Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:14:48 +0100WeeblyFri, 04 Sep 2026 08:55:00 GMThttps://www.dorchesteru3a.org.uk/computing-archive/3rd-september-2026-ai-llmchatbot-operationThe topic is part of a planned series.  Last month was using AI (chatbots);  Next month will cover the training process.  This month's topic covered what happens in an LLM when you type in a question or request.  We covered the key concepts of modern LLMs including, Tokenisation, Embeddings, the attention mechanism within a Transformer Architecture.  The presentation is available by clicking here.]]>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 07:50:08 GMThttps://www.dorchesteru3a.org.uk/computing-archive/2nd-july-2026-using-aiIn this topic our aim was to cover the use of AI for Domestic purposes - making use of the functionality of leading chatbots available for free.  We looked at the recent review of chatbots by Computer Active magazine and then examples of our own use.  In the attached presentation you will see some of our examples and also the edition of the magazine with the AI chatbot review.  A subset of the presentation is available by clicking here.]]>Sat, 06 Jun 2026 08:49:02 GMThttps://www.dorchesteru3a.org.uk/computing-archive/4th-june-2026-home-security-systemsThis was a bit of a departure from our normal fare.  Yes, the heart of all modern security systems is some form of computer, but we also covered sensors, systems and suppliers.  So if you would like to review your requirements and the sorts of systems available, this presentation may assist.  You can see the presentation by clicking here.]]>Thu, 07 May 2026 16:22:37 GMThttps://www.dorchesteru3a.org.uk/computing-archive/7th-may-2026-comparison-of-personal-computing-platformsWe compared Apple Mac/MacOs, Windows, Chromebook and Linux for use for personal computing.  We were fortunate in having users of each of these systems in the meeting which allowed the discussion to add personal perspectives to the presentation.  You can see the presentation by clicking here.]]>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:13:29 GMThttps://www.dorchesteru3a.org.uk/computing-archive/5th-march-2026-managing-editing-photosThis month the topic was "Managing and Saving Photos".  Of course there are many ways to swing a digital photo, but we tried to cover the most natural tools to organise photographs depending on whether you wish to use a Mac, a Windows PC, your iPhone or Android phone to do the job.  We also compare the options for storage and, for those interested in the technology, the various file formats used for images.  We introduced some photo editing programmes and showed a couple of examples after using an AI photo enhancement tool.  You can see the presentation by clicking here.]]>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:08:56 GMThttps://www.dorchesteru3a.org.uk/computing-archive/5th-february-2026-using-phone-as-pcThis month's topic was to explore making use of a smart phone as a PC, i.e. with an attached screen, mouse and keyboard. We demonstrated using an iPhone and then used a good Youtube video to show using a Samsung phone.  The answer is that Samsung Dex works well, iPhone constrains the displays on an external screen.  You can see the presentation by clicking here.]]>Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:08:46 GMThttps://www.dorchesteru3a.org.uk/computing-archive/4th-december-2025-tv-and-computing-convergenceWe had a look at what makes a TV a  Smart TV and compared this to a personal computer.  We covered streaming technologies and the processors and platforms used in the most popular TVs in the UK.  The conclusion was that a high end smart TV is likely to be the most powerful, if specialised, computer in the house with amazing functionality built in.  TV manufacturers are likely to broaden the capability of TVs in future to take advantage of the power already there.  You can see the presentation by clicking here.]]>Fri, 07 Nov 2025 09:54:05 GMThttps://www.dorchesteru3a.org.uk/computing-archive/6th-november-2025-comparison-of-microprocessor-familiesWe had a look at the main leading edge Microprocessors, AMD, Intel and the Apple M Series.  We added the Nvidia GPU to the mix for interest. In order to provide a basis for understanding the architecture of the processors, we had a quick review of the structure simpler processors using descriptions of the Intel 8085 and the MOS 6502.  You can see the presentation by clicking here.]]>Sat, 04 Oct 2025 13:50:56 GMThttps://www.dorchesteru3a.org.uk/computing-archive/2nd-october-2025-payment-systemsThe topic of the day was Payment Systems.  This is a huge topic, but we narrowed the scope by focussing on our objectives to review in particular PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay to understand what they are and how they compare to using a debit or credit card.  As you can see from the attached slides, we covered systems used in the UK with a brief history, went into a bit of detail for the credit and debit card process and then compared PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay.  You can see the presentation by clicking here]]>Fri, 04 Jul 2025 08:27:38 GMThttps://www.dorchesteru3a.org.uk/computing-archive/3rd-july-landline-switchoverThe topic this month was the transition of the UK telephone network from analogue to digital landlines.  There is plenty of confusion and poor information around and there are actually 2 big changes happening.  Firstly the connection to homes will be an internet connection with no separate voice channel and increasingly this will use fibre cable.  Secondly, the transmission and switching of voice calls will use VOIP, Voice Over Internet Protocol technology rather than circuit switching. The attached presentation covers dealing with the legacy and the new options available.  Click here to see the presentation.]]>