MacVoices

One of the largest Final Cut Pro User Group events of the year is coming up in Las Vegas and we have the lowdown for you, as well as an interview with a new user group-supporting vendor and our new user group best practices series.

Steve Sheets of Midnight Mage Software tells us about his company’s user group program, what they provide to help MUGs demonstrate their product, RollCall Directory, and the many not-so-obvious results that can be achieved. Steve also shares his thoughts on being a small software developer, and what is on the horizon for Midnight Mage.

Michael Horton of the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro Users Group previews, in super-secret mode, the big FCP event at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, two of his group’s upcoming events, and discusses UG leadership responsibilities, the future of digital video and more in a feature-length interview.

In this edition we profile a user group who is organized around the purest form of user group enthusiasm, and go in-depth with a “switcher-based” software company, their Mac products and their user group offer.

Dawn Hurwitz of Hawaii Mac Nuts talks about the fun she and the rest of their Organization Committee have in running their young group. They may not be as large or sophisiticated as many MUGs, but there are lessons to be learned here for user group leaders of all experience levels.

Hagen Kaye of XtraLean Software discusses being a “switcher” Mac software developer and how much code is saved by working on the Mac platform, their current products Shutterbug and ImageWell, their upcoming Paradise, and their first foray into user group support.

User groups everywhere are trying to do more, sometimes with less. In this edition we talk two two groups who have met different types of challenges to their organizations and are succeeding with different approaches to problems that many MUG leaders face. We also talk to a vendor who gives us an exclusive look at a new utility, released yesterday.

Marianne Young of The Mac-in-Awe MUG discusses their upcoming 20th anniversary celebration, the changes their group has gone through over that time period, and how their group thrives while drawing little outside support because of their geography.

Jack Dolby of of Club Mac of Hampton outlines how he addresses some of the challenges that face many user group leaders, including limited resources and assistance, yet successfully delivers value to their small membership and maintains a current, professional face to the outside world.

Tim Goggin of Pocket Mac is here with an exclusive first look at the brand new PocketMac for Playstation Portables, along with their other products PocketMac for Blackberry, Safari Scrapbook and more.

We talk to an the enthusiastic founder of a new user group, review news, feature updates and vendor offers, and extend an invitation for you to get involved in new MUG Center initiative.

Thomas Avallone of the Shreveport Macintosh Users Group discusses the formation of his group, now it got started, and how they are planning for the future.

With more and more vendors getting involved with user groups, this edition focuses on different perspectives on user group interaction, as well as an in-depth discussion on the state of desktop publishing.

Irina Nazarova of BeLight Software covers her company’s commitment to Mac user groups, their recently announced formal user group program, and how they support it with copies of their Business Card Composer and Mail Factory software.

Jay Nelson of Design Tools Monthly discusses the state of the desktop publishing market, Quark vs. InDesign, how to select the tool that is right for you, the user group offer on his publication and more.

James Lee of Tropical Software talks about his company’s new TopXNotes software, his presentations to user groups and how he has been received, and his plans for an upcoming tour of California MUGs.