Obtaining help for an ailing computer can be a daunting task. For many people, just getting a straight answer can be a chore, especially when you’re not sure which questions to ask in the first place.
Long before the age of the Internet, computer hobbyists formed clubs called user groups, where nerds and newbies alike would gather to share information, trade files and do other geeky things. I almost hate to admit this, but back in the mid-’80s, I actually belonged to a user group for Commodore enthusiasts, and the meetings often were quite helpful. Similar clubs formed for users of other computer brands — such as Apple and IBM — but they didn’t have as much fun.
These days, computers are as common as almost any other household appliance. Widespread Web access also has contributed to the decline, if not total elimination, of homegrown user groups. Although computers have become easier to use, they also are a lot more complicated because they can do so much more. You’d think that would translate to a greater need for user groups, but that’s not the case, and it’s kind of a shame.
On the positive side, the Web is capable of reaching out to more people, beyond regional boundaries. It imparts a sense of community that truly is worldwide, and that’s fantastic because it expands the level of involvement and vastly increases the available knowledge base. It also allows people to virtually participate in something they might not physically be able to before.
On the other hand, the social aspect of meeting face to face is lost. Computer hobbyists are, by nature, not tremendously social creatures, so any excuse to get them out of the house and in the physical company of other human beings is a good thing. Attending meetings via webcams isn’t the…