It seems like spring is bringing stirrings in the NW. We've had a great month with a lot happening.
Welcome to the newest MUG in the NW
First, I'd like to give a big welcome to the newest MUG in the NW. Actually, they're located in the NW corner of California, but with being just 10 miles or so from OR, it's hard not to claim them as part of the NW. The Redwood Coast Mac User Group in Crescent City has been meeting for almost 6 months, and now with a good group of members, they're off and running & newly listed in the locator. It was their logo that helped me catch Ron on the Expo floor on Friday after we had missed each other in the UG lounge during Macworld.
PMUG announces MacCamp
PMUG has announced their spring MacCamp, scheduled for April 16 to 18. This is a great way to combine the best of the best - take your Mac to the beautiful Cascades Oregon for the weekend & spend time with other Mac users learning how to enjoy your Mac better.
Time to grab the umbellas and head out into the Oregon rain forrest for a little camping. Very little as it usually turns out. PMUG presents it's twice yearly adventure of Macing in the woods. MacCamp is a weekend retreat for User Group members that includes classes, recreation, networking, and social activities. MacCamps happen in April and October. The next Camp is April 16-18, 2004.
You need to bring your own computer and applications. The instructors will have demo copies of programs if they are provided from the companies. PMUG will do its best to get you on the network, however we cannot provide that service for everyone due to equipment and System requirements.
This event is held at Silver Falls State Park, 35 miles out of Salem, Oregon. The cost of Camp includes meals and lodging: Friday dinnner (4:00pm sign in), Saturday all meals, Sunday breakfast and lunch (ends about 2:00pm). Note: there are two people to a room; anyone requiring a single room will be charged for two spaces. This is a nonprofit event and it breaks even or makes/loses a small amount of money.
You must be an active member of a Macintosh User Group at the time of application, proof of membership is required. You can join PMUG if you are not a user group member at this time.
Kids under 14 must be with an adult who is a parent or guardian. Kids age 14 to 18 must have a signed letter from their parents. We have all ages at Camp from 14 to 80.
Go to the PMUG web site for more info, and a PDF with full class descriptions & an application.
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dBUG expands & grows!
dBUG is one of the larger groups in the NW. They hold their meetings within the first week of the month, and here's the latest news from them this month.
If you're a dBUG member and have not visited dBUG's online community "The ExChange", you owe it to yourself to come to Tim Hannon's Mac User SIG meeting on Monday, March 1st. The dBUG ExChange is a system of virtual conferences where you can read and write about any Macintosh related topic, get quick help for your Macintosh, converse with other dBUG members, etc. It is also the software you use to send and receive e-mail from your dBUG e-mail account. You are really missing out on an excellent dBUG resource if you are not using the ExChange. Tim can get you up and running in the click of a mouse!
After the record breaking attendance at last month's Digital Video SIG meeting, Gordon Modin has big plans for the meeting this month. On Thursday, March 4th, Gordon will be showing off Apple's DVD Studio Pro 2. Learn how to use this powerful piece of software to create your own fully functioning DVD, including a motion menu! Don't get left on the cutting room floor, head to the dBUG Resource Center to see what's what.
JoMacs announces "Bugsy's Bench"
At their meeting last week, JoMacs announced their new online forum where their virtual guru, Bugsy, will take up residence. This will give members a place to meet and mingle, ask questions & share info in between meetings. The forum is scheduled to go live within the month.
Their "Call a Guru" program is also off and running. Members have stepped forward to be guru's in a number of different lines of Mac related things, which gives a great opportunity for networking and sharing.
Housecleaning is good!
February brought with it some major house cleaning for my email inbox & a reorganization of the way I store communications with my group. I realized while doing the cleaning that I have heard from almost all the MUGs in the NW throughout the last year, which is great! It's always great to hear what's happening with groups around the area - it's all part of sharing the MUG Bug!
Many groups have put me on their mailing list so I automatically get their meeting announcements, this keeps me in tune not only with what's happening, but gives me a chance to pass the info along so more can benefit.
I'm looking forward to getting acquainted with more MUG folks at MacCamp. This year I'll be attending, and actually helping out with a couple classes. For anyone looking for a great way to get a weekend "vacation", head to Oregon for MacCamp!
Cheers!
Chris Kiltz
NW Regional Liaison
Apple User Group Program
"Catch the MUG BUG, get involved!"
