Vision
By Bill James

The worldwide number of PCs in use today surpassed the 600 million mark in 2001. According to the Computer Industry Almanac, the number of PCs will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.4 percent over the next six years to more than 1.15 billion PCs by the end of 2007. The United States had the largest number of PCs in use with 175 million at the end of 2001. The U.S. PC market will reach 251 million units in 2007. Annual PC sales in the United States run upwards of 40 million units.

Before Windows and Mac’s, personal computers were the toys of hobbyists.  Groups were formed to serve as a support network. Folks with like interest met to share their experiences and solutions. In those days, building and working with personal computers was not for the faint of heart. Like many other hobbies, it took a lot of time and dedication to get the machine to do what you expected it to do.

Those days have since past, Personal Computers are as common as the household toasters. It does not take a ‘geek’ to get one to operate. Hardware and software is more reliable. With that said, the question now is what is the role or place of a PC User Group?  Is there a real need? These are real concerns of User Groups. I think John C. Dvorak; a contributing editor to PC Magazine answered this question best:  “The car has been around for over 100 years and it still requires training to use. -- Why do we expect that anything as complicated as a computer will someday be trivial to use? It never has been. It never will be. And that's why we need user groups.”

Computers are simpler to operate today, but the complicity is still underneath. Like your auto engine, the intricate parts are hidden from view. Most users never crack the case of their computers to find out what really makes the ‘tick’. Most users only want the computer to work when they switch it on. It is only when it does not work when they become concerned and they have a need for some knowledgeable person or organization to help them. This is where I believe our PC User Group really shines. Not only does it provide invaluable networking possibilities but also resources that can help a user get through any problems that they may have. That is the one compelling reason why we maintain our Resource Center so we can provide the education and the resources to help individuals overcome any problems that they may have.

Within the next few weeks, our board will be looking at our Vision. We will be looking at where we want to be in the next few years. Find out what our community needs and how we can serve those needs. These are difficult times for most User Groups and the OKCPCUG is no exception, but it is our aim to continue to be a viable and productive organization in the coming years. So think about it, how did you become computer savvy? Did you learn on your own or was it through a User Group? Is not the vision of a PC User’s group -- PC Users helping other PC Users?

Bill James is President of the OKC PC Users Group. Bill can be reached at james@qns.com