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July
1, 2000; Issue #7; Mail Address:PMB 309
4038 Factoria Blvd. SE, Bellevue, WA 98006-5236
Voice
Mail: 206-232-5892; Classroom: Phantom Lake Elementary School, Bellevue
For
Detailed Information, Class Schedules:
www.seniornetps.org
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BULLETIN:
NEW, HIGH-SPEED PC COMPUTERS FOR FALL CLASSES: When students start Fall
classes at the SeniorNet Computer Learning Center classes at the Phantom
Lake Elementary School in
Bellevue, each is scheduled to have a new, powerful, fast PC computer to
work with, according to Pres. Helen Hesketh. The latest-models will
replace the current computers. As
this issue of the Online Newsletter was prepared for distribution, she
reported that a long-sought foundation fund grant for 13 new computers had been
approved. Our thanks to the
Seattle Foundation for
making this possible. Favorable action followed months of intensive efforts by a special committee headed
by Bob Swenson with Hal Mozer and Ken Crandall to draw up the successful
grant request. Pres. Hesketh praised
the efforts of the veteran volunteers, and said bids are now out for the
purchase, with plans calling for the installation and operation of the
computers in time for the start of September classes. Appreciation and thanks
particularly go to one of the original founders and head of our SeniorNet here,
Jiggs Clark, for alerting the organization to the Foundation grant
possibility, and working out
procedures in approaching the Foundation for the successful fund grant request.
ANOTHER
REMINDER FOR THURSDAY, JULY 13th REGISTRATION:
Yes, you all received the excellent print announcement of the big personal registration day, Thursday,
July 13th, from 10-12 am, at the Crossroads Mall, south area of the
mall near the Old Navy store. SeniorNet volunteers will be available to answer
your questions about learning and course opportunities and to sign you up.
Registration is for courses for the Fall 2000 semester. The brochure listed the varied courses,
schedules. If you’ve mislaid it, just go online to our website at address
(Uniform Resources Locator) shown above, for needed details and information. Registrar Louise Flora is being assisted by Marilyn Emerson,
with Roger Dalton, coordinator
of Registration Day, looking for volunteers.
AN IMPRESSIVE ARRAY OF COURSES is being offered seniors, 50 years of age and upwards. Included are Computer Basics; Introduction to Windows 95/98; Word Processing (Works); Intermediate Word Processing; Word Processing (Word); Desktop Publishing; Basic Quicken; Quicken Plus; Creating Cards etc; Database Management; Basic Internet; Photo Editing and Scanning; Web Page Design; File Management; E-mail Workshops. Another reminder: SeniorNet of Puget Sound does not offer Apple Macintosh training. Sorry.
KAFFEE KLATCH MOVED TO THURSDAY, JULY 6TH: To properly honor our cherished Fourth of July observance, the monthly no-host SeniorNet Kaffee Klatch has been moved for this month only from the usual First Tuesday of the month, which this year is July 4th, to Thursday, July 6th, at 11 am, at the Crossroads Mall Food Circus, according to Pres.Hesketh, following consultation with the KK founder, Harry Sully.. All are welcome to this monthly relaxed, informal social event. And lots of good food etc available for purchase, and plenty of good conversation without charge.
SENIORNET BOARD MEETING NOTICE: Also because of the holiday, the regular board meeting has been changed to Thursday, July 6th at 9:30 a.m., to the Phantom Lake School Library.
OUR THANKS TO BILL BUMPAS for sending out to our online members that comprehensive Microsoft tip sheet on keyboard shortcuts used in operating Windows 95/98. Good idea to display it alongside the computer monitor.
SURPRISE COMPUTER SHUTDOWN: For someone long used to the reassuring message on the screen when closing down the Windows program in ordered sequence, that it is OK to physically switch off the computer, the newly purchased Dell computer proved a short-term mystery to one of our colleagues. When he clicked on Start Menu, then clicked on Shut Down, then clicked on OK when the final dialogue box appeared with the Shut Down command checked, he waited, as usual, for the final message telling him it was OK now to physically switch off the computer. But, to his surprise, the Dell computer shut itself off physically, with a very audible click of the switch. Now he was worried. Did the computer properly close all programs before quitting? He tried it a few more times. Same results. So he sent a query to the Dell support line via email with his problem. The answer came back quickly. Yes, Dell programs its computer to physically shut down once given the Shut Down signal on the menu. And then, in more polite words, asked the question: Isn’t this easier than having to physically shut it down?
WHEN STICKY TRACKBALLS AND MICE GET CRANKY: If—and it will in time---your mouse or
trackball which controls the cursor, starts to get difficult to move around the
screen, it’s time to give the little revolving balls an alcohol swab. With mice, the balls are
underneath the mouse. With trackballs, which are moved by your fingers, the
ball is on top. And they do get dirty in time. If they don’t get balky, then
you’re not doing much work at the computer. Bring them up to speed by dousing
some Isopropyl Alcohol, available at your local drug counter, on a paper towel wad. Use the doused wad to
carefully and thoroughly wipe off the mouse or trackball ball. Then use a wad
of dry toweling to wipe it down.
In most cases, barring any other problems, the cursor will quickly go to
wherever you aim the maneuver the ball. It’s best if u can take the ball out of
the socket. If not, clean it carefully anyway..
BROWN BAG LUNCHEON THURSDAY, AUG. 24 from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. for everybody,
with door prizes including free software. The top summer activity takes place
in the outdoor area at the Phantom Lake Elementary School and is open to all
students, teachers, former and incoming students and their guests, all-former
and current leadership members and volunteers. Of course you are reminded to
bring your own brown bag lunch, along with a non-refrigerated dessert to share.
QUICK TIPS to improve your computing skills culled from Smart Computing magazines: Word 97 and Word
2000 include a spelling and grammar checker, of course. But they also
include a thesaurus. To use it, first highlight/select the word you want
a synonym for. You can highlight by clicking and dragging your cursor across.
Now press Shift-F&. The thesaurus window will pop up with
alternative suggestions for your highlighted word. Click on the chosen
alternative word, which automatically changes the selected word. This also
enlarges your personal vocabulary for more precise writing, and even speaking.
Having a problem trying to find the on-screen mouse cursor? You can make
it easier to find and follow by giving it a tail, and/or making the pointer
larger, slowing it down etc. Here’s the procedure: Click Start, Settings,
and Control Panel. Double-click the Mouse icon. Click the Pointers
tab to change the look of the mouse pointer. Click the Motion tab to
slow the speed, or to add a pointer trail.
WINDOW- DRESSING DESKTOP ICONS : You can organize and alphabetize your
Desktop icons to make for easier and faster access. And as you select Desktop
shortcuts for favorite documents and programs, the desktop in time can get
messy. You can drag icons by clicking the icon, holding down the left mouse
button, dragging the icon to its new location, and then release the mouse
button. BUT, there is an excellent and simpler method to arrange Desktop
icons To start, Smart Computing
suggests, right-click the mouse in an empty space on your Desktop. Up pops
the Desktop menu. You’ll see
options to Arrange Icons, and Line
Up Icons. Under New, you can also create
New Folders to hold icons. But
to arrange the icons the way you want them lined up: Arrange Icons on the menu gives you
five choices: By Name, By Size, By Type, By Date and. This writer finds By
Name option makes it easier to quickly find the desired program, document,
address list, whatever, very quickly. A matter of choice, and also trial and
error, until you decide which works best for you..
(NOTE: If you receive more than copy of our Online Newsletter, please email
a request to correct mailing list, to Phil Scheier, b26flyer@worldspy.net)
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Pres.>
Helen Hesketh; Past Pres.> Clif
Wuesthoff; Vice Pres.>Bill
Bumpas; Secy>Dave Lewis; Treas.>Bob Swenson; Registrar<Louise Flora; Curriculum. Coordinator> John Wise;
Facilities Coordinator> Ken Crandall;
Member-at-Large>Delores
Davis; Volunteers
Coordinator> Delores Davis;
Online
News Editor> Phil Scheier;
Publicity>Jo Hugh; Public Relations>Bill Flick
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