TSGS Cruiser Blog

Showing posts with label Computer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Computer. Show all posts

Saturday, May 2, 2009

ENGINEER'S Report -
Tech Info

The following comes from today's Uniblue newsletter
May 2009:

Cleaning the outside of your PC

To start with, what you need is a lint free cloth, a can of compressed air, cotton swabs dampened with water, tweezers, and perhaps a little isopropyl alcohol. Definitely do NOT use ethyl alcohol or cleaners that contain acetone or ammonia on the monitor if you are using a flat screen display. You should also avoid using a vacuum cleaner for any cleaning since it might damage the computer. Finally, before you proceed with the steps below, turn off the computer and monitor (in fact all hardware you are cleaning), and disconnect all cables.

1. Wipe the outside with the cloth and use the isopropyl alcohol to remove any persistent stains. Although the inside could probably benefit from having the dust blown out of it with the can of compressed air, opening the case might terminate the warranty so perhaps this is best avoided. For a laptop, just blow the compressed air over the keyboard. Whatever your system avoid blowing air over the fans in case you create a power surge.

2. Wipe the screen gently with the cloth (lens cleaning cloths are perfect). Don’t press hard on the display as you might cause damage. If there are any more resilient marks on the monitor use a cloth, or cotton swab, lightly dampened with water or isopropyl alcohol. Be careful when using any other cleaning agent on the monitor since many of these will damage the LCD. You should also avoid spraying or pouring liquid directly onto the screen.

3. Turn the keyboard upside down and tap it from the back. Then use the compressed air to blow off any remaining dirt. If you have a laptop, just blow the keyboard with the compressed air (avoiding the fan slots). Then use the cloth, tweezers and cotton swabs to clean the keys.

4. Wipe the mouse with the cloth. For a roller-ball mouse, open the bottom cover and clean the rollers using cotton swabs and tweezers or your fingernail.
-Submitted by JGWest

Sunday, December 14, 2008

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG -
TSGS News


Special Interest Groups (SIG's)

The TSGS Board had authorized the establishment of a TSGS Celtic SIG (Special Interest Group), but before it could be organized, the volunteer leader was no longer available. However, the SIG idea was well promoted as a way to increase involvement and provide a service for our members.

Many of our local TSGS members were members of the South West Indiana PC Users Group (SWIPCUP) that just recently disbanded. Perhaps TSGS could more effectively organize a TSGS Computer SIG, now that SWIPCUP is no longer available. SWIPCUP provided a lot of information, help and sharing of common problems with some excellent programs. TSGS has had a Computer Interest Group for 4 or 5 years, but it was limited in its scope with 2 sessions a year and was part of the HELP Sessions before the meetings. I led the group for several years, but it was just mostly a 30-minute presentation with some “questions & answers” time at the end. What do some of you bloggers out there think about a full-fledged TSGS Computer SIG? A group that would meet 4, 6 or more times a year and maybe have some hands-on workshops to show how a lot of simple, basic things are done on computers that many just have trouble figuring it out by reading the instructions.

Another excellent idea, that I found on the Internet last night came from the Southern California Genealogical Society Web Site (SCGS) who have developed a Genetic DNA SIG and have created a group with Family Tree DNA to provide group discount in testing costs. This group can share information about genetic DNA testing and encourage others to participate. I would appreciate comments be added to this blog concerning SIG's in general and what you think of a Computer or DNA SIG. Click on the word comments at bottom of this blog and submit what you think. Our Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) could use your opinions.

What do you all think about our new TSGS Cruiser graphic in the right-hand column?

John G. West, TSGS President