DACS Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, September 11, 2013

By Bruce Preston

Called to Order: 7:15

Attending: Richard Corzo, Jim Scheef, Lisa Leifels, Richard Teasdale, Andy Woodruff, Bruce Preston

Guests: Sean Henderson, Tobin Henderson, Charlie Bovaird, Dick Gingras

Minutes of Last Meeting: Accepted

Treasurer’s Report

Membership Report

Old Business

1. General meetings
• September 3: Ken Graff—digital photo editing, organizing, and sharing online. Preview: Lisa Leifels, Review: Richard Koser
• October 1: Bruce Preston – Virtual Machine Technology, how it works and demonstration.  Preview: Jim Scheef Review: Jim Ritterbusch.
• November 5: Mike Kaltschnee—Danbury Hackerspace.  Preview: Bill Saturno, Review: Sean Henderson (Andy Woodruff backup)
• December 3: Bill DeRosa—Facebook and Pinterest.  Preview: Lisa Leifels, Review: Richard Teasdale
• Possible future topics:
• Demonstrate apps for mobile devices–smartphones and tablets. This could be a meeting with multiple presenters for a full session, or it could be a small segment after Ask DACS. The iBook (Apple iTunes store), “The Telegraph: 500 Must Have Apps” would be a good resource.  Decided to table, with intent to identify possible applications that might be of interest.
• Monthly “Get to know the SIGs” session where a SIG leader sets up a ‘table’ to discuss the SIG’s activities. This would be done between the Ask DACS session and the featured presentation. Some suggestions: Mobile Devices, Linux (Raspberry Pi perhaps?), Drupal, Web Design.  No selection was made for October.
• “LifeStream” monitoring. Mike Kaltschnee mentioned FitBit (currently available at BestBuy) or other ‘wearable electronics’. Considering session on wearable technology such as this for the January session. Andy spoke with Jeff Schlicht, professor of phys ed at West Conn, about a possible presentation at DACS re wearable electronic devices that monitor exercise and/or body functions.
• Windows 8.1 Blue – will be a free upgrade out October 17-18. We should have a presentation on the update from the Microsoft Store. It could also include information about the Microsoft Surface Pro (the Intel-based Microsoft tablet that will also run Windows desktop applications in addition to ‘apps’).  Perhaps see if Jay Ferron might be available early next year.  If not available then ask for a representative from the Microsoft store.
• Bruce will do a Virtual Machine session in October and show that an XP machine (or earlier) could be built to support legacy applications. At the general meeting there appeared to be interest in learning about virtual machine software, such as VirtualBox, for installing and running older versions of Windows. Should we also schedule a hands-on workshop as a follow-on? We could ask audience members at the meeting.  Decided to ask audience if there would be an interest in a workshop.
• Now that the new OS X Mavericks release has been announced to come out in the fall, we should ask Dave Marra to do another presentation as the time draws nearer.  It need not be immediately after release, so something like March would be good.
• Andy suggested a session on creating a web site of various types: blog, brochure, e-commerce site, etc.) – making use of such as products/services as site builder (online or on PC), turn-key sites, etc.   Andy suggested that as a computer group we should do some sort of session that would answer the question: “I think I need a web site, what are my options?”  This might involve a “high level” overview of the various approaches.
• Lisa suggested a “decision tree” presentation – “What should I get?” – Windows or Mac, Desktop, All-in-One, Notebook, Tablet, or even SmartPhone – Android or iOS, etc. Lots of decisions - how to decide what meets your needs.  We think this would be a ‘tough’ presentation to pull off but a lively session.  We think it would be a good candidate for a panel discussion.
• Bruce suggested a session on advanced Google search techniques. For example here’s a search:  “a * saved is a * earned” would find the quotation.  After brief discussion it was decided that this would be better as an article for DACS.DOC.
2. Bill Saturno is our new APCUG representative. Is he receiving APCUG e-mails?
3. Opening positions
• Treasurer when Dave Green retires March 31.
• President when Richard Corzo retires March 31.
• Replacements for retiring “odd-year class” board members Drew Kwashnak and Annette van Ommeren in December. Jim, Lisa and Bruce are continuing. Dave Green is also retiring in December as an “even-year class” board member after serving just one year of his term.
4. Jim has suggested we need to revisit our social media strategy. Richard C is posting the general meeting on Meetup and LinkedIn. I and some other SIG leaders are sometimes posting SIG meetings on Meetup. Annette is posting the general meetings on Facebook, and the Linux meeting is posted.
5. Richard C announced Dave Green’s and his upcoming retirement at the August general meeting. Jim wrote an article published in the newsletter and on the website. Does it look like we might find a new president? What about treasurer? If we don’t find replacements, we will need to end DACS activities.  Richard will contact a possible candidate for treasurer.

New Business

1. After discussion Dick Gingras accepted our request to join the Board of Directors.  Dick was president of DACS for several years many years ago.  The board appointed him to the unfilled vacancy for the two year term that started January 2013.
2. With our membership count having 11 board members is thought to be top-heavy.  Our bylaws stipulate that we have an odd number, but do not stipulate what that number is.  We discussed reducing the number of board members to 9.

Adjourned 9:35.