APRIL 2008 PAGE 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

MEETINGS

FRIDAY, 11 APRIL, 7:30 PM File Formats by Bodo Schwarz Organising Files by Duncan Charig SATURDAY, 26 APRIL, 1:00 PM Take the Teacher Home by Bill McCully.

Bill is main force behind the production of the Take the Teacher Home learning series. The Beginners Computer Course and the Internet & E-mail Computer Course CD sets will be available for members to purchase.

REGULAR FEATURES

ROUND AND ABOUT ICE WELCOME It gives us great pleasure to welcome John Churchill, Gordon Coulter, Marian Jordan, Judith Poulton, Patrician Simpson, Norman and Lesley Trethewey, Stanley Walker and Thompson Wynn as members of the Illawarra Computer Enthusiasts and we hope that their association with ICE will be a long and happy one.

SICK LIST Peter Bannister, Alan Slater and Moya Visman had to undergo surgical procedures.

Alan Bern was seen sporting an arm in plaster at the last meeting.

We wish you all a speedy and full recovery.

SPONSORS We would like to express our gratitude to Wollongong Office & Drawing Equipment, who has agreed to sponsor ICE for another year.

PAGE SPONSORS Norm Gadsby and George Hood have agreed to continue with their page sponsorship. Many thanks to George and Norm.

SUNDAY LUNCHEON A Luncheon is planned for Sunday, 29 June, at German Club, Northcliffe Drive (next to Prime TV). Time: 12:30 for 1:00 pm RSVP: Friday, 13 June Costs: $5:00 (members & partners) payable by Saturday, 28 June Menu items: Members and their guest may select pork/chicken Schnitzel, cured pork loin

(Continued on page 9)

See page 13

BLOGGING FOR BEGINNERS 4

CREATING E-MAIL FOLDERS IN YAHOO! AND GMAIL 6

CUTE PARTITION MANAGER 10

FILE ASSOCIATIONS 8

GERMS 11

LETTERS 10

LONDON TIMES OBITUARY OF THE LATE MR. COMMON SENSE 12

NEW LEGISLATION M5 & M7 RE SPEEDING FINES 5

ONLINE OPPORTUNITIES EXPAND AS MOUSE DOES THE TALKING 11

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 3, 8

SET A LANGUAGE TO A STYLE IN WORD 5

THE RIGHT SIZE 12

ELWYNS VIEW 2

HINTS & TIPS 4, 5, 10, 13, 14

QUOTABLE QUOTES 9

ONE LINERS 5, 6, 8, 11, 13

STOP ME IF ... 6

CARTOON 11

Illawarra Computer Enthusiasts Newsletter Information, Computer Literacy, Education.

Affiliated with the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association (ASCCA) April 2008 Illawarra PC Users Group $2.00

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PATRONS Sharon Bird MP, Member for Cunningham Noreen Hay MP, Member for Wollongong

ELWYNS VIEW GREY-POWER AND COMPUTERS

By Elwyn Jordan, ICE

S he was in her early 30s. She was obviously just about to give me a web-site address, but hesitated, and asked, Do you have access to the Internet? I could see the thought-process; something along the lines of, I wonder if this poor old bloke knows anything about computers or the Internet? I told her I did. I thought of explaining how I bought my first computer over 20 years ago, and for around 10 years ran a part-time business selling and repairing computers, but kept my answer to a simple, Yes. But it was the sort of attitude that used to prevail, and was the subject of many jokes, that to use a computer (or to program a VCR etc), you had to get a 10-year-old kid. Old people and technology just didnt mix!

Now, I dont think that was ever really true! I suppose it is true that when it comes to absorbing knowledge, kids do have a sponge-like mind they soak it up quickly. That is if they bother to try. Sometimes the sponge seems like its encased in liquid-proof plastic! But the point I want to make is that, far from shunning computer technology, older people have been eager to take it up.

Of course when the personal computer was first invented, back about 30 years ago, it wasnt the elderly who rushed out and bought them. It was mostly the young nerdy types. People who looked a bit like a cross between

Harry Potter and Ugly Betty. Actually, and Im digressing here, but have you noticed they are somewhat alike? Give Harry Potter the same hair-do and some braces and see? I reckon if you went back into Bettys family history youd find one of her ancestors went to Hogs Breath University (or whatever its called yeah I know Hogs Breath is a restaurant). Its like Kevin Rudd and that character in South Park. Id never really thought of the similarities until it was pointed out in a newspaper article I read. Now when I see Kevin Rudd being interviewed on TV I half expect to see one of his offsiders come rushing up saying, Theyve killed Kenny! Theyve killed Kenny! But back to what I was saying. Yes, nerdy people buying computers in the early days. They and rich people; because those first computers cost as much as a small car and had the processing power of a pocket-calculator.

But it changed, of course. Computers got much better, and they got much cheaper. And older people got interested in computers too. Because there were then so many things you could do with them. And the advent of the Internet enhanced this even more. Now, apart from all the other great things you could do with them, the computer became a great way of keeping in touch with family. Older people typically have family who live in other parts of

(Continued on page 3)

EDITORIAL TEAM AND CONTRIBUTORS Editor, Production, Advertising: Bodo Schwarz bodo@tadaust.org.au Assistant Editor, Research: Robert Castles robert.castles@gmail.com Distribution: Robert Parsons rparsons@exemail.com.au Contributors: Robert Davidson, Elwyn Jordan, Bruce Massey, Michael McKeen, Heather McKern, Peggy Stransky.

MAY NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTION DEADLINE 15 APRIL 2008.

Vol. 26, No. 3, April 2008

Official Journal of The Illawarra PC User Group Inc.

ABN: 81 127 508 207

4284 8754 - icepcug@gmail.com - www.illawarrapcug.org.au Correspondence to: Illawarra Computer Enthusiasts, 9 Ursula Road, Bulli, NSW 2516

APRIL 2008 PAGE 3

This page is sponsored by Penny Ferguson

the country, or even overseas. Now, with email and other forms of on-line communication, they found a great way to keep in touch. And as a grandparent myself, I can certainly identify with the desire to keep in touch with the growing families of our off-spring (although mine actually live relatively close-by).

Also, its often in retirement when people take up a hobby or interest; and the Internet is a great way of enhancing the experience of any hobby. Whatever it is youre into, theres lots of information on the Internet to keep you interested and help you learn! And it can help in very practical ways too.

A friend of mine, who is retired, is a member of the Ulysses Motorcycle group. (Thats a group for older riders). In his part of the country (he lives in Newcastle), the local group go for a weekly ride. Now, when you ride a motorbike, weather is a big concern. Riding in the rain isnt much fun. My mate has long taken the approach that if it isnt raining at home then hell go. But that doesnt mean it wont rain half an hour later, of course. And often it would. But he was finding that on days when rain would come, there was a certain group of riders who wouldnt show up for the start. Somehow they knew the rain was coming! It took a while but finally he figured out what they were doing. He explains, These techno-savvy wooses are looking up the radar on the Internet and seeing if rain is coming. If theres rain about they stay home! And stay dry! I do the same thing myself! Weather forecasts on the radio are one thing, but looking at a radar image of what is actually happening at the time is a much more accurate way of determining whether you should venture outdoors or not.

So, older folk are avid computer users. And avid Internet users; In fact, according to a survey conducted in Britain recently, older people use the Internet more than younger people! They found that the average pensioner spends 42 hours a week on-line, compared with 38 hours on-line for 18 to 24 year-olds. And locally, Telstra has reported that 60% of Australian seniors who own computers regularly use the Internet. I suppose the 18 to 24 year-olds are too busy playing games on their Playstation, or using their mobile-phones to play music and SMS everyone they know etc.

And what do they use the Internet for? Well, as Ive already mentioned, its a great way of staying in touch with family, and pursuing an

ELWYNS VIEW (Continued from page 2)

interest or hobby. It can also be used for information on health-related matters which probably affect us older folk more than those healthy young uns. Have you ever looked up health information on the net? I know I have. To quote statistics again, I read where 73% of women and 55% of men will have used the Internet to access information on health issues. And youd have to assume that a good percentage of those would be older people. The result of this, by the way, is that 40% of doctors say they lose the equivalent of one day a week trying to talk people out of incorrect self-diagnosis theyve got from checking out problems on-line! Although many doctors are also recommending the Internet to their patients for more information.

Actually I was talking to a health professional recently. She was a woman in her early 30s. She was about to give me an Internet address, but hesitated and . Yes, the woman I mentioned at the beginning of this. I should have quoted her the statistics and told her that us oldies use the Internet more the young uns do!

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS THE DREADED RED X Q: All I can ever see is that little red X. It's in my e-mail, in my Web browser, it's everywhere. Why can't I see any pictures? Please help me! A: Several people have problems with the dreaded "red X," so you are definitely not alone when you ask this question. All of us here in the office get multiple e-mails about this subject every day, so even though we've run a tip on this before, here's a little more explanation that will hopefully help you determine the exact cause of your red X problem!

One of the main areas where people see the red X is in their e-mail. If you use Outlook Express and are having trouble seeing pictures in your e-mail, open it up and go to Tools, Options and choose the Security tab. Make sure the "Block images and other external content in HTML e-mail" box is unchecked. Now, if you are sending an e-mail and people have been complaining to you about the pictures not showing up, try this: open up OE and go to Tools, Options, Send tab. Under the Mail Sending Format section, make sure HTML is selected and then click on the HTML Settings button. From there, make sure the "Send pictures with messages" box is checked. That

(Continued on page 4)

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should solve all of your e-mail issues. If you're having trouble seeing images in

Internet Explorer, go to Tools, Internet Options and click on the Advanced tab. Look for the Multimedia section and make sure the box that says "Show Pictures" is checked. For Firefox, go to Tools, Options and click on the Web Features icon. Make sure the "Load Images" box is checked as well.

Another cause may be that your browser security settings are set too high, which prevents you from accessing the Web site that handles the images. In IE, go to Tools, Internet Options, Security tab and click on the Default Level button. Make sure your settings are set somewhere around the medium level.

Another cause could be your antivirus or firewall settings. Look for a setting that says "Disable Web Bugs" and make sure it is turned off. That should allow all the images to pass through so that you can see them.

There are also a couple other simple reasons why your images may be blocked. One is that you're looking at a Web site that is busy, temporarily shut down or offline. A Web host could also be working on certain things on the site, causing the images to be down. If everything else we've discussed above is set correctly and you're still not seeing the images, this might be your problem. All you can really do is just try the site again later. Also, when you're trying to view images on a Web site or in your e-mail, make sure you are actually connected to the Internet, because they will not show up if you're not online.

If you've been having trouble with the red X, hopefully one of these solutions will help you in fixing this awful predicament! Source: Computer tips, WorldStart, 10 March 2008

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Continued from page 3)

BLOGGING FOR BEGINNERS

T he word 'blog' is derived from the two words, 'web' and 'log'. In fact, by writing a blog as you travel, you're really mirroring the logs kept, for example, by sea captains over the centuries, but swapping quill and parchment for the convenience of modern communications technology. Receipt of your words/log is also instantaneous family and friends at home or around the globe can see you swimming in the waterhole within minutes of the image being taken.

You begin by setting up your own page on the Internet, which you can then use in many different ways to discuss books or political issues, for example, with anyone who reads your blog free to make their own contribution. Blogging is particularly popular among travellers. It frees you of the thought, "I can't wait to tell the family about this when I get back". By e-mailing photos or creating word pictures on your blog, you can send news of your adventures as you're having them besides ensuring you won't forget the details that made your experience unique, because they are all archived in your blog.

An easy way to get started is to visit Telstra's BigBlog at www.bigblog.com.au. If you're already a BigPond Member, you can then create your blog with the click of your mouse and start loading up your words and images which those at home (or wherever they may be) can receive within minutes. And if you're not near a computer, you can e-mail photos straight from your mobile phone to your blog.

If you're planning to be on the move for an extended period, Telstra's Next G TM network for both your mobile phone and BigPond Wireless Broadband reaches most of the Australian population and delivers Australia's greatest mobile Internet experience. And it's handy for much more than blogging you can also log on to manage your banking, pay bills and book accommodation on the Internet at any time, from anywhere. The net is also a fantastic way to find out more about the people and places you plan to encounter on your journey and to report on your blog. Source: YOUR LIFE, Summer 2007/08

Message format Microsoft Outlook can read e-mail in a range of different formats including

pictures, stationery and other objects. E-mails which use stationery are formatted as HTML, that is, special encoded text which is most commonly used on the Internet to create web pages. Be aware, however, that not all people have an e-mail program which can read HTML e-mails. Plain text e-mail, on the other hand, can be read by all e-mail programs.

CLEAR THE MRU LIST Set the number of entries to zero in the Tools > Options > General tab and

the list will be removed.

APRIL 2008 PAGE 5

This page is sponsored by Robert Parsons

SET A LANGUAGE TO A STYLE IN WORD

When you enter non-English text into your Word document, chances are Word will not recognise it and interpret it as misspelled. Mary Ann Richardson brings a certain je ne sais quoi to the issue.

I f your work requires typing blocks of non-English text within your English-language Word documents, then you know how annoying it can be when Word continues to proofread the non-English text using its English dictionary. Word automatically proofreads your document for the language version installed on your system. So, if you purchased your copy of Word in the United States, it will mark all the text as English (U.S.) and will proof the non-English text against the English (U.S.) dictionary. When you add a block of foreign phrases, Word's spelling and grammar checker will flag them as incorrect rather than proof them against the appropriate foreign language dictionary. You could set up Automatic Language Detection; however, this method is not foolproof for smaller blocks of text.

To let Word know which dictionary to use to proof the text, you should mark it for proofing in its own language by assigning a language style. Follow these steps: 1. Type the foreign language text. 2. Select the text. 3. Go to Tools, Language, Set Language. 4. Scroll to and select the language from the

Mark Selected Text As list. 5. Click OK. 6. Go to View, Task Pane. 7. Click the Getting Started arrow and select

Styles And Formatting from the list. 8. With the text still selected, click New Style. 9. Enter a name for the style (such as French)

in the Name box. 10. Click OK. Now when you want Word to proof your text in French, highlight the text and select French from the drop-down Style box in the Formatting toolbar. This new style will be available to the current document only. If you want it to be available to the template the document is based on, click the Add To Template check box in the New Style dialogue box after step 9 and before clicking OK. Source: TechRepublic, 6 February 2008

NEW LEGISLATION M5 & M7 RE SPEEDING FINES

M 5 and the M7 are now equipped with Point to Point Speed Devices. On entering the M7 the Etag beeps and a camera takes a photo of your car recording the exact time. On exiting the Etag system beeps again another camera at that point takes a photo of the car and the time. Then the computer calculates the time it has taken you to travel between the two points and calculates your speed. If you completed the clocked journey too fast you are issued with a speeding ticket.

At the present the speed limit is 100K.P.H. with a tolerance of 102 maximum. Over that and you are issued with a fine automatically. What a shock some drivers are going to have when they use this roadway for a week and get a weeks tickets BOTH WAYS. Of course your license will also be recalled for 3 months. Now with the new legislation, fighting a Speed Camera fine is almost impossible. You must prove the device is faulty and if you are not a technician working on them, you have no chance of beating the fine.

The Pacific Highway has a set and these are recognised by large steel frames over the lanes with a speed camera and some distance up the road is another large metal frame with a speed camera.

These new point to point systems are being put onto any expressway and highway where vehicles are not able to exit between those points.

NOTE: School zone cameras are not speed tolerant. Anything over, even 41, is a fine.

Tammy Umasaran Corporate & Admin Support Ministry of Transport Phone: 02 9891 8941 Fax: 02 9891 8999 Submitted by Robert Davidson, ICE

CHARTS CAREFUL SELECTION If you need to create a chart but

do not want to use all the data in your worksheet, you can select non contiguous ranges by holding down Ctrl as you select the appropriate data before creating your chart as usual.

A single coffee tree produces only about half a kilogram of coffee beans per year.

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D o you receive countless e-mails on a daily basis? Are some of those e-mails interesting, important or just something you would like to come back to later? If so, wouldn't you like to categorise them, without having to mark them as Old, Keep As New, Unmark, Unread, etc.? Or, what if you accidentally deleted some of them? Or, even worse, lose them. I mean, who has time to deal with all of that?!

Well, now you can make new folders to manage and organise all of your e-mails. That way, you wont have to flood your Inbox and all your other folders with uncategorised e-mail. Cool, huh?!

For instance, I made a folder called "WorldStart" for all of their articles and updates. I put all of the articles and newsletters I receive from WorldStart in that folder. That way, I dont have to go searching for them in all of my other e-mail folders. I can go right to that folder and find everything I need. Its all in one place! So, if that sounds like something you'd like to do as well, keep reading. Below you will find instructions on how to do that in Yahoo! and Gmail. Okay, let's get started! Yahoo! Log in to your Yahoo! e-mail account and click on the Mail tab.

Next (Fig. 1), in your Inbox, click the Move tab and a list will appear for you. From there, go to the New Folder option and click on it.

A new box (Fig. 2) will come up where you can enter in a name for the new folder you're creating. Click the OK button when you're done.

The new folder (Fig. 3) will show up on the left hand side in the Mail Inbox window, under My Folders.

CREATING E-MAIL FOLDERS IN YAHOO! AND GMAIL By Tweety Dimes

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 1

Gmail (Fig. 4) Now, before we move on, I want to make it clear that Gmail doesnt use folders. Instead, they use what are called labels.

First, log in to your Gmail e-mail account and click on Labels. Next, select the New Label option under the Apply Label: Title section. You can then type in the name you would like to use for your new label. Then click OK. Thats it! Now, you can use your new folders and/or labels for all of your e-mails. It's a much

faster and much easier way to keep your e-mails organised and in place. Give it a try today! Source: WorldStart Computer Tip, 24 January 2008

Fig. 4

My weight is perfect for my heights, which varies depending on what shoes I wear!

STOP ME IF ...

Where do footballers dance? At a football

APRIL 2008 PAGE 7

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FILE ASSOCIATIONS

A file association is an association between a file and a program. Let's look at an example. Let's say you have some Word documents

floating around your hard drive. Now let's say you double-click one. Since it's associated with MS Word, Word automatically runs and opens the Word Document you just doubled clicked.

This applies to just about every type of file out there, not just Word documents.

Also, you may find you need to set up an association from time to time. If you've ever clicked a file and got a screen asking you what program to open it with, you've run into this problem.

Now, you may actually have a program on your hard drive that can open the file (notepad is good for system files), but chances are that in order to open the file in question, you'll need new software of some sort.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Quick Launch Bar Q Would you be able to tell me how to

remove items from the Quick launch bar? A To remove an icon from the Quick launch

bar, you

1. Right-click the icon you wish to remove.

2. Click on Properties in the resulting drop down menu.

3. Click on Delete. If you want to completely remove the Quick launch bar 1. Right-click an empty area on the

taskbar and click Properties. 2. On the Taskbar tab, under Taskbar

appearance, un-check the Show Quick Launch check box .

3. Click OK.

APRIL 2008 PAGE 9

This page is sponsored by Norm Gadsby

of your time.

Until about 2 years ago 80% of members made the first contact with ICE at the computer fairs and it will hurt the club in the long run with the lack of this public exposure.

On a personal note, helpers, wearing their name badge, dont have to pay the entry fee. This will change of course if the ICE stall is left unmanned. Also we are likely to loose the club sponsorship and page sponsorship in ICICLES by Computer Fairs Australia. So how about it? To quote an old clich: Its not what your club can do for you, its what you can do for your club.

SENIORS WEEK As you will see on the ad appearing on page 13, we are planning a Seniors Week activity on Wednesday, 9 April, in the large hall of the Unanderra Community Centre. In order to make this a success we need the following things to happen: 1. Please print 20 flyers that will be e-mailed to

you in due course and carry out a letter box drop in your neighbourhood and ask local businesses to display a flyer in their shops.

2. We need helpers to set up the large hall for the event and to assist during the activity. The set up commences at 12 noon and the hall will be open to the public from 2 to 4:30 pm.

3. The specific jobs that need to done during the activity are: Catering Reception Selling raffle ticket Assist at the sales and education tables. Help visitors when using the computers.

QUICKIE RAFFLE The results of the raffles were: February Day meeting Gerald Dowd Internet keyboard donated

by George Hood Gladys Pickering SiPix printer by

Cablelink Richard Burnett 1 GB Flash Drive Noel Manuel Copy paper

(Continued on page 10)

(Kasseler), beef rolls (Rouladen) or vegetarian. Exceptions: This does not include desserts and beverages from the kitchen or bar.

EDUACTION 1. Enrolments

On enrolment all payments and documentations must be completed. Due to the long lead up time for some courses a waiting list can be created for Expressions of Interest to be recorded. These Expressions of Interest must be confirmed or withdrawn by the nominated enrolment deadline.

2. New Courses All fees quoted in clued a manual unless otherwise specified. An Introduction to Mail Merge of 1 hours duration is offered for $9.50 Create Individual Envelopes and Labels of 2 hours duration with a cost of $11.00

3. Photoshop Elements The committee is contemplation of purchasing Photoshop Elements for the computers in the computer lab, provided that theres sufficient expressions of interest of members willing to do the course.

4. Office 2007 In the near future Office 2007 will be installed on the Vista partition of the computer lab computers and Philby Mk 3.

Once installed, trainers can practice on the lab computers on Mondays, Wednesdays and/or Saturdays if the lab isnt used for classes. Contact the secretary for bookings.

COMPUTER FAIRS Bodo Schwarz has tendered his conditional resignation, meaning that two names of helpers must be available one week before a nominated fair (with the exception of the regulars), as the Marketing Co-ordinator due to the lack of support at the Computer Fairs in Unanderra by the membership. If the required names are not forthcoming, the stall at the respective computer fair will not be manned.

What brought this about is that Jan and Sid Wilkinson werent able to help at the last Unanderra fair and despite asking for help, nobody volunteered to assist. If it hadnt been for Fred James, who offered to stay for the duration, the stall would not have been manned.

In the almost 10 years (August) Bodo Schwarz acted as the Marketing Co-ordinator he missed one fairs. All you, the members, are asked to contribute occasionally 1 or 2 hours

ROUND AND ABOUT ICE (Continued from page 1) QUOTABLE QUOTE

"Ask her to wait a moment - I am almost done." Carl Friedrich Gauss, when informed that his wife is dying Submitted by Lynnette Armour, ICE

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CUTE PARTITION MANAGER Current version is: 0.9.8 (Freeware) Partition Manager is an advanced hard disk partition management utility. Using Partition Manager, you can easily add, edit, delete and manage the partitions in your computer. Most of the hard disks have plenty of space and can store plenty of data and easily accommodate more than one operating system. In order to efficiently store large amount of data or install multiple operating systems, you need to partition your hard disk with a partition management utility like Partition Manager.

Partition Manager is very easy to use. It lets you preview the changes before you save them. It lets you edit the boot flag, partition type and other advanced parameters. It gives you total control of your system during the partition process. For example, it lets you edit all existing partitions. It even lets you install all the operating systems from scratch. It supports all versions of Windows (9x, ME, NT, 2K, XP, Vista), DOS, Linux, etc.

File Name: cpm.exe, File Size: 226KB (approx), File Type: Self-Extracting Installer.

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W e still have two vacancies, either as a committee member or volunteer: Marketing Officer, who is able to promote products to members and the general public that ICE may have to sell from time to time, eg. ICE CD, ICICLE Yearbook, Take the Teacher Home, etc.

Berkeley Markets Co-ordinator, who is able to co-ordinate the clubs activities and arrange for the assistance of members at the markets.

ROUND AND ABOUT ICE (Continued from page 9)

LETTERS Subject: ICE TRIVIA

I was listening to the last bit of the ABC Friday night program re computers (10.30pm-11pm) and they usually have someone there discussing the latest and taking calls - I think he was some sort of 'trouble-shooter'. He commented that a lot of the problems encountered were THE PEBCAK FACTOR - when he was asked what this was (as it didn't sound very nice) he said: "Problem Encountered Between Chair and Keyboard!" Cheers Peggy

CTRL + Z Need to undo a wrongly typed keystroke? Drag-and-Dropped a program to the wrong place? In most programs, Control + Z is the Undo command.

Passwords When using your computer, the Internet or installing software, you

may need to remember many different passwords. Its important to not only keep track of all passwords and PIN's, but keep them secure. The best way to do this is to use a mixture of words and numbers you will remember, such as your phone number and street name, but no-one else is able to work out. If this doesnt work, write down the passwords but remember to keep them separate from the computer and ensure they are not identified with your PC.

APRIL 2008 PAGE 11

This page is sponsored by Fred and Lorna James

GERMS "A microbiologist at the University of Arizona counted bacteria on workplace surfaces for a study sponsored by The Clorox Co., makers of Clorox bleach. Office toilet seats had 49 germs per square inch, he found. But desktops had almost 21,000 germs per square inch. Desks, phones, computer keyboards and mice are key germ transfer points because people touch them so often..." CNN.com

All power corrupts, but we need the electricity.

ONLINE OPPORTUNITIES EXPAND AS MOUSE DOES THE TALKING By Anthony Keane

T welve years ago I signed up some newfangled invention that they, said was going to change the world. Twelve weeks ago I used that invention - the Internet - to get great deals for a family holiday in Tasmania, and organised the entire trip online. I didnt have to speak to one airline, travel agent, car hire firm or hotel. It was my computer's mouse that did the talking.

It's amazing to think that in 1986 most major Australian companies were yet to have a presence on the Internet. Today anyone with half a business is online, and some are making big money. Many customers are saving big money, at the expense of technophobes.

Younger Australians have embraced the Internet. Older Australians seem to be split into two camps. There are the grey nomads with their wireless laptops sending Images of their exploits to jealous family and friends back home. Then there are those who liken the complexity of a home computer to the propulsion system of a space shuttle. It's never too late for this second group to become computer literate. The Internet can be easily accessed at public libraries, there are countless of books on the subject, and affordable courses at adult education providers such as WEA. Computers seem to be getting cheaper, faster and smarter by the minute.

As Microsoft founder Bill Gates once famously said: "If General Motors had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1000 miles per gallon".

Someone, claiming to be from General Motors, issued an entertaining reply that said if GM had developed technology like Microsoft,

cars would have the following characteristics:

FOR no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.

EVERY time they repainted the lines on the road, you would have to buy a new car.

THE airbag system would say "Are you sure?" before going off.

OCCASIONALLY for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed the radio antenna.

YOU would press the "start', button to shut off the engine.

Yes, computers can be a pain. Yes, the Internet can be confusing. But it can also open up a whole new world of benefits - and savings - that are available to everyone.

Short history of the Worldwide Web

The Internet's origins were in the military and science fields in the 1960s, when U.S. boffins built a tool to allow computers to talk to each other over phone lines.

The ARPANET was born to share data between "nodes". In 1971 there were only four nodes.

As it grew, computer geeks and scientists started sharing mail, news and gossip. Leading to the Internet we now know.

In the 1990s businesses began moving online in a big way. Today more than 1.1 billion people regularly use the Internet.

Source: The South Australian Advertiser, February 2008 Submitted by Michael McKeen, ICE, South Australia

PAGE 12 APRIL 2008

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LONDON TIMES OBITUARY OF THE LATE MR. COMMON SENSE

THE RIGHT SIZE

W hat's the right size for a picture, you ask? Well, that depends on the photo; most monitors display pictures at 72 dpi (dots per inch). So, if you want the picture to be five inches, 127 millimetres in metric speak, wide (that's probably about the biggest you would want for an e-mail message), the picture would be 360 pixels wide (5 inches x 72 dpi = 360 pixels).

Pixel is short for "picture element" and it is the smallest unit of visual information used to build an image. If you have ever zoomed in on an image, pixels are those little squares you may see; the more pixels in an image, the better the resolution.

So, how do you get your pictures to be the right size? Well, you use your imaging software, of course! Most scanners and digital cameras come with some sort of imaging software that will allow you to resize an image.

To do so, open the picture in your imaging software and resize the image to your desired resolution. You can usually do this via an Image or Edit menu. Your menu style and commands may vary depending on your software.

Usually, you'll get a screen that allows you to input the image size in pixels. If there's a checkbox that allows you to constrain proportions, make sure that is checked as well

(that ensures that when you change the height or width, the picture remains proportional).

That should do it! Since you've changed the picture size, you may want to save it under a different name. Use the Save As command under the File menu of your imaging software to do that.

This little tip comes in handy when you want to place a picture on your desktop or if you send it by e-mail. Now your friends won't have to wait forever to download a 10 MB picture file that is way too big when it could have been 10K and just the right size. Source: WorldStart Computer Tips, 22 January 2008

T oday we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isnt always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only

worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Elastoplast to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to (Continued on page 13)

APRIL 2008 PAGE 13

This page is sponsored by Lorraine and Lynnette

Disclaimer: The Illawarra PC Users Group Inc. disclaim all responsibility for any losses or damage which may be attributed to the use or misuse of any material published in this Newsletter. The ILLAWARRA COMPUTER ENTHUSIASTS NEWSLETTER ICICLES is published by the Illawarra PC Users Group Inc., 9 Ursula Road, Bulli, NSW 2516

live, after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; along with his daughter and son, Responsibility and Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. Submitted by Heather McKern

LONDON TIMES OBITUARY (Continued from page 12)

Every hour the body replaces one billion cells.

The Illawarra Computer EnthusiastsIllawarra Computer Enthusiasts present

OPENING THE WORLD TO SENIORS THROUGH COMPUTERS Whats it about?

A n interactive one-off session giving seniors the opportunity to explore the world of computing, in order to both stimulate their imaginations and increase their knowledge of the subject and demystify computers is offered as part of the 2008 NSW Seniors Week program.

Seniors can familiarise themselves with computers with hands-on sessions and demonstrations by fellows seniors.

Afternoon tea will be available.

Date: Wednesday, 9 April 2008 Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm Venue: Unanderra Community Centre (Small Hall),

cnr Princes Highway & Factory Road

Enquiries: 4284 8754

Accessing The New Hardware Wizard You can view which device drivers are

currently installed with the Device Manager and using the 'Scan for hardware changes' option under the Action menu to start the Hardware Update Wizard.

Changing features Outlook automatically customises menus and toolbars for you based

on how often you use the commands. When you first start Outlook, only the most basic commands appear. Then, as you work, Outlook adjusts the menus and toolbars so that only the commands and toolbar buttons you use most often appear on your screen.

PAGE 14 APRIL 2008

Meetings are held every second Friday, 7:30 pm, and fourth Saturday, 1:00 pm (February to November), of the month at the Unanderra Community Hall (Rear Hall), corner of Factory Road & Princes Highway, Unanderra.

If undeliverable return to: Illawarra Computer Enthusiasts 9 Ursula Road, Bulli, NSW 2516

thirroul Licence No. 2TA4622. A Travelworld Franchise

Office owned and operated by Keith and Ann-Maree Scott.

See Ann-Maree and Keith for all your travel arrangements

Shop 9B Thirroul Plaza

Thirroul, NSW 2515 4267 4011 4267 4125

thirroul@travelworld.com.au

This page is sponsored by Bodo Schwarz

Sunday, 6 April 2008 Sunday, 20 April 2008

BERKELEY SPORTS STADIUM Kanahooka Road, Berkeley

enquiries@computermarkets.com

Press down on the mouse wheel (if you have one) and move the mouse up or down to scroll through a web

page. It's an easy little trick that won't wear out the wheel or your finger!

Sunday, 13 April 2008 ILLAWARRA CREDIT UNION HOCKEY STADIUM

Waples Road, Unanderra Sunday, 27 April 2008

WOLLONGONG UNIVERSITY HALL Northfield Avenue, Keiraville www.computerfairs.com.au

Your key to the Internet

1300 HOTKEY (1300 468 539) for both Accounts and Technical Help

ask@service.hotkey.net.au Box 350, Petrie Qld 4502 (Accounts) www.hotkey.net.au/

A Printer Cartridge Recycling Station is now located in the foyer of the small hall of the Unanderra Community Centre for your convenience with the compliments of

South Coast Ink & Toner Supplies. for their support We thank