Is IEEE membership worth it?

[Fred Stevens]

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.

 

[Robert Baer]

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.

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

 

[martin griffith]

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.

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


martin

 

[Fred Stevens]

Otherwise, go to the local library...

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.

 

[Fred Stevens]

martin

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

fred

 

[Jim Thompson]

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.

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

 

[neon]

I was a menber of IEEE forever it a tool and the point is to be recognize as a menber. Some company cares about titles more then knoledge expecialy if working for the goverment. LOOK we are qualified to do the job we have xxx IEEE menbers and masters ans BS degrees. get the point that what is was for me I Never used them for research spectrum articles were informative.

 

[Al]

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.

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

 

[[email protected]]

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

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

 

[Homer J Simpson]

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?

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

 

[Fred Stevens]

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

 

[Joerg]

Hello Fred,

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

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.

 

[Al]

Hello Fred,


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.

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

Al

 

[Joerg]

Hello Al,

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

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

 

[Steve]

The other services that IEEE offers such as insurance are not cost
competitive.

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

http://www.personal-plans.com/product/ieeeinsurance/

"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® eligible, higher deductibles,
benefit limitations, a new maximum plan benefit, and note that the plan
will no longer be accepting new enrollees."