Megabaud 3.1

Wgtn meeting Wed 18 March 2026

2026-03-15T17:55:00.000+13:00

As members will now know, the New Zealand Personal Computer Association is no longer a member of the Incorporated Societies and this will be the final official evening meeting - held on the third Wednesday of every month, except January - in the basement at Ron Oliver's house at 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn. For such an occasion, Roger Currier, our President, has decided that the meeting should offer something of a "look back in time" to our roots and what has been achieved over the decades. If that sounds interesting, do come along to the meeting, which will begin, as always, at 6:30 pm.

Wgtn meeting Wed 18 Feb 2026

2026-02-14T19:25:00.000+13:00

For the second-to-last meeting, Roger is a going to talk about a Windows tool called Winhance. It is an easy-to-use tool designed to help you debloat, optimise, and customise your Windows 10 or 11 system. It gives you control over your Windows set-up. Its key features are: Install or remove Windows Apps & Features. Microsoft Edge, OneDrive, Copilot (Microsoft's AI), Recall and other Windows Packages, Capabilities and Optional Features. You can also install Additional External Features like: Browsers, Multimedia Apps, Document Viewers and any other apps you need when setting up a fresh Windows Installation.

If this tool sounds as if it could be helpful for you, come along to the meeting and hear Roger talk about it in detail.

As always, the meeting will begin at 6:30pm at Ron Oliver's, 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn. I hope to see you there.

Wgtn meeting Wed 17 Dec 2025

2025-12-14T21:24:00.000+13:00

As this will be the last meeting of the year, there will be non-alcoholic beverages and nibbles before the meeting begins for those who attend. Roger thought it would be a good idea for each of the committee members to choose a YouTube video and that is effectively what will probably happen. I say "probably" because if Roger decides that a particular video doesn't appear to be appropriate, or to be of sufficient interest, he may wish to move on to something he considers more suitable. Time will tell.

This is likely to be the third-to-last official meeting to be presented because, as all members will be aware, the club will cease being an incorporated society at the end of March next year. It is difficult to know what will happen after that. Perhaps the society will cease to exist.

As always, the meeting will be held at Ron Oliver's home, in his basement, at 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, beginning at 6:30 pm.

Wgtn meeting Wed 19 Nov 2025

2025-11-17T10:28:00.000+13:00

Since Roger and Penny moved into their new home at the Retirement Village in Waikanae, they have attended a number of social outings such as plays at Circa and orchestral concerts in the Michael Fowler Centre and this time they are on a three-week South Island trip, so Roger is going to miss this meeting and next week's one for committee business. As nobody could think of a suitable topic for this meeting - it seems to be getting harder each month to think of something fresh and interesting to talk about - it will simply involve a general discussion about computing - perhaps with emphasis on Windows 11 - and attempts at solving any computer issues those present might have.

As always the meeting will be in the basement at Ron Oliver's, at 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, and it will begin at 6:30 pm. If you want assistance with computer problems do attend.

Wgtn meeting Wed 15 October 2025

2025-10-11T20:58:00.000+13:00

Hopefully, the various problems experienced over the past month have been solved and we can return to some degree of normality for this Wednesday's meeting. As mentioned previously, Roger was initially going to discuss a procedure for freshening up many of his family photographs using AShampoo but decided that a topic with more current interest involved Windows 11 and its less than entirely convincing File Explorer. Come, or join us via Zoom, and hear Roger explain why he dislikes it so much and whether there are third-party alternatives available that do a better job. The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm in Ron Oliver's basement at 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn.

Wgtn meeting Wed 1 Oct 2025

2025-09-30T10:00:00.000+13:00

I think it is going to be 'third time lucky' as far as the September meeting is concerned - and, for the first time ever, it will take place in a different month! Unfortunately, Arthur and his wife Pauline have both ended up with pneumonia after catching the flu earlier, and when Roger arrived in the afternoon last Wednesday we soon realised that we didn't have the projector for the meeting.as it was at Arthur's house and nobody had thought to ensure that Roger called in on the way to Brooklyn to pick it up. In addition, he had been thinking about the topic for the meeting and had decided to change it to an examination of the Windows 11 File Explorer which has met with a certain amount of criticism. Finally, Richard has purchased a modern mini-computer to replace the desktop that became non-operational a few weeks ago and that has yet to be set-up and fully checked out. Hopefully all that will be successfully accomplished tomorrow before the meeting.

As always, the meeting will begin at 6:30 pm at Ron Oliver's, 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn.

Wgtn meeting Wed 24 Sept 2025

2025-09-22T19:23:00.000+12:00

For this meeting, which was postponed from last week, Roger is going to talk about AShampoo Photo Optimizer. It seems he has a large number of family photos that have faded over the years and he wants to be able to bring their colours back to life and has decided that the AShampoo software will do the job nicely. If you think you will find that interesting, do come along to the 6:30pm start meeting at Ron Oliver's, 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn.

Wgtn meeting Wed 17 Sept 2025

2025-09-16T11:35:00.000+12:00

Arthur Harris sent all the committee members an email, informing us that he had caught the flu and would not be coming to the meeting. Roger then asked us if it would be better if the meeting was postponed for a week and Richard Elam and I both thought that was a good idea. However, Roger has not yet made that official, but I thought a decision had to be made pretty quickly so have decided that the meeting will be postponed. A further announcement will be made next week

Wgtn meeting Wed 20 August 2025

2025-08-17T15:01:00.003+12:00

For this month's meeting nothing has officially been planned so there will just be informal discussion. This is your opportunity to attend the meeting and have any problems solved., or queries answered.

As always the meeting is at Ron Oliver's, 39 Washington Ave, Brooklyn. I hope to see you there.

Wgtn meeting Wed 16 July 2025

2025-07-12T16:35:00.000+12:00

It's the July meeting so it must be the annual general meeting - and so it is. However, this is going to be an AGM with a difference because the future of the club is going to be discussed. Some time ago we learned that the rules for incorporated societies, of which we are one, are going to be updated (I wont go into the details here about what that actually entails) and your committee decided early on that most of the rule changes didn't apply to us and as a consequence we would go our separate way. That means that we essentially become just a group of friends and there will be no subscription charges for members or newsletters after a date in April next year when the new rules will apply. If your subscription is to be renewed before that appointed date, you will be asked to pay a proportion of the usual amount. depending on the number of months involved. If, for whatever reason, you disagree with our decision come to the meeting and put your case forward. We would love to hear it.

After the above discussion, Roger will talk about Win11 and what it provides that isn't present in Win10 and suggestions as to what to do when the October date arrives and support for Win10 is going to be turned off.

As always, the meeting will be held at 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, in Ron Oliver's basement, starting at 6:30 pm.

Wgtn meeting Wed 18 June 2025

2025-06-15T14:14:00.000+12:00

At last month's committee meeting, members were informed that Roger and Penny had planned a holiday in the South Island during mid to late June and that was going to clash with this month's Wellington meeting. Furthermore, no decision was made at the time as to what might be presented at the meeting and that is still true. All that can be suggested is that you come to the meeting and join in, whether it be for a general discussion on computer topics or perhaps to watch similar YouTube videos.

As always, the meeting will begin at 6:30pm at Ron Oliver's, 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn.

Wgtn meeting Wed 28 May 2025

2025-05-24T20:23:00.001+12:00

Apologies once again for not placing a notice here last week to inform members that, coincidentally, Roger was having his second cataract eye operation at a similar time in the month to his first, so the usual third Wednesday meeting was going to be postponed for the second month running. Like the rest of us, he only has two eyes, so that should be the end of the matter!! It seems that his snooker has improved considerably since the first operation. He can now see the cue ball.

This Wednesday, he is going to talk about a variety of video formats and how to convert each of them to the MP4 format, so for those interested in such matters, do come along to the meeting to find out how to do it successfully and with minimum fuss.

As always, the meeting will be held in Ron Oliver's basement at 39 Washington Avenue, commencing at 6:30 pm, so I look forward to seeing you there.

Wgtn meeting Wed 23 April 2025

2025-04-20T22:39:00.001+12:00

Firstly, apologies for not informing members that the usual third Wednesday Wellington meeting was going to be deferred for a week. Roger had informed the committee that he was having cataract operations on both eyes around that time so it was decided to postpone the meeting until this coming Wednesday.

Roger will present the topic for the meeting, which will involve talking about a means of converting PDF files to other text formats, so as to allow editing. As always, the meeting will be held at 39 Washington Avenue, in the basement, starting at 6:30 pm.

Wgtn meeting Wed 19 March 2025

2025-03-16T12:27:00.000+13:00

For this meeting, Arthur Harris has volunteered to talk about a program close to his heart called Flightradar24. It follows air traffic around the world on a moving map in real time and it is even possible to see flights that are passing overhead at the time.

If this sounds interesting, do come along to the meeting in Ron Oliver's basement at 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn. It begins at 6;30 pm, but you can always come earlier for a chat before the meeting begins.

Wgtin meeting Wed 26 February 2025

2025-02-25T12:52:00.001+13:00

Firstly, apologies for the late notice. Last week's meeting did not take place due to two absentees that would have reduced those expecting to attend to what was considered an unacceptable number. It was therefore decided to hold the meeting this Wednesday AFTER the normal committee meeting when those members involved will be present. Anyone else deciding to attend this monthly meeting should take that earlier meeting into account, although it is most likely that it will be well and truly over by 6:30 pm..

As mentioned before, the topic will be BIOS Rot and the meeting venue is, as always, 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn.

Wgtn meeting, Wed 19 Feb 2025

2025-02-15T15:40:00.000+13:00

Firstly, a belated happy new year to all members. and I hope you all enjoyed your holidays, for those who are still working.

The December meeting never took place, due to both illness and prior engagements, so Roger will again attempt to talk about BIOS Rot this coming Wednesday at 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, starting time 6:30 pm. I hope to see more members present this time, as the attendance at last year's meetings was not great.

Wgtn meeting Wed 18 December 2024

2024-12-16T21:00:00.002+13:00

For this final meeting of the year, Roger is going to discuss what he terms "BIOS Rot". The idea for the talk came as a result of problems Arthur was having with the computer he uses on Wednesdays at Ron's and their cause was eventually traced to BIOS settings and adjustments to the ones that seemed awry. If you think you might be having similar problems, come along to the meeting and find out how to check for such anomalies and correct them.

As always, the meeting will begin at 6:30 pm in the basement at 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn

Wgtn meeting Wed 20 Nov 2024

2024-11-17T20:29:00.000+13:00

For the penultimate meeting of the year, Roger is going to talk about handling print queues and what to do when print jobs don't start or proceed as planned. Sometimes, printers seem to go off line for no apparent reason. This can be quite a common problem, so if you're experiencing it, or have done so in the past and not known how to deal with it, now is your chance to come to grips with it once and for all.

As always, the meeting is at 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, in Ron Oliver's basement, starting time of 6:30 pm. I hope to see you there.

Wgtn meeting Wed 16 October 2024

2024-10-13T22:05:00.000+13:00

For this month's meeting, Arthur Harris is going to talk about ripping music CDs to files. There are a number of formats available, lossy and lossless, but I suspect most people will want to employ the lossy MP3 format. Lossless FLAC and WAV are also available. His article in last month's MegaByte covered the very subject. If you find the topic of interest, come along to the meeting and hear Arthur describe how to go about doing it.

As always, the meeting will be at Ron Oliver's, 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, beginning at 6:30 pm. If you have Zoom, you can join the meeting that way from the comfort of your home..

Wgtn meeting Wed 18 Sept 2024

2024-09-15T11:06:00.000+12:00

This is going to be a rather different sort of meeting than usual. Roger is going to talk about and demonstrate wireless bone-conducting earphones. I have no idea why this particular subject was chosen as I did not attend the committee meeting where topics for the monthly meetings are discussed. I have to assume that he decided to buy a pair and felt that it would be interesting to talk about them. After carrying out a Google search on the earphones I have found that they are not inserted into the ear canal but lie against one's temple for the bones in the skull to conduct the sound. If you find this interesting, come along to the meeting and hear Roger talk about them.

The meeting begins at 6:30pm at 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn

Wgtn meeting, Wed 21 August 2024

2024-08-17T11:55:00.002+12:00

This month's meeting is again linked to YouTube - and what to do about the advertisements one is forced to watch, even if only for a short period of time. Roger thinks he has the answer to this problem so come along to the meeting and find out how to make watching the videos you are interested a more enjoyable experience.

There will also be time to watch videos, so if there is one that you are particularly interested in and think others might enjoy, feel free to present it.

The meeting will begin at 6.00pm at 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn.

Wgtn meeting Wed 17 July 2024

2024-07-16T10:15:00.000+12:00

It's that time of the year again! The AGM. All the present committee members have agreed to stand for another year, but if you would like to offer your services and have some great ideas that you would like to put forward, do come and attend the meeting.

Afterwards, Roger will discuss navigating through YouTube and subscribing to specific channels, so if you have been struggling with using YouTube come along and receive expert advice on the matter.

As always, the meeting begins at 6.00 pm at Ron Oliver's, 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn.

Wgtn meeting Wed 19 June 2024

2024-06-15T20:43:00.000+12:00

Roger is still overseas on his 'swansong' holiday so it was decided that this month's meeting would be a quiet affair either discussing technical issues with computers or showing one or two computer-related YouTube videos.

As always, the meeting is being held at 39 Washington Avenue, beginning at 6.00 pm

Wgtn meeting Wed 15 May 2024

2024-05-12T21:40:00.000+12:00

With Roger currently overseas on a 'farewell' trip and Richard seemingly unwell, it has been decided that the meeting planned for this coming Wednesday will be cancelled.

Wgtn meeting, Wed 17 April 2024

2024-04-13T19:04:00.000+12:00

Unfortunately, last month's meeting did not go ahead because Roger informed us at the last minute that he was going to have a medical examination on the Thursday. It seems all went well. As a consequence, this month's meeting will once again focus on computer-related YouTube videos.

As always the meeting will begin at 6;00pm at Ron Oliver's, 39 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn.