MIKE'S COMMENTARY
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
NEWS & NOTES BY SUE FOUST
MIKE'S COMMENTARY
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
NEWS & NOTES BY SUE FOUST
Happy Birthday Keith W.!!MIKE'S COMMENTARY AND SOME BITS OF WISDOM
My sister Pat Hughes got my attention with this warning:
If you receive an email entitled "Bedtimes"
delete it IMMEDIATELY. Do not open it. Apparently this one is pretty nasty. It will not only erase everything on your hard drive, but it will also delete anything on disks within 20 feet of your computer. It demagnetizes the stripes on ALL of your credit cards. It reprograms your ATM access code, screws up the tracking on your VCR, and uses subspace field harmonics to scratch any CD's you attempt to play. It will program your phone auto dial to call only 0898 numbers. This virus will mix antifreeze into your fish tank.
IT WILL CAUSE YOUR TOILET TO FLUSH WHILE YOU ARE SHOWERING. It will drink ALL your beer. FOR PETE'S SAKE, ARE YOU LISTENING?? It will leave dirty underwear on the coffee table when you are expecting company. It will replace your shampoo with Nair and your Nair with Rogaine. If the "Bedtimes" message opened in a Windows XP environment, it will leave the toilet seat up and leave your hair dryer plugged in dangerously close to a full bathtub. It will not only remove the forbidden tags from your mattresses and pillows, it will also refill your skim milk with whole milk.***WARN AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN. ***
And if you don't send this to 5000 people in 20 seconds, you'll fart so hard that your right leg will spasm and shoot straight out in front of you, sending sparks that will ignite the person nearest you.
Send this warning to everyone!!!
Do It Anyway People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
This was written by Mother Teresa
and is engraved on the wall of her home for children in Calcutta.
To experience this writing with music and graphics access:
http://llerrah.com/doitanyway.htm
Universal Timing Life's Natural Rhythm From Daily OM
Nature's natural rhythms orchestrate when day turns to night, when flowers must bloom, and provides the cue for when it is time for red and brown leaves to fall from trees. As human beings, our own inner rhythm is attuned to this universal sense of timing. Guided by the rising and setting of the sun, changes in temperature, and our own internal rhythm, we know when it is time to sleep, eat, or be active. While our minds and spirits are free to focus on other pursuits, our breath and our heartbeat are always there to remind us of life's pulsing rhythm that moves within and around us.Moving to this rhythm, we know when it is time to stop working and when to rest. Pushing our bodies to work beyond their natural rhythm diminishes our ability to renew and recharge. A feeling much like jet lag lets us know when we've overridden our own natural rhythm. When we feel the frantic calls of all we want to accomplish impelling us to move faster than is natural for us, we may want to breathe deeply instead and look at nature moving to its own organic timing: birds flying south, leaves shedding, or snow falling. A walk in nature can also let us re-attune is to her organic rhythm, while allowing us to move back in time with our own. When we move to our natural rhythm, we can achieve all we need to do with less effort.
We may even notice that our soul moves to its own internal, natural rhythm - especially when it comes to our personal evolution. Comparing ourselves to others is unnecessary. Our best guide is to move to our own internal timing, while keeping time with the rhythm of nature.
Special January Offerings at KCnet
ICDL WORKSHOP
KCnet is offering a 6 week workshop on computer skills necessary for the workplace (ICDL). This workshop includes instruction in 4 categories of computer skills: Fundamental Concepts of Information Technology, Using the Computer and Managing Files, Word Processing, and Internet and Email. Individuals who complete the workshop successfully will receive an International Computer Driving License (ICDL) starter certification, and the opportunity to complete a full ICDL certification.The ICDL workshop starts January 10th and runs through February 16th, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11 AM. The registration fee is $100 and includes all materials and testing fees. Advanced registration is required.
The ICDL certification program is designed to show employers that a potential or existing employee has the basic computer skills necessary to perform daily computer tasks. ICDL is comprised of seven modules that demonstrate competency in the following areas: Fundamental Concepts of IT, Using the Computer and Managing Files, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Presentations, and Internet and Email.
Upon completion of each training module, the candidate will take a proctored exam. Failed tests may be retaken as often as necessary. Once all tests have been passed, the candidate receives ICDL certification. The ICDL is an internationally accepted certificate. It can simplify employment procedures and assures the employer that the applicants and/or staff have the necessary level of knowledge and competence to use common computer applications.
This workshop counts as 21 credit hours of ACT 48 continuing education credits, the full ICDL training and certification counts as 42 credit hours. ICDL certification is also worth 7 credit hours transferable to almost any college or university.
PC Basics
A PC Basics Course at Keystone Community Network (KCnet) will be held January 16, 18, 23, & 25th -- Noon - 2 pm. 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 task bars, 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.Total cost for the 4-session course is $30 for KCnet members and $35 for non-members. Class periods are 2 hours and include question and answer time. Class sizes are limited to 10. Advance payment and preregistration are suggested. You may register by calling (570) 893-8111 or visit www.kcnet.org/class.
KCnet will also be offering a Basic Excel Class. starts January 31. This class is for those who want to learn the basics of Microsoft Excel. The class is in 4 sessions, 9:30 – 11:30 AM. Sessions are January 31, February 2, 7 and 9. The fee is $45, and includes a textbook.
Class sizes are limited to 10. Advance payment and preregistration are suggested. You may register by calling (570) 893-8111 or visit www.kcnet.org/class.KCnet Helpdesk is available Please call 893-8111 for a technician.
Somebody
said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in
the books... That somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose.
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KCNET CLASSES
| Internet and Email
4 session course Topics include using the browser to find information on the Internet, web and email addresses, sending and receiving email, forwarding and replying to email, bookmarks, using the address book, and more. There is always time for questions and general exploration. Beginner Windows 9x/XP
Intermediate Windows 9x/XP
Advanced Windows 9x/XP
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.
OTHER CLASSES:
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| Digital Photo Editing
January 09, and 11 -- 5:30 to 7:30 PM Third and Final Sessions Instructor: Kerry Clausen ICDL workshop
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| KCnet Users
Group: Every Wednesday The starting time is 9:00 AM on this Wednesday, January 11. We meet in Computer Lab 1 (The Big Room). Leadership is Mike Foust and anyone that wants to jump into the fray. Quite a day this past Wednesday. We got rollin' with some pics sent by Advanced User viewers and others gleaned by Mike. We then settled into our seats and took another wild tech ride. Among the many 'puter topics covered we... ... discussed the WMF vulnerability with Microsoft's Windows Media Player. As of this past Wednesday there was no known reliable fix and Microsoft announced that it would not offer a patch until the normal scheduled date for patches, January 10. Well they changed their mind and a patch is
available. All Windows users, XP, Millennium, and the 9s should update. Microsoft releases critical WMF vulnerability
fix early
Experts at SophosLabs™, Sophos's global network of virus, spyware and spam analysis centers, have advised computer users to apply a critical Microsoft security patch which protects against a vulnerability in the way Windows handles WMF graphic files. Sophos has seen over 200 different attempts to infect innocent computer users using the flaw which has been public knowledge since late December 2005. Unusually, Microsoft has issued the critical security update outside of its normal monthly update cycle. Originally Microsoft had indicated that it would not be issuing the patch until Tuesday 10 January, causing some in the security community to express concern that hackers would have a significant opportunity to infect internet users. "It's good news that Microsoft has been able
to issue this patch sooner rather than later. This flaw in Microsoft's
software is very dangerous, and is being actively exploited by hackers
to distribute malware. It's critical that businesses and home users protect
against flaws like this as a matter of priority," said Graham Cluley, senior
technology consultant for Sophos. "Our advice to companies and home users
to waste no time in implementing this patch."
... we worked on msconfig and startup programs.
Ken Condo sent a little program from a "pacman." It alphabetizes
11,288 startup entries along with a description of what put them there
and whether it is necessary for that particular program to startup when
you boot. This site also has a comprehensive list of virus and worms
that can make their way into your startup file and cause much trouble for
the computer.
... learned how to use regedit to speed up the opening process for Window Menus. See the detailed description of the process on the Technical Page of this Newsletter. We did some other interesting stuff too, but
you had to be there...What a 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.
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OTHER KCNET
CLASSES STARTING SOON
Call KCnet 893-8111 to register
| Investing Class
$5.00 per session -- New attendees are welcome. Future sessions will be held on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM. Next session will be: January 31 Group Leader: Howard "Bud" Casselberry Music Creation
Orientation to KCnet
MAC User Group
For more class details and to register visit:
http://www.kcnet.org/class/
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NEWS AND NOTES WITH SUE FOUST:
 There
is never a dull moment at the KCnet office!
Mondays are always busy and last Monday was the day for those people, who promised themselves they would get on the Internet in 2006, to come and sign up for Internet service. It was also the first business day of the month, which is always a busy day for membership payments. And, to top that off, it was the first business day of the YEAR, so the many people who pay for their membership once a year, stopped in to say Happy New Year and pay their Internet fees. The rest of this week was also busy. THANK YOU. This is a wonderful way to start a new year. We gladly accepted some new members who are finding that cable fees are not something they can afford or are not a high priority. When surfing the net gets old – and for some people, it does – then e-mail is the cause for Internet service. Keeping in touch with friends and relatives becomes very important, the older we get. And for many, a dialup connection to the Internet is the practical service to buy. Our broadband service got a shot in the arm when a new technology now allows greater distance between our towers and home or business service. We are testing coverage in the Jersey Shore area. We have wireless broadband customers currently from Mill Hall to Avis. Places that we couldn’t service in the past are now receiving good speed, using our wireless radio transmission. If you want to learn more about this, just call and talk with Ron Calhoun, our Office Manager in charge of the Wireless service. More good news: Our newest education project, the International Computer Driving License (ICDL), was approved by Career Link to be used by their clients for Computer Training. ICDL is a method of learning that includes 7 modules or courses. Upon completion of all 7, a person is considered to be job ready and receives a certificate to prove it to a prospective or current employer. Also available are 42 continuing education credits and/or 7 college credits. ICDL is a great program – participants can work on classes at home, take assessment tests and practices tests on line, and/or come in to KCnet for instruction. All final tests must be taken in the KCnet computer lab, which has been inspected and approved for this testing. A qualified proctor must be on hand for the tests, also. Proctors are Wayne Smith, Steve Stewart, Tammy Harrington, and me! For more information about the program, go to our web site, ICDL or call and talk with our Education Coordinator Tammy Harrington. A new update for Windows XP changes a setting in Outlook Express that has been a real frustration. If you are a dialup Internet user and you use Outlook Express, make sure a setting in Options, Connections does not have a check in front of “hang up after sending and receiving.” This must be for people who ask for their email and leave their machine to do its thing – get the mail, send any mail that has been written while off-line, and then hang up to allow the phone line to be available. This setting usually causes a high level of irritation by disconnecting the user from the Internet after getting mail. Until next week... ! KCnet Board Of Directors Officers: President Bill Raco, Vice President Bob Rolley, Secretary Jon Ahrens, Treasurer Don Miller and Past President Judy Yoho. Other members of the board: Carolyn Carl, R. Keith Kelly, Paul Korn, Donna Lannan, Amy Lapriola, Tom Livingston, Ray McGill, and Rich Wykoff. |
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