MINUTES
FOR THE MEETING
of the
MID-NEBRASKA
USERS OF COMPUTERS
The
regular monthly meeting of the M.U.C. was held at the Central Community
College on Wednesday evening January 19, 2005, at 7:30 p.m.
Fred
Roeser called the meeting to order. The minutes of the December 15,
2004 meeting were approved as writen.
The
treasurer’s report was presented by Carol. She advised us there were no
checks written and the total in our account is $927.33. The following disbursements
were made: None. Total Fund Balance on January 19, 2005 of $927.33.
OLD
BUSINESS
Fred
advised us that the Family Tree Maker Video was received. Fred advised
us that we may have to make copies of the manual.
NEW
BUSINESS
E-BAY
- PAY PAL---UP-DATE
Update
account if there is a link to click on., curser on it but do not click
on set of numbers. The site looks like F-BAY.. Ask questions, they may
be stealing your identity. If you see hnk, do not click on the link. The
site will cause trouble. Report the information to the Fraud Department.
We
have a new member. Her name is Kim Frank. She is a Microsoft Office expert.
We welcome Kim to our club.
Fred
showed us his new scanner used for Business Technology. He also showed
us his new Palm Computer Tablet PC. He will demonstrate it with a Tablet
PC show next month.
There
will be a second meeting this month on Wednesday, January 26th . The Prairie
Pioneer Group will join our meeting. Smart Computing will join our meeting
on January 26thalso. The meeting
on January 26th will be held in the main building of the college. We will
let you know which rooms it will be in. There being no further business,
Shorty moved we adjourn and Charlie seconded the motion. The motion was
carried and the meeting was adjourned.
THE
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP MEETING IS ON JANUARY 26thAT
7:30 P.M.
Respectfully
submitted,
Jackie
Sorensen, Secretary
OUR
NEXT REGULAR MEETINGWILL BE ON FEBRUARY
16. 2005
|
FEBRUARY
23RD 7:30 P.M. CCC ELECTRONICS
LAB |
Dear
User Group Member:
User
Groups exist on a basis of users helping users. Smart Computing is devoted
to the betterment of the user group community by supplying users with the
most viable computing and technology information available and providing
ongoing support for user group events. We know that user groups hold the
knowledge, information, and interest needed for individuals to be successful
in today's ever-changing world of technology, and we want to ensure this
doesn't change. How? By delivering the information you need to improve
your PC productivity. As such we invite you to look at the newest feature
at SmartComputing.com the
Tech Support Center. This is just another way Smart Computing is working
to help you find the answers you are looking for. We hope you enjoy this
edition of the Smart Computing User Group Newsletter.
*
How to use a Self-Extracting File:
To
use a self-extracting file such as A ZIP file, put the file into a temporary
directory or any directory of your choice. Click the file name and the
file will decompress itself. You will then have one or more files in the
directory. If the file is a program, look for an EXE (executable) file
among the decompressed files. Click the file to install or run the program.
Self-extracting files can also contain graphics, word processing documents,
or Adobe Acrobat (PDF; Portable Document File) files. Once you have decompressed
the file you can open it using the appropriate software, for example, if
it is a DOC (document) file, you can open it in Microsoft Word; if it is
a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) file, you can open the file in
a graphics program.
*
What's in a Cookie: You can look at the cookies on your system.
You'll probably find most of them in the Cookies folder in your Windows
directory. They are all short files with the .TXT extension, and you can
open them with your favorite word processor or in Notepad or Wordpad. In
most cases, you'll see the name of the site that placed the cookie and
one or more long strings of numbers. If there's only one string of numbers,
it's a tag to identify you, or more properly, your computer. Unless you
gave the Web site your name, it doesn't have the slightest idea who you
are. It only knows from your cookie that you are somebody who has been
on that site before. By logging your cookie number each time you request
a file, the Web site can now actually track your visits, noting how often
you return, which pages you visit, and what links you click. Additional
strings could indicate almost anything the site wishes to record, such
as the date and time you began your last visit, or your ZIP code if you've
revealed that information
*
Email an error message to Tech Support: Windows programs
will usually display an error message whenever something has gone wrong.
You can press the CTRL-C keys together and copy the error message to the
clipboard. Open your email client (Outlook or Outlook Express) and create
an email to the errant program's tech support, then press the CTRL-V keys
together to paste the error message into the text area of the email, then
send it along to tech support for resolution.
Smart Computing Articles*
As a member of the Smart Computing User Group Program, you are welcome
to reprint these articles in your user group's newsletter. If you choose
to do so, please include the following disclaimer with the reprint: "Reprinted
with permission from Smart Computing. Visit <http://www.smartcomputing.com/groups>
to learn what Smart Computing can do for you and your user group!"
*
Spruce up your Desktop: Show off your personality! Make your
computer truly yours, and spice up your desktop with some custom-made icons.
Visit: (December 2004 issue of Smart Computing - Vol. 15, Issue 12)
<http://www.smartcomputing.com/support/links.asp?id=797>
·
No place like Internet for the Holidays: Having trouble finding
that perfect gift? Look not further, check out these great websites and
gift ideas by visiting: (December 2004 issue of Smart Computing - Vol.
15, Issue 12)
<http://www.smartcomputing.com/support/links.asp?id=798>
See
Smart Computing Live!
The
Smart Computing User Group Team may be coming to a city near you! See which
user groups the Smart Computing User Group Team will be visiting in the
next few months. Contact our team to book your user group meeting on Smart
Computing's Spring tour!
January:
Hernando
Computer Club, Buttonwood Bay Bytes, Ridge Computer User Group, Brevard
User Group, Deerfield Beach Computer Club
February:
Las
Palmas Computer Club, Computer Booters, Dreamland Computer Club, Grand
Computers, Computer Club of Green Valley, East Valley Association of Computer
Clubs, Happy Trails Computer Club, Computer Club of Sun City, Sunland Village
Computer Club, Sunland Village East Computer Club, Computer Club at Apache
Wells, Sun Village Computer Club, Computers West, Viewpoint Computer Club,
Village of Apache Wells, Computer Club of Wells, Solera Computer Club,
Mesa Regal Computer Club, Computer Club Trilogy at Power Rancy, Supercom
Computer Club, Silvercom Computer Club, Sun City Vistoso, Tucson Computer
Society, RockComp Computer Club, Sunflower Computer Club, Via Linda SeniorNet
Computer Learning Center, Four Parks Computer Club, Verde Valley Computer
Club, Crystal Rivers User Group, Tampa Bay Computer Society, Oak Run Computer
Club, Southern Palms Computer Club, Lake Sumter Computer Society
March:
ABC
Adult School, Casta Del Sol Computer Club, Computer Club of Kings Ridge,
Connection Club, Greater Tampa Bay PC User Group, High Vista Computer Club,
Palmia Computer Club, Seniors Computer Group, Simi Valley PC User Group,
The Computer Club
You
can also see us at APCUG and CES in January where we will introduce an
AMAZING promotion for our user groups!! Look for details coming soon.
Also,
don't forget about Smart Computing's buy 5 get 1 free program visit <http://www.smartcomputing.com/groups/offers.asp>
to learn more. And as always, your comments and feedback are welcome.
If
you have any questions or if you would like to be removed from this distribution
list, please email
mailto:user-groups@smartcomputing.com.
Happy
Computing,
The
Smart Computing User Group Team
Jen
Clausen
Luke
Vavricek
Ashley
Hannant
Scot
Banks
(800)
334-7458
mailto:user-groups@smartcomputing.com
<http://www.smartcomputing.com/groups>
*These
articles will be available online in their entirety for our user groups
at SmartComputing.com until February 22nd, at which time unlimited access
will no longer be available.
IRS
and “Free File Alliance” Again Offer FREE Online Tax Preparation and Filing
By
Ira Wilsker, APCUG Board of Directors
It’s
that time of year again.Our mailboxes
are brimming with W-2’s, 1099’s, and other ubiquitous indications of our
daily financial lives.Preparing
our forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ are typically not our favorite annual
right of spring.This year, the fine
folks at the IRS and their partners, the “Free File Alliance” are again
offering their free online federal income tax preparation and electronic
filing services.Unlike past years,
where only selected groups of people, such as students or military, could
utilize the free services, this year there are free services available
for almost all federal tax filers.
The
main IRS website at www.irs.gov has at the top: “Free File - Ever
missed a good thing and regretted it? Don’t miss Free File. Millions of
eligible taxpayers can use Free File — a free online service that let’s
you prepare and file your tax return electronically. It’s smart, free and
fast. Don’t miss it!”According to
the IRS, about 6.5 million people took advantage of the opportunity last
year.
The
process is relatively easy.The first
step is to enter the IRS Free File website at “http://www.irs.gov/app/freeFile/jsp/index.jsp?”
where the various filing services offered by the Alliance can be viewed,
and eligibility for each can be determined.Eligibility
determination for each service is the second step listed.Some
of the 15 resources listed have a maximum “AGI” (adjusted gross income)
ceiling.Others will only prepare
forms 1040A or 1040EZ online, while some others will prepare taxes for
residents of specific states. Other members of the Alliance will prepare
and e-file taxes for free based on age, often under 25 or over 60, while
others (such as H&R Block, TaxAct.com, and TurboTax for the Web) have
no restrictions on who can use the free services, and are available to
all.After the free preparer is selected,
the user will be directed to a non-IRS website to complete the online preparation.The
taxes are calculated, and proper forms are electronically filed with the
IRS using a secured link.An acknowledgement
is automatically generated via email notifying the filer that the return
has been accepted or rejected.
The
IRS notes that several of these companies also offer a fee-based online
preparation service, and the only way to be assured to get these services
for free is to link to them directly from the IRS Free File website, and
not directly to the company websites.It
should also be noted that these companies do not generally prepare state
income taxes for free, and that there may be a charge for preparing state
income taxes, but users referred from the IRS site are under no obligation
to incur any tax preparation expenses for the preparation and filing of
federal income taxes, provided they were originally eligible for the services.
Electronic
filing by these free resources, or other similar commercial resources,
has several advantages, according to the IRS.Some
of these benefits are that it takes less time to prepare online than on
paper, refunds can be processed much faster, returns are more accurate
(provided accurate information is entered), and acknowledgement of receipt
is generated so you know the return has been filed, and other tangible
and intangible benefits.The IRS
also has a statement that the software used by the providers for the free
service is “comparable” to the software used by these preparers for their
commercial (paid) clients.
The
IRS is well aware that not all taxpayers have internet access, so it is
arranging for such groups as churches and community associations to provide
the internet access so as to promote the widest possible use of the free
service.The IRS is also supporting
such volunteer groups as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax
Counseling for the Elderly (TCE).
Some
individuals will justifiably question their personal privacy when entering
this data onto a private company’s website.The
IRS has approved the security and privacy policies of the participating
companies, and all of the providers must also have a recognized third-party
privacy and security certification.Information
provided to these companies can only be used for the preparation of income
tax forms, and no other purposes not explicitly authorized by the user.The
IRS will monitor all of the providers for compliance, and the companies
are required to promptly alert the IRS if any privacy or security problems
are encountered.The IRS has set
up an email address with the Free File Alliance at helpdesk@speedymail.com,
where anyone can get technical assistance about the Free File website,
or resolve issues with any of the listed providers.Any
user who is not satisfied with the selected free provider is free to try
another provider that he may qualify for.
The
Free File Alliance is a result of the IRS' Restructuring and Reform Act
of 1998, which in part has a goal that 80% of all returns are to be filed
electronically (e-filed) by 2007, and requires the IRS to make available
to taxpayers free online filing options.
Last
year (2004) saw 6.5 million e-filed returns, and the IRS hopes to triple
the number this year.That still
leaves many millions more that will have to e-file in order to reach the
2007 goal.The 15 companies listed
that are providing free filing services are a good step on the path of
meeting the IRS’ goals.
Rockport
Computer Users’ Group, Inc.
www.rcug.net
Microsoft
has a new Windows Media Player 10 (WMP10) available now.Go
to www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia to download it. It was designed
for Windows XP. It does not have any help files, but there is an article:
Using Windows Media Player 10 on the web and you can download it at: www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/usingplayer.aspx.
You
can use WMP 10 to listen to music on CDs, MP3s, MIDI, Wave, etc.You
can play CD’s and DVD’s (if you have a DVD drive on your computer) with
the program. You can also use it to watch your home movies, film clips,
etc. You can also use the Internet to find more information about a CD
or DVD; i.e. the Album and the Artist. You can quickly Rip from a CD to
your computer as well as use different Formats for doing this.
You
can also burn your own CD’s.Most
of the music CD’s that you buy have only one or two songs you really like.
With WMP10 you can pick and choose your favorite songs from several CD’s
and put them on one Master CD. Isn’t that great & it’s free!
You
can also organize your digital media collection. The program will even
tell you where you can buy your favorite albums! All in all, I think it
is a great program and it is free! About the only disadvantage is not having
any help file.
The
Wonder of the Current Computer Hardware Transitions
By
Timothy Everingham, TUGNET, www.tugnet.org
teveringham@acm.org
When
we have been changing computer hardware standards frequently, it has been
one thing at a time. At other times those in authority say that if we are
going to change one thing lets get some other changes done too. We are
going through much more of the latter right now.
The
thing that is more in the forefront of change currently is the move from
PCI and AGP motherboard card slots to PCI Express (PCIe). PCI Express also
changes the way data is transferred (serial rather than parallel) and has
more intelligent data traffic management. This puts you in the position
of having to decide whether to migrate to the AGP and PCI cards when upgrading
to a new processor and motherboard or buying a new computer, something
that is more of a problem if you recently paid a lot of money for a high
end AGP graphics card or have a specialized PCI card where there is no
equivalent PCIe card available. However, there are motherboards currently
available that have both old and new type slots.
On
the other hand you could go to the other extreme by buying a computer with
the new NVIDIA SLI system. That is a motherboard with two PCIe graphics
slots where you can run two NVIDIA graphics cards in parallel to get a
3D graphics performance boost similar to what was done to the old 3dfx
Voodoo 2. We also started a shift last spring from Sockets 940 and 754
to Socket 939 for AMD 64 bit processors (Socket A remains for 32 Bit AMD
processors) and from Socket 478 to 775 for Intel Pentium 4 processors,
which also limits your upgrade options. Dual core processors, which have
two CPUs on one chip, will be coming out for workstations, servers, and
desktops in the second half of this year. Support for dual core processors
will come from more of a BIOS change than socket change; however, some
motherboards will be able to support dual core processors by upgrading
your flash BIOS, but others will not. We also are making the transition
from DDR to DDR2 system RAM, and some motherboards only support DDR2.
Now
you think you have had enough. I am nowhere near finished. We now have
a new power supply standard too. ATX Power Supply 2.01 is in process of
replacing ATX Power Supply 1.3. Newer motherboards have different power
connectors now. The new connector has 24 pins rather than the old one with
20. There have been adapters for the 1.3 power connectors to fit 2.01 compliant
motherboards, but now we are going to move to adapters for 2.01 power supplies
to fit into 1.3 compliant motherboards. Some motherboards and power supplies
had AUX connectors, but the new standard does away with that. One thing
that is nice with the new standard is that having SATA drive power connectors
is now mandatory rather than optional. Also power supplies under the new
standard are supposed to be more efficient. Nevertheless be aware that
some power supply manufacturers have been exaggerating the capacity of
their power supplies.
However,
this new power supply standard is just a step in another transition, the
move from the ATX motherboard and case design standards to BTX design standards.
I say standards because there are three different BTX motherboard design
formats: BTX, MicroBTX, and Pico BTX. BTX replaces the standard ATX motherboards,
with MicroBTX going against the Mini-ATX motherboards and PicoBTX goes
against the ITX motherboards. Part of the reasons for the change is to
redesign the airflows in the case to get rid of all heat generated by the
latest processors.
The
airflow of BTX designs is from the front of the computer straight through
to the back of the computer rather than typical lower front intake with
exhaust in the upper back. The CPU has been repositioned towards the front
of the computer so it gets the cool air first. That means a redesign of
the power supply to a new BTX standard. Also a thermal module has replaced
the standard CPU heat sink and fan. It takes a more global approach in
covering the highest heat producing components sitting on the motherboard,
including the CPU. Intel is the one who is pushing this because their Pentium
4s have higher clock speeds than an equivalent AMD Athlon 64 chip, which
means they produce higher heat. There is so much heat that Intel had to
abandon their goal of producing a 4 GHz Pentium 4 chip. As such AMD is
not in such pressure to move to BTX, so BTX motherboards supporting AMD
processors will be a few months behind those supporting Intel processors.
The first BTX motherboards just recently came out, and should become dominate
in 2006.
What
does all this mean? By the second half of 2005 if you have a computer that
is more than one year old it will probably be better to get an entire new
computer rather than upgrade. This puts into motion another round of the
old computer becoming the backup computer and the old backup computer becoming
a boat anchor, flowerpot, or for the more adventurous: Christmas or Chanukah
display control system for the whole house and yard. However, because there
are so many changes with these transitions that many people will get a
new computer sooner than normal, resulting in some of the retiring old
backup computers being new enough to where nonprofit organizations and
schools may want them. As such the probability is that not just those selling
computers and computer components benefit from the chaos caused by this
round of the wonder of computer hardware transitions.
Timothy
Everingham is CEO of Timothy Everingham Consulting in Azusa, California.
He is also part-time press in the areas of high technology, computers,
video, audio, and entertainment/media and has had articles published throughout
the United States and Canada plus Australia, England, & Japan. He is
a member of TUGNET. Further information can be found at http://home.earthlink.net/~teveringham
There
is no restriction against any non-profit group using this article as long
as it is kept in context with proper credit given the author.The
Editorial Committee of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups
(APCUG), an international organization of which this group is a member,
brings this article to you.