How-To: Live Streaming Computer Group Meetings by Graeme Moffatt

[Note: The premiere of Graeme Moffatt’s ‘Mr Mainline Steam‘ documentary was shown recently and the documentary has received amazing reviews and organizational recognitions.]

Filmmaker Graeme Moffatt of Capital Video Productions Ltd. is a member of the Wellington Macintosh Society, and he is also the Apple User Group Regional Liaison for New Zealand, Australia, and Oceania. You can find more than a year of his group’s Wellington Macintosh Society (WelMac) meeting videos at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmJBMCRuX6iyV8smOu2iApw/videos

By Graeme Moffatt:

I became involved with a group in the United States that is doing live internet broadcasts, initially just using an iPad and soon they moved to a much more sophisticated system.

This new system allowed them to use multiple screens, cameras and microphones and the quality of the broadcasts became much more sophisticated and interesting. I sent an email to the person who was coordinating all of this, an ex Hollywood filmmaker, and asked him what software he was using and received a reply stating that it was an iPad app called Switcher Studio.

I did a search online and soon found the app and downloaded a free trial version and tested it out. I found it to quite amazing as to what it could accomplish (more…)

Meeting Idea: Apple Families

While parents love the ways that Apple’s iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV promote learning, exploring, and fun, parents also want to be sure that their children are using Apple products and related technologies in ways that are safe, healthy, and appropriate. Are your members aware of Apple’s Families page and how it can help parents make sure that their children are using technology in the ways that parents want?

The site provides tips and tools to keep track of family app usage, determine when devices can be used, limit or block applications and notifications at bedtime, choose which apps are available for their children, provide for internet safety and kid-friendly content, manage in-app purchases (including Ask to Buy), know where their children are 24×7, find lost devices, share apps and music with the entire family, create group chats to stay in touch, reduce distractions, provide for emergency SOS and ensure medical information is there when needed, help emergency professionals locate family members, protect privacy, and so much more.

Check it out!

https://www.apple.com/families/

Meeting Ideas: MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, Then and Now

Your members may be wondering about the new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops. If so, ASW has a great set of presentations that could make for a good meeting topic.

MacBook Pro – Then and Now (L578071A-en_US) and MacBook Air – Then and Now *L581386A-en_US) offer comparisons of previous and current generations, letting your members know what has changed and what is the same. Then, MacBook Pro – First Look (L578070A-en_US) and MacBook Air – First Look (L581388A-en_US) provide the full specs for the newest in the MacBook line.

Ambassadors, August is a great month to use Apple resources in your meetings.

ASW

UG Leader Support Ticket System

Many user group leaders may have been wondering what happened to our online Support Ticket System. Due to some updates from our web host, some of our backend services had some issues. We are glad to announce our ticket system is back up and running for your User Group Support and Leader questions. We apologize for the downtime. If you need to reach us and/or need to submit a support ticket, you can find the link here.

Macworld: What You Need to do When You Inherit a Mac

Last June, Glenn Fleishman, Senior Contributor for Macworld, wrote a great Mac911 column that could make for an interesting and useful meeting topic. The title? What you need to do when you inherit a Mac: Avoid a huge headache and do these things before you accept or buy a Mac from the estate of a deceased person.

Check it out!

https://www.macworld.com/article/3279732/macs/what-you-need-to-do-when-you-inherit-a-mac.html

Apple User Groups: Making Communities a Little Bit Better

One attribute that seems to set Apple User Groups apart from other hobby clubs is community service. Most groups provide a way to make their community just a little bit better. And, they find a broad range of ways to help. For example:

  • The Charlotte Apple Computer Club offers Tech Learning Days at the Matthews Community Center at least once a month
  • The Village Macintosh User Group runs free New Users Help Classes on the first Tuesday of every month
  • CapMac has worked with their local school district to teach low income parents how to use Apple computers that were donated for home use
  • Mac User Groups dedicated to HAM radio often participate in Field Day disaster readiness drills
  • Washington Apple Pi offers informal Clubhouse Saturdays for troubleshooting and technical questions
  • MUG ONE and many other groups offer lending libraries
  • The Houston Area Apple User Group runs popular swap meets
  • And creative pro groups, including SF Cutter‘s Lynetta Freeman, post job opportunities in the industry and the Creative Pro community supports film festivals and events, including SuperMeets.

And, that is just the start. Does your user group offer community services or outreach efforts?

Check these out.

https://www.facebook.com/Charlotte-Apple-Computer-Club-44836934410/

https://www.wap.org/community/

http://villagemug.com/

https://www.machamradio.com/

https://www.capmac.org/

http://mugone.com/blog/

https://haaug.org/

 

Special Offer Update – AgileBits 1Password 7: 25% Discount

Too many passwords to remember? 1Password 7 for Mac is a password manager that goes beyond simple password storage by integrating directly with your web browser to automatically log you into websites, enter credit card information, fill registration forms, and easily generate strong passwords.

As an Apple user group member, you are entitled to get the new 1Password service at 25% below the normal $3.99(US)/mo. retail price. This subscription also gets you access to 1Password, not only on the Mac, but also iOS (and Windows/Android as well).

Note that 1Password 7 for Mac is a monthly subscription service.

See your user group Ambassador for discount link.

This worldwide offer is ongoing.

Today at Apple: New Skills, Walks, and Labs

Have you visited Today at Apple recently? There are 50 new sessions on offer,
covering three categories: Skills, Walks, and Labs. In Skills sessions, you
will get familiar with the fundamental techniques and tools of a creative
topic. Labs dive deeper into a creative approach by getting you started on a
project that you can take further. Walks let you experiment with creative
techniques on a guided walk around the neighborhood,designed for all levels,
from beginner to seasoned pro.

Whether you want to learn how to sketch architecture, take the perfect photo
using professional techniques, make an app prototype, engage in a Sphero robot
challenge, or simply enhance your own creative skills, there is a session for
you!

https://www.apple.com/today/

Meeting Ideas: Today at Apple

Do you need a great presentation for a meeting? Why not have your members attend a Today at Apple, hands-on educational session? Not practical for a group gathering? Why not have one member attend, take notes and present the same topic at your next meeting. This month’s offerings include How To: Prototype an App Using Keynote, Sketch Walks: Architectural Sketching Techniques, and
Quick Start: Coding with Swift Playgrounds.  

Ambassadors: December is a great month to check out Today at Apple!

https://www.apple.com/today/

How To: Video Streaming Your Apple User Group Meeting

written by Tom Piper, Vendor Liaison

appleJAC Apple Users Group has been video streaming each of its meetings for most of 2018 with great success. This replaced prior digital recordings and CD/DVD distribution, which had limited success due to manual steps, overhead, cost and distribution.

We elected to use Facebook Live for the integration with our existing appleJAC Facebook page, with built-in notifications and the ease of reaching our audience.

Equipment requirements have been minimal, with our videographer utilizing an iPhone and tripod stand or light stand. An optional external battery ensures continued Live Broadcast for the entire two-hour meeting. Getting started with a Live Broadcast requires minimal steps, including a short introduction and a brief overview about what we will cover during the meeting. 

If you are a Facebook member, then the live video can be watched.

After the meeting, anyone can watch the stored meeting videos, without being a Facebook member. This has been very successful with 3-9 people watching live, and many more afterwards (both user group members and non-members).

Interested groups and members are welcome to view our meetings by going to facebook.com/appleJAC.org

Your feedback is most welcome.