October 2006 Issue

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Back To Normal (Again)

The date for the last month's meeting was changed because the room was required for use by the school for their 'Open Day'. I was personally quite pleased about this as I was not feeling too well although it was my intention to attend. In the event, I was unable to attend the re-arranged meeting because I was much worse. I am still not back to my normal self although much better and hopefully will be at the October meeting. I had spend a very nice week with my sister who lives in Cornwall. I think that the problem was that my sister looked after me too well. I was given three good meals a day which I have not been used to since my wife died in December last year. I was sick on holiday and very sick on the evening of the meeting. Not very interesting I know - sorry.

The Internet

Members will know that I am not particularly interested in the internet. There is no doubt that the internet is a wonderful thing and of great use to many people. Because I do not use the internet much, I am not very good at it. At my golf club I am well known as a computer user and over the years I have had to contend with numerous queries regarding members computing problems. Most golf club members were not particularly knowledgeable and their problems were mostly easy to deal with. Gradually things have changed and they have become more competent themselves and their q ueries are now mainly about the internet. I am still expected to be able to assist but because I do not use the internet much myself, it is not often that I can now be of any assistance.

I think that the reason for my dislike of using the internet is because I have suffered from viruses and am bombarded with unwanted advertisements. I have a couple of utilities in use that help but they seem only to get rid of the simple stuff. I am most annoyed when I am confronted with a message saying that several rogue files have been discovered and asking me if I want them deleted. On accepting, I am then told that the files may be imbedded in programs and by deleting the files I may have problems with a program. What use is it to me, if the utility program cannot identify the rogue files and safely delete them? How am I to know if a file can be safely deleted?

Every time I switch on my computer I am confronted with a notice informing me that a file has been deleted and a program may not work. I just click on the close box and everything seems to work perfectly but the notice still comes up next time. I have sought help about this problem and had people to look into it but no one can get rid of the notice. The internet itself is aware of the problem and has offered a solution, but it does not work.

Another problem I have, is that I have many relatives abroad who insist on sending me photographs. On checking my emails I get a string of unwanted adverts and dozens of photos which take ages to download.

My neighbour, who does not know a lot about computing, spends a lot of time on the internet but has no virus protection software installed. Heaven knows what junk she has on her computer but she says that everything works fine.

Looking After Your CD's and DVD's

I am very careful to look after my large collection of CD's and DVD's which has been built up over very many years. Tracks which I have taken years to find can now be downloaded. Wonderful but it has spoilt my hobby as it is now too easy.

The other day I picked up a CD that must have fallen out of a car. The CD was absolutely covered in scratches where cars had run over it. I was about to throw it in the bin but out of curiosity I thought I would try it first in my portable CD player. you've guessed it - it played perfectly.

Membership

As membership renewal time approaches it is noticeable that quite a few members never attend meetings these days and may feel that membership is not worth while. Please think about it carefully, the subscriptions are very low and help keep us going.

Remember that we are here when needed.