Membership F.A.Q.

Q. Do I have to pay to attend ICON meetings?
A. Our general meetings (the first Friday of the month) are always free and open to the public. We encourage you to attend and hope that you’ll bring a friend. We also have Beginners Workshop meetings on the last Friday of the month that are member only events, but if you’d like to sample one of those to see if it’s worth joining our club, we welcome you visit us then as well. But please note that membership in ICON is a prerequisite to continued attendance at those workshops.

Q. How can I join ICON?
A. The best way to join the ICON PC User Group is to attend one of our general meetings. Pick up a copy of our newsletter, speak to some of our members, ask a technical question you might have during our Q&A session and enjoy the presentation. If you’re happy with what you’ve seen and would like to become a member, fill out an application at the registration table before the end of the meeting and pay your annual $20 dues. We’ll enroll you on the spot and you’ll be eligible for that night’s door prize drawing. You can also download a membership application HERE and send it along with a check for $20 to the address listed. Finally, you’ll often find ICON at the MarketPro SportsPlus computer show. Come to our table and we can usually set you up with a membership there.

Q. Why should I join ICON if I can attend the meetings free?
A. In addition to the free presentations at our general meetings, there are a number of benefits that are available to ICON members only. There is a second monthly members-only meeting, the ICON Workshops, where we cover lots of topics that are of value to everyone, from novices to seasoned veterans. Your ICON membership card entitles you to discounts at CompUSA and other retail outlets. Your membership comes with an invitation to the members-only ICON-Yahoo Online Discussion Group, where you can ask technical questions and get answers from other club members, access files and links and pictures and keep up-to-date about Club and local computer events. It’s like attending a meeting between meetings! Several manufacturers and publishers make available to our members special discount offers. And you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to an institution that helps you and the community, because our sole support is membership dues and without that support we couldn’t exist.

Q. What does it cost to join ICON?
A. Membership in the ICON PC User Group is $20 for a family membership, which includes the primary member and up to three additional family members residing in the same household. Your annual membership begins the month you join and continues for 12 months.

Q. I’d like to do more for ICON. How can I contribute more than just my dues?
A. We’re an all-volunteer organization that relies on the time and energy of its members and there’s plenty that needs to get done. We welcome all of our members to demonstrate a program that they know well or present a topic that would be of interest to our members at one of our meetings or workshops. Our newsletter editor is always on the lookout for members to write reviews on hardware or software and articles of general or technical interest. Our table at the MarketPro computer shows needs staffing on the weekends so that we can tell show attendees about ICON and help them with their technical problems. And if you’d like to become an officer in the club, we welcome you to speak to us about joining the Board and running for an office. Contact any of the club officers at one of the meetings or by email to discuss the ways that you can contribute to ICON.

Q. Where do you meet and how do I get there?
A. We meet at the Brentwood Public Library in one of the meeting rooms on the lower level. The Library is at 34 Second Ave. in Brentwood (Second Ave. and 4th St.), across from the Brentwood Post Office. You can find a map and directions to the Library HERE. Our general meetings are usually the first Friday of every month, barring holiday conflicts or weather closings. Beginners Workshop meetings are scheduled for the last Fridays of the month.

Q. Where do I send email for more information?
A. For membership inquiries and information, send email to: president@iconpcug.org.

Computer Help F.A.Q.

Q.My computer has been running slower and slower. Have I used it up?
A.No. You likely have a severe "malware" infection. Malware includes viruses, trojan worms and the newer categories of spyware, adware, popupware, browser hijackers, keyloggers, dialers, etc., which have been put onto your computer without your knowledge. How? Just by visiting Web sites, particularly those sites with free screensavers, games and software, as well as pornography and warez Web sites. So much malware is installed that your computer slows down and eventually crashes.

This is a problem similar to viruses, but different, so it requires software in addition to your anti-virus software. This USA TODAY ARTICLE discusses how the problem is extensive, and describes the protection required for ALL computers.

We recommend two FREE programs: Adaware SE and Spybot - Search & Destroy. Just click on the links in the last sentence to download and install them. Run both programs regularly and often (at least once a week, if you use the Internet several times a week) to scan your computer and then remove any entries listed after the scan.

These programs find spyware AFTER it is on your system. To prevent spyware from being placed on your computer in the first place, you need a program with “Real-Time Protection,” like Webroot Spy Sweeper. This program is highly-rated but is not free. It can be found at almost all computer and office stores. You can learn more about Spy Sweeper HERE.

There are other programs available BUT BEWARE of fake anti-spyware programs! They will install MORE spyware onto your computer!