Computer Interest Group

The Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana Computer Interest Group meeting starts at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month September through May at the main Allen County Public Library usually in one of the Meeting Rooms. Generally a round-robin type discussion of current computer issues, problems, and current events are discussed.

Most members are using Windows XP, some of us use Windows VISTA and have not experienced all the negative things VISTA is accused of. Windows 7 should be available October 22, 2009 and will use less resources than VISTA. Windows 7 has better reviews and may be worth an upgrade if your system can handle it. As ususal, Microsoft does not provide an upgrade from any system other than the last release which is Vista, in other words all us XP users must do a clean install. That means reinstall all your settings, software, drivers if needed, etc.

Family Tree Maker and Legacy Family Tree are the most common genealogy software being used. Microsoft Office 2007 is the current version for Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Microsoft Office Web Applications will be FREE lightweight versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote available online as a compliment to Office 2010 which is coming in the first half of 2010! Open Office a free alternative resembles earlier versions before Office 2007 switched to the graphic ribbon interface. Photoshop Elements 7 is affordable digital image editing software that also includes the Organizer which helps you organize and access all your digital images regardless of where they reside on you computer or network.

Family Tree Maker 2010 is to be released August 19, 2009.

General Recommendations

  1. Windows operating system should be kept up to date. Go to the Security Center in Control Panel or go to the Start button, All Programs, at the top of the menu is Windows Update which takes your browser to the Windows Update site where you need to right click and install the Active X control on the yellow bar to check your update status.
    1. Windows Automatic Updates is the easiest technique to use so you automatically get your monthly updates, which are usually the second Wednesday of the month. Go to the Start Button, on the right click Control Panel, double click Security Center, Automatic Updates should be green. If you don't see the Security Center in Windows XP Control Panel you do not have Service Pack 2 installed. You should be using Service Pack 3 which installs all service packs and updates to its release date.
  2. Internet Security Suites and Virus Scanners are essential when surfing the internet and must be kept up to date. You can use CNET Security Center and Internet Security Suite Review to determine and download best choices.
    1. McAfee, Norton, ZoneAlarm and others sell Security Suites which contain a firewall, virus scanner, file shredder, and other tools to protect your system and network. A firewall allows you to block internet addresses and ports on your router and computers to protect against malicious software attacks and even keep track of any such attempts. All routers whether ethernet or wireless should use up to date firewall's and security to protect your network. Comcast subscribers get McAfee Security Suite as part of their monthly fee here in Indiana so is the most affordable way to secure up to 7 computers on your home network.
    2. AVG is a free virus scanner but it does not have Real-time scanning unless you purchase the full version, meaning you can download a trojan or virus from a web site, but your won't know it until you run a manual scan.
      1. Best to use a Real-time virus scanner like McAfee, Norton, Avast, or any other well known virus-scanners which will catch most viruses and trojans if they try to download to your computer.
    3. Malware protection searches for other types of malicious software. Again freeware like Ad-Aware and SpyBot are not real-time scanners, unless you purchase the full version. Windows Defender is a free spyware detection program from Microsoft and is a part of Windows VISTA.
    4. How Did Hackers Cripple Twitter August 6, 2009? - they didn't have updated security measures.
  3. Web Browsers should also be kept up to date for security and performance purposes. Current browsers include Internet Explorer 8, Firefox 3, Google Chrome, Safari 4, Opera, and others. Unfortunately, browsers are getting more confusing not less. Certain applications and operating system updates may only work with Internet Explorer. Some browsers use less resources and use current state of the art technology better than others. Portable devices like cell phones and music players may work better with particular browsers.
  4. Genealogy Software, most cost around $30:

Classes

Recycle Your Technology

You can recycle old technology to non-profit groups that refurbish and provide free equipment to needy students and families for internet and email use. Allen County Solid Waste Management District. City of Fort Wayne Solid Waste Management. Some local alternatives are Summit City Asset Remarketing of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Reconnect works with Goodwill Industries. Billian buys printer cartridges. Best Buy Recycling sometimes charges then gives $10 certificates towards new purchases. Office Depot gives $3 coupons for ink cartridges and offers recycling boxes for larger items. Tech Soup is mostly Canadian sources.

New Operating Systems, Software and more

PCMag recommended Free Back to School Software August 5, 2009

Anyone familiar with GenealogyWise.com a social networking site for genealogy similar to Facebook?

Microsoft Connect, Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference

Google Chrome Operating System, interesting New York Times story on Google vs. Microsoft

The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding - uses PHP and MySQL database tables online.

Chameleon by Occulis Labs makes shoulder surfing imposssible, only you can see your data, everyone else sees gibberish. SciFi for real.