Sunday, March 11, 2001

The attendance in the March 11, 2001 GTPCC program totaled 19 and we had three visitors. Attendance continues to grow, and we encourage members to continue to bring friends to the meetings.

Dale Farris, chair, Golden Triangle PC Club, opened the March 11, 2001 meeting of the club at 2:00 p.m. Dale welcomed the audience and introduced club officers, SIG chairs and committee chairs.

Dale introduced club vice president and program planning chair Danny Ramsey, who introduced co-speakers Carl Neblett, immediate past treasurer, and Robert Ramsey, Danny Ramsey's son. The three speakers presented the program on "Gamer PC's."

Danny Ramsey presented an excellent explanation of what defines a computer as a "gamer pc," and discussed the various hardware components of a computer that are required to play today's newer, 3dfx computer games. He described the different types of video boards and audio boards required to play these games, reviewed the requirements of monitors to support the games, the need to have a faster processor, and a large hard drive. In addition, he explained the need to keep current with the upgraded drivers for the video and audio boards.

While Mr. Ramsey reviewed the system requirements of a "gamer pc," co-speakers Carl Neblett and Robert Ramsey demonstrated features of some of the newer, state-of-the art 3dfx game software. They pointed out the many complex design and interactive features built into computer games, indicating the need for the high end hardware devices to support these dynamic features. With these games projected onto the wide screen, members quickly realized the excitement and fun that is involved in playing today's newer computer games.

Mr. Ramsey alerted members to look for computer game magazines such as "PC Gamer" or "Computer Gaming World," to keep up with the ever changing nature of computer games. In addition, he suggested members go to the Web sites for these game magazines, and provided a link to the MadOnion.com Web site, where members can download a shareware utility that would test their video board and system for handling computer games.

Members of the audience discussed many questions regarding "gamer pc" requirements, and expressed much appreciation to all three speakers for their wonderful presentation and for taking care to bring their machines and their sample boards for demonstration.

Danny Ramsey then reviewed upcoming events planned for the club, including program topics planned through the July, 2001 agenda. Members also reviewed announcements from the various club SIG chairs, and committee chairs. Also reviewed were brief announcements regarding membership cards and membership renewals, the vendor discount program status, and the available color information flyer.

Mr. Ramsey reminded members that the April 8, 2001 PC club program will be held at the location of the new Gateway Country Store, on Dowlen Road, across from Parkdale Mall, in Beaumont, Texas. The manager of the Gateway Country Store has agreed to host this April 8, 2001 meeting and to also present the topic for the program. Members were encouraged to remind others not in attendance in this meeting to try and remember to go the Gateway Country Store for the April 8, 2001 program.

Danny Ramsey distributed the door prizes for the March 11, 2001 program. Brent Richards won the Smart Computing magazine, Danny Ramsey won the PC Tips magazine, and J.B. Oaks won the Ontrack System Suite and Power Desk software programs.

After the break, those remaining reviewed business items with club leadership in the board of directors meeting. Members approved the minutes of the February 11, 2001 meeting.

Treasurer Jim Rives and immediate past treasurer Carl Neblett reviewed the financial report for February 2001, and the board approved this report. The club has paid $70.00 to renew the club's Web domain name with Network Solutions, Inc. for another two years and has paid $1.00 to acquire a second key to the post office box. In addition, the club has paid the $150.00 application fee that accompanied the club's application to be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an official, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. The application to the IRS was mailed in February 2001, and the club should receive the official response from the IRS within approximately 120 days of the date the application was received by the IRS.

Jim Rives stated he has received the signature cards from the four club officers, to be delivered to the club's financial institution, the IBEW Spindletop Credit Union. In addition, he stated he will request the credit union mail the monthly financial statement directly to his home address, instead of to the club's P.O. box.

Barbara Rives, GTPCC Wire newsletter, requested the club consider surface mailing to all in the club membership database a survey designed to solicit comments regarding various ways to improve the club, including program topic ideas, meeting location, or other such recommendations. The board approved this request, that will result in a cost of approximately $150.00 for postage, envelopes and paper. The club will reimburse Ms. Rives, after this project has been mailed out.

In addition, the board requested Ms. Rives try to release the next GTPCC Wire, for April 2001, early in the month, to provide a timely reminder to members that the club's April 8, 2001 meeting will be held away from the regular meeting location. Danny Ramsey agreed to post a reminder notice on the front door to the Beeson building on Sunday, April 8, 2001, in case members fail to remember to go the Gateway Country Store for this April 2001 meeting.

Members discussed the status of the club's Gamer SIG and the level of use of the donated computer games for loan to members. The board suggested the club consider possibly selling these games in a future garage sale project, and they discussed other various ideas regarding how to best set up such a sale in the community. This item was then deferred for additional discussion in a future board meeting.

In addition, the board reviewed upcoming program plans, items of interest for the newsletter, updates on the other SIG activities, and the ongoing improvements to the club's web site.

There being no further business, the March 11, 2001 meeting of the board of directors of the Golden Triangle PC Club was adjourned at 4:05 p.m.

The next meeting of the Golden Triangle PC Club is Sunday, April 8, 2001 at the Gateway Country Store.

Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Farris
Secretary