President Milt Hull opened the June 20 meeting with a joke about the hall being the only cool space available on a day when the temperature topped 100 degrees.
Sacra Blue Layout Editor Ken Hopkins announced that he had changed the layout of the newsletter this month by including the material that was published as a member's guide. Ken had separated out the repeating material from the newsletter so downloads would go quicker and members could save on printing. The repeating material, however, is grouped at the back of the newsletter, which will make it easier to print only the new material each month.
Content Editor Tom Anderson reported that a professional transcription service was used to transcribe June's meeting, rather than relying on volunteers. Although the service was expensive, Tom said he is working to reduce the amount to be transcribed and hoped to be able to bring the cost of transcription down to a reasonable level.
Ken reminded the audience to use the microphone when asking questions, to insure that the questions can be heard on the tape.
In response to questions about computer programs that transcribe speech, Tom and Ken replied that the state of the art has not progressed enough for a program to transcribe multiple speakers at varying volume levels.
Ken pointed out that the editors are always looking for authors to write columns, occasional articles, or single reports on computer subjects.
Milt then introduced Don Mongeau, chairman of SPCUG's scholarship program, who introduced Randi Hines, a student at Laguna Creek High School and winner of one of SPCUG's scholarships.
Randi, said Don, "has been in their MENSA program, was the President there for three years," has been on the school's varsity golf team, volleyball team, and was a founder of the Black Student Union. She will be attending UC Davis, where she will study civil engineering.
Don said Randi's senior project used Microsoft Office products to make a presentation aimed at "teaching children to be smoke-free."
Randi thanked the group for the scholarship award, and told the audience she was proud to announce she had been accepted at both UC Davis and UC Berkeley.
Webmaster and Product Review Editor Brian Smither noted that the current Sacra Blue carried his review of the Wacom Pen Tablet. Instead of a mouse, he said, it uses a pen on a flat panel. He really enjoyed using the product, and announced that the company is having a user group promotion and offering approximately 50% off the regular price for members. He had to return the one he received for review, but planned to buy one.
