Changes

Utter typifies those interviewed inhis opinion that user groups will growin importance because people arelooking for applications and educationregarding their computers. Henotes, however, that trying to getdiscount purchasing for the groupthrough stores has become moredifficult. Utter comments that ' '"it seems likemost third party software coming outin module form is games." That's"only good for a while," he says, citciting a need for educational and home management modules to achieve a better balance in software. Donlan says third party vendors should realize that the installed base of TI home computers is the largest in the nation and the user groups could be used for marketing research.  "A lot of hardware will go unused unless third party vendors take the initiative to develop programs and applications," he says. Donlan says many persons who have "whetted their appetite with the TI computer'' would be "willing to migrate" to a more powerful system compatible with the TI. Batnman says that hardware repairs is a concern along with the availability of such items as graphics tablets and interfaces "that allow you to turn on lights and stuff." He sees a need for good business and technical software -"There's enough games out there to satisfy the world." Kavanaugh says her group will do "more with classes" and with trying to find equipment. Members wonder what is going to happen, she notes. "The warranties are going to run out," she points out. Papagolos feels that third party vendors could provide user groups with detailed information on whatever they develop, along with perhaps samples or loans of their products or opportunities for members to purchase them at a lower than retail price. ==A Great Computer== The TI computer and several of the company's policies came in for high praise from the user group presidents. Papagolos commended "an exchange policy that is very favorable." Utter notes that the computer is "powerful even though it's only 16K." Hudspeth characterizes the computer schools set up for buyers as "excellent. It came a little bit late. They did things right at the end." The cartridge "makes the computer a multipurpose tool," Donlan said. Kavanaugh says a selling point for her was that a small child could use the computer without damaging it. ==Hard To Predict== Though the clouded crystal ball, most presidents see their groups continuing and growing for at least the short run. "I anticipate a minimum of three years," Mills says, "but who can predict in all honesty what the computer world is going to be like inthree years?" '''— LB'''