We now have our own website address at u3aguildfordphoto.org.uk

Following the substantial digital photography learning curve for all of us in over the last two seasons, during the 2010/11 session we should all benefit from increased confidence and be able to move towards some more advanced aspects.

Our website has been further enhanced during the summer, including the programme for the year featuring contributions from several of our members. If you need help, see making a presentation. The most important addition is probably the introduction of additional set-subject galleries. A substantial number of minor textual improvements have been made. Some text is now specific to your browser, making instructions easier to use. Members can upload photographs to both the members gallery and to the set-subjects galleries. You may notice a message giving advice on browser usage at the start of an upload. For security reasons, upload works only with an up-to-date recognised browser. If this gives you any difficulties, please contact Mike.

Members gallery

Uploading your own images to the gallery is the standard method. Please avoid the 'advanced' form until we cover 'photo workflow'.

For more see easy upload or detailed upload instructions

If you have any difficulties with uploading, please contact Mike [email / 01483 304234 / Skype: mike.hall].

Questionnaire

David and Mike would appreciate everyone completing/revising their questionnaire by the end of October 2010. Results are extremely useful in planning meetings and in understanding the level to pitch presentations.

Completing the questionnaire [new window] generally takes less than 10 minutes. You can edit your questionnaire at any time if your resources or views change.

To complete the questionnaire you need to be on David's email list. If you are not, please contact David or Mike.

If you share an email address, to submit a second questionnaire use the 'complete a questionnaire for another person' button.

Paper copies of the questionnaire are available for those without an Internet connection.

It is intended that the questionnaire remains the same for both 2010/11 and 2011/12.

Here is a brief outline of last year's results:

• 36 members completed the questionnaire to 20 October 2010, about half of us.
• Almost everyone has a compact digital camera and a Windows PC.
• Around 60% of the group hadn't installed Picasa by that date. If you don't use another photo editor, it's really worthwhile trying Picasa. Go to picasa.google and click the download link at the top right and then install it. No problems, no danger and all very easy.
• There is an encouragingly high level of computer knowledge, especially of email and the Internet, but only limited digital editing experience.
• The group is generally interested in most things photographic except selling photos.
• Most subjects were considered interesting. Landscapes got the highest score. Lowest scores were recorded for Domestic Animals, Sport and Abstract.
• Answers to the textual questions show strong support for the general way the group is organised, with a range of views about what we might best concentrate on. Hopefully we were able to accommodate most people's wishes. If you asked a specific question we endeavoured to answer it either during the sessions or by direct contact.

Digital photography software

Everyone in the group is encouraged to install Picasa [http://picasa.google.com/] [new window]. For more on image editors, see image editors

Most software is mature and robust, but an occasional minor problem may emerge eg when additional applications are installed. If that happens to you, don't worry, it can be sorted out. Just ask for help.

Using this web site

For a safer and better Internet experience, install firefox [new window] and set it as your default browser. Your current browser will remain available in case you come across a web site that doesn't work properly with Firefox (I know about three of these.)

Minimise potential problems by ensuring that all computer software is up-to-date, including virus protection. On Windows run Windows update [new window] every month. The Wednesday following the second Tuesday of each month is ideal.

For more, see How can I protect my PC? [new window]

Improving the web site

The website software was designed for cooperative maintenance by a group of people and I would welcome assistance of any kind, whether proof-reading, online editing of existing pages or the development of new content.

Preparing web pages can be quite a lonely business and it is difficult to know whether or not content is helpful. Comments and suggestions are most welcome, by email or in person, positive, negative and especially if constructive with the objective of improving the resource for this and for future years.

Mike Hall
26/7/2010

This site is tested on Windows with the most recent versions of Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera and Internet Explorer.

Transfer to our new group website address