Skip to comments.
FReeper Canteen ~ Technology Tuesday ~ 27 September 2005
El Gran Salseron;GummyIII
Posted on 09/26/2005 7:07:21 PM PDT by MoJo2001
Canteen Computer Resource Center |
H E L P D E S K |
The Idea |
Welcome to the Canteen Help Desk! We hope you are ready for some serious Computer information. For the next month (or however long folks can stand this), we're going to be focusing on Computer/Technology on Tuesdays.There are so many changes that affect how you surf the web, monitor your computer's performance, and viruses that can endanger your fun. We're here to provide information, tools, tips, and hopefully a fun experience. And guess what? You don't have to travel to India to get the information. It's all right here at the click of a mouse. How convenient is that?
Cost: Free |
The Experts |
MoJo would like to introduce our Canteen Experts. And ignore them if they tell you they aren't experts. MoJo and Ma most certainly believe they're experts. That's all you need, right? El Gran Salseron and GummyIII have been gracious with their time, energy, resources, and knowledge. If you have any questions for our experts, please FReepmail them to MoJo2001. Without them, this wouldn't be possible!! GummyIII gives us a rundown on software that is very useful!! While El Gran answers questions that many folks would like answers to!! Oh! Have I mentioned that MoJo totally (borrowed) these tables from GummyIII? She's totally awesome! Cost: Free (although, you can send them a check if you'd like) Have I mentioned they're located in America? Makes life more convenient, huh? |
A S K
T H E E X P E R T S |
Q. I am looking for a great program to make graphics for the Canteen. I am not an expert and worry that most of the programs are over my head. Do you have any suggestions? Gummy's comments are in red. El Gran's comments are in blue. MoJo's unexpert opinions are in purple. |
Lady Jag could answer this one better than I!!! I use a lot of graphics software, but when I tell others it is "easy" they don't agree. LOL!! I love Adobe products, and use Adobe Photoshop Elements (easiest one of the Adobe products), Adobe Photoshop Creative Suite 2, Snag-it's Capture and editing software (www.techsmith.com...free trial...I can put that on my list for next week if you want). Microsoft has a new program out called Acrylic which has a free trial/beta copy. It's found at http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/en/graphic_designer/default.aspx and looks really good. I love the Adobe products because they have built-in tutorials plus free tutorials online. If one clicks on the link below one will find several freeware programs that are for html beginners. Anyone who wishes to learn how to do this can read the summaries of each of the programs offered and decide which one suits him/her. These are very basic programs. No html knowledge is required. The listed programs are much like Frontpage but with less bells and whistles:
http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/webpublish/fwwysiwyg.html I use Paint Shop Pro 9. I was taught how to use it from a former FReeper. Actually, I was taught how to use the Animation Shop. I tooled around with Paint Shop Pro on my own. I really enjoy it and it is easy to use. The best part? There's a million tutorials online that will help you create really easy and cool graphics. Paint Shop Pro X free trial version Tutorials Online |
Q. When burning CDs, do you have a preference in burning software? |
I used Adaptec/Roxio software when CD burners were first offered. It worked well, but Adaptec/Roxio CD Creator software has had many issues over the years causing problems and not working properly. I no longer trust it. Whether or not they have finally cleaned up their act is not known by me.
I have never had any problems nor heard of any with Nero Burning ROM. I use it exclusively. Adaptec/Roxio is an American company. Nero is a German company, but their software works.
If WinXP is being used then XP can burn CDs. As well, Windows Media Player has the capability of burning music CDs. One can read the help file of WinXP or Windows Media Player to find out how to burn CDs.
I also began using Roxio (CD Creator whatever number that was back in the day). I found that I didn't really like it for burning audio or data. I began using Nero as well. I love Nero.
The best tribute I can give to Nero is their ability to think ahead when it comes to what will be coming onto the market. They're dual layer capabilities is one of the best for those of you that have that burning ability. Pretty soon--everyone will have that ability.
When you spend a lot of time burning, you need a software program that is reliable and does exactly what it intends. Nero definitely delivers.
I do not use Nero exclusively. From time to time, I will use the following:
Clone CD To find out more about Nero, click here. |
A S K
T H E E X P E R T S |
Q. I have Norton's Internet Security loaded on my machine, but I have no idea how to configure the firewall settings. Should I worry about that? |
YES!! Norton's Security Suite can be a big pain in the derrierre when installing other programs. http://support.gateway.com/s/tutorials/index/Tutorials.asp?cat=3&CatTitle=Internet%20and%20Email&subcat=19&SubTitle=Security&topic=142 has a great set of tutorials. (I hate the program and refuse to use it.) (GummyIII)
Norton products should be avoided. All of their software has issues with Windows. This inherent problem has existed since Windows 3.11. The Anti-Virus program has never worked well in Windows and has caused many issues over the years.
Specifically, Norton Internet Security makes decisions on its own without consulting the user, about whether or not a particular site or application should have internet access. Sometimes, the computer should have access but Norton Internet Security won't let it have access. The user should be able to decide whether or not the computer needs access. Sometimes, the computer shouldn't have access and Norton lets it have access.
If it were my computer I would uninstall Norton Internet Security and install either ZoneAlarm or Kerio Personal Firewall. However, with that said, if Norton Internet Security is to be used then the user has to trust it to make the correct decisions. It can be configured to allow the user some input but then the user is obliged to learn which sites and applications should and should not have access so it is better to trust Norton. If issues arise whereby a site/application should/should not have access then they can be dealt with on an individual basis as the issues arise. (El Gran Salseron)
Don't get MoJo started on Norton's. The worst part about Norton's? Their tech support is in India. MoJo doesn't mind anyone wanting to make a living, but it sure is hard to understand what they're trying to say. When people are frantic about fixing their computer issues, they need someone that will speak the same language well and effective. |
Q. I am shopping around for a Video Graphics card for my computer. Have any suggestions?? |
YES!! CNET has great reviews and videos on how to install them, too! http://reviews.cnet.com/Install_a_blazing_graphics_card_Getting_Started/4660-3002_7-6229354.html
The video makes a great point on upgrading the power supply when upgrading the graphic card. I prefer the NVDIA GeForce cards, but dang...there are a lot of good cards. I'd suggest going to this site, look at the reviews, pick the price-range one wants, and then go from there. The one installed here is a GeForce 6800. It's a high-end for a decent price. The really high-end ones such as the 7800's aren't even supported by most software. They WILL be, eventually. There are some smokin' cards out there in the $50-$75 range. (GummyIII)
Any name-brand software that has the NVidia chipset is good for many applications, graphics, games, etc. Matrox and ATI are two of the biggest names in video adapters. With that said, any video card that has the NVidia chipset should be good as long as the card has at least 64 Meg of video RAM and provided that it is not a cheap imitation. ( The mfr name can be xyz company but the card can still have the NVidia chipset. One has to read the fine print on the box to make sure that the card has the NVidia chipset. ) (El Gran Salseron)
|
A S K
T H E E X P E R T S |
Q. If there is one software program that you couldn't live without, what would it be? |
LOL....ROFLMAO...JUST ONE????? (I'm assuming this is aside from the normal anti-virus/spyware sweeper/pop-up blocker/firewall stuff.... if not, then Zone Alarm) If it is aside from those, then I guess I'd pick Microsoft Office 2003. I use it extensively. I do presentations, type up documents, store data, use Outlook for email, manipulate graphics, (LOL...Word makes doing WOOHOO's easy), manipulate photos, etc...etc..... (GummyIII)
That's a pretty wide-angled question. I have to try to look at this issue from a user standpoint or maybe even from a Canteener's standpoint. With that in mind I would say Microsoft Office but that is actually a suite of programs so I would narrow it down to Microsoft Word because it is so universal. After that, Frontpage and maybe a basic photo viewing program but again, the photo viewing program is IE. ( That is excluding an email program that is supplied with IE. )
IF the user has DSL or Cable Modem whereby they are connected to the internet 24/7 then my answer is "anti-virus software and a software firewall." (El Gran Salseron)
MoJo couldn't function or do anything in the Canteen without FrontPage, Music Express (MP3 Organizer), WS_FTP Pro, and numerous other programs. So? I couldn't place it to only one program. |
O N L I N E
L I N G O |
Ever wonder what the heck folks are saying?
Fret not! We're going to provide a weekly dose of common online lingo and especially those at FR. |
Lingo LOL -> Laughing Out Loud
ROTFLMAO/ROTFLMBO ->Rolling On The Floor Laughing My *Butt* Off
FWIW -> For What It's Worth IOW -> In Other Words IIRC -> If I Recall Correctly GMTA -> Great Minds Think Alike BBL -> Be Back Later BTTT -> Back To The Top/Bump To The Top STM -> Stop The Madness Troll -> A disruptor on a board or forum Zot -> What happens to a troll at FR. See Ya! Banned! GAG -> Get A Grip
|
Misc Items
|
To get a complete rundown on how to fix your computer issues and external links that El Gran Salseron has provided, please click here to view it. Thank you El Gran Salseron for all the hardwork. By the way, absolutely ignore the Disclaimer section that mentions Mojo by name. Thank you!As issues arise or interest steadily comes in, El Gran Salseron will probably update the website with further links. In order to do so, you must sign your life savings over to him. (hehe! Just kidding!) Here's a few things to look forward to next week!
O N
T A P |
Computer Lingo Are you down with all the computer lingo used at FR and elsewhere?Software Check in to see what other programs GummyIII suggests! |
Ask The Experts For those of you that sent in questions, we'll provide the answers if we can. Have all questions in by Friday of this week please! |
D I D
Y O U
K N O W |
Fred Cohen created his first computer virus when studying for a PhD at the University of Southern California. He added his virus to a graphics program called VD that was written for a make of mini-computer called a Vax. He then presented his results to a security seminar on 10 November, 1983.
This is the first *known* computer virus. Take it for what it is..could be true or may not be. |
You can easily translate languages as easy as a click.
Here's Google's Translations |
|
Disclaimer: Do you ever wonder why companies always put disclaimers at the bottom of their pages? And then they expect you to read the *fine print* as well? Well, this is done for a reason. It allows them to make up a bunch of unecessary rules and BS that no one will read nor thinks about reading. As a matter of fact, the disclaimers are really *Dating Ads* that those anonymous computer geeks put out to the general public. It's a way to get them a date via their disclaimers. It's risk free and also a sure way to ensure that their name will appear in the ad somewhere. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then you totally understand the ideas about disclaimers. They're useless for the most part. |
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: mojoputnokeywords; smellyburkadude; tomkowstinks
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 341-360, 361-380, 381-400 ... 1,061-1,062 next last
To: fatima
Not sure dear...glad to be there in spirit(s) either way! lol *Hugs*
361
posted on
09/26/2005 10:45:59 PM PDT
by
AZamericonnie
(~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Semper Fi ~a field hospital~)
To: TASMANIANRED
Hey hey hey! A good day by my way of thinking! Still wanting one of those stockings! I'm a nut about decorating!
362
posted on
09/26/2005 10:49:31 PM PDT
by
AZamericonnie
(~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Semper Fi ~a field hospital~)
To: HiJinx
Is there any good way to keep cables from reproducing like rabbits? Hah--you think you've got problems now, just drop a coat hanger back there, then turn out the lights overnight!
363
posted on
09/26/2005 10:49:35 PM PDT
by
umbagi
(Austin)
To: MS.BEHAVIN
darlin' you are still the nightowl!! howdy Ms. B!
364
posted on
09/26/2005 10:52:34 PM PDT
by
DollyCali
(Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your s God is!)
To: All
365
posted on
09/26/2005 10:53:03 PM PDT
by
AZamericonnie
(~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Semper Fi ~a field hospital~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Wasn't that cute Ma?
I loved it!
How was your day?
Got food?
Feet up?
Shorts on?
Crystal Light in hand?
(Do I know you good, or what?)
Ms.B
366
posted on
09/26/2005 10:53:06 PM PDT
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(Women who behave rarely make history)
To: MoJo2001
what a neat thread! thanks MoJo.. I just read your info intense opening post.Wow. I love the canteen & get here so rarely and each time I do, I say to myself to make sure to get here more often. well, just want to let you know I appreciate the work & info & I am bookmarking this for future reference. I have a new computer & it is nice but with it are new problems & new questions. You are prolly asleep now but in the AM please know ... YOU DID GREAT!
367
posted on
09/26/2005 10:56:06 PM PDT
by
DollyCali
(Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your s God is!)
To: BIGLOOK
In trouble....of course not. Port is not wine. LOL!
368
posted on
09/26/2005 10:56:23 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Semper Fi ~a field hospital~)
To: DollyCali
Hiya sweetie!
hugs!
how be ya??
How's your doggie?
I DO miss you..
Ms.B
369
posted on
09/26/2005 10:57:02 PM PDT
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(Women who behave rarely make history)
To: AZamericonnie
Send me your address.
Front handle tucks in to allow for hanging on a door.
370
posted on
09/26/2005 10:57:44 PM PDT
by
TASMANIANRED
(Nagin Cried, People died.)
To: MoJo2001
"... install either ZoneAlarm ... MoJo, I have read tons of FReeper posts that have supported ZoneAlarm.
"My experience" with ZoneAlarm has not been the greatest.
I've tried ZoneAlarm on 98SE, WINME, W2K, and W2KPro systems. In all attempted applications, ZoneAlarm seemed to slow the system down so much that I finally ended up deleting it.
It could be that the systems I tried to apply it to were already borderline on resources.
I have long since then installed a cable router with a built-in firewall, without any problems.
Just my personal, nonprofessional guess, perhaps ZoneAlarm utilizes too much memory?
To: MS.BEHAVIN
Oliver brought home another dog two weeks ago. Calling him Toby. About 6-9 months old AND I maybe getting antohre in a day or so.
some people are moving into a new house & dont want to take a 10 year old family pet there & are planning to euthanize him.
Can you believe this? I am trying to save him. A boxer. Hope he will get along w/Oliver & new pooch which is part golden
372
posted on
09/26/2005 11:01:21 PM PDT
by
DollyCali
(Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your s God is!)
To: AZamericonnie
I bought /acquired most of my stuff by way of silent auction.
All the proceeds for charity.
Got a witch door draft thing.
It is sooo cute.
Looks like she got smooshed under..It's grand.
373
posted on
09/26/2005 11:03:15 PM PDT
by
TASMANIANRED
(Nagin Cried, People died.)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Hi kathy.. ah, the english language.. PORT.. something to drink..something to take your boat to... something to plug external hardware into your computer...and the nickname for a mushroom...
374
posted on
09/26/2005 11:03:36 PM PDT
by
DollyCali
(Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your s God is!)
To: 2111USMC
![](http://images12.fotki.com/v216/photos/2/292835/2359195/image0023233222322225657-vi.gif?15060)
Wlcome to the Canteen 2111USMC!
375
posted on
09/26/2005 11:07:50 PM PDT
by
AZamericonnie
(~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Semper Fi ~a field hospital~)
To: MS.BEHAVIN
Typical swamped Monday, altho it went quite smoothly. I was quite surprised.
Shorts on, but socks necessary. Chilly tonight
Hamburger patty for dinner
Crystal light on a coaster
376
posted on
09/26/2005 11:08:54 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Semper Fi ~a field hospital~)
To: DollyCali
LOL! Good evening/early morning, Dolly. PORT sure does have a lot of meanings.
377
posted on
09/26/2005 11:15:08 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Semper Fi ~a field hospital~)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Just finished "heavy skimmin" the article. lots of good info.. much of which I either agree with or don't know enough about to have an opinion. need to crash. Busy day tomorrow. Still early out your way - nice this thread is large enough to have friends share with you at all hours.. sweet dreams all..
378
posted on
09/26/2005 11:22:21 PM PDT
by
DollyCali
(Don't tell GOD how big your storm is -- Tell the storm how B-I-G your s God is!)
To: DollyCali
Sleep well. Yes, we have regular FRiends worldwide and we are "open" 24/7/365.
379
posted on
09/26/2005 11:26:37 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Semper Fi ~a field hospital~)
To: DollyCali
(sniff)
My Dog Jake is part Boxer/Great Dane..
I could NEVER do something like that...
He's like a kid to me!
10 years and they want to put him down??!!!
My heart hurts..
Ms.B
380
posted on
09/26/2005 11:30:51 PM PDT
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(Women who behave rarely make history)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 341-360, 361-380, 381-400 ... 1,061-1,062 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson