:: TCMUG Newsletter Archive ::

Vol 4 Iss 11 November 2005
*November Meeting
*Web Site Links and News of Interest
*Hardware Spotlight - Latest Apple Releases
*The MUG Center Store - Free Freight To Members
*OS X Tip of the Month - Cleaning Up Your Font Mess
*Tip of the Month - MAKE Magazine Holiday Offer
*Mac Software Spotlight - Resexcellence
*TCMUG Membership Structure for 2006 - JOIN TODAY!

========== NOVEMBER MEETING ==========
The November meeting is being held on Saturday the 19th from 2:00PM - 4:00PM. We will be taking a look at backing up your Mac, Using Appleworks for the holidays and much more!
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 ==========
iQuotes - Steve Jobs Quote Screen Saver
Collated together in a stylish, Apple-esque screen saver - the best quotes from Apple CEO, Steve Jobs.
http://yellowmonkey.mintdesigns.co.uk/2005/11/08/iquotes-steve-jobs-quote-screensaver/
Mac OS X 10.4 Only and an Internet connection is needed.
Download the file or download the quartz composer file that needs to be dropped into your Library/Screen Savers folder. Then you can go to System Preferences - Desktop and Screensaver and select the iQuotes screensaver.
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Mac4Sale has been an active supporter of the Mac Community for nearly eight years. Since 1998, Mac4Sale has been available to the Mac Community as a place to list and sell their Mac Related items and to find items to buy. 
We want to remind you, the Mac Users Groups, that Mac4Sale is an excellent place for you to buy and sell Macintosh computers and related items. The new system we have just installed makes it simpler than ever to list or browse on Mac4Sale. 
Do you have left over items that are just taking up room in one of your members garages? Consider selling them on Mac4Sale and raising a little money for the club. 
Do you need something to make your demo library or demo equipment more up to date? Check Mac4Sale first! ALL the listers on Mac4Sale are members of the Macintosh community and are as easy to work with as you and me. Since you're buying for a non-profit club, you could always ask them to give the club a break, or help you with the shipping. You'll be surprised how many people will help you share the Mac experience with more people!
And the main reason to use Mac4Sale to move your items is Mac4Sale IS FREE!  
Please consider Mac4Sale and recommend it to your members. The new features of our new system make using Mac4Sale Classifieds a breeze. Even your novice users will feel comfortable moving around our site and browsing the items for sale. And now, we even offer a way for people to check a seller or buyer's feedback on eBay(tm). 
Visit Mac4Sale today at http://www.mac4sale.com
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Guest Video: The iPod Flea Ad Spoof
This week, David Pogue has arranged for a special guest video artist: Scott Kelby, Photoshop maven. Last week, as he keynoted his own Mac Design conference, he played a hilarious Apple ad spoof for something called the iPod Flea, which I'm pleased to offer in its Web debut.
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This is a matter of great importance to all computer users:
From Fred Showker at the User Group Network.
I met with Congressman Robert Goodlatte on Sunday and asked what we, as computer users can do to help move the Internet Spyware Prevention Act (I-SPY) toward becoming law.
He indicated the best thing to do is to get as many emails, letters or phone calls to the Senate as possible. We have to make our voice heard, and make sure our Senators understand how important H.R. 744 is to their constituency. The bill has already passed through the House.
So, I'm calling on you, as leaders in the user group community to get out and help get your senators behind the Spyware Prevention Act (I-Spy), H.R. 744.
You can be instrumental by getting this message into your UG newsletters, and by assisting your members in getting their voice heard.
You can utilize my "Letter" as content, since it summarizes the important benefits of this bill to your members.
This is an extremely important piece of legislation for the entire computer and internet community, because it not only makes spyware activities a criminal act, it appropriates money to fund law enforcement action. The first of its kind! We need to act; act loudly; and act NOW.
Unfortunately, there are many other high-priority issues in this congress and we do not want this important legislation to get overlooked.
Full story and links to specific information you'll need are at:
http://www.user-groups.net/safenet/i-spy_744.html
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Dell fails to meet lofty growth rate; quality
While Apple continues to enjoy growth in both its computer and music sectors, rival Dell's "heady days of outpacing its rivals are ending," says BusinessWeek. "Look beyond the surface, and the long- term situation at the world's largest PC maker may be even worse." As the computer giant approaches $60 billion a year in sales, it has now missed expectations for two consecutive quarters. The shortfalls are a sign it may be struggling to manage costs while it tries to sell enough computers to maintain a lofty revenue-growth rate, and keep gaining market share. At the same time, many observers say Dell has been cutting costs so much in order to hit financial targets in recent quarters that it has compromised other measures of performance, including customer support and, possibly, product quality. In 2001, Michael Dell promised to "shut down" Apple.
Today, shares of Apple are at record levels, while Dell is on the decline.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2005/tc20051101_088420.htm
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The Digital Story is about making photography, music, and filmmaking enjoyable. Creativity flows better when technical issues are resolved. Instead of trying to figure out every blessed control on your digital camera, we want to show you the simple things that help it become an extension of your vision and a tool for your expression.
That's why we cut to the chase. The site's founder, Derrick Story, has spent years teaching and writing about digital media in ways to make it accessible, not intimadating. There are several ways to accomplish just about any task, we want to show you the clever, common sense approaches that you'll remember and use for years to come.
It's like reading a story. If it's interesting and makes sense, you'll probably stick with it. If you're lost after the first chapter, well, then, you might move on to other things. We want you to stick around.
Our weblogs, podcasts, and videos are created for your education and enjoyment.
Visit the site at http://www.thedigitalstory.com/blog/
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MacVoices #507 Nov 8, 2005 : Leander Kahney on "The Cult of iPod"
Leander Kahney , the author of the new The Cult of iPod from No Starch Press, discusses the impact of Apple's portable music player (now video player) and how it has changed the music industry, the music culture and how music is consumed. The importance of digital rights management in the iPod's success, the trademark white earphones, the selection of television programs as the first video content and why there is no end in sight are all covered by this expert on the Apple industry.
http://www.macvoices.com/archives/2005/507.html

========== HARDWARE SPOTLIGHT - NEW APPLE NEWS ==========
New PowerBooks:
First on the list are refreshed PowerBook models. Moody announced two new systems -- 15-inch and 17-inch PowerBooks. The 15-inch model now features a screen with 1440 x 900 resolution, the same as the previous generation 17-inch model. The 17-inch model now features a 1680 x 1050 pixel display -- the same resolution as Apple's 20-inch Cinema Display
The new PowerBooks sport 22 percent greater battery life, standard DVD-RW "SuperDrives" and built-in support for Apple's gargantuan 30-inch Cinema HD Display, according to Moody. Prices start at $1,499 for the 12-inch model, $1,999 for the 15-inch model and $2,499 for the 17-inch model. All systems are shipping today.
New Power Macs:
Apple has also updated its Power Mac G5 system, which Moody calls the "system of choice for creative professionals that need power."
The new systems feature dual-core PowerPC processors and a new system architecture that can support up to 16GB of 533MHz DDR2 RAM. They can also hold up to 1 terabyte (TB) of internal Serial ATA (SATA) storage, and are the first Power Macs to feature PCI Express (PCIe) expansion slots. DDR2 RAM and PCIe are both featured on Apple's recently refreshed iMac G5 system.
Apple has worked with graphics maker Nvidia Corp. to feature four new graphics options for the refreshed Power Mac G5 line, including the Quadro FX 4500 -- Nviidia's fastest workstation card. This fills a gap in the Power Mac line that has long been criticized by 3D graphics professionals and others who have wanted faster graphics systems than the consumer-oriented cards and chips Apple has offered in the past. The Quadro card can support dual 30-inch displays, according to Moody.
The new Power Macs G5 "Quad" system touts eight floating point units, four velocity engines, four 1MB Level 2 caches and is capable of processing 76.6 gigaflops. "There is some serious horsepower under the hood," said Moody.
The Power Mac G5 starts in a single-processor, dual-core configuration clocked at 2.0GHz for $1,999. The 2.3GHz dual-core system costs $2,499, and the "Quad" dual-processor, dual-core system starts at $3,299.
Cinema HD Displays:
Apple has also realigned pricing on its 23-inch and 30-inch CInema HD Displays. Effective today, the 23-inch Cinema HD Display costs $1,299, down from $1,499, while the 30-inch Cinema HD Display costs $2,499, down from $2,999.

========== 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.
July 1, 2005 to November 30, 2005 - User ID: / Password: - See the TCMUG members web site
Place your orders at http://www.applemugstore.com

========== OS X TIP OF THE MONTH - FONT MESS ==========
Online Demo: Cleaning Up Your Font Mess from Extensis
Being messy at home is one thing, but being messy with your fonts can mean a workflow nightmare. If you regularly run into font issues, you're probably overdue for a font clean-up. No worries - we've got an easy-to-follow online tutorial that will show you how to clean up your font mess and alleviate those workflow headaches.
http://www.extensis.com/demos/suitcase/best_practices/

========== TIP OF THE MONTH - MAKE MAGAZINE ==========
Here is a special offer for you to share with your group members.
***Give the Gift of MAKE Magazine***
Give the geek on your list a truly unique gift this holiday season-- their very own subscription to MAKE magazine. MAKE is the first magazine devoted to digital projects, hardware hacks, and DIY inspiration. Each rich issue brings the do-it-yourself mindset to all the technology in your life.
You have a choice:
Give a gift for $5 off the regular gift subscription rate--$29.95
https://www.pubservice.com/mk/SubGiftSplash.aspx?PC=MK&PK=U5OUGA
To place your gift order at the regular price $34.95--and get a MAKE T-shirt free.
< https://www.pubservice.com/mk/SubGiftSplash.aspx?PC=MK&PK=U5OUGB>
For more information on MAKE, go to: http://makezine.com/
**Please note gift postcards and MAKE vol 4 will begin mailing on 12/9/05, orders received after 12/9/05 and non-US orders may not arrive in time for the holiday season. Your recipient(s) will receive the opportunity to add digital access to their subscription. All MAKE T-shirts will ship to your billing address. To order multiple orders for multiple countries, please contact customer service at 1-866-289-8847 (US & Canada), 1-818-487-2037 (all other countries) between the hours of 5am to 5pm San Francisco time or Email: MAKE@espcomp.com

========== MAC SOFTWARE SPOTLIGHT - RESEXCELLENCE ==========
Customize your Mac - Everything You Need To Customize Your Mac OS
Speaking of customization, how about customizing nearly every thing about the Mac OS. The categories on this web site include: App Makeovers, Desktop Snapshots, Login Panels, Safari Stuff, Uploads, Boot Images, Dock Poofs, Mac OS X Mods, Screen Savers, Users Forum and lots more.
Check it out at: http://www.resexcellence.com/

========== 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