:: TCMUG Newsletter Archive ::

Vol 4 Iss 12 December 2005
*December / January Meeting
*Web Site Links and News of Interest
*Hardware Spotlight - ADS Tech Instant Music
*The MUG Center Store - Free Freight To Members
*OS X Tip of the Month - OS Enhancements
*Tip of the Month - iPod Scratch Protection
*Mac Software Spotlight - Matterform Software
*TCMUG Membership Structure for 2006 - JOIN TODAY!

========== DECEMBER / JANUARY MEETING ==========
There is no December meeting....enjoy the holiday season!!
For the January meeting we will be conducting the Peachpit Press Photoshop World Boston 2005 trade show experience. This will consist of over an hour of Photoshop tips, techniques, seminars and show highlights. There will be Peachpit books to raffle off, exclusive club memberships, lynda.com Online Training library access cards, brochures, tipsheets and much more! The date is to be announced.
We will be meeting at the Tuscarawas Carroll Harrison Educational Service Center on East High Avenue in New Philadelphia.

========== WEB SITE LINKS AND NEWS OF INTEREST ==========
Total Training Gift DVD
The Holiday Gift DVD-ROM provides you with over $1000 worth of digital video footage, still photography images, music tracks, plug-ins, easy to use templates, software, promotions, and more to complement your Total Training experience and take your print creative, digital video, and office projects to the next level.
Receive the FREE Gift with every paid purchase now through the holiday season’. Hurry, this is a limited time promotion. Order today and the FREE DVD-ROM will be included in your package.
http://tinyurl.com/8kchk
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Inside Mac Media Launches Expanded iTunes Video Content with Inside Mac TV
Inside Mac Media, Inc, ( http://www.insidemacmedia.com ) the premiere terrestrial broadcaster for the Mac lifestyle and Podcastings #1 Mac radio program, today announced expanded daily video iTunes content and the launch of Inside Mac TV.
Inside Mac TV will enhance the popular Inside Mac Radio programs by offering a range of visual tidbits, tips, guests, interviews, product information and live event coverage in short three to five minute video segments formatted especially for the new 5th generation video iPods.
The new online media content will download automatically to Inside Mac's extensive base of current Podcast subscribers and is available to over 40 Million iTunes users worldwide. According to Inside Mac Media, Inc CEO & Executive Producer Scott Sheppard, "today's video compression technology allows us to deliver the new visual component with a high level of quality yet maintain an amazingly small file size which will not effect the overall download time for our subscribers. We are excited that our audience can now get a glimpse of the hottest Mac products as they are launched and join us in our travels to key events as we spend time interviewing industry movers and shakers throughout the year."
The opening graphic for Inside Mac TV was created using the powerful motion graphics tools from Adobe. Using Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator, designers at RHED Pixel created a playful animation to kick off each video podcast. Lead animator Richard Harrington notes that the speed of working with Adobe products on a Mac allowed us to turn this animation around quickly and meet our launch deadline using only a Photoshop image and a Illustrator file for the logo. 
Russell Brown, Senior Creative Director of Adobe Systems said, "Scott Sheppard's new Inside Mac TV is as great as his radio show, but in 3D! Put this video podcast at the top of your list for great Macintosh news and information. The interviews and content stand out above the rest."
The first set of daily videos will feature a series of How-to tips on video production and optimizing video for the iPod. Viewers will be able to see the best way to setup lighting, compression settings, and gear for iSights through high-end HD video cameras.
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Ways to upgrade older Macs. The first thing you need is a place to go to discover how. Two web sites that I recommend for lots of information on older Macs were http://www.everymac.com and the one I find most useful ... http://www.lowendmac.com
For along time now, I have depended on lowermac.com to keep up with older Macs and what their specifications were. Now we also have EveryMac.com. It is now setup with links to Apple's Knowledge Base which makes it easier to find answers to your questions.
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New Threat: Phishers take better aim - It's been about two years now since we first began talking about the online crime known as Phishing. Now, the criminals have honed their phishing tools to target unwary computer users with a very pointed weapon: Spear Phishing. Education, Corporate, Government and Institutional computer users need to know about this new threat!
http://www.user-groups.net/safenet/spear_phishing.html
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The Autopsy of the iPod nano:
As we all know, Apple's iPod has dominated the digital music player scene since its launch in 2001, much like an aardvark busting through a termite mound. As hard-drive-based players have gotten smaller and the price of flash-based players has dropped, Apple seized on the opportunity to dive into the flash-based market with the iPod shuffle. It was a wildly successful move for Apple, which has grabbed close to 46 percent of the flash-based player market since its inception. However, there were still many reasons for users not to get the shuffle—namely, the lack of a screen and sophisticated controls. The task for Apple was to create a music player that was somehow a marriage between the minute size of the iPod shuffle and the versatility of a regular iPod.
http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/nano.ars/4
that starts here:
http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/nano.ars/1
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BeLight Software is running a "Vote for Event of the Year" contest. By voting and/ or commenting on the Mac event(s) you thought were the most important or influential, your members could win a $50 or $25 iTunes Music Card.
The contest runs from now through 12/24/05, so act quickly!
http://www.belightsoft.com/special/event.php
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Tell Us What You Want to Read!
We have lots of ideas for new Take Control titles, but we're writing for you , so here's your chance to vote for titles you'd like to buy, and suggest other topics .
Vote on Suggested Titles! (General Macintosh)
Our survey is a bit different from your average Web popularity contest. Vote for titles you would buy today if they existed, not topics that just sound good. Feel free to encourage others to cast sincere votes too (our system records only a single vote per person per title). If a particular title earns a strong response, we'll try hard to publish it - we'd be nuts not to.
To vote, select one or more titles below, enter an email address at which we can contact you if and when we publish such a book, and then click Vote.
You've made so many suggestions that we had to create multiple pages, so please don't miss voting on all the interesting suggestions about:
* topics related to networking, Internet services, and programming
* topics surrounding multimedia and desktop publishing
* topics indirectly related to computers
http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/suggest.html
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Finding Online Video
Sure, the Web may one day become the repository of all human knowledge. More important, though, is that it may also turn into the ultimate TiVo . Before long, you might be able to watch any show ever recorded with just a few simple mouse clicks.
AOL, CBS, CNN, Yahoo, and many others are already flooding the Net with video. The trouble? As with regular old TV, the challenge is to find stuff worth viewing.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ttpcworld/122859

========== HARDWARE SPOTLIGHT - INSTANT MUSIC ==========
We will be demoing this product at an upcoming MUG meeting as well as giving one away as a door prize at a future meeting.
Whether you're standing in line for the new Nano, sticking with your old iPod or fired up for one of the new Samsung, Sony (or hundreds of others) MP3 players -- oh heck, let's throw in your Rokr or other music-enabled phone; you're only missing one thing...CONTENT!!!
Sure, there are plenty of legal download sites -- iTunes, Real, Amazon and ArtistServer come quickly to mind -- but you want some of those oldies you own to pack onto these "constantly with you" players.
ADS Tech's InstantMusic makes it fast, easy and affordable to move the golden oldies from your LPs, 45s or tapes to brilliant digital audio you can enjoy on your portable player. Doesn't matter if you use a Mac or PC, we've bundled the software you need to bring your music back among the living. You can even drop the music on a CD so you can enjoy it in your home entertainment system.
Everything you need -- including the cables -- is included to capture music from any audio source.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/B00067TMGA /theworlofkapn

========== MUG CENTER STORE ==========
Is there something the MUG store can do to help your group?
Just let us know. Our Tuscarawas County Mac Users Group gets 1 percent back on everything members purchase, so we encourage our members to buy from the MUG store where you can get everything from software to new computers for your club for FREE.
The MUG store has free freight to members, RAM rebates, aggressive pricing on new (and reconditioned) Macs and the largest selection of pre-owned Macs on the planet.
December 1, 2005 - January 31, 2006 - User ID: / Password: - See the TCMUG members web site
Place your orders at http://www.applemugstore.com

========== OS X TIP OF THE MONTH - OS ENHANCEMENTS ==========
Mac OS Enhancements - Cool stuff for your OS: Clipboards, Mouse Buttons, Catalogers, icon, short cuts, Script Timer and too many others to name...
http://www.user-groups.net/shareware/0509-19_SW.html

========== TIP OF THE MONTH - iPOD SCRATCH PROTECTION ==========
iPod Scratch Protection - Mac Gem of the Week
If you've got a new iPod nano or iPod with video, chances are you'd like to keep it looking like new -- for example, you may be concerned about scratching its shiny face. A case is a safe bet, but the problem with cases is that they add bulk to a player that's appealing partly because of its svelte figure. And, with a few exceptions, putting your iPod into a case means masking its attractive, chrome and white (or black) appearance.
For keeping your iPod scratch-free without hiding it in a case, your best bet is one of the many "film" or "shield" products that cover scratchable surfaces in a clear film -- your iPod still looks like an iPod but doesn't scratch like one. There are a number of good options out there, including the quite-protective-but-difficult-to-apply invisibleSHIELD, but my favorites are Power Support's $15 iPod nano Film Set and 5G iPod (with video) Film Set (both rated at 4.5 mice). You can get more information on the nano Film Set at http://www.powersupportusa.com/products/ipod/np01.php and the full-sized iPod version at http://www.powersupportusa.com/products/ipod/ip_5Gfilmset.php .
Unlike most "films," which are soft and flexible -- and tend to rip or peel over time -- Power Support's Film Sets are made of a more rigid material that is very durable. (Power Support says that the surface of the Film is "treated with a scratch resistant, hard coat, protective process.") In addition, whereas more flexible films are often difficult to apply without air bubbles and leave sticky residue when removed, Power Support's Film is easy to apply and can be removed without leaving any gunk behind. (The Film actually uses "static cling" to adhere to your iPod.
Both film sets include three pieces: a large film for the front of your iPod except for the Click Wheel, a smaller film for the back of your iPod, and a Click Wheel cover. The front piece protects the entire front of the iPod, right up to the edges; however, in order to avoid "hanging" corners that could peel, the film for the rear of your iPod does not cover the curved edges of the chrome back. In other words, unlike the invisibleSHIELD, which covers nearly ever bit of your iPod's surfaces, the Film Set leaves the sides exposed. I'm personally fine with this sacrifice, as in my experience it's the front and back of the iPod that get scratched -- and scratches on the sides aren't as noticeable.
The only other quirk that should be pointed out is that it can take some trial-and-error to apply the front piece and Click Wheel cover without overlapping them. I've personally chosen not to apply the Click Wheel cover, as the Click Wheel doesn't scratch that easily (or at least not as noticeably).
The Film Sets offer excellent scratch protection without adding bulk to your iPod or obscuring its sleek lines. In fact, you can even fit your Film-clad iPod into most cases -- for example, if you're going for a run and want to stick your nano in a shock-resistant case. I've got a Film Set on both my nano and my iPod with video, and both look as new as they did when they came home from the store. In fact, even the sides of the iPods look great, so perhaps these edges don't take as much abuse as I had expected. Best of all, the Film Set remains nearly invisible when applied. When I've shown a Film-clad iPod to people, none have realized that the player is "wearing" the Film until I've pointed it out. I consider Power Support's Film Sets to be must-have accessories for my own iPods.

========== MAC SOFTWARE SPOTLIGHT - MATTERFORM ==========
SONAR
Sonar version 1.0 is now available on our Web site. Sonar shows you all the file system activity on your Macintosh. Sonar can be very helpful in troubleshooting Spotlight-related slowdowns. If you think your computer feels slower after installing OS X Tiger, check out the following tip:
< http://www.matterform.com/frames/sonar/spotlight.php>
You can get a free Sonar demo on our Web site or purchase a license. We'll be releasing more programs later this year with Sonar technology.
SPAMFIRE 2.1.1
This month, we also released Spamfire version 2.1.1 this month with a lot of improvements. Complete info here:
< http://www.matterform.com/frames/spamfire/version_history.php>
SPECIAL PRICE ON FILTER UPDATES
Every day, we continue to update our Remote Filters to give you the best possible spam protection. As of today, there are 108,524 Remote Filters, which work in both Spamfire 1 and Spamfire 2.
We are running a special this month on Filter Subscription renewals. Until September 30, you can add two years to your current filter subscription for just $14.95. The regular price is $12.95 for one year, so this is a great time to extend your subscription. To get this special price, visit this URL:
< http://www.matterform.com/?deal=tassleframe&page=spamfire/special.php>
YOUR FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED
As a small software company, we live by word-of-mounth marketing. Please consider taking a minute to leave feedback about our software on a download Web site like VersionTracker.com. You can find some convenient feedback links here:
< http://www.matterform.com/frames/contact/feedback.php>

========== TCMUG MEMBERSHIP FOR 2006 - TIME TO JOIN! ==========
We are working very hard to make it another exciting year for all local Mac users. We currently have a small dues structure. Membership in the TCMUG will cost $20.00 annually for a regular membership and will include a monthly newsletter, a special "members only" section of the web site, monthly meetings, a lending library, discounts on software, hardware and books and much, much more! You can visit our web site to get all of the features and benefits at http://www.tcmug.org/aboutus.html
We are offering three membership levels for 2005. There will be a regular membership at $20 per year and we will have student membership (K-12 & College) at $15 per year and a senior citizen (60+ years old) at $15 per year. All levels of membership will enjoy the benefits of belonging to the TCMUG.
Please contact any of the officers if you would have any questions regarding membership and the associated dues. http://www.tcmug.org/contactus.html
We have an online membership form that you are able to download. You can download the form at: http://www.tcmug.org/tcmug_memberapp.pdf

========== SUBMITTING INFORMATION ==========
Have a software tidbit to share, a Mac related web site to suggest or a news piece to submit? Email me with all the information at kwarrene@mac.com
To unsubscribe from this newsletter: Reply to this email with the subject line of REMOVE.
Forward this message to all of your family, friends and associates so that they can join the TCMUG and receive the monthly newsletter. Get all of the details at http://www.tcmug.org/aboutus.html
If you have any comments or suggestions please feel free to contact any of the officers at http://www.tcmug.org/contactus.html