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| Main | Meetings |Education | Forums | Membership | Publications | Member Help | Refurb Group | TNT | Volunteers |
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October 5th Meeting
Challenges of 2017 and Beyond |
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The Board told you that we would provide
feedback from this meeting on the input that we received from you.
There were five questions or choice options that you were given. We
found that many of the forums had discussions that were broader than
the question or choice. The input has been grouped together to
reflect input from the various tables. We thank you for being part
of this meeting and helping us be more valuable to you. Most people felt like the classes, presentations, and forums were the most beneficial aspects of STUG. The classes, instructors, and facilities are good. Several people suggested the schedule should include evening classes. Many people expressed how strongly they value the monthly presentations and hope that they remain informative. There was a general overall expression by current and prospective members that STUG is a great resource for computer users in our community. Other favorite aspects of STUG are the volunteer refurb group, forums, resource persons, the Monitor, member networking, and the Help Desk. The Monitor seemed to be the most popular topic of conversation and the most used by the members. Approximately 60% said that they read every page; 40% read just what was of interest to them. Approximately 20% said that they print the Monitor; less than 20% said that they save the Monitor. Some said that they liked the hard copy better and read the Monitor less now that it is electronic. There were multiple comments that said that it is difficult to read the Monitor in the two column format with devices such as iPad and iPhone. A consistent, one column format was preferable. Enlarging the text on a device causes part of the page to go off the edge of the screen and turning it 90 degrees is not sufficient. It would be more valuable if links to tutorials and You Tube videos were provided, in addition to the classes that are offered. Some felt that an index for the Monitor would help as would a regular Q & A column. It was pointed out that “What's Inside” is at the top of the first page. They suggested that two items be added – a synopsis of each item and a link to the page for each item. A “helpful hints” column was mentioned as an addition. Suggestions for new Monitor articles included banking/Quicken, Libre Office, Mac/Apple, where to get a Windows 10 tutorial, Internet security, Android (under the hood, user tips, recurring questions), and what to do with old computers when ready to replace. Some newer users asked for more articles on user experiences, emphasizing that the articles should address very, very basic users. There were a number of items that many people did not know about or were features that no longer exist. Specifically, many did not know that STUG has a Facebook page, what the Yahoo group is, or how Members Helping Members works. New Classes that people are interested in include Windows 10, Lynx, App shareware, home networking, dictation/naturally speaking software, Twitter, programming, buying technology products, tracking finances, current security software and practices, photo editing, managing storage devices, creating greeting cards, using iPad in Europe, basic Mac courses that discussed the FINDER and APPS across the bottom of the Mac home page, iPad and iPhone courses, and photography – how to transfer photos from the camera and tablet to the PC, how to store photos in the cloud, how to organize photos on an iPad/iPhone or Android phones and tablets, and how to use the Windows 10 photo app for editing pictures and attaching a photo to an email. Several wanted to learn how to use Outlook.com for email. Many people were not aware of the thestug.org website. Almost 50% of the people have never been to the website except to get the Monitor. Several said that the website doesn't allow them to open certain prompts, and that they were unable to respond to the invitation to this meeting. A few people suggested the website landing page for the Monitor could be simplified by increasing the size of the “Click Here” button and removing other topics from the page. The format of this special meeting was well received. Many people said that once a year for this format was adequate, and most felt that there should be more time at each table. People mentioned that they enjoyed the roundtables and that they appreciated being asked for their input for the future. Other topics that were mentioned included the frustrations of keeping up with technology in general because of the continual changes; writing an article for the Monitor that publicized the website; having the same questions answered in the forums over and over; creating an invitational business card; having the Board meeting minutes and the financial report be in the Monitor regularly that would lead to more transparency; recognizing of the need to continually learn 'new stuff'; and publishing an opt in/opt out member directory. There was a large number of newer members (57 or nearly 40%) who joined during the first 8 months of 2016. We welcome them and look forward to helping them keep updated on technology. Thank you all for your participation, feedback and suggestions. Look for the implementation of some of the suggestions in the near future. Your STUG board |
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Original Article |
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Get on your social boots and join us all
for a Welcome Back STUG Members Pizza Party! We will gather in the
Cafeteria between 5:30 pm and 5:50 pm for a 15 minute video
presentation brought to us by member Bill Crowe. He will be
talking about what technology holds for us in the future. When the bell rings, we will scatter to our predetermined tables for a meet and greet with our esteemed faculty members managing activities at each table. We will have 4 to 5 rounds of changing tables with a door prize awarded at each change. By the end of the evening, all will have visited the Food Court in the center of the room, and all will have hoped to be the winner of the Grand Prize to be awarded at 8:00 pm. RSVP is essential. If you haven't already do so, you may RSVP below and we thank you! Please come for a fun-filled evening. When it is over, we hope to know each other a bit better, and the board will have some feedback on aspects of the organization. Hope to see you there! |
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| Your STUG Board | |