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DAVE MERTEN aka BMER
Founder/MUG Ambassador/President
Professional Experience:
Dave was one of the founding guides at The Mining Company,
now known as About.com, in February 1998. Dave was their "Focus
on Mac Support" guide. Before that, he had his own Mac support
website called Mac Help by Bmer. One of the editors at The Mining
Company happened to come across it one day and emailed Dave to
ask him if he was interested in becoming a Mac Support Guide at
their newly formed company. Needless to say, he jumped at the
opportunity.
After working 30+ years
in the electronics repair field, Dave has an enormous passion
for tackling difficult problem issues and helping Mac users. A
member of The Association of Macintosh Trainers, Dave was also
a staff member at the former NoWonder.com, where he assisted thousands
of Mac users with technical problems. He also started the former
Mac 611 Repair™ which had offered technical phone support
through Keen.com, and had integrated it into Focus on Mac Support
at About.com.
Dave's Focus on Mac Support
site at About.com had been profiled in a number of Macintosh publications
worldwide. Access Internet Magazine gave the site a four
star rating. Internet Magazine in the United Kingdom rated
it number one in their Top Ten of Mac resource sites. The French
magazine SVM Mac published an interview with Dave. Mac
Today profiled his sight in the Sept/October 1998 issue. TechSightings
reviewed his site back in 1998 and gave it very high ratings.
From Dave Merten:
"The primary focus of this site is to unite passionate Mac
users from all over the globe and create a community to share
ideas, and at the same time, lend support. We try to
address technical issues that affect the performance, reliability
and enjoyment for the Macintosh user. Some of the subjects we
address include: compatibility issues, system maintenance, software
updates and performance tuning. If you have a problem with your
Mac and need help, simply post it in our forums. Questions are
usually answered in 24-hours or less." |
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RICK VARGAS DELMAN aka JESTERSHINRA
Admin/Editor/Vice President
Professional Experience:
A working computer tech for some years now, Rick is well-versed
in many aspects of computing, including large amounts of experience
with the Macintosh, among other, platforms. Experience running
his own sites, mostly for development, has given him invaluable
experience in the world of online support and forums.
Aside from school, some
of his roles are moderator/editor/developer/podcaster at Mac Owners
Support Group. As one of few at MacOSG equally proficient in OS
X and Windows (and some *nixes), he often tries to "level
the playing-field", providing some needed balance along with
useful information.
From Rick Vargas Delman:
"Support groups are invaluable, in that they provide
services a company simply cannot. Honest, reliable information
is hard to come by because of the deluge of propaganda and misinformation
on the internet, so a full-time Mac Support Group is an extremely
valuable resource. At MacOSG, we strive to provide an ideal environment
for both fun and support, a place where people can rely on for
solid technical knowledge and a bit of fun every now and then."
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CORY COOPER
Admin/Podcasting/MUG Meeting Coordinator/Secretary
Professional Experience:
Formerly with CompuServe and America Online, Cory has been a
computer industry professional for over 13 years. He was a Distribution
Supervisor for CompuServe, where he oversaw several facets of
the business including: software kit production/fulfillment,
CompuServe Magazine fulfillment, hi-speed printing services,
corporate computer help and repair, and data entry. At America
Online, Cory was Commodities Manager in Marketing Operations.
He was in charge of paper/packaging/software media buying, marketing
material acquisition/scheduling/print buying, department computer
tech, and vendor relations/presentations.
Cory has numerous certifications in Macintosh/Windows applications,
is a charter professional member of NAPP (National Association
of Photoshop Professionals), and is currently working towards
becoming an Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist (ACHDS), an
Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC), and an Apple Certified
System Administrator (ACSA).
In addition, Cory currently owns a small Web hosting and design
company, is a professional DJ, is an active Macintosh/PC computer
tech, and is a general consultant to the computer industry.
He has been an Apple/Macintosh user since the late 70s/early
80s, and owns thirteen Macs and an Apple //e.
From Cory Cooper: “The
Crazy Ones are family to me. I love helping people with any
issue - large or small. The MacOSG has grown very quickly into
one of the leading resources for Macintosh support, and information.
With an extremely diverse membership base that spans the globe,
there is almost always someone logged in and willing to help.
No red tape, no attitudes, no B.S. Just fast, friendly, accurate
information to help you get the most out of your Macintosh’s
hardware, software, and peripherals. Oh yeah, one more thing...we
throw a little fun and friendship in there too!” |
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CHRISTIAN BARGMANN aka MACAHOLIC
Moderator
Professional Experience:
A computer enthusiast that got his passion for technology started
by programming BASIC on a TI 99/4A and RadioShack TRS-80 Then
fell in love with a Macintosh SE/30, and the rest was history.
His love affair with Apple industrial design and the Macintosh
GUI led to a quite normal immersion into all things Apple. Collecting
and maintaining Apple hardware has given him plenty of experience
and allows him to assist others in need. He also enjoys building
PCs as a hobby and has experience with the strengths and weaknesses
of both AMD and Intel platforms as well. He puts all of his
hardware to work in his practice and for science.
Aside from running a busy solo dental practice, he donates much
personal and processing time to help in the Folding@home distributed
computing project. He is moderator and MUG Ambassador for Team
MacOS X and beta tester for Folding@home.
From Christian Bargmann: "I
love technology. Give me the bleeding edge. I'll immerse myself
in it and help others to avoid any pitfalls. I enjoy being a
"silicon monkey" and getting my hands dirty. From
that understanding, I hope to be able to provide a quick, friendly
response and help enrich others."
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KIM MARTIN LARNI aka klarni
MUG Meeting Host
Professional Experience:
Kim has been an Apple enthusiast since 1987. He started to work
with Apple computers by selling Mac training software and
also software for Mac business users. In the 90's he worked
at a printing company doing lay-outs and image editing. It was
his responsibility to keep all the company's Apple computers
running smoothly. He also ran his own business beside his
day job doing page lay-outs and image editing for a publisher.
He retired in 2000.
From Kim Martin: "I've
loved Apple computers since I first used one. It has been
interesting to see how Macs have evolved through the
years. They just keep getting better and better every year.
I couldn't see myself using anything but a Mac. Since the first
day I found MacOSG, I've had a great time browsing through the
forums, meeting a lot of nice people and making a lot of new
friends. It's great to be part of the MacOSG European Podcast
Crew too!"
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JOANNE MORELLI aka GRINNIN
News Anchor/Moderator
Professional
Experience: Joanne Morelli is Sales and Marketing Director
of a venture capital firm focused primarily on developmental and
expansion stage technology companies and in management buy out
opportunities. With a background that includes finance and sales
management positions, she has worked in website design & creation
and relies heavily on the Mac operating system for both professional
and personal applications.
From Jonne Morelli: "Each morning
when I wake up and hear the "chime" of my Mac when I
boot it up, I realize once again how amazed I am at what is possible
with this piece of technology that only gets better every day.
Ten years ago sending video over an internet connection was unheard
of. Today even grandmothers can talk to their grandkids, miles
away, online. Technology will only get better. It's exciting to
think of what will be possible in the future.
MacOSG is a great place to find out about
all the new advances and to get advice on how to make things work
when they won't. We have a great community here with Mac users
from all over the world. Any time, day or night, you can log on
and meet a friend." |
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CHRIS RAYMOND aka cjr
Newsletter Editor
Professional Experience:
Plagued with two geeky passions - writing and computers - since
childhood, Chris received regular playground beatings from those
jealous of his high marks in English class as he hid his fascination
with all things tech to ward off even more abuse and taunting.
Purchasing his first computer in the early '80s (the venerable
Commodore 64), Chris wrote many Basic programs for his own amusement,
including a crappy rudimentary word-processing program that
he still insists inspired Microsoft Word whenever he's drunk.
After earning the world's most useless college degree (English,
which he could already speak!), he entered the glamorous low-paying
world of magazine publishing in 1988. Today, he is the editor
of the world's most widely read monthly magazine for funeral
directors, administrates half a dozen Mac G5s and an XServe
at the office, and puts MacOSG Newsletter together every two
weeks at home on his tenth Mac since 1992.
From Chris Raymond: "I
would willingly take a bullet for Steve Jobs. No, really, man...he's
a GOD and I love him. I cried when Sculley ousted him in '85.
Look at Apple since he returned, dude. You think Pepsi Boy woulda
thought of the iPod? Gimme a break. Oh, yeah, I am sooooo gonna
dump my Blackberry for an iPhone. You gonna finish that beer?
Have I ever told you how I invented Microsoft Word?"
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RYAN Mc KENZIE aka Chloran
Support News Anchor
Professional Experience:
Ryan's a fairly new Mac user, just started to use Mac's in late
2004. But his first computer experience began with the playing
around on the family's home computer running MS-DOS and Windows
3.1. From there Ryan has experience in all of the Windows releases
up to Windows XP. With his purchase of his new iBook in 2004
he dropped all dependancies from the Windows world within a
day, and has never looked back.
From Ryan McKenzie: "After
finding MacOSG through Apple Discussion Forums, I found this
wonderful site that has a great sense of community. I have never
left with a question that hasn't been answered. Mac OS X is
just supposed to work, but like any other Operating System,
there can be problems with it and it's software. We are here
to help anyone who comes by with a question, and I will post
the latest software releases and Apple Support Articles to keep
you informed." |
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MICHAEL SNOW
MacOSG Technical Assistant
Professional Experience:
Michael Snow has been a computer enthusiast since 1977, when he
first logged in on a Hewlett Packard 2000F mainframe system. During
a long career in the military, he has used his computer skills
to good advantage in many places around the world. A self-confessed
Operating System "junkie", he has many years of experience
with Microsoft DOS, Windows, Linux and FreeBSD. Michael has been
a Mac user since 2003.
From Michael Snow: "Computers
are supposed to make our lives easier and more productive. The
powerful and slick interfaces that we enjoy today sit atop a foundation
of incredible complexity. When things don't work right, you have
to understand the foundation to fix the problem. I'm a fixer.
I enjoy helping other people to get the most from their computers.
No problem is too complex." |
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MIKE VANDE VEN JR. aka GIANTMIKE
MacOSG Technical Assistant
Professional Exterience:
Mike has been a Mac user since he was
a wee lad, and his dad brought home a Performa 475 from work.
Almost from day one he was poking around the system, using
every utility he could find to learn about what exactly made
that computer tick. After a few years, he decided to upgrade
the RAM. Instead of paying someone else to do it, he took
the initiative, and installed it himself. This is what started
his life as a Computer Engineer.
In high school, Mike
coined the nickname "giantmike" and started his
own website. The site was crudely designed, but Mike didn't
care, as long as the accurate content was there. Over time,
his website became recognized by many Mac users as a great
place for information, reviews, and tips for their Macs.
Mike also began his
life as a software developer while in high school. Starting
out with Codewarrior and the C language, Mike created a small
game with bad graphics, poor sounds, but a good amount of
fun. Mike has also built a personal diving calculator for
Mac OS X users, which has received many good reviews. He has
a great knack for picking up on programing languages, and
currently knows well over a dozen of them. Now, Mike is software
developer for Epic Systems Corporation, a software company
who delivers an integrated suite of applications for the healthcare
industry.
Mike Vande Ven Jr.:
"The hardest thing about helping others at a computer
support site is translating the technical jargon into a language
anyone can understand. Not only must you consider the level
of computer experience the other poster(s) have have, but
also their place of origin and primary language. This is something
many of the MacOSG members seem to understand, and is what
makes MacOSG one of the best Mac help websites on the Net."
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