WELCOME TO THE HOME PAGE OF
THE PRESCOTT COMPUTER SOCIETY

The Prescott Computer Society (PCS) is a PC-based users group located in Prescott, Arizona.  We hold several meetings each month to show you how to get the most out of your computer.  These consist of our General meeting as well as several Special Interest Group meetings.  Anyone with an interest in computers is welcome to attend our meetings and join PCS.  Owning a computer is not a requirement for membership.

Our primary attention is focused on IBM-compatible computers and associated software but anyone with an interest in personal or small business computing will find both basic and advanced information by attending our club’s meetings.

For further information, please contact any PCS Officer, SIG Leader, visit the About Us page, fill out a Membership Application or view our tri-fold brochure. (PDF file)

PCS is a member of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG) and the Arizona Alliance of Computer Clubs (AZACC).  PCS members may access the AZACC User Groups Discount page here.

FUN (AND INTERESTING) STUFF

Scene from a typical Question and Answer session in which our members attempt to "Stump The Geeks."  Did they succeed?  I guess you'll just have to come to a meeting to find out.

Actually, the questions are submitted in advance so we can come up with useful answers to our member's concerns.  But that doesn't mean there won't be any surprises during the meeting!

MEETING INFO

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings will be held in the Founders Room (1st floor) of the Prescott Public Library.  The Library is located at 215 E. Goodwin Street, Prescott, Arizona.  Map

THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR
SIG = Special Interest Group

Saturday - March 13 - 1:30-3:30 PM
General Meeting - Leader: Ray Carlson
Skill Level: Novice to Advanced

Please note the later starting time for this meeting!

1:30 - 2:00:  PCS elections will be held and we will distribute sample copies of Smart Computing and their mouse pads to those who have not received them as yet.  Then Phil Ball will amaze us with his world-famous "Tips 'n' Tricks" session regarding things you absolutely need to know about your computer. He will present a program designed to show you how to get the most from your PC. Whether it's a demonstration about making your computer run faster or how to do every day computer tasks more efficiently, you will certainly learn something new at each and every presentation Phil gives. Don't even think of missing this installment of the latest hints guaranteed to make your computer run at its best.

2:00 - 3:30: Bob Simpson and Theresa Lucek of RLS Web Design and Computer Support, LLC. will demonstrate the power of the FREE WordPress software to create blogs and edit websites.

FUTURE MEETINGS 

Saturday - March 20 - 1:00-3:00 PM
Advanced SIG - Leader: Ray DeCosta
Skill Level: Novice to Intermediate

CD Burning 102
There was an astonishingly great turn-out for the previous "CD Burning 101" presentation and we ran out of time at the end.  At this session Ray will continue from where he left off and demonstrate making an audio CD compilation.  This is the procedure where you take about 20 of your favorite songs and burn them to a single CD to play in your car.  No more will you be trapped listening to a whole bunch of songs you really don't like.

Ray will also discuss MP3 players in greater detail and demonstrate how to add music and books on CD to a player for you to enjoy during those fun times when you're having a root canal or hanging around the Courthouse on jury duty.

There will also be a demonstration on how to hook up a CD/DVD burner to an external USB-connected box as well as a wrap-up Q&A session.

Saturday - March 27 - 1:00-3:00 PM
New Developments SIG - Leader: JB Burke
Skill Level: Intermediate

This is a new SIG which will appear on a temporary basis and deal with contemporary computer topics.

More information will be provided as the details are firmed up.

Saturday - April 4

There will be no PCS meeting today - it's Easter weekend.

Tuesday - April 6
Board of Directors meeting
Las Fuentes Conference Room
1035 Scott Dr, Prescott - Map

All members are welcome to attend but you are asked to inform Ray Carlson prior to the meeting to ensure that there will be space available for you.

Friday - April 9 - 1:00-3:00 PM
Internet SIG - Leader: Jim Perry
Skill Level: Intermediate

Topic to be announced.

Saturday - April 10 - 1:30-3:30 PM
Digital Photo SIG - Leader: Phil Ball
Skill Level: Intermediate

Please note the later starting time for this meeting

In this session, Phil will discuss different aspects of working with Photoshop Elements. He will show you how to use this powerful program to edit your digital images to obtain the best quality available. Always entertaining, he will also discuss better ways to take your pictures in the first place to lessen your editing work. Make sure not to miss this one!

In addition, the local winners of the SWCC photo contest will be announced!

Saturday - April 17 - 1:00-3:00 PM
General Meeting - Leader: Ray Carlson
Skill Level: Novice to Advanced

Please note that this meeting will be held at the Prescott Adult Center (Rowle Simmons Community Center), 1280 East Rosser, Prescott
Map to the Adult Center

CableOne and the Prescott Computer Society will conduct a special educational session at the Rowle Simmons Community Center. This session will include several facets:

First, the Prescott Computer Society will host four sequential sessions, each lasting about 30 minutes. During each session, a specialist from PCS will make a brief presentation and then a panel of experts will answer questions from the audience. The four topics covered will be:

Getting started with Windows 7;
Handling email and attachments with an emphasis on security;
The benefits of using a high speed connection;
Editing and displaying digital photographs.

In addition, a specialist from CableOne will be available to address questions related to using that company's Internet service.

Thirdly, technicians from CableOne will demonstrate how to use a DVR and the remote controls associated with their equipment.

Finally, a variety of new equipment will be on display with knowledgeable people available to answer questions about this equipment.

Friday - April 23 - 1:00-3:00 PM
Advanced SIG - Leader: Ray DeCosta
Skill Level: Novice to Intermediate

Please note that this meeting will be held on FRIDAY

Ray Carlson will discuss Audiobooks 101:

What are audiobooks and how do they differ from electronic books that can be read on a computer or read out loud by the computer;
Where to download audiobooks for free or at low cost;
How to handle the special features of these websites;
Demonstration of software commonly used to download books and transfer them to a reader;
What are the different formats for audiobooks and what is DRM;
Key features that increase the usefulness of some readers including websites that list which readers have which features.
If time permits, identifying websites for downloading free or low-cost electronic books, and the software for this process.