Unscientific Survey

So... What' s up with user groups? Here' s what the 31 people who responded to [Apple's] totally unscientific survey had to say:

Increased interest is definitely the number one trend. Many reported seeing renewed excitement about Apple driven by the success of iMac and the new G4's. In particular, newbies with iMacs are joining user groups. Even PC users are showing interest.

Turnover among members was also a big trend. Quite a few groups reported losing some of their regulars, while at the same time getting new people referred by Apple.

Other points that came up repeatedly:

• Misinformation about Apple and its viability is still a problem - Fewer major companies are sending speakers to meetings - Local support from retailers could be better - BBS traffic isn't what it used to be.
• In terms of size, a few groups were shrinking, several were holding steady, and many were growing. Most of growth groups were gaining members slowly, but a couple reported rapid increase.
• The kinds of people joining? Mostly newbies seeking support and help -- professionals, students, the elderly and other first-time computer buyers. Retires were often mentioned as a significant portion of the user group population. Groups are finding that many new members are totally unfamiliar with computers.
• The most often mentioned top three concerns? Creating interesting programs, obtaining speakers for meetings - Finding and retaining good leadership, getting members involved - Gaining new members, keeping old ones
• Other recurring concerns included Apple' s ability to sustain its recent positive momentum, the number of software packages available for Macintosh, and getting vendor reps out to meetings.
• Also mentioned: more support from local retailers, strategic rethinking in light of the Internet, what to do with lingering bulletin board systems, improving and maintaining web sites, creating publicity and finding ways to reach out to the local community.
• Member services vary. The general meeting is still a staple for most groups, and meeting Q&A continues to be a popular activity. Door prizes are universally loved. Snail mail newsletters are still common, though some groups have successfully switched to e-mail newsletters which are faster and reduce costs.

Here' s a sampling of other services groups are providing to their memberships:

• Negotiated user group discounts from local retailers
• Diskettes or CDs with software, shareware and freeware
• An annual auction where people can buy / sell computer stuff (and the club gets a commission)
• Free technical support on the web, via e-mail, occasionally by phone and sometimes via house calls
• Web sites with software updates, tutorials and discussion boards, along with group info, meeting dates and locations
• A web site with a large Amazon affiliate bookstore providing a 5-15% cut of sales for the group when anyone shops there
• Listservers for announcements, tech. support and discussion
• An active BBS that gets members online
• Internet access and free web pages for members
• A resource centre for evaluating hardware and software
• Special new users meetings where the pros help the newbies
• Mentoring programs pairing beginners with experienced users
• A portion of the main meeting dedicated to basic beginner topics
• Tutoring programs at the local library
• SIGs (Internet, web, beginner, women, gaming, graphics, etc.)
• Open houses focusing on a specific task
• Hands-on sup-port workshops
• Low-cost classes and training
• Social nights out at restaurants
• A quarterly magazine
• Print newsletters or brochures distributed in local stores
• Main meetings arranged by a different member each month
• Partnerships with schools enabling use of their Mac labs
• A video and CD training library
• A shareware library
• ICQ chat

What are user group members most interested in? Far and away the most popular topic is the Internet. Beginners want to know what it is, how to get on, how to navigate and what to watch out for.

Advanced members want to know about new Internet technologies - Mac OS X Server, QuickTime 4, WebObjects. Those in between are interested in avoiding spam, good sites to visit, creating web pages and browser tips and tricks. All are interested in Internet access alternatives - ADSL, ISDN, cable modem, ISP. They want to know what' s best, cheapest, most reliable and easy to deal with.

The next biggest interest among members is Mac 101: using Mac OS, organizing files, handling system crashes, and getting around the desktop.

After that, interests are all over the map - productivity app.s, entertainment, existing in a hostile PC environment, DVD recording, FileMaker Pro, virtual reality & QuickTime VR, scanning, Photoshop, genealogy, digital photography, gaming, graphics, system troubleshooting, computer maintenance, AppleScript, software app.s, network installation, server setup, scripting, multimedia, good shareware / freeware resources, and making social connections with other members.

So, what's everyone planning to do online? Generally respondents recognized that the Internet has significantly altered the user group landscape. Several commented that the many resources available online make user groups less valuable, while a few pointed out that because there's so much out there, people are looking to user groups to help them find their way.

Just about everyone has a web site, though several mentioned difficulties getting volunteers to maintain it. Many groups use dial-up BBS, though quite a few are debating its value. Some groups provide Internet access for their members. One bunch had a newsgroup.

Many groups have e-mail listservers They are used to announce meetings, distribute e-mail news-letters and provide a forum for computer-related questions. In a few cases, e-mail has become the foundation of all group communication, with the listserver functioning as the centralized place for group discussion, ideas, tidbits and community-building.

They still meet in person, but day-to-day connections are maintained online. Some groups keep their lists open to members only, while others let anyone join.

Overall, the vast majority of user group members seem to be online.