GREATER BOSTON SENIOR COMPUTER GROUP NEWSLETTER
Issue No.47, April 9, 2003
CHAIRPERSON:: Arline Ekman, AVE@alumni.unh.edu
EDITOR: Harriet Mandell, harrietd@rcn.com
WEB PAGE: Garry Ziffer, http://users.rcn.com/gbscg
LIAISON: Eve Welts, ewelts@rcn.com
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MEMEBERS TAKE NOTE!! Because malicious people have used e-mail to deliver harmful software onto users computers by including a "Trojan Horse" type virus by claiming to be distributing a Microsoft patch via an attachment to the e-mail, Microsoft sources wish to make it known that they never distribute software directly via e-mail. They distribute software on physical media like CD ROMs and floppy disks. They occasionally send e-mail to customers to inform them that upgrades are available via their web site However, the e-mail will only provide links to the download sites. They never attach the software itself to the e-mail. http://www.microsoft.com, or through http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.asp? The links will always lead to either their web site or FTP site, never to a third-party site. They use Authenticode to digitally sign their products to ensure that they are legitimate. If you receive an e-mail that claims to contain software from Microsoft, do not run the attachment. DELETE!
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WHY??... A "Trojan Horse" is a mechanism that is often used to send malicious software to wide audiences on the Internet by embedding it in an attachment to an e-mail claiming that the attachment is a product upgrades from Microsoft or other software vendors. Safe computing is to never use software from unknown sources.
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THIS IS THE WINDOWS KEY on most keyboards and it will enable you to use keyboard shortcuts to achieve certain tasks. This key will open displays on your desktop as follows:

Press this key to Display or hide the Start Menu, helpful if screen freezes; the key +Break display the system properties dialogue box; + D show the desktop; +M Minimize all windows; +Shift+M Restores minimized windows; +E Open My Computer folder; +F Search for a file or folder; +R Open the Run dialog box;
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SENIOR CENTER COMPUTER CLASSES CALENDAR - SPRING 2003
April 23    Wednesday (10am) REGISTRATION FOR SPRING SESSION
May 5       Monday       First day of classes for Spring Session
May 26    Monday (Memorial Day) – Senior Center Closed
June 16    Monday Last Day of classes for Spring Session
CLASSES are for 1 to 1 ½ hrs one day each week between 9:00 AM. and 4:00 PM. One on one teachers and times to be assigned on registration day.
GBSCG = Greater Boston Seniors Computer Group – meets at 9:30 a.m. the Second Wednesday each month
DROP-IN HELP. You may drop-in to the Center for free computer help any Wednesday morning. You do not need an appointment – just drop in.
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ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE…According to http://www.rmi.org ( Rocky Mountain Institute) writes Mary-Anne Greene norchild@gis.net One computer turned on all year uses 1,230 KWh which may be costing approximately $98 per year. Since typical home computer usage is 4 hours of use time per day, this could also emit 1,460 # of CO2 for the on-time of the 20 extra hours when the computer is not being used. By turning off the computer at night 40% of American households that have computers could reduce electricity consumption by this type of equipment and eliminate this needless waste.
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IT'S WISE TO STORE YOUR PHOTOS by saving them on a CD. There are two different kinds of blank CDs you can buy, depending on whether your computer has a CD-R or a CD-RW drive. You could have both. "CD-R" can be written to but not erased, and they can be read many, many times. You can't accidentally write over existing photos. They are the ideal medium for storing your pictures long-term. You can't reuse them, and they are less expensive than CD-RW discs. "CD-RW" discs can be written to, erased, and written to again, much like a floppy disk or the hard drive in your computer. It is possible to accidentally write over a collection of original photos stored on a CD-RW. That makes this type of CD better suited for other backup tasks. Check the CDs packaging to confirm that the discs you are buying are designed to keep up with your cd writer if it is one with a rating of 16x or higher. Some blank CDs may not be capable of being written to at your writer's maximum speed.
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WHAT'S IN A NAME??...Many of our members use Outlook Express for communicating through e-mail. Outlook Express is a basic e-mail program that is free and included with Microsoft Internet Explorer. It allows you to send and receive e-mail, but it doesn't do all the interesting things that Microsoft Outlook can do and it is not a Microsoft Office product. Microsoft Outlook is not only an e-mail program but is a whole program in Office providing support for multiple address books, for a fully-integrated calendar (includes meeting and event scheduling, appointments. A contact list, and tasks folder, and notes folder are also included. Both programs serve a purpose and can fulfill a need, if only to confuse us by the similar name!
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ClearType FONT in Windows XP… Windows XP is Microsoft's first operating system release to include system wide ClearType support. Use the updated ClearType web interface to activate ClearType, and to tune your ClearType settings preferences http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/1.htm?fname=%20&fsize= If you install Windows XP yourself, by either upgrading an existing Windows installation or performing a fresh install, ClearType will be turned off by default. Computer companies that preinstall Windows XP have the choice of turning it on or off by default. Learn more information from ClearType FAQ http://www.microsoft.com/typography/faq/faq15.htm?fname=%20&fsize=
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WANTED: URL's of web sites; Helpful hints for Mac users, Win 95/98/ME/XP. Software reviews, desired topics for future meetings. Send these items via email to the editor. Please sign your email with your name. We will publish your email address, but not your name, phone number or address without your permission