ANNOUNCEMENT

I have signed an agreement with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to create a Sheriff’s Substation out of some of the space to be vacated by the Wellness Center. This will be a classic win – win. The Sheriff’s deputies who patrol this area will have a warm place in the winter and a cool place in the summer to stop and write reports, etc. Leisure World will gain added security from their presence when they are here. The space will be available to the Sherriff’s deputies 24/7. I do not anticipate the deputies moving in until the end of August or early September because the new furniture for the Wellness Center will not arrive until then, thus the Wellness Center will not be able to open in its new location until the new furniture arrives. The rest of the space to be vacated by the Wellness Center will be utilized for some much needed storage space for the Finance Department and a small lunch room for staff members. Years ago we used to have a small lunch room but had to give it up in order to support the newspaper operation.

Jon L. Devner, Community Manager

Saturday Workshop, Jul 24, 2010

Disclaimer: Products mentioned in this workshop do not constitute a recommendation.  Read reviews and download, purchase or install after careful consideration. 

Free antivirus programs –Avast, Avira, MSE

         Please remember that you should only have one antivirus program installed on your computer.  If you intend to change to a different anti-virus program, first remove your current program either via the uninstall built into the program, or by going to Control Panel, Add/Remove in XP or Programs and Features in Vista or Windows 7.  Avast antivirus is rated very well for a free antivirus program.  In order to use it, you will need to register with your name and email address.  The user interface is much improved.  Read about it and download at

http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html.

         Avira is another free product that is rated well.  You can read about it and get it at

http://download.cnet.com/Avira-AntiVir-Personal-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10322935.html.

         Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is also rated very well and has an easy to use interface.  Read about the current version at http://download.cnet.com/Microsoft-Security-Essentials/3000-2239_4-10969260.html.  Go to http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ to do the download as you will be offered either the 32 or 64 bit, depending on which operating system you are running. 

MSE – New version in Beta

On 19 July 2010 Microsoft released the beta version of Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0. The key new features are: Windows Firewall integration, Enhanced protection for web-based threats, a new protection engine and Network inspection system.  It will be offered free  to the public after the Beta testing. Read more at

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20011194-75.html?tag=mncol;title.

Improvements to Google Images

         Google is making changes to its search and image functions.  An advanced image search allows you to assign more parameters to find specific images and you can view up to a thousand images with one search. 

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366825,00.asp

UBITMenu

         If you are having trouble adjusting to the ribbon in Microsoft Office 2007 and later versions, you can gain access to the menus that you used in earlier programs by using the UbitMenu.  You can view the tutorial at

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/19323/bring-office-2003-menus-back-to-2010-with-ubitmenu/.   Download the program from http://www.ubit.ch/software/ubitmenu-languages/.  Be sure and close all programs before installing.

         After installing, a new tab labeled Menu is added to the tabs.  When you click the Menu tab, the menus that you were accustomed to in Office 2003 and earlier are available to you.

Inserting Figures in documents

         If you are inserting figures in documents, be sure and do it as you are creating the document.  If the figures are inserted after completion, it changes the alignment of the pages.  Adding a figure adds a line to each item which causes all text and images to move down a line.  You may then need to edit the document to make sure that the placement of images and text is correct.  Tip:  Always save a test copy of any important document and try the changes in the test copy.  If you are not satisfied with the results, your original is still available.

Password protected USB drives

         A user inquired about protecting USB drive data with a password.  You can purchase software that will allow you to password protect your USB drives.  You can also purchase USB drives with encryption enabled on the drive.  Read the article at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive_security for more information on how to secure your USB drives.  An example of some retail encrypted flash drives is found at

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=encrypted+flash+drive&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=3227477665&ref=pd_sl_t7jyz2maj_b.

Password protected Excel spreadsheets

         Thanks to Alan Y. for the earlier Excel version information.

         In Excel 2003 and earlier - If you want to secure an Excel worksheet so that you need a password to open it- Click tools - options - security.  You will find a line on the security tab that says “password to open".  This is where you type in your password and then click ok.  It will bring up a second dialog box asking you to retype your password. Insert the same password there.  If you want to secure a series of cells, click “format cells protection” but it must be used in conjunction with the worksheet protection function.  Once you set a password to open a workbook, make sure that you remember it or you will not be able to open the workbook.

         In Excel 2007 and later - To encrypt your workbook and set a password to open it:

Click the Microsoft Office Button (the round button at the upper left of the program), hover the pointer over Prepare, and then click Encrypt Document.  In the Password box, type a password, and then click OK. In the Reenter password box, type the password again, and then click OK.  Save the file to save the password.

         To remove password protection from an Excel spreadsheet - Use the previously entered password to open the spreadsheet.  Click the Microsoft Office Button, hover the mouse pointer over Prepare, and then click Encrypt Document.  In the Encrypt Document dialog box, in the Password box, delete the encrypted password, and then click OK. Save the spreadsheet.

Windows Live Wave 4 Beta

         First, many users do not know or understand what is offered in Widows Live.  Windows Live is the name for services and software that is offered by Microsoft.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Live.   Most of these are web based programs.  In June, Microsoft released the beta version of Windows Live 4.  A quick review of all offered services can be found at http://home.live.com/allservices/.   Windows Live Essentials includes free programs for photos, movies, email, etc.   These can be found at

http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials?os=other.

Storing documents on SkyDrive

         What is SkyDrive?  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skydrive    Windows SkyDrive is part of Microsoft's Windows Live online services. SkyDrive is a file storage and sharing service that allows users to upload files to the Windows live web site.  25 GB of free storage is available to users.  A Windows Live ID of your user name and password is used to access the files.  The user has control of the files and may keep them private, share with your contacts, or share them with the public.  You may also use SkyDrive to share photos.  Read the article at

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_live/b/windowslive/archive/2010/03/23/behind-the-scenes-photo-sharing-on-skydrive.aspx.

ZIP file – XML document won’t open

         A user stated that she received a zipped file and it opened with as an .xml file extension but was not readable.  XML is an acronym for Extensible Markup Language, used by programmers.

         An xml file is usually a document file and should open in any browser.  They may also open in a text reader such as notepad.  It is a common file format for exchanging data via the Internet.  http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fileextensions/f/xmlfile.htm

Pictures and desktop icons too large in XP– Resolution is set too high

         Microsoft has a tutorial with illustrations at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/personalize/resolution.mspx

on how to change your screen resolution in the Windows XP operating system.

How to change text size and use zoom in Internet Explorer

         If it is only the text or image size that is too large in Internet Explorer, those are easily changed by clicking the View menu, then Text size.  Choose the size that meets your needs.  Another option is to change the Zoom setting.  Zoom is located on the View menu, or if the Status bar is visible, it is also available as a drop down menu in the lower right corner of your browser. 

When will USB 3 be available?

         USB 3 is the newest revision of the Universal Serial Bus providing connections between a host computer and the peripheral USB drives. It will provide increased speed for data transfer.  You can read more about the development of USB at

http://www.everythingusb.com/superspeed-usb.html#1.  The CES (Consumer Electronics Show) indicates that mainstream use of the USB 3 standard will not move forward to many items until sometime in 2011.  http://www.pcworld.com/article/186566/usb_30_finally_arrives.html

How to turn off picture tagging in Facebook

         After photos have been uploaded to a user’s Facebook page, it is possible to tag (name) people in the photos.  How to do this is explained at http://www.ehow.com/how_2031208_tag-friends-facebook.html.  The user that entered the tag can remove it.  On the link of the name below the tagged photo, there should be a link that says “photo/remove tag”.  If you are tagged or in a photo that you don’t want displayed, you would have to ask the album owner to remove the tag/photo from their album as only the person who posted the item can change it.