Two East Coast FrontPage User Groups Tell their Stories

There are many reasons to start a product-based user group. You may want to create a forum in which to learn how to use the product more effectively. You may be interested in keeping pace with the latest industry trends, or you may look forward to social interaction with fellow users who share your interests. Whatever your reason, it begins with one simple reality: you like the product you're using, and you want to get together with other people to trade ideas and increase your knowledge and efficient use of the product. 

Such was the case for Rick Zach, founder of the Boston FrontPage® User Group and Dick Jones, founder of the FrontPage User Group of New York. Both founders had been using Microsoft® FrontPage from its earliest version 1.1 when they started their user groups. 

Rick Zach, who founded the Boston FrontPage User Group in late 1996, has since moved on to chair the Boston Windows® 2000 Server Group, but says of starting the FrontPage group: "I had a burning desire to understand FrontPage. In my current position, we use FrontPage in our business every day. It's a product that's accessible by technical and non-technical people alike." 
"People are looking for an industry-standard solution for Web site creation and management. FrontPage is that solution," says Dick Jones, who formed the FrontPage User Group of New York in 1997.

Jones, who dates his computer experience all the way back to using an IBM 1401 in the late 1960s, started using FrontPage in late 1995 at the AT&T School of Business and Technology. There, he developed coursework and courseware to teach people how to use FrontPage, and subsequently taught the courses until late1997.

"It was clear to me at that time that this was the way I wanted to do Web sites," says Jones. "I have a tools-oriented philosophy that comes from years of experience in computing. You figure out what you need to do, you figure out what the best tool around is to do that, and then you figure out what the best tool around won't do. Then you use the best tool around for everything it's great for and you develop an idea of how you're going to best accomplish things efficiently. FrontPage is undoubtedly that best tool-the most productive and the most efficient way to do things."
Jones was driven to start his user group when it became clear to him that, although FrontPage was a great tool, it wasn't getting great attention. He wanted to get the word out that FrontPage was, he felt, the best product available. 

While the FrontPage User Group of New York is thriving now, with a steady increase in membership over the past four years, Jones notes that, in the beginning, the biggest challenges he faced were finding a place to meet each month, as well as promoting the group. 

"Believe it or not, the biggest challenge of most user groups is finding a place to meet. The fact that Microsoft made space available to us was extremely helpful. As far as promotion, if you are going to form a Microsoft product-based user group, you should take advantage of the promotional tools available through Microsoft. They really have the resources to get the word out to the right people"

Tom Lee, who succeeded Rick Zach as the chairman of the Boston FrontPage User Group just over one year ago, concurs with Jones." Microsoft has been wonderful in supporting our endeavors," he says. "Having support in the local software community and especially a place to meet on a regular basis is important, and we've been very fortunate to have Microsoft's help in that regard."

Lee started using FrontPage a few years ago, after reaching the breaking point of frustration with Web developers. "My involvement with the FrontPage group was born out of personal and professional necessity, as well as frustration with trying to get the job done through other channels. At the end of that frustration curve, we came to FrontPage and did the Web development ourselves. The developers were either too complacent or too expensive, and I think that situation is representative of many of our current user group members. We have a lot of small business owners who are ready for a new approach. Rick Zach encouraged me to come to the user group on my own to advance my skill level above and beyond signing up for the formal training."

Members of both the Boston and New York FrontPage user groups take part in special events with other local product-based, special-interest, or PC user groups.

Dick Jones notes that his group connects regularly with the New York PC User Group, as well as several local special-interest groups that address aspects of Web design, graphics, streaming media and more. 

"User groups work best when you share the work, share perceptions and share knowledge across the board," says Jones. "Recently, we took part in a multiple user group special meeting related to the TechNet Conference. Through our sustained connection to Rick Zach we have been able to meet and connect with other local groups, and hope to do more of that in the future," says Tom Lee of the Boston FrontPage User Group.

 Form Your Own User Group

Both groups built and continue to maintain their own Web sites using FrontPage, and offer the following advice to those interested in forming their own user group:

1. Don't be discouraged if you start small.
"Chances are that if you are really engaged in a type of software, you'll know a few people who are interested. And your first meeting may be just a few people. Don't be discouraged. There is a local user group in almost every American city that can offer you support and resources to get your group off the ground. Go to your local Microsoft office or contact a local Microsoft representative or partner. Keep saying: 'Who do you know?' to everyone you come in contact with, and your membership will grow," says Dick Jones. 

2. Take advantage of peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
Tom Lee stresses the learning environment that comes out of user group involvement: "It's really worthwhile because the peer-to-peer learning experience brings so many other influences to the table that you may not find through formal channels. Just have patience while your membership grows."

3. Understand what you want.
Rick Zach adds, "Engage your local Microsoft office, you get a lot of support that way. Also, understand what you want. In our case, when I started the FrontPage group, I wanted to contribute back to the community and widen the knowledge base. What I've gained in return has been not only exposure for my current business, but also invaluable personal and professional relationships."

If you have additional questions, please send email to: mindshar@microsoft.com

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