President's Message

The transition to the year 2000 brought much speculation at DACS meetings on the evolving state of computing and the Internet. In addition to updates on the Y2K bug, we have had prognostications from IBM’s John Patrick on the state of the Internet, and from our own Ed Heere on developing technologies in PC hardware. At our next General Meeting on June 13 (note delayed date), we will hear from a third source on digital futures: Audrey L. Apfel of the Gartner Group on Internet and network trends.

Headquartered in Stamford, CT, the Gartner Group is arguably the world’s biggest consultant on information technology. If you read about computing in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, InfoWorld, or any other national publication, you have heard Gartner quoted on the latest trends and outlook. For those who can afford the standard fees, Gartner is the cutting-edge seer on business operating systems and networks, IT personnel and training issues, and productivity. That Gartner was also a leading consultant on Y2K preparedness and cost accounting just goes to show that in IT, as in the stock market, you always have to hedge your bets.

It is a testament to the growing reputation of DACS, and to the perseverance of program director Jeff Setaro, that Gartner will be appearing on our modest stage for the same price we pay other presenters—a handshake, a thank-you, a coffee mug, and a free pass to Pig SIG. But don’t let Gartner off scott free. Ask Audrey the why of Y2K; ask how the company calculates the personnel costs to corporations of upgrading to Windows 2000; ask about alternative futures resulting from the Microsoft antitrust case.

Most important, remember to come to the meeting on June 13, not on June 6, so you don’t have to ask, Where’s DACS?

I love you/I love you not

Now for a peek at the following month’s meeting, also pushed back to the second Tuesday to make way for the Fourth of July. Jeff Setaro will be back for another look at the latest rogue’s gallery of viruses, worms, and Trojans. Did you fall for the “I love you” bug? The next generation come-on will be a little more tactful, and different every time.

Axed at Expo and lost in space

Normally at this time of year I would be writing about PCExpo and the InterGalactic User Group Officers Conference. These events, usually held in succession in mid-June, have traditionally attracted a large DACS contingent. However, PCExpo has been bursting at the seams with eager vendors, and is no longer offering free space to user groups. If anyone wishes to go
this year, contact Jeff Setaro (jasetaro@sprynet.com) about car pools or buses. Meanwhile, go up on pcexpo.com and sign up for a free pass. The password is “G2ZZ”

InterGalactic seems lost in space. This event, which has been jointly sponsored by the Association of PC User Groups (APCUG) and the New York PC Users Group (NYPC), has an official kickoff on June 10 but no announced program. DACS has been a regular participant in previous meetings, and we looked forward every year to taking home awards for best newsletter and best Website, as well as the free software that vendor sponsors distribute among the conferees. We still think dacs.doc is the best user group rag around, but we may have to go elsewhere to certify it.

--Allan Ostergren
dacsprez@aol.com