Hey everyone – we recorded the first podcast for the Users Group last week before the holiday and I just got it posted. Don’t know what a podcast is? – Click here. Basically its just a redux of the last (first) meeting. It covers what we talked about basically – the free stuff – the contest, etc. If you get a chance check it out and let us know what you think. If you like it please let us know – that way we can decide to keep it going if it is helpful to those who have missed the last meeting, etc. If you use iTunes or a podcast reader you can subscribe to the podcast by using the feed url: http://www.pittmfug.com/podcast/podcast.xml. If you don’t listen to podcasts or subscribe you can always download the mp3 itself here (http://www.pittmfug.com/podcast/pittmfug1.mp3). A big thanks goes out to Mike Rajakovic for audio engineering the podcast and to Julia Hannan for the great intro piece. Hope you like it! Thanks!
-Ben Pritchard

Hey guys – we talked about the Holiday Card/Application contest at the first meeting so here is the official post and call for entries. The contest consists of you submitting to us (Ben or Wayne) a url or files that you personally had a hand in creating and that are related to the Holiday season.

If you are creating a holiday card/application for your place of employment and want to use that – it is fair game. The only stipulations are:

A) You had to have worked on it yourself.
B) It uses Flash

That leaves the whole thing wide open – amaze us – make us laugh – dazzle us with your programming skill – animate your hands off.

Entry deadline is December 12th.

Depending on how many entries we get we may create multiple prizes or categories. Prize(s) will be determined at a later date like we talked about. We will vote on entries at the next meeting. Good luck!

-Ben Pritchard

Well our first meeting is in the bag and it went pretty well in my opinion. I’m sorry I scheduled it on Light Up Night! Anyway – the turnout from you guys was great and I can’t wait until next meeting. I will process the list of emails and try to get them all added to a list for contacting you guys. I have also uploaded the meeting power point slides and the Reflect Class that I demoed at the meeting.

Some of you had expressed interest in displaying your work for the next meeting so I need to start having those interested email me so we can decide who is going to present and what they are going to present. If you have something other than actual work to present (like work you found that you like, etc) please contact me so that I can get the agenda for the next meeting done.

If anyone missed the signup list or was not able to attend the meeting and would like to be added to the mailing list – please email me and I will add you.

I thought the BYOB and food went pretty well but if anyone still thinks they can find a sponsor for next meeting (ask your place of employment maybe) for snacks then let me know. Otherwise we will continue making it BYOB.

I would appreciate any feedback on the meeting – good or bad. I know you may not have wanted to speak up in front of everyone so now is your chance. Email Wayne or I (Ben) and let us know your thoughts.

It was great seeing and meeting all of you. Get some friends to come with you next time and our group will continue to grow and improve. Thanks again guys and girls!

-Ben Pritchard

It was great meeting everyone! It’s nice to finally put faces with emails. I thought we had a great turnout for meeting #1.

We will be taking requests for discussion topics or tutorials for next meeting. If you want to cover something yourself, or you’d like us to give a tutorial on a specific subject, let us know.

I tallied a current list of the different companies we can receive discounts from through the MMUG:

Books:
Manning Publications (discounts coming soon)
www.manning.com

O’Reilly (30% discounts for MMUG members)
www.oreilly.com

SAMS (book discounts, non-specific)
www.samspublishing.com

APress (25% book discounts)
www.apress.com

Peachpit (to come)
www.peachpit.com

Software:
Electric Rain – Swift 3D (20% off all Swift 3D products)
I will send members a promotional code for this one when I receive.
https://www.erain.com/store/

There’s more to come.

Thanks again to everyone for attending. Keep in touch and see you in December.

- Wayne Lincoln

Tonight is the night! We are meeting at 6:00pm – Hope to see you there! It is BYOB and food tonight so don’t forget!