What is CEBUG? CEBUG (pronounced sea-BUG), or Computer Erie Bay Users Group, is a nonprofit organization run by and for computer users. Although based within Sandusky, we serve those residing throughout the north-central region of Ohio as both a community resource and advocate for issues relating to technological advances and the online world. In addition, members of our organization provide advice about resolving hardware/software related issues. Members range in experience from home users to professionals working within the Information Technology (IT) field.

In addition to our monthly meetings, our website houses articles, moderated discussions, and more, that is available 24/7. The majority of our contributing authors are local residents writing on a variety subjects. Events for our organization, and other nonprofits in the region we serve, are showcased on the home page of our site. Membership in CEBUG is not required to participate within our forum, although rights and access is limited.

Article subjects include reviews, with a rating on a scale of 1 to 5 for the value of the hardware, software, or publication in question. The purpose behind these reviews is to help others make smarter purchasing decisions. Other topics include online privacy concerns or security, effectiveness of child protection measures, and commentary on future benefits of technology.

Our interactive forum contains a number of pre-defined discussion areas. At present, these include sections for those seeking help, or seeking jobs. As interest in a particular subject increases, more dedicated areas will be established with an appropriate moderation team.

Membership for individuals is $20 per year due on our October meeting date. Those joining after April within a calendar year will pay a pro-rated fee of $10 for their first year. Benefits of membership include ability to participate in any open special offers, prize eligibility within drawings of organization, review program participation, and more!

CEBUG began quite informally in 1982 shortly after the release of the Commodore 64 system. Five workers, at the then named New Departure plant located in Sandusky, Ohio, began getting together over lunch to discuss how they were using their machines. Their purpose was to share information with each other on how to accomplish tasks in a better fashion as well as learn from each other. This proved to be so successful they decided to meet outside of New Departure so others could attend. These early meetings were very informal, with Dick Hennesey coordinating much of the group's activity. Many of those early meetings were held at the old Diamond Savings & Loan building in downtown Sandusky.

By 1984, a decision was made amongst those present to organize the group in a more formal manner. Rudy Dudics became the first elected President, with meetings being held at Perkin's High School. The acronym for the organization, CEBUG, was chosen to stand for Commodore Erie Bay Users Group.

In January 1985, Forrest Airhart was elected as President. By-laws governing the organization were drawn up and approved for the first time. A public domain lending-library of software was established using shareware. At the same time, a policy of not encouraging or condoning software piracy during meetings was established.

During 1985, the task of creating a newsletter for the organization was given to the Secretary, Irene Kraus, and Al Larkins. Members were to contribute most of the written material. Though page design software was not very sophisticated yet, the membership loved the idea of utilizing the tools available to accomplish such a task. The ‘master’ for the newsletter was reproduced on high-speed copiers.

Moving into the 90’s, however, saw interest amongst the membership to split. Members of the organization joined one of two special interest groups (SIG). The first was called the Commodore SIG, and was oriented around users of those machines. A second group, called the PC SIG was established for members using those machines running some version of DOS first, and then MicrosoftÔ Windows. For a very short time, an Amiga SIG was created for members using that machine type; however it closed after only a year or two of operation. By 2000 interest in the Commodore SIG dropped, so the group was declared closed. At the same time, the need for the PC SIG vanished because all members were within that grouping.

By 1990, Irene Kraus was elected to the offices of President and Newsletter Editor, with duties she performs to this date. In 1995, a website to provide information about the organization was established, which was managed by Irene Kraus. Shortly after the start of the new millennium, the rising costs of newsletter reproduction and diminishing memberships forced the organization to stop producing a printed newsletter. For a time, Irene Kraus produced an electronic PDF version made available through CEBUG’s site. However, this eventually stopped also as her duties as President, Webmaster, and Publicity Chairperson consumed so much of her free time.

Public meeting locations changed frequently over the years, based on the needs of those attending and availability of meeting rooms. These include the basement of St. Peter's & Paul's Church in Huron, St. Mary's High School of Sandusky's Computer Lab, Sandusky High School, Erie County Senior Center’s computer lab, and its present location the Sandusky Boys and Girls Club’s computer lab. In addition, CEBUG has sponsored events with other organizations at Terra Tech College in Fremont.  

Throughout these years, the acronym for our group has not changed from CEBUG. Today, however, it stands for Computer Erie Bay Users Group to reflect the diversity of interest. The structure of CEBUG and mission to the community and members, however, was quite firmly early on through the hard work of countless volunteers over the years.