If the unusually warm weather during January encouraged people to get out and attend ICON’s main meeting on the 21st, I’m very thankful for it. Attendance was better than I expected. There were several members I haven’t seen for awhile, one longtime member whom I had never met, and we gained a new member or two. Now that’s a successful meeting!

I apologize for my inept presentation of Microsoft’s Digital Image Suite. If you come back, I promise you won’t be disappointed. We have some great programs lined up in the coming months.

For the second year in a row, we held “Clean Out Your Closet” during the January meeting, and once again, it was a big success. We had several tables full of used (but still usable) software, hardware, and books. After everyone took what they wanted, I hauled away everything that was leftover, but carried out less than I brought in. That means lots of unneeded stuff found a new home!

On February 1 th, at Brentwood Library, Harold Hunton will share with us what he’s learned about the longevity of recordable CDs and the safety of our files when stored on them. When CD-Rs and RWs were introduced, all indications were that they would last forever, and that our data was safer when stored on them than on other media, however, that may not be true. Be sure to attend this meeting and learn how to minimize the risk of lost data due to failed discs.

The Library Center is the place to be on March 18th, when ICON will host the first annual March of Technology. We’ll reminisce over where technology has been, take a long, thoughtful look at where it is today, and a few glimpses into the future. We have put together a great lineup of exhibits, features, programs, speakers, and door prizes for this special event!

The programs and speakers are as follows:

• 8:45 – 9:30 a.m.Keynote Address
  The Importance and Value of User GroupMembership Roger Laurel Tesch – Assn. of Personal Computer User Groups
  
• 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.Windows or Linux
  Which operating system is right for you? Plus, a sneak peek at Vista, the next version of Windows!
  Mike Stief – Springfield College
  
• 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.Office Applications
  Value for the Home User
  
• 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.Wireless Networking and Security Secure your home network
  
• 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.Where Do We Go from Here? Technology’s Next Generation (Can you say Portable?) David Patillo – Springfield Greene County Library
  
• 3:00 – 4:15 p.m.Windows Media Center Edition
  Bridge to the Future
  Kent Ward – Ward Conciliation
  
• 4:15 – 5:00 p.m.Wrap-up and Closing Comments
  Roger Laurel Tesch – Assn. of Personal Computer User Groups

Exhibits and features of ICON’s “March of Technology” include: Trace the development of complex computational technology from the abacus to the present at the timeline exhibit, or bring an ailing computer to the PC Health Clinic for diagnosis and prescriptions to cure mal ware and viruses.

You’ll have a chance to meet local vendors who provide the technology products and services you need, and speak to representatives from some of the educational institutions who offer classes designed to help you improve your computing skills.

If you need help with a computing problem, stop by a tech support station for some personalized, one-on-one. The Computer Recycling Center will also be on hand to pick up our old computer equipment and share information about the importance of proper e-waste disposal. There is no charge for any equipment except monitors, but because they contain mercury (which must be reclaimed) there is a fee of $10.00 per monitor.

Numerous volunteers will be needed to accomplish everything required for a large scale event to be successful. Unfortunately that means that many of us may not get to attend all of the seminars we would like to. Please don’t let this discourage you from volunteering a little of your time. Everyone who wants to attend the 3:00 o’clock presentation with Kent Ward, and the 4:15 wrap-up with Roger Laurel Tesch will be free at that time.

I will be asking the other speakers and some of the vendors to be ICON’s guests at future meetings, and by hosting this event, our public exposure will increase dramatically, giving us an opportunity to meet more potential guest speakers and gain many new members as time goes on.

Very soon, on ICON’s web site, there will be a page devoted to all the details of the March event, including a sign-up form for volunteers.

In April, Mick Topping will present “Find it on the Internet”. Be sure to attend...and learn how to locate information about almost anything.

Be there,

Terry