Re: Re(4): AUGD: Free Ride for Board Members?
Re: Re(4): AUGD: Free Ride for Board Members?
- Subject: Re: Re(4): AUGD: Free Ride for Board Members?
- From: Michael Horton <email@hidden>
- Date: Sat, 01 May 2010 16:16:26 -0700
- Thread-topic: Re(4): AUGD: Free Ride for Board Members?
>
> There mere fact we use MUG shows a lack of acceptance of the
> situation. Macintosh is but one product Apple offers.
>
> A for profit enterprise has a clear goal. To make a profit!
Well yeah, sort of. A bit simplistic, but sure.
>
> Any "cause" aspect of a User Group is as outdated as the SCSI and
> serial ports. Apple doesn't need to be saved. World hunger, the
> environment, and animal welfare are causes.
Who said user groups were a cause? They are a service.
>
> A User Group is neither a for profit enterprise or a cause. It's a
> non-profit group of people with a similar shared interest: a fan club.
> Nothing more and nothing less. I suspect more people are in the
> Hannah Montana fan clubs than are in User Groups.
Nonsense. Most people join User Groups not as fans, but to gain knowledge
and learn from those smarter than them. They just happened to buy a
particular product and want to learn more about it. Others join because they
just happen to know a lot about the product, enjoy it and want to help. I'd
wager few join as fans. Especially now.
>Once we accept that Apple isn't obligated to us or owe us anything, we can move
to a
> better place for discussion. Hannah Montana fans don't expect every
> time she comes into town that she visit their club or give free
> tickets. Not picking on that singer- I just know the niece thinks
> she's the bomb). Putting into perspective reduces the emotion and the
> attachment to the ways of the past.
I agree that any discussion where you feel Apple owes you something for the
hours you put into your UG is silly, but its human nature to feel that way
sometimes. You just need the occasional reminder that no one put a gun to
your head to run your group. You did it because you wanted too. Stop doing
it if you don't want to do it any longer. But don't expect thanks from
Apple.
>
> Nobody wants to hear they need to adapt and many are afraid. They've
> always known a certain way of doing things and are unwilling to
> change. Number one phrase I hear is "I've been involved in User
> Groups xxx number of years. We've done it this way and it works."
> Even better "Our members want it this way."
>
> Problem of course is, when you do what the members want, then you
> aren't leading. Don't expect anything to change if you do what the
> existing members want. You won't attract new members. Eventually,
> though attrition, your group dies out. You'll be paralyzed by the
> status quo
Exactly. Well said. You got to give the people what they need, not
necessarily what they want.
>
> I'm not surprised by Apple's success. During the "lean" years they
> didn't differentiate themselves in the marketplace and were too afraid
> to do something different.
>
> Does Apple lead the marketplace now or follow? "You can't make a
> computer without a floppy drive", "Record companies will never allow
> people to buy digital music", "A smart phone need a keyboard" are all
> things the market wanted. Apple said "We have a better way and we'll
> show you"
>
> The basic question for any user group, in my not so humble opinion is
> "Are you emulate the behaviors and philosophies of Apple" How can you
> be an Apple fan and not?
In the case of my group none of us are fan boys, because we cannot be. We
make our living with this stuff. We cannot be and never will be shills for
this corporation or any corporation. It just so happens FCP works for us and
works well. If there is a better product out there by a competing company we
will not hesitate to grab it.
Honestly, I've never been to a MUG meeting that simply and only celebrates
Apple products. Only been to MUG meetings because I chose an Apple product
and the MUG taught me some things I did not know. Kind of the reason MUGs
exist. That and the fellowship with like minded people.
>
> Are printed newsletters and disks of the month emulating Apple's
> behavior? Or is it acting like Microsoft that STILL allows you to run
> WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS on the newest and latest computers?
>
> I must comment on the irony that while many User Groups want fully
> elected democratic process each year in their leadership, the User
> Group Regional Liasons and the User Group Advisory Board, as I
> understand are not.
>
> I hope this leads to an interesting and much needed discussion that is
> long overdue.
Don't know how that part of the UG program works but would like to know.
Mike
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