We have a two-part presentation program for our upcoming SMMUG Regular Meeting on Thursday, 2 February 2012.  Because this is a special program, we will present it differently from our normal schedule.  We will begin the first presentation promptly at 6:00 pm, following the usual welcome and announcements.  There will be no group or breakout Q&A sessions this week, but the SMMUG Board members will be available in the lobby to answer your individual questions during the 15 minute break between programs.

  The first presentation will address the use of iPads for the special needs community that includes teachers, therapists, and students.  iPads have become an essential tool, an assistive technology, for those diagnosed with various special needs.  Using iPads in the classrooms and the homes of special needs students have transformed the way these students and individuals learn and communicate with others.  We will be joined by a young boy named David who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Attending along with David will be his classroom teacher, his therapist, and his mother.  All three ladies have seen improvements in David’s skills through his use of the iPad running special apps, and are excited enough about this technology to attend our SMMUG meeting, relate stories on their use of iPads, and answer questions that the audience poses.  We hope to have David demonstrate his use of the iPad for you and his screen will be projected for all to see.  We will end this presentation at 7:00 pm in order for David to go home and go to bed.

  Following the break, the second presentation will begin at 7:15 pm.  Apple recently announced the release of iBooks 2, iTunes U, and iBooks Author.  In addition, Apple has worked deals with three major textbook publishers to provide college and high school textbooks for its iBooks 2 app – for $15 each.  We will demonstrate these new products, discuss some pros and cons, and field questions from the audience.

  It’s going to be an exciting and informative evening.  Hope to see you there.

The SMMUG New User/Special Interest Group (SIG) will meet as usual (first Saturday after the Regular Meeting) from10:00 AM to 12:00 noon on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at the Colorado Springs Senior Center, 1514 N. Hancock Ave. in Colorado Springs.  This meeting will be held in the Multi-Media Room (just follow the SMMUG signs).  It will include the normal Show & Tell, a Q&A session, and a special presentation by Mark Pimentel on Apple's Keynote application program. 

Bring your tips & tricks and questions to share.  New users are especially encouraged to attend.