The document provides information about the Sarnia computer users' group (SCUG) newsletter for June 2009. It discusses how Windows 7 and other operating systems can be run simultaneously for free using Microsoft's virtualization software. It also previews the guest presentation from Staples about new HP and JVC products. Finally, it announces that this will be Dorothy Alexander's last issue as president of SCUG and encourages new members to get involved with the executive team.

1. Sarnia computer users’ group June 2009 - Vol. 26 Issue 9
SCUG REPORT Award
Winning Computer
Magazine That Goes
‘Outside the Box’
Windows 7 - is available for you & itʼs FREE...
Run it with 3 other operating
systems FAST & FREE...
Have you ever wondered what it would be
like to have more than one operating
system on your computer? Ever wondered
what it would be like to run an operating
system without worrying about getting a
virus? How about about running four
operating systems, and one of them being a
MAC? “No way”, you say.
Microsoft lets YOU do it. A real first!!!
Microsoft is giving out their new Windows 7 operating system to EVERYONE
and it is FREE to test drive until March of 2010. Also available FREE is
Microsoftʼs Virtual PC 2007 (http://tinyurl.com/287fx8).
Microsoft is telling users “You don't need to rush to get the RC. The RC will be
available at least through July 2009 and we're not limiting the number of
product keys, so you have plenty of time” (http://tinyurl.com/crxlpq).
Windows 7 is very easy to load in the “virtual” mode. Ron Walters, Webmaster
for Computer Operators of Marysville and Port Huron (COMP)
(www.bwcomp.org), demonstrated this process a few weeks ago. Ron says
Continued on page 10
How to Join SCUG p 2 A SIGS p 14
Presidentʼs Perspective p 3 Genealogy p 17
Editorʼs Korner p 4 Hidden Talent p 18
Secretaryʼs Notes p 5 P Computer Tutor p 19
Review: Auto Pr p 6 Prize Winners p 21
Review: Dreamweaver CS3 p 7 E Classified Ads p 14
Review: Akvis Multibrush
Reinstalling Windows
p 8
p 9
E Advertising Rates
Financial Report
p 22
p 24
FREE PC Utilities p 11 K Microsoftʼs Bing p 26
Watch www.scug.ca[1] new meeting schedule coming soon
for

2. FREE 3 MONTH TRIAL
CONTACT US TODAY...
President:
Dorothy Alexander
president@scug.ca
HOW & WHY TO JOIN SCUG?
On the right side of this page is a complete listing of all Vice President
the SCUG executive members. To join SCUG or to get Bill Colotelo
complete details about the group, please contact our vicepresident@scug.ca
Membership Secretary, Jim Lapointe via email:
membership@scug.ca Treasurer
Ed Ginn
WHAT DOES SCUG OFFER YOU?
treasurer@scug.ca
Each month we have a general meeting wherein
a tad of business is conducted, then we have guest Recording Secretary
presenters on a slew of computer-related topics. Tom Deeprose
secretary@scug.ca
Within SCUG there are sub-groups that include:
Windows/Computer/Tech presentations. This is Membership Secretary
where a presentation is made on a computer topic
Jim Lapointe
and the best part is our Question & Answer session.
Another sub-group is our most-popular Digital membership@scug.ca
Photography group. This is where you learn all
about this amazing technology, from how to turn Shareware Librarian
your camera on, to editing video clips, to learning Pierre Houle
new editing software, or simply how to take better library@scug.ca
pictures.
Editor
These sub-groups are called SIGs, short for Special
Interest Groups. These groups are included in the $35 Gregory West
yearly membership fee. editor@scug.ca
Along with that fee you also get a monthly copy of our Public Relations
infamous newsletter: SCUG Report - that is filled with Ian Hunt
reviews, articles, and lots of how-to. prc@scug.ca
Members get to place free “want ads” in SCUG Report
and there is no limit. Program Coordinator
Norm Lamoureux
At each monthly general meeting our Shareware coordinator@scug.ca
Librarian demonstrates a new and FREE program that is
available afterwards on the SCUG website: www.scug.ca Webmaster
Dick Carpani
Contact Jim today as we offer much, much more for you.
webmaster@scug.ca
membership@scug.ca
[2]

3. PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
Dorothy Alexander
SCUG President
president@scug.ca
TIME FOR A CHANGE
This will be my last Presidentʼs Perspective. As I write this I reflect on the changes that I
have seen happen in the past four years that I have been your president, as well as the five
years before that when I was treasurer. Some happenings were good for the club. We
celebrated the 25th Anniversary of SCUG, moved to a new location, more accessible for
anyone with a disability, and received awards from APCUG for both the newsletter and the
website. These are but a few.
This year, for the first time in many years, SCUG will be losing several executive members.
…..all for a variety of reasons. It is indeed unfortunate that more members didnʼt step
forward to run for an executive position. You gain valuable knowledge when you participate!
As I have stated in previous President Perspectives I feel it is time to get some new blood
into the executive. It is my hope that our new executive will work as a team, weighing the
merits of the old versus the new and then making informed decisions. While they explore
new ideas they will also have the benefit of SCUGʼs Constitution (that was amended and
approved February 28, 2007) to help them follow the policies, definitions and guidelines that
are so important to keep SCUG moving in the right direction.
Speaking of changes have any of you tried BING, the new Microsoft search engine? This
will replace MS Live Search. When you search with BING, for a camera as an example, it
will bring prices, images, and reviews on a single screen and help you make decisions
easier and faster than going from screen to screen. It no doubt will challenge GOOGLE, our
old standby.
At our last General Meeting of this season we have as our guest STAPLES who will show
you the new HP touch smart computer, a small mini net book, JVC Camcorder and some
other new items of interest.
Hopefully all of you will have a great and safe summer.
Dorothy Alexander,
President, SCUG.
(3)

4. Editor’s Korner
Gregory West
gregorywest@bell.net
Final Frontier
See You In Cyberspace... tech company reps, and the use of Skype we
now see a huge change in the way User Groups
After publishing nearly 60 issues of SCUG can and do hold some of their meetings.
Report the time has come for me to pass the
Editorʼs baton to someone new. Do you ever wonder what those other User
Groups present at their meetings? Now you
As I reflect back on my time as Editor, there are can watch online and for FREE. APCUG offers a
many memories such as those smiling memberʼs Live Event calendar where you can check out
faces at meetings as they faced my ever- other
prodding camera for photos that may end up User Groupʼs LIVE meetings on the Internet:
somewhere in the confines of SCUG Report. http://tinyurl.com/d6o2ez
Nobody could forget those many, many reviews You must get involved and ask the new
and articles that were submitted that gave us so executive to test drive some of the new stuff out
much information about new software products there that Web 2.0 is offering. Get involved and
and the new stuff happening out there in help move SCUG into that future out there...That
CYBERSPACE. is what computing is all about: trying new and
exciting things. The old saying: “If it aint broke
SCUG now has worldwide recognition donʼt fix it” does not apply anymore.
through the Association of Computer Usersʼ
Groups (APCUG). Our articles and reviews are It is in this regard that I am leaving SCUG to test
sent out to 250 other User Groups around the drive new areas and new adventures. It has
globe each month and then published in other been a great ten years with this amazing group
User Groupsʼ Newsletters and posted online. and I wish everyone the best. But what is more
important, I would like to thank all of you for
In this day of Instant Messaging (widely used helping make my time at SCUG a fun and
by corporations now and individuals), live- meaningful experience - thank you.
streaming User Group meetings over the
Internet and interactive presentations by major See you in Cyberspace!
(4)

5. Executive Dreamweaver Book is complete. Suggestion
Secretaryʼs Meeting made that a section on the web site be set aside
Report June 1, 2009 to post reviews available for members who
Tom Deeprose would like to review new software or books.
secretary@scug.ca
9. Public Relations Input: Ian Hunt 50-50 draw
and a 8 gig USB Thumb Drive for the prizes for
1. Approval of minutes for April executive the June meeting. A second roll of tickets to be
meeting accepted as written. purchased for other donations of prizes should a
presenter offer a prize in addition to one from
2. Membership Input: Jim reported 53 people the club.
present, 1 new guest, 5 repeats, 1 renewal 62
members 29 associate members for a total of 10. Web Master Input: The new name of the
91. ALC that Dick has used should be included.
3. Vice-Presidentʼs Input: Ian reported that 11. Presentation for June by Staples.
Pierre will lead the next Windows meeting.
Names were suggested for possible people to 12. Discussion regarding Internet connections
run for elections and Ian will get in touch with for presentations – Ed Ginn to check with the
people suggested. school about correcting the problems we
encountered at the last general meeting. The
4. Secretary absent – minutes taken by Helen Computer Tutorʼs presentation was well
Ginn. received despite the glitches in connecting to
the Internet. Hopefully that problem will be
5. Treasurerʼs report: Financial report for May resolved before the next meeting.
end was accepted as written.
13. New Business: Suggestion from Norm
6. Software Librarianʼs Input: Pierre suggested regarding a NING invitation – declined. Letter
we continue posting freeware on the web site as received from Loblaws regarding charging to
this eliminates the work of writing a CD when use their meeting room – discussion to find a
most everyone has broadband access. less expensive room for executive meetings,
possibly the ALC. The sound system was
7. Editorʼs Input: Thanks to Judy Taylor, the looked into by Bill Colotelo who reported that
APCUG representative, SCUG has had free the microphone had been damaged and could
Local Advertising and World Wide Recognition be repaired for $100. A new microphone would
from places as far away as Australia. Many of be $300 and a new two-speaker system would
our reviews are also published at various paid cost $1,000.
websites on the Net, such as Amazon.com, and Helen Ginn suggested that consideration be
OʼReillyʼs websites. Greg stated that many of given to sending newsletters electronically in
his articles that are published in both SCUG order to save the cost of printing and extra work
Report and First Monday magazine, are also involved. The Executive agreed to present this
published on the following websites: to the General Membership, for their views on
w w w. c o m p u t e r s i g h t . c o m - h t t p : / / receiving a hard printed copy of the newsletter
writinghood.com - www.authspot.com - or an electronic copy sent by email.
www.webupon.com - and other Internet
connections which link back to SCUG. Time constraints put on us by Loblaws
prevented us from fully reviewing a letter of
8. Program Co-ordinatorʼs Input: Norm has 2 concerns that was submitted by a SCUG
reviews due namely: Pro Show Producer by member. This letter will be put on the agenda for
Bruce Ritchie, and Akvis Multibrush by Dorothy review at the next Executive meeting
Alexander. Greg stated that his review of
(5)

6. www.mtcpro.com
A SCUG Review - by Ian Hunt, Executive Member
Software Review:
Auto Maintenance Pro Standard Edition Single User Version
Version: 10.0.0 Build 11
Software Developer: Innovative Maintenance Systems
Address: 152C Freeport Road, PO Box 142, Lyndora, PA 16045
Sales & Product Information: 1-888-449-2405
Fax: 724-283-7450
System Requirements:
Pentium 600 Mhz or better processor - 16MB of RAM - 20MB of free disk space - VGA color monitor
(800x600 screen resolution - Windows® 98, NT, ME, 2000, XP
Product Pricing: $34.95 USD
Download Size: 6.17 MB - Size on disk: 31.7 MB
Product Website: www.mtcpro.com
Web link for screen shots: http://www.mtcpro.com/automtc.htm
Installation
The program loaded easily and runs nicely with no ill effects on my Windows XP SP3 Home Edition
PC with AMD Sempron 2800+ processor and 1 GB of RAM.
What It Does
Auto Maintenance Pro helps you stay on top of your vehicle maintenance by scheduling and then
recording maintenance items. Up to 5 vehicles can be entered into the program. Once you have
entered a vehicle into the program and save, you are asked if you want to enter the Preventive
Maintenance information. The program has a set of over 80 default PM services with default
intervals of both time and mileage. You can alter these using the maintenance schedule
recommended by your vehicle manufacturer and you can add and delete items.
Features
* The program is downloadable from website with 30 day free trial.
* You can add a photo of each vehicle (jpg format) to the main window.
* Track in miles or kilometers.
* 28 custom fields you can define on the vehicle information tabs. Tabs that contain the custom
labels are "General" (4), "Specifications" (20), "Purchase" (2), and License (2).
* Upon opening the program, the main window will display your vehicles in a list, the background
colour will indicate whether service is due (pink), soon due (yellow) (less than 15 days,
(6)

7. A SCUG Review - by Gregory West, SCUG Editor
DREAMWEAVER CS3 - The Missing Manual
Author: David Sawyer McFarland
Published: 2007
OʼReilly Media, Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-596--51043-5
Pages: 995
US $44.99 CAN $58.99
Anyone who has ever tackled the web creation software program Dreamweaver CS3 knows all-too-
well of its massive complexity. From absolute divs to CSS, FLASH and other multimedia, HTML and
XHTML, Java Script coding, to the all-new SPRY widgets by Adobe, you are taken on a real
adventure of what Dreamweaver CS3 has to offer in this, the “missing manual”.
McFarland states that this book “should have been in the box” and this is so true. This book is an
excellent, easy-to-follow guide that takes you from simple to way beyond in website design creation
and tricks and tips. You get to test-drive the software with the help of this book. The author
demonstrates this concept right at the beginning on page thirty-eight wherein he points out that “Many
of this bookʼs chapters, therefore, conclude with hands-on training: step-by-step tutorials that take you
through the creation of a real, working, professionally designed Web site” for a “fictional” magazine.
This way you get a hands-on approach to web design.
Even if you are novice to web design, you can easily follow along with McFarlandʼs simple instructions
after each chapter.
This book is a work book. You design websites by tutorials. However, if you happen to be already
accustomed to Adobeʼs Dreamweaver software, this book will act as an amazing reference guide to
ensure that you use this software to its best capabilities.
You are always kept abreast with the many screen shots throughout, and “Tip” boxes to keep you
going in the right direction. There is nothing worse than getting off track with a website from the onset.
This book definitely helps you steer a course for success in web design and creation.ʼ
At the back of the book you will find an invaluable section called: Menu by Menu. Here is where each
part of the menus is described and the functionality of each is given in plain language for everyone to
understand. The file, edit, view, insert, modify, commands, menus and so many more are hear for
very easy reference.
At the very end of the book is an in-depth, 24 page, Index ensuring you will not get lost. McFarland
makes searching so simple, as did he make the entire book, simple yet very complex.
It is an excellent companion to such an extensive and amazing web design program.
(7)

8. A SCUG Review - by Dorothy Alexander, SCUG President
AKVIS MULTIBRUSH v 4.1
Standalone Edition
Software Created by:
AKVIS Software Inc.
http://akvis.com
#101 - 1001 W. Broadway
Suite 381
Vancouver, BC V6H 4E4
CANADA
FAX: 206-984-3919
VOICE: 206-309-0821
Price: Home Deluxe - PlugIn+Standalone $65.00 USD
System Requirements:
Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista; Mac OS X 10.3.9-10.5
Minimal system requirements: Recommended system requirements: Windows Pentium III, 1 GB
RAM, 100 Mb HDD; screen resolution 1024x768; video card Direct X8 compatible, 32 Mb, color depth
32 bits
Recommended system requirements: Core Duo, 2 GB RAM, 2 GB HDD; screen resolution
1280х1024; video card Direct X8 compatible, 128 Mb, color depth 32 bits
I opted to download the standalone version of this software. This program was formerly known as
AKVIS Stamp but has been revised with many more features added. This program has healing and
enhancement brushes, cloning and stamping tools that you can use to improve your photos. The
Chameleon Brush allows you to remove wrinkles, scars and scratches on a portrait. They claim it is
like the Adobe Healing brush but with more options. We all have some old family photos that could be
recovered using this program. One photo in the tutorial appeared to be un-recoverable but I was
amazed at the end results.
There is a unique feature called the Artistic Cloning mode. This allows you to clone parts of a picture
in a really smart way. Sample, adjust and re-source parts you're about to multiply through the image,
and create impressive collages with little effort.
If you want to remove a person from a photo you can do so with this program. You can even add a
person or replicate the original person and place in the background. It appears that what you can do
with this program is endless. I have only tried a few features but expect to have many hours of fun
using this program.
Currently they offering a 10 days free trial of this program at: http://akvis.com/en/multibrush/index.php
Why not give it a try if you don't want to go and spend a lot of money on one of the more expensive
photo editing programs?
(8)

9. PayPal or anything else important to you., now
Reinstalling Windows is the time to write it all down. Some folks use a
Written by Vinny La Bash, password protected spreadsheet file. Others
Member of the Sarasota Personal Computer use some kind of encrypted application to store
Users Group, Inc., FL the data. I prefer good old reliable pen and
www.spcug.org paper stored in a safe place, not taped to my
vlabash (at) comcast.net monitor.
This article has been Do you have your Windows product key
obtained from APCUG with available? You need it to reinstall Vista. Are
the author’s permission for there any other applications you will reinstall
publication by APCUG
member groups; all other that require product keys, like Microsoft Office?
uses require the permission Gather them all, including any drivers you may
of the author (see e-mail need to reinstall hardware, like a printer or
address above).
mobile smart phone.
No matter how diligent you are at computer
housecleaning and tuning your system, at some A clean install requires that you backup your
point you will need to reinstall Windows. One of data files. This is especially important if you’re
the most infuriating things about the process planning to reformat your hard drive. Backup
occurs after the installation when you realize email contacts, calendar entries, and anything
you have forgotten something important like you consider important. Don’t forget anything
exporting your Favorites folder. Several weeks special you may have saved on your desktop.
ago I reinstalled Vista on my laptop and almost That’s an easy one to overlook.
forgot to do something elementary. So perhaps
it’s time to review the basics. Have you installed new hardware recently? Any
new devices, except physical memory, require
some kind of driver software to work properly.
There are many reasons to You can get the most up-to-date drivers by
reinstall windows. Perhaps the visiting the manufacturer’s web site and
registry has gotten corrupted or it could be an downloading them. Go to the Device Manager
accumulation of little things that are driving you for a list of installed hardware or use Belarc
nuts. Whatever is annoying you, a clean install Advisor for a more detailed description.
is always the best option. Before doing
anything, careful planning will keep you out of Do some housecleaning. Search your
trouble. drive for files that are obsolete or otherwise
unnecessary. It’s amazing how much digital
The detailed procedures outlined here apply detritus can accumulate over time. Perform a
specifically to Vista, but the general concepts full deep virus scan so your new setup can get
apply to any version of Windows and even other off to a clean start. Use Disk Cleanup if you
operating systems. There are three main want to reduce the number of unnecessary files
areas to a reinstall. You need proper on your hard disk to free up disk space and help
preparation, the install itself, and the aftermath your computer run faster. It removes temporary
to clean up any mess you may have files, empties the Recycle Bin, and deletes a
inadvertently created. That means you don’t variety of system files and other items that you
schedule a reinstall the night before any no longer need.
deadlines.
Back up the My Documents folder and any
Start by documenting any critical login sub-folders that may exist. Backup Links if you
identifications and passwords. If you pay bills use Internet Explorer; Bookmarks if you use
online, access financial information, eBay, Mozilla Firefox. If you’re not sure you’ve backed
(9)

10. Continued from front cover - Windows 7 Continued from page 9 - Reinstalling Windows
“I have used Virtual PC 2007 for over a year up everything you need, back up the entire
now. It is a very useful tool when providing disk. If you’ve forgotten anything, your data can
customer support for an old operating system. be recovered.
It will run most version of windows and installs By now you should have:
in a snap. It is available in both 32 bit or 64 bit.
I am currently running Vista Ultimate 64 bit as Documented all logins and passwords
my primary OS and running Windows XP Pro Backed up all important data including My
SP3, Windows 7 Release Candidate and Documents and any sub-folders
Windows 98 all on Virtual PC 2007. It makes Have all product keys and activation codes
my job a lot easier,” says Ron Walters. handy
Backed up your email contact list, and
Many computer users are using virtualization as calendar entries
a way to surf the Internet without fears of Backed up Favorites, Links, Bookmarks,
getting a virus or malware etc. These virtual etc.
operating systems are used to test software and Collected Driver disks
other data that you would be worried to do so
on your host operating system. If there is any Check everything at least twice to make sure
problem you simply delete the folder that the you haven’t overlooked anything essential and
virtual operating system is residing in and you’re ready to go. Insert your Windows disk
delete the folder. Thatʼs all there is to removing and reinstall the operating system.
it and all its files etc.
After the process is complete, there is still work
Debra Shinder of windowsecurity.com says that
to do. Use Windows Update to retrieve and
“Virtualization software makes it much easier to
install the latest service packs, security
create a testbed for trying out new software in a
updates, and any necessary patches. After
safe environment without risking damage to
bringing your operating system up-to-date, turn
your production network.”
your attention to applications and device
drivers.
So, when you load Windows 7 to test drive it
give some serious thoughts to trying out a
If you reinstalled Vista from the manufacturer’s
virtual PC mode to load into.
installation or system restore disks, drivers for
the original software and hardware that came
Windows 7 is stacking up some excellent
with the system are likely to be either no longer
reviews already. For instance, pcadviser.co.uk
relevant or out-of-date. You may need to visit
says itʼs good to go and “is ready for prime
several manufacturers’ web sites to download
time”.
and install the most recent drivers. This is part
of proper preparation, but if you neglected this
“With less of what you donʼt need, Windows 7
step it’s not a fatal mistake.
helps you do more. More work, more play, and
more of everything in between. Making every
Restore any data you backed up earlier,
task simpler and every day easier. See for
reconfigure network settings if applicable, and
yourself” (itpro.co.uk).
tweak the system to suit your personal
preferences. Create a system restore point,
I downloaded Windows 7 from the Microsoft site
and do an image backup of your entire system
(http://tinyurl.com/crxlpq) in about 3 hours. Full
in case you need to reinstall again.
instructions are found on that website and are
quite easy to follow.
Don’t fool yourself. Reinstalling the operating
system, applications, drivers and such is never
Editor SCUG
as simple or as easy as it should be. If you plan
carefully however, it doesn’t need to be
stressful.
(10)

11. This free suite has been recognized by the
Free PC Utilities from Comodo media for its quality, by being awarded CNETʼs
Written by Ira Wilsker highest 5 star rating, and was selected by PC
APCUG Director; Magazine as its “Editorsʼ Choice”. Comodo
Columnist, The Examiner, Beaumont, TX; hopes that users of the free security suite will
Radio Talk Show Host want to eventually upgrade to its commercial big
Iwilsker (at) apcug.net brother ($40) that offers additional and
enhanced features along with free 24/7 online
This article has been obtained from APCUG with the chat support.
authorʼs permission for publication by APCUG member
groups; all other uses require the permission of the author
(see e-mail address above). Comodo offers a somewhat unique free product
in its “Comodo Memory Firewall Version 2.0”.
WEBSITE: This is an unusual utility in that unlike a
h t t p : / / w w w. c o m o d o . c o m / p r o d u c t s / conventional firewall (which is also required to
free_products.html maximize security), this Memory Firewall
monitors the memory of the computer and the
Last year I wrote in this column about a free running applications. It is on the lookout for
suite of excellent security products from a little attacks on running programs such as buffer-
known company called Comodo overflow attacks, a common and damaging
(www.comodo.com). Comodo is one of those threat to our computing security. Attacks such
sleeper companies that quietly provides very as these, which can be prevented with this
good products and services, but just seems to Memory Firewall, can cause system crashes or
dwell in the background while it adds paying steal confidential information from the targeted
customers and clients. Comodo is an computer.
international company with offices in the U.S.,
the U.K., the Ukraine, and in India. While not An extremely common threat faced by all web
visible to the ordinary internet user, Comodo is surfers is a form of identity theft through the use
the exclusive provider of digital security services of “phishing” or otherwise fraudulent websites.
to the top level internet domain name Comodo offers its “Free Forever” Comodo
registrants. Comodo has over 200,000 Verification Engine, which notifies the user if a
commercial customers in over 100 countries, website is legitimate or fraudulent. If a website
and protects over a half-million businesses and is known to be legitimate, simply placing the
private individuals. As is common in the field, mouse over the website logo will display a
Comodo offers some excellent free products green border. This is an excellent tool to
available to all users that Comodo hopes will prevent some of the more common online forms
spread its reputation and services, and of identity theft.
eventually attract paying clients to its more
sophisticated commercial products. Many thousands of computers are lost or stolen
each year. It is a known fact that thousands of
In my earlier column on Comodo, I discussed laptop or notebook computers are stolen in
the individual free Comodo security products, airports and other places annually. One major
including its antivirus, firewall, antispam, and concern of the owner of a lost or stolen
other security products, all of which can still be computer is the potential disclosure and abuse
downloaded individually, but work together as of the personal data on the hard drive. Comodo
do many of the competitive commercial security offers a solution to this vexing problem, its free
suites. To ease the download process, and Disk Encryption Software, which can be used to
even better integrate the protective functions, encode the data on a hard drive, preventing its
Comodo has introduced its free Comodo use by unauthorized individuals. This provides
Internet Security, a fully functional, but basic continuous protection of the data on the drive,
antivirus, firewall, and proactive security suite. and includes two levels of data authentication.
This protects sensitive data without disrupting
(11) Continued on page 12

12. Continued from page 11 - FREE PC Utilities
the ability to legitimately utilize the data, but While Comodo offers many other utilities, it is
makes the same data useless to an best known for its security products. One such
unauthorized user, such as a thief. free product offered is its BoClean, which can
detect and remove rootkits, hijackers,
You may have heard commercials on radio and keyloggers, and Trojans, as it continuously
TV about a “VPN” or Virtual Private Network, monitors the system for attack. BoClean offers
where selected computers can be connected real time protection against online identity theft
together over the internet, just as if they would caused by malware, as well as protection from
be connected over a wired in-house network. file damage caused by other varieties of
For those who may need to connect distant malware.
computers, Comodo offers its free “Comodo
EasyVPN”. This VPN provides secure encrypted Regular readers of this column have read the
communications over the internet, and allows three most important words in computing,
for the safe transmission and reception of “Backup, Backup, and Backup!” Comodo
sensitive communications. It also allows for offers a full featured and free backup utility that
remote access to connected computers, can automatically backup critical data files to
including a “remote desktop” feature that allows almost any form of media or storage system.
one user to access control over another distant Backups my be scheduled automatically, or run
computer. For family use, EasyVPN allows for at will, and allow for the easy recovery of files in
the quick and easy internet exchange of music the event of system crash, natural disaster,
or photos, and even allows connected users to theft, or other loss of data. With software such
play multi-user games. This is like having a as this, and a secure place to store the backed
remote office, where the office computer can be up data, there is no reason why any important
securely accessed from anywhere there is an data should ever be lost.
internet connection. This may be a very useful
utility. Comodo offers its System Cleaner utility to
clean computers of useless and wasteful files
I hate spam, that unwanted junk email. and registry entries that can adversely impact
Comodo offers a free anti-spam utility that can computer performance, thus improving
stop spam, phishing (identity theft), and other performance. Comodo System Cleaner is
fraudulent email from getting into your inbox. among the fastest and most efficient system
The software can import the address book from cleaner tested, including several of the popular
most popular email clients to create a safe competitors. System Cleaner includes both disk
sendersʼ list, and provides for a challenge and cleaner and registry cleaner tools, as well as
response system to verify unknown senders, other powerful diagnostic tools. System
and adds verified senders to a safe “white Cleaner claims “100% Safe Cleaning” as it
list”. Using Comodoʼs Anti Spam utility can implements proprietary “Registry Protection”
significantly reduce the unwanted mail in your and “Safe Delete” features which can
inbox. automatically restore any files that may have
been deleted in error.
Sometimes we must send and receive
sensitive information via email that we would Comodo offers an impressive collection of free
not want others to be able to access or read. utilities, and should be commended for offering
Comodo has a free solution to this problem, its them. Comodo explicitly states that many of
SecureEmail utility. This utility encrypts and these utilities are free for both personal and
digitally signs email such that it cannot be read business users, making them most cost
by anyone except the intended recipient. This effective at “free”.
utility seamlessly integrates with all major email
clients, and has a wizard to help setup the For this price, they are most worthy of a try.
program.
(12)

13. FREE Ever Wonder Why
BASIC LEVEL Newspapers Are Closing Up
COMPUTER & INTERNET Shop? And Why Too Many TV
Sessions Shows Are Less Than Good?
Back for a 3rd season this Fall.
Craigslist.org
Have you checked the classifieds here yet?
Bring along all your questions
If not, you are missing out. It is very popular
among buyers and sellers looking for deals.
to our The Associated Press states that “ Many
newspaper executives view Craigslist as a
FAMOUS Q&A nemesis because it doesn't charge for most
ads. As Craigslist and scores of other Web
session at each meeting! sites have offered free or less expensive
alternatives, newspapers' total revenue
from the classified advertising in print
editions has waned from a peak of nearly
$20-billion in 2000 to about $10-billion last
year”.
This year alone we will see more
newspapers fold as the advertising money
“you do not need to pray for a is moving. The Associated Press article also
computer miracle, just attend any pointed out that “Craigslist has been raking
of these FREE sessions next fall” in more revenue from the ad listings that it
does charge for in major U.S. markets. Most
of the money comes from help-wanted ads
FALL PREVIEW – another former cash cow for newspapers
all about Emailing that has been drying up”.
learn more about MS WORD
security Te l e v i s i o n n e t w o r k s are in
somewhat of a similar boat. TV advertising
basic digital photography dollars streaming from the “boob-tube” to
FREE cloud computing software the Internet. There is no lack of news about
whatʼs NEW Online this problem for what some call Television
“dinosaur” technology.
WHERE: Central United Church “In the past five years, music companies,
All sessions are free and open to the public. newspapers, and others have seen their
revenues plunge as theyʼve lost control of
For more info: their content. Now television broadcasters
www.centralunitedsarnia.ca/computer_group.html are fighting the same bloody, ugly and
Email Greg West: gregorywest@bell.net ultimately losing battle for control” (PRLog
(Press Release) – Feb 28, 2009).
(13)

14. S Digital Photography
Special Interest Group
I
Pierre Houle
G*
gimp
a
PhotoShop Clone
At least 30 people attended the last Digital SIG of the season. Pierre led the
session with a demonstration of the GIMP, Gnu Image Manipulation Program.
This is a very powerful image editor. Like all these image programs the GIMP
takes time and practice to be familiar with all of it's functions. Pierre
demonstrated how to crop, clone, sharpen, adjust brightness and contrast, levels
and layers among other features.
There are excellent tutorial for the GIMP. Here are some links:
http://www.gimp.org/tutorials/
http://www.gimptalk.com/forum/beginning-with-gimp-starting-tutorial-for-new-
users-t34772.html-sid=db94594e941b04525a4add0057615795
I would like to thank all who have attended throughout the year and made this
SIG a success. I have agreed to lead the SIG for the next season.
* A SIG is a Special Interest Group within the Sarnia Computer Usersʼ Group
(14)

15. SARNIA A Live Remote Demo with Internet Connection Problems TORONTO
Members Await Pamela Tabakʼs (the Computer Tutor) LIVE Remote Control
demonstration from her home in Toronto. Lots of work went into testing. The tests went well both at
home and at the centre. We even tested it live at the centre during a Windows SIG months before
this night. Skype was used for voice and Teamviewer for the remote computer ...conʼt. at bottom...
setting up
takes time
computer hookups between Sarnia and Toronto.
Everything went fine in most of the tests, although we
did experience some problem with the Internet at the
centre that afternoon during testing.
When the demonstration began we knew right at the
start there was an Internet connection problem at the
centre. Pierre lightly shook the ethernet box on the wall
and that helped, but we had a VERY slow connection
during the demo. Apparently we were not alone as other
User Groups have experienced slow Internet
connections at their meeting places as well.
Nature of the beast they say!
Greg handing out 5 prizes after his demo to happy members
(15)

16. Disc of the month
This month's freeware offering is a technician's dream come true. System Information for
Windows will show you everything you want to know about your computer. It's more
thorough than Belarc or Everest. It gives software and hardware information. It gives
license information and passwords. The program is stand-alone which means it can be
used simply by downloading and running, no install is required.
This means that it can be run from a USB thumb drive.
http://www.gtopala.com
Window SIG Sorry, report unavailable
also see page 26
Microsoftʼs CEO, Steve Ballmer,
announces Bing
Watch the exciting video interview: http://
tinyurl.com/lsguut and read the full article too.
REMEMBER YOU HEARD IT FIRST IN
SCUG REPORT: Bing is going to be HUGE!!!
MOBILE COMPUTING & SOCIAL MEDIA: From Google Gear Guide
They say once something gets on Oprah the http://tinyurl.com/nmczql
general population gives it a try. “95 great free sites and downloads youʼve
“By now, you probably know that Oprah Winfrey probably never heard of...”
loves Skype (not to mention Twitter). Oprah did
a Skype video chat on her TV show with Virgin
America's Mandalay Roberts.” As reported by
James A. Martin, PC World. full article at Wanna Farkle?
http://tinyurl.com/l8auen I mean, do if you want to download
YouTube videos?: farkle.com
FACEBOOK- did you know the most
number of new people using FACEBOOK Great for storing those YouTube training videos.
today are the Baby Boomers who are
connecting with their past from many years. How to Download Youtube with Farkie?
1,000,000th. WORD 1. Copy the full web address of the site you wish
From Thursday's Globe and Mail, Thursday, Jun. to download.
11, 2009 04:40PM EDT 2. Paste the web address into the box at the top
of this page.
“The one-millionth entry into the English language 3. Click "Download" and wait until it has fully
may be a sign of the times, but as words go it's a loaded.
bit on the bland side - and, one could argue, not 4. Choose a format and it will then download and
even a word. convert the video.
5. Be patient, it can take up to 5 minutes
“Quibbles aside, the Global Language Monitor depending on the size.
announced on schedule early yesterday its choice 6. You're done! Enjoy your newly converted
for the milestone millionth word: Web 2.0.” YouTube video!
(16)

17. the
crooked
tree by Val Conway
SCUG Member
Some of my Favorite Genealogy Web Sites
Iʼll finish out the year with a list of some of name translations, distances from other places,
and maps are provided.
my Favorite Genealogy Web Sites.
http://www.jewishgen.org/Communities/
LocTown.asp
Ontario Locator is the best site to use to locate
counties and townships in Ontario. Over 11,000
Three Military sites that are worth surfing:
place names are listed with short histories:
http://www.geneofun.on.ca/ontariolocator/
1. Commonwealth War Graves: http://
www.cwgc.org/
US National Association of Counties works for
2. American Battle Monuments Commission War
the United States:
Dead: http://www.abmc.gov
http://www.naco.org/ - Select About Counties/
3. Canadian War Museum includes a WW II
Data and Demographics /City Search
database of Newspaper Articles: http://
tinyurl.com/eps2c
Many ethnic church records are written in Latin.
Here are two sites I have found helpful:
Rootsweb hosts many interesting pages
including mail lists and message boards, and
1. Church Record Translations
many special projects. Be sure to check out their
http://www.bmi.net/jjaso/
index and dig deeper:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/
2. Family Search Latin Genealogy Wordlist:
http://tinyurl.com/b6fggo
Rootsweb also hosts freepages for those who
wish to share their research.
Cyndiʼs List is a categorized & cross-referenced
http://
index with over 265,850 easy to find links for
freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/
family history. There is everything from
“Adoption” to “Writing Your Family History”:
These pages cover more than personal family
http://www.cyndislist.com/
trees. Here is one about quarantine at Ellis
Island that includes a database of those that died
JewishGenʼs Town Search is a must for
there:
searching all localities in Central and Eastern
http://tinyurl.com/ccboyr
Europe whether you are Jewish or not. Historic
Enjoy your summer and hopefully we will meet
(17)

18. by Dorothy Alexander
Pierre has taken many personal interest
courses at Lambton College including Black
and White Darkroom, Colour Darkroom
including Cebachrome, Bird Watching, Taking
Better Pictures, and Computer Programming in
Q-Basic, Personal Computer Repair, P.C.
Repair Technician, and Instrumentation.
Pierre has two sons. The eldest, William, is
attending Lambton College and taking Internet
Application Development. The other is Robert
who will be attending Sarnia Collegiate High
School in his senior year. He plans to attend the
University of Western Ontario to study music.
The boys live with their mother, Heather. They
have been separated for six years.
This month I introduce you to Pierre Houle, a
member of SCUG since 1996. Pierre has been a member of SCUG since
1996. When he joined he was immediately
Pierre was born and raised in Sarnia. He recruited to run the Windows SIG which he did
attended Sacred Heart School and participated for 10 years. A year later he was asked to be on
in Church activities including Boy Scouts. He the Executive and has been ever since, serving
attended Northern High School and the as Public Relations, Vice President, President,
University of Waterloo from which he has a Past President and Shareware Librarian. In
bachelor's degree in Biology. His area interest 2007 he became leader of the Digital
was genetics. Photography SIG. He has also been on the
review committee since its inception. Under his
Pierre was not able to find employment in his presidency the club prospered and had a
chosen field so he decided to follow in his father membership of over a hundred. Pierre is a very
and grandfather's footsteps and become an competent instructor, being able to simplify and
electrician. This was originally a temporary explain computer related issues.
solution to pay down his university debt but
discovered he enjoyed working with his hands. In 2004 he was certified as a COMPTIA A+
He has worked in the chemical valley for 30 certified computer repair technician and started
years. Pierre is currently working at the a part-time business in computer repair and
expansion project at Bluewater Health, Norman instruction. He has a knack for troubleshooting
Street site. computer problems. Many members have used
his services. In recent months he has taken on
(18) Continued on page 25

19. Computer Email: pamela@computertutorinc.net
Website: www.computertutorinc.net
Tutor
Pamela Tabak
Q&A
Pamela Tabak receives numerous computer-related questions
via e-mail and during classroom presentations.
Did you know that Pamelaʼs column is published in 3 other User Groups:
Front Range User Group in Colorado
http://frpcug.org/k-byte/current.pdf
Hilton Head Island User Group South Carolina Pamela thanks all of you who sent in
http://hhiccbb.org/download/file.php?id=2003 all those ”excellent” questions.
She hopes this continues on.
Orange County IBM PC Usersʼ Group (California)
http://www.orcopug.org/pdf/june2009.pdf
QUESTION: Is it possible to make the icons on the Quick Launch Bar Larger with the Vista
Operating System?
ANSWER: Yes, with Windows Vista itʼs a few easy steps to enlarge the icons on your Quick
Launch Bar:
1. Unlock the Taskbar by right clicking in an empty space on the Taskbar.
2. Left click on “Lock the Taskbar” this will take out the check mark that should
be next to this option. If there is no check mark your taskbar is already
unlocked.
3. Once the Taskbar is unlocked you will notice that the Quick Launch icons have triple dotted
lines placed before the first icon and after the last icon. You will find the Quick Launch Bar
next to the Vista Orb at the left side of your taskbar.
4. RIGHT click in a space next to the last icon. If you click too close to an icon a different
menu will appear. If this happens click in a space to close the menu and try again
(19) Continued on page 20

20. Continued from page 19 - Computer Tutor
5. A menu of choices will appear. Choose “VIEW” at the top of the list.
6. Then click on “Large Icons” and the icons will increase in size.
7. LOCK your taskbar to prevent it moving.
8. Your Quick Launch Icons will now remain larger and easier to see.
QUESTION: How do I email my photographs after I have transferred all my
digital pictures from my camera onto a USB storage device?
ANSWER: To transfer digital photos
from your USB device to emails you can
save them to your hard drive first or you
can transfer them directly from your
external device.
how to do it...
To transfer them from your external device: PLUG YOUR USB DEVICE INTO YOUR COMPUTER:
* Open a new email
* Click on ATTACH or INSERT depending on your email software.
* Find (browse to find) the USB device.
* Then click on the pictures that you want to email, one by one and it will attach to the email.
* If you are using Microsoft Outlook, Windows Mail or Outlook Express you can insert all the
pictures at once by holding down the CTRL key and clicking on selected pictures. Then hit the
INSERT button.
* If you have a “block” of pictures that you wish to select you just click on the first picture in the
“Block” and then hold down the “SHIFT” key and click the last picture in the “block” (all the
pictures will be highlighted.) Then click INSERT and all the pictures will be attached to your email.
NOTE: I would advise against inserting the “picture” in the email because most people who receive
them would not know how to save them if they appear on the email. The best way to send them is to
“attach” them as a “file” and then the recipient can right click on the file to save it to their hard drive.
(20)

21. Compuprize Winners
Tonightʼs Winning Tickets R4:
50-50 draw and
an 8 gig USB Thumb Drive
Last Monthʼs Winners L-R
1) Cross-cut Shredder - Dick Wilson
2) Labeler - Gloria Johnston
Tickets $2
or
3 for $5 .
at
“Guess wh
Ian?” hat
“What’s t
Ed?”
SCUG Executive extends a
ys
“I’ve alwa huge THANK YOU to Ian for
said, all his very hard work
win attempting to entice
you can’t members to think about
without a helping out on the
ticket.”
executive. Ian worked
extremely hard on this
project.
Donʼt forget to buy a ticket $2 each or 3 for $5
(21)

22. SCUG Classifieds
(22)

23. Slide & Film Scanning 35 mm SCUG Advertising Rates
High Resolution
Full page: 1 time = $30, 3 times = $25 ea....,
6 times or more = $20 ea.
Call Pierre for a free quote Half page: 1 time = $20, 3 times = $15 ea....,
6 times or more = $10 ea.
Phone: 519-344-1379 Business card: $10 per year (9 issues)
One year = 9 issues, September to June.
Email: pahoule@sympatico.ca Full and half page rates are per insertion.
Example: 3 times $25 = $75 for 3 months
(23)

24. hobby a SCUG n
ote
fest
This year, SCUG will be at
Hobbyfest again, July 26
on Sunday July 26 from 10
am- 4 p.m..
scug
This is a good time to come out from the dark
corners of the room we hide in during our
meetings and get some fresh air.
We have even got some new members by attending this free
service brought by the City to Centennial Park.. Hope to see you
there.
Any questions or if you wish to volunteer to help out YOUR group,
please contact Norm: coordinator@scug.ca
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Sorry
(24)

25. A Huge Thanks
To All The Companies
Dick Carpani Who Supported SCUG This Season
SCUG Webmaster
giving an update on MS Windows Vista Ultimate Photodex Pro Show Producer
the SCUG website Photodex Pro Show Gold Akvis Multibrush
Akvis Sketch Peachpit Proshow book
Uniblue Registry Booster Staples, Sarnia Store
Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 RealAllusion - Crazy Talk
Adobe In Design Book CS3 Corel - Word Perfect
Applian Technologies Replay McLean & McLean Computer Serv.
Converter Dougʼs Computer Complete
Innovative Maintenance Systems - Sarnia Computer Centre Ltd.
Auto Pro Coffee Lodge & Johnʼs Restaurant
O'reilly Windows Vista book Datatek Systems
Larry Mobbs O'reilly Web 2.0 book Verdon Computer Systems
President of COMP O'reilly Dreamweaver CS3 Sarnia Inkspot
letting the us know O'Reilly Windows Vista: The Slide and Film Scanning - Pierre
what is going on in Missing Manual Open Source Products
Michigan with COMP
Continued from page 18 - HIDDEN TALENTS
less computer work so he could spend more Pierre had a life changing experience in 2007
time pursuing personal projects. when a young friend and fellow worker died in
an auto accident on his way home from work.
Another interest of his is photography. Pierre He left behind a wife and two small children.
has owned a camera since 1979. He has taken Pierre decided that there was more to life than
photography courses at night at Lambton work and started planning a trip to western
College. He joined the Bluewater Camera Club Canada. To this point in his life he had never
in 1979 but soon lost interest. He took up the had any interest in travel so this was a change
hobby again a few years later and joined the of philosophy for him. In 2008 he took a layoff
Sarnia Photochromatic Club which later from his construction job and hit the road with
became the Sarnia Photographic Club. He has his camera and a mini van filled with camping
served on the executive for many years as equipment. Pierre was gone for seven weeks,
Public Relations, Program, Vice President and increased his vehicle's mileage by 14000
is currently the President. With Pierre's kilometers and took 9000 pictures.
leadership the SPC grew from thirty five
members to over one hundred. Most of this Pierre has since cut back on club activities and
growth was due to a change from film to digital. computer repair to pursue personal projects
Pierre has a keen interest in nature which include publishing a photography book, a
photography and is known for his interesting website, traveling and showing his photography.
compositions. He has won several awards, has
had photographs published and has even sold If you know someone in SCUG who has
a few, in particular a panorama of downtown HIDDEN TALENTS?
Sarnia.
Please contact me at president@scug.ca.
(25)

26. MICROSOFTʼS NEW SEARCH ENGINE COMPETES WITH GOOGLE: bing
GOOGLE
STAND ASIDE
YOU HAVE
SERIOUS
COMPETITION
Now there is real
competition online that
will move many of us
to Microsoftʼs amazing
DECISION ENGINE
when wanting to do
A Decision some precision
searches, to save
Engine time, and to save
money.
The New York Post
says Google is
running scared. “You'd think nothing would get under the skin of search giant
Google. But co-founder Sergey Brin is so rattled by the launch of Microsoft's rival
search engine that he has assembled a team of top engineers to work on urgent
upgrades to his Web service”.
CNet.com says, “Although Microsoft has a long way to go before it makes a dent in Google's business,
Bing may end up being the only true alternative to Google”.
INFORMATIONWEEK also has great praise for this new search engine, “Bing includes features that
allow users to book travel and engage in other e-commerce transactions with just a few clicks.”
This VIDEO demonstrates the high quality search results that are more relevant that ever before: http://
tinyurl.com/mrsjum
Donʼt forget to do your own test driving on BING: www.bing.com
DUELING SEARCH ENGINES - Bing & google side-by-side on one site.
YOU MUST try out the new combined search engine of Bing and Google called: Bingle.
I cannot remember ever seeing two different search engines
running side-by-side on one website, have you? Now we can.
This is simple.
Open Bingle, type in your topic of search, and the answer will
be displayed in both Bing and Google side-by-side on the
same webpage.
(26) Check out page 27 for more...

27. Continued from page 26 - bing
The latest new site combines both search engines in one site and allows you to use both at the same
time to see what each search engine calls up for results to your query. This one is called: Bingle. Yep,
Bing for bing and gle for Google. I know that sounds crazy, but it is for real. A double search engine:
Bingle, now offers the best of both on one website. Microsoft is making headway, which is great for all
of us. We need competition - It keeps companies watching their backs, thus the end result is better
software for us to use.
Check out BINGLE at http://bingle.pwnij.com
PREDICTION: “As much as I am major fan of many of Googleʼs software programs, including itʼs
search engine, I predict that Microsoftʼs new search engine “bing” will win out in the all-new search
wars that are about to take place in Cyberspace,” greg west, editor SCUG Report.
cnet.com says, “Microsoft Bing: Much better than expected”.
never
Bingle gets
answers in
both search
engines at the
been
same time on
done
SCUG Report
the same
webpage B 4
bing results to SCUG Report search Google results to SCUG Report search
(27)

28. SCUG is a proud member of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups
Please check the website
www.scug.ca
for the 2009 - 2010
SCUG Schedule
***
SCUG Members
can advertise sale not available @
items at no charge as
part of their press time!
membership perks.
Have a great summer
SCUG Disclaimers
1. The viewpoints found inside SCUG
Report are not necessarily the views of the
SCUG Executive nor of the SCUG
Membership, only that of the said authors
of articles and reviews. ELECTION UPDATE...
2. Disclaimer: (SCUG Report) "The SCUG "I would like to thank those who have
accepts no responsibility for errors or agreed to take an executive position and
omissions in the Newsletter. all members who took the time to discuss
Advertisements are paid for and should being on the executive."
not be considered as endorsements by
SCUG ." Ian Hunt, Acting VP, SCUG
3. Advertising Guidelines”
Advertising in the Newsletter is
subject to the approval of the
Executive and, if accepted, will be
at the current published rate.
(28)