April 1998

Hampton Roads User Group (HUG)
Bob Ennis, President; email bennis@exis.net

HUG Happenings

F-Prot, Version 2.28B, is still the latest version as I write this. The author has been working on a major upgrade, Version 3.0, for some time but it has been delayed again due to unexpected bugs. This is a very time consuming operation. For instance, I reported several bugs to them, and was told that it took this one programmer 16 hours to find and fix just one of them.

There is a new version of the macro virus checking program F-MacroW at their FPT server. The filename is FM-108.ZIP, and you will also need the latest version of the macro virus database MACRDEF2.ZIP at the same location.

I would advise most people to wait for the final release of the F-Prot 3.0. You can get the 2.28B version of the program, as well as a lot of other useful information about viruses in general and F-Prot in particular at: www.complex.is Until the 3.0 version comes out, you can still get updates to the F-MacroW database at ftp.complex.is/pub Name of the file is MACRDEF2.ZIP. It's updated frequently. The FTP address is a very small server, and very busy during the daytime, but you can usually access it in the evening. If you absolutely must go in the daytime, you'd probably be better off to use the WWW address.

As you should know by now, the Umbrella is now only available on the World Wide Web, where you can read it on line, or download it either as text or HTML to read and/or print out at your leisure. For those that do not have access to the WWW, I will download it for them, put it on a floppy disk, and make them a copy the next time they attend a meeting.

Until further notice, we will only have two meetings a month, on the first and third Tuesdays. We will continue to teach Windows 95 and its applications on the third Tuesday. On the first Tuesday we will teach everything else, like Windows 3.xx, Internet, DOS, Utilities, Anti-Virus, etc.

When you come to the meetings, it would be a good idea for you to always bring several 3 1/2" blank, formatted, virus free diskettes, of the 1.44 MB capacity that is. Reason is, I frequently bring in some shareware programs that I think will benefit you, and I will make you copies of same while you are on your break. For example, at a recent meeting, I was making copies of the latest version 2.28B of the great F-Prot anti-virus program. If you need something else, don't hesitate to ask. It may be on our hard disk, or I may have it at home, or I may be able to download it from the Internet for you. But, if you don't ask, you will never know.

Our schedule for April 1998 is as follows:

Apr 7   Windows 3.xx, Internet, Anti-Virus, DOS, Utils
Apr 14  NO MEETING SCHEDULED
Apr 21  Windows 95 Operating System & applications 
Apr 28  NO MEETING SCHEDULED

If any member has a new email address that I do not know about, please send me an email message so that I may get that address. I mail out some material, from time to time, and you might be missing something of interest. Also, if you change your email address, please let me know.

If you know of anyone who might benefit from our group, please tell them about us and urge them to join us. Check your own expiration date, and if you plan to renew, please do so promptly. Make checks payable to HUG, for $25.00, and mail to me, Bob Ennis, 637 South Westgrove Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23455-5737.

In case you did not know, your $25 membership fee entitles you to a limited amount of telephone assistance from me. If you have a problem with your computer, please do not hesitate to call me, and I will try to help you. As long as you do not abuse the privilege, I am glad to help. But, if the help requires over an hours time, you really need to get me out there for some private assistance and/or tutoring. Also, you are welcome to bring your computer into the meeting for troubleshooting, if you have a problem you can't resolve. Just let me know beforehand, to avoid conflicts.

For further information contact any of the following Officers. Members are encouraged to submit ideas or material for this column.

Bob Ennis    Pres/Treas   497-2462 or email  Bob Ennis
Bob Fred      Vice Pres   855-7595 or email  Bob Fred
Bill Waters   Librarian   464-6002

For those of you who might not know, I am available for assistance and private tutoring on DOS/WINDOWS or any of the applications mentioned previously. Call me at 497-2462 for information regarding fees, times available, etc.

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