CompUsers: for and by computer users

Walter Wijnhoven

At the initiative of CompUsers and with the approval of the HCC board, the association status will become a thing of the past for practical reasons. What will not change is that anyone who is (or becomes) a member of HCC can also become a member of CompUsers, which offers help and support to home computer users. Most attention is paid to software for applications and operating systems. But communication, networks and security are also discussed.

Computer users meet at the CompUfair

DIGITAL SKILL
Isja Nederbragt, ai chairman, is a ‘CompUser’ from the very beginning. She explains: “The computer became a means of communication around 2000 and was already an advanced typewriter. Reason enough to become more digitally skilled. Shortly after, the first good digital cameras came, my hobby, and the desire arose to become proficient in digital photography and everything that comes with it. CompUsers offered that opportunity, including through lectures on photo editing and the open source program GIMP via the DigiFoto Platform. But I also benefited from the knowledge of the many participants in the other platforms.”

PLATFORMS
A platform brings together a group of members with a common interest in a topic or theme related to the use of computers. The participants deepen their knowledge and exchange it with each other. There are platforms aimed at specific applications and platforms aimed at operating systems. The Music Platform is the place for hobbyists who compose, listen to and edit music creatively with the computer. The Platform WebOntwerp is for anyone interested in having their own place on the World Wide Web. The DigiVideo Platform is one of the largest platforms and supports users of video editing software. Think of Cyberlink PowerDirector, Magix, Windows Moviemaker, Pinnacle Studio and Lightworks.

Together on a photo excursion

PLATFORM DIGITAL PHOTO
The DigiFoto Platform deals with everything related to digital photo editing. Isja came into contact with this platform around 2004, which had already been active for a number of years. “Many people wanted to learn how to use digital cameras and photo editing programs,” says Isja. “That received a lot of attention in the form of demos and explanations, lectures, workshops and articles in the association’s magazine, the SoftwareBus. We organized fun photo excursions, during which a lot of information was exchanged about the technology. In recent years, we have been paying more and more attention to shooting with a smartphone. And now that most people have mastered the technique, interest in the quality of photos and images is increasing again. The platform covers the complete workflow from recording to finished product.”

PLATFORMS ABOUT OPERATING SYSTEMS
CompUsers has closely followed the development of DOS to Windows from the very beginning. There is therefore enormous expertise in all these operating systems. Ideally, attention should be given to all operating systems, for example also to eComStation (the former OS/2) and (MS-)DOS. The Windows Platform supports members using Microsoft Windows operating systems. But it’s not all Windows that controls the computer. An excellent and free alternative is the open source program Linux. Google, Facebook and Wikipedia run largely on Linux, so almost everyone indirectly already uses it. But Linux is also prominent on smartphones and tablets, Google’s Android is based on Linux. Participants in the Linux Platform and the Android Platform will learn all about this.

SOFTWARE BUS
There is also a ‘paper’ platform. The Software-Bus is the official magazine of the CompUsers Association and is published six times a year, both in print and online. Subscription is separate from CompUsers membership and is also available to HCC members and non-members. The magazine offers articles for both beginners and advanced users. If you want to know more about your computer or the operating system, the software bus is very useful and everything is in plain language! The basic price for an annual subscription is € 24.50. HCC members receive a €9 discount. Many members of CompUsers also write about their hobby in the magazine, this is also open to other HCC members and non-members. “I ended up at the SoftwareBus as an author through giving lectures,” says Isja, “and I have already written many articles about, among other things, GIMP and photography. At the request of CompUsers, the operation of the SoftwareBus will soon be transferred to HCC. The magazine itself will of course continue as usual.”

FREE EMAIL ACCOUNT
CUmail.nl is the mail server of CompUsers. Members of CompUsers and subscribers of the SoftwareBus can use it free of charge with their own e-mail account.
In addition, Software Bus subscribers can get their own subdomain under cumail.nl free of charge, in which they can create up to ten e-mail accounts themselves. Isja: “Non-subscribers can also get their own subdomain for only €10 per year. The board of CompUsers uses CUmail accounts as much as possible. The advantage is that backups are made automatically and very regularly and that the information is available should a board member be unavailable.”

MANAGEMENT
In order to be able to continue the association as an interest group under the umbrella of HCC, a daily board remains necessary. The current composition is: Isja Nederbragt, AI chairperson and AI secretary; Ton Valkenburgh, board member; Henny Vink-Koopman, treasurer; Jos van den Berge, board member.
There are vacancies for the position of chairman and secretary, but ‘ordinary’ board members are also welcome. Possible candidates can be appointed at the ALV of April 2022. “They can ‘join’ with the current board to get acquainted”, explains Isja. “Jos and I will step down as board members as soon as the CompUsers association continues as an Interest Group, no later than December 31, 2021. Ton will remain active for another year, especially to train a new board.” Interested in a board position? Mail to secretaris@compusers.nl.

VOLUNTEERS
Not only the board, but the entire core of CompUsers is formed by volunteers, the CompUsers framework. The many activities of CompUsers cannot continue without their valued efforts. Isja: “Volunteers are always badly needed. Also authors for articles for the SoftwareBus (info: softwarebus@compusers.nl). And the Activities Committee can greatly appreciate extra hands during construction, dismantling or just at the (Mega) CompUfairs. All of our platforms and web team can also use help. Do you also want to commit yourself to CompUsers, do not hesitate and send an email to secretaris@compusers.nl.

MEETINGS
There are interesting and very pleasant gatherings throughout the year. “Each platform can organize its own meetings,” says Isja. “There are lectures at the HCC! knowledge days and during the CompUfairs and webinars (lectures) via the internet. Once or twice a year there are framework days for the executives of CompUsers. Isja: “Of course there are HCC members who are members of several Interest Groups and CompUsers, which automatically creates cross-pollination. There are more and more contacts between CompUsers and other groups, such as between HCC!windows and our Platform Windows. DigiFoto partly works with photo enthusiasts from the HCC region Apeldoorn. Various interest groups are present at the CompUfairs.

The General Members Meeting is well attended

COMPUFAIRS
Three times a year a CompUfair is organized in the HF White Center in De Bilt, where all platforms are also present. Lectures are often videotaped and then published on the website. The CompUfairs are also a popular meeting place for many members. The winter meeting focuses on the sale of members to members, the bargain market. The annual GMM is also held during the spring meeting, while CompUsers offers hospitality to other groups during the autumn meeting. This autumn meeting is therefore known as MegaCompUfair. Isja: “We hope to be able to organize another CompUfair on September 25, 2021. The preparations are in full swing.”

STAY INFORMED!
CompUsers is also full of plans in the second half of this year. For example, giving webinars started in 2021 and will be followed up further. You can read more about all the developments in the periodic newsletter that appears about ten times a year, a free service for members and interested parties. So don’t forget to sign up for this. CompUsers also has its own website, of course, and the board and the various platforms can post their information on compusers.nl. Last but not least, CompUsers has been active on social media since 2013. Grab your tablet, open your laptop or turn on your PC and follow CompUsers on Twitter at @CompUsers or on Facebook at facebook.com/hcc.compusers. See you soon!