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CLUBS.TXT
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1992-10-03
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USER GROUPS AND COMPUTER CLUBS - I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND
The deeper you delve into computing, the sooner you discover the
benefits of joining a user group. The idea is simple: books,
tutorial disks and healthy doses of personal computer magazines
will only take you so far; sooner or later you need to talk to
SOMEONE.
Computer groups once had an image as hacker havens, but have now
broadened in scope to provide services as general or specific as
you like. User groups offer an informal way to meet and exchange
ideas about equipment, software or specialized techniques in
certain program areas.
A good user group will boast a variety of functions and sub-
functions. A monthly meeting headlines the agenda. Meetings vary
from group to group, but a common standard is first a beginners
corner for those just getting started. More experienced users
may come later to the main meeting or come early to help teach
or copy public domain software. The second portion of the
meeting usually revolves around an open "question and answer"
session during which members present ideas or ask pressing
questions of the entire gathering. Third on the agenda is
usually a presentation or guest speaker who discusses a software
program, new device or procedure. The fourth and final portion
of many user group meetings is the copying of public domain and
shareware programs of interest to members.
Annual dues for most users groups vary from free to $50 and are
frequently supplemented by the sale of public domain and
shareware software to both members and interested non-members.
Frequently a resource referral list is prepared which provides
the name(s), phone numbers and specialties of members who are
available to answer technical software or hardware questions.
Sometimes problems and questions becomes so numerous that the
user group will schedule special training sessions to help many
members having difficulty in a common area. Other user groups
enjoy field trips and opportunities which brings members
directly into contact with business users or computer
development professionals at an office or plant location.
Additional activities of the group may involve a monthly
newsletter on disk or paper, a BBS system with group news and
programs accessible by computer and telephone modem, group
discount purchasing memberships, a library index, directory of
members and list of local BBS systems and recommended
software/hardware vendors. The groups also serve as a handy
conduit for sales of used equipment by and for fellow members.
As senior members in the group migrate to more powerful
computers and attachments, fellow members can frequently locate
excellent equipment and software packages below retail prices.
The software library of a user group is a vast repository of
unusual software programs. Generally, the larger or more
technical the group, the broader the software resources
available. In addition some groups maintain older versions of a
program which may be simpler and more useful for the beginner.
Another benefit of using the user group software library derives
from the availability of program variants within a given area: a
club member can try not one but five or six different shareware
spreadsheets in an attempt to locate the most comfortable
software for his or her particular needs. Shareware springs from
the roots of the personal computer movement and for many
computer user group members, shareware and public domain
software may be the only software ever needed.
Some groups further specialize. Frequently these groups are
known as SIG's (Special Interest Groups). SIGs have a narrow
focus which may be more suited to certain people. SIGs exist to
serve spreadsheet users, DOS beginners, modem users, database
users, designers, lawyers, modem users, graphics designers and
the list goes on.
FOG, an international nonprofit computer users group, maintains
a comprehensive listing of national clubs. This list is also
printed in all issues of the Computer Shopper magazine (most
newsstands or $21 per year, 5211 South Washington Ave, POB F,
Titusville, FL 32781.) The address for FOG is PO Box 3474, Daly
City, California, 94015. FOG telephone is (415) 755-2000. FOG
lists over 20,000 members who have access to the club's library
of shareware for both CPM and DOS machines as well as a helpline
for members needing fast telephone answers to computer
questions, a monthly newsletter and discounts on assorted
computer merchandise. Membership in FOG is $40 per year. A self-
addressed, self-stamped envelope to FOG will bring a list of
computer clubs nearest you.
Another source of lists of local computer clubs is: The
Association of Personal Computer User Groups 1730 "M" ST NW,
#700, Washington, DC 20036.
Yet another way to locate user groups is to ask sales personnel
at a local software store or manager of any local Radio Shack
Store! Frequently a few phone calls will produce several phone
numbers of interest. In addition, IBM maintains an automated
national registry of user groups which can be reached at (404)
988-2782.
End of file, press escape to return to menu. Have you registered
to receive your BONUS DISK and update to the computer club
mailing list?