First off, this emperor needs some new clothes. If someone can think up some MN/midwestern style for this page, I'd be all ears. Here's a rough idea I had for a potential banner...Thanks Helmers!



Anyway, welcome to the MOUG! I'm curious as to if anyone would be interested in meeting up. Why you ask? There's a ton of things we could do, just hanging out and having the occasional beer is certainly highest on my list. Sign up, lets see if we can get something going.... or show your interest in the comments section here (or email moug at el73.net).


Why? Still asking that question? Geez- I thought drinks and socializing was reason enough- let's see:

1) Educate and consult the Midwest-region. Preferrably schools

2) Learn from Peers, Go beyond screen shots. Get hands on training at meetups with other user's Opera configurations, learn the how's and whys.

3) Brand presence. Opera is still not widely known. We'll kick around ideas for expanding the brand here in MN and ways to promote.

4) Super-Wish Lists- As a group, we will discuss, prepare and draft reasonable wish-list requests. John Hancock type signatures by all the group members will be mandatory, so brush up on your calligraphy. I figure a post from an Opera User Group should (or could if we can get a good reputation) have more impact in the wish-list forums for feature requests, bug fixes etc. At the very least, it'd be more thought out and community approved, and that can't hurt.

5) my.opera.com Community Advocate- As a User Group, build tutorials and guidelines that we can share with the entire my.opera community.



Further, here's some thoughts on activities that would lend itself to a user group meeting:

• "Activity Centered" Sessions- Pick a few scenarios that the user group would be likely partake in. If this is held on a campus, a good example would be "research for a pyschology paper," or something to that effect. Walk then through things like Notes for doing research, and Sessions, address bar searches etc... Gear this towards the level of familiarity the audience has with Opera. If the group is really experienced with Opera (as a user group would likely be...) then have a couple users duke it out in a race to see who can compile information the quickest.
  
  
• Customization Show & Tell- Have the users talk about particular customizations they are proud of and why they are useful, how others can set them up etc...
  
  
• My.Opera or OperaWatch Article Submission- Have the group brainstorm an article of interest for publication
  
  
• College campus canvas. Talk to technology dept/schools in local area to get support from faculty/staff. Offer to have the user group flex the browser as part of a show & tell.
  
  

-Eddie