26 March 2014

Another busy, busy afternoon at ComputerPals

I arrived at the Training Room just in time for the 1.15pm start of  President Deborah's short course Google Docs and Google Drive for management committee members, trainers and assistant trainers.

It's a very special
course because our club uses Google docs and drive extensively in a number of ways. Such as maintaining a waiting list for courses; to book people into courses each term; to share the agendas for member and committee meetings; and a number of administrative notes,events,contact list,etc.

So, it was no surprise that ten of us attended this important short course to learn how to effectively use this Google system that lives up in the clouds, and allows our management committee and others to collaborate on a document and give them edit, comment or view access.
Deborah's course finished at 3.30pm, but we didn't go home! 



Our smiling President had organised us as a committee to discuss increasing course fees and cutting down on expenses. Stay, she said!

Two hours later we had reached decisions that Deborah will refer to our Management Committee for decision.

Then we went home!

21 March 2014

,MARCH 2014 MEMBERS MEETING





Our computerpals club must be the happiest club in Australia, thanks to the funny and strange utube videos shown each month by John Hain,







Our Club President Deborah lost the plot
 a couple of times, but came good eventually
to present the Mug of the Month to Elizabeth.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,  
....................and to listen intently to this month's guest speaker Dustin Wilson of W3 Networks.
Dustin, who hails from Sydney, Canada. He is the founder of W3 Networks, and spoke about his experiences and setbacks in founding his fixed wireless internet services, and his intention to provide Parramatta and western Sydney with a fast and efficient wireless internet network.
Dustin's W3 Networks provide ParraConnect's free internet services, and is also our Club's internet service provider, by wireless. Dustin was happy to receive one of our club's mugs.
I really enjoyed the morning tea break, and I am sure Michael also enjoyed it, thanks to John Hain and his band of volunteers who carry out our course bookings and payments duties. Their efforts enable Michael and me to socialise with members, particularly new members - and to enjoy some coffee and cake...thanks all!
 Jon Bayley helped to answer member's questions in the Q & A segment........
........and Hazel was surrounded by her friends at the end of the meeting.

18 March 2014

NSW SENIORS WEEK EVENT "EVERTHING OLD is NEW AGAIN"


Our Parramatta Computer Pals for Seniors held a NSW Seniors Week "Everything Old is New Again" Event today at historic Parramatta Town Hall today.

Trainers Judy and Lilly talked about how scrapbooking has changed from manually made scrapbooks to scrapbooks that are now compiled and printed from a computer.
Volunteer Office Assistant Aileen was busy between sessions putting members onto the Waiting List for second term courses.
President and Trainer Deborah's session was about the evolution from early days slates to present day apple and android tablets.

Trainer Jon complemented his session with a display of his and his father's early day cameras and equipment.

Jon demonstrated how slideshows had developed into displaying your holiday, family history, etc photos in specially compiled and printed photobooks.
Other sessions by trainers Deborah and Michael showed how technology has transformed the way we do ordinary things like reading books by way of e-books and companies' accounting systems by spreadsheets.
Club member Jennie was very interested in Judy's scrapbooking and camera display.

Visitors, members and trainers enjoyed coffee and a chat in between information sessions.

07 March 2014

BACK TO COMPUTERPALS AFTER VANUATU CRUISE

On February 22nd I boarded Rhapsody of the Seas with my wife Josie and former DMT workmates Bob and Noel and their wives to cruise for 12 nights from Sydney to Vanuatu and return.

I arranged for volunteer Office Assistant Aileen to document and bank ourclub's incoming monies during my absence. Aileen has been assisting me with the documentation and banking for some time,

We returned home yesterday, and today I went to the office to collect the banking documents.

Aileen did a great job! She clearly documented, balanced and banked three lots of incoming monies....thanks Aileen for doing such a wonderful job while I was away!

PS. I am flying to Gold Coast next week. Can you help me out again, Aileen?

While in our office, I decided to check out our members' free Android Phone and Tablet Special Interest Group (SIG), being conducted by our President Deborah with the help of Jon and Michael.

A small group, for a change, but all very active and enquiring. Today's exercise was to learn how to attach a photo and share it with somebody. Deborah and Jon had their hands full, as android phones and tablets come with setups that are all different.

Our android phone and tablet SIGs are held on Friday afternoon, once a month. The next is 1.15pm to 3.30pm Friday 7th March. SIGs are restricted to financial members only, and need access to a Android tablet or mobile phone.