The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group In the Hot Seat Dave Botherway daveb@melbpc.org.au |
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How time flies when you are having fun. It has been another busy month, with
plenty of activity promised over the next three months.
E-mail Updates
With so much happening it is important that we are able to keep members updated
rapidly. While PC Update magazine is delivered to all members, the monthly
publication cycle and the preceding production schedule mean that information is
needed nearly three weeks before an issue is delivered. As a computer group and
especially as an ISP, we are keen to selectively use e-mail for more effective
and timely communications, such as administrative messages re annual membership
renewals and broadcast messages re monthly meeting details and occasional
special hardware/software offers.
About 60% of members use Melb PC as their ISP, thus we already have the
appropriate e-mail details, including an opt-out option should members not wish
the group to e-mail them any broadcast material. Of the remaining 40% we
estimate at least half have a non-Melb PC e-mail address, so we have set up a
facility to record that detail. For those who have not already done so, I invite
you to submit your external e-mail address (and any later amendments) to the
following address so that we can keep you informed. Send a blank e-mail to
mailouts@melbpc.org.au with the message subject SUBSCRIBE.
Office Relocation
Work on our office relocation from Dorcas Street to the Chadstone Shopping
Centre is on track for mid-October, with SIG and Training sessions probably
relocating from 1 November. The specific position within the shopping centre
complex is shown in the diagram on this page.
Our area is on the second floor above the Banks and the Medical/Fitness Centre.
It is about twice the size of our existing office, which will enable some of the
larger external SIGs to relocate into that area and will provide space for a
number of new activities, such as computer gaming and a members network
workshop. Further information including parking and public transport details
will be in October and November PC Update.
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Annual General Meeting
A key component of the group's governance is the presentation of the Annual
Reports leading up to the Management Committee elections and our AGM in
November.
In this issue you will see our financial report for 2003/2004 showing a healthy
surplus. In fact too healthy, and your Committee has taken steps to correct the
emphasis. Firstly via expanded membership facilities (as will be available at
Chadstone), and secondly, via the recent reduction in Internet subscription. You
will also see in this issue the call for Committee nominations. Most of the
existing committee have indicated they will offer themselves for another year,
but we are keen to attract other nominations as part of the democratic process.
Page 28 contains the details and anyone seeking further information is welcome
to e-mail me at president@melbpc.org.au.
20th Anniversary
This year is the twentieth anniversary of our User Group founded by Lloyd
Borrett back in 1984. To celebrate the occasion, we will have some extra
articles in the December PC Update, and some special activities in conjunction
with the December main monthly meeting. Make a note now on your calendar for
Wednesday 1 December. Extra ideas of how we can celebrate the event are
welcomed.
September Monthly Meeting
For our next main meeting, we are at the Hawthorn campus of Melbourne University
Private, with plenty of free parking under the buildings (enter via rear
entrance off Robinson Road). Key topics will be Taming Tomorrow's Technology
from local magazine and TV personality Ms Megabyte, and discussion on issues for
X-rated PC/Video games. Note: The start time is 7.00 pm.
Reprinted from the September 2004 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
