Computer Lab

Monthly Meetings, 2nd Tuesday, 7 pm

First United Methodist Church Room 307
201 W. North St., Decatur, Illinois

Please join us for a meeting or two to see if we can help.

We meet monthly, second Tuesday of the month, at 7 pm on the top floor, Room 307. Meetings typically last between 1.5 to 2 hours.

The Church building is a quiet, safe place with parking lots on the North and West of the building and is fully accessible (complete with an elevator for those with special needs). Members are always at the door at 6:45 to meet and greet you.

Currently, we have a Windows 10 training video series at our meetings.

We do help people with hardware and operating system issues—whether a laptop, PC, tablet, etc. And we have a cart in the building for transporting equipment.

Regarding hardware support, please contact one of the Club members below to explain the particular issue or problem and work to schedule a time to offer assistance. Depending on the problem and our meeting schedule we may ask you to bring your hardware to the meeting or schedule a different time to help you.

Who We Are and What We Do

Our Computer Lab is located in on the second floor, room 307, of the First United Methodist Church building at 201 North Church Street in downtown Decatur.

Our Lab is used by Club members for our meetings, demonstrations, and training programs as well as by Church members for Sunday school and Adult programs.

We have eight modern PCs with Windows 10, and computer projector and screen for teaching, training, and demonstration purposes. Our training room can easily accommodate up to 20 people.

Equipment to start the original FUMC/DCC Computer Lab was donated in the late 90’s by local organizations committed to advancing the knowledge of Decatur area residents in the areas of computers and computer-related technology.

Now with a small budget from the DCC and the Church, our Lab is maintained by volunteers who spend countless hours in an attempt to offer the best possible equipment and training.

There are many who still need computer help, but they’re scattered. DCC extends helping hands to those that ask. This is our niche. This is our forte.

We intend to enhance, not to take away from the Community PC training offerings provided by the Decatur Public Library or Richland Community College.

Decatur Computer Club (DCC) History

In the fall of 1983 six Commodore Computer owners in Decatur met and decided to form a club. Notice was put out and many Decatur Commodore owners met at the First United Methodist Church to hear about the new club. The club was formed and by June 1984, the Decatur Commodore Computer Club’s Constitution was approved and active.

DCCC quickly became the largest club in Central Illinois. In the first few years, membership never fell below 125 members. Soon the club had a newsletter (The Scribbles and Bytes) and even an Electronic Bulletin Board System.

Computers were not in many schools at that time, but because DCCC membership was extended to whole families, many children learned about computers from attending club meetings. DCCC members offered their help to anyone.

Members were invited into computer owner’s homes to help them get started with these new machines. It was an exciting time for anyone interested in technology.

As IBM compatible PCs became more powerful and inexpensive, many DCCC members transitioned from Commodore to IBM PCs and PC clones. Shortly after that, Microsoft introduced the Windows Operating System. Most members switched to Windows, and the Decatur Commodore Computer Club became DCC, the Decatur Computer Club.

Then & Now

The grass root proliferation of local computer clubs accelerated the United States into the Technology Age.

Today computers have become more user-friendly, and there are only a few computer clubs left across the US. DCC members are very proud that we’re one of the few remaining clubs, and we’re blessed that First United Methodist Church continues to be our gracious sponsor.

Generally speaking, we can help with hands-on general guidance and training on Windows, Internet browsers, Microsoft applications such as Word and Excel, etc. along with some general home wired, and wireless networking questions and issues.
We understand that computer technology can be frustrating and at times downright intimidating, so our goal has been, and continues to be, to support the PC novice, and the shy—to help folks feel at ease with PCs, Software, Internet, etc. The only foolish question is the one unasked. If we don’t know the answer or we can’t help with a specific issue, we will at least try to guide you to resolve your particular problem.

• Throughout our history and Club meetings, we’ve addressed specific issues. Some examples include Windows fundamentals, managing files and folders, computer maintenance, adding memory boards, updating to a new hard drive, Internet Security, ID theft, keeping you and your kids safe on Social media, keeping and maintaining passwords, keeping personal information safe, disposal of old PC equipment with personal information, and discussions about tablets and smartphones. In 2008, Club members worked with church participants to design and publish the First United Methodist Church Pictorial Directory.
• Occasionally we’ve hosted other organizations such as the Decatur Genealogical Society and taught various community classes such as Windows basics, Scanners, Digital Cameras, Microsoft applications such as Word & Excel, etc. And we still do, as needs arise.
• If you have a specific interest or need that isn’t covered by the Library or Richland contact us to see if we can be of service.
• NOTE: Modern PCs and software can be highly complex, and we must acknowledge that there are power PC users that may need highly technical help for a particular issue or problem. Decatur Computer Club might be helpful in directing you to specific technical support offered by equipment manufacturers or software developers.

Donations & Recycling of Old Computers

Obsolete PC Equipment, Software, & Operating Systems, PC, Tablet, and laptop/notebook technology eventually become obsolete. Typically, DCC does not support obsolete PCs or software such as Windows XP, Windows VISTA, etc. But we’ll do our best provided the equipment is brought to the meeting.

PC or PC-related Equipment Donations

The Church and Computer club DO NOT accept donations of PCs, Laptops, Monitors, Printers, or any other PC/digital equipment.

Recycling of Computers and Electronics

Currently, Best Buy and Staples in Decatur accept some PC items. Contact them to see what they now take.
NOTE: Neither accepts CRT monitors.

Electronics Recycling
Macon County Environmental Management (217) 425-4505, aka Macon Green, sponsors periodic community electronic recycling events which does include PC & PC equipment. Visit their website for information on their next recycling event. You must register on the Macon Green website. This small-scale electronics collection is by appointment only.

Other Community PC & Software Training Resources

In addition to the Decatur Computer Club, Decatur Public Library and Richland Community College both have sizeable computer labs and resources.

Decatur Public Library
Currently offers basic FREE, one-day (few hours) computer courses.
Click this link to check current courses and schedules: https://www.DecaturLibrary.org/events?topic=computers

Richland Community College
Richland offers various non-credit computer courses. Go to www.richland.edu/catalog and look for the link to the Non-Credit Courses and download their latest brochure.
These courses are PAID courses (lasting from a few days to a couple of weeks) and typically range in price from $25 to $200+ for the more advanced courses. Textbooks are also provided for advanced courses. The advantage of Richland’s courses is that they are taught by the same IT professors who teach Richland students.