Genealogy and the BGAMUG Computer Club

The original of this photo is from jczart on Flickr.

We have a great Genealogy group (SIG) at the BGAMUG Computer Club. The Genealogy SIG (Special Interest Group) meets an hour before the regular meeting at 5:30.

We discuss all things Genealogy. Our club leader, Jeri, is a long-time genealogist who does professional work.

If you want to learn how to start in Genealogy, or how to use the many new resources online, it's a great group to join.

Just saying! I have already learned a lot and am making a Genealogy Lesson folder. And hey, the price is certainly right.

Our next Genealogy SIG meeting is at 5:30 on Tuesday, May 22nd, at Building F of the Bowling Green Technical College.

Guests are welcome.

Later,
E. Sheppard
Webmaster, 2012
The BGAMUG Computer Club
Our Facebook page

Helping your family when you are gone - your will, etc.

Be Ready - the BGAMUG Computer Club Presentation Roundup from last night's meeting.

Jazz Funeral, Leatherhead Crematorium, Surrey by Dr Neil Clifton

I really liked this presentation. I generally learn something from each one, but this presentation was more timely than many. Ray even played a Goodbye presentation slideshow with music that he made and said he would help any member who wants to make one for themselves, to play for their loved ones.

The main point of the presentation was to be ready - - to be prepared for your own death, so as to make it easier for  your family. Also, one member brought up, you can plan ahead so things are done as you wish. If you want a certain casket, for instance, you can pick one out ahead of time.

Last wishes - your preferred service, what you want to say to your loved ones, who you want to get what when you are gone, etc., etc. - - these are all things we seldom talk about.

Ray gave everyone there a CD with all kinds of useful forms to fill out. A will form was included, as well as a Living Will form. Ray and other members said that a form could be filled out, then it could be signed by the two required witnesses, and notarized. This form could then be checked out by a lawyer (which I will be doing).

One member mentioned a lost will - - it was not where the person said it would be, in a lock box. Another person said that a will had an Executor AND a back-up Executor, but both died before the person in the will. Both of these things made things harder for the families, I expect.

You are saving time and money, plus aggravation on the part of the families to make sure everything is done and put in a safe place, and people notified of where you are keeping this information. And no matter what age you are, putting this off can really backfire if something happens to you, and you are not ready with the forms and planning you need to do NOW.

New technology makes it much easier to leave a video/digital message for your family too, using slides and music with meaning for you.  Plus this will be a great memorial for your family to have of you. I like this idea.

Thanks, Ray. This (a new will and now a video/digital message for my family) is also on my list now. The forms you gave will really help too.

Being prepared - a Scout motto, but very apros pos. I plan to get these things done in the next couple of months.

Later!
Betsyanne
Webmaster, 2012
The BGAMUG Computer Club

Join us for our meeting on Tuesday April 24th

Original Photo (before cropping & editing) is from Turtlemom Nancy on Flickr.

The Future - - it is uncertain. And who knows how long anyone has on this earth?

I know I personally have been thinking (hard!) about the future lately. With two deaths in the family already this year, I know someday I will also be gone, and I want to be prepared.

My husband and I are re-doing our wills this year, and need all the advice we can get. Luckily, Tuesday's meeting will help me get some tips on preparing that will. Other legal issues will also be covered.

The presenter is  our own Ray E. I will be bringing some paper and a pen for notes.

Join us! We will meet at 6:30 at Building F at the Bowling Green Technical College.

See you there!

Betsy S.
Webmaster, 2012
the BGAMUG Computer Club
Our BGAMUG website
Bowling Green, Kentucky

Some fun computer advice and tech sites

Hi, this is Betsy, your friendly neighborhood webmaster for the BGAMUG Computer Club.

Today I have a few links to sites you may like. My favorite is #1, the techie site Mashable, where you will find some of the latest gadgets, talk about social networking, and lots more. I use it a lot.

#1. Mashable - I check here a lot for neat tweets about technology. I think you'll like it too. Many different authors and tech experts combine here on this site.

#2. Tips from Ask Leo: http://ask-leo.com/.
Also, here is Ask Leo on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/askleofan
Leo has tips for all, but mainly for Windows users.

#3. YMLP - Your Mailing List Provider - I wound up using this mailing list provider after trying out several others. I like this one because it has many of the higher-end features (like templates and campaigns) of the more expensive providers, but doesn't cost as much.

#4. Backblaze - my latest online backup. Backblaze is a cloud application that copies your files in an online backup. The service has unlimited storage for only $5.00 a month. This is not a misprint. I like it because I take a lot of photos. Now they have even gone down to #3.96 per month.

#5. SelfPromotion - a great website and blog submission site. It is preferred to contribute here. You can submit your sites here and the owner will also do this every once in awhile too. There is much information here about gaining readership.

Do you have a favorite tech site that you love? Add it here as a comment.

Betsy S.
Webmaster
The BGAMUG Computer Club
Bowling Green, Kentucky

Join us April 24th - and about free computer classes

New art! I will probably change it again.

Our next meeting 

We at the BGAMUG Computer Club have a great presentation planned for our next meeting on April 24th. It's all about making wills and how to plan ahead for your family.

For some of us, this presentation is very timely. I know I have put redoing my will on my Must Do Soon List.

 As usual, guests are very welcome at the BGAMUG Computer Club meeting! Tell them Betsy set you.  

Free Computer Classes 

I list all the free computer classes each week on my Betsyanne site "From the Garden Spot plus BG Events." 

You can check there to find free computer classes offered by the library each week.

I hope everyone is having a great week!

Betsy S.
Webmaster
The BGAMUG Computer Club

PS Check out more about our next meeting here on the BGAMUG website.

PPS And join us on Facebook too - see you there. 

Ideas for BGAMUG Computer Club Presentations

I have been thinking about presentations and what would be fun to talk about, or for others to talk about. We've had a lot of really good presentations last year and this year. Some of the recent ones have talked about Genealogy sites, iPhones, Tablets, email, and how to protect ourselves from viruses and other computer hazards.

Somebody else doing a presentation

I have some other ideas. You can vote on the ones you like the most.

Well, that's about it for today.

I will be calling some people soon that I have heard from online to see if they want to do a short presentation next month.

The presentation THIS month (on will resources and other legal issues for the future) is on Tuesday, April 24th at 6:30. Click here to go to our website to find out more.

As you might now, guests are very welcome at our meetings. Come by and say hi!

All for now,
E. Sheppard
Webmaster and Blog poster, 2012
Bowling Green, Kentucky

FYI: This computer art original is from the free art Clker site, and the Learn About Your Computer was added with Corel Draw.