Presidents Report for 2006
"Hope everyone liked my short sharp and concise last monthly President's report placed on the front page of the club magazine, "Everything is running fine"".
Well, I also felt like just putting "Everything is running fine" for my 2006 President's Report. It is, and that is the summary of what I am about to write.
A big thank you to the committee and all those volunteers who helped out. It's because of their efforts that everything has been running so well.
The Club Education Centres have been well attended. The numbers increased towards the end of the year, as there was more focus on the basics, and that theme will be continued into 2007.
Club Course attendances have been dropping over the last few years and that trend continued into 2006.
Education Centre ChangesThis Saturday the 3rd February, is the Club AGM. For discussion at the AGM is cutting back the hours for the Caloundra Education Centre. Attendances are excellent in the morning sessions, and increasing. The numbers attending the afternoon sessions have been steadily dropping.
So it has been proposed starting the Caloundra Education Centres a bit earlier, at 9 am, and finishing at 12.30 or 1 pm. and incorporating the club monthly meeting, Entertainment HiFi, Senior on the Internet and Graphics group meetings into the morning sessions.
Volunteers feel that having the meeting running to 3 pm is a waste of time and effort, with small numbers attending the afternoon sessions.
Computer Give AwayThe Linux Group gave away around 20 computer systems to club members late last year. These computers had been donated to the club. As old computers are donated to the club, they are tested and then if suitable, the Linux group cleans them up and put Damn Small Linux on them. The club gives them to any interested member for free.
Theses computers run as fast or faster than some modern computers, because Damn Small Linux is only 50 meg in size. It has a excellent graphical interface. You can do anything you would do with a normal computer. Email, browse the Internet, write letters or touch up a photo, play games or turn it into your personal music player.
Those members who want one of these machines should get their name put onto the waiting list. If you get one of these machines, you can get help on how to use it at the Club. Damn Small Linux is so easy to use, it is the way all operating systems should be designed, small, light on resources and super functional, plus a breeze to use.
You can also run it off a flash drive or from a bootable CD without installing it onto a computer. Ask for a demo, or a CD of Damn Small Linux at one of the Club education centres.
Microsoft Vista- The Club will be presenting numerous presentations and tutorials on Vista in 2007. It is suggested that members find out more about Vista before they decide to purchase it. The reasons for this is,
- There are lots of different versions of Vista available. You will need to find out which version will suit your needs.
- Vista is supposed to be have more built in security, but the top security is only included in the most expensive version. Those members who have XP service pack 2 installed with the club recommended free security software, are just as protected.
- Computers older than 12 months may not be able to run Vista without a significant hardware upgrade. Most technicians are suggesting that the computer should have at least 1 GiG of DDRAM, not the 512 meg suggested by Microsoft as the minimum.
- The suggestions is that if your XP is doing everything you need, wait until you need to purchase a new computer before purchasing Vista.
- You can purchase Vista approximately $50 cheaper by overseas mail order from the USA, rather than purchasing it in Australia.
I have some great new technologies to show off at the Entertainment HiFi group meeting this year. Lots of tips and tricks on setting up a high quality home theatre or HiFi quality sound system.
Alistair Davis has put a lot of effort in and created an excellent on-line graphics course.
Peter Daley
President
