Computer Interest Group

Computer image

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 Meeting Room B. Generally a round-robin type discussion of computer issues, problems, and current events. Occasionally a 15 minute presentation may precede the meeting on a computer genealogy related topic. The Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana is now on Facebook. Click the Events image to the right to see upcoming ACGSI Events.

 

The digital revolution shows no sign of slowing down. Social networking has taken the world by storm. If you don't believe it, view this powerful YouTube video made using Adobe After Effects. The Information Age is going where we've never been before.

The trend for the foreseeable future is Microsoft will be releasing new versions of Office and their operating systems on a 3 year cycle. Apple is constantly pushing the technology barriers. Genealogy, imaging, and many other programs release new versions that fix problems almost yearly, but mostly take advantage of new hardware and internet capabilities that revolve around video, imaging, mapping, and broadband speed improvements. It is easy to feel like you are being left behind. Join us at our meetings, become a Fan on Facebook, and visit here to see our updates.

Gizmo Freeware is a community based site that reviews and links to FREEWARE downloads. FREEWARE is FREE Software - Caveat Emptor "Buyer Beware". Let us know if you have any experience with this community, good or bad.

Several members follow Kim Komando for computer advice and use her favorite online backup software Carbonite.

PCmag.com, formerly a magazine now online only, and CNET are good online sources for reviews and more detailed technical information.

Operating Systems

Web Browsers

Web Browsers should be kept up to date for security and performance purposes to utilize the latest features. Certain Windows 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.

Genealogy Software

Most genealogy programs offer a 30 day trial and cost around $30

Office Software

Photo Editing Software

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. Critical updates may come at other times. 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. At some point Windows XP will no longer update and you will have to upgrade to Windows 7 or whatever is newer.
  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 or similar sources to determine and download best choices. A router with NAT - Network Address Translation makes your network invisible on the internet and difficult, but not impossible, for hackers to find. A Firewall allows you to block specific ports on your computer which prevents unauthorized software from accessing your computer or the internet.
    1. Computer Virus Tutorial - Computer Knowledge
    2. September 29, 2009 Microsoft Security Essentials a Free real time anti-malware virus scanner with automatic updating was released. Without a two-way Firewall it is certainly better than nothing, but still leaves a security hole.
    3. McAfee, Norton, Zone Alarm 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. How Did Hackers Cripple Twitter August 6, 2009? - they didn't have updated security measures.
    7. Social Networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and at least 150 others are becoming the mediums of choice for malware. More reasons to keep security up to date.
  3. Backup is important so you don't lose years of irreplaceable data. The LOCKSS method of Lots Of Copies Keeps Stuff Save should be your philosophy to protect your data. Inexpensive external hard drives can include software for daily or weekly backups, external drives can be stored in bank lock boxes to protect against theft, fires and other natural disasters. Large capacity flash drives now available to at least 32 gigabytes may also be suitable, and online storage can be free like Microsoft Skydrive with 25 gigabytes of online storage, or inexpensively paid by the month or year with an online service like Carbonite or Mozzy. Using more than one technique will protect against the unexpected. Don't save a few bucks and risk losing a lifetime of digital research.

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. Wane TV lists local options. The local Goodwill Industries of Northeast Indiana with 9 locations works with Dell and Reconnect and will take and resell or recycle any computer technology. Allen County Solid Waste Management District Electronics Recycling. City of Fort Wayne Solid Waste Management. Other local alternatives are Summit City Asset Remarketing of Fort Wayne, Indiana. 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.

Other Software and News

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