[torontocbm] Re: TPUG/WoC
- From: Ian Colquhoun <icolquhoun@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Toronto CBM List <torontocbm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2019 00:03:28 -0400
Hi Blaine,
I would like to say: I *believe* I’m a member ( I registered for, paid for
and attended the last WOC - and believe it comes with a membership). I have
never received a newsletter by email. I only stumbled upon the discord server
address in the CBM hackers mailing list, accidentally.
You are a member. Your membership was updated last on 2019-02-05 at
which time a confirmation email would have been sent to you.
Newsletters and bulletins were sent to the membership list on:
Feb 7
Feb 25
Mar 14
Mar 17
Apr 1
Apr 8
Apr 9
Since we cannot control email once it leaves our server, unfortunately
there isn't much we can do about you not getting it after it was sent
successfully on our end. I expect it likely ended up in your spam
folder. Please whitelist tpug@xxxxxxx.
As for Discord, it was announced on
https://tpug.ca - specifically
https://www.tpug.ca/2018/11/join-us-on-discord/ which was on November
7, 2018. There is also a link to Discord on the front page of the
website, along with links to Facebook, Twitter and the TorontoCBM
mailing list.
I also think shutting down the TPUG message board to be a*huge* mistake, as I
used it regularly, and until two days ago was not aware of an alternative.
Like we have previously explained there was not a critical mass of
users on the TPUG Forums to justify the hassle of maintaining the
software on the server side - only 737 posts in 10 years or less than
0.25 posts per day.
I live in Peterborough - too far to make a weekday evening meeting. I’m a
computer enthusiast, and own quite a number of old computers - PET, Vic, 64,
128 and Amiga. I’m knowledgeable about them too.
I do not feel TPUG services my needs well. Yes, I’m welcome to attend
regular meetings, AGM, Etc. They do me no good, due to time and distance.
TPUG’s online presence continues to shrink.
TPUG's primary mission has always been to support folks from Toronto,
hence TORONTO PET Users Group. I'm not sure why suddenly there is this
feeling that we should be somehow holding meetings for people that are
not local. There are various reasons why we have members that are non
local, but I don't think many of them are expecting to be able to
attend monthly meetings. Just as an FYI, we do have some members that
do attend monthly from almost as far away as Peterborough.
TPUG's online presence has significantly expanded in 2018/19. Discord,
Facebook and Twitter along with semi-regular newsletters to the
member's mailing list.
To be told “I’m not doing enough” infuriates me. To paraphrase Kennedy: “Ask
not what your users are doing for you, ask what you are doing for your users”.
I'm sorry that you're angry. I totally understand that feeling. Allow
me to just point out though that the name of the club contains "Users
Group". Users groups have traditionally relied heavily on the
participation of the membership. They were never supposed to be places
where a few folks spoon fed everyone else. They were a place for
everyone to share. "We", being the folks that administer the club,
shouldn't always be the "doing for your users." people.
TPUG is not inclusive, regardless how you spin it. It is designed solely for
users in the GTA.
Correct - sort of. It is a local (Toronto, not even GTA) users group.
If others outside of Toronto chose to participate in their own way
they are more than welcome to. I'm offended by your statement that
we're not inclusive though.
Maybe the 4 people who run the club need to rethink the format, if they want
additional help.
We are in fact constantly attempting to rethink things and get people
engaged. Easier said than done. In large part though, this on-going
reshaping of the club has increased our membership from less than 75
in 2007 to over 130 in 2019.
If you want my help, ask. If you don’t, continue doing things the way you
have done them in the past, but don’t complain that you have to do everything
by yourself.
Since I have been involved with TPUG (mid 2000's), we have asked for
help countless times and we have had only a small handful of people
come forward and are grateful for their help. Lots of people
volunteer, few actually follow through. That said, if you are implying
that we should ask people individually then that just isn't possible.
How would we decide who to approach of the list of 130+ members? We
ask for help from everyone, and people come forward with specific
ideas or they don't.
People expect some sort of WOC show. Make it happen, or move aside and let
some other retro computer show take its place.
If someone else wishes to arrange another retro show - go for it - you
just can't use the name TPUG or World of Commodore.
No one has said WoC won't happen in 2019. It is still August and it is
generally announced in September and will be again this year.
Just my 2 cents worth. Take it or leave it.
Thank you for your contribution.
--
Ian Colquhoun <icolquhoun@xxxxxxxxx>
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