COMMON

infobox Organization
name = COMMON


image_border =
size = 250px
caption = The logo of the organization

---

msize = 250px
mcaption = zone of influence
abbreviation =
motto = System i Bigot
formation = 1969
extinction =
type = User group
status = Association
purpose = Educational, Resources, Tools, Networking
headquarters = Chicago, Illinois
location =
region_served = Worldwide
membership = 6,500 groups
23,000 individuals
language = English
leader_title = President
leader_name = Randy Dufault
main_organ = "COMMON.CONNECT"
affiliations = IBM
num_staff = 11
num_volunteers = 1,000
budget =
website = [http://www.common.org/ www.common.org/]
remarks =

COMMON is the largest association of users of IBM midrange computers and IBM-compatible technology in the world.cite web |url= http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/20282.wss |title= "Unique Community Launched by Most Loyal Group of Users in Server Industry" |accessdate= 2006-09-18 |publisher= IBM Corporation] 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.

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.

Member Resources

#COMMON’s Annual Meeting and Exposition, the premier IBM System i education and networking event. [ [http://www.mbtmag.com/event/2140133108.html Manufacturing Business Technology magazine website: Events-COMMON's 2008 Annual Meeting and Exposition] ]
#COMMON Directions, two days of wide-ranging educational sessions and a small Expo. [ [http://www.common.org/conferences/2008/directions/index.html Common.org: about COMMON directions 2008] ]
#COMMON Focus, three days of intensive education in all-day workshop format, including a small Expo. [ [http://www.common.org/conferences/2008/focus/index.html Common.org: about COMMON focus 2008] ]
#One-day Seminars on leading-edge topics, held in partnership with Local User Groups throughout North America.
#Web-based Education, including Webcasts. [ [http://www.common.org/webcasts/ Common Webcast info] ] and Webinars. [ [http://www.common.org/webinars/index.html Common Webinar info] ]
#A leadership voice to IBM and the IT industry. [ [http://www.common.org/conferences/2008/annual/townhall.html IBM Town Hall meeting] ]
#Networking and membership directory of all COMMON members.
#"COMMON.CONNECT", the bi-monthly professional journal of COMMON.
#"COMMON Connector", the monthly e-newsletter from COMMON.
#IBM Certification discounts.
#COMMON Online Networking community through iSociety.
#COMMON Career Center, the exclusive System I job board for employers and candidates. [ [http://www.itjungle.com/tfh/tfh042406-story07.html IT Jungle: Apr 14, 2006-Common User Group Starts Midrange Career Center] ]

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.

Local user groups

* [http://www.kssa.net/ KSSA.net] , a COMMON iSeries (AS/400) Users Group
* [http://www.ocean400.org/ OCEAN User Group]
* [http://www.omniuser.org/ The Omni User] -- Chicago, IL

References

External links

* [http://www.common.org/ COMMON website]
* [http://careercenter.common.org COMMON Career Center]