Mark introduced himself as someone who had come to work at Microsoft (MS) and had returned to his ancestral area; the A’Bears having lived at Hill House in Wargrave for many centuries.
His talk concentrated on the Microsoft approach to computer security. He started by demonstrating the new operating system (Vista) that will become available at the end of January 2007. This has been completely redesigned with an emphasis on security but with many other enhanced features.
At present most PCs will be using Windows XP, although earlier versions still exist on older machines. In all cases it is important to obtain the latest updates from the MS web site. Two points to note: 1) Support for ME, W98 & W95 is not being updated; 2) Updates for XP are only available if you have installed service Pack 2 (SP2). This pack includes many security features.
There are two areas that need protection: Your Computer; the User.
Protect your computer
1 Turn on a firewall. XP has a built in software firewall but check that it is turned on. Other programs can also be used. If the Internet connection is through a router check its firewall is on
2 Keep the operating system up-to-date Use the Update facility
3 Install anti-virus software AVG Anti-Virus is free; remember to get updates for any such program
4 Install anti-spy ware software Free programs such as Spybot or Adaware or the new MS Defender
5 Back up the hard disc Save your data (at least) to a CD/DVD or an external drive
Protect yourself
Be aware of potential threats: Spam; Phishing; Hoaxes; ID Theft
Spam email is annoying but can be dangerous. Never open emails if you do not know the sender. If you can preview them, this will be safe but opening them can trigger macros or embedded functions. Viewing an image can confirm your email address. ISPs may have filters to stop some messages; this can result in the blocking of all messages from certain sources - which could be your own ISP (one reason why your email does not get through). Your email program can be trained to put potential spam into a separate folder, where it can be inspected and deleted.
Phishing is an email variant trying to obtain financial information. This can be very sophisticated, including an address that looks similar to the genuine institution and may contain logo images. A genuine institution will never ask for account or password information.
Hoaxes may be relatively harmless, such as chain letters reporting non-existent viruses. Potentially serious hoaxes include reports of account closure or offers to make a fortune.
Actions to protect your system
Use strong passwords, at least 8 characters long, and include other characters such as numbers.
Install file-sharing programs cautiously. Such peer-to-peer (P2P) programs may leave your Internet connection open to other visitors.
Check for web sites that protect sensitive data. These have a web address ‘https’ (“s” for secure) and will have a padlock or closed key at the bottom of the page. Unfortunately this can be forged on a fake site but can be checked by double clicking the key to see the security certificate.
Keep security programs up-to-date by frequent download of updates; this is best done automatically. Microsoft release an update of the Malicious Software Removal Tool on the second Tuesday of each month. This should be downloaded automatically if you use Automatic Updates.
Restrict sharing of files on your PC.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
October 2006 meeting: Why YOU need a web site and how to make one by Alan Simpson
Alan began by convincing us that publishing our family history on the web was cheaper than producing a book, could reach a much wider audience, and could lead to unknown relatives making contact.
After explaining the conception and birth of the Internet in the 1960s and the birth of the World Wide Web in the early 1990s, he demonstrated that simple web pages could be produced and linked together on our own home computers without even connecting to the web. Furthermore, this could be achieved with just Windows Explorer and Notepad.
Unfortunately this blog will not allow me to reproduce some of the html and tags that Alan demonstrated.
If you missed this very entertaining talk, or would like to know more about creating a web site (Alan gives very clear step by step instructions), or would like to see the Gillie Pooh Bears web page (Alan's very simple web page dedicated to his daughter's teddy), then visit Alan's own web site at http://www.shotover.clara.net/
After explaining the conception and birth of the Internet in the 1960s and the birth of the World Wide Web in the early 1990s, he demonstrated that simple web pages could be produced and linked together on our own home computers without even connecting to the web. Furthermore, this could be achieved with just Windows Explorer and Notepad.
Unfortunately this blog will not allow me to reproduce some of the html and tags that Alan demonstrated.
If you missed this very entertaining talk, or would like to know more about creating a web site (Alan gives very clear step by step instructions), or would like to see the Gillie Pooh Bears web page (Alan's very simple web page dedicated to his daughter's teddy), then visit Alan's own web site at http://www.shotover.clara.net/
Sunday, September 10, 2006
The History of this Blog
In August 2006 I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference in Boston USA. This conference was held over fours days and allowed you to attend twenty talks. It was a hard choice to choose which talks to attend as there were 379 on offer. This Blog came about because of my attendance at an excellent talk by Birdie Holsclaw telling us all about how to set up a blog and how to use blogs.
I set up the blog in just under half an hour while drinking a cup of coffee in a Motel in Toronto Canada.
Gillian
I set up the blog in just under half an hour while drinking a cup of coffee in a Motel in Toronto Canada.
Gillian
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
April 2006 meeting: Personal Ancestral File (PAF) by Les Binns
Les started his talk by saying that Personal Ancestral File (PAF), like all genealogical programs, is a form of database and can be thought of as boxes containing cards with information written on them.
The three ‘boxes’ in PAF are
1 Individuals containing information about people, such as names but also database information such as RIN
2 Family This is about groupings, not individuals. Family details, such as links to spouse and children are here. (PAF does not recognise the existence of same sex partnerships)
3 Source Where the information came from - often overlooked at first but becomes of greater importance as the records grow.
All genealogical programs will save the information in their own generic format, which usually is not recognised by other programs. However all of them can export in Gedcom format, where the data is saved as a text file in a format defined by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) who provide PAF as a free downloa.
When you start PAF you are asked to set preferences, including LDS data. The latter can be turned off but this screen allows choice of format of names and dates etc. The main screen then opens in the Family view. Tabs at the top can change the view to Pedigree or Individual.
To add a new individual, select Add from the top menu. This offers the option of entering individuals or a family. It is possible to link individuals into families at a later stage. The standard entry provides for the basic data of birth, christening and death but if extended information is available, eg the child is adopted, then the Options button leads to a menu where New Events/Attributes can be chosen. If the extensive list does not include an appropriate description then a new Event can be defined.
The default entry screen refers to many types of LDS information that most family historians will not use. At the foot of the screen is a box labelled Template and this allows you to select which fields you want to use
The Individual View is a table of all entries. It can be sorted by name but not by other columns such as date. The columns displayed can be modified by right clicking on a heading, such as Full Name, and either choosing one of the categories, such as Death (which adds columns for Burial Date & Place) or by selecting ‘Add or Modify Columns ‘.
Much more information can be added including sources, notes and multimedia. These are accessed from the Options button of the entry page.
Reports are prepared from the Print menu and there are several pre-defined options. There is also an option to define a Custom Report to include only the data required.. Another form of report is the series of Web Pages that can be created from the Tools menu. These are written to disc for preview and can be loaded onto a web site.
PAF is free and contains many features. It is worth exploring.
The three ‘boxes’ in PAF are
1 Individuals containing information about people, such as names but also database information such as RIN
2 Family This is about groupings, not individuals. Family details, such as links to spouse and children are here. (PAF does not recognise the existence of same sex partnerships)
3 Source Where the information came from - often overlooked at first but becomes of greater importance as the records grow.
All genealogical programs will save the information in their own generic format, which usually is not recognised by other programs. However all of them can export in Gedcom format, where the data is saved as a text file in a format defined by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) who provide PAF as a free downloa.
When you start PAF you are asked to set preferences, including LDS data. The latter can be turned off but this screen allows choice of format of names and dates etc. The main screen then opens in the Family view. Tabs at the top can change the view to Pedigree or Individual.
To add a new individual, select Add from the top menu. This offers the option of entering individuals or a family. It is possible to link individuals into families at a later stage. The standard entry provides for the basic data of birth, christening and death but if extended information is available, eg the child is adopted, then the Options button leads to a menu where New Events/Attributes can be chosen. If the extensive list does not include an appropriate description then a new Event can be defined.
The default entry screen refers to many types of LDS information that most family historians will not use. At the foot of the screen is a box labelled Template and this allows you to select which fields you want to use
The Individual View is a table of all entries. It can be sorted by name but not by other columns such as date. The columns displayed can be modified by right clicking on a heading, such as Full Name, and either choosing one of the categories, such as Death (which adds columns for Burial Date & Place) or by selecting ‘Add or Modify Columns ‘.
Much more information can be added including sources, notes and multimedia. These are accessed from the Options button of the entry page.
Reports are prepared from the Print menu and there are several pre-defined options. There is also an option to define a Custom Report to include only the data required.. Another form of report is the series of Web Pages that can be created from the Tools menu. These are written to disc for preview and can be loaded onto a web site.
PAF is free and contains many features. It is worth exploring.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Program for 2006
Wednesday 17th May 2006
Short Annual Computer Branch Meeting - Election of Committee for 2006/2007
followed by
Custodian 3: by John Price
Custodian is a database that could help you sort out your raw information before you link it into your family tree. Special data entry forms help you with each type of record
Wednesday 21 June 2006
GENUKI: by Malcolm Austen
Surely THE most comprehensive tool for Family History Research. If you have used it, you will be amazed at what else it can help you with, if you haven’t then come and learn how.
Wednesday 19th July 2006
Looking at Census data: by Gillian Stevens and Peter Beaven
Using the internet and CD Rom to look at UK census data.
Where to find it, how to use it, problems or pitfalls.
August 2006
No meeting
Wednesday 20th September 2006
1837online: by Elaine Collins
Births, Marriages & Deaths 1837-2004 plus overseas records; advanced searching of 1861 & 1891 census; Military records and “living relatives”
Wednesday 18th October 2006
Why YOU need a website and how to make one: by Alan Simpson
Alan, an active member of Oxfordshire FHS and its computer group, will share his years of experience in creating web sites to help you take those first steps.
Wednesday 18th November 2006
Computer Security: by Mark A’Bear
Mark will share his professional expertise from within Microsoft to help you secure your equipment and data in this complex world of firewalls, viruses, spams and spyware.
December 2006
No Meeting (enjoy getting ready for the Christmas festivities)
Short Annual Computer Branch Meeting - Election of Committee for 2006/2007
followed by
Custodian 3: by John Price
Custodian is a database that could help you sort out your raw information before you link it into your family tree. Special data entry forms help you with each type of record
Wednesday 21 June 2006
GENUKI: by Malcolm Austen
Surely THE most comprehensive tool for Family History Research. If you have used it, you will be amazed at what else it can help you with, if you haven’t then come and learn how.
Wednesday 19th July 2006
Looking at Census data: by Gillian Stevens and Peter Beaven
Using the internet and CD Rom to look at UK census data.
Where to find it, how to use it, problems or pitfalls.
August 2006
No meeting
Wednesday 20th September 2006
1837online: by Elaine Collins
Births, Marriages & Deaths 1837-2004 plus overseas records; advanced searching of 1861 & 1891 census; Military records and “living relatives”
Wednesday 18th October 2006
Why YOU need a website and how to make one: by Alan Simpson
Alan, an active member of Oxfordshire FHS and its computer group, will share his years of experience in creating web sites to help you take those first steps.
Wednesday 18th November 2006
Computer Security: by Mark A’Bear
Mark will share his professional expertise from within Microsoft to help you secure your equipment and data in this complex world of firewalls, viruses, spams and spyware.
December 2006
No Meeting (enjoy getting ready for the Christmas festivities)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)