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SENIOR COMPUTER USERS GROUP

 

Issue 207, January 2010                                             Sponsored by Fox Valley Technical College

Email Address: srnet@srnet-foxvalley.org

General Meeting for January

Diane Doersch, Instructional Technology Leader for the Neenah Joint School District, will be presenting how the Neenah Joint School District is using computer technology in the middle and elementary grades. Participants will see and hear about technology projects from some students from the Neenah Joint School District.

Regional Meeting

Waushara General Meeting by Judy Williams

The General Meeting will be Thursday, January 28, 1:30-3:30PM.  The presenter will be John Parrish.  His topics will include Windows 7 and Preventive Maintenance.

Group Meetings

Resource Sharing by Jerry Sobiesczyk

Welcoming in the New Year the Resource Sharing Group will again use the open forum for discussion on anything to everything as an agenda.  A good attendance the last couple of months initiated a number of questions and resulting discussions as a result.  If you obtained a computer related product over the holidays and have a question or information related to that product’s use, attending the RS meeting may provide you with an answer or allow you to share information with the group.  All questions are welcome for discussion and if you have information related to computers  you wish to share with the group you can share that information with the group on January 6, 2010 at the  Bordini Center(across from the FVTC Campus).

 

Photo/Scanner by Jerry Sobiesczyk

Welcoming in the New Year the Photo/Scanner Group will return to last year’s project, working to complete the Robot Lady.  Using the Adobe Element tools we have removed backgrounds, layered layers, isolated areas, inserted images into images, and generally used all the tools available in the Adobe Software’s.  Check the Website to obtain the meeting dates. Attending the next few meetings will insure you are there to see the completed project.

Also with the coming of the New Year the group will be working with a new version the Adobe Elements Software.  The Elements Version 8 should be installed on a number of computers in Room 180.  If it is installed, there might be reason for discussion on the features on the new software.  Just as a reminder the meeting for January is January 6, 2010 @ 2:00 PM, Room 180.  Hope to see you there!

 

Genealogy by Mary Klein

 

The New Year begins with our meeting at the Bordini Center that will be our location for 2010.  All the meeting dates for the year are posted on our web site.
Our focus in January will be the Wisconsin Genealogical Society website because they now offer access to BadgerLink through which we can easily access resources such as Newspaper Archives and Heritage Quest.  There is a wealth of information provided to all genealogists on this site.  Join us as we explore.

 

News

 

The Spring Catalog of FVTC Classes was mailed to most homes on their mailing list.  It contains classes especially aimed at Senior Computer Use.  The classes will begin in February. Those interested in these helpful classes should register as quickly as possible.  Class size is limited and space fills up quickly.

 

Moving to the Bordini Center (across the street from FVTC) has made members very excited.  There is easier access to the classroom and very up-to-date facilities.  Check out our user groups sessions.  Reminder—The General Meeting will continue to be held in Room F108 (Entrance 6 is best) of the main college building.

 

Volunteering for various activities is still needed.  This month we are seeking someone to volunteer as Secretary and Vice-President.  Your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Emergency Closings at FVTC – During this winter season there could be a problem with storms closing the school.  You may hear about such emergency closings on radio or TV, and FVTC also posts such notice on its website (www.fvtc.edu), as well as placing a recording on its emergency closing hotline. Phone numbers for the hotline are Appleton – 735-4700 or (800)211-6409 toll free in other areas of the FVTC district.  If the school is closed, there will be no meetings for our group either.

 

Membership – There is a committee appointed to update our membership list.  Names and addresses, phone numbers and email addresses have changed over the years.  At our meetings we are handing out a sign-up form to help with this process.  You only need to do this once, even though you may attend several different meetings.

 

New Members – We are always interested in signing up new members.  If you know of some person who needs help with a new computer, a friend who wants to learn more about computer use, a spouse who is becoming involved in a computer project, or any such interest, invite them to come and see what we have to offer.  The best part is the cost – FREE.  Our groups operate on a volunteer basis because they want to share their expertise with others.  Each session usually offers a question/answer time; no question is too trite to be considered.  However, if you wish to take a course taught by FVTC, seniors would pay a very nominal fee to do so.  Next time you attend one of our meetings bring along a friend.

 

Hints and Tips

Windows Tips: Have you ever wondered what those funny-looking keys on the lowest row of your keyboard are used for?  They have a flag-like symbol on them that looks like the Microsoft logo.  The keys both do the same thing and they are called the WinKeys, a shortcut to getting things done quickly.  Here are some things you can do with the WinKey:

1. Press the key once and it will open up the start menu.

2. Press the WinKey and the letter E at the same time and it opens Windows Explorer.

3. Press the WinKey and the letter D at the same time and it minimizes all programs.

4. Press the WinKey and the letter R at the same time and it opens the Run dialog box.

5. Press the WinKey and the letter U at the same time and it shuts down Windows.

6. Press the WinKey and the letter H at the same time and it hibernates Windows.

Here is another shortcut:

To start a new page in WordPress and hold the Ctrl key, then press the Enter key.

 

Thought for the month:

If you think you are too small to be effective, you’ve never been in bed with a mosquito.

                                                                   --Betty Reese