How You Might Benefit From Belonging to User Group

Using a computer is often a solitary undertaking, but that doesn’t mean that most computer users are an antisocial lot.

Most computer aficionados that I know are outgoing and like to share their experience with others. We do this informally among our friends and co-workers, but there are plenty of user groups where people gather to help each other and share information.

Many of the groups are open to any computer user, while some are formed for a particular company or institution. Most user groups focus on a particular computer “platform,” such as the IBM PC or Macintosh. Others are more specific, dedicated to a particular software program.

The size of the groups may range from a few people to hundreds or thousands. The Boston Computer Society, for example, has more than 25,000 members throughout the world. The society, like other large user groups, has lots of special interest groups that focus on particular software, hardware or types of users. The group can be reached at (617) 252-0600.

Most groups publish a regular newsletter and operate a dial-up computer bulletin board where you can exchange electronic mail with members or download public domain and “shareware” software for your computer. Many groups also sell shareware disks at nominal prices. Users are free to try the shareware and, in most cases, are expected to send the author a “registration fee” if they use the program on a regular basis.

Some groups provide community service, said Judy Brown, president of the Assn. of PC User Groups (APCUG). It’s not uncommon, says Brown, for groups to mobilize during emergencies. User groups helped set up databases to coordinate supplies and services during natural or civil disasters, such as the Los Angeles riots or Hurricane Andrew, Brown said. The APCUG represents 300 user groups with more than 300,000 members. There are an estimated 10,000 user groups nationwide when you include internal company groups.

User groups have become a major force in the computer industry, according to a study conducted by Cal State San Bernardino professor Arthur Saltzman. The study, co-sponsored by APCUG, Lotus Development, Intel and IBM, found that members generally have enormous influence on software and hardware buying patterns at their workplaces.

More than 28% of members are either the chairman, president or owner of their company. And about three of four members either recommend or approve hardware and software purchases totaling an average of about $90,000 a year.

As a group, members tend to be male (87%), educated (nearly 70% have college degrees and 27% have advanced degrees) and relatively affluent ($63,000 average household income). It’s easy for a newcomer to feel lost at a large user group meeting, said Jerry Schneider, past president of the Washington, D.C.-area Capitol PC User Group. “The better user groups,” said Schneider, “are learning to attract and maintain new users.”

Steve Bass, president of the Pasadena PC Users Group, worries that some newcomers might feel intimidated when they encounter the 350 or so people who attend the monthly meetings. To ease those fears, each meeting has segments for beginners, intermediate and advanced users.

The group also sponsors a special interest group for novices, along with groups that concentrate on spreadsheets, word processing, database and other software.

One way to find a user group in your area is to call the Assn. of PC User Group’s locator line (by modem) at (914) 876-6678.