Quite a day these past few Wednesdays.  We got rollin' with some pics sent by Advanced User viewers and others gleaned by Mike.  We then settled into our seats and took another wild tech ride. 

We begin each class with current information and discussion about the latest worms, viruses, spam, phishing threats, etc.
I'll give a general list of the VIT  (Very Important Topics) covered each week.  Most of the topics will have an address or were supplemented with a handout.  If you missed the handout just ask for it the next time you get to class. 

02/10  Snowed In -- No Class

02/03  Wayne Smith sat in for Mike.  The following are highlights Wayne sent to me:
... We learned how to make the Icon label boxes on the desktop transparent so the background could show through.  Also, how to remove label all together and just leave the icon.  Revisited how to change icon pictures.

We went to a website that lets you have a music keyboard on you computer.  You can change sounds and add drum beats.
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/res...piano/index.htm

Finished by learning how to take multiple pictures from a website or embedded in an email.  You copy all, then paste into Word.  Then you save as .html document.  Not only do you get the html page but a folder with all the pictures saved in it.  Makes saving multiple pictures a snap.

We got sidetracked several times answering questions.  That is what really make the class great and fun to teach.

01/27
...   We viewed a video featuring the nation's top techie, President Obama's  geek-in-chief, Aneesh Chopra. 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2010/01/08/VI2010010801290.html?sid=ST2010010803766

... We viewed a site that has detailed lists of Government postings to the internet.  http://www.data.gov/

... we reviewed two articles about the China vs Google rift.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/12/AR2010011203024.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/15/AR2010011503917.html

... Bill Gates has released his second annual letter from the Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation, and he has highlighted a tech startup that he finds particularly compelling, Academic Earth. We've written about the online video education site, which is sort of like a Hulu For Education.  The startup provides a user-friendly platform for educational video that offers courses and lectures from Yale, MIT, Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Princeton and others.  Access the article about the foundation and Academic Earth.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/25/AR2010012501406.html?wpisrc=nl_pmtech

We looked around the Academic Earth site and were impressed with the content and educational opportunities for anyone of any age and learning level.  Academic Earth can be accessed: http://academicearth.org/

... We had a handout describing how to easily and successfully download .flv videos from YouTube.  While on YouTube, navigate to a video you want to download to your computer and up in the address bar of your browser, replace the “Y” in YouTube with a number 3 and hit enter.  Ask for the handout if you missed the class.

01/20
... We viewed 8 videos featuring new innovated products and services featured at the 2010 Computer and Electronic Show.

... We took a look at a special Google feature. 
Search is at the heart of everything we do at Google. Our engineers work every day to solve the hardest search problems, and thus improve your online experience. Here's a glimpse at what they do, the features they've built and the remarkable user stories that inspire our work.  You will find wizards and interfaces to cover:

01/13
... We viewed 8 videos featuring new innovated products and services featured at the 2010 Computer and Electronic Show.

... We read an article about laughter and health.  It turns out that research shows that Readers Digest had it right, Laughter is the Best Medicine, at least for ones heart.  http://www.umm.edu/features/laughter.htm

... We looked at the latest virus:  THE AMISH VIRUS:
You have just received the Amish Virus. Since we do not have electricity nor computers, you are on the honor system. Please delete all of your own files.
Thank Thee.

... It has been over a year since Intel and the USB Implementers Forum finalized the details of USB 3.0. Since that time, we haven't heard much about it, until now. This year at CES, USB 3.0 is finally coming to life. With many companies beginning to develop USB 3.0 hardware, it is safe to say that you will soon begin to see USB 3.0 (also known as SuperSpeed USB) showing up in computers and devices. Since this new technology is on it's way, I thought I would give you the scoop on just how awesome USB 3.0 will be. 
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/usb-30

... Take a look at the tech page, this newsletter, for other tips we covered but have no URLs. 

We did some other interesting stuff too, but you had to be there...
 

This class often becomes idea swapping and we learn by sharing our many experiences and I'll tell you all again, that really happened this week.
Thanks to all that brought in suggestions, asked questions, and helped with explanations.

Since 1995, KCnet (URL: http://www.kcnet.org), a 501.C3 organization has been providing the following services to our community:
 

Under our distinctive banner championing “Education for Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday,” KCnet remains committed to advancing educational opportunities for all citizens, encouraging them to become life-long learners and collaborative problem-solvers, and stimulating and promoting community and economic development throughout this rural region of northcentral Pennsylvania.

KCnet has an excellent record of grant funding success, including DCED and their recognition of our vision and ability to provide free public access to healthcare, education, and e-government resources.  Our vision to expand opportunities within our community using our infrastructure includes partnering with other entities to develop unique models for the delivery of services, information, and cooperative and interactive programming.

As a United Way member agency, KCnet has supported the principles of Clinton County United Way.  We cooperate whenever possible with other United Way agencies in providing to our community an Internet access, empowering the community to become life long learners, and promoting community and economic development. 

When individuals and businesses contribute to the United Way, naming KCnet as their preferred agency, KCnet receives those funds.  This year, we are counting on funding the Computers for the Community program.  The Clinton County Community Foundation has already approved partial funding for that program at the amount of $5,800.  We are depending upon an additional $5,000 from the United Way.  With that funding from United Way, if received, we will be able to provide at least 20 refurbished computers, training, and support to families in Clinton County who do not currently own computers.  In addition, KCnet will provide Internet service for 20 families – high speed wireless service where available.

We have also requested funding for some enhancements to the website, http://www.clintoncountyresources.org  This site has received nearly 300 hits this month, indicating the usefulness of the information it contains.  There are over 90 non-profit agencies listed in the guide.

Another project – this one partially funded by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts - is a 4-part workshop for Digital Photography.  Additional funding has been requested from Clinton County United Way, which will allow United Way agencies to attend the workshop sessions free of charge, paid for from United Way allocations.  The purpose of allowing agencies to attend is to first provide venues for photos and publicity for this county’s programs that benefit residents.  Second, the workshop will teach attendees better methods of taking and improving pictures to tell their stories.

KCnet will soon be installing additional WI-FI broadcasting sites (access points) in Lock Haven.  These allow wireless connections to the Internet.  Watch for more news regarding this project. 

Until next time… KCnet Board Of Directors Officers: President Judy Yoho, Vice President John Way, Secretary Carolyn Carl, Treasurer Don Miller, Past President Bill Raco.  Other members of the board: Ramona Broomer, Dawn Brown, Carolyn Carl, Duane Carr, Tina Hocker, Lori Hoy, Ray Rathmell, Tom Piergallini.