You know how time has a way of catching up with you? Well, for me, in some ways it seems like a life time. But in other ways it seems like yesterday that SCOUG was in high gear to help make the very first broad-based OS/2 user conference a reality.

It wasn't just any user get-together, no sir. This one was bringing together folks from all over the United States - actually all over the world - to celebrate what we all knew was the best operating system ever. IBM had their conferences for the corporate and tech communities, but this was the first time the focus was on the user. Put on by users. It was just for users. All done with volunteers. And tremendously exciting.

SCOUG was the sponsoring user group for Warpstock in October 1997. It was held in Diamond Bar, and SCOUG members did a lot of the leg work for the 2-day event. Yes, indeed, it took a lot of leg work. Of course we can't take all the credit. Many other volunteers worked remotely as well to prepare and organize, and together we all succeeded in bringing everything together.

Let me tell you, it was glorious. I can't think of a better word to describe how it felt, what it meant, the energy, joy, and conviction. It sounds corny, but when I really think about it, I get a lump in my throat.

So, here we are now in 2006, and the tenth consecutive Warpstock is being held this October in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Over the years, SCOUG and SCOUG members have often participated as this user-oriented event has been held around the continent. How can we not be proud that what we helped start has come so far?

SCOUG, Warp Expo West, and Warpfest are trademarks of the Southern California OS/2 User Group. OS/2, Workplace Shell, and IBM are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.