Re: [CGUYS] DSL Home Wiring
Good point. Thanks, Rev.! Dan :-) >>> "Rev. Stewart Marshall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 8/27/2008 10:15 AM >>> Yeah security. Turn on security when you add wireless mode. Stewart * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] DSL Home Wiring
I'd like to ramp up the technical question a bit. We already have DSL coming into the house (firewall, antivirus, etc., are already installed) with 2 Windows XP desktops plugged into the modem. Are there any technical considerations in taking the existing system wireless beyond slapping a wireless router on the end of the modem that need to be addressed? Dan * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Video editing software/hardware, recommendations needed
My wife and I are planning to purchase a new laptop and need recommendations on the most cost-effective hardware/software combination. I welcome input from anyone with relevant experience. By the way, this list has yet to steer me wrong with the many pleas I've posted in the past. Congratulations! One of the principal tasks for the system will be to download and manipulate digital videos shot with a Sony digital videocam. We won't need much sophistication in the video manipulation - probably not much more than the ability to edit for length, cutting and pasting an hour or two of video into 20 - 30 minute packages that will then be burned to a DVD. A secondary task will be to take all of those family VHS tapes and load them onto DVDs for archiving and copying for family. Other tasks will include creating documents with MS Office applications. WiFi and Ethernet LAN connectivity will also be a must. It will be carried on commercial aircraft, along with the videocam, so a light configuration with a minimum of attachments would be appreciated. We have a number of computers running Windows, so my first inclination is to go for a Windows (which apparently means Vista) operating system. RAM, hard disk, video card, etc., recommendations are welcome. MTIA, Dan :-) * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] PC, Mac, or modification
Well taken, Betty, But I don't know if the Wii would help or frustrate. His Parkinsons is starting to gallop along. Dan >>> b_s-wilk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 05/26/08 12:44 PM >>> My dad is using a computer that over 10 years old for Internet, email, WP, database. It's old, slow, so is he. He's retired, not in a hurry for anything. As long as your dad's computer is running OK with XP, a little extra memory and WiFi is probably all he needs, except maybe a printer. An inexpensive laser is cheaper in the long run and easier to maintain than inkjet. Your dad's not a gamer? RAM + WiFi is all he needs. Get him a Wii for fun. Betty * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] PC, Mac, or modification
I'd appreciate some expert opinions on resolving a family challenge. Dear old Dad has moved to an assisted care facility and has eventually taken his desktop with him. The facility has a WiFi net that the residents are free to use. Dad's Dell runs Windows XP Pro, but is of 2002 vintage and lacks the board to access WiFi. He's never been on line very much and will have to relearn the ways of the Web. He is running a Pentium processor but has only 128mB of RAM in the thing. He's also not the most tech-savvy guy on the block, and might not be the most tech-savvy in the facility. So, the questions - should we invest the time and effort to upgrade the current machine to access WiFi or punt to a new machine? If we punt, should it be to a Mac or another PC? Thanks in advance. Dan * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Skype and PC-less phones
I have relatives (both Mac and PC) who swear by Skype and its free computer-to-computer video/audio communication. Today, a techie who was fixing the household printer told my significant other about a Skype phone that handles both land calls and Internet calls (see link below). He said, though, that its use cost $60 per year, with unlimited calls in U.S. & to Canada. Europe is 2.5 cents per min. He said we'd no longer need a landline (for which we currently pay approx. $28-34 per month). I know that Skype charges for calls from computers to regular landline phones, but I am unfamiliar with a Skype phone and any means to use one (presumably through a WiFi hookup). Does anyone know what our pocket-protected friend was talking about or have experience with one of these things? Philips VOIP841 PC-Free DECT 6.0 Wireless IP Phone Dan :-) * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] password
I think he was asking if he could erase it completely once entered. Dan >>> Christopher Range <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 4/30/2008 2:23 PM >>> rlsimon wrote: >WinXP SP2 Home At present has no password protection so it just boots and >starts without any folderol. If I add a password now, can I take it off and >get back to this point later or am I stuck entering a username and password >forever? > You can always change it. Christopher * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Cash in the EU
My own experience since the early 1990s has been to use a credit card for purchases as much as possible. Since the credit card companies convert huge sums of money routinely, all those commissions, etc., are minimized. It took the Europeans a long time to accept the idea of credit purchases, but by now just about everyone is on board. Dan * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Tax Scam email
Just got one of these in the inbox from "IRS [EMAIL PROTECTED]" Subject line: "Tax Notification" I suggest that you not follow the link. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) United States Department of the Treasury Dear Taxpayer, After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $184.80. Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it. A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline. To access the form for your tax refund, use the following personalized link: http://0x7C.0x3.0x3A.0x85/www.irs.gov/taxrefund.ph p. Regards, Internal Revenue Service Document Reference: (0x7C.0x3.0x3A.0x85). * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Signs of the arrival of FIOS
That is almost identical language to the footnote on a price-hike announcement we got yesterday from Verizon (we have their DSL service). No mention in there about whether or not we will have the option of switching to FiOS, just the price hike to more than $20 per month. >>> John J Settle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 4/16/2008 10:17 AM >>> Here's one I think. http://www.jitterbug.com/ The scary part is footnote #1: " ¹Not including government taxes, assessment surcharges and activation fee." If the surcharge is anything like the gotcha airfare surcharge not included in that low advertised price, it can wind up being an expensive phone service. Activation fee is $35.00 * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Why not the US?
"Both obviously. A mortgage contract has two parties." Maybe yes, but there's more. During the past several years, there have been three, not two, parties to the mortgage. Only two are present at closing, but that third is really calling the shots. In days of yore, banks (or other financial institutions) lent their own money to finance individuals' purchases of homes - hence the strict credit checks and down payment requirements. As the practice of shifting risk to mortgage bundlers and outside investors grew, the initial mortgage lending institution, the one requiring title search, down payment, etc., became more a mortgage salesman, looking no longer for the long-term cash stream of the mortgage itself, but rather for the commission that comes from selling the mortgage (and passing on the risk) to the third party. More sales, more commissions, more moving off the books to make mortgages someone else's problem. Very simply put, the breakdown came when those investors failed to require the same assurances of credit, down payment, and the like of the home buyer that the banks used to demand and a lot of people found the situation just too tempting. So, I would suggest that all 3 acted irresponsibly. Now, how can we link this thread to computers? Dan * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Rotate pages in a .pdf file
Adobe Reader can rotate the pages easily enough, and it's free. Can't they then be saved? Dan * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Email Scam?
Just the format and phrasing raises a host of red flags. It uses very generic wording that can apply to any targeted recipient. The placement of the images of interest looks like a mail merge of some kind. It just smells of an automated bulk email - not something who wants to decorate an apartment is likely to draft. I'd expect something much more personal, with details of how "she" came across your work, etc. Also, mail orders and cashiers checks are easy to counterfeit. Dan * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] dtv converter box choice
Best Buy also carries them - 1 brand, 1 model, listing for $59.99. Coupons should be available online. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Word Doc Spell Check
MS Office has an Information Rights Management feature that "helps prevent sensitive documents and e-mail messages from being forwarded, edited or copied by unauthorized people." It is found under File - Permissions. This requires the installation of a Windows Rights Management client to invoke. This may be what is barring the spell-check. Dan >>> Jay Montero <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 2/27/2008 8:03 AM >>> Someone at work has a document which was created in Word and will not allow spell check to be run on it regardless of what computer we use. We are trying to figure out how to undo this "feature". We are at a loss how the document got that way. Any ideas? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Highlighting PDFs
There are various tricks of the trade to recreate files that have various reproduction restrictions. I don't have Adobe Reader on the computer, but with Professional I can print a PDF to an "Adobe PDF" printer, which may be what is referred to with the Mac. This prints the document to a new file. Does Adobe sales say that a document created in this manner transfers the security restrictions? I'd be willing to play with one of your documents if you want to send it to me outside the listserv (I have Adobe Acrobat 8 running on Windows XP Pro). Dan >>> b_s-wilk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 02/13/08 7:46 PM >>> Can the file be printed? On a Mac you can print to Preview, then save again as a PDF. Is there a Windows equivalent you can use? >> Daniel Else wrote: >> Mike, if you have someone in the family who qualifies for the Adobe Acrobat >> Education pricing structure, I'd recommend that you go ahead and purchase AA >> Professional. It is a terrific discount. That will allow you to do anything >> you >> want to a pdf. > > Dan, > > Not anything! Turns out that the creator of a PDF file can lock it in such a > way as to prevent any markup even by a recipient who uses Adobe Acrobat 3D > Version 8, the highest version of Adobe Acrobat. I confirmed this with > Adobe's > sales. > > Or do you have a different experience? > > I'll be purchasing articles and then might have to highlight them. That's why > I want to be able to highlight. I might have to print out and highlight hard > copy. > > Thanks, > > Michael * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive from 1/1/2000 is on the MARC http://marc.info/?l=computerguys-l * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Highlighting PDFs
Mike, if you have someone in the family who qualifies for the Adobe Acrobat Education pricing structure, I'd recommend that you go ahead and purchase AA Professional. It is a terrific discount. That will allow you to do anything you want to a pdf. Dan * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive from 1/1/2000 is on the MARC http://marc.info/?l=computerguys-l * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Using Laptop in Spain
It's magic. Seriously, the 100-240v designation on the power supply indicates that it can handle both voltages, sensing the input voltage and automatically stepping it down to the much lower voltage used by the computer. By building this sensing and switching capability into a single power supply used in all of its computers, the manufacturer doesn't have to keep track of where in the world the machine is to be used - other than supplying a cord with the correct plug at one end. As for exactly how the sensing and switching is handled, you'd have to get a techie with a wiring diagram to explain. Dan :-) >>> Brian Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 2/13/2008 11:15 AM >>> Dan, I am going to Spain next month (240v). I noticed my tiny Toshiba power supply says input: 100-240 volts, output: 19v. Are you saying that I do NOT need a step-down transformer? How does the transformer detect and switch modes? - Brian * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive from 1/1/2000 is on the MARC http://marc.info/?l=computerguys-l * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Using Laptop in England
> I have been told that I just need a plug adapter (3 prong UK to 3 > prong US). My HP charger is rated 100-240 volts so that seems OK but > the wire from the wall outlet that plugs into the charger says 120 > volts! Do I need to get a new wire? Can I get it at Radio Shack? Radio Shack should have plug adapters for travel through Europe and the UK. There may be different plugs in different locations, with the UK being the most idiosyncratic. Your US wiring is fine - in fact overengineered - for 240 volts. The lower the voltage, the bigger the gauge needed to carry the necessary current, so you will notice that European wiring seems awfully flimsy. The critical thing is the transformer. I've never seen a computer power supply that could not handle both voltages, 120 for here and 240 for virtually everywhere else. All you need should be the plug adapter. Buy the "travel set." And happy traveling! Dan * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive from 1/1/2000 is on the MARC http://marc.info/?l=computerguys-l * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] ATT DSL ok?
I use Verizon DSL, so I can't address the service question. As for DSL itself, I have no complaints - fast (relative to the dial-up modem it replace) and so far trouble-free (we've been on it for about a year). Interference with the phone is eliminated by in-line noise filters. Though the data and voice are carried over the same wires, their transmission characteristics keep them in effect separate. But without the filters, they interfere. My big complaint is inability to use the compute to fax. If anyone has a workaround, I'm all ears. Dan >>> Paula Minor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 12/11/2007 11:01 AM >>> I had to call ATT for a question about my phone bill and they talked me into trying out their DSL internet. It was cheaper than comcast cable so I agreed to try it out. Does anyone have any experience with it? Does it really work even if I"m on the phone at the same time I'm trying to access the 'net? Have they been reliable? I'm not ditching Comcast until I"m sure it works but I have only 30 days to cancel before I'm charged $99 for cancelling. If they have a rep for giving you good service until AFTER the 30 days, I'd like to know. Thanks! Paula IN/USA * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Outlook Express Problem
As alluded to in the IE 7 discussion of the past several days, MS is offering free actual telephonic customer support for the IE7 installation. I don't have the number in hand, but it is toll-free. You might give it a shot. Dan >>> "Richard P." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 12/6/2007 12:30:37 PM >>> Outlook Express 6 is no longer operational. As a rule, I never choose to use it (Thunderbird is default), but the Fuji Photo program insists on using it in order to email photos. It was working fine last week but since then I've upgraded to IE7 from IE6. The error I now get when trying to use OE6 is: "The address book failed to load. Outlook Express is incorrectly configured, please reinstall" I don't know how to reinstall it, seeing as it came with the computer. Is this an IE7 issue? I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks in advance, Richard P. * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
[CGUYS] MS IE 7
Microsoft is pushing its Internet Explorer 7 pretty hard and through touting free phone tech support for the change seems to be implying that the transition from 6 to 7 might not be transparent. Is there any experience out there with the move from one version to the other? Good? Bad? or just Ugly? Dan * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] FIOS and surge protection
Google "fiber optic cable" or read: www.howstuffworks.com/fiber-optic.htm www.arcelect.com/fibercable.htm Do you know the actual construction of the Fios cable? While the data transmission medium is glass fiber, there may well be a metal wire or jacket component for tensile strength. If the latter exists, it could conduct a lightening strike or a hit from a broken high tension wire. * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] FIOS and surge protection
I'm no comms engineer, but I believe that FIOS, being glass fiber, has no conducting material to bring any kind of electricity into the house. It should be all blasts of light. Dan >>> K Swab <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 11/19/2007 4:02 PM >>> I just installed Verizon's FIOS service for both my phone and video service. The CATV wire and the two copper telephone lines I had coming to my house have been removed. I am having a whole house surge protector installed to protect my electrical service. Do I need to worry about electrical surges coming in through the fiber optic line and destroying any equipment through that path or is the whole house surge protector enough, i.e., can surges come in on the FIOS? * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Grabbing domain names of well-known persons?
I wouldn't say never. Remember during the 2004 presidential campaign? John Kerry's father had set up a website to brag about his son - and it wasn't the John Kerry who was running for office. The campaign rather belatedly found the name taken not by a squatter, but by someone with as legitimate a reason as the "famous person." Dan >>> "Rev. Stewart Marshall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 10/06/07 8:11 AM >>> What you are talking about used to be a common practice before the net world and made some people some money. Now the courts favor the individual or corporation whose name it is. It is called cyber squatting. It is not illegal, per se, but I would let the person know and possibly help them develop it. But you could never hold on to it. Stewart * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Anti-virus
12 in a male child is about the right age to buy NetNanny, too. Been there, gone through that. Dan * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
[CGUYS] Bill Nye, the whole sordid mess
You asked for it, now here is the whole story, the text of the Waco Tribune-Herald post-Apocalype account of the McClennan Community College incident (it hardly seems worthy of being called a "confrontation"). In defense of the good folks of Waco, Bill's presentation (actually both of them, for there were two shows at 1:30 and 7:00 on April 5, 2006) seems to have been received rather well. I'm also including a much more recent story about the demise of the state-funded lecture program that brought Bill to the MCC. Bur first, the original story: The Science Guy is entertaining and provocative at MCC lecture Thursday, April 06, 2006 By Tim Woods Waco Tribune-Herald staff writer Audience members who expected to see Bill Nye The Science Guy conduct experiments and wow their children received quite a surprise Wednesday when Nye spoke at McLennan Community College. Nye instead addressed such topics as Mars exploration, global warming and energy consumption, particularly oil and gas. He even ruffled a few religious feathers along the way. The scientist with a background in stand-up and sketch comedy kept spectators interested, entertained and at ease with his funny, sometimes hilarious, delivery. Speaking as part of MCCs Distinguished Lecturer Series, Nye spoke to two audiences, one at 1:30 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m., of about 600 each. He said the first audience, though littered with young children listening to some rather adult scientific topics, was very supportive. The second group also was rapt from the beginning, greeting the scientist with a raucous standing ovation upon his introduction. You havent heard the presentation yet! Nye told them. Opening with a discussion of Mars and his hopes for further discovery on the neighboring planet, Nye encouraged the audience to take interest in discovery and change the world, a mantra he repeated throughout. Nye indicated that the presence of water in Mars atmosphere - evidenced by the planets ability to form frost - leads him to believe that there is a strong possibility that the planet once supported life. The Emmy-winning scientist angered a few audience members when he criticized literal interpretation of the biblical verse Genesis 1:16, which reads: God made two great lights - the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. He pointed out that the sun, the greater light, is but one of countless stars and that the lesser light is the moon, which really is not a light at all, rather a reflector of light. A number of audience members left the room at that point, visibly angered by what some perceived as irreverence. We believe in a God! exclaimed one woman as she left the room with three young children. Nye also was critical of what he said was governmental agencies lack of action, even lack of understanding, in protecting the Earth from global warming and wasted resources. Nyes educational science show won 28 Emmy awards during its television run from 1992-98. It seemed most in attendance were pleased to hear Nye speak, and some were even awed by the presence of a childhood icon. How cool is that, to be face to face with the man, Bill Nye? said Jared McClure, who worked sound and video for the event. And hes funny, too. And Now, the Other Story MCC board mulls tough options to handle state funding cut 798 words 20 July 2007 By Tim Woods Waco Tribune-Herald staff writer The McLennan Community College board of trustees met Thursday to discuss their budget options following Gov. Rick Perry's June 15 line-item veto, which will take $2.7 million in funding over the next two years from the school. After looking at six budget proposals presented by MCC's administration, the board agreed on two things: They have no good options and they have no interest in raising taxes. In considering the proposals, the board discussed making up for the lost funds through raising tuition, which would hit students in the pocketbook; not giving faculty and staff their standard raises, which could anger MCC employees; or raising taxes, which would come on the heels of a $74.5 million bond McLennan County voters approved for the school in November. Whatever route the board decides to go, budget cuts will be part of the formula, officials said. Currently, the school has the seventh-highest tuition out of the state's 50 community college districts, and the 34th-highest tax rate. "There are no good choices here," MCC president Dennis Michaelis said. "Raising taxes isn't a good choice, but neither is raising tuition." Board members ultimately appeared to agree that they want to avoid raising taxes if at all possible. "I don't want to raise taxes for the citizens of McLennan County, after all they've already done for us," board member Randy Cox said. "I don't want to heap any more on them." While acknowledging that he agree
Re: [CGUYS] Bill Nye, the anti-God "Science Guy"
Having lived a bit of my childhood in the Great Lone Star State, I can tell you that the town isn't called "Waco" for nothing. And the Texas Board of Education, because of its command of market share, exerts a strong effect on the content of the nation's textbook supply. Oh, and the President likes to consider himself a Texan. Coincidence? Dan :-) * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Podcasting, anyone?
I ran into the same resistance at the agency where I work. The boss, the world's least likely podcast listener, didn't know anything about it, didn't understand it, and didn't want to be bothered - besides, it sucks up assets that are better used elsewhere. Sound familiar? I've been looking for some reliable info on industry trends, but haven't come up with anything I've found useful. I'll be listening to the responses. Dan * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
[CGUYS] Channeling Videophones
Anyone have experience with doing the videophone experience? A colleague is trying to come up with a way to get his ancient auntie online with a no-hassle version of a videoconferencing capability. Dear Auntie has no computer skills or computer, nephew will take care of purchasing required hardware/software. Apple or PC doesn't seem to matter, since we're starting with a clean slate. If one takes the Motorola Ojo as the optimal endstate, how close can we get to mimicing it with a combination of computer/webcam/software? Dan * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] 30,000 Text Messages a Month?
They featured her on All Things Considered last evening (she was jabbering away while driving down the highway). She is a "life blogger," and one wonders (a) why and (b) why anyone else would be interested in putting her and her doings on line. Are there perhaps more interesting things to do with each day's 24 hours? What does she do when she takes a potty break? I guess we'll have to watch and find out. Dan * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Google Maps -- Amazing? Yes and No
The rerouting feature does have its limitations. For those of you familiar with the DC area, try going from, say, Reston, VA, to Ft. Myer on a route that uses I-66. Google will not let you do that, no matter how you try to force intermediate waypoints. So, it appears to be increasingly useful, but it's not yet flexible enough. * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Speech recognition software
I beg to differ. This software is able to distinguish among homonyms with a
high degree of accuracy, and as stated earlier, it learns through experience.
Worst case, someone might use it to repeat interviews into the computer - which
would still save a boatload of time and effort.
I have used it for about 4 years and it is so accurate that I have to ask
someone else to proofread - there are so few errors that I skip right over them.
The input has to be of fairly high quality, of course, so a tape made on the
bus or an airport runway might need to be dictated into the machine, but I find
that kind of irritation necessary whether I'm transcribing a tape manually or
re-dictating someone else's speach into the computer.
Dan
>>> Tony B <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 8/2/2007 11:20 AM >>>
I'd have to see it to believe it. Even if it got the sounds right 100%
of the time (highly unlikely), there's simply no way it could deduce
homonyms correctly, which would be needed for proper punctuation at
least.
I don't see any way of doing this project with any degree of accuracy
short of having live humans do it. And even then there will be many
spots where they'll have to back up and repeat parts ("What did he
say?").
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Re: [CGUYS] Speech recognition software
Dragon used direct digital recording Line-in input since at least v. 6, which was my first cut. I'm still using v. 8, which was the first to advertize an ability to use direct line-in input from an analog tape recorder. I hadn't though about direct-from-CD, but since the software riffs off of the computer's sound system, it may make no difference where the signal originates. All previous versions required each user (each voice) to go through about * hour of training the software to his or her voice and continually improves accuracy by learning from the corrections made to the text. The newest version claims to dispense with that training requirement, and the company also claims to accept more types of input in a variety of forms. I think that a discussion with their sales folks focused on your specific needs and taken with the requisite dosage of salt, stands a good chance of answering your questions. I've found their advertizing a little optimistic, but not deceptive. The initial price for a package is not cheap, but the company traditionally offers upgrades to succeeding versions for $99. There may be a deal you can strike. There is a feature, which I don't use, that automatically inserts punctuation into the flow of text. I don't trust it, but then I have to pronounce every comma, quote, period, and line break. Someone dictating or transcribing directly to the computer will soon get used to it, but a taped interview might require later insertion. Dan >>> David Turk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 8/2/2007 11:06 AM >>> Checked their site--what, no free trial? Also, how would that work with cassettes/CD's? Use a line-in in place of a microphone? & how about playing CD's in the CD drive? David Turk Photographer Indiana Historical Society 450 W. Ohio St. Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317) 232-4592 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: Computer Guys Announcements and Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Daniel Else Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 10:34 AM To: COMPUTERGUYS-L@LISTSERV.AOL.COM Subject: Re: [CGUYS] Speech recognition software The latest version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking claims to not require "learning the voice" before transcribing voice to text. It should therefore be perfect for your use. I've used several versions of the software, and I find it excellent (though you always must check for accuracy). It will probably accept recorded voices. Dan * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Speech recognition software
The latest version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking claims to not require "learning the voice" before transcribing voice to text. It should therefore be perfect for your use. I've used several versions of the software, and I find it excellent (though you always must check for accuracy). It will probably accept recorded voices. Dan * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] How to get rid of a liveupdate item?
If we can come up with an answer, I can also use it. I have a version of Dragon NataurallySpeaking on my desktop at work that pops up the registration screen every time I boot up. The symptoms seem to be identical to what has been described here - it's not in the StartUp folder, I've registered the software, etc. - and nothing makes the window go away except cancelling it. But it will be back the next time I boot up. Dan :-( * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Help! Debugging svchost.exe
Have you tried downloading and watching Process Explorer while svchost is running? http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/ProcessExplorer.mspx >>> Tom Piwowar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 5/15/2007 10:34 AM >>> svchost.exe is using 98-99 percent of CPU, making my PC very unpleasant to use. I have read that svchost manages DLLs so this is probably something to do with something recently added to my PC that is sucking up the cycles. I suspected it was Suitcase so I uninstalled Suitcase and ran a registry cleaner. Alas, no joy. Does anyone know of a way to get a handle on what svchost.exe is running? * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
[CGUYS] Scanner - Document Feeder
My challenge with my Epson 1640SU is not dust - it works just fine. I'm looking for the auto document feeder for the thing. Since this went out of production about 3-4 years ago, it won't be in any store, and my beloved Practical Computers, the local used store, went sneakers-up on October 1 last year. Any suggestions on finding the part while minimizing risk? Dan * ==> QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in <== * ==> the body of an email & send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <== * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header "X-No-Archive: yes" will not be archived
