President’s Message
Windows 11 will start to become available on October 5, 2021. On this day, the free upgrade to Windows 11 will begin rolling out to eligible Windows 10 PCs, and PCs that come pre-loaded with Windows 11 will start to become available for purchase. A new Windows experience, Windows 11 is designed to bring you closer to what you love.
As the PC continues to play a more central role in our lives than ever before. Windows 11 is ready to empower your productivity and inspire your creativity. Here’s what’s new.
- New design and new sounds that are modern, fresh, and clean.
- Windows Start utilizes the power of the cloud and Microsoft 365 to show you your recent files no matter what device you were viewing them on.
- More powerful ways to multitask and optimize your screen real estate.
- Chat feature from Microsoft Teams integrated into the taskbar.
- Widgets, a new personalized feed powered by AI, provides a faster way to access the information you care about.
- A new Microsoft Store, rebuilt with an all-new design making it easier to search and discover your favorite apps, games, shows, and movies in one trusted location.
- The most inclusively designed version of Windows with new accessibility improvements that were built for and by people with disabilities.
- Optimized for speed, efficiency and improved experiences with touch, digital pen and voice input.
- An operating system built for hybrid work, delivering new experiences that work how you use it.
We think this may be the best version of Windows that Microsoft has ever released. At least they’ve listened to valuable suggestions from the Windows Insider Team as they created it. If you upgrade to Windows 11 and encounter any problems, please reach out to our First Level Support team.
TVCUC Updates
Technology Access Program. TAP is still going strong, thanks to your support and the many volunteers who graciously give their time in refurbishing donated computers to be repurposed for needy youth in the local area. At the end of August, TAP had helped 13,208 children have access to the internet with a computer in their home. This has helped to level an otherwise unlevel playing field for these kids as they’ve struggled with home schooling, online classes, and simply trying have a better life.
Membership Committee. We currently have 1193 members in the TVCUC, and our goal is to increase this number before 2022. Your $20 membership provides you with unlimited FLS support, access to our Help & Resources on the website, and much more! If you know someone who isn’t a member but could benefit from some technology assistance, please let them know they can join by going to the Membership section of the TVCUC website.
Education Committee. We recently hosted the first of two Zoom presentations in support of a Password Manager class. We had an amazing turnout that nearly reached the limits for the number of participants allowed in a Zoom meeting. The final presentation for this will be on October 5th for those who participated in the first session. Because of its popularity, I’m sure we’ll host this class again. In the meantime, if there are topics on which you’d like to have us do a similar online class, just send us an email.
First Level Support. Our FLS team continues to solve our members’ technology issues both remotely, and in some cases, in person. The level of support calls has remained steady throughout the pandemic, and now that many folks are back in their bubble, we’re here to help when you have computer problems.
Tours. Just a reminder that because of the uptick in COVID cases in our area, we are suspending the tours. Every facility to which we normally offer tours has told us it will likely be the first part of 2022 before they’ll allow tours again in their facilities. We will keep you informed.
Trending Technology Articles
The New iPad Mini. The iPad Mini has been overlooked for years now, with Apple favoring a spec bump here and there over a full upgrade. But for 2021, unlike the barely noticeable changes in the past, Apple redesigned the iPad Mini to place it more in line with the rest of its tablet offerings. Read the full article.
The 20 Best New Movies to Stream. As we leave the hottest months of summer behind, Hollywood enters spooky season as well as prestige season, which means a ton of movies coming out. With so many new originals, classic flicks, and indie marvels arriving, here’s a list of the top 20 movies to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO so you always have something new to watch. Read the full article.
Larry McJunkin, President