Here are some particulars about our club. We think we have a good club that has found some new energy and is moving out!
• The Arizona Macintosh Users Group (AMUG) is a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Arizona. .Its purpose is to provide education and assistance to its members in the use of the Macintosh Computer. We have about 700 members. Our President can be reached GEnie (MichaelBean) as can the club Secretary (that's me: DormanHBullard). We are on AppleLink (UG0116). We also have a folder in the Users Group Forum (contact there is BULLARD). We have been increasing our activity in the Macintosh community as noted above, and by joining the MNS. We have uploaded articles to the MacNet User Group Forum, and will do so in the GEnie MNS library. A HyperCard stack is availble for download (file #15020, "AMUGINFO.SIT) that provides information about the purpose of AMUG and the services it provides. This stack also contains the directory of library files available to members. As you may see below, you may find this stack useful in and of itself, so you should consider downloading it even though it is a bit large (see below for more details).
The services AMUG provides are such that even out-of-towners should consider the benefits of joining. For details, download the stack. A summary of The benefits are:
• A library of over 130-800K diskettes of software. Members may obtain copies free at meetings, or at designated Apple dealerships. For those that cannot attend the meetings (or prefer the convenience), diskettes can be ordered by mail. Diskette prices are $3.00 per disk ($6.00 for non-members). At least 3-800 K diskettes are added each month. For added convenience there is a subscription policy for automatic receipt of diskettes. "Best of" diskettes are also available (e.g., Best DAs, Best Utilities, etc.).
• A key feature of the AMUG library disks is that each contains a "click- readable" file which lists all files and provides a brief description which sometimes contains hints for usages, known bugs, etc. This feature makes AMUG library disks a greater value than other such compilations.
• A Hypercard stack is available by mail for $3:00 which which contains a directory of all library diskettes (including the documentation of each file as described above). The stack has several search features and automatic order form calculation and printing. This stack contains about 2,000 files collected since the early days of the Macintosh. Due the documentation of the files, this stack is a very useful reference or research resource.
• AMUG has an excellent, 2-line Bulletin Board System (BBS) available to members only. AMUG I has over 5,500 files available for download (mostly, but not only the files in the library). The BBS is a Red Ryder Host 2 system, with 320 MEGs of storage capacity and operating at up to 9600 Baud. In addition to several local message areas, the BBS is a Fidonet subscriber. Thus many message areas are availble with messages from all over the country (and even foreign countries).
• The AMUG II BBS (available to both members and non-members) receives all messages from AMUG I, including the Fidonet messages. It has its own smaller, but growing, file download area. A key feature is the availability of Newsbytes. This is a weekly, award-winning electronic news magazine which has over 100 K each week of computer news from all over the world. This is the same feature carried by GEnie and Compuserve.
• AMUG "hard copy" publications: AMUG Publishes monthly a small newsletter called "AMUG NEWS". This publication contains news of activities including training sessions, meetings, and other events. It also provides the current status of various services. There are always at least one or two articles of interest. Quarterly (approximate) a digest called "GET INFO" is published. This is a 32+ page publication with hardware and software reviews, hints and tips for beginners and non-begginers, computer and club news, graphics, etc. We have developed a HyperCard version of our publication, and will determine its distribution later. This will be a source for articles for MNS and others. It will likely be uploaded to GEnie and others.
• Meetings: AMUG has a main meeting and three satellite meetings each month. The main meeting features guest speakers and hardware/software demonstrations, door prizes for hardware and software, etc. A one meeting feturing MicroSoft over 450 people attended. The club library is available for copying the latest disks (virtually always a minimum of 3-800K disks). The Satellite meetings are smaller and less formal. These also feature guests speakers, but the informality allows more one-on-one give and take, problem solving etc. We have participated in local fairs and shows sponsored by Apple and Apple Dealers.
• Training and Special Interest Groups (SIGS): AMUG conducts training for its members. Currently there are monthly trainings sessions for newer users and for HyperCard development. Training has been held on the use of MacWrite and MacDraw, and there are plans to start these again. Special Interest Groups include Macintosh programming. Training in beginning Pascal has been held. The Programming SIG is active on the Bulletin Board.
All in all, an active group, worthy of consideration for the Rittner/MacUser MUG of the month.
