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LDAMC, Inc. Newsletter
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301-933-1076 •  ldamc@ldamc.org • www.ldamc.org
Non-Profit • Volunteer Based • Member Driven

 


LDA does not endorse or assume responsibility for any service, treatment, method, or product provided by this newsletter. Such listings are presented solely for the reader’s information. 
2016 is drawing to a close and our next newsletter will not be published until February of 2017. 

We would like to take this time to thank you for your support in 2016. Special thanks to those who donated on November 29 for #GivingTuesday, to those who have attended our events during 2016, and to our tireless volunteers who make LDAMC the service organization that it is. 

If you advertise with LDAMC or would like to begin to advertise with LDAMC, now is the time to sign up! Read more about our advertising package on our website and feel free to contact newsletter@ldamc.org for more information or to send in your ad. 

If you have not already liked our Facebook page, do so now! We will be posting this newsletter as well as announcements of various upcoming events on a regular basis. 

Candace Sahm and Sarah Summerlin
Co-Presidents

Bulletin Board

LDAMC Board Representative to LDAMD needed
 
LDAMC invites a member to join the Board and act to represent LDAMC at the LDAMD state board (Judy Lantz, President).  This is an opportunity to join with those who steer our organization at the county level.  The state board meets by conference call twice a year and holds an Annual Meeting in May/June.  Get to know your local and state officers and make connections that benefit you in the field of learning disabilities, local, state and national.  Please consider it now!
 
 
LDAMD Legislative Chair needed
 
Do you follow education policy at the state and national level?  Are you and/or your family affected by decisions made by MSDE?   The Educational Advocacy Coalition meets monthly in Baltimore to affect policy.  Members communicate specifics to the State of MD through MSDE and during the legislative session in Annapolis.  Learning Disabilities benefit from representation at these forums.  The issues affecting LD students and families need to be heard.  Your consideration would be greatly appreciated.  Contact Judy Lantz, President of LDAMD at jrlan@verizon.net.
 

Our next board meeting is currently being rescheduled. Details will be posted on Facebook. All are welcome to attend!



 
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Tech Corner: Buying a Personal Computer 


By Richard Bell-Irving
LDAMC Treasurer and Webmaster
https://virtualenhancements.com/


What kind of a computer should I buy as the holidays are approaching and many good deals are appearing on-line?
 
The first general rule is it is normally more cost advantageous for you if you purchase a computer from an on-line store, rather than a "bricks and mortar" store. Even the same stores like Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot have better deals on-line. Of course there are exceptions to this rule, but overall you do get better deals from the on-line stores. Some of my favorites:
http://www.microcenter.com
http://www.costco.com/
http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.hp.com
http://www.tigerdirect.com
http://www.nextag.com/  
http://www.staples.com/
http://www.officedepot.com/
http://www.bestbuy.com/
http://www.newegg.com
 
Technology has changed in the last few years as we move to more mobile-type devices. With that in mind I recommend a laptop over a desktop machine. You have the versatility of taking the computer with you should the need arise and the computing power is just as good on a laptop as with the desktop. The new laptops come with an HDMI output, which you can use with an affordable HDMI cable to plug into a monitor, should the laptop screen size not be sufficient for your needs.
 
There are two components to a laptop (or desktop), which are the primary critical factors:
1.       The processor chip
2.       The memory chips
Although you can get some great deals with an Intel Core i3 chip, that is old technology, and I would not recommend this processor. Not the Intel Celeron either. You can find some good Intel Core i5 chips, but for your dollars spent you are better to focus on an Intel Core i7 processor. The prices have recently dropped and they are a fast processor  
 
Look at the attached link for comparisons:  https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php. Enter in the chip you are considering when comparing laptop models to search for the processor speed. You always want a processor with the fastest computing speed. If you find a AMD with comparable speed to an Intel i7, that is great as well.
 
The next critical factor is the system memory. Tthe minimum you should be looking at is 4 GB (gigabyte); 8GB recommended, and 16 is wonderful. This is important since many applications use a lot of memory in the background, and you need to have sufficient memory available to run multiple simultaneous applications. For example, your antivirus, malware, and back up programs will consume approximately 1 gigabyte (GB) of memory, which doesn't allow you to use that for opening your standard web browser and related programs.
 
Since the majority of the software vendors are now leaning towards mobile type applications, I would always buy a laptop with a touch-enabled screen. This gives you the best of both worlds where you can use the laptop like a tablet, by touching it to open various tasks, as well as the full-size keyboard and mouse.
 
The other features are nice, but not critical as they are normally exactly the same across all models: DVD, Wireless and Ethernet connection, USB 3 ports and the Windows 10 as the operating system. FYI - You do not need Windows 10 Professional, the Windows 10 home edition will suffice for the majority of your users.
 
In summary, do your online shopping to see what you get for the dollar, compare models and vendors, and then scale back as appropriate for your budget.
 

 
Submit An Event
Calendar

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS,
December 2016-January 2017

Compiled for LDAMC by Kathy A. Ryan
More workshops available at: www.ldamc.org
Workshops are FREE unless otherwise noted.
 
Unfortunately, our calendar is unavailable for this issue. 

LDAMC Board & Executive Committee Positions

Co-Presidents – Candace Sahm, Sarah Summerlin
Vice President – vacant
Treasurer – Richard Bell-Irving
Recording Secretary – Phyllis Forman
Corresponding Secretary – Ruth Brodsky
Immediate Past President – Bonnie Massimino
 
Newsletter Coordinator – Sarah Summerlin
Hangout Hive Facilitator – Susan Healy
Parent Connection Facilitator - open
Family Advocacy Representative – Judy Lantz
Helpline Volunteer Coordinator – open
Professional Resource List Coordinator – open
Membership Committee Co-Chairs –Abby Kuntz-Smith
Programs Committee Chair – Bonnie Massimino
Media/Website Committee Chair – open
Fundraising/Finance Committee Chair – open
SEAC representative – open
MCPL advisory committee representative – Richard Bell-Irving

 

LDA of Montgomery County, MD, Inc.
LDAMC has served the community since 1965. We are a 501-c-3 non-profit registered in Maryland. LDAMC’s mission is to provide awareness, advocacy, and education about Learning Disabilities. We are a volunteer organization, affiliated with LDA-MD and LDA of America. Elected officers and a Board of Directors, under the guidance of the national organization, determine local policies and procedures.

 
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Copyright © 2016 Learning Disabilities Association of Montgomery County, Md., All rights reserved.


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