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User Group News Bulletin
AWUGU Meeting Report about AUGs and ChatGPT
by Tom Piper, Coordinator
This Apple World User Group University online gathering of Apple user group leaders was held at 5:00pm CDST, on March 20, 2023, via Zoom. We had 36 participants for “AUGs and ChatGPT” (see attached JPG image and PDF attendance list). The 85-minute video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/UF8yrq9ll68 (unlisted on YouTube).
This session opened with my welcome, plus a quick review of the meeting protocols. Doug Smith, Chair of the Apple User Group Advisory Board (AUGAB) provided backup support during the call. read more…
AWUGU Meeting Report about Visual Organizing by Tom Piper
AWUGU Meeting Report about Visual Organizing
by Tom Piper, Coordinator
This Apple World User Group University online gathering of Apple user group leaders was held at 5:00pm CDST, on February 20, 2023, via Zoom. We had 29 participants for the topics of CES Report and Apple Visual Organizing. The 80-minute video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/RKUcSRBHb7M (unlisted on YouTube).
This session opened with my welcome, plus a quick review of the meeting protocols. Doug Smith, Chair of the Apple User Group Advisory Board (AUGAB) provided backup support during the call.
Macstock VII: Launch Party and July Fun
If you have participated in a Macstock gathering you know why fans look forward to meeting each year. Great sessions, fun events, and wonderful company: who could ask for more?
With the pandemic, Macstock saw a few years of virtual Macstock events. The good news is that Macstock will be back again on July 22 & 2rd. The details are to be worked out, but n the meantime there is Macstock VII Launch Party scheduled for the 27th.
Be there.
Can’t be there? Check out the MacStock YouTube channel.
LACPUG: Tom Cross, Jason Bowdach, and More
The 6,000+ member strong LA Creative Pro community will hold their next meeting on February 22 at the Gallery Theater in Hollywood. And, the meeting looks like another amazingly useful one. The program includes Academy Award winning editor Tom Cross and colorist Jason Bowdach, whose credits include feature films, broadcast television, and streaming platforms.
Still not sure? Stump the Gurus and the World Famous Raffle will be part of the evening’s entertainment. read more…
Meeting Ideas: Remove Duplicate Photos and Other iPhone Tips
Looking for a quick meeting presentation that provides new tips for real-world use of your members’ iPhones? For learning how your iPhone can recognize specific sounds, to removing duplicate photos and more, You can be sure that each member will leave your meeting with at least one technique that they will actually use.
A Blast from the Past: Apple User Group Connection
Want to take a look at the early days of Apple User Groups? The Apple Wiki has a collection of early Apple User Group Connection videos. This month’s link offers a young Wozniak, a look at MIDI when it was a new technology, and a reminder that even in the beginning Apple was at the forefront of assistive technologies. From a discussion of new technologies to award winning student projects and more, the videos truly are a fun blast from the past.
See what the User Group Connection was doing in 1987:
Nicholas Pyers Presents: Finding Guest Presenters
A group contacted me recently to see if I still had a copy of the articles that Nicholas Pyers of AppleUsers.org did years ago regarding ways to find guest presenters. His article, the fifth installment in his “Working with Presenters” series was a hit back then and even today it can help you reconceptualize the process and increase your ability to organize great meetings. Want to know more? Check out all five articles in the series.
Thanks as always to Mr. Pyers for these wonderful resources!
Meeting Idea: Home Pod (2nd generation)
Looking for an quick and easy meeting presentation? Why not combine Apple’s recent HomePod (2nd generation) demo with a quick video introduction?
Here are some steps to offer your members a look:
Good News from Steve Welsh: OMUG Leaders’ Summit Returns
You may remember the famous You Don’t Know Mac (YDKM) events, with their fun (and highly-competitive) competitions. For years YDKM was a mobile event, hosted in a different MUG town each year. Why was it famous? Well, the first few years saw keynote speakers that included Steve Wozniak, Garr Reynolds, Guy Kawasaki, and Andy Ihnatko. Well, there are plans for a possible Leader’s Summit this year.
Check out Steve Welsh’s good news:
From Steve Welsh – The OMUG Leaders Summit to Return
Meeting Ideas: M2 Pro and M2 Max
You and your members may have noticed a set of quiet announcements on January 17th: Apple released the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros featuring M2 Pro and M2 Max. Fast? Amazingly so. But wait, of course there’s more: a new Mac mini, supercharged by M2 and the all-new M2 Pro.
If you are interested in talking with your members about the announcements, there’s video and supporting documentation that could make for a great meeting.
AWUGU Meeting Report about Security Provisions by Tom Piper
AWUGU Meeting Report about Security Provisions
by Tom Piper, Coordinator
This Apple World User Group University online gathering of Apple user group leaders was held at 5:00pm CDST, on January 16, 2023, via Zoom. We had 41 participants for the topics of CES Report and “AUG Security Provisions” (see attached JPG image and PDF attendance list). The 75-minute video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/RsUFxNVwN2U(unlisted on YouTube). read more…
Randy B. Singer of MacAttorney: Free Macintosh Software
Randy Singer, leader of the 9.000+ member strong MacAttorney User Group, co-author of multiple editions of the well-loved Macintosh Bible, author of the ABA’s The Macintosh Software Guide for the Law Office, writer of the MacAttorney Newsletter, and popular presenter, offers a look at popular Free Macintosh Software on his popular MacAttorney site. A while back he updated the list to ensure compatibility with 64-bit and his excellent curation ensures that the list stays current.
Check it out!
Blast From the Past: The Original Macintosh Team
A few years ago Tony Vitale of the Long Island Mac Users Group (LIMAC) and TalkMacTech posted a link to unseen footage with interviews of Andy Hertzfeld, Mike Murray, Burrell Smith, Bill Atkinson, Susan Kare, and George Crow. These mini-interviews were recorded in October of 1983 for possible use in Macintosh commercials.
Remember how you fell in love with your first Mac? Andy and the team clearly loved these machines too.
Proposed Commercials featuring Mac team Members in October 1983, Full Demo Reel
Long Island Macintosh Users Group:
Thanks Tony!
Meeting Idea: Apple AirTag
Your members may have seen the recent news stories about AirTag users finding their “lost” luggage during the wide-spread airline issues that were a part of 2022 holiday travel. So, why not use a future meeting to review what AirTags can offer and how to make the most of their functionality?
User Group Ideas to Use: PMUG’s Clinics on Zoom
For as long as there have been user groups, there have been helpful members who generously donate their skills and time to help others learn. Long before Apple Stores had their Genius desks and red phones, quite a few groups held Members Helping Members clinics, often on a Saturday afternoon, where folk could get their issues resolved and their questions answered. Due to the pandemic and other issues, many clinics closed. Still, there are groups that do a wonderful job of providing help, either by listing phone numbers of member-experts for various topics or running clinics online.
For example, PMUG, Portland’s Mac Users Group, runs a wonderful weekly PMUG Clinic via Zoom and publicizes it in their newsletter and meetings. What a great way to help the community and show potential members the value of membership!
Did your group give up on clinics during the pandemic? If so, why not consider a Zoom Clinic 🙂
Hats off to President Charles DeVore and the officers and members of PMUG.
Portland Macintosh Users Group
(Thanks to Steve Welsh for sharing this tip!)
Meeting Idea: Fun Photos and Graphics
Art, illustration, and photography have been part of the user group community from the start. In Creative Pro groups, software-specific groups, and SIGs for photography or animation, professional skills are often emphasized. Still, sometimes your members just want to have fun, creating their own Memoji or an alter-ego that brings a smile. read more…
Nicholas Pyers Presents: End of Year Tasks for User Group Members
Nicholas Pyers
Many groups do not meet from late December to early January, but there are things you can do while your group is on hiatus. Nicholas Pyers, leader and popular presenter from AppleUsers.org, offers thoughts on ways to thank those who have served your community in the past year and ways to plan ahead for an even better year ahead for your group and members.
http://www.appleusers.org/ugr/end-of-year-tasks-for-apple-user-group-leaders/
Taking his advice regarding thanking those who have made our user group experience better, we’d like to say thank you to Nicholas for his many articles over many years. We look forward to taking his advice on planning for the year to come and thank him for all of the expertise and wonderful resources he has provided over the years.
Nicholas Pyers is known for AppleUsers.org, the Apple Users Spotlight, his clever puzzles, and long-time championship of all things Mac.
Learn more at:
AWUGU Meeting Report about SIGs by Tom Piper
AWUGU Meeting Report about SIGs
by Tom Piper, Coordinator
This Apple World User Group University online gathering of Apple user group leaders was held at 5:00pm CDST, on November 21, 2022, via Zoom. We had 30 participants for the topic of AUG Special Interest Groups. The 78-minute video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/8DmbTgPw3Cc (unlisted on YouTube).
This session opened with my welcome, plus a quick review of the meeting protocols. Doug Smith, Chair of the Apple User Group Advisory Board (AUGAB) provided backup support during the call.
The first segment was a presentation by Steve Welsh (The Oregon MacPioneers User Group) describing the many aspects of and opportunities for SIGs. Many questions and comments followed. His Tips for Success were welcomed by many as excellent ways to build SIGs in Apple User Groups.
Next was a discussion by Susan Jensen (President, Apple Users’ Society of Melbourne [AUSOM]) about their extensive set of all-day Saturday Special Interest Groups in hourly break-out rooms. Many questions and responses were then exchanged, and thanks provided for describing their wide array of SIG opportunities.
Meeting Idea: Retracing your Steps with Backtrack on Apple Watch
Did you know that your Apple Watch can help you retrace your steps? It is a quirky feature that your members might enjoy learning about and using. In fact, it is pretty simple if you have an Apple Watch SE with watchOS 9 or later, or Apple Watch Series 6 or later: Turn on Backtrack in the Compass app when you start a walk or hike. When you are ready to return, tap Replace Steps and you will see an arrow that takes you back the path you used. It is pretty slick!
Meeting Idea: Apple Music Sing
Looking for a fun meeting idea? Most people enjoy singing along to their favorite music in the car or shower, but Apple Music Sing brings a clever twist to engaging with your favorite songs using your iPhone, iPad, or new Apple TV 4K, with real-time lyrics and adjustable vocals, you can sing lead, backup, or even duets. Your members can even sing along.
Apple Music Sing will be available by the end of December, just in time for a January 2023 meeting.
Check it out.
