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We were a little concerned before Christmas as attendance at our meetings had declined and we thought that we would be losing members. We are delighted to report that nearly all members have paid their subscriptions for 2005 and we are therefore encouraged that the club can continue for the foreseeable future - at least for the rest of the year and probably longer.
We do not have a large membership anymore and no longer arrange demonstrations but as suggested before this has seemed to generate a more friendly atmosphere in the club and it is nice to have more time at our meetings to have a chat and to help each other.
Cantell school has been very understanding and helpful. We changed the dates for our meetings to accommodate members and we have full use of the internet.
Talks and demonstrations are still encouraged. Details will be given in the newsletter if anything is forthcoming.
We have our own computer and screen for use when demonstrations are to be given. Bryan has been bringing the club computer to the meetings but there does not seem much point in this unless it is needed for a demonstration, so in future it will only be brought by prior arrangement.
It was suggested by another member that only one side of the computer room be used unless the other side was particularly needed. This has proved to be an excellent suggestion and by using just the one side it has kept members together and has resulted in members being more able to mix and chat.
We are always very happy to receive suggestions to improve the club.
It may seem that I am always on the gripe about something. I am sorry about this and I have complained in the past about not having any assistance. This was not only because of my age and running out of ideas but because I thought other members should be involved.
I now have assistance from Bryan Coleman and I know that Nigel King will help when requested. This leaves me the job of writing the monthly newsletter. I don't mind this at all but I do struggle to find something of interest to write about. At one time I could have a monthly moan about wanting help but I cannot write about this any more. But, seriously, it would be nice to have some fresh input to the newsletters. I am not trying to get rid of the job but contributions for publication would be very welcome. I cannot be the only member to have had problems that I have had to solve, sometimes with the help of other members (usually Nigel). Have you had a problem that you want solving or even one that you have solved either yourself or with the help of another. I am sure members would be interested. A short note is all I need, preferably as a text file on a disk or a written note or even a telephone call. I do not use email at present although I do realise that this would be the preferred method for most members. I will connect to the internet again some time in the future.
I received a telephone call the other day from a lady who is a friend of a friend. The lady asked me if I could possibly help her as her computer mouse had stopped working. I called to her house the next day and found that she was using an optical mouse. I suggested that the batteries needed changing but she said that she had just fitted two new ones. I re-installed the mouse software but still couldn't get the mouse to work. At a complete loss I asked that if by any chance she had any more new batteries and a new packet was produced. After installing the new batteries I still could not get the mouse to function and so I departed, my reputation (such as it was) in ruins. I said that I would think it over and call again in a few days. A couple of days later the lady 'phoned again to say that her printer had stopped printing. I said that I would call and have another go at sorting out her mouse problem. "Oh, that's alright now" said the lady "I bought new batteries and now it is working fine"!!!
The printer problem was soon sorted out as somehow the installed printer had become deselected.
I will keep you informed of further developments.
| IF YOU CAN TALK ABOUT OR DEMONSTRATE ANYTHING PLEASE LET ME KNOW |
This meeting notice/newsletter, was based on that produced by Ken Miles, and sent by snail mail, to members of the SPCUC a few days before each monthly meeting. Comments about the club's web pages, to the webmaster.
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