As a Technical communicator your interest may be in documentation, but you are always in technology. For almost every programming language, software, platform, operating system you will also find a local user group where you can find out more for yourself.
A little time spent with other user groups could turn you into a hero technical communicator. Take for example the possibility of reducing costs by learning how to use Open Source software, or perhaps you can find new ways to serve your clients and customers by understanding how programming languages can easily perform the task of dynamic document generation in diverse and widely accepted formats.
User groups are really for anybody interested in technology. If your skill background is different from the group, it is still an opportunity to share your own knowledge and to add to the diversity of the group. Think about going to a user group for something you might want to know more about.
User groups aren’t just for experts. They consist of regular people, and this is important to understand. They are the grassroots organizations for modern technologies, and they help put a human face to technology.
As with the STC, user groups provide an unprecedented opportunity for networking and learning in the field. You can get exposure and information from first hand users you may never get from learning on your own. Regular meetings feature talks by association members or invited guests, and the groups all have websites which post forum discussions and job postings. Groups even occasionally organize larger events and conferences.
User groups operate with minimal overhead. Meetings are free to attend, and sometimes there are even courtesy offerings of pizza and soft drinks. Membership is optional. But still what is really surprising is that most user groups are fairly small, even though the opportunities for networking, knowledge and participation are excellent.
The best way to support user groups is by going to meetings. You can help share the awareness of these groups with your colleagues. User groups have become the bulwark in promoting Open Source technologies, which otherwise don’t have marketing and advertising budgets that major technology corporations have. It can help you get ahead in your profession – and you can enjoy a good slice of pizza while you are at it.
In my experience with the Vancouver PHP Users Association, I never would have been exposed to so many different aspects of technology had I just kept working and learning on my own. Our group has since put on events and conferences that have hosted talks by the inventors of the language, as well as some of the core developers and experts from around the world.
