There's really no way to reconcile the two ideas, except insofar as they share a common purpose: to connect you with like-minded individuals. Technos (people with computers) get the added benefit of connecting beyond what would be possible with phones and paper. However, the fact that I read all about you SoCal guys getting together for an educational swill does absolutely nothing for my thirsts, automotive or distilled, and there just aren't enough 'Beamers out here that care enough to get together.
An electronic club would be an equalizer for intellectual opportunities (I'd be way nowhere without this informal club we have here), but the hops-processing events are the icing on the cake, not to be missed, and must still be handled the old-fashioned way (by actually getting bodies to meet at a place convenient to most).
--- J e r o m e Y u z y k | jerome(at)supernet.ab.ca - - BRIDGE Scientific Services | www.tgx.com/bridge - - Sunbeam Alpine Series II #9118636 | www.tgx.com/bridge/sunbeam -