SIGS (Special Interest Groups) provide an opportunity for informal, small-group discussions on a variety of topics of interest to Mac users.  Members were able to ask questions and find others with similar interests.   At this meeting we had the following SIG groups:

• Web pages:  Facilitator:  Tom
  
• Creating blogs & Podcasts:  Facilitator:  Doc Sam
• Digital Photography:  Facilitator:  Hamish
  

(Click here to see enlarged views of the thumbnails above)

Tom introduced the 2008 MUGS Executive
Guests were welcomed and members were reminded that the MUGS membership renewal ($12) covers the period January through June.  In the Fall, we will be back on a 12 month membership cycle (September - June) for the usual $20.  Members were complimented on their prompt renewal of membership.  Virtually 100% of the members present have renewed their memberships already! 

Several goals for the upcoming year were briefly discussed.  These include:

• The addition of more computers, especially ones which will run
  
• An effort to promote the creation of introductory Mac computer courses through Adult Education programs in various city school divisions and Creative Retirement
• Use of on-line survey techniques to better serve the needs of our members
  

Brian briefly discussed the brand new Mac Pro tower of 8-core power just released by Apple.   It is a real workhorse! A display of the Time Machine feature of Apple's OS X (10.5 - Jaguar) generated a lot of interest from MUGS members.  Like all Mac software, Time Machine is incredibly easy to use and can restore lost or deleted documents like magic! iMovie was the main focus and Brian demonstrated the differences between iMovie 06 and iMovie 08.  There are noticable differences between the way in which each works and those differences were clearly displayed.  Some people who have iMovie 08 may wish to take advantage of the free download of iMovie 08 offered by Apple.  However, it won't work unless your computer already has iMovie 08 installed.