Members of the Lorain County Computer Users Group in the Computer Resources Room at the the Lorain Public Library. Edith Lewandowski is at the keyboard with Michele Kordeleski sitting next to her. Standing, from left to right, Mickey Knickman and Sandra Ruth. MORNING JOURNAL/ROSS WEITZNER

 Making computers friendly
 
 

By DARLENE BROWN 

 Morning Journal Writer 

 LORAIN -- When retired school teacher Edith Lewandowski wanted to enhance her computer skills, she went to a show in Cleveland. Much to her surprise, she discovered a group there that is in her back yard, so to speak. 

 The Lorain County Computer Users Group has been in existence since 1990 and is for anyone who wants to learn computer skills and share what they know. It started with a small group of people interested in computers. The organization now appears on the Internet, and is among several hundred across the nation. Retirees make up 60 percent of the local 200 members. 

 ''I learned about the group when attending a computer graphic oriented show at the (Cleveland) Convention Center, four and a half years ago,'' said Ms. Lewandowski, of Lorain, vice president of LCCUG. ''The group had fliers on hand at the event. Here it was right in my own community.'' 

 The regular club meeting is held once a month on the second Tuesday, at Lorain Public Library, and the club can be contacted by e-mail at 

 lccug@erienet.net. The group's Web site is www.LCCUG.com. 

 There are a number of other special interest groups connected with the club that meet on a weekly or monthly basis at the library and other locations. New Beginners meet once a month at Avon Library and Lorain Middle School. The Problem Solving Group meets weekly at the Lorain Library. 

 The libraries are natural meeting places because requests for computer know-how fell on the shoulders of the Lorain Public Library's staff in 1990, as library patrons were stymied over the computers being installed in the library for their use. 

 An idea blossomed as the library staff, and interested community members, met to devise a way to help computer-illiterate patrons. From the meetings, it was decided to form the LCCUG, which was inaugurated in March 1990. 

 What started out as a mini group, grew to 70 members by the end of 1991. The Lorain Public Library's Partnership Policy allowed for the group to meet at its main headquarters, at Sixth Street and Reid Avenue, where it continues to meet. 

 Today marks the group's First Annual Computer Fair, which is being held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sheffield Lake Community Civic Center, 4575 Lake Road. Admission is free and there will be door prizes, vendors and food. The grand prize raffle winner will receive an Iomega Zip Drive. Computer seminars take place from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

 After its founding, the club found innovative ways to maintain members' interest and draw new members during the first year. Without operating funds, members took on speaker roles, dealing with such topics as Bulletin Board Systems (BBS), shareware, and Disc Operating Systems (DOS). 

 ''Computer companies are glad to send free software, and some local firms send a representative, for free, to LCCUG meetings, where they are able to boost the company's product,'' said Ms. Lewandowski. 

 Sandra Ruth, of Amherst, one of the original members, is also president, and is employed by the library in its Computer Resources Department. 

 ''A lot of people don't know anything (about computers), and are desperate for help,'' she said. ''I talk to a lot of people who call the library and ask what we had that could get them going. That's one reason we started the club. 

 ''We have something going every week, not always at the library. Right now we're running beginner classes in conjunction with the schools. The focus is for training parents at Lorain Middle School. The children are already on the computer, but the parents haven't had any training,'' she explained. 

 Other programs offered through the organization include troubleshooting, MicroSoftWorks, Web design, and the Internet. Programs are added as needs arise. 

 Several people with special skills are helping get beginners off to a good start. Two of these members are Michele Kordeleski, Lorain, and Micky Knickman, Vermilion. 

 Ms. Kordeleski is a full-time employee for a computer software company, and is able to share her knowledge with other LCCUG members. 

 ''Computers become more powerful as the technology advances,'' said Ms. Kordeleski, a three-year member of the club. ''Being with this group means sharing skills, and we're teaching each other.'' 

 Knickman, who came here from Maryland and also joined the club three years ago, agrees that sharing information broadens the interest and skills of the members. He is a hardware and software expert, and also makes repairs on computers. 

 ''I find the retirees very interesting, because they have such a desire to learn,'' said Knickman. ''They have lots of time on their hands, with no children at home. They like tracking stocks, shopping and surfing the Internet.'' 

 Ms. Lewandowski will often make a home visit to help a member organize home computer files. Knickman does the same when it comes to solving hardware problems. 

LCCUG officers have also learned to be thrifty. They have a monthly newsletter which generates some funds from advertisers, plus the membership fees, at $20 per person. 

 ''We try not to have unnecessary expenses for our meetings,'' said Ms. Lewandowski. ''We usually have someone from a company who's selling their product, so there's no cost there. Or we have one of our own as a speaker.'' 

 As the Year 2000 nears, and the nation frets over potential computer glitches, Ms. Lewandowski said LCCUG members can consider themselves safe. 

 ''We really don't think there are any problems as far as the group is concerned,'' said Ms. Lewandowski. ''It's not the home computers that will experience problems. Everyone in our group is a new user, or those who continually upgrade, and they are all compliant.