Developer User Groups and Online Communities in UK

The International .NET® Association (INETA) provides structured, peer-based organisational, educational and promotional support to the growing worldwide community of Microsoft .NET user groups. INETA user groups who opt-in at registration automatically receive the Quarterly Kits and special offers from MSDN, in addition to unique .NET resources available only through INETA.

The ACCU is a non-profit organisation devoted to professionalism in programming at all levels. Although primarily focussed on C and C++, they also have interests in Java, C#, Python and the wider development process.

The UK Active Directory User Group (ADUG) aim is to build a community of Active Directory users, be they experts or beginners, where they will be able to ask questions, share experiences and learn from each other and leading experts in the field. Regular meetings will be held, to discuss and learn about topical issues such as upgrade paths, virtualisation and compliance; these will be in addition to traditional topics such as replication, disaster recovery and administration.

Agile Yorkshire is a user group focused on improving the knowledge and uptake of agile development practices. It brings together a wide range of developments from both the Microsoft and Java communities. It meets on Second Wednesday Of every month in central Leeds for a mixture of speaker lead sessions, workshops and general discussions. Email this UG at info@agileyorkshire.org.

DNUG North is a specialist user group for creative and technical people in the South Yorkshire region. DNUG North supports local .NET specialists within the Sheffield/South Yorkshire area, fostering a sense of community among developers and helping local companies and their staff enhance the region’s skill base.

London.NET user group was established to provide access to the latest and best information for developers working with Microsoft's .NET technologies and provide a community for those developers to exchange information and ideas. Regular meetings with expert speakers who dig 'under the hood' allow members to keep both in touch and informed.

Scottish Developers is a community of software professionals from a range of organisations and backgrounds with a diverse range of interests and skills. The group acts as a point of contact for members to discuss issues, technology and upcoming events.

The Access User Group is a forum for the exchange and presentation of ideas and experiences with the Microsoft Access product and related technologies. These include single and multi-user Access applications, upsizing Access applications to SQL Server, developing web-sites based around Access databases, and the use of Access with .NET, as well as complementary tools such as XML, VB, ASP and many more. The group covers the needs of all levels of users from corporate strategy to individual developers.

The Developers Group is an association of professional developers using Delphi, C# and other .NET development tools. The aim is to provide members with essential information and training, while promoting the exchange of ideas, knowledge and work between members.

The UK SQL Server Community offers membership, events, comprehensive FAQs, Forums, SQL Blogging and many more features. It also has access to most of the world's leading SQL Server and Database professionals. The group is one of the biggest user groups currently active in the UK, standing at over 8,050 members in the UK and over 35,000 across the world. Established in June 2000.

Today, VBUG is trusted by thousands of people nationwide to provide information and resources for developers and development teams. Since 1994, we've been dedicated to this task, offering a comprehensive membership package, including well-attended regional and national events. VBUG includes groups of both VB.NET and C# developers.

The purpose of this group is to provide a common ground for anyone to discuss current and upcoming Microsoft Virtualisation technologies. The group will host monthly in-person events presented by industry experts that will be advertised on the MVUG site.

The Next Generation User Group focus on existing and future technologies from Microsoft, helping the enterprising developer stay ahead of the game.

This group organises talks and workshops on open source .NET tools and progressive .NET ideas. The meetings are typically held in London, at least once a month.

Do you work with small business customers? Then you should look at joining (or even starting!) an SBS Partner Group in your local area. There are now 14 by-partner, for-partner groups throughout the UK that meet on a monthly basis, with more starting all the time.

The group exists to enable its members to maximize their understanding of the Microsoft SOA and BPM product and partner landscape through:

• Knowledge Sharing
• Networking
• Leveraging the collective real world experience of members

If you're involved in SOA and BPM with Microsoft technology, please consider joining and be heard.

The SharePoint User Group hosts active forums and has regular meetings to discuss issues with fellow members. Whether you are a SharePoint developer or user, or are thinking of implementing a Microsoft SharePoint solution, come and join the fun!

The .NET Developer Network is a free user group based in Bristol (England) that serves .NET developers in the South West of England. The aim is to develop and promote the .NET developers, architects and IT pros of Bristol and the South West. Through monthly meetings we expect to generate a lively community and act as a focal point for the professionals of this area.

Vista Squad is the super duper new user group for all things Vista, .NET 3.0 and that kind of thing. Our super heroes hold bi-monthly meetings to share their super skills.

The Groove UK User Group is a focal point for those that use or administer Microsoft Office Groove or develop Groove applications.  Meet other Groove fans, share some of your experiences and discover how to put the tool to work.  Meet up through the web site, face to face and in our own Groove workspace.

The Live Meeting User Group is a collaboration forum primarily aimed for Live Meeting users, developers, resellers and partners.  The aim of the User Group is an occasional social evening in London or Reading, combined with an online outlet for collaboration and support with regular Live Meeting webcasts.

Although LMUG is UK-based, members are welcome from all over the World as we will be broadcasting our meetings using Live Meeting.  We aim to have industry experts speaking at the events and to pass on knowledge and experiences to each other by collaborating in the forum and the blogs.

The Microsoft Unified Communications User Group is an independent voice for all things around Microsoft Unified Communications (UC) and Real-Time Collaboration (RTC) solutions. Products covered include Live Communications Server (LCS), Office Communications Server (OCS), Communicator clients, Live Meeting and Exchange 2007 Unified Messaging.

MMMUG is a UK based group for people interested in both Microsoft Exchange and the Windows Mobile devices that enable access to Exchange remotely. We run monthly meetings most often in London where we have a range of top speakers to discuss all things Exchange and Mobility. We also have an online forum where you can have your questions answered by several top Microsoft consultants.

Northern Ireland Microsoft Technologies User Group (NIMTUG) promotes best-practices using all Microsoft technologies. The user group hold regular free user group meetings on a variety of different topics for both Developers and IT Professionals.

NIMTUG is a member of INETA (International .Net Association) and Culminis.

Developer Evening is a very informal evening group held in Woking with presentations given by .NET Developers on a whole host of topics followed by a pint & tasty meal.  Developer Evening has been set up by Alex Mackey and Simon Pease who both enjoy learning and discussing technology and techniques. We thought it would be useful to have an informal forum where information can be shared amongst developers. Join us for great technical information, socialising and networking.

Join the XNA UK User Group and you can also experience being in a pub with a volatile mix of coders, artists and loud-mouthed game designers. It's not just meetings though, we have forums for getting help and joining up with other people and we will be posting articles and examples on using XNA.

Codezone is an online hub where independent UK developers and communities meet, raising awareness and giving content widespread exposure. The site is a unique, live repository of quality, UK-lead developer information, where you'll find great opportunities for making contacts and sharing information.

Codezone also points you to relevant community resources worldwide. The Codezone community provides everything from articles, news, advice, code snippets, forums, lists and blogs. Each of the sites offers its own expertise and our goal is to make them as easy to find as possible.

An online community for UK developers, with hundreds of pages of VB, ASP, .NET and C++ tutorials and source code, Q&A discussion forums, blogs and book reviews.

Ever had a question regarding any aspect of Microsoft's Systems Management technologies and struggled to find the answer? FAQShop.com is designed to be your 'one-stop-shop' for Systems Management-related questions and issues involving technologies such as the System Center Suite, SMS, MOM and WSUS. Contact FAQShop.com to find out more.

MoDaCo is the world's largest Microsoft Smartphone community, supporting all users including mobile device developers, with discussion forums, news, help and advice and more. Now supporting all Windows Powered Mobile Devices too.

MSWebDev is for web development on Microsoft platforms and all are welcome. A friendly, helpful list where members share knowledge, experience and even meet in the real world occasionally. Many big names in ASP and ASP.NET frequent the list and share their knowledge.

WMUG provides a wealth of information relevant to its members on the 'Systems Management' space, formed by Microsoft’s Management solutions. The group covers various aspects of 'Integration' into Management technologies ranging from third-party products that enhance functionality and those that directly compete with Microsoft’s management technologies.