Info Manager for April 1, 2002

[*]  Why students like Macs;   [*]  Computer Prices Rise;   [*]  Do you know a former PC owner that is now doing Mac?;   [*]  Summer Job;   [*]  Acrobat for Palm;   [*]  LCD iMac touchscreen;   [*]  Access Google from any application;   [*]  Apple cuts off 15 year old developer;   [*]  iBook Battery;   [*]  Wireless to Bluetooth;   [*]  Mac vs PC;   [*]  PrintmiX;   [*]  Vendor of the Month (VOM) - Peachpit Press;   [*]  User Group Site of the Week: Washington Apple Pi;   [*]  Web site of the Week: The Living Internet;   [*]  New York MacWorld Expo (July 15 to 19);   [*]  Quote of the week #1: Aristotle;   [*]  Quote of the week #2: Michael Humberstone;  
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Why students like Macs

A member of the MacWoburn mailing list sent in this photo. While this certainly appears to appeal to the college student, I think it is a horrible thing to do to a G3. Check it out at: http://homepage.mac.com/icruise1/.Pictures/

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Computer Prices Rise

As you know, Apple announced price raises on all their current line up of G4 iMacs at the Tokyo MacWorld. Well, now Remy Davison of Insanely Great Mac is reporting that isn't just Apple. In fact, according to the story (taken from CBS Marketwatch) other computer companies are increasing their prices by a greater percentage and dollar amound. Some of the companies by as much as 20% or $300. See the IGM story at: See the IGM story at: http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=183

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Do you know a former PC owner that is now doing Mac?

Apple is looking for those people to see if they can determine what prompted them to make the switch. They would even like to hear from PC users who are seriously thinking about making the change. While I don't think there is any payment for expressing their views, they would be doing all of us a great service. While my first notice of this came from IGM, Garr also made the request via an e-mail to user group leaders.

More importantly, do you know anyone who has moved form MAC to PC! This information would be by far more interesting the migrating from PC to Mac. We already know the answers to those --- but why someone would drop the Mac in favor of a PC? Here's the original article http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=187

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Summer Job

The MacEvangelist (Classic) posted a message from three northeast US summer camps that are seeking Macintosh based computer instructors. They are to supervise computer labs of 15-75 workstations with 7 to 17 year old students.
They require knowledge of Mac OS 9 & X, basic programming, Internet navigating and some knowledge of major graphic and desktop publishing or databases.
* Contact the following for more details:
__ Larry Siegel or Beth SchaeferUnited Camp Association
__ PO Box 770100, Coral Springs FL 33077-0100
__ 1-800-634-1703.
__ Email admin@frenchwoods.com click here to send email: mailto:admin@frenchwoods.com

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Acrobat for Palm

My nephew David, sent me this information for the TechRepublic Palm Newsletter:
"NEW FREEBIE: Adobe software has released a public beta of Adobe Acrobat Reader for the Palm OS 2.0. Unlike version 1.0, the Acrobat Reader 2.0 beta offers support for Macintosh users, including those running Mac OS 10.1 in classic mode, as well as support for color handheld displays and the ability to read secured PDFs.

As with all beta software, Adobe doesn't offer product support for the software and advises users to employ the software at their own risk on noncritical systems. It's free to download the 2.0 beta from Adobe, but you will have to fill out a user registration form." Get the software at: http://clickthru.online.com/Click?q=8c-Ld7aQ6JEHM_lvJ5VT8YQ_nX2ENcR

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LCD iMac touchscreen

Ron Carlson of Insanely Great Mac is reporting that Troll Touch has released a touch screen system for Apple's latest imac. (The G4 "Luxo") This sounds like a really cool way to get rid of some of the wires surrounding this great looking device. Full story at: http://www.insanely-great.com/ Full details at: http://www.trolltouch.com/

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Access Google from any application

MacMinute.com made the above announcement concerning SearchGoogle an OSX application that allows users to select text in any application and then launch a search for that text in Google with a single keystroke. Insanely Great Mac also had a story about it, but failed to mention that it was an OSX only product. There is a product for earlier systems, called GooSearch. I haven't been able to determine if they are related. Search Google is available at: http://gu.st/proj/SearchGoogle.html

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Apple cuts off 15 year old developer

Apple's developer group requires that all members be 18 years old to cover some legal issues. Recently they discovered that a 15 year old boy had sneaked in and canceled his account. It is giving the boy some great publicity and making Apple look bad. Wired has the story at: http://www.wired.com/news/school/0,1383,51343,00.html

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iBook Battery

Henry Norr recently wrote an article in the San Diego Union Tribune about finding a battery for his older colored iBook. To summarize, dealers don't have any that are working. Apple has discontinued them at retail because of lack of demand. His final solution: "Order a replacement battery directly from Apple Service by calling (800) 275-2273. If you return your old battery, the new one will cost you $129, the same as the old retail price. If not, the new one will cost you $193.50." I don't have a link, because I got this from Dow Jones Interactive and it is a closed system.

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Wireless to Bluetooth

As I was getting this ready to send out, Bill Austin sent the UG Talk mail list a Press Release concerning D-Link and how it is now selling a USB Wirless adapter for macs. It will enable any Mac with a USB port to connect to other Bluetooth devices, such as printers, PDAs, cell phones and digital cameras. Sounds cool, and while I think WiFi is a better option for most wireless connections, it is nice that Bluetooth is gaining such support in the Mac community. (Thanks Bill) Product info at: http://www.d-link.com/products/

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Mac vs PC

Dr. Mac has talked about his neighbor before. They guy who saw what Bob could do with his iMac and iMovie and went out and bought a Dell and fixed it up to do movies. 18 months later he still hadn't produced anything. So Bob loaned him a G4 iMac, a camcorder and let him try his hand at producing multimedia on that machine. The story once again makes me want to upgrade. See his story at: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/tech/weekly/1321849

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PrintmiX

Ron Carlson pointed out in an Insanely Great Mac article this new software that will enable iPhoto users to print out multiple photos on a single page. Certainly a niche product, but so useful and needed. Full story at: http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=214

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Vendor of the Month (VOM) - Peachpit Press

I have dealt with Peachpit Press over the last 10 years or so at three different user groups. They have always done well by my group. They offer a 40% discount to user groups and members who order eleven books at once. (Plus a small shipping charge). For less than eleven books, they offer a 20% discount.

They also offer copies for review and door prizes. Contact Alexa Smith at: alexa@peachpit.com
New Books:
__ - Real World Adobe Illustrator 10
__ - Real World QuarkXPress 5
__ - Adobe Photoshop Elements One-Click Wow!
__ - Certified Macromedia Dreamweaver 4 Developer Study Guide
__ - New Visual QuickStart Guides Visit Peachpit at: http://www.peachpit.com/

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User Group Site of the Week: Washington Apple Pi

Washington Apple Pi - I belonged to this group a couple of times. The first was when I first became active with user groups and lived in Honolulu. That's right I joined them from about 6,000 miles away. They had and still have one of the best user group newsletters in the country. They also have several satellite groups called Slices of the Pi. And have a BBS service. They now also publish a shareware CD-ROM several times a year and make it available to non-members as well as members. While I lived in the DC area, I never got real involved with the group as my career took much of my spare time. However I did attend many regular meetings and even went to their Excel SIG. They are one of the oldest Apple user groups in the country having started in 1978. See them at: http://www.wap.org/

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Web site of the Week: The Living Internet

Once again, The TourBus has found a keeper. This site tells you everything you need, want or desire to know about the Internet. Over 2000 links internally and over 2000 links to other web sites. Check it out at: http://livinginternet.com/

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New York MacWorld Expo (July 15 to 19)

Apple announced several MacWorld Expo New York related specials
* Special Limited Time Offer On Macworld Expo Registration
__ The User Group Advisory Board, in association with Macworld Expo, is pleased to announce two very special opportunities for User Group members to attend Macworld Conference and Expo in New York for free, or for a substantial savings, depending on the conference package you choose.
__ MUG mebmers register for a free Exhibit Hall pass ($35 value), or get 15% off all conference packages. Available only to User Group members using the User Group Priority Code.
__ Register at: http://www.macworldexpo.com Use Priority Code: Available from any user group leader
* User Group University
__ Apple's User Group Advisory Board will again be offering User Group University New York, a one day conference for Apple user group leaders. User Group University will take place on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 at the New Yorker Hotel (481 Eighth Ave @ 34th Street). Details will follow, just mark your calendar for UGU.
* Special Room Rates
__ Once again Carmela has set us up with special rates at the New Yorker Hotel. Must make reservations by June 14. (Probably the sooner the better.)Room rates are: $129 for one or two. $149 for three.
__ You MUST call the hotel reservation desk, specify "inhouse reservations" and ask for the CZ Productions/Macworld room block to get these rates. Reservations must be made by June 14, 2002. The New Yorker Hotel reservation telephone number is 212-971-0101. Their website is located at: http://www.newyorkerhotel.com

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Quote of the week #1: Aristotle

"We become what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not a single act but a habit!"

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Quote of the week #2: Michael Humberstone

" A change in your thinking will change your situation
And that will change the way you see your world."

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News and Info you can use...

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The Info Manager is a veteran of the UGN (AOL User Groups Forum) and User Group Network. He's been a supporter and volunteer on many, many UGNet and User Group Academy projects. As a long time user group member, he's served as volunteer from Honolulu to Boston and many points in between. Currently working with the Apple Corp of Dallas, the Dallas Mac Pack, Cowtown MUG of Ft. Worth and TUMS (the Tulsa Users of Macintosh Society) doing newsletter articles and the monthly CD-ROM Update. Post a lead Info Manager should follow up on.

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