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Fall 2023
This NOOZ is sent to all officers listed in the UGLS (APCUG’s membership database).
In this edition of NOOZ:
1. Annual Meeting Statistics
2. 2024 Election Results
3. Digital Photo Contest Winner
4. Annual Meeting Apple & Windows/General eBook Winners
5. Reports for the Fall 2023 Issue
6. Membership Renewal
7. Region 8 Advisor Notes
1. Annual Meeting Statistics.
- Hosted Websites – 17
- PUSH 2023 – 80+ original articles sent to editors as of 11/4/23.
- Zoom Team – Groups sharing meetings – 47; 19 groups meeting via the free Zoom Pro accounts.
- Wednesday Workshops – 83+ unique presentations with handouts for attendees, 164+ hours of learning, almost 5460 YouTube views, up from 2360 in 2022.
- Speakers Bureau – 22 presentation topics, 16 presenters, approximately 335 requests January – November 2023; 12 2024 requests.
- APCUG2.org – approximately 222 tech tips.
- Facebook – 450+ posts.
2. 2024 Election Results. There were no volunteers from the email request or at the Annual Meeting. The below officers will continue their two- or three-year terms.
Directors (3 years)
- Ray Baxter
- Lee Laughner
Advisors (2 years)
- Gabe Goldberg
- John Kennedy
- Judy Taylour
3. 2023 Digital Photo Winners
Holidays
- 1st Place – Veteran’s Day in the Rain, Phyllis Picardi – Viewpoint Technology Club
- 2nd Place – 4th of July Fireworks, Norma Walsh – Sunland Village East Computer Club
- 3rd Place – Peggy’s Cove Nova Scotia, Paul Renfree – Viewpoint Technology Club
Photos That Make You Smile
- 1st Place – Splooting Squirrel, Helaine Cummins – TUGNET
- 2nd Place – Grandpa’s Love, John Szympruch – Computer Users of Erie
- 3rd Place – Mom’s Newborn L’ll One, Normal Walsh – Sunland Village East Computer Club
Spring Flowers
- 1st Place – Echinopsis, Phyllis Picardi – Viewpoint Technology Club
- 2nd Place – Flower at Night, Gary Oddi – Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society
- 3rd Place – Almond Blossoms, George Skarbek – Melbourne PC User Group
Still Life Food
- 1st Place – Two Cherries, Phyllis Picardi – Viewpoint Technology Club
- 2nd Place – Tomato Tart with First of The Season Garden Fresh Tomatoes, Anne Campbell, Central Kentucky Computer Society
- 3rd Place – Fresh Salad, Robert Ciaffa – Under the Computer Hood User Group
See all the entries and winning photos at https://apcug2.org/digital-
4. Annual Meeting Apple & Windows/General eBook Winners. A link to the individual books will be sent to the group’s president for their drawing.
Apple
- Victoria Computer Club, Take Control of FaceTime, and Messages
Windows/General eBook winners
- Tacoma Area PC Users Group, Take Control of Untangling Connections
- Oak Ridge PC Users Group, Take Control of Wi-Fi Networking and Security
- Midland Computer Club, Take Control of Your Digital Photos
- Brookdale Computer Users Group, Take Control of Your Paperless Office
- Royal Highlands Computer Club, Take Control of Your Password
5. Reports – Fall 2023 issue. Check out the articles; you might find an idea or two or three for your group. Click here for APCUG 2023 Q4 Reports
Meeting ideas in the Region reports
- Meet our new group, the Hernando Computer Club in Region 5 (Florida)
- Various tips in Gabe Goldberg’s General Articles
- Tech Tips
6. 2024 Membership Renewal. Membership renewal begins December 1 through December 31. If a group does not renew by 12/31, it will be moved to Inactive Status and no longer receive information from APCUG.
- Payment must be received by 12/31 for the group to be included in the Membership Renewal Contest. = Three groups will become winners.
- Short renewal form – https://apcug2.org/membership-
renewal-form/ - Pay via check (must be received by 12/31), PayPal, or Zelle.
7. Region 8 Advisor Notes: As your Region 8 Advisor, I want to express my deep appreciation for your continued support of APCUG. Your commitment to our organization is truly commendable, and as we begin our membership drive, I’m excited to share some valuable insights on how you can maximize the resources APCUG offers.
APCUG Membership Perks:
Access to the APCUG Speaker’s Bureau: One of the most significant advantages of being an APCUG member is access to our Speaker’s Bureau. This resource is a goldmine of expert speakers covering a wide range of technology-related topics. These speakers are available to present at your group’s meetings, providing your members with valuable insights and knowledge. Don’t hesitate to explore this resource for meeting ideas and educational opportunities.
Wednesday Workshops: APCUG offers a series of informative and interactive workshops every Wednesday. These workshops cover various technology subjects and provide an excellent opportunity for learning and skill enhancement. Make sure to take full advantage of these workshops to stay updated and enhance your tech-related skills.
Saturday Safari: APCUG’s Saturday Safari webinars are a fantastic way to explore a variety of technology topics. These sessions often feature renowned experts in the field. They are not only informative but also offer an excellent platform for networking with fellow technology enthusiasts from around the region.
Leveraging the APCUG Speaker’s Bureau for Meeting Ideas:
The APCUG Speaker’s Bureau is a valuable resource that can breathe new life into your group’s meetings. Whether you’re looking for a speaker on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, photography, or any other tech-related topic, the Bureau is here to assist. Feel free to reach out and explore the possibilities for your upcoming meetings.
Promoting Wednesday Workshops and Saturday Safari:
Spread the word about APCUG’s Wednesday Workshops and Saturday Safari among your group members. Encourage participation to ensure that everyone can benefit from these valuable educational resources. Sharing information about these events on your group’s website, newsletter, or social media channels can help maximize their reach.
In conclusion, APCUG is here to support you, and we encourage you to make the most of your membership. Engage with our resources, utilize the Speaker’s Bureau for exciting meeting ideas, and encourage your members to attend Wednesday Workshops and Saturday Safari sessions. Together, we can continue to promote technology education and strengthen the bonds of our community.
If you have any questions or need assistance with anything related to APCUG, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support you and your user groups in every way we can.
Thank you once again for your commitment and dedication to APCUG and its mission. We look forward to continuing this journey of learning and collaboration together.
Advisors are your communication link with APCUG.
.
PUSH Articles – June 2019
Apple v Windows PCs
This month I’ll take a look at the differences between Apple and Windows-based PCs from the perspective of a repair guy such as myself. Continue reading→
Aukey USB Outlet with Night Light Plug-in
I spotted this Aukey USB outlet with Night Light Plug-in on Amazon one day. It was on sale for $6 off the $19.99 price and I thought it was a good deal for $13.99. Continue reading→
Backup Tools and Procedures
With the growing popularity of smartphones and tablets, the need for backup has expanded to include those devices as well as traditional Windows and Macintosh PCs. Continue reading→
Brain Dead In San Diego
Even if you don’t do a complete system backup, please back up your important documents (i.e.- photos, videos, office docs, PDF files, and any other files you deem important to you) to a USB drive, CD/DVD, external HD, or the Cloud. Continue reading→
Do you know these Google Icons?
The icons represent some popular Google apps . . . All these apps are FREE with Google, all you need is a Google account. Continue reading→
Google Fi
Google Fi will provide your phone with the best of any of the three networks, Sprint, T-Mobile, or U.S. Cellular, by intelligently switching to the best network at that time and location. Continue reading→
Interesting Articles, Websites, and YouTube Videos
Are Cheap Windows and Office Programs a Scam? Italian Grandma Hilariously Learns How to Use Google Home Device. Do This Instead of Printing (you’ll save time and money). Etc… Continue reading→
More About Browsers
If you open a website you are using a browser. Your computer or mobile device came with a browser installed, but is it the “right” one or the only one you should use? Continue reading→
No Joy in Techville?
Pour a liquid into a glass just up to the midpoint. An optimist would say the glass is half full. A pessimist would say the glass is half empty. An engineer would say the glass is twice as big as it needs to be. Continue reading→
Office 2019 and Changes to Office 365
Microsoft has been releasing new versions of Office every three years for a long time. The newest version, Office 2019, is now available in stores or online. Continue reading→
Review – Grammarly
Recently, I discovered a piece of software called Grammarly. It reviews your writing and finds typos, spelling errors, and grammar mistakes. Continue reading→
Review – Honey App
Do you use the Honey app when you shop online? I do. It even works at Amazon. Continue reading→
Using macOS X Photos
I normally do not use the Photos app as I like to manage my own images but this was at my wife’s request to move some images. Continue reading→
What happens in the downloading process vs. the saving process on a computer?
This month I’ll discuss a couple of topics that were passed along as suggestions. Continue reading→
What is a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and why use one?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a connection method used to add security and privacy to private and public networks, like Wi-Fi hotspots and the Internet. Continue reading→
What’s with Google and YouTube?
Over 13 years ago, Google bought YouTube for $1.65 billion. Thirteen years later the YouTube purchase is generally considered to be one of the best consumer tech acquisitions ever . . . Continue reading→
Who Ya Gonna Call?
I teach computer classes at a local library and hear a myriad of students’ horror stories about their unpleasant computer experiences. Continue reading→
Freshly Squeezed Reviews: Write Right
I have been reviewing software and hardware for about two decades. Sometimes the words just flow, other times I need to pry them from my skull. Continue reading→
You may have a new speech recognition program
I have used several speech recognition programs over the years. I have tried them all, and suddenly a new one showed up on my computer and it is the best one yet! Continue reading→
PUSH Articles – April 2019:
Add a Display!
If you spend a lot of time at your computer, as I do, you might want to consider having two separate monitors. I love my two displays, as it gives me lots of extra digital “real estate” for when I have many windows open. Continue reading→
A Great Photoshop Alternative
Gimp is a great free image manipulation program much like Photoshop. Here is a YouTube link to a 13+ minute video of a basic beginners’ guide that I found very helpful: Continue reading→
Audacity & Digital Audio Noise Reduction
This article describes the use of a feature of Audacity, the popular digital audio editor application, called noise reduction. Noise is audible all around us. When we make an audio recording, usually some noise is included. Continue reading→
Build a Wall?
Walls can keep things out. Walls can keep things in. Walls that do these well usually aren’t so good at also letting some things pass from one side to the other. Continue reading→
CES 2019
There were 180,000 attendees, 4500 vendors, and some 500 qualified press.
Notable items: More IoT and AI, plus 5G, 4K, and OLED, autonomous cars, VR and AR
(VR means “Virtual Reality”. AR means “Augmented Reality.) Continue reading→
Clean Your Computer!
Files such as documents and pictures residing on your hard drive are unlikely to noticeably slow down your system if you have adequate hard drive space. However, software that loads every time the computer is used will eventually cause a significant drag on your system. Continue reading→
Consider the Risks of Helping Friends with PC Problems
If you are known as a computer enthusiast, your less-experienced friends probably come to you for help when they run into problems. However, you should consider the risks before you agree. Continue reading→
Cord Cutting or How I Love to Pay Less to Get More of What I Think I Need
I may have just stumbled on, for me, the Holey (sic) Grail of news: For years, I have been attempting to get entire news shows from the internet, but only gleaned news clips, necessitating watching a few minute snippets and then having to click on another snippet and another . . . Continue reading→
Encrypting a Drive
One of the added features of Windows 10 Pro over the Home edition capabilities, is the ability to encrypt a drive to protect all data and files contained on that drive from unauthorized access. An administrator can select a drive from the File Explorer app and turn on the BitLocker option from the right mouse button option list. Continue reading→
Firewalls
A firewall is a program that monitors traffic on a network and rejects any data that violate its security rules. . . it can be host-based where it resides on a computer and controls all the data transferred through its data port, or it can be network-based where it resides on a modem or router that connects a local area network (LAN) to the Internet. Continue reading→
Great Entertainment from Planet Coaster
Recently, I found in my browsing a game called “Planet Coaster” where I have enjoyed watching videos of roller coasters, parks, rides, and more all created by others who have been enjoying the tremendous creativity possible with this game. Continue reading→
HDMI Device Connections
HDMI means High-Definition Multimedia Interface and it is the currently popular way to connect devices with a cable. The big advantage of HDMI is that it transmits not only high-definition video but also audio as well, in one comparatively thin cable connection. Continue reading→
In Defense of Apple Maps
The big troika of smartphone navigation apps is Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps. I believe that recently Apple has brought its Maps app up to parity and then some. Continue reading→
Interesting Internet Finds
While going through more than 300 RSS feeds, I often run across things I think might be of interest to other user group members. The following are some more items I found interesting during January, February, and March of 2019. Continue reading→
Mistakes We Make When Buying a Computer
There is a lot of tech jargon flying around, and all of it is competing to get your money. Because of that, mistakes are easy to make, and they can easily result in your money going to waste. Continue reading→
My Meshed-Up Wi-Fi
Our modern electronic devices are all about connectedness. It seems everything we have now is connected, and that connection is integral to the capabilities that are provided for us. Before they were connected, computers were just big boxes that made calculating and writing easier; . . . Continue reading→
Partially Locked Laptop
This month I’ll look at an interesting situation of a partially locked PC that I picked up at a recent auction. One of the features that all PCs share is the ability to set a supervisor, master or boot PC password. Continue reading→
Personalize your Desktop
All desktops are not created equal. Just look at the differences the next time you go to a class where you bring and use your own laptop. I bet none of those other desktops will look like your own desktop. Continue reading→
Phishing Expeditions
A “phishing” email is one that attempts to obtain your personal account information to use for unauthorized purposes. When I included that article in Green Bytes, I hadn’t personally received a phishing email. But this month I did . . . Continue reading→
Samsung Galaxy Inductor
Samsung has made some very innovative uses of a type of electronic device called an inductor, which is a coil of wire. When I took the basic electronics design lab course in college, we studied and modeled three basic circuit components: resistors, capacitors, and inductors. Continue reading→
Smart Homes
I’m pretty sure that almost all of you have heard about having a ‘Smart Home’ and may be wondering what that’s all about. This month I’ll take a look at what that means and some of the issues to watch out for. Continue reading→
To Discern the Truth
Today we are all unwitting participants in a game played out on the internet to discern the true identities of those we communicate with. Unfortunately, the stakes are higher than some cash divided among the contestants that are proportional to the number of celebrity panelists deceived by the imposters, as in To Tell the Truth. Continue reading→
Traveling with Electronics
When preparing for a trip, think carefully about what you really need. Every piece of gear you add is more weight to carry, another thing to protect, and another distraction from visiting and sightseeing. Continue reading→
Traveling With Your Devices
You are probably used to using your computer devices at home, but what about traveling? Taking your devices with you can make your trip much better with directions, shopping, gas, emergency needs, entertainment, and much more. Continue reading→
Wi-Fi Security
Wi-Fi is all around us. In homes, libraries, airports, shopping centers, recreational places, houses of worship, the CA buildings, and just about everywhere. Wi-Fi is the first step in the complex way we get to the internet for information, entertainment, or purchases. Continue reading→
Windows 10 May Update
Most of our Windows 10 Home users will get this release when Microsoft decides to push it out to their PCs via Windows Update. That will likely be sometime in April, possibly early May, especially for newer PCs. Continue reading→
Windows 10 Screen Capture Tools
The ability to capture an image of a whole computer screen or Window has been around since the 1960s. It comes in handy for anyone who wants to include a portion of a screen, such as a picture, group of text, chart, or graph, in another place. Continue reading→
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