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. 

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