A professional Mac conference of a different kind, a focus group where you can get paid, and the latest in Mac news commentary are all included in this week’s show, along with information on the User Group Report’s evolution into something new: MacVoices. The guests are Paul Kent of The Mac Networker’s Retreat, Sue Arment of Digital Life Discoveries and Dennis Sellers of Macsimum News.
Paul Kent of Mactivity profiles the upcoming Mac Networkers Retreat, summarizing the intense, professional-level sessions that attendees will benefit from. Paul tells us why this conference is different than just about anything out there by design, and why you might want to consider joining them on Monterey Bay.
Sue Arment of Digital Life Discoveries tells us about her company, how they assist technology vendors who want to connect with real users, and fills you in on how, if you use GarageBand or are a music podcaster, you can share your opinions and get paid for it
Dennis Sellers of Macsimum News is back to discuss recent, and upcoming, developments in Mac news, including the iPod nano, Apple’s stock price, the breakneck pace of product development at Apple and more.
User Group Report #535: The Mac Networker's Retreat with Paul Kent, GarageBand and Podcasting Focus Group with Sue Arment, Mac News Braintrust with Dennis Sellers and the Evolution of The User Group Report[ 51:50 ]Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Our bonus-length show this week includes a visit from two of the most informed and influential people in the Mac industry, a report on what may be the last Ad-Hoc/MacHack Conference, and commentary on the most recent Mac headlines by a member of our Mac News Braintrust.
Adam and Tony Engst of TidBITStalk about Macworld Boston, podcasting (and Tonya adds two new terms to the lexicon), the evolution of Macintosh computing and more in this week’s feature-length interview.
Bryan Chaffin of The Mac Observer is this week’s Mac News Braintrust guest, and discusses Mighty Mouse, the iTunes Music Store’s opening in Japan and other timely topics from the Mac headlines.
Scott Knaster, the author of Hacking Mac OS X Tiger is back to give us his take on the recent Ad-Hoc/MacHack Conference. Scott explains why this conference is different than any other, describes some of the cool hacks, and talks about the future (or lack thereof) for Ad-Hoc/MacHack.
User Group Report #526: Adam and Tonya Engst of TidBITS, Scott Knaster on the Ad-Hoc/MacHack Conference and Mac News Braintrust with Bryan Chaffin of The Mac Observer[ 46:21 ]Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Our second podcast from Boston, and the first day on the Expo floor, features interviews with Phillip Chipping of invisible SHIELD, Ben and Jen Waldie from Automated Workflows, our old friend Pekka Helos, a freelance journalist who covers the world of Apple from Finland, and Dahiana Rosenblatt and Joakin Eskansan from the Berklee College of Music who knocked out the crowd at a Geeks & Gadgets Stage presentation.
Recently, a noted computer security expert and columnist surprised readers and colleagues by announcing he was switching to the Mac. We find out why and how the move is progressing, get the story on the third annual Rogue Valley Mac Expo, review a UG best practice and a new TMC resource in this edition.
Winn Schwartau, PC security expert, author and columnist joins us for an in-depth interview on how Windows pushed him to the edge, his methodology for evaluating the Mac platform and his agenda for this switching experiment.
Chris Kiltz of the Josephine County Macintosh Users Group talks about her group’s upcoming regional event, the third annual Rogue Valley Mac Expo, how they have involved both national vendors and local businesses to create a unique event that suits their area, and delivers some ideas that your group can use to do the same thing.
User Group Report #519: The "Mad as Hell, Switching to Mac" PC Security Expert, the Rogue Valley Mac Expo, User Group Best Practices and A New Resource[ 1:01:00 ]Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
One of the largest Final Cut Pro User Group events of the year is coming up in Las Vegas and we have the lowdown for you, as well as an interview with a new user group-supporting vendor and our new user group best practices series.
Steve Sheets of Midnight Mage Software tells us about his company’s user group program, what they provide to help MUGs demonstrate their product, RollCall Directory, and the many not-so-obvious results that can be achieved. Steve also shares his thoughts on being a small software developer, and what is on the horizon for Midnight Mage. Michael Horton of the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro Users Group previews, in super-secret mode, the big FCP event at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, two of his group’s upcoming events, and discusses UG leadership responsibilities, the future of digital video and more in a feature-length interview.
Final Cut Pro User Group Events at NAB and Beyond, Midnight Mage’s User Group Program and User Group Best Practices[ 1:06:12 ]Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
This time around we find out about the latest and most innovative tech support service available for the Mac, look at twenty years of a Mac community institution and go in-depth on an RSS newsreader that has some unusual features to offer. We also talk about The MUG Center’s new design and solicit your feedback.
Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus introduces the new tech support service that bears his name, Dr. Mac Direct, and tells us how their team of experienced Mac consultants, including some user group enthusiasts, can solve your technical problems by taking control of your Mac remotely, with guaranteed results or your money back.
Danny Espinoza of Mesa Dynamics talks in-depth about his company’s RSS newsreader, Tickershock. What makes Tickershock different and compelling on a web that is increasingly crowded with newsreaders? Find out how they incorporate the best of several different interface styles and customization options to deliver what may be your new favorite way to view newsfeeds.
Charles DeVore of the Portland Macintosh Users Group discusses the production of his group’s fortieth MacCamp, the seminar that is held twice each year in the Oregon rain forest, what it takes to put on the event, what this year’s attendees can expect in the way of courses, and how they can win a Mac mini or two iPod shuffles.
Dr. Mac Direct with Bob LeVitus, In-Depth with Mesa Dynamics on Tickershock, Twenty Years of MacCamp and the MUG Center Redesign[ 1:12:03 ]Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
We take a look at the hottest new Mac news site, talk in detail about how the #1 deal site on the Mac web continues to grow and improve and how they are interacting with their readers, profile a Mac programming user group and catch up on the latest MUG deals and news.
Michael Wray, president of Mariner Software, discusses his company, their MarinerWrite and MarinerCalc products and how they compete with Microsoft Office, their newest offering, MacJournal and how blogging has changed the way everyone looks at keeping a diary, why Mariner is still around when so many others have lost the fight in word processing and spreadsheets, their lifetime upgrade plan and more.
David Roemer of Campus MovieFest returns with an update on how this student moviemaking event has grown and grown, details on the southeast colleges and universities who are participating in this spring’s event, what this year’s premier event at the Fox Theater in Atlanta will feature, and he sees Campus MovieFest becoming even bigger and better in the future.
Craig Stadler of East Bay Technologies introduces his company’s two Mac products, iTube and the upcoming iWire Broadcast, what they offer in the way of audio and video media delivery from the Internet, and why they could provide you with topics for your user group’s upcoming meetings.
User Group Report #503: Internet TV with iTube, In-Depth with Mariner Software's President and Campus MovieFest Update[ 1:01:44 ]Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Our final show of the year discusses a user group program that has just dellivered enough quality meeting topics for the full first quarter of next year, a brand new Macworld Conference & Expo attraction, and the final installment in the series on how to make your user group look good.
Adam Engst of TidBITS talks about the three new Take Control ebooks his team has delivered in December, how they make perfect MUG meeting topics, and the benefits of the TidBITS User Group Program.
Brian Rothschild, the Executive Director of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, profiles this first-time attraction at Macworld Conference & Expo, how the bus was recently refitted with the help of Apple, and what it brings to students who are interested in getting their hands on professional-level recording equipment.
Adam Engst of TidBITS, The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, Vendor Offers & 2004 Wrap-Up[ 1:03:12 ]Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
A regional film festival with a special guest presenter and judge, ideas for fall meetings of campus user groups, the month’s MUG -only vendor deals, and a new, regular feature: user groups from the Canadian perspective.
Bob McLaughlin of ApplePickers talks about their upcoming second annual Film Festival, what they learned from the first event, how this one is new and improved, why the next one will be even better, and how they created some extra synergy by snagging a judge who just happens to be an enthusiastic MUG fan and presenter. Evan Chaney of the Apple Campus Group Advisory Board reports on some of the activities campus groups have planned as they return to school and kick-start their organizations for the upcoming year, and provides ideas for groups who haven’t finalized their schedules. Jim Foster of Macintosh Users East discusses his work in organizing a current database of Canadian Macintosh User Groups, how Canadian MUGs will benefit, and did at Macworld in Boston. and joins the User Group Report as our regularly appearing Canadian Correspondent.
ApplePickers Film Festival, Back-To-School Campus Group Meetings & Canadian Macintosh User Groups[ 1:04:04 ]Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Two Macintosh Expos, one regional and one international, are spotlighted in this edition.
Warwick Davies, Group Vice President for IDG World Expo talks about the special relationship user groups enjoy with Macworld Expo, why he and members of his team have been out visiting local MUGS, and some of the new offerings that attendees can expect in Boston.
Paul Kent, the Conference Chairperson for Macworld Expo – Boston 2004 outlines the multiple conference tracks available at the July show, why they are better than ever, and how different events and content are being integrated into the conference program.
Chris Kiltz of the Josephine County Macintosh Users Group tells us about her group’s upcoming Rogue Valley Mac Expo, their presenters from Adobe and Apple, and how they partnered with the local Chamber of Commerce to improve the third iteration of this annual event.
acworld Expo Group Vice President and Conference Chairperson, and the Rogue Valley Mac Expo![ 51:53 ]Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
User Group Report #535: The Mac Networker's Retreat with Paul Kent, GarageBand and Podcasting Focus Group with Sue Arment, Mac News Braintrust with Dennis Sellers and the Evolution of The User Group Report [ 51:50 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
