COMMON

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COMMON

The logo of the organization
The logo of the organization

zone of influence
zone of influence
Motto System i Bigot
Formation 1969
Type User group
Legal status Association
Purpose/focus Educational, Resources, Tools, Networking
Headquarters Chicago, Illinois
Region served Worldwide
Membership 6,500 groups
23,000 individuals
Official languages English
President Randy Dufault
Main organ COMMON.CONNECT
Affiliations IBM
Staff 11
Volunteers 1,000
Website www.common.org/

COMMON is the largest association of users of IBM midrange computers and IBM-compatible technology in the world.[1] The user group is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides education, tools, resources and networking opportunities for IBM System i users, especially those lacking experience.

Contents

[edit] History

The roots of COMMON go back to 1969 and the IBM System/3 and follow midrange development from the IBM System/32, IBM System/34, IBM System/38, IBM System/36, AS/400, iSeries and System i through the newly announced IBM Power Systems.

[edit] Member Resources

  1. COMMON’s Annual Meeting and Exposition, the premier IBM System i education and networking event.[2]
  2. COMMON Directions, two days of wide-ranging educational sessions and a small Expo. [3]
  3. COMMON Focus, three days of intensive education in all-day workshop format, including a small Expo. [4]
  4. One-day Seminars on leading-edge topics, held in partnership with Local User Groups throughout North America.
  5. Web-based Education, including Webcasts.[5] and Webinars.[6]
  6. A leadership voice to IBM and the IT industry.[7]
  7. Networking and membership directory of all COMMON members.
  8. COMMON.CONNECT, the bi-monthly professional journal of COMMON.
  9. COMMON Connector, the monthly e-newsletter from COMMON.
  10. IBM Certification discounts.
  11. COMMON Online Networking community through iSociety. [1]
  12. COMMON Career Center, the exclusive System I job board for employers and candidates. [8]

[edit] Type of Memberships

  • Corporate: the company pays a single annual fee which allows all employees to take advantage of Common’s resources.
  • Individual: the named individual is entitled to Common benefits exclusively and is not transferable.
  • User Group: Available to local user groups (LUG), affiliated user groups (AUG) and sister user groups (SUG). All members may utilize Common’s resources.

[edit] Local user groups

www.kssa.net/, www.ocean400.org/

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Unique Community Launched by Most Loyal Group of Users in Server Industry". IBM Corporation. Retrieved on 2006-09-18.
  2. ^ Manufacturing Business Technology magazine website: Events-COMMON's 2008 Annual Meeting and Exposition
  3. ^ Common.org: ABOUT COMMON DIRECTIONS 2008
  4. ^ Common.org: ABOUT COMMON FOCUS 2008
  5. ^ Common Webcast info
  6. ^ Common Webinar info
  7. ^ IBM Town Hall meeting
  8. ^ IT Jungle: Apr 14, 2006-Common User Group Starts Midrange Career Center

[edit] External links

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