HOT MEETING CANCELED

     by Troy Segler, President CCOKC

The March meeting began like a normal monthly meeting might be expected to begin. Members and guests began arriving about 6:40 PM and registration for our drawings took place as guests entered the meeting room and hit the refreshment table and coffee pot.

Not all was well! There was a slight odor of smoke in the room as we walked past the computer in the meeting room. Several persons started walking around the computer club space sniffing and feeling. None of the equipment seemed hot, but the odor continued to pervade the room. About 6:55 PM Doris called 911 and asked them to send the fire department. Shortly thereafter, the density of the air just above the desk and computer became greater, and we decided to evacuate. As the last of us left the room smoke detectors in the hallways began to beep. Several fire units arrived as we filled the east parking lot.

By 7:15 PM, I made the call that we should adjourn our meeting and reschedule it for next month. My concern was that many who normally attend would possibly have conflicts should we try to reschedule in between our normal meetings. Eric Johnson, our guest speaker, agreed. As we left, some of the firefighters were entering office space adjacent to the club space in search of the source of the smoke.

On Thursday morning approximately 80 persons were in the SNUG meeting to hear Eric talk about the futuristic plans Intel and Microsoft are developing for serious computer users. Interest was high as Eric talked about hardware and then software. His primary thesis is that we can no longer think logically about how to compute, but will be required to think conceptually. As a licensed Beta tester of many applications of software, Eric told us most of the routines we have become accustomed to will not work. Computers are expected to become smaller, more complex, operate at great speed and continue to alter the way we live our life.

In order for you to gain insight into what is planned for the future and the types of facilities you will be using, you are strongly encouraged to attend the next general meeting to hear Eric in person. He is knowledgeable and very capable about computing and has great insight into the future.

Try us, maybe you will like us. Invite your friends to visit with us.