User groups meet in-person on a regular basis to discuss and share information on a variety of PC-related topics. They are a fun and inexpensive way to receive information on PC technologies and programs that interest you and to meet with peers in order to get more out of your PC. User groups are often run independently by volunteers.

The Mindshare program supports consumer-focused user groups, those whose primary membership consists of home PC users and hobbyists.

The Mindshare program supports consumer user groups in several ways:

• Providing a user group directory and locator tool where clubs can post meeting and contact information for the general public at http://www.microsoft.com/mindshare
• In-person presentations and product tours
• Evaluation software and kit mailings
• Demonstration content, product information and important updates for meetings and newsletters
• Chats with product managers

Software for Review can be requested online through the Mindshare website by logging in to your Mindshare user group profile. From the Mindshare site select: “Product Review Program” in the left navigation pane.

Mindshare request for review guidelines allow for one request per product family and version year for all available titles. For example, a user group may choose between Office Professional or Office Standard 2003. A group can also choose one Office title from the previous version of the Office family.

Each evaluation title received must have a personal review written and submitted to Mindshare before future requests can be approved and received. Complete Review Guidelines can be found at : http://www.microsoft.com/mindshare/administration/guidelines.aspx

Microsoft hardware, MSPress books and technical developer software programs are not available for through the Mindshare Request for Review program. We’re sorry but we cannot ship review software outside of the United States and Canada. User groups outside of the United States and Canada may contact their local Microsoft office and inquire about the availability of evaluation software for user groups at http://www.microsoft.com/(country name.)

Mindshare uses Microsoft® .NET Passport for the login identification and verification process. A Passport ID (e-mail address) and Passport password give you access to Mindshare and other Microsoft websites with the convenience of a single, consistent login that you create and manage.

Mindshare recommends you use your group email address as your Passport (e.g., president@usergroup.org). You already have a Passport if you have an MSN® Hotmail® or MSN.com account. For more information about .NET Passport please visit Passport member services at http://memberservices.passport.net/.

Please log in to your club’s profile at www.microsoft.com/mindshare and choose the link “Administer My Group(s)” in the lower left under the title: My Groups. You will then be prompted to login using the Passport account associated with your club.

The Mindshare login requires only a .NET Passport. If you no longer know the current Passport used for Mindshare, or you wish to change the Passport associated with your club login, you can easily designate a new and/or different Passport.

To create a new .NET Passport, change your password or edit information contained in your .NET Passport account, please go to Passport Member Services at: http://memberservices.passport.net/

After logging in to Mindshare with the new Passport, select “Administer my Group(s)” in the left navigation pane, and choose “I have an existing group.” Search for your club by one or two keywords.

Please e-mail for assistance. The Mindshare website is best viewed using Internet Explorer version 5 or 6. Some button functionality such asPassport Sign In and Submit tasks may not work in other browsers.

Mindshare generally offers speakers around product launch timeframes and will notify clubs via e-mail when opportunities become available. E-mail for speaker requests. Clubs can also take advantage of Presentations in a Box, downloadable from the Mindshare website.

We’re sorry but the Mindshare program is not equipped to meet large donation requests from user groups. This includes software and site licenses, computer lab upgrades, instructor training materials or other charitable or community events.

Microsoft Community Affairs offers several options for obtaining donated and discounted software licenses for non-profit organizations. Program guidelines can be found online at: http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/citizenship/giving/programs/up/software.asp

If you find that your does not qualify for donations through Microsoft Community Affairs please investigate volume-priced licenses through the Microsoft Open License program as an alternative to purchasing single boxed copies at full retail prices. A purchase of as little as five licenses for participating software programs qualifies for discounted pricing.

Complete information on Microsoft’s Open License Program can be found online at: http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/programs/open/default.mspx

A club name field cannot be edited once created. Please e-mail to have an older listing deactivated.