Thank you for the great meeting! Notes are below. Please see the very bottom for items we talked about during the meeting.
SEMCO Members: you should have received your www.semco.org account information via email. If not, please see an officer. Thank you!
Android N preview is out! http://developer.android.com/preview/index.html
RemixOS for PC beta (Windows or dual boot): http://www.jide.com/en/remixos-for-pc
Watch out for some new malware spreading from Microsoft! *sigh* Some SEMCO members have reported that their Windows 7 systems started installing Windows 10 because they did not cancel the dialog in time. See http://serverfault.com/questions/695916/registry-key-gpo-to-disable-and-block-windows-10-upgrade to block if needed.
Reminder to disconnect backup drives when not in active use. Leaving them connected may result in them being damaged if you get malware or worse, ”ransomware”. If possible, rotate backup media (2-3 hard drives). Had report of that happening to a local Windows 7 user early this month!
Windows 10 Upgrade and “phone home lock down” clinic in April, May, or June before free upgrades end? Would involve bringing your systems, AFTER you back them up. Evening or weekend, and we could do it a couple times. Interested?
Apple’s next event is March 21. New iPhone, iPads? Day after that is their next time in front of court with the FBI v. Apple iPhone unlock case. March will be an interesting month!
Ditto tool discussed today (very nice clipboard manager for Windows, might come in handy during tax time): http://ditto-cp.sourceforge.net/
Windows 10 install clinic April, May, or June, any preferences? We can run it 2-3 times before Microsoft withdraws the free upgrades in July 2016 if useful. Please discuss at semcoug@yahoogroups.com
Before attending the Windows 10 install clinic:
Must backup your computer first, and keep the backup at home
Backup possibilities:
CloneZilla
Acorns TrueImage
Windows 7 built-in Backup utility (Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System)
Windows 8.1 – Settings -> Backup, then very small at the bottom of the window, choose Windows 7 Image Backup
Contact SEMCO via semcoug@yahoogroups.com if you need help with backup.
Bring your Windows 7, 8.1, or Windows 10 product key.
Getting product keys from an existing Windows 7/8.1/10 system:
PowerShell demonstration from James A. Fortune has a nice PowerShell example called “get-windows-product-key”
System Information Wizard (SIW) – thanks Ed Zaremba!
Belarc Advisor
Product Key Nirsoft.net
Magic Jellybean