Club Description: The club is an organization with a goal; it is to help members get better usage out of their personal computers. The club is free and primarily for Microsoft Windows PC users because we meet in the UWF computer room that only has PCs. Our once-a-month informal meetings (on the 2nd Thursday) provide a relaxed environment in which to share computer stories, learn new skills, and solve tech problems. Our problem-solving approach depends heavily on various free Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.

What to Expect...

• Help with Modern Tech: Any one of the latest AI tools that we use, like ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft CoPilot, and Google Gemini, can be particularly useful for tackling computer problems. Probably everyone with AI experience has concluded that any AI-based approach is definitely superior to the old-style reliance on an application’s built-in help files.
• Interactive Meetings: Each session provides an opportunity for all attendees to hear a presentation and then discuss their own computer problems or successes. Sharing such information is beneficial to all and is strongly encouraged!
• Meeting Details: As of April 10, 2025, the club meets monthly throughout the year. The date is the 2nd Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m. in Room 357 on the UWF Campus.

Moderator Bio(s): Hal Pruett has relevant PC expertise that dates all the way back to the original IBM personal computer in the 1980s. Previously, near the end of the Korean war he was a Navy fighter pilot. Subsequently, he earned a PhD in Physics at UC Santa Barbara. Since 1994 he has instructed numerous CLL computer classes, written software to facilitate various CLL operations, maintained the CLL website, and served on the Board of Directors.

Course Description: Have you ever wondered what that ‘star’ is in the evening sky? Join a NASA Solar System Ambassador in exploring the solar system and beyond. Learn how to use a small telescope, how to navigate the night sky and identify the objects that you see. Discussions will cover the solar system as well as celestial objects such as constellations, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies. We will also cover the language of Astronomy from appulse to syzygy to zenith.

Class Leader Bio(s): Tom Haugh is a long-time amateur astronomer. He is a NASA Solar System Ambassador and the outreach coordinator for the NorthWest Florida Astronomy Association. His personal observatory is recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). His observations concentrate on asteroid and comet orbit verification and he has submitted more than 12,000 astrometric observations to the IAU’s Minor Planet Center.

Course Description: This class will look at some disastrous accidents, incidents, and production failures that have happened over the years in the aviation, maritime fields, and also the automotive industry. We will try to understand what went wrong and why the preventive actions did or did not work, we will look at the circumstances of incidents and what was officially done to prevent possible reoccurrence of the problems. I will provide visual aids and summaries for each class.

Class Leader Bio(s): Robert Huffman retired as an Air Force NCO after 27 years of service. He was a C-130 Crew Chief and Air Force Instructor. He also worked for Boeing. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Course Description: We hear much about microbes that make us sick. More than 90% of the microbes that share our world are beneficial, keeping us healthy, and manufacturing the foods and drinks we enjoy. This course covers both groups. Microbes have played a fundamental role in human history. The Bible’s Old Testament even provided useful public health laws. Whether you are working in the health care field, a home maker, or with an interest in public health, this fascinating foray into the invisible world of organisms that live in, on, and around us has something for you.

Class Leader Bio(s): Dr. Ron Weiss, Ed. D. taught microbiology at the university level to medical students, nursing students, and biology majors. During his career with the Indiana Department of Health, he served as an infection control specialist on a hospital inspection team, an institutional kitchen inspector, and inspected Clinical Laboratories for the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMMS). In addition he worked as a diagnostic technician in a regional veterinary laboratory where he acquired hands on experience with the viruses, bacteria, parasites and the fungal infections that plague us, our pets, the world around us.

Notes: Be sure to bring a notebook Crosspoint Church 214 Partin Drive S Community Life Center, Room 909-911 Niceville, FL

Course Description: Do you have an Android phone (not an iphone) and would you like to learn how to use its basic features better? If so, come and learn how to change the phone settings, install Widgets (like Google) and Apps (like Uber). **NOTE This class is intended to help NEW Android Phone users. 6-week class meeting September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8 and 15.

Class Leader Bio(s): Yvonne Bumpers recently retired from the Information Technology field. She has a masters degree in Database Technology, and has been working in the IT field for over 30 years.

Notes: Classes will be taught in the format of 6 I Do, We Do, You Do. 6-week class meeting September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8 and 15.

Course Description: Are you ready to learn how to use your iPad effectively? This course will take you from the very basics to making your iPad your own. Individual needs will be addressed to make sure everyone has an opportunity to learn. We will explore the most popular iPad tricks and topics, including how to get the most out of your iPad experience. Students must bring their own iPads to class. This is a six-week course meeting on September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16.

Class Leader Bio(s): Dolores Noechel is a former Ruckel math teacher, OCSD Instructional Technology and Media Services Specialist, and Assistant Principal at Fort Walton Beach High School.

Notes: This is a six-week course meeting on September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, and 16.

Course Description: If you have just purchased a drone, or are about to do so, this class is for you. Learn the different types of drones that are available and which one to buy for your needs. Learn how to fly a drone safely and stay within FAA regulations. The class will also provide tips on how to shoot video with a drone and edit it. Beginning classes will be conducted indoors with the Tello Drone. Students will be given the opportunity to fly more complex camera drones during outdoor class sessions. All drones will be provided for class use.

Class Leader Bio(s): Billy Walker has taught Video Processing and iPad classes at CLL for several years. He owns three drones and has been flying them for over five years. Walt Spodeck, an FAA licensed drone and commercial aircraft pilot will be the co-leader for this course. Walt owns 4 drones and has been flying them several years.

Course Description: Get out your old photos and video clips and put them in a format that can easily be displayed and shared. Using the Windows Movie Maker program on the classroom computers students will learn how to group their photos and movie clips into a single movie with music, narration and titles which can be displayed on any computer, TV or smart phone. Special effects and transitions between photos and movie clips will be demonstrated. Conversion of your hard copy photos and negatives into digital format will be discussed. This is an intermediate class requiring basic Windows computer skills. The movie files we make can be played but not created or edited on Apple computers. However, photos taken and stored on iPhones can be used in your movie.

Class Leader Bio(s): Billy Walker has taught Video Processing, iPad and Drone classes at CLL for several years. Two of his favorite hobbies are videography and photography. Walt Spodeck has assisted in this class and the Drone class for several years.