(Austin, Texas - July 26, 1993) Austin's Macintosh users now have a valuable source of computing experience and resources. Capitol Macintosh is newly formed, non-profit organization designed to help Austinites get more enjoyment and productivity from their Macintosh computers.
Capitol Macintosh was initiated by a group of local computer professionals and enthusiasts who felt the need for a shared resource of information and expertise. Springing from ongoing discussions on area electronic bulletin board systems, Capitol Macintosh literally originated in cyberspace. CapMac's first members felt that, while Austin is home to many excellent on-line resources, these are only accessible with specific telecommunications hardware and software. To make these resources available to the average user, Capitol Macintosh was formed.
Acting president, Mark Millard, is very excited about Austin's newest Macintosh User Group. "Austin has a very large, well educated base of Macintosh users that in the past has suffered from fragmentation," says Millard, "Capitol Macintosh is here for those Mac users who want more out of their investment. Through a sociable exchange with other Mac lovers who share the same enthusiasm, members will have access to more information and resources." Millard summed it up by saying, "CapMac is about friends helping friends learn about Macs." Membership benefits include monthly meetings, access to a Macintosh-oriented electronic bulletin board system, and Offline, Capitol Macintosh's monthly newsletter.
Monthly meetings feature presentations from computer industry luminaries and representatives. All meetings are open to the public and free of charge. General meetings are held at 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the MCC Auditorium. MCC is located at Braker Lane and Mo-Pac Expressway, 3500 W. Balcones Center Drive. Special interest groups meet monthly at various locations, for separate presentations and instruction. CapMac members meet in a casual social setting every first Thursday at Scholz Beer Garten, 1607 San Jacinto.
Capitol Macintosh Online is the group's electronic bulletin board system. Started in February 1992 as MAQuarium BBS by Marco Nicolayevsky, this system currently serves over 300 users as an electronic meeting place and source of public domain software. MAQuarium became established as the premiere on-line resource in Austin's Macintosh community through its extensive software and message base offerings and internet mail capabilities. This commitment to providing exceptional value carries through in its latest incarnation as Capitol Macintosh Online. Marco Nicolayevsky, System Administrator added "I started MAQuarium as hobby, but it slowly grew gradually forming into a closely knit electronic community. However, this group lacked focus and was limited to those users who had modems. Forming Capitol Macintosh allows other Macintosh users outside the telecommunications arena to enjoy the benefits of this collaborative environment."
Apple revolutionized the personal computer industry in early 1984 with the introduction of its first Macintosh computers. Featuring an intuitive graphical user interface, Macintosh made powerful computing easy to use. Including the first Mac 128K, there are now more than 40 existing Macintosh models. Each new addition to the product line adds more options and choices for the end user, making each decision more perplexing. Capitol Macintosh is an Apple recognized user group, offering a source of knowledge and combined experience to help its members be more informed, better educated, and more productive.
Three out of four Austinites use computers at home or at work, making Austin the most computer literate city in the United States, on a per capita basis. Austin is also home to more Macintosh computers, per capita, than any city outside of Apple Computer's headquarters in Cupertino, California. With companies such as Motorola, IBM, Apple, Advanced Micro Devices and Sematech, Austin is quickly garnering a reputation as the nation's new center of hi-tech industries. Upcoming developments, specifically the PowerPC joint venture between Apple, IBM and Motorola ensure Austin's position as a breeding ground for new forms of high technology.
Capitol Macintosh is committed to providing Austin's Macintosh users with the state of the art service they deserve. More information can be obtained by calling the Capitol Macintosh Hotline at (512) 479-8040 or writing to Capitol Macintosh, P.O. 684661, Austin, Texas 78768. Information can be obtained electronically by connecting to Capitol Macintosh Online at (512) 479-0290 or writing internet mail to info@capmac.org. CapMac Online client software if freely available via anonymous ftp from rascal.ics.utexas.edu.
* The views expressed in this posting are those of the individual author. * * Created from a user account on Capitol Macintosh ONLine (512) 479-0290 *
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