TABLE OF CONTENTS

SEMCO
Organization
History
Present
Future
Membership
  Membership Application Form
Notice
Why Join SEMCO
Directions
Back to SEMCO's Home Page
SEMCO logo  
 

SEMCO

The SouthEastern Michigan Computer Organization, Inc. (SEMCO) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) group dedicated to providing information, education and a forum to both professional and amateur computer users. SEMCO is one of the country's oldest personal computing organizations and was established to help individuals better understand personal computing.

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ORGANIZATION

SEMCO is managed by a Board of Directors. The President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer are elected by the membership. The Publications Committee Chairman is a membeer of the Board and each Special Interest Group (SIG) also has a representative that sits on the Board. The Board and various committees serve the needs of the membership by publishing the DATA BUS newsletter, arranging for meeting rooms, audio-visual equipment, and by maintaining a common treasury.

In addition to providing administrative functions for the membership and the SIGs, the SEMCO Board arranges for meeting speakers on topics of interest to the membership as a whole. Past speakers have included: CEO's from software, hardware, manufacturing and retail organizations, and representatives from major companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Adobe, and Apple Computers.

SEMCO is a community service organization providing technical support. SEMCO has also provided hardware and software repair to schools and disadvantaged individuals. Computer components and entire systems are also donated when appropriate. In addition, all meetings are open to the public.

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HISTORY

The SouthEastern Michigan Computer Organization first began meeting in 1976. The original mailing list consisted of student members of an early computer organization at Wayne State University plus attendees of a seminar put on by MITS, the company, which produced the Altair computer.

The greatest change since the early years of the organization is an increased emphasis by members on "off the shelf" software and operating systems. In the past, more members wrote their own programs and built or modified their own hardware. This in turn parallels the changes taking place in the computer industry as a whole. You no longer need to know how to write your own software or how to operate a soldering iron to enjoy computing.

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PRESENT

SEMCO maintains a presence on the World Wide Web at http://www.semco.org. Stop in and view our ever evolving web site. We can also be reached by e-mail at semco@semco.org.

SEMCO currently holds its general meeting at 1:30 PM on the second Sunday of every month at ArvinMeritor. Present membership is approximately 110. Usually 30 to 40 members and guests attend the main monthly meetings, with more for special speakers.

Several SIGs meet on a regular basis. These currently include: IBM (DOS, all versions of Windows, Linux); Intermediate Users (IBM), Novice Users (IBM); and Advanced (all platforms). Some SIG meetings are held immediately after the general meeting, others meet at other locations and times throughout the month. SIG meeting notices are published each month in the DATA BUS and at the SEMCO Web site. Feel free to contact individual SIG chairpersons for additional details. New SIGs are encouraged and can be formed by any members with a common interest.

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FUTURE

Members will be kept up-to-date on the latest industry developments and future trends by way of our regular meetings and articles printed in the DATA BUS. SEMCO will continue to engage knowledgeable speakers, from both large international corporations and small domestic businesses, to discuss a wide range of exciting topics.

Perhaps foremost is the personal contact with other computer users, which provides for an open exchange of ideas in an informal setting.

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MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to all persons. Those under 18 must be sponsored by a parent or guardian. Visitors are welcome at all meetings.

Dues are $30.00 per year and include a subscription to the monthly newsletter, DATA BUS. The DATA BUS provides free, non-commercial, want ad space for members, as well as information about our monthly meetings and Special Interest Groups. For general information about future meeting topics, location, dates and times call (248) 398-7560 for a recorded message or check our web site at http://www.semco.org. Any questions can also be addressed to SEMCO at our email address: semco@semco.org.

Follow the link to our membership form to join or just come to a meeting (try before you buy).

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NOTICE

SEMCO does not condone in any way the illegal copying of copyrighted material and will not tolerate such practice at any SEMCO function.

Members are encouraged to register all shareware, which they continue to use after their initial trial period.

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WHY JOIN SEMCO

SEMCO provides a unique array of opportunities that only a user group can provide. At SEMCO it is possible to converse with friendly people ranging from students to retirees, including novices, computer professionals and hobbyists, as well as a wide assortment of people from many other walks of life.

SEMCO is a great place to:


SEMCO meets at

ArvinMeritor

2135 West Maple Road

Troy, Michigan

Second Sunday of Every Month
General Meeting: 1:30 PM
SIG-IBM 1:45 PM
SIG-IBM Intermediate 3:45 PM
 

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DIRECTIONS

Go to Maple Rd (15 Mile Rd) between Woodward Ave and I-75.   Go to Maplelawn Drive between Coolidge Hwy and Crooks Rd, and go south to the rear of the ArvinMeritor building.  Turn right into the parking lot.  Enter the south entrance which is centered in the back of the building.  If traveling by I-75, exit at Exit 69 (Big Beaver Rd (16 Mile Rd)), go west to Crooks Rd, and then go south on Crooks Rd until you turn right onto West Maple Rd.  Follow "SEMCO" signs. MAP

VISITORS WELCOME
 
SouthEastern Michigan Computer Organization, Inc.
P.O. Box 707
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0707
(248) 398-7560
e-mail: semco@semco.org
http://www.semco.org

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Membership Application Form
 

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