May 3, 2013
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by President Chuck Horner. See Lola Hunter at the ticket table, check the email list to verify your address, for raffle tickets, door prize tickets, and collect a copy of 20 Questions.* Tonight's door prize is a set of Tweakers Mini-Boom Portable Speakers:
- For Laptop, iPhone, MP3
- Rechargeable lithium polymer battery
- Built-in retractable audio/charging cables
- Travel Pouch
- Dual speaker configuration with stereo sound
Chuck introduced Stephen Dellinger.
If you have a question, we'll try to help. Write it on one of the 3" x 5" cards on Lola's table. At the end of the meeting your questions will be addressed, and hopefully answered.
Chuck encouraged everyone present to join if they are not already a member.
We need volunteers to help coordinate programs. Especially if you don't like tonight's program, suggest an improvement. Please let a member of the Executive Committee know if you're interested or just want more information.
The Spectacular Linux SIG will take place at the Smith's tomorrow at 2 p.m.
Presentation: Chuck showed Nixle: the Web site that lets you use your computer to address crime that is not on your computer. Chuck demonstrated this site: put in an address and you'll find out what the police department knows--not just the headlines that the newspapers report. It's more like a police blotter than a newspaper. You can choose which emergency agencies and what areas to receive information about.
CrimeMapping.com shows various categories of crime within a user-specified radius. The user can also specify whether he wants real-time, daily, or weekly reporting.
If you haven't gone to AccessHayward.com, you should. If you don't live in Hayward, try GoRequest.com. You can get information about the city you are in, submit a compliment, a complaint, question, or problem. The structure helps direct users to the correct office in the city. Many citizens do not know which city office would handle their problem, and many city workers do not know how to reassign comments incorrectly sent to them. The AccessHayward manager knows that some processes take longer than others. Timelines are allocated and tracked so that chores get done in a timely manner. Hayward city officials would be happy to teach neighboring cities how to set up a similar program. Call Stacie Bristow for more information. The basic software comes from a company called City Outreach that provides individualized templates.
Chuck gave some examples of how this site is making Hayward more efficient. Sally Holt asked how to use the AccessHayward site to help win a grant for a dog park.
Chuck pointed out that technology is only as good as it connects us. Many uses of technology now cause people to become detached from each other.
*Chuck compiled a list of 20 technology trivia questions, distributed at the beginning of the meeting. The group reviewed and discussed the answers. In the course of the discussion, Chuck pointed out the importance of proper ergonomics to avoid injury and pain and had a neat trick for avoiding dragging your thumbs across the trackpad of your laptop.
Chuck thanked George Kornbluth for getting the refreshments ready to support conviviality and the group took a break to partake in same.
Questions for The Experts: Chuck is having trouble with Google Calendar. Bud Gallagher suggested reinstalling.
Elsie reminded attendees to go to the O'Reilly Web site to look for books for her to order for prizes.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bayle Emlein, Secretary
