What is it? What does it do? What doesn’t it do? We’ll try to answer these and other questions about the gadget that was admittedly more of a hobby device for Apple for years. We’ll also cover the recent updates to the device.

There’s also Mac OS 10.7.4, the latest update. Apple passes Java update responsibility back to its maker and disables earlier, less secure versions of Java.

We’ll cover anything else that comes up, as well.

As always, the Macintosh Mystery Hour precedes the main meeting. Bring your questions. Bring your answers. Bring a friend!

The snow forced all but a very small (but thoroughly intrepid) band of adventurers to miss the March meeting. The basic idea for this month is the same – with new additions from the intervening time. We’ll look under the hood of the new iPad to get a better view of the new goodies. We’ll also check out the new iOS 5.1 features, Garage Band, iMovie, the new AppleTV, Apple Stock Dividends and whatever else surfaces this month.

As always, the Macintosh Mystery Hour precedes the main meeting. Bring your questions. Bring your answers. Bring a friend!

The headline says it all. We’ll look under the hood to get a better view of the new goodies. We’ll also check out the new iOS 5.1 features, Garage Band, iMovie, the new AppleTV, Apple Stock Dividends and the NPR take-back.

Just an aside. Apple has sold a zillion iPads and their stock is pushing $600 a share. Those of you who remember $14 Apple shares are probably breathless right now. iPod, iPhone, iOS, iPad, iPad 2 and the new iPad are the big drivers of this latest growth spurt. Apple says there is more in stock later this year. Currently, that one $14 share purchased in 1994 – after two stock splits and a wild ride – would buy a new MacBook Air and a high-end iPad. Food for thought.

As always, the Macintosh Mystery Hour precedes the main meeting. Bring your questions. Bring your answers. Bring a friend!

The February meeting will revolve around the latest “big news” from Apple. iBook Author was released on January 19th and it has already been updated with a change to the EULA (End User License Agreement) to make it more clear who owns the content generated using the application. We’ll tinker a bit with the program and discuss the implications for the textbook business. It’s clear that the kids using these textbooks will rejoice. Packing 60 pounds of books around all day is no picnic!

As always, the Macintosh Mystery Hour precedes the main meeting. Bring your questions. Bring your answers. Bring a friend!

Microsoft software on Apple devices.  It’s a thought to make shivers run up and down the spine of any true Apple fan. Strange as it may seem, it’s time to explore the subject again. The last time we did this was several years ago. This time we’re separated by (at least) two huge watershed events in the Macintosh operating system. Microsoft Apps for the Mac OS and iOS. BYOV (Valium)

We’ll also look at the iPad vs. MacBook Air. What do you really need to do your work with? The answer(s) may surprise you!

As always, the Macintosh Mystery Hour precedes the main meeting. Bring your questions. Bring your answers. Bring a friend!

OS 10.7 Lion is a watershed in the Macintosh world. As with the advent of OS 10.0, what ran on your Mac before, may not run under the new OS. Power PC code is dead. Those companies who failed to update to Intel based code despite all the warnings are left on the porch all dressed up for last year’s dance.

The plan is to discuss the implications of a move to Lion with respect to what stays and what goes in your Applications folder. The list of compatible applications is growing. There are also applications the run without problems but don’t take advantage of some or all of Lion’s features. We’ll want your input in this, as well.

We’ll meet downstairs in the COLONIAL INN this month.

As always, the Macintosh Mystery Hour precedes the main meeting. Bring your questions. Bring your answers. Bring a friend!

This month Jeff Scoble from The Mac Store will bring the latest toys and gadgets to fuel our lust for technology. We are doing this show a month early because there’s just not enough time for serious decision-making if we wait until December. Be ready to make your list and check it twice!

We’ll meet upstairs in the GREEN ROOM this month.

As always, the Macintosh Mystery Hour precedes the main meeting. Bring your questions. Bring your answers. Bring a friend!

We’ll take time this month to reflect on the contributions to our lives made by Steve. Here are a few observations, comments, and links regarding his life and his work.

From our member Richard Lennox:
Guy [Kawasaki] was the pr development evangelist & marketer for Macintosh in the early days
was going to make a Facebook marketing presentation, when he heard that his old boss had died.
Switched topic to SJ.

http://vimeo.com/30115815

Audio only, but oh my…
touched on the revolutionary aspect of Mac… a core enchantment that touched me way back when (& still continues!)

Check out this short video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob_GX50Za6c&feature=youtube_gdata_player

From The New York Times:

OP-ED COLUMNIST: What Makes Steve Jobs Great

The visionary businessman broke all the rules at Apple, except his own.

http://nyti.ms/q2cqQM

My favorite living hero, perhaps the best tribute to him, yet.

There may be a few little additions to the evening depending on time.

From our member Eric Hall:
We all are dying, I know…. still, his demand for something that met his measure of value remains a rare quality these days.

And this:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/08/24/technology/steve-jobs-patents.html?emc=eta1

Steve Jobs’s Best Quotes*

Steve jobs tribute song:
http://azrmusic.bandcamp.com/track/thank-you-steve?permalink

We’ll meet upstairs in the GREEN ROOM this month.

As always, the Macintosh Mystery Hour precedes the main meeting. Bring your questions. Bring your answers. Bring a friend!

Apple has yet to release iOS5 but there’s enough useful information available to get a good start on understanding the new System. That’s the preview part.

We’ll take  time to explore some of the back corners of Mac OS 10.7 Lion. That’s the review part.

There may be a few little additions to the evening depending on time.

We’ll meet upstairs in the GREEN ROOM this month.

As always, the Macintosh Mystery Hour precedes the main meeting. Bring your questions. Bring your answers. Bring a friend!

This month well just relax and have a picnic. This meeting is open to members and their families and significant others. Members can also bring friends. We’ll light the grill at 5:30.

The place is Charnel Mulligan Park at 17th & Charnelton. That’s 2 blocks west of the Veterans’ Building where we normally meet. It’s a beautiful urban park with shaded eating space and lots of space for the kids to play. There’s a small market (Cornucopia) down the street if you forget anything and Safeway is 3 blocks away if you REALLY forget something.

EMUG will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, buns, condiments, soda and paper plates. Bring side dishes, chips or salad. Bring your own cutlery (We’ll have some spares available).

** In case of rain we’ll abandon the picnic and meet as usual at the Veterans Memorial Building.
Bring a friend and bring a smile!