NEXT MEETING:
February 18, 2012
Dave Marra, Apple Senior Systems Engineer on
"Discover iPad 2"

Thinner, lighter, faster and packed with amazing new features, iPad 2 has an entirely new design, two cameras and a new dual-core A5 chip for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics. Discover iPad 2 today and experience the next generation magical device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading ebooks and more!

As a Senior Systems Engineer for Apple, Dave Marra has conducted hundreds of technology presentations, keynote addresses and workshops for schools, Mac and PC user groups, businesses and other professional organizations across the United States and Canada. Certified as both an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator and an Apple Certified Systems Administrator, his specialty areas include digital multimedia, internet technologies, accessibility and Mac/PC integration. Dave's web site is www.marrathon.com. More information about Apple can be found at: www.apple.com (more info)

Print and post an announcement for the February meeting.

Meetings at PACS

PACS meets in the Community Center at the Super Giant Food Store of Willow Grove on Saturdays, starting at 8 AM. Click the Meeting Day Schedule link to the right to see when the events of interest to you will take place. The store is located at 315 York Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090. See the link at the right for directions. The center has wireless Internet connections, a cafe serving breakfast and lunch, and plenty of free parking.

Look here for details about using the wireless internet connection. Remember that this is an open connection and so you should use the caution that you should use at any WiFi hot spot.

PACS 2011-2012 Meeting Schedule
Date Presenter Topic
September 17, 2011 Hive76 Open-Source 3D Printing (more info)
October 15, 2011 Trooper Mark Mackachinas Inside the PA State Police Computer Crime Lab (more info)
November 19, 2011 Kevin Stahl and Chris Potako of Idryonis Studios State of the Art: Video and Audio Editing (more info)
December 17, 2011 Charles Prince, Avast Computer and Internet Security (more info)
January 21, 2012 Meeting cancelled due to weather
February 18, 2012 Dave Marra Discover Apple's iPad 2 (more info)
March 17, 2012 Doug Wolff Computers Meet Model Railroading (more info)
April 21, 2012 Scott Dunbar The Impact Of Technology On Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (more info)
May 19, 2012
June 16, 2012

September 17, 2011 - Members of Hive76 present "Open-Source 3D Printing"

3D printing would have been science fiction just a short time ago. Now there are many printers available at affordable prices. Hive76 members will be demonstrating one this month. It's an open-hardware model using open-source software. The September meeting coincides with Software Freedom Day.

They have offered to 'print' any 3D object that a PACS member makes with Blender (preferred) or Google Sketchup. If there are more objects than time available, members can visit Hive76 open houses to print their 'things'.

October 15, 2011 - PA State Trooper Mark Mackachinas presents "Criminal Investigations Involving the Internet and Technology"

Trooper Mark Mackachinas is from the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Computer Crime Unit. He's been with the Pennsylvania State Police for 12 years. He is a member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Computer Crime Task Force which services 10 counties with a concentration within Lehigh, Northampton, and Bucks counties. He'll talk about the assistance he provides to many criminal investigations encompassing the seizure of computers and related equipment. This process involves conducting a forensic examination on the seized equipment often resulting in evidence to supplement the criminal investigation.

Topics that will be covered during the presentation include:

  • Internet Safety and Networking
  • Safety in Using Social Networking Sites
  • Advances in Technology and How Law Enforcement is Adapting to These Advances

Prior to joining the Pennsylvania State Police, Mark received a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Temple University.

November 19, 2011 - Kevin Stahl and Chris Potako of Idryonis Studios will talk on "State of the Art: Video and Audio Editing"

Come and see a demonstration about how modern video and audio technologies and special effects are used in motion pictures and commercial video and how to effectively utilize the techniques in amateur and home videos. Kevin Stahl and Chris Potako will examine the tools that in use at Idryonis Studios as well as other industry standard software, tools, and techniques. They'll provide a behind-the-scenes look at how they completed several commercial videos, films, and video games including the process of: creating a musical score, video editing, audio editing, creating the sound design and sound effects, adding special effects, digitally grading (or coloring) the video, and other post-production processes.

Idryonis Studios, located in a Philadelphia suburb, is a multimedia post-production agency. Idryonis Studios creates marketing videos, motion graphics, and interactive educational and marketing tools for high-profile corporate clients such as Virgin Galactic, Entertainment Technology Corporation, National Aerospace Training & Research Center, and Schering-Plough Corporation. Idryonis enjoys a reputation as an award-winning independent film post-production facility. Idryonis consistently receives awards and top honors for its video special effects, creative sound design, music, video editing, and cinematography.

Kevin Stahl is a composer, drummer, and music educator currently residing in Willow Grove, PA. He received his Master of Music in Composition and Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Rowan University. As the in-house composer for Idryonis Studios, Kevin is credited with numerous film scores, game soundtracks, and concert works. Several of his award-winning film scores have been released commercially and his concert works are performed all over the USA. His inventive soundtracks for interactive entertainment attractions can be experienced in museums and amusement parks throughout the world. Most recently Kevin's score for the film "My Brother's Keeper" won him the Best Music award at the Project Twenty1 Philadelphia Film & Animation Festival.

Chris Potako is the in-house video editor and special effects artist at Idryonis Studios. His work has received high critical acclaim and garnered awards and nominations for Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing and various independent film festivals.

December 17, 2011 - Charles Prince, Avast, will speak on "Computer and Internet Security"

Learn about PC & Internet Security that includes malware, software for detection & prevention, and more. While the program is geared towards beginner & intermediate users, anyone can learn from the program.

Charles Prince owned several early Commodore models and acquired his first PC in 1995. He began using Avast in 2003, became an evangelist on the Avast forums in 2006, and has been a spokesperson for Avast since 2010. He has an associate degree in computer programming & operation. He previously worked for DuPont in NC for 30 years as a chemical plant technician and computer trainer.

January 21, 2012 - Meeting cancelled due to weather

February 18, 2012 - Dave Marra returns with "Discover iPad 2"

Thinner, lighter, faster and packed with amazing new features, iPad 2 has an entirely new design, two cameras and a new dual-core A5 chip for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics. Discover iPad 2 today and experience the next generation magical device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading ebooks and more!

As a Senior Systems Engineer for Apple, Dave Marra has conducted hundreds of technology presentations, keynote addresses and workshops for schools, Mac and PC user groups, businesses and other professional organizations across the United States and Canada. Certified as both an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator and an Apple Certified Systems Administrator, his specialty areas include digital multimedia, internet technologies, accessibility and Mac/PC integration. Dave's web site is www.marrathon.com. More information about Apple can be found at: www.apple.com

March 17, 2012 - Doug Wolff on "Model Railroading Meets Computers"

Do you remember when you controlled your model train's speed by turning a handle that raised or lowered the voltage on the track? These days DCC (Digital Command Control) enables different engines from different manufacturers to operate on the same system with more options than were ever possible before. Hear how Model Railroading has evolved with computers. Some things we might hear about include simulation programs (e.g. MS Train Simulator), the microprocessors inside train engines and controls, interfaces to allow a PC to control an entire system, track design software, art software for landscape and building design, etc.

Doug Wolff is the owner of Joe's Train Station in Lower Southampton. Doug has a background as an IT Professional with experience in desktop system engineering, network capacity planning, technical project management, implementation, and server engineering for pharmaceutical, financial, brokerage and telecommunications companies including Johnson & Johnson, Merrill Lynch, Kelly IT Services, McNeil, Fujitsu and AT&T. He has a BS in Computer Information Systems from York College as well as several professional certifications. He resides in Yardley.

April 21, 2012 - Scott Dunbar on "The Impact Of Technology On Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine"

Hear how Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and health systems use technology to accomplish their mission. This will include discussion of SharePoint, Excel, Adobe Acrobat Pro, PowerPoint, mobile data computers provided by the County, tablet computers, and difficulties with the integration of all of this hardware and software.

Scott has been a paramedic for 17 years and is currently the Manager/Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Services at Delaware County Memorial Hospital (part of the Crozer Keystone Health System). He manages the clinical side of the current pre-hospital electronic medical record software and is one of the lead clinicians in the purchase and implementation of new electronic medical record software. Scott is the son-in-law of PACS Director Ron Dunbar.

May 19, 2012 -

June 16, 2012 -

PACS 2012-2013 Meeting Schedule
Date Presenter Topic
September 15, 2012    
October 20, 2012    
November 17, 2012    
December 15, 2012    
January 19, 2013    
February 16, 2013    
March 16, 2013    
April 20, 2013    
May 18, 2013    
June 15, 2013    
PACS 2013-2014 Meeting Schedule
Date Presenter Topic
September 21, 2013    
October 19, 2013    
November 16, 2013    
December 21, 2013    
January 18, 2014    
February 15, 2014    
March 15, 2014    
April 19, 2014    
May 17, 2014    
June 21, 2014    
PACS 2014-2015 Meeting Schedule
Date Presenter Topic
September 20, 2014    
October 18, 2014    
November 15, 2014    
December 20, 2014    
January 17, 2015    
February 21, 2015    
March 21, 2015    
April 18, 2015    
May 16, 2015    
June 20, 2015