Guide to User Groups for Windows XP Enthusiasts
Published: February 24, 2003
By Joli Ballew
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User groups are local clubs in which people meet face-to-face to share their common interest in computing. They're a valuable source of information and support. Different types of user groups are available, including gaming groups, groups for seniors, and groups for Windows XP enthusiasts. You can also join service groups, which provide a rewarding way to give back to the community.
I recently joined a user group in my hometown of Dallas, Texas. I've been to a couple of meetings, met some fascinating people, and had a wonderful experience overall. This user group offers me a way to meet people in my hometown who share my computing interests. Together, we communicate ideas, get and give advice, trade hardware and software information, share tips, and discuss our experiences. I've also been invited to speak at an upcoming meeting and do a book signing, proving that there are valuable networking opportunities available in user groups too.
In this column, I'll share what I've learned about the user group experience, including the kind of commitment that's involved and the pros and cons of membership in one. You'll learn how to get involved with a user group, where to find information about specific groups, and when and where groups in your area meet.
User Group Experience
Computer user groups became popular about 25 years ago and gave computer users, programmers, and developers an opportunity to solve problems and discuss technologies. This was before the Internet was widely available and offered the only viable way to find solutions and share ideas quickly among peers. Over the last 25 years, user groups have evolved to become a source of information for all types of users, not just professionals.
 | Over the last 25 years, user groups have evolved to become a source of information for all types of users, not just professionals. |  | |
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These groups allow people with similar interests to meet, discuss, and work together in a relaxed and friendly environment. User groups include special interest groups (SIGs), which are users focused on a particular topic with the group. A user group is not only a place to learn and share ideas though, it's also a way to make new friends, network, socialize, and volunteer.
Volunteering and performing community service through a user group lets you give back to the community. Volunteer activities can include recycling computers and then donating them to schools or churches, and teaching computer skills to people who don't have access to computers or to the elderly.
In addition, the user group I visited offers many opportunities for developing and enhancing professionalism, learning marketable skills, and becoming involved in leadership development and career enhancement. Socially, user groups allow a person to get away from their computer or office and meet another face-to-face, which is becoming more difficult in these days of e-mail and telecommuting.
What Happens in a User Group?
The group I joined is called North Texas PC Users Group (NTPCUG), Inc. and gets together monthly, although other groups can meet more or less often. NTPCUG has been meeting for 15 years and has over 30 special interest groups (SIGs). This user group community consists of 550 members. Their abilities and job functions range from experienced computer network administrators to programmers to homemakers.
Sometimes, we just get together and chat. Other times there are speakers from various computer and technology companies. We meet at the local community college, which offers a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and great parking.
A single, established user group might offer different types of internal groups. NTPCUG, the user group I visited, offers several:
| • | In-person forums are meetings that are held at the local junior college once a month. Members look forward to attending, seeing friends, and making new contacts. Each month there is a guest speaker, a "General" meeting, and several SIG meetings. |
| • | Online forums are Internet conferences, forums, and newsgroup posting opportunities. There are areas for general news, job postings, jokes, and for each of the SIGs. |
| • | Swap meets occur occasionally and allow users to trade, swap, or sell equipment. |
| • | Newsletters, sent on a regular basis, detail the next meeting, speakers, and vendors. |
| • | Special interest groups are spin offs of user groups and can range from Microsoft Access to Genealogy to WordPerfect. User groups are created when the group's members generate enough interest in a topic. |
There are many types of user groups too, and you'll want to find the one that most closely matches your interests. For example, there are groups on Windows XP, XP applications, business computing, personal computing, gaming, and groups for beginners and senior citizens. You're sure to find one that meets your needs.
Find a Local User Group
Microsoft Mindshare is Microsoft's program to support PC user groups in the United States and help build their enthusiasm about Microsoft technology. Mindshare offer 1500-1600 user groups, so finding one in your area isn't usually too difficult. These groups are eager for new members and offer SIGs in almost any area imaginable.
In order to visit a user group, you have to find one in your area. On the Expert Zone home page, there's a link to User Groups. Click the Mindshare link on the Windows XP User Groups page to get to the Mindshare User Group Support Program page.
Here, type your state, country, zip code, and how many miles from your zip code you're willing to travel to get to the meeting. You might want to increase the default number or 20 if you are out in the middle of nowhere. If you know any part of the group name, enter it too, as well as selecting options for audience, focus, languages, platforms, and products. To see what's near you, click Find.
If you're in a small town, don't select any check boxes for audience, focus, etc., or you might not get any results. View all of the groups in your area first. If there are several, go back and revise the search.
Figure 1 shows the first page of groups available in my area, along with additional options for performing tasks such as finding an event, making a request, registering your own group, and viewing chats and tips and tricks. You can also add yourself to the monthly Mindshare distribution list.
Figure 1
To get information about a group, simply click the group. The Contact Information page will open, which contains the Web site of the group, the group representative's e-mail address, and number of members, phone number, and other information. Before heading out to a meeting of your local user group, here are some tips:
| • | Contact the group's representative and verify the meeting is still taking place. Some information may be outdated and meetings might have been cancelled. The contact lead's e-mail address is included on the Contact Information page. |
| • | Visit all of the group's Web sites before choosing a group. By comparing the sites, you can find out which one has a SIG that meets your needs, if there are any fees or dues, and how often meetings take place. |
| • | Choose the user group that covers not only the subject you're interested in such as Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, gaming, or Adobe PhotoShop, but also meets where you'd feel most comfortable, whether that's at a community college, restaurant, library, or club. In the group I visited there were several elderly people. The college where we met offered easy access, including large hallways and wheelchair ramps. |
From first-time computer user to enthusiast to professional, you'll find a user group that boosts your computer skills and gives you a chance to share what you know.
How Much of a Commitment?
Each user group is different, but most of them do not require a commitment of any kind. Some of the larger groups require a yearly fee, but this is usually not more than $20 or $30. There are sometimes regional and national meetings for groups, which will require additional money for traveling, but these meetings aren't mandatory.
There are no other requirements to speak of, other than an interest in the topic, a ride to the meeting place, and a willingness to learn. Although sometimes you'll be asked to bring a snack!
Pros and Cons of Membership
It has been my experience that there are by far more pros than cons with user groups. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting people with similar interests in the same town. The new professional contacts have even included a job offer here and there. Joining a user group is a social experience and everyone seems to look forward to the meetings.
A user group also provides a great learning opportunity, especially for emerging technologies not yet on the market. For me, user groups are also a way to explore my Corel and Adobe interests. From these groups, I've joined newsgroups and e-mail lists, which deliver information to my inbox daily.
On the down side, the drive can be difficult, and depending on the distance and traffic, it can take 45 minutes to get to the meetings. Dallas is notorious for its traffic, so perhaps this won't be an issue for everyone. Additionally, some user groups don't keep their information updated, don't have regular meetings, and can fizzle out over time.
All in all though, it's been a great experience. There are many success stories in my user group. Gil Brand has led a SIG that refurbishes old computers destined for the landfill and customizes them to assist the blind. He leads a group that works on this regularly. These computers have been sent to areas of the world Gil didn't even know existed before now. Bill Parker began attending meetings to learn about a specific product and ended up consulting and making a living with the same technology. Vincent Gaines has become a fluent writer, manager, and leader after being president of the group.
Joining this group has been a rewarding experience, well worth the time and effort, as well as a great networking opportunity. Because you've already found your way to the Windows XP Expert Zone, I highly recommend the user group experience for you too.
Joli Ballew is a technology trainer and writer in the Dallas area. She hold several certifications including MCSE, A+, and MCDST. Joli has almost 20 books available, including Degunking Windows (Paraglyph Press), Hardcore Windows XP (McGraw-Hill), and Windows XP: Do Amazing Things (Microsoft Press). Joli is also a regular Microsoft Expert Zone columnist. Joli can be contacted at Joli_Ballew@hotmail.com.
