Is Google Drive Safe?

Posted on 2015-10-05 by George Bowden

blackhatIn today’s presentation on Google Docs to the Seniors SIG, I was asked “Is it safe to put my stuff up in Google’s cloud? Can’t hackers get at it?

Well, if your password is “password”, hackers will get at it. The point is, people are the weakest link in security.  I am not an expert in security, but I know to use a few techniques to make my online presence secure.  Using those below, I trust putting my documents  in Google’s cloud, and for now, putting my passwords in LastPass’s cloud based password manager. Continue reading →

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Creating and managing accounts

Posted on 2015-09-28 by George Bowden
lastpass

LastPass Password Manager

The problem: In this online age, we have typically 26 accounts, but just 5 passwords of just 6 characters on average.  6 characters can be cracked in 3 seconds using computers.

Every online subscription needs a “login – password” combination, be it:

  • paid news subscriptions, eg. globe and mail,
  • purchasing, eg paypal, amazon, visa number and expiry, groupon
  • communications, email, skype, facebook, social media
  • bank accounts, utility accounts

As we age, remembering these logins and passwords becomes increasingly problematic.  So we should manage them with a password manager, like LastPass.  Continue reading →

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Exec meeting Minutes Aug 17

Posted on 2015-09-26 by sysop

Exec meeting Minutes Aug 17
Posted on 2015/08/17 by George Bowden
CaptureA. Call to Order 7:15 pm Monday, Aug 17
Present: George Bowden, president; Martin Brooks, treasurer-secretary; Dorothy Cushway, clubhouse; Barkley Cox, Vice President
Excused: Iain Fletcher

Agenda: Additions – none

B. Last month’s minutes: available online

C. Old Business
1) Name change status. Martin to watch bills, phone listing . Paypal still has BB&C remnants
2) Signage: TV in the window added timer, a bit awkward to operate. Needs jpgs advertising fall events. Dorothy to  ask Laura to cut shrubs. Also need stick on lettering to complete window.
4) No publicity director: but Dorothy renewed the ads in Used Victoria, Craigslist.               Speakers – 83 Browsed, 2038 to date     Teaching – 420 Browsed, 11,604 to date              Membership – 206 Browsed, 12,031 to date

5) Membership online forms and processing: Who does what? Ron Kehn to be called by George Bowden to design new envelopes, or Barkley

D. Directors reports
D1. President – Picnic. July 15th was attended by about 25
– Gallery on website. Meeting with photo group this week
– Silver Threads cooperation. George joined Silver Threads, but needs to follow up for fall classes.
D2. Vice President –  Screen purchase approved up to $200. Approved.  Speaker will be on Windows 10, either Joel or London Drugs.  Get speaker list from UVIC.
D3. Treasurer/Secretary – Monthly report. As of July 30th Bank balance was $10,380
D4. Membership: 146 Adults and 14 Associates
D5. Clubhouse:  Fridge replacement from McIntyre.  New signs for parking. At Martins discretion, go ahead with two more wide tables.

E. New Business

A. Courseware. George to contact schools about students teaching.  Seniors class for Win7, Android and iMobile continue, WordPress, Genealogy, Photo SIG, Linux, WordPress evening SIG.  Beginners email. Could hire Dial-a-Geek. Need pre-course evaluation.  Dorothy might teach beginner facebook.   Sept monthly meeting could have Whet your whistle demos.
B. RSVP events.

Library booth.  September 19, 10:00?am – 4:30?pm
C. Next exec meeting will be Sept 21st.

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Butchart Gardens – Commodores – George

Posted on 2015-09-08 by George Bowden

Commodore Big Band at Butchart Gardens

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George’s photos from Alberni trip

Posted on 2015-09-08 by George Bowden

Some of these were taken during summers in Port Alberni

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Presentation on Windows 10, Thurs. Sept 17th 2pm. Lunch at 1pm

Posted on 2015-09-05 by sysop

Windows 10 is the topic for the monthly Presentation, Thursday, Sept 17 at 2pm, Lunch at 1pm

Note these changes to our monthly meeting:

  • Day of the week changed from Wednesday to Thursday.
  • Location: Royal Canadian Legion – Britannia Branch, 780 Summit Ave, Victoria
  • Register for the 1:00pm lunch seven days in advance, by Wednesday September 9th. Lunch (Sandwiches, soup, and salad) is only about $10, paid in cash at the door. Register by emailing BigBlueSocial@gmail.com

Driving instructions: The Royal Canadian Legion – Britannia Branch #7 is at 780 Summit Ave (at the corner of Summit Ave. and Nanaimo Street)

Nanaimo Street runs north/south, off Finlayson between Dodds Furniture and Pier 1 – south-east of  Mayfair Mall)

There is a parking lot at the Legion and another behind the Legion that can be accessed through the Canadian Tire Lot. If needed, you can also park in the Canadian Tire Lot.

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Seniors SIG Restarts

Posted on 2015-09-01 by Faith Shannon

The Seniors Group meets every Monday morning (restarts Monday, September 7th) 10 am – 12 noon at the clubhouse for coffee and to discuss topics of interest relating to various computer programs and operating systems that you use on a daily basis.

John will teach you many shortcuts, tips and ways to use the programs you have on your computers and laptops, as well as you asking questions.

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Thanks Bob for the huge fridge!!

Posted on 2015-08-23 by sysop

imageedit_3_6359536617Bob McIntyre purchased a very large refrigerator for the clubhouse, as you can see!  Thanks Bob!

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Here are some interesting points to look over

Posted on 2015-08-20 by Gord Collins

I myself use the VLC program for videos

http://www.howtogeek.com/226100/the-windows-10-faq-everything-you-need-to-know/

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Exec meeting Agenda June 17

Posted on 2015-08-17 by sysop

Exec meeting Minutes June 17  — A bit messed up because of revisions
Posted on 2015/08/17 by George Bowden
CaptureA. Call to Order 7:15 pm Monday, June 18th
Present: George Bowden, president; Martin Brooks, treasurer-secretary; Dorothy Cushway, clubhouse;
Excused: Iain Fletcher

Agenda: Additions – none

B. Last month’s minutes: available online

C. Old Business
1) Name change status. Bills, Phone listing , Paypal still has BB&C remnants
2) Signage: TV in the window added timer, a bit awkward to operate. Needs jpgs advertising fall events. Dorothy to  ask Laura to cut shrubs. Also need stick on lettering to complete window.
4) No publicity director: but Dorothy renewed the ads in Used Victoria, Craigslist.               Speakers – 83 Browsed, 2038 to date     Teaching – 420 Browsed, 11,604 to date              Membership – 206 Browsed, 12,031 to date

5) Membership online forms and processing: Who does what? Ron Kehn called by George Bowden to design new envelopes, or Barkley

D. Directors reports
D1. President – Picnic. July 15th.
– Gallery on website. Meeting with photo group this week
– Silver Threads cooperation. George joined Silver Threads, but needs to follow up for fall classes.
D2. Vice President –  Screen purchase approved up to $200. Approved.
D3. Treasurer/Secretary – Monthly report. As of April 30th Bank balance was
D4. Membership:
D5. Clubhouse: Printer cartridge needs refilling. Dorothy away July 15th to Aug. 7th.

E. New Business

A. Courseware. Table till later meeting
B. RSVP events.

Library booth.  September 19, 10:00am – 4:30pm
C. Next exec meeting will be Sept 21st.

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