Bearly Bytes - BigBearCC.org

Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
August, 2013
Volume 48
Big Bear Computer Club
Bearly
Bytes
Big Bear, California
Award Winning Bearly Bytes Newsletter
v
Next Meeting Aug 1, 2013 5:30 p.m. @ Big Bear Discovery Center
Hello Everyone
We are in the midst of our 2013 computer workshop
season. It seems to be a fine success. A good number of folks here in Big Bear have shown interest in
attending these classes.
So far, two workshops have taken place. The first
was the Digital Camera and Computer course in
June. On July 15, we held the Beginning Windows
101 workshop. We had to turn away as many people
as we could handle at the Senior Center. That
prompted us to schedule another Beginning Windows 101 workshop on Aug. 19. That class also is
full at the time of this writing. I need to confirm that
everyone on the list will be able to attend.
On September 16, there is a Microsoft Office 2010
seminar. If you want to learn how to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other components of Microsoft
Office, plan to attend.
Finally, on October 21, we will conduct a workshop
on Windows 8 Basics. By then, perhaps we will
know more about Microsoft’s free update, Windows
8.1. It is due out near the end of the year. This class
will be held at the Discovery Center.
Rosemary Lloyd
Terry Currier, Presenter:
August 1, 5:30 pm — "Recovering Deleted Files"
Have you ever deleted a file, whether by accident
or deliberately? If so, can you get it back? It does
not matter if it is from a computer, or camera - it
can be recovered if you work on it right away.
Come and see which is the best recovery software, and which you should not buy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
President’s Message ...................................................1
Windows 8 Workshop ..................................................2
Watch Out For Free Credit Report Scams ..............3,4
Helpline, Key Leaders & Officers................................5
Calendar, Cool Links, Cash Flow ..............................6
3 Simple Steps to Create a Home Media Serverr ......7
Internet Alerts to Keep You Informed ........................8
Bits & Bytes ..................................................................9
Tech Toys to Make Senior Life Easier................. 10,11
Bear's Tips ..................................................................12
Word, Excel, Internet/Tech Tips................................13
New Member Application ..........................................14
Check Out the Newest "Cool Links" -- Pg. 6
Enter a Tip for Inclusion in "BEAR'S TIPS" -- Pg. 9
Be the First Person to Find the "Bear" -- Pg. 9
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Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
August, 2013
Coming in October: Windows 8 Workshop
Windows 8 Workshop is scheduled for Monday, October 21, 2013 at the Discovery Center 9:30 am - 2:00 pm.
Bring your laptop for hands-on learning. This workshop is an introduction to Windows 8, Microsoft’s latest operating system.
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How does one navigate around Windows 8?
Where is the Desktop? How do I open an app (a program)?
Where are Windows tools that we are used to seeing?
When you turn on the computer, the Lock Screen is what you see first.
The Start Screen is the main home screen. The large tiles are essentially big, interactive icons.
We will look at some of the apps that are found on the Start Screen, including the Desktop, Internet Explorer
10, the Microsoft Store and Bing Maps.
Pressing the ‘Windows’ key on the keyboard always returns to the ‘Start Screen’.
What are Charms? Access them on the right side of the screen. hat is where the PC Settings can be found.
There are the familiar Control Panel, Personalization, PC Info and Help.
Remember to left click or right click on open areas of the screen to see options. If you don’t immediately see
what you are looking for, try simply typing a keyword or keywords that pertain to it. Windows 8 may find it for
you quickly. Windows 8contains a powerful Search engine.
We will see how to pin and unpin apps to and from the Start Screen. Of course, we will learn the shutdown
process.
Good news security-wise. Do not buy any anti-malware (anti-virus, anti-spyware, etc.). Windows 8 comes
preloaded with a revamped Windows Defender. It helps to protect the system from bad guys.
Several people have already signed up for the class.
Order Your BBCC Logo Sweatshirts Now!
Only $26 plus $5 for your name. Great to wear all year long! Two colors available:
Cornflower Blue & Heather Charcoal. Order at a monthly meeting or by PayPal
click here — noting in the message box your color choice, size, and name. Ladies:
keep in mind, these are S-3XL men’s sizes
*** WIN A COOL PRIZE ***
BE THE NEXT WINNER IN "FIND THE BEAR" CONTEST
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Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
August, 2013
Watch Out for Free Credit Report Scams
WEBSITES:
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/agency/weeklyag/2008/0608creditrptscam.pdf
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports
http://www.annualcreditreport.com/
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/requestformfinal.pdf
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0151-disputing-errors-credit-reports
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/consumers.aspx?id=2110
http://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-164-17337_20942-111010--,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreeCreditScore.com
https://www.creditkarma.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Isaac
We have all inevitably seen the TV commercials for a variety of offers regarding “free” credit reports and credit scores. While there are some legitimate offers for free credit reports and free credit scores, many of those
heavily advertised as “free” are not really free, but require a pricey subscription for their services in order to
get the “free” report. Consumers need to be aware that promotions touting “free” are often quite expensive in
reality.
This deception that has ensnared countless individuals has for years also attracted the attention of consumer
protection agencies and organizations, ranging from the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general,
and the Better Business Bureau. Warnings abound about the alleged scams claiming that certain companies
will give you a free credit report and credit score in exchange for a paid subscription to their services.
Since 2005, every consumer has been entitled to a totally free credit report from the three primary nationwide
reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. According to the Federal Trade Commission website
(consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports), “The three nationwide credit reporting companies have
set up a central website, a toll-free telephone number, and a mailing address through which you can order
your free annual report. To order, visit annualcreditreport.com, call 1-877-322-8228. <sic> Or complete the
Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281,
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Do not contact the three nationwide credit reporting companies individually. They
are providing free annual credit reports only through annualcreditreport.com, 1-877-322-8228 or mailing to
Annual Credit Report Request Service. You may order your reports from each of the three nationwide credit
reporting companies at the same time, or you can order your report from each of the companies one at a
time.
The law allows you to order one free copy of your report from each of the nationwide credit reporting companies every 12 months.” The consumer also needs to be aware that the legitimate Annual Credit Report Service will, by necessity, request personal information from the user, including full name, date of birth, social
security number, and other sensitive personal information in order to verify the user’s identity, and to prevent
unauthorized access to the user’s credit report.
In one its many published consumer postings, the Better Business Bureau stated, “Verifying information contained in credit reports on a consistent basis is a great way for consumers to avoid financial and identity fraud,
as well as correct mistakes before they have a major impact on their credit score.” A similar sentiment has
been posted online by many of the states’ attorneys general, as well as by almost all of the major consumer
protection organizations. If questionable entries or obvious errors are found on the free credit report obtained
from any of the three credit reporting companies, the process to challenge or correct information is often provided by the credit reporting agency, and can also be found online at consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0151-disputing
-errors-credit-reports. It should be remembered that a higher credit score often leads to lower interest rates,
and increased loan availability.
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Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
August, 2013
In terms of the legitimate free credit report service, the FTC has posted a stern warning about what it calls
“Imposter” websites that try to trick users into paying for the otherwise free service, or engaging in identity
theft. The FTC says, “Only one website is authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit report you are entitled to under law — annualcreditreport.com. Other websites that claim to offer “free credit reports,” “free
credit scores,” or “free credit monitoring” are not part of the legally mandated free annual credit report program. In some cases, the “free” product comes with strings attached. For example, some sites sign you up for
a supposedly “free” service that converts to one you have to pay for after a trial period. If you don’t cancel
during the trial period, you may be unwittingly agreeing to let the company start charging fees to your credit
card. Some “imposter” sites use terms like “free report” in their names; others have URLs that purposely misspell annualcreditreport.com in the hope that you will mistype the name of the official site. Some of these
“imposter” sites direct you to other sites that try to sell you something or collect your personal information. Annualcreditreport.com and the nationwide credit reporting companies will not send you an email asking for your
personal information. If you get an email, see a pop-up ad, or get a phone call from someone claiming to be
from annualcreditreport.com or any of the three nationwide credit reporting companies, do not reply or click
on any link in the message. It’s probably a scam.”
Parallel to the questionable services that claim to provide free credit reports are similar dubious services that
claim to provide free credit scores. Many of these services are actually affiliated clones of the original illicit
services that provided the so-called “free” credit reports, and should be similarly avoided.
There are some legitimate services that do provide truly free credit scores; my personal favorite is CreditKarma (CreditKarma.com), which offers “Truly Free Credit Scores” and free credit monitoring, as well as other
helpful services. CreditKarma subscribers can access the CreditKarma website at any time to see their latest
credit information. Subscribers of the free service can also elect to receive monthly emails displaying their latest credit information and credit score, as well as email alerts which may show credit inquiries or changes to
their credit profile and score. CreditKarma also offers a free app for most smart devices that allows for ready
portable access to the CreditKarma information.
Readers should be aware that the credit scores posted by different sources, often referred to as “Fair Isaac”
or “FICO” scores can differ, sometimes substantially, as different agencies such as banks, credit unions, and
other lenders use different weighting and calculation methods which typically result in different scores for the
same individual at the same time.
It would be prudent for people to obtain a totally free copy of their credit report from each of the three primary
credit reporting agencies by using the AnnualCreditReport.com service, and checking each report for accuracy, requesting any corrections as appropriate. It would also be worthwhile to utilize one of the free credit
score and credit monitoring services, such as CreditKarma.com both to be aware of any changes in the individual’s credit profile, but also to be alerted of any potential identity theft that may be taking place. Also remember to be aware of the so called “free” services that are not really free. Avoiding being scammed is far
better than trying to rectify the impacts of being scammed.
Ira Wilsker [email protected]
Do you have WINDOWS 7 or 8 tips you'd like to share? How about COOL LINKS?
Your name and tip will be highlighted in Bearly Bytes!
Submit your tip to:
Eileen Bryan - [email protected]
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Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
Helpline
August, 2013
Officers and Key Leaders
The following members have generously offered
to help you with your PC problems by phone or
by email:
President......................................Rosemary Lloyd
909.584.9358
[email protected]
Windows Beginners
909.878.5622
Yomar Cleary
[email protected]
Vice President……………………….Yomar Cleary
909.878.5622
[email protected]
Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8
Rosemary Lloyd
909.584.9358
[email protected]
Treasurer.......................................Barbara Moore
909.585.7981
[email protected]
MS Outlook
909.584.9358
Rosemary Lloyd
[email protected]
MS Excel
909.878.5622
Yomar Cleary
[email protected]
MS Publisher
909.878.5622
Yomar Cleary
[email protected]
Digital Photos
909.585.7981
Barbara Moore
[email protected]
CD Burning
909.584.9358
Rosemary Lloyd
[email protected]
Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop Light Room
909.547.0109
Rick Edwards
[email protected]
The Computer Club provides training at the
monthly meetings when there is no presenter. SIG groups are also available.
Persons with all levels of computer
knowledge are welcome to attend the meetings at the Discovery Center on the 1st
Thursday of the month at 5:30 pm.
First 2 visits are free! Bring a friend. Membership is $25 and spouse $5. All recurring
membership dues are due in January.
Secretary .........................................Sandi Ybarra
909.585.8318
[email protected]
Director at Large ...............................Marc Busch
949.609.9266
[email protected]
Director at Large ….…..….....……....Jerry Merino
909.585.8714
[email protected]
Webmaster........................................Bill Flanagan
909.866.9379
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor..............................Eileen Bryan
909.289.8476
[email protected]
Publicity...........................................Yomar Cleary
909.878.5622
[email protected]
Equipment Chair...............................Don Odekirk
909.585.6728
[email protected]
Technical Advisor.................................Jim Lloyd
909.584.9358
[email protected]
Refreshments Chair...…………… Sharon Teeter
909.585.2026
[email protected]
Membership Chair....……………....Tina Nazarian
909.633.4516
[email protected]
Historian..............................................Nancy Hinz
909.585.8095
[email protected]
Sunshine Chair.................................Eileen Bryan
909.289.8476
[email protected]
Name Tags - 50/50…………………...Dorothy Sirk
909.585.3449
[email protected]
We can't help
everyone can
everyone, but
help someone."
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Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
August, 2013
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1 Christmas in Aug.
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COOL LINKS
THIS MONTH’S FEATURES
lifehacker.com
compukiss.com
windows-8-annoyances-how-fix-them
windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/meet
FOR THE LATEST IN TECHNOLOGY
bits.blogs.nytimes.com
nytimes.com/pages/technology/personaltech
techterms.com * chatslang.com
makeuseof.com * bplaynetwork.com
clarkhoward.com * customguide.com
portableapps.com * go-downloads.com
bestsites.fws1.com * ehow.com/ehow-tech
thewindowsclub.com * techsupportalert.com
ilovefreesoftware.com * amazon.com/gp
primecomputerfreetips.com * teachanolddognewtricks.com
lynda.com * cnet.com * geeks.com * vlcapp.com
fileinfo.com * ready.gov * zdnet.com * crucial.com
komando.com * howtogeek.com * email.about.com
printfriendly.com * ask-leo.com * saveyoutube.com
freeapps.org * youtube.com * dummies.com
FREE KINDLE READING APPS
read.amazon.com
amazon.com/gp/prime/
amazon.com/gp/kindle/kcp
amazon.com/gp/feature.html/?docId=1000739811
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5 General Mtg. *** 17 Board Mtg.
MakeUseOf.com is a blog about cool Web sites,
software and Internet tips. MakeUseOf.com lets you
stay up-to-date on new make use of stuff right from
your desktop. This version is the first release on
CNET Download.com
Read more: MakeUseOf.com - Free download and
software reviews - CNET Download.com http://
download.cnet.com/MakeUseOf-com/3000-12565_4
-10693535.html#ixzz2aNmZTakg
8 Essential Tools for the Digital Hoarder
makeuseof.com
Is Amazon Prime a Good Deal?
makeuseof.com
Beginning Bank
JUNE,2013
Membership Dues
Donations: 50/50
Advertising
Fundraising Equipment
Total Income
Dues & Fees
Programs
Supplies
Total Expenses
Ending balance in Bank
$1,764.38
0.00
0.00
0.00
105.00
$105.00
54.00
0.00
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$0.00
$1,764.38
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Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
August, 2013
3 Simple Steps to Create a Home Media Server
Streaming video and audio from the Web is now commonplace. Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, Spotify and other services make it simple to watch or listen to what you want when you want.
You don't even need a computer. Most services have apps for smartphones and tablets. Many newer TVs are
Internet enabled, so they can stream online video and audio with no extra gear.
For non-Internet TVs, you can grab an Apple TV or Roku box for $100 or less and plug it in. You might already have a Wii U, Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. These all include media streaming.
Google's new $35 Chromecast takes a different approach. It plugs in to your TV via HDMI and connects to
your Wi-Fi network. You can stream online video from your smartphone or tablet, or the Chrome browser on
PC and Mac, right to the TV.
That's all fine for bringing in outside media, but what about media already in your home? You might have a
collection of music that isn't on any service. You probably have thousands of photos. Don't forget any home
videos or purchased movies you have on your hard drive.
How do you bring these to your TV? You could just connect your computer directly and use the TV like a
monitor. Of course, that doesn't help you stream to mobile gadgets. And you might already have a streaming
box plugged in to your TV. Who needs more clutter in your entertainment center?
There's another solution: Set up a home media server. Don't let the name intimidate you; it's actually not that
hard once you know how. And that's what I'm going to tell you. By Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/07/27/3-simple-steps-to-create-home-media-server/#ixzz2aOjKhq2Q
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FREEBIES
Free-Attractions.com - America is chock full of amazing parks, museums and events. You could spend a
fortune trying to see them all! But you might not have to at Free-Attractions.com. This website has tons of free
things to do in more than 1,500 cities in the country. It also can help you save money on travel and lodging.
FreeBirthdayTreats.com - Many businesses offer free perks or discounts for customers celebrating birthdays. Here's a website that has collected a list of plenty of them!
FreeBirthdayTreats.com has discounted or free meals, movie tickets and other presents. Even better, it
might not even have to be on your actual birthday. Some offers are good for your entire birthday week.
Freeflys - Why would legitimate businesses want to give you their product for free? Giving you a sample gets
their foot in the door. If you like the product, you'll buy more. You'll tell your friends, too. But you're still reaping
all the benefits! You can get more than a hundred free samples at Freeflys. Browse by category or search to
find ones you want. You'll need to sign up using an email address to use this site.
Read more at: http://www.komando.com/downloads/category.aspx?
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Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
August, 2013
Internet Alerts Can Keep You Informed
How would you like to know every time your name is mentioned on the Web? Or when there is a breakthrough on a disease that you are following? Or when your favorite actor is starting in a new movie? This is all
possible with automated Internet alerts. Read this to see how it works.
Internet alerts are available by many different Internet services. The Weather channel at www.weather.com
has free alerts that will give you daily weather alerts as well as alerts for allergens like pollen and also alerts
for severe weather. Other alerts will keep you informed of the weather on school days and give warnings for
snow and rain. You can apply several customization options such as the time of the alert and the severity that
triggers the alert. You can get alerts sent by e-mail and/or text to a cell phone.
Many news stations also have alerts regarding news, sports, and weather. One of my local North Carolina
stations, WRAL (www.wral.com) even has an app that uses GPS to alert you to severe weather no matter
where you travel as long as you have your cell phone turned on. While most other alerts are free, WRAL
charges $8 a year for their GPS-based alerts. Check your local news stations for news alerts.
The granddaddy of all alerts, Google Alerts, is a very useful one that you should be aware of. This is one of
Google’s powerful tools that is completely free. You can use Google Alerts to keep track of anything on the
Web. Just surf over to http://www.google.com/alertshttp://www.google.com/alerts and enter a search query.
Then choose your options. You can control how often you get alerts (as it happens, once a day or once a
week), the type of Web coverage that triggers an alert (news, blogs, video, discussions, books, or all of
these), and you can also choose only the best results or all results. Enter your e-mail address and your alerts
will start. You can change or remove an alert at any time. Once you start using Google Alerts, you will be surprised at the results.
Most people start with creating an alert with their own name. My “Sandy Berger” alert tells me when any news
article or blog mentions my name. Of course, it also gives me results for the other Sandy Berger. You know -that guy from the Clinton administration who stuffed documents from the National Archives into his pants. Unless you have a very unusual name, you can expect to get news of others with the same name. That’s not all
bad. In fact, it can be very interesting.
The Google Alerts can be wonderful if you are following the news about a certain item. For instance, they are
wonderful if you are interested in following a certain disease, medical condition or treatment. You can use
Google Alerts to follow any current event or any specific public figure, actor, or personality.
If you are a transplant and want to follow the news from your old hometown, this is a perfect way to do it. Just
enter the name of your old city and state in the search terms. If you want to be more specific, you can just enter the zip code. This will give you results directly from your old neighborhood.
When you set up a Google Alert, you may want to limit the results to just the best results and once a day. If
you let Google give you all the results as they happen, I can assure you that you will be inundated with email.
You are sure to find many different ways to use Google Alerts. In fact, it is good to play with the Alerts a little
to get to just want you want. Like any Google search, you can enter as many search terms as you like to narrow the results. You can put names in quotes to get exact matches.
Be creative with your alerts. You can have Google search for coupons for your favorite restaurant. You can
use it to follow a company whose stock you may be interested in purchasing. You can use it to follow an item
that you want to purchase.
Sandy Berger, www.compukiss.com sandy (at) compukiss.com
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Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
August, 2013
About Bearly Bytes
Bits & Bytes
Bearly Bytes Newsletter, past winner of SWUGC &
What is a Microsoft Account?
APCUG Newsletter contests. is the official publication
of the Big Bear Computer Club. Views expressed in
Bearly Bytes are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Big Bear Computer
Club. Other computer user groups are welcome to reprint our articles as long as they give credit to the author and Bearly Bytes, Big Bear Computer Club.
Submissions: All BBCC members are encouraged to
send articles, comments, letters, questions, and tips,
to Bearly Bytes for inclusion in future issues. Submit
as plain text in the body of an email and attach any
graphics as JPEG or GIF format.
Your Name and Tip Highlighted!
Submit your tip to:
Eileen Bryan - [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2013 Workshop Survey Topics
Beginning Computers
____
Microsoft Windows 7 & 8 Basics
____
Digital Photography
____
Microsoft Windows Basic Maintenance
____
How to Web Search
____
Email Basics
____
Facebook
____
Ebay
____
Other _____________________________________
Watch a video about what a Microsoft account is.
"Microsoft account" is the new name for what used to
be called a "Windows Live ID."
Your Microsoft account is the combination of an
email address and a password that you use to sign in
to services like Hotmail, Messenger, SkyDrive,
Windows Phone, Xbox LIVE, or Outlook.com. If you
use an email address and password to sign in to
these or other services, you already have a Microsoft
account—but you can also sign up for a new one at
any time.
Over time, all Microsoft services will be switching
from the old name to the new one. You might continue to see mentions of "Windows Live ID" instead of
"Microsoft account" for a while—for example, on
xbox.com or windowsphone.com—but the names
mean the same thing, and the services will be updated soon.
Note: You can also use a Microsoft account to sign
in to any PC running Windows 8.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-live/
sign-in-what-is-microsoft-account
How to Insert a YouTube Video Into a
PowerPoint Presentation in Office 2013
How many times have you needed to show a video
during a presentation? Using YouTube and PowerPoint, is now possible. Open PowerPoint and switch
Copy and paste into your email and submit to: over to the Insert tab. Then click on Video, and then
Rosemary Lloyd – [email protected] Online Video… Read more...
Dates: ____________________________________
*************************************************************
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How to Set Up and Use Your Smart Phone
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9
Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
August, 2013
Tech Toys to Make Senior Life Easier
Once upon a time, as far back as the 1990s, the words “technology, techie, electronic gizmos” and
others made mature adults cringe. “I can’t understand them”, or “I’m too old to learn new things”, or
“I don’t need all that stuff” were often uttered reactions to the wave of the new silicon chip world.
But, as is the case with new technology today, the speed of progress is limitless.
It is also a fact that “mature adults” now are more in-sync with the gadget world than ever before.
One of the primary reasons for this phenomenon is the fact that the gadget-makers are making the
products easier to use, easier to understand and more functional for navigating through the aging
process.
Here are some examples of what I’m talking about:
Google Wallet
Google’s payment application or “app”
or cash. When you check out at one of
simply tap your smartphone to a special
phone then sends payment info to the
merchants are redeemed automatically.
replaces a wallet full of credit cards, coupons
the retailers signed up for the system you
terminal and use any debit or credit card. Your
terminal. Google Offers from participating
Currently, you can use the app at many popular stores, including Macy’s, Champs, Bloomingdale’s,
The Container Store, CVS Pharmacy, Jack in the Box and others. http://www.google.com/wallet/
Looxcie Live
Looxcie Live is the first app to make sharing real-time video hands-free. It pulls continuous video
from the company’s one-ounce, earmounted Bluetooth camcorder. Depending on the strength of the network
connection, the app adjusts the video
resolution for smooth replay. Family and friends can view the video through a browser or the Looxcie
app. The camcorders start at $150.
www.looxcie.com/
Misfit Shine
Misfit Wearables has introduced an activity monitor or tracker that is not only useful, but also manages to make a fashion statement. The Misfit Shine tracks steps taken, and distances swum or cycled.
It is waterproof and sturdy with a six-month replaceable battery. The $79 device also allows you to
transfer the collected data by holding it close to your smartphone’s screen.
http://www.misfitwearables.com/shine
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Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
August, 2013
iLunar RBX-500
Want to turn your room into one giant
the iLunar RBX-500 Bluetooth/dock
lute 3D sound technology, the iLunar
entire room with top-quality sound no
iPod or iPhone into the system and it
tooth-compatible smartphone, tablet or
stereophonic experience? Now you can with
music system. Using Sonic Emotion’s Absosystem eliminates “sweet spots” and fills the
matter where you are situated. Dock your
streams music wirelessly from any BluePC. Amazon has it for $249.
http://www.intl.onkyo.com/
y-charge 2.1
Charging your phone, laptop or videoplayer while in your vehicle has always been a one-at-a-time
affair. Not anymore. The y-charge 2.1 Dual USB Car Charger allows two devices to be charged simultaneously. It is small, lightweight and has a brightly colored casing. Price: $99 at www.tylt.com/
YUBZ Retro Handset
Back in the old days people weren’t subjected to
the microphone part of a phone handset was close
back the old Bell-style handset with a modern twist
company says it also reduces radiation from holdear. Each handset is shipped with adapters to fit a
solid or customized artwork styles, the YUBZ Retro
respectively. http://www.yubz.com/retro-handsets/
every phone call made near them –
to the mouth. YUBZ has brought
– it connects to a mobile phone. The
ing a mobile phone close to your
large variety of phones. Available in
Handsets are priced at $45 and $56,
By Les Goldberg, APR, Contributing Writer
www.sunset-publishing.com
www.examiner.com
lgprman (at) gmail.com
11
Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
August, 2013
Bear's Tips
FitBit -Small Electronic Wonder Monitors Some Health Concerns
by Ira Wilsker
WEBSITES
http://www.fitbit.com
http://www.fitbit.com/setup/one
Several weeks ago my daughters, acting in concert, convinced me to purchase a thumb sized electronic device from one of the local retail stores. It was both currently on sale plus the retailer had an online
printable coupon for an additional discount, so I purchased one for about $80. Since buying the small device,
it has been a constant 24 hour companion. The device is the FitBit One, readily available in the electronics or
fitness departments of several of our local stores, or online.
The FitBit One is a sophisticated device and can track steps walked or run (like a high quality pedometer), calculate the distance covered while walking or running, determine how strenuous is the physical activity, calculate calories burned, determine the number of stairs climbed, track the hours and minutes of sleep,
track the number of times awakened, calculate the quality of sleep, and offers a silent vibrating alarm to wake
the wearer at a preset time. Information on daily steps, stairs, miles (or kilometers) walked or run, calories
burned, the current time, and a flower which symbolizes the degree of fitness are displayed on the small LED
screen on the device; additional information is compiled for later uploading (synching) with the computer.
The FitBit one is available in two colors; black or a dark burgundy. In the box is the FitBit One tracker
device, a silicone rubber covered metal clip that holds the device, a very small USB - Bluetooth dongle that
fits in a USB port on a computer (Windows and MAC compatible), a USB charging cord to charge the internal
lithium-ion polymer battery, and an elastic and Velcro wristband that may be used to hold the FitBit at bedtime. The FitBit device is water resistant, and unaffected by perspiration, rain, or splashed water, but is not
intended to be used in or under the water. The internal lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery, which is
charged using the included USB charging cable, lasts about a week, and recharges quickly when attached to
a computer. The device itself is small, being 1.89 inches tall, 0.76 inches wide, and 0.38 inches thick, and
weighs only 0.28 of an ounce; it can easily be clipped inside a pocket (recommended), to an undergarment,
or to the included wristband.
Configuring the FitBit One is a fast and simple process. My FitBit One was almost fully charged out of
the box, but it may be necessary to use the USB charging cable to charge it; the battery status is displayed on
the FitBit while charging by pressing the one button on the FitBit. The USB - Bluetooth dongle, which is about
the size of a thumbnail, is plugged into a USB port, and connects to the device via Bluetooth as long as the
device is within 20 feet of the dongle; this is necessary to perform the one-time configuration of the device,
and the automatic synchronization with the computer. The Bluetooth dongle is so small, that it barely protrudes from the USB port, and if the port is available, can be left plugged in; I plugged the Bluetooth dongle
into one of the ports in my 7-port USB hub, which is always connected to my computer, allowing for my FitBit
We provide your group members with a 35% discount off the list price of any of our books. At checkout, right
before entering their credit card information, they must enter the user group coupon code This coupon code
is an exclusive offer that may not be used in conjunction with any other coupon codes
.
http://www.peachpit.com/ USER GROUP COUPON CODE UE-23AA-PEUF (case-sensitive).
12
Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
August, 2013
Word Tips
By Rosemary Lloyd
By Yomar Cleary
Excel Tips
Internet & Tech Tips
Use the “Spike” Feature in Microsoft
Word to Copy and Paste Text
Typing In Dates in Excel
Windows Shortcut Keys
Dates are a special case in Excel. If
you enter information that can be
translated as a date (by any stretch
of the imagination), then Excel
treats it as a date. It converts your
data into a serial number that is internally used to represent dates and
times.
Did you know that if you push the
Window icon and the + sign on
your keyboard that you Zoom
in? The window icon and the –
sign allows you to Zoom out. If you
haven’t given them a try do so.



The zoom in and out is great when
trying to read the fine print on
something.
Microsoft Word has a hidden feature that most people probably
don't know about: a way to collect
text on the clipboard from multiple
locations, and then paste it all at
once into your document.
The blog details how this feature
works: You start by selecting a
block of text, and then use Ctrl+F3
to copy it to the "Spike". Once
you've selected a number of entries
this way, you can then paste the
combined set of copied text back
into the document with the
Ctrl+Shift+F3 shortcut key combination, or by typing the word
"spike" and hitting F3.
By Eileen Bryan
If you are on a tablet you can push
the window icon and the letter
O. This is going to lock your orienFor instance, any of the following
tation. This comes in handy if you
entries will be translated to a date
don’t want to go landscape or porby Excel:
trait for what you are doing.
12/15
12-15/12
15 Dec
December 15, 2012
If you enter the first example, Excel
This trick actually uses feature will convert it to a date and display
which we've covered before, but that date as best it can determine.
this entry is automatically created
behind the scenes. It's a useful If you leave off the year in your entrick that could come in handy the try, Excel assumes you mean the
next time you're reformatting a long current year.
document.
You could also use dashes instead
http://lifehacker.com/5614132/use- of slashes and Excel will still figure
the-spike-feature-in-microsoft-word out you are entering a date.
Cheryl Wester APCUG NOOZ
www.apcug.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shorthand, Jargon, Chat Slang
Shorthand is a term for the acronyms and other words used in
chat rooms, e-mail, message
boards, Internet, and other textbased messaging devices. For
example, lol, which is short for
"laugh out loud" is an example of
Regardless of how you type a date, shorthand.
it is converted to a special serial Shorthand is used as an easy and
number by Excel and stored inter- quick way to express an emotion
nally in that format.
or type something in chat. Below
is a listing of shorthand currently
How you see the date on your listed on Computer Hope. If you're
screen is a consequence of how the looking for chat slang (common
cell is formatted.
English misspellings and words)
such as "wot" for "what" or "y" for
Even though Excel stores dates in a
"why" see the chat slang definistandard format internally, they can
tion.
be displayed using any number of
different formats.
http://www.computerhope.com/
jargon/s/shorthan.htm
Microsoft Excel training for versions:
Some
97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003
things were never
meant for us to know. For
everything else, there's
Google.
:-)
13
Big Bear Computer Club Bearly Bytes
August, 2013
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