The August edition of “Breen’s Bungalow” leads off this week’s Macintosh User Group (MUG) update. Breen’s QuickTime tutorial shows up in the newsstand version of Macworld magazine, but he also produces a special MUG-only “Bungalow.” This month, he explains how to sync information between your Mac and your iPod, cell phone or Palm handheld. Visit Chuck Joiner’s The MUG Center for information on obtaining a copy of the content for your group. Joiner also notes this week that his Vendor Offers for MUGs page has been updated with new discounts from O’Reilly, The Apple MIUG Store, MacAddict, Peachpit Press and other companies.
In the offline world, Boston Final Cut Pro Users Group (BOSFCPUG) will meet at Emerson College’s Billy Bordy Theater on Aug. 24 for “Show and Tell” with Moody Street Pictures’ David Bigelow, WidgetPix’s Rick Pickford and filmmakers who participated in the Emerson Shorts program at the recent Woods Hole Film Festival. The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and attendance is free, although US$5 earns participation in the Big Dig Raffle. You’ll need to register on Apple’s seminars Web site if you want to be there.
On the same date, New Jersey Final Cut Pro User Group gets together in Mahwah, New Jersey for “Court Jesters — DVCPro50 Filmmaking” and Connecticut Macintosh Connection assembles in Farmington, Conn. to hear about Adobe InDesign. The next day, Portland Mac Filmmakers gathers for “An Evening of Motion” from 7 to 9 p.m. at the MacForce theater while Apple stores around the country host a Pro Day also centered around the company’s latest digital video solution.
Aug. 25 will also see MUG of Southern New Jersey cover Photoshop and Illustrator training CDs with Joan Balster, Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group tackle Combustion 3, Gorilla 2.1 and 10-bit HD workflow and enjoy a visit from Steve Martin (of Ripple Training), Central Victorian Macintosh Users discuss music software and Denver Final Cut Pro User Group catch the Motion wave with a presentation of their own. The next day, West Pasco MUG will demonstrate the wide variety of available utility applications.
On Saturday, Aug. 28, Washington Apple Pi will explain how to use AppleScript to “make nagging little chores a pleasure,” Flint Apple Club will hold Mac’er 04 Swap Meet and Northeast Ohio Apple Corps will bring in Dr. Michael O’Connor and his daughter Nora to present the iMovies they’ve made about their recent humanitarian trip to the Honduras. Looking ahead, Macintosh Business Users Society of Greater Philadelphia will cover remote system management with Netopia’s software on Aug. 31 and new group Nashville Apple Pro Video Group will kick off its existence with its first meeting on Sept. 13, which will feature an overview of Apple’s professional digital video software.
As always, visit each MUG’s Web site to learn more about meeting times, location and attendance requirements, if any. Macintosh User Groups interested in seeing their events listed on MacCentral are welcome to send us their news. We post roundups of MUG events and gatherings each week.
If you’re wondering what user group events are happening in your area, visit the MUG Center’s online calendar. Apple also hosts a user group site where you can look for a MUG near you or find out how to start your own group.