Resources for Apple User Group Presentations and Newsletters

Image Tricks Pro

Image Tricks is an image editing and image generating program. "This program is in my ‘must-have’ program kit for the newsletter. . .because of what it produces, and because it gives me the great pleasure and inspiration of surprises." There's a free version and a "Pro" version for just $15! They also offer discounts for MUG members.

Here is a Review of the product from the Macintosh Asheville Computer Society.

Bryce 5.5

Bryce, a ray-tracing 3D modeling application, is a Total Gym for your imagination, and brings anything you can imagine to virtual life. Suppose you were a rose expert and somebody gave you a strange plant and told you it came from Mars? Suppose you were a family doctor and somebody brought a Vulcan to your dinner party? Well, as a usability engineer, I find getting to know Bryce has the same compelling fascination of applying professional knowledge to something all but utterly alien. For people who are used to the Mac or Windows user interface however, Bryce may well be a case of "Life, Jim, but not as we know it." Take heart - the learning curve can be ascended and you will be rewarded every time you look at a stone wall, a tree, a cloud or a sunset, and your newly toned imagination leaps into overdrive figuring out how it could be done in Bryce. Bryce has its share of user interface issues, and even a few bugs, but for what it does, it does it amazingly well. I highly recommend Bryce for any Mac creative artist or artist-wannabe

Here is a Review of the product by The Macintosh Guild User Group.

MacCase Messenger

The MacCase Messenger is a simple and functional messenger-style shoulder bag that can carry quite a load for the average road warrior. It's bright inside compartments make it easy to find things. It also includes the MacCase Sleeve that provides your laptop with some extra protection, as well as showing off your Apple logo through a window in the Sleeve. The Messenger is touted as a stealth-like shoulder bag, and when properly packed, it is exactly that. However, when you start adding bulky items like power supplies and iPod docks, the bag is less stealth and a little more on the lumpy side. With its patch style pockets, the bag looks nicer when loaded with smaller and flatter objects, like files, pens, and cords. The padding of the bag coupled with the padding of the Sleeve makes for adequate laptop protection for the standard commuter. I felt that it needed a little more padding before I would take it with me on my bicycle. The bag is quite comfortable with the side padding and the adjustable padded shoulder strap. On the other hand, it does not offer a handle, and the shoulder strap attachment could be improved to prevent strap twisting. For the average laptop user, the Messenger provides a nice lightweight bag for people on the go, is comfortable to carry, and provides decent protection for your Mac laptop, all for a very reasonable price.

Here is a Review of the product form The Macintosh Guild User Group.

Apple's Motion 2.1

Apple's Motion 2.1 is a motion graphics program for the creation of awesome special effects, animation, typographical treatments and particle generation for standard-definition and high-definition video. While Motion isn't an After Effects killer, it could be After Effects' killer app. Motion 2 is not a huge leap forward from Motion 1, but a lot of rough edges have been smoothed, and an essentially good idea has been made demonstratably better (and faster). Some may find that it makes certain aesthetic choices so easy that it tends to promote them in a subtle way, and if I had to speculate as to why it hasn't seen broader adoption in video post, that would be my guess -- I occasionally found myself struggling to execute ideas which didn't involve anything gliding, changing opacity or replicating, and that is a little bit unsettling somehow. On the whole, though, with its easy-to-live-with UI and gentle learning curve, Motion has a low barrier to entry and plenty to offer as an animation tool for those who are already using the Final Cut Studio suite.

Here is a Review of the product by The Macintosh Guild User Group.

Airburst Extreme

Airburst Extreme is an action packed game with several configurable options. The game is "kid friendly" and my eight year old son really enjoyed it. As an adult, it took a little longer to get the hang of the controls and levels. If you are on an Intel Mac, be sure to get the latest patches. There are addictive aspects to the game, similar to the old Breakout game, but all rendered in a beautiful 3D environment with really good stereo music. Airburst Extreme is a fun family game and I highly recommended it.

Here is a Review of the product by The Macintosh Guild User Group.

Notebook Essentials

Verbatim set out to create a nice set of laptop accessories for the road warrior, and I say MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! This set provides great connectivity cables, as well as other nifty devices, such as the USB mouse and USB hub. All of these widgets enhance the capability of our laptops while we are on the road. With all the cables being retractable, these accessories pack neatly away in its rubber case, providing a little extra room for other extras (such as a USB thumb drive and a SecureID card). I believe that it is priced right, and is designed with the laptop user in mind. As more and more technology is integrated into our lifestyles, accessory packages like this are a welcome addition for staying up-to-date and organized. The USB mouse alone makes this a valuable package for a laptop user, and with all the rest, I highly recommend the Notebook Essentials package for any laptop user.

Here is Review of the product by The Macintosh Guild User Group

RadTech iPod Cocoon

The RadTech iPod Cocoon, made by STM, is a fantastic iPod companion that includes a semi-rigid clamshell clip case along with a transparent form fit iPod skin. The Cocoon has sizes for all of the 5G iPods, as well as the iPod Nano, 4G iPod, and iPod Mini. The clamshell case offers outstanding protection for your iPod while allowing you to charge and play it while still in the case. The transparent skin is great for protecting your iPod from scratches while still being able to enjoy the small size of the iPod. The velcro on the skin is handy for securing it to your case, but it doubles as an excellent way to mount your iPod in other places, such as your work area or in your car. The lanyard is nice for carrying and/or wearing either the clamshell case or the iPod with skin only. The only downside to the skin is that it may give you trouble when you want to insert your iPod into an iPod speaker dock. Overall, I really love the affordable Cocoon package, and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to protect their precious iPod while still enjoying the convenience of the iPod's small size.

Here is an Review prepared by Macintosh Guild User Group.

What's New in Keynote 3

Grab and hold your audience’s attention with Keynote 3, the latest generation of Apple’s stunning presentation software. Perhaps you’d like to make a business proposal. Highlight the quarter’s results for investors. Dazzle viewers with your photos of the southwest. Whatever your story, make it into an exquisite presentation with laser-sharp graphics.

Here is a presentation on what's new in Keynote 3 prepared by the Strait Mac Users Group. 

Yellow Mug Utilities

Yellow Mug Software has a series of low cost utilities that make life easier in OS X. These  utilities include:

• EasyCrop - Crops and more, without the fuss
• EasyFrame - Add finishing touch to any photo
• EasyBatchPhoto - Batch processing made easy
• FileChute - Send oversized files easily
• FolderBrander - Folders need not look plain
• SizzlingKeys Pro - Global hot keys for iTunes
• SnapNDrag Pro - Screen capture simplified
• TapDex Pro - All your contacts one tap away

Here is a presentation on those utilities prepared by the Strait Mac Users Group

CDFinder

CDFinder is a "cataloger" program. Have it catalog your hard drive and it will store the name, date created, file size, and a LOT more. You may say "so what?, I know what's on my hard drive". Well, a cataloger really shines when you feed it all of your backup CDs, DVDs, external hard drive, Flash Drive, etc.

Here is a in depth review prepared by the Macintosh Asheville Computer Society