C omputer B ooter The The The The January 2013 January 2013 January 2013 January 2013 Computer Booters of Sun Lakes Club News Club News Club News Club News Membership Report 2 From the President 3 Volunteers 3 Program Update 4 Treasurer’s Report 4 Features Features Features Features Computer Booters 5 Opt-out of online tracking 6 Club Information 7 Calendar Last page CTC Update 6 January newsletter highlights INSIDE INSIDE INSIDE INSIDE I f you’re reading this, the world didn’t end on Decem- ber 21. That’s a relief! To understand why it didn’t, see NASA’s video at the following YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY_Gc1bF8ds Guy Laroche’s Membership report on page 2 emphasizes the need to renew your membership so you can continue to attend meetings and classes. On page 3, Ben Thompson reminds us of the January meeting date change (to Thursday, January 10) and talks about the member survey. Marie Krula thanks all our vol- unteers. In the Program Update on page 4, Ben tells how to get a copy of the handout provided by our December speaker, and summarizes the January program. Also see Janet Quade’s Treasurer’s report on page 4. Kc Coller explains the workings of our club on page 5, and on page 6 Patricia Hill updates us on the latest news of the Computer Technology Conference. Also on page 6, you will find a computer tip from Kim Komando on opting out of online tracking. This article is courtesy of Weststar TalkRadio Network. Best wishes to all for a happy and fulfilling 2013!
Transcript
Computer Booter TheTheTheThe
January 2013January 2013January 2013January 2013 Computer Booters of Sun Lakes
C l u b N e w sC l u b N e w sC l u b N e w sC l u b N e w s
Membership Report 2
From the President 3
Volunteers 3
Program Update 4
Treasurer’s Report 4
F e a t u r e sF e a t u r e sF e a t u r e sF e a t u r e s
Computer Booters 5
Opt-out of online tracking 6
Club Information 7
Calendar Last page
CTC Update 6
January newsletter highlights
I N S I D EI N S I D EI N S I D EI N S I D E I f you’re reading this, the world didn’t end on Decem-ber 21. That’s a relief! To understand why it didn’t, see NASA’s video at the following YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY_Gc1bF8ds Guy Laroche’s Membership report on page 2 emphasizes the need to renew your membership so you can continue to attend meetings and classes. On page 3, Ben Thompson reminds us of the January meeting date change (to Thursday, January 10) and talks about the member survey. Marie Krula thanks all our vol-unteers. In the Program Update on page 4, Ben tells how to get a copy of the handout provided by our December speaker, and summarizes the January program. Also see Janet Quade’s Treasurer’s report on page 4. Kc Coller explains the workings of our club on page 5, and on page 6 Patricia Hill updates us on the latest news of the Computer Technology Conference. Also on page 6, you will find a computer tip from Kim Komando on opting out of online tracking. This article is courtesy of Weststar TalkRadio Network. Best wishes to all for a happy and fulfilling 2013!
The Computer Booter / January 2013 2
C l u b N e w s
Membership Report
by Guy Laroche, CLUB RECORDS DIRECTOR
A lready 2013, so it is time to plan for get-ting up to date on the latest technology. Progress never stops. Where can you do that? At the Computer Booters club of Sun Lakes, obviously.
New member promotion: Sun Lakes residents signing up for the first time for the Computer Booters club in January 2013 will receive a flash drive. Single memberships will get one 8 GB flash drive and family type member-ships will get one 16 GB flash drive. New members are those returning after at least a two-year absence – 2010 or earlier. Tell your friends and neighbors.
Existing members, your membership expires January 1, therefore it is time to renew your membership if you have not done it yet. After the January general meeting, the email data-base will be purged. The dues remain the same, that is, $36.00 for individuals and $48.00 for two persons living at the same ad-dress. The dues are now for a 12-month pe-riod (one year). Existing members before the summer break will have their renewal date of January 1, 2013. It means you will need to renew as soon as possible in order to con-tinue to participate in club activities such as special one-time presentations and classes and general meetings. Members who do not renew their membership by January 10, 2013 will not be able to attend meetings and classes until they renew.
Individuals signing up or renewing their membership at the general meeting will re-ceive their new badge at the same meeting. Individuals sending their form and check via
snail mail will get the badge at the next gen-eral meeting.
Attention: Since the first Tuesday of 2013 falls on the first of January, the January gen-eral meeting will be Thursday, January 10, 2013. (Yes it is on a Thursday.)
Are you up to speed on new technologies? There are so many new things coming out every month, it is difficult to keep up. That is where computer clubs come in. At Computer Booters we have many volunteers, each one having an area of expertise. They are ready to share their knowledge with our members. We offer many classes on various subjects. Already a member? Bring friends or neighbors.
What does your $36 or $48 cover? It includes general meetings, door prizes, and all classes that you care to attend. At the latest I counted 16 different classes offered on 60 evenings. They are on average four consecu-tive weeks per subject. In addition, you can always talk to someone in the club regarding specific problems. We have a number of members that can answer computer-related questions, and one member can do in-your-home repairs – for a small fee.
When filing a membership form, print your email address clearly. The form is available on our website www.computerbooters.org (left column of the home page, under mem-bership). Also check our website for news and information.
See you January 10 and bring a potential member if you like. As in the past, each guest is allowed one free meeting.
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From the President’s Desk
by Ben Thompson, PRESIDENT
C l u b N e w s
www.computerbooters.org / January 2013
Y ou probably have heard it before but I feel that it is important to call your atten-tion again to the date change for our January general meeting. Since our regular meeting night, the first Tuesday of the month, is New Year’s Day we looked for the best alternative. Thursday, January 10 turned out to be the best day available considering meeting room and guest speaker availability. Please come and bring a guest to the Arizona room for our 7:00 pm meeting. You will find more details relating to our speaker and his topic for the evening in the Program Update section of this newsletter. Our new Vice President, Howard Winkle, hit
the ground running and along with an able team of volunteers is developing a compre-hensive survey of the changing interest of our members. We will look for every opportunity to obtain inputs from each and every member during the coming weeks. Your volunteers, board members and elected officials are all working together to make 2013 an exciting and rewarding year. We en-courage everyone to participate in their areas of interest and capabilities. Please see Marie Krula, our Volunteer Coordinator, and Sue Klein, our Classes Coordinator for more infor-mation on how you can help.
Look Who’s Volunteering
by Marie Krula, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Vivian Berman, Al Behr, Jim Gatesman, Nona Hove Shari Thompson, Robert Bennett, Darrel Kreglo & JR Scheidereiter
And To our dedicated Board Members and Facilitators of the Computer Booters club
Ben Thompson, Howard Winkle, Hal Wochholz, Colette McNally, Janet Quade, Lu Kinner, Doug Fairbanks, Guy Laroche, Marie Krula, Sue Klein, Kc Coller, Jon Inman, Al Hill, Ed Schweitzer, Rollie Baumann, Patricia Hill, George Rodriguez, Bob D’Evelyn, Tom Piatak, Fred Smith, Linda Smith, Janet Goodyear & Michael Goodyear
We thank you all!
4 The Computer Booter / January 2013
C l u b N e w s
Program Update
by Ben Thompson, PRESIDENT
demonstrated with actual photos taken by the presenter and his wife, both experienced wild flower photographers. He will show you the camera setups as well as techniques to handle the various problems of close up pho-tography. If you have ever wanted to take better pictures of small things, this is a ses-sion you will not want to miss. Once you have your prize photographs stored on your computer, you must take some im-portant steps to make sure that they will not be lost in a computer crash. The presenter will describe how he saves his many digital photos on his computer and how he makes sure that they are properly backed up. Our speaker, Gene Barlow, has been an avid photographer since the early age of 15. He is a well-known presenter and supporter of PC user groups and you can expect him to be an interesting and informative presenter.
December Recap In December, Bob Gostischa, representing Avast antivirus software, returned to Sun Lakes to report on the latest and greatest in security protection to make our Internet experi-ence a safe one. Bob showed us how Internet security (protecting both your computer and your identity) can be demysti-fied. Please go to "Meeting Handouts" on our web-site at www.computerbooters.org, to access the helpful information provided by Bob. You will also find step by step instructions for in-stalling Avast antivirus software as well as links to other websites that he has provided us.
January 2013 Program Please note the date change
Taking Successful Close-up Photographs and Protecting them from loss is the topic of this meeting. The presentation on Thursday, January 10 will be on ways to take better close-up photographs that win praises from all. The photographic techniques will be
Treasurer’s Report
by Janet Quade, TREASURER
Balance as of December 10 , 2012: $ 4,931.47
5 www.computerbooters.org / January 2013
F e a t u r e
T his club consists entirely of members and the members who are volunteers. The volunteers do everything! They preside over meetings, arrange for speakers, keep track of finances and record information, take care of and set up equipment and hardware, coordinate volun-teers and classes and discussion groups and han-dle memberships and money. They greet and wel-come members and guests. They take care of com-m u n i c a t i o n s , publish newslet-ters and help keep members informed of con-ferences about clubs interests. In fact the entire computer club consists be-cause of volunteers that consistently “Step up to the plate.” Many become a facilitator for a class about a subject they enjoy and feel comfortable with and don’t mind sharing their joy with others interested and who want to learn or just talk about like-minded interests. The club was established to aid computer owners in achieving maximum results from their home or small business computer. Any Sun Lakes Community resident may become a member. With more than 200 members there is a wide age and interest range for be-
ginners through more experienced users. A favorite of the club is its classes. A class for Computer Booters is an informative group of computer users sharing their hobby or in-terest in the use of computers. Some of the classes are: Beginning Computers (for com-puter beginners), ProShow Gold (DVD Pro-ducing), Windows 7 (Microsoft windows), Friendly PC (Keeping your PC clean, fast and friendly), Quicken, Power Point, Excel, and Photo Shop Elements just to name some. Since there is a huge range of topics most in-terests of a computer user in hobby or per-sonal business will be covered. The facilitator and attendees discuss a specific program; it’s “ins” and “outs” and how to use the parts and put things together. Being a member is a great way to join with others and learn more about a hobby that uses a computer and learn more about what a computer can do for you. Join us at a meeting. Become a member and attend a class or two (free to members). Find the flavor that fits. The club has all flavors and sizes and we’d be more than happy to show you around. Just know this club is made up of members and volunteers who are also members. Give us a try. You might like us.
What is the Computer Booters Club?
by Kc Coller, PUBLICITY DIRECTOR
ProShow Gold facilitator Bob D’Evelyn and his assistant Barbara D’Evelyn
F e a t u r e
R egistration is now open for the Com-puter Technology Conference. Yes, you can l og on t o the webs i te ,
www.CompTechConf.com, to register for Ari-zona’s premier computer and technology con-ference, held at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino April 4, 5 & 6, 2013. See the December Computer Booter newsletter for all the details – or check out the web site for the latest and greatest. Come to the confer-ence, attend some classes, learn new things, meet new people and maybe win a raffle or door prize or two. Register at the resort by March 1 for three or more nights ($139/night, single or double) and your conference fee is $75. Don’t want to stay at the resort? Register by March 13 and the conference fee is $99; $125 March 14 and on.
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Computer Technology Conference (CTC) Update
by Patricia Hill, CONFERENCE DIRECTOR
The Computer Booter / January 2013
At the December Board Meeting, your Booter Board set aside money to cover the Early Bird Registration Fee for members ($75 or $99, above). This is a great deal, so be sure to reg-ister early. We’re working on a lot of surprises, so don’t be left out. Registration questions should be directed to Sandy Hart, [email protected]; general questions can be answered by Patricia Hill, [email protected].
Opt-out of online tracking
by Kim Komando, WWW.KOMANDO.COM
T here is a lot of buzz about opt-out sys-tems. Most major browsers have anti-tracking technology built in. However, it
will take a while for that to become main-stream.
Today's Cool Site helps you opt-out of tracking now. You can see a list of the tracking cookies on your computer. Plus, you can see what com-panies haven't started tracking you yet.
You can choose to opt-out of every advertiser. You can also select specific advertisers to opt-out of. Clicking an advertiser link tells you more
about it. The system places an opt-out cookie for each advertiser you select. Those cookies are good for several years. They should keep your activities from being tracked.
Note that this doesn't cover every advertiser out there. Some don't have easy opt-out sys-tems. Additionally, clearing your browser's cookies clears the opt-out cookies as well. You will want to bookmark this site and check back occasionally.
selectout.org
www.computerbooters.org / January 2013 7
The COMPUTER BOOTERS OF SUN LAKES is a non-profit organization established to aid personal computer users in achieving maximum results from their home or small business computer. This newsletter is published monthly from September through May by the COMPUTER BOOTERS. It is not connected with any commercial or private business. The information contained in this news-letter is believed to be correct and accurate. However, the COMPUTER BOOTERS assume no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions. Any information used from these articles is at the user’s risk. The COMPUTER BOOTERS meet the first Tuesday of each month, except in June, July and August when we do not meet. We meet at 7:00 PM in the Arizona Room of Sun Lakes One Country Club, south of Riggs Road on Sun Lakes Blvd. Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 1:30 PM in the Navajo Room at Sun Lakes One. Contact Guy Laroche regarding membership at: 480-883-0638 or [email protected] Other computer user groups have our permission to use the articles written by our members as long as credit is given to the author and source and no-tice is sent to the Editor. Lu Kinner, Newsletter Editor - [email protected]
