A LAST UPDATE FROM THE FIELD?

MBUG November General Meeting
WEDNESDAY, November 8, 2017 – 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Hilltop Park Center
871 Jessie Street, Monterey
FREE to MBUG Members and the General Public

As we gather for what may well be the final official general meeting of MBUG-PC, we are fortunate to have one of our outstanding contributors return as the featured speaker. Mike Wecker, owner of Carmel Computers, will lead our discussion at the November general meeting to update us on common computer software and operating issues that are faced by users at all levels of experience, including preventing ransomware intrusion, using various backup techniques, and restoring from an “image” file.

Wecker has been a frequent speaker at MBUG and always provides a valuable and interesting question-and-answer session, presenting problems currently faced by his customers and discussing solutions and strategies. His open-ended approach allows audience members to give their input, so come prepared with your questions! If you want to present questions in advance for the meeting, contact Mike at mwecker@carmelcomputers.com.

Wecker has been operating Carmel Computers in Carmel Valley since April 1999, providing software and hardware sales and repairs and training. Prior to that, he worked with Linda Sandidge at Central Coast Computers in Carmel from 1997-1999, doing sales and tech work, and before that, he was the purchasing manager at PC People from 1994-1997. Always a person with many community activities, he is also the regular Drummer for Paper Wing Theatre.

Originally from Georgia, Mike has spent most of his life in Pacific Grove, Monterey, and Marina, and since 1999, in Cachagua in upper Carmel Valley.

TED TALKS AND MORE . . .

MBUG September General Meeting
WEDNESDAY, September 13, 2017 – 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Hilltop Park Center
871 Jessie Street, Monterey
FREE to MBUG Members and the General Public

Thoughts on Volunteering
We start the September 13 meeting with again welcoming Jordan Azevedo, Director of Operations and Programs at Loaves, Fishes, and Computers, and will meet Linda Segovia, LFC’s new Americorps VIP Fellow. They will discuss what LFC’s goals are in the community, what’s new at LFC, and provide details about an opportunity to help seniors receive computers with Meals on Wheels.

Thinking Outside the (Computer) Box
Star Reierson has some thought-provoking and fun TED Talks to present. You think you know how to tie your shoes, right? But Terry Moore has a new take on how to do it, and Star says, “Trust me, you will never tie your shoes again the same way!” Join us and learn this and, as added stimulus, learn how to make the BEST PAPER AIRPLANE based on a technique called The Nakamura Lock.

Artificial Intelligence, Now and Future
James Young will present the TED Talk on “Can we build AI without losing control over it?” Watch what neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris has to say about AI. It is something to think about, with where technology is today, and on into the future. As robotics impinge more and more on our daily lives, we face deep issues of ethics and control.

Note: Please see Star’s column on page 3 of the Newsletter. We hope you will attend and enjoy this (probably) next to last MBUG general meeting.

ALL ABOUT eREADERS

MBUG July General Meeting
WEDNESDAY, July 12, 2017 – 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Hilltop Park Center
871 Jessie Street, Monterey
FREE to MBUG Members and the General Public

Do you use one or more devices to read digital books, newspapers, magazines, or the news? Here is a chance to compare devices and ask questions to help optimize usage or perhaps make a decision for a future purchase.

At the July 12 general meeting, MBUG President Jeff Helms, whose day job is as an electronics technician for the National Weather Service, will give a presentation about e-readers. He will discuss various readers, their different formats, and conversion programs. He will also demonstrate Calibre, an e-book manager, and, as time allows, will discuss related apps and sources for free audio books. So bring your devices, prepare to ask questions, and participate by sharing problems and experiences.

For more information and questions in advance, contact Helms at jeffro270@gmail.com.