SeniorNet News
FVTC
Senior Computer Users
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February 2009 |
Issue 196 |
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Membership Information Judy Williams at (920) 735-4864 e-mail: seniornet@fvtc.edu |
Local SeniorNet Web Site www.srnet-foxvalley.org |
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Local SIG Meetings General Meeting Friday, February 20, 1:30-3:30PM, Room F108 FVTC-Appleton (Entrance 6 is best)
Resource Sharing (formerly “Novice”) SIG Thursday, February 19, 2:00-3:00pm, Room
G203b Genealogy SIG Thursday, February 19, 3:30-4:30pm, Room
G203b Scanner/Photo SIG Tuesday, February 24, 2:00-3:00pm, Room
G203b Internet SIG Tuesday, February 24, 3:30-4:30pm, Room
G203b |
Regional SIG Meetings Waushara
SIG Thursday February 26, 1:30-3:30pm, FVTC-Wautoma Genealogy SIG Thursday
February 26, 3:30-5:00pm, FVTC-Wautoma FoxMUG (Apple/Mac) Wednesday, March 4 |
FEBRUARY 20, 2009
Mark Joel, Major Account Representative with Waste Management, Inc. (WM), will be the presenter at the February 20 General Meeting about e-cycling. As the largest recycler of municipal solid waste in North America, Waste Management ( www.wm.com ) processes 8 million tons of recyclable materials each year. ( www.thinkgreen.com ) Through the resources of WM Recycle America, they strive to provide cost-efficient, environmentally-sound recycling programs for municipalities, businesses, and households across the U.S. and in Canada. Mark has been with WM for 6 years, managing recycling programs for commercial and industrial accounts in northeast and central Wisconsin. Join us as we discuss e-cycling.
JANUARY 16, 2009 By Gladys Schwandt
An interesting presentation was given by Pat Haufschildt of Livingston’s Sewing Machines in Appleton. This company has been in business for 80 years and has witnessed tremendous changes in function and technology. The first computerized machines were made in 1978 and current models can be purchased from $500 to $12,000 to accommodate all levels of skill and willingness to learn. Abundant software (over 80,000 patterns) is available and lessons can be provided. In addition to standard sewing and quilting, we learned that one can do appliqués, fabric art, postcards, baskets, and numerous other craft items. We also were advised about doing frequent backups, using ergonomic equipment to lessen fatigue, and taking breaks from tasks to relieve eye and body strain. Good lighting is also essential. Two Web sites – www.etsy.com and www.winkelf.com - were suggested for viewing what users are creating and marketing.
RESOURCE SHARING SIG
By Linda Young
Tom Wiegand presented a program using Audacity. This is an audio program that
can be used to clean up static and scratches from records and tapes. It can
record from a microphone or line in so that you can transfer your records and
tapes to your computer and organize all of your music.
Audacity
is a free program. Just go to http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ to
download it.
INTERNET SIG By Linda Young
We discussed Internet security and things that can be done to protect your email accounts while you are away on vacation.
SCANNER/PHOTO SIG By Linda Young
Jerry Sobiesczyk prepared a program for us in which we worked with Adobe 6 Photo Elements. We learned to use the Photo Merge feature of this program. We took 3 pictures, left, front, and right and using the photo merge feature, merged this into one panoramic picture. We then fine tuned this by using the cropping tool and finished by flattening the picture.
GENEALOGY SIG By Mary Klein
We started off the New Year discussing criteria for evaluating genealogy Web sites. We also looked at samples of land patents and Social Security applications. For February we are going to use some Web sites that will help us to read handwriting. The problems addressed will include dated scripts, damaged materials, odd spellings, archaic words and identifying signatures. We will also have at least one Web site for every state.
WAUSHARA SIGs By Alice Waypa
The presenter for our January meeting was John Parrish, owner of John's Computer Service in Redgranite. His topic was Taking Care of Your PC. John discussed MS Vista and some of its problems. He also described the differences between viruses, Trojans, and parasites, including what they do to your computer and how they get there. He gave suggestions about what type of anti-virus protection and other security to have, such as AVG (free !), SpyBot, and Ad-aware.
At the Genealogy SIG, a member showed us materials that had been given to him by his mother and another family member. We also talked about Pioneer certificates and Sanborn maps.
JANUARY MAILING CREW
Thanks to Barb Johnson for preparing the January envelopes for mailing.
NOTICE: ‘NEWSLETTER EDITOR’ NEEDED
We have been notified that Norm Pregler will no longer be available to construct the monthly FVTC SeniorNet Newsletter, and his contributions will be deeply missed by all who counted on his input for so many years. During the meeting being held February 20th, members will be asked to volunteer for this position and it is hoped there will be an enthusiastic response!
SENIORNET COURSES
SeniorNet's series of basic computer courses are being offered at the FVTC Regional Centers in Neenah and Wautoma. The next time this series will be offered is FVTC’s fall semester, which begins in August. Registration will be in July. A short summer session will be offered in June. For more information, phone (920)735-4864 or (800)735-3882, ext.4864
Emergency Closings at FVTC
In addition to the usual announcements about emergency closings that we expect on radio and TV, FVTC also posts a notice on its Web site ( www.fvtc.edu ) and has a recording on its emergency closing hotline. The phone numbers for the hotline are 735-4700 in the Appleton calling area, and (800) 211-6409 toll-free in other areas of the FVTC district.