This notice is about installing NON authorized software applications onto our Media Center's computers. During the recent annual required service missionary training, one module discussed the importance of not installing this type of software onto church owned computers. Our Center Coordinators conversed with FamilySearch in regards to the use of Affinity Photo being installed on several computers, despite the fact that the current version 3 is FREE to patrons. Version 2 was on the long "not authorized" list of computer applications. To be compliant with their requests, we will be removing Affinity Photo from the Center computers on Monday August 10th. If a patron wants to explore this software, we could help them install this software onto their personal laptop.

Apparently, FamilySearch also discovered that Handbrake was installed on one of the computers in the main media area, hidden behind the LockBox application. Handbrake is also a non-authorized application. Again, in order to be compliant with FamilySearch and Church requirements, we will be removing these two applications as well. As a workaround, should a patron come in requesting help with "ripping" a DVD containing home videos, we can direct them to the Handbrake website and they can download the Handbrake application onto their laptop. The Center's portable USB DVD players could then be used to assist them, if needed, in preserving their home movies to their laptop with missionary help. Of course, no copyrighted DVDs should ever be "ripped" in our Center.

We have noticed other software being downloaded onto a couple of the Media Center's computers. The two most offending ones are from Nero (DVD burning principally) and NCH Software (a suite of photo, video, and other media editing tools). These also are NOT authorized software. Hosting hubs like Softpedia.com, SourceForge.com, FossHub.com or similar carry known risks of also downloading malware/adware to the Center's computers.

If there are questions in regards to the above changes, please direct them to our Center Directors. We do appreciate each you and all that you do for our patrons here!

PLEASE DO NOT DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL ANY SOFTWARE ONTO OUR COMPUTERS UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY OUR CENTER DIRECTORS!!