At Synopsys Abdulrahman Lomax wrote on the subject of user groups:-
>
> It is somewhat naive to expect OrCAD to set up a user group. User groups
> have a way of fostering independent and frank discussion. There is a Protel
> mailing list. It was not started by and is not run by Protel, though
> someone from Protel reads it regularly and often tosses in helpful
> suggestions. I'd suggest something similar. It was started by a service
> bureau which uses Protel tools.
>
That to my mind is a very shortsighted viewpoint on behalf of any vendor, in a previous incarnation I used Intergraph Electronics (now Veribest) and they eventually realised the benefits from supporting frank and open discussion.

The user group was run by the users and was independent of the vendor, however the vendor gave us a great deal of support in terms of resources and specialists at all our meetings both in Europe and in the States.

The benefit to the vendor was that they had clear communications from their users as to what features were important, which were the most severe bugs in terms of productivity that effected the users. The user group comittee prioritised the bugs and with the vendors co-operation set achievable and definite targets as to when problems would be resolved.

It took some time, of course, to develop the trust between vendor and users, especially during the dark days of trying to overcome the Cadnetix/Daisy/Intergraph mergers, in the final analysis though it is an excellent example of what can be achieved when vendor and users realisise that the relationship is symbiotic and it is in the common good to be frank and open about the goals that can be achieved.

Rgds.,

Oliver.

Oliver Reddaway  |  Principal PCB Designer   |   [log in to unmask]
Canon Information Systems Research Australia Pty Ltd | Phone +61-(0)2-9805-2933
PO Box 313, 1 Thomas Holt Drive,                     | Fax   +61-(0)2-9805-2929
NORTH RYDE, NSW, 2113, AUSTRALIA                     | Mobile +61-(0)414-991318

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