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Post by jflavin on May 27, 2014 20:21:07 GMT
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Post by Admin on May 29, 2014 13:07:21 GMT
It's good to see me back ..... and me front, too! Yes folks - back from Blighty - to more settled weather. Now catching up with everything. 10 days go quickly but seems to take forever to really get back to normal. 10 days also seems to have not happened for some reason - things go so quickly these days .... or should that be daze? Only got back late yesterday (Wed) evening but already almost forgotten the visit. For Charles - did get some real ale for just £1.60 a pint in Mancunia. Bet that makes you envious. WARNING: Well, two really. I hope no one in the ZPS (nor their relatives) falls for the (i9ncreasing) telephone calls purporting to come from Microsoft to make good the problems with your computers. Big scam - was even highlighted on BBCX today. Basically, caller says can sort your computer problems that they have seen on the internet - then directs you to a scam page - ends up you paying over £190 to get it fixed - and nothing actually happens, other than your bank balance goes down. WARNING 2: If you use EBAY - get your password changed like Yesterday!!!! Has been in the newspapers and on the TV - and you may have already received an e-mail from EBAY about this. The only safe e-mail or other passwords should have ideally 13 or more characters, with at least one CAPITAL letter, one LOWERcase letter, a number and at least one symbol. As an example of a very secure password: AxC47Ed12##2b Most people's passwords are pretty useless - can be hacked using an internet "crawler utility" that can auto hack most passwords in a couple of seconds. A secure one like the example shown would take several weeks - so the crawler moves swiftly on. I still get some e-mails purporting to come from certain members who clearly have had their details hacked - then their e-mail is used to send out scam messages (mostly for advertisement linked pages) so the recipient (like ME) gets an e-mail, seemingly from a member - but sent without their knowledge and carrying messages like, say "Go to this linked website as its a super website for bargains" - which could just be a link to an advertising/sales website OR, more regularly, clicking on such links inserts a Trojan on your computer - the idea being if from someone you know (so you think) you will trust such links and click on them without thinking. Always delete such e-mails - or if unsure - and to alert the "sender" send them a separate e-mail saying you just received an e-mail from them. If they didn't send it - tell them to ensure they change their password asap.
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Post by Admin on May 30, 2014 12:58:03 GMT
Please Note: MEET 2014 - (Booking Deadline is Saturday 21st June 2014)
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Post by Charles Hart on Jun 3, 2014 20:07:34 GMT
I had an 'I can fix your computer' call a few weeks ago. I asked the pleasant-sounding lady caller how she knew that I had a computer, and how she knew that it ran under Windows (it doesn't), then very gently suggested that she was making a scam call and that I would inform the police. I am still trying to work out why she rang off immediately.
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Post by Admin on Jun 4, 2014 7:57:53 GMT
Out here in España, I have had, over the past few years, dozens of calls trying to get me to let them fix my computer. In recent months, that has intensified, sometimes with four a day within about a hour of each other. I just tell them they are talking rubbish and that I am an IT Consultant. Funnily enough, they also ring off. Wonder why? On one occasion, when I had some spare time, I led the person along and used up about ten minutes of their time. Got them going - kept saying I could not understand what to do .... then finally told them I was running Linux and again, they rang off. I just hope their phone calls cost a lot. Basic idea is they get people (and MANY unfortunately get lured!) to go to a website that then says it has scanned their computer and found lots of problems - to get it fixed costs munnie - and (from a recent BBC Breakfast item report on specific cases investigated) many have opted to pay around £192 for a lifetime's support. One woman who had been fooled and parted with that sum got suspicious, contacted a local computer expert who told thgem nothing had been changed on their computer - he cleared off some Trojans, set up AV properly, cleared junk files - all for nothing because he felt sorry for her - a widow who was struggling to bring up two children with little income. This has been extensively reported but still many people fall for the scam. Now for an IMPORTANT WARNING!It has been announced that a massive hacking scam in the USA has been foiled for the present time - one where hackers could gain full access to most people's computers, banking details and so forth - they announced had been foiled BUT the hackers (Worldwide by the way!) will be back in about 2 weeks they reckoned - so everyone INCLUDING MAC users! - needs to ensure that their AV is daily kept fully up to date (and yes - there are utilities for MACs which are being increasingly put at risk - as are Android Tablets and Phones!). So, ensure you keep your AV database updated and if you have MAC and/or Android hardware ensure you get safe too! For Android I would recommend getting the FREE IOBIT Mobile Care APP: AMC Security- Antivirus, Clean - IObit Mobile Security - latest version - May 20, 2014 (Excellent product) play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iobit.mobilecareALSO a good free AV from AVG - AntiVirus Security - FREE - AVG Mobile - May 25, 2014 play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.antivirusFor your Desktop or Laptop - my advice is to get AVIRA anti-virus and ensure you have, now, the Windows Firewall activated. www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirusFor MAC computers - check out the MAC Store www.apple.com/support/Please note that the general assertion about Macs not requiring AV due inbuilt protection - it has been stated this should not be assumed - especially for older OS versions and this new global threat is anticipated to be widespread over all operating systems so do take care and assume the worst due the anticipated huge attack imminent in the next week or so. Keep a sharp watch on the TV and Radio announcements and other news about this threat.
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Post by Admin on Jun 10, 2014 9:27:20 GMT
Just a note that I am currently working on a revised TIL on PhotoShop, which will specifically relate to how conventional darkroom was used for print making and includes everything right from the time before making the exposure in-camera as a work-flow system - will cover the Preferences (how to set up for most efficient use) and things like Rulers, Scratch Disc, etc. The instructions will relate to using the tools and image processing aspects in some detail. Ideal for anyone but especially for those who have prior experience of working in a conventional darkroom. Will be ready for the next Newsletter around end of July.
Meantime reminder to members who have forgotten to renew their subscriptions - and/or book for this year's Meet 2014. Many thanks for dealing with this - please.
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Post by jflavin on Jun 13, 2014 20:04:28 GMT
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Post by Charles on Jun 13, 2014 20:35:11 GMT
The other tactic I use with callers trying to sell me something is to say that I am registered with the telephone preference service and that it is a criminal offence to make an unsolicited sales call to me, but no doubt the caller would enjoy a few months rest and relaxation inside. At which point, the caller rings off very rapidly. I don't know whether there is anything similar in Eire, but worth finding out, Jim.
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Post by Admin on Jun 14, 2014 8:31:57 GMT
Clearly that could be a case of Eire today and gorn tonite, Charles!
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Post by Admin on Jun 16, 2014 14:45:30 GMT
I saw a little cartoon image (not able to copy) which showed, first, a footballer writhing on the ground and second, a rugby player covered in blood with a rough bandage on his head. Caption for footballer was: Footballers play-act writhing around pretending to have an injury. Caption for the rugby player was: Rugby players act as though nothing has happened. (Probably originals slightly better than my half-remembered quotes but you will get the idea!)
Has anyone noticed that Charles and Jim look the same) (Avatars against their names!)
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Post by jflavin on Jun 19, 2014 19:34:48 GMT
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Post by Admin on Jun 21, 2014 8:40:10 GMT
As previously mentioned, visited La Concepcion Botanical Gardens (outskirts of Malaga) on Thursday (19/6) a fairly extensive Park really, covering many acres, with sections having tropical and sub-tropical plants, trees and tons of cacti! For past 10+ years when driving past had seen a strange decorated bridge and always wanted to find out what it was - it was in another separate section (had a job to find it as was not really visible when in the location and only got glimpse from the motorway) some shots at end of the gallery but I still don't quite know what it was about, other than it clearly (if you can read Roman numerals that is) was erected in 1997 - the year that Malaga Council took over the Park (inside the Botanical area is a manor house, so that was passed over - I assume a bit like handing over to the National Trust in the UK). Here's a link to the Gallery: www.pbase.com/zps/la_concepcion_botanical_gardensOne shot as a taster (from superb lily pond):
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Post by Charles on Jun 22, 2014 16:26:00 GMT
A non-photographic subject. What with all the events connected with the two World Wars, it is easy to think that everything earlier is completely out of mind. However, the grandfather of a friend of mine was born in 1872 and lived into his nineties. When he was a young lad, there was an old man in his village who enjoyed telling children about his life. He was born in the late 1700's and had fought in Wellington's army at Waterloo. So my friend has real accounts of what the battle was like from the old man, via his grandfather. Needless to say, the reality was nothing like the Hollywood version.
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Post by jflavin on Jun 22, 2014 20:18:25 GMT
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Post by Admin on Jun 29, 2014 8:57:47 GMT
Just think - if names had been reversed, we would have been wearing Sandwiches and Eating Wellingtons! :-)
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