Chuck Joiner has posted his latest User Group Report to the Macintosh User Group (MUG) Center Web site. In this update, he interviews BeLight Software’s Irina Nazarova, who talks about her company’s involvement with MUGs; Design Tools Monthly’s Jay Nelson, who covers the Quark vs. InDesign debate as well as his publication’s user group offer; and Tropical Software’s James Lee, who recaps his recent presentations to MUGs about the company’s TopXNotes software and mentions which ones he’s visiting next.
In other news, the Mug Center Bargain Hunter section has been updated with an iPod-related Amazon.com offer and the Travel Tips area notes that you can use iCards to securely send a message to someone while on the road and unable to access e-mail. Software company Oz Music Code has a special offer for MUGs and The Philadelphia Area AppleScript Users Group’s Ben Waldie has released Ticket Picker, an AppleScript solution that helps MUGs choose raffle winners by randomly selecting a number.
Joiner has also posted the results to last week’s user group survey question, which wanted to know how far ahead MUGs schedule their meetings. A three-month time span was the most popular, followed closely by one month. That’s a helpful thing to know for companies that want to go out and visit groups. This week, Joiner asks: “What are the most important components of a vendor’s user group program?”
Finally, Joiner notes that Adobe has unfortunately eliminated its User Group Program Manager position, which was held by Rye Livingston. He hosted Adobe User Group Breakfasts at the Macworld Expo trade shows held on both coasts, and he often provided software for MUGs to raffle off at their meetings, among many other perks. Joiner says that the company will continue its User Group Program, however, and promises to keep MUG Center readers updated on its future.
Moving on to this week’s meetings, March 22 sees Tropical Software’s James Lee visit Sun City MUG while San Luis Obispo MUG presents an iLife ’05 demo. On March 23, Macintosh Users East focuses on “Gmail, Internet Search Engines & dot-Mac Training Resources” and Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group brings in SmartSound’s Stephanie Joyce and Ripple Training’s Steve Martin to discuss how to make music for use with the editing software.
On March 24, Champions of the Mac Proletariat looks at Photoshop CS; West Pasco MUG explains how to upgrade a Mac; Central Victorian Macintosh Users demystifies digital photography; and Grand Rapids MUG demonstrates iWork.
March 25 is clear while the weekend sees two meetings: on March 26, Northeast Ohio Apple Corps presents “Telephony: T-Mobile on Bluetooth Cell Phones & Vonage, the Broadband Phone Company” and on March 27, Japan’s Kinki MUG revisits Apple’s commercials. On March 28, Ohio’s North Coast MUGM looks at SmartSound SonicFire Pro.
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.