I.C.U.G. - International Computer Users Group OEG - 1989 thru 2009

1989. Having been involved with Youth Programs, since I was one myself, it wasn’t unusual that 1988/89 found me bringing to a close A Youth Archery Team and Junior Olympics Shooting Program. As a Sponsor, Certified Instructor and an Adult Advisor, there was seldom the problem of having "excess time on my hands!"

I was looking forward to turning some of my interests toward catching up on personal affairs and just maybe a little rest and relaxation. A few areas that I had not much free time to indulge myself in were Martial Arts, Hi-Tech Computer Graphics and building a house at the Beach. I set about to do all three!

Having been a student of Wing Chun Kung Fu for a number of years, with an unquenchable thirst to learn more about all of the Martial Arts, I had always promised myself that one day I would travel to the Orient and study at the Source. I felt that five or ten years, in the Far East, could give me just the "foot in the door" that I might need, to be accepted to study under a qualified Si-fu (Martial Arts Master). My former Si-fu had been traveling throughout the world for sometime, but I knew that His Older Classmate (my Si-Gung) was in Hong Kong, and their Teacher (my Si-Jo, although many in years now) resided in Canton, China. I started to brush up on my Cantonese and investigate travel plans to Hong Kong, China and all points due East. I decided it would also be a good idea if I could develop correspondence with people living there, who I could visit and spend time with in my Eastern travels. I found an overseas correspondence association in Hawaii, and pretty soon I was busily making travel arrangements for Hong Kong, Japan and Korea. A co-worker and friend Simon Chu, who originally from Hong Kong but residing in the U.S. now, encouraged me by pointing out how I could probably find a good job there, to support myself while I studied Martial Arts, because of my Computer background. He said that computer skills, such as mine would be in demand everywhere in the Far East!

 In the mean time, I was developing designs with an architect and builder, to build a custom beach house (complete with indoor pool), at the waterfront property in Annapolis, Maryland, that had been in my Family for over 75 years. The architect was working from a set of plans that I had designed on my office computer system. The other features that I was interested in including, ranged from Solar heating, a Media & Video Room with a 10 ft. Projection Television System, an adjacent Japanese Garden with waterfall, and a 2^nd story Study with a panoramic view of the Chesapeake Bay, where I could spend

where I could spend untold hours developing economical ways to interface Computers with Video. I was really submerged in trying to keep up with all of the latest in computer telecommunications and graphics programs. At my office at US News & World Report, more and more Editors, Writers and Correspondents were using Personal Computers, because of the advantages that it offered. This meant that those of us in the Computer Department, were getting an ever growing number of calls requesting everything from information on purchasing a PC, to advice on Software packages, Telecommunication (and how to do it –successfully!) and even Editorial Staff were showing up at our desks asking for personal Lessons and Training! This wasn’t bad, compared to say, a Writer traveling with the Presidential Press Corp or Foreign Bureau Freelancer, calling long distance or from overseas, asking for "basic" lessons over the phone, and relying on one of us to guide him through filing a story and meeting a "press deadline". Those were the days of 300 Baud Modems, and any number of brands of "computers" with an off, (if not incompatible) variety of software and word processing programs.

In my 17 plus years of association with US News & World Report, in the midst of an environment of Journalism and Electronic Publishing, I have worked and developed long-standing associations and friendships which include some really great people! Graduation from one of the area’s Computer Training Institutes, had earned me a Certificate and Diploma in Computer Programming and Systems Operations, and even though the total cost had been in the neighborhood of five thousand dollars, I felt that it had been an investment in my future, that I would benefit from, in the years to come. With the advance of computers into all areas, it was heralded that in the next 3-5 years an impressive number of office workers would forgo the office, and instead, accomplish their office job duties, from their homes using a personal computer and modem. Being able to plug into the Main Computer at their Office, would mean less travel time, less office hours, and more free time to spend at home, with the family of in the areas of personal entertainment and relaxation! Due to the inroads and advantages of growing widespread computer use, an even larger group of workers, would be moving to "flex time" (flexible office schedules) and 3 day work weeks! I wanted to make sure that I was one of those people, who would be included in "those projected figures & statistics!"

If there was anyone responsible for my current level of Computer Skills, which of course all stems from a solid foundation in the "basics", credit has to go to two of my immediate co-workers, Doan Vu and Frank Vautier. If a person could have mentors in the field of Computers, they would be hard-pressed to find better choices! Together, these "computer geniuses" have probably forgotten more than the above average computer user will learn. From my first introduction to many of the basics, on through many of the high level software and telecommunications packages, Frank and Doan, were both instrumental in not only peaking my interest, but in personally guiding and training me along this precarious journey that spanned the years. Besides their introducing me to Electronic Bulletin Boards (BBS) and Computer Networks that span the globe, providing the tele-link that connects remote users, hosting conferences and echoing E-Mail and sending computer messages and electronic mail on it’s way to and fro, (CompuServe, MCI Mail & FIDO Networks), I was to be totally amazed by the thousands of "free" (freeware) and low cost software programs (shareware), available to anyone with a modem, all just for the price of a local telephone call. These Two, indeed had opened up "new and exciting worlds" for me!

 It wasn’t long before I was spreading my new found computer techniques and knowledge among co-workers and friends, all the while advancing my own. I soon found that literally almost everyone was interested in learning computer skills, but few had the means or opportunity. I started teaching as many of those among my coworkers that time would allow. Shortly thereafter, I was working with another of my coworkers Phoebe Carter, who has started her own business. Not only did I give her a hand with her office jobs, when her workload became overwhelming (which was most of the time) but I had started dealing directly with some of her customers, for her, when her schedule didn’t allow her to. Along the way, I started getting customer referrals to do my own "freelance jobs".

Two more important things then happened. The first was that a number of people began to encourage me to go into business for myself, or at least to consider consulting or freelance work, and since I was building a new house, there would be tax advantages and deductions available as incentives toward having a Business Office in your Home. Because of my dedication for Training people, and a pretty impressive success rate for having those that I personally train, go on to bigger and better jobs and positions, I was approached and encouraged to consider starting a Computer Training Program. I had years of experience with all sorts of Training Programs, and in positions ranging from Administrative to that of Instructor, and from Counselor to Program Coordinator. One of my first freelance job referrals came from US News & World Report and happened to be one of their contributing Writers who had written a Travel Book. The customer, wanted to have their Book files retrieved from the Mainframe, translated and archived to Floppy Diskettes. Even with the huge numbers of Book files that the job encompassed, the profit margin wasn’t great enough to interest the Company. That’s when I was asked if I would consider taking it as a freelance job. I computed the cost in manhours to run to about one thousand dollars, but because I wasn’t actually trying to find freelance work at the time,, I gave the customer a price that she could better afford, which rounded out to about six hundred dollars. She wanted to pay me to give her private computer lessons in her home, and she pledged to gladly send all of the many friends who were writers and needed computer jobs and training, my way with a special recommendation! Aren’t mutually beneficial business arrangements, an investment and savings for both parties involved? Well, I liked the lady, and I was more interested in cultivating a network of clientele and future customers, for long range plans, than making a huge profit on someone in the private sector. I began to find that there was an abundance of lucrative freelance work available, much of which simply involved taking the smaller accounts that big companies either were charging sky high rates to do, or didn’t have time to take.

I began to see, where I could not only advance my training, but develop a consultant and training business, without even having to make a changes in what I was already doing. In fact, since I had already been doing the freelance jobs and training, day to day, the only thing I needed to do was organize it and officially document it as a business! Life was looking brighter and brighter! About the only sad note was the number of friends and coworkers, who expressed an envy at me "having it so-o-o good!" Cherishing longtime friendships the way that I do, I began to inform friends of my ideas and plans. I expressed the idea to them, that if they were interested, I would certainly be able to use their talents, and if they had the self-motivation needed, I would pass  along to them, the knowledge and skills that I was currently polishing and constantly trying to expand on. I had the ear and interest of a number of "good and talented people!" I decided that the best way to bring all of these people together, from so many different backgrounds and with such a variety of expertise and experience and a wide range of talents, was to start a Computer Users Group! To further enhance the growing appeal of this idea, I also expressed to them, that we could all make a greater profit individually, if we worked together collectively. New and inexperienced individuals, could learn and profit from the other members with more experience and skill. Furthermore, each individual would have the collective resources of the Group, to draw from. When one stops to consider that includes everything from years of on the job experience and knowledge, to software and programs, to computer systems and upgrades, not to mention the expertise that comes with time, each and every individual stood to benefit by a group effort! We decided to call the group - OCUG or Our Computer Users Group! True, the name wasn't very flashy, as names go, but the important thing was that this Group was Ours!!

 When US News & World Report made it's incorporation of the Apple Macintosh IIs (Macs) official, the first Mac to arrive in our department, landed at my desk. Mac Computers were the new wave of technology for those seeking High Resolution graphics capabilities. Although the Art Department, as we knew it (Professional Artists from the School of Pen and Brush) had been almost completely replaced overnight by Computer Graphics Designers and Artists, who were at home on the Mac II with a giant 21" hi-res color monitor, capable of generating any combination of over 16 million plus colors, the System Interfacing, Networking, output, Telecommunications and System Troubleshooting, fell in the lap of the Computer Department. Since we also became responsible for final film output to the Linotronic Hi-Resolution Imagetypesetters, and making adjustments and corrections of graphics, created by a wide variety of Software Packages, it was off to Mac Systems Management Training for Me! Also, throw in a few Training Courses in all of the top selling Software and some Custom System Training at sixty dollars an hour, and you can begin to get the picture. This was further enhanced by all of the on the job quirks, that go wrong (that you're told are never supposed to), and the excitement and pressures encountered working with "live copy", temperamental users and trying to make Magazine deadlines! Now doesn't all of this sound exciting?! Well, it was, and still proves to be … very!

Well, the other twenty or so commercial accounts that come through our computer department as customers besides USN&WR, all seem to catch "Mac fever" about the same time. Everyone everywhere, was trying to get involved with the Mac! It worked out well for me, because everyone was again desperately in need (or want) of the latest computer skills and technology, that was coming my way as part of my job. "It's really great when one finds oneself in the right place(s) at the right time(s)!" Even though my workload doubled and my job responsibilities tripled, I simply added the Mac to the range of resources available, thusly again enhancing the OCUG. Things couldn't have been working better, unless that was a way to squeeze more hours into a 24 hour day!  

It was time to head for Hong Kong! There hadn't been much time to develop any strong lines of communication stretching across to the Far East, but I had managed to meet (what would prove to be) some very fantastic people! I decided that I would just see what developed while traveling, since my first intention was running slightly off schedule. There just wasn't any humanly possible way (not that, that in and of itself has ever stopped me from trying, at anytime in the past) to see and do all of the people, places and things, that I wanted to. Hong Kong, Japan and Korea were all great, and I've been promising myself a much longer return trip, ever since I got back. For some reason, I felt very at home while I was traveling throughout the Far East! The funny thing is that my strongest personal ties with special friends and acquaintances living in the East, didn't really take off until my return Home to the States.

 Upon my return, I was to find an overwhelming number of telephone messages and invitations to come and stay at homes or be a guest and experience the most gracious hospitality and care of those who wanted to host my stay! It was only fate that chanced the fact that I was touring the East, while so many in the East were trying to contact me in the West.

 Since then, my communication and ties with many people in the East, has only continued to grow! I have Adopted and been adopted, by many of these same Special Friends, who are now part of my (and I, part of Their) "Extended Family!" Upon finding that so many there, also share an interest in learning about computers and / or upgrading their computer knowledge and skills, I set about to conceive of a means of expanding the OCUG, which had hereto before, been largely a close knit group of longtime friends, into a Users Group that could reach out and span continents and oceans, to bridge the distance and include all of these special Friends

and Extended Family … due East! (By the way, that's due … Far East!) (smile) what could possibly be more aptly fitting and accurately descriptive than ( You guessed it! )

For a person, such as myself, who has spent countless years involved with Training, Program Development and Co-ordination, Youth Programs and Leadership Training Courses designed for Multi-Racial Young Adults, what could be more of a challenge, (not to mention, more rewarding) than to conceive of a way to "bridge the distance" and "reach out on an international level" and include so many who are interested in and desiring of Computer Training?!

So as not to lose the flow and momentum that's been building, let me repeat that last question …

"Should distance be allowed to limit One's chance for Opportunity, and Training; Training that could make a qualitative difference in not only that Individual's Future, but on an expanded scale, qualitative differences for a Family, Community, Region, Country and even differences in the World Community!" If these ideas sound "grand" or "far-reaching", let me assure You that they indeed Are! But They are Both, "grand and far-reaching", by Design and not coincidence!

The International Computer Users Group, is a Users Group designed to meet the need of it's Members. It's Members happen to embody an International Scope (do You follow me, so far?). The Main Focus of the ICUG involves Computer Training. Training encompasses both a "sharing or exchange of information and knowledge to gain an understanding of a Skill". This is done through Communication. Both Communication and Exchange require and lend themselves to "a two way flow"; a trade or a reciprocal give and take situation! Whenever "Communication and an Exchange of Information"; a reciprocal flow or a trade are involved, there Is going to be an Enhanced Understanding! Communication and Reciprocal Information Exchanges, promote "Better Understanding". Now, Hold that Point!

 As stated above, the Mail Focus of the ICUG is Computer Training and Support for it's International Member Users. Because the Training is dealing with Computer Technology, it is in fact Technological Training or Technological Information Exchange. Now, because this Exchange must take into consideration, it's International Spectrum, there will necessarily, also be Cultural Exchanges. Therefore, we can see that this Computer Training will actually provide Technological as well as Cultural Exchanges, right? And we have just previously said that Exchanges promote Understanding, so we can see how the ICUG will be involved in the Promotion of both Cultural and Technological Understanding!

Communication promotes Understanding. Understanding causes the "obstacles of ignorance" and

"previously misconceived barriers, to dissipate"! Understanding provides "the foundation for Trust

The International Computer Users Group, is a Users Group designed to meet the needs of its Members. It's Members embody an International Scope. The Main Focus of ICUG involves providing Computer Training and Support. To Build International Bridges for Members from all parts of the World and Promote Understanding and Information Exchange - through Communication!

From it's beginnings in 1989, as a small Group of Friends, living and working in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, to the expansion and growth through 1991, which counts close to 200 Members, in over 13 U.S. States and 10 Overseas Countries! 

To offer a comprehensive and balanced Training course in Computer Systems Technology. Organized and taught using a Modular Design, that will accommodate any Student / Trainee, regardless of their Previous knowledge or exposure to Computers. This Structure, would allow a Trainee with some previous but limited exposure to computers, to begin with a Modular Section of the Course that would match their current level of knowledge, and from there proceed to learn more advanced concepts and skills. At the same time providing a starting point for the Student Trainee, with no prior exposure or Experience, thus allowing the opportunity of an introduction to the Basics, which will provide a solid foundation of familiarity and confidence, for adding building blocks of the advanced techniques, skills and knowledge, yet to come.  

A further translation would be "that this Course, because of it's Modular Design, has a place and a level for any interested person to fit right in and begin learning new concepts and skills", without having to change the Course Design. This flexibility, can only add to the scope of Students and Trainees, that will be able to benefit from it.

This Modular Design, can as comfortably accommodate every level from Layman to Specialist, without sacrificing valuable factors such as time or quality instruction. For this factor alone, a desired benefit is that students and trainees from virtually a limitless range of varying backgrounds, cultures, and ages, may all be trained simultaneously, with equally beneficial results! More to come later, on The ICUG Computer Training Course.

 Targeted Groups will include, but not be limited to: 

• Youth - School Age to Teenage
• Teenage to Young Adult
• Continuing Adult Education
• International Outreach - All Ages Worldwide
• Areas of Future Consideration May Include:
• Computer Technology for the Handicapped, Disabled and Special Children
• Educational Credit / Work Release and Training for Ex-offenders
• Outreach Programs to Rehabilitating Substance Abusers and Special Interest Groups

Computers. Those strange and often intimidating little machines, "with a mind and a language all their own!" Today, One runs into Them just about everywhere One goes. Their appearance from the Micro-processors that are the electronic "Brains" of Answering Machines, Automobile Sensors Systems, Bank Money Machines and Bowling Alley Automatic Score Keepers to Microwave and Cooking Menus, VCR Programming Operations and even Wrist Watches. They seem to be Everywhere!

As if almost overnight, They seem to have slipped into all phases of our society. Their acceptance and use, has grown to span the oceans and continents. Being unknowing and unknowlegable about how to use them or "computer illiterate" as is often the official term, is no longer a luxury that the Average Person can afford. The reality is, that millions are rushing to learn how to operate and use "these Computers." But where does One find the Training, without having to go back to School or pay a fortune to one of the may businesses that offer computer training?

Classes at Schools take valuable time to attend, while Professional Training Courses often range as high as $3,000.00 - 5,000.00 to complete. Either of these might be the answer, if a person has "time on their hands" or a pretty healthy Savings Account. For most of us, "Time is as valuable as Money", in an already routine daily working schedule, and personal finances and already committed to meet current living expenses and "pay the bills". The Dilemma.

A Group of People, who share an interest in Computers. From Novice to the Expert, a Users Group provides a place where everyone can learn, share information and knowledge, and keep abreast of the latest in Computer Technology. The "Neophyte" or New User, can benefit from the experience of those Veteran Computer Users. Knowledge is shared, techniques are passed along, and Computer Programs (Software) and Computer Parts and Systems (Hardware) are often times sold, swapped or traded among members.

Reasons for joining a Computer Users Group, can range from Entertainment Interests, such as Games or Music (MIDI), to Personal and Home Finance and Accounting Programs, to Professional Areas that help a member increase Skills that they might use on the job, or to make a career change.

A Computer Users Group can help you get training. A Computer Users Group can help you get a job. A Computer Users Group can help you purchase your own computer. A Computer Users Group can help you when your computer breaks down or "crashes". A Computer Users Group can help you to learn about new Hardware (computers & parts) and software (programs). A Computer Users Group can help you meet other people, some just like yourself, and develop friendships, professional contacts, and plug in to "people networks", which can expand your career horizons and new job opportunities.

So what are You waiting for? Doesn't it sound like it's time to join? After making that decision, the question is "how to find a Computer Users Group" and "how to become a Member". There are literally hundreds of Computer Users Groups, possibly thousands, around the World, Today. Computer Users Groups come in all shapes and sizes. They vary in size from a few members to several thousand. You can find a group on virtually every topic. Just to get some idea of the variety see the Other User Group listing, later in this Newsletter.

The main purpose of A Computer Users Group, is to provide a Forum, where Members can obtain information that users nee and want, so that they can become more effective and knowledgeable in their own particular (computing) environment. User Groups provide this information via meetings, Newsletters (like the one you are reading now), Electronic Bulletin Board Systems (BBS), and through sponsored activities such as Educational & Training Seminars, Conferences and Programs.

The Essence of a Users Group is that it is run by Users. At the core of each group is a number of volunteers who maintain the organization. These people are usually motivated by an above average interest in computer technology, combined with a sense of community responsibility. Some make long term commitments to the group, while others come and go. User groups depend on all of them. User Group's existence and survival, depends in large part on the work of these dedicated people usually volunteering considerable amounts of time and energy. The smaller this number of active volunteers, the more precarious is the existence of the group. A Users Group thrives and grows when large numbers of people are active in it.

One of the most outstanding factors about all user groups is their member's willingness ad eagerness to share their experiences. Yes, they do join the group to learn but they also spend much of their time and energy in an effort to share and inform. Members of User Groups, vividly remember their beginning days as unknowing pre-novices, having little or no knowledge about computers, and They are very sympathetic and understanding. Computers are so new that every advanced user till vividly remembers making every mistake that every new user has made … or will make. Members of Users Groups have a philosophy that there are no dumb questions. In any field, newcomers who ask basic questions, usually get laughed at. Not so at User Groups, understanding and patience are the rule of the day, because everybody remembers the time when they themselves, were asking the very same basic questions!

The demand for information will never go away. Computer technology is so dynamic that it is impossible to keep up with every development and every advance. The speed with which changes occur is staggering. Many Newer and upgraded versions of any particular software program, may hit the market one right after another, hardly giving the average user time to learn or master the older versions. Add to this, the advances in technology that are bringing such mediums as CD-ROM, WORM, Erasable Optical Disks, Optical Character Readers (OCR), Voice Recognition, Multi-Media (Video, Audio/Music, Animation) and the advent of Interactive Computer Software, more and more, into the Office, Classroom and even the Home, on a more widespread basis.

Each of these developments presents users with the problem of quickly absorbing new information about the changes that have just occurred or are about to occur. Staying on top of this information overload affects their ability to work at the highest level of efficiency. User Groups are the "Vehicle" for Members sharing information among Themselves!

As an example, of two of the largest groups is the Washington, D.C. area are the Capital PC User Group (for IBM) and Washington Apple Pi (for Apple/Mac). Combined, these two organizations have nearly 10,000 members, including some of the areas most knowledgeable and informative experts. Some of the bigger groups have a variety of training for both their members and the general public. One group's training schedule, for example, lists a dozen training courses. Some are free to Members, others charge fees ranging from $10 to $110.

Not the least of the reasons for belonging to a users group is to learn about computing jobs. User group members find out about them through personal and business contacts (networking) and many list them in Newsletters or on Bulletin Boards (BBS).

"How do You find a Computer Users Group" and "how do You become a Member?" Well, if You are reading this article, chances are that You are already a Member of the International Computer Users Group (ICUG). If, on the other hand, You hand, You are not …. Simply fill in and mail the Request Form for More Information on the ICUG, located in this Newsletter, and You will have taken the all important first step and be well on the way to becoming an ICUG Member!