This is my last opportunity to write about Sixteen Bits this year, so I would like to remind all members of the group that our journal is not just another computer magazine. Although it certainly has similarities to a computer magazine, the group's journal is first and foremost the primary method of communicating with all our members.
Like most services of the group, the journal is produced entirely by volunteers of the group for the benefit of all members. Therefore, the content is of direct relevance to the group and hopefully, reflects the interests and activities of the members.
While it would be unrealistic to expect every member to read every page, the editorial team can assure you that it is to the benefit of all members to flip through the magazine each month to keep informed. A lot of time, energy and expense goes into keeping members up to date, yet we still get late night calls from members asking for a phone number or some other information that has been published repeatedly in the journal.
I think that I speak for many members in saying that most of us are more than willing to help our fellow computer users, but given the situation above, a chilly response might be the most you can hope for. You might even learn the meaning of 'being flamed'.
And now, on to the new year which appears as though it will be filled with reaping the benefits of our hard work in 1996. What do I mean by this? Well, visit the new Centre, sign up for some low cost training using our new training room, attend a Special Interest Group, surf the 'net or the Bulletin Board Service, contribute to our award winning journal or volunteer some time to the group and see for yourself how beneficial being a member of this group is. I think it would be difficult to find a volunteer-run group that offers more to its members than the PC Users Group does. Congratulations to all members on a job well done in 1996 and best wishes for an even better New Year. Finally, for those of you who appreciate 'classic technology', here is a short note of interest. I wrote this editorial, while enjoying coffee at a cafe, with a souped up Atari Portfolio. This palmtop is basically an IBM XT compatible running DOS 2.1, circa 1989. Unfortunately, it can't run Adobe PageMaker so I will have to use a Pentium computer to publish the results. How's that for using both ends of the spectrum? Next month I might even try using a pen and paper, if I can find them and learn to read my own writing.
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