The evolution of the world’s largest Macintosh User Group, going global with (and without) your Mac, a new internet audio browser with an unusual development story, MUG Center news and updates and more are all included in this week’s UGR.

Christopher Stadler, the lead Macintosh developer for East Bay Technologies talks about their internet audio browser, iWire Broadcast, how it was developed, and his surprising story of how he got into Macintosh software development.

Warren Williams of The AppleWorks Users Group makes the first in a series of appearances to talk about how the world’s largest Mac user group is evolving with the advent of iWork as the successor to AppleWorks.

Fred Johnson, the author of Global Mobile: Connecting without Walls, Wires or Borders from Peachpit, discusses the best hardware and services for being on the go and staying connected in an increasingly wireless world, why he is a BlueTooth enthusiast and more in an in-depth interview.
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Going Mobile and Global with Fred Johnson, The AppleWorks’ Users Group Evolution, iWire Broadcast, MUG Center News & Updates and More [ 1:11:57 ] 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

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 first show of 2005 kicks off with updates on user group resources from a major contributor, a profile of three different user groups from their founder, updates on vendor offers and more.

Christoper Breen, Editior-in-Chief of Playlistmag.com and author of Secrets of the iPod and iTunes (5th Edition) talks about his latest music and iPod-focused activities, the newest edition of his book, and some changes to his popular Breen’s Bungalow’ user group resource.

Robin Rowe, the founder of Apple Motion Users Group, Apple Shake Users Group, and the Linux Movies Group discusses the three user groups he founded, how their structures differ from other user group models but work for them, the expertise level of his membership, and why the time for these groups has come.

User Group Report #501: Chris Breen of PlaylistMag.com and Robin Rowe of the Linux Movies, Apple Shake & Apple Motion user Groups [ 46:21 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Our feature guest talks about how his Final Cut Pro User Group found a new home, and we have more tips on how your group can improve their graphic images, no matter what the use. Vendor deals for MUGs, user group news and a Macworld Expo update round out this edition.

Michael Horton of the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro Users Group joins us to talk about a recent meeting location challenge his group faced, and how they turned the problem into and opportunity.

Michael Horton of the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro Users Group, User Group Offers, Holiday MUG Activities & More [ 40:02 ] 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

A new Final Cut Pro film festival not just for professionals, a brand new web site from a long-time user group advocate, one vendor’s MUG support story, new campus group video events, and a day just for MUGs fill out this edition.

Orlando Luna of the South Florida Final Cut Pro Users Group, and one of the organizers of the In House Film Festival, talks about his group, FCP groups in general, and their partnership with the Gold Coast Macintosh Users Group to produce a new event based on Apple’s video technologies for amateurs and professionals alike.

Dennis Sellers, a long-time friend and advocate of user groups, joins us to announce the opening of his brand new web site, Macsimum Perspective. You’ve read Dennis’ work on MacCentral and MacMinute for years, and heard him speak in the User Group Lounge at Macworld Expos. Find out what his latest offering has for user groups.

Bill Goldstein of CodeTek Studios outlines his company’s products and their support of user groups, including free product downloads, discounts, User Group University support, and a soon-to-be-announced rebate program.

David Roemer of Ideas United tells us about his company’s first round of events at various colleges and universities in Georgia, called CampusMovieFest, the premier night to be held at Atlanta’s Fox Theater, how they are partnering with a major airline (yes, airline), and how campus groups can tap into their expertise and resources.

Marsee Henon of O’Reilly gives us a look at Mac User Group Day, the speakers and sessions, and what visitors to the O’Reilly campus for the event can expect on April 24.

In House Film Festival, Macsimum Perspective, CodeTek Studios, CampusMovieFest & Mac User Group Day at O'Reilly [ 1:17:39 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This edition features MUG meeting content and ideas, an in-depth discussion of online user groups, why it is fun to get involved in Macworld Expo events, and this month’s MUG-only vendor deals.

Chris Breen of Macworld magazine discusses their latest method of Macintosh User Group support, the offering of special editions of the “Breen’s Bungalow” QuickTime video tutorials for use by individual MUGs at their meetings and in their CDs.

Sam Crutsinger of Tacky Shirt talks about his company’s first training video from both an information and entertainment standpoint, extends an offer to user groups everywhere to do a Tacky Shirt presentation via iChatAV, and gives tips on how to make it a terrific experience.

Kevin Gomez of the Corning Macintosh Users Group talks about the advantages and disadvantages of the online user group model, the fun of Macworld volunteering, and how he’s trying to have his MUG accessible from your cell phone.

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Whether you’re a user group newsletter leader, newsletter editor, or member, from a campus, community or Final Cut Pro user group, there’s something here for you.

Chris Breen, author of Secrets of the iPod and Mac 911 talks about how and why he and Macworld magazine are making parts of his “Mac 911″ column available for publication in MUG newsletters through The MUG Center’s Newsletter Content E-mail List.

Sandy Foderick of the User Group Advisory Board discusses the new Regional Liaison Team, why MUG leaders should connect with them, the benefits and information the team members will offer, and why keeping your group’s information on the Apple web site current.

Gary Adcock of the Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group outlines his credentials as the new Regional Liaison Team member dedicated to Final Cut Pro User Groups and talks about his own group and their presence at the MacDesign Conference in their home town.

Ty Beckman of Western Illinois University Macintosh Users Group profiles his organization, what they offer, how they are organized and what they bring to their campus.

Mac 911 & MUG Newsletters, The Regional Liaison Team, The Final Cut Pro UG Liaison, Campus Groups and MUG Deals [ 1:10:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download