This article first appeared last November 21, 2006 on my blog (http://jargonz.multiply.com/journal/item/4/Technical_Rant_The_Problem_With_Aspect_Ratios).
Every day, I make it a point to see how many people are concurrently logged in this site. The typical number ranges from 20-30. Not bad... but it could be better. I really feel that this site is very helpful to a lot of people. But a great number of the regulars who frequent this site are computer enthusiasts who are already familiar with the nuances of computing and who either: (a) seek additional information from their peers; (b) share their knowledge to the other members; or, (c) exchange points of view to widen the scope of what they already know. Of course, there are the occasional students, the friends, professionals, lurkers, and various other types.
Yet this site possesses a great treasure: a body of dedicated volunteers and enthusiastic members willing to spend personal time and resources to help others. This help is in the form of information that enlightens, educates, and sometimes (usually? *grin*) entertains. A lot of people really stand to benefit from all these. What I'm driving at is perhaps we may have a very good resource that only a very few people have heard about. Wouldn't it be great if a lot more people start benefiting from the collective knowledge being held by our community?
I am therefore writing this to challenge everyone to bring in a friend and introduce them to our great site. I am sure a lot of people are looking for answers, and who knows... they might just find it here, lurking in one of the posts, in perhaps a hidden article or link. And we have much to offer: as our collective membership cuts across different strata of society, we can say we have experts in the different aspects of IT. We have hardcore modders, network specialists, PC hardware authorities, programming gurus, and graphic design experts. We have experts who are currently students, some are practicing IT professionals, and a few who are from other (non-IT) fields who are really good tech-heads.
And so I am hoping that everyone will take to this challenge. How about introducting PC Experts to one new person each week? With our type of crowd, which is very dynamic and diverse, everyone can easily find a nook to fit in. Besides, we go beyond the boundaries of bits and bytes, beyond chips and wires. Our help extends to giving purchasing tips, making store reviews, giving career guidance, even providing personal advise. Heck, we even have a real doctor in the house. And he gives free online diagnosis. Now how do you top that?
Perhaps it also needs to be stressed that this is a very friendly community. This is a place where anyone can ask a question without being afraid of being humiliated. I've been to some forums where newbies are automatically picked on, which is sad because such brings a bad name to the tech community. I guess we have done a good work where we have maintained a light-hearted and cheerful culture to our community. And I hope it remains that way. After all, a community connotes collaboration and cooperation. As we grow, we could look forward to becoming the premier IT collaboration community in the land. Grand dreams, yes... but something I believe is very achievable.
So bring in the students who might need help with their school work. Bring in the newly grad who might be looking for a job. Bring in the anxious parents who would like to buy their kid a computer. Bring in the upgrade-addicts who want to know the best buys and the better stores. Bring in the professionals who'd like to network with other professionals and share their knowledge. And bring in your friends.. because we'd like to make them our friends too.
Spread the news, spread the link: www.pc-experts.org. The (very friendly) place where experts and enthusiasts meet.
Good things come to those who wait, though it could be admitted that good things tend to take quite some time to come along. Yet the essence in enjoying a treat is the anticipation building up as the prize of something that is exquisite seems to lay just a wee bit out of reach. And so today, the anticipation that has been boiling has finally come to pass, and the waiting has finally brought to fruition something much more sublime, something more compelling than anything we've ever had... a bigger, better home.
Our community has been in existence for over four years: the first two on borrowed space, the last two on what was once a grand house but which has fallen into hard times. Finally, after a bit of work, and much assistance from a cadre of able, willing, and hardworking volunteers... PC Experts v2 is now up. A new home, a new look, and hopefully, a renewed sense of vigor is hoped to fill up this new place.
As with anything new, it is expected that the initial sallying would be fraught with a bit of unease, brought about by the unfamiliarity of being in a new territory. But just like anything else new, one will eventually be delighted by the niceties brought about by the changes. One would realize that what which once was familiar would have to give way to improvements and advancement.
This is the story of PC Experts: a story of challenges surmounted, of goals achieved, of friendships forged, and stories made into legends. The story of PC Experts will always be evolving, in the same manner as all of us evolve hopefully into better people doing better things.
With the new home, much is in store. A series of added features will be implemented in the coming months. These changes are necessary for PC Experts to become relevant to the constant flux brought about by changes in technologies and changes in society. Some of the features will be services that will benefit many of us; others will be treats given to the loyal members. All these done out of a strong desire to help others, and for our community to grow and become a positive influence in our society.
So as the story unfolds, will you help us write the things that are yet to come?
