MURAnews - Computer/Technology

by Marianne Van der Wel

PRESTO is an electronic fare system that allows transit users in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) to use a single fare card to move between and within participating transit systems. Fare savings can be significant, particularly for seniors. Participating transit systems within the GTHA include GO Transit, Hamilton's HSR and Burlington Transit. For a complete list of participating transit companies, see the PRESTO web site listed at the end of this article. Please note that although the Toronto Transit System is not yet a full participant, you can use the Presto card at some subway stations.

The PRESTO card integrates the various fares, rules and policies of several transit systems. Hence it is important to check with the systems you use most to determine what will work best for you, and to obtain the most current information. For instance if you use the HSR system, you can use the PRESTO card to buy monthly or annual HSR passes at discounted prices, and also use it as an e-purse that you fill up with funds for use on any participating transit system. An e-purse works much like a debit card. Each time you use the card, PRESTO calculates the proper amount to debit your e-purse to cover the journey.

Ordering and Activating Your PRESTO card

You can order your PRESTO card and load money onto it online with a credit card (minimum load is $10), or do it in person at a Customer Service Outlet using cash, debit and - at some service outlets - a credit card. The PRESTO card will be sent to you within 30 days after ordering online. If you buy your card at a customer service outlet, you can use it immediately. Depending on which transit system you obtain your card through and whether or not you are a senior, there may be an initial fee of $6.00. You will need to activate your PRESTO card within a specified time period by using the PRESTO card to pay a fare or by tapping it at a balance station found at some Customer Service Outlets and most GO stations. If you miss the activation period you will need to phone PRESTO before you can activate the card. Preloaded PRESTO cards, available at select HSR outlets, may already be “active”.

Registering Your PRESTO Card

Though not compulsory, it is recommended that you register your card with PRESTO, either on-line or by phone, before you use it. There are a number of advantages to having a registered card:

•  Your balance is protected if the card is stolen or lost, although there is a replacement cost of $6.00.
  
• Online refills and automatic refills are available only for registered cards. This is discussed below under ‘Reloading Your PRESTO Card’.
• For those who can claim a public transit tax credit, information is automatically tabulated for registered users and made available in February/March for the preceding year.
• There are some frequent-use discounts in the PRESTO system. For seniors (ages 65 and over), discounts are significant and are available only through a PRESTO card registered in your name.

The Tap On, Tap Off Experience

At first the experience of using your PRESTO card may seem awkward but the transit staff is generally most helpful. When you use GO Transit, you tap on when you board and must tap off when you disembark, else you will be charged the price of the longest trip possible (which could be as far away as Oshawa from Hamilton). For instance, if you take a GO bus from McMaster to the Aldershot Go Station, tap on when boarding the bus and tap off when leaving. In Aldershot look for the tapping stations near the entrance to the GO station and tap on again. When disembarking from the train, again look for tapping stations in the GO train station and tap off. If you take the same journey often, you can set it as a default trip eliminating the need to tap off.

In Hamilton, when using the bus, one only taps on when boarding. There is no tap off. The PRESTO program automatically keeps track of how much time you have used for your trip, eliminating the need for transfers when using multiple buses over a period of less than 2 hours.

Checking the Balance on Your Card

Your balance will show briefly on the PRESTO tapping station each time you use it. You can also check your balance on-line (if you registered with PRESTO) or you can go to a balance tapping station. These are located at most GO stations and at the Dundas Municipal Service Centre and Hamilton City Hall.

Reloading Your PRESTO Card

You can reload i.e. add money to, your PRESTO card at Service Customer outlets. In the Hamilton area these are located at:

• GO Stations in Aldershot, Burlington and downtown Hamilton (36 Hunter Street East)
• COMPASS Station, Student Centre, McMaster University
• HSR Service Centre at 36 Hunter Street East.

You may also obtain $20 preloaded PRESTO cards at the Dundas Municipal Service Centre and/or Hamilton City Hall as well as re-load your card or Month Pass, check PRESTO balances, and settle monthly PRESTO overdrafts.

If your card is registered you may reload it online or you can set it up to reload automatically. With automatic reloads, an amount specified by you is added to your card when your balance falls below a set limit. Without automatic reloads, your balance may fall below zero. In this case, you can complete your journey and go into overdraft that you can settle before your next trip. There is a small service charge for this overdraft protection

Senior Passes and Fares

To take advantage of senior fares, available to people 65 and over, you need a registered, activated PRESTO card. You must then go to the HSR Service Centre at 36 Hunter Street East, a GO Station Service Counter or the COMPASS at the Student Centre, McMaster University and show 2 pieces of Government ID to change your adult PRESTO card into a Senior PRESTO card. From that point on, all fares are calculated at the senior discounted rates.

Some examples of senior savings are:

• GO Transit: 55% off the adult fare for single trips 
• HSR Single Trip: $2.05 instead of the adult fare of $3.25 cash or $2.50 per bus ticket (good for 2 hours from initial boarding)
• Monthly Pass: $32.50 instead of the adult pass for $110 (not available for purchase from the 14th-16th of each month)
• Yearly Pass: $325 (not available in adult fare and not available for purchase from the 4th-7th of each month)

Senior Identification: Be prepared to show proof of age when asked on pubic transit. If you do not have this, you can get a senior identification card at the downtown HSR station for $3.00

Web Links and Phone Numbers

PRESTO or 1-877-378-6123

HSR or 905-546-2424 x1882 (905 527 4441 for automated information) 

McMaster COMPASS Information Centre or 905-525-9140 x21000

GO Transit or 1-888-438- 6646

Personal Note: As a senior, I found the setting up of the PRESTO awkward and inconvenient and using it did take getting used to but I am glad I switched as I find using PRESTO much more convenient and I save a lot of money.

University Technology Services (UTS) has recently changed the rules for MacID passwords to a new, more secure standard. You will be unable to use your MacID if you have not changed your password to fit the new standard since February 19, 2013.  

In addition, MacID passwords will now expire after 12 months from the last password change date.  

A MacID provides authentication to applications such as McMaster email accounts, library e-resources, the campus Wi-Fi network and the McMaster Virtual Private Network (VPN).  

Your MacID is not your 7-digit employee number. It is an identifier that usually includes part or all of your surname. For retirees using a McMaster email account, it’s the userid portion of the email address userid@mcmaster.ca.

The UTS online password change tool and a description of the new requirements are available on the UTS MacID help page.  

UTS recommends clearing all saved instances of a MacID password before changing it. Saved passwords are often found in, for example, email programs on computers and Wi-Fi logins on smartphones.

Please  contact the UTS Service Desk if you have questions or encounter difficulties. 

- by Janice Rischke

While we were working at McMaster, many of us were in the habit of purchasing our computers and related supplies from the McMaster University Campus Store, also known as the bookstore, previously known as Titles. I recently visited the computer department at the store and discovered that many of the services offered to employees are also available to retirees. The computer department routinely works with customers to customize systems to suit every need and budget. They also supply service and technical support for their products.

The Campus Store computer department carries Apple, HP, Sony, Fujitsu, Lenovo, Toshiba and ASUS computers, as well as printers, software, accessories and supplies. If you are looking to purchase any of these items, it is worth getting a quote from the McMaster Campus Store. Although educational discounts are not generally available to retirees on Apple products, you may be able to take advantage of special educational promotions on other brands of hardware and software. For example, MURA members may purchase Trend Micro antivirus software for $13.50 per year.

The McMaster University Campus Store is a self-supporting organization, fully owned and operated by the University. The store contributes over $1.25 million annually in support of student success. Consider including it as an option when you are shopping around for computer equipment or software.

You can find out more about the computer department at the Campus Store by visiting their web site, sending an email, or calling 905-525-9140 extension 27873.

- by Marianne Van der Wel

From time to time, MURA’s web site posts files using a format called PDF. PDF is an acronym for Portable Document Format. The PDF format presents documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware and operating system. Hence it is a popular format for information sharing on the web as it can be read by almost anyone provided they have a current version of the program for reading PDF files, which is supplied for free by a software company called Adobe.

It is important to update your version of Adobe Reader whenever such a request is made on your computer. Using an older version will mean, at some point in time, that the PDF files you wish to access will not be readable or will be only partially readable.

If you have an outdated version or none at all, you can download a current version of the Adobe PDF reader program free of charge.

If you are accessing a PDF file with an Apple or Android mobile phone, please note you will need to select an Adobe reader for that device. 

When downloading a current version of Adobe reader, it’s best to un-check the box that says: “Yes, install McAfee Security Scan Plus - optional” unless you have McAfee as your antivirus software. 

- by Marianne Van der Wel

While perusing the net, I came across an article entitled 5 Ways To Make Your Windows Computer Lightning Fast. I think the term “Lightning Fast” is an over-statement, but do feel the article has merit. You will find it in “Yahoo! News” , or do a web search using part or all of the phrase “5 ways to make your windows computer lightning fast”.

I suggest you avoid the advice about disabling applications given in section 1: 'Run the Essentials' unless you are really comfortable around a computer. Also, be very careful about uninstalling unwanted items as suggested in section 2: 'Fluff unless you’re sure of what you’re doing. If you do decide to try these options, please remember it is always wise to do a complete backup of your system before any major clean-up of your system in case something goes wrong.

Another tip: I could not find the menus described in the instructions for section 1: 'Run the Essentials' for my home version of Windows 7. By searching Windows’ “Help and Support” using the key words “auto run”, I discovered I needed to download an “Auto Runs for Windows” program from the MicroSoft web site. 

- by Marianne Van der Wel

When choosing a system for reading and sending email you should consider cost, where you access your email (at home or also away from home), privacy, backup of messages in case your computer fails, and exposure to advertising.

All email messages come to you, and are sent, via servers on the internet. To access your email from home, you first need to connect your computer to the internet using an internet service provider such as Bell Sympatico, Cogeco, Primus, Rogers, Shaw, etc.

Here are some pros and cons of different types of email services. 

Internet Vendor or Social Media

Examples:

Pros and cons:

Web Host

Examples:

Pros and cons:

Advantages of downloading:

• the best control over the ownership of your email
• no exposure to any web host advertising

Disadvantages of downloading: 

• Messages that have been downloaded to your PC cannot be accessed from other locations unless you have software that lets you access your PC remotely. You can check your email from other locations, but only emails received by the host since your last download will be available.
• You become responsible for backing up your emails.
• Checking your email from other locations may be harder because you will not be familiar with the interface your email web host uses.

Costs:

• If using an internet service provider email service is included with your internet service connection fee.
• If using McMaster MacMail there is no charge for McMaster retirees, but you must contract for a connection to the internet with an internet service provider.
• If using a host vendor there is a monthly fee, and you must also contract for a connection to the internet with an internet service provider.

How to Download and Back Up

To download your email messages to your computer, you will need to connect to your web email host with an email application such as Outlook Express or Mozilla’s Thunderbird for PCs, or Apple Mail for Apple computers. My personal favourites are Thunderbird and Mozbackup, a utility to backup Thunderbird's email.

• See a review 
  
• Download the software

Both packages are open source. See Saving Money With Open Source Software, MURAnews, Spring 2010 for more on open source.

While Microsoft Outlook Express provides the same service as Mozilla's Thunderbird, I have discovered that backing up email through Outlook Express is less than desirable. For Apple users, Apple mail provides the ability to download your messages. Please do back up your messages once downloaded! 

- by Marianne Van der Wel

When you change your password for an internet account, the vendor will often send you an email notice in case someone else is tampering with your account. This is a good thing. A few months ago I changed my Paypal* password and received a legitimate email warning. A half hour later, however, I found a second email warning, again supposedly from Paypal. Upon investigating this second “Paypal” message, I found a huge clue: “If you didn’t change your password, submit your details through our secure form in order to reset it, or confirm your change by ignoring this notice.” It almost sounds right but a legitimate company would not instruct me to fill in anything or to go to a web site linked from an email when security issues are at stake. Other clues were found in the recipient’s email address which was: “sevice@paypal.com <update@service.com>”. In addition to ‘service’ being misspelled, the actual address in the angled brackets has nothing to do with Paypal. Of course, other text in this message was full of helpful advice such as: “Never share your password with anyone.” and “Create passwords that are hard to guess”. If I had filled in this form, it’s highly likely a predator would have had my password and gone on a shopping spree with my credit card.  

Here’s another example of the sophistication of net predators. I received an email from “Canada Post <tracking@canadapost.ca> “. The address “canadapost.ca” is the legitimate web address of Canada Post but I had not sent a parcel, and wasn’t expecting one. Upon careful examining of the message I found: “Dear client! Your package has been shipped. The tracking# is: 267CA23POST2617Z and can be used at “http://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/track/personal/findByTrackNumber?execution=e9s1 [www.rogatica.net]”  Even though the link I was instructed to use is that of Canada Post, the address in the square brackets isn’t. I didn’t touch that link! Instead I went to my web browser, independently typed Canada Post’s web address and put the tracking number in the Canada Post system. Sure enough, the tracking number was bogus.

The most insidious email I received came from ScotiaInfoAlerts saying someone had used my debit card for the sum of $7.82. I do not have a debit card! I examined this message inside and out. The web address in the message was legitimate, as was the phone number I was given to call. I went to the Scotia Bank site “http://www.scotiabank.com”.  That was fine, but when I added “/InfoAlerts” at the end I was warned I was being re-directed away from the Scotia web site. I did not proceed. Upon further investigation the best clue was in the “reply-to:” in the email header. It pointed to a yahoo account which ScotiaBank would never use!

During this investigative journey, I used Mozilla’s Firefox as my web browser with settings set to warn me about any such redirects. Please check the information found under "Help" in  your browser for such a feature.

*Paypal is an Internet application that lets you pay online with relative security using your credit card. 

Retirees who use wireless access to the internet while on campus might want to check out the latest in campus WiFi security. University Technology Services (UTS) encourages wireless users to switch to MacSecure.  

[Editor's note: During Summer 2017, McMaster launched a new wireless network named Mac-WiFi with greater throughput and less susceptibility to interference.  UTS asks that users use Mac-WiFi in place of MacSecure. More information on the UTS McMaster Wireless page.]

by Marianne Van der Wel

Email is a great way to stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues -- especially those who don’t live close by. Email is also a great asset for making organizations such as MURA more effective. As with all tools, however, there are a few things to keep in mind when using email:

Email is not Private

Please do not assume that email is private, ever! System managers have legitimate access to all information on the computers they manage, through which your email passes and on which your email resides. Did you know that when a message is returned as undeliverable, a copy is often automatically sent to the system manager? Did you know that your email can pass through many host computers on the web before it reaches its destination?

It's also possible that you might send email to an incorrect but similar address. I have personally received email intended for others and, yes, I have unintentionally sent email to the wrong person.

Finally there are those unscrupulous people who intentionally try to “crack” other people’s internet traffic including emails.

Watch Your “P's and Q's”

Since your email is never 100% private and because it’s the nice thing to do:

Use capitals sparingly. The use of capitals implies SHOUTING and is often interpreted as anger. Also a message in all capitals is difficult to read. If you have trouble changing case, send your message in all lower case letters.

Choose your words carefully. If you are feeling angry or upset and wish to express that in an email, send it to yourself first. That way, if you hit the send key prematurely, you send your worst first draft to yourself. After reading the message you sent yourself you may wish to reword it, being just as emphatic but more polite. There’s an old saying: “Honey catches more bees than vinegar”.

Do not share email addresses without permission. When sending email to several people or a large group, do not assume that everyone on your list wants to share their email address with others on your list. To prevent people from seeing each other’s email addresses, use Blind Carbon Copy (Bcc).

Do not always use “Reply All”. When replying to an email message, ask yourself if everyone on the list wants to see the response or if it’s useful to them. If the answer is no, reply only to the sender.

When replying, consider removing some of the previous conversations. When replying repeatedly to a message, it can be a good idea to remove some of the earlier text if it no longer adds to the conversation. Long older messages below the current conversation are often difficult to read, particularly for small mobile devices.

Subject Line

Use your subject line to indicate what the message is about. If you need a reply by a certain date, also indicate that in the subject line. Many people get a large number of emails. Glancing at the subjects of incoming emails helps them decide what to read first. If searching at a later date to find an email, a subject line that has little to do with the message content does not help. When you are responding to a message and you change the subject of the original message or add another topic, alter the subject line to indicate the change or addition(s). Do not leave the subject line blank as that is of no help.

Scams and Phishing

Though the use of email is mostly positive in my experience, scoundrel and criminal activity does exist. I recently received an email from a friend saying she was stranded in England, had been robbed, and was desperate for financial assistance. I knew my friend was not in England but right here in Hamilton and ignored the email. Someone had cracked her Facebook account and from there got into her Gmail account and used it to send phoney pleas for cash. (My friend has since changed her Facebook and Gmail accounts and is using separate passwords for both accounts, which we recommend.) Cases like these are rare but do happen. While some email systems do a better job of protecting you from scams and phishing than others, the only guaranteed protection is to be ever vigilant. 

- by Marianne Van der Wel

a) Web Caching

When you view a web page, the documents, images and computer coding are usually stored on your computer in an area called the “web cache”. This is done so that, if no changes have been made to the page, your computer does not reload the page each time you access it. This reduces internet traffic, and also allows you to quickly go back to a page you previously viewed. Most of the time this works well. However, sometimes a change made to a page is not detected right away, especially if the change is small or occurred shortly after you last accessed the page. In that case, you are not seeing the most up-to-date information.

There is a way to ensure the page is freshly loaded from the internet and not from the “cache” area on your computer. In Mozilla’s Firefox, click the "Reload" circular arrow to the left or right of the web address bar. For Microsoft (MS) Explorer click the "Refresh" double arrows to the right of the web address bar, as pointed out in the image below.

Chrome and Safari also have a similar feature. If reloading a single page doesn’t give you recent updates, you may want to clear (reset) the entire “cache” storage area. Please check your browser’s help pages for instructions.

For more information on web caching, see:

• Web cache - Wikipedia
  
• Caching tutorial - Mnot.net

b) When All Else Fails, Use Help

In the last issue, I reported on removing credit card information that may be stored on your computer when using online forms. See the article.

For MS Explorer, I mentioned a “Safety” tab where browsing history can be deleted. However, I've learned that browsers can be set up in many ways, so you may not have this MS Explorer “Safety” feature. If not, search in your Browser's help pages for “Delete history” or “Delete webpage history”.

c) Copying and Pasting

In Sharing web links, from the winter 2010 MURAnews, I explained how to share your favourite web link without having to retype it.

I have since learned that in some browsers the highlight disappears as soon as you open the Edit tab at the top. In that case, you can use your control key (CTRL) along with the “C” and “V” keys to copy and paste the web link.

Here’s how:

• highlight the URL at the top of the browser window
  
• press the CTRL key, and while holding it down, press the “C” key
• release both keys
• go to where you want to paste the link, for example in the body of an e-mail you are writing
• press the CTRL key, and while holding it down, press the “V” key
• release both keys

The use of “CTRL-C” for copy and “CTRL-V” for paste can be used in circumstances other than web links as well.