July 6, 2010

Topic:

Ed Congleton will continue his Novice program on Word 2003/2007 showing (1) the use of 'styles' in different parts of a document and (2) different kinds of document structures.  For the main program he will show how Excel 2003 or 2007 can be used to manage one's financial assets. This will include a number of advanced Excel functions and macros. His sample workbook can be made available to FCUG members.

May 4, 2010

Topic: “Technology Continues to Transform Real Estate”

The momentum continues and it isn't just about web sites, although there are many that now display real estate listings. It's also smart phones, virtual tours, email marketing, mapping, transaction management systems and statistical databases.

Ed Fitzgerald, internet marketing specialist at Coldwell Banker’s Westport Riverside office, will talk about the technology he works with on a daily basis, show us some examples and give us his perspective on what is important and where things are heading.    

April 6, 2010

“Computer in a Pen - Pulse Pen by Livescribe” - Ed Hicks, owner of Orienteering Unlimited, Inc.

The Pulse Pen is a computer that is build into a pen. It has the ability to capture the written word along with audio. The information can then be replayed, searched, transferred to a Word or PDF document and also shared on the Web. It is handy for creating written documents, taking notes, recording meetings, lectures and     

What makes the Pulse Smartpen, smart? It has an infrared camera at the tip that tracks everything you write or draw, and a built-in microphone that records crisp clear sound. Inside is a computer that remembers everything you write, draw and hear. You can play back what you recorded through the built-in speakers or headphones.

Since its launch in April 2008, the Pulse smartpen has won multiple awards, including Popular Science’s Best of What’s New 2008, Popular Mechanic’s 2008 Breakthrough Award, and MacWorld’s Best of Show in 2009.

Ed Hicks, owner of Orienteering Unlimited, Inc. lives in Somers, NY, and is a retired NY State science teacher who pioneered the outdoor education and computer programs in his school district in the 70’s,  80’s and early 90’s. Since founding Orienteering Unlimited in 1979, he has lead Map Adventure programs with countless schools, camps, and youth groups, staff trainings and corporation and has produced over 100 orienteering-quality maps of state parks, camps, school grounds, conference and nature centers.

Ed’s other passion is computers and technology. He introduced computers to his Middle school students beginning in the late 1970’s. He was a member of FCUG at its inception and is also a member of DACS and WPCUG computer clubs. Over the past 30 years he has present a variety of program about computer hardware and software for these clubs and other organizations. Many have referred to Ed as a person ahead of the times. After seeing his presentation you will know why.

“Slide and Negative Scanning” - Ed Congleton, Treasurer of FCUG
 
Following the Pulse Pen presentation, Ed Congleton, a longtime member who frequently presents computer programs to organizations, will describe and demonstrate a relatively inexpensive Slide and Negative Scanner product. Ed will show how it can convert 35mm slides or negatives to high quality digital files in a very simple manner.

Flat bed scanners, often using attachments, have been available for a long time. The quality of this method and the time required has not been considered acceptable by many users. High priced quality scanners, which often cost over a thousand dollars, do a first class job as do commercial services, but these can be expensive. 

If you have a collection of slides of your children or of past vacations and trips, you won't want to miss Ed's presentation.

March 2, 2010

Gabriel Maccio, Staples Easy Tech Specialist spoke about Windows 7 and demonstrated the HP web enabled printer, a netbook, and a network backup hard drive.

February 2, 2010

The main topic was "Advances in Genealogy, Family Tree Maker Software" by Lenny Bloom and the novice topic is the Kindle reader by Roger Giler

January 5, 2010

“The Technology Resolutions You Should Make for 2010” presented by Bill Hart, Editor of the FCUG Voice

December meeting, 12/1/2009, New Canaan Library, Lamb Room on the lower level, 7 to 9PM

Topic: "A Cornucopia of Holiday Themed Websites and
Some other Techy-Type Items Pertaining to this Time of Year."

Presented by Bea Mull, FCUG Secretary.

At our December 1st  meeting, we took a look at a cornucopia of holiday season themed websites and other tech-type items pertaining to this time of year. The sites might be just for fun (games and entertainment) or useful (shopping, travel deals, recipes), or both. Attendees are invited to share a site they have come across that might be of interest to the group. Also planned are door-prizes and special holiday treats for our refreshment break. The tech-type items might include the hot new products on the market this holiday season.

November 2009

Great turnout at our November meeting at the Westport Library.

Main topic: "The Computers in Your Car"

Jay Ostreicher of J&J Car Care Center in Westport (Westport Getty)
talked about how he uses the computer in your car to diagnose problems.

October 6, 2009

Windows 7: An Introduction

It was a full house at our October meeting (60 attendees)!
Richard Frisch, owner of RHFTech, www.RHFTech.com, talked about his experiences with the early releases of
WIndows 7 and had great things to say about it.

Windows 7 has major enhancements for both businesses and individuals. Windows 7 replaces Windows XP and Vista. Microsoft publicly begins selling Windows 7 on October 22, 2009.  Computer experts, including Mac fans, think that Windows 7 is the best operating system Microsoft has ever produced. Come to the meeting and find out why.

Richard H. Frisch, who has been using Windows 7 for almost a year, will demonstrate what is new and exciting in Microsoft's newest client operating system. You will also get a peak at Microsoft Office 2010. He will help you decide whether or not to upgrade your computers.

Mr. Frisch, of Weston, is the founder of RHFtech, and provides technology support for small businesses and residences. He is a member of the Microsoft Partner Network. He is a technology journalist, writing The RHFtech Help Desk, for The Hour (Norwalk), Stamford Times and Wilton Villager papers. He writes more frequently about technology on his blog the RHFtech Help Desk (and more) http://rhftech.com/blog/.

September 1, 2009

Update: Wireless Networking for Home & Home Office

Gabriel Maccio, Staples EasyTech Network Technology Specialist, updated us on the latest technology available in wireless networking for your home and home office. 

His presentation includeed: a brief introduction to Wireless Networking; what is new in terms of speed, routers, & features; and how to secure your wireless network.  He touched on the question: does Windows 7 offer us anything new. 

Roger Giler presented our Novice program called “Free Investment Tools”. Emphasis was on a small and simple program that he has used for many years called NetStocks. Most of us got involved in computing for a specific purpose… Roger’s was to use the power of the computer as a money making tool in the stock market. He reviewed the technical aspects of the program, and its potential use for those at all levels of computer knowhow.

July 28, 2009

Our joint meeting with the CTPC at Norwalk Hospital on July 28 was a huge success. Almost 60 people were in attendance. It is certainly impressive how the hospital is implementing the latest technology to increase patient care and improve overall operations.

"Instant Access to Patient Records; How It’s Done at Norwalk Hospital"

Can you imagine a world without Email, cell phones and the Internet? Modern technology gives us up to minute access to information that affects our lives. Sometimes that access can be a matter of life and death! Norwalk Hospital, one of the premier Hospitals in Fairfield County, is constantly updating equipment and procedures to help save lives.

David Casceillo, Director, Client Support in the IT Dept. will review steps being taken to implement Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems in order to improve patient care.

He will show how physicians and other Hospital personnel use computers for instant access to patient records when time is of the essence.

He will also discuss the benefits of electronic medical records vs. hand written charts. In addition, we will also get a tour and a briefing of the server facilities in the IT Dept.

July 7, 2009

"Introduction to Social Networking using LinkedIn, FaceBook and Twitter ”

Have you heard about LinkedIn, Facebook  and Twitter and wondered what they are all about? Have you received email invitations to join but been hesitant to say yes? Are you curious as to how others are using them? Do you wonder if they would be of value to you if you knew more?

Ed Fitzgerald gave us an introduction to Social Networking on the Web using LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook and will answer these questions and more. He explained what they are, how they can be of value and what you can do to get started.

Ed is a marketing and technology specialist who helps businesses market themselves and their products on the Web. His clients include Coldwell Banker, agents in their Westport Riverside office and a number of small businesses. He has a broad background in information technology and had been involved with the Internet since the early days. He is also the President of the Fairfield County Computer Users Group. An informative evening is expected. All are welcome to attend.

Ed Congleton, one of FCUG’s founding father’s, presented July’s Novice Program, showing us in a simplified way, how to use POWERPOINT to prepare presentations and have some fun with the application.

June 2, 2009

"Optical Character Recognition using TopOCR"

TopOcr is a free optical character recognition program that supports multiple text output formats including searchable PDF and HTML, as well as a Text To Speech Interface. There are no page limits or extra components needed.  TopOCR supports a wide variety of cameras and smartphones with it's powerful easy to use Image Processing System, and can handle images with mixed text and graphics.  It can handle up to 11 languages.

Our speaker was Joe Franzino, Co-founder and Past President of the Heritage Village Computer Club as well as Past Editor of club’s newsletter, “The Soundboard,” Life Member, Board Member, and 1996 to Present-Program Director and Instructor from.  One-on-one Program-2009 - Instruct computer club members in their home.

Joe’s career included positions from computer operator, programmer and systems analyst with the following firms including Milton H. Friedberg Accounting, Sikorsky Aircraft and Service Merchandise.  Managed The Bridgeport, CT Brass Company’s and The Singer Company’s N.Y. Corporate Computer Departments.

He is a  graduate of the University of Bridgeport and attended IBM management training, computer programming, and systems design and analysis courses.

May 5, 2009

Magical Maps! How Cartography is Evolving into Digital Mapping

Ed Hicks, a map reading evangelist and owner of “Orienteering Unlimited, Inc”,  (www.orienteeringunlimited.com) was our featured speaker. His presentation took us through the history of maps, map making, navigational tools from pre-historic times to our digital world of online maps and GPS devices.

Ed explored how cartography tools has evolved, showing the various tools, methods and materials used in modern cartography, the many sources of information including aerial and satellite photos, existing maps, manually collected data (with and without GPS's), and other sophisticated electronic surveillance methods. He discussed the use of CAD (Computer Assisted Design) and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in map making.

Ed used two applications, OCAD (www.ocad.com) and Global Mapper  (www.globalmapper.com ), to draw maps drew maps of all types quickly and easily, using a variety of input sources, and outputting to various file types, including PDF. Ed also explained 6 basic navigation techniques that can be readily applied every time you have a need to navigate with a map.

Mr. Hicks is a retired New York State science teacher who pioneered the outdoor education and computer programs for his school district from the 70’s through early 90’s. Since founding Orienteering Unlimited in 1979, Ed has lead Map Adventure programs with countless schools, camps, youth groups, corporations, and teaches two 3-credit graduate courses on the subject. He has produced over 100 orienteering-quality maps of state parks, camps, and conference centers and educational campuses.

April 7, 2009

"Technology Abounds at the New Canaan Library"

Alice Knapp, Library Director, and Jeff Zaino, Systems Librarian, did a wonderful presentation introducing us to the many digital tools and services currently available as well as a look at their future initiatives designed to keep the library in the forefront of technology.

From fiber-optic high speed Internet,  building-wide wireless access and the latest MS Office software to podcasts, downloadable audio books, RSS feeds and research databases, the Library offers a vast array of technology to the New Canaan Community.

We discovered what makes the New Canaan Library a vibrant hub of activity and learn how they are using Web 2.0 technologies to deliver quality service to the community.

There was much more that we heard about than we expected. Turnout for the meeting was very good and reaction to the presentations were very positive.

Here's a link to the library web site for those who are interested.

www.newcanaanlibrary.org

March 3, 2009

FCUG member Bill Hart talked about his experience with ZoomWare, a screen magnifier designed for those who squint at the computer screen and lean in to read the fine print. ZoomWare provides a gentle boost of magnification (up to 2 times) so that hard to read text is larger, clearer and easier to see. www.getzoomware.com

The Q and A session was led by Art Bettauer.

FCUG member Ed Congleton talked about his experience with SnagIt, software that lets you capture anything you see on the screen, edit and combine those captures, share them via your favorite applications, organize and find them again later. www.techsmith.com

Unfortunately, the December 2008, January and February 2009 meetings were cancelled due to either a meeting room conflict or the weather. Looking forward to the Spring!

November 4, 2008

The topic was "Trends in Intellectual Property Law". Jeffrey A. Schwab was the guest speaker.

Mr. Schwab is a founding member of Abelman, Frayne & Schwab, founded in 1980, that has grown and established itself as a leading firm specializing in the protection and enforcement of all forms of intellectual property in the United States and throughout the world.

He is a patent attorney specializing in intellectual property litigation, licensing, Alternative Dispute Resolution (�ADR�) and advertising law. Mr. Schwab has written various articles on intellectual property licensing and has been a guest lecturer on intellectual property protection at major corporations, universities and bar associations. He was Chairman of the New York Intellectual Property Law Association subcommittee on ADR and has been lead counsel in a number of jury cases resulting in multi-million dollar awards for the Firm's clients.