LINKS TO OUR COMPUTER FRIENDS
"INTERESTING STUFF"
Jim Perry's "Interesting Stuff" page is back and in a different
format. It's now more of a blog and you have a choice of
methods of receiving his interesting information. See why
he calls it "Interesting Stuff" and check out his page
here.
OTHER WEBSITES
The following "Friends of PCS" is a listing of websites which
many of our members find useful. They cover a range of
features including help sections, articles on various subjects,
general computer information and geeky stuff. As a result,
there's something for everyone. These (and many other)
websites offer newsletters which are available for FREE!
In fact, I use information from several of the available
newsletters in order to put out our own weekly PCS newsletter.
Recommended Websites
Recommended Newsletters
Try these out for starters:
Links to FREE programs that
actually work!
 APCUG
(Association of Personal Computer User Groups)
This group's mission is "to facilitate communication among
computer user groups, the community, and the technology
industry." There are several hundred member clubs across the US,
and also members in Canada and Australia. APCUG provides
articles for newsletters, copies of other club newsletters, and
regional conferences for club officers to meet and exchange
ideas. It also facilitates discounts with vendors that are
passed along to member clubs. PCS is a member of APCUG.
Information regarding the Feb 20-21, 2010 APCUG conference in
Tempe may be found here.
 Ask
Leo
This website has a lot of good and non-technical (where
possible) information available to you. If your particular
question isn't answered on Leo's home page, simply type a short
phrase which is related to your question into the search box and
see what Leo comes back with. His search function is a
little flaky, so you may have to reword your "question" a few
times in order to narrow down the search to your area of
interest. But the results are usually worth the effort.
 AZACC (Arizona Alliance of
Computer Clubs)
This group was formed for the purpose of jointly booking outside
speakers for computer user group (computer club) meetings. The
intent is for the larger user groups to be able to draw the
premier speakers that the smaller groups couldn't,
independently. User groups line up their meetings as closely as
possible to one another, allowing the outside speaker to come to
Arizona, stay a while, and meet with several user groups over
that time span. It is our hope that by drawing these premier
speakers, user groups will be able to increase their membership,
thus making both Arizona User Groups and the Alliance stronger.
There are currently 42 member-groups representing almost 16,000
members whose meetings are clustered in the first three weeks of
the month. AZACC also provides its member clubs with an
opportunity to learn from each other through discussions and an
exchange of information at its periodic meetings. PCS is a
member of AZACC. PCS members may access the AZACC User
Groups Discount page
here.
 Kim
Komando
What can I say about Kim Komando (the self-proclaimed "America's
Digital Goddess") that hasn't been said before? Certainly
you have heard the PCS geeks talk about her in glowing terms.
OK, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration! Written in easy
to understand language, her site has numerous links to features,
columns and newsletters that will help you get through your
digital day. Tips, buying guides and an extensive download
library help to round out this website. But wait, there's
more! If that's not enough, she also manages to host
numerous online shows about computer issues both in podcast and
video formats.
 LUGY
(Linux User's Group of Yavapai)
Our friends at LUGY offer Linux as a free alternative to the
Windows and Mac operating systems here in Prescott. With a
membership comprised of fellow enthusiasts, they offer
assistance and practical tips in order to get Linux up and
running on your system. Recent developments allow the easy
dual booting or even a live CD installation of Linux on your PC.
 Maximum
PC
This is more of a geek-oriented magazine and website, but don't
let that keep you from checking in here from time to time.
Once you get past the hype of water cooling and the benefits of
buying a $5,000 computer, there are many good articles on this
website. While it may sometimes be hard to find exactly
what you're looking for, there's a lot of interesting reading to
distract you along the way. Their full motto is "Maximum PC,
Minimum BS" and you'll find they pull no punches regarding their
reviews of recent products. If you go to the "PDF Archive"
link, you will find all recent back issues of the actual
subscription magazine. Need I say more?
 PC
Magazine
This is probably the best-known of the consumer computer
magazines still around. You could get a subscription to
the dead tree version of PCMag, but why? Going to their
website will give you all you really need to stay current with
many aspects of Windows computing without paying that nasty
subscription fee each year. This site offers all sorts of
interesting reading in many subjects. There are also
numerous columnists for you to agree or disagree with.
Some people dislike John Dvorak ("The Cranky Geek") because of
his strong opinions. But whether or not you are annoyed by
him, you will have to agree that he makes some pretty good
points.
 PC
World
This venerable magazine and website are not as comprehensive as
Maximum PC or PC Magazine, but they often have extremely
interesting articles and cover standard computer subjects from a
different angle. In general, the articles here are well
written and understandable, but sometimes the content leaves a
few things to be desired. But then you avoid that nasty
"geek factor" which often clouds the subject. Having said
that, please see below for a recommended link to their weekly
newsletter about "Vista Secrets". If you use Vista, you
should at least check out this newsletter.
 Windows Secrets
This website has a full component of reviews of free software,
tips 'n' tricks and a great newsletter. But more
importantly, it seems to have its ear well-planted on the ground
in terms of new technology and potential Windows problems.
I get information here that is simply unavailable from other
sources until much later. Be the first on your block to
learn about developing issues so you're not caught unaware.
Links here will take you directly to that newsletter's
sign-up page. Feel free to try them out and see if their
newsletter appeals to you. All these sources will
unsubscribe you if you so request. (If any of these links
are not working, please let the webkeeper know at the address
below.)
Ask Leo
Clif's Notes
Kim Komando
Vista
Secrets (from PCWorld)
Win7News (also
includes VistaNews - this is a very good newsletter)
Windows Secrets
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