by Tom Lassiter, Membership Secretary
You are holding in your hand the absolute best user group publication in the land! That is not only my personal opinion (sure I’m prejudiced) but also that of a distinguished panel of judges that conferred that honor on this Magazine for the past two yea rs in a row. It is even more remarkable as the contest was originated, and is still to a large part influenced, by Apple Macintosh user groups. So as a PC user group we are doubly proud.
The Magazine is such an important part of HAL-PC. It serves to communicate all manner of information useful to you, the member. I wanted to take this month to have you spend a moment and make sure you are receiving maximum benefit from it. I particularly want our newer members to learn its value so they may gain full measure from their membership in HAL-PC.
What’s In It For You
Check out the beautiful and technically challenging covers designed by our staff each month. By the way, a volunteer staff produces the content of our professional quality Magazine. You may find their names on page 4 each month, alongside the names and phone numbers of your Board of Directors and other key personnel; and the HAL-PC address and phone numbers should you need them.
The monthly Show, or general meeting, information is usually found on page 5. Be sure and see what wonders will be presented each month and plan to attend. The Show is on the first Tuesday of the month; and for that reason we always try to have the Magazine to you by the first of the month. It serves as a reminder to get ready to come to the Show.
The SIG Calendar is another major section to scan each month. Select those that will most benefit your PC learning curve and mark your personal calendar to attend them. The opposite page contains the SIG Log with the names, leaders, phones, and meeting t ime of each SIG; and the following page contains narrative descriptions of some SIGs and the topics they will be covering that month.
The Learning Resources section covers the formal courses, both free and fee, offered by our tremendous cadre of volunteer instructors. Fees charged are only to cover the cost of materials for the course and are much less than comparable instruction elsew here. A class application form is included. Register EARLY, as they fill up quickly. Class size must be limited, as they are hands-on courses with a PC for each student.
The Help Committee pages provide a list of almost every conceivable PC application and the names and phones of volunteers willing to try and assist you over the phone. Please honor the limitations on days and times they elect to receive calls, as shown i n the list – these people have to work and sleep just as you do. Please don’t berate them if they can’t solve your problem – they are making an honest effort to help you the best they can.
Columns, feature articles, and software reviews make up the balance of the Magazine each month. If you care to see a particular topic, or better still – to write one, contact the Columns Editor and discuss it. Unsolicited articles are not advisable. Don’t be dejected if your idea is not accepted for publication; we have a rather finite limit of pages available. Try again.
An online edition of the Magazine is published on the HAL-PC web page. Read back issues there or tell your friends elsewhere about your favorite articles and they can read them on the internet. Users helping users. What you do for others comes back to you many times over.
What You Can Do For The Magazine
First of all - read it! The more you learn and know about PCs and HAL-PC and its functions, structure, and operations the stronger PC user you will become and the stronger organization HAL-PC will become.
Second – pass it around to your family, friends, and co-workers who are PC users. Share the benefits of HAL-PC membership with them by offering them the opportunity to join with you, and the rest of us, in the joys of personal growth and development. A members hip application is in the back of each issue.
Third – let our advertisers know you appreciate their ads informing you of their products, and that you are a HAL-PC member, when you make a purchase from one of them.
Fourth – suggest advertising in the Magazine to PC related businesses with whom you have contact. The rates are very favorable for a four-color slick paper publication that reaches a significant database of PC product buyers.
But most of all – enjoy the Magazine as a significant benefit of your membership, along with the Show and the endless educational opportunities offered to improve your computing skills, in the company of pleasant and like-minded members.
It is a pleasure to have you as a fellow member. Receive it –Read it – Pass it on – Enjoy it.
Tom Lassiter may be reached at jamesl@hal-pc.org.
E-mail me at webmaster@hal-pc.org with any comments you have and tell me what you want to see here.