While doing some clean up on my Microsoft MVP profile the other day, a number came to mind that really struck me. That number – 7 1/2. That’s the amount of time (in years) that I have been involved with the running of the Boston/New England Windows Mobile User and Developer Group. That’s just 6 months younger than my oldest son (what was I thinking when I got involved with this group?) and several years older than my youngest son (what was I thinking when we added another son to an already busy schedule?).
During that time, so much has happened in just the world of mobility and Windows Mobile. Even our group has gone through several name changes -
- We started out as "the “Boston/New England Pocket PC Group”
- A few years later, we were coaxed by folks at Microsoft to rebrand as “Club Pocket PC – Boston” (some folks on the Internet still refer to us by that name)
- We settled on the current naming last year (albeit in quiet fashion)
We watched as the Pocket PC evolved from a “tech gadget” to an everyday device. We watched as the Windows Mobile platform went from a “minor competitor” to the Palm OS to the launch of Windows Mobile-based Palm devices. We watched and discussed the introduction of PDAs with cellular capabilities (and often debated “convergence”), witnessed the introduction of no less than 6 new OS versions (more if you split out “Pocket PC” and “Smartphone”), and re-brandings (years to numbers, the “Windows Mobile” platform name, and “Standard” and “Professional” Editions). We witnessed the comings and goings of conferences focused on the technology of our passions (“Pocket PC Summit”, “Planet PDA” and MEDC to name a few) and the emergence, rise and decline of a magazine focused on that same passion (Pocket PC Magazine). All of this has given our meeting attendees plenty to discuss, debate and agree upon over the years.
Through all these seven and a half years, the things that most stand out to me are -
- All the wonderful people I’ve met. Whether it is the great presenters we have had, the attendees (both loyal “old guard” and the occasional “new face”) that sometimes must brave the elements to show up on a Wednesday evening, or the folks I have had the privilege of working with to make the group a possibility, I cannot say enough about the people I have had the opportunity to meet with over the years. A special part of this is the fact that in addition to acquaintances, I have made long and lasting friendships as a result of this group. Steve Hughes, Jack Cook and Johan van Mierlo (all fellow Microsoft MVPs for Mobile Devices) have been a part of our user group experience and serve as a wonderful example of how having a group like this can go far beyond the mere sharing of information. If nothing else, these seven-plus years have provided me with something very personal in these types of relationships that make all the effort well worth it.
- How much we take change for granted. If you look at what has transpired from a mobility perspective over these last seven years, it is easy to see the incredible change that has taken place. This change is not only technological; it is psychological and cultural. We have seen both changes in hardware and software. We have also seen changes in user perception, acceptance and use of mobile technologies.
Through all of this, I find that we have trouble seeing the proverbial forest through the trees. We have spent many a user group meeting looking at where we are with Windows Mobile and where it should go, sometimes forgetting how far we have come in such a short period of time. We also often forget that we, as Windows Mobile users, are no longer the “early adopters” or “fringe” element; Windows Mobile is an everyday part of life for countless users around the world. While our user group meetings may not reflect that fact in attendance (we do OK for a user group in general and quite well for a Windows Mobile user group), it is sometimes hard to remember that “we are not alone” :-)
All in all, I look at my group experience over these years with a great deal of fondness and no regrets whatsoever. I have often been asked why I am willing to put forth the time, effort and occasional grief (yes, it does exist) to continue to run a Windows Mobile user/developer group. I usually smile and say “it’s not so hard really.” Even if it was, the rewards far outweigh the effort. I wonder how I will feel in another seven and a half years… :-)