SeniorNet News

FVTC Senior Computer Users

May 2009

www.srnet-foxvalley.org

Issue 199

MAY 15, 2009

The presenter will be Jeremy Hodges, a salesman for Valley Camera, a specialty dealer here in Appleton since 1980 covering about every aspect there is of photography. Jeremy has a Bachelor of Science degree in radio/TV/film from UW-Oshkosh, and Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from Valparaiso University. He has worked as a photojournalist for the Gannet Company in Manitowoc and for UW-Oshkosh. He will be showing us what is new in cameras and camera technology along with helpful picture- taking tips. His presentation will be of special interest to those who shoot movies with a digital camera.

APRIL 17, 2009 By Gladys Schwandt

Presenter, Scott Eganhouse, is the business development director for Gillware, Inc., Madison. He began his talk with the surprising statement: He hopes users never require his services. His firm provides data backup solutions and retrieval when computers “crash” due to mechanical failure, logical system corruption, physical damage, etc. Gillware also provides remote storage at a reasonable cost. He recommends using external hard drives and storing them in an offsite location or safety security box. Downloading to CDs and DVDs is a good method and it is preferable to have disks that are read-only so information cannot be altered. He cautioned against using portable hard drives that plug into USB ports for archiving data as their basic purpose is to store and move data from one location to another and may not provide the longevity you require. Another wise move is to transfer your photographs from your camera memory chip to CDs or DVDs and store in a safe place as camera chips have a definite life span.

The key rule is BACKUP, BACKUP, and BACKUP!!

RESOURCE SHARING SIG By Linda Young

Our facilitator, Jerry Sobiesczyk, began the April meeting of Resource Sharing by educating us on the Conficker computer worm. A worm is similar to a virus and can remain dormant within your computer for a time without your knowledge and then become active and take over your computer. The Conficker worm is especially damaging and dangerous. To protect yourself from this worm doing damage to your computer go to http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-067.mspx and manually download this file from MS.

Tom Wiegand then gave us another demonstration of Audacity, the audio editing software. He showed us how you can set the sensitivity of noise removal to clean up old vinyl records and tapes. He demonstrated how to save projects for later downloading to MP3 players, iPods, or to make CDs. Audacity is a free program. Just go to http://audacity.sourceforge.net to download it.

INTERNET SIG By Linda Young

We explored the many features of Fox Valley Technical College’s Web site, including how to find available classes, contact teachers, or information on current events.

SCANNER/PHOTO SIG By Linda Young

We discussed using the Roxio software program to copy discs. Some members felt that the Nero software is simpler to use, is quicker, and does a better job. Jerry Sobiesczyk then gave us a summary of many of the tools in the Adobe Photo Elements program and explained how we will be using each of them to edit photos during meetings in the coming months

GENEALOGY SIG By Mary Klein

In April we started looking at Google as a research tool. We also reviewed GEDCOM - what it is, how it works, and how to use it.

At the May meeting, we will discuss the evaluation and selection of computer genealogy software. Please bring the name(s) of your genealogy program(s). We will share why we selected our programs and what we consider to be the strengths and weaknesses of our programs.

WAUSHARA SIGs By Alice Waypa

The topic for the April 23 SIG general meeting was eBay, www.ebay.com. The presenter was Carol Wagner, an experienced eBay seller and buyer, who explained the process. There is no charge for viewing the eBay Web site, but a valid credit card is needed to buy or sell. In the search box, select the appropriate category; use the description line for additional explanation. Read carefully for the details of what the person is selling. There will be a section where you can send an email to ask the seller questions. Also check the seller's rating. Payment is often by PayPal, a service owned by eBay. It is the safest way to pay. Always look at the return policy and make sure you know what the details are. Information about the shipping process and cost is available on eBay.

When listing something to sell, be prepared to include and pay for a photo. The seller pays those fees, the buyer does not. When selling older items, use the term "vintage" or "old", not "antique". Carol told more about how to sell items and how to do the shipping. When selling an item, always wait until you get paid before mailing the item. Even in the case of a cashier's check, have the bank certify it.

In the Genealogy SIG, there was a report on the Milwaukee County Genealogy Society's 16th Biennial Genealogy workshop held at Serb Hall.

APRIL MAILING CREW

Thanks to Millie Gray, Jim Hemmen, and Barb Johnson for preparing the April newsletter and envelopes for mailing.

SENIORNET SUMMER COURSES

In June at FVTC-Neenah, SeniorNet will offer two courses: Computer Fundamentals and Introduction to Computers. Registration information will be sent to those on SeniorNet's course mailing list. For more information, phone (920)735-4864 or (800)735-3882, ext.4864.

PARKING at FVTC-APPLETON

When you arrive at the campus and are looking for a place to park, watch for the restricted areas. Most of the east parking lot and some sections of the south, west, and north lots require special permits. FVTC does patrol the lots and will ticket cars without permits that are parked in restricted areas. Most of those who are coming to a SeniorNet event will park in the areas designated Student/General. The “Visitor” parking is for those who have a special “Visitor” permit issued by one of the FVTC offices.