This SIG is an introduction to the use of the latest Apple operating system, OS X Leopard version. In 2008 our pattern has varied. First there will be a demonstration of some significant elements of Leopard OSX followed by questions from the floor. After this a demonstration of interesting software or applications relevant to ordinary non-specialist Mac users is given. Notes are provided to those already on my list and to those who give me their email address on the day.

The Digital Photography SIG aims to cover a wide variety of topics concerning digital still photography. The target audience is the range from 'family snapper' to 'traveller' and 'photo enthusiast', and topics cover photo-taking, organizing/cataloguing, manipulating, printing and sharing. Principal applications addressed are those of Apple's iLife suite including iPhoto, iWeb, MobileMe and iDVD, though occasional sorties are made into others such as Aperture and Photoshop. Guest presenters demonstrate new hardware.
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This SIG aims to introduce the Apple applications that will in time replace AppleWorks, and which for many users have already replaced MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Basic principles and differences from the 'traditional' applications will be the primary focus. Tips and techniques which may be of benefit for other applications will also be investigated.
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This will introduce you to the free programs and methods that you can use to create your own network for your personal interest or hobby. Come along and learn to share and collaborate with others around the world from the comfort of home!
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While it is quite possible to gain a great deal from iTunes without using iPods, the reverse does not apply, as iTunes is needed to load audio and video content onto an iPod.

This SIG aims to demonstrate how to use iTunes to get the most out of iPods, as well as keeping up with the various technological improvements that are progressively made to iPods and iTunes.
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The Genealogy Special Interest Group combines those two wonderful pastimes of Macintosh computers and Genealogy. We look at how to both research and record your family history using your Mac. Reunion for Mac is proving to be the most popular genealogical software for Mac users and time is spent exploring the features of this program. Items on the list include:

• What records are available and from where?
• Use of the Internet in genealogical research.
• Storage of information.
• Charts
• Scanning and including photographs on the family tree.
• Entering your tree into a computer program.
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The Garage Band SIG commenced in 2007 following requests by interested members, some of whom were trained musicians; others were movie makers wanting to make original soundtracks to their Movies. Some needed to develop their skills in podcasting for their careers and the remainder were curious to explore the number of musical options made possible by Garage Band.

The strength of this SIG is the diversity of members and their willingness to share their skills. The monthly sessions are based on Workshops where members are encouraged to be active participants. Individuals demonstrate their particular interest be it construction of compositions, making of enhanced podcasts, making of soundtracks to accompany their individual Movies or importing sound from connected musical instruments and the voice to be edited in Garage Band.

What has become clear to GB users is that an understanding of iMovie, iTunes and iPhoto can enrich the many possibilities available in Garage Band. Regular email contact with the group is kept by the Coordinator of the SIG during the month as GB matters of interest become available.
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This Special Interest Group is devoted to helping members learn about, and get the most out of, using the club's FirstClass Bulletin Board, which is often referred to simply as "FirstClass" or "FC". (Its name derives from the software which is used to operate it.)

Each 50 minute session comprises a demonstration of one or more aspects of using the facilities which the Bulletin Board provides. The meetings are quite informal, and time is always devoted to dealing with questions from those attending.

If you need help configuring or using the client software, registering on the BBS, or with any aspect of using FC, the last ten minutes of the meeting are reserved for giving assistance - if required - to anyone, especially those who have recently joined or are taking advantage of the "Trial Account" offer to AUSOM members.
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The Mac Forum SIG is conducted by a couple of members who, through their close ties with the industry, are often able to give us a little more insight into Mac news and rumour than is available from 'public' sources. There's usually time for discussion and questions, and there's usually a door prize!
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In the true tradition of programmers everywhere, this SIG keeps its doings pretty well hidden from the rest of us, but it's rumoured that current interests include both Mac and iPhone programming. Interestingly, this SIG has historically produced a number of authors of well-known shareware and later commercial software. So bring along your propeller cap and join them in exploring new languages and the new OS.
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The web development group is about web pages, web servers,web hosting and web served applications. Practicing web developers discuss these topics and make themselves available to beginners and intermediate web developers for help with their projects.

This SIG is currently in recess
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This group is aimed at anyone who has an interest in Macs, at any level of expertise, and who is free on the second Wednesday of the month, for our meeting 10:00am–noon at the Balwyn Baptist Church, Cnr Whitehorse & Parring Roads, Balwyn. We are an informal group and newcomers to the Mac are very welcome. The presentation topics vary from interesting new products to actually using common applications or a session where the more knowledgable members answer qestions from the floor. The meeting usually hosts two speakers and during the coffee break there are always other members ready to discuss problems or just engage in chit-chat, not necessarily computer-oriented.See the Next Meetings page for this month's topics.

The special interest of this group is the issues, concerns and experiences conveyed by participants themselves: members are encouraged to discuss / ask questions about any computer related subject at a beginners level. While our aim is to clarify and expand on themes we encounter, we also aspire to keep the discussion as uncomplicated and non-technical as possible. Members are also encouraged to contact me privately to follow up specific matters. No notes are provided from this SIG.

Many issues raised within this group are resolved immediately, either by other members, by searching MacHelp on our computers or by using the internet. Increasingly, many solutions are quickly and easily found via the internet and we spend some time each session exploring how to best take advantage of this incredible resource. Members who raise more difficult or technical issues are usually directed to advanced SIGs or 'gurus' in the club.

In this SIG we explore Photoshop programs, ranging from Photoshop Elements through the various incarnations of Photoshop itself (versions 5 to 7, and now CS).

Click here for this month's Photoshop Challenge

Are you interested in improving your digital photos; restoring old photos; or exploring the myriad of options available to develop text and graphics, combine elements of several photos, and apply filters that produce “works of art”? Join us as we workshop examples of these techniques.
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Ready to go beyond the basics? Come along to Mac OS X Intermediate and learn how to get more control over your Mac, and maybe how to do things that you didn't know were possible. Recent topics have included taming Flash web content, security, AppleScript, the Growl notification system, calendar sharing, cleaning up your Mac, and the Leopard firewall.

Is there something you particularly want to learn about? Attendees are welcome to request topics for future sessions. Or maybe you have expertise in a particular area that you can share.

This is the former Mac OS X Advanced SIG - the old name seemed to discourage attendance by suggesting the material covered was more technical or arcane than it really was.
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At the September meeting Evan Jarman will discuss the use of organization charts and other templates in PowerPoint presentations.

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The aim of this SIG is to utilise the internet for whatever the user wants, eg, accessing RSS feeds; ordering photos online via Apple's iPhoto application or anything else related to the internet.

The SIG co-ordinator says that if the internet is used by any other application, then that becomes relevant to the SIG, as is implied by the use of the word Plus in the SIG name.
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 This SIG is about the use of the Apple iPhone. We talk about the use of the standard Apple installed applications, the Settings available under the Settings menu, what they mean, how to use them and how to connect to a Wireless Network etc.

We also talk about all the Applications that are available from the Apple App Store, both free and paid, we talk about syncing your iPhone to your Mac using iTunes, all the options that are available about how you can sync some or all of your Photo's, Address Book, Music, Videos etc.

If you have an iPhone, or are considering purchasing one, come along and learn from us, and we may also learn from you, all the things that an iPhone can do.
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Convener Chris McQuillen. First Saturday of each month February through December 9.30am to 10:30am.

This practical session involves movie-making demonstrations and tips using iMovieHD (06) iMovie 09, Final Cut Express, Keynote and related audio and graphics applications.

There are industry guest presenters as well as club presenters who demonstrate video filming and software editing techniques. There are also Bring and Show sessions where members bring and show their own films and can see and discuss each others productions.
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This SIG is dedicated to the operation of FileMaker Pro itself. We deal with: menu items; the basics of creating, maintaining and using files; what script steps are for; what functions are for; value lists; defining fields; operation of ScriptMaker. Attendees should bring their simple problems to this meeting on a laptop or CD.
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The Graphics SIG includes presentations, news and discussion related to computer graphics. Members of the SIG include dedicated amateurs, graphics professional and student users, as well as a number with printing and publishing experience, so that the depth of knowledge available is considerable and freely shared. No matter what your level of experience, you're bound to carry away useful information from these meetings.
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