Quad-Cities Computer Society


Event Calendar .

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General Meeting Presentations and Special Events

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Next QCS General Meeting Topic

July 9th, 2008, Wednesday - 7 PM Presentation:
Identity Theft Protection
Presentation by LifeLock

The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million people have their identity stolen each year.

Identity theft is serious and costly to repair. But now you can be proactive and stop identity theft BEFORE it happens.

Nationally recognized leader of identity theft protection, LifeLock, will provide the guest speaker at the July meeting of the Quad-Cities Computer Society.

Come learn more about the services they offer to protect your good name. Don't be the next victim!

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Recent Presentations and Special Events

June 11th, 2008, Wednesday - 7 PM Presentation:
Google--Much more than a search engine
Presentation by Victor Panegos

Google made its mark on society by making Internet searches easier. But are you aware of all the things Google does now? News, images, maps, shopping, calendar, mail, photos, document sharing, group mailing lists, blogs, 3-D drawing software, art contests and more.

These tools are all FREE from Google and many of them can make your life easier. Our guest speaker will demonstrate some of these applications that you may want to include as part of your daily routine.

May 14th, 2008, Wednesday - 7 PM
Selecting a New Computer
Presentation by Dale Wells, Computer Repair Center, Bettendorf, IA


Dale Wells spoke to a large crowd at the May 14th QCS General Meeting.

Is it time for a NEW computer or laptop? Should you choose one custom-built by a local reseller or one from a national manufacturer sold by the "Big Box" stores? This is a very good question that may be answered differently depending on YOUR needs and preferences. Dale will share many tips for buying your first or next computer and how to choose the one right for your needs.

Computer Repair Center, Inc. 872 Middle Road, Bettendorf, IA 52722 (563) 359-0042 http://www.computer-repair-center.com

Guest speaker on topic of Microsoft Access
Office SIG special event held May 5th, 2008

Wanda Cross (center) volunteered her time to give the Office SIG participants a great introduction to Access, Microsoft's powerful relational data base program. She described the advantages of Access over MS Excel if you have a large number of data sets which you have to sort, filter, group, and calculate values. Wanda has taught college courses on this and several other MS Office applications, so she is a terrific resource for information.

Additional sessions on the Access program may be offered in the 2008 fall series of Office SIG, depending on interest.

Contact Judi or Vicki if you would like to join us.

April 9th, 2008, Wednesday - 7 PM
Smart Computing Magazine
A Computer User’s Magazine written in plain English.

Come meet representatives from Smart Computing and learn more about this outstanding publication.

If you are looking for a magazine with...

Great information about keeping your computer running smoothly and how to install new hardware
Minimal advertising and live customer support
A huge archive of troubleshooting articles
An interactive Q & A message board
Online access to four publications for the price of one and the ability to set up a personal library

....Look no further than a risk free subscription to Smart Computing!



Smart Computing Web Site

Subscribers and renewals from our members earn bonus points for QCS!
A one year subscription is $29, two years is $48 and three years is $64.  They also have a web-only subscription for $17.  This subscription includes all of the website features of a regular subscription but does not include a hard copy of the magazine.  This is a great solution for subscribers who don’t have time to keep up with the mailed copy.  Subscribers have full access to all of the articles they have ever written and can read each issue online.
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Sign up April 9th or use our source code, # 12157, for your subscriptions.

March 12th, 2008, Wednesday - 7 PM
Scott County E-recycling

Save The Environment...Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

If your computer and other electronics have finally come to the end of their useful life—What do you do with them? Many items contain Lead, Mercury or other toxins that should not be sent to the landfill. A demanufacturing facility located in Davenport is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of these items.

Come learn about this facility and how you can help save the environment.

WC of Scott Co website

February 13th, 2008, Wednesday - 7 PM

High Definition TV

On February 17, 2009 your television viewing may change—Will you be "HD-Ready"? 

Analog broadcasts are scheduled to cease and over the air networks will be required to broadcast in digital.

There is a lot to learn about HD before that date regarding the new TVs and the proper cables for hooking them up. You can find some expert advice at the February presentation when reps from ZEGLIN'S Home TV and Appliance come to answer all our questions and get us "HD Ready".
January 9th, 2008, Wednesday - 7 PM

Backing up your Computer

WHEN Your Hard Drive Fails, Will All Your Memories Go Up In Smoke?

Backing Up Your Data is the MOST important thing you should do on your computer. And if you don’t know how, come to the January meeting of the QCS. Larry Stone will describe "Backing Up" in great detail and give you many suggestions for keeping your data safe. He will discuss software products available and several other options.

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January 9th, 2008-- A Board Meeting Worth Mentioning! ..........

After the regular January session, QCS Board members were in for a treat. They had a chance to see and try two of the new "XO" computers, compliments of Rex Felsman, who brought them to Moline during the holidays while visiting family. Rex is the brother of board member, Sue Peterson, and is a calibration tech from Worcester, Massachusetts.

The XO computers are inexpensive, durable laptop computers designed for children of developing countries through the "One Laptop Per Child" program.  (See http://laptop.org/laptop/ ) During their initial "Give One Get One" offer in 2007, you could donate one to the world program and also receive one for yourself. Rex was intrigued by the concept and made the donation twice in order to receive two of the laptops. He wanted to learn how the devices operated and communicated with each other to satisfy his own "techie" curiosity. QCS board members had a great time checking them out.

December 12th, 2007 Wednesday - 7 PM

QCS Holiday Party

We had fun in December with traditional paper games and also online games, holiday treats, and a white elephant gift exchange.

If you didn't attend, you missed some good old-fashioned fun with other QCS members! There were PRIZES, PRIZES, PRIZES and FOOD, FOOD, FOOD!

November 14th, 2007 Wednesday - 7 PM:

Gift Suggestions for Techies from Staples

Want to make your Holiday shopping “Easy”?

Check out the QCS meeting in November when representatives from Staples will show products sure to please the techie on your list. They will detail products for the Holiday season as well as favorites for the computer user all year long.

A technician will also be available to answer technical questions and explain how to set up a wireless network.

October 10th, 2007 Wednesday - 7 PM:

Computer Maintenance YOU can do!

Did you ever wish your computer had a "help" button?

Howard J. Press has been serving the Quad Cities for many years, building computers and repairing them. He will share some of his tips to keep your computer running smoothly and avoid unnecessary repairs by doing routine maintenance yourself. 

Come and learn how to be your own computer technician.

September 19th, 2007 Wednesday - 7 PM: Verizon and Cell Phones

Is your Cell Phone a “Smart Phone”? Cell phones have come along way from just making phone calls. Now they receive text messages, email, photos, play music, games and more.

Some cell phones can keep you organized with appointment calendars, to do lists and of course a small electronic phone book right in your pocket. You might even be able to get driving directions, movie times and restaurant locations or take photos.

A representative from Verizon Wireless will speak to the QCS at 7PM on September 19th and explain exactly what a SmartPhone is and what it can do for you. They will demonstrate and field questions about high speed Internet solutions to fit your personal, business, and family needs. Discussion will include personal data assistants, PC card solutions, and tethered devices. A question and answer session will also be conducted.

August 8, 2007 Wednesday - 7 PM: New Moline Library

The City of Moline has always known how important a library is to its community. They opened their first library in downtown Moline in June 1873, less than a year after becoming a city,  The Southeast Branch located on 41st Street Moline was added in 1983 and in August 2006  replaced with a brand new 68,000 square foot facility with an estimated 20 year growth space. At 7:00PM on August 8th a representative of the library will describe to the Quad-Cities Computer Society the resources available to its patrons.

For more information about the library, see their website: http://www.molinelibrary.com/

Among the topics to be discussed are the following:

Resources available to Genealogists

The electronic card catalog and how to access it from home

Volunteer opportunities for QCS members

July 11, 2007 Wednesday - 7 PM: Photography and Digital Cameras
Presented by Jane Swanson, Graphic Designer and Freelance Photographer

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Jane Swanson was asked to speak at this QCS general meeting after impressing members of the digital SIG in May with her wonderful photos and her creative energy. (See May 16th below) She will share additional worthwhile tips for both the beginner and serious photographers at this session.

Our presenter holds a BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, Ohio, where she majored in commercial illustration. She has worked in all aspects of the creative printing and publication fields, with photography playing an important part in her career. As the art director/associated editor for an international business magazine, she guided that publication into the digital era while that invention was still in its infancy.

Jane currently heads her own business, Creativity Communications, which provides graphics, design, creative writing and editing as well as digital photography for a variety of clients.

June 13, 2007 Wednesday - 7 PM: Verizon and Cell Phones

(Rescheduled to September)

Special Event at Digital Media SIG
May 16th, 2007:

Guest speaker on digital photography

Jane Swanson, freelance photographer and graphic designer, shares tips on buying a digital camera and getting great photographic images. Her business, Creativity Communications, provides layout, design, photography and photo retouching, illustrations, cartoons, Web sites and promotional writing/editing for individuals, small businesses and corporations.

. May 9, 2007 Wednesday - 7 PM:
Social Security and the Internet
Presented by Kurt Frank, Social Security Administration

Kurt Frank promises an interesting and entertaining discussion of the new SS Administration online services. Their site can be used to calculate your benefits before retiring. You can actually apply for disability or retirement benefits online. There are reminders on how to protect yourself from identity theft and general information on Social Security, as well as links to the IRS and Medicare websites. Come to the program to hear about many other features available on their secure site.

April 11, 2007 Wednesday - 7 PM:
Genealogy and 'RootsMagic' presented by Bruce Buzbee, Software Developer
Tracing your family history? Planning a family reunion? Don't miss this meeting!

The QCS is privileged to offer this presentation by a nationally-known authority on genealogy and its software. Buzbee has authored several family genealogy programs, including Family Atlas and Family-Reunion Organizer. He is also the webmaster of a popular reunion planning website, www.Family-Reunion.com, and another website for his current software products, www.rootsmagic.com.

"The best genealogy program we've seen" is how Smart Computing magazine summarized 'RootsMagic' in a recent review.

March 14, 2007 Wednesday - 7 PM: SIG Showcase

Puzzled about what happens in computer club SIG’s?
QCS offers six Special Interest Groups; each one aimed toward a particular interest. You can learn about all of them when the leaders each give a brief introduction to what is covered in Web Design 101, Genealogy, Digital Media, Beginners, Internet, and Windows.

Did you miss the March General Meeting? See the Beginner SIG PowerPoint presentation (180KB download) by using this link: www.qcs.org/beginnerSIG.pps

February 14, 2007 Wednesday - 7 PM: ProShow Gold Presented by Suzie Wanner

ProShow Gold permits you to add motion effects to still photos and incorporate them with videos, music and transition effects, then save it to CD, DVD, flash drives and other forms of media storage.

Read a review by Joe Durham about this presentation.

Special Mini-Session
January 25 and February 22, 2007:

Buying and Selling on Ebay Presented by Larry Sandhaas

January 10, 2007: Vista and Office 2007 Preview Presented by Larry Stone

Larry has been testing the beta versions of Microsoft's new systems. He will detail his observations and advise about computer requirements necessary to run them properly.

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