Canberra PCUG, Coffee & Chat Group - Notes Tues 8 February 2000 - Alan
Vidler
1. New Members Irene North & Christopher X were welcomed and given a brief
introduction to the workings of the group.
2. The roll and moneybox were circulated.
3. It was reported that the group's accounts are healthy. After discussion
of storage space problems, it was agreed that purchase of a filing cabinet,
to be located in the front area of the centre, should be investigated and
done if costs within ($100?). A number of recent acquisitions were pointed
out. It was agreed after discussion that items were available for loan on a
1st come - 1st server basis at group meetings. A reservations list would be
introduced it needed.
4. The TPG free Internet access midnight {? I heard 1am last week?} - 8am
each night was discussed briefly. It had no joining fees and no limits,
except a possible 3 hour session limit and was worth looking into for those
with sleeping patterns or software facilities and particular needs (such as
wanting large downloads). Unlike some reports, you did have access to
e-mail
and newsgroup facilities. Allan Mikkelsen has more info if needed by
interested people.
5. (Gloria) The Photocopier freeware package (Feb PC User mag CD) was
discussed. Several people reported it as much better for using a (colour)
scanner and printer as a photocopier than software supplied with scanner
hardware.
6. (Ken) Problems in different operation (/settings?) between original Word
97 and the Office 97 component turned into a discussion of Microsoft
software uninstall procedures. You must do so via proper Uninstall
procedures and with the CDROM. {I've always found FORMAT C: to be effective
:-) }
7. (Mike) Recommended a TV Video Card he got for $109 at markets. After
discussion it was decided to buy one for installation into a Centre machine,
subject to (expected) approval of the PCUG committee (meets 14/2/2000)
8. (Neville) GST and computers. Magazines expect h/w down, s/w up in price.
We will see. Further discussion put off until a later meeting.
9. (Greg) Netscape. How to save {missed - bulk pages from a site?}. A range
of possible products Unmozzify, WebReaper, WebWacker, Cxie,WebZip, etc
suggested.
10. (?) The MagicPro Scanner recommended in a recent PC Authority magazine
is ok under Win98, but drivers r/s under Win95. Suppliers acknowledge this.
11. (Kryn) described a problem with sequence listed email using Outlook.
Various solutions were pointed out, including to click on the column heading
to sort up or down.
12. (Ted T) Described colour pollution in newspaper photo scanning. This
became a discussion into Moire fringes with various strategies suggested -
different resolutions, rotation of the book, various s/w filters. Jim Dick
said he'd done a lot of investigation as it was of considerable importance
in his scanning. He said the s/w is at least as important as the h/w, and
that places like Harvey Norman had no idea. He had chosen a Microtek scanner
principally because of the ScanWizard(?) software which came with it. The
site www.scantips.com is useful.
13. (Paul) Clik Drive. He described problems trying to input photos via his
IOMEGA via the parallel port with the printer unplugged. Apparently OK with
printer also connected, but hard to do that as needed extra power lead
across the room! No solutions suggested.
14. (Rod) Rod reported problems with Advanced Power Management on his IBM
Adaptiva when switching from Win95 (ok) to Win98.
15. (Ted) Described a program TCLOCK (found at www.pcworld.com ). At the
top of the home page is a tab saying "Fileworld" select it. Then choose
"Desktop utilities" from the list at the side of the screen. TClock.exe
which shows date/time.secs and CPU and memory usage on the bottom bar. It
can be arranged to suit any font, size or position.
16. (Alistair) Looking for memory increase on his HP was quoted high prices
by HP. Several said HP memory was standard and to look elsewhere for much
cheaper prices.
17. (Richard) Sought comments on whether worth upgrading a 486DX66/8MB W95
for use in basic Internet usage, word processing etc. Most opinion was "yes,
increase to 16MB, but do not move to Win98".
18. (Mike) Described problems with A PCI to USB add on card which worked OK
but his COM2 port (and thus mouse) died. Advised to check CMOS USB
settings. Also problem that USB is (apparently) unidirectional and can't
use various features on his HP printer that are ok on parallel port. HP
manual specifically said this was the case. Also, various people reported
problems with USB cables, so of having problems try different cable,
different machine, etc.
19. (Elizabeth) read two short poems
20. (Jeff) Item on Library tutorials was deferred.
21. (John) Gave a demo of his new CanonX-10 digital camera with very
impressive image manipulation facilities including a great merge facility,
ability to upload images to camera, etc. Mentioned many optional extras
like upping standard 8MB memory with two 40MB cards, and an expansion slot
which could hold a 340MB disk. Generally made us all jealous and several
counting $$ to consider their own.
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tip.coffee-chat.
Archives of past meetings are available at the web site:
http://www.pcug.org.au/pcug/candc/c&c.htm
These Archives are searchable, and also include some minutes of the
Internet SIG, run on alternate Mondays
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