Computer Info – September 5, 2001
This Week’s Meeting
I think we will look at webmail
for retrieving your email while you are out of town and also look at IrfanView.
We should have time for questions and answers.
Digital Cameras
While taking a survey among the members
of the group last Wednesday, we found
CAMERA MANUFACTURERS
Sony
writes to a floppy
JVC
uses a memory stick like the new Sonys
Kodak
uses a compact flash card
Olympus uses a smart
media card
Polaroid also
uses a smart media card
HOW THE CAMERA CONNECT TO THE COMPUTER
Sony
by the floppy disk
JVC
USB from the camera to the computer
Kodak
serial cable or USB from the camera to the computer
or use a card reader
Olympus serial cable
or USB from the camera to the computer
or use a card reader
Polaroid serial
cable or use a card reader
ZOOM
Sony
2x optical
JVC
12x digital
Kodak
2x optical
Olympus 3x
to 10x optical
Polaroid
no zoom
MEGAPIXELS
Sony
JVC
3
Kodak
2.1
Olympus 3.2 - 2.1
Polaroid
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN PURCHASING A DIGITAL CAMERA
This is what was decided
after the discussions ----
Look for a camera that has a USB connection to computer
At least a 3x zoom -- new ones go up to 10x
-- you want optical zoom - not digital zoom
Pixels -- for editing pictures -- you want more than 2.1 megapixels.
For email -- 2.1 megapixels is enough.
BATTERIES
Lithium ION (photo) batteries
seem to give the best results.
Set Outlook Express’ Default to Plain Text
Outlook Express has a default
to always send your messages in HTML. Since most of our messages do not
contain pictures, script writing, large fonts, etc., you should set the
default to send the message in PLAIN TEXT.
To do this, choose TOOLS
- OPTIONS – the SEND tab. Under MAIL SENDING FORMAT, check plain text.
Do this also under NEWS SENDING FORMAT if you are using any of the newsgroups.
Use the Internet While You Are Traveling
We have mentioned before about
using libraries to access the internet while you are traveling. All libraries
have free internet for the public to use.
While we were on our trip
to Colorado, we learn about others. The Denver airport had clusters of
four internet terminals located in the concourse near the gate where you
were loading or unloading from your plane. These terminals offered free
access. Also, the lobby of the hotel in Vail, had a terminal where you
could access the internet for free.
But, how do you access your
email if you are using someone else’s computer? This is where a web-based
mail server comes in. Most of your internet providers offer a method of
retrieving your email if you are connected. Start by looking at your providers
homepage ( http://www.mpinet.net http://www.earthlink.com http://www.aol.com
http://www.bellsouth.net ) or try http://www.webmail.com To use the webmail
page, you will have to know things like your POP3 address – so it is not
as easy doing it that way – unless, your provider uses their service –
which you can try by entering this web address http://webmail.n-jcenter.com
Of course, you would replace the n-jcenter.com with what comes after the
@ sign in your email address.
Error Messages
When you have an error message,
always
READ IT
CAPTURE IT (by using ALT-PRINT SCREEN to store it into memory)
Open WordPad (you will find it under START – PROGRAMS – ACCESSORIES)
PASTE IT
PRINT IT
READ – CAPTURE – PASTE - PRINT
Wrap Long Lines in E-mail Programs
If you are using Netscape for
your email, and you receive messages where everything is written on one
continuous line, look under VIEW and place a checkmark next to WRAP LONG
LINES.
MSN Messenger Service
Someone mentioned the fact that
their MSN Messenger Service always opened – even when they didn’t want
it to. Did you know that there is a setting in Outlook Express that will
automatically log you on to MSN Messenger Service if you have it checked?
If you are still having a problem, look in Outlook Express to see what
your setting is.
Under TOOLS – OPTIONS –
the GENERAL tab – look for AUTOMATICALLY LOG ON TO MSN MESSENGER SERVICE.