MIKE'S COMMENTARY THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE NEWS & NOTES BY SUE FOUST
MIKE'S COMMENTARY AND/OR BITS OF WISDOM:
COMING ATTRACTION
SOON TO APPEAR ON THIS SITE
So while we have it . . . it's best we love it . . . and care for it. And fix it when it's broken . . and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage. And old cars . . . and children with bad report cards and dogs with bad hips and aging parents and grandparents.
We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.
Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.
Life is important, like people we know who are special. and so, We keep them close!
This was sent to me by someone that thought I was a keeper. I'm doing something about those that are the Keepers still in my life.
Is it time to identify and talk to your Keepers?
¸..¸ __/ /\____ ,·´º o`·,/__/ _/\_ //____/\ ```)¨(´´´ | | [1] | | [1]| | |[1] || |l±±±± ¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°²·-. :º°
Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up every two hours?
Why do they tell you to smile when your driver's license photo is taken? Are you going to be smiling if stopped by the police and asked for your license?
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:
INTERMEDIATE WINDOWS Final Session -- 9:00-11:00 AM March 7 Instructor: Wayne Smith
BEGINNER WINDOWS First & Second Sessions -- 9:00-11:00 am March 8 & 10 Instructor: Wayne Smith
BEGINNER WEB PAGE CREATION First & Second Sessions -- 5:00-7:00 PM Tuesday & Thursday -- March 8 & 10 Instructor: Mike Foust
KCnet Users Group: Every Wednesday The starting time is 9:00 AM on this Wednesday March 09. We meet in Computer Lab 1 (The Big Room). This past Wednesday we: Looked at some cute sites and pictures. Viewed a couple of very funny short movies. Discussed a couple of nasty viruses released this week. Stay current with your Antivirus and Spyware. We revisited right mouse and open with from the prior week. We learned to make a desktop shortcut that activates the default email and pre addresses the email and auto fills the subject line. We reviewed changing default settings for hidden files and revealing file extensions. We explored how to expand the "send to" opportunities when one does a right mouse button on a file. We have more work to do here. We did a lot of other little learning things too. All-in-all another good day
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.
OTHER KCNET CLASSES STARTING SOON Call KCnet 893-8111 to register
BEGINNER WEB PAGE CREATION Tuesdays & Thursdays -- 5:00-7:00 March 8, 10, 15, 22, & 29 Instructor: Mike Foust
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 Third Session -- Mar 28 Final session Apr 25 All sessions start at 5:30 PM Instructor: David Wallace
MAC User Group 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:
There are some guidelines you should follow to reduce your exposure to problems such as the insecurity of much of the information on the Internet.
Web sites do not ask or require your credit card information just to verify who you are. Verification using your e-mail address, usernames, and established passwords are the norm. I would not give anyone my credit card information, unless I intentionally went to their site to purchase something and even then only if I am familiar with them AND the site is SECURE.
HIGH SPEED INTERNET CONNECTIONS
1. Router - Regardless of who your internet service provider is, your first line of defense is to install a Router between your CABLE or DSL modem and your computer. Some companies now provide a modem with a built-In router, so check your manual for details. You can purchase a basic router for as little as $30. Even better, would be what they call a Firewall Router (Router with built-in firewall) which can run $50 or more. 2. Router Settings – Always change the default factory username and password to access your router. Depending on the type of router you have, there could be additional security settings within the router that you may want to change. 3. Wireless Router – If you are planning to go wireless and have purchased a wireless router, you should be aware that the factory settings have no security at all and need to be changed once the system is up and running. Anyone driving by your house can access your connection. At the very least, I would change the router password, enable WEP encryption and MAC filtering.
CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS
1. Protected Accounts - If you plan to purchase goods and services online, I would recommend setting up a special online account such as PayPal. 2. Using a Single Card - If you prefer to use one of your current credit cards, set aside a single credit card for all online purchases. Don’t use that card for any other transactions except online. It will be a lot easier to spot errors and fraudulent charges if it is not filled with normal everyday charges. 3. Fraud Protection - Use a credit card that comes with some form of fraud or online purchase protection. (check your credit agreement). 4. Low Credit Limit - Select a credit card with a lower credit limit. Having a credit line of only a few thousand dollars opposed to $18,000 can reduce your potential liability. 5. Purchase From Known Companies - I know it is hard to resist, but I would suggest only purchasing from known companies or ones that have been recommended to you. 6. Do not Respond - I would strongly advise against giving credit card information to any unsolicited websites (pop-up ads or email solicitations). 7. Avoid Following Links - If you want to go to Borders to purchase a book, type their web address in directly, instead of following an unknown link contained within an email. It could take you to a fictitious site that looks just like the original. 8. Spelling Errors - When typing in the address to a website, double check your spelling. Some fraudulent websites take advantage of common misspellings and may look just like the real thing. 9. Common Sense - Use your common sense. If it seems to be too good to be true? … Well, you know the rest of the line.
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.