Aoraki Macintosh User Group Home Page

Snippets from Previous Meetings

January Meeting 2004


For Sale

Sheryl Roberts has a variety of models of computers, mostly Internet-capable, including earlier models of iBook.
Contact: or Phone 03 689 4824.

Barry Robinson has Zip disks for sale - 100mb: $10, 250mb: $15.
Contact: or phone (03) 688-3612.

New Apple Models

Sheryl gave an overview of the latest release of Apple's price-list, which features yet further reductions on most models, partly due to the continuing strengthening of the $NZ.

Available for members to inspect were new models of G4 iBOOK (now available from $2000). These have slot-loading Combo CD drives (CD Read/Write, DVD Read), and come with 256MB RAM at the base level. Their large, clear screens and noticeably speedier processing are impressive:

Sheryl and Kim had available a variety of system and software updates, which they installed on some members' machines. When downloading updates, Sheryl reminded members to select the International English versions rather that US English, which may cause some glitches. Another suggestion was to use UK download sites.

Sessions

Printers and Multifunction Machines

Sheryl demonstrated a Canon printer and a Brother multifunction printer/scanner/fax machine, and led a discussion about these types of equipment, which are now becoming more cheaply available. She emphasised the following points:
  • MacOS X Compatibility: when considering purchase of this type of equipment, its most important to check the compatibility of their software with OS X.
  • Support for users (software, Internet Help pages, etc) varies, with the better-known manufacturers, such as Epson, H.P. and Canon, providing as higher level of support that some other brands.
  • Canon Printers tend to be more expensive than some others, but are more robust in construction.
  • 4 Color Ink Tanks make some printers (eg Canon) cheaper to run.
  • USB Connectivity: check that printers have the appropriate USB port.
  • Multifunction Prices have recently dropped considerably (Brother from $350, Epson $450, H.P $550)
Some discussion on printing inks and cartridges was held, with members experiencing a variety of prices and qualities. A website which was recommended is www.consumables.co.nz, which stocks a variety of cartridges and offers a fast freight-free service.

Mac Basics: AppleWorks Painting

Tony gave an outline of some of the features of the Painting mode in AppleWorks, and he emphasised the difference in behaviour between the graphics which are produced in Drawing mode and Painting modes. The use of some of the tools in the Painting toolbar was demonstrated, and also some of the Painting button-bar operations.

Panther - MacOS 10.3

Barry gave a demonstration of some of the features of PANTHER, the current Macintosh Operating System 10.3, including the improvements to Finder windows, which for the first time in MacOS X now include facility to colour-label files and folders. Other features were shown such as Expose, which quickly enables the user to simultaneously view all open windows and toggle between them; and also the Application Switcher which makes it easy to see which applications are open, and tab between them.

For users who are installing and/or starting to use Panther, Barry suggested visiting the TidbITS website: www.tidbits.com. TidBITS describes itself as "a free email and Web publication covering the Macintosh Internet community", and offers a variety of Mac-related services, including a series of downloadable online books entitled Take Control. From this series, Barry recommended "Upgrading Panther" and "Customising Panther" as being helpful (available at www.tidbits.com/takecontrol

Applescripts

Kim demonstrated the operation of Applescripts which he has written to enable networked machines communicate with each other. This can be used in a household or business where, for example, one computer can contact another by 'remote control' and cause it to share files, dial up the internet or print documents via either a wireless or a cable network. Such Applescripts enable the contact to go further than just accessing the remote computer, as they enable a degree of 'keyboardless' operation on the remote computer.

KIM ROBERTSON

During recent years AMUG members have benefited greatly from Kim's computing knowledge, and we have all valued his contributions, demonstrations and help with troubleshooting, and also we've never failed to be impressed by his expertise.

Shortly Kim leaves South Canterbury to attend university, and we'll miss his regular input to AMUG meetings. However, we look forward to continuing contact with him when he can spare time from his studies, and we wish him all the best with his university career.

REMINDER
Next AMUG Evening meeting will be on Friday February 27, 2004

Next AMUG Daytime Meeting will be in Monday February 17

[Committee Meeting on Mactropolis: Tuesday February 17 at 9:00pm

Regards to all....


Secretary: Tony Climo, Aoraki MacIntosh Users Group