Is IEEE membership worth it?

I recently got my IEEE renewal notice. The basic "assessment" is for $163. For this I get a copy of Spectrum each month. To join any of the Societies adds more to the cost. So are there any good reasons why I should continue being a member?

fred.

Reply to
Fred Stevens
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Do any of the monthly mags cover your interests well enough for the cost? Otherwise, go to the local library...

Reply to
Robert Baer

Does having an IEEE email address get you any extra work?

martin

Reply to
martin griffith

cost?

I don't belong to any of the societies as the library has what I want. The other services that IEEE offers such as insurance are not cost competitive. Also the IEEEXplore fees are quite heavy, so I am trying to figure out if there is any reason why I should not simply let my membership lapse. I don't think there is any help that IEEE can provide for career such as help when laid off etc.

fred.

Reply to
Fred Stevens

No, I am an ordinary company employee, so I don't really need the IEEE address.

fred

Reply to
Fred Stevens

Sheeesh! I quit the IEEE in ~1964 when they started that Spectrum crap, with extra fees to get the "Proceedings"

I only recently rejoined, because it's cheaper to join and get lower prices on copies of papers, than to pay the non-member price.

Plus I now qualify for the "retired" half-price rate ;-)

My wife used to get annoyed when I asked for the "senior rate", now she does it herself... saves big bucks.

...Jim Thompson

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|  James E.Thompson, P.E.                           |    mens     |
|  Analog Innovations, Inc.                         |     et      |
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Reply to
Jim Thompson

I am now a "Life Member" so I get a lot of stuff for free. I also contribute to the IEEE foundation so I now get a tax write off.

I did think it was worthwhile as I belonged to a number of societies. I did attend the meetings and get some of their proceedings. It did help in my career. But I do wish the papers were more practical. I understand they are working on this now. Actually, there should be two versions, an academic one and a practical real life one. So you can choose which you want or if you want both.

Al

Reply to
Al

Nothing wrong with "Senior" rates; I ask for them at the golf course - saves me up to 50%. Lately I got the senior rate + the twilight hour rate (50% too) - played 18 holes + cart for $13 at a top course!

Tom

Reply to
soar2morrow

Don't they have a bunch of online courses for free? Use them?

Reply to
Homer J Simpson

messagenews: snipped-for-privacy@f16g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...

free? Use them?

You get discounts on some IEEE merchandise such as books, but the really useful perk is IEEEXplore which is expensive!

Reply to
Fred Stevens

Hello Fred,

free? Use them?

Giving members free access to IEEExplore would create a literal explosion in membership numbers. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be understood by the powers there (same as many other things like how to make virtual communities really work). I think it would be fine to migrate Spectrum to online-only to offset lost revenue. Although there may be no lost revenue at all because now IEEE would have zillions more dues-paying members.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com
Reply to
Joerg

Don't the writers of the articles get royalties? The work mostly was not done for free.

Al

Reply to
Al

Hello Al,

Nope, unless something has drastically changed over the last years they don't. I published a few IEEE articles myself.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com
Reply to
Joerg

IEEE is no longer accepting new enrollees in their health insurance program. So if insurance is/was a major consideration for maintaining membership, consider that benefit gone.

Steve

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"Beginning January 1, 2007 significant changes to the plan will be enacted; including, but not limited to plan eligibility restrictions for individuals who are Medicare=AE eligible, higher deductibles, benefit limitations, a new maximum plan benefit, and note that the plan will no longer be accepting new enrollees."

Reply to
Steve

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