the dave m arra e xperie nce

Expos’d...Apple Expo in Paris, Mac Expo in The U.K.

Trade shows can be both a lot of fun and chore in some cases. There may be some rare opportunities to check out the latest and greatest Mac-friendly gear right along with the annoyance of spending three dollars for a bottle of luke-warm water. With the conference season ramping up nicely, the kick-off begins in the E.U. for the Mac-faithful and, it seems, these shows will not disappoint.

On top of the rumors about iTunes phones and updated iPods, third-party developers have a lot to showcase as well. New cameras, printers and other peripherals, plus everything one could imagine in productivity tools, creative applications and entertainment.

Here are just a few of the sessions scheduled for these up-coming events that you may find interesting. If you are planning to attend either or both of these events (as we have members worldwide), please drop us a note to share your experiences, photos or just your thoughts from the event(s).

The TAGteam calendar (pg. 5) has the complete schedule.

Paris’ Apple Expo will feature music in a big way. With “Artist

Sessions,” Logic Express for Music and a lot of GarageBand info, there is a lot for the novice to the pro. Pro conferences include pro-photo, pro-health, pro-video and, of course, pro-audio. Look for a games arcade, Digital Life events, a “Kids in the Hall” section, and EasyMac for IT. Apple Expo also reports offering the first interactive exhibition with event data transmitted to your BlueTooth® enabled device courtesy of Kameleon Technologies. Unfortunately, earlier rumors of a major keynote address seem unfounded.

If London is your choice, this year’s show is in Olympia at the National Hall. Expect a large MUG presence as UK and EU user groups plan to attend this

show in force. “Experiences” sessions are present “Design & Publishing,” “Digital Imaging,”

“Digital Audio Visual,” “Business Solutions,” and “Music & Games.” Presenters include David Pogue, Andy Ihnatko, Deke McClelland and others.

For more information visit:www.mac-expo.co.ukwww.apple-expo.com

AUGMENTATIONS: THE APPLE GROUPS TEAM NEWSLETTER • SPECIAL DAVE MARRA EDITION • SEPTEMBER 2005

www.applegroups.org p©2005 The Apple Groups Team. All rights reserved. page 1

The Dave Marra Experience...

When summer ends, those user groups who meet in their local schools get back to the business at hand. What I hear most is that so many anx-iously await the return of presentations from Apple’s Dave Marra. For user groups, there is no finer presenter and no more fun any user group can hope for at a meeting. As Dave has given so much to us for so long, I thought it might be nice to share a little about who he is, personally, and what he does beyond his out-standing work, both off and on the clock. If you have seen him or if you have never had the pleasure, I think you’ll find this special edition interesting and a long over-due tribute to one of the people, be it business or per-sonal, that helps make MUGs more worthwhile for everyone.

Thank you, Dave!

- Daniel M. EastPresident, The Apple Groups Tea#

THE AUGMENTATIONS SPOTLIGHT: DAVE MARRAby Daniel M. Eas$Editor’s note: In order to respect Apple and their policies, this month’s AUGmentations features a ‘spotlighť article instead of our usual interview section. We hope you enjoy a brief look at the person behind the mouse as we bring you our look at Dave Marra.

For user groups, there is simply no better presentatio% than one offered by the fun and extremely dynamic Dave Marra. Officia(y, he is an Apple Senior Systems Engineer for K-12 Education. Unofficia(y, he is a MUG evangelist and user group advocate contributing a lot of

his personal time to supporting th* community. There is a lot more to him than his extremely popular sessions at user group events, Macworld Expos, conferences, and, yes, his actual work for Apple. Moreover, there is also a lot more to the actualperson than his daily

“Marrathon.” From technology events to networking to troubleshooting, Marra is always making his own time available for anyone in need. Much of the time it is way beyond “normal” business hours. Add to that a passion for th* music of R.E.M., fine timepieces, mountain biking and +hat has to be the most patient, generous wife in th* +orld, and you have the lives of many coming together in one Dave Marra.

What a lot of people do not realize about Dave Marra is that his user group activities began on his own time and on his “own dime” more than 16 years ago. His matter-of-fact style and ease in presenting allows people to feel a real understanding of his topics and, for what is a wonderful thing for Apple, a wish to own each and every single thing he demonstrates.

In 1989, Dave Marra helped start a MUG while still a student at Bloomsburg University in central Pennsylvania. With that community-based mindset embedded early on, Marra has presented to literally hundreds of user group meetings, in 14 different states, regularly since the early 90’s. As hedeveloped his now-famous “water bottle” style as a presenter, he’d be the first to admit that his earliest presenta-tions involved spending hours rehearsing and testing his demos before ever standing up in front of even a very small group of people. That hurdle seems like it was jumped long ago when you see him present today.

His passion for the Apple products he showcases is palpable. In actuality, Marra’s love for Apple started much earlier as he spent his childhood with an original Apple IIe in his parenťs home.

Today, he still owns the first Mac he ever purchased – a 68k Mac Plus with an 8 Mhz processor and 1Mb of RAM – from his college days that cost him around $2,500. Today, Marra spends most of his time on a 15” Powerbook G4 and a 12” iBook G4 which he uses in all of his presentations (yes, both).

PRESENTATIONS:Clearly, his presentations to Apple

User Groups are not only about his prowess with the products, but his joy in presenting exuded by his engaging style, even though he presents to User Groups (continues on page 3)



entirely on his own time. One of the things that differentiates Dave Marra from many other MUG presenters is his knack for putting a personal “thumb print,” if you will, on the topics he presents. He excels at customizing the presentation content and demo materials to match the unique needs of every audience. This allows those in attendance to begin thinking about what they, themselves, might want to do with these products. While some of this is by design in the Apple presentations, Marra’s dialog incorporates his own experiences and, on occasion, third-party products, to showcase the potential as he takes his audiences’ needs and working environment into account. Marra has mastered the delicate balance that goes well above and beyond the most clever,

well-crafted presentations.

ACTIVITIES:Given that Marra annually presents to, visits with and contributes to more than 50 user groups,

conferences, trade shows, expos, SIGs and special MUG events over and above his role with Apple’s education channel, his official schedule is also demanding. Coordinating his time between his many roles, not the least of which is his home life, can be a challenge, but Marra seems to take it all in stride, making it seem effortless to all who bear witness to his many talents.

REAL LIFE:When he is not presenting on a Mac or listening to his all-time favorite band, R.E.M., on his iPod, Marra can often be found on one of his mountain bikes. Living near the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, he is known to relax by navigating down a trail at high speeds, enjoying his favorite “analog

hobby”. Clearly, he finds things he loves and remains extremely devoted to them in a truly respectful and appropriate fashion.

Speaking of love and devotion, Marra’s wife, Teresa, will sometimes accompany him to user group functions and beams with pride each time. Her patience, understanding and overall

respect for her husbanďs efforts seem clear. Often she can be seen helping load heavy equipment at those MUG events she is attending.

CONCLUSION:When it comes to out-

standing quality of character, Dave Marra is the definition. A 24/7 person of integrity, honesty and a shirt-off-his- back/”call me anytime if you need help” guy that not only is the ideal Apple employee (in this writer’s opinion and having met many, many, many of them in nearly all of Apple’s channels), but a model for excellence in user group leadership, membership and personal friendship.

WHERE TO FIND HIM: www.marrathon.com



MUG LEADERS TALK ABOUT DAVE MARRA:

“A great guy and a wonderful presenter who has gone well out of his way to share his knowledge with our group.”

- Mical Wilmoth Carton, Ambassador Emeritus/Maryland Apple Corps, Inc.

“Dave Marra has an uncanny ability to translate all the wonderful technical things that Apple offers into easy to understand ways they can be used and applied.”

- Glenn Grafton, President/Bux Mont MUG

“Dave Marra is a high-test blend of enthusiasm, knowledge, teaching skills and humanity. ‘Bottle’ his spirit, and we’d solve all our nation’s energy problems!”- David L. Davis, President,

Macintosh Association of Central New Jersey (MACNJ)

“Dave Marra is, in a word, dynamic. He is so full of information and energy that a ‘Dave Marra Experience’ is almost exhausting. Dave’s presen-tation style barely allows an audience time to catch its collective breath, but when all is said and done you realize you’ve learned a staggering amount.”

- Rick Matteso%Program Coordinator,

LIMac (Long Island Macintosh Users Group)

“My husband, Larry, often joins me at Apple presentations. Dave’s program, on Tiger, at Great Adventure [Six Flags] was the first time he didn’t fall asleep.”

- Carole DadinoSecretary, MUGSNJ

“Dave bleeds six colors. He’s there for Apple ad-vice day and night. He’s positive high energy at all Apple events. He’s well prepared for MUG meetings and has Guy Kawasaki and David Pogue type skills that both inform and entertain.”

- Dave Sevic-North Pittsburgh Macintosh Users Group

(NPMUG)

“May is ‘Marra Month’ at MUG ONE (Macintosh User Group of Oneonta, NY). Dave’s enthusiasm, expertise and boundless energy make his annual visit our most eagerly anticipated and heavily attended meeting of the year.”

- Elsa TravisanoPresident, MUG ONE – Macintosh User Group

of Oneonta, NY /Apple User Group Advisory Board

“Dave Marra’s enthusiasm, professionalism, boundless energy, and dynamic presentations make him my favorite presenter of Apple technology.”

-Maria ArguelloMLMUG President/Apple Regional

Liaison of the NE and Online Groups

“Dave Marra is an entertainer with an encyclopedic knowledge of most things Apple. I go to see him for the fun, and get great information too. MR. ENTERTAINMENT!!Dave makes it all look so easy, too.”

- Betty Salmon-Wil-Macintosh Users of Delaware (MUD)

“You won’t find a more passionate, morecharismatic, more giving person than Dave Marra. I’m honored to call him my friend.”

- Lesa SniderCowtown MUG

- Daniel M. East NOTE: This article may be reproduced by permission and with

proper attribution only. To request permission, send a( publication info, to: [email protected]

Next month: Publisher, Author, Editor and, yes, Action Figure: Adam Engst



DAVID POGUE EVENTSHe’s not your father’s New York Times columnist - OK, maybe he is, but David Pogue is many things to many people. As a long-time user

group supporter, Emmy® award-winner, musician and humorist, Pogue’s numerous books, articles, commentaries and radio & TV appearances live up to his outstanding reputation. Integrity, honesty and a common-sense approach to technology are just part of what you’ll find when you see/hear him in person. Here are two upcoming events that you and your members might enjoy.

MUGSNJSaturday, Oct. 22, 2005Gloucester County CollegeOpen to full members of area user groups; limited seating; RSVP isrequired.

For more info, visit:www.mugsnj.org/Pogue2005/

Discovery Museum’sConsumer Technology Fair 2005

Cocktail party and tech-fair preview on Friday, Sept. 23rd at 7:00pm (Tickets $100) and the public exhibits begin on Saturday, Sept. 24 running through Sunday, Sept. 25.

The “mini-expo” will feature the latest in consumer electronics and hi-tech gadgets. Tickets $10 for adults and $8.50 for children. Exhibitors include Apple, Canon, HP, Nikon, XM Radio and many more.

For more info, visit:

www.discoverymuseum.org

KATRINA AIDThe effects of the recent

hurricane on the people of the southeastern United States have stunned us all. Helping in the relief efforts can be done in many ways as there is so much need.

Chris Bastian of MetroMac presented an idea for your consideration. The concept being that a year of free MUG membership would be provided for each individual who brings their receipt from a donation of $20 or more for The Red Cross to their local user group.

Donations can also be made via Apple’s iTunes Music Store directly to The America Red Cross. Our hearts and well wishes go out to everyone affected by Katrina.



CalendarS e p t 7 - 9

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A m s t e r d a m , H o l l a n d

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P a r i s , F r a n c e

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D i s c o v e r y M u s e u m ’s C o n s u m e r Te c h n o l o g y F a i rB r i d g e p o r t , C T

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L o n d o n , E n g l a n d

ContributorsDANIEL M. EAST

TAGteam founder and president; group member“emeritus” of several MUGs.

DENNIS SELLERS

Technologies Director for TAGteam and Chief Macsimizer, MacsimumNews.

RANDY DECKEROur TAGteam Vice-President and Web Master for Bux-Mont MUG

News at The CoreEach month, our own Dennis Se(ers wi( spotlight th* top hot news stories for the Apple community.

Sign two of the approaching Armageddon: Apple has released a multi-button mouse: the $49 Mighty Mouse, which has four independently programmable buttons. (The first sign of the approaching Armageddon: Apple’s plans to switch to Intel processors in the Mac line.)There may be four buttons on the Mighty Mouse, but there’s now over 1,000 widgets available at Apple’s Dashboard site (http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/).Dozens more being added every day to support the Dashboard technology of Mac OS X.

But whaťs thousands, when you can talk about millions. On Aug. 4, Apple launched the Japanese version of the iTunes Music Store; iťs already seen more than one million songs purchased and downloaded. With American Technology Research projecting that Apple will sell over 7.1 Million iPods this quarter, it seems that there is a lot to smile about in Cupertino these days.

Speaking of millions, Apple’s web site drew over 17.4 million visitors in July, placing the company 32nd in the top 50 online properties charts, according to a

report from comScore Media Metrix. The report is the company’s monthly analysis of consumer activity at the top online properties and categories.

Hey, what can we say? Everyone loves Apple. The most recent American Consumer Satisfaction Index (ASCI) from the University of Michigan sees our favorite computer company topping the personal computer category with a score of 81 (out of 100). Dell ranked 74, Hewlett Packard nabbed a 73 and Gateway a 72. And in

PC Magazine’s 18th annual Reader Satisfaction Survey, Apple received the overall highest satisfaction rating for its desktop and laptop computers due, in part, to its integration of its computer systems and the fact that Macs attract far fewer viruses than Windows machines.

But all isn’t rosy. Last month, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office rejected an Apple patent application filed in September, 2002, for a “method and apparatus for use of rotational user inputs.” It cited among its reasons a patent application by (ulp) Microsoft researcher John Platt, who had filed some three months earlier. Apple will appeal. Double ulp: Creative Technologies has also won a patent for a user interface for digital music players.

On the other hand, D&M Holdings (whose brands include Denon, ReplayTV, McIntosh [audio], Boston Acoustics and others)

has announced their decision to fold back their Rio MP3 player line. According to their press release on August 26, 2005, “followed a determination that the mass-market portable digital audio player market was not a strong enough strategic fit with the company’s core and profitable premium consumer electronics brands to warrant additional investment...” Rio was the first of the major market portable personal digital media players. The company will continue to support the products in their afterlife while refocusing their attention on “premium home network products.”

Finally, check in with us next month as September promises to be loaded with news from Cupertino. Apple is holding a major press conference on September 7th at Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA. This is a paramount event given that there is not going to be a keynote address at Apple Expo in Paris as earlier rumored; however, some media sites are reporting that Mr. Jobs will be in attendance for the conference. Stay tuned for more as we have it!

- Dennis Se"ersFor more of your news, visit

www.macsimumnews.com



October Issue:See you next month when we feature o u r i n t e r v i e w w i t h p u b l i s h e r , a u t h o r , e d i t o r , c o l u m n i s t & a c t i o n f i g u r eAdam

Engst

TAGteam LINKS

1AppleFreeTech - Free Mac support

groups.yahoo.com/group/1AppleFreeTech/

TAGteam Leaders’ eList - News you can usewww.applegroups.org/list.html

USER GROUP LINKS

U s e r G r o u p A d v i s o r y B o a r dh o m e p a g e . m a c . c o m / u g a b /A p p l e U s e r G r o u p sw w w . a p p l e . c o m / u s e r g r o u p s /

We like to hear from you! If you have a great product, story idea or comments, drop us a note at: [email protected]

UPDATE YOUR LISTING:Just a reminder to keep your TAGteam listing current. You can use our “Join” form on our website and selec$ “UPDATE.” Please help us keep your info current! Thank You! www.applegroups.org

The contents of this newsletter may not be copied, duplicated, retransmitted, disseminated nor distributed without the written permission of The Apple Groups Team. Reprints may be requested provided that proper attribution is applied to any use of the contents and a copy of the placement is forwarded to the publisher(s) within 21 days of publication. .

All contents p©2005 The Apple Groups Team. All rights reserved. All trademarks are property of their respective owners.

The Apple Groups Team is not affiliated with Apple Computer.

On Deck with Randy DeckerTOP 10 HOMEWORK HELP SITES

1. +ww.homeworkhigh.co#2. +ww.homeworkspot.co#3. +ww.infoplease.co#4. +ww.webmath.co#5. school.discovery.com/students/6. +ww.homeworkelephant.co.u-7. +ww.factmonster.co#8. +ww.refdesk.com/homework.html9. backtoschool.about.co#10.+ww.studentquestions.co#

G o t t a t o p i c y o u w a n t R a n d y t o t a c k l e ? Fi n d o u t w h a ť s h o t , w h a ť s n o t , a n d M r. D e c k e r ’ s t a k e o n i t a l l . . .

S e n d i t t o u s a t :AU G m e n t a t i o n s @ a p p l e g r o u p s . o r g

Thanks again for your feedback. We’re work-ing hard to bring you all the news you can use for your organization and your members/staff.



the dave m arra e xperie nce

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