HAL-PC Ebulletin

Welcome to the July edition of the HAL-PC monthly member eBulletin. If you wish to stop receiving these bulletins, send an email to e-bulletin-off@hal-pc.org. This month: Protect Your PC, Computer Literacy Project, Classes, Volunteer of the Month, Volunteer News, Board of Directors Election, July Magazine.

PROTECT YOUR PC

BEFORE YOU RE-INSTALL WINDOWS XP...
According to security vendor Sophos, an unpatched Windows XP machine has a a 50 percent chance of being compromised within 12 minutes of going online. Many existing viruses and exploits scan the Internet looking for unpatched Windows systems. The best approach is to have drivers and patches burned to a CD before formatting your machine's hard drive. You can pick up a security CD at the HAL-PC offices that includes SP2. Also, make sure you have some kind of hardware or software firewall in place. Windows XP has a built-in firesall, but it's turned off by default in the original version of XP. Make sure you turn it on before connecting to the Net.

LINUX NEWS

We just got a shipment of nearly 50 Ubuntu CD sets to give away. Ubuntu is a fairly new distribution ("flavor") of GNU/Linux from South Africa. It is geared for ease of use by folks moving from (or considering moving from) Windows. The set consists of a "live" CD (like Knoppix) & an install CD. Installation is easy & help is available *every* Wednesday at the Linux Workshop SIG. The CD sets will be available starting Thusday, July 7 in the front desk area of Headquarters, first come -- first serve, current members only, please.

July Classes - HAL-PC Headquarters

Map To Facility

Starting July 5:
Introduction to Microsoft Office
Instructor: Bear Jones

Starting July 8:
Microsoft Word Level 1
Instructor: Fernando Bobbio

Starting July 12:
Intermediate Windows XP
Instructor: Mel Babb

Starting July 23
Introduction to Computers
Instructor: Tomika Elizondo

Starting July 26
Intermediate Windows XP
Instructor: Bear Jones

Quickbooks
Instructor: Marie Jones

Starting June 27
Basic Computer Use
Instructor: Rick Archibald

CLEAR LAKE

Check the HAL-PC home page for information on presentations for regularly scheduled SIGs.

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to HAL-PC's July Volunteer of the Month,

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

HAL-PC needs you! Your HAL-PC dues are kept low in part through the efforts of our wonderful volunteers. If you have just a couple of free hours a month, we can use you. HAL volunteers not only offer technical support! We need volunteers to prepare renewal notices and new member letters for mailing by stuffing envelopes and putting on stamps and mailing labels. If you can do a little clerical work for your club, please call Mika at 713-341-8102.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

The annual election of HAL-PC's Board of Directors was held in June. Thanks to all who voted online and in person. The education committee wishes to especially thank Jeff Hupp for his continued support of the online voting system.

THIS MONTH'S MAGAZINE

Look for your monthly online edition of the HAL-PC Magazine featuring an informative article by Bill Stewart of Leisure Learning Unlimited on (Re)defining Computer Literacy, Beverly Rosenbaum's tour through setting up HALNet ADSL, hot products from Apple, reviews, SIG notes and more!