Links: Web sites sometimes discontinue or change the location of their pages. As a result, the links provided below, in blue, and within each newsletter issue, are for your convenience, but you may find that some, especially in older issues of the newsletter, are no longer valid.

February 2010 (958 KBytes)

• If You Thought Microsoft Was Going To Dump Windows XP Completely... - discussion of XP Mode in three versions of Windows 7, by Dave Bytes
• Index to this issue
• Minutes of the three meetings during January
• Windows 7's Real Killer Feature - discussion of how Windows 7 does a better job of taking advantage of the available hardware resources than its predecessors, by Randall C. Kennedy
• Encrypting an External Hard Drive - discussion and tips on protecting an external hard drive by encrypting its contents, by Kim Komando
• Select Multiple Files in Vista - how one can select multiple files in Vista without using the Ctrl key, by Kim Komando
• Choosing an External Hard Drive - advice on how to select an external hard drive that will work with your  hardware and meet your  needs, by Smart Computing
• Double the Displays, Double the Productivity - short item on the benefits of having two monitors for one's computer, by Smart Computing
• Panda Cloud Anti-virus hits the Internet for FREE - discussion of a new, free anti-virus service based on an Internet server, from DaveBytes.com
• Tip - How far Should One Sit from Their TV - quick guide calculating how far away one should be from their LCD or Plasma tv for the best viewing
• Roundup of 2009 Security Suites - detailed comparison of 11 commercial and one free security suites, from PC Magazine
• How to Know if an Online Transaction is Secure - discussion of secure Internet connections, how safe are they really, and how to tell is you actually have a secure connection; submitted by Frank Weitzman
• Some Things to Look Into... - a number of useful Internet sites worth checking out, by Al Droll
• The Middle Mouse Button - tips about using the middle mouse button to browse more efficiently, scroll more quickly, and more - submitted by Charlie Vanderford.
• 5 Free Fun Kids Sites for Summer - five safe, great sites for children, by Kim Komando
• Photo Contest - photo that won the monthly prize drawing, by Emi Evans
• Murphy's Laws of Computing - humorous listing of situations that one's computer can have, from Three Peaks
• Credit correction - statement correcting incorrect attribution of a January article on the "Digital Photograhpy Pocket Guide," which was actually submitted by Dick Evans

January 2010 (1.0 MBytes)

• A New Photo Contest, by Al Droll
• Index to this issue
• Minutes of the three meetings during December, with photos
• Creating an Awesome Slide Show - clear instructions on how to create a slide show using photos and videos from the holidays, by Kim Komando
• Digit Photography Pocket Guide - review of a the 3rd edition of this popular and inexpensive guide, by Derrick Story; the guide is published by O'Reilly
• Sort Out Confusing Processes - tips and links to Web sites so one can determine which processes that are running in the background should be retained, and which can be stopped, by Kim Komando
• Is Your Internet Security Up to Date? - reminder to be sure to update the protection for your computer
• Domain Name Scam - alert about scams advising that your domain name is expiring, by Charlie Vanderford
• Watch Out for Links in E-mail - tips, links, and warnings about clicking on links in emails that may go to malicious Web sites, by Kim Komando
• Create New E-Mail Accounts to Foil Spammers - suggestions for handling one's email address(es) to minimize spam and misuse, by Kim Komando
• Some Things to Look Into... - links to useful sites and utilities, for free music, recover erased files, telephone numbers, and reverse image searches, by Al Droll
• "Backing Up Your PC" Presentation - press release covering Gene Barlow's January 12th presentation to our group, which will focus on the best ways to back up one's computer, as well as on the latest release of Acronis True Image Home, version 2010. (Press release provided by Linda Barlow )
• Computer cartoons

December 2009 (926 KBytes)

• President's Message, by Jo Ann Brawner
• Index to this issue
• Officer Nominations for 2010 - list of nominees for officer positions for 2010, plus a listing of SIG leaders
• Minutes of the three meetings during November
• Christmas Party - announcement for Dec. 15th gathering
• More about Windows 7 - links to information on Microsoft's latest operating system, including a listing of the features of several versions, a discussion of upgrading, and using Backup, by Parker Monroe, Charlie Vanderford, and Kim Komando
• Three Reasons Why Windows 7 Isn't for Everybody, by Woody Leonhard
• Windows 7 Early Adoption Rate Outpaces Vista's - article on how Windows 7 is being installed and accepted, from ComputerWorld
• How Windows 7 will Finally Kill XP - discussion of why Windows XP will finally give way to the new operating system, by Preston Gralla of ComputerWorld
• Is Your Internet Security Up to Date? - reminder to be sure to update the protection for your computer
• Identity Thieves Target Medical Records - discussion of the thriving market for patients' stolen medical records and prescriptions, by Erik Larkin of PC World magazine
• "Helpful" Hackers - how computer users are being lured into exposing their pc's to hackers posing as Internet security watchdogs, by Sid Kirchheimer, author of "Scam-Proof Your Life," and submitted by Nestor Bonilla
• Something to Look Into - several links to Reprinted books, emergency medical transportation, and a source of file repair utilities, collected by editor Al Droll
• Computer cartoon and New Years greeting.

November 2009 (838KBytes)

• Introduction by the newsletter Editor, Al Droll
• Index to this issue
• Officer Nominations for 2010 - list of nominees for officer positions for 2010, plus a listing of SIG leaders
• Minutes of the four meetings during October
• SanDisk u3 4gig Smart drive - reprint of an article written a while ago about the features of, and tips pertaining to, a flash/thumb drive, by Parker Monroe
• Links to additional information and tools for flash drives, by Don Miller
• Firewall Explained - useful information about software and hardware firewalls, and why one should have them for their pc, by  Sandy Berger
• What is an IP Address Conflict? - discussion of IP address conflicts that can occur on one's local network, and how to resolve them, by Bradley Mitchell of About.com
• How to Control the Display of Your Laptop - brief article on how to control the way Windows looks on your laptop, from DaveBytes.com
• Is Your Internet Security Up to Date? - reminder to be sure to update the protection for your computer
• The Five Most Dangerous Security Myths - first page of a five-page article that discusses several myths affecting a computer's security, by Erik Larkin of PC World magazine
• Some Things to Look Into - links to several Web sites, including where one can obtain a free Web page creation  program, pictures from one of the club's Christmas parties, and a new search engine where one can ask a range of questions - provided by the editor, Al Droll
• A Full Inbox - computer humor

        October 2009 (709KBytes)

• Should you Store Passwords in your Browser - discussion about the risks of storing passwords in whatever browser you're using, and tips on how to try to keep them safe from prying eyes, by Kim Komando
• Index to this issue
• Minutes of the four meetings during September, including a collage from Picasa 3 presentation by Dick & Emi Evans
• Stop Bugging Me! - computer cartoon
• Don't be Afraid of RSS - create and use a blog to communicate text and photos with a large group of relatives and/or friends - by Kim Komando
• Finding if an Email was Sent - how to check whether or not you have sent email to a particular person, by Kim Komando
• How Forwarding Emails can Increase Spam - the risks and consequences of forwarding emails improperly, plus additional links to additional tutorials about email, by Hoax Slayer and Brett M. Christensen
• Cartoon - humorous computer cartoon
• Block Inappropriate Material - article about using the free OpenDNS to help prevent accessing inappropriate Web sites, plus links to the HOSTS file, printing over the Internet, and tracking browser history to track surfing, by Kim Komando
• Is Your Internet Security Up to Date? - reminder to be sure to update the protection for your computer
• Scan USB Devices with AVG Automatically to Keep Conficker Virus away - the need to scan USB devices and set AVG Anti-Virus properly, to help prevent an infection by the "dreaded" Conficker virus, by Sandy Berger
• Some Things to Look Into - a number of useful links, covering new recipes, opening tough clamshell packaging, history information, fixing your lost network connection, Windows 7 (the successor to Vista), all the space shuttle missions, one million free e-books online, change the label on the Start button, and free photography seminars - provided by the editor, Al Droll
• Surfing the Web -  cartoon displaying the perils of the Internet

September 2009 (1.0MBytes)

• Special Announcement from Microsoft - Microsoft is readying to offer Service Pack 2 for Office 2007
• Index to this issue
• Minutes of August meeting
• Photo of raft navigating the rapids, submitted by Dick Evans

  • Note: the next six articles are from Kim Komando

  • Choosing a Powerful Laptop Processor - discussion re top-of-the-line and second-tier cpu's for laptoops
  • Using System Restore - tips on using System Restore in Windows, as well as a link to further information about Vista's Shadow Copy, which is tied in to Vista's System Restore
  • A Spell Checker for Outlook Express - ways to add proofing tools, including a spell checker, to Outlook Express
  • PDF Files are Easily Created These Days - how to create PDF files, two recommended conversion programs, and links to splitting/merging PDF documents, and to converting pictures to PDF
  • Is Your Internet Security Up to Date? - reminder to be sure to update the protection for your computer
  • More about Internet Threats - discussion re background processes in Windows, ways to view them, and a comment about the csrss.exe process, which sometimes may be a virus
   
• Something to Look Into - eight brief items on useful tools and links, submitted by Helen Frydrych, Don Miller, and others
• High-speed Memory Cards for Cameras  - discussion of memory cards for digital cameras, with tips on what to look for, by Kim Komando
• Photo - the German wine country, by editor Al Droll
• Never Underestimate a Texas Cowboy -  humor

August 2009 (1.6MBytes)

• Pull Secret Data from Photos - discussion re removing hidden metadata in digital photos, from Kim Komando . (Note: per one of our members, to control metadata one can also use Microsoft's free Pro Photo Tools
• Index to this issue
• Windows Vista Multiple Files Selection - an alternate way to select multiple files when using Vista, by Charlie Vanderford
• Downgrade Vista to XP in Seven Easy Steps - if you still don't like Vista, here's how to go back to Windows XP, from Windows Secrets
• Cartoon - humorous computer cartoon
• Add an XP Option to Your New Vista System - how to set up your (new) computer to run both Vista and Windows XP, from Windows Secrets
• Is Your Internet Security Up to Date? - reminder to be sure to update the protection for your computer
• Kim Komando's Reply When Asked about a 64-bit Firewall - Kim discusses firewalls for 32-bit and the now more-commonly sold new 64-bit versions of Windows Vista
• Some Things to Look Into - a number of useful links, covering medical matters, free phone calls, photo editing/printing/sharing, laptop theft, viewers/drivers, and FACUG newsletters, provided by members Charles Kelly, Ray Davis, and Don Miller
• Dirty, but Still Running -  photo of a dust-clogged pc that was still running, "but not very well," by Al Droll (Bay Bytes editor)

July 2009 (972KBytes)

• Editor's introduction to this issue, which notes how special characters can be inserted into document texts
• Meeting Reminder - next regular meeting will be on August 18th, as Brandon High School is closed for the summer
• Index to this issue
• Minutes of the meetings held during June, 2009
• Preventive Computer Maintenance - article on protecting one's data and program files from loss, as well as steps to take to maintain a computer's hardware, by Stuart Rabinowitz
• Why is my Email Address Online? - how one's email address can turn up when the Internet is searched, and how to minimize this happening, by Kim Komando
• Computer humor - cartoon re lost password
• Trojan Threat Alert for Windows 7 and FIFA World Cup - PC Tools new release regarding cybercriminals targeting major news stories and global events
• How Much RAM should you add? -  discussion on adding memory to an existing computer, the different types, and how much memory one should consider, by Kim Komando
• Set UP Windows Mail - setting up and configuring Vista's built-in email program, Windows Mail (which replaces Outlook Express), by Kim Komando
• Setting up a Linksys Router - how to connect and start setting up a Linksys router, from Windows Secret's newsletter
• How to Customize your Boot Menu - tips on configuring  the boot menu in Vista if one is dual-booting, from Windows Secret's newsletter
• Dr. Seuss Explains Computers - humorous explanation of how a computer system works, reprinted from one of our newsletters published in 1999

June 2009 (606KBytes)

• Editor's introduction to this issue, which requests that members consider submitting material for the newsletter, even short tips and other helpful hints
• Index to this issue
• Minutes of the meetings held during May, 2009
• Windows 7 Release Candidate Announcement - information on a near-final version of the operating system that will succeed Microsoft's Vista, from Microsoft and submitted by Charlie Vanderford
• Google rolls out Search changes - article on  two experimental products that Google hopes will change the way that users search for photos and news - by Maggie Shields, BBC News, Silicon Valley
• Erasing Data for Good Using the Eraser - discussion of a free tool to permanently delete files, by Kim Komando
• Humor - cartoon of one way to log off from a computer
• Nintendo Wii shipments top 50 million since launch - news article about the record sales achieved by the Wii game console, from Reuters
• Is Your Internet Security up to Date? - link to free utilities to protect one's pc
• Cybergang Operates Bot Network - news item about a network of almost 2 million infected pc's, created by cyber criminals, from WXP News, and submitted by Charlie Vanderford
• AVG Anti-virus Uninstall Problems - AVG has released a tool that helps uninstall the free and paid versions of its anti-virus programs
• Web sites - listing of interesting Web sites covering a variety of topics, compiled by Don Miller
• Chinese Proverb
• Two early computers - a 1987 Compaq Portable III ($$4,999 or $5,799, depending on the size of the hard drive - 20megs or 40megs), and a 1981 Dynabyte with 64k of RAM ($2,375)

May 2009 (819KBytes)

• Editor's introduction to this issue, which encourages New Members to be patient, attend as many meetings as possible, and eventually share their hard-won knowledge with other members
• Index to this issue
• Minutes of the meetings held during April, 2009
• Photo of sunset by member Dick Evans
• What is a High Definition PC Monitor? - discussion of what constitutes an HD monitor, by Mark Casey
• How to Test and Calibrate Your PC Monitor - ways to tune your monitor, by Mark Casey
• Leaving computers on overnight = $2.8 billion a year - discussion of the savings when pc's are turned off at night, from USA Today
• How to Install and Connect a Webcam to Your PC - tips on setting up a Webcam on a pc, by Mark Casey
• How to Connect Your PC to the TV - discussion of the various types of connections available to attach a pc to a television, by Mark Casey
• Is Your Internet Security up to Date? - link to free utilities to protect one's pc
• More About Internet Threats - discussion about rogue scanners, and how to spot and remove them
• Something to look into... - links to interesting Web sites, check the quality of your password, and how to clean a dirty laptop keyboard
• Data Backup: Use it or lose it - a basic guide to devices and ways to protect one's valuable data and files, from Consumer Reports
• Computer Cartoon
• Two early computers - a 1983 Apple Lisa ($9,995), and a 1982 Otrona Attache ($3,995)

April 2009 (625KBytes)

• Editor's introduction to this issue, which deals primarily with protecting your computer(s) from various threats (and see if you can find the Editor's bow to April Fool's Day)
• Index to this issue
• Minutes of the five meetings held during March, 2009
• Password Disaster: My PayPal Account Was Hacked - what happened to him, and how to protect yourself, by Steve Bass
• How to Clean an Infected Computer - tips and suggestions from the AVG Web site, written by Randy D. Stafford, and submitted my Ray Davis
• Anti-Spyware Software for Windows 98 & later - informative article about spyware, with links to SpyBot Search & Destroy and MalwareBytes anti-malware
• Anti-virus Software - discussion of AVG's free anti-virus program, how to use it, and how to protect your computer(s) from infections
• Run Disk Clean-up - how to run this built-in utility that comes with Windows 98 to Vista
• Run MalwareByte's Anti-Malware - how to run this excellent anti-malware utility
• Run SpyBot Search & Destroy - a guide to running this anti-spyware tool
• Windows Tips - how to unhide hidden files, folders and extensions
• Is Your Internet Security up to Date? - link to free utilities to protect one's pc
• More About Internet Threats - discussion of how AVG treats embedded infections
• Computer History - photos and prices of a 1980 IBM 5120 portable with printer, and a 1981 Dynabyte with 64k of RAM

March 2009 (500KBytes)

• Windows 7 is Coming - some of the features of the successor to Vista, from various news sources, by Al Droll
• Index to this issue
• Minutes of the February 3rd, 10th, 17th and 23rd meetings
• Close-up nature photo, by Dick Evans
• Lost Password - how to recover when your Windows XP or Vista password is lost, by Kim Komando
• Passwords - how to change your password in Windows XP and Vista
• Computer cartoon, by John McPherson
• Remembering Passwords - how Keepass stores and helps you remember passwords, by Kim Komando
• Roboform - link to another popular password manager
• Password Protection - suggestions on how to protect your passwords, and how Sarah Palin's Yahoo email account was hacked, by Sandy Berger
• Windows XP Home - how to shutdown or reboot Windows XP Home only, using only the keyboard
• Is Your Internet Security up to Date? - link to free utilities to protect one's pc
• More About Internet Threats - the difference between HTPP and HTTPS Web pages, by Kim Komando
• Mozilla Issues Firefox Security Update - notice re a critical update for the Firefox Web browser
• For Vista Users - tips for some useful settings in Vista
• Computer cartoon
• Don Miller - Links and tips for Windows 7, Thunderbird email, Internet Explorer 8, photos by Emi and Dick Evans, using Photo Story demo, movies created in Windows MovieMaker and Picassa by John Barnes, and a link to Open Office Writer, by Don Miller
• Miscellaneous links to useful sites - treats for pets, track gasoline consumption, finding the best flight for the best price, printing a map with points of interest, and create fun crafts
• Computer History - photos and prices of a 1975 IBM portable, and a 1981 Apple III

February 2009 (601KBytes)

• Windows XP Expires, by Sandy Berger
• Index to this issue
• Thoreau quote and photo, by Emi Evans
• The Club History, with photos, by Al Miller
• Minutes of the January 6th, 13th,  20th and 27th meetings
• Computer cartoon
• Advice from Snopes - number of worthwhile tips regarding email
• Why do my Printers Die so Quickly, by Kim Komando
• XP's "Photo Story 3" - link to this free program for creating photo slideshows
• Is Your Internet Security up to Date? - link to free utilities to protect one's pc
• Trojan Horses Still on the Loose - discussion of what Trojans are and how to deal with them, by Panda Security
• Something You Might Want to Check Out... - several useful links, such as Print What You Like, Phone Spam Filter, Fiction Addiction, Photo Secrets, List of Hobbies, and the latest Tech Stories
• For Vista Users - tips for some useful settings in Vista
• Computer cartoon
• Early computers - photos of two vintage models, and link to Web site dedicated to preserving and displaying these old systems

January 2009 (641KBytes)

• President Jo Ann Brawner's New Year's message
• Index to this issue
• Listing of Officers for year 2009
• Recognition of SIG and other club leaders
• Windows Vista - links to a variety of resources, by Don Miller
• Minutes of the group's meetings on Dec. 2nd and Dec. 9th
• Internet Security - are you up-to-date? Link to Protect Your Computer page
• More about Internet Threats - instructions on setting up and using CCleaner to clean up and speed up a pc
• Google - suggestions for learning more about this very popular Internet search tool, by Don Miller
• More Search engines, and links for Speech Recognition demo's, and Blogs, by Don Miller
• Organize Photos Locally and Online - brief review of SnapAct, a free utility
• World's First Digital Camera (1975) -article and photo, submitted by B. Brock
• Before You Buy a New Video - Graphics Card - discussion of what to look for and need, from http://www.About.com,  by Mark Casey
• Photo with quote by Aristotle - submitted by Dick Evans
• Outdoor Digital Antenna Installation - instructions for installing and setting up; from http://www.terrestrial-digital.com, and submitted by Dick Evans
• Tandy 5000 Professional System - ad for a 1989 computer, costing only $8,499; submitted by M. Brock

December 2008 (778KBytes)

• Index to this Christmas issue
• Editor's message
• Announcements re club's Christmas party, and reduced dues for 2009
• Listing of Officer Nominees, for year 2009
• Recognition of SIG and other club leaders
• Minutes of meetings on Oct. 28, Nov. 4th, Nov. 18th, and Nov. 25th
• Internet Security - are you up-to-date? Link to Protect Your Computer page
• Downloads - Danger Signs - short article about risks of downloading files on the Internet
• List of useful links for Windows Vista, by Don Miller
• Leave WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) as is? - article from Kim Komando which discusses recent news that WPA protection for wireless connections had been cracked
• Brief overview of what WPA is, also from Kim Komando
• True Image Home 2009 - review of features of latest backup software from Acronis, by Gene Barlow
• Premium USB Turntable - overview of high-end turntable for transferring vinyl records and cassettes to one's pc, from Kim Komando
• Photoshop Elements 6 - The Missing Manual - review of book by Barbara Bundage, published by Pogue Press/O'Reilly, which covers the basics of this popular graphics editing program; written by Darry D Eggleston
• Christmas Photos - seven tips for better holiday photos, by Kim Komando

November 2008 (3MBytes)

• Index to this Thanksgiving issue
• Editor's message
• President's message
• Listing of Officer Nominees, for year 2009
• Recognition of SIG and other club leaders
• November meetings schedule
• Internet Security - are you up-to-date - link to Protect Your Computer page
• Microsoft posts emergency defense for new remote-code attack
• Clickjacking - article discusses another dangerous threat, from Windows Secrets
• Burning Pictures to a CD - tutorial on how to place photos on a CD for safekeeping, from the APCUG
• Windows keyboard shortcuts for Internet Explorer and most Windows programs, from PCWorld
• Guide to PC Maintenance, to help your computer happy, healthy and trouble-free, PC World
• Windows Vista - links to helpful information on which edition to get, demos, features, help, newsletter, and books
• Cartoon - computer humor, by Rich Tennant

August to October, 2008: due to illness, issues of our group's monthly newsletter were temporarily suspended during these months.

July 2008 (286KBytes)

• Index to this issue
• Protect - link to club's Web page for utilities to protect one's computer
• Reminder - our meeting room, and Brandon High School, will be closed all of July. Therefore no meetings during July. Meetings resume on Tuesday, August 5, 2008
• 2008 Officers and SIG Leaders, with photos
• Links to members' Web sites
• Quick links to APCUG newsletters and FACUG Web sites
• Advice from Snopes - do not add your name, and forward, mass emails
• Free MP3 Music - discussion of, and links to, Web sites offering free MP3 music, lyrics and interesting sounds, by Patrick Courtney
• 2008 Hurricane Season Resource - guidance and links to prepare for and cope with the coming hurricane season, provided in part by FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency)
• Photoshop Elements 6: The Missing Manual - review of O'Reilly/Pogue Press publication that explains and illustrates how to use this excellent graphics editing program

February to June, 2008: due to illness, issues of our group's monthly newsletter were temporarily suspended during these months.

        January 2008 (293KBytes)

• Index to this issue
• Viewers - Listing of and links to various document viewers
• 2008 Officers and SIG Leaders
• Links to members' Web sites
• Quick links to APCUG newsletters and FACUG Web sites
• Hot Topics - our new way to explore computers: in small, informal groups
• TV's Consume More Energy - discussion of the cost of running plasma and LCD tv's, by Darry D Eggleston
• Photos from our recent Christmas Party 
• Minutes of Officers Meeting on Dec. 3, 2007

 

      For further information, contact Bay Bytes Editor, Al Droll

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