Hi All!! For those that missed the meeting here is a run down of what happened. (Apologies for any errors or mistakes. I'll get better over time.) :o)
Peter opened the meeting with Q & A. There was a query with a G5 that locks up on sleep. The screen doesn't kernal panic but in fact pixelates where the mouse pointer used to be. Suggested checking for G5 firmware update. Another query in regards to File sharing with OS9 and OSX and if 10.3.3. Would make it any better. Peter Hinchliffe said it should just work fine and drag and drop should still work the same. Martin Hill demonstrated Sailing Clicker with his Sony Ericsson P900 phone and his computer. He used Bluetooth to show off how to control iTunes through the phone while wondering around. Changing tracks, adjusting volume and more. He also covered some of the features of the P900 and how it is combined with with a PDA, diary features and more. His phone rang and the music paused while someone was calling. It would also be useful as a remote for PowerPoint/Keynote presentations and controlling slides, and also getting the speakers notes on the phone. You can also go into mouse mode and use the phone as a mouse on the laptop to control the pointer. You can also access your email account and look at your email as well, and use the Opera browser as well. Matt Healey then showed off Garage Band using a USB (piano) Keyboard. (Kindly borrowed off Peter Botman. Sells from Kosmic in Osborne Park for $99.) GarageBand being part of iLife '04. (Retails for $79 from your favourite Apple supplier.) By using the USB keyboard you can play musical notes and tunes which then get added to your track. Once you are happy with it you can then add another instrument by changing your selection. It comes with many sounds pre built in (you can add more by purchasing the GarageBand Jam Pack for $158). You can then build up your musical template and have layer after layer of different instruments. You can also export it to iTunes (as an mp3) once you are happy with your "compilation" and share it with the world. Matt played one of the demos to give an idea of what can be accomplished. For best performance you need a G4 500-600MHz or better. So you don't necessarily have to have a lot of musical talent, but you can certainly have a lot of fun!! Peter Hinchliffe then demo'ed the new version of FileMaker, Version 7.The idea is to show us some of the underlying changes. He gave a brief history through the versions. Version 7 is quite a change to the program and the workings of it. Filemaker gains table formats for the first time. Peter then demo's how FileMaker uses relationships and portals. (2 files work together quite nicely.) With a lot of scripting you could have a lot of files all open and working together, which can slow it down a little over networking. Filemaker 7 changes this. Business tracker lets you have one file open which accesses different tables/file references rather then many separate databases. It uses a lot of internal tables, rather than separate files. It makes it easier and more straight forward. (It also gives you a more complex relationship overview that you can work with more.) The trick is to keep it organised at the start and keep it going from there. It will then allow you to build some powerful solutions. Using repeating fields, graphics and properties allows you to build a tabbed Filemaker solution that is a lot more powerful then previous versions. (Also helped through scripting.) Another technical change added is a lot more functions, a new one called "get function" and "logic" functions (called "let" which allows local variables, which wasn't used before. It allows you to write your own functions. Almost close to a programmable language.) Accounts and privileges are also increased. It is now a lot more secure. Peter then showed a QuickTime demo of some of the changes. I then demo'ed the new Nanosaur 2:Hatchling game which allows you to play I 3D. We showed this off with some 3D glasses kindly loaned from Shay Telfar. Nanosaur 2 is a continuation of the original Nanosaur storyline, yet this time you get to fly a pteradactyl who's loaded with hi-tech weaponry, and the game is much larger than the original 1998 game. In addition to the adventure mode where you blast enemy dinos and save eggs, there are also six two-player levels including racing, capture-the-flag, and battle. The demo is available off the local WAMUG mirror site. (If not there as yet, it will be shortly) <http://mirrors.wamug.org.au/macgamefiles/pangea/> Running it in 3D is quite a difference. You can also get updates to Otto Matic and Bugdom 2 as well so that these will also run in 3D. Certainly worth a look if you want something different out of a game. I finished it off with a movie trailer of ThunderBirds. Door prizes given away and the meeting closed with Tea and Coffee. Other items: The annual "prize draw" was postponed to next meeting once the "new" website is up and running, and more people are "financial" (joined.) So thanks all for those that came along and we look forward to seeing you at next meeting. (9.51pm and I'm about to go home!) :o) Thanks in advance! Enjoy! Kind Regards Daniel Kerr
