Attendance was rather low at the Mid-America Cancer Center for ICON’S October 15 th meeting, but several who we don’t see very often, were there. I always enjoy seeing and visiting with everyone, and I miss you when you can’t be there for some reason.

Our program was a short movie from Adobe Systems introducing Photoshop Elements 3. Version 4 of the product is already available on store shelves for approximately $90.00, but there are only minor additional features over those available in version 3. Harold Hunton, Digital Imaging SIG leader, has found version 3 available online for about $40.00.

Features of version 3 include a photo organizing application that is fully integrated with the parent program and an impressive set of “one click” fixes for perfecting your digital photos (neither of these were available in version 2).

Brentwood Library is the place to be on November 19th, when we will have a guest speaker from the National Association of Investment Clubs. Whether you are currently investing on your own, or just want to learn more about it, don’t miss this opportunity to meet local people who can help you understand investment basics, mutual funds, stocks, etc. Visit NAIC online at: www.betterinvesting.org

Faye Patrick, ICON’S newsletter editor, has informed us that our monthly publication has been held up at the print shop more and more frequently of late, so we are forced to observe an earlier press deadline in order to get the newsletter out in a timely fashion. As circumstances change, we are presented with challenges and opportunities to grow and to improve upon what we have known so as not to grow complacent. This article, in its current format, will cease to exist in the future, but I will continue to keep you informed of upcoming programs.

Don’t forget that you can easily contribute to ICONS growth and success by simply sharing your story of frustration and/or success as a beginner (or a seasoned veteran). Submit your story to Faye by e-mailing her at: fayep@juno.com

Don’t include your article in the body of a message. Save it as “.doc” (MS Word or WordPad) or “.rtf” (rich text format) and send it as an attachment to the message. If you prefer not to be identified, just ask Faye to withhold your name. You really CAN help!

As outlined elsewhere in this newsletter, ICON’S March 2006 program will be an all day affair with lots of activities, requiring many hands and lots of help to accomplish. Volunteers will be needed for many things, including:

• Bakers (Lots of brownies, cookies, etc)
• Greeters (Greet and steer guests, hand out programs. etc)
• PC Nurses (Sign-in ailing PCs for diagnosis and treatment)
• PC Doctors (Diagnose and prescribe treatment for malware, viruses, etc)
• Operators/demonstrators of older computer formats (Evolution of Technology Timeline)
• Tech Support/Help Desk staff (must speak English)
• Registrars for Presentations (sign-in and hand out tickets for drawings)
• Representatives to man ICON’S booth in main concourse (Hand out brochures/promote ICON)
• Refreshment managers/servers (make and serve coffee, etc)

To volunteer, and/or offer suggestions, please contact me at: terry@iconusersgroup.org

It will be very helpful to have several volunteers for each job so we can schedule numerous shifts. We don’t want anybody to be stuck in one spot all day, nor do we want anybody to miss a presentation or a workshop they want to attend.

Happy Computing,
Terry