Chris Kiltz Apple Regional Liaison: Northwest United States September 2003

Hi,

Here's the latest news in the region:

Events that took place in July:

From the Northwest Apple Pickers (Lakewood WA)
Our July general meeting was full of fun and interaction by the two dozen people present-- two visitors. We had a quiz on OSX and preX. The group was pretty evenly divided by those who use OSX and those with OS9 and 8. We divided into three groups. Group A had the question, Group B had the answers for OS9 & 8 and Group C had the answers for OSX. We were left to talk among ourselves and find the ones that matched our part. This worked well to get people talking. Then we went around the room and discussed each of the topics. It was fun and everyone learned something they didn't know before.

The second half of our meeting was a program by Stewart Beels in choosing a digital camera. He had a large board with examples from four different digital cameras, including one digital camcorder. We talked about the number of pixels, optics, size of storage disks, batteries, uses and much more. This was the first part of a two part program in choosing and using a digital camera. We all participated with questions, solutions, and experiences which made the program very revelant.

From JoMacs (Grants Pass OR)
JoMacs is "homeless" during the summer since they meet at the local highschool, but that didn't damper the events. If anything, it has lead to a need to do something different & fun. This year they held their second annual open house - renamed "Rogue Valley Mac Expo". The name itself brought an air of excitement to the valley since there's never been a "Mac" expo. Turnout was excellent for the day with 150 people in attendance (including member volunteers). This number triples last years numbers during the first open house. There's a full report at the JoMacs website, along with pictures in their Photo Gallery. http://www.jomacs.org/article.php?article_id=11 (link to the photo gallery at the bottom of the page).

Coming Up in the Near Future

From COMUG (Bend OR)
COMUG is having our annual COMUG picnic August 20th at Darren Hess's house in Bend OR at 6:30 pm. All members and friends of MACs are invited just let us know if you are coming so we are adequately prepared with enough food and sodas. There's a map to Darren's house at: http://comug.org

From dBUG (Seattle WA)
dBUG's annual picnic for members, guests and other Mac lovers is set for August 13th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m, at the wonderful Meridian Playfield in Wallingford (west of the University District in Seattle). There will be an exotic T-shirt contest with great prizes. Information about Meridian Playfield:
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/parkspaces/meridian.htm

Also, for those in the Seattle area:
Starting September first, dBUG's Resource Center will move to a brand new location. Check out the dBUG Web site for more information. http://www.dbug.org/

Events a Little Farther Down the Road

Raincoast 10th Annual Event (Tacoma WA) October 10 thru 12
Raincoast is happening. This event started as a PC only event, and has grown into a PC/Mac gathering of MUGs. For more information on the event, visit their website.
http://www.raincoast.info

You Don't Know Mac 5th Annual Event (Oregon)
November 1 is the day & the Seven Feathers Resort in Canyonville is the place for the statewide Mac Trivia Event. Enjoy the history, bone up on trivia, and get ready to attend. An exhilarating trivia contest where even the crowd has a chance to win, a vendor hall giving MUG members & visitors a chance to meet face to face with vendors who support the MUG world. And, a leadership conference where MUG leaders have a chance to network face to face, share problems, solutions and success stories. Stay tuned for more. http://homepage.mac.com/ydkm/

Don't forget that your newsbits are important. No matter what - a picnic, special meeting presentation, or big event - it gives Apple a picture of what's happening - that MUGs are alive & active. Please send your wrap up of an event that has happened, or newsbit of a coming event by the end of the month.

Cheers & Happy "MUGGING"

Chris Kiltz
NW Regional Liaison