Computer Volunteer Group

SCSI Wedensday

2006-03-29T15:21:00.000-05:00

April 12 has been selected as "SCSI Wednesday". Mr. John Poli of the Phila Department of Behavioral Health will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using SCSI-based devices. There will be a demonstration of SCSI card, hard drive, CD-ROM, and optical drive installation and, perhaps most important, an opportunity for people to ask questions concerning their own installation.

Again, April 12; which is 2 weeks from tonite.

Wes

On-Going Projects

2006-02-15T19:43:00.000-05:00

• Rehab Saturday – Volunteers repair donated computers for give-away and provide technical support to anyone who brings in their PC for repair.

• Mommie & Me – Parents and children involved in a shelter program preparing for transition to permanent housing will participate in a series of classes and then receive a computer for their new home.

• Supporting Other Community Technology Centers – We are currently working with one library, two playgrounds, and one after school program. We provide computers, technical support and configuration services.

• Mac Computers to Students – We still have three Apple computers left for donation to students.

• NPHIN Client Setups – We have a continuing relationship with this housing program (Northwest Philadelphia Interfaith Network) and provide a home computer to each of their clients when they move into their new homes

• Past Offenders Project – We provide technical support to participants in this program.

Mission Statement

2006-02-15T19:37:00.000-05:00

The Computer Volunteer Group is a Service Learning Program. We have three priorities:

1. Maintain and support the computer lab location at Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church.

2. Provide technical support and networking assistance to community organizations in the surrounding area.

3. Refurbish computers for those in our community who could not otherwise afford one.

All three of these priorities is accomplished by volunteers who receive training and hand-on experience. In planning projects, we attempt to balance learning and service to the community.

Saturday Schedule for February - Snow Day on 2/11

2006-02-11T03:58:00.000-05:00

2/11/2006 - Everything is canceled.
Stay Home and watch the snow fall.

2/18/2006 - Site Visit to Smith Playground in South Philly

2/25/2006 - Site Visit to Giving of Ourselves partnership.

Online Registration for MALT Now Available!

2006-02-10T18:39:00.000-05:00

You can now register for your favorite MALT classes online, via the web. In true non-profit style, we are using PayPal -- it helps us keep costs down. There are a couple of places in the process where you may find using PayPal is not quite as easy as other methods.

There are a few items that require explanation:

First, once you click the "View Classes" button on the main page you will be shifted to the appropriate page. After you find a class you want, you will be asked to create an account. Follow the easy instructions. Do not try to log on until you have clicked on a class you want -- it won't work otherwise.

Second, if your email address is on file with the MALT office already, you will receive an error message that reads "this account is already being used." To overcome this, you can log onto your current account by using this default password: your first and last initials, plus your zip code. For instance if Sam Ford who lives in Mt. Airy needed to use his default password, it would be SF19119. Mary Chance Lee in Chestnut Hill would be ML19118.

You may also experience problems with the pay screen. If you are using Visa or MasterCard, ignore the right side of the screen. The Visa/MasterCard button is on the left side of the screen.

You may see a pop-up that says you have a "prerequisite." This is a once-per-term (no matter how many classes you take) $5 registration fee. Your registration will not go through until you click to add this fee/class to your account.

The online registration process uses the PayPal service to complete your transaction. This does not mean you need a PayPal account; you can use an existing Visa or MasterCard. Due to this payment service, you will be re-directed at time of payment to a secure payment screen, which will ensure the safety of your credit card information.

We are thrilled to have this new option. With a bit of patience and practice, we know everyone will enjoy the ease of enrolling for MALT classes online!

Please call the MALT office (215-843-6333) Monday-Friday, 9AM-2PM, if you have any questions or need more assistance.
=========================================================
This article was taken from an email which I received from Jonna Naylor at the MALT office.

Introductions

2006-02-08T19:53:00.000-05:00

Welcome everyone.

I would like you all to introduce yourselves to the group.

Please post a comment, and tell us who you are.

CD/DVD Longivity

2006-02-08T16:51:00.000-05:00

I stumbled across this discussion about various forms of back up storage and found it quite interesting. It is somewhat lengthy but it does summarize in saying that the practical length of time to trust burned CD's is from 2 - 5 years, directly proportional to the importance of the data. And it speaks verly poorly of the RW types.

Cheers, Wes

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-10149-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=152618&messageID=1698511&tag=nl.e497
and supported links ////

Meeting Notes - 2006-02-01

2006-02-07T15:39:00.000-05:00

The group had a discussion of Using the Blog & the Website

The projects for the Night were:

Installing Windows in XP an HP VL400 PC.
Once that PC is configured, we will make an image for the VL400s.

Installing Windows 2003 Server on the Dell Computer - Instructor2.
That machine will become the new host for all of our CVG utilities and documents.

Updating the HP VEIT7 Image master PC.
Once the changes are made, all of the student stations will be re-imaged with the new version of the configuration.

Two Levels of Communication

2006-02-01T18:38:00.000-05:00

There are two levels of communication being put in place as of this writing (2/01/06).

The Website (mywebpages.comcast.net/malt02) should be used as our public face. The results of things which have been discussed and decided upon may appear on the website. These postings should NOT include personal addresses or other information which we would not impart to any passing stranger. The content of the website and its major purpose is to attract new membership by showing viewers various activities and opportunities within the volunteer group. We want to promote growth by exciting others about the available potential.

The blog addresses should not appear on the website.

The MCVG Blog (mcvg.blogspot.com) is for group use. All official members will have the opportunity to post and comment upon existing entries. This venue was created to relieve the pressure of emailing the membership to keep them up to speed. Additionally, their open access offers the opportunity for members to participate in a new form of communication and to voice their opinions even when we're not in formal session (ie. weekly meetings or projects). Resolved issues and developed items which might prove to be beneficial for the general public will be mirrored to (and made to look pretty for) the website.

Visual Component Identification Tool

2006-01-29T17:57:00.000-05:00

On December 30, 2005 Greg wrote:

"I ran across this site while trying to identify and old SCSI card. What makes it unique are the diagrams. They are arranged to help you identify a component visually.

www.thegreenhouse.us/th99

Useful Search Links

2005-10-12T16:02:00.000-04:00

Here are some computer related search links:

* Webopedia: Computer Dictionary of Computer & Internet Terms
* OOKO: Search for shareware, freeware
* Mercora - Music Search and Internet Radio Network
* YOTOPHOTO: The Free Stock Photo Search Engine

And some specialty search links:

* Acronyma: acronyms
* FactCheck.org - Annenberg Political Fact Check
* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
* Phonebooks from WebSearch; yellow/white pages, toll free, reverse lookups
- Ken

Antispyware news

2005-10-02T17:29:00.000-04:00

According to Brian Livingston's "Windows Secrets Newsletter", Sunbelt Software's CounterSpy is in, Microsoft is out. Ad-Aware SE Personal and Spybot Search & Destroy are at the bottom of the list. Spyware is growing faster and the top rated Anti-Spyware software is changing just as fast.

I recommend everyone to read the latest "Issue 61 — 2005.09.29" of the "Windows Secrets Newsletter" at windowssecrets.com/comp/050929/.
- Ken

July Picnic

2005-06-29T19:46:00.000-04:00

Just a written reminder about the gathering on July 10. The Second annual CVG Hot Dog Derby And Burger Massacre will happen at 221 W Upsal St (Across the Street from Blair Christain Academy) at 2 PM until the last Pepto Bismal has been inhaled. The rain last year really didn't significantly affect the time folks sweemed to have - and I still have a huge bottle of Ketchup from last year - so don't bring any of that - but if you would like to bring something - like a side dish or desseryt - leave a blog here and I'll try to balance things out.

SEE YA ON THE 10th
Wes (215-849-0201)

Hello CVG World

2005-02-04T01:24:00.000-05:00

Greetings,
and welcome to MALT's Computer Volunteer Group blog site.

There's more to come; I promise!
and more timely and up-to-date than the web site
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/MALT02/.

Very soon Greg and more of the gang will be posting the latest news and current information about the group, our projects, new & future developments and computer news eg. security... etc.

Check back soon and thanks for stopping by.
Ken Taylor, editor