This article appeared in the September/October 1991 issue of Quick Connect, the Newsletter for Apple User Groups. It may be reproduced in other User Group publications not sold for profit. We require only that credit be given to The Apple Computer User Group Connection and that we receive a copy of any publication in which reprinted articles appear. The Apple User Group Connection, Apple Computer, Inc., 20525 Mariani Avenue, MS: 36/AA, Cupertino, CA 95014.
(c) 1991 Apple Computer, Inc.
APDA, APDAlog, Apple, AppleLink, A/UX, Mac, MacApp, Macintosh and MPW are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. HyperCard is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., licensed to Claris Corporation. Finder, Quick Connect and the User Group Connection are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. America Online is a service mark of Quantum Computer Services, Inc.
User Group Volunteers
For many User Groups, Fall is the season of new beginnings and renewed energy in their organizations. New programs are launched, and expanded services are considered. Such plans bring the need to find dedicated volunteers--an ongoing challenge for every User Group. In this issue, we take a look at recruiting and retaining volunteers, and how they affect the growth and survival of every User Group.
Fall is usually the time when we hear about the three "R’s" of reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmatic. For User Groups, it’s often a time to re-energize an organization, and seek out new members and volunteers. We recently spoke to several UG leaders to hear their thoughts on the three "R’s" of volunteers: Recruiting, Rewarding and Retaining.
Recruiting. There are a number of ways to find volunteers to help your organization. Group leaders often overlook the most obvious method: asking. By nature, UG leaders are individuals who don’t need much prodding to tackle a task. As a result, they often don’t understand that others may not be as comfortable or outgoing in offering to help. "Even though it may seem awkward," says one UG volunteer coordinator, "you want to find others who are not like yourself. The strength lies in diversity," he adds.
How to ask for volunteers? Our survey of UG leaders shows that groups are using a variety of imaginative approaches. Some groups make a general announcement at meetings, while others hold volunteer SIG sessions before or after general meetings. Flyers passed out at meetings or ads in monthly newsletters calling for volunteers for specific projects often bring new recruits. New York City’s NYMUG, playing off members’ desires to win some nifty door prizes, recently solicited new volunteers by using special raffle cards at a monthly meeting. To be entered in the drawing, members had to furnish their names and phone numbers and indicate a written commitment to volunteer for one or more group activities.
To insure success in your volunteer recruiting, UG leaders point out three things groups must remember: be persistent, be specific, and be personable. "Ask regularly, sincerely and often," advises Douglas Hoff of the North Coast MUG in Santa Rosa, CA. "Most people are willing to share their time if they are approached in the right way," he adds. "Recruiting is an ongoing, dynamic process," explains Glenn Hoffman, Director of Special Events and Volunteers for BCS*Mac in Boston, MA. Hoffman is on hand for a monthly volunteer open house at the group’s headquarters, ready to interview potential volunteers and match their skills with upcoming special projects.
Rewarding. Since volunteers are not being compensated financially, it is crucial to reward them in other ways for their contributions. Honorary titles, listings in group newsletters, T-shirts, framed awards, and other forms of public recognition can go a long way toward giving volunteers the personal fulfillment that takes the place of paid compensation. Many UGs offer volunteers reduced rates on merchandise, seminars or events. Access to group-owned equipment outside of club use is another strong incentive for volunteers. Other groups give more concrete rewards, such as allowing volunteers who write software reviews for club newsletters the opportunity to keep the package they’ve reviewed.
Several User Groups host annual parties or dinners honoring volunteers, while others include a "volunteer-of-the-month" column in their newsletter. "Public thanks and cheerleading doesn’t cost a group much, but they provide a very powerful emotional payback for volunteers," says one UG leader.
Among the more innovative methods of rewarding volunteer efforts is one developed by ProMac, the Professional Mac Users Group in Buffalo, NY. The group "pays" their volunteers in a group currency called ProBucks, explains president Jeff Raugh. "In line with our focus as a professional society, we have dues of $100. We don’t feel this is out of line for a professional organization, but we actually hope that not a single person has to pay that sum," he says. The group awards ProBucks (applicable toward next year’s dues) for a wide range of volunteer services, from submissions to the group library to editing the newsletter. "If someone comes up with something that will help the group, we gladly give some bucks for it," states Raugh, adding that it is a great incentive to get people involved. "The people who just want to sit back and let everyone else entertain them can pad our bank account," he adds.
The most valuable reward, however, is to provide volunteers the opportunity to grow and develop in ways that fulfill them. "Fundamentally, the way you reward people is to give them meaningful work, so they get a sense of accomplishment," observes BCS’s Glenn Hoffman. A firm believer in building teams instead of appointing individuals, Hoffman understands that "if you really let people own the work, and spread the glory, the perks become secondary things that show you care. The real payback is in the skills that are learned and the personal sharing," he explains.
Retaining. Once you’ve had a great volunteer for a while, how do you make sure that he or she will stay active? A key step is to stay in touch, on a one-to-one level, with members. In some groups, a volunteer coordinator makes regular phone calls to make sure that active members are still enjoying their work. These phone calls can lead to unexpected benefits, as John Brouse of the Central Kentucky Computer Society (CKCS) in Lexington, KY discovered. One evening when Brouse was phoning CKCS members to solicit new volunteers, he discovered that a person had moved and he had the old phone number. The person answering the phone expressed interest in the group, even though he wasn’t the person Brouse was calling. Several minutes later, CKCS had a new member and a potential volunteer!
It is important to understand that individuals’ interests will grow and change, just as your User Group will evolve over time. "Volunteers need to feel able to expand their skills and find new levels of involvement," observes one UG leader. Variety helps avoid burnout, a common malady in nonprofit organizations. The aim is to continually bring in new people, and to let long-time volunteers shift positions, or even create new ones.
Some groups have created a structured system of volunteer positions, with clear definitions of tasks and expectations. This structure helps members decide in what areas and at which level of commitment they want to participate. It also clarifies what is expected of a volunteer, so UG leaders aren’t placed in the unfortunate situation of "firing" a volunteer (see sidebar).
Creating a successful volunteer program within a User Group is an ongoing challenge. "The key is to develop management skills, which are different from the technical strengths many User Group leaders have," observes Glenn Hoffman. "The participatory model requires more organization," admits Hoffman, "but ultimately the organization is healthier, and able to achieve much more."
(sidebar)
Firing a Volunteer?
It’s every User Group leader’s nightmare. Call it a personality conflict or differences in management style, a key volunteer is alienating other volunteers in your User Group. Perhaps the person is more at home in front of a computer than coordinating a team of diverse personalities. Whatever the reason, your group’s future depends on retaining volunteers, and having them work in harmony. As a User Group leader, what do you do? How can you "fire" a volunteer?
The source of such problems is usually a misunderstanding about what is expected of the volunteer in the position, explains Jean Appleby, an advisor on group process and career development in Cleveland, OH. "Often, the problem can be traced to a lack of establishing clear goals and responsibilities at the outset," Appleby observes. "It’s easy to peg it as a volunteer problem, but what it really reflects is a management problem," she adds.
A crucial part of dealing with a potential firing is to have a tactful discussion with the volunteer. The focus should be on the volunteer’s performance--not their personality--and how their performance relates to the goals of the organization. The volunteer and UG leader should discuss potential remedies, and set a specific time to meet again to review and assess the situation. One alternative is to point out other strengths that the volunteer has, and to suggest he or she consider another volunteer task--or even create a new position.
"A volunteer situation can be a career or educational experience, and it should be looked at that way," states Jean Appleby. "If volunteers play a role in setting goals for what they do, it directs their energies more efficiently and constructively," she adds. Before it comes to a point of firing a volunteer, hold a candid discussion and consider a better matched position in which he or she can still contribute to the group. An even better solution: establish clear and concrete goals so both volunteers and leaders understand how their activities support a group’s overall mission.
From the Staff…
Dear Apple User Group Ambassador,
As the User Group Connection(TM) Communications Specialist, a large portion of my time is devoted to the monthly User Group mailings. I gather materials from around the company to help you in your role as a UG leader. We hope you have enjoyed the new product, technical, and training materials that have been included in recent mailings.
User Group Ambassadors are our key contact in communicating with the wider User Group community, and we count on you to spread the word about our programs. Many Ambassadors have developed creative ways of sharing Connection resources with their members, and we encourage you to try them in your group.
* List monthly mailing contents in the User Group newsletter
* Announce contents of monthly mailings at User Group and SIG meetings
* Integrate portions of the mailings into your meeting
* Show Connection videos at meetings
* Post a listing of monthly mailing contents on a local BBS
* Keep Connection materials in a central "resource library"
* House Connection materials at a public library
* Reprint Quick Connect articles in the group newsletter
My responsibilities also include the production of the Quick Connect newsletters. Quick Connect addresses User Group management issues and also covers what other UGs are doing. In addition, each issue of Quick Connect has at least one article appropriate for reprinting in your publications. Newsletter editors may be especially interested in the articles that address current topics, with a special Apple insight not found in other magazines or newsletters. Quick Connect articles are also available electronically on the AppleLink(R) network and America Online. See our back cover for details.
We are also trying to make the Ambassador’s job of communicating with key volunteers easier by expanding our mailings. We recently started sending a copy of Quick Connect and a cover letter listing the contents of the monthly mailing to four additional contacts in each group. (These additional contacts were identified in the last Database Update process.) These four contacts are chosen by the group, and often include the newsletter editor, meeting coordinator, sysop, librarian, officers, or board of directors.
We have received positive feedback on this expanded mailing, and look forward to hearing other suggestions on how to facilitate the smooth flow of information between Apple and User Groups, and among the User Group community. If you have ideas or comments about our monthly mailings, send an e-mail or drop me a note at the address on the back cover.
Regards,
Michèle Free
The User Group Connection
APDA News
Easier Access to Development Tools
Two big developments at APDA(R), Apple’s resource for development tools, make it easier for customers to get their hands on development tools and resources. First, APDA is eliminating the annual subscription fee. Now anyone who wants to order products from APDA can begin purchasing immediately. Customers wanting to purchase beta products simply sign the APDA Terms and Conditions form that’s in the product catalog and send it to APDA, where it will be kept on file.
APDA is also announcing the debut of the new APDA Tools Catalog, replacing its APDAlog(R) predecessor, that showcases more than 300 Apple and third-party development products. The catalog’s new format makes it easier to use and navigate, allowing customers to find products more quickly. In addition, product photos and screenshots complement the detailed product descriptions to help you in your purchasing decision. Customers will receive a complete catalog sourcebook twice a year; quarterly updates between sourcebooks will highlight both new and key products. The new catalog is included in this month’s Connection mailing to User Groups. For ordering information or to request additional catalogs, contact APDA at 800/282-2732 (U.S.), 800/637-0029 (Canada) or 408/562-3910 (International); or AppleLink: APDA.
APDA Ships MPW 3.2
User Group members involved with programming know that the Macintosh (R) Programmer’s Workshop (MPW (R))--Apple’s own Macintosh development system--offers one of the most powerful programming environments available. Apple recently announced that it is shipping the latest version of this development tool, MPW 3.2.
MPW has been used to write a wide range of award-winning and powerful software for the Macintosh, including System 7, HyperCard(R) 2.0, and numerous in-house applications. With MPW, you can program in Object Pascal, C, C++, and assembly language (from Apple), and Ada, FORTRAN, and other languages (from third parties).
MPW 3.2 has these new features:
* Compatibility with Macintosh System Software 7
* Compatibility with A/UX (R) 2.0 or later
* New 32-bit run-time architecture which breaks 32K segment limit
* Improved compiler optimizations
* Improved source-code navigation in the MPW shell
* 411, an electronic information retrieval system for essential technical information and Developer Essentials
MPW 3.2 is available from APDA in both floppy disk and CD-ROM formats. Individuals with CD-ROM access may want to purchase the CD-ROM-based product, since it offers greater value in comparison to its floppy disk-based counterpart. User Groups can contact APDA at the numbers above for additional product and price information.
Leader to Leader
User Group Meeting Raffles
Many User Groups have discovered that raffles of donated software, hardware or other "goodies" can generate much-needed funds and goodwill for their organizations. Some groups charge a nominal fee for raffle tickets, while others use free drawings to attract large audiences that will stay until the very end of a meeting. We recently asked User Group leaders to share their ideas on how their groups conduct raffles.
Color-coded tickets
The South Bay Apple Mac(R) User Group raffle has been refined over the years and the format is as follows: all members with current membership cards receive one raffle ticket, in a special color. Guests and members may purchase extra tickets (in another color) for $1 each. Tickets are usually picked by a guest speaker. At the time of the drawing, a member ticket is always pulled first. The winner takes their choice of prizes, and if they already have a copy of the best prize, they may chose to leave it for another lucky person. All tickets are then mixed together and drawn randomly until all prizes are distributed. Raffle prizes are usually donated by the guest presenters or other software/hardware companies and some are purchased by the group. The raffle does not make money but it helps to draw in new members.
Gary Fortune
South Bay Apple Mac User Group
114A S. Juanita Ave.
P.O. Box 432
Redondo Beach, CA 90277-0432
213/316-7738
AppleLink: UG0168
AOL: Fortune1
A "flip off" instead of a raffle
We use a "flip off" to give away donated software, an approach that saves having to print raffle tickets and builds suspense at meetings. Under our rules, only active members (with up-to-date dues) may participate. Members are expected to contribute $1-5 to participate, depending on the software. We collect the money, and the leader flips a coin. Then members flip. Those that match the leader get to stay in; those who don’t match, sit down. We repeat the process until one member is left, who wins. The winner is required to write a simple review of the software won. We take the names of the winners and run them in our newsletter as a reminder for them to write the review. Their name gets deleted from the list of "reviews due" when the review gets printed.
Greg Kelley
Silicon Mountain Mac User Group
3440 Oro Blanco
Colorado Springs, CO 80917
719/548-1342
AppleLink: UG0319
AOL: GregK21
Members stay to the end
We usually schedule two or three speakers per evening at our meetings. We encourage them to give a few units away, and when possible, offer a one-time discount for the product at the meeting. (Many vendors sell enough to pay for their trip this way.) Most of our speakers have really gone all out, and we often have $1500-2000 in door prizes at a meeting. This helps us draw a large crowd and keeps everyone interested in the demo, since several copies are usually given away. The raffle is one of our biggest draws, and we hold it last thing in the evening. All members get one free ticket and can purchase additional ones for 50 cents each. It’s not unusual to have 300 folks sticking around until 10:00 p.m., for the end of the meeting and the raffle.
Michael S. Bean
Arizona Macintosh Users Group
718 E. Campbell Ave.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
602/892-5454
AppleLink: UG0116
America Online: AMUG
BMUG’s closet
BMUG has raffles at the end of each weekly Thursday meeting. There is no fee, and we hand out tickets to everyone left at the end of the meeting. Board members or staff aren’t eligible for the raffle, which saves on hard feelings from members. While we encourage those who participate in the raffle to be BMUG members, we don’t insist on it. Usually we raffle a few T-shirts (from vendors), a couple of pieces of software, and then the little "novelties" we find around and about, like pins and calendars. We also have raffles at our once-a-month meetings in San Francisco. Since we generally have less than 50 to 70 people at the monthly meetings, but usually have the same number of raffle prizes, the odds of winning are much better at the San Francisco meetings. The raffles don’t raise money, but they help keep attendees paying attention and staying to the end. It’s also a way for us to clean out the BMUG closet.
Steve Costa, Herb Dang,
David Morgenstern
BMUG
1442A Walnut Street #62
Berkeley 94709
415/549-2684
415/849-9114 hotline
AppleLink: UG0001
NAUGC ’91 Conference
Powwow ’91
This year’s National Apple User Group Conference (NAUGC) was held in Berkeley, CA, in its first appearance outside the Midwest. Titled Powwow ’91, the event attracted more than 100 User Group enthusiasts from the United States and Canada. The Apple II and Macintosh "tribes" gathered at the University of California at Berkeley, June 7-9 for three days of intense sessions, debate, camaraderie, and even some outdoor fun.
The conference featured presentations by attendees and local nonprofit organizations. Topics included SIG and product-line sessions, the Disabled Children’s Computing Group, CompuMentor, and HyperCard. There were also UG management sessions on fund-raising, keeping groups user-friendly, developing a board of directors, working with developers, motivating volunteers, and maintaining a BBS. Intense discussions about how to grow a User Group without reinventing the wheel were interspersed with walking tours of the Macintosh sites of downtown Berkeley, including stops at two local Mac-only software dealers.
At the Apple II sessions on Friday, organized by local activist Joe Kohn, Apple II Product Manager Jane Lee and Apple II Evangelist Rob Barnes discussed the Apple II line and Apple’s commitment to the products. Kohn organized several software swaps, as well as donations of Apple II software. On the second morning of the conference, representatives from Apple’s User Group Connection were on hand to field questions. They also shared news about Connection programs and upcoming events, such as the UG-TV broadcast (see back page).
As in past years, vendor-sponsored events highlighted each evening. The keynote dinner Friday night, sponsored by the User Group Connection, featured Rob Moore, designer of the Apple IIe emulation card for the Macintosh LC, as well as a performance by computer entertainer Saint Silicon. MacroMind kicked off its national tour with a multimedia barbecue on Saturday, hosted by Marc Canter. There were several other sponsors from the vendor community, including local Rent-A-Mac, who provided a roomful of Macintosh equipment for conference participants’ use.
For many, the event was a chance to share ideas with other UG leaders who face similar challenges. "It was really informative to talk to people from different-size groups," said Steve Costa, executive director of Berkeley-based BMUG. Even though BMUG did not sponsor the NAUGC event, they organized guided tours of their 3,000-square-foot office, and offered attendees discounts on their publications.
With the Berkeley event successfully concluded, Cohen said he looks forward to having the NAUGC tradition continue in another site next year. "It’s important that the location moves around so different groups can attend. The skills one gains in running a NAUGC can be very helpful to your local group," he added. Cohen offered to work with next year’s organizers to insure continuity and to maintain the valuable vendor, community, and UG connections already established. "It’s important that we continue to meet, communicate and collaborate--live and electronically-- on a local, regional and international level, year-round," he said.
The National Apple User Group Conference is preparing a move to the East Coast for the 1992 event. Although details were not yet available at press time, NAUGC ’92 organizers can be contacted at 800/766-5807 or by mail at 1442A Walnut St., #341, Berkeley, CA 94709; AppleLink: NAUGC. We also will post information in future issues of Quick Connect.
Kandy Arnold is an Albany, California-based freelance writer and photographer. Her work has appeared in MacWEEK and BYTE magazines, among others.
UG Advisory Council News
Assessing Progress, Setting Goals
You probably already know that the User Group Connection stays apprised of ongoing UG issues through newsletters, User Group breakfasts, face-to-face meetings at trade shows, phone calls, mail, and online communications. But there’s one other point of contact--one your User Group may not be aware of--that formally addresses UG concerns. Once each year, the Connection organizes a User Group Advisory Council (UGAC) where User Group leaders assess accomplishments and chart directions for UG programs. The 1991 UGAC--Apple’s sixth--took place July 14-17, in San Jose, CA. Fourteen representatives from User Groups and two from Professional Associations gathered for three and a half days to meet with the Connection and managers from Apple’s product, support, and marketing divisions.
Council members are selected to represent the broadest possible cross-section of the UG community. This year’s Council members reflected groups small and large, new and established, from different geographic locations, different product interests (Apple II, Macintosh, multivendor) and diverse memberships (community, corporate, university, K-12, government, and national associations).
Council members spent several months preparing for the meeting, gathering input from UGs in their regions and through discussions held on AppleLink and America Online. This contact helped them understand the needs and goals of User Groups in their regions and interest areas, and better represent them at the Council. "I wanted to be sure my voice represented more than just one User Group," said Dave Lavery, Chairman of the NASA Headquarters Macintosh User Group, who made phone calls and attended several UG meetings in the Washington, DC area.
During the Council, participants met with Apple managers to discuss marketing, support, and distribution issues, product development ideas, and Apple’s general business direction. User Group leaders worked together to prioritize issues which were discussed in separate sessions with Apple’s CEO, John Sculley, and Bob Puette, President of Apple USA. Each executive discussed Apple’s sometimes difficult business decisions and how they related to specific UG concerns voiced during the Council.
Participating UG leaders debated many issues, often long into the night. These included concerns about the role and perception of User Groups both inside and outside Apple, a desire to better understand Apple’s business direction and possible relationship with IBM, and a request for clarification of UG licensing of system software and HyperCard software. User Group leaders also asked to be better informed about Apple’s product distribution plans and Apple’s intention for end user support. Participants acknowledged the Connection’s efforts on behalf of the UG community, while offering numerous suggestions on improving programs and services. Of particular concern was recognition of UG volunteers to prevent burnout.
Council participants unanimously agreed that year-round discussion of these issues is important, and that it should involve the entire UG community. Beginning here, we’re adding an ongoing column on UG Advisory Council issues to Quick Connect, and follow-up discussions will be held on AppleLink and America Online. A summary report of the Council and a transcript of John Sculley’s address will be posted online, and video excerpts from Sculley’s address are on their way to you soon (see sidebar). "Apple and the Connection have always valued the feedback gained from UGAC, and incorporated it into their business plans," explained Dee Anne Dougherty, the Connection’s manager of Education User Groups and chair of this year’s Council. "This year, we want to bridge the entire User Group community, by establishing a year-round input mechanism and keeping UG members up-to-date on our actions that result from their ideas."
Want to get involved in future UGACs? Make your interest known by sharing your ideas in the UGAC online areas on AppleLink or AOL, where 1991 Council participants will be hosting an ongoing dialog with the entire UG community. Or send your ideas to the address on the back cover and we’ll make sure they get posted.
John Sculley’s address and a summary report of the User Group Advisory Council is available for downloading and sharing with your User Group members. Check the User Group Bulletin Board on AppleLink or the User Group Forum area on America Online to download the file. Excerpts from the Sculley session will also be featured in the video included in the October mailing.
An Interview with Roger Heinen
With the debut of System 7, Apple embarked on a new approach to expanding the power of the Macintosh through system software. We recently had a chance to talk with Roger Heinen, Apple’s vice president and general manager of the Macintosh Software Architecture Division, to hear his thoughts on Apple’s system software and its role in future Apple products.
Quick Connect: Roger, by now most User Groups have heard about System 7 and the capabilities it brings to the Macintosh. Is there other news you’d like to share?
Roger Heinen: System 7 really is the most substantial and important software product from Apple in its history, and customer acceptance has more than surpassed our expectations. But for us, System 7 isn’t done yet. System 7 won’t be complete until a substantial number of users in the installed base are converted without any problem. We have a team that meets almost every day to understand what is occurring in the user community. We haven’t found any significant bugs, but we have found minor problems with applications compatibility. We’re really trying to stay with it. We’ve just recently integrated System 7 into manufacturing, so that all new machines ship with it pre-installed. Finally, there will be worldwide availability in early 1992, when the non-Roman language versions ship in the Far East.
QC: Will system software updates be as frequent as in the past?
RH: System 7 is the base from which we will build for some time in the future. This is a new approach for Apple. Yes, there will continue to be major system releases every few years, which will be intended for all Macintosh users. But between those events we’ll introduce components that build on the base--enhancements of value to the user community. We’ll be distributing the enhancements through various means, including User Groups. The bulletin boards User Groups supply are a key way of getting system software into the hands of customers, and we anticipate continuing to work with User Groups in this way.
QC: With Balloon Help in System 7, Apple has introduced a new level of online support. What other support options are you considering in the future?
RH: Making sure that the user has easy access to answers when there is a problem is one of our big challenges. Balloon Help is a big step forward. So are the phone-in answer lines which are now available for System 7 users. We anticipate expanding both of these--more phone support and better, more complete online help. In fact, we’re really excited about an investigation into a new generation online help system that uses Apple events. This type of help system can do more than "Where am I?" It can do "Show me!"
We also want to have much more robustness in the face of errors, whether they are hardware or application or user errors. The software should do as much as possible to prevent user confusion, and we know that confusion comes from things happening unexpectedly. For instance, System 7 provides more descriptive information when a system crash occurs.
QC: The increased capabilities of System 7 have helped change the notion of what system software can be. As you look at System 7 and beyond, what are your thoughts on the role of system software?
RH: Traditionally there was a hard wall between an application and the operating system. That’s no longer the case. The way we define our job is to deliver the best possible user experience. We don’t say we’re going to deliver the best possible operating system, because that doesn’t solve anybody’s needs. The user should never have to worry about the idiosyncrasies of the operating system. The underpinnings, whether it’s in ROM or written in C, should be invisible.
As we move forward in time, we constantly restructure how that user experience is delivered, to take advantage of new hardware and software technology, and to create new opportunities for developers. For example, in System 7 the Finder (TM) has been rewritten with object-oriented technology to make it much more extensible. We’re in this constant mode of evolution, pushing the operating system to do more while at the same time trying to simplify it for the user.
QC: We’ve heard a lot of talk about object-oriented programming and it’s role in future software development, both for Apple and others. Can you tell us about this technology and its implications for developers and end users?
RH: We believe that the real burden in our industry in the late 1990s is going to be in application development, and it’s for that reason we’ve picked an object-oriented operating system as the one to invest in. Just as the objects and scripts in HyperCard help people easily create stacks, object-oriented technology helps the developer write applications faster.
What object-oriented technology will bring to the user is also very exciting. Users will be able to customize systems for themselves, without complex programming. We think there will emerge a new class of software developers who will be shipping small program fragments that you can cut and paste together to form hybrid programs. For example, there might be a text gatherer, a small spreadsheet engine, or a component to do video. Today it takes a skilled programmer who is very computer literate to write programs. In the future, with object-oriented technology, someone’s mom will be able to write a program customized for her personal needs. Users will be able to do things that the original programmers never thought possible. That’s the real dream of object-oriented technology. Look for a lot more from us in terms of improving our MacApp(R) object-oriented application development environment. People should also expect to see enhancements to our open scripting architecture that provides users with the ability to easily customize their Macintosh.
QC: Apple also is exploring RISC (reduced instruction set computing) technology. What benefits will this bring to end users?
RH: With RISC, the amount of horsepower that’s available inside the system will greatly increase. It will enable us to do things that aren’t possible with today’s technology, such as better graphics and voice recognition. From the end user perspective, there will be all sorts of new applications and capabilities in the Finder. We will be able to deliver much more information through the interface. For example, virtual reality is very cutting edge right now, especially for entertainment devices. These explorations are helping us to better understand how to incorporate animation, 3-D, and more liveliness in the user interface. RISC technology will give us the horsepower to incorporate that into Macintosh.
QC: You’ve said that your job has two parts, one of which is to lead the team that creates new system software. What is the other?
RH: The other part is to make sure that developers who write Macintosh applications will be successful. We know that when you go to a store to buy a Macintosh, you’re buying it because it’s going to run an application you want. We want to push the state of the art for the kinds of applications that are built on Macintosh. In the coming year, you’ll see us do more to insure that developers are successful in writing their applications for Macintosh, as well as getting them successfully to market.
Being successful in today’s market is difficult and often requires developers to offer their products on several platforms. We’re working with developers to make multi-platform support easier for them. That’s a dramatic change from where we have been in the past, where we kept it all to ourselves. Now we realize that for the success of the developers, we have to release software to a broader world, to make it more universal.
Another thing is that there are a lot of good standards emerging around the industry, especially around networking. We’ve changed our attitude there as well. We’re inventing the things that are really unique and cutting-edge, but if there’s a standard in place, we’ll use it.
QC: How might User Groups offer input on future versions of system software?
RH: We feel every user is important, and we love to hear what users have to say, whether it’s in a quick e-mail message or a more formal letter. No one, especially User Groups, should feel reluctant to send me suggestions. We love this kind of thing. Of course, it’s not a democracy, and we have to make decisions in the scope of other competitive issues. But we really like to hear feedback. So whether it’s face-to-face, or electronically, or on paper, no one should hesitate to send us their thoughts. It means a lot to us. We get phone calls, videotapes, and letters all the time. We believe in creating the best user experience, and we want to hear what people have to say.
Roger Heinen can be contacted at
Apple Computer, 20525 Mariani Avenue, M/S: 81RH, Cupertino, CA 95014; AppleLink: Roger.H.
Education & UG Partnerships
Looking Back, Looking
Ahead at Ed UGs
by Mary Anne Mather
K-12 and Higher Education communities clamor for technology assistance. They’re fraught with demands to create technology-rich learning environments; to produce technology-savvy teachers and students; to breathe new life into old lessons by infusing them with computer-spice; and to do it all with diminishing resources and increased class sizes. Over the past school year, the User Group Connection (UGC) renewed its support of education-based UGs, helping educators progress from techno-demand to techno-reality.
During the 1990-91 school year, the UGC tapped into the influential network of Community User Groups, which number about 700, to spur interest in Education UGs and SIGs. Through articles in Quick Connect and one-on-one encounters with key Community UG Ambassadors, Community UGs were encouraged to establish Education SIGs. As a result, nearly 20% of Community UGs (148) established or expanded Education SIGs. These SIGs generally hold regular monthly meetings and receive UGC mailings as well as special education-focused publications.
Apple also let educators, nationwide, know about the role User Groups play as important support organizations for teachers, students, administrators, and administrative staff, and to help them establish K-12-specific groups. To do this, Apple identified a network of educators who are technology pioneers in their districts, as well as active User Group members. These pioneers spoke at educational computing conventions, discussing UG benefits with colleagues and sharing their own first-year success stories. For example, one team of educators, previously unfamiliar with using Hypermedia, created a HyperCard-driven videodisc of Charleston, SC. Another first-year group established no-interest computer-purchase loans for teachers and school staff. A third group of educators gave a multimedia presentation about the importance of technology to the Idaho Legislative Education Committee who later earmarked $60,000 per state school district to purchase hardware and software. Inspired by such efforts, educators established nearly a hundred K-12 User Groups in 25 states, reaching over 12,000 technology-using educators and administrators.
During the 1991-92 school year, the Connection will expand its support of Higher Education groups. Currently there are 131 Higher Ed UGs involving over 13,000 professors and students, and many are active in technology life on their campuses. In upcoming issues of EducatorsConnect (the Apple newsletter for Education User Groups), we will profile Higher Education UGs that are serving as on-campus technology-support centers. We will also examine how members are creating technology-rich courseware, and how Higher Ed and K-12 User Groups are learning to leverage one another’s resources.
When Alan November, Technology Consultant and past Christa McAuliffe Fellow, speaks on technology’s place in school restructuring, he likens teachers to either pioneers or settlers. Extending the analogy to UG members as technology pioneers, perhaps User Groups are the wagon train--they help the pioneers (and settlers, for that matter) get where they’re going. Just Add Water, Apple’s guide for starting, sustaining, and enjoying a User Group says: "User Groups help educators move toward computer-active classrooms, guide novices to computer-using success and experts to an expanded body of knowledge, and create a forum for the exchange of expertise among colleagues." Sounds like the kind of wagon train a technology pioneer would be aboard, doesn’t it? Throughout this school year, the UGC expects even greater successes for Higher Education and K-12 pioneers.
Call 800/538-9696, x500 for information about starting a Higher Education/K-12 User Group or to locate established groups in your area.
This page in Quick Connect is designed to give your UG ideas on how it can interact with schools and education-based groups in your area. The suggested projects can serve both school-age computer users and general UG members.
Mary Anne Mather is an educational consultant who oversees editorial development and special projects for Apple Education User Groups.
Profiles
A Slice of the Apple User Group Community
This section of Quick Connect offers brief profiles of groups representing the diversity of the User Group community. In addition to an overview of each group’s focus and activities, contact information is included so your group can get in touch if it wants to learn more. If you’d like your group to be profiled, drop a line to The User Group Connection at the address on the back cover. Or contact us electronically via AppleLink (QC.COPY) or America Online (Apple UGC) with a brief summary of your group and its activities.
FIRE MUG
"The responsibilities of the modern-day firefighter include responding to hazardous materials incidents, emergency medical and rescue operations, and a variety of other man-made and natural disaster-related incidents," says George Withers, Fire Chief of the City of Pleasanton (CA) Fire Department, and head of FIRE MUG, the Fire Service Mac User’s Group. A longtime Macintosh enthusiast, Withers founded the User Group in 1988 to encourage firefighters to share information on how Macintosh could make their work easier and safer.
Monthly meetings attract firefighters as well as health department and emergency response professionals from all over Northern California. Vendors come to demonstrate software and hardware, and members discuss programs on professionally-related topics such as computer-based training, pre-incident planning and emergency response information as well as other Fire Department management applications. Several members have created HyperCard software stacks on subjects such as training scenarios for high-rise firefighting or hazardous materials response. "Our meetings also provide an opportunity for collaborative problem solving, particularly for our HyperCard fans," says George Withers. The group stays in contact with firefighters worldwide through an electronic forum of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (ICHIEFS) on the CONNECT network.
George Withers
Fire Service Mac User’s Group
City of Pleasanton Fire Dept.
PO Box 520
Pleasanton, CA 94566
415/484-8114
CONNECT: Withers
Gravenstein Apple IIgs User Group
A popular variety of apple (the agricultural kind!) was the inspiration for the name of the Gravenstein Apple IIgs User Group in Petaluma, CA. Founded in 1988, the group meets twice a month. A Saturday general meeting features a Q&A session, vendors or demos, and "a friendly, informal atmosphere of sharing," explains group president, Russ Messana. A few days after the general meeting, on a Wednesday evening, the group hosts a training night, where newcomers learn basic operations of their Apple IIgs and more advanced users brush up on technique or explore new software.
Members travel from all over Northern California to attend meetings, Messana says, and the group also includes IIgs enthusiasts from Australia, France, and Japan. The group’s 100 members are a mix of educators and business professionals. An active, enthusiastic membership, a large PD library, and group purchase pricing on disk drives, chips, and memory cards keeps "a spirit of excitement, energy, and enjoyment" alive in the club, says Messana. Their enthusiasm has led other Apple II groups in the area to consider joining forces with them, he adds.
Russ Messana
Gravenstein Apple IIgs User Group
PO Box 751454
Petaluma, CA 94975-1454
707/763-1428
707/538-8129 BBS
AOL: Big RUSSS
Racine-Kenosha Macintosh Users Group
Macintosh enthusiasts in the two Wisconsin cities of Racine and Kenosha--located about 12 miles apart and near the state’s southern border--have come together for User Group activities since their organization was founded in 1985. The group believes in an informal and friendly approach to their meetings, explains vice-president Brian Drier. "Even though we have an organized setting, we keep things casual and open. We don’t want anyone to get intimidated," he says. To maintain this spirit, new members are introduced at each meeting, and financial reports are given with club news. The growing group’s 185 members come from education and the business sector, and meetings are intentionally planned with a broad focus to serve many interests. The proximity to the Chicago area also attracts members "looking for the positive qualities that groups in smaller cities can offer," adds Drier. Through a favorable arrangement with a local Middle School, meetings are held in the school’s cafeteria, which features a computer lab with 30 networked Macintosh systems nearby (see May/June Quick Connect).
Brian M. Drier
Racine-Kenosha Macintosh Users Group
PO Box 85881
Racine, WI 53408-5881
414/634-8212
AppleLink: RK.MUG
AOL: BillB7 (Bill Beck/UG librarian)
Quick Bulletins
Mark that Date!
Here are some upcoming events of interest to User Group members.
* September 7: AMUG Regional Training Expo, second semiannual event, sponsored by Arizona Macintosh User Group. Howard Johnson Hotel, University at Freeway, Phoenix, AZ; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Twelve classes, $8/class. Details from Mike O’Boyle, 602/992-1090; AppleLink: UG0116; AOL: AMUG.
* September 25: National User Group Telecast (UG-TV), 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time, 9:30 p.m. Eastern. For details, see story this page.
* September 25-27: GTC East, the third annual Government Technology Conference for the Eastern region, at the Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY. Contact Brian Lee, 518/462-1780 for details.
* October 1: AppleVention, 13th annual Apple-only convention, sponsored by AppleSiders of Cincinnati, OH, at Scarlet Oaks Vocational Center. Details from AppleSider Contact Line 513/741-4329; AppleLink: UG0054; AOL: GJohnston.
* October 19: appleJAC/MUse/SMUG Annual Joint MUG Meeting, 7:00 p.m., South Callaway School, Mokan, MO. Details from Tom Piper, 314/751-6403; AppleLink: UG0117.
* November 3-6: DPMA Conference, Data Processing Management Association, New Orleans, LA. Details: 708/825-8124.
* December 18: Annual Holiday Party, sponsored by Capitol Area Macintosh User Group, at Detweiler Real Estate Building, Devonshire Rd., Harrisburg, PA; 7 p.m. Free members-only raffle of hardware/software donations; need not be present to win. Details from Rob Teeple, 717/944-2034; AppleLink: UG0348; AOL: RobTeeple.
* December 19: AMUG Regional Christmas Show, sponsored by Arizona Macintosh User Group. Howard Johnson Hotel, University at Freeway, Phoenix, AZ; 6 p.m. Vendors, demonstrations, prizes. Details from 602/892-5454; AppleLink: UG0116; AOL: AMUG.
UG-TV on September 25th!
Would you like to take a stroll around Apple’s "historic" Cupertino campus, home of the early days of Apple Computer and today’s product development sites? Or would you like to share an evening with Apple engineers and hear "the real answers" to all your questions about Apple II and Macintosh products? You can do both by finding a site where your UG can link up for the first National User Group TV broadcast on Wednesday night, September 25th. But you’d better hurry--time is running out!
The 90-minute broadcast is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time, 9:30 p.m. Eastern. User Groups will get a chance to hear about User Group Connection programs, and meet the team behind some new Apple II and Macintosh products. Groups will also be able to take part in a live, interactive Q&A session by phone and America Online.
"Making this happen for your User Group is easy, and no one should be intimidated," says Rye Livingston, User Group Connection member and manager of the event. "All you need is a satellite dish, a place for your members to gather, and a willingness to make it happen," he adds.
Dozens of groups have already made arrangements to receive the telecast. We’ve heard of plans for meetings in schools, restaurants and a local country club. One group has even lined up a third-party software company as a sponsor! Some groups are coordinating regional meetings or using the event to attract new members. Others are hosting smaller meetings in members’ living rooms.
Don’t be timid! Find a downlink site and let us know (by phone or e-mail) by September 15th if you’ll be joining us. For further UG-TV details, see the User Group areas on AppleLink and America Online. For specific technical details, contact Gunita Saxena at Apple TV at 408/862-7342; AppleLink: SAXENA; AOL: Apple TV.
Selling the Dream
Guy Kawasaki has known the power of evangelism--the process of promoting a cause with passionate enthusiasm--since his days as a member of the original Macintosh team. Now his book, Selling the Dream (HarperCollins Publishers, $20), provides a guide to evangelism in action. Here UG leaders can find tips to advance the efforts of their groups, all presented in Kawasaki’s wry style. Groups interested in details on quantity purchase discounts and consignment arrangements can contact Sharon Gamboa at HarperCollins Publishers, 212/207-7257. User Groups can reach Guy at AppleLink: KAWASAKI2 or AOL: Mac Way.
Reprint for Your Members!
User Groups can reprint articles from Quick Connect by downloading the electronic files from AppleLink in the User Group Bulletin Board area. Files are also available in the User Group Forum area on America Online. We require only that credit be given to the Apple User Group Connection and that we receive a copy of the newsletter containing the reprint.
