By Doug Mullis, Secretary, Tampa PC Users Group
dmullis@tampabay.rr.com

Mary Sheridan started the SIG portion of our meeting promptly at 6:30 pm. It seems Microsoft is pressing for users to install Service Pack 2. Most responded that they have, with few problems. Some discussion followed as to Microsoft’s concern/motivation and the type problems/experiences that were encountered by some. After installing SP 2, you must identify programs you use to your Firewall.

Mary called attention to the need to formally elect officers for Year 2005. Slate presented:

• President  - Kevan Sheridan
• Vice President - John Witmer
• Treasurer - Mike Hodges
• Secretary - Doug Mullis
• Member-at-large - Mary Sheridan

By a show of hands, the nominees were unanimously elected/installed, and a “Thank You” was extended.

Mary announced that the Spring Conference of the Florida Association of Computer User Groups, Inc. is coming March 4, 5 & 6, to be held at the Kissimmee Civic Center. Advance registration for the Conference is $40 (before Feb 10) or $60 at the door. TPCUG will pay advance registration of members involved in running our organization. Let a Board member know if you want to attend. Check out the program at: http://www.facug.org/05springconf.htm.

Mary introduced Jane Jukes who has moved to San Antonio, Florida and is considering joining our PC users group. Jane has been associated with another group for twelve years. We would be pleased to have her as a member.

At 7:00 pm, President Kevan Sheridan took control of our regular meeting. As our presenter for the evening, he told us about Web logs or Blogs. Blogging in general started in 2002.

What is a Blog site? It is an online publishing site, and Kevan has had one since last May. What is it for, you ask. Anything (within reason) you want it for. It can be a diary or newsletter. Blogging gives you as much presence on the Net as you want. An individual or a designated group can post multiple daily entries to the site. You can receive comments from visitors to your site and a tally of “hits”. You will have a worldwide audience. You can publish a profile of yourself and create hyperlinks to other Bloggers who share your interests. Best of all Blogging is free through Google. Anyone can establish a Blog site for sharing information with others. Many Bloggers are women.

After a short break, winning numbers were drawn for a dozen door prizes, ten of which were CD’s entitled Bob’s Computer Goodies, courtesy of our own Mr. Lafave. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm. u