Hello CMUG Friends!

GENERAL INFORMATION

2008 Membership Form. 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!

Photos Taken at Classes, Labs, Meetings and Workshops. If you'd like to see photos of some of our CMUG members who recently attended classes, labs, meetings, or workshops, please take a look at CMUG Photos (1.2MB PDF).

2008 Educational Request Form. Please download and print the 2008 Educational Request Form (PDF), fill it out, and mail the completed form to CMUG, PO Box 641112, Beverly Hills, 34464. This information will help us determine what kinds of new and innovative things you would like to learn about next year. Thanks for your help.

My Mac Cheat Sheet. Whether your Mac asks you for certain information or you're seeking help from Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), there may come a time when you need to have your various passwords, dial-up numbers, mail server addresses, email addresses, hardware specifications, serial number, and other information handy. And then you discover that you've either forgotten or misplaced this information. If you forget it, don't sweat it—pull up your Mac Cheat Sheet instead. Apple created this little form for you to enter all that easy-to-forget information once, and then stow it safely away should you ever need it. Just download the Cheatsheet PDF document, print it out, fill out the fields with your information, and store it in a safe and secure place.

Monthly CMUG Magazine. The first issue of our CMUG magazine is available online to the general public as a 2.7 MB PDF document suitable for reading, downloading or printing. Jo Foster volunteered to set it up for publication online, and we thank her for all her work. If you have suggestions for Jo, just e-mail her at ohanajo@embarqmail.com AND be nice. This sample first issue is available to the general public, but a slightly different version of this first issue and all future issues will be available to MEMBERS ONLY in the password-protected Message Board area.

Awarding of CMUG Member Awards. At a previous meeting, Curt Herrin introduced the idea of recognizing contributions by members on a monthly basis. The first such recognition went to all the members as a thank you for their support and interest. The next individual awards went to Al Petry, Nancy Petry, Duncan Cameron, Janet Fredrickson, Gail Mitchell, John Engberg, Betty Blockus, John Durr, Buzz Fredrickson, Arlene Nicoll, and Margaret Allegrini. At the November/December meeting, Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Bill and Jackie Dean for all their contributions to the club, and there are many. All their efforts are truly appreciated.

CMUG By-Laws. The CMUG Board of Directors presented the finalized by-laws for approval at the October 2006 meeting, and they were unanimously accepted by the attending membership. If you have questions, please email Bill Dean at cmugvptech@tampabay.rr.com.

Word of Caution: If there are storms threatening, disconnect your computer from your internet connection or phone line, or unplug it entirely. Also, everyone should have a good surge protector, just in case (not the $10 variety you get at the hardware store). They are available through Bright House Networks and Progress Energy. A good surge protector (Panamax variety) is available online at http://www.panamax.com.

Phony Emails and Scams. If you have a question about an email you receive that sounds like it could be a hoax, please don't pass it on. We all get enough junk email! To check these out, go to:

• http://www.snopes.com/

Message Board. Please use the Message Board if you have questions or problems relating to anything Mac. Be sure to check out our new Member Mentors page. Contact Bill Dean for user name and password to gain access.

Questions or Issues? Contact Bill Dean via email at cmugvptech@tampabay.rr.com or telephone at (352) 527-8405 with technical questions or issues. If you need directions to the Crystal Oaks Clubhouse, please see the About Us page.

---

CLASSES, LABS, WORKSHOPS, AND MEETINGS

Like to plan ahead? Now you can. Our new 2008 Calendar for Classes, Meetings, Labs and Workshops is available for your viewing. Hope this helps so we might see more of you this year and next.

2008 Calendar
Month	Class	Meeting	Workshop	Lab
January	19	25	22	27
February	16	22	26	24
March	15	28	25	30
April	19	25	22	27
May	17	23	27	25
June	21	27	24	29
July	19	25	22	27
August			26	24
September	20	26	23	28
October	18	24	28	26
November	15		25	23
December		12	16	14

Saturday, May 17, 1-5 p.m., Class at Crystal Oaks.
Quicken, The Basics for Bookkeeping. Have you always wanted to use Quicken for your bookkeeping? Now is your chance to get started. This month's class, given by Curt Herrin, will show you how to:

• Set up a Quicken Account
• Make entries in your account ledger
• Set up categories for making reports
• Make reports
• Reconciling
• Introduction to setting up a budget and home inventories
• Online banking
• Credit Card account ledgers

Curt will be using Quicken 2006 Deluxe. If you have a newer version, you should be able to follow along. Quicken versions earlier than 2006 will not be able to open the file we will use for making reports. (If you are using any other form of Intuit's Money Applications ( http://quicken.intuit.com/), this class may help you understand your application as well but Curt will not be teaching those specific application tasks.)

For this class YOU WILL NEED your last month's bank statement. If you want to do online banking, before the class YOU MUST VISIT YOUR BANK'S WEB SITE AND SET UP YOUR LOG-IN FEATURES. Contact your bank for assistance. Do not attempt to do any downloads before class, but do become familiar with your bank's website. (Quicken has many features to include a means of following your stock on the market. This is an advance feature and will not be covered in class.)

Instruction will begin at 1 p.m., and we will run until 5 p.m. The class fee is $10 for individuals, $15 for family and $20 for non-members. Come earlier to set up your computer. To sign up for this class, e-mail Jean Clark at borderbrae@aol.com or phone 249-3263. We hope to see you there!

Friday, May 23, Meeting at Crystal Oaks.
The topic for the May meeting is Bento, Data Software for Macs. If you don’t have/use the Appleworks database software, this may be a useful tool for you. Learn more about it at the meeting.

Meetings are held at the Crystal Oaks Clubhouse and start at 6:30 p.m. with an informal Question and Answer session, followed by a brief business session and the evening’s program. If you have any questions about the meeting, please contact Curt Herrin via email at cmugpres@tampabay.rr.com.

Sunday, May 25, 1-5 p.m., Lab/Tuneup at Crystal Oaks.
The lab/tuneup will be on Sunday at Crystal Oaks. Bring your computer for tune-up, correction of problems or for one-on-one instruction in Mac applications. Make sure that you bring all the necessary hardware to run your computer. The mouse and cables are frequently forgotten.

Sign up with Bill Dean at cmugvptech@tampabay.rr.com.

Tuesday, May 27, 1-5 p.m., Beverly Hills Workshop.
The Beverly Hills Workshop will be held on Tuesday at the Beverly Hills Community Building. Come for instruction, minor tune-up, class follow-up when possible, or software and hardware problems. Bring your computer and make sure that you bring all the necessary hardware to run your computer. The mouse and cables are frequently forgotten.

If you would like to request a specific topic you wish covered, check with Bill Dean via email at cmugvptech@tampabay.rr.com or contact him for questions about the Workshop.

CMUG SERVICES

• We have visited more than 210 members' homes for instruction and technical service
• Phone or Email: Bill Dean 527-8405 or cmugvptech@tampbay.rr.com

COMPUTER ITEMS FOR SALE

We have a page for members to buy and sell used computers, peripherals, and software. Email Jan Fredrickson if you have an item(s) to sell. Include description, sale price and your email address so that potential buyers can contact you.

DISCOUNTED SOFTWARE

MUG Ambassador Alan Wentzell found some good discounted software for members of Mac User Groups. Deals on assorted new, used, and refurbished iPods, plus Apple products such as Panther sold at dealer cost. Instant rebates, free printers, free RAM, and free UPS freight on all orders. Vendor discount codes are available in the Password Protected area of the website. Check out the MUG store here!! If you need the password for the User Group Store, contact our new MUG Ambassador Alan Wentzell.