Planned Program Ideas for 2006/2007

 

October 3,'06:	VOIP	ably presented by Jamie Leben & Kyle Haefner
Nov. 7,'06:	Virtual Computing	to be presented by Sean Reifschneider
Dec. 5,'06:	Adobe Reader & Holiday Party with Spouses	Program by Rick Mattingly
Jan. 2,'07:	PDF Authoring Tools	to be presenty by Rick Mattingly
Feb. 6,'07:	MicroSoft VISTA	to be presented by Jamie Leben of IT-Works
Mar. 6,'07:	Computer Security	organized by Jamie Leben of IT-Works
Apr. 3,'07:	Web Browsers Update	by Charles McJilton and Rick Mattingly
May 1,'07:	New USB uses, bootability	by Rick Mattingly
Jun. 5,'07:	What's new in computer gaming	by Erin Varao, Rick's son-in-law
Jul. 10,'07:	The Annual Software/Hardware "ZOO"	by club members
Aug. --'07:	No Meeting	by Sr. Ctr. Maintenance Staff
Sept. 4,'07:	The World of Google: On-line desktop, gmail, google maps,Picasa, & Sketchup	by Rick M., Chuck McJ., Mike M., and Jim B.
Oct. 2,'07:	Desktop Publishing--Choosing the Right Software	by Mike Morris
Nov. 6,'07:	Podcasts, Youtube & Internet Radio, & Nominations of officers	by Chuck McJilton, Burt Broekstra, & Rick Mattingly
Dec. 4,'07:	Christmas Party & election of Officers	by club members
Jan. 8,'08:	Digital Video and Your PC, Audio Visuals, Motion activated picture	Rick Mattingly & Friend
Feb. 5, 08:	Successful CD and DVD burning	Erin Varao
Mar. 4, 08:	Remote Computing and Computer Meeting Applications	Chuck McJilton & Jim Bragonier
Apr. 1, 08:	OLPC -- One Laptop Per Child	Chuck McJilton, Jim Bragonier & Paul Hummer
May 6, 08:	Personal Information Managers (PIM) & free software recommendations	by Chuck McJilton & Rick Mattingly
Jun. 3, 08:	Printing Review and Update	by Rick Mattingly
Jul. 1, 08:	Hardware & Software Zoo	by variously fermented members
Aug. 5, 08:	NO MEETING	by Sr. Center Maintenance Staff

 

 

Executive Board's list of program/presentation ideas in no particular order:

(You may add to this list here! Do so with your initials so that we may incorporate your ideas.)

• Technology Bargains & Ballyhoo! And Free Software Favorites
• Internet and Email Browser Software Options
• Linux Live (w/ Kubuntu Linux) its uses and helpful recovery processes.
• Personal Information Managers (PIM) Applications
• Microsoft Live "OneCare"
• Aerial Imaging With Free "TerraClient" Software
• External USB Hard Drive Backup
• Open Office 2 Live Demo of the popular suite
• Podcasting -- Linux Journal had article...
• Music, Photography, video making, media dev..
• Email & Internet Browser Options

*

Annual Printer Technology

*

Personal information managers (PDA's, Blackberry, Palm -- desktop applications)

*

Identify Theft ... small things that you can do, junk busters, and FBI, CBI info & recommendations.

• You Tube ... really needs broadband to be used.
• Jim Watt --- computerized investing-- Jim is a columnist for the Coloradoan
• Techsmith, SnagIt
• Virtual Computing -- Distributed computing – remote computing -- "Log Me In"
• VOIP -- an update...
• Remote Computing – Log Me In -- Seems to a lot of interest in this program topic.
• Computer Control of Residential Systems -- Brandt Irion? Jim is to seek out others who are doing the same thing.
• OLPC .... and others from several companies... Asus computers (at $400 with intentions to drop the price to $200)

 

 

As topics are used for a particular month they are removed from the list. Presentations that engage, what are these?

 

(From the Board of Directors, forwarded by Rick Mattingly)

Also see the FRPCUG Meeting Discussion Page, and get involved -- see below if you think you can't have an impact!

 

 

My question for you, Mike, is do you have someone in mind to present this program? Or, maybe more appropriately, do you know of persons who are testing Vista in the area that might be able to stimulate such a program? I guess that I'd like to see an active discussion developed if planned for one of the regular meetings. -- Jim B.

 

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We are rapidly approaching the appropriate time for a discussion of the new Microsoft Vista operating system. Vista testing is now in Release Candidate (further along than beta). This week the price structure was released for all Vista configurations. And, the latest rumor has it that Vista final will officially be released on January 30, 2007. I will hold by breath - Not!

 

Now for the issues of putting together a constructive discussion. Between now and the actual release date we can still expect substantial changes. That is what the beta-release candidate phase is all about. Checking the official Microsoft Vista progress web site confirms numerous revisions pending at this time. And finally, as Jim B. pointed out, we need someone who is knowledgeable about the progress of the product. For example, I myself know nothing on the topic firsthand other than what I have read.

 

I do have a possibility though. Yesterday, I was speaking with Chris Russel at Data Service Center. In the process I noted an official Microsoft beta test CD for Vista behind the counter. Chris indicated that they had been running and following the beta testing. Maybe a good possibility there for a speaker with hands-on experience? I will give Chris a call today and check. -- Rick Mattingly

 

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More on Vista.

 

I decided to do a little homework of my own on Vista. Here are three (I am sure there are more, but I picked these three) topics that I think could be of interest to FRPCUG and the community at large:

 

1. Security:

 

What will the relationship be between the “built in” security features and third party and freeware installations?

 

How will the ”User Account Control” affect ease of use. Some authors claim the need for system administrator privileges for “basic” functions will degrade usability. Other authors see it as a desirable feature.

 

2. Vista versions, hardware requirements and existing software

 

The average consumer will need to understand the difference between “Vista Capable” and “Vista Premium” (for example). The various versions not only offer different features, but require (possibly substantially) different hardware.

 

As one writer says: “…you also need to examine processor speed, memory, hard drive space and graphics cards in light of any plans you have to move to Vista.”

 

Will my “old” software work with Vista? Yes—Microsoft will supposedly offer some sort of support to help make this (and the hardware) determination. Just how available and how useful will this support be? If it is a website, how many millions of visitors will it handle simultaneously?

 

3. Cost

 

Although some Vista pricing has “leaked,” what is the true cost of an upgrade? The issue here is not just hardware. Suppose, for example, one has Word 97 (and/or Excel 97) on one’s computer. Will they have to be upgraded? How much for those upgrades?

 

I understand that some (if not all) of these issues may get resolved by the time of the production release of Vista. However, I contend that answers (or a selection of possible answers) are an appropriate subject for a FRPCUG General Forum meeting.

 

 

Here are some thoughts on another possible meeting topic:

 

Digital Entertainment today means a lot more than video games. There is a trend to downloading video to cell phones (I have to admit this does not appeal to me). But even now one can download a great deal of video clips from the web to one’s computer. What formats are involved? Resolution(s)? Assuming you would want to see this stuff on your large screen TV, can it be done? What is the status of the battle between the various higher resolution digital video formats?

 

Although I contend that this topic may be of interest to FRPCUG members and to the community, I have to admit that my knowledge of the subject, including potential speakers, is minimal (perhaps non-existent is more accurate).

 

Comments? Suggestions?

 

Mike Morris

 

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Here is the actual pricing info for Vista:

 

Amazon Reveals Windows Vista Pricing

ARTICLE DATE: 08.30.06

By Peter Galli, eWEEK

 

Microsoft appears to be on track to release Windows Vista for sale at retail outlets in January 2007—that's if the information posted on Amazon.com is correct.

 

Online retailer Amazon.com is accepting preorders for Windows Vista software, which it says will be available on Jan. 30, 2007. Microsoft is still aiming to launch Vista and Office 2007 together.

 

The Vista prices that Amazon.com is quoting are mostly similar to those for Windows XP, the most current version of the software, except for the new Ultimate edition, for which there is no comparable XP product.

 

According to the pre-order prices posted on the Amazon.com Web site, Windows Vista Home Basic will retail for $199, while an upgrade to this version will cost $99.95, with $89.95 for an additional upgrade license. In comparison, Windows XP Home currently costs $189.99 retail, and begins at $89.97 for an upgrade on Amazon.com.

 

Vista Home Premium is priced on Amazon.com at $239, with an upgrade costing $159 and an additional upgrade license for $143.00, while Vista Business costs $299 retail, $199 for an upgrade and $179 for an extra upgrade license. In comparison, Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 can be bought for $247.99 retail on Amazon.com, with an upgrade cost of $157.99.

 

-- Rick Mattingly

 

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I've started to change the topic order moving the topic receiving more discussion to the top. Anyone is free to move topics. I think that this is proving to be an interesting process. I wonder if we shouldn't invite the City & County Purchasing agents to our Vista meeting? I'm really curious what the upgrade costs will be for the City, County and State? Is it worth swapping jobs at this time?

-- Jim Bragonier -- 09.03.06

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While on the topic of OS pricing--not specifically Vista--I want to note what must be general business practice in the computer industry.

 

I saw an add for a Dell Dimension E310 Desktop for $499. It was not quite what I wanted (except for the price range). I went to the Dell website to get more info on the product, and used the feature on the website that allows you to change the configuration of the basic product.

 

I discovered that to change the OS from Windows XP Media Center to XP/Pro increases the price by $159. If I were to insist on that change I would be paying for two OS's. Or, to look at it another way, I have to pay for an upgrade to an OS that I will never use (and never could use, because I would never actually have it). This is not, probably, an issue for those truly upgrading an existing computer.

 

But for those buying a new computer, isn't this tactic comparable to "bait and switch"? Which I thought was illegal.

 

All of this leads me to the conclusion that FRPCUG has an obligation, through General Forum meetings and other methods, to help members and the community become informed consumers on this and other topics.

 

Mike Morris

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You bring up a good point, Mike, but what you described was not "bait and switch." You were the party wanting to change what it was you were interested in purchasing. Had the vendor not been willing to sell you exactly what they advertised, but tried to upgrade or divert your interest in another direction... that's "bait and switch."

 

You responded to their advertised leader, which is exactly why they advertised it. It is not likely that they would offer something that would be smashing value for the experienced user, because there are fewer interested in their products at that level than entry-level, returning to school=preparing children and eager parents.

 

Your strong point is this. It is extremely difficult to know what the really good values are in computers and software, today. That is, if you're paying money for the OS, how much is a reasonable amount? Unfortunately, today, it is what the market is willing to pay, and 95% or more of the market is, apparently, willing to pay $159 over and over again for operating systems and $500 plus for office suites. That is outlandish, to me... So your point seems to be we need a Consumer's Union for Computers. That would be nice. The Consumer's Union doesn't want people to "taken" across the board, so is typically not evaluating the luxury cars or other products until the values have been sorted out on the more "consumer level" products.

 

I firmly believe that most of the rest of the world will not be making a switch to Vista or any other operating system that costs them more than their annual salary to buy, and I don't think it will. That is a BIG majority of the population world-wide, but not of the computer users, so is a vain hope. So those who are financially able to support the bleeding edge, get to do it, and that is why it is called the "bleeding" edge. There is probably a program in here, somewhere, but the use of technology is not going to change much whether Vista or any other operating system runs in the $70 - $250 range. If we were concerned for people being ripped off, we should be adamant that government use Linux and open source software. The military is flirting with that approach and has been for some time. What's wrong with the people demanding that the software purchased and licensed for use by government, all governments, be competitively priced? I thought that was the law, too, once. Our local government doesn't bid contracts anymore.

 

Are we a club for the People? Can we find enough "popular" support for helping others, and ourselves, find the best deals? My experience is that computers have a technologic life of five to seven years, but, I'm currently using a computer that was once an ACT 133 MHz Pentium (1991). It is still in an AT case, but is a Pentium II 350 MHz computer... running Mandrake 10, Firefox 1.5.0.4 and is staying way, way ahead of my typing ability! I've boosted the memory, motherboard, and CPU, but that is all... And I don't use it for drafting anymore. But it stores backup files for all my computers and is safe on the web.

 

How would we approach putting together a "comprehensive" evaluation of computer deals? Or did I misunderstand your point? Were you thinking of a full program? Or a clinic topic? Could we start with "Hot Tips and Cautions?" I've been trying to distinguish the benefits of dual cpu's, duo-core Pentiums or AMD 64's, and evaluate what software/OS should I buy. I'm moving to a much more powerful drafting package that brings my HP Kayak 800 MHz computer to "it's knees." I find it very challenging to compare vendor information. I don't get much help from my soft-ware vender, because they don't want it to look like you need super-computers to run their software. So what would be the optimum system, considering price, CPU design, memory, storage, backup (raid?), etc., etc... I think there's a program here, but I don't know how to present it, nor do I know someone who does. Oh, Rick M. upgraded to a duo-core Pentium Corvette, I think. Maybe he knows.

 

I'm adding a topic that may be directed toward your assertion. How about: "Technology Bargains & Ballyhoo"

-- Jim B. -- 09.04.06

 

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On another subject:

 

We have people with strong computing abilities in our Club. Would any one be interested in building a broad-based community data base of property ownership, to study tax assessment patterns? How fairly are properties assessed, taxed and or condemned in our community? What records, readily available, could be analyzed?

 

Or, how about assisting the Poudre Fire Authority in analyzing where hazardous materials might be stored in the community? (This seems particularly important when PFA is making fire runs.) For fifteen years I have felt that it might be important to automate the PFA run maps with street addresses. Map Quest and Google may have this, but they don't show hydrant locations and certainly not hazards. In 1991 the maps were not coordinated between stations, and were still done by hand. Do we have anything to offer to the community that might be of technical benefit? Anyone one interested in exploring this further? I want to find out more about this before recommending it as a program topic, but it is a thought that I've had for a very long time.

 

Do we know what hazardous materials are running through our town? Chlorine tankers have been derailing with disasterous, life threatening results in North Carolina, for one instance. It would be very easy for terrorists to cause a derailment. For the wrong car to overurn on campus or in the downtown on a Saturday night???? It would seem that these are things people with computers could ascertain, good and evil.

 

I keep thinking: We have people with strong computing abilities in our Club...

 

-- Jim B. 09.04.06

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