CNCers may remember some discussions earlier this year about whether
there might be a better way within the "CNC environment" for
non-geeks to find out about computers.
CNC provides a unique learning environment. Gloria Robbins initiated
and fashioned the CNC format into its lasting shape in the early 1990s
and it has prospered and grown in size and popularity ever since.
A number of us CNCers, including John Saxon and I, have talked over how to
make the CNC phenomenon once again better pitched to people not
experienced with computers. I will leave it to John to talk about the
excellent initiative he is taking with the newly re-equipped Holder
PCUG centre.
At the last CNC meeting, I circulated a first draft idea as to how a
"CNC for non-geeks" might get off the ground - as a totally separate
meeting from the current weekly geeklies at Jamison and Weston.
If such a regular meeting were also established specifically for
non-geeks, I would like it to be available to any PCUG member who
would feel more comfortable attending a less high-powered CNC.
But I think our weekly geeklies get a special energy from their
excellent attendance at both venues, north and south.
I would like to see the energy of a strong attendance from day one for
this proposal for a CNC4nongeeks.
I think it would really help a "CNC for non-geeks" get off to a flying
start if the invitation to participate were spread more widely than
just pcug membership - which numbers around 1000 souls.
My draft idea is that a 'CNC for non-geeks' might be opened up to
Canberra U3A, which has 3000 members. Their computer training courses
are heavily booked - apparently there is a lot of demand among U3A
members for opportunities to learn about computers. They publish a
print newsletter every 2 months, posted to members. An invitation
through U3A news could well get a strong response for a "CNC for
nongeeks" - and it would be off to a flying start.
I reckon that if both PCUG and U3A people attend this CNC together, a
lot more people will learn about PCUG - and a number might well join.
They will also learn about TIP and may wish to join that too for the
unique advantages that TIP offers.
I would be interested to hear from CNCers their reactions to my
proposal. The people I have spoken to in U3A about this proposal like
it a lot.
Would you be prepared to come to one of the early sessions of a "CNC
for nongeeks" in order to share your knowledge and experience - and
talk about how you got up to speed and learned to find out by yourself
what you need to know about computers?
I think that this proposed CNC for nongeeks initiative would really
need some geeky support, at least for its early meetings, until such a
group gets up its own head of steam - and forges ahead on its own,
without relying on any one person's input - as has been the long
standing pattern for CNC, the PCUG's most successful SIG.