As there as many types of people - there are many types of PUGs. Some are simply
end users meeting at a coffee shop to encouraging each other with what they
have learned. Others provide formal agendas with a technologically equipped
venues and presentations by industry professionals. Some focus on social interaction
and networking while others provide sophiscated enterprise solutions for industry
leaders. Some PUG never have a physical meting at all, but rather use a eGroup
or forum to communicate around the world.
Others provide a great opportunity for developers to test their products with
PUG members who are enthusiastic power users. Their solutions are challenged
and developers leave the PUG meeting with upgrade ideas and a list of needed
corrections. Some provide training for members, while others provide no training
at all. Most PUGs are a mixture of the above and more. All PUGs have one thing
in common - an appreciation for the Palm OS and devices that have changed their
lives.
WEB PRESENCE
Thriving user groups usually have a web site to point others to information about
the group.
Be sure to include meeting address and link it to Yahoo or Google maps. This will
allow them to easily find their way to you meetings. A static map or graphic is
not usually as effective because the viewer cannot maneuver to find the best route
for them.
It does not require a sophisticated hosting. Try hosting from Yahoo, Register.com, or other free or low cost hosting providers. Some web providers will donate hosting for non-profit organizations. Ask before
you spend the money.
Be sure to provide a PRESENTERS page with everything they need to know about your
group. This will save you lots of work when inviting them to make a presentation.
LOCATIONS
Tips
It is important that the location is easy for most people to attend. SVPUG
meets at Learn It!only 2.5 blocks to BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) with parking
available on the streets during the meeting.
If you use a video projector, be sure the room lighting does not interfere.
Remember daylight savings time might effect your presentation.
Facilities
SFPUG uses the facilities of a software application training center called
Learn It!. The lab has a computer at each seat equipped with cable internet access.
Between each monitor is another monitor connected to a video cable at the front
of the classroom which the presenter uses rather than a projector. Members are
able to browse the web site of the presenter at the same time as the presentation.
They also browse the sites of competitors. This facilitates a great Q&A
session at the end of the meeting. Similar facilities are available at local
colleges, CompUSA training centers, training institutes and other schools. NPUG
in Nashville uses a similar facility.
Some PUGs meet where there is a reliable WiFi wireless internet access like
StarBucks, professional buildings or offices.
Some PUGs are virtual only. They communicate electronically rather than physically.
Wherever and however you meet, keep in mind transportation access and technological
support.
PRESENTATIONS
Remote
There are solutions for PUGs who cannot get industry professionals to give
demonstrations.
John Waller of the SVPUG Silicon Valley Palm Users Group uses a creative solution
for making presentations. Before the meeting, he has the Powerpoint presentation
emailed to him by the presenter and loads it into his Treo 600. Then during
the meeting, he uses a Pitch device by iGo to connect his Treo 600 to the video
projector. There is also a wireless version of this device called iGo Pitch
Duo. A Margi device will also work. He also uses another cable to attach the
audio output of his Treo 600 to an amplifier so the whole group can hear the
call. When he makes a call to the presenter everything is connected. The presenter
tells us when to go to the next slide of the presentation. Afterwards we even
have a Q&A. It is too much for software developers to travel to our meetings,
but some are will to go to their phone and computer from anywhere in the world
to make a presentation.
Webinars, web casts, online presentations, whatever you call them... abound.
Many are recorded and can be downloaded to show at a PUG meeting. Once you participate
in a webinar, they usually add your email address to their list and invite you
to participate in future presentations. I have also created print screens files
of the webinar slides and saved them for future presentations. Some webinar
solutions allow you to download a PDF file of the whole presentation. After
the live presentation, some are recorded and posted as archives for on demand
access later. Palm, PalmSource, SocketCom and iAnywhere have have done webinars
so far. Let's encourage them to do more of these.
Software companies have been willing to donate a copy of their products to
our group. I find a power user locally who uses the software professionally
to give the presentation. At the end of the meeting, we raffle the software
as a prize.
Professional coaches, life managers, and others have been great at presenting
the practical use of Palm OS devices. There seems to be a gap between the technical
capabilities of these devices and the practical application of the functions.
Occasionally, you may want someone like this to fill that gap.
Training
Organize your group for fund raising and purchase training videos from Larry
Becker at PalmPlanning.com . People who have used Palm devices for years sometimes
boast that they know all there is about these tools. I once had a presenter
not able to attend the SFPUG. So I took one of the Palm Training video tapes
and a portable TV with a built in VCR. I sure wish I had a dollar for every
“Wow, “oooh, “ahh, “cool," etc., that I heard that evening.
People do NOT know as much as they think they do. In fact, we plan to have special
additional PUG meetings specifically for training.
There are also other sources
for training videos.
Tips
Create a web page for company representatives to read for all the information
they would need.Be sure you ask them if everything they needed was on that page.
Make additions and corrections as needed.
Most companies do not respond to email invitations to make a presentation
if the message is sent to sales@..., customersupport@...
It is best to find a real name of a real person in the company to extend an
invitation.
If you cannot find the name of a real person, try calling a sales representative
and ask them for the name and extension of someone who would give a demonstration
of their products
SWAG - Sources
At Developers Conferences and Trade Shows vendors usually do not want to transport
swag items back where they came from at the end of the conference. Arrange for
them to give you what is left just before closing time.
PRIZES - Sources
Some office supply stores have a discount table. Ask them if they would be
willing to donate items in exchange for posting them on your web site as a sponsor
for your PUG.
Call the sales department of software and hardware companies to donate items
as they are able. Marketing and sales departments sometimes have a very small
budget for such arrangements. Other companies are very generous in this way.
DISCOUNTS - Sources
Often a presenter will offer a discount code to all who attend a PUG meeting.
Usually that code will expire after a few week.
MobiHand is offering discounts to PUG who advertise their channel for purchasing.
A percentage of each sale is given to the PUG for this arrangement. Contact
www.MobiHand.com