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May 2013 (492 KB)

• Is This the End of Anonymity? - Google's Glass "could" create serious privacy issues, as well as markedly expand the information one can easily gather sbout others, by Bob Rankin
• Index to this issue
• 8 Tips: How to take Super Vacation Photographs - a number of solid tips any potographer should consider when taking photo , by Gerry Blackwell
• Streaming Media - discussion of music, tv shows and movies delivered to you via the Internet, along with the names of legitimate sites including their pros and cons, and what equipment do you need, by John Somers, Icon Users Group
• Humor
• Botnet Alert: Are You Vulnerable? - what you need to know about how easy it is to take over hundreds of thousands of computer, enslave them in a botnet that can do all sorts of harm, and how to to prevent your pc from being enslave, by Bob Rankin
• Are Internet Petitions a Scam? - discussion of the pros and cons of Internet petitions, by Ask Leo
• The Lighter Side - how to create a shortcut on your Windows 7 pc, from The Computer Lady

April 2013 (1.0 MB)

• 5 Things Every Computer User Needs to Know how to do - five handy tips to make using your computer a better experience, by Kim Komando
• Index to this issue
• Create a Keyboard Shortcut for a Folder - step by step guide to creating a shortcut on your desktop to a favorite folder, by PC World
• Decrypt Links - use this utility to decrypt shortened Web links, and determine if that Web site is safe to go to, by Worldstart
• Photo
• Mixing Hard Drives - discussion and guide regarding using more than one type of hard drive in the same computer, by Worldstart
• Opening a File with a Program other than it's Default Program - sometimes you will want to have a document open up using a different program than its default - here's an illustrated guide on how to do it, by Terry Stockdale
• 5 Latest Tax Scams to Look Out for - brief discussion of the latest tax scams, with a link to additional information , by Kim Komando
• 8 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows 8 - if you're undecided about upgrading to Windows 8, here are a number of reasons to consider doing so  - from the Internet
• Windows 8 - 2 tips - a couple of tips to help one get started using Windows 8 - by The Computer Lady
• Cloud Storage and Sharing, is it Secure? - brief discussion re the increasingly popular use of cloud storage for documents, etc, including a link to a number of CNET readers comments, from CNET
• The Lighter Side - how to stop GMail from downloading too many messages by Rick Broida
• Make Quick Checklists in Evernote - how to place a checkbox in an Evernote note, by Robert Strohmeyer

March 2013 (820 KBytes)

• How Do I Make a Windows XP Bootup Disk? - if you still have a working Windows XP pc, this brief article and the bootup disk might be of real help to getting it running again
• Index to this issue
• For All You XP Users - how to safely eject a USB device when the icon is not being displayed, by Terry Stockdale
• Computer humor
• What's the Difference between a Hub, a Switch and a Router? - clear explanations of the devices used in home and business networks to connect and protect computers; also includes four links for additional info, by Ask Leo
• Photo
• Is the FBI Holding Your Computer for Ransom? - article about an Internet scam seeking to extract money from you, and what to do about it, by Bob Rankin
• Should You Defrag an SSD? - why you should never defrag a solid state drive  - from Help Desk Geek
• More about Internet Threats - what is spam, why is it so common, and how does one prevent getting it - from WorldStart
• Problem Computer, and How Guru Gary Fixed it - and how a member sensibly approached an annoying computer issue, and didn't make it worse, by Emi Evans
• The Lighter Side - article encouraging readers to experience more of Bill Gates' insights on technology and education, via a PBS program being aired on April 16th.

February 2013 (987 KBytes)

• What to do with Unwanted Gift Cards - suggestions on various ways to turn gift cards into cash, airline miles, a donation, etc., by Nina Strochlic
• Index to this issue
• Free Books to Read - how to access and read free books online, by The Computer Lady
• Safer, Speedier Web Surfing - a simple way to speed up your browser, using the free service known as OpenDNS
• Facebook cartoon
• Block Inappropriate Material - how OpenDNS also helps block inappropriate material from appearing on a child's or any other computer, by Kim Komando
• How to Email Your Favorites to Others - an illustrated guide on how to send a number of your Favorites (bookmarks) to friends - from WorldStart
• More about Internet Threats - what is spam, why is it so common, and how does one prevent getting it - from WorldStart
• Computer humor
• The Lighter Side - 10 Ways to Handle a Telemarketer - a number of ways to handle those annoying telemarketing phone calls

January 2013 (701 KBytes)

• What Will Happen to Windows XP - there only 500 days left until Microsoft terminates support for this popular operating system, and some experts doubt that the half billion computers currently running Windows XP will convert in time, from zdnet.com
• Index to this issue
• Why Shouldn't I Post my Email Address in a Public Forum? - discussion of the risks and reasons why one should avoid doing so, and examples of what happens when one does
• Mayan Calendar Cartoon - humor re the "end of the world"
• 350 Billion Passwords Guessed Each Second - article on how a special group of computers can now guess at that many eight-character passwords per second, and why one should consider using longer passwords
• Restoring your Computer with Windows System Restore - what System Restore is, and how to use it to restore Windows to a previous good condition
• Windows Defender in Windows 8: OEMs Cry Foul - Microsoft includes a free anti-virus program in Windows 8; by default, angering publishers of commercial anti-virus utilities; plus, how to make sure Windows Defender is protecting one's computer - from PC World
• Cartoon - one version of heaven
• User Beware - brief discussion of commercial replacement batteries for certain laptops may not work in those laptops, submitted by a member
• Online or Local Backup: Which is Best - excellent discussion of the pros and cons of online and local backups of a computer, and a suggested backup strategy, by Bob Rankin
• USB Problems with Windows XP - discussion why devices attached to USB portson a Windows XP pc sometimes won't work properly, and how to overcome the issue, from Terry's Computer Tips
• The Lighter Side - cartoon
• FACUG Computer Cruise - announcement re the fourth computer-themed cruise cruise, sponsored the Florida Association of Computer User Groups (FACUG) for next December

December 2012 (2.0 MBytes)

• Left Over Windows Folder - How to remove a space-hogging folder if you upgraded from Vista to Windows 7
• Index to this issue
• 8 Tips Why to Get Windows 8 - discussion of what the author thinks are good reasons to upgrade your pc to Microsoft's latest operating system, by Bob Rankin
• Windows 8 is on its Way - article discusses the recently released Windows 8, and includes a link to a Microsoft video so you can see what Win8 looks like. Included are the dates that support for your present operating system will expire
• Sunset photo with quote - by Dick Evans
• Windows 8 - Exciting and Challenging - brief comments on Microsoft's new operating system, by John Pearce
• Microsoft will Allow Downgrades from Windows 8 to Windows 7, Vista - the author discusses the ability for pc makers, i.e. OEM's, to build in the capability for a purchaser to downgrade a Windows 8 Pro pc to Windows 7 Pro, if desired - by Gregg Keizer
• Windows 8 Tutorials - links to eight Win8 tutorials, covering upgrading, the interface, the charms bar, settings, FAQ's, applications, control panel, and administrative tools, at Windows 8 Update
• Missing Email? Tweak Your Spam Filter - tips on stopping spam when using GMail, or Yahoo or Outlook.com (formerly Hotmail), as well as how to make sure legitimate email gets to your Inbox, by Bob Rankin
• The Lighter Side - cartoon strip re recovering files from a failed hard drive
• Happy New Year greeting

November 2012 (1.0 MBytes)

• Can the Cloud Really Keep a (Government Secret)? - brief discussion re the safety of the U.S. Government moving many agencies' IT activities into the cloud, by William Jackson 
• Index to this issue
• PC Maintenance in Windows 7 Made Easy - instructions on how to defragment as well as run Disk Cleanup in Windows 7
• The Trouble with Terabytes - discussion of issues with large, terabyte-size hard drives, as your computer may need changes to work with them, by Diane Falbusch
• Software Review: Acronis True Image Home 2012 - article describing the features of this well-regarded backup utility, with tips on installing it, and illustrated instructions for using it, by Mark Mattson
• East-Tec Eraser - review of a highly-regarded utility for really deleting/erasing files, by Herb Goldstein
• Do Not Track Plus - article that discusses a free tool which will prevent websites from tracking where you browse on the Internet
• "Driving" Your Computer - discussion of the various types of drives that are used with computer, from the now-ancient floppy to the latest solid state (SSD) drives , by Diane Falbusch
• Thanksgiving greeting from the Greater Tampa Bay PC User Group
• Officer Candidates for 2013 - listing of candidates for our officer positions for next year

October 2012 (668 KBytes)

• What is the Cloud? - article that explains what the Cloud really is, and that you are most likely already using it, whether you realize or not, by Rich Maloof 
• Index to this issue
• From the Computer Lady - how to add text to a photo by The Computer Lady
• Hummingbird photo, from Dick Evans
• Do You Have a Digital Estate Plan - excellent discussion re being prepared in advance to pass along crucial information about one's digital life, such as passwords, one's email accounts and subscriptions, and various tools that are available to assist the process, by Bob Rankin
• Can I Stop or 'Un-send' an Email I Sent by Mistake? - learn what happens to an newly prepared email when you click Send, and why in almost every situation you simply cannot un-send that email, by Leo Notenboom
• What is Malwarebytes - article that discusses what the very popular utility, Malwarebytes, can and cannot do, when to run it, and why you still need other tools to help protect your computer, by Ask Leo
• Show the Menu Bar in Windows 7 Explorer - how to get the familiar menu bar showing in Windows 7's file utility, Windows Explorer, by Microsoft

September 2012 (668 KBytes)

• Can Google Fiber TV Compete? - discussion about Google's new, very high-speed broadband service, and whether its Fiber TV service will be able to compete with existing tv services, by Maggie Reardon 
• Index to this issue
• Password and PINS: the Worst Choices - tips regarding passwords that all too commonly used, by David Harley
• Guarding Against Password Reset Attacks with Pen and Paper -suggestions on how to guard against having your passwords easily reset by an attacker, plus links to a number of blogs about passwords, by Aryeh Gortzky
• More about Internet Threats - more helpful suggestions about passwords, especially forgotten passwords, hackers breaking into and misusing email accounts, why new users often run into problems with their passwords, the dangers of your browser remembering passwords, and several ways to create passwords, by Leo Notenboom
• Computer cartoon
• How to Detect a Rootkit: - discussion about a type of malware that is very difficult to detect and eradicate, and rootkit dection and removal tools, by Bob Rankin
• What is Google Redirect - if you click on a link and get taken to an unexpected Web page, you may well have a malware problem; here's how to eradicate it, by Bob Rankin
• The Lighter Side - what's the difference between memory and storage, by WorldStart

August 2012 (958 KBytes)

• How Criminals Use Google Maps' Street View to 'Case the Joint' - discussion of how Google Maps can potentially aid thieves in planning break-ins, by Andy O'Donnell, at About.com
• Index to this issue
• Windows 7: Upgrading can be Hard to Do - tips and suggestions for folks who have not yet upgraded to Windows 7, by Stephen H. Wildstrom
• A Brief Guide re Upgrading to Windows 8 - summary of how, and what is needed, for one to upgrade to the forthcoming Windows 8, by Microsoft
• Fifth-Generation Wi-Fi Coming: Are you Ready for 802.11ac? - a major improvement in wireless networking is coming shortly, by Michael Brown
• Keyboard tip - how to use just the keyboard to select text and move around a Web page
• Helpful Tips: - all about a hard drive failure, by Ask Leo, and how to send a PowerPoint (PPS) presentation via email, from Geek Inspired
• Photo - submitted by Dick Evans
• More about Internet Threats - Hackers Fake Microsoft Update; Spread Malware - brief discussion of the Flame malware, by Brandon Dimmel
• 10 Reasons Why I Avoid Social Networking Services - forthright discussion regarding the perils and other considerations when using social media such as Facebook, by Alan Norton
• The Lighter Side - four "techy" misconceptions, about Facebook, Apple, Windows Updates, and computer manufacturers,  are dispelled, by Bryan Lambert
• Computer Cartoon - from the Tampa Bay Times.

July 2012 (834 KBytes)

• Google's New Privacy Policy - tips on how to protect your personal information and surfing habits when using Google, from Zone Alarm
• Index to this issue
• Tips and Tricks for Enhancing the PC Visual Display - suggestions and tools one can use to make it easier to read what's on your monitor, by Bonnie L. Snyder
• Adding Disk Space to Windows 7 - several approaches to enable having more hard drive space for your programs and files, by Dick Maybach
• Tablet or Laptop, a Popular Question - discussion re the growing popularity of tablets and how many seniors now prefer a tablet for many computer tasks, by Gregory West
• Explaining Memory Cards - discussion of how the speeds of several brands of memory cards are designated, and what one should have/look for, depending on what one expects to photograph, by Kim Komando
• Marking Spam as Spam - explanation of what happens when one marks certain email as spam, and how it depends in part on your ISP and how you access your email, by Ask Leo
• The Lighter Side - a bit of humor, plus photo of a feeding hummingbird, latter by Dick Evans

June 2012 (730 KBytes)

• Has Your Browser Been Hijacked? -how to detect if your Internet browser has been hijacked, and how to correct the situation, by Bob Rankin
• Index to this issue
• Cartoon humor
• Why Does E-Mail Bounce? -discussion of how this nuisance occurs, what the bounce messages mean, and what you can do about it, by Leo A. Notenboom
• Is Google Compromising Our Privacy? - important discussion about Google's recent consolidation of its privacy policies, and should users of their services be concerned, by Sandy Berger
• What the Summer Portends in New Tablets - with tablets gaining a rapidly increasing user base, here is an update on new tablets that are expected to be released soon, as well as some speculation on combined data plans, by Matt Hamblen
• Facebook's Privacy Policy - some features of Facebook's latest, and very lengthy, privacy policy, and a very brief Q&A with its Policy Director, by Constance Brown
• The Lighter Side - a bit of humor, plus a cartoon.

May 2012 (300 KBytes)

• Researchers Develop Single-atom Transistor - an international team of scientists has demonstrated a working transistor comprised of just a single atom. This is nearly 100 times smaller than what Intel can currently fabricate; by Camon Poeter
• Index to this issue
• Cartoon humor
• Computer Pasword Tips and Stratagies -brief set of suggestions regarding your online passwords, by Jim Cerny
• What is Virtual Memory? - discussion of how Windows provides one's computer some additional "memory,' when needed, by Ask Leo
• Tip re Cookies - how to block undesirable "third party" cookies from following your Internet activities
• Facebook's Privacy Policy - some features of Facebook's latest, and very lengthy, privacy policy, and a very brief Q&A with its Policy Director, by Constance Brown
• Crime and Conflict over the Internet -discussion of some of the risks when using the Internet, by Greg Shalka
• Some Things to Look into... - how to access your email from the Kindle Fire tablet; Compliance Services in Tallahassee scam mail; link to backup program at Acronis; link to the new, faster WiFi standard; humorous video of a senior father trying out Windows 8; how to speed up Windows XP and Windows 7; how to access your or another pc remotely for free; recovering data from a damaged hard drive; and how to tell if one's pc is infected   - gathered by the editor, Al Droll
• DNS Changer Malware - how to easily test one's pc for this recent infection, which redirects one's pc to Web sites other than the ones that users think they will be going to
• The Lighter Side - a bit of humor

April 2012 (458 KBytes)

• Advice from Snopes - article about emails you might receive that want you to forward it on to many other people
• Index to this issue
• How to Control the Display of Your Laptop -brief article for customizing the desktop of a laptop running Windows XP or Vista, by Dave Bytes
• What Resolution Should I Make my Pictures for a PowerPoint slide show? - simple way to calculate the resolution one should use for PowerPoint slide shows, from Microsoft Office PowerPoint Help
• PowerPoint Display Adjusted - another approach to fitting your slide show to fill the screen, with a link to a program that will do the calculations for you; the article also covers what to do if the slide show is already done, and set up for a different size screen
• PowerPoint: Use the MS Script Editor to Reset the Size - suggestions for adjusting slide shows  created with PowerPoint 2003 and earlier
• Using a Full Screen Picture as a Background in PowerPoint - how to use a photograph or single graphic as a background image for a PowerPoint show, from Epson
• Tip: Windows XP Task Manager - brief listing that explains the reason various numbers of processes are running in the background
• Is the iCloud Safe? - discussion of audio books from Amazon, and whether or not to use the iCloud, (which is Apple's online storage system form music, photos and documents) to backup one's Audible books. Article also stresses the need for strong passwords to protect access to online accounts, by Kim Komando
• Set up Windows Mail - instructions for setting up Windows Mail (the successor to Outlook Express) on a Vista pc, by Kim Komando
• Some Things to Look into... - how to print out just part of a Web page; complain about soliciting phone calls; Web site for would-be writers; tips for beginning photographers; find a new hobby at this Web site; view the Sistine Chapel; change how long your Internet Explorer keeps its History list; source for a new wallpaper for your pc's Desktop; moving files between two computers; and digital photography lessons - gathered by the editor, Al Droll
• The Lighter Side - a bit of humor

March 2012 (852 KBytes)

• Can you protect your identity for free? - discussion of the pros and cons of doing so, and an alternative, by Kim Komando
• Index to this issue
• Using Chrome's Task Manager to Kill Problematic Tabs - simple way to close a troublesome tab when using Google's browser, Chrome, submitted by Rich Urmann
• ...Most people are security aware, but... - results of a global survey on pc security by PC Tools, and their recommended single and multi-purpose tools, by PC Tools
• Microsoft Updates its Lifecycle Support - latest set of dates when Microsoft will end support for Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7, by Microsoft
• Backing up an iTunes Library - discussion re pros and cons of different methods of backing up one's music library as well as all your data files, including the advantages of online backup, by Kim Komando
• Computer Tip - how to get options when trying to set Power settings in Windows XP Home & Pro
• More about Internet Threats - article on the changes Google is making to one's profile in Facebook, as part of its comprehensive consolidation of privacy policies, by Christina DesMarais for Techlicious
• What's a Screen Shot, and How do I Make One? - what a screen shot is, and two ways to create one
• Some Things to Look into... - a collection of links about: how to set up Google alerts; three free programs to recover your lost photos; and how to save Favorites and eMail; gathered by the editor, Al Droll
• Computer tip - article on the difference between a factory restore disc and a backup
• System Restore - discussion of what System Restore does, and doesn't do,  suggestions to overcome issues with it, and a better alternative, by Leo Notenboom
• The (Not so) Lighter Side - brief history chronology of Kodak's rise and fall, despite having been the first to invent a digital camera, from PhotoSecrets
• Photography humor

February 2012 (407 KBytes)

• Ten Ways to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft - a variety of ways one can help prevent their identity from being stolen and misused, including a brief discussion of LifeLock, by Ask Bob Rankin
• Index to this issue
• What is a Sniffer - discussion of how sniffers and keyloggers work to gather certain types of information from computers and networks, and who is likely to use them, by Kim Komando
• Help, I Lost my Phone - brief item about services offered by phone carriers to help find a lost phone (but see next item re other options), by Ask Bob Rankin
• Lost Phone Recovery Apps - alternative ways to recover a lost mobile phone, by Ask Bob Rankin
• How do I keep Malware from Reaching my Machine in the First Place? -  tips on how to protect one's computer from malware, and how to get rid of it, by Leo A. Notenboom  
• Some Things to Look into... - a collection of links about: filtering e-books; how to preserve Windows XP; flexible cell phone screens. living rooms with endless entertainment and gaming possibilities; how to create and use a Windows XP password reset disk; a program to safely dismount a removable drive; and how to get Outlook Express email files into Outlook; all gathered by the editor, Al Droll
• The Lighter Side - A humorous poem titled, "The Comfort Zone"
• Welcome - to two new members: Fred Buss and Brad Ward

January 2012 (789 KBytes)

• To All the Members - message by Gary Staley, our new president for 2012, thanking the volunteers that will work with him as our group enters its 25th year of "people helping people," as "...we inform of the latest technological advances and protections while surfing the nefarious 'Web."
•  Index to this issue
• Officers Elected for 2012 - listing and photos of member volunteers who will help run the group next year
• Christmas Dinner - some of the photos of those who attended the annual Christmas dinner, held again at Ben's Family Restaurant; photos by Frank Weitzman
• Recording Directly to DVD - discussion and tips on how to record meetings directly on DVD's, by Kim Komando
• Solving a DVD-burning Problem -  why some recordings to DVD discs by a computer will not play in a standalone DVD player, and what to do about it, by Kim Komando
• Building Your Own XP Service Pack 4 - since Microsoft will no longer offer service packs (SP's) for Windows XP, the author provides a detailed guide on "hot fixes" that can be obtained from Microsoft that will allow diehard users of XP to keep their computers running well past the end of Microsoft's formal support, by Susan Bradley
• Backing Up an External Hard Drive - discussion on backing up both one's pc and an external hard drive attached to that pc, using a backup service offered by an off-site firm, Carbonite, by Kim Komando
• Amazon's Silk Browser Raises Privacy, Security Eyebrows - discussion of the concerns raised by the Internet browser in Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet that will rely on Amazon's servers, by Gregg Keizer
• How to Change Drive Letters in Windows XP - what to do if you need to change the drive letter assigned to one of the hard drives in your XP computer. One of the ways this issue can arise is if a new hard drive is added to an existing pc and the operating system (Windows XP) is reinstalled; by Kim Komando
• Some Things to Look into... - a collection of links about: setting up a network router, organizing digital photos, changing the size of your too-small mouse pointer, article on new government-wide security standards for "cloud" services, the vulnerability of multi-function printers, recharging electronic devices by placing them on an electronic "mat," and a look at one of the better pc cleaning tools, all gathered by the editor, Al Droll
• The Lighter Side - A humorous poem titled, "The Computer Swallowed Grandma"

December 2011 (803 KBytes)

• To all the members - reminder that our group depends on volunteers stepping forward to help, by Jo Ann Brawner
•  Index to this issue
• Officers Elected for 2012 - listing of member volunteers who will help run the group next year
• Other volunteers - list of other members who will also assist in running the group during 2012
• When to Backup Your Hard Drive - recommendations on what backups one should do, by Gene Barlow
• Why Partition Your Hard Drive -  the advantages if one creates one or more partitions on your hard drive, by Gene Barlow
• What Exactly is Spamming 'Ratware'? - article on software used by spammers to send volumes of spam over the Internet with some of it going into your Inbox, by Gene Barlow
• Help from the Computer Lady - what to do when an email shows a box with a red "x,", by the Computer Lady, and submitted by Gary Staley
• Christmas graphics
• Some Things to Look into... - a collection of links for accessing "How do they do that?," blending two photos into one, speed up Internet Explorer 8, and a utility to help you remove sensitive data from the hard drive of a pc you want to give away, gathered by the editor, Al Droll
• The Lighter Side - A humorous look at how the Internet came to be.

November 2011 (898 KBytes)

• 8 Things to Know about Windows 8 - article discusses the main features of the next version of Windows, which may be released during 2012, by Melanie Pinola, in About.com
•  Index to this issue
• Officer Nominees for 2012 - listing of member volunteers to help run the group next year
• Election of Officers for 2012 - note by the president, stressing the need for members to step forward next year to fill the various officer/leader positions
• Moving from WinXP to a New Windows 7 Computer - pros and cons on several ways to get your WinXP programs and files over to your new Windows 7 computer, by Gene Barlow
• Graphic with quote, by Dick Evans
• Sync Your Bookmarks on Different Computers - how to have your Favorites/bookmarks on one computer appear on any other computer you use, by Senta Berger
• How to Protect Yourself from the "Here You Have" Virus - discussion about how to protect your computer(s) from a harmful new computer worm that has infested the computers of large companies and federal agencies, from Fox News
• Halloween graphic
• Create an Administrative Account When You Can't Download a File - a step by step guide for when your computer tells you that you can't download a desired file because you don't have sufficient "administrative privileges," by Parker Monroe
• Make Spam Go Away for Good - suggestions and links for how to stop spam, by Kim Komando
• Some Things to Look into... - a collection of links for accessing an unlimited number of email accounts, an alternative to Photoshop, a mind-boggling video from Sony, tricks and tips for digital photographers, removing personal data from your old cell phone, remove duplicate files, a digital count-down timer, and a utility that brings back the classic feel of Windows XP on your new Windows 7 pc, gathered by the editor, Al Droll
• The Lighter Side - how many familiar computer names originated, submitted by Parker Monroe

October 2011 (2.0 MBytes)

• Leave it On or Shut it Down - article discusses the often asked question of when should I shut down my computer, and a utility to help with this, from Skywire.
•  Index to this issue
• Don't let Criminals Into Your Computer - discussion on how to protect against adware infections that "find" infections on your pc, and want you to pay to remove them, by Kim Komando
• Test Your Computer's Security - suggestions on various tools and ways to check for, and protect against, hackers and infections, by Kim Komando
• Cartoon - computer humor
• Three Step Fix-up Process for Acronis True Image - steps to take if your Acronis True Image backup system stops working or reports errors, including why you want to create an Acronis account for your copy of Acronis, by Gene Barlow
• Updates! Updates! Updates! - the importance of updates for your computer, and free utilities that can help, by Penny Cano of the Cajun Clickers Computer Club
• Some Things to Look into... - several comments and links regarding Google+, creating an e-signature, the Tetris video game, Legacy's Family Search, and how to save some money when inkjet printing
• Officer Nominees for 2012 - listing of current candidates for officer and leadership positions for next year
• Election of Officers for 2012 - brief discussion of need for volunteers to help run the group, by Al Droll
• Professional Business Intelligence -news clipping regarding member Kyle Chastain's consulting firm - PBI, which offers training and ways to improve bottom-line profits, by Michelle Colesanti

September 2011 (518 KBytes)

• Rootkit Infection Requires Windows Reinstall - article discusses a serious, sophisticated infection that is very difficult to remove, the Trojan Win32/Popureb.E, by Gregg Keizer
•  Index to this issue
• Photo and quote, submitted by Dick Evans
• "A technician did set up my laptop, now what do I do?"  what to do when you've just purchased a new laptop, by Gregory West, of the Computer Operators of Marysville and Port Huron, MI, and Computer User Group, Canada
• Add Tabs to Your Office Documents - if you would like to have more than one document open when using a Microsoft Office program, and would like to have tabs similar to those in Internet Explorer, here's where to get it, from Parker Monroe
• Multi-billion-dollar Military Computer System Suffers Bugs - report on the Army's new computer system, which doesn't work and efforts to fix it have not been successful, by Deanna Glick
• Is the New TDL-4 Botnet Really 'Indestructible"' - discussion of an elusive malware program that has quietly co-opted more than four million pc's, from www.popsci.com
• Some Things to Look into... - comments and links regarding how a hard drive is designed, member Ray Davis' entry into a CNN song contest, safe ways to use credit cards on the Internet, six steps on how to remove malware completely, reinstall Windows without losing your data, and an alternative Flash Player
• Club member Doris Barrilleaux's Induction to the Body Builders Hall of Fame - article on the induction ceremony, hosted by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and a brief history of how she founded and fostered women's fitness, by Barbara Routen, Special Correspondent

August 2011 - no issue for this month

July 2011 (807 KBytes)

• Broadband2Go - discussion of re using an AirCard from Virgin Mobile to allow one's laptop (or other computer device) to access the Internet when away from home, via one's cell phone, and the considerations of one user when choosing a particular purchasing plan, by John Roy, President, The PCUG of Connecticut
•  Index to this issue
• Can I Backup Files to Another Partition on the Same Hard Disk?  considerations if one wants to "backup" files on an existing hard drive partition to another partition and, by comparison, what a real backup is
• 7 Little Word Annoyances and Their Easy Fixes - a collection of frustrating things that can happen when using Microsoft Word, and what to do about them, by Nancy DeMarte, Sarasota PCUG
• Photo and quote, by Dick Evans
• Some Things to Look at... - comments and links regarding Ashampoo Office (a replacement for Microsoft Office), the latest headlines, criminals now targeting corporate data, a controversial new Trojan affecting Adnroid smartphones, Windows XP still the most popular operating system but Internet Explorer 9..., and Symantec comments on the daily number of web-based hacker attacks, as reported by Infopackets
• Microsoft Releases Mother of All Security Updates - a record number of patches were released recently by Microsoft, including fixes for some high profile problems announced during the past couple of months, from John Lister via Infopackets
• Maxine Cartoon

June 2011 (850 KBytes)

• Cell Phone Lingo - review of some of the terminology used by cell phone vendors and their ads, and what they mean, by Wil Wakely, President, Seniors Computer Group, CA
•  Index to this issue
• Photo with quote, by Dick Evans
• How to Recover Deleted Files - what to do if you want to recover a file that was erased, by Bob Rankin, at AskBob.com
• More File Recovery Tools - how to possibly recover, in Windows 7, earlier versions of a file that you did not back up, and other tools that may also help recover  deleted files, by Bob Rankin, at AskBob.com
• Your Computer's Health - What Junk Files? - tips on tools for cleaning out unneeded files and orphaned entries, by Bob Woods, Under the Computer Hood Useer Group
• Understanding System Restore - discussion of the much-improved System Restore utility in Windows 7, and what it can do to correct computer problems and possibly recover earlier versions of some files with its Shadow Copy, by Vinny La Bash, Sarasota PCUG
•  FACUG Bahamas Cruise - how to protect oneself from identity theft when getting rid of an old hard drive, by Bob Rankin
• The New Microsoft Keyboard - humor
• Service Pack Explained (and needed) - discussion of what Service Packs are, and why one should make sure to download and install them, even if one has been careful to install the regular updates and patches from Microsoft, by Sandy Berger, at Compu-Kiss

May 2011 (1.o MBytes)

• Can PDF Files Contain Viruses? - warning and discussion that pdf files, which most folks have long assumed were virus-free, is no longer true, by Ask Bob
•  Index to this issue
• Minutes - Minutes of the three April classes/meetings
• Internet Explorer 9's Nagging 64-bit Woes - why one should not use the 64-bit version of Internet Explorer 9 , and use the 32-bit version, and how to tell which is on your Windows 7 pc, by Woody Leonard
• Hummingbird photo, and quote, from member Dick Evans
• Discovering Windows 7 - Several useful tips for those now using Windows 7 on their computers,  by Nell Stahfest
• Flower/bee photo - by member Emi Evans
• When Secure Wiping Isn't - discussion of how using various conventional methods to try to erase or completely wipe out all data on solid state drives (which are appearing in more and more pc's), unfortunately does not remove all the data, by Dan Goodin
•  Hard Drive Destruction - how to protect oneself from identity theft when getting rid of an old hard drive, by Bob Rankin
• Computer humor -how the Internet changed my life
• Some things to look into... - tips and links to useful utilities, including the replacement for the BIOS, the best satellite photos yet, the first prototype of a millimeter-scale computing system, a summary of how to organize all types of files, a program highly recommended by Gary Staley, and a utility that could help recover a stolen laptop

      For further information, contact Bay Bytes Editor, Al Droll

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