We're In print again. A newspaper article written by Fran Molloy, a freelance journalist writing for 'Livewire' in the Age, was due to run on May 17th. The article focused on seniors and Technology and as I write this column it has yet to appear.

Ken Thomas, who runs the Retired Persons Interest Group RIPPER, spoke to Fran extensively about his group and how their use of technology has changed over the years. Fran asked me about the role that seniors play in user groups & about Melb PC User Group in general.

Fran concentrated questions on how seniors use and more importantly access information. Local governments have long been focusing their efforts on encouraging residents to access information online, as it's a much more cost effective way of keeping their voting constituents informed. They have also offered very low cost training courses to encourage elders to learn the art of PC use and accessing information. It seems we are all working towards making information more accessible.

Melb PC can boast that its members enjoy playing many different roles within the group. Our "seniors" give up their time to volunteer, undertake administration jobs and manage the 50 or so Interest Groups we have. They also coach and mentor others, use their business skills in ways that help other members and even get to use their tea, coffee and cake making skills! One of the nicest things about having the facilities at Chadstone means that there is ample space to socialize and put the world to rights, as well as learning about computers. One of the best things by far is knowing that someone, somewhere has the answers to your latest technical challenge and is also willing to help you with it.

As a computer user what are some of the challenges you face as a member? What could we do for you that we don't already do? Your being a member of this group is important to us so please let us know.

At the end of the day, any publicity is good publicity and hopefully the word is getting out there about the important role that user groups can play, what we do, how we operate and how people can find us. Have you promoted Melb PC to your friends or acquaintances lately?

The Value of Membership

Melb PC has always been considered by members to be good value for money. Recently we implemented new ways of increasing this value by improving facilities at Chadstone, developing new training courses and increasing our support for special interest groups.

In April 1993 Membership fees went up from $30 to $40 and then to $50 in July 1996. Your committee have not felt the need to raise membership costs since then. Apart from GST (in July, 2000) the fee remains unchanged from mid 1996, whilst CPI has increased by 29.8% (using official ABS data).

I now need to advise you that an increase is being considered by your committee. The details are to be finalised at the June Committee meeting, where it is expected that the proposal for the implementation date will be July 1st 2007. This is some 11 years after the last increase. More details will follow in July PC Update.

The proposal is that membership fees will be increased from $50 to $54.55 + GST, representing a net 9% increase. Fees including GST will therefore be $60 or $1.15 / week. Students / Pensioners from $44 to $48.

It might also be timely to remind members that as well as the membership values mentioned below, we have dispensed with the $10 joining fee. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced computer user Melbourne PC User Group offers you:

Computer / Internet Help services - volunteers run Help services and can assist others with general or specific computer, software and Internet related problems

• Email address - Members are entitled to a free email address
  
• PC Update - Club Magazine delivered to you
  
• Monthly Members' Meeting - wide range of topics and product demonstrations
  
• Interest Groups - Day & evening groups. Interest Groups held at our Chadstone premises and various locations across the State.
  
• Internet Lounge - Members only - Chadstone premises
  
• Wi-Fi - Bring your Lap Top to Chadstone premises and log on to the Internet
  
• Members Coffee Lounge - Come and relax with a cuppa and chat to other members
  
• Library - Members can borrow books from our extensive library
  
• Online Forums/Newsgroups - Participation in various online discussions/ topics
  
• Monthly Shareware Disc - Includes latest updates for browsers, plus software and freeware programs - available for members to purchase
  
• Dial Up Internet - Internet Access $120 per year
  
• Web Space - Internet subscribers allocated 10 MB of space to create their own Web site
  
• Training Courses - Low cost computer training courses
  
• Merchandise - a range of Melb PC logo merchandise available for members to purchase
  

[ About Melbourne PC User Group ]