WHY JOIN THE OPCUG?

After reviewing our website, you might ask: “What will I get for my $20 annual dues?” The OPCUG is a not-for-profit service organization. Its purpose is to serve not only its members, but also the community at large. Members consist of folks like you and me who have joined together to help each other optimize the use of computer technology. Members range from those who do not yet own a computer, to managers of corporate IT (Information Technology) departments, who want to share and help.

Here is the value of an OPCUG membership:

  • Ottawa PC News newsletter: Each month you receive an electronic newsletter that contains pages of information about meetings, activities, product reviews, commentaries, tech tips and computer news, plus lots of helpful information. Many members join our group just for the newsletter.
  • OPCUG Website: Our website is a useful place to find information on OPCUG meetings and events, product reviews, and Questions and Answers. We are continually improving it!
  • Members Helping Members: One of the most valuable services from OPCUG is the members helping members service. Volunteers offer their help to other members in solving problems in our weekly Q&A sessions, our Member Forum, or our One-on-One Remote Assistance program. Consider the cost of even a five-minute service call to a computer manufacturer’s or software publisher’s hotline and you can see the benefit of an OPCUG membership.
  • One-on-One Remote Assistance: This coveted program will pair up an OPCUG member requesting assistance with a volunteer. A remote-control app such as Windows Quick Assist or Zoom will allow the volunteer and requestor to connect over the Internet. The volunteer will be able to see the requestor’s screen and, if permitted, control their mouse and keyboard remotely.
  • General Meetings: The 10 general meetings each year (we do not meet in July and August) are worth a lot. Here we meet representatives of industry manufacturers who tell us about their new products or trends in the world of technology. On Members’ Night, members tell us about their favourite products.
  • Questions and Answers: Your OPCUG membership also allows you to attend all our Q&A sessions held each Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 8:30 (except on the second Wednesday of the month when we have our monthly club meeting). These sessions range from beginners to advanced discussions on Windows and Linux, database, document publishing and a variety of Internet subjects.
  • OPCUG Member Forum: Any member of the OPCUG can read and post anything of general interest to other members in our OPCUG-Member-Forum Google Group. Only members of the OPCUG will be authorized to access the group. Instructions on how to join the forum can be found on our Google Groups How-To page.
  • Special Discounts on Products: Computer equipment and software companies believe that user group members influence others to make purchases. That is why they offer discounts to our members. OPCUG members are frequently offered software and hardware at significant discounts from normal street prices.
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