Snowbirds can still come here for help  (3/23/01)

It seems that it was only yesterday I was welcoming all you Snowbirds back to paradise. Now I must prepare you for the computer perils that lie in wait to ambush you in those untamed areas of the North

Of course, you will take your workbooks with you to read to your significant other as you travel the highways and byways of this great country.

For those who have upgraded or received Windows ME with the new Beast that sits in your lap or on your desktop, remember that the Windows 98 Workbook is apropos. Just think of how you can impress the wildlife, fauna and local yokels when you arrive in East Podunk with something other than baseball to discuss as you wait for the snow to melt.

Remember www.swfpcug.org when you need to subscribe to our Bulletin Board for advice on whether or not to upgrade to Windows XP, or to help with any other computer crises you may face. When it comes to reliable information, we are your true friends. So remember who luvs ya baby!

Why not click on Browser and Links for a quick trip to interesting Internet locations? And how about all those virus rumors? Our Web site will keep you informed as to whether or not they are hoaxes or are for real.

You can also see what your user group or chapter meeting presentations are - a depressing but realistic way to learn how far you are falling behind the learning curve.

If your local shopping center anchor store does not carry software programs, take a peek ever so often to see what Bob Auer, our user group librarian, is offering. Ordering some shareware may just be better than a game of Bocce or listening to tree frogs all night.

Please don't forget to send Larry Mennitt (LMennitt@swfla.rr.com) your change of address.

Seriously, guys and gals I will miss you. Your kind e-mails and phone calls have been truly appreciated. I sincerely hope that you will return this Fall, safely and full of vim, vigor and vitality, ready for Windows XP.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.    [index]

Second Copy second to none in backup  (3/30/01)

I am sure you are aware of the importance of backing up your computer. But I wonder how many of you do it.

I would be hard-pressed to blame you, if you don't.  Backing-up has become a very confusing sport. Hard drives with gaggles of gigabytes and a Windows rascal called the Registry have made the full system backup ... shall we say, not obsolete, but certainly obsolescent.

The concept of a full system backup is a subject itself. So please trust me when I tell you that all that is really imperative to back up are the files you have created. Those are the ones that will not or cannot be replaced when you must reinstall Windows and then all your programs.

There are many devices prepared to take your backup. From floppies, to Iomega Zip and Jaz drives to CD-RWs.  Some even have adequate backup programs. But none, in my opinion, are as user friendly as the backup program I am going to tell you about.

Second Copy 2000 is a little program that is a giant among backup programs.

And, it costs less than $30. I use it all the time.

It can: Store files on any fixed or removable disks, zip drives, CD-RWs. Span across multiple removable disks. Ignore files older than certain date.

By default, Second Copy only copies new or changed files. This reduces the amount of time it takes to make. the backup. You also can synchronize your files between the source and destination so that you always have updated copies.

How does it work?  You define the profiles indicating which files to copy, where to copy them and when to copy them.  You can back up at your command.  Or, Second Copy runs in the background. At the specified time, it compares the date and time stamp of the source and destination files, and it copies new and changed files. It also tracks the copying activities in a log file, so that you can see which files were copied and whether there were any errors.

Do not be fooled by its simple interface. It has been kept simple for the 90 percent of you who don't like to worry about your backups and those who are not, shall we say, computer literate. The basic interface provides the most important functions needed to perform a reliable backup. But the utility has many advanced features that are kept out of the way for all but the advanced user.

I swear to you on the grave of my old 286, Second Copy 2000 is a gem.

The Second Copy Web site is www.secondcopy.com

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.   [index]

Look for essentials when installing computer  (4/13/01)

This is my first "Good Boot" composed on my new computer. So I thought it appropriate that this article should be `awe inspiring´. But to tell you the truth, `awe´ in my vocabulary is only used as: Awe, Lida (she who must be obeyed), do I have to do that right this minute?

But apropos of setting up my new computer system ... I do have a bit of advice for all of you who will be doing so in the fixture. Advice that Dave Keller, the third member of our User Group technical troika, provides to our members on a regular basis.

If you purchase a "clone" or "white box" computer from a local computer dealer. You should make sure that you receive an itemized list of all components in the system to include the make and model of the video card, sound card and modem.

You should also insure you receive CDs and/or diskettes containing the drivers for the video card, sound card and modem. If the video and/or sound are on the motherboard, make sure you receive the motherboard's device driver CD as well.

Also, get manuals (you know, the things you use to adjust the height of your grandkids on their highchairs) for all installed devices, including the motherboard. Documentation and software should be enthusiastically provided by all legitimate suppliers.

Too often when a computer needs service, the local store or person who made your system has gone out of business, or you have moved away from the place where you had the system built. This may result in a lack of documentation available to your service technician.

If a device driver needs to be reinstalled due to a software problem, or if Windows needs to be reinstalled from scratch because documentation is unavailable, a simple task may become extraordinarily complex and time-consuming. So much so that the cost of repair of an older system (that may have nothing wrong with its hardware) makes repair impractical.

Computers made by major manufacturers such as Dell, Gateway, HP and Compaq usually come with information about what's included. And they always come with CDs that contain all the software necessary to restore correct system operation. Buyers of "white box" systems should expect and demand nothing less.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.!     [index]

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