Many thanks to Eugen for these notes.....

 C+C, Belconnen Centre, 30 May 2000, MC: John, Jottings: Eugen 


TWO NEW FACES. Geoff T, author of "Flights of Fancy" a
life memoir, spoke a few minutes on his computer related experiences with
publishing and printing his book. Geoff, engineer and ex OIC Woomera,
circulated a few copies. Well indexed B5 softbound 259 p, rockets and
Jindivik flying objects in full colour, in cosy easy-reading style. One of
Australia's many unsung heroes shares his personal and professional life.
Between the pages one also meets Lorna the love of his life and their 3
daughters. Most delightful reading in my view, an exquisite present, even
as prescribed reading for educational purposes. Next, brother Manfred,
phone 62983286, introduced himself 486win3.1 keen to learn and possibly
upgrade.

C+C SOUTH. North and south to be one group, one fund, one treasurer,
remaining a rather informal sub group of PCUG. Simply meeting at
alternating locations. Cost of $2 per meet was retained, with new faces,
MC and jottings person exempt. Payment $100 donation to Cancer Society
approved.

SURPLUS. C+C money to be used to buy software, ie Acrobat, Pagemaker,
something popular.

SCANNER. To be informed of the has-been of a 600 dpi $65 special amused
the audience. USB version available at markets for $95. Canon LED
technology praised. PlusTec P12 and PT12 with USB for $100 mentioned
favourably. See also www.scanners.com

WIN. Beware. Program folder copied as backup onto another drive, then
copied back causes big problems, ie in registry. May even have to pull
power cord on a drive to prevent more disaster. To use custom install
rather than defaults gives more control and warnings. Format c: /s

KEYBOARD LEDs. Can be programmable to act as modem LEDs, ie carrier detect,
off hook, etc.

www.fineprint.com , www.cadkas.com , www.pobox.com/~teddyware and
www.pwl.com (check
them out), also tucows.interact.net.au/window95.html

PASSWORDS. Contained in .pwl files, probably more than one. If deleted,
new one is made. Look at passwords with (pwd.exe?) software and there is
some URL
with pwl.com but nobody was sure.

CRADLES. For removable hard drives, there is no standard. Buy two or more
cradles the same if you need, $25 each.

HDD. Winter problem could cause not to turn on. Can use an old hairdryer
to warm things up, or use heated room. May foretell a hardware problem.
With ATX powersave, why not leave computer always on except during
thunderstorms, however much protection. There was a suggestion that with
internal modem and phone line plugged in that poses a security problem
even with auto-answer = off. This resulted in a challenge: You try to get
into my computer without me letting you in ! During thunderstorm also
unplug phone line.

CMOS. Time errors may indicate battery problem.

PRINTERS. With refillable cartridges save money. Contact Cartridge
Factory. Some printer manufacturer has simple chemical test to detect
refill inks with possible warranty hassles. Dick Smith has inkjet
refiller. Stop ink drying out by taking out cartridge, wrap in glad wrap,
then wrap in wet kitchen paper and keep in screwtop jar ... keeps for
months.

LOVE BUG. Not an option is to disable scripting in Internet Explorer
windows setup, it disables much of what is needed elsewhere. IE5 custom
installation VISUAL BASIC ticked. Bugs can manipulate your system via
VISUAL BASIC.

NETSPEED. Bad comments relate to what is claimed to be deceitful
marketing, where costly traps are only mentioned deep within hard-to-get
fine print. URL www.tic.com can help keep track of time and download bytes.

MONITOR. 17 inch at auctions for $195 was mentioned. Consider what help you
may get if
it malfunctions.

RECYCLE BIN. Useful. Consider well how long until you let the bin be
emptied automatically.

DRIVECOPY. Will do a "mirror" copy drive to drive as backup, overwrites
everything. Norton Ghost can mirror
onto blank CD.

EMAIL ATTACHMENTS. Option in Outlook to keep file but delete attachment.
Extreme caution with attachments containing virus worm disasters like love
bug. Only open from trusted secure senders, verify, be warned.

DELETING A NEWSGROUP. Tools / Options / Maintenance, can clear an entire
group. OE5 gives the option delete in 90 days or so.

TABLET. Beside keyboard and plugs into serial port. An option for hand
sketches, diagrams, signature, etc, attachments to email. Other option is
pen, paper and scanner. The Light Pen option technology was considered no
longer as popular as 5 to 10 years ago. Hobby level tablets available at
Dick Smith for under $200. Tablet is digital, scanner is graphics.

ZIP drive for backup: Disk versus removable HDD in cradle drawer versus CD
RW. Pros and
cons debated. Zip expensive for limited data, HDD fragile, CD a few tricks
to master and make sure the recipient can read it. A lot depends on
individual circumstances.

PROBLEMS. Any happening once - ignore it. Only raise alarm if same happens
twice. First time round just turn off computer power, have a cuppa, then
turn on again. Magic advice.

END. Of informal popular informative enjoyable morning.

Notes:
1. Not everyone was wearing a big lettering name tag, some had their back
to me, so I gave up on names.
2. Whilst jotting I surely missed some bits, so, nothing beats being there
yourself!






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