Snippets from Previous Meetings
November End of Year Annual Meeting 2004
G4 iBOOK MODELS & iPODS
Sheryl outlined the new range of models of iBook, which are wireless-ready. The latest versions of the iLife software includes the facility to make use of the Airport Extreme wireless connectivity.
iPods now come in a variety of models, including the iPod U2 collector's item.
The new iPod Photo has a colour screen and stores digital photos (as well as iTunes music files, if desired), and connects to either computer or TV to display the images.
SOFTWARE: NEW VERSIONS OF KIDPIX
Sheryl described the latest version of this popular children's art program, which incorporates a number of drawing and painting tools, together with facilities for creating a variety of graphic art images which may include clip art, movies, and photos. Created art may be presented as a silde show, which can feature recorded sound and inbuilt transitions.
KidPix Studio Deluxe v4 ($29) works on both Macs and PC. Also available is KidPix v3 for MacOS X.
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS and HINTS
This discussion session covered several problems, hints and suggestions. Some of the points raised included:
- D.N.S. settings to help solve an internet connection problem.
- using Xtra's Helpline for assistance.
- sleeping computers not wanting to wake up!
- corruption of Text Edit files.
SESSIONS
BURNING CDs
Kim gave a resume of how to use Disk Utility to erase rewriteable disks, and how to use MacOS X's disk burning facility, which enables drag-and-drop to be used to load files onto a blank disk's icon, which is then burned
MacBASICS ~ USING STICKIES
Tony gave an explanation of the MacOS X Stickies application, which replaces the Notepad used in earlier OS. This program, which comes as part of the MacOS X package, provides on-screen storage for items of text or images.
The Stickies program is stored in the Applications folder, and once opened can be readily accessed by keeping its icon in the dock. When open, all available notes are shown on-screen.
These can be either displayed as title-only (where the first line of text becomes the note's title):
or displayed as a maximised window, displaying the complete note:
Notes can be custom-coloured, and displayed as either floating windows or as translucent messages.
AIRPORT EXPRESS & AIRTUNES
Kim showed us how the AirPort Express device can be used to provide an instant "base station" to beam computer signals around a house to any AirPort-equipped computer. This enables Airtunes to be used... sharing of an iTunes Library with other users and with a home stereo system. It can also be used to share a printer with various computers without them having to be physically connected.
HARVEY NORMAN ~ NEW TIMARU STORE AMUG members may be interested to know that the new Harvey Norman Store is now open in Timaru. They have a small Mac section in their computer area. At the moment they have eMacs, an iMac, and two Powerbooks on display, plus of course some iPods.
REMINDERS
Next AMUG Evening meeting will be on Friday January 28, 2005 7.30pm.
Next AMUG Daytime Meeting to be advised
Committee Meeting on Mactropolis: to be advised
Regards to all....
Secretary: Tony Climo, Aoraki MacIntosh Users Group