*CyberCoyote - December 28, 2006*

NEWS, NOTES and NOTICES

*Classes and Workshops*
UPDATE: Our Software Workshop will not begin until January 17. (I have to show up for a gunfight at the OK Corral on the 10th.)   :-)
http://cybercoyote.org/classes/workshop.shtml -- workshops

The Windows XP Class begins next Monday, January 8th. Computer Kindergarten begins again on January 18. Topics for the next few weeks include getting started, basic word processing, email, wireless connections, and using the internet. A second Windows XP class will soon be scheduled for February.
http://cybercoyote.org/classes/classes.shtml -- classes

*Smart Computing is coming to our next meeting*
Jen Clausen and Brynn Burtwistle from Smart Computing will walk you through the most recent issue of Smart Computing and introduce you to the helpful and timely information found in each monthly issue. They will also give a live demonstration of SmartComputing.com to show how you can put these powerful tools to work for you!

These tools include Search All Articles, My Personal Library, the Q&A Board, and the (free) Tech Support Center! In addition, everyone will receive a goodie bag complete with the newest issue of Smart Computing, a guide to SmartComputing.com, a Smart Computing pen, and a 2007 calendar mouse pad!
http://www.smartcomputing.com/

*Minutes for December*
Minutes of the December business meeting are now online to apprise and amuse you. :-)
http://cybercoyote.org/club/min-061221.shtml

*Computer Club Info*
The links below take you directly to some handy ways to stay in touch with what's going on in the club. The Yahoo group is a way for members to communicate -- check it out. The HTCC calendar gives you a quick look at our classes and program. The classes and program pages give a little more detail. The web feed delivers topical information.
http://cybercoyote.org/links/010.html -- HTCC Yahoo group
http://cybercoyote.org/links/calendar.html -- HTCC calendar
http://cybercoyote.org/classes/classes.shtml -- classes
http://cybercoyote.org/events/program.shtml -- program
http://feeds.feedburner.com/HTCCblog -- web feed

PROGRAMS

George Jester showed us three kinds of programs today. The first was for CD burning. Roxio Easy Media Creator is a very complete suite of tools. It works well, and is fairly user friendly. It seems a little like overkill if you aren't heavily into music, video and such.
http://www.roxio.com/

The less expensive Ashampoo Burning Studio makes life easier by limiting the features to what most people really need to get their job done. Windows XP also has a native facility for burning CDs. Just go to [Start > Help and Support > then, search for "copy files and folders to a CD"].
http://www.ashampoo.com/

Next George showed us ScreenHunter -- a free screen capture program. It is very simple and handy for things like capturing error messages or webpages that you want to preserve. [There is a caution about their website]. MWSnap -- another free program -- is a bit more powerful, yet fairly easy to use.
http://www.wisdom-soft.com/products/screenhunter.htm -- ScreenHunter
http://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/wisdom-soft.com -- caution
http://www.mirekw.com/winfreeware/mwsnap.html -- MWSnap

Last, George demonstrated "My Professional Business Cards", a slick way to design and produce a really nice business card. You can also use Microsoft Word, but it's not nearly as friendly to casual users.
http://shop.avanquest.com/usa/prod.php?pid=66 -- one of many sellers

ECLECTIC

*That Magical Time of the Year*
http://cybercoyote.org/links/013.html
http://cybercoyote.org/links/014.html

*The Official French Business Calender*
Denny Adelman has the details: Newcomers to France, thinking how nice it would be to set up a business here in the shade of the old olive tree, do not often realize how the French economy works..."
http://cybercoyote.org/links/115.html

*Animusic: Pipe Dream | Google Video* [best with broadband]
Pipe Dream has been voted one of the 50 greatest animation projects ever (by 3D World magazine).
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5503582578132361295

Smart Computing Articles*

• Security Check For Spyware:  Safety is a huge issue when it comes to computing.  Spyware specifically is a threat to your PC.  To find out more information about how to check for Spyware and get rid of it check out this helpful article.  http://www.smartcomputing.com/support/links.asp?id=880  
• What To Do When . . . Your PDF Documents Cause Problems: When it comes to information sharing and computing compatibility is always an issue.  One solution to this problem is view information in a PDF format, but what happens when this method is failing?  To find additional read the following article.  http://www.smartcomputing.com/support/links.asp?id=882 

"Reprinted with permission from Smart Computing. These articles will be available online in their entirety at SmartComputing.com until February 23, at which time unlimited access will no longer be available.