 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group CPU (Club President's Report) Stan Johnstone stanj@melbpc.org.au |
 |
Our forthcoming move to Dorcas Street is taking up a lot of our time both in the planning and documentation, as well as in the office, as they prepare for the re-location. A lot has been done, but every day we find something else that has to be fitted into the schedule.
Important matters, like the location of the Coke machine so that it is available at all hours, are getting just the same consideration as everything else!
By the time you read this the building refurbishment works will be out to tender, and work on site will commence later in the month. The landlord's external refurbishment and internal modifications should also be complete.
Internet
Much of our planned expansion and investment in new equipment has been held back over the past months as it was not practical to increase the number of lines for a short period.
In the meantime, the new digital 56 kbps equipment we have been waiting for is now coming onto the market in what would seem to be perfect timing for our move. Our existing Dataplex modems, which are only twelve months old, will be upgraded also to 33.6 kbps. These will continue to be more than adequate for most of our members but, if possible, will be converted to use digital technology.
As one of the first steps in preparing for the move, we are changing all our 120-minute lines to PAP dialling as from Monday 4 August 1997. This protocol has been found to be so much more reliable than the scripted PPP or the once-favoured SLIP, and it is to help you prepare for the move that we are doing it at this time.
Although nothing ever works completely according to plan, we are aiming for a seamless transfer as we move from one address to another. Murphy, please take a holiday.
Honorary Life Members
Elsewhere in this issue you will find the notification of the Special General Meeting to bestow Honorary Life Memberships on Bruce Elliott and Charles Wright.
Due to business commitments, Bruce Elliott has been forced to resign as Treasurer, a position he has held for three-and-a-half years. Bruce was appointed at a time when Melb PC was in a poor financial position, and and his professional knowledge and skill have enabled us to budget carefully to meet changing conditions, and to bring us to the secure financial position we are in today.
Charles Wright has been President three times, Vice-President four times and served on the committee many other times since 1988. He served on the committee during some of the most difficult times when the group was taken to the brink of extinction. He was also successful in finding Bruce Elliott at a time when we needed him most.
Charles had continued to work behind the scenes with the Internet team until last month. His work commitments have also become more demanding. It is most appropriate that proper recognition be given to the work he has done.
I trust you will all support me in recognising the time, work and effort both Bruce and Charles have devoted to Melb PC.
Dial help
A couple of months ago I expressed concern that our Dial Help pages may not be up to date.
Gloria Simos took up the task with great enthusiasm and contacted everyone on the list to ensure that it is now current. Some names have been deleted, and some headings are now deleted as many older software and hardware products are no longer of interest.
A few headings may have a vacant sign where we now seek someone to volunteer to provide occasional advice and assistance. If you feel you could help, please contact Gloria by leaving a message at the office (or e-mail to gsimos@melbpc.org.au) and she will be pleased to add your name to the list.
If you can provide help in some new field we are not covering presently please let us know.
Home visit assist
While on the subject of helping, I have mentioned helping members in their own homes. From the letters and messages I have had, there is a real need for this type of assistance for those who may be restricted in their activities or mobility for one reason or another.
Last month I mentioned the offer by Ian Felsenthal to assist me with this, based on his own experience with the University of the Third Age. Ian has now set up a database to enable him to find suitable help--although to date his list of helpers is longer than his list of those asking for help.
As mentioned earlier, the main problem is to overcome the reserve of the one who needs the help but is too shy to ask. When I read of the modest way most members understate their capabilities and experience when offering help, it is quite obvious that these members are pleased to be able to share what they have learnt with someone else. We can all muddle along by ourselves, but the swapping and sharing of knowledge with others enables us all to get the most out of an enjoyable pastime.
I took the opportunity to mention this recently when I visited the Retirees SIG, but naturally enough they are already doing it quietly amongst themselves. However, many members are unable to attend even a daytime SIG. If they can go, they may still be too reticent to put their hand up to ask a question.
Ian Felsenthal has kindly permitted me to publish his contact for Home Visit Assist. Ian's phone number is (03) 9584 6391, or e-mail him at imf@melbpc.org.au. If you are available to help with this program, or if you would like someone to help you, please contact Ian.
Orientation days
As we are right in the middle of the move and we don't want you to see how disorganised we really are, I will not be holding an Orientation day this month.
The next one will be in October probably, in the new offices, so I'm afraid you will have to hold off until then. Hopefully we will have something really grand to show you.
Seminar nights
Lynn Pollock's three-hour training seminars are still attracting good numbers. I have tried to get him to re-run some of his previous ones following the requests for repeats, but he still comes up with new and interesting topics each month.
On Friday 15 August 1997, starting at 6.30 pm the subject will be "Equipment for the Small Office/Home Office". For only $15, Lynn will show and talk about using your PC for faxing, scanning, optical character recognition, etc.
As always, bookings are essential, so call the office on (03) 9699 6222. Do it now before the class is booked out!
On to next month
In the meantime, it's back to choosing colours, trying to make things fit in, making sure there are enough power points around, and all those other bits and pieces. Who knows what equipment we will be using in five years time that we need to make provision for now?
And of course, before I forget, I have to find somewhere to put that Coke machine!
Reprinted from the August 1997 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
