User Groups

"I didn't know anyone else was still using an Atari, I thought I was the only one left."

It was comments like this that spurred Al Goold Into action...

I had no experience with user groups at all. I had once been in a multi-platform computer club,
but it seemed to me that the only thing anyone did there was copy software.
At that time I didn't realise the damage piracy caused to the Atari scene.
I didn't stay there long and after that it was just me and some friends.

Friends with Ataris

I was lucky because I had at least half a dozen friends who all used Atari computers.
Occasionally we'd meet in each others houses, but we rarely all got together at the same time.
I started to wonder if it would be worth trying to find somewhere we could all meet together and
I wondered how many other Atari owning locals would turn up.
Because I was online with CiX and NeST I had access to many other Atari users throughout
the UK and elsewhere so I knew there were plenty of other Scottish Atari enthusiasts out there.
I began chatting to Harry Sideras, who had just taken a key role in the UK Association of
Atari User Groups and he gave me lots of good advice.
In particular Harry pointed me at a series of articles on User Groups by Ron Whittam, which were originally published in Atari Explorer On-line. These articles are included in the user group archive available from Harry and I recommend anyone considering forming a user group reads them. Ron's articles and Harry's enthusiasm for the user group concept finally persuaded me to formalise the group we already had.

Spreading the word

If the group was going to succeed I had to let people know about it. First of all I created a poster using Pagestream. I sent copies to libraries and computer shops throughout the west of Scotland. I wrote a press release and sent it to the local free paper and emailed the editors of Atari World(RIP), ST Format(RIP) and ST Applications. All 3 publications were very supportive and published some information along with contact details. Following these efforts mail started to flood in and I realised that there was a real demand for a local user group.

The first meeting

Along with Sandy Thomson we obtained the use of the upstairs lounge of a local pub. The publican agreed to let us use it free of charge it was closed to the public during the week, and the bar was closed, so it posed no temptation for younger members. On Tuesday 20th February 1996 we held our first meeting and The WeST of Scotland Atari User Group (WSAUG) was born. I'd hoped we would get at least 15 people but there were 27 people in total ranging from 12 years old to 60 plus. Since then the WSAUG has held a meeting every fourth Tuesday with an average attendance of around 25. I publish a four-weekly printed newsletter using Papyrus Gold and get it professionally photocopied by the Erskine Hospital Printing Department telephone +(0)141 812 1100) at a very competitive price.

Aims

Our aims are to provide support for, and to foster communication
between, Atari Computer owners in the West of Scotland. We strive to provide up to date news
and information about products, vendors and servicing. We also seek out solitary Atari computer
owners and encourage them to join the group.

A typical meeting
Meetings are very Informal, we usually follow this format:
  • Formal meeting: Discussion of any relevant business and to allow suggestions to be made this only takes up a few minutes.
  • Demo: A short demo by a member or a guest of either some piece of hardware or software. Many members have only ever seen some Atari products in the magazines and welcome the chance to see them in action. So far we have covered RAM upgrades, Cubase, Pagestream, using a flat-bed scanner and a few others.
  • Random Access session: A general free for all to allow the members to chat amongst themselves and try out the software on the various machines present - this Is usually the most popular bit
It's heartening to see members of all ages breaking off into small groups and talking about all
things Atari.

We are not alone

The WSAUG now has established very friendly relations with many other groups throughout the
UK and the rest of the world. We have strong representation within the CiX atari.user.gps
on-line conference where other local and national user groups and Atari related companies
also have a presence. This allows us to bring news and information to our offline members
via the newsletter very quickly.
In addition to the newsletter we also have a local on-line discussion area on 42BB5,
the home BBS of The Falcon FacTT File (FFF) on +(0)1256 895106, with World Wide Web page at
URL:http://ourworld.compuserve. com homepages/magicka/homepage.htm
To date we consider the WSAUG as a resounding success. Its growth and the formation of other
user groups in Scotland has directly led to the formation of STAG...

STAG: Scotland's TOS/Atari Group


I was concerned with the sudden explosion of user groups and the apparent dilution and duplication of effort in their operation, particularly given the geographical proximity of the existing groups within Scotland. In that context I believed there was a strong argument for a national Scottish Atari group.
I discussed the proposals with the organisers of the other Scottish user groups and as a
result STAG has now been formed.
It's an umbrella organisation which collates all memberships under a single heading and
subscription. STAG is affiliated to the UKAAUG and It's members are Initially formed from
the component parts of The WeST of Scotland Atari User Group,
the Central Scotland Atari User Group,
the TOS Users' Group
and the Atari User Group (Scotland). We continue to actively seek new members throughout
Scotland and elsewhere. The combined membership of STAG Is currently hovering around 100.

STAG member benefits

The current four weekly meetings held by the WSAUG now continue as meetings of
STAG (WeST). We hope other regular meetings will be established by more remote members
as the group expands. Already there are plans to hold STAG(EaST) meetings to be held on
the opposite fortnight to STAG(WeST).
STAG will continue to produce its four weekly, centrally produced and
funded newsletter, with a single subscription for all members. Thanks to Fraser Blacklaws
at AUG(S) we now offer an optional "cover disk" containing the latest non commercial software
(six times per year) for a small additional subscription.
Informal telephone support between members is encouraged our large membership
base ensures question don't remain unanswered for long!

Subscriptions

This Is always the topic nobody wants to talk about but subscriptions are necessary to
provide a quality service.
An adult or family (i.e. one adult and any number of under 18's) membership
subscription to STAG is £14 per year.
Under 18 members with no adult family STAG member pays £7 per year.
For an additional £4 per member (adult or under 18) the optional "cover disks" are included.
My intention for 'writing this article is to demonstrate anyone can start a user group.
All it takes is time and lots of enthusiasm. I think it has been worth it.
On Tuesday 9th July 27 people attended the meeting, on Tuesday 6th August there were 28
people - including five new faces. There is definitely a need.
User groups provide a forum for Atari users of all ages and experience. They enable
communication, help people to learn and reassure each other we're all still using a
computer with plenty of life left in it yet. Finally, if you ever find yourself at a
loose end on a Tuesday night in the west of Scotland you know what to do...

For up to date information on all UK Atari user groups, send a blank disk and an SAE to:
Harry Sideras
(UK Association of Atari User Groups)
49 Haywood Road
Tile Cross
Birmingham B33 0IJ
email: sidcelery@cix.co.uk
If you're Interested in joining STAG please write to the membership secretary - include a large
SAE if you'd like a free evaluation copy of the newsletter:
Sandy Thomson
STAG
41 Mayfield Crescent
Howwood PA9 1BL
Email: sandy_t@cix.co.uk


Wessex Atari Group

Atari user groups are on the increase which demonstrates there's still
plenty of life in the Atari platform. Roy Goring explains how the
Wessex Atari Group got off the ground...

The Wessex Atari Group, or WAG as we soon became known, was started in
May 1996 by four Hampshire based Atarians. After an initial meeting
Mick Lock, Chris Good, Alan Baker and myself felt compelled to start a
group to offer support to other Atari Users. We decided recruiting the
help of Colin Fisher-McAllum, SySop of 42BBS based in Hampshire, was a
priority and happily Colin was very supportive.

Spreading The Word
We soon had a dedicated message area on 42BBS and set about telling
other Atarians WAG existed. The message area was used extensively over
the next couple of weeks canvassing support. Alasdair Goold, stalwart
of the West of Scotland Atari User Group (WSAUG), offered some really
useful advice which helped us plan the inaugural meeting.
Full of optimism, we organised the meeting for early June, the details
were advertised everywhere. Messages were posted on NeST (Network ST is
a world-wide Atari BBS network) and CIX (Commercial BBS conferencing
system), and cards were placed in computer shop windows to reach as
many Atari enthusiasts as possible.

The First Meeting
Eight people turned up for the meeting and we decided participation was
the key to success. Doubled in strength we resolved to set another
meeting in July to see if we could swell our numbers again!
As a group was decided our aim would be: "To provide communication,
support and advice to all Atari owners, no matter who, no matter what
Atari platform they use".
We elected a steering committee to establish a framework for the Group
and appointed a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.
At the end of the meeting we were treated to a demonstration of the
'WAG on the WEB' pages put together by our 'Webmaster' Chris Good on
his Falcon. Everyone was impressed by the quality of the pages,
especially since they were put together in double quick time for the

The July meet
As the meeting approached we went into overdrive trying to find an easy
to get to, and above all, cheap venue. At the time we had no money in
the kitty because we still hadn't decided our membership fees. We were
lucky enough to be offered a free venue, donated by the Whitchurch Fire
Station in North Hampshire, which is only a stones throw from 42BBS,
the omens were good!
We were delighted to see loads of people turn up and both entertained
and bemused by an array of five different Atari computers running
various different software. The theme for the evening was 'The Atari
8-bit', demonstrated most enthusiastically by Brenden O'Neil. The
assembled throng fell into two camps, those who "Didn't realise the
graphics on the 8-bit Ataris were so good - and this was back in 1983!"
and those who relished the nostalgia trip "Cor that takes me back,
Boulderdash, Rescue From Fractalus, Batty Builder, can I have a go? - I
used to be brilliant at this!".
The Future
WAG is on the map, it has a home and it's committed to success. We're
over the worst part of informing people we exist. It's easy to get in
touch with other on-liners but reaching everyone else is the real
challenge. If you have any suggestions we'd be delighted to hear them
(so would we - Ed).
The bottom line
We fixed an annual membership fee of œ8 (œ4 for concessions) which
covers the following:
* Monthly themed meetings, and a chance to view other
software/hardware.
* Telephone support to all members no matter what Atari platform.
* WAG on the WEB Internet pages, updated twice a month. These cover the
latest goings on in the Atari world. If you're on-line check out: URL:
http://www.compulink.co.uk/~mrgs/wag/welcome.htm * WAG WEB pages on disk, updates available at each meeting.
Contact
For more details feel free to contact me at any reasonable time and
I'll be pleased to help:
Roy Goring
Goring Grange
Brockhampton Road
Havant
PO9 1NT
Tel/Fax: +(0)1705 611847
Email: rgoring@zetnet.co.uk or rgoring@cix.compulink.co.uk
DIY
WAG is now affiliated to The UK Association of Atari User Groups
(UKAAUG). If you're not close enough to us there's bound to one nearby
- and if there isn't why not start one yourself?
User Groups are simply a collection of individuals, like you & me, who
get together to share experiences, problems and triumphs (we don't
major on failure - unless it's helpful!) there really is something for
everyone and it's also fun!

A couple of WAG members.

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