Computer Classes Have Returned!!

For all those that have been asking, our much-loved free computer classes return beginning Tuesday, September 6 and continue through the end of November. Whether you have never touched a computer before or are an Internet dynamo, let the Mukwonago Community Library’s computer guru Kristen, show you something new. Classes include topics like Computer Basics, Creating Family Newsletters, Internet Basics, Word Processing with Microsoft Word, Using Graphics, and E-Mail Basics, just to name a few. No experience is needed for our Computer Basics course, and all others only require that you feel comfortable using a mouse. We’ll even provide a laptop for use during the class. Class size is limited so register today. To register or for more information, stop by the front desk or call us at (262) 363-6411. You can also see our computer class schedules on our website’s Adult Services page at http://library.booksite.com/6648/nl/?list=CNL14

Technology Tip #6: How to Get the Software You Need At Home For Free

A lot of people come to the library to access the software we have on the computers. They need Microsoft Word to update their resume, Microsoft Publisher to make a poster for an event, Microsoft Excel to make a budget, etc. This software can be expensive depending on where and when you buy it. Microsoft Office Student Edition can range anywhere from $88 to $290.

If you aren't in a position to afford that type of software, don't worry there are alternate options for you to consider, for free. This type of free software is known as "open source" software. The concept behind it is that instead of one company being behind the creation, a team of volunteers help create it. When open source software first came on the scene in the late 90s it wasn't very popular because the software wasn't as "slick" as the kind you could pay for. Slowly but surely open software has grown in popularity and in product stability.

There is an open source software version for almost any software you can conceive of. Be well aware before you start downloading things willy-nilly. Unless you can find a reputable source the recommends the software, do not download it! Here are a few trust worthy open source software that I recommend: (click on the link to get to the page you can download these programs from).

If you need Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, download Open Office.

If you need Adobe Photoshop download Gimp.

If you want Windows download Ubuntu (it has Open Office & Gimp included)

If you need something to help you with formatting your e books to share try Calibre.

If you don't have the internet on your home computer but still want these computer have no fear! Spend a few bucks and get yourself a memory stick. When you come to the library we can help you download the software to the memory stick. Then you can move the software from your memory stick to your home computer.

If you have any questions come see us at the reference desk. If you can get enough people together that want to learn the ins and outs of one of these programs we may be able to make a computer class.

Technology Tip #2: Organize and Store Your Photos

Digital photography is great! You can take hundreds of photos on one memory card and store them easily on your computer. A common issue I run into with some people is they misunderstand the longevity of digital photographs. They believe that these photographs will be safely stored forever on their computer. The truth is print photographs have a longer life span than digital photographs and that has to do with a technology term called "digital migration".

Digital migration is moving your digital photographs from one electronic device to another. For example you create digital photograph with your phone/scanner/camera and then usually transfer it to a computer. The digital migration is not over for that photograph yet, because you will probably have to move it to several other computers in your lifetime. Consumer Reports suggests replacing your computer every 4 to 6 years. If you move your images on to each new computer, suddenly by the time your new baby gets old enough to graduate high school you have "migrated" 3 or 4 times. Every time you complete that process the chances of those images getting lost or damaged is increased. To avoid those problems I suggest saving them to a online web album.

You can utilize a online web album for easier access and saving of your photos. There are a ton of free services and I am a big fan of Picasa. I think this Google provided program is awesome because is easy to download, will search your computer for all of your photographs, comes with a simple free photo editing software, and gives a lot of control over if anyone can view your photos on the internet. You can also clearly label each photo, change the size of the photo, and correct some of the errors like "red eye". If you find Picasa not to your liking there are other free services like Photobucket and Flickr.

Once you download Picasa and start uploading your photographs you save your computers in a "online web album". That way if your computer ever blows up, melts, freezes, or gets stolen, your photos will be saved and accessible through any other computer with internet access. You can also save your photos in different albums. Here is an example of what a album with one photo would look like (that is my nephew..isn't he cute).

If you are interested in getting started with Picasa I suggest checking out some of the intro material. If you are still a little confused stop in at the library and the staff can assist you in understanding. Good luck with your photos!

Technology Tip of the Week Part 1

So I have been mulling over some ideas for a weekly blog segment. There have been some neat blog posts in the past including, BBB (Big, Beautiful, Books) and the Construction Updates on the expansion are awesome! But I wanted something where people could come and learn a little tidbit of information. Since a lot of patrons come to the library to use technology and learn about it, I thought our virtual presence should offer the same services. So welcome to the new weekly blog addition, Technology Tips!

Tips for Week #1: SHORTCUT KEYS

Using the mouse for some people can be difficult, and take a lot of time. A way to make that easier (especially for seniors) is to utilize shortcut keys. Shortcut keys are certain buttons or combination of buttons (pressed at the same time) on the keyboard that will make actions happen. It is often nice because instead of clicking three things to get to that command, you can press these button combinations to make it easier. There are oodles of them, these are just some of the simpler ones I use on a daily basis. Try the web browsing tips NOW! :)

Energy Presentation

Local energy expert Arley Uhrig came and gave a presentation on Global Warming/Climate Change last month. Come see part II of his series where he will help you understand how you can conserve energy in your home around you. Besides talking about energy conservation and efficiency he is extremely knowledgeable about how it works.

Come and listen to his presentation and bring your energy questions. There is also a little display of books and resources in the library if you need something to get your noodle going!

Presentation II will be tomorrow (Thursday) July 7th at 6:3o pm.

See you there!

HELP! Avoiding E-mail Scams and Phishing

In 2008 the state of Wisconsin reported over 13,000 complaints of fraud and over 3,000 cases of identity theft. These numbers are predicted to have risen by almost 11% in the last two years. With identity theft on the rise it is a good idea to be informed on how to avoid it. One way to improve your safety is to be mindful of how you share your personal information on the web.

E-mail scams and phishing websites try to steal your personal information for their benefit. This could mean trying to use your credit card numbers for fraudulent purchases or selling your personal information to companies. Some scams are easy to spot, like the Prince of Nigeria personally e-mailing you to let you know you have inherited 21 million USD, and this money is all yours for a processing fee of 15,000 USD). Others like a realistic looking e-mail from the IRS inviting you to take a customer satisfaction survey are a little harder to catch. So what can you do to protect your identity and personal information?

The US Department of Homeland Security offers these security tips:

• Be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls, visits, or email messages from individuals asking about employees or other internal information. If an unknown individual claims to be from a legitimate organization, try to verify his or her identity directly with the company.


• Do not provide personal information or information about your organization, including its structure or networks, unless you are certain of a person's authority to have the information.


• Pay attention to the URL of a website. Malicious websites may look identical to a legitimate site, but the URL may use a variation in spelling or a different domain (e.g., .com vs. .net). (For example irs.gov is the correct website, irs.com is not.)


• If you are unsure whether an email request is legitimate, try to verify it by contacting the company directly. Do not use contact information provided on a website connected to the request; instead, check previous statements for contact information. Information about known phishing attacks is also available online from groups such as the Anti-Phishing Working Group (http://www.antiphishing.org/).


• Install and maintain anti-virus software, firewalls, and email filters to reduce some of this traffic.


• Take advantage of any anti-phishing features offered by your email client and web browser.
  

These are some tips that I have used:

• Have at least two e-mail accounts, one is your normal daily use e-mail; the other is your “junk e-mail” account. When you need to provide your e-mail address for something and you are uncertain of the source you can provide your junk e-mail address. This will reduce spam in your mailbox and help protect private information.


• Use a VISA or MasterCard gift card to make purchases online when you are leery of online vendors. The gift cards are available for a small fee and usually can be purchased through local vendors and are usually refillable. This way if your account information is stolen it isn’t an actual credit card, and the only amount that can be lost is what you currently have on the gift card.


• Another more advanced tip is to use a web browsing program with built in security features. For instance Google Chrome is a free downloadable web browsing software that has more built in security then most competitors. It also boasts an “incognito” browsing feature, which means it will not save any internet history and less of your personal information, and it erases automatically when you close the window.


• If get an e-mail from an unknown address and it isn’t something important, don’t open it or mark it as spam. If you do open the e-mail don’t click on any attachments or links located in the e-mail.


• Be careful when you play online games. Though the game may be fun and free, sometimes when you download the game to you computer it installs spyware that collects information from your computer. It is easiest to play “flash games” that you don’t have to download from the internet.
• Be wary of Facebook scams. These scams can be sent directly to your Facebook account making promising of free gadgets, gift cards, or cash (don't believe it!). Or in the case of Associated Content's article some scammers are going on Facebook and getting teens personal information. They are using this information to try to scam family members out of money, by pretending to be the teen and asking for money. Make sure to double check with other family members or call the number you have for that teen to double check. The safest bet is to have your child or teen set their Facebook account to private (which means people that aren't their friends cannot see their information).

The best tip of all you probably got from your parents: “IF IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS!”