Meeting 23 February 1999


Minutes of C&C Meeting 23 February 1999

Coordinator John welcomed 47 attendees, including newcomer Richard who used
to work in education; he is seeking some hints on how to install his
motherboard.

John thanked Gloria and Wolf for arranging the very successful Christmas
Lunch at the Yacht Club.

Bridget invited us to attend the launch of the 1999 Australian Yearbook on
CDROM at 10.30 am, 26 February, at Belconnen Public Library.

Gordon recommended strongly that we attend the free Adobe demonstration on
19 May 1998 at Exhibition Park, Mitchell.  Register by phone – 1800 065
628, or at www.pacific.adobe.com. 

Wolf reported that overall, the Group is in funds.

1.	UK postcodes

John told us that postcode searches for UK addresses are available from
www.royalmail.co.uk.  UK addresses have been assigned codes pinpointing
locations down to a single apartment block.  Wolf suggested that the codes
might be coordinated with GPS to aid in that bewildering first-time search
for a friend's house.

2.	Contact and connection problems

Reminding us that 80 per cent of contact problems are hardware-based, John
described how an internal modem registering (wrongly) that it was
connected, would not dial, but removing the modem and plugging it in again
did the trick.  

He helped another member whose new system had extremely bad connection
rates.  Fifteen days after the member had complained to Telstra, a
technician arrived with a box which precisely measured the line quality. 
The technician then restored the rate to 38 kilobits per second.  Does this
mean Telstra is now using modern technology to diagnose rates and provide a
better service for data customers, or, more fancifully, that the technician
doused the spiders in the junction box with Mortein; that Bill Gates is
working for Telstra; or that the magic measurement box is a PR ploy?  Chess
noted that if the line is still sending "tones" then the technology is
analog.  John concluded that many factors affect data rates, and when rates
are poor, listening to the line may not help in diagnosis.

John's webpage gives detailed procedures for installing a modem.

3.	Ken's new computer system; split screen problem

Ken has managed, with help from Gordon, Emil and Chess, to get his new
computer going.  The scanner would not load, and by a process of
elimination Ken found that his HP printer would not support old scanners:
he needed an update.  

Using IE, Ken got a split screen when he accessed the Sydney Morning
Herald's Column Eight.  Emil noted that the March issue of Sixteen Bits
discusses the "blank page syndrome" and suggests a simple way to diagnose
the cause, which is most likely to be Java script.  The problem can be
solved by downloading the current Java program.

4.	Coordination of programs with W95 system

Chess told us that 12 months from now, new program upgrades such as Norton
will not work with W95.  A new kind of computer which will not be
upgradable will be marketed.  Emil added that it is up to third parties (eg
Norton) to coordinate with the system and not the other way round.  

5.	Virus detector; Diskclean

Elizabeth downloaded the latest virus detector and found an icon, VET136,
on her desktop.  John said she had downloaded but not installed the
program: she should double click on the icon to install it.

Elizabeth is concerned to conserve hard disk space and asked about the
function of her Diskclean program.  This eliminates the cache, recycle bin
and temporary files.  

6.	How useful are monitor screens?

Do screens in front of the monitor really protect your eyes?  Jim said that
most new monitors now incorporate screens.  Anne has adjusted screen
colours to reduce glare.  Gavin noted that images pass through the screen
once, and through reflections [ie screens] twice, thus lowering resolution.
 He advised that it is better to lower the ambient light to reduce
contrast, than to use a screen.

7.	Ordinary language search engines

Adele praised two search engines quoted in the Canberra Times of 22
February:  Ask Jeeves, www.ask.com, and Google! www.google.com.  She said
that for questions in ordinary language, these sites are magic.  Another
similar engine quoted in the same article is www.directhit.com.   Gloria
warned that none of these sites perform advanced searches.

8.	Roger's new computer system

Part II of Roger's saga in getting his new computer up and running was as
hair-raising as the first.  Basically, running a number of cards is causing
the system to deteriorate rapidly.  His provider is as keen as he is to
resolve the problem, and has set up an identical system in his shop in
Melbourne to monitor developments.  It seems drivers have to be installed
in exact sequence: first drivers; then games; then extras.  MS and Diamond
drivers are incompatible, and 3D and 3DFX are becoming progressively less
compatible.  We agreed Roger was lucky to have such a helpful supplier.

9.	E-mailing images

Esther wanted to know how best to send some pictures to her niece, who uses
Word and Powerpoint (a program for slide show presentations).  Advice was,
that it was better to send the pictures in Word, in bitmap, jpeg or gif
format, preferably not compressed.  Esther will send one picture first, to
see if her niece receives it, then the rest.

10.	Formal and informal training

Esther suggested that many people in the Group lack technical knowledge, so
maybe members who are very interested in a program and know a lot about it
(and we have many such members) could explain a program to the Group
perhaps once a week.  John welcomed the suggestion, proposing the half hour
from 11.30 to twelve to be set aside for anyone interested to hear a short
talk or see a demonstration.  The subject could be decided in advance. 
Robert suggested a talk on Java script.  He will post an invitation to the
newsgroup, to request other topics.

Jenny said that people learn differently:  she for example, has preferred
to "jump in the deep end" and pick up computer knowledge by concentrating
on experts' discussion, rather than listen to structured teaching
situations.  Mike said that the Internet SIG (meeting on Mondays) provides
teaching and discussion on internet issues, and others agreed that a
similar (non-internet) group could be started.  Roger questioned whether
Coffee and Chat is the place to give talks on individual programs.  Jim
reminded us of the low-cost courses already provided by PCUG.  

Gordon spoke about the PCUG's new two-day course he is giving (fee: $35.-)
which is specially designed for mature adults.  The course covers W95,
Word, Excel, Powerpoint, as well as housekeeping and information about the
hardware in your computer.  The course will be over two weeks to enable
easier revision on the second day.  

Emil reminded us that a very good and inexpensive series of illustrated
books takes the user through every element of W95, W98, and other programs.
 Leigh also recommended this series.

Kryn offered to record any expert's demonstration for inclusion in the PCUG
library.  Chess suggested that Lotus Screencam could also record sessions
for inclusion in a CD to be viewed by the user at his/her own speed.

11.	Need for a Linux group?

Mike asked whether Linux has advantages over other systems.  Not for new
users, it seems.  Leigh said the Linux SIG at ANU is difficult, but that
Linux is a good operating system if you don't want to upgrade at a cost of
$150 every two years.  However, Linux is not supported by the good
applications that are available for some other systems.  Leigh thinks there
may be a need for a Linux SIG which is somewhere between C&C and the ANU
Linux Group's level of technicality.  

Emil noted, and Richard agreed,  that Linux is very efficient and that
supporting programs are free.  Linux is a very stable operating system and
there is a need for a group.  The June/July PCUG meeting will be on Linux.

12.	DU Meter

Ted showed us a print-out from the Download Upload Graph (DU Meter)
designed to monitor the performance of any modem in loading from/to the
Net, as well as any gaps in loading.  The meter costs US$10 from
www.virtualsoftware.com.  Ted finds the meter very useful.


JL 23/2/99 1355

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