Support Mission

Mutual assistance was probably the primary motivation for starting the Lake Gaston Computer Club. Most of us were very new to computers and we needed help. The club brought together members with a range of computer skills, and from the beginning we helped each other when we could. It was totally informal, a friend helping friend process that seemed to work well with our small group.

That was the beginning. Over the years since, our support function has evolved into the three-tier support structure we have today.

Level One.

As shown in the diagram above, friends are still often the first source of help. Our club meetings offer an opportunity to make new acquaintances who share one’s computer interests. In addition the club has established other sources of help and information. A mentor program for brand new computer users is in operation. A question and answer session (Q&A’s) is held monthly, which usually includes a "Hot Topic" presentation. The club website identifies members who can be called for application support. And classes are offered, in both lecture and hands-on modes, to help members develop their computer skills.

Level Two.
A voluntary group of technically skilled members man the club’s computer Repair Center from 9 AM to 3 PM every Monday. When machine failures occur a club member can bring the computer into the Repair Center where the Tech Support people will do their best to fix it. In most cases they are successful. There is no charge for this service except for parts.

Level Three.
Professional help is sometimes needed, for instance when a member cannot bring the machine into the shop, or when a member prefers not to wait till the next Monday, or the volunteer Tech Support Group is unable to resolve a problem, or when the machine is a business computer. In these cases an on-site service call is required. Since the volunteer Tech Support people do not make house calls, a professional technician is needed.

From January 1996 till the present day, as the membership rose from the original eight people to over 300 today, the Lake Gaston Computer Club has made technical assistance an important part of its mission. Over the years the assistance function has been modified as the club membership increased and as new ideas were put into action. Today, it is as well adapted to the demands of a club of our size as we can make it, with the resources we have available. We hope club members find it comprehensive and effective.

The Tech Support Group