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The Monthly Edition Of The k-Byte Newsletter |
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| V. 27, No. 2, February 2010 | Users Helping Users |
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The Monthly Edition Of The k-Byte Newsletter |
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| V. 27, No. 2, February 2010 | Users Helping Users |
Contents
Meeting Previews on Page 6
February: eReaders
March: YouTube Explored
Quote of the Month
Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous mind.
Samuel Johnson [1751]
by Terri Neary, a member of the ICON PCUG, Inc., New York, http://www.iconpcug.org, editor(at)iconpcug.org
Everyone has their own ideas about how computers and the internet can help them the most. For me, it is my genealogy project. I am trying to find out who my family were, what they did, where they lived, and even how they lived. I would like to confirm or disprove several family stories and be able to give the generations after me a sense of where they came from. Trying to do this without a computer and the internet would be the equivalent of using a horse and buggy in the 21st century. But searching for your family history can be an expensive project. There are many ways to cut down the cost.
Now one of the easiest websites to search is www.Ancestry.com. However, this can be a pricy option unless you know of a library with a subscription to it. Personally I travel to the Bethpage Library to use theirs. The databases available on this site range from the basic Social Security Death Index, which gives you the option of writing to the appropriate department to get a photocopy of the original application, to the Federal Censuses, to Passenger Lists coming from multiple locations to multiple ports in the United States and over a thousand different databases in the United States alone. Each of these databases can give you information regarding your immediate line of family members as well as their siblings. Every little tidbit can help you to find more out and help to confirm or deny family stories. By searching their World War I Draft Registration Cards, I discovered that my grandfather, who died before I got to know him, was born in Hungary on the 24th of January in 1896. In addition, I learned that he was considered ineligible for the draft, not because he was an alien residing in NJ, but because he was missing the first joint of his third finger on his right hand. This small piece of information appears to help back up the stories I have heard of him losing this finger while a butcher at his brother's shop, though it does not confirm it.
Another site that can be expensive to use is www.heritagequestonline.com. However many libraries are paying for access to this site so it can be easily employed if you can locate which library near you that has access. Farmingdale allows you to log on from your home computer so it makes it even easier to use. Through this site you can search though the censuses, the Periodical Source Index for genealogical publications and many thousands of books for information on your missing relatives.
One of my favorite sites is one that actually connects you to multiple sites, some free and others not. It is run by Stephen P. Morse in San Francisco. His site, www.stevemorse.org, is designed for ease of use. The home page lists multiple databases including records from Ellis Island, Castle Garden in NY, Passenger records from New Orleans, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, as well as census records from the US, Canada, and Britain, in addition to Vital records and other assorted information that make it easier to locate that elusive relative. Steve Morse has designed his own search engines for each of the sites he lists that are easier to use than then the search engines on the actual sites. Using his Ellis Island search engine, I was able to find an aunt that came to the US in November of 1922. I had been unable to find my grandfather coming into the country, even though I was sure he was born in Europe, but with the information from the passenger lists, I determined that his first name must have been altered. When using most of the Morse site's search engines, you can limit the information you give them to search; for example you can put an "E" in for all spellings of what we spell as Elizabeth. My aunt's name was listed as Erszebet and it indicated she was going to live with her brother Malzas - a bad spelling of Mathias. With this information I will be able to track down additional information on his entry into the country.
Another site that is very good for searching vital records is run by the Church of Latter Day Saints, www.familysearch.org. They are updating their site to include records from Ohio court records to Florida state enumerations. I actually find that I have the most luck using the computers available at a Family History Center, such as the one in Plainview. Using their records, you can obtain copies of actual birth certificates for relatives without having to pay the high fees that the actual source would charge you. They will charge you for copies, but it is usually much less than you than you would pay otherwise. In addition, there are members who will actually help you to determine where the records are held. The one thing I will mention is that the members will not try to convert you to their religion. They are only there to help you with your research.
A site that is maintained locally with many records is www.italiangen.org. They include databases for naturalizations and vital records for New York City as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties. These records are constantly being updated and are not limited to only those of Italian descent. They include on their site a form for obtaining actual copies of the records from the NYC Archives. I have found a great grandparent's death certificate number on this site and by using the Family History center obtained a copy of the actual certificate. It lists the cause of death as influenza on June 2, 1918 which appears to confirm another story that he had died in the flu epidemic of 1917 (which actually lasted several years).
Then as much as people think that going to cemeteries is for visiting immediate relatives graves, there is a great deal of information available if you can locate where your ancestors are buried. One of the easiest sites for this is www.findagrave.com. You can search this list by surnames, birth and/or death dates as well as location of the cemetery. You can also browse cemeteries for people who might be relatives of yours.
If you find one relative, it can be advantageous to actually visit the grave. Headstones often list multiple people, some of whom you may not recognize, and frequently families purchase graves near to each other. You might find an aunt or uncle just by looking at the next headstone. It used to be the custom that you would take rubbings (with charcoal) in order to keep the record of what the headstone indicates, but with digital cameras you can get better images of the headstone of interest as well as those neighboring yours for much less work. If you don't find your family on Find a grave you should try www.interment.net. Even though this site has fewer records than the other, it has multiple special collections you can search covering flooded cemeteries, California mission graveyards and Veteran's cemeteries.
Finally a site that most of us use on a daily basis, www.google.com, is a haven for a large amount of information. I recently began using this site to search out information about my relatives. While I have not yet been successful, the NEWS section of Google links you to articles in multiple newspapers around the world. By entering a name you can find articles from the very current to archives pre-dating 1910. The articles come from major newspapers as well as some smaller ones and can give you an idea of what was occurring at the time of your ancestor's life. Comparing what you find or know about your family with what was going on in the world at the time can give you a real sense of what their lives were like. Google News can help you to locate information about the "black" sheep of your family by possibly showing you the newspaper articles indicating what helped to make them the "black" sheep.
By researching your family, you can find out your history. You may be able to solve some family mysteries and prove your family stories. You can locate information about the possible murderer or embezzler as well as the great aunts and uncles who died in World War I. Since life is changing so quickly in this era of computers it helps us keep some things in perspective as you realize your great-grandfather came into the country with only $10.00 in his pocket and no job waiting for him. Or that the census record indicates that the apartment your parents were born in had a rent of $24.00 per month. Not all the information you want is available online but the search for what is, makes it fun.
[Editor's Note: The Ellis Island Foundation, http://www.ellisisland.org, offers limited free searches.]
This article has been obtained from APCUG with the author's permission for publication by APCUG member groups; all other uses require the permission of the author (see e-mail address above).
Published monthly, k-Byte is the official newsletter of the Front Range Personal Computer Users Group (FRPCUG): our mailing address is PMB 152, 305 W. Magnolia, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521.
Opinions expressed in k-Byte are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the group or its members. Publication of information in k-Byte constitutes no guarantee of accuracy. Use of any information found in this publication is at the sole risk of the user. Neither k-Byte, nor its officers, nor its editors or contributors assume any liability for damages resulting from use of information in this publication.
Submissions
Articles, letters and short items of interest on computer-related topics are welcome and encouraged. All items submitted for publication are subject to editing. Send your contribution to the editor via e-mail attachment. If you have questions about a submission, please contact the editor for information.
Copyright and Trademark Information
k-Byte is copyrighted ©2010 by the Front Range Personal Computer Users Group. The k-Byte logo and the Front Range PC Users Group logo are Trademarked by the Front Range PC Users Group. Unless otherwise noted, other nonprofit users groups may reprint or quote from any articles appearing in k-Byte without prior permission, provided that: a) proper author and publication credits are given; b) that a copy of the publication in which the article appears is sent at no cost to k-Byte at the above mailing address, or emailed to contact(at)frpcug.org; and c) any additional instructions/restrictions contained in the article are followed. User groups wishing to exchange newsletters with FRPCUG are invited to send a copy of their newsletter together with an exchange request.
Disclaimer
IBM PC, OS/2, Compaq, HP, Dell, UNIX, Windows MAC, Apple Computer and other trademarks occasionally mentioned in k-Byte are registered trademarks of International Business Machines, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Corporation, Microsoft, Dell Inc., Apple Computer Inc., or their owners respectively. Neither FRPCUG nor its newsletter k-Byte are connected in any way with any manufacturer or seller. Acceptance by FRPCUG of donated products or services from suppliers, or inclusion of a supplier in the FRPCUG Partner list does not imply that any continuing financial support is received or expected by FRPCUG. Nor do such activities imply an endorsement of either the supplier or product or service. Such information is made available to members as a service. Use of any product or supplier found in this publication, or any FRPCUG publication, is at the sole risk of the user.
About FRPCUG
FRPCUG is an independent nonprofit computer society, so incorporated with the State of Colorado and open to anyone interested in personal computers using any operating system: Windows, Linux or MAC, and digital hardware (such as music/video players, smart phones, etc.). Its purpose is to provide an educational and scientific forum of mutual benefit for members of the community regardless of knowledge level. FRPCUG holds a monthly meeting and conducts various special interest groups (SIGs) and seminars. Members have voting privileges, subscription to the k-Byte newsletter, and access to SIGs and selected seminars. Annual dues are $25 for individual/family membership ($20 for students) and $50 for corporate/group membership.
by Mike Morris, Front Range PC Users Group, http://www.frpcug.org
The word processor is the epitome of ubiquitous—it really does seem to be everywhere. Today's "full-featured" word processor applications do, indeed, offer many features, in addition to allowing you to create text.
Even the most capable word processor, with many features, has limitations, as anyone who has worked on newsletters or other publications has discovered. To get beyond those limitations, you need to use a different category of software application called Desktop Publishing (DTP).
A DTP application is not intended for creating text—at least if you are talking about a large amount of text, i.e., many pages. A word processor is the correct application for creating a lot of text.
A DTP application is a layout or design application. It is also called a page assembly application, because you assemble content into a single document. Content includes text, images, drawings and everything else you want to see on the printed (or electronic) page.
True DTP applications are frame-based. This means that all the content on a page is placed into frames. Frames are freely moveable and can be placed reliably anywhere on the page. Text from one frame can be continued (flow) in another. Note that this concept is significantly different from a word processor. When you open a word processor application, all you need to do to create a document is to start typing. With a DTP application, you first have to create and position a frame, then you enter the content.
There are a variety of DTP applications. They range from free to expensive, and the "learning curve"—the time it takes to learn how to use the application—can be lengthy. Choosing a DTP application for your project (or projects) can be a challenge, since it is not easy to compare the features of the various applications. I have used 4 different DTP applications, to varying degrees of detail. I have attempted to capture the most important features (in my opinion) of these 4 applications into 9 categories:
The comparisons for categories 1 - 4 are included in this, Part 1, of this article. The remaining comparisons will be provided in subsequent installments. The following information is only a collection of comparisons of selected features, based on my testing. It is not intended as instruction in how to use the features. Whether you use a DTP application for your work, or, if you do, which application is the best for you, is a judgment you will have to make.
The information in the following table is based on these applications and versions:
The following table is not an exhaustive comparison of all features of all 4 programs. It is based partially on my testing and partially on other resources. The entries in the table are a mixture of facts and opinions. Opinions are enclosed in brackets: [Opinion].
| InDesign | Publisher | Scribus | PagePlus | |
| Category | ||||
| General |
The most capability, the best user interface, best technical support.
Available for both Windows and MAC computers. Commercial, expensive. Together with its competitor, QuarkXPress, these 2 applications are graphic design applications standards for commercial printing. |
Familiar to Microsoft Word users.
Windows only. Commercial, can be purchased for under $100. [Suitable for simple sales/marketing brochures or simple newsletters. Not suitable for complex and/or long documents.] |
Open source (free) and available for Windows, MAC and Linux operating systems.
Full compliance to PDF spec. Slow Beta development stage. [User interface needs improvement] |
Free and commercial versions (only the free version tested). The commercial version sells for US$100 (online only) by Serif, a company in the UK that is a "Developer and publisher of powerful, easy-to-use desktop publishing, design and graphics software."
Windows only. [User interface similar to Publisher.] |
| Text Controls |
Comprehensive. All text controls work on selected text.
Extensive numerical control over position, size and other characteristics of text frames. Changing size, position or orientation of a text frame is aided with the Reference Point feature. |
Similar to Microsoft Word.
Not all text features (such as bullets and numbering) in Word can be correctly imported into Publisher. Leading applies only to a paragraph, not to selected text. [Text controls are characteristic of a word processor, not a true DTP application (percentages, not points are used for editing/adjusting).] |
Extensive.
Leading applies only to a text frame, not to a paragraph or to selected text. No widow/orphan control. No feature that provides vertical alignment of text in a frame. Changing size, position or orientation of a text frame is aided with the Basepoint feature. |
PagePlus provides more complete import of selected text features (such as bullets and numbering) of a Word document than Publisher.
[Text controls are characteristic of a word processor, not a true DTP application (percentages, not points are used for editing/adjusting).] |
| Master Pages | Master Page features available from the Pages panel. | [Master Page feature not intuitive] | [Master Page feature not intuitive] | [Master Page feature not intuitive] |
| Tables | Table features are extensive. Tables can cross page boundaries. | Less table features than Word. | Very rudimentary table features. |
Inserting a table requires the use of the Table tool, which has a limited selection of pre-defined formats.
Tables from word processing formats can be imported. |
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February General Forum Meeting
We will meet at the Fort Collins Senior Center on: |
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Day
Tuesday |
Date
February 2nd |
Time
7:00 PM |
| Meeting Agenda | |
| Time | Topic |
| 7:00 to 7:15 | Announcements and raffle |
| 7:15 to 8:00 | Open Forum |
| 8:00 to 8:10 | Break |
| 8:10 to 9:00 | eReaders |
To check on FRPCUG events in 2010 using a familiar graphical calendar format, connect to the 2010 Graphical Events Calendar
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March General Forum Meeting
We will meet at the Fort Collins Senior Center on: |
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Day
Tuesday |
Date
March 2nd |
Time
7:00 PM |
| Meeting Agenda | |
| Time | Topic |
| 7:00 to 7:15 | Announcements and raffle |
| 7:15 to 8:00 | Open Forum |
| 8:00 to 8:10 | Break |
| 8:10 to 9:00 | YouTube Explored |
See you at the meetings!
Get full membership benefits. If you are not a current member, download and complete a Membership Application. Mail the completed application and your payment to the address listed, or better yet, bring the application to the next meeting.
eReaders for eBooks. What are they? That "e" translates to "electronic," and eReaders are hardware that allow you to read electronic books. Plan to attend the February meeting to see this hardware demonstrated, and learn more about eBooks.
Do you think of YouTube as a web site full of wacky, useless, amateurish videos? Once-upon-a-time-ago, that was all you could find on YouTube. Today, businesses and other organizations are using YouTube to distribute product, service and training videos. This (useful) transformation of YouTube will be explored at the March meeting.
Digital Imaging SIG
The Digital Imaging SIG is a forum for discussion of digital imaging hardware and software. The meetings are held every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Senior Center Lobby. The meeting format is informal, using the Shop Talk sessions as a basis. For more information, contact Mike Morris at twriterext(at)gmail.com.
New Technology SIG
The New Technology SIG provides advance support for all PC related operating system and telecommunication issues. The meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the third Thursday of each month at Bluebird Manufacturing Inc., 1421 Webster Avenue, in Fort Collins. For more information, contact Chuck McJilton at 970-493-2987.
Shop Talk
One-on-one assistance. Drop in to the Senior Center lobby on any Saturday (holidays excepted) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Board Meeting
FRPCUG's executive board meets on Wednesday of the week following the General Forum meeting. All members are welcome and are encouraged to attend. These meetings are held at 7:00 PM in the Staff Board Room of the Fort Collins Senior Center.
For a view of FRPCUG activities in 2010, in a traditional graphical calendar format, connect to the Graphical Events Calendar
Here is a summary of FRPCUG activities and other important dates for the next two months:
February 2010
2 General Forum Meeting 7:00 PM
6 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
9 Digital Imaging SIG Meeting 7:00 PM
10 FRPCUG Board Meeting 7:00 PM
13 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
15 Washington's Birthday Holiday
17 Digital Imaging SIG Meeting 7:00 PM (SPECIAL DATE)
18 Technology SIG Meeting 7:00 PM
20 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
27 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
March 2010
2 General Forum Meeting 7:00 PM
6 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
9 Digital Imaging SIG Meeting 7:00 PM
10 FRPCUG Board Meeting 7:00 PM
13 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
18 Technology SIG Meeting 7:00 PM
20 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
27 Shop Talk 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Photo Gallery
This month's featured photographer:
Mike Loughlin using a Panasonic DMX-FX30 camera.
Super Relaxed
Camera Settings:
Mode = Auto, F Number = 4.10, Exposure time = 1/13 seconds, Focal Length = 9.50 mm
ISO = 200, White Balance = Auto, Scene Capture Type = Standard
Copyright © 2010 by Mike Loughlin. All rights reserved. Send requests for copies/reprint permissions to kbyte(at)frpcug.org
Pamela Tabak receives numerous computer-related questions via e-mail and during classroom presentations. She selects those she feels are of common interest to most members and forwards them to us for publication.
Pamela invites members to ask their questions at http://tinyurl.com/ask-pamela. More often than not you will receive and answer within 24 hours.
QUESTION: How do I change the case of names in an Excel 2007 list? Right now they are in UPPER CASE and I would like to capitalize just the first letter of each name and the rest of the name should appear in lower case.
ANSWER: Microsoft Excel has the following three worksheet functions that change text case:
By using these functions, you can change the case of existing text in a worksheet. Consider the following example.
To make these cells into Title Case or Proper Case, that is a capital first letter only on each name, in Excel 2007, follow these steps:
In column B, select all the cells to the right of the cells that contain data in column A. In this example, highlight cells B1 through B4.
Note: The new column B now contains the lowercase version of the text in column A.
Click on Paste Special on the drop down list.
Column A will look similar to this example:
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FRPCUG CONTACTS
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Telephone Area Code 970
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| Title | Name | Work Phone | Home Phone | |
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FRPCUG Officers |
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| President | Mike Morris | 461-2002 | twriterext(at)gmail.com | |
| Vice President | Mike Loughlin | 416-5824 | mlough(at)frii.com | |
| Treasurer | Chris Ingham | 226-9055 | chris.ingham(at)hotmail.com | |
| Secretary | Chuck McJilton | 493-2987 | cdmcjs(at)gmail.com | |
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k-Byte Staff |
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| Editor-in-Chief | Mike Morris | 461-2002 | twriterext(at)gmail.com | |
| Features Editor | Mike Morris | 461-2002 | twriterext(at)gmail.com | |
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Other Contacts |
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| Membership Coordinator | Jack Linder | 663-2151 | jack(at)frpcug.org | |
| Technology SIG Leader | Chuck McJilton | 491-1011 | 493-2987 | cdmcjs(at)gmail.com |
| Digital Imaging SIG Leader | Mike Morris | 461-2002 | twriterext(at)gmail.com | |
| Publicity | Mike Morris | 461-2002 | twriterext(at)gmail.com | |
| FRPCUG Fax Line | 493-1408 | |||
| FRPCUG Home Page w/ E-Mail | http://www.frpcug.org | |||
| FRPCUG Officer E-Mail | board(at)frpcug.org | |||
| Library Request E-Mail | library(at)frpcug.org | |||
The Fort Collins Senior Center is located at 1200 Raintree Drive. This site is situated at the northwest corner of the Shields and Raintree Drive intersection, on the north side of the Raintree Shopping Center, and just west of the bank building on the corner of Shields and Raintree (see map at right).
Check the marquee at the main entrance for directions to the specific meeting room.
