2026-02-23 MUGOO Zoom iMeeting

[AdminMan]

We still cannot have in-person meetings at the library. So we will use Zoom.

Date: Monday February 23, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET  You can join the Zoom meeting starting at 7:20.

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Although Zoom works in many browsers we STRONGLY recommend using the dedicated app on your device with the largest screen for the best experience.
You do NOT need a Zoom account to join a meeting!
If you need instructions, go here: https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/UsingZOOM

**** agenda TBA  *********

0 - Group chin-wag during log on                                                                                                  7:20 - 7:30
                                                                   
1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals                                                                          7:30 - 7:40

2 - January iMeeting follow-up -
     email archiving function of MailMaven                                       with Graham Fawcett             7:40 - 7:45

3 - Where's your wifi going? - optimizing your connection
     in busy wireless traffic                                                                  with Charles Archard              7:45 - 8:25

4 - What's happening with AI, Apple and Siri                                      Group discussion                 8:25 - 9:00


Unfortunately, no after meeting wings or desserts at the Royal Oak, but feel free to prepare your own snacks and share them with us on screen!

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Don't forget the Ottawa Public Library!
Even though we are unable to meet in person at the library, the OPL still offers a wealth of services you can access online. Go to https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en

[DavidR]

1 - News and Views - Members' new tech arrivals
Peter mentioned his recent upgrade to an iPhone 17 Pro, noting its improved 8x optical zoom capability and slightly larger screen compared to his previous 13 model. iPhone computational photography is now so good that some of his iPhone 13 images have been entered in photographic competitions. He also recently purchased a new Nikon mirrorless camera.

Charles correctly observed that computational photography, while outstanding in many dimensions, doesn't have a true optical lens bokeh ... the pleasing effect of a soft out-of-focus background that you get when shooting a subject using a fast lens at the widest aperture. Also, the colour is sometimes not quite right. David observed that his travel photography kit now includes an iPhone Pro plus a Fujifilm mirrorless camera with a decent telephoto lens ... the best of both worlds.

2 - January iMeeting follow-up - email archiving function of MailMaven - with Graham Fawcett
Graham provided detailed information about MailMaven's archive function, explaining that it saves to iCloud and offers alternative methods for archiving emails, including the use of "copy to" or "move to" functions and the ability to create organized subfolders. You can also add metadata to messages, such as a green flag for receipts. Wally expressed concern about email archiving for legal purposes, and Graham clarified that even with archiving, users still have the option of retaining all source emails.

3 - Where's your wifi going? - optimizing your connection in busy wireless traffic - with Charles Archard
Charles, a retired Communications Research Center professional with 30 years of experience, discussed the evolution of Wi-Fi technology and its underlying principles. He remembers the early black and white TV sets which had a rotating Chanel 1 to 13, and was on ARPANET before it was the Internet ... with two T1 (1.544 Mbps) connections to the rest of the world!

Charles explained how digital signals, unlike analog ones, transmit data in packets that can be addressed and checked for errors, using a road analogy to illustrate how Wi-Fi traffic can be managed but is subject to limitations and interference. He demonstrated how Wi-Fi channels can be visualized and showed that choosing the right channel is crucial for optimal performance, especially in dense areas like apartment buildings.

Charles, at one point, was the only WiFi source in his neighbourhood. Today, there is much more interference from other people. He uses a software program to illustrate how the radio spectrum is used to better inform his WiFi network setup. You can view a sample digram in the attachment below.

Charles stressed the importance of optimizing Wi-Fi signal quality by relocating modems to better locations and recommended using external high-quality routers for improved performance. He also discussed the benefits of mesh systems for enhancing signal coverage and noted limitations due to Ethernet connection speeds. Charles concluded by sharing insights on Canada's advancements in quantum entanglement communications and the impact of political decisions on telecommunications research.

4 - What's happening with AI, Apple and Siri - Group discussion         
The group discussed their experiences with AI, particularly focusing on Apple's intelligence initiatives and partnerships. Wally shared his confusion about Apple's AI strategy and recent collaboration with Google, while David and Charles explained that AI is most effective at analyzing past data rather than predicting a new, not yet conceived future.

David and Wally both shared positive experiences with ChatGPT and Google's Gemini AI for troubleshooting technical issues, though they noted the importance of verifying AI responses through multiple queries to avoid "hallucinations". David and Graham noted that ChatGPT and Perplexity remember previous conversations and can continue dialogues over long periods. Lynda shared a story about rescuing a dehydrated snapping turtle with the help of a neighbor, which she is now using as inspiration for an animated story thanks to ideas generated by ChatGPT.

The group discussed Apple's development of Siri in partnership with Google Gemini, noting that while current Siri performance is underwhelming, significant improvements are expected in the near future. Lynda and David shared positive experiences with DuckDuckGo's AI search capabilities, which offers quick results and security features. The conversation concluded with optimism about the future of AI, particularly given Apple's commitment to security and the recent partnership with Google.