User Group Update - Compute!'s Gazette Magazine

Vintage Computer Festival Southwest (VCF SW) – June, 2025

Finding Your Community

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Commodore / Amiga
Atari
Texas Instruments
Apple
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Multi-Platform
Festivals

The landscape of retro computing user groups in the United States is not one of decline, but of transformation. While the original model of the 1980s has evolved, the fundamental desire for community and hands-on interaction remains as strong as ever. The scene has diversified into a rich ecosystem of traditional clubs, historical societies, hackerspace SIGs, and major festivals, offering a variety of ways for enthusiasts to connect. The spirit of the Homebrew Computer Club lives on, not in a single form, but across these varied and vibrant gatherings.

The table that follows this article provides a quick-reference directory of verified active groups in the United States that hold regular in-person meetings.

Actionable Advice for the Enthusiast
For anyone seeking to connect with a local or regional retro computing community, a strategic approach will yield the best results. The following practices are recommended:

The Rule of Recency:
When researching a group online, prioritize evidence of recent activity. Look for meeting announcements, forum posts, or website updates from the last one to three months. A deep historical archive without current posts often indicates a “ghost group” that is no longer active.

Contact and Confirm:
Before traveling to a meeting for the first time, always attempt to make contact. As noted on the Fresno Commodore User Group’s website, times and locations can be subject to change. A quick email or message to the organizer confirms the meeting is happening and is a good way to introduce yourself.

Attend a Festival:
The major annual festivals, such as those run by the VCF, are an outstanding entry point into the wider community. Attending one of these events provides an opportunity to meet members from numerous local groups in a single weekend, helping you find the community that is the best fit for you.

The Future of the User Group
The enduring presence of these groups points to a future where they serve an increasingly important role in both preservation and community. In an ephemeral digital world, these clubs are becoming the physical archives of computing history. They are the workshops where aging hardware is repaired, the libraries where rare documentation is preserved, and the classrooms where the skills needed to operate these classic machines are passed down to a new generation.

Ultimately, the survival and evolution of the retro computing user group is a testament to the fundamental human need for connection around a shared passion. They are a powerful countercurrent to the isolation of the digital age, proving that even in a world of global networks, there is no substitute for gathering in a room with friends, surrounded by the tangible artifacts of a revolution you can still reach out and touch.

If you have knowledge about an active user group in your area, please submit the information to:
news@computesgazette.com

COMMODORE AND AMIGA

Fresno Commodore User Group (FCUG)
- Fresno, CA
- http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network (SCCAN)
- Northridge, CA
- http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
Central Texas Commodore Users Group
- Austin, TX
- https://www.meetup.com/central-texas-commodore-users-group/
Dallas / Fort Worth Texas Amiga Meet
- Dallas, TX
- https://dfwamigameet.com/
Bay Area Commodore Collective (B.A.C.C.)
- San Francisco, CA
- https://www.meetup.com/sfbacc/
Seattle Commodore Computer Club
- Seattle, WA
- http://www.sea-ccc.org/
Portland Commodore Users Group
- Portland, OR
- http://PDXCUG.org
Sacramento Amiga Computer Club
- Sacramento, CA
- https://sacc.org/
Westchester Amiga User Group (WAUG)
- Westchester County, New York USA
- http://www.westchesteramigausergroup.org/

ATARI

St. Paul ATARI® Computer Enthusiasts (SPACE)
- St. Paul, MN
- https://space.atari.org/
SLCC (San Leandro Computer Club)
- San Leandro, CA
- https://www.slcc.wdgeo.com/
Texas Atari 8-bit Computer Owners (T.A.C.O.)
- Meets quarterly at the National Videogame Museum – Frisco, TX
- Contact: John Hardie – johnjhardie@gmail.com
SCAT (Suburban Chicago ATarians)
- Elmhurst, IL
- http://www.scatarians.org/
Chicagoland Atari Alliance
- Chicago, IL
- facebook.com/groups/492496466508770/

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS

Chicago TI-99/4A Users Group
- Evanston, IL
- http://chicagotiug.org/

APPLE

Big Apple Users Group (BAUG)
- New York, NY
- http://www.panix.com/~joreilly/baug.html
The Villages Apple User Group (TVAUG)
- The Villages, FL
- https://www.tvaug.org/
Main Line Mac Users Group (MLMUG)
- Paoli, PA
- https://www.mlmug.org/
Jacksonville Vintage Computing Club
- Jacksonville, FL
- facebook.com/groups/1139177970395687
Minnesota Apple Computer Users Group
- St. Paul, MN
- https://miniapples.org/