Fresno Personal Computer Users’ Group General Meeting
April 3, 7:30 PM
Program Is:
Meeting-in-a-Box
from
This is something new for Peachpit. It is the first live recording of a live Photoshop Event. This was done at the Photoshop World Boston 2005. The next was at Mac World this past January 2006.
You may feel as if you were in the audience as the Photoshop pros give us practical information on how to use some of Photoshop tools.
This is almost a follow-up to what Ray Arth presented at the March meeting. It may be somewhat difficult to see at a great distance (from the back of the room) so you may want to move closer to the screen. The Peachpit rep said they have made a number of improvements in the product at the Mac World Event.
Members will be able to look at the DVD in their own home for a limited amount of time and then it must be returned so other members may view it.
Remember, it is on a DVD!
Bill's Tricks & Tips
Shortcut to URL Entry
Most websites we visit end in dot-com. And all of them are prefixed by the http:// protocol. Well, there is a way to quickly enter such URLs without having to type these items over and over again.
Outlook Bells & Whistles
I recently downloaded an add-on for Microsoft Outlook I thought I would pass along. It is called Bells & Whistles for Outlook, from DS Development. It basically incorporates a number of small time-saving features into the program. From their website:
- Save time on Outlook email replies by automatically adding smart reply greetings.
- Easily track your messages exchange by adding customizable tracking IDs and reply counters.
- Write your Outlook emails faster by using quick email text templates.
- Quickly send personalized mass emails by simply using the BCC field for mail merge.
- Smartly manage your address book, by automatically adding to your Contacts people you reply to.
- Never forget again about adding attachments or message subjects.
- Organize your thoughts and notes by inserting email notes to Inbox emails.
- Easily manage 3rd party Outlook Add-ins.
- Seamless integration with Microsoft Outlook.
The features I like best so far as the automatic greetings and the library of text blurbs which I can put in at the click of a button. I get a lot of email, and many times I say the same thing over and over. With this feature, I can manage these auto-replies and simply hit a button to insert them rather than re-typing them each time.
The program is $19.95 to buy, but you can try it free for 15 days. Go to http://www.emailaddressmanager.com/outlook-bells.html for more info.
Clean Dust From your PC
Today's tip is really basic: Periodically clean the dust from inside of your PC.
I was reminded of this because I recently had to snap the front faceplate off of my computer's case in order to repair a USB/Firewire connector on the front which had collapsed into the case and made it impossible for me to plug in anything. On removing the faceplate, I saw the air filter which filters the air before it is drawn into the case chassis by the case fan. Cake with dust. I took the opporunity to clean the filter. But, it reminded me that everyone has to periodically dust off their PC. Some may tend to forget the insides. The fans get layered with it. The expansion cards get a nice layer of dust on them over time. If it goes unchecked, it can lead to the PC running a little hotter than it normally would.
When dusting it, do not use a cloth and rub the hardware. The static can damage it. It is recommended that you use compressed air and use short bursts of air to blow the dust away. You can use a damp cloth to tackle case surfaces and other non-electric items.
FPCUG News
March's General Meeting was Ray Arth's presentation on Color Management. We learned that obtaining predictable color reproduction in the digital darkroom can be a challenge, because each device--digital camera, scanner, monitor, or printer--responds to or produces color differently. To get predictable results, we need color management. Ray showed us that various kinds of light also had an effect on digital output. From there, he showed us how to manage the variations of each effect to get predictable results.
The raffle item this month will be a Fenton 600VA Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS). It would be a great investment to protect your PC and peripherals against lightning and power outages. It features 4 grounded outlets, overload and short-circuit protection, and complete surge suppression and noise filtration. It comes with built-in RJ-45 jacks to provide surge protection to modem or 10 Base-T signals. Raffle tickets are sold at $1.00 each, or 6 tickets for $5.
A Sony Vaio computer was donated to the group some time ago. Bill Myers has restored it to working condition with a WinXP Pro OS, and the Board is considering selling it in a silent auction very soon, with the proceeds going to the club. This computer has a P4 1.6 Ghz chip, 80 gig hard drive and 512 mg RAM. What makes this computer special, is that it has a highly prized Video Capture Card, and a TV Tuner option that allows you to record prescheduled television shows onto your hard drive, similar to TiVo. Listen for updates on when the sale will take place.
Wilda Moller has submitted the FPCUGs quarterly financial report, written as an MS Excel file.
Thanks to:
- Ivan Raicevich for his article contribution this month. Due to interest in his topic, Ivan will also give a hands-on tutorial on Audacity v. 1.2.4 Saturday, April 1st at 10:30 a.m.
- David Smith for assuming the job of providing a copy of the Board Minutes for the newsletter.
- Nancy Mason for continuing to supply drinks and snacks for the monthly General Meeting.
- Gary Gipson for his contributions of ideas and content for the newsletter.
- Wilda Moller for her hard work as treasurer, and submitting the quarterly report in time for the newsletter.
Disk of the Month
Advanced Spyware Remover
Requires: Win NT/2K/XP/2003The key features:
- Scan/Remove spyware, adware, malware and virus.
- Immunize and block thousands of known spyware, adware, malware.
- Remove and fix pc hijacker programs.
CodecInstaller
Requires: Win All
CodecInstaller is an application that detects which Audio & Video codecs are installed on your computer and suggests you to install the ones necessary to correctly view the movie it is distributed with:
DVDAttache 3.3.1
Requires: Win All
DVDAttache is an application for managing your database of DVD titles. It is freely available, but donations are accepted at the authors site
ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT)
Requires:Win XP/2K
Allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed. The standard registry backup options that come with Windows back up most of the registry but not all of it. ERUNT however creates a complete backup set, including the Security hive and user related sections. ERUNT is easy to use and since it creates a full backup, there are no options or choices other than to select the location of the backup files. The backup set includes a small executable that will launch the registry restore if needed.
ExtractNow 4.0
Requires: Win All
ExtractNow lets you extract multiple archives with the ease of a singular button. Supports ZIP, RAR, ACE, & JAR file formats.
File Backup Watcher Free 2.7.5
Requires: Win All
Manual and semi-automated backup systems are as effective as using a screwdriver for driving nails into wood. File Backup Watcher allows all kinds of backup activities from manual to fully automated process. Your vital data can be backed up to local or network drives, CDs and DVDs. The convenient scheduler offers flexible time and condition-based backups, saving your time, money, and nerve. Version 2.7 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
Lite and professional shareware versions are also available at the authors website.
FreeUndelete 2.0.0543
Requires: Win All
FreeUndelete is a freeware data recovery program for deleted files.
iRadioNet 2.00
Windows NT/2000/XP
Description by publisher:
Super light and easy-to-use Internet Radio Player for Microsoft Windows to play and record streaming music from thousands of free online stations and to playing audio files from a local or network hard disks.
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool 1.12
Requires: Win XP/2K/2003
The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 computers for and helps remove infections by specific, prevalent malicious software-including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. The tool creates a log file named mrt.log in the %WINDIR%\debug folder.
Magical Jellybean Dictionary
The Magical Jellybean Dictionary is a freeware dictionary client for Windows 9x/ME/2000/XP. It connects to a dictionary server and retrieves the definition from a database on the server. It can now connect to any server via the INI file.
It's really easy to install but there isn't any help file with it. You have to figure out how to use it yourself or read this article.
There are 10 different databases of where it'll look up a word and 8 different strategies. All you have to do is type a word into the "Type word here" box and then highlight a database.
The top box shows the definition of the word. There is a spot to type your word into. You don't always have to choose a strategy. I only do it when they tell me to.
Since I just got over this illness I thought I'd put that word in here. This is what the WorldNet dictionary had to say about it. You'll notice I didn't choose a strategy. I put a shortcut to this program on the "Quick Launch Bar". It's now only 1 click away. Since I'm not the best speller in the world I find this a cool application.
Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder
This is a must-have.
The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware utility that retrieves your Product Key (cd key) used to install windows from your registry. It has the options to copy the key to clipboard, save it to a text file, or print it for safekeeping. It works on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Office 97, and Office XP. This version is a quick update to make it work with Windows Server 2003.
User information modifications. This allows you to change the Register Owner and Company of a Windows installation.
Remote registry connectivity. With the proper access this will allow the Keyfinder to connect remotely to a computer's registry and retrieve the Product Key.
The Magical Jelly Bean SHN Shortener is a freeware utility for easily converting those enormous SHN & FLAC files to smaller MP3 or OGG Vorbis files. With the SHN Shortener you can customize your settings (default is 192bps, stereo), add ID3 tags, rename your files on the fly (using the ID3 tags), and even delete those old files all in 4 easy steps.
Be wary, MP3 and OGG are not replacements for lossless audio like SHN and FLAC, but simply a reasonable alternative to those of us who don't hear a difference and can't see a reason to keep those enormous files.
novaPDF 2.5 Build 152
Requires: Win XP/2K/2003
novaPDF is a pdf creator for Windows that allows you to easily create professional quality documents in industry-standard PDF file format.
Solar System 3D Simulator 3.0
Operating Systems Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP
Description by publisher:
Solar System 3D Simulator is a FREE software application that generates a realistic solar system model and planets in 3 Dimension on the PC using advanced physics formulas.
TCP Optimizer 2.03
Requires: Win All
TCP Optimizer is a program for tweaking broadband-related Registry settings. Optimize Dialup, DSL and Cable all from one simple to use interface. (It has the option to return your Registry to its default untweaked state as well) It also includes built in MaxMTU and Latency(Ping) detection utilities.
Driver Cleaner Professional 1.3
Requires: Win All
Driver Cleaner is a program which helps you to remove parts of drivers that are left after uninstalling the old drivers. The program is for ATI and nVidia drivers. First you need to uninstall the drivers from the control panel than reboot and after that run the program. If you really want a good description of what steps you should do than you really need to read the readme file included in the zip file and installation as it contains a detailed description step by step.
Viewer & Slide Show 4.4
Requires: Win All
WildBit's Viewer is an easy to use image viewer with built-in slideshow features all packaged in and "explorer" like GUI. It supports most popular image image formats.
Vista Transformation Pack 3.0
Size: 32.3 Mb
Requires: Win All
At last, Vista Transformation Pack has finally come out! Despite the name Vista, you'll get whole new update and more functions. Get the awesome Vista look today!
I loaded this on a fresh install of windows XP and I might say it wasn't half bad. I got a ton of new wallpaper backgrounds out of it.
Use at your own risk.
nLite 1.0 RC5
Size: 1.4 Mb
Requires: Win XP/2K/2003
"nLite is a GUI for permanent Windows component removal by your choice. After removal there is an option to make bootable image ready for burning on cd or testing in virtual machines. So that means that with nLite you will be able to have Windows installation cd which on installation doesn't install, or even contain on cd, unwanted components.
Vista Wallpaper
Win All I think - Not installable
On the CD is wallpaper. It from the Vista Transformation Pack after it's loaded. This way you can have the neat wallpaper. I put it on my Win 98 and have a nice picture of a fish that's awesome. Thumbnails above show a small sample of new backgrounds available.
Tutorial: Audacity v. 1.2.4
Recording Tape Cassettes & Reel-to-Reel Music to CDs
The program described here, "Audacity v. 1.2.4", is a free program which can be downloaded from the Audacity site. Do not download the beta version yet, as it is unstable and can cause problems.
The program technique described here is for conversion to the "wave" form of music file only. Conversion to MP3 can be accomplished by additionally downloading a file called LAME. (The Audacity site describes how this is done) Proceed as follows after you have downloaded the program:
- Connect your cassette/reel tape player from "line-out" audio to your computer's "line-in" audio.
- Create a file in your computer system to place the saved album named "Audacity aup." music. (e.g. "Audacity aup. music")
- Create a file in your system to place the final named song "wav." files. (e.g. "Audacity wav. music")
- Be sure you're using the "line-in" format at top right of Audacity screen. Engage Audacity and go to "Project" and click on "New Stereo Track" (or mono track, whichever the case may be).
- Go to "Edit" and select "Preferences".
- In Audio i/o, check the sound device in your computer;
- in "Quality", set "Default Sample Rate" at 44100 Hz; set "Default Sample Format at 16 bit"
- In "File Format", check "read directly from original file"; and under "Uncompressed Export format" select "WAV (Microsoft 16 bit PCM)".
- Turn on cassette/reel music you wish to eventually burn to CD, click on record (Brown button on top), listen to music and check and set the recording volume. Recording volume indicator is at top right of program at the mic. icon with sliding selector (.1 to 1.0). Spikes in the recording graph should not reach over 1.0, and preferably slightly under that level as a maximum.
- Record whatever music in total, and when recorded, immediately go to "File" and "save project as" an "Audacity aup" piece or album or mixture in your pre-established "aup" music file, at the same time naming the title of the whole album that's been recorded. (Thereafter, when you look into your Audacity aup. music file, you'll find two entries, namely; a "data" file and an "aup." file).
- Note: Since I want to show the exact time for each music selection, and the total album time in the finished product, I mark down the ending time for each music track during the above recording, which also helps in locating each song's start and ending graph. By adding up all these times, you can come up with a total time for the album. This info is typed into your title album cover page. This can also be simply accomplished in most burn programs, which will automatically show the times of the individual tracks and total time for all.
- Now back in the recorded Audacity music graph, start by highlighting each song (one at a time), by pushing your left mouse button and holding it down from the start of the selection to the end of the song.
- Then, Go to "File" and choose "Export Selection As Wav." and export one song at-a-time into your pre-established "Audacity wav. Music" file. In this process, type in the track number (01, 02, 03, etc.) and the individual track song name before you save it.
- For convenience, you might want to delete the aup. song you have just exported, but, if you do, be sure to say "NO" when you're asked whether you want it saved. (This can make it easier to determine what song or track piece you've exported. Continue with next song using above techniques until all songs are exported.
- When all songs are in the created Audacity Wav. Music file, you are ready to burn. Import all of these Wav. files (tracks 01, 02, 03, etc.) into your CD burning program and under Audio, burn the project you have created.
How To Delete Unnecessary Temporary (TEMP) Files
These instructions are for deleting the temporary files created when certain programs are run or installed (Windows is SUPPOSED to do this automatically but it often misses LOTS and these files, if left behind, can cause lots of problems with your computer). These instructions will NOT delete temporary Internet files!
Many people will tell you that all you need to do is open your "Windows Temp" folder and delete everything in there because that's where all temp files are stored. Or, go to "search files and folders", type in "*.tmp" (without the quotes) and delete. This is NOT true. That's where all programs are SUPPOSED to store their temp files, but many don't. You can delete temp files that way, but I promise you that you won't get them all. To test this, go ahead and delete all the files in your "Windows Temp" folder, then try this method and see how many more you find. Once you've done this one time, use the instructions at the end to create the shortcut so you can do it again without these instructions.
First, close ALL open programs.
Click on your "Start" button. Then go to "Find", then "Files or Folders" (in WindowsXP, go to "Start", then "Search"). In this dialog box, make sure that where it says "Look in", that your C: drive, or, if you have multiple hard drives or partitions, that "All Local Drives" is selected. Also be sure there is a check in the box next to where it says "Include sub folders" (under the "More Advances Options" tab in WindowsXP).
Now, click your mouse pointer in the box that says "Named" (in XP, it says "All or part of the file name"). Type the following, exactly as it is here:
.tmp,.chk,~*.*
(That's asterisk period t m p comma asterisk period c h k comma tilde asterisk period asterisk, with no spaces).
The "tilde" is the little squiggle above the Tab key on the left end of your keyboard. Do not forget the tilde as ~*.* will find all files which begin with ~, but without the tilde would find all files on the drive. And you DON'T want to do that, trust me!
Once all the temp files are located, a list will be generated with a number of how many have been found.
Hit "Ctrl+A" to select them all, then hit your "Delete" key. If it doesn't delete all of them, it's because some files may be attached to a program running in the background, so you may have to delete them one at a time. If one or two won't delete, they will probably delete when you reboot next, so don't worry about them. All of these files and folders (yes, ALL of them) are safe to delete, and removing them can solve some crazy problems you may be having. However, if you are concerned about this, leave the files you deleted in your recycle bin for a few days until you are sure all is working properly. This way, you can restore the files from the recycle bin if you have a problem or, as is always the case when I do this, just permanently delete the files from the "Recycle Bin" once you are sure all is well.
How to Create a Shortcut to Delete Temp Files with one click
Once all temp files are deleted, you can save this process as an icon (a little picture button) on your desktop so you can repeat it with just one click.
Still inside the "Find/Search" dialog box, go to the "File" menu and click on "Save Search". This will put an icon on your desktop that you can click on any time you want to delete temps again!
DISCLAIMER and WARNING:
I have personally done this with no ill effects on my own computer many times. However, as I said above, if you are afraid to do this, just leave the files in your "Recycle Bin" for a few days until you are sure everything is OK, then you can empty your bin or restore what you threw in there.
Or, if you are REALLY afraid to delete them, just delete them one at a time and reboot your computer between each delete so you can see that everything still works fine. However, most people find a LOT of them when they use this method, so this could take you all day.
I know!!
The New, the Best, and the Worst
Vista. . .
"A distant view or prospect, especially one seen through an opening, as between rows of buildings or trees." (Dictionary.com)
It is also the name of the longawaited next version of Microsoft Windows, not available until at least the second half of 2006 but already widely previewed and discussed in the PC magazines. What do we glimpse in the distance? Should we fight or switch?
The most significant improvement in Vista might well be security, stated to be a primary goal. Only time will tell - we'll still be facing continuing patches, updates and periodic Service Packs, I expect. New Internet Explorer 7 will be a major make-over, mostly to catch up with features long since available in Opera and Firefox. It will also be available to current Windows XP users. Windows Media Player gets a boost, but will also be available in Windows XP. Vista will appear in 32 and 64-bit versions, to accommodate the new 64-bit CPUs now available from AMD and Intel. Visually, the windows will sport new folder icons that show thumbnails of their contents, although I wonder how they handle folders with dozens of subfolders and files. If your graphics card can handle it, the icons will also be semi-transparent, wow! Originally, Vista was supposed to support a new file system, WINFS.
I understand that this file system does away with branching directory trees to store files. Instead, files all get dumped in large containers, maybe such as the current "My Documents" areas. Instead of assigning unique file names you label the files with any number of suitable tags, similar to the labels currently used in Picasa2 (see the minutes in this issue to read about Larry Goss's presentation in October). The contents of the files are also indexed on the go to facilitate a search for keywords such as already provided by Google Desktop Search and Yahoo Desktop Search. Vista is expected to include a similar search function even before WINFS eventually is implemented. But WINFS will not initially be part of Vista.
As PC Magazine puts it "… it increasingly appears that Vista's differentiating features, aside from the sleek new shell interface, will be the ones that are less visible to typical users: hardened security, better diagnostics, and improved manage ability in enterprise environments."
Vista will require an up-to-date computer system, with plenty of processor speed, memory, and graphics capability. Manufacturers of scanners and printers will surely provide the necessary drivers for newer equipment, but older peripherals may no longer work. Will it be worth the additional cost and aggravation to upgrade?
Dedicated gamers will love it - they need all the speed they can get, at any cost. Also, if you work with demanding graphics programs, large databases or similar CPU intensive programs you'll probably want Vista for better support of multi-core, 64-bit CPUs. Media enthusiasts will love the new features, but why use them on a general-purpose computer?
For the rest of us, we're probably better off waiting until we need to buy a new computer that is almost certain to include Vista, whether we like it or not. At least we'll get it at a discount. I estimate that MS Windows, Office and Media Player contain at least 50% bells and whistles that are of no interest to 75% of its users.
Last year Microsoft announced a crippled version of Windows, called Windows XP Starter Edition, being made available at low cost in certain developing countries. According to CNet News.com the local versions of the program were made available in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and Russia. Cost in Thailand was reported to be $36, not including MS Works. Its intended use is in local schools for the obvious reason: catch 'm young. Read on…
…Or Else?
system, also include other applications."
"The MIT Media Lab has launched a new research initiative to develop a $100 laptop, a technology that could revolutionize how we educate the world's children. To achieve this goal, a new, non-profit association, One Laptop per Child (OLPC), has been created."
"The machines, which will run a version of the Linux operating system, also include other applications, some developed by MIT researchers, as well as country-specific software. 'Software has gotten too fat and unreliable, so we started with Linux.'"
These two quotes from recent MIT press releases point at new directions in the Computer Revolution. First of all, there is the realization that computers are here to stay as a basic necessity in a civilized society. To the three Rs of basic education we need to add a fourth Requirement, computer liteRacy. The cost of general purpose computers has to come down further to make them available to every school child, even in this country, let alone in the developing nations. That clearly includes the need to eliminate the high cost of the MS Windows operating system and commercial productivity programs written for MS Windows. Essentially free Linux is the obvious alternative.
Here is another quote, from desktop.linux.com: "A number of Indiana high school students returning for the fall semester will find brand-new Linux desktops in their classrooms. Under the Indiana Access Program, which uses desktop Linux systems and standard hardware configurations to keep costs low, Wintergreen Systems Inc. and Linspire Inc. are providing computers for classrooms. The arrangement could result in as many as 300,000 Linux machines being deployed during coming years, the companies said in a statement."
as well as developing nations, notably China, have made it a priority to deploy Linux-based desktop computers."
And Indiana is arguably not a third-world nation. When a new generation of students gets weaned on Linux, they are likely to continue using that operating system in the future, creating the critical mass that it takes to become generally accepted as an alternate desktop tool. Some of the students will inevitably be interested in hacking the system, resulting in new and improved programs, as well as some new Linux viruses, I fear. Their efforts will be facilitated by the availability of all the underlying code, in contrast with MS Windows programs that jealously hide the source code.
Besides the effort to introduce Linux in school computers, several large cities as well as developing nations, notably China, have made it a priority to deploy Linux-based desktop computers. In the near future most of the growth of Linux will probably take place in developing areas of the world. Acceptance in the USA and other Western countries will be slowed by the difficulty or reluctance to transfer databases from MS Windows-based programs to comparable Linux programs.
It may take another generation, but after maturing overseas Linux is likely to return in force to the Western world.
FPCUG Board of Directors Meeting Summary
The following items were discussed or decided upon:
- The treasurer's report indicates that we are doing slightly better than we were a year ago. Much of this improvement is because the group saves a substantial amount of money by not mailing the newsletter, but instead posting it online.
- The Board was informed that Krikor Geyoghlian was going to be out of the area and mostly unavailable for some time. We are currently looking for someone to fill in for him while he's gone.
- Since Don Cummins has stepped aside as Program Director, Gary Gipson has volunteered to learn the ropes from Don over the next few months. Don has left Gary with several months worth of events scheduled to ease the transition.
- The Board is looking for new SIGs to offer. If you have a computer skill that you'd like to teach, contact a board member.
- The Board will determine if it would be viable to raffle off a laptop computer. Consideration is being given to limiting the tickets to 200 and sell them for $5 each.
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Digital Photo SIG:
The Digital Photo SIG is held on the first Saturday of the month at CompUSA on N. Blackstone at 10:30am and is hosted by Nancy Mason and Jo Townley.In March, Nancy demonstrated the various ways of adding text to pictures, and how to add color and/or texture to your text. She also showed us how to put a white frame around the picture and put the text in the frame so that the picture would be unencumbered. This would be especially convenient for pictures of historical value which might require a rather lengthy background explanation. Pictures that would be of interest to coming generations, such as homes, relatives and festive occasions would need the extra space of a frame.
During the class, there was general discussion of audio manipulations on the computer, which has little to do with photos, but was interesting anyway. With that in mind, April’s Photo Sig will deviate a bit from photos and focus on an audio manipulation program called Audacity. Ivan Raicevich volunteered to demonstrate his techniques in converting musical tapes, LPs, etc., to CDs at the next meeting.
Audacity is a free, easy-to-use audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. You can use Audacity to:
- Record live audio.
- Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.
- Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, and WAV sound files.
- Cut, copy, splice, and mix sounds together.
- Change the speed or pitch of a recording.
- And more!
This program was featured on March’s Disc of the Month. Our Photo SIG is held at CompUSA in the training room on Saturday, April 1st at 10:30 a.m. (Seating is limited.)
The photo sig is open to all members as well as non-members. Your expertise is needed to spice up our meetings and if you are short on expertise, come learn from the experience of others.
Sanity Savers
Sanity Savers are members who have volunteered to help other members with their computing problems. SIG Leaders are also a valuable information resource.
Do not expect long term counseling, house calls, or to get pirated copies of software recommended to you. Also do not expect any of the volunteers to help you if you are not the legitimate owner of a software package.
If you have any experience in an area of computing, feel free to add your name to the Sanity Saver's list. You do not need to be an expert to be listed as a Sanity Saver--patience and willingness to help count for a lot.
| DOS | Dean Mason & Krikor Geyoghlian |
| Desktop Publishing, Graphics, Adobe Acrobat | Susy Ball |
| Excel | Krikor Geyoghlian |
| General Computing | Bill Myers |
| Internet Help | Dean Mason |
| Audio Help | Robert Caraway |
| Linux | Ben Lutes |
| Lotus 1-2-3 | Krikor Geyoghlian |
| Medical | Cecil Bullard |
| MS Word | Krikor Geyoghlian |
| Office 97/2000/XP | Krikor Geyoghlian & Laura Barnard |
| Windows 3.x | Krikor Geyoghlian |
The Fine Print
The Fresno PC User's Group (FPCUG) is a non-profit organization run by and for users of IBM compatible computers. The only membership eligibility requirement is an interest in computers.
FPCUG meetings are generally held the first Monday of the month at:
| President | Bill Myers |
| 1st VP | Dean Mason |
| 2nd VP | Jo Townley |
| Secretary | David Smith |
| Treasurer | Wilda Moller |
| 1. | Regles Bellamy |
| 2. | Gary Gipson |
| 3. | Monica Braun |
| 4. | Brian Fulk |
This newsletter was prepared using Macromedia HomeSite 5.5. and Paint Shop Pro 9.
Contributions.While there's no guarantee that submitted material will be used, contributions to the FPCUG Newsletter are appreciated. Articles of 2-500 words should be submitted in MS Word doc or rtf format. Contributions can be in the form of an article written by a member or an article found on the internet with permission to reprint. Any screenshots or photos should be sharp and high resolution, and sent as jpgs, bmp, or tiff files, preferably not gifs. Files submitted as pdfs are likely to have their text and graphics extracted as separate entities so that they can be converted to html format. Graphics might be cropped or reduced to fit into available space. Contact Ronnie Ugulano for further information.
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Disclaimer. Trademarks used in this publication are hereby recognized and acknowledged. The information provided in this newsletter is believed and intended to be correct and useful. However, the Fresno PC Users Group cannot assume responsibility for errors contained in the articles or misapplications of the information provided. Unless specifically stated otherwise, opinions expressed are those of the individual author(s) and do not represent the opinions of, nor endorsement by, the Fresno PC Users Group. The Fresno PC Users Group is an independent, non-profit users group and is not affiliated in any way with any vendor or equipment manufacturer.
Vendor Notice. Only review products that have been obtained by the product review coordinator and received through the FPCUG address shall be considered the responsibility of the FPCUG, unless otherwise indicated by the Board of Directors and with the full knowledge of the review coordinator.