The Computer Club Newsletter

December  2003

By Howard Jones

The December 2nd meeting at the Yacht Club featured Computer Basics from 6:30 PM to about 8 PM followed by a casual social period with refreshments. Members had the opportunity for conversation between members and with Board members who were able to help in the solution of computer problems not addressed in the earlier session. The new electrically operated drop down screen purchased by the POA with significant funding from the Garden Club was used for the first time. The 7’ by 9’ foot screen is a great improvement over the old smaller floor standing screen. Thanks to all who participated in making this improvement to the YC meeting room amenities.

The January 6th meeting will be held at the Yacht Club, with Computer Basics at 6:30 PM and the featured presentation at 7:30 PM. Club members will present "How to Prepare a Meeting Presentation". The objective is to share the experience and knowledge of Computer Club members with leaders of all Tellico Village Activity Groups. We will demonstrate what Tellico Village resources are available to make presentations using software and hardware. The use of slide shows, videotapes, sound, the Internet, etc. will be shown and a handout summarizing the resources in Tellico Village and how to use them will be available. Much of what will be presented will also apply to making presentations at home to family groups. So, bring your questions and ideas and learn new skills. Questions from the floor will be addressed throughout the meeting.

Please visit our website at www.tvcuc.org for last minute information about this meeting. Channel 3 will also broadcast meeting details. We hope to see you there.

"What Can You Do With Your Old Computer?" This is the time of year when many new computers are being purchased in the Village. There are two key issues when you acquire a new computer. First, how do I transfer data from the old computer to the new computer? To learn how best to accomplish this I recommend visiting the next Computer Club meeting with your specific questions. These will be addressed in the 6:30 PM to 7:40 PM Computer Basics session. The other key issue is what can I do with the old computer? Following are your options for either the use or disposal of a used computer.

If you decide to keep your old computer you can continue to use it as a "stand alone" computer for the grand children when they visit. Or, you can network it with your new computer and use it to backup/store information for redundant storage of documents and/or photos.

Another option is to give the old computer to a child, grandchild or family member/friend who doesn’t have a computer. Many of the computers being replaced in the Village are ideal for a beginner to use for Email and basic letter writing. They can be easily connected to the Internet using the dialup modem installed in most of them. By signing up for a basic Internet Service Provider (ISP) at a cost from free to $9.95 a month, the "Web" can be explored and Email can be exchanged.

In the spring, March 12th this next year, the Village Garage Sale that benefits the gardens will accept used computers and printers. The Computer Club will be reviewing the used computers donated, and their peripherals to make sure they are usable for sale. It’s not too early to call John Kish at 408-0190 or Becky Boyd at the POA offices, 458-5408, ext. 2634. They are working to establish a place to receive and store these items so that the Computer Club, well ahead of the Garage Sale, can check them out. Delete your personal data from your computer before donating it. That’s generally the files in "My Documents". All donated computers should have their original software licenses with them so that they can be sold for use legitimately – that means legally. Without the software licenses we must delete the operating system and applications which greatly reduces their value to that of hardware only. Organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army will, I believe, take used computers for sale in their stores. In all cases, if you have a monitor or printer that doesn’t work, I recommend you dispose of them as you would any household appliance that no longer functions. Please do not donate non-functioning monitors for the Village Garage Sale. In some cases, schools will accept complete, functioning computers, the newer the better.

Of course another option is to sell your old computer. What is one worth? If it’s an old AT computer (6-7 years old) with even the early Intel Pentium processors, they have no value. A computer with an ATX based motherboard using an Intel MMX processor with a speed up to 200 MHz may bring $25 and would be a good computer for younger grand children. An Intel PII or PIII with a 200-400 MHz processor may bring $50-75. These would be very useable for a beginning computer user. Computers with a 400-800 MHz processor would be worth $100-150 and would be very suitable for a learner. How do you know what your computers consist of? If you down load the BeLarc Advisor, a free utility, at http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html  you can print out a very complete picture of what your computer is from a hardware and software perspective. I recommend everyone download and use the BeLarc Advisor on each of your computers, keeping a printout with your household files for future reference.

As Ron Uncapher always reminds us, make sure you update your antivirus software at least weekly. There are settings that will enable this to be done automatically. If you should have questions about how to do this ask your neighborhood computer guru or bring your questions to the January 6th meeting of the Tellico Village Computer Users Club.