PC Club of Charlotte
Bytes and Bits
September 2008 issue SEPTEMBER 11th MEETING PROGRAM
WINDOWS LIVE ONE CARE
Presented by: Dick Nelson
Our September Meeting Program will feature Microsoft's new 'One Care Live' which is a similar application to other 'chat' and 'net meeting' products and Dick Nelson will introduce us to it.
Here's what Microsoft has to say about all of these free 'Windows Live' services:
Free and familiar ways to connect and share
Connect
Hotmail: Stay connected anywhere with your Web e-mail account
Mail: Access your multiple e-mail accounts in one place
Messenger: Connect, share, and make your conversations count
Toolbar: Easy access to Windows Live services from any Web page
Share
SkyDrive: Password-protected online file storage
Spaces: The best place to share your world online
Photo Gallery: Get creative and share your photos and videos
Writer: Easily publish pictures, videos, and other rich content to your blog
Events: Plan your event. Send invitations. Share photos.
Protect
Family Safety from Windows Live OneCare
Please join us for an informative evening!
The September PC3 Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 11th at
Little Diversified Architectural & Consulting 5815 Westpark Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217
The meeting begins promptly at 7:00pm. (Doors do not open before 6:45).
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Letter From The President
The Winterfeast Party is coming up fast in December. We are considering moving from St. Gabriel’s Church to either the Levine or Tyvola Senior Center. Terry Bozarth is researching our options at the two Senior Centers and will report with costs and advantages. She will be out of town for an extended period starting at the end of September, so we need someone to work with her and be the coordinator while she is gone. Of course, most of the commitments need to be made very soon as holiday schedules fill fast. If you have any opinions, or would like to help with planning the party, please contact me at
President@pc3.org.
The Membership “Committee” – Jack LaPointe and Barbara DeMase, with support from Dewey Williams and myself – is trying to organize all our various levels of membership. We hope to have an Attendance Sheet at every meeting and ask that you sign in so we can gauge your enthusiasm. Periodically we will also ask you to verify your contact information. If your address, phone, or other status changes; please pass it on to
Membership@pc3.org. Also, please keep your information current for the Bytes & Bits mailing list at
http://pc3.org/bytes/?p=subscribe&id=2 (this link is at the bottom of all our newsletters). The mailing list is automated and independent of our Membership lists, so you need to update both places. And remember: we will never sell or make inappropriate use of your information.
Our Special Interest Groups are one benefit of a paid membership and our SIGs are going strong. Dewey Williams moderates the Web Design SIG that meets the first Wednesday of each month and talks about issues of interest to people who want to publish online. The Microsoft Office SIG with Warren Shanahan as the teacher is currently looking at advanced features in Word. I am starting an Online Collaboration SIG at Levine on September 17. Check the calendar for details on all our meetings.
What goes around comes around:
Remember it used to be that when you bought an add-on CD drive, it would come with a floppy disc of utilities to install it? I recently bought a floppy drive. That’s right; it came with a CD of utilities to install it.
Bill Barnes, President, PCCC
9/1/08
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SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
Web Design SIG
Levine Senior Center
Wednesday, September 3 - 6PM
(Check PCCC Website for possible date change)
Online Collaboration SIG
Levine Senior Center
Wednesday, September 17 - 6PM
(Check PCCC Website for possible date change)
MS Office SIG
Levine Senior Center
Tuesday, September 30 - 6PM
"Advanced Microsoft Word " (Segment 1)
For the times and locations of all meetings: go to
http://pc3.org/EventCalendar.
The Event Calendar is the most reliable source for late program changes
(including cancellations).
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Board Meeting Minutes
Personal Computer Club of Charlotte
Monday, August 25, 2008
Those attending: Bill Barnes (President), Jack LaPointe (VP & Membership), Barbara DeMase (Treasurer), Paul Reiss (Secretary),
Terry Bozarth & Warren Shanahan
Meeting was called to order at 5:40 PM, by President Bill Barnes.
Approval of Minutes
Terry moved and Warren seconded that the previous minutes be accepted as published Passed.
Committee Reports
Publicity-Jack for Loren: We will begin using The Charlotte Observer’s new website to post the Club’s promotional information in the ‘Do It Yourself’ area. If the material is submitted by the three-week deadline: it will be published in the appropriated paper and ink publication. SIG directors were urged to also do so.
Membership Development-Jack: There are three somewhat dissimilar members files that need to be reconciled. Bill will call a meeting with himself, Jack, Barbara & Dewey.
People who register on the website to receive the newsletter are automatically e-mailed a confirmation. There was discussion about how to get new members on the mailing list if they pay in person or by mail. Barbara will e-mail the information to Jack.
Newsletter-Warren: Again asked that members contribute by writing up new experiences and information about a web site, program or piece of hardware. Send it to
editor@pc3.org . The deadline is usually the weekend before the general meeting.
Treasurer's Report
As of Aug. 18, 2008:
Bank Balance: $1625.28
Pay Pal $ 429.05
Cash on Hand $ 30.00
Total $2084.33
NOTE: The names and signatures on the bank account have been changed.
SIGs
Warren:
Levine Center- The PC Basics course has completed two cycles for a total of 16 class sessions. Twelve people have been signed up for the new 'Windows Vista' course. Classes begin on September 8th and an outline and handouts are being updated/written. There is alsointerest in other possible courses.
MS Word SIG- The Intermediate Level course has been completed. All the attendees voted to continue with an Advanced Word course. It will begin on Tuesday, September 30th at 6 PM sharp.
Web Design-Dewey & Bill: The next meeting will be at the Levine Center on the 1st Wednesday, September 3rd .
New SIG: Bill would like to start a new SIG on ‘Online Collaboration.’ He will arrange a new night. It will consider subjects such as holding virtual meetings, sharing data, etc.
Business
Holiday Party: Terry presented a spreadsheet with approximate figures for three locations: St. Gabriel’s Church, Levine Senior Center & Tyvola Center. Costs for hall rental & insurance, food, decorations, set up, clean up and linens similar to last year’s party were presented. Terry was complimented on her good work and after some discussion about locations and prices was asked to keep investigating and report again next month.
Programs: The material that Jack produced for his talk this month will be posted and made available to the membership. We have programs set up through the end of the year:
September: One Care Live by Dick Nelson
October: Digital Photo Tips and More by Richard Kinkel (Immediate Past President)
November: Virtual Computing by Galen Bolen
December: Holiday Party - Terry Bozarth
Bill will talk with the people at 'Little' about a program on computer graphics (such as the image of a future uptown Charlotte that was published in the paper recently).
Bill has requested a loaner of one of the new Ebook readers. As soon as one is available they will send it. Stay tuned.
WE NEED IDEAS, FOLKS!
Other Business - Alternative locations for Board meetings.
Next month's location will be Matthews Township Grille on Independence Blvd.
See map at
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=107588564568323308230.00044c449e8b0635dd12d,
● Motion to Adjourn
b by Jack , 2nd by Barbara at 7:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted, Dr. Paul I. Reiss, Sec.
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CYBER SECURITY
Cyber Security Tip ST05-018
Understanding Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
With the introduction of VoIP, you can use the internet to make telephone calls instead of relying on a separate telephone line.
However, the technology does present security risks.
What is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)?
Voice over internet protocol (VoIP), also known as IP telephony, allows you to use your internet connection to make telephone calls.
Instead of relying on an analog line like traditional telephones, VoIP uses digital technology and requires a high-speed broadband connection such as DSL or cable. There are a variety of providers who offer VoIP, and they offer different services. The most common application of VoIP for personal or home use is Internet-based phone services that rely on a telephone switch. With this application, you will still have a phone number, will still dial phone numbers, and will usually have an adapter that allows you to use a regular telephone. The person you are calling will not likely notice a difference from a traditional phone call. Some service providers also offer the ability to use your VoIP adapter any place you have a high-speed internet connection, allowing you to take it with you when you travel.
What are the security implications of VoIP?
Because VoIP relies on your internet connection, it may be vulnerable to any threats and problems that face your computer. The technology is still new, so there is some controversy about the potential for attack, but VoIP could make your telephone vulnerable to viruses and other malicious code. Attackers may be able to perform activities such as intercepting your communications, eavesdropping, conducting effective phishing attacks by manipulating your caller ID, and causing your service to crash. Activities that consume a large amount of network resources, like large file downloads, online gaming, and streaming multimedia, will also affect your VoIP service.
There are also inherent problems to routing your telephone over your broadband connection. Unlike traditional telephone lines, which
operate despite an electrical outage, if you lose power, your VoIP may be unavailable. There are also concerns that home security systems or emergency numbers such as 911 may not work the way you expect.
How can you protect yourself?
* Keep software up to date - If the vendor releases patches for the software operating your device, install them as soon as possible.
These patches may be called firmware updates. Installing them will prevent attackers from being able to take advantage of known
problems or vulnerabilities.
* Use and maintain anti-virus software - Anti-virus software recognizes and protects your computer against most known viruses.
However, attackers are continually writing new viruses, so it is important to keep your anti-virus software current.
* Take advantage of security options - Some service providers may offer encryption as one of their services. If you are concerned
about privacy and confidentiality, you may want to consider this and other available options.
* Install or enable a firewall - Firewalls may be able to prevent some types of infection by blocking malicious traffic before it
can enter your computer. Some operating systems actually include a firewall, but you need to make sure it is enabled.
* Evaluate your security settings - Both your computer and your VoIP equipment/software offer a variety of features that you can tailor to meet your needs and requirements. However, enabling certain features may leave you more vulnerable to being attacked, so
disable any unnecessary features. Examine your settings, particularly the security settings, and select options that meet
your needs without putting you at increased risk.
_________________________________________________________________
Author: Mindi McDowell
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Produced 2005 by US-CERT, a government organization.
Note: This tip was previously published and is being re-distributed to increase awareness.
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See you at the Meeting on Thursday!
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