Indiana County PC Users Group
http://www.icpcug.com
Meetings
3rd Tuesday of each month
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
at the
Indiana County
Technology Center
Hamill Rd., Indiana, PA
Everyone
Welcome
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
President Larry Rodack convened the monthly meeting of the Indiana County PC
Users Group at 7:06 p.m. at the Indiana County Technology Center, Hamill
Road, Indiana, Pa. Thirteen members were in attendance. It was noted that
a network connection was not available for tonight meeting.
Minutes
& Treasurer’s Report
The minutes were presented by Bob Dalecki and approved with a revision to
the closing paragraph. A treasury report was presented by Bob Dalecki and
approved. The current balance is $573.64 with $50 expenses for the August
and September meeting room and equipment rental. A list of members was read
with a reminder to those not listed to pay their dues for the year.
Program
Steve Higgins conducted a lesson on Wireless Networking and Email Do’s and
Don’ts
Wireless Networking
Steve showed a wireless router costing about $50 with rebate from Staples. He said that LinkSys is best. This unit has 4 wired connections and capable of handling 100 wireless connections.
The other piece needed is a wireless network cards for each computer.
Steve demonstrated how to setup the wireless router.
Initial the router is connected via wire to the computer for the setup
Access the router information through a browser using the address 192.168.1.1 (address is router specific)
Password is - admin
The following tabs are available; setup, wireless, security, restrictions, gaming, administration & status
NOTE: everyone should have router because it acts as a hardware firewall.
Setup Tab
If using Adelphia as your ISP select - auto config -> DHCP
A static IP is a permanent address and should not be selected.
Each address has 4 groups of 3 numbers. There a limited numbers of IP addresses therefore a dynamic setting should be selected.
PPPOE is a Verizon setting. You need to enter your user name and password.
Wireless Tab
Mixed mode is good for B (11mbs) and G (54mbs) standards. You will only see a speed difference internally when transferring files. The limiting factor is the internet where a transfer rate of only 1 or 2mbs is expected.
If you use Voice Over Internet you will need a faster ISP.
Typically a wireless G router has a 150 ft range inside and 300 ft outside.
Change the name of you router and select a channel (6 is best to stay away from phones etc).
Select “Enable Broadcast”.
Wireless security tab
WEP is least secure. Set a pass phrase then generate the keys and save. Each computer will be asked for key when accessing the connection.
Steve showed how to extend the range of the router with a homemade amplifier made from cardboard and duct tape. He handed out a template with directions. Other amplifiers can be found on the internet.
Email Do’s and Don’ts
Forwarding and Replying to messages.
When you forward an email send the original message so that the recipient doesn’t have several layers of messages to unwrap.
Don’t “Reply to All” when you are “Blind Carbon Copied”.
Rules when composing messages.
Don't write when you're angry.
No sarcasm. It doesn’t come across as sarcasm.
Do not use all uppercase letters.
Use a clear subject.
Keep it short.
Don't forward jokes without cutting extraneous text.
Don't send email to the wrong person. Be careful with the auto-populate feature when typing in someone’s address.
Don't use just one email address. Use one for shopping, personal and work related activities. That way spam is not sent to your personal account.
Check all your email accounts. Set your email aggregator to download email from all accounts.
In business spelling is important.
Think about buying a personal domain so that your email will never change even when changing your ISP.
Old
& New Business
Jim Crissman talked about the Tourist Bureau Pamphlet. He and Linda will
pursue getting these printed at Copies Now on Thursday when they run their
special rates.
Jim will look into a chamber of commerce mailing insert also.
Larry Stadtmiller mentioned the possibly of using the Red Oak building for future meetings.
Close
The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2005. With
no other business to conduct, President Larry Rodack adjourned the meeting
at 9:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Dalecki, Secretary