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About US
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The purposes of Melb PC are to provide, on a non-profit basis, education and training to advance the effective utilisation of the personal computer by:
- advancing computer literacy
- advancing the art and science of information processing through education and interchange of ideas
- keeping members abreast of developments in computing and information technology and enabling members to exchange information and experience
- representing computer users in public debate and by acting and speaking on their behalf where they would be affected by proposed legislation or other regulatory measures
- providing a forum for the exchange of views amongst computer users and between computer users and the computer industry
- co-operating supporting or joining with, or in, other organisations with similar purposes
- undertaking other activities beneficial to the Group
In order to further its purposes the Group shall have the rights, powers and privileges of a natural person.
Melbourne PC User Group Inc. is the biggest computer user group in the Southern Hemisphere, and the second largest in the world with just over 7500 members.
The Group employs two full-time and two part-time office staff, plus many part-time volunteer help. Magazine and training are contracted out, but most other functions of the group - Internet service, BBS maintenance; Training management, collection and distribution of shareware; organisation of SIG and monthly meetings and the rest are performed by volunteers.
Melb PC is a member of the The Association of Personal Computer User Groups (www.apcug.org), an international association with close links to manufacturers and developers in the computer industry. With these connections Melb PC is able to make direct contact with similar groups and industries worldwide.
PC Update, the magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group, is sent to members 11 times a year as part of membership privileges. PC Update publishes articles written by members and all members are welcome, indeed encouraged, to write articles on a subject they know about, to share with others. PC Update also reprints occasional articles from overseas user groups, ensuring that Melb PC members are kept as up-to-date as possible.
In 1991 PC Update was honoured with no less than three awards in the International BIX Newsletter Contest, including the world-wide award for Best Feature Articles. In 1992 it was the outright winner of Best Publication, beating all other user groups world-wide, both PC and Macintosh. Again in 1993, it received yet another award, also for feature articles. This award was also received in 1994. In 1995 PC Update was the outright winner in the Best Features and Reviews category and the Best Columnists category. It was also a runner-up in the Best Publication and Best Layout and Presentation categories.
In 2003 it won the APCUG First Place for Large Groups in the Newsletters of Excellence category.
Many members join the Group just for the value PC Update provides, well worth the annual membership fee on its own, and then discover all the other benefits of membership. PC Update continued to win awards including in 1999.Online PC Update is published on the web and contains most of the material published in the hardcopy version, and includes the latest issue as well as material published in past years.
Send message to PC Update Editor.
Send message to PC Update Reviews Editor.
Send message to PC UpdateExecutive ProducerFor current details of the Melb PC Internet service -
Click hereComputer First-Aid and Dial Help
This unique service is made available free to members simply because volunteers within the Group give their time and knowledge to assist you with any computing problems you may have. Over 300 telephone numbers of unpaid volunteers, with day- and night-time contacts, are listed in this magazine. The service covers over 100 separate topics.
Using Dial Help
Please, before ringing a Dial Help volunteer:
Ring the vendor's support line and/or your corporate help desk. Read the manuals and have them handy.
• Turn on your computer and have your software running if possible.
• Be able to reproduce your problem. Have your phone beside the computer.
Keep all calls short, particularly business hours calls. If the volunteer is not available do not expect someone else to solve your problem, ring again later. Please keep calls within the hours indicated, and avoid ringing Dial Help volunteers on weekends. Above all, courtesy counts. For instance, please don't expect a volunteer to call you back on a mobile phone.
Day means 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Evening means 6.30 pm to 9.00 pmSpecial Interest Groups (SIGs)
SIG attendees share a common interest in particular aspects of computing. A SIG can deal with any topic, ranging from programming languages to hardware and peripherals, or even how to get the best from your equipment. There are also a number of general interest groups, catering for members in suburban or regional areas. Melb PC currently hosts over 40 groups meeting in various locations.
There are no additional costs involved in SIG participation - although some collect a small fee for coffee costs etc. Just attend and see for yourself: we hope you enjoy your visit.
For full details of the Melb PC SIGs, check the list of subjects, times and meeting places at http://groups.melbpc.org.au/
One of the Group's most important and popular services is the provision of training in a diverse range of computer skills, from starting with computers to advanced programming.
Melb PC has its own fully-equipped training centre, using Pentium 4-based systems. Because courses are run as a service to members they are budgeted on a break-even basis. This enables the courses to be 20 to 30 per cent of the cost of a similar course from outside organisations.
Students are taught in a classroom environment with an instructor and one computer per student. Starting Computing, using Windows, office and accounting software, Internet, programming languages, web page design, hardware upgrades and maintenance, etc. are typical subjects taught in this way. All courses provide suitable training material and facilities.
For details of Training Courses and scheduled courses please check the Training Pages
Melb PC operates a bulletin board system (BBS), 23 hours a day as one of its member services. The BBS continues to run with 4 lines. Although at one time it was the biggest OS/2-based BBS in the country, since the introduction of the Internet and the demise of most BBSs, Melb PC has continued to provide this service. It can be sampled by non-members at (03) 9563 4900.
Currently a Monthly CD-ROM is produced each month containing the latest Internet browsers and software, etc., and a selection of the latest freeware and shareware titles for a nominal price. A catalogue of the monthly CDs is available online and copies may be ordered from the office.
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Melb PC President.
Send message to Melb PC Secretary.
Send message to Melb PC Treasurer.
Send message to Melb PC Committee.
Send message to Melb PC Office.
Send message to Melb PC Internet Team.
Send message to PC Update Editor.
Send message to Melb PC SIG Co-ordinator.
Send message to Melb PC Monthly Meeting Team.
Send message to Melb PC Training Co-ordinator.
The Melbourne PC User Group holds a regular Monthly Meeting on the first Wednesday in each month (except January) usually at various locations throughout Melbourne, starting at 7.00pm.
Please check the main webpage for details for the venue, time, and presentations for the next meeting.Each month there are generally two or three speakers representing some of the world's top computing companies as well as members from our own organisation. These presentations feature the very latest, exciting events in the field. In the past our presenters have included Bill Gates, Philippe Kahn, Gordon Eubanks, Dennis Hayes, Paul Brainerd, and most of the top IT companies in Australia.
These meetings are open to all members of Melb PC and their guests, and no admittance charge is made. The audience averages about 200 in number depending on the location, although numbers over 800 have attended for topics of special interest in the past.
Return to topMeeting Team.Raffle tickets ($1.00 each) are available and thousands of dollars' worth of donated prizes are won during the evening. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are also available.
An Office desk is conducted in the foyer (from 6.30 pm) where members may renew their subscriptions, new members may join, and all other matters for those unable to visit the office during normal working hours. Shareware from the Melb PC Library is also available for purchase.
Manufacturers/Developers/Sellers - to enquire about presenting your product at the Melb PC Monthly Meeting contact the
