Frequently an organization will have Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Special Interest Groups cover specific areas of interest in more detail than does the larger group. At the present time SEMCO has three SIGs. These are SIG-Computing, SIG-Programming, and SIG-Linux.
SIG-Computing
The purpose of SIG-Computing is to study topics of interest to people that work with PCs based on Intel or AMD (or newer architecture) platforms. This may include hardware, software, or operating systems. A typical SIG meeting starts with the chairperson reading important computer related news for the past month. She/he then follows with a question and answer period trying to solve the members’ computer problems. There may be a drawing for computer related items that have been donated by the speaker or other sources. The main part of the meeting then follows where the speaker of the day is introduced and gives his/her presentation.
Members are encouraged to recommend SIG-Computing topics or present at future meetings. To suggest SIG-Computing topics, please speak to the SIG-Computing Chair at a SEMCO meeting or e-mail sig-computing@semco.org.
SIG-Computing History
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 was then also president of SEMCO. In February 1983 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. In January 2008 Tom Callow became sole chairperson of the SIG. In September 2011 the name was changed to SIG-Computing. In January 2014 Tom Callow retired as chairman after 23 years and Dan Diebolt became chairman. In January 2015 Jeff Marraccini was elected chairman. In January 2019, Tom Allen was elected as the new Chairperson. Michael Rudas is the current chairman. SIG-Computing meetings are now hybrid, in person at i3Detroit, 1481-A Wordsworth St., Ferndale, MI 48220 and virtually hosted virtually on the Zoom video conferencing platform.
i3 Detroit is south of 9 Mile Road just east of I-75. If you take I-75 south to 9 Mile Road, turn right onto 9 Mile Road and take it west three blocks to Wanda St. Turn left onto Wanda St. and take it south to Wordsworth St. Turn right onto Wordsworth St. i3Detroit is on the right on Wordsworth St. just around the corner from Wanda St. The meeting classroom is the first door on the left as you enter.
For parking at i3Detroit see https://www.i3detroit.org/wi/images/c/c4/I3_parking_map.png.
When you arrive at i3Detroit, you must sign a sign-in sheet. Also, the first time you come, you must sign a waiver.
SIG-Linux
SIG Linux was formed September, 2009 with Ray McLaughlin as chairperson. The purpose of this SIG is to advocate the GNU/Linux operating system and open source software, by educating the public and socializing among peers. The SIG was co-chaired by Mike Bader and Mike Rudas, and the meetings were held at the Motor City Free Geek facility. Later Brian Brodsky became chairman and the meetings were moved to the home of Richard Jackson. In September 2014 the meetings moved to Altair, 1820 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083 after the SIG-Computing meeting. SIG-Linux now meets at 3PM and the meetings are hybrid, in person at i3Detroit, 1481-A Wordsworth St., Ferndale, MI 48220 and virtually hosted virtually on the Zoom video conferencing platform. The current Chair is Sharan Kalwani.
i3 Detroit is south of 9 Mile Road just east of I-75. If you take I-75 south to 9 Mile Road, turn right onto 9 Mile Road and take it west three blocks to Wanda St. Turn left onto Wanda St. and take it south to Wordsworth St. Turn right onto Wordsworth St. i3Detroit is on the right on Wordsworth St. just around the corner from Wanda St. The meeting classroom is the first door on the left as you enter.
For parking at i3Detroit see https://www.i3detroit.org/wi/images/c/c4/I3_parking_map.png.
When you arrive at i3Detroit, you must sign a sign-in sheet. Also, the first time you come, you must sign a waiver.