OTHER
MEETINGS

The Meeting for Thursday, January 17, 2008, will be given by:

John Sanders of ORPC Users Group

We have had a number of presentations concerning computer security both from the view of protecting your files from being viewed or being corrupted by outside sources and the view of protecting your files from accidental loss, either by mistakes on your part or by the physical failure of a storage device. Now, Microsoft has packaged a number of programs call OneCare that protect your files from all of these hazards, plus these programs continually update your Windows operating system and "tune up" the operations of your computer. You can view an online demo of its capabilities and download a free 90-day evaluation copy of OneCare by clicking on THIS LINK.

The phrase "Windows Live" used to described this program indicates that it is one of a number of programs now available from Microsoft that will continually work to update the capabilities of your computer. Obviously, your computer must be connected to the internet for this "Live" function to work.

This will be one of our first examples of a PIB (or Presentation in a Box) that was provided by President Steve Peyrot. This presentation comes with slides, script, and handouts for use at the meeting.

John Sanders has been working with OneCare since it became available for Beta testing. In Beta testing, the program works with your hardware and programs to determine if any problems develop. If a problem develops, online interaction helps solve the problem and at the same time makes the developers aware of the problem so that it can be corrected for future users. It has been my experience that no major problems have occurred that could not be readily corrected. Next April will make the first year anniversary of my use of this program, and I have found that it does not slow down my computer or interfere with local networks as many of the security programs have done.

We will also have a Question and Answer session, as usual, at the beginning of the meeting.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION ON VISTA It is quite probable that any PC that you buy in the future will have some version of the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System. To help members of both ORPCUG and the community become familiar with this system, presentations will be provided beginning at 7:00 p.m. on January 10, 2008, in Room 35A, which is the "Arts and Crafts" room, of the Senior Citizens Center on Emory Valley Road. Vista comes in six different versions, and the presentation will help you select the version and hardware that will best fill your needs. Vista also permits you to adopt a different method of storing and retrieving your files; and it will be helpful to understand this option before you start using the system. The presentation will be based on the "Professor Teaches" series marketed by Individual Software. The overall presentation is divided into sessions that emphasize various aspects of the subject. The sessions begin with an explanation and demonstration and then present five questions to help you anchor the important points in your mind. It is possible to cover two sessions during one meeting, and the meetings will be spaced on alternate Thursdays until all sessions are complete. There is an optional introductory session that points out the differences between Windows XP and Windows Vista as operating systems. If enough of the members of the group feel that this session will be helpful, it will be included.

$ DUES ARE DUE $ Dues for 2008 are $20 per member or per household if two or more members share the same address. Please pay these to our Treasurer, Edward Von Halle, at the meeting or mail them to him at our Post Office Box 4241, Oak Ridge, TN 37831. Thank you.