APCUG Reports
April-June 2007

The Quad Cities Computer Society has been bringing in new members with its "Short Term SIGs." A short term SIG will last from three to six months. This keeps interest in the SIGs and also helps prevent volunteer burn out. Visitors may visit one SIG where they are given a Visitor Packet. In the Visitor Packet is included a letter to thank them for visiting, a newsletter, a club brochure, a membership application, a coupon for admittance to another SIG, and a pen with their club name and web address. If they want to continue coming to the SIGs, they must join.

Happy 25th Birthday to the Kentucky-Indiana PC User Group. They had such a good time at their February meeting, they decided to have year-long events to celebrate KIPCUG's growth and survival for the past quarter century. One of their strengths is their Special Interest Groups - 19 strong! The Access Basic SIG uses the tools that are available in Access without programming; users bring problems and they come up with solutions. The Advanced Users SIG explores software and hardware topics of interest to people who are very comfortable with their computer and want to know even more. The Community Outreach SIG takes donations of computer equipment and restores them to working condition. KIPCUG won 1st Place in the 2006 Jerry Award competition - New Community Service Project category. The Digital Photography SIG examines software and hardware topics that will make your photographic efforts more fun and rewarding. Members at any level of experience are welcome. The Excel Basic SIG starts with questions about home or work problems, and they have the opportunity to learn and practice new material. The Genealogy SIG has presentations on the use of The Master Genealogist software, along with a short Q&A and the Genealogy II SIG also helps members to understand The Master Genealogist software with a Q&A format. The Hands On SIG gives attendees a chance to find some assistance and learn more about their PC and the Hardware SIG helps members expand the capabilities of their existing system. The Intermediate Users SIG focuses on various versions of MS Windows software. This SIG is for users who are comfortable with the daily use of their computers and have mastered their fear of computers, and are willing to push the envelope a little. The Investing SIG consists of round table information exchanges on any economic subject of current interest. The New Users Daytime SIG is for people new to computers and the New Users SIG South is geared to the level of the attendees to help them stay on track. The Real Estate SIG's mission is to provide property owners and investors the opportunity to gain a greater insight into the transaction, so they can protect their endeavors more effectively. The Technical Market Analysis SIG uses technical indicators to try to determine the near term direction of the market and hone attendees' skills. The Utilities SIG examines a mix of freeware, shareware and retail programs. The Visual Basic SIG discusses features of VB, frequently discussing games that are developed or VB Net. Attend the Webmaster SIG and you will learn to build web sites. The Windows OS SIG focuses on maintaining and updating Windows OS's to keep them performing at peak efficiency.

In addition to KIPCUG, two other groups in Region 6 won awards in the 2006 Jerry Awards Competition: Bowling Green Area Microcomputer UG - Honorable Mention, Ongoing Community Service Project and the Bowling Green Area Microcomputer UG - 1st Place Tie, How the Community Service Project is Managed.