Volume 21  July, 2003   Issue No. 07

 

 

The Next Meeting

 

Regular Meeting


 

 

Wednesday, July 16  at 7:00 PM 

Caseyville Township Bldg. 
10001 Bunkum Rd.
Fairview Heights, IL

Directions:      Map:

 

Board 
Meeting

Wednesday, August 6

Ryan's Steakhouse
Fairview Heights, IL
Meals starts about 6:00. Meeting starts at 7:00

Everyone is welcome

 

The Presentation
 

This
Meeting

The demo for July 16th will be about using a scanner. This was the most requested demo from the member survey.

 

Next
Meeting

 

 The other computer.....Apples and Mac. 

Mike as arrange for someone to come in and give us a presentation on what Mac's and Apple computers can do. This demo should be interesting. At least it will give us a glimpse of what the other system is all about.

 

 

 

Hello From The Pres...
Mike Taphorn

BUILD IT - FIX IT - UPGRADE IT - SELL IT - TRADE IT NIGHT = SUCCESS!

We weren’t sure if breaking from our normal meeting procedures would make people happy, but judging from the feedback we received, it seems that people like to bring their stuff to the meetings and get free upgrades and fixes. I’d like to thank everyone that brought their computers, without you, we would not have had anything to do. The Swap meet / Sales portion of the meeting also netted a lot of people good deals on computer stuff. Another thank you goes out to everyone that brought their stuff to sell. Of course we also should thank everyone that brought their checkbooks and hauled off the stuff…THANKS to everyone for making the night a success…. We’re looking at doing this type of meeting after each quarterly computer show, let me know if that sounds good to you or if you would rather have normal meetings.

 

JULY DEMO WILL BE ON SCANNERS

 One of the most popular answers to the “What demo do you want to see” section of our member survey had to do with scanners and photo editing etc… Leonard is going to put together a scanner demo for this month and I’m sure we will learn a few tips and tricks… Don’t miss it….

 

AUGUST DEMO WILL FEATURE MAC’s

 The board members and I scratch our heads each month trying to come up with good demo ideas. We look at the survey results and we see the popular items…Then we found out that a friend of mine was willing to do a demo and give our normal demo people a break. The subject was not the highest on the survey list, but we decided to go with it anyway to give Leonard and Chuck a summer rest period. I have seen my friend’s I-Mac and his I-Pod. If you have never seen them, you will surely enjoy the demo. If you have seen them, bring you MAC info and help out when the Q & A session begins… As my headline states, if you like MACs or you want to see one, don’t miss the August meeting… I just wish Earl were still around to see that he wasn’t the only one with an Apple….

See you at the meeting …

 Mike

 

 

The Treasurer's Report
Don Wold

 

The Secretary's Report
 Carlos Mariles

Sorry No Input Received.

Your Pen Slave

Carlos

 

The Membership Chairman
JC Spelce

Number of Members in attendance last month:   
Total Membership Before last month's meeting  
      Number of Members renewing last meeting    
      Number Of Members  joined last meeting    
      Number of members dropped     
Current Total Membership   
     Number of Members in Good Standing  
     Number of Members on Probation   
Sorry No Input Received

 

The Web Master
Chuck Hill

 

Do you have  bunch of old monitors setting around gathering dust. Well here is something you can do 
with them that is actually helpful and could be lots of fun
 

Learn about Ports and Buses

Here is a easy to follow explanation about the Ports on your computer and about the Bus. You can ignore the part about the turtles. Hopefully there are none in your computer.

 

Trains

Now that you know all about buses, how about learning something about trains. Sure there is at least one steam train enthusiast out there among us.

 

IP Address Lookup

Ever need to know your real IP address. Well just click on the above link and find out.

 

What is the best thermal heat sink compound to use? 

This is a good question and the results may surprise a lot of you.  The standard Silicone/zinc oxide based grease that you can buy it from Radio Shack, or any electronics store. is very cheap, and as you can see, the performance difference to more expensive high-performance greases is relatively small. The active component is zinc oxide. If you have installed your heatsink with such grease, no need to uninstall and replace it with one of the high-performance greases. The thermal conductivity is about 0.7 to 0.9 W/m K.

Here is some more information about the same thing. But I would not throw away my supply are Artic Silver just yet. Especially for high end machines and hot processors. That 1 or 2 degree difference can be worth it on fast new processor. Why trust a 200 plus dollar processor to a $3.00 tube of zinc oxide when you can protect and lower its temperature a few degrees for about $10.00. Checkout the conclusions and then decide

 

 

The Computer Master
Jim Tomlinson, Vice President

Eliminate Unwanted Boot Menus

By defualt Windows 95, 98 and ME have a pop up menu  that  asks  you how  you want to boot your computer. That's nice in a way, but can be bothersome because it defaults to a 30 second pause before running the default menu item. The culprit is a file under the root of your boot drive called "MSDOS.SYS". This file is a system file that is also hidden. Luckily, it's also a text file and can be edited. Here's the steps to make it so you can edit it.

1) Open up Windows Explorer
2) go to the boot drive (normally C:)
3) Highlight View/Folder Options
4) Go to the View Tab
5) On Hidden Files, change to "Show All Files" and click "Apply"
6) Now right-click on the MSDOS.SYS file and select 'Properties" and turn off System and Hidden then click "Apply".


Now you can edit the file. Right-click and select "Open With" and a selection window will come up. Scroll down to Wordpad and it will show in that program. There will be two parts to the file, {Paths} and [Options]. You want to look in the [Options] area. If you have the menu coming up and want to turn it off, find the line that starts out "BootMenu=" and change the 1 to a 0. Conversely, if you want to turn it on, change it to a 1. There's another thing you can add that's probably not there, but you can add it. That's BootMenuDelay. It's parameter is the number of seconds to wait before starting the default menu item. I like a five second delay so mine says 'BootMenuDelay=5". Without this parameter, the standard delay is 30 seconds!

There's a bunch of text at the bottom, but do what it recommends and don't delete it.

Once you're done, save the file back to the computer.

The last thing you'll need to do is turn it back to a System/Hidden file, so redo step 6 above but turn the System and Hidden properties back on and then click "Apply".

Now when you reboot, it should work as you've set up in this neat little file.

Next month, I'll talk about Windows XP and a stubborn little menu it has sometimes. Ciao!

See you at the meeting.

Enjoy.....JT

 

 

Mitch's Corner
Mitch  Graves

SPECIALFEATURE:

                  Steals N' Deals

Well as your faithful readers of theGCC  newsletter are aware,
there is a great deal of money to be saved by checking the sales and specials
listed there. But there are more things out there to save money on than just computer and office supplies. There is no way to cover it all, but I'll get the ball rolling. You guys can email me any places you know, and I'll include them for everyone in future columns.

Here are a bunch more resources to help you save money thru the web.

                              FOOD
     Dining Out
Check  http://www.Restaurant.com
Coupons for 50% off their value.
Better yet, run a search on all the auction sites for Restaurant.com coupons,
you will pay $5 to $7 for a $25 coupon on average.

   Dining In
http://www.GroceryCoupons.com
http://www.SmartSource.com
http://www.CoolSavings.com

Outlet Shopping
OK so anyone with half a brain knows that most of the so called 'Outlet Malls'
are just plain phony. They sell mostly stuff made specifically for these 'outlets'.
And it is almost always below the quality of the stuff in their main stores.
And they really don't have all that great of prices (unless you shop only at the
hoity toity places).


There are some real outlets out there. One of my favorites was Sears when it
was in this area. To find out where they all are now,  go here and do a search.
( http://www.Sears.com )


Retroactive Sales:
Most retailers do this even thought they don't all announce it. If you buy something then it goes on sale, many will adjust your cost. So watch the fliers and ask.

Refurbished Products
It really puzzles me, but some folks will not buy refurbished products.
You get the SAME warranty and spend way less on the item.
I figure, they have had 2 shots at making this thing work right *IF*
it was ever wrong in the first place. Plus they send me another if
it does not work for me. I have had great luck with refurbs, and saved lots!

Clothing
I'm a guy......what do I know...Try these;
http://www.savvy-discounts.com
Ton of clearance links:
http://www.planetwidemall.com/clearance_links.htm

General/Everything
QVC Clearance
http://www.qvc.com/asp/frameset.asp?class=3279

Computers
good deal description,
http://microURL.com/forumBargain
http://www.pricewatch.com/
http://morestuff4less.com/
http://newegg.com/
http://www.pricegrabber.com/
http://techbargains.com/
 
check a company's 'reputation' at
<http://www.bizrate.com/
<http://resellerratings.com/

Shop
http://www.ableshoppers.com/
http://www.compusaauctions.com/

Most Importantly COMPARE THOSE PRICES!!!
http://directory.google.com/Top/Home/Consumer_Information/Price_Comparisons/

CONCLUSION
Well that ought to give you something to look into before you  blow your hard
earned cash.


REMEMBER:
Email me any links that might help your fellow GGC'ers save $$$
so they have the cash to buy that monsters system the really "need". ;-)

 

Later,

 

 

 

 

The Librarian
Bill Broda

We have three new CD's this month. Remember CD's cost just $1.00 each and are available to club members only.

38 Mitch's Disk   May 2003

This CD includes all of the programs, files  and more that were featured in Mitch's Corner article for May of 2003. All of the programs have been downloaded to the CD, and Mitch's list has been linked to them. You can learn more about each program or site than what was in the original article. If you wish, you can install the program directly form the CD by just clicking to the Software Link. This feature is a great time save for people with dial up connections. 

39 Mitch's Disk  June 2003

Same as above, except this one is for all the June 2003 list.

40 Using Your Scanner

This CD is this months demo. It contains four major sections and covers:

Learn how to use your scanner.
Learn the tricks to getting great scans the first time.
Find out what you can use your scanner for.
Programs to help you improve and print your scans. 

The companion CD, Video of the the demo, will be available next month.

 

 

The Editor
 Leonard Hill

Well anther news letter done...just barely. In fact the newsletter is not going to get its final edit this time either, so it might be a bit rough here and there.  I have been quite busy this month and it just all did not get done. The newsletter is a bit late. No post cards this month either. Maybe I'll start them again this fall. Let's see how attendance does.

I got two of Mitch's CD downloaded and made and I should have most of the demo done by tonight. Tomorrow I will make some CD's to be sure that there is a stock on hand at the meeting. 

I don't think I will have time to get the badges done for our new members, but don't worry I have not lost the photos, and I now have the name and address information I need to make them. Things will flow a bit smoother with the badges from here on out now that Don is back on his feet and feeling better. 

Enjoy the newsletter and I will see you at the meeting....the unfinished demo is calling....

 

 

Dennis Says

 

 

 
ReInstalling WindowsXP

I recived this tip from my buddy Bob Young:

If you need to reinstall WindowsXP and want to keep all your current installed applications and settings:

1. Start WindowsXP
2. Go to the location of your source files
3. Run WINNT32 /unattend

I've often need to do this to repair something that had gotten corrupted and didn't want to do a clean install

Free File: IconArt

techtv
Create custom icons and cursors from scratch.
By Dan Mitchell


Icon Design There's nothing wrong with the default Windows icons, but sometimes you need to add a little personality to your desktop. That leaves you with two options: download new icons or make your own. Finding new icons online is easy, but if you want something really creative, or if you want to use personal images, download today's free file. It'll turn you into a pixel Picasso, a da Vinci of the desktop, a Michelangelo of... well, you get the idea.

IconArt is an icon editor that lets you create icons and cursors from scratch or from existing images. You can also modify existing icons and cursors.

1. Launch the program. You'll see a blank slate divided into 1x1-pixel squares. The program defaults to 32x32 icons, the normal size for desktop icons.

2. Start drawing your icon using the tools (pen, spray can, and so on) on the left.

3. Use the color palette to color in the squares. Think paint by numbers without the numbers.

4. Use the text box to add text.

5. If you feel you've mastered the program, try creating an animated cursor. Click the button that looks like a piece of film (it's called the "Animation Sequencer") and go to town.

6. Use the Save As button to save your icon.

7. To save a cursor, click the "Save the current icon as a cursor" button. Set the hotspot (the part of the cursor that does the clicking) and save the cursor.

IconArt also provides Import and Open buttons for finding existing graphics, icons, and cursors. Shrink down a portion of the image or select the part you want to use. You can also extract icons from any EXE or DLL file. It's a great way to pull icon art out of other programs.

Take a deep breath. We're in the home stretch. It wouldn't be fair to tell you how to make all these new icons and cursors and not tell you how to change them. Although instructions are a little different for each version of Windows, here are the basics.

* Change system icons

1. If you want to change your My Computer, Recycle Bin, or other system icons, right-click an empty space on your desktop and select Properties.
2. Select the tab containing your icons. For example, the Effects tab in Windows 98.
3. Select the icon you want to change and click the Change Icon button.
4. Browse for your new icon, select it, and click OK.

* Desktop shortcuts

1. Right-click the icon and choose Properties.
2. Click Change Icon.
3. Browse for your new icon, select it, and click OK.

* Folders

1. In Windows XP or Windows 2000, right-click the folder and choose Properties.
2. Click Change Icon.
3. Browse for your new icon, select it, and click OK.

In Windows 98, use a third-party application such as Folder Style.

* Cursors

1. Go into your Control Panel and double-click the Mouse properties.
2. Go to the Pointers tab and select the cursor you want to change.
3. Browse to your new cursor and click OK to change it.

It sounds like a lot to learn, but once you start playing with IconArt you'll be creating awesome icons in no time.

Download IconArt now

ListPro® --the premier personal information tool designed for portability.

Features like: 
* alarms
* indenting and outlining
* item highlighting
* any-size notes for each item

* any columns you want
* shopping list functions
* templates
* over 300 free, pre-built lists

make ListPro more than a database. make ListPro much more than a PIM.
Organize and use your information just how you want to. ListPro makes it really easy. Synchronize your lists between your PDA and your desk, and use them on both. Complete file compatibility makes ListPro the ideal information tool for your PDA. 

Take a 30 day free trial.....

 

 

 
 

Miscellaneous
 Things Of Interest And Importance To Someone 

Need and alarm clock program for your computer?


Windows includes a clock, which runs in the taskbar.  But the Windows clock is limited. It can't be used as an alarm clock or stopwatch. So if you need a free alarm clock, check out these two sites:


1. Scott Moore: He says he is a flutist, computer scientist, and certifiably insane. 
He does, however, have a nice FREE alarm clock program that you can download.

2. Puac is an alarm clock program, which lets you sound as many alarms as you like. Options include periodical alarms, snoozing, sounding alarms which went off while the program was inactive, showing an alarm message, speaking an alarm message (SAPI required), opening files, programs, urls and playing sounds. This one is FREE. He also has a shareware version with more features. 

Another Reason NOT To Use Norton's Anti-virus Products

Aside from system crashes, lockup, and a whole assortment of other problems, here is  yet another reason not to use Symantec's products. 

Symantec offers a security check. Supposedly it checks your systems for viruses and other threats. The problem is it does this by installing an Active X program on your system. This tool, however, has a flaw that allows  intruders to seize
control of the computer. Must have been written by Microsoft. Symantec has supposedly fixed the problem and wants customers to download the tool again. Visit their site at: http://security.symantec.com/ssc/vc_about.asp. Better yet, download the tool: run it, and then remove Norton from your system.

National Do Not Call Registry

Yeah! It's here! As seen on CNN this morning.

Register up to three of your numbers online with the National Do Not Call Registry for five years.

It's not perfect by a long shot, but it's easy to do and apparently, free.

Click here: National Do Not Call Registry
http://donotcall.gov/default.aspx

Note: The final step in the process says that you will get a e-mail within a few minutes for each of the numbers you registered, and that you must click on a link in that e-mail to confirm the registration within 72 hours or it is void. It's been ten minutes now and no e-mail. Maybe they are just swamped.

Submission courtesy of Rob Huff


Duct tape in every pocket


He is a topic dear to our hearts.

Christopher Blommel has a vision for a better world. He sees a hole in the fabric of American life and he's trying to fix it - with duct tape. He is working to sell the legendary (or notorious) handyman's helper in a size people can carry with them wherever they go. Every man would carry in his wallet a small cellophane packet containing a product that can come in handy in an emergency. He's missing a bet. Make it available in colors and wrap it for women. They would buy several packets so they could color coordinate it with there shoes, hand bag or dress.

 

The Lighter Side 
Of Computing

Who has not felt like doing this?

 
Work place violence at the Post Office has had a long tradition.
More work place violence! 

Some people are just mean......

     

If you have something you want to share, just send it to me using the above mailbox 
or catch me at a meeting.