 Number 205 - June 2000 |
| Why User Groups Are Still Relevant | ||
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Patrick Greer, Upstate PC User's Grp via Dec 99 Saginaw Valley Blue Chip News | ||
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User Groups are still
relevant despite the information and programs you can find on the
Internet and the ease of use of graphical user interfaces (Windows 3.1,
Win95, Win98, etc.). About three years ago 1 decided to join the upstate
PC User's group. For months I would pick up the free issues of the
Piedmont Prompt in either the Open Book or Barnes and Noble. Two of the
main reasons I picked up the Prompt was because I had just started to
become interested in computers and second I'm prone to pick up anything
that is free. Yes I'm that poor soul you see nibbling at all the samples
they give away at the grocery store!
I'm totally awed by all the freeware, shareware, information, etc. that you can find On the Internet but I have discovered that the Internet is not the answer to everything. Sometimes the information you find on the Internet is faulty, a weird rumor or out of date. A lot of it is great, some of the best programs are freeware, you can receive news a day before it hits the newspapers, real time stock quotes, radio shows your radio can't pick up and chat and play games with people from all over the world. In spite of all the good things from the Internet and "user friendly" PC's I have noticed that there are some things that can't replace a good meeting of local people sharing their experiences, resources and ideas. As more people have signed on to the Internet and have upgraded their operating systems I have seen attendance at user group meeting drop. Now to be fair I'm sure an increase in easier to use technology is not the only cause for low attendance. People move, interests change or sadly they fall through the cracks and aren't presented with the opportunities to show their value with the group. |
So, what have I received
or been given the opportunity to do that I otherwise would have not? I
have learned about software and technologies like Cold Fusion, which to
tell the truth if I had continued to be just your basic Internet surfer I
would have not given it a second thought and would have cared less
about it. I have learned about the Linux operating system. I have been
able to submit my ideas for the club and website via our e-mail list,
and the monthly board meeting, (which is open to all members by the
way!)1
If you are there at the meetings when they begin then you have seen the exchange of ideas and help that occurs. If someone has a question or problem they do not have to drill through a search engine's results, wait for an e-mail response or stay on hold with "tech support". Usually not one person but quite a few will speak up and share their ideas and solutions. Another thing they can do is actually show how to do something on a PC at the meeting and maybe find a file you need! I'm still relatively new to the group so of course I'm only sharing things from my limited perspective. If you were there in the early days of the organization please e-mail either through Onelist or e-mail me directly with your experiences and stories for a follow-up article to this one. My e-mail is phgreer@bigfoot.com
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Number 205 - June 2000
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