We talk new Tiger eBooks, a must-have utility to help you manage your files, a Mac donation program and news about the Adobe User Group Program in this week’s edition of The User Group Report.

Adam Engst of TidBITS discusses the four Tiger additions to the Take Control ebook series, some of the coolest features in the new version of the Mac OS, provides some tips on upgrading to the new Mac OS and reveals his browser of choice in a feature-length interview.

Jon Gotow of St. Clair Software talks about the latest, Tiger-friendly version of one of our all-time favorite utilities, Default Folder, their special user group discount and why being a small software company has advantages he isn’t interested in giving up.

Dave Sevick of the North Pittsburgh Macintosh Users Group tells us about his group’s Computer Donation Program and how they have donated almost 300 Macs to those in need and one way his group built up enthusiasm for the release of Tiger.

Adam Engst of TidBITS, Default Folder X, North Pittsburgh Macintosh Users Group & Adobe User Group Program News [ 1:18:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

How a utility program has gotten even better, how you can customize one of the new age browswers and make it your very own, and how to create perfect audio tracks for any projects are all included in this edition, along with user group events, vendor offers and more.

Elizabeth Statmore of Circus Ponies is back to update us on all the changes that make the latest revision in their flagship product, NoteBook 2.0, the best yet and her busy user group appearance schedule.

Nigel McFarlane, the author of Firefox Hacks: Tips & Tools for Next-Generation Web Browsing (O’Reilly) tells us what is cool about the open source web browser “out of the box” and how it can be even better with a few hacks that you don’t have to be a geek to install.

Brian Dickman of SmartSound Software introduces us to Sonicfire Pro, the solution to creating perfectly timed music tracks for your Keynote, iMovie or Final Cut Pro projects, and a new training option to help you get more out of the program.

Circus Ponies, Hacking Firefox, SmartSound Software, Special Guests at MUG Events, Vendor Offers & More [ 1:01:26 ] 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

In this edition we profile a user group who is organized around the purest form of user group enthusiasm, and go in-depth with a “switcher-based” software company, their Mac products and their user group offer.

Dawn Hurwitz of Hawaii Mac Nuts talks about the fun she and the rest of their Organization Committee have in running their young group. They may not be as large or sophisiticated as many MUGs, but there are lessons to be learned here for user group leaders of all experience levels.

Hagen Kaye of XtraLean Software discusses being a “switcher” Mac software developer and how much code is saved by working on the Mac platform, their current products Shutterbug and ImageWell, their upcoming Paradise, and their first foray into user group support.

In-Depth with XtraLean Software, Hawaii Mac Nuts on Pure User Group-ism, Meeting Topics & More [ 56:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

User groups everywhere are trying to do more, sometimes with less. In this edition we talk two two groups who have met different types of challenges to their organizations and are succeeding with different approaches to problems that many MUG leaders face. We also talk to a vendor who gives us an exclusive look at a new utility, released yesterday.

Marianne Young of The Mac-in-Awe MUG discusses their upcoming 20th anniversary celebration, the changes their group has gone through over that time period, and how their group thrives while drawing little outside support because of their geography.

Jack Dolby of of Club Mac of Hampton outlines how he addresses some of the challenges that face many user group leaders, including limited resources and assistance, yet successfully delivers value to their small membership and maintains a current, professional face to the outside world.

Tim Goggin of Pocket Mac is here with an exclusive first look at the brand new PocketMac for Playstation Portables, along with their other products PocketMac for Blackberry, Safari Scrapbook and more.

Mac-in-Awe MUG at Twenty, Efficiency in UG Operations with ClubMac of Hampton & Cool New Products from PocketMac [ 1:08:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

With more and more vendors getting involved with user groups, this edition focuses on different perspectives on user group interaction, as well as an in-depth discussion on the state of desktop publishing.

Irina Nazarova of BeLight Software covers her company’s commitment to Mac user groups, their recently announced formal user group program, and how they support it with copies of their Business Card Composer and Mail Factory software.

Jay Nelson of Design Tools Monthly discusses the state of the desktop publishing market, Quark vs. InDesign, how to select the tool that is right for you, the user group offer on his publication and more.

James Lee of Tropical Software talks about his company’s new TopXNotes software, his presentations to user groups and how he has been received, and his plans for an upcoming tour of California MUGs.

Vendor Focus with BeLight Software, In-Depth with Design Tools Monthly and Tropical Software’s User Group Tour [ 1:16:14 ] 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

iWork was the hottest software introduced at Macworld Conference & Expo last month. We take a detailed look at where it is, where it is going, and how the world’s largest user group will support their members during the transition. We also talk to a noted author who has various Apple and MUG roots, find out about his projects and how he wants to become more involved with user groups.

Warren Williams and Cathy Merritt of The AppleWorks Users Group (AWUG) join us to talk about Apple’s introduction of iWork, the building of, “…the successor to AppleWorks,” and how they are already looking at adapting their group and their extensive resources to meet the needs of their members and all the opportunities that the new products offer. AWUG offers resources and benefits that local user groups can take advantage of. Find out about those and more in this in-depth interview with two experts on one of Apple’s most enduring software products.

Scott Knaster, author of Hacking iPod + iTunes and MacToys: 12 Cool Projects for Home, Office, and Entertainment talks about his books and what they offer user groups, his latest project, Hacking Mac OS X Tiger, his unsual collection of URLs, and how your group can invite him to be a speaker at an upcoming meeting.

User Group Report #502: The AppleWorks Users Group & Hacking iTunes [ 1:01:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Looking for a way to streamline your group’s dues collection, membership renewals and web site? The answer might be in this edition, along with information and commentary from the campus group community, user group opportunities at a new Expo, and more.

Dan Ehrmann of ClubExpress outlines the operational tools his company can provide to clubs of all kinds, including Macintosh User Groups, to make the administration of the organization easier. Dues collection, credit card processing, fully functional web sites with members-only access and more are all included at a price any group can afford.

Andrew Jacobs of the Brigham Young University Mac Users Group profiles his group as the semester starts, talks about why Macs are popular with students even if not with the university, and how they will be offering video meeting archives to their members.

ClubExpress, The Brigham Young University Mac Users Group, DL Expo Discounts & More [ 54:31 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The team that puts together the user group events at Macworld Expo, including the User Group Leadership Conference, an overview of a vendor’s user group program by a departing manager, and how one innovative group is giving the world access to their meetings.

The Macworld/User Group Leadership Conference Planning Team gives a comprehensive summary of all of the user group events going on in Boston for Macworld Expo Week, and tells you why you and your group should be involved.

Susan Nixon of UGLC sponsor Peachpit Press discusses their user group program, what it offers, and how to get involved. Susan is moving on to new opportunities, but assures us that the program is alive, well and in good hands.

Mark McDaniel of the Colorado Macintosh User Group profiles his group, talks about how they broadcast (audio and video) their monthly meetings over the Internet, and how you can attend, even if you’re not a member.

The Macworld/UGLC Planning Team, Peachpit Press User Group Program & Colorado MUG’s Meeting Broadcasts [ 1:04:04 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download