A real beaut day and about 30 or so turned up for an
interesting meeting. There was some problem about the non existent
biscuits, Royal Commissions were called for, but in the end it was
decided that it was health kick week, and we didn't need them.
If you haven't read it elsewhere, radio 1PHR on 1125 Khz, has
a program called Capital Computing by the PCUG on Thursdays at 10.45
am and again at 9.45 pm.
Queries
1. Jocelyne Godber wanted to know which was the best Gene program
to use. The advice was;
Try all the program on the BBS.
Make sure the ones you test have a GEDCOM facility.
Read the Gene areas on the BBS, good tips can be found there.
Ultimately the one you pick is the one you will be comfortable using
and meets your needs.
2. One member was having trouble with his galaxy card and wanted
advice. No one else had a galaxy card so couldn't help. It was
suggested he ring a couple of numbers and try and obtain a dealer's
name. Also, at the occasional Albert Hall computer marts, there is a
trader from Sydney who deals with galaxy cards.
3. Geoff Mierish had a problem with Eudora, couldn't get it to
work off line as it kept calling Trumpet. It was suggested he have a
close look at the configuration and see if there was some setting that
was calling Trumpet. It is otherwise a good off-line reader.
4. Valerie Sturesteps was helping a friend install a computer and
could find no information about the printer, simply marked EP1500. It
was thought that this could be an Epson, or an Epson copy, and she
should try LQ1500 as the driver.
5. Ken Meadows couldn't download an uncorrupted Netscape 2.01 off
the BBs. Some discussion took place, but no real answers gleaned.
Apparently it is on the BBs as an .EXE file, which seemed a bit
strange. Advice, try again?
6. Phil Thompson describe a problem with his computer, despite
having 200 Mb of free space, would not save a 20 page document. (You
do not sufficient disk space message). Darrell Burkey had a similar
problem and it would appear after much discussion, that some documents
can chew up enormous amounts of memory particularly if there are
graphics associated with it. Word 6 has a "Long Article" guide to
overcome this problem.
7. Was there a 32 bit Free Agent? No, but there is a 32 bit
Agent. (Query from Peter Hodge)
8. Apparently Netscape 3 (Atlas version?) is 6 Mb. The question
asked was how do we get off the BBS. It was thought a 14.4K modem
would take an hour, and well and truely over the hour at 9600. It was
suggested that if and when netscape 3 gets on the BBs, that those
needing it should contact the Sysop and ask for extra time.
General Interest
1. Ken Meadows had researched Reflex brand Light Blue and Dark
Blue. They come from different mills, and the Dark Blue variety is
specifically for laser printers, whereas the Light Blue could be used
for anything.
2. Anne Warrener advised National Photos, (On Queensland's south
coast) would give you your second set of photos on a floppy for $5.95.
This was very interesting news and John Saxon gave some technical
detail. The pictures are 24 bit colour, 640x480, the quality was ok
for viewing on your monitor and ideal for e-mailing to friends. The
extension was .SFW, but could be converted to any other format.
3. Emil Joseph told us that the best time to get service out of
the Internet was between 3am and 6 am. This lead to a bit of free for
all concerning downloading files in Netscape. One group stating it was
a TIP problem, and not a Netscape problem.The other group saying it
was a Netscape problem. Lots of interesting views and information, but
the net result was that it is, for TIP users, use FTP.
4. There was also a discussion on the inadequacy of manuals, and help
files. Lateral thinking was need to sort out some of problems users
encounter. It was in this discussion that the quote of the week was
uttered by Darrell Burkey "Mice are dangerous things, one click and a
weeks work is gone forever".
Next meeting is expected to be held30 April 1996
Owen
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