FReeper Canteen ~ Technology Tuesday ~ 27 September 2005

El Gran Salseron;GummyIII

[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.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

XP Pro. Only one computer. No router. Getting online is not a problem, but the" work offline" crashes the IE page. Have to close out in task manager. Reloading the page works fine after.

The reason I mentioned DSL ( Bellsouth ) is because it's not always connected like cable or has auto connect as with dial up. If it did, I wouldn't have the problem.

XP set up the DSL settings. No ISP software is involved.

Have downloaded the software to get rid of the Adware. Will try it in safe mode if I ever get it working.

Just put his out to see if anyone here has ran into the exact same problems. Most Google search results tell me that others have the same problems, with no solution.

Will freepmail any future responses. Thank you.

Video card tip for all interested.

If you change cards and are installing one with a higher bit rate ( example ,you had a 64 bit one and install one with 128 or 256 ) make sure you go to the card's manufacturer's website and see if you may need to change some BIOS settings. They don't automatically reset when you install the new card. You may think you have a video driver problem when it was just one BIOS setting all along.

[luvie]

Meeeeee? Corrupt?????
Why, I am innocent of those charges!

[Kathy in Alaska]

New stuff at the EIB store....bumper stickers!

[luvie]

You know you love doing the work! It keeps ya outta trouble! LOL!

How're you doin't this morning? Show going well? Tell everyone over there "hi" from the Canteen and Free Republic and LUV W!!!

[txradioguy]

Uh-huh...I see what you guys are doing while I'm asleep and can't defend myself LOL!

[luvie]

Kewl! I heard Rush talking about the Stuck on Stupid one this morning on his show!

[luvie]

Heh-heh! ....and it sure is fun!

I can hardly wait to meet her!...and the kids! Then we can really plot against ya! That's gonna be FUN!

[GodBlessUSA]

One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his sweatshirt.
Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me, "What setting do I use on the washing machine?"
"It depends," I replied. "What does it say on your shirt?"
He yelled back, "University of Oklahoma."
And they say blondes are dumb...

A man and his wife, now in their 60's, were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. On their special day a good fairy came to them and said that because they had been such a devoted couple she would grant each of them a very special wish.
The wife wished for a trip around the world with her husband.
Whoosh! Immediately she had airline/cruise tickets in her hands.
The man wished for a female companion 30 years younger...
Whoosh...immediately he turned ninety!!!

Gotta love that fairy!!!!

[AZamericonnie]

I was going through my pics to try to get rid of some & ran across this pic....just had to re-post it!

Awwwwwww.....

[GodBlessUSA]

Oh, I must snag that one for Beachy during temper tantrum. LOL! Can I, Ma? :)

[Linda1956]

"Kewl! I heard Rush talking about the Stuck on Stupid one this morning on his show!"

There's a LOT of that going around in the MSM.

[txradioguy]

YEah I have to smile and nod and make someone think I like doing all that "Honey do" list stuff! LOL!

I'll tell everyone hi....right now I'm groveling for votes for the next round of Military Idol friday night.

[GummyIII]

RAM has developed significantly over the years from older smaller slower modules to the ultra high performing gigabyte sizes on the market today. It was Intel who released the first DRAM module in 1970. (For those who might need to know, random access memory is so called because any byte of data may be accessed directly without the need to recall any other data. This type of memory is volatile, it requires a power supply to retain its stored data.)

Fast Page Mode RAM modules were the norm until 1995 advances in CPU's and motherboard speeds over the past several years has meant that FPM RAM cannot handle the demand placed on them.

Modern RAM modules run at ever increasing speeds. The more current RIMMs are connected in series and must have all memory banks filled in order to work (you must buy several sticks instead of just one). This means that data on the far end of one module can take a different length of time to travel than on another module because they are in series. The most current, DRAM, is preferred because it is connected in parallel, so data from one end of each module takes the same time to get to its destination. RIMMS are seldom used anymore. In the picture below, the RIMM module with the heat spreader (top) has two notches just like SDRAM (bottom), but they are placed closer together and more towards the center.

For a lot more information on RAM memory, and on DRAM, go here. There are many more websites with great info, too. Holler if you want some links.

[luvie]

ROFL!!!! Good stuff! Now I have one...

Just in time for football season...Football finally makes sense!

A guy took his blonde girl friend to her first football
game. They had great seats right behind their team's bench.
Aftr the game, he asked her how she liked the experience.

"Oh, I really liked it," she replied, "especially the cute
guys with all the big muscles; but I just couldn't
understand why they were killing each other over 25 cents.

Dumbfounded, her date asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well, I saw them flip a coin and one team got it and then for the rest of the game, all they kept screaming was:

'Get the quarterback! Get the quarterback!'

Hellooooooo? It's only 25 cents!"

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi, GB.....busy day, but I can't believe how well it is going!

Hey, Booboo.....

[luvie]

Awwwwwwww, indeed! What a cutie!

[GummyIII]

I should have put this link in my previous post. It's the newer version. Sorry!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Of course. LOL!

[luvie]

You got that right! They have been stuck on stupid for the past 5 years!