Newsletter of SeniorNet Napier Incorporated

Volume10 Number 9 September 2008

Web Page - http://nsn3.tripod.com/napiersn

Selecting/clicking below, on any
underlined article will take you there.

From the President
Members Meetiing
Open Day Report
Phone Number Error
Do You Feel Confident? About Assistant Tutoring
Volunteers To Assist With Cleaning Our Hall
Putting Your Signature Into Word
A Quicker Scroll
System Restore Made Easy
Paper Sizing For Printing
Excellent Software To Use With Photos
Microsoft Word XP Tips
Time for a Smile
A Warm Welcome to All our New Members
Notices
Emergency Contact Details
Getting Help from SeniorNet Napier
Newsletter Closing Date
Next Committee Meeting
Classes Offered by SeniorNet Napier

 

From the President

This has been quite an eventful month.

On 23 August we held an Open Day and were amazed at the attendance. The event had been widely advertised both in the local press and by handouts in letterboxes, dairies and other prominent positions.
It just goes to show the power of advertising, provided it is in the right place. The end result was that we signed up 17 new members with a number of other possible members, which is the best result we have had for some time. Retention of membership is paramount to our survival and every new member is important to us.

Work on the new learning centre has moved at a cracking pace and most of the work is now almost complete thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers. The new entrance and the disability ramp are in place, the kitchen and toilet floors have been laid and the interior painting is finished and new curtains have been ordered. The next move is to have the carpet cleaned and the rooms will be ready for occupation. Painting of the exterior remains as the only major project, except of course the final move to transfer all our computers and equipment to the new location. It seems certain that the final learning session of the year will be conducted in our new premises as we are now committed to vacate our current learning centre by the end of October. It is planned to have a 'Grand Opening'. More information on that will be in the October newsletter.

Currently the Learning Centre gets a good spring clean from Alan Overington and Gordon Buckley before each session and we are grateful to them for undertaking this work. However the new premises are much larger and will require more time, more frequently, to keep clean. In addition we shall probably need to keep the outside area tidy To ease the burden on Alan & Gordon we shall need to draw up a roster of volunteers to assist with this work in the near future.

In line with our policy of keeping our equipment and systems up to date we have purchased another 4 desktop computers each with Windows Vista and Word 2007 installed. These along with our existing Vista laptop will give us 5 Vista computers to work with along with the 5 Windows XP desktops. We can now hold classes for Vista students without having to ask them to bring along their laptops for lessons.

On other pages of this Newsletter you will be advised that we shall be holding another Members Meeting on Tuesday, 23 September, when the presentation will be "What you can do with PowerPoint".

Recent Members Meetings have drawn good attendances so we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at this one.

Enjoy your computing

Gordon Brown

 

A Members Meeting will be held Tuesday 23 September St Andrews Hall Atawhai 2.00pm - 4.00pm Come and see just what can be done using Power Point. Two excellent presentations will be given by Margaret and Bill. You may like to bring along a friend - they will be more than welcome. We look forward to seeing you there

 

 

 

OPEN DAY held on Saturday, 23 August, 2008
What a wonderful turnout!
It was so exciting for Senior Net, Napier!
The committee did an enormous job on the day
and were run off their feet with
people coming to ask more about us.
A big "thank you" to all the people
who kindly distributed "fliers"
and helped get the word out about "Senior Net".

 

Phone Number Error.
On Page 8 In the August Newsletter was an article on Computer (and other electronic units) recycling. Unfortuntely the wrong telephone number was shown.
Please amend your records to read 027 494 2066

 

Do You Feel Confident? About Assistant Tutoring
If you have been using Vista and Office 2007, have or have not done the courses, but think that you could assist others to learn, please consider putting your name forward.
With more newcomers now buying Vista, we need tutors and assistants. It is not surprising that being in a group, discussing the same program will increase your own knowledge of it.
Please contact Sue Gay, Alan Overington or Bill Allan.

 

 

Volunteers To Assist With Cleaning Our Hall
Would you be available to do general
weekly cleaning at our new hall?
If a number of people "put their hands up"
one may only be required to do it for about an hour
on a roster basis once a month.
Your help would be much appreciated.
Please ring Alan Overington 845 4188.
He would really like to hear from you.

 

Putting Your Signature Into Word
If you want to have your signature appearing as part of a document then scan it, save it, and insert a copy of the signature's image in Word. If you are using Word 2003 or prior version put it as an AutoCorrect or AutoText entry. For Word 2007 save it as a Quick Parts/Building Block object.
Thanks Gus from SeniorNet Wellington.
I scanned my signature, saved it, then opened it in a Photo Editing programme i.e. Photo Standard 9 and saved it as a JPEG. When I wanted to use it in emails was able to resize it to make it suitable for emailing and all done. It made my email look so "professional".
(Gordon has used it to sign off his President's report in this Newsletter).

 

 

A Quicker Scroll
If you have a mouse that has a scroll wheel you probably know that by rolling it up or down you can scroll up or down your page. But try giving the wheel a push. Yep, just press your finger directly down on the wheel and see what happens. Once you do that, you should see a big double arrow appear. You can then just move your mouse up and down and it will do an "automatic scroll" for you. That's right, once you click the wheel, you no longer have to actually scroll. Just move your mouse around and it will all be taken care of.

Now, this feature doesn't work everywhere, but it covers most of the common areas. For example, it works on any Web page in any Web browser, it works in different e-mail programs, in an MS Word document and so on. It's so convenient and easy to use. Then once you're done scrolling, just give the wheel another click and your mouse will go back to normal. Give it a try today!

 

 

System Restore Made Easy

System Restore should always be on your mind when things go wrong with your computer. It's a good backup for those who neglect backups.
In fact, it is not a backup system at all, it's more of a go-back.
Why not refresh your memory and take a look at System Restore? While we are there let's create a restore point and make sure you have a few restore points saved and that they go back at least a week. Sometimes, for whatever reason, Restore Points disappear, so right now is a good time to make sure your restore points are there and to create a new one.
To open System Restore:
On Windows XP - Click Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore On Windows Vista - Click Start and type in System Restore in the start menu search form and click System Restore when it appears at the top of the menu. Or if you're the command-line type, on Vista or XP click Start/Run and type in rstrui.exe to open System Restore. Browse through and make sure that you have restore points saved that go back at least one week.
In Windows XP you can create a Restore Point by clicking "Create a Restore Point" from the System Restore dialogue.
In Windows Vista you can't create a restore point from within the System Restore dialog. You can create a restore point by clicking Start, right-clicking "Computer" choosing Properties and clicking the System Protection link on the left panel. When you're in the System Protection dialog, click the System Protection tab at the top. From this dialogue you can select the drives for which you want to create automatic restore points. Your Windows drive should always be selected. In most cases the Windows drive will be C:
To create a restore point in Vista, click "Create". A dialogue will appear that gives you a chance to give your restore point a name, like "Before installing IE8 Beta". Windows automatically adds the date so you don't have to worry about putting the date in your descriptive name. Make sure the name you give your restore point is descriptive enough so that you'll know why you created it.
System Restore is too often forgotten about by Windows XP and Windows Vista users. It shouldn't be. It is there to help you out of serious problems.
Using System Restore to restore you computer to an earlier time will not remove any recent documents, emails, pictures, or files that you've created. But you will lose anything you've installed or settings you've changed, or configuration changes you've made since the date of the restore point you choose.
Most all of the time if you've installed something that is causing major problems on your computer, you can use Windows System Restore to put your computer back to the same state it was in before you installed the problematical program. It most cases it can make your computer seem like it never even happened.
(Thanks to Eden-Mt Roskill SeniorNet)

 

 

Paper Sizing For Printing
"Letter" is a US paper size, we use A4. and if your printer is set to Letter paper, you will have some problems.
For Word 97, 2000, XP, 2003:
1. Click on File
2. Click on Page Setup"(opens the "Page Setup" window).
3. Click on the "Paper" tab in the window which opens.
If "Letter" is in the Paper Size slot
1. Click on the arrow at the right of this bar,
2. Click on "A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)".
3. Click on the "Default" button at the bottom
4. Click on "Yes" in the box which opens.
Printers: The wording may not be exactly the same on your printer but will be recognisable as similar to the wording in the instructions below.
For all versions of Windows ----
Click on the "Start" button,
Click on "Control Panel", double-Click on "Printers and Faxes".
Right-click on the default printer (this will have a tick on the icon),
Click on "Preferences' (or Printing Preferences) in the menu which opens.
If "A4" is listed in the box, then close windows which are open.
Otherwise:
Click on the "Printing Preferences" button,
Click on the "Advanced" button.
If "A4" in not in the "Paper Size" bar, click on the "reveal button" at the side of the bar,
Select "A4", click on "OK", click on "OK"
As well: Click on the "Device Settings" tab (if present); if there are any settings with "Letter", click on these and change them to A4 as well.
From Motueka July Newsletter

 

 

Excellent Software To Use With Photos.
Picasa 2
Download from: http://picasa.google.com/download
Picasa is a free software download from Google that helps you: Locate and organise all the photos on your computer. Edit and add effects to your photos with a few simple clicks.
Share your photos with others through email, prints and on the web: It's fast, easy and free.
Take the guesswork out of sending photos. Picasa automatically resizes and attaches pictures to email messages at sizes your friends will be able to open.
.

 

 

Microsoft Word XP Tips

Bigger Icons
Are you having trouble seeing the icons in the Windows XP toolbar, such as the disk to save documents, the printer to print documents, etc.? If so, you can make the icons bigger.

1. Choose "Tools", then "Customize".
2. When the "Customize" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, choose "Options".
3. Check "Large icons".

You'll immediately see that the Microsoft Word XP toolbar icons have gotten big. If you like this, click "Close". If not, uncheck the box and click "Close".

 

 

Time for a Smile

TRIVIA

An applicant for the position of Chief Executive of a talcum powder company was asked how he would increase sales over the next 12 months.
He was hired on the basis of this simple reply -
I shall make sure the holes in the top of the container are made twice as large!

Windows: Just another pane in the glass!

A clever person solves a problem.
A wise person avoids it

A Cautionery Tale for those that Use a Spell Check

The Typesetter's Knight Mayor

I have a spelling chequer,
It came with my pea see;
It plainly marques for my revue
Miss steaks eye cannot sea.

Eye strike a quay and right a word
And weight for it two say
Weather I am wrong or write -
It shows me strait away.

As soon as a mist ache is maid,
It nose bee four two late,
And eye can put the error rite,
It's rarely, rarely grate.

I've run this poem threw it,
I'm shore yore pleased to no,
It's letter perfect in it's weigh,
My chequer tolled me sew.

SAUCE UNKNOWN

Thank You Gerald Clark

 

A Very Warm Welcome
to all our New Members
who are entering the world of
Computerised Information Technology

 

 

Notice Board

Scroll Down to view all notices

CLASSES offered by SeniorNet Napier

Dates for 2008
Session 5 …….. .8 September to 17 October
Session 6 ……... 3 November to 12 December

Tutors & Assistants 5th Session
8th September - 17 October
Thank you giving your time voluntarily
to help others master the computer.
It is very much appreciated.

To All of our Members
who are unwell at the moment a cheery hello,
and our sincerest condolences to those
who have recently lost someone
near and dear to them.

From the Course Co-ordinator
Session 5
The next learning session begins on 8th September and if you have not yet sent in your application for one of the courses you should do so at once together with your cheque, made payable to 'Senior Net Napier Inc' and mailed to 22, Mission Road, Greenmeadows, Napier

To those members and other SeniorNet branches who made contributions to this Newsletter. These are very much appreciated.

DISTRIBUTION OF NEWSLETTERS
Did you receive this Newsletter by post, but have an email address?
If you answered YES, it would be much appreciated
if you would please help us save money by emailing
your address as soon as possible to
egbrown@clear.net.nz or nlumsden@xtra.co.nz
Those who do not have email will continue to receive by post.
When any member receives an email or change their present email address, please advise the Membership Secretary, Ila McInnes so your records can be updated.

Can't open the Newsletter?
Ring or email Dorothy or Gordon. If you can't get either,
please contact a committee member.
Printing the Newsletter from your computer.
To save ink you may like to print it in "draft".
How? Go to File > Print > Properties > Print quality > click the down arrow and select draft > then print. If you only want to print off, say pages 1,3 and 7. Go to File >Print > in pages slot type 1,3,7 then O.K.
If you only want a portion of a page, highlight the
portion you want, again, click print and click selection
and that will be all you will get.
Again, if you have a problem please contact
Dorothy, Gordon Brown or a Committee Member.
We don't want you taking this desperate action!

Computer Problems!

Need a Nerd
Is Hawke's Bay's Mobile Technical Support Service for Businesses
and Home Users and they sponsor SeniorNet Napier
The Nerds come to you!
Phone 0800 63 33 26

REMINDERS
* Volunteers required to assist with cleaning our hall
Please contact either Alan or Bill.
* Would you like to assist with tutoring or assisting with classes?
Please contact Sue Gay, Alan or Bill.
* MEMBERS MEETING - Tuesday, 23 September 2.00 - 4.00 p.m.
* Presentation on PowerPoint. Visitors are more than welcome so bring along a friend.
* If you now have email or have recently changed your email address please contact Dorothy, Ila or Gordon Brown so your records can be kept up-to-date. You may miss out on that important Newsletter otherwise.

 

 

Emergency Contact Details
We have never needed this – but your committee has approved the precaution of having a contact phone number and name of the person who could be contacted in the case of unexpected illness, clearly printed on the back of your SNN membership name label.
Please write this contact info on your label at the next class or members meeting.

 

Disclaimer
Getting Help from SeniorNet Napier - Many of our members have benefited from advice and help given freely by our volunteer officers and tutorial staff. However, we ask all members to take note that our volunteers do not claim to be computer experts.
Any tuition, advice or help they provide to you is given in good faith, strictly on condition that you use such tuition, advice or help entirely at your own risk.

Napier Senetter

ARTICLES FOR NEXT NEWSLETTER
Closing date for material for the next Newsletter
Monday 20th October 2008
Please send contributions for newsletters to:
egbrown@clear.net.nz or nlumsden@xtra.co.nz

Any SNN member is welcome to contribute.

Next Committee Meeting

Tuesday 21 October 2008 - 2.00pm

 

 

Classes Offered by SeniorNet NAPIER

Dates for 2008 are:-

Session 5…………….. 8 September to 17 October
Session 6……………… 3 November to 12 December

Depending on demand (usually minimum of 3 students) the following classes will be available.
Introduction to Computers and Windows (2 weeks) free to all members
Word Processing 1 A (6 weeks) $40.00 in Word & XP
Word Processing 1 A (6 weeks) $40.00 in Vista & Word 2007
Word Processing 1 B (6 weeks) $40.00 in Word & XP
Word Processing 1 B (6 weeks) $40.00 in Vista & Word 2007
Word Processing 2 (6 weeks) $40.00 in Word & XP
Word Processing 2 (6 weeks) $40.00 in Vista & Word 2007
Advanced Word Processing (6 weeks) $40.00
File Management (4 weeks) $28.00 in XP or Vista
Email - using Outlook Express (6 weeks) $40.00
Database - using Works (6 weeks) $40.00
Spreadsheets - using Works (6 weeks) $40.00
Drawing and Publishing in Word (6 weeks) $40.00
Students must have good mouse skills for D & P Word & must have completed WP2 in WORD
Scanning & Photo Editing (6 weeks) $40.00
PowerPoint (6 weeks) $40.00
Comput-a-Craft (1 x 2hr session) $10.00
It is expected that a good level of Word Processing is attained before taking the other course.
This includes the Email course.
N.B You DO NOT have a firm booking in a class unless the COURSE FEE has been paid.
Please send payment with your course application form.
________________________________________________________
COURSE APPLICATION FORM (For all classes after 'Intro to Computers')
It is essential that you supply details of your Operating System and Word Processing programme below to assist our Course Co-ordinator

Name....................................................Member No..........................

Address................................................. Phone No............................

Course applied for.............................................. Session..............................

Operating System (Circle One)
Windows 98 ..Windows XP... Windows Vista..Other
Word Processing Program (Circle One)
Works Word ..Word 2000... Word 2003..Word 2007
Other
(The following 4 questions are asked because we now belong to the NZ Federation of SeniorsNets)
* Are you a New Zealand Citizen? /NZ Permanent Resident? Yes / No
* Circle the age group you are in 50 to 59 OR 60+
* Circle which ethnicity you belong to
European ..Maori.. Pacific Islander.. Asian
* Circle your answer. Are you Male or Female
N.B. This next question must be answered
Is there a time on any day that you CANNOT attend a class………………………………………………………………

Return with course fee of $. . . . . . . . Signed..................................

Date..........................
To: SNN Application,
21 Mission Road, Greenmeadows, NAPIER.
Please make cheques payable to: Senior Net Napier Incorporated

_______________________________________________________

Newsletter Editors: Dorothy LUMSDEN - e-mail nlumsden@xtra.co.nz
Gordon BROWN - e-mail egbrown@clear.net.nz
Please send items for the Newsletter to the above.

Please support our Sponsors

Till Next Time
Keep Having Fun with Your Computer