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Summer thoughts for the group


Entry posted 07/21/11 by Cole Joplin
2,099 views, 2 comments.

Title
Summer thoughts for the group

Entry

Hi Everyone!
Last night's presentation from Mike on Premier Pro was great. I was able to take some time to reflect on the group, and wanted to share some thoughts.
1) People do stuff in the summer. It's always been this way. Please do not feel guilty about having fun and taking time off with friends and family. We know you'll be back. I am extremely appreciative to the people in this group. I am grateful that you take the time to come to meetings and participate. That, in itself, is really something. So, thanks everyone!
2) It never ceases to amaze me that I always learn something new every meeting. Because I have done a number of user groups over time, this is why I know much of what I know. We all learn from each other. I'm a programmer, but I know a lot about Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, etc.. Thanks for the skills you've given me!
3) Being a presenter is not a natural thing. Please don't feel you need to present. It's totally okay if it's not in your blood to be a presenter. Everyone contributes to the discussions or asks really good questions. You don't have to be a presenter to be a valuable contributor of our group. We're just happy to have you. Really.
4) Even something as simple as snacks adds a lot to the group atmosphere. I'm really thankful to Access for providing drinks. That's extremely cool. Did I mention you get an extra drawing ticket for bringing snacks?
5) Many groups assume that the presenter be an expert. SLCAdobeUG is not one of those groups. There is value in someone taking on a new skill or product, and sharing what their struggles and discoveries were. Since we have such a wide berth of products, design and technology, this is helpful to someone who hasn't taken on that new challenge. Every expert will tell you that a newbie often reads or finds out something new that they didn't know about. A novice can teach an expert.
Example: I am not an InDesign expert, I'm a novice. My New Features CS 5.5 presentation is geared toward simply approaching InDesign, show how old things just got a lot easier, and that you can do some cool things without needing to be an expert. I personally decided on InDesign because I wanted to know how to make an ePub book that will work in iBooks on my iPad. Now, I can not only program an iPad app, but I can make a manual, with embedded videos, that shows you how to use it, and how to use our backend software systems. All on an iPad. Now Tiffany is an InDesign expert, yet she wanted to see the new CS 5.5 features in action.
6) If there is something you'd like the group to do that it's not, let us know. If there's something you don't like, let us know. While may be the manager of the group, I see this as our group. Nothing is sacred to me except one thing: I don't want to waste your time. 
7) When was the last time you mentioned this group to someone else? You never know if we might do something they may be interested in. As Mike discovered last night, many were interested in photography as well as video. You never know. Did I mention you get an extra ticket from bringing a friend?
So, a general thanks to everyone. I'm lucky to be your UGM.
-- Cole

Hi Everyone!

Last night's presentation from Mike on Premier Pro was great. I was able to take some time to reflect on the group, and wanted to share some thoughts.

1) People do stuff in the summer. It's always been this way. Please do not feel guilty about having fun and taking time off with friends and family. We know you'll be back. I am extremely appreciative to the people in this group. I am grateful that you take the time to come to meetings and participate. That, in itself, is really something. So, thanks everyone!

2) It never ceases to amaze me that I always learn something new every meeting. Because I have done a number of user groups over time, this is why I know much of what I know. We all learn from each other. I'm a programmer, but I know a lot about Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, etc.. Thanks for the skills you've given me!

3) Being a presenter is not a natural thing. Please don't feel you need to present. It's totally okay if it's not in your blood to be a presenter. Everyone contributes to the discussions or asks really good questions. You don't have to be a presenter to be a valuable contributor of our group. We're just happy to have you. Really.

4) Even something as simple as snacks adds a lot to the group atmosphere. I'm really thankful to Access for providing drinks. That's extremely cool. Did I mention you get an extra drawing ticket for bringing snacks?

5) Many groups assume that the presenter be an expert. SLCAdobeUG is not one of those groups. There is value in someone taking on a new skill or product, and sharing what their struggles and discoveries were. Since we have such a wide berth of products, design and technology, this is helpful to someone who hasn't taken on that new challenge. Every expert will tell you that a newbie often reads or finds out something new that they didn't know about. A novice can teach an expert.

Example: I am not an InDesign expert, I'm a novice. My New Features CS 5.5 presentation is geared toward simply approaching InDesign, show how old things just got a lot easier, and that you can do some cool things without needing to be an expert. I personally decided on InDesign because I wanted to know how to make an ePub book that will work in iBooks on my iPad. Now, I can not only program an iPad app, but I can make a manual, with embedded videos, that shows you how to use it, and how to use our backend software systems. All on an iPad. Now Tiffany is an InDesign expert, yet she wanted to see the new CS 5.5 features in action.

6) If there is something you'd like the group to do that it's not, let us know. If there's something you don't like, let us know. While may be the manager of the group, I see this as our group. Nothing is sacred to me except one thing: I don't want to waste your time. 

7) When was the last time you mentioned this group to someone else? You never know if we might do something they may be interested in. As Mike discovered last night, many were interested in photography as well as video. You never know. Did I mention you get an extra ticket from bringing a friend?

So, a general thanks to everyone. I'm lucky to be your UGM.

-- Cole

Comments

posted 07/21/11 by jayharvey | Report Abuse

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Cole. I really appreciate the effort you and Kurt put into organizing these meetings and for everyone who presents/teachings something. For me, coding has taken over my creative side and these days I rarely, if ever, use any Adobe products...so I guess you could say that I'm the "Prodigal" Adobe User trying to find my way back and these meetings are helpful and motivating. I hope to contribute to the group at some point down the road after I've opened up an Adobe product at least a few times. :)

posted 07/21/11 by S Hopkins | Report Abuse

Hi Cole,

I had every intention of being one of your user group's faithful, every-meeting, attendees. Although I have been using Adobe's products since version 1, there is always something new that can be learned. Regrettably, I have been struggling to finish the latest version of my AppleScripting InDesign book (for version 5.0 and 5.5) and update my web site. It seems as if every force in heaven and __ has been at odds against me. I would really have loved to see your approach to doing ebooks with InDesign...and someday I hope to get back into using Premier Pro. Again, my apologies...however I am the one who lost out by not being at the User Group meeting. Hope to be able to start attending regularly and maybe get a user group started here in good old Utah County. Thanks for all of your hard work.

Shirley Hopkins

p.s. I would like to know more about your backend software systems.