CPU (Club President's Report)

Last month I finished this column by saying that long-term planning was difficult in confusing times. Well, it appears we have settled one problem that does influence a host of others, fortunately all in a positive manner.

We are moving - probably

Our lease at Albert Road is due to expire in November 1997. The current owner is not prepared to renew our lease as he is keen to sell each area under strata title. With an asking price in excess of $500,000, it is obviously beyond our means to make a purchase of this size, particularly in a building that has little potential as an investment.

We engaged a valuer to report on the existing premises, and he considered the price to be excessive and commented on the condition of the building services. As part-owners, we would have to find the necessary finance for any replacement of equipment or services.

As a result, we have been looking around for other suitable premises located in the near area, which provides the most convenient access for the majority of our members. Why else would they locate the casino so close nearby?

When writing this (in the first week of May), we believe we have found the right building and are currently negotiating with the owner. With an increased floor area of 30 per cent it is also better proportioned for our use, it has the opportunity to secure various areas for out-of-hours usage, and offers a degree of flexibility we lack at present.

As nothing has been finalised, there is little more that I can report at this time, however by next month we should be in the position to fill you in on the details. It comes at a time when we are looking at increasing Internet and BBS links, and it will provide us with the opportunity to create improved facilities for our members.

Now with the bit between our teeth, personally I can hardly wait to move.

Office activities

We are pleased to welcome Margaret Greer to the office team to replace Tom DeLosa. The spontaneous applause given to Tom by the audience at the May monthly meeting demonstrated the recognition of his valuable work during the time he has been with us. Tom stayed well beyond the date of his resignation to help Margaret settle in - that's the type of guy he is.

Meanwhile Tracy Swan has already started making lists of things to be done in the build-up to our relocation. Fortunately with the contacts she has developed, my life is made easier by being able to say "Right, you do that!"

SIGs

VP Morris Tobias, Ken Smith (convenor) and Stan Johnstone at the May meeting of the Ballarat SIG

Morris Tobias and I visited the Ballarat SIG at their May meeting where Morris gave a presentation on PartitionMagic.

Convenor Ken Smith gave us a warm welcome. Unfortunately the welcome must have been so like the one we received at Bendigo that every time I intended to say "Ballarat", out came the word "Bendigo". My embarrassment was very obvious to all. My apologies to the members at Ballarat, or should I say to the members at Bendigo?

After visiting both these country SIGs and seeing the wonderful job their convenors are doing, (and I am sure it is the same down in Warragul), it is disappointing that we cannot serve more members with the same opportunity to meet together in other areas of Victoria.

It is not possible to do this remotely from Melbourne. However it requires someone to collect the signature of only twelve members to start a new SIG. Melb PC will then do all we can to assist with mailouts to members in the relevant areas, pay hiring fees and other costs, etc, to help with the start. It needs just one person in the area to start it all off - is that someone you? Please contact me if you would like to become involved.

Dial help

One of our strengths continues to come from the valued band of volunteers who continue to assist with this work. That list printed on the back of the mailing sheet each month should not be thrown away - you never know when you might need it.

While visiting Ballarat, the question was raised whether e-mail queries could be handled to assist members with Internet access who are burdened by STD phone charges. This makes good sense, and I have created an address: dialhelp@melbpc.org.au which I will administer initially and endeavour to pass the query on to someone with an e-mail address and the necessary skills.

Probably later on we can amend our printed listing to include e-mail addresses However I am currently concerned that the listings are not as up-to-date as was promised to me, and I hope this will be remedied shortly.

So while on the subject, may I ask for any member who would be prepared to help with answering queries by e-mail to contact me and outline the areas they can assist. Going one step further, if you are prepared to help with phone queries and have your name published in the Dial help listing, please let me know. I am sure you will not find the task burdensome, and it will be rewarding.

John Morris continues to be a problem to me. Whatever I ask for something to be done he is usually the first to put his hand up. John has been fielding Internet phone queries for almost two years now, invariably on his own. E-mailed cries for help continue to handled by myself, but leaving all the phone queries to John cannot be allowed to continue.

We need at least two more volunteers who can provide assistance purely to help new Internet users get connected - after that, user are on their own or are ideal candidates for attending an Internet training course. At least one member who can take daytime calls is necessary. All you need is (a lot of) patience and tact, and just e-mailing me your willingness to help will prove you have sufficient skills necessary for the task. Because it is often necessary to return calls or to make additional dial-ups, full reimbursement will be made for all recorded acceptable expenses.

Home visiting

This has been at the back of my mind for quite a while now, ever since it was first suggested to me by a respected long-time member. Sorry - we don't have anyone to do your washing and ironing.

From my own experience where I have visited members with computer problems, I know that we have many members who are not able to get out to meetings due to age, or minor health problems such as hearing. To many of these members, using their computer provides an opportunity and means to maintain their interest in a variety of fields, and contributes to their quality of life.

Some get lonely, some have started using a computer late in life and just need to draw on the knowledge and experience of someone who knows a little bit more than they do. In the past I have asked and introduced some members in this manner with very pleasing results. It appears to me a small thing that many retired members may like to be involved in a quiet way of "Users Helping Users."

This is something new for Melb PC. I don't know if it will work, but I believe it is worth a try. If you would like to write to me as a "visitor" or "visitee", I will see what can be done to start this going. It is an activity that should be of benefit and rewarding to both parties. Can you help?

Introducing new members

The committee discussed and plan to implement the idea of rewarding members who introduce a new full member with credit of one month to your subscription for every new member you introduce. Although the final details are not complete, and the application form is delayed pending our new address, if any new member adds to the bottom of the form "Introduced by Bill Smith, #12345," Bill Smith will have one month's subscription credited to his renewal date.

This incentive will apply to all members including volunteers at Swap Meets, etc, but will exclude committee members. A limit of twelve "credits" in any one year will apply. We hope members will be encouraged to recommend Melb PC to their friends, relatives and workmates, who you believe would also benefit by Melb PC membership.

Unfortunately, we anticipate there will be some who will try to take advantage of this system in some way or other. If this happens, the selfishness of a few will spoil the proposal for all of you. I would like to think this will not happen.

Orientation days

These continue to be a success, and I enjoy meeting members who I have only known as an e-mail address or as a voice on the phone.

Almost half the attendees are members who have been around for some years, and it is rewarding to introduce them to some of the group benefits they had not used in the past. Question times are becoming longer, and there is becoming a much greater awareness by less active members of the full benefits of Melb PC.

Naturally all members are welcome. The next of these days will be Saturday 14 June 1997 for a free two-hour session starting at 10.00 am. Please call the office on (03) 9699 6222 to make a booking.

Seminar nights

These three-hour seminar training sessions also attract large numbers. The one planned for Friday 20 June 1997 starting at 6.30 pm has the title "Internet Tricks 'n Tips for New Users." This topic is expected to draw a lot of interest, so an early booking to the office on (03) 9699 6222 is essential. At a cost of $15.00 it is an absolute bargain!

The training committee is always keen to introduce new topics to meet any need. We have set up an e-mail address at training@melbpc.org.au for you to post your recommendations. If you prefer to write, address it to the Training Co-ordinator, Melbourne PC User Group, PO Box 283, South Melbourne, 3205.

Onwards to next month

Hopefully next month we will have more definite news and a program for the planning and relocation to the new office.

A lot of work will need to be done over the next months involving many people, and possibly cause some short periods of interruption to services. It is a major step we are taking, and I know and trust you will bear with us.

Reprinted from the June 1997 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia