July 2007

 

Celebrate Independence

by Cheryl Marshman, Editor

Independence Day is here and I wonder how many of us think about what it means. Of course the traditional meaning is to celebrate the independence of our great country, the United States of America. In a less traditional way though, we should also celebrate our independence as individuals.

Independence can be the emerging state of a nation to be free but can also be the emergence and freedom of an individual. As children, we emerge and become more independent when we start to walk and talk, again when we become teenagers and start to think on our own, and yet again when we become adults and become independent and free to live our own lives.

In fact we keep emerging, becoming independent, in different ways throughout our lives. As older adults in this age of computers, many of us are emerging into the world of technology, by becoming computer literate, which can lead to a new kind of independence.

Computers open up a whole new world. As we become computer literate and hone our computer skills we emerge into new ways to shop, communicate with others, find information, and so much more. It truly is something to celebrate.

Like taking those first steps as a baby or moving out into the world on your own for the first time, entering into the world of computers can be a bit scary.

The classes at GCCLC are small and taught by friendly, knowledgeable instructors and coaches. We hope our classes take some of the fear out of learning to use a computer.

Sometimes taking that first step toward independence is the hardest. I have heard students say, once they have taken a class, that they wonder why they didn’t do it sooner.

If you are thinking about learning how to use a computer, don’t wait any longer. Registration for GCCLC fall classes begins in August with classes starting in September. For more on this, see Announcements on page 6.

Have a Happy Independence Day! Celebrate the freedom and Independence of the USA and celebrate your freedom as an independent individual.

A Closer Look at GCCLC Income and Expenses

by Bob Reeves, Director

Now that we’ve formed our corporation and are in the process of filing for non-profit status with the IRS, it might be interesting to take a look at our income and expenses.

Nearly all of our income is from fees the students pay to attend classes.  We receive some income from Workshops and Seminars and donations from individuals and User Group attendees.  We try to keep the lounge filled with some activity at all times.  In 2006 our gross income was $18,714.

As you may know we charge $30 per student for a four week class and $60 for an 8 week class. We attempt to keep our class fees as low as possible in order to accommodate everyone who would like to take a class.  We are moving away from eight-week classes because we find that students, instructors, and coaches do not like to commit to two months at a stretch. 

The pie chart shows how our 2006 income of $18,714 was used.

The use of the lounge is $750 per month or $9,000 annually.  Classroom supplies cover everything from manuals to binders to laser pointers.  Advertising covers all the items we have to pay for to let potential students know about our classes such as brochures, bulletins, and mailings.  Equipment costs include the actual amount spent to replace hardware, software, and furniture.  An Equipment Reserve is established to accumulate funds from year to year to purchase projectors, monitors, software, furniture and computers.

We will soon need to buy 8 new computers with Windows Vista, at a projected cost of $500 each or $4,000.  Already in 2007 we have purchased a dual boot XP and Vista computer.  By having a dual boot capability, the computer can serve as an instructor’s computer with XP and at times volunteers can use it to become acquainted with Vista.

A General Reserve is set aside because it makes good business sense to spend less than your income.  The General Reserve will be needed for unknown contingencies that will certainly arise. 

I thank you for volunteering.  Without your effort we could not conduct our classes and serve the students in Nevada County.

GCCLC Tech Update:  Vista

by Roger Thornburn

If you're thinking of purchasing a new PC, you've probably already found that most stores are now only selling PCs with the new Microsoft Vista operating system. This new operating system provides an exciting new visual interface as well as some significant new security features. As always, there is a small price to pay for these extra features, and in this case it is that most applications seem to run around 20% slower than they did on Windows XP. Most of the security and networking improvements are significant for corporate users, but are less relevant to the average home user.

If you are planning to buy a new computer ready loaded with Vista, and you'd like to use your existing peripherals such as printers and scanners, then it might be good to check with your supplier that they can provide the necessary drivers to make these peripherals work with your new computer. Many of the manufacturers of older peripherals (>2 years) are not developing drivers to make them work with Vista.

If you are thinking of upgrading your existing computer to Windows Vista, then you need to make sure that your computer is no more than a year old, and even then, you might want to check first that it can be upgraded. For those of us that continue to be very happy with Windows XP, Microsoft has said that they will continue to sell this operating system until early next year, with support for many more years, and HP, Gateway, Compaq, Dell, and TigerDirect are still selling new computers preinstalled with Windows XP.

Although GCCLC is not planning to replace the existing computers in the learning center soon, we have purchased a new computer that will have both Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems installed. This new computer will serve double duty. Currently, as part of the teaching process, one of the computers used by the students is connected to the projector. Sometimes however, this can put an extra burden on that student and distract them from the best learning experience. The new computer will be the one connected to the projector and used by the instructor for demonstrating steps in the class.

When started in the Vista mode, instructors will be able to get familiar with and learn about this new operating system. As our instructors become more competent and experienced in the use of Vista, with the similarities and differences to Windows XP, they will be better able to help answer questions from students who have purchased new computers with the Vista operating system.

In the longer-term, GCCLC plans to have the entire classroom replaced with computers that will have both Windows Vista and Windows XP allowing us to teach classes with both operating systems.

Volunteer Forum

Volunteer Spotlight

 Howard Klein

GCCLC is fortunate to have Howard Kein as a volunteer since 2001.  Howard volunteers as a coach and instructor and for the past 2 years he has been refurbishing computers for GCCLC students that need a computer.  Howard gets donated computers from others or occasionally from businesses that no longer need them.  He spends time replacing parts as needed and getting the computers in good working condition.  Students that need a computer can get one from Howard free of charge.  When they are finally able to purchase a computer, they give it back to be passed on to another student.

Howard has a background working in the aerospace industry so he’s no stranger to technology.  Howard taught University level electrical engineering in the days of vacuum tubes, and worked in Houston on the Apollo 11 and 12 missions.  During his time on the Apollo missions, Howard worked on software specifications and helped train astronauts on Apollo guidance systems procedures.  What a thrill to actually meet and work with some of the astronauts and to occasionally just pass a famous astronaut like John Glenn in the course of a day!

Besides his volunteer work with GCCLC, Howard also volunteers his time with AARP Tax Aide and Music in the Mountains.  When he’s not volunteering he spends time camping, sailing, and is an avid pilot.  In his younger days Howard also enjoyed doing some parachute jumping and talked about a close call he once had when his parachute didn’t open and he had to resort to using his reserve chute.  It’s a wonder he continued flying after that close call!  Today, Howard’s flying is mostly day trips with the family, although he and his wife returned last month from flying themselves to Florida.  He keeps a plane at the Grass Valley airport and his hanger does double duty.  Besides housing his plane it’s also a great place to keep all those computers that need refurbishing as well as the spare parts.

If you have a computer you would like to donate to Howard’s refurbishment program or if you are a student in need of a computer, give Howard a call at 271-2252 or email him at hkleintheunion.net.

Patti McClure

Over the past year Patti McClure has been an active volunteer with GCCLC.  Patti started out as a coach and then added instructor to her GCCLC activities.  Patti is a native Californian having grown up in Auburn.  When she moved to Grass Valley 3 ½ years ago she was looking for a volunteer activity to add to her list and became involved with GCCLC.

Her computer skills are self-taught during the time she spent working as an office manager and church administrator.  Patti knows first hand how difficult it can be to learn computer skills on your own and really enjoys helping students through coaching and instruction.  She likes it when a student “gets it” and can do what they’ve learned, thus experiencing a sense of accomplishment.  Patti is also active with her church and with Meals on Wheels.  Her philosophy on volunteering is that “it’s a level of service that puts you into a mode to receive.”

Patti and her husband Jim have been married for 27 years.  They have 2 dogs, 2 horses, and a cat.  In her past life, Patti spent 10 years as a reserve deputy for Placer County and was into competitive pistol shooting.  She also used to be an avid runner, competing in ultra-running events.  “Ultra” is a distance greater than a marathon.  The longest run she has completed is 52.4 miles.... all in one day!

Now, besides her volunteer activities, for the past 7 years Patti has been a member of a Sierra Gold Chorus, the local chapter of Sweet Adelines International (women’s barbershop).  She sings the baritone part and enjoys performing with them at the Nevada County Fair, annual Christmas Shows, and other venues in the area.

If you haven’t met Patti, you’ll know her by her bubbly personality and friendly demeanor.  She’s the little gal with the big personality!

Council Meeting Update

Monthly Meetings: Resolved that monthly meetings of the Council will occur at 2PM on the third Monday of each month

Fiscal Year: Resolved that the fiscal year for the Gold Country Computer Learning Center will be September 1 through August 31

Council Tenure: one year for Roger, Martha, and the vacant position; two years for Carol, Sallie and Sherrill; 3 years for Bob, Elinor and Ron.

Tech Support: A track ball has been purchased for students who have difficulty with a regular mouse. One CD Writer has been replaced because it was malfunctioning.  A bare bones computer with Vista will be purchased. This will be a dual boot and will be placed at the instructor station. This computer will be projected on the screen and Snow White will no longer be used for that purpose

Computer Humor

Have you heard about the Disney virus?
It makes everything on your computer go Goofy.

My grandkids love surfing the Web, and they keep track of their passwords by writing them on Post-it notes.  I noticed their Disney password was MickeyMinnieGoofyPluto, and so I asked why it was so long.  

   "Because," my grandson explained, "they say it has to have at least four characters.

Computer Proverbs

• Home is where you hang your @.
• The E-mail of the species is more deadly than the mail.
• A journey of a thousand sites begins with a single click.
• You can't teach a new mouse old clicks.
• C:\ is the root of all directories.
• Too many clicks spoil the browse.
• Don't byte off more than you can view.
• Fax is stranger than fiction.
• What boots up must come down.
• Windows will never cease.
• Know what to expect before you connect.
• Oh, what a tangled website we weave when first we practice.
• Speed thrills.
• Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him to use the Net and he won't bother you for week

A teacher asked one of her pupils, 'What's the nation's capital?'

The reply was, 'Washington DC'

On being asked what the 'DC' stood for, the pupil added, 'Dot com!'

A child was watching his mother sift through and delete a long list of junk E-mail on the computer screen.

"This reminds me of the Lord's Prayer," the child said.
"What do you mean?" the mother asked.
"You know, that part about 'deliver us from E-mail."

Computer Tips & Tricks

Tip to Save Trips

by Doug Worthy

To save yourself trips to the Post Office, check this website for dozens of possibilities: www.usps.com.  Unknown to many computer users there’s a plethora of options such as ordering stamps online, stopping your mail while on vacation, finding zip codes, changing mail delivery address, and computing postage for a package or piece of mail, just to name a few.

GCCLC Announcements

Using Lab Hours

by Doug Worthy

The free lab times that are offered for students is considered very beneficial and we have simplified the sign up procedure, but there are a few reminders that need to be mentioned.

Lab Monitors are graciously volunteering their time to assist in the lab and all who use it benefit greatly in their learning process. Recruiting volunteers for the lab is critical so it’s imperative to use our website for sign-ups and cancellations. If you intend to use only one hour and know this, please do not sign up for two hours. Sometimes a student will drop in with only a question or two and then leave after having reserved a computer for two hours. This may have prevented a student from using a computer believing all were reserved. This situation also causes more Lab Monitors to be assigned than necessary.

GCCLC has always encouraged student questions and we have many excellent instructors and coaches to assist. We try to assign only the required number of Lab Monitors for each lab day, so your cooperation and courtesy are important.

We understand that some students do not have a computer and some do not have Internet access, so your cancellation procedure will require you to tell a coach or instructor of your decision.

Thank you and we encourage you to continue using the lab.

Volunteer Opportunities

Marketing Director: GCCLC needs a Marketing Director to increase the community’s awareness of the organization and to market its product, namely computer instruction for seniors. The job duties will be to work with the community outlets; newspapers, radios, local merchants to get our name before the public.

Volunteers are the most important resource of GCCLC. It’s the volunteers who make the Learning Center a reality. Only a few hours a week can make a big difference, but you can get as involved as you like. No matter what your background and experience may be, there is a volunteer activity just waiting for you.

Instructors should have some knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, Internet, Windows, graphics, digital photography etc. All instruction manuals are provided. You only need to teach.

Coaches should have basic computer knowledge to assist the instructors and help students during classes.

Fall Class Registration

Registrar Carol Kuhwarth will be mailing the ‘goldenrod’ flyer with the fall class schedule sometime in July.  Also, look for an announcement in the Union Newspaper. 
Most classes will be offered multiple times during the fall session so the Computer Learning Center can meet the needs of as many students as possible

Computer Basics I is a class designed for those who have never used a computer or have limited computer skills.  The Computer Learning Center Classes range from computer basics through more advanced classes on Word Processing, the Internet, E-mail, Digital Photography, and Genealogy    The Computer Learning Center also offers hands-on Workshops and monthly User Group meetings.