Macstock 2017: Super User Group Meeting

 

Macstock 2017: Super User Group Meeting by Tom Piper

Macstock III was an independent 2-day conference for Apple enthusiasts of all experience levels held July 15-16, 2017, at the Luecht Conference Center in Building B of the main McHenry County College campus in Crystal Lake, IL. Its name originally came from nearby Woodstock, all of which is about an hour’s drive northwest of Chicago.

The conference design was to help us hear techniques from community-leading experts for getting the most from our Apple devices and apps, plus provide us a unique opportunity to engage other members of the Apple community from around the globe who also be visited Macstock. My son, Jason, and I met people from Washington, Cupertino, New York, Chicago, Florida, Tucson, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa and many other places. As Jason observed: “Literally everyone is wearing an Apple watch, and we are all comparing the variety of bands being worn.” (more…)

How-To: Apple Resources for User Group Meetings

by Rick Ortiz, Apple User Group Advisory Board Chair

Part of having a successful user group is having great content to present at meetings. Some groups are able to get guest speakers, products demonstrations, and even remote presentations. But for some groups that is not always logistically possible.  It is fortunate for user groups that Apple has made resources available that could benefit user groups. From Apple podcasts, to Today at Apple, to Apple Sales Web there are resources to create great meeting presentations. (more…)

Macstock2016: Mid-America’s Second Gathering of Apple Faithful


tompicBy Tom Piper, Vendor Liaison, Apple User Group Advisory Board

Woodstock, the home of Other World Computing, is a great town of about 25,000 people in northeast Illinois (not New York), just 51 miles northwest of Chicago (a metro area of over 9,500,000 residents). It was also the host for the second year running of Macstock2016 (macstockconferenceandexpo.com) on July 15-16, 2016, at nearby Luecht Conference Center at McHenry County College (a delightful and very comfortable venue).

This year’s event was a half day longer that the first Macstock in 2015 (at the same location). This extra time allowed for 18 knowledgeable presenters to share their experience in intensive 20-minute sessions, most using accompanying slideshows. The Saturday session topics included:

(more…)

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Southern Wisconsin Apple Group: Designing a Presentation in Keynote

One of my favorite user group newsletters, SWAGGER, is published by the Southern Wisconsin Apple Group (SWAG). While some groups are located near multiple software and hardware developers, making it easy to find monthly speakers, groups in the Midwest can find it a bit more challenging to provide timely and informative topics.

The folk at SWAG do this by offering topics that meet their local member’s needs, building community and sharing information with other groups in the area. Recent topics have included iTunes, iWork, Keynote, and, believe it or not, Windows 8, presented by a member of the Madison PC Users Group.

See how they do it in Madison.

http://madmacintosh.blogspot.com/

(Thanks to Membership Coordinator Richard Russell and Editor Holly McEntee for getting the word out about SWAG.)

Chicago Apple User Group: A Focus on Security

On Wednesday, May 1, the officers and members of the Chicago Apple User Group will host a speaker from internet security firm Intego via live video. Curious about malware? Want to know how to protect your digital devices from data loss? Interested in ways to protect, hide or destroy your personal information on demand? If you are near Chicago, this meeting will answer your questions and help you protect the information you hold dear.

Be there.

http://www.chicagoapple.org/

 

London Mac User Group: Apple TV Takes Center Stage

On July 9 officers and members of the London Mac User Group (LMUG) will meet at the Wood Pub near Marylebone Station for a special event. Along with the usual Q & A session and discussion of all things Mac, the group will have a presentation on Apple TV. Better yet, one lucky member will go home with an Apple TV. Good food, good brews and the best in Apple tech: who could ask for more?

Check out their MeetUp page.

http://www.meetup.com/London-Mac-User-Group/events/64697252/

Join the London Mac User Group.

http://www.lmug.org.uk/

 

Find a Group

PLEASE NOTE AS OF JULY 2023 OUR FIND A GROUP LOCATOR DATABASE IS GOING THROUGH AND UPDATE. WE WILL POST ANY INFORMATION ON OUR MAIN PAGE ONCE IT IS BACK UP AND RUNNING AGAIN. THANK YOU, UGAB TEAM (more…)

User Groups FAQ

If you’ve never heard of user groups, you probably have many questions. User groups offer benefits to everyone — for people who are new to computers, people who are veterans in the technology industry, and for everyone in between.
I’ve never heard of user groups. What are they?
User groups are organizations, created by people interested in sharing information about their computers and what they can accomplish with the help of digital technology. User groups are about the technology, but also about the friendships that result. Over 700 user groups worldwide have registered with Apple — some with fewer than 30 members, others with over 1,000.
What benefits do user groups offer?
User groups help members with technical questions, give honest advice on software selection, and provide a friendly environment where people can learn more about their computers. Many groups offer classes, one-on-one support, monthly meetings, an informative newsletter, member discounts, special interest groups, and of course, the inevitable camaraderie that all Mac users share. Larger groups offer extensive training programs, computer labs, and resource libraries.
What happens at user group meetings?
Meetings vary depending on the group and the evening. Many meetings will feature presenters from the technology industry. Group members also often present — either about technology or about an individual project such as a short movie. Most meetings include time for question and answer sessions as well as some social and networking activities. You can ask any question imaginable about your computer, easy or difficult, and get an immediate answer from a knowledgeable fellow user. Many meetings feature a raffle or other giveaways. User groups often receive software and merchandise donations from industry vendors, and most groups share these items with their members via the monthly raffle.
What else do user groups do?
User groups sometimes produce special events — training days, swap meets, gaming parties, computer shows, trivia contests, summer camps, picnics, and more. Groups will visit other locations, organizations, or events in the community such as libraries, book clubs, or fairs. Many user groups also initiate technology-related community service projects. They donate used computers to local charities and provide ongoing support, refurbish older computers for use in schools that don’t have the funds to buy new computers, or possibly donate equipment to the elderly and help them get started on the internet.
How are user groups organized?
User groups are independent organizations run by local volunteer Macintosh enthusiasts. Apple promotes and supports user groups, but the company does not own, manage, or direct them. They are not organized into a formal hierarchy; each operates independently. User group members usually elect officers — a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, meeting coordinator, newsletter editor, webmaster, and volunteer coordinator — who manage the day-to-day operations of the club.
Aren’t all user group members fanatics, freaks and geeks?
Most user group folks are regular people — accountants, doctors, lawyers, policemen, artists, consultants, airline pilots, clerks, caterers, businessmen, teachers, publishers, retired people, medical technicians, corporate executives, retail managers, students, musicians, firemen, writers, producers, editors, film makers, secretaries, web designers, and small business owners.
Why should I join a user group?
Joining gives you full access to all the benefits a group offers. Though membership offerings vary from group to group, you can look for a newsletter, personalized support, regular meetings, and a welcoming atmosphere. You’ll feel connected to the many other Mac users in your community. Check here for many more benefits.
What does it cost to join?
Membership prices vary from group to group. While some groups have no membership fee, most charge $10 – $60 a year to cover expenses. Check with your local group for more information.
Where can I get more information about user groups in my area?
Visit our online user group locator to find a group near you. You can search by state or zip code. To find groups outside the U.S., you can search by country. When the locator returns a list of groups, click on the ones that look interesting to learn more.
How do I give user groups a try?
Use the online locator to find a couple of groups near you. Look at their websites or newsletters to see what they offer. Email or call the group to get more information. Find out when the group meets and visit one of their monthly meetings. This is an excellent way to get to know the group. Introduce yourself to one of the group leaders and explain what you’re looking for. Chances are, they’ll know just where to find it.
I can’t attend meetings. Can user groups still help me?
Yes. Even if you don’t attend regular meetings, many user groups offer a variety of non-meeting resources which you’ll find beneficial. Top notch publications, specialized technical help, email discussion lists, and/or online message boards are examples of these resources. Joining an online-only user group is another option if you are comfortable using the Internet and unable to take advantage of a local user group presence.
I’m having trouble finding a user group in my area. Can you help?
If you have difficulty finding a group using the locator, send email tousergroups@apple.com with the following information:
Your name
Your country
Your city/state/province/zip code
Names of other cities in your area
Please be patient. We’ll respond as soon as possible.
Any other questions?
Check out the other question and answers.

I’ve never heard of user groups. What are they?
User groups are organizations created by people interested in sharing information about their computers and what they can accomplish with the help of digital technology. User groups are about the technology, but also about the friendships that result. Over 800 user groups worldwide have registered with Apple — some with fewer than 30 members, others with over 1,000.

What benefits do user groups offer?
User groups help members with technical questions, give honest advice on choosing software, hardware and peripherals, and provide a friendly environment where people can learn from each other. Many groups offer monthly meetings, an informative newsletter, member discounts, special interest groups, classes, one-on-one support, and of course, the camaraderie that Apple users share. Larger groups offer extensive training programs, computer labs, and resource libraries.

What happens at user group meetings?
Meetings vary depending on the group and the evening. Many meetings will feature presenters from the technology industry. Group members also often present — either about technology or about an individual project such as a video or podcast. Most meetings include time for question and answer sessions as well as some social and networking activities. You can ask any question about your computer, easy or difficult, and get an answer from a knowledgeable fellow user. Many meetings feature a raffle or other giveaways. User groups often receive software and merchandise donations from industry vendors, and most groups share these items with their members via a monthly raffle.

What else do user groups do?
User groups sometimes produce special events — training days, swap meets, computer shows, summer camps, picnics, and more. Groups will visit other locations, organizations, or events in the community such as libraries, book clubs, or fairs. Many user groups also initiate technology-related community service projects. They donate used computers to local charities and provide ongoing support, refurbish older computers for use in schools that don’t have the funds to buy new computers, or possibly donate equipment to the elderly and help them get started on the Internet.

How are user groups organized?
User groups are independent organizations run by local volunteer Apple enthusiasts. Apple promotes and supports user groups, but the company does not own, manage, or direct them. They are not organized into a formal hierarchy; each operates independently. User group members usually elect officers — a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, meeting coordinator, newsletter editor, webmaster, and volunteer coordinator — who manage the day-to-day operations of the group.

Why should I join a user group?
Joining gives you full access to all the benefits a group offers. Though membership offerings vary from group to group, you can look for a newsletter, personalized advice, regular meetings and a welcoming atmosphere. You’ll feel connected to the many other Apple users in your community.

What does it cost to join?
Membership prices vary from group to group. While some groups have no membership fee, most charge $10 – $40 a year to cover expenses. Check with your local group for more information.

Where can I get more information about user groups in my area?
Visit the Apple User Group Locator to find a group near you. For U.S. groups, you can search by state or zip code. To find groups outside the U.S., you can search by country. When the Locator returns a list of groups, click on the ones that look interesting to learn more.

How do I give user groups a try?
Use the online Locator to find a couple of groups near you. Look at their websites to see what they offer. Email or call the group to get more information. Find out when the group meets and visit one of their monthly meetings. This is an excellent way to get to know the group. Introduce yourself to one of the group leaders and explain what you’re looking for. Chances are, they’ll know just where to find it.

I can’t attend meetings. Can user groups still help me?
Yes. Even if you don’t attend regular meetings, many user groups offer a variety of non-meeting resources which you’ll find beneficial. Top-notch publications, specialized technical help, email discussion lists, and/or message boards are examples of these resources. Joining an online user group is another option if you don’t have a group nearby.

I’m having trouble finding a user group in my area. Can you help?
If you have difficulty finding a group using the Locator, send email to ugab@me.com with the following information:

  • Your name
  • Your country
  • Your city/state/province/zip code
  • Names of other cities in your area

Please be patient. We’ll respond as soon as possible.

Macstock 2019: Better Every Year

Macstock 2019 . . . Best Yet!

by Tom Piper

Macstock V on July 28-29, 2019, was the fifth annual gathering of Apple faithful at the Luecht Conference Center on the McHenry County College campus in Crystal Lake, IL (near Woodstock, an hour northwest of Chicago). With a theme of CREATE!, it had over 200 Apple advocates in attendance with people from California to Tucson to New York to England. There were 10 featured speakers and 5 special speakers with over 13 hours of content (including OWC demos).

(more…)