DECEMBER 18, 2008
December has been another busy month here at Gleneagles. Most of all our residents are “back” and our Computer Center classes are full. Next month classes begin on January 5th. We will expand our schedule to include some advanced levels plus adding Excel, Photo Shop and Email. The Center now has 11 new Vista computers allowing us to have 10 students in a class all with “hands-on” training. Every month another resident is added to our volunteer teaching staff. The satisfaction that results from seeing individuals go from “turning it on” to being comfortable with using a mouse and keyboard, is huge. Many students are either buying their first computer or upgrading existing systems.
This month’s meeting was presented by Richard Miller, our local guru. Richard stepped in at the last minute and did a bang up job of explaining how to find (try Google – Images) and install backgrounds to become your “desktop wallpaper”. He uses seasonal type pictures while many of us like our families or grandchildren’s photos. He stressed that everyone should have a firewall program, a anti-virus program, and an anti-spyware program on their system. Many are available for free such as Zone Alarm firewall, AVG anti-virus and Spybot to keep intruders out of your registry files. You can always check on Google for a description of any of these must have programs. Currently, Vista users are being told to update using Microsoft’s SP1 free patch. Service Pack1 (SP1) for Vista contains 550 individual fixes, many of which are for security, and takes an hour or more to install itself. Vista took five years to prepare but MS is already talking about the next generation operating system. Planned obsolescence seems to be the key to financial success in the high tech world.
Dr. Jack Rosensweig, Program Chair, introduced the December program with a short video about Dragon Naturally Speaking, a software program that allows you to train your computer to your voice commands. Not just “Buck Rodgers” but a real way to write letters and other functions all with your voice. Jack intends to have a presentation on voice and other methods in the spring. Richard Miller confirms that the new version (v. 10) of Dragon, although expensive, was reported to work wonderful.
January is already scheduled to be a very busy computer month of classes beginning on the 5th. On Monday the 19th. Dorothy McKay, Director of Communications, will guide us through the new interactive web site where you can make reservations and many other features right on line. In cooperation with our General Manager and Board of Governors, the computer center will host an “Open House” afternoon on Monday, January 26, 2009 for all Gleneagles Residents. Members will be available to answer questions and show the features of the center. Refreshments and a “door prize” drawing will be provided by the Country Club, so make sure you visit the center on that afternoon. Monday, February 2nd. will feature a Special program by David Rutenberg on Email. Yes, by popular request “Rudy” will make a return engagement. Check the web site, www.gleneaglescomputer.org for a full listing of programs, classes and meetings. HAPPY, HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON and NEW YEAR TO ALL.
Respectfully, Bobbie Duker, Recording Secretary