MWSF: ‘MacBeginnings’ comes to San Francisco

Next week’s Macworld San Francisco will provide special high-energy education and training sessions for new Mac users, called “MacBeginnings,” according to the folks at IDG World Expo.

“Technology-oriented trade shows can be intimidating, particularly for users new to a particular operating system,” said Rob Scheschareg, vice president of events, IDG World Expo. “Our attendees have varying degrees of expertise on the Mac, and some have limited experience with the Internet. These introductory sessions really complement the courses and tracks at Macworld Conference & Expo that are designed for more advanced users,” he said.

The MacBeginnings courses can help attendees feel more comfortable about the expo and get more out of the experience, Scheschareg added. They also help illustrate the great potential of their new Mac and what it can do for them, both professionally and personally, he said. The MacBeginnings courses are free, and open to all registered Macworld Conference & Expo attendees. Topics include:

The “Your Guide to Macworld Conference & Expo/San Francisco 2001” session is designed to assist attendees who are new to the Mac community as well as those who have never before attended a Macworld Expo. Experts will provide tips on effectively navigating the show, and offer guidance for those interested in seeing specific companies, products, or special interest areas, according to Scheschareg.

“Hanging 10 in Cyberspace” tells you how to surf the Web in style. Participants will learn how to get that new Mac, iMac or iBook on the Web, and begin exploring the Internet. You’ll hear about free services available on the Net, check out some Mac-specific sites, and get a crash course in shopping from the comfort of a keyboard.

“Macintosh 101” is a course designed to bring new Mac users up to speed on their new machines. Experts will give attendees a tour of the operating system, and explain the five key things every new Mac owner should know.

“The Desktop Movie Revolution” will demonstrate how Apple’s movie software enables Mac users to create and share movies right on their desktops. Attendees to this session will hear practical advice about choosing a video camera or finding effective ways to work with an existing one, and how to go about connecting that camera to a Mac, Scheschareg said. The course will also explore the tools and techniques that will help take “home movies” to an exciting new level, he added.

“This will be the San Francisco debut for MacBeginnings,” said Scheschareg. “We launched the program in New York in July to rave reviews, and realized that these introductory courses provide tremendous benefit to our attendees. People who haven’t been able to attend our conference programs in the past can get a real feeling for the educational opportunities that exist here at Macworld Conference & Expo,” he said.

The MacBeginnings courses will be held Wednesday, Jan. 10, and Thursday, Jan. 11, at the Yerba Buena Ballroom at the San Francisco Marriott, 55 Fourth Street. For more information, visit the Macworld Expo Web site.