In this first issue of Quick Connect, we'd like to introduce you to the team at Apple that supports your User Group.
Ellen Leanse, a five-year Apple veteran, heads up Apple's User Group Connection. Before coming to Apple, Ellen served as Executive Director for a small non-profit trade agency, which she says gave her insight into the needs of small non-profit interests. Ellen launched Apple's User Group support program, which now reaches out to almost 700 groups.
Joining Ellen, Cathy Hoolihan will bring her expertise to User Group support as Apple's newest User Group Evangelist. Cathy will become the primary contact at Apple for User Groups, allowing Ellen to turn her attentions to the development of new support programs. While continuing to bolster the level of information Apple provides to User Groups via the CompuServe MAUG User Group Forum, AppleLink, and monthly mailings, Cathy will also expand the User Group Support Corps program -- bringing even more speakers from Apple to User Group events. Cathy comes to Apple from Microsoft Corp. She has had direct experience in both the Apple Dealer and Developer communities, making her a valuable addition to Apple's User Group Suport program.
Phyllis Farnam is the third member of the User Group support team. In addition to handling the phones and AppleLink, Phyllis provides updates to User Group listings, and assists in handling arrangements for Apple speakers. Her background includes supportive roles at Apple in the areas of Software Licensing, and MIS and Product Marketing.
"In the next year," says Ellen, "we have several key goals for the User Group program. First, we want to amplify our support, building upon the information flow we've established, and expanding product and technical information to the groups. Second, we want to weave User Groups in with other members of the Apple family--dealers, developers, and corporate, just to name a few. And finally, we'd like to encourage more Apple owners to actively participate in User Group functions."
Ellen adds that in addition to increasing contact between Apple and the User Groups, she also sees value in establishing greater interaction between User Groups themselves.
"A vast body of know-how exists among the 700 User Groups we've been in touch with over the last few months. I'd like to see the groups share more of this know-how." p
Welcome
Welcome to the first issue of Quick Connect--a newsletter for Apple User Groups. In the past few months, we've established a direct channel of communications to you, the User Group Ambassadors. With Quick Connect, we hope to launch a new wave in User Group communications and expand our connection with you.
You'll notice that Quick Connect is a desktop-published newsletter that exemplifies the use of Apple's own technology. It's been designed to move quickly, and to bring the latest in news from Apple directly to you. Your comments and ideas regarding Quick Connect's content are always welcome. We hope you enjoy this new addition to Apple's User Group Connection!
APPUG
The User Group-User Group Connection
That's not a typo you see in the headline. Many User Groups comment that, although there are certain kinds of support that Apple can provide for them, a great deal of critical information can only come from the experts in the User Group business--that is, the User Groups themselves.
Newsletter articles, updates on PD software, tips and hints on running your User Group--the best place for this input is from other User Groups. Many groups already compare notes on information like this. But a great number of User Group Ambassadors say that they need to expand their exposure to other groups--and to benefit from their expertise in setting up member-supporting programs.
If that sounds like you, read on. A forum does exist that allows Apple User Groups to share diverse ideas and information. The name of the forum is APPUG--the Apple User Group Forum--and it's part of the Micronetworked Apple User Group (aka MAUG). MAUG boasts nearly 75,000 electronically linked members worldwide. Many of them meet regularly in MAUG's Macintosh and Apple( II-Apple /// forums, which focus specifically on tips and ideas regarding these two product families.
APPUG is a forum dedicated specifically to Apple User Group issues. Many of APPUGs members are User Group officers like you. Others are User Group members interested in the comments of other Apple enthusiasts. All of these users have access to APPUG's public areas, which include news from third parties, press releases from Apple, conversations between User Group members, and more.
But User Group Ambassadors can also gain admittance to private APPUG areas. In these areas, Apple can leave messages for Ambassador eyes only-- and User Group officers can chat confidentially with each other. Furthermore, in the private forums, groups can post newsletter articles and other resources for the exclusive access of other User Group Ambassadors.
The Apple User Group Forum receives regular visits from Apple User Group Evangelists, who pay particular attention to the "Hear From Apple" sections of the public and private forums. In addition, several key technical support experts from Apple have recently gained access to the forum. They expect to visit APPUG frequently, especially as they develop on-line rapport with representatives from a variety of Apple User Groups.
Although a number of Apple User Group members and officers are already benefiting from their affiliation on APPUG, all seem to agree that the forum can only be as good as the information exchanged there. We encourage each User Group to evaluate the opportunities that participation in APPUG extends to them. If you're new to electronic communications, don't be afraid. Hints and usage guidelines can be accessed on-line, and you'll probably find your fellow User Group Ambassadors willing to share a few tips. And be sure to check out the conferencing tips described in this issue of Quick Connect.
We hope this information helps. See you on APPUG!
The Apple User Group Forum is found on MAUG, a service of the CompuServe information network. For information on joining CompuServe, call (numbers).
get all the legalese from Neil Shapiro 516/735-6960
Programmers
One Stop Shopping
Apple's programming community will soon get a boost in support from Apple with the formation of APDA--that's the Apple Programmer's and Developer's Association.
APDA will be the most effective programmer support mechanism ever offered by a computer manufacturer, providing a professional, highly visible, one-stop shopping service for development languages, tools, and technical documentation.
Programmers and enthusiasts alike will find APDA to be a fast and inexpensive way to access Apple's own development tools and technical information. The association will serve as publisher and distributor for all of Apple's non-retail technical development tools and languages (e.g.Software Supplement, technical notes, technical manual drafts, etc.).
In addition, APDA's publishing and distribution services will be open to all third-party developers with technical products, languages, books, or tools targeted for the programming community. Membership benefits will include a quarterly newsletter and catalog on newly available products, and a toll-free 800 number for ordering products directly.
A.P.P.L.E. Co-op, an independent organization in Renton, Washington, will implement and administrate APDA. As many of you are already aware, A.P.P.L.E. Co-op has been successfully promoting and distributing its own products to Apple computer owners throughout the world since 1978. APDA will be a separately incorporated subsidiary of A.P.P.L.E. Co-op.
For more information on APDA, call Director Dave Lingwood for more information at (206) 251-5222 between 9AM and 4PM PST. p
Desktop Communications
Let's Get Wired Up
Harnessing the power of the Macintosh* computer and the speed of electronic communication, Apple Computer has designed a state-of-the-art data communications system. Apple's new system provides the power to tap, manage, and share electronic information.
We call this new system "Desktop Communications."
Some of you are already desktop communicators, but for those of you who are new to the concept, desktop communications does just what its name implies. It allows users to communicate information from one desktop Mac to another. But that's just the beginning. As you'll see, at its most sophisticated level, it allows us to do much more.
Desktop communications is Apple's complete network solution. It's an answer to the increasing demand among users for connectivity and sophisticated information exchange between personal computers. And it's a system that's designed so that any Macintosh user can apply it quickly and easily to his or her every day business.
Recent software and hardware evelopments, both within Apple and from third-party developers, have completed Apple's vision of a desktop communications systems that gives users the power to access, share, manage, and enhance information--not only from Macintosh to Macintosh, but also from Macintosh to IBM PC, to multiuser data base, to mainframe or minicomputer.
InBox, from Think Technologies, for example, brings electronic-mail and file-transfer capabilities to an AppleTalk ( network.
MacServe, software from Infosphere turns a Macintosh and virtually any hard-disk drive into a isk server for an AppleTalk Network, allowing many users to share files on a single hard disk via a network connection.
Several new products, like PC MacBridge, from Tangent Technologies, allow IBM PC-users to bridge the compatibility gap, integrating and enhancing information from IBM PC's to the Macintosh for applications like desktop publishing.
With the appropriate hardware, and software like MacTerminal*, the Macintosh can emulate nearly a hundred different terminals, enabling Macintosh users to transfer information from mainframes or minicomputers to Macintosh applications.
So with the future in mind, Apple Desktop Communications today is providing solutions that will serve its users long-term. In the key areas of electronic communication and connectivity, Apple Computer is demonstrating its commitment to helping users get the most from the latest in personal computer technology. p
Warranty Update
Installation of General Computer Hyperdrive or Hyperdrive 20 in Macintosh 512K Enhanced or Macintosh Plus computers, when performed by an authorized Apple Dealer, does not void the Apple 90-day Warranty or AppleCare coverage. All other internally installed third-party products do void the Apple Warranty and AppleCare coverage, regardless of who performs the installation.
AppleLink Available
AppleLInk, Apple's own electronic mail and information network, will be opening up to approximately 50 more User Groups in early October. Terms have been modified to reflect the input of the pilot users. Look for application materials in September.
Corresponding with Apple
When corresponding with Apple User Group Support please use this address: Apple Computer 20525 Mariani Ave. MS 23G Cupertino, CA 95014. Also, just in case we need to reach you, pelase include your daytime phone number in any correspondence.
Colophon
Colophon, a newsletter published by Adobe Systems on the subject of PostScript and desktop publishing, is available free of charge to Apple User Group members. To order your free subscription, write to: Colophon Adobe Systems 1870 Embarcadero Rd. Palo Alto, CA 94303
Tips on conferencing
ok
you may be wondering what all these silly dot dot dots...
at the end of each line are. Well, they're part of on-line...
conferencing, and they tell people reading your comments...
that you still have more to write. When it's your turn to "speak"...
at an on-line conference, you let people know you're still there...
(and awake!) by typing "ok" right away, followed by a return...
like at the top of this paragraph. Then go ahead with your...
message. When you're finished, let everyone know by keying...
"ga" (stands for "go ahead") or "done" at the end of your message...
Other tips: don't barge in while others are talking, and watch...
(whoops) out for accidental carriage returns. They make your...
audience think they've somehow missed a line. Got it? Great...
Then we'll see you on line.
done
First Sunday of the Month Conference
Apple hosts on-line conferences in Compuserve on the first Sunday of each month. Conference schedules are posted to APPUG the week before the conference. The September 7th conference on Legal issues will start at 9:00pm EST and end 11:00pm EST. Teri Drenker, Manager of Software Licensing, will be the guest speaker from Apple. Other speakers include Tom Warrick, President of Washington Apple Pi, and Mark Hellmann, President of the American Bar Association Macintosh User Group.
