This week at the Macintosh User Group (MUG) Center Web site, editor-in-chief Chuck Joiner notes that five new specials have been added for user group members, courtesy of the effort invested by the User Group Advisory Board (UGAB). The deals, which you can take advantage of by contacting your MUG leader, include discounts on Web developer tool Forms To Go, GuitarVision’s guitar lessons software, the book Mac OS X Power Tools by Dan Frakes, AppleWorks User Group’s AppleWorks Journal and merchandise at The MUG Store. Joiner also relates this week that he and Lesa Snider have stepped down from their positions on the UGAB, where Joiner was chairman. No replacements were announced.
Upcoming MUG meetings this week include Apple engineer Tim Matheny’s visit to AppleCore of Memphis, Microsoft stopping by Atlanta MUG to show off Microsoft Office 2004 and Virtual PC 7, a 20th anniversary of the Mac celebration at MUGSIE (MUG Serving the Inland Empire), “Streaming to 3G” at Midlands MUG, a presentation of Alias’ Maya at Digital Video Detroit, Village MUG’s annual picnic and a discussion of genealogy software at Diablo Valley MUG on Sept. 21.
On Sept. 22, Los Angeles Final Cut Pro Users Group will cover Final Cut Pro tips and play “Stump the Gurus” and Macintosh Users East will discuss Phone Valet and FileMaker Pro 7. On Sept. 23, Champions of the Mac Proletariat will demo Mac OS X’s Terminal application, Auraria MUG will show off the new G5 iMac and Grand Rapids MUG will compare the iPod and the iPod mini.
Heading into the weekend, the New Zealand Digital Solutions Expo and MovieFest 2004 will both be held Sept. 24 and 25. On Sept. 25, Apple Corps of Dallas will welcome Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus, Annapolis Apple Slice will host its annual picnic, Washington Apple Pi will present “Listen Up — Getting Music Into Your Mac & iPod” and Santa Fe MUG will bring in Robin Williams for “Introduction to Adobe Design.”
On Monday, Sept. 27, Portland Mac Filmmakers Users Group will screen the award-winning short mockumentary “My Mother. My Hero,” Wellington MUG will host “Twenty Mac Years” and North Coast MUG will demo 4D’s database software.
Stop by each MUG’s Web site to learn more about meeting times and locations as well as entry requirements, if any. Most MUG meetings are free, but some have an optional donation to participate in a raffle or are closed to non-members or possible require pre-registration.
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.