For decades the local astronomy club has been the nucleus of organized amateur astronomy. Although many amateurs have always been loners, a group of people with a common enthusiasm fosters friendships, provides vital knowledge and advice, and inspires efforts in the hobby. They function not only as a cyber-clubhouse for existing members but also as a lure for new astronomers searching for help in the neighborhood. Many listings there include Web links. At the very least, all club Web sites include general information about the organization, meeting times and locations, and maybe a list of club officers.
Some sites are basic, using minimally formatted text.
Others have fancy graphics, animated images, and background music. Some clubs go a bit further by offering online articles from the newsletter mailed to members, or even the entire newsletter. While these features may serve the club itself well, it's refreshing to find a site that goes beyond this and provides something for the global astronomical community. Some online venues even offer plans for optics and mounts. Dozens of sites feature pictures taken by club members.