About Us

ABOUT US
1995 - 2008

In a world that seems designed for PC users, CMUG is an organization devoted to faithful, die-hard Macintosh computer users. We are located in Citrus County, Florida.

The Citrus Macintosh Users Group (CMUG) had its inception in May 1995 when a handful of Mac people met to address the lack of technical, instructional and moral support for them and their chosen computers. Based on some preliminary research into computer preferences, they decided to combine their efforts and organize a MacUser Group which would meet the needs of hundreds of Citrus Countians.

That handful has grown steadily to swell the ranks of club members to nearly 200. Anxious to learn more and eager to share their technical know-how, members encourage each other in an environment of friendly exchange. We are a fast growing group of users from all around Citrus county with a substantially wide range of user skills which we are anxious to share.

CMUG is a tax-exempt, non-profit educational organization, dedicated to helping all people in our area become familiar with their computers.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to all who want to learn more about their computers.

Annual dues are $20 for an individual; $30 for a family; and $10 for a student. The membership period begins on January 15 each year and dues are prorated for persons joining after July.

If you'd like to join or renew your CMUG membership, please download and print a copy of our 2008 Membership Form (PDF format), fill it out, and submit with your check to CMUG, P.O. Box 641112, Beverly Hills, FL 34464. If you'd like to come to one of our meetings or labs, just bring the form and a check with you. We're always happy to see new faces!

WORKSHOP

Bill Dean hosts the Beverly Hills Workshop on the 4th Tuesday from 1-4:00 PM at the Beverly Hills Community Building. Any member, not just Beverly Hills folk, is welcome to bring his/her computer for minor adjustments, AppleWorks instruction, Internet woes or other small problems.

Call or email Bill for an appointment: 527-8405; cmugvptech@tampabay.rr.com

MEETINGS

We meet on the 4th Friday of each month at the Crystal Oaks Clubhouse in Lecanto, FL. The meetings start at 6:30 PM with an informal question/answer period led by some of our Mac tech people. A business meeting follows at 7:00 PM and then a short presentation on some use of the computer, covering a variety of topics including graphics, web pages, word processing, or just using the tools that are part of the Macintosh.

Directions to Crystal Oaks Clubhouse

From:

Inverness. Rt. 44 West. 1.5 miles West of Rt. 490 on Rt. 44, turn left at entrance to Crystal Oaks on Crystal Oaks Blvd. Clubhouse 1/10 mile on left.
Crystal River. Rt. 44 East off Rt. 19. Go 5.5 miles, turn right at entrance to Crystal Oaks on Crystal Oaks Blvd. Clubhouse 1/10 mile on left.
Homosassa. Rt. 19 to Home Depot. Turn east on W. Venable. Stay on this road for 4 miles. Do not worry about name change. Clubhouse on right.
Homosassa via Rt. 490. Turn left at Rt. 44. Go 1.5 miles, turn left. Clubhouse on left 1/ 10 mile.
Rt. 19. Can access Rt. 490 in Homosassa, W. Venable by Home Depot or Rt. 44 in Crystal River and follow above directions.

LAB/TUNEUP

On the Sunday following the Friday meeting, from 1-5:00 PM, CMUG offers a Lab/TuneUp open to all members for diagnosing/troubleshooting hardware/software problems, installation of software/RAM/updates, Internet config, and other troublesome issues. Crystal Oaks Clubhouse is the location.

To make an appointment for the Lab, call or email Al Petry: 563-2524; apetry@tampabay.rr.com

In addition, the Lab/TuneUp provides an opportunity for members to interact and discuss common computer ailments. So come on out and see us (as long as you don't interfere with the gurus at work).

And besides, Nancy Petry makes outstanding coffee which you may enjoy for just a small donation to the club.

CLASSES

We offer at least one Saturday afternoon class each month. These classes allow members to learn Mac programs and techniques in a hands-on setting.

For class questions or issues, please contact Jean Clark via email at borderbrae@aol.com or call 249-3263.

CMUG HALL OF FAME

We give special recognition and thanks to one current member and a select few burned-out, now-inactive members who worked so tirelessly to make CMUG one of the best computer clubs anywhere.

To Bill Dean, Mac Doctor Extraordinaire, who has logged 1,000 upaid hours in house calls to solve computer problems for members, and put in very long hours while President of the club. At January 2004's CMUG meeting, Curt Herrin, current President, surprised Bill Dean with a trophy designating him Mac Doctor Extraordinaire. The trophy presented to Bill was designed and crafted by Jim Nicoll, Homosassa, and sports a stethoscope. Thanks, Bill!

To Randy Hernandez whose technical wizardry and computer knowledge have been indispensable since the very first meeting of the group. He was the head guru who presided over the Lab/TuneUp, served as President and VP/Technical, taught classes, made house calls, designed graphics for our Magazine (the logo [above left] is a Randy original), created the first CMUG website, and can make a Mac sing the "Ave Maria". Thanks, Randy!

To Gail Mitchell whose organizational skills built a "blue ribbon" organization out of a fledgling group of newbies. She pursued the legal work to incorporate, promoted CMUG within the community, encouraged members to expand their capabilities, planned agendas for meetings and labs, made house calls, taught classes, and generally whipped all of us into shape. But what else can you expect from a schoolteacher/professor? Thanks, Gail!

To Kevin Gary who worked long hours as President, VP/Education, and technical guru during his tenure on the Board. He also made house calls, taught classes and tried to teach us Photoshop, however, some of us were unteachable. Thanks, Kevin!

To Bob Mann who held us together during those tenuous years as a fledgling club. He was our very first President when we held our meetings at Central Ridge Library. We soon outgrew that facility. Thanks, Bob!