About the The User Group The BFMUG was formed after I had a visit to Apple's web site one day which only listed a small number of User Groups within the UK, none of which were close to the Bracknell area. On top of this, only three of the groups' web sites were working! Something had to be done.   I began thinking about why wasn't there a Berkshire Mac User Group at least, because if there was, I'd probably want to join it. A search on Google found that there was indeed a Berkshire Mac User Group but I couldn't find any further information. Anyway, not wanting to tread on anyone's toes, or set my sights too high, I decided to start a group of my own! I thought Bracknell itself would probably be too small a catchment area to generate enough interest, so hopefully the balance is just right with Bracknell-Forest...   My aim behind setting up the Group was five-fold: To meet like-minded people, interested in promoting the use of Apple technology   Life as a Mac user is sometimes hard, not to mention depressing. I refer of course not to using the machines themselves but the fact that we a faced with a constant onslaught from the Wintel crowd. Not only do we endure irrelevant adverts on TV - just consider those Intel adverts with one of the most annoying jingles ever! Have you ever popped into somewhere like PC World to find there's a lone dalmation iMac that's not even switched on, alongside a Harmon-Kardon subwoofer? I thought so. Finally of course everyone knows at least one Wintel user who just will not accept that clockspeed alone is not a pure way of measuring how fast a computer is.   So what can we do about promoting the use of Macs? Well, I make a point of always asking why a Mac isn't switched on if I find one languishing at the back of a shop. I ask the salesperson about Macs, and make it clear I'm not interested in any Wintel boxes. If you're lucky and in a place like John Lewis, then there are typically a number of Macs running, but they're normally just sitting doing nothing. So start up a swish application - get a demo running, or on OS X the screen saver alone normally draws the crowds!   To establish a forum for people to share ideas and problems relating to their Apple computer   At sometime or other, you can bet that there will be a problem that has you stumped. It could be related to a new application, or you simply want to do something but don't know how to go about it. Or, it could be that you've stumbled upon a really great shortcut or technique that you want to tell people about. Well, the BFMUG will help you on both counts!   In addition to this, what do you think about Apple's business strategy? Its products? Its support offerings? If you have an opinion on anything Apple related, then voice it and perhaps we can do something about it...   To create a platform for local talent to show off their skills   You probably have done some pretty cool work on your Mac. It could range from producing academic work from a homework assignment, through to a PhD thesis. It could be a recipe book for your Mum, or a calendar through to a full blown multi-media DVD. Well come and show it off! Even if you think it was nothing, you know more about that particular project that anyone else, and to them it could be the most amazing thing they've seen. There's nothing better than being inspired by others to produce your own masterpiece; sometimes all we need is a nudge or a realisation that yes, actually, it can be done. Who knows - it could even lead to that job you've been after.   To promote awareness of local businesses involved with Apple computers   With the advent of mail order and e-commerce, people often overlook the local supplier. If the Group is aware of services offered locally, it can encourage members to make use of these if they are perceived to offer value for money. The Group can also act as a low cost advertising medium for those businesses.   Equally, the Bracknell area is fortunate enough to be home to many high-tech businesses who offer Apple related solutions. However, not all of these are well known, and the Group aims to represent a means of publicising those lesser known companies.   To create an identifiable body within the local community   The aim here is to provide assistance in the sense that for any member, the Group can act as a recognised referee. For example, any student presenting to the BFMUG can record the event on their CV and have it recognised by a local employer.   Additionally, the Group be involved in local fund raising activities and volunteer organisations.   As a wrap up comment, I've been using Apple Macs since 1992 and have fallen in and out of love with them on numerous occasions. I know there are many others out there who must experience the same love-hate-but-mostly-love relationship with their little computer, so please, please come along and let's try to make a difference. Who knows - we might even have some fun doing it! There is a fine line between fanaticism and passion, and I know which side of it I am on. I truly look forward to meeting others as passionate as I am.   Tim Wyles, January 2002 <-- Back