http://www.mugcenter.com The latest in Apple User Group news and resources Copyright 2005 The MUG Center http://www.mugcenter.com/graphics/tmclogos/TMCsmallrss.gif http://www.mugcenter.com http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1227mugport.html Anyone traveling through Oregon on the way to MacWorld Expo in San Francisco, anyone interested in quality typography or type design and use, and anyone who would appreciate expert typography and design tips from pros from Iceland, Canada and South America in an all-in-one sitting is invited to attend MUGport's FREE meeting on January 4, 2007 in Newport, Oregon. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1224eventcal.html The Christmas holiday takes its toll on this week's MUG Event Calendar, with only one MUG meeting we know of. While you're enjoying time off and preparing for the New Year's celebration, be sure to check out some expiring user group offers that close out at both the end of the month and the end of the year. Of special note is the MUG Center exclusive offer from Peachpit Press on Michael Rubin's Peachpit Press "Apple Training Series: iLife '06" User Group Offer. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1221bungalow.html The new edition of Christopher Breen's "Breen's Bungalow" is now available for Mac User Groups as a resource for their meetings and membership CDs and DVDs. This time, Chris gives us a tour of the latest features of iTunes 7. You might think you know all the new features in the hub of Apple's digital media player, but we're willing to bet that Chris will show you something that will make your listening and watching even better. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1220adobe.html If you think you've been hearing a lot of news about the Adobe User Group and Professional Association Breakfast, at Macworld Conference and Expo, you're right. There has been a lot to tell. And the latest bit of news from the Adobe User Group Program is that the event is SOLD OUT! If you still want to come, there will be a "will call list" established on the morning of the Breakfast, first-come, first-serve. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1218adobe.html The full schedule and location of the Adobe User Group and Professional Association Breakfast, at Macworld Conference and Expo has been announced. The event will be held at the San Francisco Marriott hotel (55 Fourth St.) on Wednesday, January 10, 2007. The schedule includes (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1217eventcal.html You might think that Mac User Group meeting activity would slow down the week before the Christmas holiday. You would be wrong. Parties are on the agenda, but there are also presentations, guests and contests as well. Christian Malone of Apple will be in Boston, the iSight camera gets top billing in Australia, and panormaic photography shares the bill in the United Kingdom. Toast Titanium is the topic in Texas, Mac Basics will be featured in Canada, and desktop customization will be demonstrated in Michigan. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1215uglounge.html he MUG Center's Macworld MUG Event Calendar has been updated with the schedule for the User Group Lounge at January's Macworld Conference and Expo. Almost every hour will see some of the best known names in the Mac industry, including most of the MacNotables team, will hold court on a variety of topics, most targeted specifically at Mac User Group members and leaders. What makes those sessions different than many others at Expo? They are smaller, more informal and more personal. No stages here; everyone is one the same level, in every sense. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1214adobe.html Adobe has released additional information about the User Group and Professional Association Breakfast, to be held in San Francisco as part of Macworld Conference and Expo. Scheduled to present are user group favorites Terry White and Dave Helmly, showing off the latest and greatest of Adobe's stable of applications. Ted Patrick, from the development side of Adobe, will also be on to show off something new. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1213ugu.html More session information and instructiors have been announced for the eigth User Group University, to be held as part of Macworld Expo week in San Francisco in January (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1212marktwain.html Looking for accommodations for your trip to Macworld Conference and Expo in San Francisco? The Hotel Mark Twain has once again extended a special Mac User Group discount deal that you will want to consider. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1210eventcal.html Perhaps the only word that appears more than "Mac" in this week's MUG Event Calendar is "party" (or some synonym of "party). But not all is fun and games as the global Mac user group community celebrates the holidays with visits from a MacNotable, Apple, popular Mac vendors and more. Bob LeVitus will deliver a "State of the Mac" address in Texas and Apple has two presentations schedued, with Dave Marra in Pennsylvania and Eric Wheetley in Indiana. James Lee of Tropical Software will both start and end the week with three different MUG presentations in Florida and Wisconsin. SmileOnMyMac will present in Oregon, Michael Kale of Asterix will be the featured speaker in Washington State, Michael Herrick of Matterform will appear via iChat in New York, and Scott Francis of Fujitsu will be in California. There is also an early-week deadline for MUG discounts on all conference packages at Macworld Conference and Expo. After this, you pay full price! (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1209expodeadline.html Planning in going to Macworld Conference and Expo in San Francisco? If you haven't registered yet, you can still take advantage of Early Bird pricing options using the special code for Mac User Group members. Did you miss the free Exhibit Hall pass offer for Mac User Groups? User group supporter Other World Computing (OWC) asked us to let you know that they have a limited number of Exhibit Hall passes for the asking. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1208bosfcpug.html The December meeting of the Boston Final Cut Pro User Group (BOSFCPUG) has a holiday gift for anyone interested in the Mac and video: an agenda that offers up lots of great information on a variety of topics. Christian Malone of Apple will be on hand to demonstrate the workflow for creating enhanced video podcasts. Boston-based Noise Industries founder Gabriele de Simone will provide an in-depth look at FXFactory Pro for Final Cut Studio (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1204fcpug.html Another major user group event has been announced for Macworld Expo week in San Francisco. Tickets are now on sale for the sixth annual FCPUG Network "SuperMeet" to be held January 10, 2007 from 7:00PM - 10:00PM at the Mezzanine Club in downtown San Francisco. This event promises to be the largest gathering of Final Cut Pro users and Gurus in the world. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/122006/1203eventcal.html Mac User Groups get into the holiday spirit in December, but partying isn't the only thing on the agenda in this week's MUG Event Calendar. Apple will be in Pennsylvania to show off the latest products, Prosoft Engineering and Tropical Software both visit a Florida group and Rob-ART Morgan of Bare Feats fame will speak to a California group. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1130adobe.html The December update from Adobe includes information of new InDesign User Group chapters around the world, a new Acrobat information resource and hints of what you'll see at the Adobe User Group and Professional Association Leader Breakfast at Macworld Conference and Expo in San Francisco. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1129tropical.html You think the holidays are busy for you? James Lee of Tropical Software decided to make his even busier by adding more dates to his ongoing run of Mac user group appearances. If you want to see Jim in action and find out why Tropical's TopXNotes makes a perfect stocking stuffer, be sure to catch him at these scheduled dates... (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1126eventcal.html The last week of November is not the busiest on The MUG Event Calendar, but has both highlights and portents of things to come as December arrives. Miglia will show of their HDTV Mac products to a group in California, while some Safari tips wil be delivered in Tennessee and iLife will be on display in the United Kingdom. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1122softpress.html The team at Softpress and the folks at Have | Host have teamed up to offer Mac User Groups an opportunity to get the award-winning web design application Freeway, and world-class, Mac-friendly hosting as a package. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1121owc.html Other World Computing has partnered with The MUG Center to give Mac User Group members two special offers just in time for the big holiday shopping weekend in the United States. (But don't worry. The offers are good worldwide.) (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1118woz.html The November edition of the Apple User Group Bulletin has announced that Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak will be the keynote speaker for the eighth User Group University in January. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1117macnotables.html The eighth User Group University is scheduled for January 8 in San Francisco in conjunction with Macworld Conference and Expo, and like last year, will include a "dream team" session with three MacNotables panelists, Christopher Breen, Senior Editor at Macworld magazine, Adam Engst of TidBITS and Take Control, and Bob "Dr. Mac" LeVitus, wordsmith, raconteur, and columnist for the Houston Chronicle and The Mac Observer. As with last year's UGU, the team will take questions from the audie-nce and give their unique perspectives on where user groups are going. Also scheduled to appear is Terry White of MacGroup Detroit. Terry will provide his insights on moving user groups into the 21st century. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1116imug.html Almost a year ago we told you about the iMUG Museum Project, a partnership between the Internet Macintosh Users Group (iMUG) of Melbourne and Museum Victoria to develop a collection of Apple items that document the history of the company. Now, that project is approaching its culmination. On December 2, Museum Victoria will open an exhibition showing how the Apple computer has changed the way people accomplish tasks both at work and at play... (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1115marra.html Apple Senior Systems Engineer Dave Marra let us know about three new dates added to his ongoing schedule of Mac User Group Appearances. Dave will deliver his trademark dynamic look at Apple hardware and software solutions three times (so far) in the coming months... (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1114screencastsonline.html Don McAllister of ScreenCastsOnline (SCO) has partnered with The MUG Center to deliver a new special discount for Mac User Group members. Now through February 12, 2007, MUG members can save 20% off a Premium Membership to ScreenCastsOnline. This membership provides the subscriber with each edition of SCO in a variety of resolutions, from HD to iPod, and extra "members-only" show each month, complete access to the back catalog of over 70 shows both through download or as a complimentary DVD set, and automatic entry into the monthly prize drawing. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1111infomac.html The global Mac User Group community expands by one on Saturday with the establishment of a new group in Mexico City. The very first physical meeting of Infomac is scheduled for November 11 starting at 5 PM and will feature an impressive array of topics for a freshman effort. Topics to be discussed include review of Mac OS X and the Mac mini and a preview of Leopard. The event will also include a raffle, the obligatory MUG t-shirts and more. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1109woz.html Two legendary figures from Apple's history will share a stage next week in Silicon Valley and Mac User Group members are encouraged to attend. The Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley has asked us to alert MUG members to their November 16th event that will feature Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak in a moderated conversation with former Mac Evangelist Guy Kawasaki. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1108sellers.html On November 15, Dennis Sellers, the Chief Macsimizer of Macsimum News an MacNotables panelist, will speak to a group in Germany via iChat. Dennis will be the featured presenter at the monthly meeting of the Kaiserslautern Macintosh and iPod User Group (KMUG). Dennis will be commenting on recent news in the Mac uinverse, Apple's newest products and addressing questions from the audience. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1106lafcpug.html Final Cut Users and Gurus from around the country will gather in Los Angeles, November 15 at the LA Convention Center, beginning at 7:00PM as part of the annual Digital Video Expo. This event is hosted by the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group. The event will include an appearance by producer/director Brian J. Terwilliger who will show clips from his documentary film, "One Six Right" and discuss the project's workflow. Others scheduled to appear include... (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/112006/1103presenters.html Each and every month Mac User Groups around the world deliver presentations on topics of interest to Mac users of all levels, but visits from software and hardware vendors and Mac celebrities are always extra special. Through the end of October, we have compiled our annual unofficial list of the most frequent guests at Mac User Groups, and there a few surprises. Leading the pack with a total of thirty-eight separate apparances is, of course, Apple. Assuring Apple's dominance is Senior Systems Engineer Dave Marra, with fifteen user group presentations so far this year. Coming in second is James Lee of Tropical Software. Jim's position, with 19 user group appearances, is particularly impressive given that he is a solo presenter for his company, and also came in second for the 2005 rankings. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1031maccamp.html Earlier this month the Portland Macintosh Users Group (PMUG) held the fall version of their semi-annual MacCamp event. One of the event organizer, Charles Devore, provided us with summary article.

"Another MacCamp, number 43 to be exact, has come and gone. Our only regret is that it passed too quickly." (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1024asiapacific.html The Asia-Pacific Mac Union (MacAsia.org) was founded at a meeting of the Beijing Macintosh Users Group (BeiMac) meeting on October 21, 2006. The founding meeting took place online and was hosted by BeiMac from Beijing. The discussions foresaw news and information exchange, annual meetings, a common newsletter, technical support, Union software, Union-wide design exchange and the exchange of user group activity info as components of the new Union. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1022lafcpug.html The October meeting of the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group (lafcpug) will cover something everyone wants to do right now: take Final Cut Pro projects to the Web. The meeting will be held on October 25, at the Gallery Theatre in Hollywood and will cover not only getting your movies onto the web but making sure that they both, "...look good but play good." (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1022ugr.html The newest edition of The User Group Report features an interview with Triangle Macintosh User Group (TMUG) president Allen Emory, who discusses the "role call" he started on the Apple User Group Discussion list and the resulting torrent of responses. Al's perspective on MUGs is somewhat unique as a PC user-turned-Mac User Group leader. MUG Center editor Chuck Joiner and Allen also discuss the options of MUG organizational structures, the need for evolutionary thinking in Mac User Group leadership and the twentieth anniversary of TMUG. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1019volunteerteams.html The October edition of the Apple User Group Bulletin (AUGB) is was released earlier this week and announces some changes in the Apple User Group volunteer teams. The biggest changes occurred in the ranks of the Apple User Group Regional Liaisons. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1018sanantonio.html One of the most active components of the Mac User Group community are the Final Cut Pro User Groups (FCPUGs). From Boston to San Francisco and around the world, FCPUG's are delivering amazing presentations and events for those interested in working with video on more than a casual basis. That community will grow by one on October 19, when the new San Antonio Final Cut Studio Users Group (SAFCSUG) opens up shop with their first-ever meeting at the Apple Store in the La Cantera Mall. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1016macworld.html The MUG Center's coverage of Macworld Expo 2007 in San Francisco is now open, and will be the only place where you can get complete information on all the user group happenings at the year's biggest Macintosh event. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1013tropical.html James Lee of Tropical Software has announced the continuation of his long-running Mac User Group tour with even more opportunities to learn more about their Top X Notes product line. You can see Jim in action at... (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1012beimac.html On October 21, the Beijing Macintosh Users Group (BeiMac) will hold a special meeting: Mac and iPod Day. The event will celebrate the 5th anniversary of the iPod and will include several exhibits and special announcements, including...(more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1011macnotables.html Recently, The MacNotables, "the Mac Experts You Want To Hear From," celebrated their 100th episode with three special centennial shows. Each member of the panel selected a topic and delivered a "Top 3" list of choices, with commentary on each. In true MacNotables fashion, the discussions contained not just a series of "best of" lists, but also informative and entertaining information. These shows, along with all of the MacNotables shows should be of interest to you and your group for several reasons. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1010websites.html Every user group leader and officer knows that one of the most important parts of promoting their group is their web presence. It informs members about upcoming meetings, reminds them of the benefits they receive as a member of the group, and attract new members by delivering information about the group and its activites. That's why it's news when a group revamps their web site. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1005bungalow.html The latest edition of Christopher Breen's "Breen's Bungalow" is now available for Mac User Groups to show at their meetings and include on their resource CDs and DVDs. What did you do on your last vacation? Macworld Senior Editor Christopher Breen did a little traveling and took advantage of the opportunity to show off some cool tips on how to get the most out of the photos and video that he took while geek cruising. Chris uses several components of iLife '06 to deliver much more than the usual boring snapshots and home movies, and includes some tricks that are only available in the Mac User Group version. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1004macspeech.html Chuck Rogers and the folks at MacSpeech have annouced their road show schedule for October, and it includes several presentations to Mac User Groups. Announced dates include (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1003engst.html On October 13 the Long Island Macintosh Users Group (LIMac) will host a special presentation by the Macintosh Power Couple, Adam and Tonya Engst of TidBITS and Take Control ebooks. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/102006/1002pitt.html Under the heading of “something different,” the creator of the online situation comedy Something To Be Desired (STBD) will be the featured presenter at two Pittsburgh area Macintosh User Groups this week. On Wedneday, October 4th, Justin Kownacki will be the featured speaker at the Cranberry meeting of the North Pittsburgh Macintosh Users Group (NPMUG). Justin and part of his online cast will talk about the show, how it is put together, and how Macs fit into the picture. Then, on Thursday, October 5, Justin and his crew will be at the County of Westmoreland Macintosh Users Group (COWMUG) to introduce their membership to the STBD brand of humor. At both meetings, Justin will also announce the innagural PodCamp Pittsburgh... (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/092006/0928recosoft.html Paul Chadha of Recosoft will be in the Northeast United States in October, and has announced a Mac User Group mini-tour. The scheduled dates and groups include... (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/092006/0918dotmac.html With each update to the Mac OS, Apple seems to add more integration and functionality with their .Mac service. Even if you don't use it for email, the ease of publishing iPhoto and iMovie projects to the Web, syncing your bookmarks and other information between different Macs with iSync, backing up critical data off-site with Backup or just being able to drag-and-drop copy to your iDisk makes it a worthwhile investment.. Even with all that though, sometimes the $99 price tag can be a bit difficult to justify, especially if you have more than one .Mac account. However, there's nothing that says you have to pay full retail. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/092006/0918ncmug.html Another regional MUG event has hit the radar, this one featuring several well-known Macintosh personalities and Mac vendors. The 14th Mac Computer Expo (MCE) will be held in Santa Rosa CA and organized by the North Coast Macintosh Users Group (NCMUG) on October 7. This year's event will include presentations from digital photography expert Derrick Story, Mac author Jim Heid, Take Control author Joe Kissell and graphic artist Burt Monroy. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/092006/0915emiratesmac.html Once again, Apple has delivered a solid series of product annoucements, and a hint of things to come, at their "Showtime" event. Want to know what it all means? Bryan Chaffin, Andy Ihnatko and Chuck Joiner deliver the MacNotables' perspective on the Showtime announcements. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/092006/0917macnotables.html In the new edition of The User Group Report, MUG Center Editor Chuck Joiner, talks about Apple's recognition of User Groups (not authorization, but recognition), and why you should be happy that Apple doesn't authorize MUGs. Also discussed are the many benefits offered by The MUG Event Calendar, the Adobe User Group Breakfast, regional MUG events and a farewell to an Apple Regional Liaison. (more) http://www.mugcenter.com/news/2006/092006/0911adobe.html The opening of registration for the Adobe User Group and Professional Association Leader Breakfast at Macworld Conference and Expo 2007 leads the September announcements from the Adobe User Group Program. Other news includes the inaugural meeting of a new InDesign User Group, and an explosion of events for Acrobat users. (more)