Upcoming Meetings

General Meeting 
Tues.June 04, 2013. @ 7:00pm
General Meeting and More
Board Meeting   
Tues., May 14, 2013 @ 3pm   
All members welcome.
Mac Users SIG
May 27, 2013

Maybe Do This

Submitted by Lou Miller on Mon, 10/01/2012 - 13:28

a1-P9301190.JPGI read the other day about someone who backs up their computer the way I do. So I thought I would share the method with you.

There are problems with how many people back up their computer. Usually they only back up their documents (pictures and music, for example) and many folks do not even know how to back up their emails. If their computer crashes, they will have to reinstall the operating system and all their programs and may never get back their emails and contact information.

Here's what I do in addition to making a backup of my documents and data files. I make a clone of my hard drive.

I attach an external dock for a sata hard drive. I put a sata drive in the dock and then I run software that clones everything on my working hard drive unto the drive in the external dock. If you but a Western Digital hard drive you can download software (Acronis True Image) from the Western Digital site that will allow you to make a clone. There are also other utilities you can obtain that will also perform this task.

If my hard drive dies, I just uninstall it and install the clone and I am back in business. I will lose whatever I have created since the last time I cloned the disk, but it may be retrievable from the regular data backups I also do.

If you have an eSata port on your computer you can test the clone by setting your computer to boot from the eSata port.

This method probably works best for desktops.
 

Do Not Do This

Submitted by Lou Miller on Mon, 10/01/2012 - 13:03

P9251110.JPGMy camera and myself went for an unplanned swim in the lake a week or so ago. I survived it unscratched and undaunted but my camera not so much. It had gotten wet. My friend suggested putting it into a container filled with rice which would act as a dessicant. So I did that. After two days, it would power up, but then not do anything else.

I thought maybe there was some water deep within the camera so I put the camera in the microwave, set the power to very low and for only a few seconds. As soon as I hit the start switch, the camera burst into flame.

I did not have to worry any longer about whether that camera would ever work again.

So I decided to take it apart and see what made it tick.  CLICK ON THE READ MORE TO SEE THE RESULTS.
 

The history of the @ symbol

From the Smithsonian Magazine: The Accidental History of the @ Symbol
Once a rarely used key on the typewriter, the graceful character has become the very symbol of modern electronic communication

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/The-Accidental-History-of-t...

JOE'S NOVICE CLASSES: COMPUTER TRAINING AT CHOTA REC. CENTER

COMPUTER TRAINING AT CHOTA REC. CENTER

 You do not have to have a laptop computer, nor do you have to attend every single class to benefit. Each two hour module will teach you a certain aspect of using your computer and is available for the beginner and the advanced computer user. Most of it is also applicable to MAC users. If you are a beginner we will build off of each previous module so that you will be able to use your computer more efficiently. Bring your own laptop or use one of our Windows computers (please know which operating system you have at home). If you are a MAC user bring your lap top. 

You will learn the basics for using your computer, the Internet, and email. In addition we will cover how to keep your computer safe and running in top condition. Call me at 865-458-3834 or email me at jmsoly@gmail.com if you have questions about the class. There is no sign up for the class.

All classes are all held in Room D at the Chota Rec Center.  The following topics will be included:
     The basics, HDD, SRAM, desktop and your keyboard
     Working your computer - copy, delete, rename, etc.
     More of working your computer and personalizing it to your needs
     Using the internet and your email
     Computer security, maintenance and backup

Keeping your computer running at top speed

Keeping your computer running at top speed
Submitted by Joe Solymossy - First Level Support

By now we all realize that computers are a part of our life. For some of us it is a big part for others less so. But they are a part of all of our lives. How much that part frustrates us can usually be traced to how "fast" your computer runs. That is how much work or time does it take you to get done what you want with your computer. Similar to your car, if you don't do certain "maintenance" to your car, it does not give you the service you want. Your computer also needs some care and feeding. At the very least here is a basic list of "care and feeding" we should all do regularly.

Windows update should start automatically at 1 am daily or set it to a time your computer will usually be on and not in use.
There is no harm to leaving your computer on all the time. Get a good surge protector, and disconnect your computer when you leave the house for more than a few days, or if there is a violent thunder storm due or in progress. Turning it off still allows potential damage from a lightning strike close by.

Vince Alline Reports:

W20120719-TS-Gadgets.jpg

Do you run gadgets/sidebar on your Windows Vista/7 machine? 

If so you might want to consider getting rid of them because they may be a security risk.

Here's the story

 

 

Ten Video Editing Tools

Since everyone has a movie camera, everyone needs video editing tools. Here's a list from Bob Rankin: http://askbobrankin.com/ten_video_editing_tools.html#ixzz21wu1Y6b0

Microsoft Live Movie Maker Free. 
FreeMake It claims to be the only free software that rips videos from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Dailymotion, LiveLeak, and 50 more sites.
Apple iMovie More sophisticated than Movie Maker, but for the Mac
Cyberlink PowerDirector 10 NOT free. $82. 
Adobe Premiere Elements 10 NOT free $100.

WiFi Hot Spots in Tellico Village

WiFi Hot Spots in Tellico Village compliments Kevin Alfont and Sharon Addison

hotspots2.jpg

Sharon Addison adds the following information provided by Kevin Alfont:

TAP receives 2-year grant from East Tennessee Foundation

Submitted by Janet M. Trimbath on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 14:48

     TVCUC Technology Access Program (TAP) has been the recipient of a $5,000 two-year continuation grant from the Youth Endowment of East Tennessee Foundation (ETF).  The initial grant award of $2,500 will be for the period  of Juhe 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013 and the grant will be continued in the same amount for the period of June 1, 2013 to May 31, 2014.    For more information about the East Tennessee Foundation, click on the following link.      http://www.easttennesseefoundation.org
    The volunteers of TAP are appreciatrive of the support for the on-going project which addresses the lack of home computer access by disadvantaged students in East Tennessee.  Grant funds may be used to support the purchase of needed components to refurbish donated computers.  Qualified recipients are given free home computer systems that are ready to be plugged in and used.  Up-to-date Microsoft software, sound cards, a re-writeable CD drive, speakers, power supplies, Internet  capability, a mouse/keyboard, a printer...and even a ream of paper are provided so the new owner(s) can begin using the computer right away.
     Thank you to the Youth Endowment Grant Committee for recognizing the value of TVCUC's Technology Access Program.

TVCUC Slide Scanner Program

Submitted by Dean Miller on Tue, 03/13/2012 - 09:07

YOU CAN CAPTURE THOSE MEMORIES AND SHARE THEM WITH FAMILY!

We currently have available for use by the club members a Pacific Image PowerSlide 3650
35mm slide scanner, a Nikon Coolscan negative scanner and a Minolta Dimage Scan Elite
for both 35mm slides and negatives.

In addition, the members have the use of the club’s Dell Inspiron 5150 laptop computer to
process the slide images using the installed software and save them on a CD for viewing.

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