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User Group News Bulletin
April Featured Vendor: RollingSquare
During Tom’s visit to CES, he met with RollingSquare, a Swiss company that calls themselves tech minimalists. Why? They focus on creating products that meet real-world needs, with an attention to high-end design, functionality, and premium quality. So, their products are beautiful, natural, and easy to use.
And, their offerings are truly useful. From their keyring form factor TAU® emergency power bank that charges multiple devices (Lightning, Micro USB, USB-C), to their popular inCharge® multi-function cables, their fast-charging GaN chargers, HYPHEN® 2 ear buds, NAKEY cases (for people who hate cases), and their new Edge mount kit and accessories, each product is aesthetically pleasing and functionally excellent.
Better yet, RollingSquare is offering a limited-time discount to user group members. Check out this month’s offers for full details.
AWUGU Meeting Report about Benefits of AUG Membership by Tom Piper, Coordinator
This Apple World User Group University (AWUGU) online gathering of Apple user group leaders was held at 5:00pm CDST, on April 17, 2023, via Zoom. We had 42 participants for Benefits of AUG Membership. The 85-minute video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/I8NaHQeKPzs (unlisted on YouTube).
This session opened with my welcome, plus a quick review of the meeting protocols. This was followed by a belated Artificial Intelligence presentation about AI for the Heart Human by Marie-fazia Boughenou (Hyper Pomme Paris) whose slideshow can be found in the AWUGU shared folder (see link below).
The first presentation was about ChatGPT’s view of AUG benefits by me (appleJAC User Group) showing five important advantages of membership. This was followed by individual AUG perspectives provided by George Rubin (retired NMUG President) and Eckart Goette (current NMUG President), Ann McKay and Hope Tillman (Apple Charlestown User Group), Nicholas Smith (National Capital Apple Mac Users Group), Dale Stephen (Mac-in-Awe Apple Users Group), Marty Welter (Central Wisconsin Apple User Group), Steve Welsh (The Oregon MacPioneers User Group), Bob Wood (Tucson Macintosh Users Group), Susan Jensen (The Apple Users Society of Melbourne), and others. There was also a brief discussion about succession planning and difficulties accessing the AWUGU iCloud folder (now fixed).
AUG invitations were also offered by Dale Stephen when on May 10 their two Mid-Michigan Mac clubs will host a presentation by 1Password and Janet & Charles DeVore when on Portland Macintosh Users Group of Oregon will be hosting their April 22-23 MacCamp. read more…
Apple and Earth Day 2023: Making a Difference
Did you know that Apple is already carbon neutral across their corporate operations and are on the way to making all Apple products carbon neutral products by 2030? You may think that you are aware of the many innovative products that came from Apple research, but did you know that Apple invented a line of disassembly robots (first Liam, now Daisy)? And, in 2022, Apple significantly expanded its use of key recycled metals. The results? Apple now sources over two-thirds of all aluminum, nearly three-quarters of all rare earths, and more than 95 percent of all tungsten in Apple products from 100 percent recycled material.
Helping the Community: CMUG’s Wonderful Charity Donations
Chris Kent, former CMUG President, and Steve Welsh, founder and President of the Oregon MacPioneers User Group, and past member of Apple’s User Group Advisory Board recently shared interesting news about the Corvallis Macintosh Users Group (CMUG). The group has been around since 1984 and recently disbanded. In accord with their bylaws, the group’s remaining funds were used to benefit charity. The group decided to purchase Apple hardware that would benefit selected charitable organizations in the Corvallis area. Better yet, board members and the donation committee met with the organizations to learn what would be the most beneficial for each group. In doing so, they made a real difference in their community.
CMUG gave ARC of Benton County 2 MacBook Air laptops, 3 iPads, 2 AirPods, and one Square Register Kit. Jackson Street Youth Services received 7 MacBook Air laptops, and the Old Mill Center for Children and Families were given 18 iPads (and one of the 21″ monitors that were in CMUG’s meeting equipment)
Wow!
It is sad to see a group sunset, but, as Steve Welsh said, “this is how you do it when you are a community Apple Users Group”
(Thanks to Steve Welsh, Mouse Tracks [The Journal of the Portland Macintosh Users Group], and Chris Kent for this news tip.)
AWUGU Meeting Report about AUGs and ChatGPT
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…
Meeting Topics: How to clean your Apple products
Need a timely meeting topic?
Your members may be newly interested in ways to clean their devices, and Apple has the answer. Be sure to check out Apple Support’s How to clean your Apple products page. From using safe products to the right techniques, your members can learn how to clean and disinfect notebooks, desktops, iOS devices, peripherals, accessories, cases, and more.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172
Ambassadors, April is a great time to use Apple Support articles.
News to Use: Apple Shop With a Specialist
Wondering which iPhone is best for individual member’s needs? Apple has a new service for US buyers, named Shop With a Specialist. The service is an interesting one, in that the customer can see the specialist, via a safe and secure, one-way video shopping session. The specialist can help visitors compare the latest iPhone models (including the new yellow ones), explore new features, and learn about Apple Trade In offers, carrier deals, switching to iOS, and various financing options. The specialists can also discuss add ons and accessories.
Think of it as a Genius Bar for iPhone purchases right in your browser.
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:
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.
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.
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!)
