APRIL 2003 - Vol 19 - Issue 04

Newsletter - Internet Edition

A rising talent, Anthony Parrot, will show members how he composes music on his keyboard while it is attached to the computer, then prints out the sheet music, complete with all the notes he just played.

Quick swishes of the pen and the corrections and changes are replayed with the finished product again being played on the keyboard attached to the computer. The finished pages are then printed and the many tedious hours of writing all the little notes by hand has been elimated.

Anthony will utilize several different techniques, including first recording his accompanying music, then playing it back while he composes.

It should be an enlightening night for those that have never experienced this before.

There are times when you want to email files to a colleague or friend to share important information. What used to be a simple matter of attaching a document, spreadsheet or database to an email and quickly sending information, has today become more of a problem. Recently, a colleague attempted to send a MS Access database file to me. Because of my security settings, it was rejected: I received the email, stripped of its attachment.

Due to increased cyber criminal threats and attacks, the utopian vision of global harmony that the computing industry originally designed for, where everyone happily shared files and information, and everyone was honest and upright, now seems naive and shortsighted. A decade ago, no one worried about receiving attachments to their emails. Viruses and worms existed, but were seldom seen. Few people thought virus protection was necessary or indeed ever encountered a virus.

With the whole-hearted and enthusiastic embracing of the personal computer (PC), email and the World Wide Web by the public, security issues started to gain in importance as the industry grew. As more people used the technology, and the vulnerable computers grew exponentially, so did the incidences of cyber crimes and criminal hacking. It became incredibly easy to introduce a virus or worm by email or other means and have it spread by social engineering (I Love You virus) and by taking advantage of people who did not update their software.

In order to grow the industry in the early days, the software manufacturers had focused on ease of use and added features as the most important factors to develop for. They listened to what their customers wanted, and gave them the bells and whistles they asked for. As the security threat grew, however, the emphasis had to change. The open, share with everyone, gee-whiz features from the past are moving to a more closed cautious approach in the present.

So how do you send a database file to a friend without them having to lower their security settings? There is a way. MS Outlook and MS Outlook Express will accept text (.txt) files without a problem, so I told my colleague to change the file extension from databasename.dbs to databasename.txt and send it to me. After receiving it, I could easily change the extension back to what it was before, and (drum-roll, please), I would have the database without changing my security settings.

So she tried it. I am fortunate to have an ISP who filters for SPAM and also aggressively filters for Viruses and Worms (even so, I update my own virus protection daily). However, in this case, the ISP's virus filter stripped the ".txt" attachment from the email and I received nothing but a virus warning! What had happened?

After some trouble-shooting back and forth by email, I determined that she had her version of Windows set to hide file extensions. When she tried to rename the file, she simply added .txt to the name. She saw databasename.txt on her desktop, but because she couldn't see the file extension, the file was actually named databasename.txt.dbs! The ISP virus filter rightly saw that as a possible threat and dumped the file.

Having her file extensions hidden was also not a good idea from a security stand point. She would never know if a virus program was hidden in files she looked at: for example as in filename.jpg.vbs because she would not be able to see the ".vbs" (Visual Basic Script) extension. The file would look to her like filename.jpg and she might mistakenly open it, setting off a Trojan worm.

I suggested that she turn on her "view file extensions". Then she would be able to rename files correctly and her system would be more secure at the same time.

Here's how you do it in Windows 98:

Click Start
Click Settings
Click Folder Options
Click View Tab
Under Advanced Settings / Files and Folders:
Click the box to put a check in: Remember each folder's view settings
Uncheck the box next to: Hide file extensions for known file types
Click OK to confirm your selection.

Now after making the above changes, if my colleague looks at that copy of her database file on her desktop, she will see the extension as it truly is. If she renames it, she will see the correct extension and will also see the database icon change to the text icon. She may get a warning that she is about to do something terrible, (as in changing file extensions will cause the file not to open) but since she is working with a copy, she can ignore it. When she sends me the file, it will pass all the security checks both from my ISP and my system, and I will receive it successfully. I will then change the extension back to .dbs and ta-da! I will have the database file without compromising my over-all security. A quick and easy tip for everyone that needs to share a file, just make sure your virus scanner is up-to-date!

This article was first published in an issue of the Bytes and Bits Online Newsletter. Please drop me an email if you publish this article to: barbara@web-centric.net. I would be very pleased to receive either a link to your online publication, PDF, or a hard copy of your newsletter if possible. If this article is too long, please feel free to break it up into 2 or 3 parts at appropriate points if that would work better for you.

A very powerful command in Windows 95 is found on the START menu. It's the FIND command, and it can be initiated from anywhere in Windows by using the F3 function key. If you have a browser open the FIND window may be hidden but will be shown on the TASK BAR.

The most time-saving feature is being able to use a "fuzzy search" to find a file. . While you can find a recently opened or saved file by using the "Documents" command on the "Start " menu, what if you forgot the name you saved it under? With the FIND command you never have to include the extension or even the full spelling of the file name. It can even find a file when you list only a few characters in the middle of the name.

You don't remember anything about the file name? Then use the DATE MODIFIED tab to search within a date frame during which you remember saving the file. Can't remember the dates at all? How about the subject of the file? Using the ADVANCED tab, you can search for files that contain a certain combination of words within the file, such as the subject matter or name of a person mentioned there. The three main tabs can even be combined to make up a very narrow search.

If this same or similar search criteria is likely to be needed again, click on the "SAVE SEARCH" option under the FILE menu. This will put an icon on your desktop to click on for another search.

As in the other Explorer type Windows, the way these found files are displayed can be changed using the VIEW options. You can show just icons, (small or large), full file details, or just a simple list. When showing all details you may need to expand the "IN FOLDER" space to show the full path for the files. (Click and drag the separator lines beside the headings.)

I frequently find all sound files for a quick sound system test by typing *.wav or *.mid into the "Named" box. Then I just click on one of them to play it. You can search multiple drives by entering the drive letters separated by a semicolon. (such as C:\; A:\)

Now comes the powerful and fun part of the FIND command: How to make use of the files you have found.

>>Once an application is registered to open a file, just clicking on the file name will run that application and open that file for you.

>>By right-clicking on the file name you are presented with a bunch of options, such as COPY (to the clipboard), SEND TO (to the A: drive, mail, or briefcase), RENAME, DELETE, and ZIP functions. (SEND TO is a very quick way to copy a file to a floppy disk.)

>>Any file found here can be added to the DESKTOP as a shortcut, allowing very quick access to it the next time you need it.

>>By clicking on PROPERTIES for this file you can get all sorts of details, such as date created, date modified, type of file, etc.

By looking at the files this way you can recognize duplicate and backup files so you can remove them from your hard drive. When you are sure they are safe to delete, holding down the SHIFT key when you hit DELETE will keep the files from being saved again in your RECYCLE BIN.

From the "Blue Chip News"a publication of the Saginaw Valley Computer Association - Saginaw, MI User Groups should feel free to reproduce this article in their publications. All we ask is that proper credit be given to the author of the article, the Blue Chip News and/or the Saginaw Valley Computer Association. We would appreciate receipt of a copy of the newsletter that carries an article from the SVCA and participation in a newsletter exchange program.

I am looking for any tidbits or topics that should, or could, be discussed or presented in the newsletter. If you can supply the full information (question/subject/answer/all) fine, if not just send the subject or question and I'll take care of the research, anyway is fine.

I've just been thinking that there may be some specific interests that were being wished to be covered out there and can't seem to remember them on my own. Any help from you folks each month would be appreciated. Also, good ideas for meetings could be sent in here, too. Post the idea, and if enough others send in responses that they would like to see it also, we will see what we can do to make it happen!

Q: One suggestion I would have for a topic sometime is problems in shutting down Windows 98 and ME. Several people I know continue having problems shutting down properly. It either stops and doesn't finish or a screen comes up saying there is a problem. Then when it reboots the next time it has to go through the Scandisk proceedure.

A: There are a couple of different possibilities that come to mind right off hand with this issue. I'll look for other possibile answers to come in and print them when they do.

Number one, Windows 98 had a `bug' and there was a fix published. You can find this fix by going to http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

The other fix they offer relates to the quick shut downs by newer systems, and this is applicable to all versions of Windows, not just 98. The new systems shut down so fast that Windows does not have enough time to completely close before the power goes off. This fix creates a delay in the shut down command. Here again, go to http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp for the fix.


Q: Might be quite interesting to ask the membership to supply names and details of the PC builders in our area.

A: Yes, this would be nice to know. For example, for those in Goshen, there is a relatively new outfit on Pike Street, just across from the Post Office. Haven't been in there, so have no clues on what it looks like, but it would be nice if any that have been there, or other places, would post their opinions. Just be sure to be courteous, and remember, Momma always said if you couldn't say something nice, better to not say anything at all (Unless you know of LOTS of others with the same opinion or problem with a place. Then it'd be wrong not to let us know. Just try to do it politely and with grace.)


Q: Are we ever going to get those patch/update CDs for Microsoft operating systems that were talked about last fall?

A: We are still working on it. Most of it is done and the rest should be available soon. Microsoft went through a reconfiguration of their website, and stuff was not available for downloading onto a machine that was not running that operating system. But, all seems better now, and the update discs should be ready soon. I'll keep you posted on the e-mail list.


Q: A few years ago a friend of mine told me that Word Perfect is going out. At that time it was very popular. I had learned WP in DOS and didn't believe it. I now have WP8 in Windows. Now I see very little Word Perfect in stores. Has it completely been taken over by Corel? Or is it going out? I don't know if this is worth putting in the newsletter - but I would like to know. I'm sure I am not the only person who is using and likes WP.

A: No, you are not the only diehard WordPerfect user out there, Sheri Freel and I will personally testify to that. No, WordPerfect is not dead. Yes, it is completely taken over by Corel. I believe it is hard to get WordPerfect alone, it's cheaper to by the whole suite, but it's still plugging away in the market, and as good as ever, if I must say so for those diehard Word fans :) Check out www.corel.com and click the link for WordPerfect. (And definitely check out the updates for version 8, it had some real bugs!)

That was a nice start, let's see what next month brings!

Almost all newer computers come with a CD-RW drive, a CD drive that can write and rewrite compatible CD discs. For older computers, with a standard CD reader (play only, not write), the addition of a CD burner" is a very popular and fairly inexpensive upgrade. A simple review of the Sunday sale books for the major electronics and office supply stores shows an abundance of CD-RW drives for between $30 and $100, often after rebate. These drives are typically easy to install, and may possibly be installed in addition to the existing CD reader (good for copying CDs), or as a simple replacement. If internal installation is not desired, there are several external CD-RW drives, advertised weekly, that connect to an available USB or firewire port. The external drives, typically the USB models, are also often a good choice for older notebook computers where internal installation is difficult or impossible. The Sunday ads often show the external USB drives for under $100, after rebates.

Almost all CD-RW drives, whether factory installed, or after-market add- on, come with some CD burning software. The most widely distributed CD software provided with the drives is from Adaptec, or Adaptec's successor (Adaptec sold their CD writing software division), Roxio. Another common software package included with some drives is from Nero, while other drives come with a variety of lesser-known software titles. As the price of blank CD discs plunges, often free after rebate", burning (writing to) CDs has become very popular. Still, many PC (and Mac) users are not using their equipment to its potential; large number of users still only use their CD-RW drives in read mode to install other software, and not to burn discs.

As had been stated many times here in previous columns, the three most important words in computing are Backup, Backup, and Backup". Remember that Murphy's First law of Computing" states that A properly backed-up hard drive will never fail; a hard drive that has not been recently backed up will always fail at the most inopportune time." All too many users who have ready access to CD-RW drives have lost all of their important files to viruses or hard drive failures, despite the ease and low expense of copying important files to CD discs. The common blank discs hold from 660 to 700 megabytes of data, and are very inexpensive. Other than some time, there is no great investment to back up critical files at a minimum, or even better, entire hard drives.

There are a variety of excellent utilities available to backup hard drives. Some CD-RW drives come with a lite" or limited" version of popular backup programs. While minimally functional, these lite" versions often lack useful functions such as compression (getting more data on a CD disc than its native capacity), or incremental backup (only backing up new files or files modified since the previous backup). I have been using BackUp MyPC" from Stomp Software (www.stompinc.com), which was formerly known as Backup Exec, by Veritas (Seagate). This program is probably one of the most full featured backup programs, and easy to use. BackUp MyPC can backup to almost any type of device from CD-RW drives, tape drives, Jazz and Zip drives, and other devices. Some competing products are Roxio's Go Back, Norton's Ghost, and NTI's BackUp Now (which I have also used).

Since almost all computers can utilize some form of CD writer, and blank discs are cheap, there is absolutely no reason NOT to have at least critical data files backed up. The clich, ounce of prevention." is most apropos here. With over one in five PCs currently infected with at least one variety of the Klez worm, several versions of which are capable of destroying critical files on a hard drive, backups are imperative. The appearance and rapid spread of other destructive worms and viruses, such as the new Hunch" worm which explicitly destroys the files in the Windows, My Programs, and My Documents directories, emphasizes the need for backing up hard drives. Still, probably the most damage is done by the old-fashioned hard drive crash. Remember Murphy's law, and always have a reasonably current backup of critical files. For long-term archival purposes, better quality CD discs are advertised as having a 100-year archival life.

There are other popular uses of CD burners. One of the most popular and most controversial uses is burning music to blank CD discs. Often in the popular MP3 format, or in native commercial music CD format, studies show that this is the most popular use of CD burners. Provided that copyright laws are rigidly obeyed, and we all know that they always are (snicker), homemade music CDs are very widely created and used. Online music or swap services, ranging from the now defunct Napster, to the very much alive and controversial KazAa and Morpheus, as well as the legitimate commercial music sites such as Sony, are popular sources of such music.

Another popular use is copying entire CD discs. Generally, it is considered ok" to make a single archival backup of commercial CDs, provided that the copy is only used as a backup, and properly disposed of (destroyed) when the original software is no longer needed. With some software CDs, and an increasing number of commercial music CDs, this archival backup is becoming more difficult to create as sophisticated copy protection is being utilized more commonly.

Many use their CD drive, often with rewriteable CD-RW discs, as an additional, but removable adjunct to their hard drive. This allows archival and portable storage of massive amounts of data, at minimal expense. CDs are often ideal for moving large files between computers.

There are several other uses for the CD-RW drives now so common in our machines. Many other CD drive utilities are readily available for download, such as from tucows.exp.net/system/cdrutil95.html or tucows.exp.net/mmedia.html. Use the drives as they can be used, but make absolutely sure that critical data is frequently backed up.

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.

One of the most frequently asked questions recently by both readers of this column and from listeners to my weekly radio shows was about purchasing computers for their children. Generally, the "kids" fall into two broad categories; college bound, and middle or high school students. As I reply when asked by anyone about recommendations for buying a computer, I ask back "what is it going to be used for?" The reply to that query will often have a significant influence on my recommendations.

First, a brief overview of processors, often referred to as "CPU chips"; the two major competitors are Intel and AMD, both of whom produce a variety of chips. The premium chips are Intel's Pentium, and AMD's Athlon. Both are generally satisfactory, and the rule of thumb is the faster, the better, but faster often means more expensive. For many modern computers the CPU chip, often not much larger than a postage stamp, is the most expensive component.

Generally, the AMD Athlon chips with the same performance rating as Intel Pentium chips, are less expensive. According to side-by-side comparisons published by several of the major computer magazines, Athlon chips also generally outperform comparable Pentium chips of the same clock speed when used in real-world applications. Pentium chips are typically named with their rated clock speed, or how fast they can operate internally. The new Athlon chips are named not by their real clock speed, but how they compare to an Intel Pentium chip.

For example an Athlon XP 1800 chip, while actually having a clock speed of 1.53GHZ, has about the same actual performance of a Pentium 1.8GHZ chip, but has a price (just for the chip) of about 1/3 to ® less than the Pentium 1.8GHZ chip, according to the listings at pricewatch.com.

Both AMD and Intel also manufacture a budget line of CPU chips. These chips are the Intel Celeron and the AMD Duron, currently being phased out by AMD. These budget chips, costing about ® again less than their premium counterparts, have a lower degree of performance, even with the same clock speed, because they lack some of the more advanced features of their higher priced counterparts, such as less on-board cache memory, and less sophisticated video and multimedia support.

"Putting my money where my mouth is", all of the computers I have built or purchased for my family in recent years have had AMD chips in them. While not all computer manufacturers offer a choice of chipmakers, recently I have almost always recommended Athlon chips over Pentium, based on both their price and performance advantage. For kids' computers, purchased today, I would not recommend either Celeron or Duron chips, as today's kids are more likely to make extensive use of multimedia and graphics intensive applications, such as video games, and MP3 and DVD players. It is these applications specifically that Celerons and Durons generally lack the enhanced capability of their premium big brothers. For a child's computer today, I would pick an Athlon CPU chip over a comparable Pentium chip, if available.

As the speeds of CPU chips on the market increase, the marginal benefit of those increased speeds to the "kid" user decreases, as the cost increases. The latest "gee whiz" speeds may be impressive to friends, but using that increased CPU's additional cost for other features, rather than the highest speeds, may increase the functionality of the computer.

Memory, almost as much as chip speed, is a major contributor to computer performance. In recent years, the price of memory has plunged. While there have been some up-and-down price fluctuations, memory is often one of the less expensive components. Rule of thumb is the more memory, the better, up to reasonable limits. 128 megabytes of memory is about the minimum for new computers, with 256 megs becoming more common on new computers. Many new computers currently on local store shelves have 512 megs of memory, or more.

There are different memory formats and speeds being used by different manufacturers. The type of memory used is often listed in the computer specifications. DDR memory is generally faster than the more common and less expensive PC133, but the difference in price is usually not very much. The computer I am using to type this has 256 megs of memory, which with my Windows 98 has been adequate. The computer I built last winter for my youngest daughter has 384 megs (3 - 128 meg sticks of PC133 speed memory), along with an Athlon 1.33 GHZ (266 "Front Side Bus") CPU chip. Memory sticks, of most major types, are fairly inexpensive and readily available from most computer, electronics and office supply stores. If the kids want more memory at a later date, it is usually an easy "do-it-yourself" project. Two of my four daughters have added memory to their computers, all by themselves.

New computers will also usually show the speed and type of video installed. Many manufacturers, in order to keep the cost down, use an on-board video chip that uses "shared" memory; this means that the video card is also using the computer's regular memory. This reduces the memory available for applications, and reduces performance. A separate video card, preferably referred to as an AGP card, will have its own video processor and memory. Again, the faster the video card, and the more memory on the card, the better the video performance, but the more expensive the computer becomes. If the kid wants to do a lot of intensive gaming, or play DVDs on the computer, the better video may be worth the extra money. The computer I recently built for my youngest daughter has a very fast AGP 4x video card, with 64 megs of its own memory.

Next week, in the Examiner, this column will discuss choices for hard drives, CD-RW, DVD, and other accessories, as well as try and answer the notebook vs. desktop argument often made by our children.

Ira Wilsker is a member of the APCUG Board of Advisors, hosts a radio show, writes a column for his local paper and is on the faculty at the Lamar institute. Email him at: ira@apcug.org . 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.