Office Software for Mac

One of my neighbors bought a new iMac with El Capitan and asked for some help in getting it set up with a new printer and learning how to use it. His biggest problem was with word processing as the program he had been using for many years was incompatible with El Capitan and he had many files on his old laptop that he didn’t want to lose. He didn’t care for Pages and needed help in finding a new word processor. He also needed some spreadsheet capabilities. That set me on a search to find other alternatives for him to try. And in the process I learned a lot about other options for office software for the Mac, some of it free. I thought the SBAMUG might be interested in what I learned.

Joan King

Don’t miss the meeting! See page 2 of our newsletter for details.

April 27 Meeting

iPhone Out of the Box

George Wilde will be discussing iPhone and iPad Basics – just what comes with your iPhone or iPad out of the box. There will be no discussion of any third party Apps, or even Apple Apps that do not come preinstalled on a new iPhone or iPad.

The presentation addresses how you can use your iPhone or iPad to maximum advantage with iOS 9. including iPhone and iPad controls, buttons, and switches, use of finger gestures, arranging apps and organizing them into folders, using Spotlight search, Siri and “Hey Siri”, multitasking and navigating between apps, use of copy & paste, discussion of what all of those numerous little status bar icons mean, finding somewhat hidden critical settings that can improve performance and avoid excessive charges – including Wi-Fi Calling, Wi-Fi Assist, Personal Hotspots, and Data Roaming, setting a secure passcode as well as passcode and fingerprint implications, privacy considerations, using Apple Pay, use of iCloud and iCloud security, as well as music and photos in iCloud and cost tradeoffs among the several music and photo options available from Apple, using your iPhone in an emergency, using the Control Center and Notification Center, adding email accounts, generating secure notes, setting up reminders, using handoff between devices, Slide Over, Split View, and Picture in Picture on newer iPads, and many other topics.

The presentation uses a number of photos, screen captures, and very short screen videos to clearly illustrate the topics being discussed. A PDF of the presentation slides will be posted on the SBAMUG website so that you can go back and refer to the presentation materials at a later time. Bring your iPhone or iPad to the meeting so that you can follow along.

Also, Tom Thorpe will continue his series on Internet Basics with a short presentation titled Hooking Up.

Don’t miss the meeting! See page 2 of our newsletter for details.

February Meeting

6:30 PM – Beginners Q & A

8:00 PM – Mac Maintenance

On Feb 24, Mike Cowan of Mcgyver Technologies in Lomita will cover tips on Mac preventive maintenance and diagnosing problems with both hardware and software. He will also suggest his preferred software utilities for antivirus protection, and maintaining computers and hard drives.

As a bonus, Tom Thorpe will continue his series on Internet Basics with a short presentation titled Packets.

Don’t miss the meeting!