APCUG Reports
January-March 2008

Several of the Region 11 groups participated in year-end community service projects that were not computer related. TUGNET in the San Fernando Valley collected socks for MEND (Meeting Every Need with Dignity) and the Greater South Bay User Group in Torrance collected socks for Travelers Aid. The Long Beach Computer Club, Santa Clarita Valley Computer Club and Let’s Compute in Palm Desert collected DVDs for the troops. Between the three groups, they collected a little over 400 DVDs. The Los Angeles Computer Society collected Christmas presents for teenagers and donated them to a local fire station for their holiday toy giveaway. And, last, but not least, the Community Computer Club of La Verne collected toys and gave them to their local fire department.

A future community service project several groups will be participating in is scanning / compiling photographs for people who lost everything in the recent fires. The TUGNET board of directors had the idea of computer clubs offering to scan photos and save them to CDs for the people who lost everything during the recent fires. People could ask friends, relatives, etc. to send them photos that could be scanned so they have a copy or send digital photos that could be put on CDs for the affected families.

ORCOPUG, Orange County IBM PC Users’ Group, wants to thank the following companies for donating prizes to their very successful 2007 fundraising raffle: 2nd Story Software, Acoustica Software, Belkin, D-Link, Fuji Film, Hewlett-Packard, Iolo Technologies, Iomega, Lexmark, Marken Communications, Microsoft, MyKeyO, No Starch Press, Otter Box, Power Products, Prolific Publishing, Red Paw Systems, Siber Systems, Smart Computing, Solid Documents, Stardock Systems, Symantec, User Group Relations (Gene Barlow), and Webworking Services.

Interesting topics for computer club programs in 2008 include: Computer Club at Sun Lakes - a local veterinarian speaking about how computer chips are used to track pets; the WINNERS (WINdowsusERS) meeting featured Terry Currier presenting his annual CES Review - what to look forward to and what not to bother with; the Palmia Computer Club is planning a presentation on how to navigate the club website, as well as their Home Owners Association website; the Saddleback Valley IBM PC User Group featured the ever-popular iPod at their January meeting; the North Orange County Computer Club had an Electronic Waste Collection Day at their January meeting; 7 Reasons to Grocery Shop Online was the topic of the January Laguna Woods Village PC Club meeting.

Open up your digital life with Windows Vista + Windows Live at the San Diego PC User Group meeting. See how modern, cutting-edge computer technology can improve your current situation or station. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! It’s sure to be an entertaining and informative event. Attend and learn. Learn and enjoy. They will have fresh cookies imported directly from COSTCO, and real coffee made with genuine water!

The Under the Computer Hood User’s Group is planning a meeting featuring a tutorial on USB-101: The History, Technical Description and Capabilities of the USB Connections which have become so prevalent on our computers.

The Big Bear Computer Club’s webmaster has expanded their website to include an online bulletin board. This allows members who have a computer problem to post it and anyone who has the answer can help solve the problem. This is a great resource to get answers in between meetings. And the board now has their Big Bear Computer Club personalized email such as the club president’s -- yomar@bigbearcc.org.

Once again, the Claremont Senior Computer Club will be having their Annual Bob Keith Memorial Photo Contest which will kick off on March 25 and will end on May 6.

The Ocean Hills Computer Club begins 2008 with a new range of interests for their photography groups – discussions and demonstrations on digital video production. While some of their hobbyists may have an interest in more involved video projects, digital video can be as simple as creating slide shows, or adding video clips to slide shows, or creating something simple in a video format to send over the Internet to family and friends. With many digital cameras including a “movie” mode in its many capabilities, members have probably not explored that function much at all. Others may have a video camera. Members will have the opportunity to learn new ways to share their trips or festive occasions. OHCC is hoping this will expand your own interests and skills in a newer aspect of your hobby.

Let’s Compute, Palm Desert, members are encouraged to help member Shelia Harbet find a home for their old computer, scanner, fax or other equipment. Old computers can become a wonderful gift for a child in the East Valley and Shelia will pick up the equipment, refurbish it and donate it to one of the schools in Mecca. She donates her time and labor to help those kids.