The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Editorial David Jitts

New members of the PC Update team are usually welcomed in this Editorial with pride and enthusiasm. I must confess, however, that I have somewhat mixed feelings about the latest addition . Admittedly I have only just met him, but I have the uneasy feeling that he could be "mean and ornery". So if you encounter Johann Sebastian Bug in these pages, I suggest you spray him with Mortein lest he spring out of the print and into the system of your, computer. 

Speaking of welcoming people, John Drake has agreed to take on the role of Treasurer. John tells me that it was with some trepidation that he has assumed the task because the current state of the "books" leave a lot to be desired, particularly for the period before the election of Alan Barkauskas. Anyhow the Committee has agreed to use the services of a professional accountant, to work with John, and to lick the books into shape and set up some simple accounting procedures. 

Win one, loose one. Rumour has it that our irrepressible "I/O", alias Publicity Officer, alias Gordon Castle will submit his resignation at the next Committee meeting. Gordon will be sorely missed and we all hope he will continue to contribute to the Group. 

This will leave us one person short on the Committee, so how about YOU! Here is your big chance to serve your fellow members and even have a bit of enjoyment in the process. 

One of the "good works" to which I alluded in last month's edition was to run the computerised scoring for the Red Cross Murray River Marathon. As it transpired, our services were really not required since MICOM, who have done it in the past, have re-affirmed that they are ready, willing and able to continue the task. We wish them every success and stand willing to help as the event draws closer. But I see that El Presidente has taken over the Cymbals and Tambourines Dept., so I'll just spring onto another hobby horse. Melb PC should do something to support the burgeoning Australian computer industry. To this end, PC Update proposes to run a feature edition on our hardware/software industry. This will have the code name, "Land of OZ". So if you can write articles on the subject, or encourage some Australian manufacturer of hardware or software to submit a write-up on his product, please do so while the project is hot. 

There are two articles in this edition which have the same theme. Let's correlate information from members, by members and for members. This sort of thing must have a lot of scope. 

This edition sees the introduction of a new column called "SIG Signals". It is being introduced on a pilot run basis and may read a bit funny since it was entirely written by your Editor. If it gets off the ground, future items will be contributed by the individual SIG Co-ordinators which will, hopefully make more sense. 

Amidst all this Editorial business, I have to find time to rush off to a meeting of the Constitution Drafting Sub-Committee. The umpteenth and, hopefully, last draft is approaching finality and will shortly be put to the members. So if you have anything to say on the subject "Speak now or forever hold your piece" (what a terrible fate). Speak to David Owen, our Secretary, if you really have any constructive suggestions. Please don't wait till the meeting which will be held to vote on the new Constitution. Printing and distributing new drafts and calling fresh meetings is wasteful of Group's funds and is terribly frustrating to our SubCommittee. 

Way back in in the January Edition, Keith Lane put forward the concept of a member survey. Well a new business venture has blunted his enthusiasm a little but he has written an article for this edition and has prepared a Questionnaire which is in the yellow insert. Please respond to his call for a completed questionnaire or a telephone call. It won't take long but may help us to help you and others.
 
Reprinted from the March/April 1987 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia

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