OCTOBER 2002 - Vol 18 - Issue 10

Newsletter - Internet Edition

The Elkhart County PC Users Group Genealogy Special Interest Group met at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 14, 2002 in the conference room of American Mortgage & Financial Services, 216 N. Main St., Goshen, Indiana.

We began the meeting with a discussion of our meeting format, and talked about changes that would help us to help one-another. For example, how one member has solved a genealogy problem that another member needs help with. It was determined that our 2-hour meetings need to consist of 2 or 3 sessions:

1. A session on genealogy Q&A and or helping one another;

2. A member or guest speaker presentation on "how to" do genealogical work; and,

3. A session on doing Internet research (using the Starband High Speed Internet System).

Our opening session was followed with a Genealogy and Computer Q&A Session (yes, we all missed Jon, Bruce and Sherry). Leon Morris lead us in a round of introductions and a review of what types research and what help each member is looking for in their Genealogical research. Leon plans to use this information to help us plan future meeting discussion subjects.

After a coffee and refreshment break, we began working on "how to" find solutions on the Internet.

Our next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 12, 2002 at the American Mortgage & Financial Services building. The meeting is scheduled to begin with a Q&A Session on Genealogy issues and computer problems. Jim Mathais will present a session on how to make a WEB page and get it ready for the Internet. Young Snodgrass will talk about places that allow you to up-load your Genealogy Web Page, some for free! Gloria Savill will show us how to find resources on the Internet.

If we can get at least 6 people to sign up, Gloria Savill has recommended we hold the November 9th meeting doing research at the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne. (Gloria means really sign on the dotted line that we will go!)

Congratulations to all that attended the September meeting. You found your way in and out of the downtown Goshen maze!

The coffee pot is on during our meetings, please come and bring a friend.

I have a comfy spot on both sides of the fence. I get the pleasure of writing for a magazine that's big enough for me not to worry that I'll say something dumb. PC World provide tons of background support-first, second, and technical editors, copy editors, fact checkers, and even attorneys.

At the other end of the spectrum are user group newsletters. Writing in PIBMUG is more freewheeling. I can write about any topic, something that strikes me on the spur of the moment. (PCW wants a four month stack of story topics.) And unlike PC World, I don't have anyone watching my language, fretting over (and often removing) my voice, and roping me into a set amount of space. PC World's Home Office column is roughly 650 words, less the "Where to Buy," the spot where I supply details so the reader can get in touch with the companies I write about.

The 650 limit is a killer. If you do any writing, you know it's more difficult to write short, especially if you have to cram in humor, content, product justification and examples, one or two links, and the essential takeaway. The rule-and you'll see this in practically all computing magazines-is giving the reader something to do after finishing the column. I got lucky when they asked me to do the Home Office online version.

All the leftover material from the print edition -and there's always plenty- found a new home.

One other thing you might take for granted in a user group newsletter is the size of the article. When I put the Prompt together, I choose from countless articles, worrying about content but not size. For instance, you'll find "The Plain Truth about Casual Software Piracy" on page six. It's long but compelling reading, and something you'd never see in a commercial magazine.

Many of you don't enjoy writing, yet need to do it for work. So I thought I'd supply a few tips, things that will help make you sound better in letters, e-mail, and reports. (BTW, you're right-this is the takeaway...)

** Talk into print: When I write, I try to take what I imagine I'd say to you and put it into words. I do it by quickly typing what I think, trying not to filter anything. (Filtering-or editing-comes later when I look over what I wrote.)

** Write like you talk: You've probably noticed that I use lots of contractions-for instance, you'll, we've, let's. It's pretty casual and the way I speak. My guess is many of you do the same. I can visualize Joe Bohannon saying, "well, sure, but I'm not going to do that." And that's the point-that's exactly how he sounds and it'd sound ideal in print. Get the idea?

** Write short sentences. I think readers have an easier time digesting short chunks of info. They'll also be more inclined to read-and understand-what you say. If you can't do it, write longer sentences and later, when you review your work, divide the long sentences into two or three short ones.

** Write short paragraphs: They're the toughest thing for me to plow through. One trick is to stop every five, six, or seven sentences, take a breath, and start another paragraph.

** Be active: For the longest time I couldn't figure out passive from active voice. Once I had it, writing became easier. If no one's taking responsibility, it's passive. "Mistakes were made" is passive. "We all made a few mistakes," is an active voice. It's almost impossible to write in the passive voice if you follow the next bullet.

** Stay first: I write from the first person. It's always my viewpoint (yeah, I know, it's always about me). And that's the tone you oughta consider using. The reason is I can visualize you when I write and you can see me while you're reading.

About the Author: Steve Bass is a Contributing Editor with PC World and runs the Pasadena IBM Users Group. He's also a founding member of APCUG. Check PCW's current edition at www.pcworld.com/resource/toc/index.asp and sign up for the Steve Bass online newsletter at www.pcworld.com/bass_letter. There is no restriction against any non_profit group using the article as long as it is kept in context, with proper credit given to the author. This article is brought to you by the Editorial Committee of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), an International organization to which this user group belongs.

The passing of the "keyboard & mouse" from Bob Brown to me is exceedingly welcome. I am most happy that we have a board meeting before our general meeting. This will give your new officers and directors an "up-grade" on the current EPCUG philosophy. I am looking forward to our two hour educational and fun filled meetings. To be in on the "cutting edge of technology is like the anticipation of children on Christmas eve... after all... aren't we just "children of a different age?" Anticipation is part of the electricity of life. I invite everyone to participate in our meetings and I guarantee that you will go home with your "batteries" charged.

The slate of officers was accepted by acclamation, upon the motion made by Howard Trumbell and seconded by Don Henke, among several others. The new officers and their email addresses are available in the Officer Listing to the left.

There was a lengthy Q&A session led by Jon Slough, with a great deal of questions and considerable input from other members on some of the questions.

After the break, Jon Slough and Sherry Nisly tried helping members learn the 'ins and outs' of searching for drivers and general information on the Internet. Both had handouts, which will be made available in .pdf format on the website.

A CD-Rom was offered to members with the complete patches for either 2 operating systems and the LoadDisc, or all OS only, for $10. Those who were not at the meeting can order the CD until Dec.1 by emailing Sherry Nisly (nisly@epcug.org) and they should be available at the Dec. mtg.

Years ago, when I decided it was time for a new PC, I built my own. In those days it was possible to save hundreds of dollars with a "home brew." When you successfully booted up for the very first time, "The Thrill of Victory" took on a meaning all its own. Things changed, time passed and one day it no longer made economic sense to build your own machine. Except for dedicated hobbyists, no one builds their own automobile anymore and the PC went down that same congested highway.

You're most likely not going to build a PC from scratch, but maybe you will buy that brand new digital doodad. All the PC magazines have published rave reviews about it and all your friends are wondering how they ever managed to survive without it. You're all ready to rip the packaging to shreds and install it. Stop! Cease! Desist! Halt! Before you do anything else, rein in your enthusiasm and do some groundwork. You want your installation smooth and as trouble free as possible. Surgeons carefully prepare before surgery and you need to prepare for your upgrade. Follow these simple rules before rushing in where angels fear to tread, and your chances of attaining PC Nirvana will improve dramatically.

1) Always allow yourself plenty of time. If you think the job will take two hours, schedule four hours to allow for unanticipated roadblocks. Even the simplest installations can run into problems. Sometimes a straightforward expansion card installation can become enormously complicated by a stripped screw. Not only do you have to take Murphy's Law into account, but keep in mind that Murphy was an optimist.

2) Back up your system before making any changes. I don't care how simple you think the job is. Too many tears have been shed by not doing a complete system backup first. Power failures can occur at any time. Don't rule out a meteor strike.

3) Make sure pets and children are kept away from the open PC. Toddlers are insatiably curious about everything. You don't want a pet or a child cut by an exposed component with sharp edges.

4) Make sure computer and peripherals are ALL unplugged, and never touch any exposed components in your PC without "discharging". Discharging happens when you touch something metallic to remove static electricity. One accidental jolt of static electricity has been known to fry motherboards and reduce grown men to quivering blobs of jelly. Small dogs and children sometimes don't do well when jolted by static electricity. Neither might you.

5) Turn your PC off and leave it off for several hours before opening. Internal components can get very hot during operation. Allow sufficient cooling off time before starting any project that requires removing the covers from your machine.

6) Have the right tools handy. Many PC manufacturers have made the upgrade process much simpler than it used to be. If all you're doing is installing a board in a PCI slot, you may not need anything more exotic than a screwdriver. A new motherboard installation could be somewhat more complicated. At a bare minimum you need a Phillips screwdriver and a pair of needle-nosed pliers.

7) Follow all the installation instructions to the letter, since even "insignificant" steps that may seem unimportant can turn out to be essential. The manufacturer went to the trouble and expense of printing the instructions for a reason. Ignore the printed instructions at your peril.

8) Don't dither about consulting an expert if you get stuck. World-class physicians don't hesitate to ask for a second opinion. Why should you be any different?

9) Make a startup diskette. It takes only a few minutes and can save your butt.

How to avoid common problems and what to do when they happen anyway.

After you have installed your new component, place the cover back on your PC and reconnect everything. Turn on the PC and make sure it boots. If your system crashes before Windows even begins, STOP! Turn off the PC and unplug it. Take the covers back off and check for loose wires and components that may not be properly seated in their sockets. If this doesn't remedy things, it's time to bring in a professional. Unless you know exactly what you're doing, you can cause a great deal of damage beyond this point.

If the component is a Plug 'N Play device, Windows should recognize it during the boot process and install drivers automatically. If you need to install software, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

If Windows snubs your new hardware, go to the Control Panel and select the Install New Hardware icon and follow the instructions. If Windows continues to ignore the device, go to the manufacturer's Website. The fix may be as simple as downloading the latest driver.

Once the hardware and software are installed and everything seems to be fine, monitor your system for a few weeks. If problems pop up, go to the manufacturer's Web page and see if there are any updated drivers on the site. If there is no restriction against any non-profit group using the a FAQ section, explore it. You may find some good information or troubleshooting tips.

You can also go to the Control Panel, select the System icon, and then select the Device Manager tab. Your new component should be listed under the appropriate device heading. If you see an exclamation point, then you have a problem. If that's the case, press the [+] symbol to open the device's "directory." Now, right-click the device and select Properties. You'll find a series of tabs and choices depending upon the product type. Go through the tabs and see if any error messages appear. You might be able to fix the problem at this juncture. If not, make a note of the specific errors and look in the manual or contact the manufacturer for instructions.

Summary

Listen to any of the technology talk shows or read articles that discuss "search engines" and you'll see that Google has been rated high for a long time. I find it accurately displays whatever I'm looking for, so much so, that it's like having an encyclopedia of knowledge at my finger tips. Newer engines are coming out, but I still trust Google to find my answers. But have you dug deeper down into what's available with this search engine? Well read on, because there's a lot more to it.

Let's start by using the basic search window found on http://www.google.com. When my computer runs into a problem and can give me enough of an understandable error message, I've found that typing the message into a Google search window usually gives me enough hits to help me narrow the problem. My son called me a few months ago and said he thought he had sent me a virus, and wanted me to delete the file called sulfnbk.exe. It sounded a little fishy, and since he was close to his computer, I asked him to type the file name into Google. He saw the words HOAX come up in big block letters. Google saved me the hassle of trying to resurrect that file later.

If you want to narrow your searches to just Microsoft-related pages, you can click on "Advanced Search" and go to the bottom of the displayed page and click on "Microsoft." Thus, if you have an operating system or Microsoft application question, this narrows the boundaries of the search. You can also get there directly by going to http://www.google.com/microsoft.html. Notice from the "Advanced Search" page that other narrow searches can be done for Apple, BSD Unix, Linux, and Government-related sites.

Try doing a "vanity search" by typing your name in the search box. Or even try it with friends you've lost contact with. I've found some long-lost souls just by doing this. Enter a name, city, state, or zip code for a business or a person and see if you get a hit. You may be surprised at how easy it can be to find information about yourself. Enter a phone number and see if you get a name back. If Google recognizes what you entered as an address, you'll get a street map back. Google is so good at finding things that there was even a game called "googlewhacking" where people would try typing in a combination of words that just returned one search reply. It's fairly hard to do unless you use some really obscure word variations.

Looking at the basic search screen on the opening Google page, you'll notice four tabs on top. The default is the Web tab, which we were just using. The next one is the Images tab, taking you to http://images.google.com. This will allow you access to millions of images on the Web. Suppose your child is doing a school report on oak trees. Type "oak trees" into the images search engine and you'll find plenty of pictures for the report. Of course, I need to pass along the disclaimer that lots of stuff on the Web is copyrighted, so you need to be careful how you use what you find. But I doubt you'll get into too much trouble using a picture in your school report. But I did hear that teachers could use Google to search for text phrases in reports to check for plagiarism.

There are thousands of newsgroups in cyberspace, covering thousands of topics, and only so much time in a day. The third tab over is the "Groups" tab and it will let you find out what is (or was) being discussed out there that you would be interested in. For example, if you're thinking of buying a new digital camera, type the model number in the Groups search window. You'll see messages from people in various newsgroups that discussed that item. You can use this method to monitor almost any topic you have an interest in.

The last tab over at the top is the "Directory" tab. Click here and you'll see Web pages organized into directories by topic, much like you'd see at Yahoo. For example, click on "Computers" and you'll see almost 50 computer topics arranged by categories, any one of which takes you to many other Websites. They advertise they have over 1.5 million pages indexed in this directory.

Want to keep up with current news stories? Go to http://news.google.com and enter in a news topic. Say you wanted to stay abreast of the Hayman Fire that burned close to us a few months back. Entering those words into the search window resulted in stories from newspapers all across the country. Google would even tell you how old the stories were, with many only hours old.

For the linguists out there that need help translating short pieces of text from one language to another, there's http://www.google.com/language_tools. Need help translating "yo quiero" from Spanish to English, then give it a try.

Want to see additional tools being worked on by the Google development team? Look at http://labs.google.com. Four tools are listed, the most interesting to me being the glossary. If you come across an unfamiliar word or phrase and go here, you'll get a link or pointer to pages that offer a definition. Another tool at this site is Google Sets, where you can type in a few related words, and it give you a list of more related items. There's also a voice recognition tool to help you search Google by phone, and a keyboard shortcuts tool that lets you search Google without a mouse.

I hope I've convinced you why Google is great, not only as a search engine for the Web, but also for its many other capabilities for specialized searches. Do you ever wonder how history would look if recorded by the types of searches being done on the Web? Then look at the year 2001 laid out at http://www.google.com/press/timeline.html. You can see what was on the minds of many people that year by the searches that were requested. So search wisely-historians may learn about us, while we learn about what interests us.

There is no restriction against any non-profit group using the article as long as it is kept in context, with proper credit given to the author. This article is brought to you by the Editorial Committee of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), an International organization to which this user group belongs.