Computer Info – December 12, 2001

This Week’s Meeting

        We will start the meeting with a 15 minute presentation on Taking Snapshots by Mitch Barchuk – more on composition of the background and foreground. John Watkins is back in town and will demonstrate Windows XP – bring your questions about the new operating system.
        There will be no meeting on December 26th, the day after Christmas.

Taking Snapshots

        Snapshots are what most of us are taking with our cameras. We are not into taking portraits; but instead are just taking a quick capture of what is going on at the moment.
        (1) You should always try to make your snapshot interesting. So, learn to get closer. If you think you are close enough – then take a couple of steps forward before taking that picture.
        (2) Hold your camera steady. Spread your feet apart – this helps to steady you and therefore your camera. Press your elbows into the front of your body – not out to the side. Put the camera against your face – don’t try to hold it away from your face. And, last, slowly squeeze the button -- don’t punch it down.
        (3) Make your photo interesting – have only one subject to the picture. Create depth to your snapshot by having something close to you in the foreground of the picture. For example, a picture of the Grand Canyon needs a person, trees or a branch in the foreground to show the depth.
        (4) Get eye level with your subject.

        To try to make the person in your snapshot be one with the background. Place the person to one side of your snapshot looking into the photo (rather than toward the edge of the picture).

Spyware
(info from Smart Computing – January, 2002)

        Spyware tells advertisers (and others) what you do online. Have you noticed that when you are using a free internet service, the ads begins to minic your surfing habits – and the mail that you receive begins to do the same.
        Spyware is a software component installed on your computer that gathers information about you and transfers that information from your computer to advertisers or other companies without your knowledge or permission. The spyware component iself is often incorporated into otherwise benign software such as game demos, MP3 players, and the like.
        Spyware basically works because the internet is a two-way street.
        The first step in protecting yourself from spyware is to understand where it comes from. Spyware consists of programs built into free but useful applications you’d actually want to download and install. But even boxed, commercial software applications may contain spyware components. Well-known examples of spyware include modules from Comet Cursor, DoubleClick and Gator.
        Web sites present a spyware threat both in the form of cookies and Web bugs. A cookie is a small text file that a Web server sends to your hard drive via your browser. Web sites don’t generally hide cookies and you can set your browser to warn you about receiving cookies. Web bugs are tiny image files in a Web page or HTML formatted e-mail message. Web bugs can gather information ranging from your computer’s IP (Internet Protocol) address (which identifies your computer on the Internet) to your surfing habits.
        Spyware can be tough to identify, but there are a few tricks you can use to sniff it out. Always check a program’s description before downloading and installing it. A growing number of Internet download sites have begun identifying utilities that contain spyware. Read the software license agreements very carefully. Few people really read these pages, but any included clauses that allow the transmission of information from your system are a clear indication of spyware, and by accepting the agreement you are giving legal consent.
        If you must register a product online, include only the minimum required information and deselect any checkboxes that authorize the company in question to share your information or send you offers and ads.
        There are software products that help you identify and deal with spyware. One program is Lavasoft’s Adaware 5.62 ( http://www.lavasoftusa.com ). If it finds a spyware module on your computer, it will give you the option of removing the spyware or monitoring its activities. Keep in mind that removing the spyware module may disable the use of the program with which it came.
        Firewalls don’t just look at information coming into your computer – they can also monitor information leaving your computer and warn you when an outgoing transmission occurs.
Elimination and Prevention of Spyware
        Check your programs. Some programs with the capacity to gather user information also include an option to turn that feature off (normally an obscure checkbox tucked away deep in an options or setup dialog box). Check the program’s documentation or Web site for configuration and usage options.
        Check for patches or updates
        Temporarily turn off your Internet connection Because spyware needs an Internet connection in order to work, this is a quick defensive tip that can keep your information safe until you have removed the offender.
        Uninstall the offending application

        In January, 2001, a bill (S.3180) was introduced to make software users aware of data gathering activities. If it becomes law, online data collectors would have to notify consumers in plain language when the users buy or download programs, and companies could not collect information on Internet surfing habits without first obtaining each consumer’s permission. Protective legislation is coming, but may be delayed for years.

-- Step By Step –
Sending E-Mail Attachments When Using Netscape

1. Open Netscape and go to the e-mail program
2. Click on New Msg
3. Address the e-mail
4. Click on the Attach icon (the one with the paperclip)
5. Choose File
6. Locate the file that you wish to attach (this is the hardest one to write because we all store our files in different locations.
        When you locate the file, click on it to highlight it – and then click on Open
7. Give your e-mail a subject – type your message – then click on Send

-- Step By Step –
Sending E-Mail Attachments When Using Outlook Express

1. Open Outlook Express
2. Click on New Mail
3. Address the e-mail
4. Click on the Attach icon (the one with the paperclip)
5. Locate the file that you wish to attach (this is the hardest one to write because we all store our
        files in different locations. When you locate the file, click on it to highlight it – and then click on Attach
6. Give your e-mail a subject – type your message – then click on Send

Lexmark Printer and Windows XP

        If you own a Lexmark printer and are thinking about upgrading your computer to Windows XP, you are going to need some new printer drivers. Check here for your model to see if there is an XP driver available. Be sure to uninstall any existing printer drivers and follow the online instructions to install the new software.
http://www.lexmark.com/drivers/