Vol 20 - No. 1 January 2003

The HUG UpDate

The Harrisburg pc User Group© (HUG) Newsletter since 1983

Available Monthly at www.HrbgUG.org




HUG Logo ®

Schedule of HUG Activities

January 2003 HUG Meetings

  • January 14th [2nd Tuesday] - General Membership Meeting 6:30~9:00 PM
  • January 16th [3rd Thursday] - Executive Board Meeting 6:00 PM
  • January 19th [3rd Sunday] - Computer Workshop 2:00~4:00 PM

January 2003 Computer Shows *

  • January 4th-5th [Sat-Sun] - Allentown Fairgrounds
  • January 20th [Monday Holiday] - Radisson Penn Harris, Camp Hill
  • January 25th-26th [Sat-Sun] - Maryland State Fairgrounds at Timonium, MD

February 2003 HUG Meetings

  • February 11th [2nd Tuesday] - General Membership Meeting 6:30~9:00 PM
  • February 16th [3rd Sunday] - Computer Workshop 2:00~4:00 PM
  • February 20th [3rd Thursday] - Executive Board Meeting 6:00 PM

February 2003 Computer Shows *

  • February 1st-2nd [Sat-Sun] - Allentown Fairgrounds
  • February 15th [Sat] - York Expo Center
  • February 17 [Monday Holiday] - Radisson Penn Harris, Camp Hill

March 2003 Computer Shows *

  • March 1st-2nd [Sat-Sun] - Allentown Fairgrounds
  • March 15th-16th [Sat-Sun] - York Expo Center
  • March 22nd-23rd [Sat-Sun] - Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg
  • March 22nd-23rd [Sat-Sun] - Maryland State Fairgrounds at Timonium, MD

* Remember to always check the MarketPro  web site show schedule for possible
   last-minute cancelations before traveling to computer shows.

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HUG Meetings

HUG General Membership Meetings

Notes from the December General Membership Meeting --

There were 12 members and no guests present at the December 10th General Membership Meeting.

The main item of business was the Annual Election of HUG Officers. These individuals will serve in their elected capacities during 2003. Chuck Gordon served as the unbiased election officer and counted "hands up" votes for the nominees. The results are as follows.

  • President: Lou Samsel
  • 1st Vice President: Dennis Mumma
  • 2nd Vice President: Hazen Meek
  • Treasurer: John Reinhardt
  • Secretary: - no nominee -

Congratulations go to the HUG 2003 Election winners!


The election was followed by the annual Special Awards of computer hardware and computer software items for members who served at the HUG Computer Show Table during 2002. Each member who volunteered to work the HUG Computer Show Table during 2002 was eligible for an award and will receive an award. Those eligible include George Eckard, Eric Paul-Johnson, Chuck Gordon, Toni Donchak, Patrick Murphy, and Tom Lehman.

The actual order for award selection was determined by those with the most accumulated volunteer points (one point for each half-day worked) going first. Volunteers not present will select their awards, from the remaining awards, at any future meeting they attend. So, if you are eligible but haven't received your award, come to any upcoming meeting and select the award you choose.

The Award Items:

       Hardware

  • (2) USB Mouse
  • (2) USB Speaker Set
  • (2) Jamit Sound Mixers
  • (2) Power Strip Protectors w/ Phone Line Protector
  • (1) 12V DC to 120V AC Power Converter (use in a car to run a computer, television, etc.)

       Software

  • (1) Digital Recording Studio II
  • (1) Digital Recording Studio II - Pro Edition
  • (1) Genetics Educational CD ROM
  • (2) Norton Utilities - Win 95

       Books

  • (1) Upgrading & Repairing PC's w/ CD ROM, 11th Edition
  • (1) Upgrade & Maintenance Guide
  • (1) I Didn't Know That You Could Do That - Internet, 2nd Edition
  • (1) Sun StarOffice 5.1 for Windows
  • (1) Cluetrain Manifesto

Leftover awards will be used as doorprizes at future HUG General Membership meetings.

The December 10th meeting also included a general question and answer (Q&A) discussion session for computer questions and computer problems. The discussion was lively and interesting. Everyone who participated learned several new things. Several members said that they enjoy these informal discussions and that they learn at least one important, new, useful procedure or tip.

Dennis Mumma won the doorprize of the evening - a 12V DC to 120V AC Power Converter. Now he can recharge his laptop while traveling away from home on his motorcycle! The meeting concluded at around 9:15 PM.



Coming up in January 2003 --

At the January HUG General Membership Meeting we will have a scheduled presentation by someone from Comcast Internet Service. The speaker will tell us all about cable modems for Internet access. This should be an interesting session if you have been considering Comcast Internet Service or if you already have the service but need answers to questions that have developed about it.

A Q&A by/for all attendees will follow, if time permits.



Coming up in February 2003 --

The scheduled presentation for February [or March] is "All About Usenet" by Bob Grabau. Bob will explain:

  • What Usenet is
  • How to find it through your ISP
  • For charge usenet news service (monthly fees)
  • What's available: Sources of/for news groups, MP3s, videos, pix, music, multimedia, hobby stuff, computer info. ~ 43K groups in all

The Usenet presentation will be given in February or March, depending on Bob's busy work schedule.

The scheduled alternate presentation for February is "How to Give a Presentation With Your Computer - Part 2" by Dennis Mumma. Dennis will explain:

  • What software is available
  • How to create a PowerPoint presentation
  • Part 1 was presented at the September 2002 meeting by John Reinhardt - see the October Newsletter

A Q&A by/for all attendees will follow, if time permits



Coming up in March 2003 --

The scheduled presentation for March 2003 will be whichever presentation that was not given in February by Bob or Dennis, see above.

A Q&A by/for all attendees will follow, if time permits.



April 2003 --

April 2003: Scheduled Presentation - "MP3 and DVD" by Hazen Meek. Hazen will explain all about how to create your own MP3s and DVD. He will cover most of the basics and let the members see the possibilities for themselves. In his demonstration, Hazen will:

  • 1. Show the members a DVD player and Power DVD Software.
  • 2. Show members how they can copy their own DVDs on their computer and DVD writer.
  • 3. Take a CD and convert it to a DVD using their computer and DVD writer.
  • 4. Show how members can get other DVD files from a Napster-like company.
  • 5. How to rip a DVD -- simular to ripping an MP3.
  • 6. Show them a clip from a DVD movie so they can actually see that the computer will play a downloaded one.
  • 7. Introduce the latest MP3 Windows Media Player, Version 9, and demonstrate its abilities.
  • 8. Introduce substitutes for Napster -- Kazaa and Morphious.
  • 9. Show us where to get MP3 and DVD files via the Internet and Usenet.


At past HUG meetings, Hazen's demonstrations of audio related software have always been interesting and informative. His experience includes working in the music studios in Nashville TN. He has also written successful radio ads accompanied with his original music and lyrics.



May 2003 --

May 2003: Scheduled Presentation - "Antique Computers" by Bob Grabau. Bob will bring his collection of antique computers to demonstrate and discuss. This presentation was given several years ago and was a huge hit.



June 2003 --

June 2003: Scheduled Presentation - "What's New with Linux" by Lou Samsel. Lou will demonstrate and discuss the two most popular Linux Releases, Red Hat and Mandrake, and explain their differences and similarities. Other, less popular, Linux distributions, such as S.u.S.E. Linux, Corel Linux, and Turbo Linux wil also be discussed.

Lou will also demonstrate the new DemoLinux CD that allows you to run Linux without installation, disk partitioning, or other hassles that usually prevent people from giving Linux a try. This CD does not install Linux on your hard disk. Instead, it runs from the CD and, therefore, allows you to play with it at lenght before you eventually decide to proceed with a full fledged installation. [Copies of Demo Linux Version 3 will be available at the meeting, on a limited basis, for a small donation charge.]

Popular, stand-alone Linux applications will be discussed as well as applications that run on both Linux and Windows OSs. This includes Office Suites that replace MicroSoft's expensive, yet limited, MS Office suite.

After Lou's demonstrations, Norm Wagner will lead a Linux specific Q&A session. Norm, Lou, Bob Grabau, Dennis Mumma, and other Linux users will be on hand to answer your questions about Linux.

Norm will also explain why other countries in Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia are shunning Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft programming software and adopting Linux as their national "standard" software.

How you can obtain the various Linux distributions for free (or at a low cost) and how you can learn more about Linux for free (or at a low cost) will be covered.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1: The above schedule is tentative. It is subject to change as most presenters must schedule these presentations in conjunction with their normal, professional work schedules. Meetings will be held even if the scheduled presentation is canceled -- an alternate presentation will be substituted if possible.

Note 2: Anyone with a proposed presentation should contact either the HUG President or the First Vice President to schedule it.



HUG Computer Workshops

The HUG Computer Workshop (formerly known as the DOS/Windows SIG), where beginners' questions are answered and problem computers are analyzed for free, is held on the THIRD SUNDAY of each month, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. If you are new to computers and would like a little coaching in basic computer operations or if you just need to have some techno-speak decoded, then this is where you want to be.

Alternately, if you are an experienced computer user, but are having hardware or software problems you can't solve on your own, you can still come out.

We will handle all your computer problems one-on-one in separate areas of the large, comfortable workshop hall.

We also have a limited supply of computer components for sale at the workshops in case you need computer parts, cheap. See the For Sale section of this newsletter for details about out current parts inventory.



Linux SIG Meetings

The Linux SIG (HAL) is held concurrently with the HUG Computer Workshop at 2:00 in the Skyline View Church. If you are an experienced Linux user and wish to participate in a Linux discussion session, or if you are want to learn what Linux is about, then this SIG is for you. Guests are welcome.

Norm Wagner has suggested that an additional monthly Linux (only) meeting be scheduled. If anyone has any desire to attend a Linux only meeting notify Norm at normwag@comcast.net with your comments.


HUG Executive Board Meetings

The HUG Executive Board Meetings are held at Little Joe's Pizza (formerly Brian's Pizza) in the Swatara Square Shopping Center across from the east shore Wal-Mart. The center is bordered by Route 322, Mushroom Hill Road, and Grayson Road. Board meetings are always open to the public. Here is where we handle the club's monthly business -- so there are no demonstrations nor hands-on help. But if you would like the club to benefit from your input on policies and procedures or you'd like to volunteer, then this is the place to be. Meetings start at 6:00 PM and run about an hour or until the club's business is completed.

The Thursday, December 19th HUG Executive Board Meeting was canceled due to the Holidays.

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Computer Shows

Upcoming Shows - There are two one-day shows scheduled for the Radisson Penn Harris in Camp Hill and a two-day show at the Farm Show Complex coming up. See the Schedule of HUG Activities for the exact dates. If you are interested in volunteering to man the table then email (or call) John or Lou.

There are several benefits in helping at HUG computer show table. One, you get FREE admission to the show. Two, you frequently get a "vendor's discount" from the many vendors at the show - sometimes 10% on the more expensive items such as drives, processors, memory, cards, software, etc. Three, we take breaks from the HUG table so you still have the opportunity to walk around, shop, and enjoy the show. Four, you learn something interesting and useful from the other HUG members and the helpful vendors at every show. Five, you get the satisfaction of helping someone who knows even less about computers than you do by answering their easy questions - that's satisfaction and an ego boosting experience.

So how about it? Send either John or Lou an e-mail message now and they will remind you in January so you don't forget and miss a great computer show.

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HUG News

New Official HUG Internet Address --

We have a new Official HUG Internet Address, effective November 1st. The new address is:

                      www.HrbgUG.org


Our first choice was "www.HUG.org" but that was reserved by the "Hawaiian pc User Group". They currently have no web pages up at this time, however.


New Official HUG Mailing Address --

We also have a new Official Hug Mailing Address, effective November 1st. The new address is:

     Harrisburg pc User Group (HUG)
     Attn: Membership Director [optional line for membership applications and payments]
     38 Windsor Way
     Annville, PA 17003

Please use this new address, starting November 1st, on all U.S. Mail correspondence including new membership applications and dues payments.



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Important Reminders and Information

Your Current Email Address --

You must provide us with your correct and current address and inform us of any changes. The best way to do this is to e-mail Lou Samsel and John Reinhardt from the address you wish to use. (Please place "HUG" at the beginning of the e-mail's Subject Field.)

     Lou Samsel -- HUG President at: lou.samsel@pa.net

     John Reinhardt -- HUG Treasurer at: jreinhardt@state.pa.us

Snailmail to the HUG official address works too.

This eliminates typographical errors at both ends as well as handwriting misinterpretations. If you are planning on leaving one ISP for another, we recommend overlapping them for a few months so we have time to change your address without our getting "invalid address" messages when we send you announcements.

Remember, this is your responsibility.


Members Who Won but Have Not Received Their 2002 Volunteer Awards--

The following members have won a 2002 volunteer award at the December 10th meeting but were absent. Eric Paul-Johnson, Toni Donchak, Patrick Murphy, and Tom Lehman, please contact Lou Samsel to claim your award before someone else does!

Donations to HUG --

Modern and usable software and hardware donations are appreciated. No DOS software or 386, 486 hardware, please -- there is just no use for it. Donations may be dropped off at any HUG meeting. Your donation may be tax deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes -- see our Treasurer John for details.


Meeting Locations --

Remember, General Membership Meetings are held on the SECOND TUESDAY of each month from 6:30~9:00 PM in the Skyline View Church, 7733 Hillcrest Avenue, Harrisburg. Skyline View Church is on Jonestown Road (Rt. 22) just 6/10 of a mile west of Rt. 39. It's on the south side of the highway, next to a Fulton Bank and across the highway from a Getty-Mart. Share the experience and bring a friend.

Workshops are held on the THIRD SUNDAY of each month from 2:00~4:00 PM the above location. Visitors with problems are welcome but members are given priority with assistance.

HUG Executive Board Meetings are held the THIRD THURSDAY of each month at 6:00 PM in Little Joe's Pizza [formerly Brian's Pizza] in the Swatara Square Shopping Center across from the east shore Wal-Mart. The Swatara Square is bordered by Route 322, Mushroom Hill Road, and Grayson Road. All current members are welcome.

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Membership Renewal

Membership in HUG has many advantages including: admission to all HUG meetings including SIGs, elegibility for door prizes (when available) at General Membership Meetings, priority over non-members for free technical assistance with computer related problems at all HUG Computer Workshops, elegibility to volunteer to work at the HUG Computer Show Table and win annual volunteers' prizes, discounts on all "For Sale" items, and other benefits that I can't think of at the moment.

To renew your HUG Membership, please snailmail your $15 check, made out to "Harrisburg pc User Group", to the New HUG Official Mailing Address:

     Harrisburg pc User Group (HUG)
     Attn: Membership Director [optional line for membership applications and payments]
     38 Windsor Way
     Annville, PA 17003

Alternately, you may bring your check or cash, for $15, to any HUG Meeting.

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Wanted or For Sale

Newsletter Editor Wanted --

Lou Samsel and Dennis Mumma are filling in as newsletter editors until a volunteer for this position comes foreward. This position would look good on anyone's resume. You have the opportunity to style and provide content as you choose. Anyone interested should contact Lou Samsel.


List of Links to Microsoft Sites Needed --

We still need a few people to submit a List of Links to Microsoft Sites. The last section of this newsletter contains links to interesting and informative Linux sites. There are no Microsoft Windows sites listed -- I know this because some of you have told me so. This is not an oversight. If anyone wishes, you can prepare a list of addresses (first) and site names (second) for whatever Microsoft Windows sites that you think the other readers of this newsletter might be interested in visiting. No commercial ($$$) sites, please. We're not providing free advertising without quid pro quo. E-mail this list to Lou Samsel.


Items for Sale --

We have the following items for sale to active HUG members, only. [Unclaimed items are available to non-members at slightly higher prices.] All items are used, unless othewise indicated. All items are believed to be in good working condition. Anything that proves to be nonworking after purchase may be returned for replacement or refund within 60 days of purchase. Free items have, of course, no warranty. No additional claims as to suitability, performance, or reliablilty are offered. [The stuff's dirt cheap, after all!]

These items are offered while existing supplies last.



  • Computer Components For Sale

  • Hard Drives, 500 Mb, used - $5.00
  • Floppy Drives, 3 1/2", Generic Style - $3.00
  • Floppy Drives, 3 1/2", IBM Style (no seperate power connector) - free
  • Processor Chips, Intel 486, various speeds - $3.00
  • Memory, 72-pin SIMMs, 4 MB - $1.00
  • Memory, 72-pin SIMMs, 8 MB - $5.00
  • Memory, 72-pin SIMMs, ECC (IBM type), 8 MB - $1.00
  • Cases with power supplies, AT style, various manufacturers - free
  • Software: MS J++ with Windows NT 4.0 (new - last one) - [SOLD]
  • Cables, floppy drive, flat ribbon type - $2.00
  • Cables, IDE hard drive, flat ribbon type - $3.00
  • Cables, SCSI drive, flat ribbon type - $1.00


The For Sale Components may be purchased at any workshop or at any other HUG meeting -- if plans are made to do so in advance of the meeting. Please call (or better yet, email) Lou Samsel well in advance to assure availability.

The proceeds from sales are placed in the HUG treasury.

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List of HUG Officers and Support Members



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Links to Other Sites

Computer User Groups

HUG's Home Page  |   APCUG's Home Page  |   ChicagoLand LUG  |   BayArea LUG  |   GLUE


Linux News

Linux Gazette  |   LinuxLinks  |   Linux Today  |   Linux News  |   Linux Planet  |   SlashDot

FreshMeat  |   CNet Linux News  |   TheRegister


Linux Documentation and Tutorials

Linux Documetation Project  |   Linux Tutorials  |   Linux Newbie Organization  |   AboutLinux.com  |   LinuxLinks

CNet Linux Message Forum  |   TheLinuxGurus


Linux Releases

Mandrake  |   RedHat  |   S.u.S.E.  |   LurboLinux  |   Corel Linux


Linux Vendors

Linux Planet  |   Linux Mall  |   Linux Apps  |   Linux Central  |   CheapBytes




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APCUG Logo HUG is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2003.

HUG has been an APCUG member for 18 years and is a charter member.



Entire form and content is ©2003 by Harrisburg PC Users Group
HUG Logo is a Trademark ® of theHarrisburg PC Users Group
APCUG Logo is a Trademark ® of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups
The Newsletter Title The HUG UpDate is ©1985-2003 by Harrisburg PC Users Group

Compliments can be sent to Lou Samsel.   
Complaints, criticisms and bad advice should be kept to yourself, unless you want to be the editor.
  ~  Lou

Last Modified: January 9, 2003