CCOKC April 20th General Meeting Report

      By Troy Segler, Scribe

Doris provided us with an outstanding speaker, Eric Johnston, who has been involved in Microsoft products for the majority of his adult life. For more information about Eric and his topic, please refer to the April 1st article found on our website. Those who were absent missed a great discussion about forthcoming Microsoft products.

The inaugural release of Windows Vista has been delayed by Microsoft while they patch some incomplete and inoperable problems in Vista and improve the seamless function of Office 2007. However, Eric has been working with the Beta releases for some time as an approved Beta tester for Microsoft. You can learn more about the Vista product and Microsoft’s intent by visiting http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/.

Eric told us the methods we have learned over the years in using the Windows operating system will not be useable. You will have to learn a conceptual process in storing files and folders on your computer land locating them for subsequent usage. The logical process followed via the Explorer function for viewing what is on you computer is over.

There will be a 1-gigabit memory chip used for accessing the microprocessor, thereby buffering data for the microprocessor, and thereby increasing the computer’s processing speed. The motherboard will require a dual microprocessor capability that will read a 128-bit instruction code.

Office 2007, which is being developed for application with Windows Vista, will assimilate many of the various programs now found in Office into one software application. Word, Power Point, Excel and perhaps other of the Office Suite will become seamless functions. Documents will be stacked on your desktop as you open and use them and will appear to be three dimensional. At this time you will be required to page from one document to another in order to get to the page with which you wish to work.
Can you imagine the alterations to the taskbars we have learned (somewhat) to us in current programs?

Oh, yes, Eric said one of the requirements the developers are forced to implement is that the computer essentially be linked to the internet at all times. In other words Internet Explorer will become a fundamental piece of the new Vista system. Instant Messaging will always be ON. Some currently installed search engines are not expected to be operable under Vista.

By the way, it is planned that Microsoft will develop 7 different versions of the new 2007 Office software. The lone PC user through the top corporate offices will have a choice of features and functions most suitable to their needs. In all probability, Microsoft will become a service organization as they attempt to respond to the many problems and associated questions that will come their way. It is thought this will become a paid subscription service.

That leads me to the suggestion that the Computer Club of Oklahoma City and the Senior Network Users Group will undoubtedly become the focal point for many people as they upgrade to new computers and software. If you are not a member of our group, you might to join our network of users. Through Charlene Francis, our SNUG LEADER and course director, we will be encouraging Senior Net to develop comprehensive courses for our use.

Visitors receiving door prizes last evening were: Al Roberts, a 1 year free membership in the computer club; Gary Horton a copy of “Click and Burn”; and members Roy Waller received a copy of the MacAfee Internet Suite; while William Howell was given a copy of the Microsoft Digital Image Suite.

Hope to see all readers of this article at the next meeting scheduled the third Thursday evening in May.