Snippets from Previous Meetings
Sheryl clarified her information on AppleCare Warranty: ÊApple computer 1-year warranty can be extended for a further 2 years at a cheaper rate, but this must be done while the existing warranty is still current, not after the 1-year warranty has lapsed.
For Sale
Sheryl Roberts has a variety of models of computers, mostly Internet-capable, including earlier beige computers. Sheryl mentioned that the new Mini iPod MP3 player is now 2 months behind schedule for release. Contact: or Phone 03 689 4824.
AMUG Website
Elizabeth has made arrangements to have our website hosted with Orcon, and now has uploaded the revised pages. Visit www.aorakimacuser.orcon.net.nz
Publications
Tony had available some photographic magazines which had belonged to the late Guy Mannering of Geraldine. Most contained articles on digital photography, and although aimed at professional photographers rather than amateurs, the articles gave some interesting and useful information.
Tony also drew attention to some useful articles from the March issue of Applebyte, the Apple Users Group of Canterbury's monthly publication. ÊMention of the AUGC caused discussion about whether a combined meeting could be arranged with AMUG (as had been done at Geraldine during May last year). ÊTony will contact AUGC to enquire about the possibility of this.
Sessions
Spreadsheets
Robin showed (on his HUGE monitor) how AppleWorks Spreadsheets can be employed in business situations, and in particular showed how charts can be made to convert currencies by means of entering functions into the spreadsheet cells. Robin demonstrated the usefulness of such conversion charts. Some discussion was held comparing the features of AppleWorks and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.
MacBASICS: Preferences/Control Panels
Sheryl gave an explanation of the various ways in which Mac computers can be customized to suit the user: this is done through the System Preferences (MacOS X) or Control Panels (MacOS 9), which give control over preferred settings, as their names imply. ÊThese are accessed through the Apple Menu in both systems, and control (among other things) screen displays, screensavers, sound input and output, mouse, date and time, networking and startup disk. Each pane (or panel in OS9) contains menus from which desired settings may be selected.
Sheryl also explained how the Software Updates Preference works Ð this connects (automatically if desired) to Apple's website to ascertain if the userÕs computer needs updates for its system software.
Graphic Converter
Barry and Tony gave a further demonstration on the usefulness of this shareware application, in particular showing the ease with which it can be used to manipulate digital images Ð changing the brightness and/or contrast of most pictures usually enhances their quality.
Resizing for e-mail is a particularly useful feature in the latest version (V4.9) of this application, and this facility is also available in the later versions Apple's iPhoto application.
Members who attended the March meeting would like to thank Dave Morrow for kindly offering the use of his home as an alternative venue when the Cricket Clubrooms were unexpectedly double-booked. Thank you Dave - the invitation to your place was much appreciated.
REMINDER
Next AMUG Evening meeting will be on Friday April 30, 2004
Next AMUG Daytime Meeting will be in Monday April 19
[Committee Meeting on Mactropolis: Tuesday April 20 at 9:00pm
Regards to all....
Secretary: Tony Climo, Aoraki MacIntosh Users Group