Welcome to the Prescott Computer Society

Windows 10 Support Ends - What should you do?

Interested in Membership?

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

FREE 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

September 13, 2025 - Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
General Meeting - Leader: JB Burke
Chris Taylor - Artificial Intelligence (AI): fun and useful tips
Zoom meeting will open at 12:30 PM - Program starts at 1:00 PM

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools have exploded over the last few years. They can: supercharge your web searches and help you find the most relevant information; generate images and videos from text prompts; summarize web pages, YouTube videos, and PDF files; help you accomplish tasks in your programs; assist with creative writing; and more. Chris Taylor from the Ottawa PC Users Group will show you how easily it can be done and how to avoid dreaded "AI hallucinations". And you can do it all for free.

The second hour of today's program will be Windows Adventurer Phil Ball with another helping of his famous Windows 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.

October 4, 2025 - Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
Touring the Web #15 - Leader: JB Burke
Zoom meeting will open at 12:30 PM - Program starts at 1:00 PM

This program asks the question - can there possibly be more to find on the internet? Answer - there will always be more. JB drills down and mines the web for those hidden gems you probably would not otherwise find. You'll be enlightened, entertained and educated with a dollop of humor. Who could ask for more?

Register in advance for this meeting

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

October 7, 2025 - Tuesday - 4:00-5:00 PM
PCS Board of Directors Meeting
Zoom meeting will open at 3:45 PM

The board will meet to discuss PCS operations - Meeting Schedules, Zoom issues, etc.

Register in advance for this meeting

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

October 11, 2025 -- Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
General Meeting – Leader: JB Burke
Zoom meeting will open at 12:30 PM -- Program starts at 1:00 PM

Judy Taylour – Beyond Just 'Google It': Exploring Google's Ecosystem
This presentation delves into the expansive world of Google's apps and hardware. Google aims to offer the most comprehensive and diverse suite of free apps and hardware that work harmoniously together, positioning itself as your ultimate go-to ecosystem. All of Google's apps are web-based, designed to integrate seamlessly with one another, providing a fluid user experience.

We will also take you on a tour of Google's office in Venice (approx. 2011) and YouTube's first office in Playa Vista near LAX.

The second hour of today's program will be Windows Adventurer Phil Ball with another helping of his famous Windows 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.

November 1, 2025 -- Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
Smartphone Tips & Tricks – Leader: Phil Ball
Zoom meeting will open at 12:30 PM -- Program starts at 1:00 PM

The world of Android Smartphones (your pocket computer) advances at a fast pace. New apps are introduced (many of them free), new features are delivered via updates to Android itself (now on Version 15) and new security threats are identified. In addition, many of the existing features are hidden or just not well advertised. JB will bring you the latest on what you need to know to get the best out of your Android pocket computer.

Register in advance for this meeting

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

November 8, 2025 -- Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
General Meeting – Leader: JB Burke
Zoom meeting will open at 12:30 PM -- Program starts at 1:00 PM

Mark Schulman – Virtualization
Want to be able to try Linux without committing to giving up Windows? Want to run Windows on your Mac? Like being able to go back to Windows 7 or XP whenever you want, but still have Windows 11 most of the time? Want to test out the next version of Windows? Want to be able to try things that might be dangerous without fear of messing up your computer? Then, you're a candidate for virtualization. Free virtualization software enables you to create a computer within your computer -- a simulated world in which you run different operating systems, try new software, and experiment without worrying about affecting your computer.

The second hour of today's program will be Windows Adventurer Phil Ball with another helping of his famous Windows 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.

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 APCUG's website. PCS uses materials from APCUG in many of its presentations. APCUG's stated mission is "to facilitate communication among computer user groups, the community, and the technology industry." APCUG members throughout the country contribute many worthwhile articles for the benefit of all computer users. These articles are available for reading on their website. 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."

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.