts. You might also try attending DISIG, they have lots of experienced digital image people who might be able to give you advice.
The new CD is ready, on sale for $20 - Ron gave an introduction and attributed the contributors. Quite a few were sold. There were 60 copies made. Best to open and read the read_me file in Word or Word Pad - not a text editor. There even some Linux and Mac programs on the disk. Save your old CDs, because this has a lot of new stuff and does not repeat a lot of the previous contents.
Presentation - Paula Simpson, Director of the Palo Alto City Library
A 23 MB MP3 recording of Paula's presentation was available here; if you want a copy, contact Jim Dinkey or Stan Hutchings - it's still on the Club Computer
Paula Simpson, Director of the Palo Alto City Library, talked about current and future technology applications in public libraries in general, and at the Palo Alto City Library in particular. Libraries aren't just about books any more. To stay relevant to peoples' lives and convenient to their busy schedules, they are offering such things as web-based services available 24/7, digital books, technology training classes, and a rich array of commercial databases including the (full image and full text) New York Times archive and the independent study language program Rosetta Stone. Libraries are also adopting technology already established in retail and other areas, such as RFID, to improve efficiency and customer service.
Paula has a masters degree in library science from the University of Minnesota and more than 37 years of experience in public libraries, although it must be said her first job was as a Page at a branch of the Hennepin County Library (Minnesota) at the tender age of 15. The pre-meeting dinner was at Peking Duck Restaurant.
The meeting was held at Bev Altman's house; attendees: Jim Dinkey, John Sleeman, Bev Altman, Stan Hutchings, Nat Landes, Richard Sweet, Robert White, Ron Nicholas. The attendees enjoyed the refreshments served.
Review of finances - Nat reported we have $9400. Bev gave $709 from the meeting renewals, new members and CD sales. Jim will invoice for about $180 in the next few days.
Membership - Bev reports we have 118 members.
Review of topic vs. attendance -
interesting topics result in better attendance. We'll continue to schedule speakers with good draw.
Mail - John Sleeman will check the mail in the next few days, and deliver any checks or important documents to Jim or Bev.
Bev will remind Arlan to take care of year-end IRS and State tax filings. We need to maintain our tax-exempt status.
WebSIG activities and schedules - no meeting next Tuesday at Stan's; next meeting 24 Jan 06.
Linux interest - there won't be any Linux demonstrations for a while.
Publicity -- Richard Sweet says we're still having problems getting our announcements in the SJ Mercury. Also, the Palo Alto papers aren't doing as well as before, but the online information is OK. The Town Crier seems to be doing well, for now.
Status of SPAUG CD - Ron Nicholas and his crew were congratulated for getting the CD issued. We sold 30 copies at the CompSIR and SPAUG meetings, and 12 will be held in reserve for future speakers.
11 January 2006 - Gene Barlow of User Group Relations, will discuss Security Solutions using Invisus for the PC and Organizing Your Access to the Internet using Optimal Desktop Pro The pre-meeting dinner well be at .
8 February 2006 - George Sidman of MNC Net (our host for the website). The pre-meeting dinner will be at .
8 Mar 06 - Microcenter. The pre-meeting dinner will be at .
12 Apr 06 - Gary Sasaki will speak about “Digital Cable Ready”. Visit Gary's website at www.digdia.com. The pre-meeting dinner will be at .
10 May 06 - a genealogy program has been arranged by Maury Green. The pre-meeting dinner will be at .
14 Jun 06 - Andy Marken from Marken Communications has been invited by Maury Green. The pre-meeting dinner will be at .
12 Jul 06 - Paul Kunz has been invited by John Sleeman. The pre-meeting dinner will be at .
Possibilities for 2006 - presentations are being considered or investigated by: Acronis, Dan Gillmor, Mike Langberg, Electronic Freedom Foundation, voice recognition software, history of the Internet [arranged by J. Sleeman].
What do you want to hear about?
Clinic activities and changes - the Saturday Clinic will be offered by reservation only. There hasn't been much demand the last few months.
Other individual reports and suggestions -
The Holiday Social was sparsely attended, about 7-8 SPAUG members showed up, along with several musicians. The gift exchange went well. The clog dancers were interesting.
Nat requested a demonstration of using HiJack This (which is on the new CD) to check your computer for malware. Jim agreed to do a demo at an upcoming General meeting.
Other items that came before the Committee -
Suggestions for the door prizes were solicited; some suggestions included USB memory sticks (thumb drives), books on PC issues, magazine subscriptions, photo paper, etc.
Stan Hutchings will propose some hardware and software for a Digital Media SIG that is under consideration for formation. Hopefully, we can get advice and help from Bob Mitchell and Maury Green, who have experience working with digital media. We'll need a fast CPU with lots of RAM, a large hard drive, FireWire and USB 2.0 inputs, and a good sound card. The software will be open source/free as much as possible, but when necessary, the optimum equipment will be purchased. The SIG will act as an educational forum for all SPAUG members. The location is to be determined, but perhaps at Jim Dinkey's house. We'd like to get portable (at least luggable!) hardware, so the venue can be changed easily, and the equipment can be set up at general meetings. We'll discuss hardware with Hank Skawinski; and software with Maury and Bob. The digital media will include digital photos, scanned images in digital form, music files, conversion of video cassette to DVD, conversion of vinyl or tape to WAV, MP3, AAC or other format, and burning to CD or DVD.
Recently, I had occasion to call on Hank Skawinski for help. I had managed to screw up my computer so thoroughly that it would not even
boot (an unfortunate ability which I wish I did not have). I asked him would he make a house call, and believe it or not he said yes. A couple
of hours later he appeared at my door and within the hour had me up and running, saving all the hair I would've pulled out in the meantime. He
really is remarkable. From now on, he is my guru. -Gene
