President's Notes (09/08)
President's Message
Sarasota Technology Users Group
by Phil Sorrentino
Member of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc.
If the Sarasota PC
Users Group started up in 2009, instead of 1982, it would probably be
called the Sarasota Technology Users Group. Today, there is so much more
technology available, at reasonable prices, for the home. In 1982, as
the PC came on the scene, home electronics consisted of a stereo system
(am/fm, vinyl disks and tape cassettes), a TV (big screen CRT at 25
inches), Cable TV (maybe), a telephone (tied to the wall), and maybe a
game system that used the TV (remember Pong). The microprocessor (the
brains inside the PC) changed all of this and created new and useful
technology based home products and services. Just think of the
improvements in technology based home products we have now. Laptop PCs,
and even smaller Netbook PCs; stereo systems with multi-CD changers;
Satellite Radio; Flat screen LCD or plasma TVs upwards of 60 inches;
Wireless home telephones; Realistic game systems like the X-box and the
Wii.
But, wait, there’s more. Just think of all the new
products and services that were not even generally thought of back in 1982.
The Internet, Cell phone technology, MP3 technology for audio reproduction,
Digital Cameras, Digital Imaging technology, Digital Video technology,
Global Positioning System technology, High Definition Digital Television
technology, Games with displays that look so real they make you look twice.
Digital technology has allowed electronics to become smaller, lighter,
faster, cheaper and more reliable, allowing products and services to become
available at very reasonable prices. Now you can buy a high quality stereo
system that you can hold in your hands, far from the rack of equipment
needed in 1982. The 25 inch CRT TV that was so heavy it took two men to move
is now replaced by a 50 inch LCD TV that weighs less than 40 pounds. Cell
phone service provides person to person communications rather than location
to location communications as do copper based landline phone systems. Cell
phones themselves are amazing; they’re just miniaturized computer systems
packed with useful capabilities and features (Blackberry and iPhone).
All of these new technologies are Digital Computer based.
Most of them share the basics with the Personal Computer. Many of them have
Operating Systems and software that allow the device to provide its
features, much like XP and Office allow the PC to do many of its jobs.
Digital Computer Technology is at the core of all of these new products and
services, and it is this Digital Computer Technology that is the subject of
the PC Users Group. The SPCUG by-laws state the purpose of the organization
"is organized exclusively for educational and technological purposes", and
"to promote the use of, and encourage the exchange of information among
individuals who have, or have interest in, personal computers". Personal
Computers are at the center of all of these afore mentioned technologies.
Multimedia entertainment is provided by the PC. Digital cameras store their
pictures on the PC. GPS maps are updated via the PC. Cell phone information
can be backed up on the PC. Audio CDs are "ripped" onto the PC for playback.
Digital Video files from Digital Video cameras are kept on the PC. Using the
PC and the Internet, movies can be downloaded (Netflicks), or streamed (Hulu)
to the monitor or large screen TV for entertainment. The PC and home-use
technologies are all inter-connected.
The PC is really the focal point for most, if not all, home-use
technologies. That being said, all of these technologies become part of the
PC Users Group interests. To that end, we have included some of these
technologies in our educational classes. We have held classes on Digital
Cameras, iPods, Digital Music, and GPS systems. With the PC being the center
of these new technologies, products, and services, it is expected that there
will be interest in learning more about many of them. Some of the future
class topics may be: iPods, iPhones, Skype & video phones, GPS, MagicJack,
Wii, Slingbox, Kindle, HDTV, or Bluetooth. If you have interest in any of
these topics, or others, send our SIG chairperson Nancy, an email at
ndemarte@verizon.net. As we sense an interest in a topic, and we can
find a person willing to teach the subject, we will schedule a class. Check
with the SPCUG web site calendar for class schedules. :
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Copyright 2009. This article is from the August 2009 issue of the
Sarasota PC Monitor, the official monthly publication of the Sarasota
Personal Computer Users Group, Inc., P.O. Box 15889, Sarasota, FL
34277-1889. Permission to reprint is granted only to other non-profit
computer user groups, provided proper credit is given to the author and
our publication. We would appreciate receiving a copy of the publication
the reprint appears in, please send to above address, Attn: Editor. For
further information about our group, email:
admin@spcug.org/ Web:
http://www.spcug.org/
The Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc. has 1,100+ members
and was established in 1982. We are members of the Assoc. of PC User
Groups (APCUG), the Florida Assoc. of PC Users Groups, Inc., and we are
members of the America Online Ambassador Program.
See http://www.spcug.org for all reviews from the Sarasota PC
Monitor, go to the Newsletter Section.