The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group PC (President's Comments) George Skarbek gskarbek@melbpc.org.au |
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How's Your History?
Melbourne PC User Group history that is. Our group will be 20 years old at the end of this year and the committee has decided to print a special booklet to mark the occasion. We are contemplating a 64-page edition. Writing this is far too large a task for any one person so the only way it's going to happen is if enough members write articles dealing with their personal involvement. Articles about SIGs, their formation and growth, the BBS, Internet, office administration and assistance, bulk purchases or any other aspect that you have been involved in will be of value. All photos will be appreciated.
Peter Smith, a past president and a past editor of PC Update has agreed to coordinate the task. The submissions can be in any format such as Word, other word processors or simply plain text. If you are scanning a photo please use 300 dpi, unless they are large photos. This will allow cropping and still retain quality for publication. Please send your material to committee@melbpc.org.au.
More History
We are grateful to Tom Coleman who has supplied the group with an original IBM PC and a cabinet for storing it. This was the forerunner of personal computers as we know them today. That PC was the leading technology when it appeared and was the computer to have when our group was formed.
It consists of a 4.7 MHz 8-bit processor, 64 KB (not MB) of memory, one 5-1/4 inch floppy drive capable of storing 360 KB, no hard disk (naturally), and a monochrome screen. On that floppy you had the disk operating system (DOS) plus your application programs such as a word processor and often you stored the data on that same floppy. In today's dollars such a computer would cost in the region of $10,000 to $15,000.
Tom has also provided a 5-1/4 inch floppy disk containing DOS 1.25. I have DOS 1.1 but if anyone has a copy of DOS 1.0 even if it is not an original disk, a copy of 1.0 would be nice to have with the PC. Support for the hard disks appeared in DOS 2.0.
SOHO SIG?
Many of our members run a small office or home office (SOHO) and the committee believes there would be more than enough members to create a SOHO SIG where product knowledge can be shared and ideas that affect small business can be discussed and exchanged. This will not have to be restricted to computer related topics but can include exchanging advice on a vast range of topics, such as how to efficiently produce BAS statements, problems with the bank's merchant services, ADSL and cable sharing within the office, spreadsheet tips and tricks and a lot more.
For a SIG to start there must be one member offering to be the coordinator and another the assistant. If you would like to volunteer for one of these positions please contact the committee at committee@melbpc.org.au. The group will assist with a venue, cover all insurance advice and costs, advertising and offer general administrative assistance.
Open Day for 20 User Groups
VTR Consulting, a specialist IT&T Recruitment firm has set up an Open Day to facilitate a meeting between IT professionals and the numerous User Groups operating in Victoria that represent a wide range of specialist IT skills. In excess of 20 User Groups will be present including Melb PC. It's on Saturday 29 March 2003, between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm at Roseneath Place, South Melbourne. See http://www.vtr.com.au/openday.html for more details.
Monthly Meeting
The April meeting is back at the Pharmacy College, Royal Parade, Parkville and starts at 6:00 pm sharp.
Drafting Programs
Peter Farrer is a member, and a whiz with CAD. Come and see his presentation on how a great program works and how it has developed since the last time you looked.
All You Need To Get Started in Video Editing
One of the most popular SIGs in Melb PC is Video Editing - everyone seems to be getting a camera and making their own movies. It's easy with the latest, simple, affordable software from Pineapple Head. Come along and see an exciting presentation.
Have you been to the Monthly Meeting yet? You don't know what you're missing. Check out page 63 and come along.
Reprinted from the April 2003 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
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