CrossRidge Technology Club

At our December 16 meeting we will explore many holiday web sites (Christmas and Hanakkah) and get many ideas such as holiday games, cooking ideas, holiday projects, etc. Download the Powerpoint presentation here (needs QuickTime) or view it online here.

On October 21, 2009 we learned all about: Read the "Fifty Plus" Article on Facebook How to Use Facebook: Video Series

We learned how to on September 16, 2009.

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Do you think you need to spend a fortune to protect your computer? Wrong. At our May 20 meeting we learned how to protect our computers with sound strategies and with free state-of-the-art software.

WINDOWS USERS: Get AVG Free Edition Basic virus protection here. (Remember to uninstall any other Virus software you have first). You can not run 2 virus protection programs together. All of the following spyware detectors and cache cleaner programs can run on your computer simultaneously: Ccleaner can be found here. Ad-Aware can be found here. Spybot S&D can be found here. Windows Defender (Microsoft) can be found here. Malwarebytes's Anti-Malware, one of the best newcomers, is here.

MAC USERS: (10.5 only--PC Tools' free version of iAntiVirus is here.) Though not free, MacScan is the best anti-spyware out there for Macs ($29.99)

Use Online Virus Scans Occasionally - Not all antivirus programs work the same. Different ones may find infections that others do not and vice-versa. It is therefore recommended that you occasionally run some free online antivirus scanners. We recommend for Windows users to use Kaspersky. You should disable your installed virus program first. You can find directions here. DON'T FORGET TO TURN YOUR COMPUTER'S VIRUS PROTECTION BACK ON!

One of the sounder surfing strategies which we also discussed is using a different, safe and secure web browser other than Internet Explorer. Mozilla's Firefox, for example, can be found here.

Remember, always turn on automatic security updates for Windows and for Macs. It is not wise to disable them or automatic virus updates. Also, if you have a choice on your wireless router configure it with WPA not WEP encrypted passwords (some older routers, however, do not support this and some older computers as well). WPA passwords nearly impossible to crack.

You might also wish to view the PowerPoint show on "Phishing" available for download here or for viewing online here). You should also read this important article on keeping your computer safe.

This next point has nothing to do with making your computer safe, but if you think your computer is slugglish try using a registry cleaner. The best free one out there is called Glary Utilities and it is really pretty good. You only need to clean your registry at most once a month.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 : The evening's main presentation was on "Using Wii Fit and Wii Sports." The presentation was done by Spencer Lauterbach, a CrossRidge Resident and member of the CrossRidge Technology Club. The Wii Fit is an exciting way to do "fun exercise" in the privacy of your home and bowl, play tennis, do step aerobics, etc. The video above requires the QuickTime plug-in for your viewing. If you need it, go here. A Windows Media version is here.

On January 21 2009 Allen Cleaton of MacPro Solutions presented all things Apple—iPods, iPhones, Mac computers, networking products, etc. Did you know you could run Windows XP or Vista on a Mac? (Just visit Susan Dunn's office and see her new Mac running Windows XP in a separate window!) Or did you know you could go back in time and retrieve a deleted or lost file or folder? Most people did not know that. Did you know for example that Macs have a higher version of Microsoft Office release than Windows? Did you know you can wirelessly connect to a remote printer and/or stream music around your home inexpensively (surround sound) with an airport express or two?

For more on this and any of the previous topics covered at our meetings please visit the MEETING NOTES section on this site. POWERPOINT SHOWS from the meetings are available for download or viewiing. Additionally, helpful ARTICLES on some of the topics discussed at our meetings are available either as portable document files (PDFs) or as web links. You may also find the SOFTWARE and HARDWARE areas on this page useful in providing you with further information about topics of interest. Finally, we hope the additional HELPFUL LINKS provided on this site for your future exploration will also enhance your experiences with technology as we grow together in our understanding of technical concepts. See you at our next meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009 at 7 pm in the Celebration Room at the Pavilion. While you are exploring and learning also have some fun. Play with some of the gidgets/gadgets on this page. If you ever think you're "lame" with the computer read the COMPUTER STUPIDITIES link--you'll feel like a genius! Frankly, no one was born knowing about all of these topics. Just remember, it is never too late to learn!