Welcome to the Prescott Computer Society

Interested in Membership?

Information about joining PCS is available at our Membership Info page.

Online Meetings Using Zoom

PCS meetings are available to anyone, including non-members, who wish to join us online. We are using Zoom as a means of holding our meetings in the convenience of your own home.

Even if you're not a member of PCS we urge you to attend our online meetings. Both members and non-members may do so in advance of the meeting by registering below. You will receive a password and link to the meeting by email. This step is necessary to keep out spammers and hackers. You may join the meeting no earlier than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

Like what you see at PCS? Get all the benefits of membership when you JOIN NOW!

For information on how to get and use a Zoom account please click the button below.

Getting started with Zoom

For additional information about Zoom by John Carter please click the button below.

Zoom Help

PCS UPCOMING MEETINGS

April 18, 2024 - Tuesday - 1:30-2:30 PM
PCS Tech Support
Prescott Public Library -- Founders Suite

Are you having a software problem with your Windows 10 or 11? Need some help with your Android Smartphone or Tablet? Have questions about your email or internet? Meet your PCS Help Team (Phil Ball, Dick Mason, Bill Moss and JB Burke) in the Founders Suite at the Prescott Public Library.

We’ll do our best to solve your problem and get you back on track for a smoother, problem free, digital life. Bring along your Laptop, Tablet or Smartphone, if necessary, plus power supply (just in case).

If you plan to attend, we’d appreciate it if you’d send us an email and briefly outline your issue. That way we can come better prepared to assist you quickly and productively. But even if you don’t get to this, feel free to come on down and say hello, problem or not. We hope to see you there. See our flyer.

May 4, 2024 - Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
Everyday Use of Android Devices and Apps Part 2 – Leader: JB Burke
Zoom meeting will open at 12:30 PM

Part 2 - Connectivity and Communication
This 6-session class will cover many topics that are of interest to Android Phone and Tablet users.

This class is intended to gradually introduce Android device basics, leading up to more advanced features and uses in the final session. It's designed to empower seniors to navigate and use their Android phones or tablets independently, and safely. Each session includes time for questions and answers to ensure understanding.

Register in advance for this meeting

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

May 11, 2024 - Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
General Meeting – Leader: JB Burke
Adam Drake – ABCs and XYZs of AI (Artificial Intelligence)
HYBRID: Zoom plus Live at the Prescott Public Library – Founders Suite
Library Room will open at 12:30 PM. Zoom meeting opens at 12:45 PM.

Today's program, presented via video, was recorded at the APCUG Wednesday Workshop on August 30, 2023.

AI - It's all you've heard about on TV and the Internet for months. Artificial Intelligence. All we hear is "AI" this and "AI" that.

• Is AI a good thing or a bad thing?
• Are computers and robots going to be taking over, or can this process be of any good for humans?
• Will AI allow computers to think for themselves and no longer be programmed by humans?

We all need to know more about Artificial Intelligence and its meaning. It's happening all around us, and we need to understand what's going on. Adam Drake, ECOTUC Vice-President, does just that, along with giving us more information about this topic that he has studied, he does a live demonstration of ChatGPT and shows us how it works and what it can do for us.

Register in advance for this meeting

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

June 1, 2024 - Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
Everyday Use of Android Devices and Apps Part 3 – Leader: JB Burke
Zoom meeting will open at 12:30 PM

Part 3 - Email and Internet Browsing
This 6-session class will cover many topics that are of interest to Android Phone and Tablet users.

This class is intended to gradually introduce Android device basics, leading up to more advanced features and uses in the final session. It's designed to empower seniors to navigate and use their Android phones or tablets independently, and safely. Each session includes time for questions and answers to ensure understanding.

Register in advance for this meeting

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

June 8, 2024 - Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
General Meeting – Leader: JB Burke
Bill Moss – How I Built an $11 Billion Computer
HYBRID: Zoom plus Live at the Prescott Public Library Founders Suite
Library Room will open at 12:30 PM. Zoom meeting starts at 1:00 PM.

Microcomputers did not exist when most of us were children. They were first developed in the 1970s and sold primarily to hobbyists. IBM considered them toys compared to their massive mainframe computers. Nonetheless, IBM decided to enter this toy market with its IBM Personal Computer in 1981. IBM's inability to foresee the power and desirability of these little devices left the market open for the development of PC-compatible computers, which changed the world.

Bill will review the history of microcomputing from a personal and anecdotal perspective, including the zeitgeist of the times leading up to the PC, the joys of the early hobbyist community, and the evolution of the devices we use today.

The second hour of today's program will be Windows Adventurer Phil Ball with another helping of his famous Windows 10 Tips & Tricks. No matter how well you know Windows, you will be sure to come away from Phil's session with at least one new insight - and probably many more as well.

Register in advance for this meeting

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

July 6, 2024 - Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
Everyday Use of Android Devices and Apps Part 4 – Leader: JB Burke
Zoom meeting will open at 12:30 PM

Part 4 - Downloading and Using Apps
This 6-session class will cover many topics that are of interest to Android Phone and Tablet users.

This class is intended to gradually introduce Android device basics, leading up to more advanced features and uses in the final session. It's designed to empower seniors to navigate and use their Android phones or tablets independently, and safely. Each session includes time for questions and answers to ensure understanding.

Register in advance for this meeting

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

August 3, 2024 - Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
Everyday Use of Android Devices and Apps Part 5 – Leader: JB Burke
Zoom meeting will open at 12:30 PM

Part 5 - Using Camera and Gallery Apps
This 6-session class will cover many topics that are of interest to Android Phone and Tablet users.

This class is intended to gradually introduce Android device basics, leading up to more advanced features and uses in the final session. It's designed to empower seniors to navigate and use their Android phones or tablets independently, and safely. Each session includes time for questions and answers to ensure understanding.

Register in advance for this meeting

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

September 7, 2024 - Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
Everyday Use of Android Devices and Apps Part 6 – Leader: JB Burke
Zoom meeting will open at 12:30 PM

Part 6 - Advanced Features and Wrap Up
This 6-session class will cover many topics that are of interest to Android Phone and Tablet users.

This class is intended to gradually introduce Android device basics, leading up to more advanced features and uses in the final session. It's designed to empower seniors to navigate and use their Android phones or tablets independently, and safely. Each session includes time for questions and answers to ensure understanding.

Register in advance for this meeting

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Other Computer Groups Sharing Meetings

Through PCS' affiliation with APCUG (see below) you may also virtually attend other computer club meetings throughout the country. Check out the wide selection of programs available to you.

A typical PCS meeting scene.

General Information About PCS

The Prescott Computer Society (PCS) is a PC-based users group located in Prescott, Arizona. Our primary attention is focused on IBM-compatible computers, associated software and smart phones. We strive to provide personal, home office and small business computing solutions and presentation topics. You may obtain both basic and advanced information about computers by attending our club's meetings.

We hold several meetings each month to show you how to get the most out of your computer. These are our General meeting and several Special Interest Group meetings. Anyone with an interest in computers is welcome to attend our meetings and join PCS.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

PCS is affiliated with OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) as a Special Interest Group which is based at Prescott's Yavapai Community College. From the OLLI website: "Yavapai College is one of only five community colleges in the nation to boast an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, our locations in Prescott and Sedona-Verde offer a variety of learning and teaching opportunities for mature adults, 50 years of age and over." (Source)

Association of Personal Computer User Groups

PCS is a member of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (PCS APCUG page). PCS uses materials from APCUG in many of its presentations. From the APCUG website: "Membership in APCUG is open to any non-commercial organization whose primary purpose is to help its members learn about technology. It is a cross-platform organization supporting operating systems such as Windows, OS X, iOS, Android, Chrome, and Linux." (Source)

Fun Stuff

A typical "Stump The Geeks" Q&A session which is chaired by some of our favorite PCS members. It's always full of laughter and is enjoyed by all those who attend.

We often hold Question and Answer sessions at General meetings where our members attempt to "Stump The Geeks" with their questions about computer and smartphone problems and other related issues.

Do the geeks ever get stumped? Of course, once in a while they do but we all appreciate the very interesting and informative discussions that are held. I guess you'll just have to come to a meeting to see for yourself.