ChairmansChat

ACTING CHAIRMAN'S CHAT

Term 2, 2009

I return to writing this chairman's blurb while Hunt goes into hospital for an operation and while he is recovering. I am sure we all wish him a good outcome, a swift recovery and return to head our committee.

All classes and workshops have operated well this term. If there have been any minor difficulties they have been in connection with trying to match student requirements with our tutors and resources. These mainly revolve around students who have MS Office 2007 on Vista while others have it on XP or one or two who are now using the 'freebee' Open Office. We have purchased a manual for Open Office in an attempt to bridge the gap as it were.

Two innovations we tried this term were the Question and Answer session, which disappointingly attracted only a few members, and we wondered if we might have made it too specific and that a more general discussion group would be better. We will certainly try again. The second innovation was the meeting of the Digital Camera interest group under the guidance of Ron Dunbar and Peter Badart, last Friday, which was well attended and they are planning to meet once a month in the classroom on the 3rd Friday at 1.30pm. This is intended to be an informal group and if there are other members who wish to join please contact Ron Dunbar on 237 7156.

Although the present government has cut back heavily on the funding of so called 'hobby' or 'evening classes' at secondary schools, it appears SeniorNet is thought of as something different and The Federation will still be able to gain funding through the Tertiary Education Commission.

In term 3 we will be offering, in addition to the classes offered in term 2,
Desktop Publishing, Spreadsheets using Excel and a workshop on Computer Care and Security. I encourage members to avail themselves of the opportunity to attend these classes.

Laurie Davies
Acting chairman