PC Basics/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

Intermediate Windows 
First and Second Sessions
April 4 & 6 -- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Instructor: Wayne Smith

PC Basics / Beginner Windows
Third and Final Session
March 28 & 30  -- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Instructor: Wayne Smith

... reviewed the capture of the 007 terrorist.  Check the Tech page for the write-up.  We also reviewed the latest Trojan Horse threats, also available on the Tech Page.  We also discussed the latest Active X/Java exploit that can affect Internet Explorer users.  At this time Microsoft plans a patch by the second Tuesday of April.  In the meantime Internet Explorer users should consider disabling Active Scripting in Internet Explorer.  Two good articles to read and follow are:  http://netsecurity.about.com/cs/tutorials/ht/ht032203.htm
and http://netsecurity.about.com/cs/tutorials/ht/ht020203.htm

... Had some fun downloading and using a special program that allows one to view and save flash programs.  These are files that have the extension of .swf.  Windows Media Player not Quicktime or Real Player can play .swf files.  Flash Saving Plugin
more info...
Flash Saving Plugin allows you to save Flash animation right from Internet Explorer (or any IE-based browser). Comes with SWF Cache Viewer - a tool for browsing cached Flash animation in Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.  http://www.browsertools.net/Flash-Saving-Plugin/index.html
A second tool allows you to find flash videos already on your computer without opening Internet Explorer that program and is called SWF Opener.  http://www.browsertools.net/SWF-Opener/index.html
You will want to download both programs.  The download sites provide excellent information about using the programs.
Download from (you will need to scroll down to the two programs  -- they are ninth and tenth in the downloads list.)
http://www.browsertools.net/downloads.html

... also learned how to access Google Videos and how to download their player.  Go to http://www.google.com
Chose MORE in the list of  opportunities listed above the search subject box.  Scroll down to Google Videos.  There is a viewer download available right there.  Now look around for videos -- there are literally hundreds of videos available by category or by individual search.  We looked at Chris Bliss a great juggler and super comedian. 

What a day!!!

We did some other interesting stuff too, but you had to be there...
 

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.

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

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.

If you use those 4 or 6 outlet power strips to create additional outlets, you will want to resist the temptation to plug in additional high amp devices such as coffee makers and floor buffers, just because you have unused outlets.  You may want to use electrical tape to cover the outlets that are not being used for computer equipment.  Overloading circuits can lead to fires, and a smoldering wire can become a fire after you close down and leave the room. 

Laser printers can affect the performance of your computer if they're on the same power strip.  They put a big drain on electricity and should be on a separate outlet.

Another tip:  Use power strips for turning the equipment on/off, rather than the individual computer components.  It's far less expensive to replace a power strip than to replace a switch on a monitor or computer.  We find the on/off switches on monitors and other equipment to be very cheaply made and "fragile."  On the newer computers, we unfortunately still have to turn them on from the CPU because of the way they now work.  We’ve had some problems with certain cheap switches that get stuck in the on position.  

Another recommendation:  If you have a surge suppressor power strip, plug it into the wall receptacle and leave it on the floor, behind your equipment.  Plug another power strip into it.  Use the second one to plug your computer equipment into and to turn your equipment on and off.  The first one will remain on, making the surge suppressor activated at all times.

If you dial into the Internet or fax from your PC, make sure your surge suppressor accommodates a phone line.  You're several times more likely to get a damaging surge through the phone line than through the electric lines.  We recommend unplugging phone and electric during a serious thunder storm.

After each bad lightning storm, the computer repair technicians at KCnet deal with many people whose computers have been damaged by a lightning strike.  If you don’t have a surge suppressor for the electric AND the phone lines, unplug both lines – electric and phone – and put a surge suppressor on your wish list!
 

And remember, there is no sure-thing surge protector.  That’s why I use the term surge suppressor.  And the other thing, a surge suppressor will prevent most spikes of electricity – not a direct lightning strike.  It also will not protect your equipment from low voltage condition (brown-out) in the main power supply.  You need an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to do that job.  They can be purchased for well under $100 now.  The benefit of a UPS is that if the power goes completely off, the unit, which is a big battery, will give you time to save your files and shut your computer down properly.  Prices for this unit will vary depending upon brand name and the size of the battery.  The “bigger” the battery the more time you have during a brown-out or black-out.
 
My husband Mike and I had a good time at an “electronics flea market” last week-end.  It made me think that KCnet could sponsor such an event.  With the downtown Sidewalk Sales Days coming during the Best of Clinton County Celebration on June 24, we’ll have a table outside with some new and used items for sale.  If you’re interested in adding something, let me know.  We’ll take donations or consignments.  Let’s see how it goes and maybe we can do another, later in the year too.

Keystone Community Network, Inc. (KCnet) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) community technology center at 18 East Main Street, Lock Haven.  Contributions are deductible at their present fair market value, to the fullest extent allowed by law.

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.