Number 285 - February 2007

UPDATE
E-Mail Blocking Techniques    The first article in the Beginner's Section shows How To Block Sender's E-mails in several popular e-mail programs. You editor has added a note about unblocking a sender in Outlook Express Blocking Spam & Viruses and Other Undesirables    Enter the Dragon: Comodo Free Desktop Security Tools is a lengthy but fairly complete decription of a free suite of security programs to replace or compete with commercial equivalents which we have become so dependent on and which may change at a moment's notice. Help At Your Fingertips?    The article Windows XP: Remote Assistance discusses the Remote Assistance feature in both the Home and Pro versions of Windows XP. It details some of the things you need to do and what other software, already available, can enhance the experience of participants, whether student - teacher or simply clever folks exchanging ideas. Sandboxie    Another approach to blocking unwanted stuff is suggested in the article If you're not sure of a program safety install & run in free sandboxie. If you're not sure how safe a programs is, try installing it and running it in the free program Sandboxie. It runs in memory and captures any items uploaded without your knowledge. Everything can be later discarded if you choose. Yet another way of safeguarding your computer against in wanted invasions. Vista Wrapup    Brian Lewis concludes his series of articles on Microsoft's newest operating system. He thinks you will eventually have to go Vista unless you opt for an alternate like Linux or a Mac. Read all about it.	Wasted Space?    Remember all those unused remnants of programs that have been updated--you know, the ones that were saved in case you wanted to change back. Did you ever change back? Are you likely to? The author suggests you get rid of them and release all that disk space No Boot Partitioning    In the article Boot Partitions are Sooo Pass‚, the author's son used Microsoft's now free Virtual PC 2004 to run a version of Linux on his machine, that normally runs Windows XP. You know what a Virtual PC 2004 is don't you? You don't? Read the article and learn! Stargazing    In Astronomy Programs the author, a Victoria, BC astronomy enthusiast, talks about using Open Universe, Celestia and Stellarium in his astronomical pursuits. He suggests installing accelerated video card drivers so your computer doesn't slow down to a crawl while using these programs. If you are into astronomy--or want to be-- or are just curious--take a peek at the stars! Gaze at the possibilities! Bootable Ubuntu Linux on Flash Drive?    After the presentation last month it was asked if Ubuntu Linux could be put on a 1GB flash/thumb drive. The answer is yes but to use it the flash drive must be made bootable. Ray Mills says it can be done if your BIOS supports it. Our BIOS does not specifically list the flash drive (i.e. a flash drive is NOT in our boot sequence). Nero is designed to create a bootable CD and will place the Ubuntu Linux 900MB .iso file on the CD. The other options are floppy and hard drive. Newer computers may include a flash drive. Owners of those can put a bootable copy of Ubuntu Linux on a Flash drive and be in business. TOG EARLY BIRD SIG    Again this month Ray Mills will conduct the early bird SIG meeting on any topic of interest, including Virtual PCs. All are welcome. Come early and participate. Subject matter is not limited. You may ask questions on several topics if you wish to do so.
Number 285 - February 2007