CyberCoyote -- December, 2005

NEWS

I noticed that some of you weren't at the meeting today. I can't believe you were out fighting the crowds at the mall, so you must be "home for Christmas."

Gail King gave a presentation on WiFi today. There are two basic WiFi situations. Wireless local networks were the first. Before WiFi, local wired networks were used to inter-connect computers, printers, local servers, etc. so that these resources, and often an Internet connection could be shared. WiFi lets you do the same thing without stringing a bunch of cables. You need a WiFi router to implement this kind of network.

The other basic system just provides Internet connections to multiple computers. It's the system that creates "hot spots" or "wired cities". The hotspot provider furnishes the router, and your computer's WiFi card allows you to connect to it. Most laptops have WiFi built in these days. Hotspots are very convenient for people who are on the road. You don't need to find a phone line to get on the Internet, and you get a high speed connection to boot.

Gail gave us a lot if information, which I won't try to report. There are plenty of places on the Internet where you can learn more about WiFi. It won't be as easy as listening to Gail, but then you had to be there. :-)
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22wifi+basics%22 -- basics
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22find+wifi+hotspots%22 -- hotspots
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22wifi+security%22 -- security

NOTES and NOTICES

Gail has also scheduled two Windows XP Class sections. These classes are primarily for beginning users. Each section consists of 5 two-hour sessions, and the class fee is $10. Where else can you have that much fun for only $1 an hour. The first section is scheduled for February 6, 8, 10, 13 & 15, and the second for March 20, 20, 24, 27 & 29. Both are at 1:00 - 2:00 in the computer room.

TIPS and TOPICS

Don't have Trips and Streets, or even a GPS? There are other great alternatives if you have a PC, in fact they're nice even if you do have the other goodies.
http://cybercoyote.org/url/151.html

SECURITY

I imagine you're tired of my harping on security. I only do it because I love you, and I don't want to see you get hurt."  :-)  So take a little time to prepare before you plug in that new PC from Santa.
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,122499,00.asp -- why worry?
http://cybercoyote.org/security/newpc.shtml -- a plan

INTERNET

http://www.w3.org/People/Berners-Lee/WorldWideWeb.html -- the world's first browser

"Microsoft Corp. today previewed two new Internet-based software services -- Windows Live and Microsoft Office Live -- designed to deliver rich and seamless experiences to individuals and small businesses..."
http://cybercoyote.org/url/148.html

DIVERSION

Later on, we'll perspire
As we drink, by the fire
To face, I'm afraid, ...
http://cybercoyote.org/lyrics.html

The last excursion on the moon:
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap051217.html http://www.apolloarchive.com/apollo_gallery.html -- more pictures