The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group In the Hot Seat Dave Botherway daveb@melbpc.org.au |
 |
We are in exciting times and once again it is my pleasure to update you on
changes to our Group; changes that we believe will be of value to the majority
of members. Whereas in previous months we could only hint at these changes, your
Management Committee (ManCom) has now been able to bring some of these
activities to fruition.
Dorcas Street Relocation
In April PC Update I outlined some of the problems with our existing Dorcas
Street premises, and that as the lease expires soon, ManCom has been looking for
an alternate location. The search is now nearing finalisation - where we have
agreed in principle to relocate to premises within the
Chadstone Shopping Centre.
The site is Level 2, Chadstone Place - on the Eastern side opposite the BiLo
Supermarket.
See:
http://www.melbpc.org.au/chadstone/Centre1.jpg - 140kB
and
http://www.melbpc.org.au/chadstone/Outside.jpg - 160kB
Initial criticism queried public transport access - but with the Chadstone
Centre being a bus hub by day, and with buses running nearby on Warrigal Road
until 11.30 pm, some of those concerns are addressed. We are conscious that the
location disadvantages some of our Western and Northern members, and to
compensate we have been expanding the SIG equipment and meetings in those areas.
The thrust of the Chadstone location is to provide greatly expanded facilities,
to have disabled access and appropriate parking at the times needed. Having the
additional areas, we can then expand the number and types of activities and
services for members. The Building subcommittee is now working with architects
on the layout, with a preliminary mud-map design as shown. (see
http://www.melbpc.org.au/chadstone/ChaddyDraft5.pdf - 220k)
The concept is now being reviewed by our lawyers and regulatory bodies, such
that a final decision can be taken by end-June. All going well, fit-out would
start in July towards our occupancy in late September.
Internet Subscription Reduction
Last month I detailed the planned relocation of our Internet servers from Dorcas
Street into a more robust specialist location in Burnley. This will be happening
in late August, where being co-located with an Internet backbone, total costs
will be lower. ManCom has therefore reviewed our subscriptions and decided to
reduce the annual Internet subscription rate from $140 to $120, effective from 1
July.
We are now updating the various places that mention the older $140 - either by
reprinting or in some cases, manual overwrite. I mentioned this impending change
at the June Monthly Meeting, and was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming
acceptance. Previously we had focused on more service: this time we focused on
less cost.
Melb PC ADSL Offering
In last month's issue, we detailed our new service - ADSL via an agency
arrangement with WestNet. Provided that members nominate Melb PC as their agent
on the application forms, we will be able to provide additional services above
that which WestNet offers, including retaining your existing Melb PC e-mail
addresses and Web space.
Interest in this offering has been high, and although there are other ISPs
offering seemingly lower rates (maybe for longer fixed periods or lesser
Megabyte allowances), the key factor for our members seems to be the ability to
retain their existing Melb PC e-mail address and Web space. See the group's Home
Page for further details.
Office Staff Changes
After eleven years with us as our fearless Office Leader, Tracy Swan had
decided to leave for "greener pastures". During the six years that I have been
on the committee, Tracy has been a guiding light for me and we will miss her
assistance and advice. Thank you Tracy.
With other stalwarts Margaret Greer and Kerry Williams also recently departed,
we will have a whole new team for the new location, and I welcome Katie Daly and
Karen Stevens to their new roles.
Monthly Meetings
Our July meeting will be in the Besen Centre, Burwood where the key topics will
be Quicken, PDF Factory and Fine Print. We had hoped our August meeting could
have been back at the North Melbourne Town hall (to give some NW / SE balance),
but it's unavailable. Just as we go to print, Bill Dair has finalised a booking
at University of Melbourne.
Reprinted from the July 2004 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
