June 4, 2017 – Windows 10 Seminar Rescheduled (Must preregister)

Windows 10 Seminar (Must preregister):
See below for how to register.

In this seminar, you will learn how to set up your computer to enhance your work environment. Learn how to create tiles, icons and folders on the start screen and desktop. How to get apps from the store. Use display properties, put files where you need them and understand drives, folders and files, set up and install new programs, remove apps and programs you do not want, use Windows Help and much more.

This is a SEMCO members benefit! (You can join SEMCO for $30 at the event to participate). To register email your request to semco@semco.org.

When: Sunday, June 4, 2017 at 3:30 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Altair Engineering, Inc. for providing our meeting space!

March 12, 2017 – SIG-Computing: Identity Theft, Open Source Home Theater Software

General Announcements

Mike Bader, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.
When: Sunday, March 12, 2017 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Computing
Topic: Identity Theft

Jaime Martinez (MCSD) will be our presenter. The presentation on Identity Theft, will discuss the different types of Identity Theft, how to make yourself less a target for it and what to do if you become a victim.

Mr. Martinez serves as a Reserve Deputy with the Macomb County Sheriff Department (MCSD) since 2011.  In his role with the Sheriff Department, he supports the MCSD Cyber Crimes unit supporting the full-time detectives in fighting Cyber Crime and provides technical consultations as needed.  He is employed in IT for over the last 20 years.  He is a part-time IT adjunct instructor since 2007 and has taught over 20 distinct courses at 3 different local colleges.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation and during the social period before the SIG-Linux meeting. Snacks available during the social period.
When: Sunday, March 12, 2017 at 1:45 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Linux
Kodi: Open Source Home Theater Software:

Our esteemed former SIG-Linux Chairman Brian Brodsky will continue his demonstration of Kodi concentrating on online content. From Kodi’s website: Kodi® (formerly known as XBMC™) is an award-winning free and open source (GPL) software media center for playing videos, music, pictures, games, and more. Kodi runs on Linux, OS X, Windows, iOS, and Android, featuring a 10-foot user interface for use with televisions and remote controls. It allows users to play and view most videos, music, podcasts, and other digital media files from local and network storage media and the internet, he will also share how to edit music tags with an external program.

At the same SIG-Linux meeting in March (beginning at 4:00 P.M.), our new SIG Chairman Sharan Kalwani has a number of presentation ideas for SIG-Linux presentations – such as various Linux Distros, however he is looking for ideas from the membership. So bring your suggestions ideas to the next meeting on March 12th (or feel free to post them to the semco.org website discussion area), Email works too!

When: Sunday, March 12, 2017 at 4:00 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Altair Engineering, Inc. for providing our meeting space!

February 18, 2017 – SIG-Programming: Python

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Topic: Python:

We are learning Python using the book “Learning Python” by Mark Lutz. It is an O’Reilly book http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028154.do, but can also be purchased at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-5th-Mark-Lutz/dp/1449355730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416007152&sr=1-1&pebp=11416007164251.

We are to read Chapter 25, “Advanced Module Topics” for the next meeting. If you have any questions contact Richard Jackson (see below). All are welcome to come.

Where: Richard Jackson’s home. Call Richard Jackson at 248-546-3694 for directions.

When: Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 2:00 P.M.

February 12, 2017 – SIG-Computing: 2017: Securing your PC & Yourself – an update, Windows 10 Class (For those who have pre registered)

General Announcements

Mike Bader, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.
When: Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Computing
Topic: 2017: Securing your PC & Yourself – an update:

SEMCO member Sharan Kalwani will be our presenter. He says…

“Despite the advances in computing technology, the average PC user remains vulnerable to all sorts of security threats.

“In this talk, I will try and give you a number of steps you can do to improve the security of your PC (and in the same process also boost your privacy), so that the Internet is a little bit less of the “Wild West” experience. Some of the new things I will also discuss are – Ransomware, privacy settings on web sites and social media forums (such as Linkedin.com), general tools (and reliable resources) one can use to assist you.”

Sharan has been into computing since the days of ARPAnet. He is also an old hand at UNIX, and has worked in many different industries and geographical regions. He is also the Vice-Chair for the SE Michigan chapter of the IEEE-Computer Society and was recently elected to be the SEMCO SIG-LINUX chair for 2017. Googling his name surprisingly gives you 17,000 hits.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation and during the social period before the SIG-Linux meeting. Snacks available during the social period.
When: Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 1:45 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Linux
No February Meeting
Kodi: Open Source Home Theater Software:

There is no SIG-Linux meeting for February 2017.

We will continue the SIG-Linux meetings from March 2017 onwards. In the March 12th meeting, our esteemed former SIG-Linux Chairman Brian Brodsky will continue his demonstration of Kodi concentrating on online content. From Kodi’s website: Kodi® (formerly known as XBMC™) is an award-winning free and open source (GPL) software media center for playing videos, music, pictures, games, and more. Kodi runs on Linux, OS X, Windows, iOS, and Android, featuring a 10-foot user interface for use with televisions and remote controls. It allows users to play and view most videos, music, podcasts, and other digital media files from local and network storage media and the internet, he will also share how to edit music tags with an external program.

At the same SIG-Linux meeting in March (beginning at 4:00 P.M.), our new SIG Chairman Sharan Kalwani has a number of presentation ideas for SIG-Linux presentations – such as various Linux Distros, however he is looking for ideas from the membership. So bring your suggestions ideas to the next meeting on March 12th (or feel free to post them to the semco.org website discussion area), Email works too!

Windows 10 Seminar (For those who have pre registered):
This class is full. Those who wish, may register for the March 26, 2017 repeat version.

In this seminar, you will learn how to set up your computer to enhance your work environment. Learn how to create tiles, icons and folders on the start screen and desktop. How to get apps from the store. Use display properties, put files where you need them and understand drives, folders and files, set up and install new programs, remove apps and programs you do not want, use Windows Help and much more.

The February class is full. Those who wish, may register for the March 26, 2017 repeat session. This is a SEMCO members benefit! (You can join SEMCO for $30 at the event to participate). To register email your request to semco@semco.org.

When: Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 3:30 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Altair Engineering, Inc. for providing our meeting space!

SIG-Computing meeting notes 8-Jan-2017

Our Batteries Plus presentation again had to be rescheduled.  Our best wishes to our presenter as he recovers from illness.  Thank you to Sharan Kalwani on his excellent presentation on High Performance Computing in the automotive industry!

Great interview by Professor Dave Farber on Big Data and a rebuild of The Internet for improved security:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/tisk3ojwr9k0gm2/Stanford%20Podcast%20Interview%20%20Dave%20Farber%20Dec%205%202015.pdf?dl=0

Windows 10 Creator Edition Clinic?  Please let Jeff know if you are interested in a late March (after the new version comes out) with sessions to help with upgrading or a fresh install of Windows 10!

Discussion on filtering of Internet content for young adults/children?  Any recommended software packages?  OpenDNS will not be enough as pointed out by Brian.  Needs to be a client program.  If you have any recommendations, please continue the discussion at semcoug@yahoogroups.com

Windows 10 Dedicated Sessions

Sharan Kalwani is organizing a Windows 10 Dedicated Session for SEMCO Members.  Sharan has an exciting program in development!

The February 2017 class is now full.

Additional date added:  Sunday, 26-March-2017!

Please see this attached flyer for more details, and let your family, friends, and colleagues know!

Windows 10 Flyer updated March 2017

Q & A

Discussion on blue screens/crashes/instability after upgrading memory:

MemTest86+  www.memtest.org
Possible faulty memory
Possible BIOS upgrade needed
Motherboard and chipset may have limitations
Stability restored by reducing one bank from 8GB to 4GB

Mike discussed the NES Mini being an emulated system, and thus, people have figured out how to run more classic software on them:
https://www.engadget.com/2017/01/07/nintendo-nes-classic-edition-cracked/

Thank you for the great discussion!

January 21, 2017 – SIG-Programming: Python

snake-312561_1280

Topic: Python:

We are learning Python using the book “Learning Python” by Mark Lutz. It is an O’Reilly book http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028154.do, but can also be purchased at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-5th-Mark-Lutz/dp/1449355730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416007152&sr=1-1&pebp=11416007164251.

We are to continue reading Chapter 24, “Module Packages” for the next meeting. If you have any questions contact Richard Jackson (see below). All are welcome to come.

Where: Richard Jackson’s home. Call Richard Jackson at 248-546-3694 for directions.

When: Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 2:00 P.M.

January 8, 2017 – SIG-Computing: Latest Developments in Battery Technology, SIG-Linux: Nominations, Election and Kodi: Open Source Home Theater Software

General Announcements and Election

Mike Bader, president of SEMCO, will start the meeting and make general announcements.
Elections for Officers and Members-at-Large of the Board. Members please bring your ballot to the meeting to place in the ballot box.
When: Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 1:30 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Computing
Topic: Latest Developments in Battery Technology:

Barry Murphy will discuss existing battery technology for tablets, laptops and smart phones. He will cover the current latest technologies and their availabilities. Barry will also talk briefly about lighting technologies and the newest LED bulbs.

Barry Murphy has been the owner of Batteries + Bulbs in Birmingham for 15 years.

Also: Questions and Answers following the presentation and during the social period before the SIG-Linux meeting. Snacks available during the social period.
When: Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 1:45 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

SIG-Linux
Topic: Nominations, Election and
Kodi: Open Source Home Theater Software:

Current SIG-Linux Chairman will open nominations for the new SIG-Linux Chairman. Brian already stated he will not accept the nomination if somebody nominates him. Any member can nominate themselves or another member. Nominations must be seconded.
Following the nominations Current SIG-LINUX Chairman Brian Brodsky will hold the election for the new SIG-LINUX Chairman. All members attending may vote.
Following the election current SIG-Linux Chairman Brian Brodsky will demonstrate setting up and some of the features of Kodi. From Kodi’s website: Kodi® (formerly known as XBMC™) is an award-winning free and open source (GPL) software media center for playing videos, music, pictures, games, and more. Kodi runs on Linux, OS X, Windows, iOS, and Android, featuring a 10-foot user interface for use with televisions and remote controls. It allows users to play and view most videos, music, podcasts, and other digital media files from local and network storage media and the internet.

All are welcome.

When: Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 4:00 P.M.
Where: Altair Engineering, Inc., 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083
Map to meetings at Altair Engineering

Free Wi-Fi available. Our thanks to Altair Engineering, Inc. for providing our meeting space!

SEMCO General Meeting – December 11, 2016

President Mike Bader called the meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. He opened nominations for SEMCO Officers and Members-at-Large of the Board of Directors for 2017.

For President: Mike Bader was nominated by Jeff Marraccini, seconded by Bob Clyne. There were no other nominations for President.

For Vice President: Richard Jackson was nominated by Jeff Marraccini, seconded by Bob Clyne. There were no other nominations for Vice President.

For Treasurer: Brian Brodsky was nominated by Bob Clynne, seconded by Jeff Marraccini. There were no other nominations for Treasurer.

For Secretary: Julie Comptois was nominated by Richard Jackson, seconded by Sharan Kalwani. There were no other nominations for Secretary.

For Members-at-Large of the Board of Directors: Bob Clyne and Sharan Kalwani were both nominated by Jeff Marraccini and seconded by Richard Jackson. There were no other nominations for Members-at Large of the Board of Directors.

The nominations came to a close at 1:40 p.m.

Notes written by Julie Comptois, SEMCO Secretary

 

Notes from 11-Dec-2016 SIG-Computing Meeting

Thank you for those that attended during our bad weather today!  Great turnout and discussion!

Thank you to Gene Barlow for presenting backup and partitioning to us, and offering discounts on Acronis products to SEMCO members!

Richard Jackson linked this very disturbing article about the poor state of security products in the marketplace and ease of penetrations:

http://www.networkworld.com/article/3146046/security/security-products-are-among-the-most-vulnerability-riddled-software-products.html

A couple members have experienced the recently reported new Windows 10 WiFi problem in the Anniversary Edition.  Connection just cuts out.  If it happens to you before the expected patch (which may come Tuesday 13-Dec-2016!) search for cmd.exe, right click it, choose Run As Administrator, and run this command:   ipconfig /renew
This is not a permanent fix 🙁

The holidays are a great time to remind family and friends to practice safe computing practices:  Install an ad blocker and selectively use it, use a password wallet, and regularly back up important information.

Windows 10 Dedicated Session in February 2017

Sharan Kalwani is organizing a Windows 10 Dedicated Session for SEMCO Members.  Sharan has an exciting program in development!

Interested?

Please provide feedback to Sharan and the SEMCO Board:  board@semco.org

Have a wonderful holiday season,

Jeff

December 17, 2016 – SIG-Programming: Python

snake-312561_1280

Topic: Python:

We are learning Python using the book “Learning Python” by Mark Lutz. It is an O’Reilly book http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920028154.do, but can also be purchased at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-5th-Mark-Lutz/dp/1449355730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416007152&sr=1-1&pebp=11416007164251.

We are to read Chapter 24, “Module Packages” for the next meeting. If you have any questions contact Richard Jackson (see below). All are welcome to come.

Where: Richard Jackson’s home. Call Richard Jackson at 248-546-3694 for directions.

When: Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 2:00 P.M.