This SIG is largely focussed on the use of the iPad2 with operating system iOS5. In addition part of the session is often devoted to Lion operating system and issues relating to Snow Leopard are also dealt with.

I normally work to a prepared presentation but questions are always welcome from the floor. Notes of the prepared SIG are provided to those already on my list and to those who give me their name and 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 Apple's iPhoto and Aperture, while occasional sorties are made into others such as Photoshop and shareware utilities.
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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. The SIG mainly focuses on iWork for the Mac. 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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With the dissolution of Final Cut Studio, Motion 5 has emerged as an affordable vehicle for Mac users to extend their digital video capabilities. Whether you're looking to add classy titles or snazzy effects to an existing project, or create wild animations from scratch, the aniMotion SIG may well be the place to start.

And there's very little risk of feeling intimidated by excessively knowledgeable geeks in this SIG because the field of animation is relatively new to many of us. So if you're a bit of a pioneer, join us in the Lower Hall at 10:30am at NewHope.
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This SIG is about using Dragon Dictate, the Voice to Text application that runs on Intel Macs using OS X 10.6.0 or later, and MacSpeech Scribe. Come along and see how Dictate may be able to help you make better use of your Mac.
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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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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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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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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 (Post: 517 Whitehorse Rd, Surrey Hills). 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.

If you live anywhere on, or near, the Mornington Peninsula, or are taking a holiday down this way, then this is the Mac group for you. Our friendly group of AUSOM Members have diverse interests and varying levels of computer expertise. In 2012 we'll show you how to get started with Apple's Creative programs and how to manage your Mac Operating System. A variety of informative Mac-related topics will be presented and experienced members will be on hand to answer questions.

Meetings are on the third Thursday of the month (Feb to Dec) 6:45pm - 9:15pm - at the Mornington Community Information and Support Centre, 320 Main St, Mornington (Melway 104 E12/F12). Admission: AUSOM Members free. Visitors - $10. All newcomers and Mac users are welcome.

For details of our next meeting's program, click here.
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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.
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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 February meeting we will first explore the simple task of preparing a personal letter using Word. For first attempt we will start with a blank Word document. For the second attempt will will start with an in-built template. Which approach is the more efficient?

We will also explore the use of cell formulas in Excel to perform simple calculations, and examine if the use of cell names assists us to document our process.
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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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