The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group PC (President's Comments) George Skarbek gskarbek@melbpc.org.au |
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Know Where To Find Help?
When you're relatively new to computers, one difficulty when something goes wrong is knowing where to find help. Well, fortunately you made a great start and joined Melbourne PC User Group where our motto is Users helping Users.
However, often it is most satisfying to find the answer yourself. Here are some pointers to assist you in that activity. If you have experienced what you believe to be a Microsoft related problem, the Microsoft knowledge base on the Web is a good place to begin. Try searching the knowledge base from their home page at http://www.microsoft.com or for more control and flexibility go to http://search.support.microsoft.com/kb/c.asp?ln=en-au.
For other error messages or problems use that great search engine Google at http://www.google.com and enter one or more appropriate keywords. For more hardware specific problems visit the Web site of your hardware manufacturer where you may find updates that will help solve your problem.
Newsgroups are another great source of information. Newsgroups no longer deal with news as such, but are a vast collection of discussion groups where humans (not computers) respond to your questions. For more details on newsgroups read the articles in this magazine or go to http://www.melbpc.org.au/faq/newsgroups.htm.
If you've been unable to find your answer using the above procedures there are resources at Melb PC, available via the Web at http://www.melbpc.org.au/faq/helpdesk.htm. On the MOTD page (Message of the Day) there is a list of choices. The helpdesk is the first entry on the right-hand side of that page. Also, the address mailer that came with your PC Update has a list of member volunteers covering many topics, and this leads to my next thought, Windows 98.
Windows 98 Support
There have been rumours circulating that when support for Windows 98 was due to be discontinued in July 2003, all patches and updates would disappear from their Web site. Don't panic, this is not true. Firstly, Microsoft has confirmed that all existing material will stay on its Web site and secondly, it was announced recently that the July 2003 date has been extended.
The dial help listing has some gaps and one of these is support for Windows 95 and Windows 98. If any member feels able to provide some phone support for Windows, or any other software for that matter, please contact the office. Details are on the back of your PC Update address mailer.
Interested In Quilting?
Our recent survey indicated there are many members who would be interested in forming a Quilting SIG (Special Interest Group). If you are interested in this area please e-mail the Groups Coordinator, Bill Dair groups@melbpc.org.au. In order for a group to form it must have one person acting as the convener and one as assistant. If you feel you can assist in this role, please let us know.
July Monthly Meeting
July meeting will be back at a favourite theatre - the Besen Centre in Mt Scopus College, 87 Station Street, Burwood. 7:00 pm sharp.
Remember, keep your eye on PC Update to check the venue for each meeting. Remember also that the Burwood meeting starts an hour later than when we meet at Parkville. Lots of car parking, only $2.
Can the Spam!
Everyone has a view on Spam, usually negative. Is it useful information, or an intrusive invasion? Do you really want to know how to increase your potency? Well there are ways to stop spam in its tracks without deleting valuable e-mails. Find out how from our very own Dave Botherway in a truly informative talk.
How To Recover From Disaster
We all know that catastrophe is always just round the corner for any PC user. How can you guard against it? PowerQuest has programs designed to cope with crashes from single PCs to Networks, and Shane Chandler will come to talk about Drive Image and V2i Protector.
Have you been to a monthly meeting yet? You don't know what you're missing.
Reprinted from the July 2003 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
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