Sheryl showed us the latest iBook, and described its features.  This model is smaller and faster than previous iBooks, but has neither the rubberized casing nor the handle that they had.  It has extra keyboard functions, similar to the new iMacs.  Very nice!!!

Sheryl also outlined the developments in the latest iMac models, which have increased speed and hard disk capacity (up to 60 gigabytes!), and mentioned the upgraded G4 tower.

PALM PILOT

The latest gadget for every farmer is now a hand-held digital assistant.  Roger showed us his Palm Pilot, which he uses on his dairy farm to keep track of herd data during the day, which he later transfers to his computer.  The Palm Pilot has a write-on screen, and can be used as a calculator, note pad and memo (longer messages) pad, and will print our diary pages complete with appointments.  Unfortunately Roger was unable to demonstrate on his Palm Pilot, as shortly before the meeting it met with an indignity that no Palm Pilot should have to suffer!  However, we were shown the waterproofing Aquapack which would have prevented the problem, had it been used at the time!!!
Palm-tops vary in price from $300 upwards, depending on features.


CYTRIX CLIENT

Sheryl went online with her iBook to show us a business application which she uses called Cytrix Client.  Through a file server in Sydney, Cytrix enables the user to log on to a database, then view and use its files using the server's own Windows NT software, so that the user's computer acts virtually a terminal of the Sydney server, rather than as an independent computer.  Interesting to see Windows operating on a Mac which doesn't have it installed!!!

F.T.P. FILES

Kevin gave an interesting outline of F.T.P. (File Transfer Protocol) files, which date from the early days of the Internet, and can be faster and more reliable to download than other types of file.  Many universities and public libraries have FTP sites from which information may be downloaded, and some of these may be accessed via phone rather than the Internet.
ftp://ftp.apple.com/    is an example of an FTP site
http://www.it.canterbury.ac.nz/vmsftp.htm    gives some further information.

TIMARU HERALD VISIT

Our proposed visit to the Timaru Herald to see the use they make of Macs in publishing has been postponed in the meantime, due to a reorganisation at the Herald at present.  Lea will organise a visit at a suitable future date.

AMUG WEBSITE

Lea reported that our group's website has been updated...  visit http://www.aorakimacuser.orcon.net.nz to see recent activities and links.  Thank you Lea for your work on maintaining our site.

DAYTIME MEETING

Elizabeth will shortly be organising daytime AMUG meetings for members who might find it inconvenient to attend our monthly evening meetings.  Details will be forthcoming before long.

SOME SOFTWARE

Wapp Pro
Barry introduced us to Wapp Pro, a useful applications switcher which until recently was shareware , but is now freeware. Its website describes Wapp Pro as....

...the ultimate windows/applications switcher.  It displays a menu that lists the windows of the frontmost applications, the background applications and their respective windows in submenus. You can activate any window, even it's hidden by several other windows, or if the process is hidden.
Wapp pro is more... it lets you quit, or hide any application, quit all the applications, or hide them all. You can also exclude some applications from being quitted or hidden by these commands, like for example SpeedDoubler that you don't want to quit, or QuickTime player that you don't want to hide... It can also display an application switcher directly inside the menu bar.

Visit http://jerome.foucher.free.fr/Wapp.html for further details and downloads.
[N.B.  Wapp Pro doesn't like being installed on the same computer as Action GoMac, as they fight for precedence!]

VolumeKnob
After Sheryl had said that the new iBook has keys to control volume, Tony mentioned that iMacs users can download a useful utility called VolumeKnob which enables them to do the same.  Download from Tucows:  http://www.tucows.com/

BUY/SELL/EXCHANGE

Sheryl wants to buy second-hand printers, and has 5260, 6360 and various laptop computers for resale.

QUESTION & ANSWER

A number of problems were shared, with some solutions being suggested by members.  Included were:

• website links in Eudora email nor being active - may depend on Remote Access settings
• glitches with computers wanting to dial-up on their own - web sharing settings can cause this
• various difficulties with modems and printers

REMINDER