Don't neglect your analog community

The other day, I heard the expression “analog community," and for a brief second was a little mystified until I realized, of course, the counterpart of “online community” – a new phrase for the original meaning and manifestation of community – face-to-face interaction.

We sometimes forget that in an ever-connected, online world, there is still space for good, old-style meetings, personal conversations, interviews, conferences, events, and all the other stuff we used to do before online community was cool. This is not to negate the reach, impact, and importance of online community, but let's not forget the importance of community councils, advisory groups, MVPs, focus groups, and face-to-face user groups.

As I head into Autodesk University (AU) 2010, to meet between 5 and 10,000 members and participants in the many and varied Autodesk communities, I would do well to heed my own words!