Architosh Staff ([email protected])

4 Oct 00 [updated: 5 Oct 00]

What's AIWUG? Come on in!

Architosh International Web Users Group - Set to launch services

Since the first months of Architosh.com's existence we have had a page that listed Macintosh-based architects and other AEC professionals who wished to identify themselves as users of the Mac platform and to show their faith and support in Apple.

What was the AEC Pros (or Architects List) Listing today has become the new AIWUG: Architosh International Web Users Group.

More than a Name Change: AIWUG's Mission

The former AEC Pros Listing page grew to be an effective source of information for primarily Macintosh architects. Over the last year and a half, engineers joined the list, builders, design-builders, designers, fabricators and 3D professionals have come on board, all wishing to pledge their support of the Macintosh operating system ( Mac OS) in their technical design field.

AIWUG's mission is essentially unchanged. At its core is the desire to help Macintosh CAD and 3D professionals by providing a listing of Mac-based (or Mac-using) colleagues. The most sought after and valued component of the listing has been the listing of CAD applications used by each member firm, organization or individual. Email contact and physical location has also been of value so that colleagues can contact each other regarding similar CAD platform issues or just getting together for lunch or to form CAD user groups. The VectorWorks user group in Boston was assisted in this way.

AIWUG's Expanded Mission

With over 22,000 unique Macintosh readers in over 70 countries worldwide, Architosh has grown to single-handedly represent all Macintosh CAD, 3D and other technical drawing professionals. Moreover, our growth rate has skyrocketed since the redesign of this site and we have very positive announcements to make in regard to that in the near future.

As the first and only international Web site devoted to Macintosh CAD professionals and students, we have initiated a change to how we want our listed users to see themselves—as an international Web-based users group, rallying around Architosh's mission to revitalize the Macintosh platform in CAD/3D/AEC markets.

Starting next week the AIWUG's members listing (listed by categories) will be sortable by name, country, CAD platform and email contact. In the weeks to follow we will add, revise and edit AIWUG members' listings to reflect your current information.

New Benefits and Services

In addition to much more thorough organization and breakdowns in the list tables—and the much asked for sorting ability—we will add email forms for better sending of information to us for AIWUG.

Also, we will begin an AIWUG eMail Newsletter and an AIWUG Members Listserve, so that members can send around information, questions and other topics. Future benefits may include AIWUG user meetings at Macworld as well as AIWUG products for funding AIWUG events.

AIWUG is headless at the moment. We will be taking suggestions about by-laws, formation of board, organization status, president, and other leadership roles, in addition to what we can do together as a group and how Architosh can change to serve the group.

Oh, I almost forgot...one more thing.

AIWUG is Free! It's free because it was created for you and because Architosh was created to help Mac CAD professionals through a site, with services, and through the positive synergy of forces collected at Architosh.com.

Also, for those already on the list and those who join before the holiday season, we will be having a raffle contest. We will be giving away software and other prizes. So sign up now and show your support of the Mac in CAD/3D/AEC!!