AITP of Hampton Roads, Va. (Association of Information Technology Professionals)

December 2007 Newsletter

www.aitp-hr.com


Our Next Meeting is 
Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Point Plaza Suites & Conference Hotel at I-64 & US 17, Newport News, Va.

Social Hour - 5:30 PM
Dinner - 6:30 PM
Program - 7:30 PM

Members - $18 
Spouse/Significant Other - $20 
Guests - $20 
Students - $14

If you will be joining us for the speaker and not for dinner, we request a donation of $5. 

For Reservations: Call Digital Applications Inc., at 827-1250 no later than noon on the Friday preceding the meeting.

Officers and Directors

OFFICERS

George Koscho, President 382-8909 
Jim Pollan, Vice President 865-1400 ext 210 
Bill Shumate, Treasurer 827-1250
Jim Moore, Secretary
Alan Sutton, Association Liaison 486-1700

DIRECTORS

Clara Fox, Awards  826-0519
Ed Miller, Newsletter / Website 553-0128 
Bill Oshel, Program 249-2846 
Steve Tyler, Corporate Sponsorships
Charles Anderson, Student Chapters Liaison

Thought for the Day

The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency. --- Bill Gates

Calendar
Dec 4 Dinner Meeting, Meryl Kessler
Jan 8 Shoney's in Newport News
Visit the Chapter Store

Buy Hampton Roads AITP Merchandise!
Books, T-shirts, Hats, Coffee Mugs and MORE!  Support the Hampton Roads AITP Chapter Store today!

www.aitp-hr.com/rstore.htm

Yellow T-shirt with AITP Hampton Roads logo, only $14.99
Green T-shirt with AITP Hampton Roads logo, only $14.99
10 pack of 2.25 inch AITP Hampton Roads Buttons! Only $11.99
Don't forget Fido! Hampton Roads AITP logo Doggie T-Shirt, just $13.99
Hampton Roads AITP Teddy Bear, $14.99
Women's Pink T-Shirt with Hampton Roads AITP logo, $14.99

Also, get books and CD's at Amazon! The chapter earns commissions on everything we sell. Start your search here!

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Contact Us

AITP 
The Association of 
Information Technology Professionals

c/o Digital Applications Inc
2714 W Mercury Blvd, Hampton, VA 23666
Phone: (757) 827-1250

 

 
December Meeting Preview

Meryl Kessler has been in business for 35 years. The business began and continues as a Design Firm doing Commercial and Residential Interiors. As time went on, there was a need for people getting Organized....and so Meryl began that arm of the business!  Soon after that - she realized that people were Transitioning from their big homes and downsizing (to Condos, Assisted Living, and even Nursing Homes) - and the business took that aspect on - making whatever new space - HOME. That entails plans with what people have of the new space.....and being sure that all the remaining contents are sold or given away - with the home left spotless and ready to sell.

In between - should people want help getting a home spruced up for sale, or made safe so that they can remain in their homes - Meryl does that work too. All these parts are like a puzzle - and all the different aspects are handled with care and dignity.

The three businesses are Meryl Kessler Interiors, Transitions, and Organized.

We look forward to seeing you there.

November Meeting Highlights

Our November 13th. meeting featured a presentation by Kevin Pearce of the Virginia Department of Health. Kevin spoke on the continuity of operations within the context of an influenza pandemic. During his 20 year Navy career in the submarine Force, Kevin received a master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in healthcare. He was the executive director for a Big Brothers Big Sisters agency for several years before joining the Virginia Department of Health in 2000. Since then he has worked in policy analysis and emergency planning.

Thanks to all who attended!

Chapter Meeting Price Increase
Due to price increases at the hotel, the Chapter Board voted to up the Dinner Dues from $17.00 to $18.00 for HR members Dinner meal, starting in January 2007.

An increase in cost for Guest dinners will be determined at a later date.

Life Story of a Notebook
by Roberto Sedycias

History

It is a little hard to determine which is the first notebook or portable computer ever made. The Osborne 1 is considered by most historians to be the first true portable computer or notebook. This was produced by Adam Osborne in the year 1981. It featured a 5 inch screen, modem port, floppy drives, few bundled software programs and a battery pack. The total weight of the notebook was about 11 kgs. Gradually after this Epson, Radio Shack, IBM, Apple Computer etc. all came out with a portable computer. IBM`s IBM PC convertible introduced in 1986 was a true laptop computer. This computer ushered in the laptop area. Since these early models, notebooks have seen tremendous development.

Features and Functioning

Notebooks have the identical major components as Desktop PCs: microprocessor, RAM, operating system, input/output ports, hard disk drives, speakers and sound cards, and speakers. However, all laptops have power management features to extend battery life, or conserve battery power when battery is low. A notebook differs from a desktop PC in terms of power supply, display, and the type of input devices it uses. Notebook processors usually have multiple sleeps, meaning slow down modes which help in increasing battery life and can also run on low voltage. Hard disk in the notebook also functions in the same way as it does in Desktop. These are slower in speed and have lesser capacity.

In addition to hard disks, notebooks also have options for removable disk storage system such as Floppy Discs, CDs and DVDs. A notebook also has various input/output ports that enable you to connect to various peripherals. Most notebook computers today feature built-in modems and Ethernet for external connectivity. Infrared ports for wireless connectivity are also becoming very popular. One of the most critical components in a notebook is its battery as it works on battery power for usage while on move. Battery life offered is different for each device as it depends on the configuration and power management features implemented. All notebook computers come with an in-built LCD screen for display output. For Input, notebooks are featured with built-in keyboards for text inputs. As far as pointing devices are concerned, notebooks use one of the three-Trackball, Pointing stick, Touchpad.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Notebook

The most important advantage of a notebook is its portability. One can work with ease anytime and everywhere. Also, access to wireless networking in public places is making notebooks more and more useful. The counting of disadvantages for a notebook always starts with its high cost. Not only the initial cost, its parts are also expensive and are not interchangeable. Notebooks have a lesser storage capacity and its processor usually works at a lower speed when on battery power. Notebooks are also prone to theft due to its portability.

Future Directions

With falling prices and acceptance of new technologies, we can expect to see a significant increase in demand of notebooks. Vendors are also working on the design of the notebook to make it stronger so that it can withstand jerks and shocks. New technologies are being integrated into the notebooks to prevent failure and data loss. Mostly used by corporate firms, professionals and businessmen, vendors are now targeting students and home users as well because of increasing affordability of these devices.

So the emergence of this new usage category is definitely on the cards. This means there is a huge potential for notebooks in the coming future and the price cuts offered with technological improvements are sure to fuel growth.  

 
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