Carroll County Times Articles
Carroll Technology Council –
Here to Serve Carroll County
by Lynn Carr – October 16, 2005
The Carroll Technology Council is extending an invitation to anyone who wants to know more about what the Carroll Tech Council does and how it helps Carroll County.
Annual Event
If you don't know much about the Carroll Tech Council, but would like to learn, now is the time to do so. We will hold our Annual Event on October 20th with Delegate Susan Krebs as our Keynote Speaker. Delegate Krebs will be speaking about pending technology legislation and how it can affect Carroll County. The evening will begin with hors d'oeuvres and drinks, and continue with entertainment by Magician Josh Norris, as well as the Westminster Ballet Theatre performing a modern dance. Along the way, we will share the “State of the Tech Council” and our plans for 2006. It will all take place at the beautiful Carroll Arts Center in downtown Westminster… and it's all free! However, please sign up through our website, or call the Tech Council to let us know you will join us for the evening.
Ask the Expert Series
Another event that the Tech Council is currently hosting is our “Ask the Expert” series, a partnership between Carroll Technology Council, Carroll County Department of Economic Development and Carroll Community College. This seminar series was created to help address some of the small business owner's technology challenges and to help them run their businesses more efficiently. Sessions are held at Carroll Community College.
Our first “Ask the Expert” session was “Communications for Business.” It featured representatives from Verizon, Sprint and Quantum Internet Services (QIS.net). This panel of experts presented information about high-speed internet options currently available in Carroll County. The Question and Answer session at the end of the presentations had a good interplay between panelists and attendees. This session was taped, and is being aired on Carroll Community College's local Channel 18 throughout the month of October, as well as on Channel 19 at a later date.
Understanding Business Networks
Our second session, “Understanding Business Networks” evaluated what is needed in terms of hardware, operating systems and software for computer-to-computer communications. This, too, will air on Channels 18 and 19.
Business Network Security
The third in the series on November 9th is “Business Network Security”, and will discuss what you should know to keep your business network secure internally and externally. Some topics that will be covered during this session are Firewalls, Browsers, Anti-Virus / SPAM, Physical Security Measures, Instant Messaging and how it can spread viruses, and Employee Training for Best Practices.
Maintaining Your Business Network
Our fourth, and last in this series, will be “Maintaining Your Business Network” on December 14th. This session will help business owners who have established computer networks plan for future needs in terms of Preventive Maintenance, Backing Up Data, Disaster Recovery, and System Growth (scalability).
It's not too late to sign up for either of the two remaining sessions. It's as easy as going to our website at www.carrolltechcouncil.org and following the link to register for Ask the Expert, or call the Miller Small Business Resource Center at Carroll Community College at 410-386-8012. These sessions are all free, but registration is required. A continental breakfast will be provided for each session.
Monthly Meetings
Carroll Tech Council has monthly meetings held the second Thursday of each month at 8:30 a.m. at the Miller Small Business Center at Carroll Community College. Our October meeting featured speakers Sgt. Valentine and Barbara Schmidt of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office. They brought the Mobile Command Center to the College, and discussed how its technology is utilized to assist law enforcement agencies during emergencies. November we will have teachers from the Carroll County Career and Technology Center who will let us know about technology being taught in the classrooms, and how it helps to prepare our students for careers.
Carroll Technology Council was created as a part of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce in 2001, and became an independent 501(c)3 organization in 2004. Its mission is to provide leadership, information and resources to educate, attract and influence technology in Carroll County.
About the Author
Lynn Karr is the Director of Carroll Technology Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating businesses, government and residents about technology issues. Questions are welcomed and may be addressed in future articles. Email advisors@carrolltechcouncil.org or go to www.carrolltechcouncil.org for a list of Advisor categories.
