The Golden Age of computer user groups

Image caption: Some user group magazines were of professional caliber. This 32-page newsletter attracted subscribers from 28 countries – Esther Schindler. Article by Esther Schindler.

Long before subreddits, computer enthusiasts used to get together—in-person!

The Homebrew Computer Club where the Apple I got its start is deservedly famous—but it’s far from tech history’s only community gathering centered on CPUs. Throughout the 70s and into the 90s, groups around the world helped hapless users figure out their computer systems, learn about technology trends, and discover the latest whiz-bang applications. And these groups didn’t stick to Slacks, email threads, or forums; the meetings often happened IRL. […]

So what happened?

Two things primarily made user groups disappear: first was the Internet—and the BBSes that preceded them. If you could articulate a question, you could find a website with the answer.

But computers also became easier to use. Once personal computers went mainstream, troubleshooting them stopped being an esoteric endeavor. […]

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