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President's Piece
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Welcome to 2012.
Did you have a good Christmas? More importantly, did you get some really
good presents? Perhaps some new computer hardware or software.
A fantastic roll up of entrants for the Christmas Challenge was well
received by all. This years challenge saw entries mainly in the DVD
category, and weren't they exceptionally good! Congratulations to all
who took part in the Christmas Challenge. The quality of entries this
year surpassed our expectations. Geoff and I found it very difficult on
the evening to award the limited amount of prizes when there were so
many worthy recipients. It was indeed a great effort from all.
A suggestion has been put forward to have a challenge part way through
the year instead of just at Christmas time. Another suggestion is to
have a number of set tasks for members to perform on a tri-monthly
basis.
The tasks would be related to a demonstration from a Friday night
meeting and followed up with a more "hands on" version at the following
SUNSIG. The committee would like to get feedback from members on this
subject so we can make recommendations to next year’s committee.
On that subject members are reminded that fees are now due, and it is
necessary to be a financial member to be able to take part in next
month’s elections. Yes it is time to elect a new committee again. How
about some new faces to join the committee this year. For members that
are thinking seriously about becoming part of next year’s Committee a
detailed description of each position will appear in next month’s
newsletter to hopefully answer all of your questions.
Lyall Davis...
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From
the Editor |
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2012 CES event this week in Las Vegas...
Just one example, at random, of things to come: Fujitsu has revealed at the
world's thinnest smartphone namely Arrows ES IS12F . Measuring just 6.7mm
thick and weighing a mere 105g, ARROWS ES IS12F pushes the limits of slim
handset design as one of the world's thinnest smartphones.
It incorporates a range of advanced features, including fluid
high-resolution video, infrared communications, a 5.11 mega pixel camera
that can capture Hi-Vision videos and for many will replace their
conventional PC. We’ve crossed the threshold from 2011 as we move
optimistically into 2012.
Thinking about the rapid development of technology prompts me to pause for a
moment or two and share a couple of thoughts that come to mind
Today happens to be January 11 and coincides with quite a significant local
event that occurred in 1933. Some of you will remember...some of you will be
surprised and some might wonder what the connection with computers might be.
“What,” you might ask “ happened locally all those years ago that could rate
a mention in a PC Newsletter? In 1933 Seven Mile Beach, at the Gerroa end,
was used by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith in the early hours as the runway for
the first commercial flight between Australia and New Zealand. Morse code
was used to communicate with ships at sea to track progress on what could be
compared with more recent space exploration. The Wright brothers had flown
just a few hundred metres in 1903 and the significance of aircraft
development and its potential for general community benefit had yet to be
proven.
Advances in communication, navigation, aircraft design, engine reliability
and support infrastructure have lifted that crude machine and it
capabilities to a level where community expectations in terms of access to
emerging technology are taken for granted. Change is part of our lives and
if we can understand at least some of the new stuff, we can choose which of
the new ideas could be useful and also decide what does not fit our values
or how we spend our time. The choice is ours.
I must admit to another connection with that old aircraft and its famous
pilot. My father had little money but invested ten shillings in a ticket to
fly with Kingsford Smith on one occasion in Newcastle during those far off
“barnstorming” days when pilots were able to earn a little extra to keep
flying. He took me along for the ride as a very young boy.
Frank…
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Dos Box |
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Gwenda Webber shares an interesting experience which will probably generate
further discussion at our next meeting:
“I recently upgraded my computer to Windows 7 (64 bit) Home Premium. This is
really great for many reasons; however, my older Family History cd’s are DOS
based and will not work on my newly upgraded machine. (#@#%) bother!!
Enter: Mr Google…… Windows XP Mode Windows XP Mode works in two ways—both as
a virtual operating system and as a way to open programs within Windows 7.
Windows XP Mode runs in a separate window on the Windows 7 desktop, much
like a program, except it's a fully functional version of Windows XP. In
Windows XP Mode, you can access your physical
computer's CD/DVD drive, install programs, save files, and perform other
tasks as if you were using a computer running Windows XP.
When you install a program in Windows XP Mode, the program appears in both
the Windows XP Mode list of programs and in the Windows 7 list of programs,
so you can open the program directly from Windows 7. Make sure you're
running Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate.
To find out which edition of Windows 7 you're running, click the Start
button , right-click Computer, and then click Properties. The edition of
Windows 7 you are running is displayed under Windows edition near the top of
the window. ...I’m running Windows 7 Home Premium. (#@#%) bother!!
Enter: Mr Google 2….and DOSBox 0.74 (http://www.dosbox.com )
DOSBox is an emulator that recreates a MS-DOS compatible environment
(complete with Sound, Input, Graphics and even basic networking).
This environment is complete enough to run many classic MS-DOS games
completely unmodified. In order to utilize all of DOSBox's features you need
to first understand some basic concepts about the MS-DOS environment. These
concepts are readily available on the website.
DOSBox also emulates CPU:286/386 realmode/protected mode, Directory
FileSystem/XMS/EMS, Tandy/ Hercules/CGA/EGA/VGA/VESA graphics, and
SoundBlaster/Gravis Ultra Sound card for excellent sound compatibility with
older games..
You can "re-live" the good old days with the help of DOSBox, it can run
plenty of the old classics that don't run on your new computer! DOSBox is
totally free of charge and Open Source ...(you beauty!!)
A challenge at first, but now it is working well. I have copied my cd files
to the hard drive and can now point DOSBox to the new location or my cd
drive. I’m looking forward to fine tuning the shortcuts to enable easier
access to each file.”
PS: Thank you Mr Google.
Gwenda Webber SPCUG
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Last Meeting
November 18th |
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Last Meeting Friday 17th December 2011
Winners are grinners!
We were all winners as the creative efforts of our members (some of them
very quiet during the year) were displayed with a commendable touch of
humility but a sense of achievement. As Lyall mentioned, each of the
presentations reflect a rising skill level, a willingness to share and a
lingering curiosity about how to do some of the things we saw others
have quietly produced at home and at SUNSIG meetings during the year.
It should be noted that our judges for the evening were also
contributors but disqualified themselves and we know they received their
prize for effort in the form of a
remarkable range of creative, clever, humourous and personal
presentations...a testimony to their mentoring on pretty well any
project we attempt. Sincere thanks to Lyall and Geoff.
...and supper was delightful. It’s a privilege to be part of such a
group!
Frank
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Prism Video Converter |
A few months ago I gave a brief demonstration of a
small piece of software called Prism. "Prism Video File Format Converter" to
use it's full name, is a very versatile video converter, capable of easily
and quickly converting many different formats. The program made by NCH
Software is downloaded from www.nchsoftware.com/prism” and while the
downloaded program is quite useable there are some limitations to the amount
of file formats supported. I have been using Prism for several years now and
am very impressed with the performance...So impressed that last week I
purchased the full version with "mpeg2" support.
After download the already installed file can then be unlocked with a
purchased serial key. When other components are called upon they are simply
downloaded and installed automatically. Even more reason to purchase is the
fact that you will be supporting Australia, as NCH are based here in
Australia. At $54.99 US, Prism Video File Format Converter Plus v 1.82 is
well worth it. We’ll talk about it Friday night and explore some of the
versatility it adds to your kit of tools.
Lyall Davis...
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Sunday Special Interest Group (SUNSIG)
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Bring your own computer - a laptop if you have one.
A
$3.00 fee is payable at the door, which is paid directly to the Bowling
Club for use of the facilities.
Sunday Special Interest Group activity is very informal and encourages
sharing of equipment, ideas, and just getting to know the many ways things can
be done. As usual given the philosophy of our club (users share their ideas and
expertise), if you want to get to the bottom of some technique or issue there
is bound to be someone
who has been there and done that. Perhaps they will be available to help you with whatever
you are trying to do.
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Next
Meeting |
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Next Meeting Friday, 20
January, 2012
At this month’s meeting we will look at "DOS Box", What it’s used for and how to
use it. (We also have an article in this month’s newsletter to whet your
appetite before the meeting). Have you downloaded a document that just will not
play the game for you?. Some formatting just refuses to do what it is told?
We will sort some of that out during the evening too. Do you remember what a
Kindle is? We will look at one this meeting and see how it relates to a
computer.
The meeting will also include a few video clips from last meeting. ...and that’s
not all folks
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Special
Reminder |
You must either have a member sign you in to Bomaderry Bowling
Club as a guest (resident less than 5 km away OR sign yourself
in to the Bomaderry Bowling Club (Resident more than 5km away)
OR be a financial member of the Bowling Club when attending our
Computer Club meetings ! This applies whether you are a member
of the Computer Club or a visitor to the Computer Club. This
stems from State law. If you do not abide by these rules you
expose the Bowling Club to very severe financial penalties ! And
our club to embarrassment.
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Newsletter by mail
Australian Residents can
register for a monthly mail out of the printed newsletter by providing
their mailing address
on this registration form
and posting it with a cheque for
$15 (which includes postage for 12 months).
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