Re:Apple Stores and User Groups
Re:Apple Stores and User Groups
- Subject: Re:Apple Stores and User Groups
- From: email@hidden
- Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2003 13:21:37 EDT
---->in respose to the question<-------
What impact,if any, has the presence an Apple Store had on your
membership and /or meeting attendance.
Has your membership grown? dropped? Has you meeting attendance grown? shrunk?
----->
The Campbell Seniors Computer Club is fortunate to be located in the Center
of Silicon Valley. Apple HQ is close by, and we have two stores Apple Stores
to choose from (Valley Fair in San Jose and the Palo Alto Store). We also have
3 large chains which sell Apple products (Microage, CompUSA and Frys) and well
as a few independants (one has recently closed down and is suing Apple, but
that is another story).
Demographically or group is composed primarily of Seniors, and although we
have a few "Power Users" in the group, most of the group are beginners with a
limited knowledge of the diversity available with the Mac and software and
hardware available for it. We have trained hundreds of people over the years in
basic computer skills. Our attendance changes month to month (avg attendance is
probably 20-30), depending on the subjects scheduled to be discussed and what
problems people are having. A major feature of our meetings is problem
solving.
I have found the Apple Stores to be very useful. They have a good selection
of hardware and software and the Gurus are very generous with their time in
solving users problems in the store. I have many reports of them "fixing" a
software problem. For those with an Applecare contract they get very good
service.
When I can, I try to attend presentations in the store. The large screen
projector and audio system makes things a lot easier to see even though the
background noise from real customers in the store sometimes makes it difficult to
hear some presentations. Presentation quality ranges from excellent to
adequate, but the presenters know when they are asked a question over their head and
are not reluctant to refer questions they can not answer to the store Gurus.
Special Guest speakers tend to give presentations in the evening when I am not
available (I work nights). Presentations I have attended appear to be from a
prepared text or lesson plan and tend to cover only the highlights of the
subject being presented. At club meetings we can discuss the same subjects in
much more detail if the membership is interested in a subject.
On the whole the Apple Stores do not cost us members, and could probably be a
good source of new members IF anyone would volunteer to recruit members. We
use the Stores as an information resource, and enjoy getting together on a
monthly basis at the club meeting to share information, ask questions and
hopefully get answers.
Hope this helps.
Dean Nichols
User Group Coordinator/Ambassador
Campbell Seniors Computer Club
Campbell Calif
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