Welcome to the "Discussion Page !

I'd hoped that this page would be an open forum about what FRPCUG could be and a reflection on what it had become. I'm proud of the club and to have been associated with it for much of the past 15 to 20 years. I hope that you'll respond to some of the things posted here, and will interject your ideas, comments and interests as well.

In the mean time, I'll be posting leadership help topics and links, general ruminations, and topic that I hope to flesh out as time progresses, sometimes slower, sometimes faster.

CLUB LEADERSHIP TOPICS:

• Newsletter development and contributions: http://www.apcug.net/help/communications/newsletter_design.htm
• FRPCUG.PBwiki.com Leadership Uses:  I have posted the last several Board of Director Minutes and an Agenda template for use in board meetings.  With some Board Member support, this may be the first, truly functional  use that we are putting to this wiki.  See:  FRPCUG Agendas and Minutes
• How can we better define the "Partnership" role that we'd like to extend to commercial hardware and service companies in Fort Collins?  We have formalized three companies with which we would like to like to develop the relationship.  However, we have not clarified what that relationship should be, nor have we verbalized the nature of the interactions we seek.  The following is a  letter from one of our members following several recommendations made to him at our Saturday morning Shop Talk sessions:

This follows from our conversation this morning.  Earlier this week, it became clear that even the considerable efforts of FRPCUG members could not adapt my old laptop to the needs of "new" Hotmail.  I was prepared, reluctantly, to buy a new Vista machine, but was also mindful of advice from FRPCUG members that Vista, like new wine, might improve with age. 

 

Preferring to buy over the counter, I looked first at the big box outlets.  Products and prices were similar, but Staples in Loveland seemed clean, uncluttered and professional.  Their assistance center is located in Oklahoma, rather than abroad, which appealed to me. 

 

Following your advice, I next visited two locally-owned computer stores.   The first one was staffed by a young man with vast technical knowledge but few manners in the sense that word is understood by someone of my generation and disposition.   He said the owner was busy and that an appointment was needed to speak with him.  Without learning whether I was able or willing to do so, he explained that I could easily configure and order a computer on their website.  Persuaded to go through the exercise with me on-site, his style was menu-driven and focused more on the nature of his product than on my needs or interests. 

 

Computer Renaissance was better in all respects - - businesslike, customer-oriented, mature, capable, punctual and polite.  Mike, the owner, listened to my computer requirements and explained how different machines might meet them.  Following his suggestion to bring in my keyboard and try several computers, I selected a reconditioned IBM that will serve well enough for a year a two.  Mike quoted a fair price that included trade-in value for my old laptop after cloning programs and files to the new machine.   One trip back was needed to resolve some minor issues, but the outcome is a capable machine, up and running, for less than half the price of a new Vista laptop.  I will return to Computer Renaissance and recommend it to others. 

GENERAL COMPUTER DISCUSSION:

Initially I had posted these questions to stimulate members discussing the nature of the "gift" that is the modern personal computer. My purpose was not clear to me at the time I posted this topic and page, but it is becoming more clear. Let me propose that we have a debt to pay... that our knowledge of computers and how to use them, is akin to holding the keys to the future. There is no question that knowledge is power.  The use of computers to communicate is changing our body politic in the USA.  Computers used in the Russian White House foiled a military take-over of the government in Russia... communications by computers were available to Gorbachov to get the word out that he needed help... out to the global community.  The standoff gained immediate global attention.  Governments aren't changing in the dark of night and and freed to do so by ignorance... at least not like they used to be changed.

So, knowledge and capabilities are, demonstrably, power. So, I issue a challenge, once again, can you answer the questions below??? This time I'm not going to wait for another month and a half for someone else to start this. You can jump in at any time!  Can you answer the following questions... here? Add your comments anywhere you'd like.

What are the ten most important uses of the computer in everyday life?

1. Communication, communication, communication!
2. Collection and dissemination of information never-before available in the home of computer users.
3. Database management and manipulation... It is easier than ever to make sense of raw data... and to misinterpret it!
4. Word processing is not a small part of the significant impact of computers. More and better writing by more people at an earlier age has been the trend for years, greatly boosted by the development and introduction of computers in to public schools.
5. Codifying the ability of casual users to produce graphic arts.
6. Taken the place of virtually all specialty priinting, except for moderate to long printing runs. Put the power of the press in the hands of the common man!
7. Potentially brings back the importance of rhetoric and critical thinking to the "age of 30 second sound bites."
8. May rescue the profession of journalism from professional journalists.
9. Computer control machines have revolutionized manufacturing, space exploration, scientific exploration...
10. Has revolutionized decision making, evaluation of complex data sets, collection and analyses of galactic issues (that's got to be among the most huge computing tasks!).

What is THE most important use of computers? And why?

The most important use of computers is the next life-saving health system that treats and/or cures life threatening disease.

Does the use of computers make us dumber or smarter?

This all depends on what use is made of computers. You don't have to be smarter than stone to abuse the communication systems that are dependent on computers. It would seem that anything that makes us think deeply about something will help make us smarter. It can also make us lazy. So there is nothing automatic about improving one's mind. Though it is clear that using one's brain may delay the onset of symptoms of Alzheimer disease, other assumptions about how to exercise the brain are not very well documented. I do think that we have learned more about how people learn differently by trying to teach computer skills, however.

I think that it is extremely important that computers be made available in all, that's all public schools with teachers well prepared to open the window on the world that is possible with computers and the internet! Any thing that we can do with this project as a club WILL MAKE US SMARTER!!!

What is the most detrimental effect of computers?

If we develop an attitude as a nation that computers will save us from the insanity of power, we will have made a fatal error. We have no corner on information and no corner on the inventive minds. If we don't teach our young people that inventiveness not just computer skills will be the salvation of jobs, productivity and problem solving necessary to remaing an industrial power. Just pushing paper is not productive as measured by our GNP, but we need to develop scientists and engineers, PhDs and teachers who are competitive on a global stage. I personally don't believe that computers have had any detrimental effect. They can be addictive...

How have computers (or their use) made your life better?

Computers have facilitated my ability to write and have improved my reading and writing abilities. I have always had a spelling problem, and the spell checkers have been a god-send! The drudgery of typing on a typewriter should be used by Abu Ghraib prison guards to soften up terrorists. The computer and internet have opened my life to information and experiences that would not otherwise be available to me. I have traveled extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. The internet allows access to these areas of the world that I'd not see or read about without considerable expense. What a treat it is to read about something, look it up on the web and tab it for the possibility to return anytime for a repris of the subject. Life is good!

How have computers (or their use) made your life worse?

• Computers have greatly affected the practice of architecture, and I'm not too pleased about some of the changes. Clearly, product information is far easier to get. International design is far easier to research. Greenbuilding standards are computer disseminated. And communications about construction projects are managed with better involvement by clients, contractors and architects. What has been lost is the hand work that generated good architecture out of the art of graphic communications. Some designs can be developed that would have been very difficult to generate by hand. This could be just an old guy lamenting progress of a practice.

CLUB PROJECT IDEAS:

What activities may have an impact on our community by this uniquely directed, non-profit computer group. What makes our group unique is our interest in using computers in many, different and positive ways! And, we're willing to help each other do these things just for the pleasure of it! That's unique! What could we do that would make a bigger impact, focus more on public service? How about some, or even one of the following ideas?

• Locate, Record and Map Fort Collins Cemeteries and post the results on a public website for people searching relatives, doing genealogy work, or just doing historical research. Suggested by Rick Mattingly on 1/10/2007.
• Monitor Property Tax PolicyCould we run an analysis of variance (ANOVA) on the assessed home values based on real estate features to test the "fairness" of our assessment policies for property taxes.
• Helping to Manage Community InformationHow about helping to develop "fire run" maps with integrated fire hydrants, service sizes, and GIS links for hazardous material storage, sprinklered facilities, contiguous construction, fire resistive coding of grouped facilities, etc.? Could, or are, such maps coordinated with Google Maps or MapQuest maps for on-truck viewing/printout? (Rick informed us that this project has been completed and that he consulted on its development with the PVFA!)
• Analyze Operating Efficiencies?What are the most costly City services, and why are they the most costly? Are there analyses that could test the efficiencies of services which might result in greater efficiencies or optimization of service/cost benefits? For example, could local or small enclaves of residential users co-generate electricity by fuel cells in neighborhoods economically? The city has a 5000 watt (I believe) fuel cell generator used to demonstrate fuel cell technology. Would our club be interested in this for a program?? How does energy use and conservation relate to computer use?
• What are your on-going costs of computer use? Are the higher powered, newer computers comsuming more energy, or less? What are we paying for this hobby/necessity in energy costs? Could we do "home energy audits" to help people, seniors mostly, conserve energy? Could we "value engineer" appropriate improvements? Reduced electrical use, improved insulation,

A friend of mine, a retired Air Force Colonel, a mechanical engineer, and retired American Airlines maintenance supervisor/manager came to Fort Collins from Oklahoma thirty years ago and built one of the first energy efficient homes near Country Club Road on the North side of town. He walked the entire town of Fort Collins, at that time with about 30,000 inhabitants.

He covered every street, both sides, and taking a map with him marked all of the sidewalks, curb and gutter, and paving deficiencies that he could see on that map. He did this on his own volition, and turned in the results of his investigation to the Fort Collins Streets Department. His was the first comprehensive study of the street and sidewalk infrastructure in Fort Collins and he did it for free. (As in free beer, for you who know "Linux Speak", and free beer!)

Col. Bonnie Nabors was cited for his contribution to the City of Fort Collins by the City Council, which embarrassed him. But he did it. He was from the "can do generation." He was a Pearl Harbor survivor, too, as was his wife, Dorothy. The thought is that Bonnie made a tremendous contribution to the community with a pencil, some paper, and a lot of determination. We, you and I as members of our Front Range PC Users Group, have so much to offer... Bonnie is suffering the ravages of Parkinson's Disease in a Texas nursing home at 94 years. J.B. 2006

What are your ideas for the club??**

THIS IS YOUR OPEN FORUM:

This is the place you may ask any technical question about Computers and Software. There are very capable MEMBERS who use PC's with Windows and Linux Operating Systems and who are committed to help find answers to questions regarding these topics. To give it a try, just edit this page with your questions or repsonses... Be sure to identify yourselves. Have a great time with this!

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