This SIG is an introduction to the use of the latest Apple operating system, OS X Leopard version. In 2008 our pattern has varied. First there will be a demonstration of some significant elements of Leopard OSX followed by questions from the floor. After this a demonstration of interesting software or applications relevant to ordinary non-specialist Mac users is given. Notes are provided to those already on my list and to those who give me their 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 'photo enthusiast', and topics aim to cover both photo-taking and cataloguing/processing/printing. A number of presentations have covered the many functions of iPhoto and related iLife applications such as iWeb and iDVD. Other recent topics have included

• Basic Digital Camera Functions and how they should affect your choice of a camera.
• Colour management - matching print colour to the photo original.
• Camera 'scene modes' - what they do and how to use them effectively.
• New products from the PMA show (cameras and printers)
• Photo storage and backup strategies; panoramas; use of flash; iPod as a photo storage device; photo Xmas cards.
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This SIG aims to introduce the new Apple applications that will in time replace AppleWorks, and which for many users have already replaced MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Basic principles and differences from the 'traditional' applications will be the primary focus, give the relative newness of the iWork suite in its current form.

This SIG is currently running on an irregular schedule. Please see the Next Meetings page for further detail.
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This SIG, a combined effort of AUSOM and iMUG (Internet Mac User Group) aims to presents live demonstrations of hardware and software within Apple's iLife application suite - iTunes; iPhoto; iMovie and iDVD - and any other Mac-aware software for creating music and sound, photography, movies and DVD. Software for interactive and multimedia web-page creation [e.g. Macromedia Studio MX, Adobe GoLive] is also covered. The use of digital and analogue cameras, both still and movie, is covered, as is the handling sound in this environment. The Multimedia SIG provides information for all experience levels.
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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 web development group is about web pages, web servers,web hosting and web served applications. The best way to describe this group is as a group of web developers having a discussion and making themselves available to beginners and intermediate web developers for help with their projects. We will discuss all kind of ways to develop on the web including (X)HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL (and other SQL databases), JavaScript, XML, DOM, Java and many other programming languages. We will also discuss how to put different types of media online including images, audio, video, streaming media and podcasts. There are also vector graphics animation technologies like SVG and Flash. We will also cover open source web applications which are available for free to download and place on a web server. Some web hosts have web hosting management tools which include these open source web applications. Of course we will cover any software which assists in the development of web pages including text editors, code development tools and WYSIWYG web page editors.

This SIG is currently in recess
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This Special Interest Group is devoted to helping members learn about, and get the most out of, using the club's FirstClass Bulletin Board, which is often referred to simply as "FirstClass" or "FC". (Its name derives from the software which is used to operate it.)

Each 50 minute session comprises a demonstration of one or more aspects of using the facilities which the Bulletin Board provides. The meetings are quite informal, and time is always devoted to dealing with questions from those attending.

If you need help configuring or using the client software, registering on the BBS, or with any aspect of using FC, the last ten minutes of the meeting are reserved for giving assistance - if required - to anyone, especially those who have recently joined or are taking advantage of the “Trial Account” offer to AUSOM members."
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NAGS is a forum for new members and novices to come and share their concerns about their computing experiences: there is no presentation - the entire SIG is devoted to discussions generated by your input. Indeed, members are encouraged to actively ask questions and explore any aspect of computers (hence the NAGS). As such, the atmosphere is open, informal and unstructured. It is intended to provide an entry point for you to clarify issues you may have with your computer and to determine how to make the most of your AUSOM experience: how and where to find information, who to approach for expert advice and which SIG's are best suited to your particular needs. Come and have some fun while you become more acquainted with the myriad of assistance that is available.

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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This SIG is about pushing the boundaries of the power within Mac OS X. We will explore, discuss and demonstrate many different parts of the OS.

Areas of interest include... hidden or relatively unknown features, applescript, open source software, shareware of any kind, unix, administration issues, networking, security, hardware tricks, advanced troubleshooting, serving, scheduling, best practice etc.

Come along for the ride. Feel free to participate in setting the agenda. Users of all levels of experience will get something out of this SIG. Stretch your mind. You never know what you will learn.
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Evan Jarman will make the presentation at the July SIG, where he will look at placing things other than text in Word documents. Particular attention will be paid to inserting fields, and the range of switches available to modify these fields. Formulas in fields will also be covered. Other items, on his list of requests, are annotations, comments and cross-references. These topics will be covered if time permits.
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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 group is dedicated to using the Mac to perform everyday business. We will analyse different software and techniques to solve the same problem. We will look at commercial software, open source software and web applications. We will solve accounting problems including tax, look at document storage, contact management, form design and basic document design, templating of documents, creating mail outs (paper and electronic), using the Mac as a communications tool (fax, dialing numbers, etc). Bring in your own issues and solutions.

This SIG is currently in recess
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Conveners Roger Threlfall and Chris McQuilen.
First Saturday of each month February through December 9.30am to 11:30am. The venue is the Theatrette on Level 3 at Swinburne, Prahran.

This practical session involves movie-making demonstrations and tips using iMovie, Final Cut Express, Keynote and related audio and graphics applications.

There are hands-on sessions to which members  bring their own computers also Bring and Show sessions where members can see and discuss each others productions.
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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.

Note that FileMaker Pro features prominently, along with other software packages, in the Business Solutions SIG.
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This monthly one hour session is devoted to investigation and discussion of Mac financial and investment tracking software, useful web sites, Internet share trading, banking etc. Attendees dabble with a variety of software packages in search of their particular nirvana.

This SIG is currently in recess
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The Graphics SIG includes presentations, news and discussion related to computer graphics. Members of the SIG include dedicated amateurs, graphics professional and student users, as well as a number with printing and publishing experience, so that the depth of knowledge available is considerable and freely shared. No matter what your level of experience, you're bound to carry away useful information from these meetings.
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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 interest in Mac OS X and in particular Cocoa is the current primary focus. 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 a new OS.
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