MacVoices

This bonus-length show features three interviews with major players in the Macintosh industry who are either starting or extending their support for Macintosh User Groups, a MUG that is making the transition to MacOS X a multi-meeting topic, iLife ’04 resouces, and an invitation to play MUG Web Site Roulette.

Jim Dalrymple of MacCentral and Macworld.com discusses his involvement with both sites, his views on user groups and why he opts to cover their events, his experiences with his daughter in building a web site, and his personal offer of a brand new web option for user groups to promote their event.

Dan de Grandpre from dealmac tells us about the history of the site and how it has expanded over the years. Dan announces a tour of Macintosh User Groups, and provides details on how to invite him to your group.

Adam Engst of TidBITS spends time with us talking about the “Take Control” series of electronics books, why they are trendsetting in their use of the PDF file format, how they could be used as the basis for MUG meeting topics, and a new offer that not only extends a discount to all MUG members, and will get copies to user groups for review or raffle.

Lyle Turner of the Serious Macintosh Users Group profiles his group, their series of MacOS X transition meetings, how they decided what topics were important to cover, and in what order, and some of the resources they are using to plan the meetings.

Our first show of 2004 starts with an exclusive story of impromptu user group support of at Mac vendor at Expo, a visit with the groups exhibiting in the User Group Booth and a Chicago MUG meeting at the Apple Store. New vendor deals are spotlighted, we wrap up Macworld Expo and look at what’s coming for MUGs in the weeks ahead.

Elizabeth Statmore of Circus Ponies talks about supporting User Group University, reports on their success at Macworld Expo, and how user groups provided some unexpected support and encouragement following one of the demos at Steve Jobs’ keynote.

Joe Fergesun from The Rest of Us profiles his group and talks about how his group developed a relationship that allows them to meet at The Apple Store in Chicago.

Jim Sims of TechieTours has a unique offer for user group members: Photoshop and MacOS X training, along with with a vacation package, on the island of Malta for 20% off. Get the details, and find out why Jim’s prior positive experience with user groups led him to make this offer.

The User Group Booth at Macworld Expo featured a different set of user groups each day. On Friday, we got the flavor of the Booth by talking to:

• Ronnie Roche of the North Coast Macintosh Users Group
• Brenda Boswell of the Diablo Valley Macintosh Users Group
• Steve Davis & Chris Saribay of the Maui Apple Users Society
• Sarah Caroll and Jean Serious of PlanetMUG

We review all of the user group events at Macworld Expo, cover the involvement of Adobe in those events, talk to a User Group University presenter, get the year’s last set of vendor deals for MUGs, and look back at user groups in 2003.

Terry White of MacGroup-Detroit and Adobe talks with both hats on about his user group web site review at User Group University, and then covers Adobe’s activities at Expo, including the Adobe User Group Breakfast.

Members of the Macworld/User Group University Planning Team take time out from a meeting to review what they’ve been up to over the past few months, and how you can enjoy the fruits of their labor at both UGU and Expo.

The user group events at Macworld Expo, as well as User Group University take center stage, with a focus on the UGU Keynote, the sponsor group that helps make it all possible, an update on the content, and a special announcement about the Adobe User Group Breakfast.

Christopher Breen, Contributing Editor for Macworld magazine and author of Peachpit Press’ Secrets of the iPod (3ed edition) and Mac 911, and the User Group University keynote speaker, talks about the top-secret title of his User Group University keynote address, why he’s excited to be doing it, and where else you can hear him present at Expo.

Ronnie Roche, President of the North Coast Macintosh Users Group, outlines why her group takes such an active role in the user group community, including being the host group for User Group University, and the User Group Lounge, as well as acting as the anchor group for the User Group Booth.

Trish Huffman of the Macworld/User Group University Planning Team reveals the sessions and presenters for User Group University, and discusses why, with such a distinguished faculty and varity of sessions, this is the best UGU yet!

Women in the Macintosh User Group community are discussed by two of our guests, as well as lots of User Group University and Macworld Expo news and event information, vendor deals, and a busy MUG Event Calendar.

Nyx Wolfwalker of Macintosh Sisters talks about why a Macintosh User Group directed at women is needed in today’s environment, what they offer, how they protect an environment that fosters women in technology, and why it is necessary to do so.

Dawn D’Angelillo of Small Dog gives us a comprehensive look at one of the most innovative Apple Specialists around; why their image has gone to the dogs (literally), what services they offer, and why they are a Gold Sponsor of User Group University (in spite of the fact that they won’t be on-site.)

Sandy Foderick of the of the Macworld/User Group University Planning Team, and the Volunteer Coordinator for all of the MUG events at Macworld Conference & Expo outlines all the good reasons that MUG members and leaders should be part of those events, and tells you how to volunteer.

David Roemer of the Macworld/User Group University Planning Team runs down the special MUG events at Macworld Conference & Expo that are either geared specifically to students, or that students are taking part in, and how any students coming to San Francisco can get involved.