ALG

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Good Evening and Welcome to
Technology Users Group Meeting January 15, 2004
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• Thank you for coming!
• Please get comfortable.
• Feel free to ask questions contribute.
• Want you to getreal value from these meetings.

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Real Value!

• Content
• Door Prizes
• Networking

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Introductions

• Meet ALG staff your hosts tonight
• Part of the value you will get from this meeting
  comes from networking with each other. We
  encourage you to do that during breaks and after
  the meeting

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Tonights Amenities

• Fresh-popped popcorn.
• Hot coffee tea, plus wide assortment of soft
  drinks in the refrigerator.
• Please make yourself at home!

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Agenda

• Technology News
• This evenings topics
• Why you should increase your computers RAM and
  how to do it inexpensively!
• Getting ready for April 15th - Invaluable tax
  software and online resources!
• ABCs of MP3s!
• Break around 730pm
• User questions discussion
• Door prize drawing
• Summary conclusion adjourn by 8pm

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Technology NewsNo health risk in mobile phones

• Some scientists have linked the low-frequency
  microwave radio signals emitted by cell phones
  with brain tumors, headaches, sleeping disorders
  and memory loss. There also is widespread public
  concern about radiation from the thousands of
  cell towers around the country.
• Wednesday, January 14, 2004 LONDON, England (AP)
  - There is no evidence linking mobile phones to
  cancer or other health problems, but more
  research needs to be done to be sure, a panel of
  experts said Wednesday.
• The findings of the panel, chaired by
  epidemiologist Anthony Swerdlow, broadly agree
  with those of an earlier advisory group which
  issued a report in 2000.

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Technology NewsWindows 98 gets a reprieve

• REDMOND, Washington (AP) January 13, 2004 --
  Microsoft reversed a decision to stop support for
  some older Windows operating systems.
• Support for Windows 98 and Windows 98 S.E. had
  been scheduled to expire Friday, and for Windows
  Millennium Edition on December 31.
• About 20 of all Windows-based computers still
  run Windows 95 or 98, according to International
  Data Corp., a technology market research firm.
  Support for Windows 95 ended in 2001.
• Since October 15, 2002, Microsoft has offered 7
  years of support for its new products. Before
  that, it offered 4.

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Technology NewsHave We Gone Too Far?

• Anyone can sue anyone
• McDonalds hot coffee law suit
• In response more companies are putting warnings
  on their products than ever before
• Many of them are pure common sense, and because
  they have to be spelled-out, are actually
  humourous
• Dell keyboard packaging

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Topic 1Why you should increase your computers
RAM and how to do it inexpensively!
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Topic 1Increase your computers RAM

• The same PC that was a joy when you pulled it out
  of the box can eventually become a chore to work
  with.
• Its once-peppy speed is now more of a sluggish
  trot.
• You still can get more miles and a satisfactory
  speed out of your old PC, however, by adding more
  random-access memory.

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Topic 1Increase your computers RAM

• One thing thats a constant in the software
  industry is bloat.
• New programs, or new versions of old programs,
  have an ever-increasing appetite for
  random-access memory (RAM).
• Fortunately, you never really run out of memory
  unless you manage to fill your hard drive.
• Windows uses the hard drive as substitute RAM
  when needed, which means you wont ever run out
  of RAM.

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Topic 1Increase your computers RAM

• The more physical RAM you have, however, the less
  fake (hard drive) RAM youll need, which means
  your computer will run faster.
• How much RAM do you have?
• The quickest way is to watch closely as your
  computer boots up.
• When it performs its power on self test (POST) it
  checks the RAM, counting it up as it checks each
  chip. When it stops counting, note the number.

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Topic 1Increase your computers RAM

• Keep in mind the number shown is usually in
  kilobytes (KB), not megabytes (MB).
• There are 1,024KB in one megabyte.
• So, if your computer stops at 266,144, it has
  256MB of RAM.
• Now were ready to shop for the extra memory.

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Topic 1Increase your computers RAM

• How much should you get?
• As a rule of thumb, as much as you can afford.
• Buying memory can be very technical and difficult
  without some help.
• There are thousands of different RAM chips, and
  you have to get the exact right one or it wont
  work in your computer.
• SIMMS DIMMS EDO Access Speed - More!

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Topic 1Increase your computers RAM

• Help comes from a practical, easy to use web site
  that specializes in RAM
• Crucial.com

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Topic 1Increase your computers RAM
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Topic 1Increase your computers RAM

• If you cant find your specific computer model
  listed, you can download a free copy of BeLarc
  Advisor at Crucial.com.
• It analyzes your computer and creates a detailed
  report of your computer and software, in a web
  browser.
• Even if you know your computer make and model,
  you may want to try this utility.

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Topic 1Increase your computers RAM

• How do you install it when it arrives?
• Crucial.com has easy to follow installation
  guides too!

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Topic 1Increase your computers RAM

• Questions

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Topic 2Getting ready for April 15th
Tax Software Online Resources!
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Topic 2Getting Ready for April 15th

• Its that time of year to start thinking about
  filing your income tax returns.
• Long gone are the days of having to collect forms
  from the post office and fill them out by hand.
• Individuals that want to do their own returns,
  have a variety of powerful, inexpensive software
  packages from which to choose.
• These packages provide the tools you need to
  complete federal and state tax returns.
• They do all of the required calculations.

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Topic 2Getting Ready for April 15th

• We will identify the three best packages and
  review other online tax resources that are
  available at no charge.
• They are
• 2nd Story Software's TaxACT - 19.95
• HR Blocks's TaxCut - 39.95
• Intuit's TurboTax - 59.95
• Personal preference of the new software for 2003
  taxes
• 1 is TurboTax
• 2 is TaxCut
• 3 is TaxACT

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Topic 2Getting Ready for April 15th

• Lets look at TurboTax now!
• TurboTax.com

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Topic 2Getting Ready for April 15th
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Topic 2Getting Ready for April 15th
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Topic 2Getting Ready for April 15th

• Each of these three packages also has an online
  web version available.
• Pay only when you're ready to print or file.
• There's no software to download.
• Electronic filing available 1/16/04 when the IRS
  begins accepting e-filed returns.
• Get your refund in as little as ten days instead
  of the weeks it can take when you file by mail!
• Plus, you get proof of receipt from the IRS
  confirming your return has been officially filed.

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Topic 2Getting Ready for April 15th
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Topic 2Getting Ready for April 15th

• Additional tax resources on the internet
• No charge
• 1040.com
• IRS at http//www.irs.ustreas.gov/

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Topic 2Getting Ready for April 15th
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Topic 2Getting Ready for April 15th
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Topic 2Getting Ready for April 15th

• Questions

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Lets Take a Break!
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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s
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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• MP3 players are portable devices that store and
  play digital music.
• They come in a wide variety of styles and sizes.
• Capable of storing thousands of songs!
• Capitalize on digital technology to supplant
  traditional Walkman-style cassette-tape players
  and portable CD players.

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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• MP3 players offer three types of storage
• Hard-drive players have the greatest amount of
  storage space, but also cost the most, although
  the ratio of price to storage space is getting
  better.
• Flash-memory models are small, but hold a limited
  number of songs.
• MP3 CD players have an unfashionable chunkiness,
  but recordable CDs are cheap and provide plenty
  of capacity for MP3 files.

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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• Nearly all MP3 players require that you have a
  reasonably modern PC with a free USB 1.1 or 2.0
  port (and, in some cases, a FireWire port).
• As you begin creating your music collection on
  the computer, you may want to upgrade your hard
  drive to be able to store more files.

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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• Specialized MP3 players are not the only devices
  you can buy to listen to your music.
• You can now get mobile telephones, thumb drives,
  digital cameras, personal digital assistants, car
  stereos, and even wristwatches that can store and
  play back MP3 music files.
• Many pocket-size voice memo recorders can now
  also record and play back MP3 files.
• But --- Dedicated MP3 players usually sound
  better and have more user-friendly controls than
  hybrid devices.

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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• Key Features
• Storage
• File Management
• Transfer speed/port type
• Software

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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• Storage
• The greater the storage capacity, the more songs
  you can take with you.
• Hard-drive-based players hold the
  most--currently, the highest capacity is 60GB
  (almost 1000 hours of music compressed at 128
  kilobits per second), and expect larger
  capacities this year.
• Flash-memory-based models generally max out at
  512MB of built-in storage (around 120 songs).

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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• Storage
• Many flash-based units offer the option of adding
  memory through either CompactFlash, SmartMedia,
  or MultiMediaCards, which cost about 60 for
  256MB.
• Even if you spring for expansion media, you may
  outgrow them quickly. MP3 CD players, the size of
  standard portable CD players, use inexpensive
  CD-R discs. You can pack about 10 hours of music
  (or 150 songs at 128 kbps) onto one disc.

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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• File Management
• MP3 files include ID3 tags.
• They provide artist, song title, and album name
  information to the player.
• Working with this data, a player can organize the
  files for you, though each does it in its own
  way.
• Look for an easy-to-read LCD screen, and one that
  shows the information you use the most. Even with
  a good display, it can be hard to navigate among
  the more than 10 hours of songs that a CD disc
  can hold.

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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• Transfer speed/port type
• Downloading 5GB of songs all at once from your PC
  using a USB 1.1 interface can take all night.
• If you want the fastest downloads possible, look
  for players that employ the much faster USB 2.0
  or FireWire (IEEE 1394).
• With FireWire (included on Apple's IPod, among
  other players) you can transfer an entire song in
  seconds.
• If your PC lacks a FireWire port, you can add an
  internal FireWire card for as little as 35.

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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• Software
• All players come with software and drivers that
  allow you to download songs to them from a PC.
• Some of the more-popular units have drivers you
  can use within RealOne or MusicMatch Jukebox.
• This permits you to rip from a CD-ROM and
  download the resulting MP3 file to your player
  using the same application.
• Other players come with proprietary software.
  Hard-drive-based players often let you use
  Windows Explorer to drag and drop your files into
  the device.

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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• Recommendation
• Creative Labs MuVo.

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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• MuVo
• Tiny, ultra-light MP3 player
• 1.4" x 2.9" x 0.6
• 1.5oz with battery
• 1.1oz without battery
• Available in 128mb (119.99) and 256mb (169.99)
• Works as a USB Flash Drive with any PC or Mac!
• Also acts as a voice recorder.

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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• MuVo
• Simply attach the NOMAD MuVo NX to any PC with
  the built-in USB connector.
• Drag-and-drop your music files between your PC
  storage and the NOMAD MuVo NX.
• You can use it to carry documents, photos and any
  other data files between PCs at home, work or on
  the road.
• Use the handy built-in mic to record hours of
  voice messages, notes and conversations.
• High-resolution backlit LCD provides full track
  information (ID3 tags) and access to custom
  settings.

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Topic 3ABCs of MP3s

• Questions

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Next Months Topics
February 19, 2004 (3rd Thursday of Month)

• Copying DVDs!
• TiVo!
• Wireless Web-Cams!

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Conclusion

• Thank you for being our guests at ALG this
  evening!
• If you got value from tonights meeting, please
  tell others about these meetings and about ALG.
  Even bring a guest to the next one.
• When you need any kind of computer help or
  training please give us a call.

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Conclusion

• Meetings are the 3rd Thursday of each month
• If you didnt receive an email invitation, leave
  us a business card or register online at ALG.cc
• Remember to take your handouts
• Feel free to stay awhile and network
• And now lets go to the door prizes!

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Door prizes!

• Must be present to win.
• Creative Labs MP3 player!
• Full-day computer workshop valued at 189!
• Borders Book Store gift certificate!
• Panera Bread gift certificate!
• Regal Cinemas gift certificate!

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Door prize 1

• Regal Cinemas
• Gift Certificate!

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Door prize 2

• Panera
• gift certificate!

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Door prize 3

• Borders gift certificate

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Door prize 4

• 189 computer workshop of your choice!
• Select from the online, 24-page catalog

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Door prize 5

• Creative Labs MP3 player!

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Thank you for coming and please drive safely!