 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group CPU (Club President's Update) Stan Johnstone stanj@melbpc.org.au |
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A Happy New Year to all members, and I hope 1998 will be an exciting year for you. During 1997 we all got a bit tied up with the business of moving to our new premises in Dorcas Street, so now we can concentrate on all those other things we may have let slip a little during that period.
There are a few odds and ends still to be tidied up, mainly due to delays resulting from Telstra lines and links. Some of these affect our PABX and remote control to doorways and, in turn, the security system. Because of our heavy reliance on Telstra for our Internet, BBS and office connections, the very first action on our program was to make contact with them, as far back as April 1997.
Committee
The elections held in December were a disappointment, leaving us with insufficient candidates to fill all the vacant positions. Not that we wanted a repeat of the faction fighting that plagued Melb PC in previous years, however we were keen to attract new and enthusiastic members for the Committee.
At the same time, I would like to think that you are satisfied with the performance of last year's Committee. However I am very pleased to be able to report that the positions declared vacant have now all been filled, and the Committee is again at full strength.
The three new members who have joined the Committee include one of the founding members - John Swale (well known for his Random Access page); honorary life member George Skarbek (who is well known to all, for his answers to everyone's problems); and Brian Horman. Brian may not be well known to many members, but he has been a member for almost six years, and has been using computers of all types, for various purposes, in businesses for many years.
With the wealth of experience these new Members bring, and the Committee as it stood after the AGM, Melb PC probably now enjoys the strongest, most experienced and united Committee in its entire history. The Committee Members have a combined total of 110 years of Melb PC membership, and they have been continuous members of Melb PC through the "good" and "bad" years.
Now they all ready to get on with the job for 1998.
Modems
In the race by manufacturers to capture the 56 kbps market, it is unfortunate that there are two "standards" currently available - the K56flex (by Rockwell) and X2 (by US Robotics). During the first half of 1998 a new international standard will be handed down, which may differ again from both of these.
In addition, modem manufacturers are still learning all the ins and outs of this new and faster technology. In my own case, there have been two firmware flash upgrades to the particular 56 kbps modem I have been using since it was purchased in October 1997. In my own experience, the first upgrade permitted connect speeds in excess of 33.6 kbps, and the second upgrade increased its stability quite remarkably. Because of these changes in a relatively short time, I continue to check to see if yet another upgrade has appeared. If you do download an upgrade from a manufacturer's Web site, please ensure it is the Australian version you use, as there are significant differences between countries.
We advised members back in July 1997 that we would initially be adopting the K56flex standard in line with most ISPs in Australia. Currently only a few of the larger ISPs are able to support both protocols, and a few others have adopted the X2 standard. Due to financial constraints Melb PC was certainly not able to support both systems, which would require separate ISDN lines and equipment. However, as soon as the international standard is released later this year, Melb PC will then adopt it and upgrade our equipment accordingly.
Currently X2-type modems will connect to Melb PC equipment, but their transfer rate is never likely to exceed 33.6 kbps.
With the large number of 56 kbps modems currently on the market, one of our main concerns is that members do not get stuck with a modem that is not capable of later being flash upgraded when the international standard is struck. Be very careful as there are many modems on the market at present that are not capable of being upgraded.
If you are in the market for a modem, it would be unwise not to go for the fastest available - ie 56 kbps. For maximum transfer rates to Melb PC equipment, select only those using the Rockwell K56flex technology. But most importantly, obtain a guarantee from the retailer that the modem you buy is flash upgradable to the new international standard when it is released.
Internet
Unfortunately, at this stage I am unable to give you details of additional and changed features that should be available before the next issue of PC Update.
It is probable that these features will mean we will need more lines - just at a time when we thought we had the perfect balance!
By the way, users of the Dataplex analogue modems will have seen that these have all been upgraded from their previous 28.8 kbps capacity to 33.6 kbps - every little bit helps.
SIG leaders meeting
Joe Henry, the Committee's SIG Co-ordinator held a meeting of all SIG leaders on Sunday 11 January 1998 to discuss plans and activites for the year. Unfortunately, due to the lead time in writing this page, I am unable to tell you what they have in mind for us this year.
There is always room for a new SIG (Special Interest Group) and Joe is the man to speak to about these issues. For those with e-mail access, the easiest way is to contact him is by e-mail to joehenry@melbpc.org.au
Magazine delivery
In addition to the printing of PC Update, the distribution and delivery contract has been awarded to Wilke Color, using Australia Post.
This is the 53rd issue of PC Update printed by Wilke Color, and if their co-operation, expertise and quality they have given us over the past years is anything to judge the company by, I am sure we will all benefit from a more prompt and improved delivery.
Next month
By next month we should have everything settled down and back to normal. We will restart the orientation days, the seminar training nights, and anything else we can think of and get under way.
Reprinted from the February 1998 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
