Windows XP:
 Why You Oughta Upgrade
by Carl Siechert
Co-Author, Microsoft Windows 
XP Inside Out
	At a recent meeting of the Pasadena IBM Users Group, Ed Bott and Carl Siechert, co-authors of Microsoft Windows XP Inside Out, explained why Windows XP is such an important upgrade for most users. Carl did a follow up which included the key parts of the presentation, and graciously allowed the user group community to reprint it in their newsletters.
W
hy upgrade? At the meeting, several people commented that we didn’t show the killer feature or the clear benefits of upgrading, especially from Windows 2000.
	That’s because, IMO, there isn’t a distinct knock-your-socks-off feature/benefit. Instead, there are a number of minor enhancements that, collectively, make Windows XP a compelling upgrade for me. We tried to dash through them but perhaps didn’t adequately demonstrate the benefit. Here’s a brief summary of my favorites:

Stability. Windows XP has the ability to run a large number of apps without running out of resources, without crashing. (If you’re running Windows 2000, you already have this, so there’s no gain.)
Security. This is a huge topic that I can’t adequately cover in a few sentences; suffice to say that security of your data and your privacy in Windows XP is leaps and bounds beyond anything available in Windows 9x. (Again, if you have Windows 2000, you already have most of the security capabilities of Windows XP.)
UI enhancements. A variety of changes in Start menu, taskbar, Windows Explorer, and Control Panel make everyday tasks such as launching programs, switching between windows, and managing files just a little bit faster, easier, and more convenient. These features can each be customized, so you can use the ones you like and change others back to Windows 9x/2000 style. (Similarly, you can banish the new look of Windows XP while still enjoying its other benefits.)
Fast User Switching. Great for shared computers, FUS lets someone else log on without requiring you to first close all your documents and applications.
Power management. Standby and hibernation let me save power (on desktop PCs as well as portables) yet still have fast boot time, bringing me right back to where I left off. (That is, all the windows that I left open when the system powers down are already open when I power up.)
Digital photo support. I was never a fan of digital photography until I got XP because it was such a hassle before. But the support for cameras and scanners, as well as the features built in to Windows Explorer for viewing, printing, e-mailing, and manipulating images have actually made it fun and practical to work with photos in new ways.
Remote Assistance. The ability to actually see and work with someone else’s screen while conversing with them through text, voice, and video chat is a killer feature for anyone who’s looked upon as a computer guru and gets calls for support from relatives, friends, and neighbors. (I suspect that includes most user group members!)
Remote Desktop. The ability to connect with my home computer from the office (or vice versa) is awesome. It looks and acts exactly as if I’m at that computer five miles away, and  I have access to all its files, printers, and other resources. And like remote assistance, it’s acceptably fast if you have broadband Internet access. I also use it to work with other computers on my own LAN; that’s sometimes easier than hopping back and forth between two computers.
Better help. It’s easier to navigate, integrates information from the Microsoft Knowledge Base, and includes links to a number of diagnostic tools. (Of course, it doesn’t have all the answers. You still need our book!)
	There are dozens of other enhancements— built-in CD burning, built-in ZIP file support, Windows Media Player, Movie Maker, etc. etc.—but those listed above are the ones that I personally find useful.
What’s Wrong with XP? Not Much
	What’s wrong with Windows XP; we promised to talk about “what bites” but some felt we didn’t deliver. That’s because there really isn’t much I don’t like; here’s my full list:
Windows product activation (WPA). I dislike it on principle, but in practice it’s not a problem for me or for most users. It’s anonymous, and it’s a one-time operation that involves clicking Next a few times to get through a wizard—and then you never think about it again. Windows does NOT phone home on its own at any time to confirm your activation status, as has been reported. But as Ed mentioned, it’s a classic Microsoft version 1.0 product.
	If you want to avoid activation altogether, get XP preinstalled on your next computer from a major OEM vendor like Dell. Those versions of XP do not have product activation, so it’ll never kick in when you change a number of components in your system—one of the major flaws in the current implementation. You should be aware, however, that Windows XP versions from major manufacturers are linked to the system BIOS—which means, for example, that you can’t take the Windows XP CD that comes with your Dell and install it on a Gateway or a white box system.
Price. Now that MS is enforcing the one copy/one machine limitation (it’s always been part of the license agreement, but they’ve never had a way to prevent people from copying to all machines until WPA), I think the price—at least for copies after the first one—should be significantly lower, say $50-75 for Home, twice that for Pro. OTOH, it is a pretty good value, even at $100/$200.
Messenger and Passport in your face. I use them constantly, so it doesn’t bother me that they always start. But I’d be frustrated if I didn’t want to use them and discovered how difficult it is to vanquish them.
UI is too chummy in some respects. Wizards have replaced some dialog boxes, advanced options are now further buried, etc. As a power user who knows his way around, these slow me down. Fortunately, there aren’t many of these impediments in the areas that I use frequently.
Support for “legacy” hardware. Some people mentioned HP products in particular, but there are a number of unsupported products that are not that old. Microsoft has always left device driver development to hardware manufacturers, and it supplies plenty of support to manufacturers. It’s clearly in Microsoft’s best interest to have all hardware supported.
	Manufacturers, however, don’t have any incentive (other than the wrath heaped on them by disgruntled customers) to provide drivers for discontinued products; they’d prefer that you buy their latest and greatest. 

Regardless of whose fault it is, it’s a real problem that affects all of us consumers.
Networking. It’s a little difficult to set up a mixed network—one with Windows XP and Windows 9x workstations. (But it’s not impossible, and the steps to successful networking are fully documented in our book!) Windows XP Home Edition uses only the Simple File Sharing model, which is indeed simple, but also somewhat inflexible. You can set up a folder to be private (so that only your user account can access it, either when logged on locally or over the network) or you can share it with everyone. But you can’t, for example, easily set up a shared folder that you and your spouse can access but your kids cannot. (As we mentioned, there is a workaround—de-tailed in the book—that lets you set up more complex security arrangements using Safe Mode.)
Which Version is Best for You?
	Home Edition or Professional? The essential differences are these:
	You can’t use Remote Desktop to connect to a computer running Home Edition. (Btw, the computer you connect from can be running any version of Windows 9x/NT/2000 /XP.) You can, however, use Remote Assistance to connect to a Home Edition computer.
	You can’t use Home Edition on a multi-processor system.
	With Home Edition, your computer can’t join a Windows NT/2000 domain. (You can, however, use all domain resources if you have a domain user account.)
	With Home Edition, you’re essentially stuck with Simple File Sharing. You can share/protect only at the folder level, and you can only make a folder private or share it with everyone. The Windows 2000 security model that’s available in Professional offers granular security control that lets you assign specific types of access to specific users for specific files. (Most home user won’t need this level of control.)
	If you install Professional now, you won’t be able to upgrade to the Home Edition of the next version of Windows, so you’ll pay an extra $100 now and again the next time you upgrade Windows.
	Pro includes everything that’s in Home. If you’re unsure about which to get (that is, the points above don’t seem to apply to you), try Home Edition. Worst case: you later decide to upgrade to Pro. The Home Edition-to-Professional upgrade is $125, so you’re only out an additional $25 compared to purchasing Pro initially.
	You can find Microsoft’s advice on this choice at http://www.microsoft.com /windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/choosing.asp
What’s the Bottom line?
	If you’re buying a new computer, get XP. (Before you do that, however, run the Windows XP Upgrade Advisor on your current system. Be sure that any software or peripherals you plan to use with your new system will work with XP, or can be inexpensively upgraded.) Don’t fret too much about the learning curve for a new OS and its new features; nearly everything you know about your current system can be applied to Windows XP, and you can learn about the new features as you need them.
	If you’re using Windows 9x AND if your computer has the horsepower (practical minimum: 300 MHz processor, 128 MB RAM, 1.5 GB free disk space) and is compatible (run the Windows XP Upgrade Advisor), strongly consider upgrading to XP.
	If you’re using Windows 2000 and you’re happy with it, hold off on upgrading until you get your next computer. If one of the nifty features like Remote Desktop, Remote Assistance, or digital photo support would make your life easier, pop for XP now.
	I’ve decided that XP Professional is right for my newest systems (the rest run Windows 2000), but I don’t mean to suggest that it’s right for everyone. Besides, Ed and I have written books about earlier versions of Windows too. We’d be just as happy if you bought one of those books. :-)
Get Some Help
	Here are a few URLs that’ll help you with the upgrade:
Microsoft Product Lifecycle: This site tells you when support dries up for each version of Windows. http://www.microsoft.com /windows/lifecycle.asp
Windows XP Upgrade Advisor: The program available at this site checks your computer for hardware and software that may be incompatible with Windows XP. When available, it includes links to upgrade information for the incompatible components. http://www .micro-soft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy /upgrading /advisor.asp

	Copyright © 2001 by Carl Siechert. Reproduced with permission. Article reproduction coordinated by Steve Bass, Pasadena IBM Users Group. Reaching Ed Bott and Carl Siechert is easy. Ed’s site is http://www.bott.com and Carl’s company site is http://www.swdocs.com.  Discussions, links, tips, and other good things are at http://communities.msn.com/WindowsXPInside Out and, as you’d expect, at each site you’ll find links for ordering the book online.

The $152 Internet Bargain

When to Decide If a Trip to Target
Is a Better Bet
by Steve Bass
Pasadena IBM Users Group
I
 don’t have a good head for numbers, so double-check these figures for me, okay? I went online, pressed a few buttons, and two minutes later, bought a bottle of multivitamins for $10 and some Folic Acid for $3. Shipping was $3 so the entire bill was $16, right?
	Nope. It cost me closer to $152 and two hours of futzing. 
	Raise your hand if you think shopping on the Internet can save you money. No doubt it can, provided you use it efficiently. 
	In the next few minutes, I’ll show you the mistakes I’ve made (hey, I’m not as bright as I look, okay?), how you can avoid them, and maybe stave off a few gray hairs in the process.
Bargain Hunting
	The trap I always seem to fall into is spending a few minutes trying to find the best deal on the Internet. (Computing minutes, as you may have noticed, are not related to real minutes, but that’s another story.) I started by opening my Internet Explorer Favorites and trying to remember which folder I tucked the “vitamins and drugs” into. 
	Oddest thing, I muttered, is how these darn Favorites have a way of getting disorganized. I mean, what was I thinking when I combined DVD Rentals and DVD Player Research into the same folder. That’s confusing, even to me, and it might be best if I separated them into two folders. I wouldn’t take five minutes to fix. You think?
	Of course, an interesting thing happened while cleaning and dusting my Favorites. I noticed the “Free Stuff” folder, the one with coupons, discounts, and giveaways. Right, I think, I’d better stop by there first and see if Drugstore.com or MotherNature.com is offering free shipping. My first stop is to couponsforyou.com. Nothing for me there because it’s a dot.gone. So were four other coupon sites. I hit the jackpot with www .dealofday.com because drugstore.com offered free shipping and a free diaper travel bag with any $20 order. Cool, I could use the diapers for buffing the car and I’d find something to do with the bag. And free shipping will put $4.95 in my pocket.
So What’s the Deal?
	The deal wasn’t difficult to handle. Do all your shopping, stick the code into the special box on checkout, and shipping was deducted from the total. I did all my shopping, clicked done, and drugstore.com gleefully greeted me. “Yo! Steve-o! Welcome back buddy. Good to see you! But listen, the free shipping, and diaper deal? New customers only. Sorry, pal.” Busted.
	I couldn’t just let that go. It was a challenge to my hacker mentality and less-than-adequate hacking skills. Creating a new user name and account couldn’t be much work, and drugstore.com wouldn’t be the wiser. I really wanted that diaper bag. 
Busted Again
	“Hey, Frank, when did you move in with Bass?” Around ten this morning, I fumed. It was a good question and one that I felt drugstore.com had no right to ask. As a consenting adult, what I did with my alias is my business. 
	I was busted again and chose not to play around with drugstore.com’s cookies. So I headed back to AdvanceRX’s site, added three bottles of Folic Acid to AdvanceRx’s shopping cart. But it hit me that Drugstore.com was selling it in bottles of 200 tablets, a better deal. I think. But hell, even if I paid for shipping and went without the diaper bag, that’d save me roughly $2. Better check. 
	So I open a fourth browser window, navigate to the site, and find I was right the first time. Advance RX is the best deal. You know, Bass, I think, kicking myself. You oughta stick this stuff on a spreadsheet so next time you can refer back to it. Easy enough to do, so I do a few rows and columns, stick in sites, vitamins, prices, shipping, and whether I’ve ordered there before. It was worth the 35 minute investment, really, even though I decided to forego any fancy fonts or formatting.
Stay Calm, Okay?
	By now I’m feeling a little antsy so I head back to AdvanceRX to place the order and get on with my life. At this point, you’re probably one step ahead of me. I faced a really dumb problem: After all my futzing elsewhere, AdvanceRX timed out. The shopping cart was empty, my patience was fading, and I was in dire need of a psychotropic drug. Try clicking IE’s Back button, I thought and Windows applauded my decision with a General Protection Fault. With all the B vitamins I’d depleted, I didn’t think it made sense to bother rebooting.
	I asked my wife if she’d like to make a quick trip to Costco. She did, we found the vitamins (about $2 more than online, not including the stress formula I felt a need to buy); we also bought $100 of stuff we really didn’t need and went out for lunch. 

	Next month? Shopping Tips for Internet Shopaholics.
	Steve Bass is a Contributing Editor with PC World and runs the Pasadena IBM Users Group. He’s also a founding member of APCUG Write to him at Steve_bass@pcworld.com. Check PCW’s current edition at http://www.pcworld.com/re-source/toc/index.asp and sign up for the Steve Bass online newsletter at www.pcworld .com/bass_letter.

You Did What? Why? A Hoax?
by Rod Ream
Pasadena IBM Users Group
T
hat was the start of a conversation with a client who’d just deleted a file from the \windows\command folder. That’s because they’d received an urgent email message from a friend, warning them of an unknown virus.
	The message they received was quite clever and, as of this writing, is still being forwarded by darned near everyone without a second thought [I’ve received it twice recently. –ed]. The e-mail indicated that the file to be deleted contains a virus that will launch within a week and needs to be zapped without delay. The reader is warned in—what else?—LARGE SIZED TYPE with lots of exclamation points that if they do not act quickly they face destruction of all their files and folders. The message concludes by stating that none of the virus scanning programs can detect this viral threat.
	My client had one machine with Internet access and 2 stand-alone systems without Internet access. They followed the instructions in the message and found that all 3 of their systems contained the supposedly dangerous file. They deleted it as instructed and then, wondering if they’d done the right thing, gave me a call.
	In this case the filename was SULFNBK.EXE, but it could have been any file. If the hoax authors get away with this once, you can bet your bippy they’ll be back with something else. (In case you are wondering, SULFNBK.EXE is used to backup long file names when you upgrade from one version of Windows to another. lfyou don’t like the new version and want to go back, this file preserves those long file names for you)
	To put things in perspective, my client had deleted a file they knew nothing about, based on the advice of some they didn’t know well. The author of the hoax had accomplished the task of zapping a file on someone else’s system as easily as if he’d written and launched a real virus.
	Of course, by coming up with this scam, he’d caused the system owner to become his willing and unwitting agent. There are laws against damaging a computer system, if this ploy isn’t included, perhaps it should be, as it could be just as destructive.
	I thought it was time to take the client back to school, so I proceeded to explain how to avoid being taken in, the next time the hoaxers look for a sucker. Here are some things you can look for before you let panic set in:

	* Does the message indicate one of your messages contained a virus when it was received at the other end? When I receive an infected message I always alert the sender by e-mail as well as by phone and I tell then specifically the name of the detected infection.
	* Is the sender someone that would be a knowledgeable person about virus detection? (Is your brother-in-law really a knowledgeable source? Really?)
	* Big clue! The message said that the major anti-virus companies couldn’t detect this thing. Hogwash! The hoaxer compounded the issue by confusing virus detection with virus activation — the date that the time bomb is supposed to trigger. If no one can detect it, then what makes anyone but a psychic know that it’s going to go B-A-N-G!! on a certain date?
	* Did the message look like it’s been forwarded over and over? If you’ve ever received chain letters from an AOL subscriber, then this shouldn’t need an explanation. 
	* Is this something that’s currently being reported by the major news outlets? Sorry folks, but Entertainment Tonight and the Springer Show don’t qualify.
	* What does your own anti-virus software show, when you scan your system? How long has it been since you updated your scanner’s virus definitions? You do have up-to-date antivirus software don’t you?
	Producers of virus detection software (there’s a couple hundred companies doing this) compete with one another to be the first to not only detect a new threat, but to be able to neutralize it as well. Within a day or two of the initial discovery the major companies will have an update available—that’s how they make their money.
	You see, viruses can be very difficult to detect of they are polymorphic (self masking), but there always has been something that’s detectable. Any claim that these highly regarded companies can’t detect something, but Uncle Bob can detect it, should be disregarded on its face.
	With that in mind, your first line of defense is up-to-date virus detection software. If you can’t recall the last time you downloaded a new set of detection definitions, then it’s probably not. If you don’t have anti-virus software on the system, there are several on-line detection sites with the best (in my opinion) being http://www.housecall.antivirus .com which is a free service of Trend Micro, publishers of PC-cillin and other AV products. Your second line of defense is obviously common sense.
	Use it, it’s free!
	Copyright Rod Ream 2001, Rod Ream PC Consulting. Rod Ream is senior tech support for the Pasadena IBM Users Group and president of PC Consulting Reach him at 626/280-6850 or RodReam@techie.com. 
What to Do If You Lose
Your Purse or Wallet
by Bob McGovern
Macon Users Group
W
e’ve all heard horror stories about fraud that’s committed in your name, address, SS#, credit, etc.
	Unfortunately I (the author of this piece who happens to be an attorney) have firsthand knowledge, because my wallet was stolen last month and within a week the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. But here’s some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know. As everyone always advises, cancel your credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). 
	But here’s what is perhaps most important: (I never ever thought to do this) Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and SS#. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me and application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost 2 weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. 
	There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves’ purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks. 
	The numbers are: 
	* Equifax: 800‑525‑6285 
	* Experian (formerly TRW): 888‑397 ‑3742 
	* Trans Union: 800‑680‑7289 

	* Social Security Administration (fraud line): 800‑269‑0271 
Ad/Remove Plus! 2002
by Herb Goldstein
Sarasota Personal
 Computer Users Group, Inc.
I
nstalling most software is pretty easy. Getting rid of it when you no longer want is a whole `nuther story. When you install an application, it does more than create a folder full of files on your hard drive which is easily accessible in Windows Explorer. It also plants a bevy of references all over your registry and puts .dll files in various Windows directory locations. Getting rid of the program’s folder with all its files is a cinch. It’s all the other stuff that can make uninstalling a miserable and sometimes impossible chore.
	I have yet to find something that does a completely reliable job in doing a thorough uninstall with the exception of Ontrack’s System Suite Uninstaller. Aside from this exception, it is best to depend whenever possible on the uninstall command file that accompanies most applications. The easiest way to get to that uninstall file is via Windows Add/Remove Programs (A/R) applet easily found in your control panel. Select a program from the list Add/Remove keeps every time you install something and A/R will find the uninstall command for that particular program and activate it to do its job.
	Unfortunately, A/R is only as good in getting rid of everything as the software developer has written into its uninstall file, so don’t look for miracles. Personally, I usually go into regedit afterward and find and remove manually every reference to the program in the registry—something I don’t recommend for novices. As far as the DLL’s are concerned, it’s a lost cause.
	So, A/R is as good as most anything else around. But, if you want a vastly improved form of A/R you will find it in the form of a little shareware gem entitled Ad/Remove Plus 2002. It does exactly what A/R does, along with some very significant improvements that make it a must‑have little gem of an intelligent, completely easy to use and thoroughly effective utility.
	A/R+ maintains and presents a list of all your installed software just like A/R, but that’s where the similarity ends. Double‑click any software item on the list and A/R+ will activate that application’s uninstall command. Not only will the selected program be uninstalled, it will also be removed from the list of installed software in A/R, something A/R itself will not do.
	The software list presented in A/R+ will present some programs preceded by a yellow check mark which indicates that the program is either missing or its uninstall feature can’t be found. If it’s a program you know you previously uninstalled, double click it and it will be removed from the list.
	Two columns follow the software list. Column #1 provides the detailed path to the uninstall command for every program. Column #2 provides the name under which the program appears in the registry, very handy for manual removals! If you select any program on the software list, a dialogue box will appear containing further information and suggestions for uninstalling. A “product details” button will bring up a list of details about the selected program and the software publisher. A “modify entry” button enables you to change the name under which the program appears on the list and offers further information.
	A/R+ 2002 will work with all versions of Windows including XP. It is an absolute gem of an application that belongs on everybody’s computer. You need to see it to fully appreciate it. Don’t hesitate‑ download a 30 day free trial at http://www.aurelitec.com/ If you like what you see and I have no doubt that you will, you can register it for only $14.95. 
	Copyright 2001. This article is from the December 2001 issue of the Sarasota PC Monitor, the official monthly publication of the The Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group. Dr. Herb Goldstein is SPCUG’s Software Evaluation Chairman and Review Editor for the Sarasota PC Monitor. In addition to controlling our software/hardware reviewing function, Herb is an avid researcher on all things computer and passes on his acquired knowledge each month. He welcomes your comments at email: revieweditor @spcug.org
Review
ACDsee 4.0
by Robert M. Banasik
Danbury Area Computer Society

With all the interest these days in getting photographs digitized, it is little wonder that many companies are introducing or improving software that will make photographers’ lives a little easier. This latest product from ACD Systems allows the user to “Enhance, Manage, and Share your images.”
	Those three words do aptly describe this software package, but I think many of you will delight in the “Manage” part. After all, once you start using a digital camera or start scanning photos into your computer, it can become a nightmare to try and find a certain image later.
	Our task is even more difficult these days, since hard drives can hold so much data. In years past, our job was made simpler because we would eventually store only a few selected images onto individual media such as floppies, Syquest Cartridges, Zip disks, or even tape. Nowadays, it’s easy to keep a year or more worth of images locally on your hard drive. So when you need to find one image out of hundreds or thousands, it sure is handy to have a little help. That’s where ACDsee shines!

	This program acts just like an Explorer window, but instead of just seeing file names you see images as well. When you click on a folder from within this program, you see thumbnails of all your images within that folder. You can use this program to print “proof sheets” of your images, along with options of printing captions or filenames with file size and other data. During installation you have many options from which to choose, such as “which digital cameras do you want to support?,” “which accessory programs and utilities do you wish to load?,” and you can even load their image manipulation program. There are over 50 media formats that are supported, so this program can even be your “fall back” if you end up with an image for which you don’t own the proprietary program.
	I first installed this on my laptop, which is a Sony 850Mhz Vaio. I then installed it on one of our other workstations and started browsing away. Both installs went flawlessly. I opened a folder containing about 500MB of images, each one averaging about 20MB. This really did choke the program and it sat there chunking data for a long long time. That particular folder represented the entire contents of a full CD of images. After that I learned to make sure my folders were not quite as vast, and things went along nicely. I contacted ACD Systems tech support via their website http://www .acdsystems.com.
	If you’ve ever tried to contact tech support for a software program, you might have experienced interminable delays or no response at all. This vendor, however, is different. I left an email message via their website and within an hour or so I had a reply. Not just an auto response, but an actual human really typed something to me and it made sense! Refreshing ... If I were handing out grades this company would definitely get an A! They have the best tech support I’ve seen in years.
	How useful is this program? Well, I run a photo lab and imaging center. Many of my customers come in with Smart Media or Compact Flash cards, CD’s; you name it. They often want to see their images before ordering prints or enlargements from their files. ACDsee really comes into its own in this type of environment! All I do is slip in the media card, open ACDsee, and point to the card reading drive and Voilá. Up come the images in contact sheet format so you can see the entire contents of the card quickly. If you want a closer look, just double click on an image and it fills the screen. If you want to edit the image, just click on the editor button and up it comes in Foto Canvas Lite. That’s the image editing program that comes with the package and it allows you to adjust contrast, brightness, rotate the image...all the basics plus unexpected filters like emboss, colorize, guassian blur, etc.
	If you have images on your computer and find yourself clicking through directories, this program is for you. This is a great way to organize and catalog them, and also be able to adjust and print them. You can try ACDsee 4.0 for free by downloading a trial off their website. You can also download the full version for $49.95.
	I think this is a utility that will be handy to have for years to come.
	What the company says: A full‑featured image Viewer quickly generates a high‑quality display of your image. You can run slide shows, play embedded audio, and display multi‑page images. Video and audio files can be played in the Media Window.
	Also, ACDSee has a wide variety of image editing tools that you can use to create, edit and touch‑up your digital images. Tools, such as Red‑eye reduction, crop, sharpen, convert to sepia tones, emboss, are available for you to enhance and correct images. There are several tools such as exposure adjustment, convert, resize, rename, rotate and mirror, that can be performed on multiple files at the same time.
	The new user interface is designed for quick access to tools and there are many customization features. Screen layout, the order of images, toolbar display, and many options can be customized to suit your preferences. ACDSee continues to be a fast and easy‑to‑use image management package that everyone from novices to professionals can use and enjoy.
	System Requirements: Windows 95/98 /Me/NT 4.0/2000/XP, Pentium class processor with 32 MB of RAM; 256‑color display adaptor; 30 MB free disk space; Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher for Help files; 800x600 display. 
	Reprinted from the January issue of DACS.doc the online journal of the Danbury Area Computer Society in Danbury, CT. Bob Banasik is a digital imaging specialist and president of Best Photo Imaging Center in Brookfield, CT. His company provides photographic and digital imaging services to consumer as well as commercial markets worldwide. He can be reached at bob@bestphotolab.com.

From the DealsGuy
February, 2002
by Bob Click
Greater Orlando Computer Users Group
Gobe Problems
	When I set up the Gobe Suite special last month, readers were supposed to be the only ones to see the $74.95 price, but problems with their “Web site store” software ended up letting everybody see the price, so they made it available to anybody until they solve the problem. Since then, a hacker has wreaked havoc with their Web site, so things have gone from bad to worse. They wanted you to know the circumstances, so please bear with them if you had trouble ordering.
Still Good
	The Gobe special should still be good so go to [http://www.gobe.com/dealsguy.html]. The MedioStream DVD software is still good. [http://www.mediostream.com] Be sure to enter the discount code “COMDEX1" when you check out. The pcpinpoint troubleshooter deal is still good. [http://www.pcpinpoint .com] Use the “DealsGuy” code.

Is Your Computer Desk Cluttered?

	Here is the answer to that one. Omega Frame [http://www.omegaframe.com/] is one of the ultimate organizers for the unorganized geek’s computer desk. I’ve seen people’s computer desk (including mine) literally covered with all kinds of slips of paper with notes scrawled on them, along with tons of other items lying all over. The Omega Frame is designed to fit on most monitors and has all kinds of clips etc., for hanging papers and other stuff.
	It even includes a mirror to spot the boss watching while you work. There is “sticky note” space, document hangers, business card holders, a calendar and photo clips. Omega Frame attaches to your monitor with Velcro and will clean up your desk a lot. It fits monitors from 15 to 21 inches and is easy to attach or remove from the monitor.
	They are offering us a discount during February and March. Instead of the MSRP of $29.95, my readers get it for just $19.95 + S&H. To order, e‑mail your request to George Johnson [jenco@pacbell.net] and mention the “DealsGuy column” for ordering instructions. This is a bit different, but George prefers to handle these orders personally.

Good God — Where Do I Carry All This
Stuff — I Know — The Scott eVest
	You heard right. I know people who have more electronic gadgets then you can shake a memory stick at. They have stuff coming out of every pocket and they love to use them and show them off to their friends, who are fascinated. The Scott eVest contains so many “nooks and crannies” that you would be hard pressed to have enough gadgets to fill them all. It’s possible to discreetly carry a cell phone, pager, PDA, CD/MP3 player, digital camera, portable keyboard, GPS device, two‑way radio, wallet, keys and even bottled water or soda, and more!
	The vest has a Personal Area Network (PAN): patent‑pending system of conduits for headphones/earbud and other connecting wires. That’s right, passages built right into the vest for any connecting wires. It’s actually an attractive piece of clothing, and its even water‑repellent to keep your delicate electronics safe from Mother Nature.
	People at Comdex were fascinated with the eVest so find out much more by visiting their Web site at [http://www.scottevest.com]. I liked the ongoing description on the home page. I told them about my readers and they were interested, even though they had never done this before. Here’s the deal: The holiday special has been $99.99 (Regular price $119.99), but get this—you folks can get it for only $89.99 during February (just one vest for that price, and while supplies last). S&H is based on destination and shipping method, ranging from about $10 to $15 for ground shipping.
	Order on their Web site and enter the special code “DealsGuy” at checkout. My friend Bob Esch, of Dayton Microcomputer Assn., bought one at Comdex and was proudly showing it off. He said he unloaded his entire briefcase into the eVest to free both hands while touring Comdex!
	The September issue of the Macon Users Group’s newsletter was a veritable treasure trove of good deals so I’ll pass one on to you this month.
How About a Free CD Burner
and MP3 Ripper!
	Here is an alternative to the software you get with any CD‑R/RW drive. Not that it is all bad, but there is more than one way to get the job done. Use MusicMatch to rip CD‑quality MP3s and convert your records, tapes and CDs into MP3s with an easy one‑step recording process. It lets you choose your recording formats with a choice of MP3, Windows Media Audio (WMA) or WAV files.
	MusicMatch is available at [http://www .musicmatch.com] just for the download time. Of course, if you want a step‑up, they have a more deluxe version.
	 That’s it for this month. Meet me here again next month if your editor permits. This column is written to make user group members aware of special offers I have found or arranged, and my comments should not be interpreted to encourage, or discourage, the purchase of products, no matter how enthused I might sound. Bob (The Cheapskate) Click [Bobclick@dealsguy.com]. Visit my Web site at [http://www.dealsguy.com] for past columns. Also, interesting articles (taken from user group newsletters) to my “Articles of Interest” page for viewing or downloading.

Build Your Own PC
Part 1 of 9
Determine Your Needs
by Mike De Lucia
Central New York PC User’s Group

If you’re thinking it’s time for a new PC, you have lots of options, but two basic choices — do you buy the parts and build it yourself or pay someone else to do it for you? There are ups and downs to both choices. Buying the PC pre‑fabricated tends to be more expensive if you purchase a name‑brand model. If you go to a local PC shop or computer show, then you can cut costs, but may not get top‑quality parts. I bought a machine years ago from a local place that was fine until I was ready to upgrade the BIOS to use a larger Hard Drive. Unfortunately, they’d used some no‑name mainboard, which left me using a costly add‑on card to bypass the BIOS. Since I started building my own PCs, I’ve never had such problems.
	That isn’t to say that building a PC is a clear choice for everyone. Pre‑fabricated machines are great for lots of people, from the technically challenged to businesses to someone looking for a high‑end, pre‑tweaked machine with nifty bells and whistles. Most major manufacturers custom‑build a lot of their parts, giving them tremendous flexibility and the ability to throw in nifty lights, gadgets, stylish trims, and the like for a modest cost. The do‑it‑yourselfer may need to pass on such things.
has a weekly listener call-in computer talk show featuring news, product reviews, helpful tips, and special guests. It’s broadcast live on Monday evenings from 6:30 until 7:30 with a taped replay  on Saturday mornings from 8 to 9. It’s simulcast live on the web at www.wysl1040 .com
	What you do get from building your own machine is mostly knowledge and quality. You gain ultimate control and understanding of your system, in a way you’ll rarely have with a purchased machine. When you choose and assemble every component, you end up with an intimate knowledge of how everything works. This gives you both a sense of pride whenever you use the PC, but also a sense of confidence when it comes to troubleshooting problems. On the other hand, you’ll only get warranties on parts, rather than the whole system, so you’ll need that confidence as you fix most of your own problems. Also, you’ll generally find that you’ll be able to come close to the rock‑bottom prices found at local computer shows, but you won’t be sacrificing quality, name‑brand parts to get there (unless you want to).
	So, yes, it’s a challenge, but it’s a manageable one. Follow these pages over the next several months and I’ll be your guide into the world of PC building. I’ll take you through designing your system, getting the components, assembling the PC, and loading software. There’s no comparison to the feeling you get when you boot that PC for the first time and know that every piece—from screws to circuit boards—was put together by you.
	You always need to start with design. Not where to put the cards and drives—that’s architecture. The design encompasses what you need from the system, how much it can cost, and any special considerations. Let’s look at each. 
Needs:
	Start with what the system will be used for, and match that to types of parts. For example, a gaming PC needs a fast CPU, moderate RAM, a mid‑sized hard drive, and high‑end audio and video cards. A PC for Internet browsing and personal finance will be fine with only a mid‑range CPU, a modest Hard Drive, and more standard graphics and sound. Other considerations include size of the monitor, the need for a modem or NIC (Network Interface Card), and what sort of speakers or game controllers you’ll need (if any). 
Cost:
	This is self‑explanatory, but I’ll elaborate anyway. Try to set a general budget to use as a guide. Unless you’ve bought PC parts before or done a lot of research, your estimate will probably be way off, so it’s a good idea to set a maximum price as well. If you start approaching that number, look at the PC you’re building. Are you throwing in too many extras or did you grossly miscalculate how much a PC costs? A reasonable budget to set might be $900, with a firm upper limit of $1,200. This allows some wiggle room, but keeps you from breaking the bank. It’s easy to get carried away.

Special Considerations:
	Do you have peripherals that call for particular parts, such as a SCSI adapter? Is it important that the case be a certain size, or that it have colored plastic molding? Are there some requirements that are firm, like a certain type of graphics card or a flat‑panel LCD monitor? If you’re aiming for a super‑quiet PC or one that’s ultra‑cooled to disperse heat from overclocking, you may need to re‑evaluate your budget or be prepared to settle for less in other categories.
Components:
	Below is a list of PC components you can use as you’re designing your machine.  Make a table using these headings: Component, Manufacturer/Model, Price, Merchant, and Notes. [The author provided the information in table form. –ed]
	An example of how the first row might be filled in:  ex.Motherboard,  Abit SE6 i8 15e,  $156, Transcendpc.com,  Supports DMA 66+ Hard Disk. The other parts you will need to enter are: Case, Power Supply, Case Fans, Motherboard, CPU, RAM, NIC Card, Modem, Audio Card, Video Card, Hard Drive, Floppy Drive, CD/DVD-ROM, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, SCSI Adapter, Tape Backup, Zip/Jaz /L8-120, Speakers, Joystick
	Next time—descriptions for all of the mandatory computer parts and what you need to know about them.Spyware
by William Statt
Rochester Computer Society
M
uch has been said and talked about Spyware. The recent issue of Smart Computing (January 2002 Vol. 13 Is. 1) has 4 articles about Spyware. http//www .smartcomputing.com/editorial /list.asp?guid=v74q5db4&pcatid=6&z=z&otid=0&searchqa=1&6.y=0&6.x=0&wordlist=spyware&searchtype=0 will take you to a search page in Smart Computing which has the recent articles and a list of articles from other issues.
	http//www.smartcomputing.com/default .asp?guid=v74q5db4 This is the link for the homage of Smart Computing. You can use the search box to get a lot of relevant information about using computer and computer pro-grams.
	http//www.lavasoftusa.com/ This is the link to Ad-Aware which is a program to remove Spyware from your computer. When using the program, be sure to use the backup feature before deleting the Spyware from your computer. Some programs will not function without the Spyware attached. If you want to run such a program you can go back and reinstall the spyware at your choice. KaZaa, a popular music downloading program, was recently identified as having spyware attached. If you removed the spyware, KaZaa stopped running. This has been a matter of public concern for KaZaa and now you can download a spyware free program on their web site, but you have to look for it.
	http//download.cnet.com/ This is the popular web page for Cnet software down-oading. As you can see, there are many areas to choose from. What I find particularly helpful is the user rating reviews. If you type AdAware in the search box, you will get the download page for AdAware. But also on the page are the user ratings. Click on the percent (%) link. Now you can read the positive and negative reviews by the readers. Sometimes I just like to read the negative reports. They usually tell you why you don’t want to download the program. If you use the search box to find KaZaa and click to the reviews, you will see where the users blast KaZaa for its Spyware. It will also tell you if the program installs AdAware programs, or if the program causes glitches to your computer. It’s a wonderful advice page.
	In the articles in Smart Computing, they give a web address for a list of known Spyware software. Unfortunately, the web page is no longer available. 	http//www.suttondesigns.com /EnigmaBrowser/Spyware.html This web page has the list from Infoforce. You can also download a Web Browser that is supposed to block Spyware from being downloaded to your computer.
	http//www.weathergraphics.com/text /spyware.htm This page has a simple tutorial on Spyware as well as the list. It also contains some sample of Spyware packets so you can see what they look like.
	http//www.generation.net/~hleboeuf /spyware.htm There are some Spyware programs that are particularly difficult to remove. Comet Cursor is hidden Spyware with the popular Real Player download. Go Hip is another very annoying Spyware program and Webhancer is a seemingly good program to speed up your internet connection. This web page contains links to information on how to remove these nuisance programs from your computer. There are also easy to use links to other Spyware information and software sites.
	http//www.zonealarm.com/ Here is the web page for the Zone Alarm program. When you visit web pages, you usually get cookies on your computer. They are supposed to enhance the download of that page the next time you visit it. But, some cookies are actually Spyware packages. You can set limits for accepting cookies in your browser, but some web pages won’t open unless you accept cookies and it gets irritating to check of each page you visit if you set your browser to ask if you will accept each cookie. Zone Alarm is a good free firewall. But it is more than just an incoming firewall.
	Today with the increasing number of Cable Modem and DSL internet connections, we are more susceptible to computer attacks by hackers. A firewall will give you protection against some trying to take over your computer. But there is another distinct advantage to Zone Alarm. It will prevent outgoing messages from being sent. It will alert you to any program that wants to sent messages out. Common programs like the Mp3 player, Winamp, needs to access the Internet and also to use itself as a server. You will be asked if you want to allow Winamp to connect to the Internet when you open it. You have the option of allowing the connection and there is a check box where you can make that the permanent answer and won’t be bothered again. As the tutorial for Zone Alarm says, it’s noisy at first and then settles down. As you approve connections, it won’t ask again. But if you don’t know what program is trying to access the Internet, you can block it permanently.
	http//websearch.about.com/c/ht/00 /07/How_Opt_DoubleClick_Cookie0962933775.htm?iam=dpile&terms=doubleclick There is a recurring Spyware that AdAware keeps finding on my computer from Doubleclick. This is a large internet advertising company. I finally found this page at About.com to show how to get rid of it. It may help you. Unfortunately, the link to the Doubleclick web page for Op Out didn’t work. Here is the correct link. Do you think they hid it on purpose?
	http//www.doubleclick.net/us /corporate
/privacy/privacy/default.asp?asp_object_1=& The computer is much more than a television. Yes you can see things on the computer, much like you can see things on television. But there is a big difference. Unlike the television, things on the computer can see you. But with today’s available software, you can protect your privacy.Media Notes 
by Bill Petitt
Southeast Virginia Computer Group
C
an I say it one more time? Don’t open an e‑mail attachment unless you are dead certain it’s not a worm or a virus. How can you tell? Obviously, if an attached file has an .exe extension, that can be a bad sign. Many of the latest nuisances don’t have such extensions, however, and may appear to come from people you know. Something to watch for: attachments with double extensions. For example, the recent Badtrans worm came as file attachments with harmless extensions such as .mp3, .doc, or .zip, but a close look showed that they were actually double extension files with .scr or .pif extensions. If you get something that looks like, for example, party.mp3.pif, you can be sure it’s bogus. Kill the thing.
Antivirus Vendors Warn
of Badtrans Worm
	There is a patch available for the Outlook flaw that allows the worm to propagate. 
	A new variant of a mass‑mailer Internet worm that installs a backdoor program that can allow attackers to access recipients’ PCs is spreading on the Internet, according to virus alerts from a number of antivirus companies. The worm, called Badtrans.B, is a new variant of the older Badtrans virus, according to antivirus companies. The variant is executed when a user opens an infected e‑mail, and does not require a user to click on an attachment, as many mass mailer worms do, according to
	Activis and TruSecure virus alerts. The worm exploits a security vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express e‑mail clients to automatically execute the attachment when the e‑mail is opened, they said. 
	The companies recommended that users update their antivirus software immediately and that companies block the transfer of attached files at their e‑mail gateways. Users are also urged to apply an available patch to close the security hole that the worm exploits. 
Devious Deception 
	The latest Badtrans virus is even more devious than its predecessor, in that it arrives in the recipient’s in‑box with a “Re:” subject line to an e‑mail actually sent by the user, according to McAfee.com and TruSecure. There is some disagreement, however, as to what happens after the worm is executed.
	According to TruSecure and Network Associates, the parent company of McAfee .com, the worm will send itself to all e‑mail addresses listed in unread messages in the victim system’s in‑box. Activis, however, contends that the worm sends itself to all addresses listed in the user’s address book, much like other mass mailers. What happens next isn’t in doubt, however, as all companies agree that the worm then installs a Trojan horse, or backdoor, program that will allow an attacker to gain access to the infected computer and then attempts to sends the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the infected  machine to the worm’s author. 

Identifying Marks 
	After execution, Badtrans also runs a keylogger program that can record all data entered via the keyboard, including passwords, credit card numbers and other personal information, according to Activis and McAfee .com. The data gathered by the keylogger is saved in encrypted form on the system’s hard drive, they said. The worm will appear in e‑mail boxes with either no text in the body of the message or some of the original message’s text, the companies said. The attachments included with the worm will appear to be .MP3, .DOC or .ZIP files, but are actually double extension files with .SCR or .PIF extensions, the companies said. These attachments are 13,312 bytes in length, according to Network Associates. 
Goner Worm Threatens Security Apps
	Antivirus vendors provide protection against high‑risk worm that masquerades as screen saver. 
	A new high‑risk worm, called “Goner,” which attempts to delete a number of pro-gram files on infected computers, including firewall applications, spread quickly during the first week of December, according to a number of antivirus firms. 
	The worm spreads by way of an attachment sent to users of Microsoft’s Outlook and Outlook Express e‑mail programs. In a change from the usual worm formula, it also travels through the chat application ICQ, according to vendors of antivirus products including McAfee.com, Computer Associates International, and Trend Micro. Goner does not exploit any security vulnerabilities like the recent Badtrans worm, but instead must have its attachment double‑clicked in order to be launched, said April Goostree, virus research manager at McAfee.com. 
	Goner appears in user’s in‑boxes as an e‑mail with the subject line “Hi.” The body of the message reads, “How are you? When I saw this screen saver, I immediately thought about you...I am in a harry [sic], I promise you will love it!” The mail also includes an attachment called Gone.SCR, which appears to be a screen saver. When the attachment is double‑clicked, the worm sends itself to everyone listed in the victim computer’s address book, the antivirus companies said. Goner also tries to spread through the ICQ chat program, sending a copy of itself to all online users, Trend Micro said in its Web site. The worm installs a backdoor program that is activated whenever the mIRC chat application is launched and that can be used in Denial of Service attacks, Trend Micro said. After double‑clicking on the attachment, a window also pops up, which includes credits for the virus’ writer and its testers. 
Search, Destroy Apps 
	After launch, Goner attempts to locate and delete a number of programs, including security programs like Zone Labs’ ZoneAlarm firewall application, McAfee.com’s Goostree said. Other files it attempts to delete include antivirus programs from Symantec and Kasperksy Labs, and security applications from Lockdown, and SafeWeb, according to both McAfee.com and Trend Micro. The number of users infected with Goner is already “very, very large,” Goostree said, although she did not have an exact number available. “I would imagine you’re going to see corporations shutting down their mail servers” to deal with the worm, she said. 
	Some of you may recall that Cox@Home had to shut down their mail servers for almost 2 days because of the overload. Users are advised to update their virus definitions, visit the Web site of their antivirus provider, and not open unexpected attachments. 
Customers put kibosh on anti‑copy CD 
	Complaints about anti‑copying technology have forced a record label to issue CD replacements for angry consumers — another setback for the music industry’s stuttering campaign against record piracy. 
	BMG Entertainment confirmed in November that it has set up a hotline for consumers in the United Kingdom who are having trouble playing Natalie Imbruglia’s latest CD in some CD and DVD players. The disc will be replaced by retailers or by the label itself, a company representative said. 
	“Certain limitations of the protection technology were unforeseeable and only (emerged) when the CDs were released into the general public,” said Regine Hofmann, a BMG spokeswoman. “We do need to respond.” Imbruglia’s “White Lilies Island,” which hit stores less than two weeks before this disclosure, is the highest‑profile release to be shipped with technology preventing it from being copied onto another CD or from being “ripped” into MP3 files using a PC. While still a test, the release is one sign that labels are becoming bolder in their quest for technology that prevents widespread CD piracy. 
	Universal Music Group has gone the furthest in its promises, saying it hopes to have all of its CDs protected with some kind of anti‑copying technology by mid‑2002. The other big labels have said they are experimenting with technologies and hope to find an acceptable version as soon as possible. For example, BMG tested Midbar Tech’s Cactus Data Shield with the Imbruglia release. 
	According to Midbar, more than a million copy‑protected CDs from various artists have been released in European markets. Macrovision, a rival company, said it has released more than 100,000 in the United States. However, most of the titles have been small releases and have not been confirmed. But as labels issue more albums packed with copy protection, consumers are getting used to playing CDs on personal computers and creating digital versions of their music collections. Record labels note that sales of blank recordable CDs have gone up by 80 percent in the last year while album sales have dropped, adding a new sense of urgency to their efforts. 
	In this environment, BMG’s return policy raises another potentially dangerous issue for record companies. Retailers are already seeing sales drop and may be loath to support and promote albums with copy protection for which they may later have to give refunds. 
Microsoft released a security patch 
to plug a hole in its Web browser that could allow hackers to steal passwords and trick people into downloading virulent files. 
	Microsoft said customers using Internet Explorer versions 5.5 and 6.0 should install the patch immediately. The patch, released December 13th, can be found on Microsoft’s Web site: (http://www.microsoft.com/technet /treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/MS01‑058.asp)
	The Redmond, Wash.‑based software giant, which in recent months has patched a wide range of security holes in its Web browser and Web server software, said the patch eliminates all previously known security problems affecting the two versions of IE and plugs three new holes. 
	The problems were first reported Nov. 19 to Microsoft by Jouko Pynnonen at Finland‑ based security firm Oy Online Solutions, according to Pynnonen. By Nov. 27, Pynnonen said he informed the company of more serious flaws. Microsoft then released a patch Dec. 13 and acknowledged Pynnonen in its security bulletin for reporting the security holes. 
	“Since the attacker could run any program on the victim system, they can do anything a malicious program can do on a system— possibly read or destroy files (including temporary internet files and cookie files), sniff network traffic, find passwords, install backdoors ... or viruses,” Pynnonen said.
	One problem, affecting only IE 6.0, allows an attacker to alter HTML information in a way as to trick IE to open a damaging executable file without asking the person for confirmation. 
	Two other problems affect both IE 5.5 and 6.0. The first problem is a variation of a previous security glitch that allows a hacker to open two browser windows: one in the Web site’s own domain and the other on an unknowing computer user’s system. This could allow the hacker to gather personal information from the local system. A hacker could read, but not change, any file on the computer user’s system that can be opened in a browser window. 
	The second security breach can involve a flaw related to how file names are displayed in the “file download” dialogue box. A hacker could misrepresent the name of a file in the dialogue window when a person tries to download a file. The attacker could fool people into accepting tainted files from a trusted Web site. 
	Left unpatched, computer users could face security breaches that may not become apparent for some time. “Opening an e‑mail attachment or accepting any download isn’t required,” Pynnonen said. “The victim user doesn’t necessarily notice anything out of ordinary when reading a malicious e‑mail message or visiting a malicious Web site.” 
	Well, golly, gee whiz! Will we ever see the end of this constant round of security breeches and fixes for Outlook, Outlook Express, and Internet Explorer? My guess is probably not. Unless the features that we have come to love and rely upon are reduced drastically, these programs will always be vulnerable.
SO! You Got
 a New Computer!
by Carla S. Cawlfield
Houston Area League of PC Users, Inc.
T
hroughout the history of personal computers, adding a new one to your family has usually been as painful as giving birth. Just like a baby, you await its arrival with a lot of happy anticipation and a wee bit of worry. Acquiring a kid or a computer should take some prior thought, you have to be careful, and there is a long education curve. Just about the time you think you have it figured out, it’s time for a new one. Just like kids.
	Over the years, I have put in service probably a dozen or so home computers. With the exception of a laptop and an original Compaq portable, all were clones built to my specifications by local computer vendors. I always bought top‑of‑the‑line equipment, paid a lot for it, and kept it in service for years and years. Many units became hand‑me‑downs to other family members. 
	Recently, I had the experience of putting into service store‑bought, pre‑packaged units for a family member, hereinafter known as “Grandma”. For test parameters, I put on my 75‑year‑old non‑technie user hat that I use for all reviews. The question is, “Can Grandma do this?” Here is my tale. 
Hardware Info
	Computer A has a 1.7Ghz P4 Intel processor, 512 meg of RAM, 60 Gig hard drive, V.90 modem, 10/100 Ethernet card, GeForce video, sound, 52X CD, 16X CD‑RW, and other stuff. Computer B has a 1.1Ghz Intel Celeron processor, 128 meg of RAM, 20 Gig hard drive, V.90 modem, mediocre video and sound, 52X CD‑ROM, and other stuff.
	Neither of these are intended as game machines, but Grandma just might decide to get hooked on Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds. 
	All I did was follow the directions on a large, 5 step Quick Set‑up chart. It had me plug in the color‑coded cables, and push the On button on the front. Grandma can do this.
Operating System—Both machines booted up flawlessly and quickly. Both of these are Windows XP Home Edition. Both came with the operating system pre‑loaded and with only Emergency System Recovery CDs included in the box. No copy of the Operating System on a CD I can put in my software library. Since I am old and set in my ways, that’s a little disconcerting. Every computer I have ever owned has had a Microsoft operating system that has required reloading on numerous occasions to straighten out various system deteriorations. Also, I have nothing I can hold in my hand if the software piracy police come calling. Oh yes, there is a Microsoft holographic sticker on the outside of the case that has the “Product Key” and various strings of numbers. Welcome to virtual software usage (BTW, we users never have “owned” the software anyway these many years).
	I took one look at the new XP Operating System interface, and within 10 hours ran out and bought “Windows XP for Dummies,” to put on Grandma’s bookshelf. This operating system works similarly to previous versions, but it sure “looks” different. I think if you have never seen a computer before, this interface is simpler and perhaps more intuitive. As has been the direction Microsoft has been going for several years, more and more of the “guts” of the operating system are hidden from and inaccessible to the user. Grandma likes the look of the clean XP desktop.
Networking
	Then I tried networking Computer A to the other machines in the workgroup. The very straightforward network wizard popped up, was ever so friendly, ran through its script and had me create a network floppy for the other machines. I followed the instructions as given, but networking failed completely. I could not see any of the machines on the network. I tried every configuration the wizard would let me. I tried ignoring the wizard and using the Control Panel methods. Nothing. I have been putting PCs in offices since 1984, but will have to get a certified network engineer over to fix this. Ain’t no way Grandma can do this
Connectivity
	The first thing I did was fire up Internet Explorer. Computer A is a network machine connecting through a hub to DSL. Computer B is only a dial‑up modem. Both machines use HALNet and “TAH‑DA!” I had a 100% success rate on connecting both machines to the Internet the first time! I had absolutely no connectivity problems, nor did I have to know much about computers to do this.  
	All I did was click Start/Internet Explorer, and that beautiful HAL‑PC home page fired up flawlessly and at fast speeds on both computers. Grandma can do this.
E‑Mail
	Eudora was the email application desired by the user. I went to the website, eudora.com, and followed the download instructions for version 5.1. Fairly easy, and downloaded quickly on Computer A with the DSL line, and less quick on Computer B with the modem and a connect speed of 49.2ks. After the download, Eudora instructed me to activate the setup.exe file to complete the installation. This part went fine. So far, Grandma can do this. 
	Then a little trouble came. Eudora suggests the user add various “accessories”, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0, Apple QuickTime, and Microsoft Text‑to‑Speech, eudora .com/download/other. Eudora provides the links to do these downloads. I checked the Adobe website to see if version 4.0 was the latest, and it was not. Rather than follow Eudora’s links, I downloaded Acrobat reader 5.0 directly from Adobe. No problem on Computer A with DSL. Could not get Computer B to accept the download via the modem, either the long or the short download version. It terminated twice at the 53% mark during the download. So on Computer B, I went back to the Eudora site, and downloaded version 4.0. Grandma can do this, but she’d be stuck with older technology, courtesy of old links from Eudora. 
	I am very determined and did not like the fact that I had to load an old version of Adobe. Later that day, I went back to the Adobe site, and had a successful download, and setup. I don’t know if Grandma knows to keep trying the same computer stuff over and over. Now she has Adobe Reader 5.0 on both computers.
Applications	In a Windows 95 or later environment, there is no way to transfer applications from one computer to another.
	The various associations, shortcuts, and registries don’t make sense if you just copy applications over. You have to reload all your applications, and it can be time consuming. You may want to list the applications in a document and cross them off as you reload them. This can actually take several days, if you have a lot.
	For this test, I loaded shrink‑wrap copies of Microsoft Office 2000 Professional on both machines. The simple instructions said to insert Disk 1 in CD‑ROM drive and let it load, and then insert Disk 2 and let it load. All I had to do was “accept” the license screen. To test the programs, go to Start/All Programs, and click on the desired application. Grandma can do this.
Printer
	Absolute no brainer. Connect the cables, turn it on, Plug n Play does its thing, prompts for the model number, loads the driver, and asks if you would like to print a test page. Works just like it should if users wrote software code. Grandma can do this. 
Gotchas
	I decided to work on a document from an older computer, and use it as a test on the new machines. So I transferred the data on a floppy disk. When I was through, I pushed the eject button on the floppy drive, and nothing came out. I had to use needle‑nosed pliers to GENTLY remove the disk. It was not stuck, just not pushed out by the ejection button. So I repeated this little test with several other floppy disks. Yep, the drive was definitely not ejecting. So I took the computer back to the store, and they replaced the drive. Maybe Grandma can do this, but she would be real sore if there was no local store to quickly fix the problem and she had to deal with shipping big boxes back to the manufacturer and waiting several weeks. 
Audio
	I then tested all the CD‑ROM drives to make sure they worked. I used a picture CD from my summer vacation, as well as an audio CD. I stuck the music CD in the drive. Windows Media Player for XP automatically opened and started the music. It is a gorgeous application, with all the music track info you could every want (you must be connected to Internet for this feature), as well as your own personal little light show. Since it’s Christmas, I played “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.” Real loud. Grandma can do this, but she might get mad at your choice of music. (Tip: to place the Speaker icon next to your clock, click Start/Control Panel/Sounds, Speech, Audio Devices/Adjust the System Volume/Place Volume Icon in the Taskbar.)
Transferring Data
	The easiest way is to get the network machine operational and just move the data over from the older PCs. Since the networking wizard fizzled, more cumbersome, slower methods were required. There is WAY too much data to use floppies, and the old machines do not have ZIP drives, Jaz drives, or CD burners. So a cabled connection using LapLink orPC Relocator is the remaining alternative. This is tedious, cumbersome, and you have to be careful and think through where and how you want your data on the new machine. It would have been tough and time‑consuming for Grandma to do this. We need to get the network up and running.
Summary
	PCs have been around for more than twenty years, and they have gotten easier to use, but I don’t think Grandma could have set this baby up all by herself. There are still some things you just have to know from prior experience. But then, Grandma says the same thing to all the new mothers about raising babies. 
	Reprinted from the January 2002 issue of HAL-PC Magazine.
Belarc Advisor
by Dick Freymoyer
Amateur Computer Group of New Jersey, Inc.
I
 just had to share this web site and utility with my fellow users. An article entitled “PC X‑Ray” really caught my attention because of what the word “X‑Ray” meant to me! (A device or thing to look inside for data.) This utility allows Belarc’s server to look inside your computer and tell you what hardware/software you have installed.
	I know what you are thinking! Belarc, whoever they are, would know and retain a record of your software and hardware, which could be bad for you. To try to ease your fears; all you use is the Belarc’s server database as a reference to process information found on your computer and come up with a list of hardware/software on your computer. I think there is little risk that someone would be interested in stealing such information. The Belarc Utility lists the installed programs on your system and where each installed. Good to know in case you want to remove a program.
	The small file can be downloaded free from www.belarc.com in about 3 minutes. It fits on a floppy disk and you can share it with your other computers. After it is downloaded, you just click on the file, (of course, you have to accept their license), and it opens and installs the utility, and puts an icon on your desktop. When you click on the icon, it opens your Internet Service and starts the process of looking at your hardware and software.
	The list it compiles is printable and very useful. It not only lists your hardware but also gives you the model numbers, BIOS revision, DIMM sockets, what is used in each, how many sockets are empty, etc. It does a full inventory. I was amazed—I have never seen anything as good as this before. About the only things that it does not define by manufacturer’s name are the floppy and hard drives, but it does say how much space is used and how much is still available. The list also includes all software with version numbers. I consider this a good find. Download it and see what I am talking about—you’ll be doing yourself a favor!
	Copyright© 2001 by the Amateur Computer Group of New Jersey, Inc. You can contact Dick at dickfrey1@aol.com.
Society News
Program Meeting Minutes
January 8, 2002
Charles Grover, Secretary
O
ur meeting began with Helps Half Hour at Element K in Brighton, at 6:30 p.m.. Greg Wolfe led the session. Bill Statt shared information about pccallhome.com, from which a program can be downloaded which will detect if it is connected to the Internet from an unexpected location, and then ‘call home’ to report where it is. This is intended to help locate stolen computers, particularly laptops.
	At 7:10 Steve Staub, Treasurer, called us to order. He spoke about the Market Place show next Sunday, inviting people to help with our table. Steve, and others, informed us about George Hill recovering from a stroke. 
	Steve informed us about the need to form a nominating Committee for elections, required at the May meeting. We need to elect a Vise President, Secretary, Member-at Large of the Board, and perhaps a President. Steve invited persons to serve on the Nominating Committee.
	The program for the evening consisted of tips, tricks, and discussions. Some of the information was to be included in the next Monitor. We were given some information about EasyCleaner from Toniarts.com.
	Steve thanked Ron Matteson for organizing the presentations for the evening. Steve again invited help: for with the computer show, next month’s Helps Half Hour, the Nominating Committee, and response to the question in the recent Monitor about another Linux program from or at Annexa.
	After the drawings we adjourned at 8:45.
Cleaning out the Crap
by Charles Grover
	For ScanDisk and Defrag I simply go to Safe Mode (F8 while booting, choose from Menu)
	For certain memory intensive programs, or for installing new software, it helps to clear out the crap in Normal Mode.
	Manually by using ctrl-alt-del to get to Task Manager. As far as I know you can close everything but Explorer and SysTray.
	Upgrading from Win98 to Win98 service release and then to SE, I found a Clean Boot to be advisable. Clean boot, by using MSConfig Start | Run | type in “msconfig” and press Enter | on General Tab page select Selective Startup and uncheck every checked item. Later, you will have to go back in and recheck what you want, or simply choose Normal Start up at the top of the General Tab page. Or you could go back to Normal Startup — Load All Device Drivers and Software. Also, when you get all through, it may be helpful to check the Startup Tab page to make sure you are not starting up stuff you don’t want in the first place.
	Check the System Tray and try to close everything except the yellow loudspeaker cone image for Volume Control.
	Use a utility such as EndItAll or EndItAll2. I have been using EndItAll for some time, and found it simple, safe and effective. I do have to manually close two McAfee items in the System Tray after running End It All. End It All 2 is complex, and from reading the documentation it may be risky to use its KILL function, which differs from its CLOSE function. It provides a lot more control and some will prefer it. Find it on the web.
Hard Drive Installation, Replacement, and Tinkering
	New drives do better with 80 conductor, 40 pin connectors.
	Water pump pliers (Channel Locks) can help ease out the connector. Power plugs usually pull right out.
	Secure mechanical mounting is best. There are kits to put a narrow (3.5") device in a wider (5.25") bay.
	Mind the key on the 40 pin connector, don’t put it in upside down.
	If you don’t have experience or instructions, buy a retail package rather than an OEM drive. You will probably get instructions, utilities, screws, a jumper and a cable.
	Long tweezers can help with jumpers.
	Make sure you use the right screws.
Planning Meeting
January 15, 2002
by Charles Grover, Secretary
T
he RCSI Board met at Sally Springett’s home January 15, 2002, starting at 7:15 PM. Present were Steve Staub, Treasurer; Ron Matteson; Sally, Monitor Editor; and Charles Grover, Secretary.
	Nominations are due at the March program meeting and will be put in the April Monitor. Elections will be held at the May meeting. Several persons were suggested for the nominating committee to consider. The time of the Board meeting may be changed in the future to accommodate people who are elected. We continue to need Program, Web-Site and Software chairpersons to spread the work out among officers, Board members and others. Steve will contact people tp recruit them to run for office.
	Csaba Kovacs will lead Helps Half Hour at the February program meeting.
	Charles will write to Element K to thank them for providing us meeting space.
	We discussed programs for future meetings. Ron’s son works in newspaper production, using software such as Page Maker. Ron will ask his son to do a program for us, perhaps in March.
	At the February meeting we need to have people decide if they want another Annexa presentation, and if so, whether at Element K or at Annexa.
	Ron will ask Joe Varga if he has a program in mind for February.
	Steve asked Ron to inquire if the We Do Windows group have any suggestions about program speakers for us. Ron though we might not get much form them, however.
	Finding someone to demonstrate building or upgrading a computer was suggested.
	There is a large genealogy club in Rochester. An offshoot is involved in computer research in genealogy and might be a source for a program.
	Perhaps the micro-processor manufacturers have representatives who do presentations.
	Ron will be leaving in a few days until February 4. Ron can try to phone or e-mail Joe this evening. Sally expects that if Joe had a program in mind for February we would have heard from him about it. Ron could do the Tricks and Tips he had prepared for January if nothing else can be lined up.
	Steve suggested asking members what they use their computers for, and then inviting some who have unusual and interesting uses to present programs. We could also ask members to suggest ideas for programs.
	Our program expectations at the moment were:
	February, Ron’s Tips and Tricks
	March, Software in Newspaper Publishing
	April, perhaps Annexa
	May,  elections
	Steve suggested that next month we review the responsibilities of the officers. 
	We closed our meeting at 8:30 PM.
Treasurer’s Report
Steve Staub, Treasurer
Balance as of 12/ 23/ 2001	$1,344.84
Income
Dues	$118.00
Expenses
St. Stephens 	$100.00
Food and Pop	20.91
Lease on folding machine	  86.72
Total	$ 207.63
Balance as of 1/24/2002	$1,255.21
The Lighter Side
The Dangers of Code Reuse
T
his comes from a helicopter crew chief and sometime computer consultant for the Wisconsin National Guard.
	The re-use of some object-oriented code has caused tactical headaches for Australia’s armed forces. As virtual reality simulators assume larger roles in helicopter combat training, programmers have gone to great lengths to increase the realism of their scenarios, including detailed landscapes and—in the case of the Northern Territory’s Operation Phoenix— herds of kangaroos (since disturbed animals might well give away a helicopter’s position).
	The head of the Defense Science & Technology Organization’s Land Operations/Sim-ulation division reportedly instructed developers to model the local marsupials’ movements and reactions to helicopters. Being efficient programmers, they just re-appropriated some code originally used to model infantry detachment reactions under the same stimuli, changed the mapped icon from a soldier to a kangaroo, and increased the figures’ speed of movement.
	Eager to demonstrate their flying skills for some visiting American pilots, the hotshot Aussies “buzzed” the virtual kangaroos in low flight during a simulation. The kangaroos scattered, as predicted, and the visiting Americans nodded appreciatively...then did a double-take as the kangaroos reappeared from behind a hill and launched a barrage of Stinger missiles at the hapless helicopter. (Apparently the programmers had forgotten to remove that part of the infantry coding.)
	The lesson? Objects are defined with certain attributes, and any new object defined in terms of an old one inherits all the attributes. The embarrassed programmers had learned to be careful when reusing object-oriented code, and the Yanks left with a newfound respect for Australian wildlife.
	Simulator supervisors report that pilots from that point onward have strictly avoided kangaroos, just as they were meant to. 
	From June 15, 1999 Defense Science and Technology Organization Lecture Series, Melbourne, Australia, and staff reports.