Resources/Problem Solving

Here are some sites that can assist with questions and problems. Come to a PACS meeting for more information about all things technical and digital.

News, Information, and Utilites

The Boot Disk
This web site has boot disks, drivers, dlls and upgrades available for download. There are also How-To guides for Windows XP, 95/98, and DOS.
Extreme Technology
Extreme Technology has information geared towards "techies" interested in building their own PC's. But there is also information for a more general audience, such as a comparison of the new features of several browsers, and reviews of products such as mp3 players, monitors, notebook mice, etc.
The Secret Guide to Computers
"The Secret Guide to Computers" is the world's only complete computer tutorial: it explains how to buy, use, fix, reprogram, and manage your computer. This link lets you read 24 of 41 chapters of the book for free and contains the phone number of the author, Russ Walter, who is available to help you for free. PACS is listed in his book.
FILExt
is a database of file extensions and the various programs that use them. If you know the file extension you want to learn about, simply enter it into the search box.
Pinnacle Systems
One of the leading video editing software developers presented Pinnacle Studio, one of their top video editing software programs on June 11, 2005 to PACS. Their presentation was by far the best of the 2004-2005 Season and was talked about for months.

Computer Radio Shows

The Kim Komando Show
Kim Komando's weekly three-hour call-in talk radio show is heard (via her own national radio network) on over 425 stations. In addition, she does a Computer Minute radio feature five days a week; has written eight books about life in the digital age; sends out 5 million e-mail newsletters weekly; and authors a widely syndicated newspaper column, which also runs in USA Today.com. She does all of this, while raising a son and operating a growing media empire, with her husband and associate, Barry Young.
Computer Outlook Radio Talk Show
This show is hosted by John Iasiuolo and started December 3, 2002 and has been been growing ever since. Today the Computer Outlook is one of the country's fastest growing syndicated computer talk shows featuring "What's New, What's Best, and What's Next" in the computer and IT industry.

Tutorials

Web site usability
Jakob Nielsen's site contains a series of columns by a 'guru' of web design. Get some ideas for making your site the kind that people want to come back to, and come to the PACS CSS SIG and Web Design SIG for more information.

Anti-Virus sites

Local Resources

Philadelphia Area New Media Association
PANMA, a division of Eastern Technology Council, holds monthly networking events, both social and educational, for the web design community. Events are free.
Trenton Computer Festival
The oldest and largest computer show for personal computer users in the Tri-State area.
Non-Profit Technology Resources
Donate old computers at NTR located at 1524 Brandywine Street in Philadelphia. They accept donations of used computers, monitors, and other computer accessories.
Philly Banks
PhillyBanks.com provides comprehensive, consolidated investment information to the Philadelphia Area community. It links Certificate of Deposit web pages from all local banks so that users can visit one central site to compare CD-rates currently being offered.
Bucks County Computer Recycling
With advances in technology many people are finding that their computer has become obselete, and when purchasing a new computer soon discover that no one wants their old one. This is unfortunate, because virtually all of the parts of a computer (leaded glass, plastic, metal, and precious metals) are recyclable and some are hazardous. Many people have old computers stored in their homes, simply taking up space, because they are unsure of what to do with them. This year everyone will have an opportunity to take their old computers to the computer recycling events, being held in conjunction with each of the Bucks County household hazardous waste collection events.