On this page, when available, we will post information and files (such as graphics and presentation files) from past meetings. Not all meetings will be posted here, as not all presenters use materials which can be used for this purpose. If the description of a meeting seems interesting, click on the link for more detail.
Meeting Topic: Favorite FREE Mac Applications and Utilities... Photoshop. Microsoft Office. McAfee VirusScan. Programs for your Macintosh, they're famous... powerful... expensive. While the big, commercial applications and utiltities do have much to recommend them, there are powerful and useful alternatives available for free, if you know where to look. OMUG member Brian Hoppe did, and he shared that knowledge with us and gave us a look at some of his favorites. I hope you didn't miss this interesting and VERY useful presentation.
Meeting Topic: Blogging. What is it? Well, in it's basic form, it implies the keeping of an online journal with messages posted which can be read, commented upon, and so forth. BLOGs are a growing phenomenon, and new types and purposes for the basic concept are still appearing. They can be a form of online diary or journal, a travelogue, a technical help or ongoing workgroup environment, even a commercial forum and more. We examined the basics of the practice, with demonstration of how to set up a basic blog, and access to various online materials for those who wish to investigate further.
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Meeting Topic: Adobe Acrobat (full version). OMUG member Dahlia Cavazos (a graphics design professional) helped us learn some of the many capabilities of this package, including editing of existing PDF files, creation of fillable Forms, workgroup functions which allow sharing a project among multiple users, and fine-tuning of output for high-end printing by service bureaus and other print facilities.
Meeting Topic: PDA's, PocketPC's and Macs, Oh My...! Recent Mac user Ray Ferber, with the IT Department of First Data, discussed some of the experiences which have influenced his purchases of palm-top computing devices and the software to go with them....
Meeting Topic: Mac OS9 & OS X Hints & Tricks. Jeanne Hansen of Metro Tech Community College gave a fascinating presentation on features, upkeep, and shortcuts to be found in the Mac OS -- both 9 and X -- with special attention to the new features in OS X Jaguar (10.2) and Panther (10.3).
Meeting Topic: Security for your Mac. OMUG Member Brian Hoppe discussed a number of Macintosh security issues, including Hardware (Physical) Security (against theft, etc.), Data Security (encryption, OS X's File Vault, secure deletion, etc.), Internet/Network Security (firewalls, e-mail security issues, SSL in web browsers, and protecting your wireless network), and Anti-Virus protection issues for the Mac.
Meeting Topic: OMUG Picnic!!! By long-established tradition, OMUG's July meeting is celebrated in the form of a picnic attended by the members and their families, rather than the usual presentation. This helps remind us that we are not merely persons interested in the Macintosh computer (after all, who wouldn't be), but also a social group, a company of friends and neighbors. The 2004 Picnic was held in Elmwood Park.
Meeting Topic: eBooks -- The New Face of Literature in the Computer Age. The publishing of books, magazines and other formerly printed forms of literature in electronic format is beginning to grow out of the status of exotic novelty and into the mainstream. At this meeting we explored questions such as, "What is an eBook?" --"What hardware/software do I need to read one?" -- "Where can I get one and how much do I pay?" & "What is the future of ePublishing?" -- Unfortunately, the presentation was marred by the power failure which prevented use of the projection display....
Meeting Topic: Photography Basics. So, you got a brand new digital camera for your birthday, and you're going to be the next Ansel Adams (or Bob Guccione) and make digital memories to record your dreams. Well, maybe. The truth is, digital cameras are only tools, just like film cameras, and even though there are some differences in technique, the same basic principles apply. OMUG Member Dahlia Cavazos went over some of those basics for us, elucidating the mysteries of composition, lighting and avoiding pitfalls like decapitation....
Meeting Topic: Burning CD's. At the October meeting, OMUG member Brian Hoppe took a look not only at the different kinds and formats of CDs, but also at the various software available from Apple and third-party vendors to create them.
Meeting Topic: [Rerun]: eBooks -- The New Face of Literature in the Computer Age. The publishing of books, magazines and other formerly printed forms of literature in electronic format is beginning to grow out of the status of exotic novelty and into the mainstream. At this meeting we explored questions such as, "What is an eBook?" --"What hardware/software do I need to read one?" -- "Where can I get one and how much do I pay?" & "What is the future of ePublishing?".... {This presentation was attempted at the August meeting, but was never properly completed due to the storm-caused power outage which prevented use of the CompUSA computers. It is being re-presented at the request of some of the members. Fortunately, this time there were no power problems}.
Meeting Topic: The traditional OMUG Holiday Party was held at the Golden Corral, a buffet restaurant located at 90th & Boyd Streets.