I can’t even make a reasonable guesstimate of the number of times I have been approached at an ICON function and asked what our program will be about on that day. I believe this is further proof that many people don’t understand how to access the resources ICON provides.

Every month, our newsletter includes (on the outside, opposite the mailing information) a listing of upcoming SIGs, classes, and programs. Even if we don’t unseal the newsletter, we have a basic schedule of ICON’s functions.

Due to space limitations, this is a general listing only, but if we look inside the newsletter, we will find an article with additional information about each activity scheduled for the current and upcoming month. Currently, the title of this article is "Program Preparations for...(current month)".

If we’ve misplaced our copy of the monthly newsletter, or just want to learn more about an upcoming function, we can visit ICON’s web site (www.iconusersgroup.org). The next date scheduled is always featured front and center on the homepage.

This feature provides pertinent information, including: the type of function (Class, SIG, Monthly Program, Help Desks, etc.), the date and time, the location (clicking on the location name will open a map to help us find our way), the topic title (clicking on the title will open a page with additional information about the topic), and an e-mail link to the appropriate person if we have any questions.

If we really get curious, and want to get up to speed on the topic to be discussed at a function, we might click a link near the bottom of the information page (example: Digital Imaging SIG Home), that will take us to (in the example) a "Home" page for ICON’s digital imaging SIG. If the program presenter intends to reference information found online, they can insert links to the web sites where they found it, so we can go check it out ahead of time.

If we scroll to the bottom of the (SIG title) Home page, we may find additional valuable links, plus (at the very bottom) a link called (in this example) "Other Digital Imaging Links" that will go to the spot in ICON’s database of links where we can find additional references to valuable information that are related, not only to the topic of the day, but to the broader subject of the SIG.

If we are seeking information about a future event, we can visit the complete calendar by clicking the word "Calendar" in the blue navigation bar at the left side of most pages on ICON’s site. The calendar will open to the current month, and the same functionality described above is available for each event scheduled during that month.

If we are interested in the schedule for a future month, we can click "Next" at the top of the calendar in order to see the upcoming month’s functions. Usually, the calendar is complete for at least a few months in advance.

Scrolling to the bottom of any calendar page, we find "Print-Friendly Options" that allow us to print a monthly calendar, or a list (by date or event).

I invite every ICON member to try learning at least one feature or functionality built into ICON’s web site that you didn’t know before, and share it with me by e-mail within a month of receiving this issue of your newsletter! E-mail your response to: terry@iconusersgroup.org

Maybe you’ll learn something useful...maybe I’ll give away a prize, or...who knows?

See you soon,
Terry