Newletter # 50

GREATER BOSTON SENIOR COMPUTER GROUP NEWSLETTER
Issue No. 50, September 10, 2003
CHAIRPERSON:: Arline Ekman, AVE@alumni.unh.edu
EDITOR: Harriet Mandell, harrietd@rcn.com
WEB PAGE: Garry Ziffer, http://users.rcn.com/gbscg
LIAISON: Eve Welts, ewelts@rcn.com
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FUN AND GAMES Е.play on-line and compete with others or yourself. All types of games are available at http://games.yahoo.com/ or http://zone.msn.com try poker, chess, checkers, mahjongg, backgammon, and word games. Can become addictive!
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BACK TO SCHOOL TIMEЕlearn at your own pace Е. for some simple tutorials on CD that cost between $15 and $20 Earle Barcus recommends checking out www.secretsof.com for subjects in separate lessons such as Outlook Express, downloading procedures and more. Go to www.geekgirls.com for more knowledge.
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SENIOR CENTER COMPUTER TUTORIAL SESSIONS Fall Session #1 now starting. To register call Alice Bailey 617-796-1660 One on one tutorials are scheduled for 1 to 1╜ hours one day each week for six weeks between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
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REPEAT AFTER MEЕ.says Charlie MoirЕ"I promise to protect my computer by using a firewall - either software (e.g. Zonealarm) or hardware (router) or both. Also, by using an antivirus program and keeping it up to date. And always installing the critical updates for my Operating System." Questions? Charlie cmoir@rcn.com for help!
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MANY VIRUSES AND WORMS ARE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH E-MAIL which looks like it is coming from a legitimate source warning you that your computer does not contain the latest updates like this: ЧЧ Warning we have detected that your computer does not contain the latest Microsoft (or other company) updates. To help keep your computer updated and secure, please run the attached patch.exe file to update your computer. Do not fall for this scam!! Delete this message! Large companies do not distribute mass e-mails to users, especially an e-mail that contains a file. Think your computer, Operating System, or software program needs updates? Visit the company's official page to obtain the updates and official warnings re: viruses. Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com / Ч Norton: http://www.symantec.com Mcafee: http://www.mcafee.com Ч Dell: http://www.dell.com Compaq & HP: http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/eng/support.html
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GOOGLE NEWS ALERTSЕare sent by email when news articles appear online that match the topics you specify. Get information on a news story update, sports teams, events. Choose the topic sign up at http://www.google.com/newsalerts/create Like having a ticker tape running while you are on line. Alerts come from worldwide sources
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MAC RESOURCESЕ. http://www.microsoft.com/mac/ is the place to go if you need information about Microsoft products for the Mac. IF YOU MISSED THE DEADLINEЕ.of August 31, 2003 to enroll in the Registry Do Not Call list directed toward telemarketing, you can still go on line to the Federal Trade Commission site at www.donotcall.gov Now, there will be a three month delay before your registration is effective. Can also call toll free 1-888-382-1222.
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TIP FOR USERS OF WORDЕ..may not work in all versions. Shift+F7 (Thesaurus command) shows you synonyms for the last word you typed. Also, right click on any word and choose Synonym from the pop-up menu and get choices and more options. The word COMPUTER produced processor, CPU, and central processing unit.
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DO BACK UP YOUR FILESЕlight PC users should back up monthly. If you are a heavy user,weekly or daily will be better. This suggestion from Consumer Reports.
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ONE SEARCH LEADS TO ANOTHER and on and onЕ.from Eve Welts suggestion to go to http://www.techsupportalert.com/ which is a great HELP site and claims to be " A Guide To The Web's Best Technical Support Resources", I was led to the mega library of all sites http://www.executivelibrary.com/index.asp The main site is divided into 3 Pages, and 16 sections (over 1450 links in total), with additional topic sub-sections that contain a more comprehensive set of links. The main pages are: Home, research and personal. Comes complete with tutorial. The world at your finger tips or mouse clicks!
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UPDATE ON BLOGSЕ.mentioned in May, 2003 newsletterЕa blog is a personal web page set up as a journal which can and should be updated regularly. Google now owns www.blogger.com that offers ease of use. It can be free, or use a Pro version. Members who have one or establish one may submit the address for publication here.
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OFFICE CONVERTERS AND VIEWERS. Share your Microsoft Office files via email with people who have different versions of Office programs from yours, or who don't have Office at all. With the help of these Converters (enable you to open files created by people using different versions of Office programs) and Viewers (enable people who don't have Office programs to see files they receive.) Simply provide them with the appropriate viewer along with your files. from the Office Download Center at http://www.microsoft.com/office/000/viewers.asp
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HOW TO BE ON ONE WEB SITE and check another web site or page and not lose the current page you are viewingЕ open the new page in a second browser window as follows: on a PC: Click the File menu, point to New and click Window then type the new URL in the address box. Or press down the Shift key while you click a link. Or right-click on a link to open a menu and click Open Link in New Window. On a MAC: Click the File menu and click New Window then type the new URL in the address box. Or press and hold down the mouse button on a link to open a menu and click New Window.
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WANTED: URL's of web sites; Helpful hints for Mac users, Win 95/98/ME/XP. Software reviews, desired topics for future meetings. Send these items via email to the editor. Please sign your email with your name. We will publish your email address, but not your name, phone number or address without your permission