Report for Previous Meeting
May 2008
The May meeting began with Q&A starting with the advisability of updating Vista to SP1 when the main application was Quicken. It was thought that given Quicken’s delayed evolution in the past and its recent demand that specific Windows Updates be removed it would be advisable to check with Quicken itself whether Vista's SP1 should be installed as yet.
A member was surprised on one MelbPC Group computer at having the ‘net connection' disconnect when certain pages weren’t found. It turned out that setup behaviour was the simple cause in that closed ‘net apps didn’t mean loss of connection.
XP’s on/off-again update SP3 was said to be appearing soon after a halt when point-of-sale apps were found to have trouble with it. It was unconfirmed but heard round the traps that SP3 might require way-back SP1 to be installed already, itself carrying everything including SP2. But it should smooth an already very well regarded Windows version.
A member commented on increasing spam, even through Westnet. Preview apps like MailWasher and PopPeeper were suggested so that header previews could reveal nuisance messages before downloading.
One story was told of a bank query about a Romanian casino on a credit card, prompting a question about keyloggers. Even phone calls from ‘bank staffers’ now can be phishers so suspicion and precautions are vital at all times. One member practised 1/3rd password, 1/3rd off-field nonsense characters, and then the remaining third back in place when signing on. Deep analysers for malware were said to be HijackThis, various rootkit analysers, SmitFraudFix and CoolWebSearch removers. While one user had had trouble with Adaware’007 most had good behaviour, and SpyBot the same.
Mention was made of the handy tool USB Safely Remove, a more expansive applet that helps careful detachment of USB memory devices.
One query exposed the differences between seldom-used inkjets that dry out and colour lasers in multi-function units. The high cost of dry toner in multiple cartridges and their likely unavailability in domestic MFP indicated the answer.
True usage in a background app was asked about so as to check on the traffic claimed by Optus. LAN considerations apart, detailed analysis of logs or isolated fixed size downloads were suggested as the only likely approaches.
It was noted that APCmag has left the ISP deal table to Whirlpool at whirlpool.net.au for a member planning to change. In addition lifetime addresses at pobox.com and fastmail were offered as ideas to help the change-over.
The second half of the meeting gave us a reveal of Microsoft’s free Virtual PC – running a PC within a PC. Extraordinary. Excellent for trials and testing. We were shown how to run V-PC from Vista and install any other operating system inside that. XP, NT, 98, Linux would all run inside another OS, like an alien, but not. It was a fascinating demonstration. Another great night.