http://www.macgen.org is born

The April 25th meeting went well and we're planning the next one on June 27th. Read about it at the MacGen web site.

Macintosh Genealogy Meeting April 25, 2009

I live in Castro Valley, Calif. and belong to four Bay Area genealogy groups. Each has a small number of people that use Macs to help with their genealogy research. There are just not enough people in these PC-dominated genealogy groups to have substantive meetings that cover the wonderful advantages a Macintosh can bring to your genealogy avocation. The best group for Mac Genealogists I've encountered so far is the Silicon Valley Computer Genealogy Group (used to be Silicon Valley Personal Ancestral File group) in Santa Clara. They have a sub-group headed by Mac Guru Pat Burrow (plumlady.com) who is a treasure of Mac information. Every second Saturday, they have their two hour Mac presentation in the South Bay. They also have a Getting Started Class taught by Pat Solomon. But, it's not enough for me. I think our East Bay Mac users deserve a way to share their two passions, genealogy and their Macs.

So, I'm exploring this month to see if such a need exists. On Saturday, April 25th, at 1:30 pm at the Oakland LDS Family History Center, a meeting will occur with as many genealogy enthusiasts that use Macs, as can be found. Please see a flyer I created with more details, and hopefully I'll see you on the Saturday the 25th.

...Bill

MacIntosh User Group in Livermore

I just noticed this Mac User Group that meets monthly on the Third Thursday from 7-10pm, 1155 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton. They have a very informative Newsletter, "The TMUG Insider". See their web site at http://www.clubtmug.com/. I hope to attend their Thursday July 17th, 2008, meeting.

iPhoto Photo Books and Calendars

I finally put some of my photos to work, publishing a two photo books and a photo calendar with iPhoto. They turned out great! The photo books are spectacular with the slip covers.

Steve Jobs 60 Second Keynote

I was browsing Amber MacArthur's website and thought I'd pass this link off to you. It's a 60 second version of the 90 minute Keynote from MacWorld 2007.

My First iPhoto "Book".

I submitted my first iPhoto "Book" for printing at Apple last week. If it looks OK, I plan to give it to someone special and print a second copy. iPhoto also allows you to make a PDF of your creation, that can be shared with everyone. Hmmm.. I'm starting to sound like an Apple commercial.

MacBook Air

I was impressed with the MacBook Air's size and capability after reviewing a video of Steve Jobs Macworld address. The Time Capsule was cool as were the iPhone improvements. Gotta get a MacBook Air! Actually, I'm thinking of helping to start a new user group called IMP, short for iPhone, Mac and PC. Interested people would have a Mac that drives an iPhone and runs PC software. There is a lot that can be shared and learned. This is getting complicated!
My current project is putting together my first iPhoto "Book" from travel photos... next is to publish it on .mac... (http://web.mac.com/williamcgeorge/)