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 help with Zoom by John Carter please click the button below.

Zoom Help

Currently Scheduled Online Meetings

September 25 - Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
Special Topics - Leader: JB Burke
Zoom meeting will open at 12:45 PM

JB will serve up another copy of Special Topics on Saturday, March 25 at the usual 1:00 PM. You will learn many useful, interesting, unusual, educational, humorous, and ancient chunks of knowledge that you just never thought of. Now you don't have to, because JB has thunk them for you.

Register in advance for this meeting

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

October 2 - Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
Digital Photo SIG - Leader: Phil Ball
Zoom meeting will open at 12:45 PM

Professor Phil Ball will resume our ongoing education in all things Digital Photography. Phil regularly peppers his programs with an eclectic mix of digital photo examples, shooting suggestions and post-production demonstrations. If you have a digital camera, and who doesn't with a smartphone in their pocket, you will benefit from Phil's expertise.

Register in advance for this meeting

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

October 5 - Tuesday - 5:00-6:00 PM
PCS Board of Directors Meeting - Leader: JB Burke
Zoom meeting will open at 4:45 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 16 - Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
General Meeting - Leader: JB Burke
Zoom meeting will open at 12:45 PM

First Hour: Bob Gostischa - Is Cyber Security Really Important?
Paying attention to Cyber Security is more important today than it has ever been. COVID-19 has exposed many more vulnerabilities than in prior years. More of us are now working from home, many children are learning from home, and many of us have added more IoT devices to make our lives easier. These devices present their own dangers which need to be addressed.

This presentation points out the dangers and offers suggestions that will aid in keeping you secure. Using the right programs and apps can help keep you safe and secure as well as reduce your privacy exposure. Using free programs and apps whenever possible to accomplish this goal is an added bonus and this presentation includes information on many recommended free programs. Join presenter Bob Gostischa as he guides you towards secure Cyber Security practices.

Second Hour: Tips & Tricks - Phil Ball (Time permitting)
Today's program will be followed by Windows Master 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.

October 23 - Saturday - 1:00-3:00 PM
Special Programs - Leader: JB Burke
Zoom meeting will open at 12:45 PM

Subject Browsers & Search Engines

What is the most important program on your computer? It's probably your Browser. Why is that, and which of the many Browsers should you be using? Being on the internet is nice, but that doesn't get you much. To see and do about anything, your Browser is your necessary Window to the World Wide Web.

Once you are on the WWW, how do you find stuff? You know where a few things are (your banks, credit card sites, shopping, etc.), but where is everything else (among the 1.88 billion websites that exist)? That's where the Search Engine comes in. But which should you use? And did you know - Search Engines and Browsers seem to be Free, but You (and your information) are the payment. We will address these issues in this 2-part program.

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.

PCS is a member of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG).

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.