 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group CPU (Club President's Update) Stan Johnstone stanj@melbpc.org.au |
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One of the highlights of the past month was the additional monthly meeting on 22 April featuring Corel WordPerfect Suite 8 and CorelDRAW 8. Unfortunately this was a late addition to our program, with the suggestion coming from Corel on the day of the normal monthly meeting.
Corel was going to be in Melbourne, and offered to pay the expenses for the night. Much too late to announce in PC Update last month, I had to take a "straw poll" on the night of the monthly meeting and make a decision on the spot whether it would attract enough members.
With sufficient hands raised, we went ahead and arranged the night, but due to the short time available we were only able to announce this with posters in the office, on the BBS, and on the Internet home page.
My apologies to those who missed out, as Corel put on an excellent night to an enthusiastic audience. For all those sceptics who use other word-processors, WordPerfect still has a very strong following.
Shareware and the BBS
Last month I wrote about the great material available from the shareware library. One question that regularly comes up is why there is no correlation between the shareware library and the BBS.
Although many files exist in both sources, the main difference is that the shareware files are obtained from diligent work by the Webster family searching worldwide, whereas the BBS relies on files uploaded by members.
In the May issue of PC Update, there was a shareware review of 4DOS v6.01. This is the latest release of what I use when working in DOS mode and I thought here was the opportunity to update my registered version to the latest. But being lazy, in the first case I went to the BBS to obtain it quickly, only to find the latest version there was v6.00. So although the same files may be available on the BBS, you are more likely to find the latest files in the shareware library.
This resource continues to help members without modems, or those in more distant areas. Also, you will find them more reliable than those CD-ROMs that seem to be stuck to every commercial computer magazine on the newstands. Anyway, I'm happy - have the latest version of 4DOS, which my previous registration covered.
Thank you Websters - it's the only way to name them, as the whole family is responsible for bringing this service to you.
Information and advice
The Dial Help service provided by our volunteer members is simple: volunteers sharing their knowledge and experience with their fellow members. Only you can decide what action to take, based on the volunteer's understanding of the situation, the information that is shared, and your understanding of it.
Melb PC does not employ any technical experts to give advice to members. Information provided by volunteers is not covered, and must not be considered as being warranted or inferred as such under the Trade Practices Act, or similar act.
At first this may sound contrary to our theme of "Users helping Users". In fact it is the only thing that permits us to operate as a volunteer organisation.
This is not to devalue in any way the help our volunteers provide, simply a reminder that help provided by volunteers is given in good faith, with the best intentions, but without any warranty whatsoever.
A few plausible examples should clarify the situation and Melb PC's concern.
A Dial Help volunteer might provide information based on knowledge of a particular hardware or software configuration. If the system in question is not identical, acting on that information could make matters worse, create another problem or temporarily mask a bigger problem by taking care of one symptom but not the cause.
A member in a hurry to correct a problem, jots down some helpful member's thoughts on the cause of the problem. Later the information is misinterpreted, and the problem is made worse...
One member offers to help another with a hardware problem. Even if the information given is correct and the problem is fixed, just opening the system and working on the hardware can invalidate any warranties still in effect on the equipment.
There is also the possibility that some unfortunate action could cause the loss of data, possibly even subsequent loss of income or other serious consequence to the owner.
Although in each of these situations, the members in question are acting in good faith, none of them are acting on Melb PC's behalf or in any professional capacity. Melb PC does not take any responsibility for the outcome of the activity.
This is true whether the information comes from a Dial Help volunteer, SIG leader, PC Update author, member of the Committee, or the person sitting next to you at the monthly meeting.
Very few of Melb PC's volunteers are fully qualified in the appropriate field to work on other member's equipment. Those that are will probably have personal or professional indemnity insurance for their business activities, but this may not cover them in the course of their volunteer efforts.
For the most part, Melb PC's volunteers should be considered experienced amateurs. Many of us don't hesitate to tinker with our own equipment, even knowing that a minor change could have major implications. Causing a disaster on your own equipment is one thing, but when a third party helps you it's another story and it is tempting to look for someone to blame.
Although we could require a signed release from anyone receiving help, it would provide little protection to a member actually carrying out work on another member's equipment. It would also impose a large administrative load on every volunteer.
Each of us is responsible for remembering that Melb PC does not employ qualified technical staff to supervise its members. Any work done by any member based on information provided by a fellow member, or done by a fellow member, is done as a private agreement between the two parties.
The safest thing to do is always take it back to the vendor who supplied the product--he is the one who is responsible, and he has included this warranty in the price he charged you.
Library
How many of our members know we have a library where you can come and browse during the day? You can even borrow books and take them home for a short period.
Gloria Simos has taken over and is doing a wonderful job of re-organising the library, and we are currently purchasing some of the more popular titles to increase its coverage.
Prior to the move last year, there was a clean out and some old material, including software manuals, was removed. Unfortunately at the same time some reference books relating to "out-of-date" software and operating systems were also discarded. Following a clean out of libraries at the homes of George Dwyer and Trevor Andrew many of the books have been replaced, and we are grateful to these members. Major Keary continues to present some of the books he has been given for review.
We always welcome additions to the library, and if they unable to be used, we promise to find them a good home.
Internet matters
My apologies for writing the wrong phone number for the Intranet access in last month's PC Update. With the different exchange prefixes I am always getting myself confused, and as most now know it should be (03) 9690 5644. This additional, untimed access is proving very popular, and depending on the speed with which Telstra can act, there will soon be an additional ten lines added to this group.
Some years ago the Internet renewals all became due in March, and although this has now been changed, almost 50 per cent of our renewals fall due in this one month. The March renewal rate was 90 per cent - a truly remarkable result in these days when many employers are now providing accounts for their employees on commercial providers. We are also subscribing to a US service that monitors and reports on our service. As a result we know we are providing a service much better than the average, so we must be doing something right!
Orientation Day
The monthly opportunity to come and see what goes on at Melb PC will be held on Saturday 6 June 1998 starting as usual at 10 am at 27 Dorcas Street, South Melbourne.
Please ring the office on (03) 9699 6222 to make a booking purely so we can ensure we can accommodate the numbers interested. As usual, there is the open invitation to bring a friend who may be interested.
Reprinted from the June 1998 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
