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For New Computer
Users
Ocean
County Library offers FREE classes on using the
Internet, Word Processing, and more. Please check
your local
branch calendar for details or visit
one of our computer labs.
Toms
River Branch
Lab
Lakewood
Branch Lab
Stafford
Branch Lab
Jackson
Branch Lab
Computer
mouse skills
Try the Ocean County Library’s fun mouse
tutorial. Practice your skills with this enjoyable
page. It is also available in
Spanish!
Search
the Web
A list of selected Web search tools compiled
by Ocean County Library staff. Also try
Searchengines101
for lists of general directories, topical directories,
and more.
Link
to a Topic
OCL’s subject directory. Find topics
ranging from Art to Weather. Start your search here.
We’ve done all the hard work for you!
CNET
Buying Guide
Are you thinking of buying a new computer?
Do you need to know what features to buy? CNET’s
guide can help you decide.
TrendMicro Security Information
There are plenty of computer viruses you can catch.
TrendMicro is a commercial site that has lots of
information to offer on viruses.
Internet
Facts
Hobbes'
Internet Timeline v3.3
A straight forward list of important dates
in the development of the Internet. If you can’t
get enough information about
ARPANET this is the site for you. A short bibliography
is appended.
Internet
Society
The Internet Society is the non-governmental
International Organization for global cooperation
and coordination for the Internet. Visit their home
pages to see how Internet innovators are creatively
using the network.
Chatting
& Communicating Online
ICQ.com
ICQ ("I Seek
You") is an Internet program that notifies
you which of your friends are online and enables
you to contact them. With ICQ, you can chat, send
messages and files, exchange Web page addresses,
play games and create your own homepage. ICQ supports
a variety of popular Internet applications and serves
as a Universal Platform from which you can launch
various peer-to-peer applications such as
Netscape CoolTalk. It can also be used in a
multiple-user mode, so groups can conduct conferences
or just 'hang out' on-line.
Internet
Relay Chat (IRC) Help
IRC (Internet Relay Chat) provides a way of
communicating with people from all over the world.
It consists of
various separate networks (or "nets")
of IRC servers, machines that allow users to connect
to IRC. The largest nets are
EFnet (the original IRC net, often having more
than 32,000 people at once),
Undernet,
IRCnet,
DALnet, and
NewNet. Generally, the user (such as you) runs
a program (called a "client") to connect
to a server on one of the
IRC nets.
E-mail
lists
Topica
Topica is a really big directory of mailing
lists. Internet mailing lists are communities of
people sitting around discussing one of their favorite
topics by e-mail. For example, fans of bluegrass
music can join BGRASS-L, and meet other bluegrass
fans, and talk about bluegrass via e-mail.
Dictionary
of Computer Terms
Whatis.com
Whatis.com's Internet dictionary is put together
by many different people all over the world. Here
you can find out what DSL stands for or what "boot
disk" means.
Computing
News
CNET
The Computer Network operates this computing
news Web site. Updated many times a day, this is
one of the best sites for keeping up with the latest
news and with practical information that will affect
you and your computer.
Computer
Bits
This on-line computer news magazine operates
in Oregon and Arizona, but provides timely and well-written
reports for both novice and advanced computer users.
They also have an extensive list of computer and
Internet resources.
Slashdot:
News for Nerds
News for nerds. Stuff that matters. That’s
what it says on their masthead and that is what
this site is. Slashdot is a site for the hard core
computer user with a Linux bent.
Filters
and Internet Law
Cyber
Snoop
Cyber Snoop is a product of Pearl Software.
Pearl Software provides standalone and network enabled
products to the Internet user community. Their focus
includes providing parents with a realistic means
to supervise and guide their children in the world
of interactive Internet communications.
Peacefire
Peacefire is a youth alliance against Internet
censorship. Among other activities, this teen run
watchdog group monitors the pre-set lists of "bad"
sites programmed into Internet filtering software.
SafeKids
SafeKids.Com is where you'll find tips, advice
and suggestions to make your family's online experience
fun and productive! Produced by the Online Safety
Project, SafeKids offers advice and suggestions
for having safe, fun, and educational experiences
on the Internet.
Free
Stuff
The
Mac Orchard
The Mac Orchard is a carefully cultivated list
of the most vital Internet applications and links
for Macintosh Internet users, along with Internet
software reviews contributed from The Mac Orchard's
audience. Mac Orchard represent the most complete,
most up-to-date collection of Macintosh Internet
applications available anywhere on the Internet.
Tucows
Tucows is a leading distributor of e-business
services and applications on the Internet. This
is the site to go to for all your software needs.
If tucows does not have a free or for fee program
for what you want to do it does not exist.
Web
Clip Art
If you need a free picture for your home
page this is the place to go. Links to over 700
clip art sites.
Major
Companies and Vendors
Apple
Computer
Home page of Apple, makers of the Macintosh
computers, operating systems, and software. Get
Apple customer
support or
product information.
IBM
Home page of "Big Blue", manufacturers
of IBM computers and products. IBM is responsible
for popularizing the desktop computer and is still
a major player in the personal computer industry.
Get
IBM customer support or
product information.
Intel
Largest computer chip maker in the world, including
the 486, Pentium, PentiumMMX, PentiumPro, and Pentium
II processors, which are in 2/3 of all PC's. Get
Intel
customer support or product information.
Linux
Online
The official home page of Linux, a free
open-source derivation of the UNIX operating system.
Microsoft
Home page of Microsoft, the largest software
company in the world and maker of
Windows95, Windows
2000, Windows
XP,
WindowsNT and
Internet Explorer. Get Microsoft
customer support,
product information, company history or company
news from Yahoo.
Netscape
Network
Home page of the maker of the popular internet
browsers
Netscape Navigator and Communicator, Netscape
also provides
plug-ins for both online. Get Netscape customer
support, product information, company history
or company news.
Red
Hat Software
Home page of Red Hat, the most popular installation
version of Linux.
Sun
Microsystems
Home of Sun Microsystems, makers of UNIX workstations
and developers of Java and Jini.
Donating
your old PC: It's Worth More than You Think!
Many nonprofit organizations
would happily accept a used PC. To find nonprofits
in Ocean County, take a look at the
Ocean County Resource Directory the library
has compiled. You may need to call a few places
before you find someone who could use your PC. Also,
keep in mind that most nonprofits are run or are
partially run by volunteers, and so it might take
them some time to respond to you; please be patient!
Another option is to
donate your old PC to an organization which refurbishes
old PCs and distributes them to those in need; nonprofits,
schools, the disabled or victims of the "digital
divide." Many times these organizations can
even pick up your PC, saving you the time of shipping
the PC out to them.
Should you find that
your PC is so old that it cannot be refurbished,
consider recycling it. Why clog up a landfill with
a computer?
If you choose to
donate your computer, be sure to:
1.
Take inventory of what your
PC has to offer. Have a list handy of the type of
PC or MAC you have, including details concerning:
RAM
Monitor type
Modem
Processor (type and speed)
Software (plus do you have the original documentation
that came with the software?)
Printer, mouse, keyboard etc.
2.
Investigate any organization
that you might consider donating the PC to. Learn
about their mission, and how they operate. Is it
something that you agree with? If they are a charity
based in NJ, call the state charities hotline at
(973) 5046215. If they are national, ask for their
EIN number, which the IRS gives to nonprofits and
businesses. All nonprofit organizations should be
able to provide you with proof of their status.
3.
Consider whether or not the organization will be
able to pick up the PC from you. Some might need
you to ship the PC to them, or may have a drop-off
location.
4.
Get a receipt for tax purposes.
5.
WIPE THE HARDDRIVE! ! This means
format the hard drive, or use a software program
designed specifically for deleting files so that
no personal files are left on the computer. Do not
just delete the files: files can be 'undeleted'
easier than you realize.
Donating
There are hundreds
of nonprofit organizations and schools in NJ, which
might be interested in accepting your computer.
Although the library does not maintain a list of
those needing a computer, we do offer, an
Ocean County Resource Directory with descriptions
and contacts for local nonprofit organizations.
The following is only
a partial list of organizations with national and
local presence, that seek to connect those needing
a computer with those wanting to get rid of an older
computer. When possible, we included information
posted by the organization concerning the type of
computer they can accept. Do some investigating,
pick a few, and give them a call. Hopefully you
will find a place that can accept your old computer!
Organizations
in NJ
Ocean
County Computer Recycling Program:
donate your old PC at the County's Northern
or Southern recycling centers
Computers
for School National HQ:
3642 N. Springfield St.
Chicago, IL 60618
(800) 939-6000
Local
Chapters of Computers for Schools:
Union County College
Dean Rusimano
908-965-6020
908-965-0185
Essex County College
Elvy Viera Garcia
973-642-2622
Computers for Schools
is a national program connecting PC donors to
public and private schools, created in 1991.
Equipment
requested by NJ chapter:
Desktop/laptop Systems
Pentium or faster models, PowerMac and
IMac models
Components and Peripherals (working condition)
Monitors: SVGA & Mac Color
100 or 250 MB Zip drives
16MB RAM and/or 1GB hard drive
Keyboards
Mice
Pentium or faster motherboards
Hard drives
Disk controller cards
Network cards
Modems
RAM SIMMs
Power & monitor cables
CD-ROM drives
Ink/Bubblejet/Laser printers
New and sealed software
Goodwill
NJ Chapter Donation points are all in southern
New Jersey. Be sure to call ahead and see if they
will accept your computer.
R.O.C.K .Recycle
Old Computers for Kids
Fireman Dan c/o Fire Station #3
124 East Passaic Ave
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Fireman-Dan@link2nj.net
rock@link2nj.net
NJ Fire Lt. Mark
Bombace in Ridgewood, NJ began R.O.C.K. "Recycle
Old Computers for Kids".
PCs that are donated
to the program are refurbished by volunteers,
and then are donated to schoolchildren. Along
with the computer, children are given an orientation
on using the computer to get them started.
Type
of equipment needed:
Computers: with Pentium processors 500
MB HD and above please.
Monitors, Cables, Power Cords
Software and Operating Systems Windows
95-98, Word, Office, Educational, graphics,
etc. .
Spare parts (for repairs and upgrades),
CD-ROM drives (any speed), RAM, modems, CPU's,
video cards...
Share
the Technology Project
P.0. Box 548
Rancocas, NJ 08073
Email recycle@sharetechnology.org
F.E.I.N. is 22-3494409
NJ Registration Number: CH0992900
Type
of equipment needed:
Requests will describe what type of equipment
they are seeking.
National
Programs
These are just a few
nonprofit organizations that refurbish donated computers
and donate them to those in need.
East West Education
Development Foundation
504 Dudley St
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-442-7448
FAX 617-442-7228
E-mail: sales@eastwest.org
EIN: 22-3079555
The East West foundations
accepts used PCs from corporations and individuals,
refurbishes the equipment, then passes it along
to a nonprofit or school around the world. Any
PC that is unusable is recycled.
National
Cristina Foundation
500 West Putnam
Greenwich, CT
(800) 274-7846
The Cristina Foundation's
mission is to provide special needs students in
public and private schools with access to technology.
They do not accept the computer themselves, but
try and match you with a school in need.
Computer
requirements:
For
PCs
For
Macs
Web
Directories
Here are a few directories
for other groups across the country, which accept,
refurbish, and then donate used computers.
Hopi Information Network
Hopi Information Network
is a nonprofit organization that refurbishes computers,
and provides them to others. They seek to help a
diverse number of causes, including providing computers
to minority-owned small businesses that are just
starting out, low-income students, those that are
physically or emotionally disabled, and low-income
seniors. Some computers are given away, while others
are provided at a low-cost. This is their directory
of places that might accept your old computer.
Recycling
Out of luck with donating
your computer? Before you hide your computer in
your neighbor's trash, consider having your computer
recycled. You may have to hand over a fee as well
as your old computer, but wouldn't it give you a
warm feeling to know that parts of it were being
used again?
Ocean
County Computer Recycling Program
Donate your old PC at the County's Northern
or Southern recycling centers.
Rutgers
University New Jersey Solid Waste Policy Group
Where to Recycle Computers, Fluorescent
Bulbs, and Mercury Devices in Your County. Follow
the link on the right beneath Hazwaste Diversion
to Where to Recycle in Your County. You may also
wish to call your local municipal
recycling coordinator, to see if your old PC
can be placed by the curb for pickup.
Freeware
computer security programs
Updated June
10, 2005
Contributed
by J. Syphrit (Reference, Toms River)
Freeware Computer Security
Programs
Today, more than ever, it is not safe to simply
unpack your new personal computer and begin to use
it on the Internet. The sad fact is that doing so
opens the unsuspecting-but-eager Internet user to
all manner of attacks, potential privacy invasion,
computer viruses, and possible covert monitoring
of your activities. Real damage can be done to your
computer, to your privacy, and perhaps even to your
finances.
Fortunately, there are simple precautions that
you may take to lessen these threats. The good news
is that these solutions are non-commercial, free
programs. This page will direct you to several freeware
solutions that can help protect you online. None
of the programs you will find on this page require
the payment of fees at this time.
Spyware
Problems
Spyware is a generic term for programs that are
loaded onto your computer, usually without your
knowledge, that perform a variety of undesirable
functions. For example, some spyware programs gather
data on your Internet use and share this data by
secretly "phoning home" to a marketing
company or organization. Other programs are designed
to change or subvert your browser, to send you pop-up
advertisements, or even to surreptitiously take
control of your Internet connection. All of this
usually takes place behind the scenes and without
your knowledge. The only hint of trouble you may
have is that your computer may appear to operate,
or will access the Internet, more slowly.
You can pick up such spyware programs in many ways:
opening email attachments, visiting specially coded
webpages that load software onto your computer by
exploiting security flaws in your browser, downloading
software which contains more than you bargained
for, and many other ways. Not only are these unwanted
programs an invasion of your privacy, but they can
also significantly impair the functioning of your
computer.
It should also be mentioned that often spyware
is very difficult to remove from your machine once
it makes its way onto your computer. You might delete
a given program only to find that the next time
you reboot the problem program has reappeared! Several
of the freeware solutions we’ll discuss below
will help you with this.
Spyware Solutions
There are several tools that you may download and
install on your computer to combat spyware: Spybot
Search and Destroy, Lavasoft
Ad-Aware, Perfect
Process, and Spyware
Blaster. Microsoft is also making a spyware
detection and removal program available called Microsoft
Windows AntiSpyware (Beta). You should install and
regularly run several of these programs because
new spyware threats emerge on an almost a daily
basis and it is difficult for any one spyware removal
program to stay up-to-date. By using several tools,
you will have a better chance of detecting malicious
spyware.
These programs not only detect spyware on your
computer, but also properly remove it. Spyware often
installs itself in several locations on your computer
and makes changes to the operating system's registry,
making it difficult to rid your machine of the unwanted
software. These tools, however, will take care of
the removal of these malicious programs for you.
Spyware Blaster goes a step further in that it helps
to "immunize" your computer by preventing
many of the common spyware programs from being loaded
onto your computer in the first place!
Another solution in the battle against spyware
is to switch to a more secure web browser. Mozilla
Firefox is a free browser that is being recommended
by many security experts as providing a higher level
of security than Internet Explorer. Firefox provides
many useful and desirable features such as built-in
popup blocking, tabbed browsing, and more.
Firewalls
A firewall is a program or hardware device that
controls and limits access to and from a network
to your computer. Now, it's probably clear from
our discussion so far that it is important to limit
and control access to your computer from the Internet.
However, you also don't want any and all programs
on your computer to have the capability to access
the Internet without your knowledge or consent.
As we’ve seen, it is quite easy for your
computer to become host to programs that you did
not request and of which you aren't even aware.
The spyware detection and removal tools we discussed
above will greatly reduce your risk with spyware.
However, it is important to have a firewall in addition
to the above spyware removal tools.
A firewall not only will block unauthorized access
to your computer from the Internet, but it will
also block any programs on your computer from gaining
access to the Internet on their own without your
knowledge or permission.
Firewall Solutions
There are several firewalls that are available
as a free download. An important note is in order
here, though: you should only download and run only
ONE of the firewalls mentioned here. Firewalls can
interfere with one another when they are run at
the same time, so you’ll want to be sure to
only select one of the firewall solutions mentioned
here.
With that caveat in mind, then, you may wish to
download and install Kerio
Personal Firewall, Outpost
Personal Firewall, or Zone
Alarm. These programs are easy to install and
feature installation wizards to help a new user
set up a firewall properly.
Windows XP SP2 (Service Pack 2) is now featuring
a firewall that is turned on by default. If your
computer uses Windows XP as an operating system,
you should make sure that you have updated your
operating system with Service Pack 2. SP2 provides
you with a rudimentary firewall that is turned on
by default. For more information on downloading
SP2, see this Windows
XP SP2 page. Once you have downloaded and installed
Service Pack 2, your computer will be protected
by Microsoft’s firewall.
Anti-virus
Software
Computer viruses are programs that gain access
to your computer and perform various and often rather
unpleasant tasks without your knowledge or cooperation.
For example, a virus might reformat your hard drive,
causing you to lose all of your data. It might launch
an attack to block or interfere with another computer's
access to the Internet, placing any potential blame
on you. It might send an undesirable message to
everyone in your email address book. The variety
of viruses and the "missions" they perform
for their creators are seemingly endless.
Anti-virus Solutions
There are two free anti-virus tools that you might
wish to consider - AVG
and Avast.
These programs will scan the files on your computer
to find, isolate, and remove computer viruses from
your machine. In addition to featuring file scanning
capabilities, both also feature behind-the-scenes
continuous system monitoring to help you avoid accidentally
downloading computer viruses while you use your
computer. By monitoring your machine in the background
as you work, these anti-virus programs can alert
you to potentially damaging computer viruses and
help you to avoid or remove them.
Once you install one of these anti-virus programs
on your computer, you will want to run it periodically
to scan the files on your computer for viruses.
Both programs have a scheduling feature that will
allow you to schedule such system scans to happen
automatically at times that are convenient for you
– perhaps at night while you sleep.
Since new viruses are appearing almost daily, it
is essential that you keep your anti-virus program
up to date. Both AVG and Avast feature regular updates
to keep up with the latest virus threats.
As with the firewalls we discussed above, you should
select only one anti-virus program for your computer.
Anti-virus programs tend to interfere with one another
if more than one such program is running on your
computer at a time.
Got
questions? We have answers!
Researched
and Compiled by J. Glace, K. Sparks, and J. Syphrit
Edited by C. Paulson
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