THE WORLD HAS CHANGED! Many of you have heard me say this before, but it was confirmed by the results of our recent national election. The Democratic party outperformed their rivals at nearly every turn, by integrating modern technology into every facet of their campaign.

How did the Obama campaign raise more money, gain more access to traditional mass media, and mobilize more voters than any previous candidate for national office in U.S. history? Why did the Republicans lose the Presidency, as well as more seats in both houses of Congress? The answer to both questions is...E-mail and the Internet! The Democratic party tapped into the additional access to the public, while the Republican party did not.

Although the personal computer revolutionized many aspects of the ways we work, it has become little more than an appliance...an access point to a vast repository of human knowledge and revolutionary medium of communication, which has fundamentally changed the way people communicate with others and how they gain access to information...that repository and medium is of course, the Internet

The world has changed! As citizens of the modern world, we have two choices...adapt or become irrelevant. Like many of you, I feel that the world is racing ahead too fast, but I prefer not to be left behind, so I have chosen to adapt, embracing technology in order to continue having some influence in decisions that affect my life and future!

As an officer of ICON, I am obligated to work at building and
promoting a positive image of our organization within the community, and steering our user group in a manner that increases and improves our ability to accomplish our stated goals and purposes. In order to remain viable in today’s world, a user group must address all aspects of computer use...from basic skills training to mainstream and peripheral user issues, and beyond, to emerging trends in technology.

I have an additional obligation to you as individual members...the personal commitment of a caring friend. I work very hard to make sure ICON provides opportunities for all of us to learn the basics of computer use, as well as specific
aspects we want to learn about. Additionally, I try to make sure we stay aware of new ways technology is affecting our lives.

ICON offers the help you need to meet your technology goals! If you don’t understand how to get that help, don’t be left behind, talk to me or Mary Phillips, our Membership Committee Chair. I am available in person at virtually every ICON function, you can leave a message for me at the telephone number listed elsewhere in this newsletter, or you can e-mail me at:
terry@iconusersgroup.org

Mary is available in person at most ICON functions, or by e-mail at: mary@iconusersgroup.org

See you soon,
Terry