*CyberCoyote - January 25, 2007*

NEWS, NOTES and NOTICES

*Classes and Workshops*
There are 4 remaining Computer Kindergarten sessions -- each with a different topic. A new Windows XP class starts on February 5th and there are a few openings left. The Software Download and Install Workshop continues on Wednesdays -- 9:00 - 1:00 in the computer lab.
http://cybercoyote.org/classes/classes.shtml http://cybercoyote.org/classes/workshop.shtml

*Wifi Networking*
Mary Ann showed us how to find your way around the wireless networking today, and also some of the alternatives that are available for older computers. It's pretty simple if everything is working. Usually an icon for wireless connections shows up in your system tray (right-hand end of the taskbar at the bottom of your screen) and you take it from there. You may need to dig it out yourself: [Start > Control Panel > Network Connections] I am compelled to warn you that there are risks when you use Wifi. Be sure you have your firewall on, and if you're going to be sending account numbers and passwords you'd be advised to educate yourself. :-)
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=wifi+hotspot+security http://www.google.com/search?q=wifi+hotspot+security

*DVD Slide Shows*
You can make professional quality slide shows from your photos with the software that is available today. It's fairly easy to incorporate transitions, captions, music, etc. and burn the show to a DVD or CD. George Brown demonstrated ProShow Gold for us today. Like most programs of this type, it is powerful, which means it will take a while to learn how to use it to best advantage. -- $50 Mary Ann really likes Easy Media Creator 9 for the same task.
http://www.photodex.com/products/proshowgold/ http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/creator/suite/overview.html

*Microsoft Office is Coming*
Microsoft's Office 2007 is different from previous versions of Office, or any other software for that matter. There is a new interface for you to see, a new file format, and new graphics for you to use. The entire program is run from what is called the Ribbon. The idea is to make all of the things you do easy to find. Kathy Jacobs -- Vice President of Phoenix PC User Group -- will be here next week to show us how to use the new Word to create and adapt documents.
http://www.azacc.org/Speakers/2007_02%20Speaker.htm

WINDOWS VISTA

*Last chance to reconsider*
If your heart is set on getting Microsoft Vista when it launches in a few days, there's probably not much to stop you. For the rest of us, Walt Mossberg put down out the pros and cons in plain English.
http://cybercoyote.org/links/026.html -- Mossberg's article
http://cybercoyote.org/software/vista.shtml -- more on Vista

*The definitive guide to upgrading Windows Vista*
ExtremeTech's upgrade guide is authoritative but easy to follow. PC Magazine's Insiders Guide is a good companion piece. Give them a look if you're thinking of an upgrade. [Click the "print" icons when you get there to get the articles all on one page.]
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2082979,00.asp http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2074998,00.asp

*Good news for Windows XP users*
This announcement makes my choice not to upgrade to Vista look better. :-) You might want to think twice too. :-)
http://cybercoyote.org/links/027.html http://cybercoyote.org/software/vista.shtml

DIVERSION

*Invisible Bicycle*
Looks like a wheelie to me.
http://cybercoyote.org/links/019.html

*Let's grab something for lunch*
The new fresh menu. :-)
http://cybercoyote.org/links/012.html

*Maps of War* [wait a bit for it to load]
See 5,000 years of religion in 90 seconds? Ready, Set, Go!
http://mapsofwar.com/ind/history-of-religion.html

*Maze Frenzy* [time waster :-)]
"...the wackiest and most exciting maze game on the internet!"
http://www.mazefrenzy.com/