The October meeting of the TI-Chips was called to order and the minutes from the September meeting were read and accepted. Lin Shaw gave the Treasurer's report.
There was no membership report given at the meeting. However, Les Kee reported on the progress and/or lack of progress he had experienced in creating a readable library catalog for distribution. The basic problem is that our software and document (text) library is so extensive that it covers a book of well over 100 pages. Les attempted to scan disk sleeve catalogs in text format with OCR software. The results were much less than ideal. In fact many of the characters were so misinterpreted that the text scanned results required almost complete retyping. Les said he would look into alternate methods of creating a useable, condensed catalog.
There was an extensive discussion on the various methods available to archive program and text files on CD's. Norb Sitter said CUE (Computer Users of Erie, PA) was embarked on a similar project, and they are interested in creating archived files that can be transferred to and from CD's. This discussion brought about dialogue on how to organize the file and subfolder structures on the CD. (It appears that active input into these problems will result in workable solutions.)
It was reported that the North Royalton branch library will be closed for renovations in February, 2003. Therefore our meeting room will not be available on the third Saturday of that month. The library administrator said the second Saturday (February 9th) was available. There was a short discussion, it was approved that our meeting date for February, 2003 will be changed to February 9th. The change will be posted on the club's calendar and announced each month prior to the February meeting.
I brought in pictures and E-mail correspondence I've had with Fabrice Montupet concerning the TI-99/5 computer. It seems that Fabrice bought Michael Becker's TI-99/5, modified to enable use with a PAL monitor. Fabrice is very fortunate to own this very rare machine in that it has been said there were only five prototypes made. (It would be wonderful if this machine could be shown at CCAG 2003.)
Talking about the CCAG 2003 (Classic Computer And Game show), I informed those in attendance that this year's show is scheduled for Friday, May 24 (set up) and Saturday, May 25, 2003 at the Lutheran school in Garfield Hts. Additional information will be posted by Jim Krych on both the TI-99/4A OLUG and comp.sys.ti.
Norb Sitter won this month's 50:50 raffle. Congratulations, Norb.
The next meeting of the TI-Chips will be on November 16th, in the Storytime room of the North Royalton branch library, from 10:00 AM 'till noon in the Story Time Room in the North Royalton branch library.