Random Thoughts - Office on a Stick

Many of us regularly leave our home to travel, leaving behind our computer and with it the records, programs and information it contains. It doesn't have to be that way.
If you put 'Portable Apps' on your memory stick, you can carry all your programs and your info with you. This free Suite comes with over a dozen programs, including the Firefox browser, better than Internet Explorer in the opinion of many. As well there is the full Open Office Suite which will read all Microsoft Office documents. Throw in some games and sundry other utilities and that is most of what you might ever need.
You also get a little extra protection from potential nasties  on the host computer. Open a gmail account to house your address book and it is almost like being at home

Gone Phishin'

Just a Reminder
The scammers are still working the phones as evidenced by Les Carolls report last week. Remember if any one calls and says they are from Microsoft, or indeed any one at all that asks you to go to your computer and access it.    

DON'T DO IT.

Templates for Microsoft

This is the website that gives you access to the Templates we were using in last Fridays meeting.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT010152732.aspx
On that page you will find on the left hand side if you scroll down a link ( My Programs ) that will allow you to see separate templates for the program that you use, be it Excel, Word or  Power Point etc. Select the programs that you use, they will then move to the left and then at the bottom of the page click save. Once that is done any of the templates that you then inspect will be for your programs and won't include any of the others.

One Picture = One Thousand Words

OSCC

While it is true that everything you would ever want to know is now available, it isn't always easy to find! Now, on the Club computer you will find a folder on the Desktop which you can identify by the Club Logo, view it to the left. Inside the folder is a shortcut to those folders and files specific to the club, each bearing the same logo. At present there are 3 folders although more may be added. They are;

• Downloads; Contains files to featured programs which you might wish to put on your memory stick to install on your own computer.
• JargonBuster; Files for you to work on.
• Cash Book; A link to our club finances.

 Ken

A Bit About A Blog

There's a bit of a buzz about a Blog these days at the club!

Fair enough, it is a new concept for all of us including me so let's keep it simple.

There are a few of ways of keeping up with what's new.

1. Make http://oceanscompnz.blogspot.com/ one of your favourites and check it out regularly. Better still, make it one of your home pages, (ask how at the meeting).
2. Open a GMail account, set up your igoogle page and the blog will come to you.
3. Complete the 'Follow by Email' box, top right.You will receive an email seeking your confirmation and after that you will be notified daily of any new blogs.

Being a registered GMail user gives you special rights, number 2 above being one of them. The second right is the ability to 'Comment' on the blog, i.e. Ask additional questions, suggest further topics etc.

That way, the blog will become a regular forum for the club.

I'm sure you will have lots of questions to ask about all these matters on Friday.

Sorry, Colin - you will have to give the answers as I will be otherwise engaged this week.

Ken

Random Thoughts - Good Intentions

Over the years I have received many emails, often from friends, warning me of some new computer risk. Sometimes they come with a complete set of instructions as to how to remove a file (probably harmless or even essential) from your computer, often they warn against opening an email with a specific subject, e.g. Osama bin Laden. Almost always you are asked to warn everyone in your email address book of the danger.

My only advice is to ignore such emails, delete them.

That isn't to say that risks don't exist out there, but you should use normal, basic precautions to protect yourself.

• Have an up-to-date Anti-Virus program on your computer.
• Don't open emails from unknowns, just delete or mark them as 'spam'.
• Use your common sense - if it seems too good to be true IT IS!

Above all don't spread the word to your friends.

Ken

Weekly Review

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to all that sent in their broadband speeds. We have compiled a list of Internet Service Providers and their published connection plans and what bang you should be getting for your buck.

Ken has introduced us to the world of blogging by setting up a Ocean Shores Computer Blog and we will explore that in this session.

Microsoft has purchased Skype for 8.5 Billion US. We'll talk a little about how apps. can grow from an idea and no revenue to be worth billions. Please bring to the meeting any contacts that you would like to have on Skype. We need either their email address or their Skype name.

We can also discuss the closing down of analogue television and what that means to us.

From the discussion last week about special interest groups Ken has put together a class for Photo Editing.

Below I have listed the Club presence on the web.

Ocean Shores Computer Club Web Site

https://sites.google.com/site/oceanscompnz/

Ocean Shores Computer Club email

oceanscompnz@gmail.com

Ocean Shores Computer Club Blog

http://oceanscompnz.blogspot.com/

See you Friday at 9 a.m. and bring your requests for the format of next weeks meeting. Thank you.

Cheers

Colin

First Thoughts

This is the initial post in our Computer Club Blog (short for Weblog).

It will be used to expand on topics mentioned in our Friday meetings and maybe random thoughts that arise from time to time.

Ken