Our meeting started at 6:00 PM with our Windows SIG. We began with a discussion on incompatibilities with the latest version of Office 2000 and older versions of the Office suite. Word and Excel don’t show any incompatibilities at this time, but Publisher and Access have demonstrated an inability to correctly identify and open older file formats. We also had a piracy alert from one of our members. It seems Microsoft contacted him with reference to a piracy complaint that he was selling illegal programs. Microsoft had his home number and other information the member thought was confidential. Not only is he unaware of how Microsoft got this information, but also he doesn’t own a copy of the software in question. The closest we can figure is our member was hacked while online or a company he deals with was hacked. Either way, this is another warning of how dangerous hacking can be, and how far it can spread from its original source.

The General Meeting began at 6:30 PM with representatives from an online mall called Quixtar. Quixtar promises to be the biggest on-line store in the world with financial backing from companies like Microsoft and IBM. It offers you the ability to buy any product imaginable direct from the manufacturer at a guaranteed markup of no more than $50.00 over cost. Quixtar claims big savings because the distribution network they will use is Amway. Speaking of Amway, Quixtar offers Multi-Level-Marketing options to anyone who gets a user ID number and convinces other people to use their number when making online purchases.

Merle took over the meeting at 7:00 PM. He reminded everyone that nominations for Board members are coming up, so be prepared to make nominations or be drafted. A program coordinator is especially needed. We gave Ford Bond a special moment of recognition for all his hard work and dedication in helping us move from the HCC Ybor Campus to MOSI and the time he spent as our MOSI liaison.

The meeting ended at 7:30pm. There was no drawing this week. u