Re: Help Talking an Online Group Into Becoming a MUG
Re: Help Talking an Online Group Into Becoming a MUG
- Subject: Re: Help Talking an Online Group Into Becoming a MUG
- From: Michael Horton <email@hidden>
- Date: Wed, 11 May 2005 16:16:10 -0700
> The main reason repeatedly put forward on their forums for not becoming a
> MUG is their fear of loosing independence if they became officially
> recognised. They are terrified that Apple will request them to censor
> threads on forums if they are unflattering to Apple or any of its products
> (95%+ are positive), crack down on any bad language (about 1 post/thousand)
> or in some other way try and change what they have created (they are
> currently very well moderated). I have tried to allay their fears and
> convince them that Apple isn't going to try and impose its will on their
> group. They are a real community who love the way things are now and as such
> are scared of change. Basically they would like to believe me but they would
> much prefer to see something in writing & hear from other MUG's on these
> issues.
I'm probably the last person on this list to answer this question but I
doubt highly if there is an "Apple Big Brother" lurking somewhere in the
virtual world censoring what UGs write or post on their web sites and
newsletters. Would be a bit contrary to the sprit of a Mac UG. But then,
stranger things are happening in the Apple world. Only place I know where
they censor language and posts is on their own discussion forums, and of
course we all know Democracy does not exist on Public Forums. They are
operated on the most part by "Benevolent Dictators." And rightly so. It's
your forum so you set the rules.
>
> Could the members of this list point me in the right direction for finding
> out answers to their questions
Well you've probably visited this site but look around the Apple UG web
site. <http://www.apple.com/usergroups/> or contact the Apple Advisory Board
<email@hidden> or visit the Mug Center <http://www.mugcenter.com/>
>
> Do Apple force groups to make their forums comply to specific guidelines as
> a pre requisite for being accepted as a MUG?
Never heard of such a thing. If they do, then that is reason enough to not
be officially recognized.
>
> Would this group still be able to maintain editorial integrity if they
> became a MUG?
Again, I know of nothing where it specifically states you must adhere to a
strict set of rules other than a certain amount of members
>
> In their current situation should they consider registering as an online
> group or now they are having regular meetings nationwide as a traditional
> MUG? Would there be any advantage in one over the other or to be more exact
> would there be benefits they'd miss out on if they made the wrong choice?
Its not like you can't start meeting without official recognition and then
change your mind. Of course you can. Just start holding meetings and see
where the folks want to go with it. Of course this takes leadership.
As a traditional group you get benefits such as discounts, promotional
materials, news of what's happening etc, but then you can get many of things
on your own just by asking. This assumes you give something in return.
For what it's worth my group (LA Final Cut Pro User Group
<http://www.lafcpug.org/> is not an official Mac UG. It never was and never
will be. Because my members (for the most part) make their living with these
tools, I decided at the beginning (5 years ago) not to strike up an official
relationship with Apple and instead concentrate on education and advocacy.
We can not be a evangelical organization. It just wouldn¹t work. That is not
to say that many of my members don¹t spread the "Gospel according to FCP,"
but as a group, we don¹t do that. We don¹t care what tool you use.
>
> Can anyone see any reasons why they may be rejected?
No.
>
> Has anyone got links to official guidelines I could pass on for them to
> study? I've given them links to the User Group area on Apples site,
> MUGCenter and a few other resources but I haven't found anything that
> definitively answers their questions.
Probably because there aren't any. I'd contact the folks on the advisory
board. They would know if anyone knows.
>
> My Australian Mac Users Group is only 4 members short of the 100 needed to
> qualify as a recognized MUG (hopefully we'll get accepted next time) and it
> would be great if I can talk this group into becoming a MUG as well. Perhaps
> we could simultaneously register as Australia's first recognised online
> MUG's and add some sorely needed new blood into the Australian Mac User
> Group scene.
It would seem that YOU want this to happen and certainly you are asking all
the right questions to make it happen, so..make it happen.
>
> I'm sorry for the long post but I am excited at the prospect of what could
> be. There may be more questions later.
I'm looking forward to the answers myself. A lot of smart people on this
list.
Michael Horton
Lafcpug
http://www.lafcpug.org
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