All ICON members please note! In order to help us better serve your needs, the officers are asking each member to participate in an online survey. Please go to ICON's web site at:
www.iconusersgroup.org.
Click the "MEMBERS SURVEY" link (removed) on the home page, take a few minutes to answer the questions and then click the "SUBMIT" button. You will not be asked to give your name so you will remain anonymous. The whole thing is very simple, completely painless, and will help us better represent you as we make decisions affecting the future of your users group.

Note: If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact me by telephone and I will tell you how you can participate in this survey.

I was reminded on Easter Sunday, of the wonders of the digital age, when Dad told me he had received photos that evening, via e-mail, of his step great grandchildren having an Easter egg hunt. On the surface, that doesn't seem so amazing, but remember, he was able to enjoy the pictures on the same day they were taken, and the most amazing thing about it is that…the children's egg hunt took place in Florida!

It is curious that we so soon forget to be amazed by marvelous things as they become commonplace. Just a few years ago, it would have required, at the very least, two or three days before the pictures could have arrived in the mail, and the photographer would have had to pay for postage and duplicate prints.

There are at least four important areas of advanced technology here:

• Windows Operating System…the ability to use a computer and manage the information is necessary before one can pursue other functions.
• Digital Photography…even one-hour film developing would not be available on holidays, so it would take an extra day if not for digital cameras
• Software… tells the computer what to do with the information entered, and stored, in the computer so we can view the photos
• Internet…because of digital transmission of data, we can send and receive information to or from anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds.

The majority of first-time computer buyers give as their number one reason for wanting a computer, access to the Internet and/or e-mail, and one of the fastest growing areas of interest among current computer users is digital imaging.

Those of us who give our time to help others are always disappointed when ICON members do not participate in events such as attending SIGs related to their area of interest. We put a great deal of time and effort into providing as much help as possible, but we are busy too. If you do not attend meetings, but call us for personal help, we may have to answer the same question many times. Please get out and attend ICON'S meetings whenever you can. Our satisfaction is in seeing your smiling face and hearing about your computing successes as we all learn to enjoy our computers more!

Happy Computing
Terry