Chuck Joiner has posted his latest User Group Report on the Macintosh User Group (MUG) Center Web site. The new edition features discussions with Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus, Mesa Dynamics’ Danny Espinoza and Portland MUG’s Charles DeVore. LeVitus covers his new Dr. Mac Direct tech support service, Espinoza explains how his company’s RSS newsreader Tickershock is different from the competition and DeVore delves into the upcoming MacCamp. Joiner mentions the MUG Center’s recent makeover and solicits feedback.
Last week, Joiner wanted to know how much lead time MUGs need for information that will be included in upcoming publications. While the days of print publishing required early deadlines — often 30 days or more — many MUGs today employ digital technology, as evidenced by their answers: 46 percent require seven days of lead time while 84 percent need two weeks. This week, Joiner follows up on the recent well-received MUG event at CompUSA by asking what is required to make an in-store event successful.
In other news, Design Tools Monthly magazine has announced that it is offering discount subscriptions for MUG members. Joiner has also posted the two newest regional liaison dispatches from Chris Kiltz, who covers the Northwest United States, and Graeme Moffatt, who works with MUGs in the Oceania region, which includes New Zealand and Australia.
Looking at this week’s MUG meetings, on March 8 Lakeland Area MUG welcomes Tropical Software’s James Lee; New Hampshire Seacoast MUG introduces Common Ground Softworks’ Steven Caine to the group; England’s Oxford MUG presents “Finding Information: Researching & the Web;” Pennsylvania MUG covers iMovie and offers a swap table; Sierra MUG holds its 10th anniversary celebration; South Suburban MUG looks at “The Basics of Making Web Pages;” Gateway MUG offers an Apple hardware report; and Maryland Apple Core varies the tempo with a variety of music software.
On March 9, dBUG shows off iLife ’05 as well as the software published by The Omni Group; Victoria MUG welcomes Microsoft’s Stuart DeSpain; California’s Serious MUG presents part one of a Final Cut Pro demonstration; Indiana’s Serious MUG explains how to combat malware and viruses; Greater Albany Apple Byters looks at AppleWorks; Club Mac of Hampton covers Mac OS X v10.3 “Panther,” Safari and RSS; Hershey Apple Core holds an auction and raffles off three iPod shuffles; Alaskan Apple Users Group demos photo collage creation with Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements; Whatcom MUG peruses OS X basics and plans upcoming meetings; Boston Macintosh takes a timely angle with an overview of the application Tax Cut; South Jersey MUG goes over digital image creation; and North Jersey MUG brings in Daniel East to show off a variety of software as he explains options for creating and storing digital images.
On March 10, Leisure World MUG says “Just Google It!”; Capital MUG makes its members iPod experts; East Bay MUG explains how to make custom CDs and DVDs; The Michigan Apple serves up an “Apple Buffet;” ApplePickers looks at Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0; and Rhode Island MUG demos Panther.
On March 11, Long Island MUG crams an overview of Mail, Address Book, iPhoto, iMovie and AppleWorks into one meeting while Boston Final Cut Pro Users Group (BOSFCPUG) holds its meeting during the 15th annual Camera Company Pro Video Show. The latter features a guest list that includes Apple’s Don Peebles, who is also manning Apple’s booth during the show, Anne Renehan of Boris FX, Panasonic’s Steve Golub, Final Cut Pro HD seminar instructor Ed Krasnow and author Loren Miller. BOSFCPUG will also raffle off prizes that include a LaCie D2 Triple Interface FireWire Drive.
While nothing is scheduled for March 13, March 12 is packed with events. On that day, Macintosh Association of Central New Jersey welcomes Apple’s Dave Marra; Main Line MUG brings in Midnight Mage Software’s Steve Sheets and Sunny Worrell; SoCal Mac Owners Group covers running a small business n a Mac; Hot Springs MUG presents “Honk Before Backing Up! How to Do it Right;” MacMavericks explains how to back up a Mac through a .Mac account; Kaw River MUG asks “What’s in Your Utilities Folder?”; Apple Corps of Dallas delves into Macintosh security; Cowtown MUG looks at blogging; The Northwest of Us shows how to select and use a digital camera; and Las Vegas MUG goes over buying and selling on eBay.
On March 14, Triangle MUG presents “Get in Sync!” and looks at using iSync with handheld devices; QMUG/LA explains how to prepare for the worst; and Portland MUG welcomes CompUSA’s Alex Gauthier and Ryan McClelland, who demonstrate the new iLife ’05 and iWork suites.
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.
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