October, 2001      Diablo Blue     Page 7

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Survey:  I managed to remember to compile the results of the survey from the general meeting where we asked the Members what they would like to see at those meetings. The final results are included elsewhere in this newsletter. Thanks again to the fifteen Member who cared enough to respond.

The highpoints of the survey are that the most popular topics are those revolving around new hardware and software: buying and upgrading both. The least favorite were Linux, Windows 98 and programming languages.

Ruminations:  We spent some time talking about spam (the email type, not the canned meat product), comparing notes on who gets the most of which type, and how to avoid it. Ron knew of some interesting software that lets you retaliate against the spammer, after a fashion. One program let’s you complain to the spammer’s true ISP, and another in essence let’s you spam the spammer with complaints. Both are available at www.lockergnome.com — search for “spam”.

We also discussed how to remove the “popcorn” from ceilings. After hearing the various theories and true stories, it became clear to me that there was only one way to effectively and painlessly remove the stuff: hire someone else to do it.

This topic led naturally to a discussion of asbestos: the hazards of working with it and removing it. And that of course led to a discussion to animal waste products. True stories were told of loads of manure being dumped in cars. But Ron’s story took the prize as he told of two women in a convertible stopping along side of a cattle truck in front of him at a traffic signal, just as nature called and a cow at the side of the truck adjacent to the convertible decided to relieve herself, right into the convertible. The woman couldn’t drive forward or backward, so she and her daughter got a very unwanted and unwelcome shower!

Nick treated us with a discussion of his new camera, which he had with him and was able to demonstrate. It’s a Sony DSC-S75 and is truly remarkable. The feature which intrigued me the most is the ability to take photos and take videos with sound. Nick made it look easy, but I know better. I’ve had a digital camera for nearly a year and still need to reference the 185 page user’s manual when I want to use the flash or erase the memory chip. But then I’m slow around technology…

DVPC Web Site Redesign:  Ron told the Board that around the middle of October he will be ready to start the redesign of our website. A kick-off meeting was scheduled for Saturday, October 13 at 10:00 a.m. at Alan’s home. The eight of you who responded in the survey that learning about web design would be “Excellent” or “Good” may wish to join us and learn and participate.