Info Manager for May 27, 2002

[*]  Interactive Streaming QuickTime;   [*]  Maine Student, Teacher iBooks, a report;   [*]  MacNews;   [*]  Mac Gaming;   [*]  Network Computing;   [*]  Apple CFP files to sell AAPL stock;   [*]  Another Expo tip;   [*]  Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Coming Closer Together ;   [*]  C & G User Group Store;   [*]  Save money on phone;   [*]  New Rules for iDisk and homepage users;   [*]  ConceptDraw Standard And Professional Updated**;   [*]  Creating cool packaging for CD Jewel Cases**;   [*]  Get lots of eMail?**;   [*]  DOD brushes off Microsoft**;   [*]  MUG Site of the Week: BMCC;   [*]  Web Site of the Week: The Fly Catcher;   [*]  Quotes of the Week: Dale Carnegie;   [*]  User Group Tip: Mix it up!;  
.

Interactive Streaming QuickTime

In an article entitled "Matrix Reloaded" trailer available exclusively in QT", Ron Carlson of Insanely Great Mac mentions as an after thought, an example of a good use of interactive streaming QuickTime.
The article is at: http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=431 The streaming example is at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/hitest.html

.

Maine Student, Teacher iBooks, a report

Ron also has a story dealing with the acceptance of iBooks in a pilot school in Maine. The story actually is from the Lewiston, Maine's Sun Journal. And he pulls several quotes from the story. The IGM story is at: http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=437

.

MacNews

There is now another web site for Mac news. The layout of the site is attractive, but I question whether it will draw many readers with MacSurfer.com doing such a good job. See it at: http://www.macnews.com/

.

Mac Gaming

IGN who has covered various gaming platforms for 6 years has finally added a Mac channel. So, this is a new way to keep up with the Mac gaming news. See it at: http://mac.ign.com/

.

Network Computing

According to Dennis Sellers at MacCentral, the Decryptathon project which is trying to discover a "cure" for muscular dystrophy. The 2003 project will be available for Macs as well as PCs. Meanwhile, over at Folding@Home, a medical research project on protein folding is going on. This is a project you can get into today. There are a number of Mac teams already formed. Check it out at: http://folding.stanford.edu/

.

Apple CFP files to sell AAPL stock

Reuters is reporting that Apple CFO Fred Anderson has filed to sell more of his AAPL holdings this week on Monday. Since April 22nd, Apple execs have filed to sell shares of the company on 11 different occasions, counting this latest filing. SEC regulations require executives of publicly held companies to file all stock transactions involving stock of the company for whom they work. The Reuters report says that Mr. Anderson's latest filing is for stock worth some US$6 million. Mr. Anderson has filed to sell some 359,332 shares of Apple stock since April 23rd of this year, not including this latest filing. (This report via the InfoManager Input Box.) Full story at: http://www.macobserver.com/stockwatch/2002/05/21.1.shtml

.

Another Expo tip

One suggestion I got for cutting costs at Expo, also came via the InfoManger Input Box. It was simply: "Pack a lunch".
The writer said that "Last year I had my sandwich kit, fruit & water bottle in a daypack: as I consumed the contents throughout the day, I made room for the chatchkas I picked up."
     The writer goes on to point out, that if you don't live nearby, then pick up food from the street vendors. Much cheaper than paying Javits prices. Fruit, granola bars and water bottles are ideal. Thanks Jan Post your tips and suggestions at: http://www.user-groups.net/InfoManager/INFO.html

.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Coming Closer Together

MBusiness is running an article with the above title. It seems that the two technologies actually bump against each other a lot, so companies are working to stop it.
     For example, Silicon Wave just announced that it's going to support the FCC's new program called: Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH) to keep the two from interfering with each other. Since Apple has announce support for Bluetooth along with Airport, this could be an important development for us Mac users. Full story at: http://www.mbusinessdaily.com/story/news/MBZ20020522S0002

.

C & G User Group Store

The C&G User Group Store offers user group members discounts of up to 50% off on Casady & Greene's products. Be sure to register your group at C&G's special user group website, so that your members can take advantage of offers like Glider Pro for Mac OS X for $14.95. Check the C&G User Group Store often for special user group promotions and holiday offers. ... http://ug.casadyg.com/

.

Save money on phone

In light of the MacWorld Expo savings tip, thought I would offer another savings, this time on your telephone bill. The Chicago Tribute has an article on how to save. It doesn't promote any particular company so check it out at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/showcase/chi-020510phonebills.story

.

New Rules for iDisk and homepage users

Apparently homepage.mac.com has some people getting a lot of hits. According to Ron Carlson at IGM, Apple has started to get strict on its use as a download site. From the iTools post master:
     "Apple has recently implemented bandwidth limitations on iTools HomePages. If an iTools user's website receives more than 500 hits in a six-hour period, the user is limited to roughly two times their iDisk capacity of data throughput in that six-hour period."
[Editor's Note: interesting development. UGNN Editors predicted early on that the open use of iTools would eventually be restricted. While Apple is reluctant to release actual user statistics beyond the hype, if the Mac using community really took advantage of iTools (as they should,) Apple would be faced with a serious bandwidth expense. Eventually you'll probably see Apple's 'free' web services become 'pay' services. ] Full story at: http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=459

.

ConceptDraw Standard And Professional Updated**

From the AACUG field correspondent I got the following:
Computer Systems Odessa Corp. today shipped version 1.8 of its award-winning ConceptDraw Standard and Professional applications, providing with built-in XML for ConceptDraw. Powerful graphics editor and export capabilities of the latest version have been extended by the open format support, which offers enhanced data exchange opportunities and makes ConceptDraw a platform for developers.
     CS-Odessa current users find that they dramatically reduce the time and effort spent on creating and sharing their diagramming and flowcharting projects with the help of ConceptDraw product family.
     The updates are free for registered users, while the full version of ConceptDraw Professional is available for US$249.00, and the Standard version is US$125.00. http://www.conceptdraw.com/en/resources/18xload.php

.

Creating cool packaging for CD Jewel Cases**

If you have ever tried to use NEATO or even a basic drawing program to do labels and jewel box covers, you know how hard it is. JewelCaseIllustrator 1.0.1 takes a lot of the work out of the project. For example you can just drop a directory window on one of its prefab layout windows and it will create a file listing. A good buy for $25. See it at: http://www.blueline-studios.com/jcMain.html

.

Get lots of eMail?**

Here is one that I want to try out. I am getting 75+ emails a day at home on my Mac and 100+ on my PC at work. The new version of Magellan Pro is designed to handle large email quantities. The new version has browsing support and an improved spam dictionary. It also has a history and bookmark feature similar to a web browsler. Magellan Pro 1.3 is free for registerd users and the full version is $79. (US) More info at: http://www.makienterprise.com/magellanpro/magellanpro.html

.

DOD brushes off Microsoft**

An interesting story in The Washington Post yesterday is reporting that Microsoft has been aggressively campaigning against the use of Open Source software at the Pentagon.
     According to the Post, military sources who described Microsoft's contacts as a "barage," with the emphasis of those contacts being on security concerns and the idea that Open Source is a threat to intellectual property.
Ha, ha. ... (quoting:)
     "May 10 report prepared for the Defense Department concluded that open source often results in more secure, less expensive applications and that, if anything, its use should be expanded."
     . . . but alas, DOD is not listening to MS. They've now prohibited all purchasing of any software that has not undergone security testing by the NSA! We doubt any MS product will pass that test. Full atory at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60050-2002May22.html

.

MUG Site of the Week: BMCC

From the homepage: "The Boise Macintosh Computer club ("BoiseMacs", for short) is the Treasure Valley's local user's group for owners and users of Apple computers, the Macintosh Operating System, and Mac clones. Our members include graphics professionals, teachers, small business owners, technical support persons, and folks who just bought their first computer. "
     From their meeting news, it appears that they are covering various topics in their monthly meeting. I especially like their "pizza" meetings. I think that would be a great way for a group to discuss what needs to be done at future meetings. Also I like their MUG store. Easy to setup with a logo design. Check them out at: http://www.boisemacs.com/

.

Web Site of the Week: The Fly Catcher

Another fun site this week. It is a Fly eating web site. Click your cursor on the belly to see this thing go at http://www.webforwards.com/fly_eatin.swf

.

Quotes of the Week: Dale Carnegie

"Wisdom begins in wonder."
     Socrates

"All you have shall some day be given;
Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors."
     - Kahlil Gibran

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people
who have kept on trying when
there seemed to be no hope at all.."
     - Dale Carnegie
Got a favorite quote? Share it with InfoManager Readers: http://www.user-groups.net/InfoManager/INFO.html

.

User Group Tip: Mix it up!

That is, don't let the group concentrate on only Beginners or only "pros".
     It is important that we don't continually talk over the head of the new Mac user, but it is also good to let the new Mac user know that these machines can be used for more than e-mail.
     I am hearing from members that we are concentrating to much on vendor presentations for our main meetings. We had thought we had covered the beginners in SIGs. (We have one that is a classroom type setting to teach MacOS 9 and one that is a Help/Beginners SIG that is more of a Q&A format.) But obviously the newer members don't feel like that is sufficient.
     Perhaps an instructional program on using AppleWorks, Stuffit Expander & DropStuff or iTunes or even just what are graphic file formats and sound file formats and how to use them.
     New users won't stick around if they do not get benefit from the meetings and they won't stick around if they feel like all their questions have been answered. It is a continuous balancing act.
     How does your group do in this area? Any suggestions? http://www.user-groups.net/InfoManager/INFO.html

.

News and Info you can use...

The Info Manager invites user groups to use his column in full or in pieces in their newsletter. He would appreciate word that you are doing so however and if you can, please send a pdf version of the newsletter for his perusal. Or just provide him with the link. Use this address: Infomanager@user-groups.net or... our online Information form

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.

Subscribe to Info@lists.user-groups.net
send a "simple" email to: Subscribe to MUG InfoManager, or go to
http://www.user-groups.net/UGCommunity/subscribe.html for full details!

Article Reprints -- User Group Network Affiliates may reprint articles as long as full credit is given. Other Non-profit or non-commercial publications should contact us. The UGNN cannot guarantee accuracy or timeliness of articles. Many have been forwarded to us by field correspondents, or press release services. All care is taken to assure the accuracy of URLs and email addresses. Some items may be 30 to 60 days old. The User Group Network is an affiliate of the News-Serve Network - All commercial names herein, including publication, product, and company names are assumed to be the registered trademarks of their companies. UGN, UGNN, UGNet News, UG Idea Exchange, are all trademarks for The User Group Network, copyright 2002, all rights reserved. Copyright 2002, The User Group Network, http://www.user-groups.net/News-Service.