KCNET NEWSLETTER 01/30/05 COMMENTS AND SCHEDULE PAGE
MIKE'S COMMENTARY THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE NEWS & NOTES BY SUE FOUST
MIKE'S COMMENTARY AND/OR BITS OF WISDOM:
FACTS http://www.eonline.com/Facts/People/Bio/0,128,2789,00.html Media Obits http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/23/carson.obit/ http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4463098&sourceCode=RSS http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,145186,00.html http://www.eonline.com/Facts/People/Bio/0,128,2789,00.html http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6504445/ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4200385.stm http://www.bostonphoenix.com/archive/tv/97/11/JOHNNY_CARSON.html
Spring or Winter
Here's some info about Groundhog Day, just in case you've been asleep for the last 119 years.
Other Sites for Groundhog Day Info: http://www.groundhog.org/ http://www.punxsutawneyphil.com/ http://www.stormfax.com/ghogday.htm
Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
Now that the holiday season is over, you are probably spending more time at your computer. Are you having trouble getting that new computer accessory or program to work properly? Or are you experiencing problems with your current computer system? We can help! You may have known Keystone Community Network only as an Internet Service Provider, but the secret is getting out. We have skilled computer technicians who are ready to address your computer woes.
Problems we can fix: The computer is running slower than usual Errors are displayed as soon as the computer starts or it will not turn on The computer is infected with a virus or worm Popup advertisements create a slow and non-enjoyable internet experience The modem stops working The hard drive has "crashed" The CDROM or CDRW drive does not work properly …and many more
Pricing: The majority of computers brought in are repaired under our minimum bench fee. This cost covers problems dealing with software repair and new hardware installation. Computers brought in because of software errors or for virus and worm removal may require a complete system reformat. A system reformat will erase everything on the hard drive. A technician will back up any data that you want saved before starting this process. Once your data is backed up, a technician will then reinstall and configure the operating system.
You will always be contacted by phone before new hardware is installed in your computer or if the cost of repair exceeds the original quote. Our technicians can advise whether it would be more cost effective to purchase a new computer versus repairing your broken computer. We understand that you are concerned about how much you spend on your computer. This approach to computer repair allows you, the customer, to be in charge of how much money is invested into your computer.
Excellent Service: KCnet is a leader in computer repair services. We always provide free computer technical support over the phone. If you would prefer to receive assistance by email, you can email our technical support team at: support@kcnet.org. We can provide you with PC troubleshooting techniques that can help identify your problems in a few simple steps. If the problem cannot be resolved over the phone, or through email correspondence, then an appointment can be made to have your computer serviced at our local computer repair center. We strive for a maximum three day turn around on all computers brought in for service.
You may have heard that KCnet only services internet related problems. The truth is that we have the tools and personnel to service all** of your computer, software and hardware, problems. Start taking advantage of these great computer repair services today!
** Issues that involve third party software or hardware devices may require support from the product vendor. Our technicians will provide an explanation of the problem and will do their best to guide you to the answer.
KCNET CLASSES:
Beginner Windows 9x/XP 4 session course Topics include an introduction to all parts of the computer, learning about the desktop, mouse features and operation, and features and operation of the keyboard. Also creating shortcut icons, using recycle bin, wallpaper and screen savers, toolbars and taskbars, drag and drop, using window features (minimize, maximize, resize, etc), control panel, accessing the different drives, and more. There is always time for questions and general exploration.
Intermediate Windows 9x/XP 4 session course Topics include organization of windows programs, creating and organizing folders, file extensions, saving files from Internet, folder and file views, formatting floppy disks, installing programs, download programs from Internet, HTML email, uninstall vs delete, scandisk and defrag, email attachments, and more. There is always time for questions and general exploration.
Advanced Windows 9x/XP 4 session course Topics include a review of the management of folders and files, an introduction to photo manipulation, introduction to web page creation, using the sound recorder, attaching recordings to emails, introduction to eyeball cams and Internet transmission, and an introduction to burning your own CDs. There is always time for questions and general exploration.
KCnet Users Group: (formerly know as "Senior Net Learners" most recently called "Advanced Class"). I wanted to call this class "The Abusers Group", but Sue would not hear of that. Attendees are persistent in their search for computer knowledge. They ask great questions and present interesting challenges. The cost for this class is $0.00 for members of KCnet and $2.00 per session for non KCnet members. There is no set format for the sessions. Occasionally we will take a specific subject and do a detailed study over a period of successive weeks. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The folks that have been attending for awhile are always happy for a review and in most cases new or better ways to do things will surface. Questions stimulate in-depth exploration with the usual result being an understanding of how and why. We welcome new attendees from the Advanced sessions and our forever growing KCnet membership. This is an advanced group and we cover a lot of territory. We are kind of free flowing. You never know what will transpire. It is not necessary for attendees to have their own computers but it sure helps with the learning curve. KCnet Advanced Class computer knowledge and Advanced Class computer skills are necessary.
OTHER CLASSES: CLICK HERE FOR ORIENTATION - BEGINNERS - INTERMEDIATE - ADVANCED CLICK HERE FOR SCANNING - MAC- GENEALOGY - WEB PAGE - EXCEL - WORD - DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY - PHOTO MANIPULATION - OTHER SPECIALTIES
THIS WEEK'S CLASS SCHEDULE:
Beginner Windows First & Second of Four Sessions February 1 & 3 -- 9:00 -- 11:00 am Instructor: Wayne Smith
KCnet Users Group: Every Wednesday The starting time is 9:00 AM on this Wednesday February 2. We meet in Computer Lab 1 (The Big Room). Wayne Smith supplied the leadership for this past week. Thanks Wayne. Attendees have told me that they learned a lot and they had lots of fun too. Thanks again for another well done session. Wayne tells me that he had fun developing the Panarama program. The picture that was stitched together came out really good. Wayne sent it to me. What in the world was Wayne Wert doing with his had in the air? (I'm thinking, pick me - pick me, bathroom, hi, making hand puppets on the screen...) The Panarama program can be downloaded at: http://www.Albatrossdesign.com Wayne sent me some of the sites that the class surfed. Retirement http://www.my-tgif.com/retirement_fun.htm Big Brother http://www.aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf Hoax Site http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/teaching_backgrounders/internet/decon_web_pages.cfm The class also explored some of the many features of the photo/image manipulation program called IrfanView. What a great program and it is free. Download IrfanView at: http://www.irfanview.com/
Mike will again be goofing off, enjoying exquisite dining and lavish accommodations in a remote location during this next Wednesday session. Wayne Smith will attack the ins and outs of posting and buying from the KCnet Trading Post in the KCnet Forum. This was a special request from a group member and other attendee's heads nodding gave approval to the topic. I know that Wayne has some other pertinent subjects stored up his long shirt sleeves. Reminder: The KCnet Advanced Users Class for this next week will be canceled if Keystone Central goes on a Delayed Class Schedule for the day. Otherwise it will be class as usual, without all the confusion of course. This class often becomes idea swapping and we learn by sharing our many experiences and I'll tell you all again, that really happened this week. Thanks to all that brought in suggestions, asked questions, and helped with explanations.
EBAY COURSE Second and Final of two Sessions Saturday February 5 9:00 AM - Noon Instructor: Kerry Clausen
OTHER KCNET CLASSES STARTING SOON:
INTERMEDIATE WINDOWS Mondays -- 9:00-11:00 AM February 14, 21, 28 & March 7 Instructor: Wayne Smith
Music Creation Starting when four students register--call 893-8111 to register. Participants should be able to play a piano/keyboard by sight or ear. Instructors: Carsten "Jon" Ahrens & Mike Foust
Orientation to KCnet One-Session Class – No Charge for KCnet Members Third Wednesday of Every Month 6:00 – 8:00 pm Instructor: Bob Fenton
Genealogy Session 2 of 4 Sessions -- Feb. 28 Other sessions are Mar 28 and Apr 25 All sessions start at 5:30 PM Instructor: David Wallace
MAC User Group New Sessions will begin soon. Meets 2nd Wednesday of each month Time is 4:30 PM Instructor: Clair Falls
For more class details and to register visit: http://www.kcnet.org/class/ Registration can be done online, simply click on the course you are interested in and enter the information requested. Registration can be done via phone 893-8111.
NEWS AND NOTES WITH SUE FOUST:
I thought this was interesting because I bought a scanner that would scan negatives and slides. I had a lot a trouble with it. The final comment in this writing is that if you only have 100 or so to do, it’s probably cheaper to send the stuff to a professional to be done!
If you really want to do your own, the cheapest method is probably to use a flat-bed scanner. These are quite cheap these days. You should look for one that includes a device for scanning negatives and 35mm slides (their ads should mention these).
The cheapest scanners connect to a PC using USB. (If you have a very old PC, it may not have USB connectors, and you may be forced to hunt out a scanner that connects to a serial port.) These will probably give you good results, but don't simply go for the cheapest. To get good results from negatives and slides, you will need a scanner that can scan at a good resolution (at least 2,400dpi (dots per inch) for up to 8x10 prints, but higher if you can afford it; 4,000dpi or more would be basic for professionals).
You may also need some software to touch up the photos once you have scanned them in. The market leader in this area is Photoshop CS but it is expensive.
Cheaper alternatives include Adobe Photoshop Elements (a cut-down version of Photoshop CS) and Paintshop Pro. There are a fair number of trial programs on Computer and Camera magazine that cover this, so buy a few magazines and try them out.
If you already have a scanner, your options are a little more limited. I have found the following to work: buy a daylight fluorescent lamp that you can stand in such a way that the light is close to the scanner plate; cut a piece of card to fit the scanner with a space cut out to hold one (or more) negatives/slides; leave the scanner lid open and, with the fluorescent lamp on and the slide in place, scan at the highest resolution possible.
There are other ways, but I think they will be more expensive. You can buy dedicated scanners for negatives and transparencies but they are only likely to be cost effective if you have a lot to do. Some digital cameras have an attachment that places the negatives/transparencies immediately in front of the lens so that you can "photograph" the negative; then you simply process the image as normal.
Of course, another option is to get the negatives processed in the normal way by a commercial outlet which provides the results in digitized format on a CD. (In fact, this method might actually turn out to be the cheapest - especially if you only have a hundred or so originals.)
From Sue, the bottom line may very well be, “you can’t beat a pro at his own game!”
Until next week...
KCnet Board Of Directors Officers: President Judy Yoho, Vice President Bill Raco, Secretary Donna Lannan, and Treasurer Don Miller. Other members of the board: Carsten Jon Ahrens, Fred Bierly, R. Keith Kelly, Paul Korn, Amy Lapriola, Tom Livingston, Ray McGill, Bob Rolley, and Rich Wykoff.