The purpose of SIG-IBM is to study topics of interest to people that work with IBM PCs or IBM PC compatibles (Intel or AMD platforms). This may include hardware, software, or operating systems. A typical SIG meeting starts with Tom. Callow reading important computer related news for the past month. He then follows with a question and answer period trying to solve the members' computer problems. The main part of the meeting then follows where the speaker of the day is introduced and gives his/her presentation. After the presentation there may be a drawing for computer related items that have been donated by the speaker or other sources.
SIG-IBM was formed in the fall of 1981 shortly after the IBM PC was demonstrated at the September 13, 1981 SEMCO general meeting. This SIG's first chairperson was Jim Rarus who also was then president of SEMCO. In February 1981 Darrel Frappier became chairperson for this SIG. In March 1989 Jim Wedell became the SIG-IBM chairperson. Less then a year later Tom Callow took over as the chairperson for this SIG with co-chairperson Warner Mach, the positions they still hold today.
The purpose of SIG-IBM Intermediate is similar to SIG-IBM, but the topics are frequently less advanced. Topics covered include such things as Internet, e-mail, downloading music, burning CDs, etc. Frequently topics are covered in a less complex and more detailed manner than is possible in the other SIGs.
SIG-IBM Intermediate started out as a Sub-SIG of the SIG-IBM. In 1988 SIG-IBM formed a SUB-SIG New Users with Richard Jackson as its leader. In January 1991 Bill Woelk took over as chairperson of this group. In September 1991 this group was recognized as SIG-IBM New Users with its chairperson becoming a member of the board. In September 1993 Tom Callow became the de facto chairperson of the SIG. In October 1997 the name was changed to SIG-IBM Novice. In October 1998 the name changed again to SIG-IBM Intermediate to accurately reflect the topics covered at the meetings. Jack Vander-Schrier was chairperson of the SIG-IBM Intermediate from February 2002 through April 2005. Carl Massie Jr. became chairperson of the SIG in February 2006.
The purpose of the NOVICE-IBM Group is to help the people who are new to computers. A cardinal principle of the group has always been that that there is no question that is too dumb for a user to ask. In this group the user could always feel free to ask for help with a particular problem or procedure. Topics can include basics such as how to turn the equipment on and off or “what is inside the box?” Other things covered include PC terminology and concepts, using the start menu, and the various storage devices. This group was formed in October 1998.
The SIG-Advanced is not a presentation type of meeting. It is an open forum of free-wheeling discussions on whatever computer topics the users bring to the group at that meeting. The people that are looking for help and the questions they ask drive the meeting. Topics covered include such things as PDAs, software, hardware, operating systems and any topic related to computers. People frequently will bring in their portable computers and projects they are working on for show and tell.
This SIG started out as the “SIG-CP/M” before 1980. CP/M was a disk operating system for the 8080 and Z-80 systems popular before the IBM PC was developed. There was also a version that would run on an Apple II. This required the installation of a Z-80 card in the Apple II. In 1982 Bob Clyne became chairperson--a post he held for over 5 years.
Bob Zukosky became its chairperson in 1987, after Bob Clyne was elected vice-president of SEMCO. 1988 saw the first name change of the SIG, as the users of CP/M started switching to the IBM PC and its disk operating system. The new name of the SIG was “Hardware & Software Tech Help SIG” a group that would address the support for the members on several different platforms, hardware, and software items.
In 1990 Franz Breidenich replaced Bob Zukosky as the chairperson of the SIG, the position he has held ever since. The name changed again in 1990 to SIG-Advanced. From December of 1990 to February 2002, the SIG had its meetings in The Troy Public Library. Since March 2002 they have been meeting at the Oak Park Public Library.